Fiebre en pacientes inmunodeprimidos / Fever in immunocompromised patients

Introducción: La fiebre es un marcador de enfermedades infecciosas e inflamatorias que se da por una respuesta inmune innata y por diferentes mediaciones entre marcadores moleculares. En el paciente inmunodeprimido, uno o varios mecanismos inmunológicos pueden estar alterados, debido a que la respuesta inmune puede estar deprimida y la fiebre puede denotar un estado patológico grave subyacente. Se realizó una búsqueda exploratoria en las bases de datos PubMed/Medline, Scopus y Scielo entre septiembre y octubre de 2022. Se incluyeron los términos fiebre, pacientes inmunodeprimidos, tratamiento y sistema inmune. Se seleccionaron 41 artículos científicos con diferentes diseños epidemiológicos. Objetivo: Describir aspectos relacionados con la fisiopatología de la fiebre, el tratamiento de la presencia de fiebre en pacientes con virus de inmunodeficiencia humana y síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida, así como también en pacientes receptores de trasplantes de órgano sólido y de trasplantes hematopoyéticos, pacientes neutropénicos y pacientes tratados con corticosteroides y terapia biológica. Desarrollo: El tratamiento del paciente inmunodeprimido con fiebre incluye aspectos fundamentales como una adecuada anamnesis y examen físico, además de pruebas diagnósticas orientadas para establecer la causa de la fiebre. En estos pacientes, las infecciones juegan un papel protagónico y su intervención temprana es fundamental para impactar en la morbimortalidad. Conclusiones: El paciente inmunodeprimido con presencia de fiebre presenta un panorama desafiante para su manejo médico integral. Entre otros aspectos es relevante considerar el tipo y tiempo de inmunosupresión, así como los factores de riesgo, con el fin de orientar los diagnósticos y tratamientos(AU)

Introduction: Fever is a marker of infectious and inflammatory diseases that is caused by an innate immune response and by different mediations between molecular markers. In the immunocompromised patient, one or more immunological mechanisms may be altered because the immune response may be compromised, and fever may denote a serious underlying disease state. An exploratory search was conducted in the PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Scielo databases between September and October 2022. The terms fever immunocompromised patients, treatment, and immune system. A total of 41 scientific articles with different epidemiological designs were selected. Objective: To describe aspects related to the pathophysiology of fever, management of the presence of fever in patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, as well as in patients who have received solid organ transplants and hematopoietic transplants, neutropenic patients and patients treated with corticosteroids and biological therapy. Developing: The approach to the immunocompromised patient with fever includes fundamental aspects such as an adequate history and physical examination, as well as diagnostic tests aimed at establishing the cause of the fever. In these patients, infections play a leading role and early intervention is essential to impact morbidity and mortality. Conclusions: The immunocompromised patient with the presence of fever presents a challenging panorama for his/her comprehensive medical approach. Among other aspects, it is relevant to consider the type and duration of immunosuppression, as well as the risk factors, to guide diagnoses and treatments(AU)

Tratamientos y bioterapias para COVID-19 / Therapeutics and biotherapies for covid-19

