Encefalopatía necrotizante aguda asociada a influenza A / Influenza A-associated acute necrotizing encephalopathy

INTRODUCCIÓN: La encefalopatía necrotizante aguda (ENA) es una patología rara, caracterizada por compromiso de conciencia y presencia de múltiples lesiones encefálicas simétricas localizadas principalmente en tá lamo. Se asocia a alta letalidad e importantes secuelas. OBJETIVO: Describir el caso de un paciente escolar con ENA asociada a influenza-A con evolución favorable. CASO CLÍNICO: Paciente de 6 años de edad, con historia de 3 días de evolución de síntomas respiratorios altos asociados a fiebre (39 °C). Veinticuatro horas previo a la consulta destacaba compromiso de conciencia cualicuantitativo. Se realizó punción lumbar con proteinorraquia leve. En resonancia magnética (RM) se identificó focos de restricción a la difusión bilaterales de distribución simétrica, talámicos, en cuerpos mamila res, periacueductales, de tegmento pontino, hipocampales y en ambas cápsulas externas, asociado a componente hemorrágico y edema vasogénico, sugerente de ENA. Recibió tratamiento empírico con metilprednisolona y oseltamivir. Posteriormente, se recibió resultado positivo para virus influenza- AH1. Dado diagnóstico, se decidió administrar inmunoglobulina, evolucionando lento pero favora blemente. Al alta levemente bradipsíquico, con disminución de agudeza visual, lenguaje espontáneo y marcha con apoyo. A los 6 meses de seguimiento presentaba lenguaje y marcha normales, persis tiendo alteración visual a derecha. CONCLUSIÓN: Nuestro paciente presentó una ENA cuyo diagnóstico y manejo oportunos se asociaron a una favorable evolución neurológica en el largo plazo. Si bien la ENA es una patología infrecuente, la morbimortalidad asociada es altísima, por lo que resulta de gran importancia tener un alto grado de sospecha, a fin de solicitar estudio imagenológico dirigido, buscar causas infecciosas relacionadas e iniciar un manejo oportuno.

INTRODUCTION: Acute necrotizing encephalopathy of childhood (ANEC) is a rare disease characterized by alteration of consciousness and multiple symmetric brain lesions mainly involving the thalamus. It presents a high mortality rate and severe sequelae. OBJECTIVE: To describe a school-age patient with influenza A-related ANEC with favorable evolution. CLINICAL CASE: Six-year-old boy with 3 days history of upper respiratory symptoms and fever (39 °C). One day previous to admission, he presented altered state of consciousness. A lumbar puncture was performed, showing a mild increase of protein level in CSF. MRI showed bilateral foci of symmetric restricted signal in the thalamus, mammillary bodies, periaqueductal gray, ventral tegmentum, hippocampus, and in both external capsules, which was compatible with ANEC. The patient received empirical treatment with methylprednisolone and oseltamivir. Subsequently, a positive result was received for influenza. Considering diagnosis and severity of illness, it was decided to administer immunoglobulin. The patient got better slowly but favorably. At discharge, he still was mildly bradypsychic with decreased visual acuity, spontaneous speech and walking with assistance. At 6 months of follow-up, the patient presented normal speech and gait, with persistent visual impairment in the right eye. CONCLUSIONS: Our patient presented ANEC, whose timely diagnosis and management were associated with a favorable neurological evolution in the long term. Although ANEC is an infrequent pathology, it has very high morbidity and mortality rates, so it is very important to have a high degree of suspicion in order to request a targeted imaging study, search for related infectious causes, and start proper treatment.

