Chylothorax and chylous ascites due to juvenile paracoccidioidomycosis: a case report

ABSTRACT Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic fungal infection caused by Paracoccidioides species. Chylothorax is a rare complication of PCM. A 16-year-old adolescent presented daily fever, lymphadenomegaly, sweating, weight loss, ventilatory-dependent pain, and dysphagia, which confirmed PCM. During treatment, the patient developed chylothorax and chylous ascites. Chronic inflammatory and fibrotic lymphadenopathy may obstruct lymphatic vessels, resulting in the extravasation of lymph into the abdomen or pleural cavities. Chylothorax is one of several complications of PCM and can lead to respiratory insufficiency, even in patients undergoing antifungal therapy.

Avaliação da adesão à higiene de mãos em unidade coronariana / Evaluación del cumplimiento de la higiene de manos en una unidad de cuidados coronarios / Assessment of compliance of hand hygiene in coronary care unit

Analisar a adesão dos profissionais da saúde à técnica de higienização de mãos em uma Unidade Coronariana. Método: Estudo transversal. Participaram da pesquisa todos os profissionais de saúde que atuam na unidade. A observação foi guiada por instrumento da Organização Mundial da Saúde que é de domínio público e que foi adaptado de forma a permitir a verificação de quais momentos o profissional realizou a higienização das mãos. Todas as oportunidades para higiene de mãos foram computadas e uma relação do percentual de adesão foi elaborada. Resultados: Foram avaliados 30 profissionais de saúde, sendo seis enfermeiros, 18 técnicos de enfermagem, dois fisioterapeutas e quatro médicos. Foram observadas 498 oportunidades de higiene de mãos, com 190 ações realizadas, resultando em 38,2% de adesão. Conclusão: As baixas taxas de adesão encontradas evidenciam a necessidade de investir em programas de conscientização sobre a importância da higienização das mãos.

Objective: To analyze the adherence of health professionals to the hand hygiene technique in a coronary care unit. Method: Cross-sectional study. All health professionals who work in the unit participated in the research. The observation was guided by an instrument of the World Health Organization which is in the public domain and which was adapted to allow the verification of which moments the professional performed hand hygiene. All opportunities for hand hygiene were computed and a ratio of the percentage of adherence was prepared. Results: 30 health professionals were evaluated, being six nurses, 18 nursing technicians, two physiotherapists and four physicians. 498 opportunities for hand hygiene were observed, with 190 actions carried out, resulting in 38.2% of compliance. Conclusion: The low compliance rates found evidence the need to invest in awareness programs about the importance of hand hygiene.

Analizar la adherencia de los profesionales de la salud a la técnica de higiene de manos en una unidad de cuidados coronarios. Método: Estudio transversal. Todos los profesionales de la salud que actúan en la unidad participaron de la investigación. La observación fue guiada por un instrumento de la Organización Mundial de la Salud que es de dominio público y que fue adaptado para permitir verificar en qué momentos el profesional realizaba la higiene de manos. Se computaron todas las oportunidades para la higiene de manos y se preparó una relación del porcentaje de cumplimiento. Resultados: Fueron evaluados 30 profesionales de la salud, siendo seis enfermeros, 18 técnicos de enfermería, dos fisioterapeutas y cuatro médicos. Se observaron 498 oportunidades para la higiene de manos, con 190 acciones realizadas, resultando en 38,2% de adherencia. Conclusión: Las bajas tasas de adherencia evidenciaron la necesidad de invertir en programas de concientización sobre la importancia de la higiene de manos.

Avaliação da adesão à higiene de mãos em unidade coronariana / Evaluación del cumplimiento de la higiene de manos en una unidad de cuidados coronarios / Assessment of compliance of hand hygiene in coronary care unit

Objetivo: Analisar a adesão dos profissionais da saúde à técnica de higienização de mãos em uma Unidade Coronariana. Método: Estudo transversal. Participaram da pesquisa todos os profissionais de saúde que atuam na unidade. A observação foi guiada por instrumento da Organização Mundial da Saúde que é de domínio público e que foi adaptado de forma a permitir a verificação de quais momentos o profissional realizou a higienização das mãos. Todas as oportunidades para higiene de mãos foram computadas e enfermagem, dois fisioterapeutas e quatro médicos. Foram observadas 498 oportunidades de higiene de mãos, com 190 ações realizadas, resultando em 38,2% de adesão. Conclusão: As baixas taxas de adesão encontradas evidenciam a necessidade de investir em programas de conscientização sobre a importância da higienização das mãos.