INTRODUCCIÓN: Un nuevo brote de coronavirus surgió en 2019 en Wuhan, China, causando conmoción en el sistema sanitario de todo el mundo; el Comité Internacional de Taxonomía de Virus lo denominó SARS-CoV-2, agente causante de la enfermedad COVID-19.El espectro de gravedad de la enfermedad es muy amplio: la mayoría de los pacientes no presentan gravedad, pero otros pueden desarrollar neumonías, y la insuficiencia respiratoria aguda es la causa más frecuente de mortalidad. Objetivo: analizar y desarrollar las distintas alternativas terapéuticas aportadas por la Biotecnología para tratar los síntomas de aquellos pacientes con COVID-19. Metodología: se realizó una revisión de la bibliografía disponible, a partir de enero de 2020 en PubMed, acerca de los tratamientos que se encuentran aún en ensayos clínicos y aquellos que cuentan con aprobación bajo uso de emergencia para la enfermedad COVID-19. También se realizaron búsquedas a través de Google y Google Académico para publicaciones de organismos de Salud en referencia a políticas de salud establecidas para la terapéutica durante dicha pandemia. Resultados: este trabajo aborda las nuevas alternativas terapéuticas para COVID-19 derivadas de la Biotecnología, que se encuentran tanto en uso como en etapas de ensayos clínicos comprendidos dentro del segmento de los biofármacos y las bioterapias. Se incluye un breve resumen del estatus regulatorio de entidades de salud, el mecanismo de acción de dichas terapias y características generales de cada uno. Se incluyen novedosas bioterapias que se empezaron a implementar para afrontar la pandemia. Conclusiones: la pandemia de coronavirus está poniendo a prueba el sistema sanitario internacional, para brindar soluciones tanto desde el diagnóstico y prevención como para el tratamiento de la población a fin de disminuir la mortalidad. Esto incluyó, obviamente también, al área de la Biotecnología aplicada a la salud, que ha aportado en los tres aspectos mencionados; el presente trabajo se centra en las respuestas de tipo terapéutico que ha brindado y que están comercializadas o en fases clínicas. (AU)

INTRODUCTION: A new coronavirus outbreak emerged in 2019 in Wuhan, China, causing a shock to the healthcare system around the world; the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses named it SARS-CoV- 2, the infectious agent of the COVID-19 disease. The spectrum of severity of the disease is very wide, most patients are not serious, but others can develop pneumonia, with acute respiratory failure being the most frequent cause of mortality. Objective: to analyze and develop the different therapeutic alternatives provided by Biotechnology dedicated to Health, to treat the symptoms of those COVID-19 patients who require it, and thus reduce mortality.Methodology: a review of the available literature from January 2020 in PubMed of the treatments that are still in clinical trials and those that have been approved under emergency use for the disease COVID-19 was performed. Searches were also carried out through Google and Google Scholar for publications of Health organizations in reference to health policies established for therapeutics during the mentioned pandemic. Results: this work addresses the new therapeutic alternatives derived from Biotechnology, which are both in use and in stages of clinical trials, to treat patients who developed COVID-19 included within the segment of biopharmaceuticals and biotherapies. A brief summary of the regulatory status of health entities, the mechanism of action of said therapies and general characteristics of each one is included. Innovative biotherapies that began to be implemented to face the pandemic are included. Conclusions: The coronavirus pandemic has driven the international health system to the test, to provide solutions both from the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of the population to reduce the mortality of patients. This obviously also included the area of Biotechnology applied to health, which has contributed in the three aspects mentioned. The present work focuses on the therapeutic responses that it has provided and that are commercialized or in clinical phases. (AU)

Primer consenso cubano sobre el uso de terapia convencional y biológica en pacientes con artritis reumatoide / First Cuban consensus on the use of conventional and biological therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

resumen está disponible en el texto completo

Introduction: The development of recommendations for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the Cuban context may be one of the ways to achieve better control of this disease. Objective: To reach a consensus and update relevant aspects of conventional and biological RA modifier therapy in Cuba. Methods: 18 specialists from 8 Cuban provinces, experts in RA care, were summoned, according to the years of dedication to the specialty, the conferences on this topic and their publications. The first meeting took place in March 2016 in the provincial hospital of Villa Clara, Cuba, with the participation of all the experts. A review of the literature on conventional and biological therapy previously collected by the participants was developed, and two teams were formed: the first would address everything related to conventional therapy in RA (HRCT) and the other, biological therapy in RA (TBAR). Three questionnaires related to the use of corticosteroids, HRCT and TBAR, were prepared, answered by the participants via email. In a second meeting, held in October 2016 in Havana, the analysis of all the responses provided was carried out. Questions with a response of 90% or more votes were considered as recommendations. Results: The questionnaires were answered by 95% of the participants. 9 recommendations and 1 algorithm were established. The recommendations are as follows: methotrexate is the drug of choice in the treatment of RA after diagnosis; The administration of another conventional drug (DMARDc) (azathioprine, salazosulfapyridine, antimalarials and leflunomide) is recommended in patients with a diagnosis of active RA in whom methotrexate is contraindicated or there is a failure in response - consider the administration of low doses of prednisone or equivalent (<7.5 mg/d) associated with DMARDc in patients with active moderate to severe RA, for the shortest possible time; perform serological control including tests for hepatitis B and C viruses and screening for HIV in all patients diagnosed with RA before starting treatment with DMARDc and biologics; in patients in remission or, at least, with a DAS-28 below 3.2, consideration should be given to withdrawing one of the DMARDs or reducing, to the minimum possible expression, the dose of both disease modifiers; if methotrexate fails, tocilizumab in combination with methotrexate or as monotherapy will be indicated. Conclusions: Aspects related to conventional therapy with methotrexate, azathioprine, salazosulfapyridine, antimalarials and leflunomide were agreed. The value of early diagnosis and immediate initiation of DMARDc therapy and the use of glucocorticoids was analyzed. Treatment with tocilizumab, the only biological available in Cuba against RA, will be administered when there is a failure in the response to conventional therapy and combinations between these drugs. It is recommended to hold educational conferences through the mass media aimed at patientshttp(AU)