Influenza A (H1N1): outbreak management in a dialysis unit and clinical outcomes of infection in chronic hemodialysis patients / Influenza A (H1N1): controle de surto em unidade de diálise e desfechos clínicos da infecção em pacientes em hemodiálise crônica

ABSTRACT Introduction: Chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients are considered to be at high risk for infection. Here, we describe the clinical outcomes of chronic HD patients with influenza A (H1N1) infection and the strategies adopted to control an outbreak of influenza A in a dialysis unit. Methods: Among a total of 62 chronic HD patients, H1N1 infection was identified in 12 (19.4%). Of the 32 staff members, four (12.5%) were found to be infected with the H1N1 virus. Outcomes included symptoms at presentation, comorbidities, occurrence of hypoxemia, hospital admission, and clinical evaluation. Infection was confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Results: The 12 patients who had H1N1 infection did not differ significantly from the other 50 non-infected patients with respect to age, sex, dialysis vintage, dialysis modality, or proportion of comorbidities. Obesity was higher in the H1N1-infected group (41.5 vs. 4%, p<0.002). The most common symptoms were fever (92%), cough (92%), and rhinorrhea (83%). Early empirical antiviral treatment with oseltamivir was started in symptomatic patients and infection control measures, including the intensification of contact-reduction measures by the staff members, antiviral chemoprophylaxis to asymptomatic patients undergoing HD in the same shift of infected patients, and dismiss of staff members suspected of being infected, were implemented to control the spread of infection in the dialysis unit. Conclusion: The clinical course of infection with H1N1 in our patients was favorable. None of the patients developed severe disease and the strategies adopted to control the outbreak were successful.

RESUMO Introdução: Pacientes em hemodiálise (HD) crônica apresentam risco elevado para infecções. O presente estudo descreve os desfechos clínicos de pacientes em HD crônica com infecção pelo vírus influenza A (H1N1) e as estratégias adotadas para controlar um surto de influenza A numa unidade de diálise. Métodos: Doze (19,4%) de 62 pacientes em HD crônica e quatro (12,5%) de 32 funcionários desta unidade de diálise apresentaram infecção pelo vírus H1N1. Os desfechos incluíram sintomas à apresentação, comorbidades, ocorrência de hipoxemia, internação hospitalar e avaliação clínica. A presença de infecção foi confirmada por reação em cadeia da polimerase via transcriptase reversa (RT-PCR) em tempo real. Resultados: Os 12 pacientes com infecção por H1N1 não diferiram significativamente dos 50 pacientes sem infecção no tocante a idade, sexo, tempo em diálise, modalidade de diálise e percentual de comorbidades. O percentual de obesidade foi mais elevado no grupo com infecção por H1N1 (41,5% vs. 4%, p<0,002). Os sintomas mais comuns foram febre (92%), tosse (92%) e rinorreia (83%). Os pacientes foram submetidos a tratamento antiviral com oseltamivir e medidas de controle (intensificação das medidas de redução de contato pelos funcionários da clínica, quimioprofilaxia com antiviral para pacientes assintomáticos em HD na mesma sala dos pacientes com infecção e afastamento de funcionários da clínica com suspeita de infecção) para controlar a disseminação da infecção pela unidade de diálise. Conclusão: O curso clínico da infecção por H1N1 em nossos pacientes foi favorável. Nenhum evoluiu para doença grave e as estratégias adotadas foram efetivas no controle do surto.

Influenza A. Manejo ambulatorio / Influenza A. Ambulatory management

Introducción. La influenza A constituye uno de los principales problemas de salud que enfrenta la humanidad.El manejo clínico ambulatorio usando el protocolo de oseltamivir y saturomería permite realizar una práctica evaluación. Objetivo. Evaluar resultados usando protocolo de oseltamivir y saturometría en atención médica ambulatoria y emergencias en pacientes con influenza A. Métodos. Realizar un estudio clínico experimental aleatorio en pacientes con influenza A, usando protocolo con oseltamivir y saturometría y compararlo con tratamiento estándar. Conclusiones. La influenza A seguirá afectandónos por varios años más, debemos asumir una capacidad de respuesta, que incluya: la detección y confirmación de casos; así como su manejo clínico oportuno y eficaz. (AU)

Introduction. Influenza A is one of the main health problems facing humanity. Outpatient clinical management using the oseltamivir and saturomer protocol allows a practical evaluation. Objective. To evaluate results using oseltamivir protocol and saturometry in ambulatory medical care and emergencies in patients with influenza A. Methods. Perform a randomized experimental clinical study in patients with influenza A, using procolo with oseltamivir and saturometry and compare it with standard treatment. Conclusions. Influenza A will continue to affect us for several more years, we must assume a capacity to respond, that include: the detection and confirmation of cases; as well as its timely and effective clinical management. (AU)

Gripe ou resfriado? Sinusite ou rinite? / Influenza or cold? Sinusitis or rhinitis?