Analizar la adherencia de los profesionales de la salud a la técnica de higiene de manos en una unidad de cuidados coronarios. Método: Estudio transversal. Todos los profesionales de la salud que actúan en la unidad participaron de la investigación. La observación fue guiada por un instrumento de la Organización Mundial de la Salud que es de dominio público y que fue adaptado para permitir verificar en qué momentos el profesional realizaba la higiene de manos. Se computaron todas las oportunidades para la higiene de manos y se preparó una relación del porcentaje de cumplimiento. Resultados: Fueron evaluados 30 profesionales de la salud, siendo seis enfermeros, 18 técnicos de enfermería, dos fisioterapeutas y cuatro médicos. Se observaron 498 oportunidades para la higiene de manos, con 190 acciones realizadas, resultando en 38,2% de adherencia. Conclusión: Las bajas tasas de adherencia evidenciaron la necesidad de invertir en programas de concientización sobre la importancia de la higiene de manos.

Objective: To analyze the adherence of health professionals to the hand hygiene technique in a coronary care unit. Method: Cross-sectional study. All health professionals who work in the unit participated in the research. The observation was guided by an instrument of the World Health Organization which is in the public domain and which was adapted to allow the verification of which moments the professional performed hand hygiene. All opportunities for hand hygiene were computed and a ratio of the percentage of adherence was prepared. Results: 30 health professionals were evaluated, being six nurses, 18 nursing technicians, two physiotherapists and four physicians. 498 opportunities for hand hygiene were observed, with 190 actions carried out, resulting in 38.2% of compliance. Conclusion: The low compliance rates found evidence the need to invest in awareness programs about the importance of hand hygiene.

Sanitary measures to contain COVID-19 spread decreased pediatric hospitalizations due to other respiratory infections in São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract Objective After the Covid-19 pandemics hit Brazil and sanitary measures were adopted to contain its dissemination, pediatric hospital admissions were apparently fewer than usual. The authors aimed to describe the time trends of public hospital admissions of children and adolescents due to respiratory infections (RIs) in São Paulo State, Brazil, before and after the adoption of sanitary measures to contain the dissemination of Covid-19. Methods Ecological, time-series study on the monthly average number of admissions per day of children and adolescents (< 16 years) admitted to public hospitals of São Paulo due to acute RIs between January 2008 and March 2021. Data from 2008 to 2019 were used to adjust the statistical model, while data from 2020 and 2021 were compared to the values predicted by the model. Results In 2020 and 2021, the number of hospital admissions was significantly lower than predicted by the time series. However, lethality was three times higher in these years, compared to the previous, and six times higher in patients with Covid-19, compared to those without the disease. Hospitalization costs in 2020 and 2021 were lower than in previous years. Conclusions These findings suggest that the sanitary measures adopted to contain the dissemination of Covid-19 also effectively reduce the transmission of other respiratory viruses. Policymakers and administrators can use this knowledge as a guide to planning preventative interventions that could decrease the number and severity of RIs and related hospital admissions in children and adolescents, decreasing the burden on the public health system.

Characterization of the health-care-associated urinary tract infections at the Hospital das Clínicas de Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil / Caracterização das infecções do trato urinário relacionadas à assistência médica no Hospital de Ribeirão Preto - SP

