The epidemiology of mycotic vulvovaginitis and the use of antifungal agents in suspected mycotic vulvovaginitis and its implications for clinical practice / Epidemiología de la Vulvovaginitis Micótica y el uso de Agentes Antifungales Ante la Sospecha de Vulvovaginitis Micótica, y sus Implicaciones en la Práctica Clínica

Data in the Caribbean documenting the speciation of yeast associated with vulvovaginitis are lacking. The widespread use of antibiotics and increased availability of antimycotic agents, both prescribed and over-the-counter, predisposes both to a change in the epidemiologic patterns and the possible development of secondary resistance among previously susceptible yeast. This study was conducted to evaluate the aetiologic agents associated with mycotic vulvovaginitis and to review the appropriateness of prescribed antifungal therapy. Of 134 positive isolates, the most frequent yeast isolate was C. albicans accounting for 78%, C. tropicalis 10%, Prototheca wickerhamii (P. wickerhamii) 5%, C. glabrata 4%, Cryptococcus albidus (C. albidus) 2% and C. lusitaniae (1%) were also isolated. Of the positive cases, 75% were treated with antifungals, 17% with antibiotics and 8% were not treated. The azole group was the most frequently prescribed antifungal (71%). Of cases with negative yeast cultures, 83% were treated with antifungals. The presence of non-albicans Candida species and other opportunistic fungi is an important finding and combined with the pattern of therapy, represents a major challenge for future empirical therapeutic and prophylactic strategies in the treatment of mycotic vulvovaginitis

La región del Caribe carece de datos que documenten la especiación de la levadura asociada con la vulvovaginitis. El uso extendido de antibióticos y la mayor disponibilidad de agentes antimicóticos ­ tanto los adquiridos mediante prescripción facultativa como los que pueden comprarse sin receta médica ­ predisponen por un lado a un cambio en los patrones epidemiológicos, y por otro al posible desarrollo de resistencia secundaria en la levadura previamente susceptible. Este estudio se llevó a cabo con el fin de evaluar los agentes etiológicos asociados con la vulvovaginitis micótica y examinar cuán adecuada resulta la terapia antifúngica prescrita. De 134 aislados positivos, el aislado de levadura más frecuente fue el C albicans responsable del 78%. También fueron aislados C tropicalis 10%, Prototheca wickerhamii (P wickerhamii) 5%, C glabrata 4%, Cryptococcus albidus (C albidus) 2% y C lusitaniae (1%). El 75% de los casos positivos fueron tratados con antifúngicos, el 17% con antibióticos, en tanto que un 8% no recibió tratamiento alguno. Los medicamentos antifungosos de la familia azol (71%) fueron los más frecuentemente prescritos. El 83% de los casos con cultivos de levadura negativos, fue tratado con antifúngicos. La presencia de especies de Candida no albicans y otros hongos oportunistas, constituye un hallazgo importante, y en combinación con el modelo de terapia, representa un desafío de importancia considerable para las futuras estrategias empíricas ­ tanto terapéuticas como profilácticas ­ en el tratamiento de la vulvovaginitis micótica.

Granulosa-theca cell tumour of the ovaries. A late metastasizing tumour

Granulosa-theca cell tumours are ovarian neoplasms of low malignancy with hormone secreting potential, accounting for 2-3of all ovarian cancers. They have an uncertain clinical course and a potential for late recurrence after surgical removal. Clinical features of a patient presenting with pulmonary metastases 21 years after removal of the primary tumour are described, along with a review of the management options.

Rupture of uterus and bladder in vaginal delivery following: previous caesarean section

A cse of ruptured uterus and bladder in the fifth pregnancy with a previous uterine scar from the first pregnancy is presented. Though vvaginal delivery post-Caesarean section is accepted, no criteria as to the number of such births which should be allowed have been established. We recommend that not more than three such births be allowed. Some guidelines for management are suggested