Resfriado comum e gripe são habitualmente confundidos, principalmente se o resfriado for mais intenso. Coriza é rotulada tanto como alergia como sinusite. Os processos inflamatórios das vias aéreas superiores envolvidos nessas entidades clínicas conjugam fatores comuns, embora tenham etiologias diferentes. Graças a isso, diagnósticos equivocados geram tratamento inadequado, geralmente com emprego desnecessário de antibióticos. O resfriado comum e a gripe (influenza) são infecções virais do trato respiratório, assim como a maioria das rinossinusites. Já a rinite é, em sua maior parte, manifestação da atopia respiratória.

Common cold and flu are usually confused, especially if the cold is more intense. Many times, coryza is labeled as being allergy or sinusitis. The inflammation of the upper airways involved in these clinical entities combine common factors, although they have different etiologies. As a result, misdiagnosis generates inadequate treatment, usually with unnecessary use of antibiotics. The common cold and the flu (influenza) are viral infections of the respiratory tract, as well as most cases of rhinosinusitis. On the other hand, rhinitis is, most of the time, a manifestation of respiratory atopy.

Profilaxis de infección por virus respiratorios en niños y adultos sometidos a trasplante de órganos sólidos y precursores hematopoyéticos / Prophylaxis against respiratory viral disease in pediatric and adult patients undergoing solid organ and hematopoietic stem cells transplantation

Respiratory viruses have been identified as a cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing SOT and HSCT, specially in children. The most frequent are respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza (FLU), parainfluenza (PI) and adenovirus (ADV). These infections are associated with progression to severe lower respiratory tract infections in up to 60% of the cases. It is advised to apply universal protection recommendations for respiratory viruses (A2) and some specific measures for FLU and AD. FLU: Annual anti-influenza vaccination (from 4-6 months post-transplantation in SOT, 6 months in HSCT (A2)); post- exposure prophylaxis in FLU (oseltamivir for 10 days (B2)). In lung transplantion, the prophylaxis should last as long as the risk period (B2). ADV: There is no vaccine nor valid chemoprophylaxis strategy to prevent ADV disease. In some specific HSCT recipients, weekly PCR monitoring is recommended until day+100 (A3).

Los virus respiratorios se han identificado como causa de morbi-mortalidad en pacientes sometidos a TOS y TPH, particularmente en pediatría. Los más frecuentes son virus respiratorio sincicial (VRS), influenza (FLU), parainfluenza (PI) y adenovirus (ADV). La fuente de contagio está en la comunidad y en el hospital afectando al paciente en cualquier período post-trasplante. Se describe progresión a infecciones graves del tracto respiratorio bajo hasta en 60 % de los casos. Se recomienda aplicar medidas de aislamiento de precaución universal para todos los virus respiratorios (A2) y se describen algunas medidas específicas para FLU y AlDV. Vacunación anti-influenza anual con vacuna inactivada (en TOS a partir de 4-6 meses post-trasplante (A2), en TPH a partir de 6 meses (A2)); profilaxis post exposición a virus FLU (oseltamivir durante 10 días (B2)). En trasplante de pulmón, la duración de la profilaxis se extenderá mientras dure el período de riesgo (B2). Con respecto a ADV, no se dispone de una vacuna adecuada y no existe a la fecha una estrategia validada de quimioprofilaxis para prevenir enfermedad por ADV; en casos específicos de TPH pediátrico, se recomienda vigilancia semanal con RPC en sangre periférica hasta el día +100 post-TPH (A3).