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common health-care-associated infections (HCAIs) and one of the top-ranking microbial infections. In the community, about 80% of UTIs are caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), but there is a high variability of etiological agents involved in hospital-acquired UTIs. With this context in mind, the current study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of the main etiological agents responsible for UTIs and their susceptibility profile at the Hospital das Clínicas de Ribeirão Preto, a high complexity reference hospital in the Southeast region of Brazil. This retrospective and descriptive study analyzed all positive inpatient cultures [100,000 colony-forming unit (CFU)/mL] from November 2016 to April 2017. The most prevalent microorganism was Kleb-siella pneumoniae (23 isolates), equivalent to 37.7% of positive urocultures. The second most prevalent agent was UPEC, with 19 isolates (31.1%). The risk factors evaluated in these inpatients showed that 17.5% underwent a uro-logical procedure on admission, 31.6% were using a urinary catheter; 26.2% were using immunosuppressive drugs during the period in which the clinical diagnosis was made. Our results demonstrate the prevalence of UTI causes in the hospital context and the main risk factors for them and will be pretty helpful in guiding empirical treatment in severe UTIs inside the hospital as well as reflect on the actual need and time duration of invasive procedures in the hospital environmen (AU)

As infecções do trato urinário (IU) são a terceira causa principal de infecções associadas ao ambiente hospitalar, logo após as infecções pulmonares e da corrente sanguínea. Na comunidade, cerca de 80% das IU são causadas por E. coli, mas há uma alta variabilidade de agentes etiológicos envolvidos nas IU hospitalares. Este estudo visa avaliar a prevalência dos principais agentes etiológicos e perfil de suscetibilidade envolvidos em IU em um am-biente hospitalar de referência de alta complexidade no sul do Brasil. Este é um estudo retrospectivo e descritivo que analisou todas as culturas positivas (100.000 ufc/ml) de pacientes nas enfermarias de um hospital terciário no período entre novembro de 2016 a abril de 2017. O microorganismo mais prevalente foi Klebsiella pneumoniae (23 isolados), o que equivale a 37,7% das uroculturas. O segundo agente mais prevalente foi Escherichia coli, com 19 isolados (31,1%). Os fatores de risco avaliados nestes pacientes mostraram que 17,5% foram submetidos a um procedimento urológico na admissão, 31,6% estavam usando um cateter urinário; 26,2% estavam usando drogas imunossupressoras no período em que o diagnóstico clínico foi feito. Nossos resultados demonstram uma mudança importante na prevalência das causas de IU no contexto hospitalar e os principais fatores de risco para elas e serão bastante úteis para orientar o tratamento empírico em IU grave dentro do hospital, bem como refletir sobre a real necessidade e a duração dos procedimentos invasivos no ambiente hospitalar (AU)

Cryptococcosis by Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii Species Complexes in non-HIV-Infected Patients in Southeastern Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The clinical manifestations of cryptococcosis are usually associated with the infecting agents Cryptococcus neoformans (CN) and C. gattii (CG) species complexes and the host. In this study, non-HIV-infected patients, at a university hospital in southeastern Brazil, had epidemiological and clinical data associated with cryptococcal disease and isolated Cryptococcus species: CN - 24 patients and CG - 12 patients. METHODS: The comparison was comprised of demographic data, predisposing factors, clinical and laboratory manifestations, and outcomes of cryptococcosis patients treated between 2000 and 2016. Immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients were also compared, irrespective of the infecting species. Cryptococcus spp. were genotyped by PCR-RFLP analysis of the URA5 gene. RESULTS: Infections by the CN species complex (100% VNI genotype) were associated with drug immunosuppression and fungemia, and patients infected with the CG species complex (83% VG II and 17% VGI genotypes) had more evident environmental exposure and higher humoral response. CN and CG affected patients with or without comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes mellitus, other chronic non-infectious diseases, and alcoholism were likely predisposing factors for infection by both CN and CG species. Immunocompetent patients, independent of the infecting Cryptococcus species complexes, showed a higher occurrence of meningitis and a trend toward less fungal dissemination and longer survival than immunosuppressed hosts.