Microbiota intestinal y los primeros 1000 días de vida / Gut microbiota and the first 1000 days of life

Introducción: El proceso de colonización del microbioma intestinal en los primeros 1000 días de vida tiene repercusión en la salud y enfermedades del niño dependientes de factores de riesgo. Objetivos: Revisar evidencias importantes sobre el significado de la relación entre la microbiota Intestinal y los primeros 1000 días de vida, y repercusión de los principales factores de riesgo. Métodos: Se revisaron publicaciones en idiomas español e inglés en PubMed, Google Scholar y SciELO: enero 2005-febrero 2020 usando los términos microbiota intestinal, microbiomas, primeros 1000 días de vida, factores de riesgo, enterocolitis necrosante, probióticos y prebióticos. Análisis e integración de la información: Hay demostrados argumentos que vinculan la microbiota intestinal y primeros 1000 días de vida del niño, según modo de parto, tiempo de gestación y lactancia. Se examina los beneficios del parto vaginal, lactancia materna y la aparición de enfermedades a mediano y largo plazo, relacionadas con factores de riesgo, como cesárea, prematuridad, lactancia artificial y exposición antibiótica prenatal y posnatal. Se describe resultados favorables con el uso de bioterapia con probióticos y prebióticos en la enterocolitis necrosante. Conclusiones: Se expone el valor de la microbiota intestinal en los primeros 1000 días de vida para la salud del niño, influenciada por condiciones de normalidad como el parto vaginal y la lactancia materna e implicaciones clínicas relacionadas con factores de riesgo mencionado. Es importante el tratamiento con probióticos multicepas y prebióticos para la recuperación de la microbiota en el niño en enfermedades como la enterocolitis necrosante y estados de sepsis grave(AU)

Introduction: The process of colonizing the gut microbiome in the first 1000 days of life has an impact on the health and diseases dependent on risk factors of the child. Objectives: Review important evidence on the meaning of the relation between the gut microbiota and the first 1000 days of life and the impact of the main risk factors. Methods: Spanish and English language publications were reviewed on PubMed, Google Scholar and SciELO, from January 2005 to February 2020 using the terms: gut microbiota, microbiomes, first 1000 days of life, risk factors, necrotizing enterocolitis, probiotics and prebiotics. Analysis and information integration: Arguments linking the gut microbiota and the child's first 1000 days of life are demonstrated, depending on the child's mode of delivery, gestation time and lactation. It is conducted an assessment of benefits of vaginal delivery, breastfeeding and the onset of medium- and long-term diseases related to risk factors, such as C-section, prematurity, artificial lactation, and prenatal and postnatal antibiotic exposure. Favorable results with the use of biotherapy with probiotics and prebiotics in necrotizing enterocolitis are described. Conclusions: It is presented the value of the gut microbiota in the first 1000 days of life for the health of the child, influenced by normal conditions such as vaginal delivery and breastfeeding, and clinical implications related to the mentioned risk factors. Treatment with multi-strain probiotics and prebiotics for microbiota recovery in the child is important in diseases such as necrotizing enterocolitis and states of severe sepsis(AU)

Terapia combinada en enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal: ¿una asociación necesaria? / Combination therapy in inflammatory bowel disease: a necessary association?