Perfil dos pacientes internados no Hospital São José do Avaí com suspeita de gripe A H1N1 / Profile of patients admitted at São José do Avaí Hospital suspected Influenza A H1N1

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A gripe A H1N1 tão logo que surgiu, tornou-se uma pandemia, afetando diversos países e gerando preocupações, tanto por levar a um número elevado de internações hospitalares, não somente no Brasil, mas em todo o mundo, por estar vinculada a complicações. Oobjetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o perfil dos primeiros pacientes com suspeita de gripe A H1N1 e a sua evolução clínica.MÉTODO: Participaram deste estudo 101 pacientes internados no período de 5 de agosto a 23 de novembro de 2009,avaliados através de dados secundários dos prontuários do Hospital São José do Avaí (HSJA) e dados do Setor de Epidemiologia do Posto de Saúde Raul Travassos (Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Itaperuna, RJ).RESULTADOS: Dos 101 pacientes avaliados, 59,4% eram dos exo feminino e 40,6% do sexo masculino. A faixa etária varioude zero a 82 anos com predomínio de menores de 20 anos(34,7%). Foi coletado material para confirmação diagnóstica de 15 pacientes, com um total de 11 resultados positivos e 4 negativos. Desses 15 pacientes, 11 necessitaram de ventilação mecânica e 8 evoluíram para óbito. Todos os pacientes confirmados com gripe A que evoluíram para óbito, apresentavam comorbidades prévias. CONCLUSÃO: A avaliação inicial atenta dos pacientes com suspeita de gripe A é de suma importância para o diagnóstico clínico da doença, a fim de que através do tratamento adequado e precoce possa reduzir a ocorrência de complicações,formas graves e óbitos, obtendo melhor prognóstico.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: As soon as Influenza A H1N1 emerged, it became a pandemic, affecting many countries, raising concern both for causing a high number of hospital admissions, not only in Brazil but all over the world, and for being linked to complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the profile of the first patients suspected influenza A H1N1 and the clinical outcome.METHOD: In this study, a cohort of 101 patients was hospitalized from August 5 to November 23, 2009, assessed through secondary data from medical records at HSJA and data from the Epidemiology Section of Raul Travassos Health Post (Municipal Health Itaperuna, RJ).RESULTS: Of 101 patients, 59.4% were female and 40.6% male. Their ages ranged from 0 to 82 years with a prevalence of less than 20 years old (34.7%). Material was obtained to confirm the diagnosis of 15 patients, with a total of 11 positive and 4 negative. Of these 15 patients, 11 required mechanical ventilation and 8 died. All patients with confirmed influenza A who died, had comorbidities. CONCLUSION: The initial alert evaluation of patients suspectedof having influenza A is of great importance for theclinical diagnosis of the disease, so that by early and adequate treatment, the occurrence of complications and death can be reduced, obtaining a better prognosis.

Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 in India: Duration of virus shedding in patients under antiviral treatment.

Background: National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Delhi, is a national nodal centre for surveillance of pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) in India. The present study was undertaken to see the period of infectivity in positive cases undergoing antiviral therapy. Objective: To assess the duration of virus shedding by real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) in some of the positive patients taking Oseltamivir treatment. Materials and Methods: Clinical samples (throat swabs, nasal swabs and nasopharyngeal swabs) collected by the clinicians from patients quarantined in government hospitals in different parts of India are being sent to the designated reference laboratory at Delhi for screening presence of pandemic Influenza virus. The samples are tested by Real-Time PCR using CDC recommended reagents and protocol for confirmation of the H1N1 novel influenza virus. In 150 of the positive cases, we requested the clinicians to send samples for 5 consecutive days after administration of antiviral therapy, to see the trend of therapy response on viral shedding. Samples for more than 5 days were received from patients till they showed no amplification for any of the three target genes (Influenza A, Swine Influenza A or Swine H1). Results and Conclusion: In 99.33% (149/150) cases, the influenza infection resolved within 10 days. Sixty-four percent (96/150) of the positive patients turned negative within 5 days of the start of antiviral treatment. Only one patient belonging to high risk group showed prolonged virus shedding (19 days).