Minimum concentration of Amphotericin B in serum according to the formulation, dose, and daily or prolonged intermittent therapeutic regimen

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The therapeutic efficacy of daily amphotericin B infusion is related to its maximum concentration in blood; however, trough levels may be useful in intermittent regimens of this antifungal drug. METHODS : High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the minimum concentration (Cmin) of amphotericin B in the serum of patients receiving deoxycholate (D-Amph) or liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) for the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis (n=28), histoplasmosis (n=8), paracoccidioidomycosis (n=1), and leishmaniasis (n=1). RESULTS: Daily use of D-Amph 30 to 50 mg or L-AmB 50 mg resulted in a similar Cmin, but a significant increase ocurred with L-AmB 100 mg/day. The geometric mean Cmin tended to decrease with a reduction in the dose and frequency of intermittent L-AmB infusions: 357 ng/mL (100 mg 4 to 5 times/week) > 263 ng/mL (50 mg 4 to 5 times/week) > 227 ng/mL (50 mg 1 to 3 times/week). The impact on Cmin was variable in patients whose dose or therapeutic scheme was changed, especially when administered the intermittent infusion of amphotericin B. The mean Cmin for each L-AmB schedule of intermittent therapy was equal or higher than the minimum inhibitory concentration of amphotericin B against Cryptococcus isolates from 10/12 patients. The Cmin of amphotericin B in patients with cryptococcal meningitis was comparable between those that survived or died. CONCLUSIONS: By evaluating the Cmin of amphotericin B, we demonstrated the therapeutic potential of its intermittent use including in the consolidation phase of neurocryptococcosis treatment, despite the great variability in serum levels among patients.

Human pulmonary dirofilariasis with secondary myocarditis

Abstract Dirofilariasis is a little-known zoonosis, with dogs and cats as definitive hosts. It is caused by nematodes and transmitted by mosquito bites. We report the case of a 67-year-old man with a consumptive syndrome with two subpleural pulmonary opacities. A transthoracic lung biopsy revealed a Dirofilaria worm. Myocardial nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) demonstrated dilated cardiomyopathy after myocarditis related to dirofilariasis. Human infection is rare and occurs accidentally. The most common radiological alteration is a mainly subpleural coin lesion. Dirofilariasis is a neglected emergent disease and knowledge about it is important for differential diagnoses from neoplastic pulmonary nodules.

Staphylococcus aureus in Nursing professionals and the microorganism's susceptibility profile to antimicrobials / Staphylococcus aureus en profesionales de Enfermeria y el perfil de susceptibilidad de los microorganismos a los antimicrobianos / Staphylococcus aureus em profissionais de Enfermagem e o perfil de suscetibilidade do microrganismo aos antimicrobianos

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify the carrier's state and the susceptibility profile of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from saliva and nasal secretion of nursing professionals to antibiotics. Method: cross-sectional study that used saliva and nasal secretion samples of 100 nursing professionals who provide care for patients with HIV/Aids. Results: forty-three percent of the participants presented positive saliva or nasal secretion samples for Staphylococcus aureus. Of the 74 nasal secretion samples with Staphylococcus aureus, 14.9% presented oxacillin resistance; 91.9% presented penicillin resistance; 44.6% presented erythromycin resistance, and 41.9% presented clindamycin resistance. Of the 12 positive saliva samples, 16.7% presented oxacillin resistance; 100.0% presented penicillin resistance; 33.4% presented erythromycin resistance, and 25.0% presented clindamycin resistance. Conclusion: nursing professionals, once aware of their carrier state of multi-resistant microorganisms, will supervise their care practices and more efficiently adopt measures for prevention and control of the epidemiological chain of these bacteria in their work environment.

RESUMEN Objetivo: identificar el estado del cargador y el perfil de susceptibilidad a los antibióticos de los Staphylococcus aureus aislados de la saliva y de la secreción nasal de los profesionales de enfermería. Método: estudio transversal, que utilizó muestras de saliva y secreción nasal, obtenidas de 100 profesionales de enfermería que asisten a personas con VIH/SIDA. Resultados: se identificó que 43,0% de los participantes presentaron muestras de saliva y/o secreción nasal positiva por Staphylococcus aureus. De las 74 muestras de secreción nasal con Staphylococcus aureus, 14,9% presentaron resistencia a la oxacilina; 91,9% a la penicilina; 44,6% a la eritromicina y 41,9% a la clindamicina. De las 12 muestras de saliva positivas, 16,7% fueron resistentes a la oxacilina; 100% a la penicilina; 33,4% a la eritromicina y 25,0% a la clindamicina. Conclusión: se cree que el profesional al obtener conocimiento de su estado de portador del microorganismos multi-resistentes, pasará a supervisar sus prácticas asistenciales y adoptar con mayor eficacia las medidas para la prevención y el control de la cadena epidemiológica de estas bacterias en el ambiente laboral.