The management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is constantly changing due to the arrival of new therapeutic agents. Combined therapy (biological associated with immunosuppressive therapy) has proven to be effective, reducing immunogenicity (antibody formation), optimizing the pharmacokinetics of biological therapy with anti-TNF. This therapeutic strategy has associated risks (neoplasia and intercurrent infections) that are not only explained by the use of drugs but also by the increase of cases in older ages. It is essential for the medical team to be familiar with the optimization and personalization of the therapy to achieve clear therapeutic objectives with the lowest possible risks.

El manejo de la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (EII) está en constante cambio, debido a la llegada de nuevos agentes terapéuticos. La terapia combinada (terapia biológica asociada a inmunosupresores) ha demostrado ser efectiva al disminuir la inmunogenicidad (formación de anticuerpos) permitiendo la optimización farmacocinética. Esta estrategia terapéutica tiene riesgos asociados (neoplasias e infecciones intercurrentes) que no sólo se explican por el uso de fármacos sino también por el aumento de casos en edades más avanzadas. Es fundamental que el equipo tratante este familiarizado con la optimización y personalización de la terapia para así lograr objetivos terapéuticos claros con los menores riesgos posibles.

Hypocholesterolemic effects of Kluyveromyces marxianus M3 isolated from Tibetan mushrooms on diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in rat

To investigate the effects of Kluyveromyces marxianus M3 isolated from Tibetan mushrooms on diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in rats, female Wistar rats were fed a high-cholesterol diet (HCD) for 28 d to generate hyperlipidemic models. Hyperlipidemic rats were assigned to four groups, which were individually treated with three different dosages of K. marxianus M3+HCD or physiological saline+HCD via oral gavage for 28 d. The total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in the serum and liver of the rats were measured using commercially available enzyme kits. In addition, the liver morphology was also examined using hematoxylin and eosin staining and optical microscopy. According to our results, the serum and liver TC, TG, LDL-C levels and atherogenic index (AI) were significantly decreased in rats orally administered K. marxianus M3 (p <0.01), and the HDL-C levels and anti atherogenic index (AAI) were significantly increased (p <0.01) compared to the control group. Moreover, K. marxianus M3 treatment also reduced the build-up of lipid droplets in the liver and exhibited normal hepatocytes, suggesting a protective effect of K. marxianus M3 in hyperlipidemic rats.

Use of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF α) antagonists in a patient with psoriasis and Chagas disease

There are several studies on the benefits of using TNFα antagonists in the treatment of psoriasis, but few studies addressing the interaction of these drugs with chronic infections. We report the case of a 52-year-old patient diagnosed with psoriasis refractory to traditional systemic agents, who was treated with biologic therapies. After one year of treatment with biologic agents, the patient was diagnosed with Chagas Disease.

Trasplante de microbiota fecal: primer caso reportado en Chile y revisión de la literatura / Fecal microbiota transplantation: first case report in Chile and review

Clostridium difficile (CD) infection is increasing in frequency and severity in in-hospital and outpatient clinical settings, with a recurrence that can reach 30% after first episode. The recurrences are usually treated with longer courses of metronidazole or vancomycin. Other treatments have been used, such as probiotics, fidaxomicin, rifaximin, immunoglobulins and monoclonal antibodies against toxins A and B. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has emerged as a promising strategy in this group of patients, with effectiveness greater than 90%. We present the first case reported in Chile of this therapeutic strategy in a patient with Crohn's disease and recurrent CD infection who presented after the fecal transplantation an Escherichia coli bacteremia, suggesting the need for caution in the use of this strategy. 10 months after the FMT the patient presented a new episode of E. coli bacteremia and two episodes of diarrhea due to CD infection, treated both of them with vancomycin with good clinical response.