Primeros casos positivos de infección por influenza A H1N1 / The firsts positive cases of A H1N1 influenza infection

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo para caracterizar los primeros casos de pacientes obstétricas con influenza A H1N1 confirmada. Se analizaron variables demográficas, obstétricas y aquellas relacionadas con las características clínicas, de manejo y evolución de la influenza en estos casos. Los datos se procesaron usando el sistema estadístico para Windows SPSS versión 11. La edad media de las pacientes fue 23,04 a±os, el 87,5 por ciento estaban cursando el 2do o 3er trimestres del embarazo, el 50 por ciento tenían una enfermedad subyacente, el asma bronquial fue la más frecuente. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron la tos (88,46 por ciento) y la fiebre (80,76 por ciento). El 50 por ciento de las pacientes se complicaron con neumopatía y de estas el 84,61 por ciento ingresaron en cuidados intensivos. En general la estadía hospitalaria no fue prolongada y no se produjeron fallecimientos, se concluyó que el ingreso y tratamiento precoz con antiviral, así como el manejo multidisciplinario, fueron pilares de los resultados satisfactorios obtenidos

A descriptive study was conducted to characterize the firsts cases of obstetric patents presenting with confirmed A H1N1 influenza. The demographic, obstetric variables were analyzed as well as those related to the clinical features, of management and evolution of influenza en these cases. Data were processed using the statistical system for Windows SPSS version 11. Mean age of patient was of 23,04 percent years, the 87,5 percent was at the second or third trimester of pregnancy, the 50 percent had a underlying disease, bronchial asthma was the more frequent. The commonest symptoms were cough (88.46 percent) and fever (80.76 percent). The 50 percent of patients had complications including pneumonia and from these the 84,61 percent were admitted in intensive care units. In general hospital stay wasn't lengthy without deaths concluding that admission and early treatment sing antiviral methods, as well as the multidisciplinary management were pillars of the satisfactory results obtained

Update on 2009 pandemic influenza a [H1N1] virus

The pandemic influenza A [H1N1/2009] virus as a new challenge for health care providers has caused significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although many aspects of this virus are similar to other human influenza viruses, there are some disparities. This article reviews different aspects of influenza H1N1/2009 virus with focus on clinical features and management of patients

Influenza humana a H1N1: pandemia esperada / H1N1 human influenza: pandemic expected

La influenza es responsable de incremento en la morbilidad y mortalidad, del costo de las hospitalizaciones y de ausentismo escolar y laboral. Es producida por el virus de la influenza perteneciente a la familia Orthomixoviridae y es un virus ARN envuelto. El período de incubación va de 1 a 4 días. Las manifestaciones clínicas incluyen fiebre y varían desde conjuntivitis leve a neumonía grave con falla multiorgánica, hemorragia pulmonar, náuseas, vómito y diarrea. Se ha reportado pandemias importantes con cifras de defunciones alarmantes. La influencia AH1N1, actualmente circulante desde marzo del 2009, es el producto de la recombinación genética del virus de la influenza porcina euroasiática, influenza porcina de Norteamérica, influenza aviar no H5, e influenza humana. Hasta el 13 de septiembre del presente año la OMS ha notificado la apararición de más de 296471 casos y al menos 3486 defunciones. En la regtión de América se informa de más de 124126 casos con 2625 defunciones. Según el Ministerio de Salud, en Venezuela se informa de 5171 casos sospechosos, 1316 confirmados y 67 defunciones por influenza AH1N1, hasta el 17 de septiembre de 2009. El lavado frecuente de manos, aislamiento de los sospechosos, tratamiento con oseltamivir o zanamivir y la inmunización al personal susceptible al tener disponible la vacuna son medidas indispensables en la prevención de la diseminación de la pandemia.

Influenza impacts morbidity, mortality and health care costs. It causes school and work absenteeism. The responsible microorganisms are RNA viruses belonging to Orthomixoviridae family. Uncomplicated influenza begins after an incubation period of 1 to 4 days. Symptoms include fever, and in some cases mild conjunctivitis, but other patients have severe pneumonia with multiorgan failure, pulmonary bleeding, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. New influenza AH1N1 is a genetic recombination of Euro-Asian swine influenza virus, seasonal influenza virus, and H3N2 virus as the one isolated in Australia in 2007 (A/Brisbane/10/2007). As of September 13, 2009, the World Health Organization reported more than 296471 confirmed cases worldwide with at least 3486 deaths. In the Americas the figure reaches more than 124126 cases, and 2625 dealths. Venezuelan Ministry of Health has confirmed 1316 cases with 67 deaths. Regular hand hygiene measures, isolation of cases, oseltamivir or zanamivir therapy to suspected or confirmed cases, and vaccination of susceptible people once the new vaccines become available are all important prevention measures.