RESUMO Objetivo: identificar o estado de carreador e o perfil de suscetibilidade aos antibióticos dos Staphylococcus aureus isolados da saliva e da secreção nasal dos profissionais de enfermagem. Método: estudo transversal, que utilizou amostras de saliva e secreção nasal, obtidas de 100 profissionais de enfermagem que assistem pessoas com HIV/aids. Resultados: identificou-se que 43,0% dos participantes apresentaram amostras de saliva e/ou de secreção nasal positivas para Staphylococcus aureus. Das 74 amostras de secreção nasal com Staphylococcus aureus, 14,9% apresentaram resistência à oxacilina; 91,9% à penicilina; 44,6% à eritromicina e 41,9% à clindamicina. Das 12 amostras de saliva positivas, 16,7% foram resistentes à oxacilina; 100,0% à penicilina; 33,4% à eritromicina e 25,0% à clindamicina. Conclusão: o profissional ao obter conhecimento de seu estado de carreador de microrganismos multirresistentes, passará a supervisionar suas práticas assistenciais e adotar com mais eficiência as medidas para a prevenção e o controle da cadeia epidemiológica dessas bactérias no ambiente laboral.

Secular trends in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated in a tertiary-care hospital: increasing prevalence and accelerated decline in antimicrobial susceptibility

Abstract: INTRODUCTION Klebsiella pneumoniae has become an increasingly important etiologic agent of nosocomial infections in recent years. This is mainly due to the expression of virulence factors and development of resistance to several antimicrobial drugs. METHODS This retrospective study examines data obtained from the microbiology laboratory of a Brazilian tertiary-care hospital. To assess temporal trends in prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility, K. pneumoniae isolates were analyzed from 2000 to 2013. The relative frequencies of K. pneumoniae isolation were calculated among all Gram-negative bacilli isolated in each period analyzed. Susceptibility tests were performed using automated systems. RESULTS: From 2000-2006, K. pneumonia isolates comprised 10.7% of isolated Gram-negative bacilli (455/4260). From 2007-2013, this percentage was 18.1% (965/5331). Strictly considering isolates from bloodstream infections, the relative annual prevalence of K. pneumoniae increased from 14-17% to 27-32% during the same periods. A progressive decrease in K. pneumoniae susceptibility to all antimicrobial agents assessed was detected. Partial resistance was also observed to antimicrobial drugs that have been used more recently, such as colistin and tigecycline. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates that K. pneumoniae has become a major pathogen among hospitalized patients and confirms its recent trend of increasing antimicrobial resistance.

Induction and nosocomial dissemination of carbapenem and polymyxin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae

Polymyxins are antimicrobial agents capable of controlling carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae infection.

Evaluation of the predictive indices for candidemia in an adult intensive care unit

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate predictive indices for candidemia in an adult intensive care unit (ICU) and to propose a new index. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted between January 2011 and December 2012. This study was performed in an ICU in a tertiary care hospital at a public university and included 114 patients staying in the adult ICU for at least 48 hours. The association of patient variables with candidemia was analyzed. RESULTS: There were 18 (15.8%) proven cases of candidemia and 96 (84.2%) cases without candidemia. Univariate analysis revealed the following risk factors: parenteral nutrition, severe sepsis, surgical procedure, dialysis, pancreatitis, acute renal failure, and an APACHE II score higher than 20. For the Candida score index, the odds ratio was 8.50 (95% CI, 2.57 to 28.09); the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 0.78, 0.71, 0.33, and 0.94, respectively. With respect to the clinical predictor index, the odds ratio was 9.45 (95%CI, 2.06 to 43.39); the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 0.89, 0.54, 0.27, and 0.96, respectively. The proposed candidemia index cutoff was 8.5; the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 0.77, 0.70, 0.33, and 0.94, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Candida score and clinical predictor index excluded candidemia satisfactorily. The effectiveness of the candidemia index was comparable to that of the Candida score. .