La infección por Clostridium difficile (CD) está aumentando en frecuencia y gravedad tanto a nivel intrahospitalario como ambulatorio, con una recurrencia que puede alcanzar hasta 30% después de un primer episodio. Los cuadros recurrentes son generalmente tratados con cursos prolongados de metronidazol y/o vancomicina. Otras terapias han sido sugeridas como el uso de probióticos, fidaxomicina, rifaximina, inmunoglobulina y anticuerpos monoclonales para toxina A y B. El trasplante de microbiota fecal (TMF) ha emergido como una estrategia promisoria en este grupo de pacientes con una efectividad mayor a 90%. Presentamos el primer caso reportado en Chile de esta estrategia terapéutica en un paciente con enfermedad de Crohn y CD recurrente, quien presentó una bacteriemia por Escherichia coli post-TMF, sugiriendo la necesidad de tener precaución con el uso de esta estrategia. El paciente presentó a los 10 meses post-TMF un nuevo episodio de bacteriemia por E. coli y dos episodios de diarrea por CD siendo tratados ambos cuadros con vancomicina con buena respuesta clínica.

Fecal transplantation: passing fashion or here to stay?

Several trillions of bacteria, distributed among more than 1,000 species, are natural inhabitants of the human intestinal tract and constitute what is now known as the gut microbiota. Although its composition varies within and between individuals with age, diet, and health status, it is becoming increasingly recognized that imbalances in the bacterial microbiota (dysbiosis) are linked to a number of conditions such as antibiotic-associated diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, and obesity, among others. Fecal transplantation where a preparation of stool from a microbiologically screened donor is administered into the colon of an affected recipient has been shown to be highly effective for the treatment of recurrent Clostridium difficile infection. Several trials of this therapy are now underway for gut dysbiosis in a number of patient disease groups raising concerns on the risk of transmission of infectious agents from donor to recipient, possible long-term adverse consequences of treatment, and effective regulation of the stool material used for the procedure. A worrying aspect is the emergence of private stool banks providing samples to the general public for self-administration.

Trasplante de microbiota fecal en paciente con colitis ulcerosa e infección refractaria por: revisión de la literatura a partir de un caso clínico / Fecal microbiota transplantation in patient with ulcerative colitis and refractory infection due to: review of the literature based on a clinical case

Infection (CDI) is increasing both in the hospital environment as in the outpatient setting, and is associated with prior use of antibiotics, hospitalizations and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), among others. It is also characterized by a high rate of recurrence with the usual antibiotic treatment, which increases with greater number of episodes, reaching up to 65 percent. In this context, the transplantation of fecal microbiota (FMT) emerges as recurrent CDI therapy, achieving success rates exceeding 90 percent, including in IBD patients, with minimum rates of recurrence. To achieve such efficiency, the colonization by the donated microbiota in the recipient is critical. The role of FMT is still unclear in IBD therapy not associated with CDI. Although there are great differences in the methodology of FMT, the process has been standardized even creating banks of frozen fecal samples, without reducing its effectiveness. FMT is a safe procedure, without serious adverse events, and accepted by the potential beneficiary population. There are few reported cases of refractory CDI management with FMT. Since 2012, the FMT in CDI and IBD publications have increased significantly, but in our country there are only few reports of this therapeutic strategy. We present a patient with ulcerative colitis and conventional antimicrobial management resistant CDI, which was successfully treated with FMT in a public hospital in Chile.

La infección por Clostridium difficile (ICD) está en aumento tanto en el ambiente hospitalario como ambulatorio, y se asocia a uso previo de antibióticos, hospitalización y enfermedades inflamatorias intestinales (EII), entre otros. Se caracteriza además por su alta tasa de recurrencia con el tratamiento antimicrobiano habitual, que aumenta con el mayor número de episodios alcanzando hasta 65 por ciento. En este contexto, el trasplante de microbiota fecal (TMF) surge como terapia para la ICD recurrente, logrando tasas de éxito superiores a 90 por ciento, incluyendo pacientes con EII, con mínimas tasas de recurrencia. Para lograr esa eficacia, la colonización por la microbiota donada en el receptor es fundamental. Aún no está claro el rol del TMF en la terapia de EII no asociada a ICD. Aunque existe gran heterogeneidad en la metodología del TMF, el proceso se ha ido estandarizando incluso hasta llegar a la creación de bancos de muestra fecal congelada, sin disminuir su efectividad. El TMF es un procedimiento seguro, sin eventos adversos graves y aceptado por la población potencialmente beneficiaria de él. Existen pocos casos publicados de manejo de ICD refractaria con TMF. Desde el 2012 el número de publicaciones sobre TMF en ICD y en EII ha aumentado considerablemente, sin embargo, en nuestro país los reportes sobre esta estrategia terapéutica son escasos. Presentamos el caso de un paciente con colitis ulcerosa e ICD refractaria al manejo antimicrobiano habitual, que se trató exitosamente con TMF en un hospital público de Chile.

Aplicaciones terapéuticas de las inmunoglobulinas humanas en Pediatría / Therapeutic applications of human immunoglobulines in Pediatrics

En la actualidad existen diversos productos farmacéuticos constituidos por inmunoglobulinas (fundamentalmente IgG), purificadas por diversos métodos, lo que implica que pueden ser administradas por diversas vías (intramuscular, intravenosa y subcutánea). Estos productos tienen un amplio espectro de indicaciones en diversas enfermedades. Las inmunoglobulinas son los efectores finales de la respuesta inmune humoral, por lo que sus indicaciones fundamentales incluyen la terapia de reemplazo en enfermedades que cursan con déficit en la producción de anticuerpos, las situaciones en que se necesita de manera inmediata la presencia de anticuerpos neutralizantes, como en las terapias posexposición, y en enfermedades que cursan con disrregulación de la respuesta inmune

There are presently several pharmaceuticals made up of immunoglobulines (fundamentally IgG) purified by several methods, which means that they can be administered by different routes (intramuscularly, intravenously and subcutaneously). These products have a wide spectrum of prescriptions for several diseases. The immunoglobulins are the final effectors of the humoral immune response, so their fundamental prescriptions cover replacement therapies in diseases with antibody production deficit, situations requiring immediate presence of neutralizing antibodies such as post-exposure therapies, and diseases with immune response deregulation

Actualización en el tratamiento de la neuropatía óptica inflamatoria desmielinizante / Updating on the treatment of the demyelinating inflammatory optical neuropathy

Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica con el objetivo de proporcionar una actualización de las drogas que se emplean para retrasar la aparición de esclerosis múltiple en el manejo de la neuropatía óptica inflamatoria desmielinizante. El artículo presenta el origen y la justificación de la terapia esteroidea en este grupo de enfermedad, así como los mecanismos de acción y beneficios de tratamientos más modernos como los inmunomoduladores e inmunosupresores. El trabajo también introduce muchas de las drogas con efectos neuroprotectores que se encuentran en fases experimentales, cuyo uso prevendría la neurodegeneración que se produce a nivel de las células ganglionares retinianas en esta enfermedad neurológica. Las opciones terapéuticas actuales ofrecen variantes de tratamiento adicionales a pacientes con mayores probabilidades de desarrollo de esclerosis múltiple y retrasan la aparición de un segundo brote, así como las secuelas invalidantes que esta suele originar

A bibliographic review was conducted to provide an updating of drugs used to retard the appearance of multiple sclerosis in the management of the demyelinating inflammatory optical neuropathy. Present paper shows the origin and the justification of the steroid therapy in this disease, as well as the mechanisms of action and benefits of more recent treatments, e.g. the ongoing immunomodulations and immunosuppressive ones and also to introduce many drugs in experimental phase having neuroprotection effects whose use will prevent the neurodegenerative effect produced at level of the retinal ganglion cells in this neurologic disease. The current therapeutical options offer variants of additional treatment to those patients with greater possibilities to development multiple sclerosis and retarding the appearance of a second outbreak, as well as its disabling sequelae

Isolation of bacteriophages to multi-drug resistant Enterococci obtained from diabetic foot: A novel antimicrobial agent waiting in the shelf.

Introduction: While foot infections in persons with diabetes are initially treated empirically, therapy directed at known causative organisms may improve the outcome. Many studies have reported on the bacteriology of diabetic foot infections (DFIs), but the results have varied and have often been contradictory. The purpose of the research work is to call attention to a frightening twist in the antibiotic-resistant Enterococci problem in diabetic foot that has not received adequate attention from the medical fraternity and also the pharmaceutical pipeline for new antibiotics is drying up. Materials and Methods: Adult diabetic patients admitted for lower extremity infections from July 2008 to December 2009 in the medical wards and intensive care unit of medical teaching hospitals were included in the study. The extent of the lower extremity infection on admission was assessed based on Wagner's classification from grades I to V. Specimens were collected from the lesions upon admission prior to the initiation of antibiotic therapy or within the first 48 h of admission. Results: During the 18-month prospective study, 32 strains of Enterococcus spp. (26 Enterococcus faecalis and 06 E. faecium) were recovered. Antibiotic sensitivity testing was done by Kirby-Bauer's disk diffusion method. Isolates were screened for high-level aminoglycoside resistance (HLAR). A total of 65.6% of Enterococcus species showed HLAR. Multidrug resistance and concomitant resistance of HLAR strains to other antibiotics were quite high. None of the Enterococcus species was resistant to vancomycin. Conclusion: Multidrug-resistant Enterococci are a real problem and continuous surveillance is necessary. Today, resistance has rendered most of the original antibiotics obsolete for many infections, mandating the development of alternative anti-infection modalities. One of such alternatives stemming up from an old idea is the bacteriophage therapy. In the present study, we could able to demonstrate the viable phages against MDR E. faecalis.

Terapias biológicas en el lupus eritematoso sistémico / Biological therapies in systemic lupus erythematosus

The immunosuppressive agents used in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have signifcantly improved prognosis. However, it is necessary to develop more specifc immunosuppressive treatments with less toxicity. Better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the loss of tolerance in autoimmune diseases has contributed to the development of potential new treatments called biologic therapies. The targets of these biological therapies are directed toward the B cell depletion, interference in the co-stimulation signals and the blockade of cytokines. Therapies using anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies have shown satisfactory results especially in patients with SLE refractory to conventional treatment. The biological therapies provide encouraging results that represent a possible option in the treatment of refractory patients as well as a potential therapy in the future management of SLE.

Del código genético al código epigenético: nuevas estrategias terapéuticas / From genetic code to epigenic code: new therapeutic strategies

El papel crítico del remodelamiento de la cromatina en la expresión de los genes se halla bajo la influencia de los cambios epigenéticos que conforman un lenguaje inesperado en el DNA y las histonas. Este trabajo actualiza el conocimiento sobre la metilación del DNA y la acetilación de las histonas, con especial interés en su aplicación clínica. Se ha propuesto, la identificación de los patrones heredables de metilación como herramienta útil en el diagnóstico y pronóstico del cáncer. Los inhibidores de las DNA-metiltransferasas y de las desacetilasas de histonas que actúan como reprogramadores de la expresión génica, han generado una nueva y promisoria aproximación terapéutica

Terapia biológica en artritis reumatoide / Biologic theraphy in rheumatoid arthritis

La artritis reumatoide es una enfermedad autoinmune de causa desconocida que afecta aproximadamente al 2 por ciento de la población económicamente activa, por lo cual representa un problema de salud pública. El tratamiento con drogas citotóxicas ha permitido mejorar la calidad de vida de estos pacientes; sin embargo todavía existe un número importante que no responde o que tiene poca tolerancia a esta modalidad de tratamiento. El avance de la biotecnología ha permitido el surgimiento de una nueva modalidad de tratamiento conocida como terapia biológica; la cual ha creado expectativas interesantes sobre su efecto en pacientes con artritis reumatoide. El objetivo de esta publicación, es revisar las diferentes modalidades de esta terapia y los resultados iniciales en pacientes con artritis reumatoide.