Impact of peritonitis on long-term survival of peritoneal dialysis patients.

UNLABELLED: The impact of each episode of peritonitis on long-term survival of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients has yet to be defined. OBJECTIVES: To determine the risk that each episode of peritonitis poses for patient survival and for the PD technique. PATIENTS: 1515 patients included in the Levante registry from 1 January 1993 to 31 December 2005. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of a multicentre registry using Cox regression for time-dependent variables. RESULTS: We analysed 1609 episodes of peritonitis in 716 patients (47.2%). In the univariate analysis, each case of peritonitis treated in the outpatient unit was associated with an increase in mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.99, P<.001), which was greater for episodes that required hospitalisation (HR 3.62, P<.001). Mortality increased with each successive episode in the same patient. Multivariate analysis confirmed the association of each case of peritonitis with lower long-term survival (HR 2.01, P<.001), with a different risk for episodes due to gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and fungi (HR 1.73, 2.43 and 5.71, respectively; P<.001). Other variables associated with mortality were age, low residual renal function, absence of vascular access and comorbidity. Peritonitis was the only independent variable associated with technique failure (HR 1.29, P<.001), with a different risk for episodes due to gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and fungi (HR 1.73, 2.43 and 5.71, respectively; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Episodes of peritonitis negatively influence long-term survival of patients on PD.

Meropenem monotherapy is as effective as and safer than imipenem to treat brain abscesses.

The efficacy of carbapenems versus cefotaxime (8g/day)+metronidazole (1.5-2g/day) [combined standard chemotherapy (CSC)] for the treatment of brain abscess was compared. Fifty-nine adult patients with brain abscesses received either imipenem or meropenem (3-4g/day) or CSC for a mean of 5 weeks, in addition to neurosurgery in most cases. Cure was obtained in 84.7% of cases; 42/47 (89.4%) on carbapenems [18/22 (81.8%) on imipenem versus 24/25 (96.0%) on meropenem] and 8/12 (66.7%) on CSC (P=0.06). Seven patients with multiple abscesses were treated with imipenem (1 died; cure rate 85.7%), five with meropenem (all survived; cure rate 100%) and five with CSC (2 died; cure rate 60%) (P<0.4). Neurosurgery was performed in 43/59 cases (72.9%); 17 (77.3%) in the imipenem group, 21 (84.0%) in the meropenem group and 5 (41.7%) in the CSC group (P=0.02). There was no significant difference in the rate of relapse requiring re-intervention. Treatment with meropenem was associated with a lower mortality than CSC (P=0.026). Seizures were observed only with carbapenems [8/22 (36.4%) for imipenem versus 2/25 (8.0%) for meropenem; P=0.03]. Carbapenems were more effective than CSC for treatment of brain abscesses. Because meropenem induced significantly fewer seizures than imipenem with at least the same clinical efficacy, the former appears to be a better choice to treat this infection.

Estimates of PI*S and PI*Z Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency alleles prevalence in the Caribbean and North, Central and South America.

BACKGROUND: AAT deficiency is not a rare disease, but one of the most common congenital disorders increasing susceptibility of individuals with this deficiency to both lung and liver disease as well as other several adverse health effects. Studies to develop accurate estimates of the magnitude of this genetic disorder in any given country is critical for the development of screening programs for detection, diagnosis, and treatment of those individuals and/or families at risk. In the present study, estimates of the prevalence of the two major deficiency alleles PI S and PI Z were estimated for 25 countries in the Caribbean and North, Central, and South America to supplement our previous studies on 69 countries worldwide. METHOD: Using data on the prevalence of the two most common deficiency alleles PI S and PIZ in the mother countries that provided the majority of immigrants to these 25 countries, as well as genetic epidemiological studies on various genetic subgroups indigenous to the Caribbean and North, Central and South America it was possible to develop new formulas to estimate the numbers in each of five phenotypic classes, namely PI MS, PI MZ, PI SS, PI SZ and PI ZZ for each country. RESULTS: When these 25 countries were grouped into six different geographic regions, the present study demonstrated striking differences when comparisons were made in numeric tables, maps and figures. Highly significant numbers of individuals at risk for AAT Deficiency were found in both the European, Mestizo and Mulatto populations for most of the 25 countries studied in the Caribbean and North, Central and South America. CONCLUSIONS: Our studies demonstrated striking differences in the prevalence of both the PIS and PIZ alleles among these 25 countries in the Caribbean and North, Central and South America and significant numbers of individuals at risk for adverse health effects associated with AAT Deficiency in a given country. When these data are added to the results from our earlier studies on 69 countries, we now have data on AAT Deficiency in 94 of the 193 countries worldwide listed in the CIA FactBook.

Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter meningitis in neurosurgical patients with intraventricular catheters: assessment of different treatments.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii meningitis is a serious therapeutic problem due to the limited penetration of antibiotics into the CSF. We describe the clinical features and the outcome of a group of patients with nosocomial neurosurgical meningitis treated with different therapeutic options. METHODS: All patients with nosocomial post-surgical meningitis due to A. baumannii diagnosed between 1990 and 2004 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: During the period of study, 51 cases of this nosocomial infection were identified. Twenty-seven patients were treated with intravenous (iv) monotherapy: carbapenems (21 cases), ampicillin/sulbactam (4 cases) and other antibiotics (2 cases). Four patients were treated with iv combination therapy. Nineteen patients were treated with iv and intrathecal regimens: colistin by both routes (8 cases), carbapenems plus iv and intrathecal (4 cases) or only intrathecal (5 cases) aminoglycosides, and others (2 cases). Seventeen patients died due to the infection. One patient died without treatment. The mean (SD) duration of therapy was 17.4 (8.3) days (range 3-44). Although no patients treated with colistin died, we did not observe statistically significant differences in the mortality among the groups with different treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Nosocomial Acinetobacter meningitis has a high mortality. Combined therapy with iv and intrathecal colistin is a useful and safe option in the treatment of nosocomial Acinetobacter meningitis.

Bevacizumab intravítreo en la neovascularización secundaria a degeneración macular asociada a la edad / No disponible

No disponible

Long-term augmentation therapy with alpha-1 antitrypsin in an MZ-AAT severe persistent asthma.

A young Caucasian female with severe bronchial asthma and Alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, MZ phenotype, experienced a quick and severe limitation of her physical capacity, which negatively affected her psychological state and social life, though she was under a strong antiasthmatic treatment. Given her declining health status and the significant chronic corticoid administration-related side-effects (including high reduction of muscle mass and bone density), a clinical trial with commercial intravenous AAT was proposed by the patient's doctors, and accepted by the Spanish Ministry of Health, although it this therapy was not approved for MZ phenotypes yet. This new therapy quickly stopped lung function decline rate, dramatically reduced the number of hospital admissions of the patient, suppressed the oral administration of prednisone, reversed the corticosteroid-related health adverse effects, significantly improving her quality of life. Thus, although AAT replacement therapy is not approved nor indicated for the treatment of bronchial asthma in MZ patients, its favourable effects observed in this isolated case support the hypothesis that bronchial asthma could be due to pathogenic mechanisms related to a protease-antiprotease imbalance, what which could open new perspectives for future research on the field.

PI S and PI Z alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency worldwide. A review of existing genetic epidemiological data.

BACKGROUND: AAT deficiency is not a rare disease, but one of the most common congenital disorders increasing susceptibility of deficiency individuals to both lung and liver disease as well as other several adverse health effects. Therefore, information on accurate estimates of the magnitude of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency in any given country is critical for the development of screening programs for detection, diagnosis, and treatment of those individuals and/or families at risk. METHOD: Genetic epidemiological studies for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency made by others have been used to determine the percentages and estimates of the numbers in each of the five phenotypic classes (PI MS, PI MZ, PI SS, PI SZ, and PI ZZ) of the most common deficiency alleles: PI S and PI Z in each of 69 countries worldwide and also when grouped into 13 major geographic regions. RESULTS: Our studies have demonstrated striking differences between these estimates when comparisons were made in numeric tables, maps and figures. CONCLUSIONS: Our studies demonstrated striking differences in the prevalences of both the PIS and PIZ alleles among these 69 countries and the numbers at risk for AAT Deficiency in a given country in specific geographic regions. Data on the prevalence of the two major deficiency alleles as well as the numbers in those phenotypic classes known to be at risk for AAT Deficiency is considered critical for the identification of individuals at risk for adverse health effects associated with AAT Deficiency as well as the treatment and management of those individuals identified in a given country.

Anamnesis del tabaquismo y consejo antitabaco en 200 informes de alta sucesivos de los servicios médicos. Comparación de dos hospitales. Años 2003-2004 / Smoking anamnesis and counseling to stop smoking in 100 successive discharge reports of the medical services. Comparison of two hospitals. Year 2003-2004

Objetivo: El objetivo de este trabajo es conocer el interés de los médicos hospitalarios en general por el tabaquismo en los pacientes que ingresan, evaluando la anamnesis y el consejo médico del informe de alta. Pacientes y métodos: Hicimos un trabajo retrospectivo de 200 informes de alta de pacientes ingresados en 14 servicios médicos del HUCA (100) y en el Hospital Comarcal de Gandía (Comunidad Valenciana)(100), y se estudiaron parámetros epidemiológicos, de anamnesis y consejo antitabaco. Posteriormente, se hicieron comparaciones estadísticas utilizando la χ2, la odds ratio y los intervalos de confianza. Resultados: Los informes de alta de los 200 pacientes correspondían a 108 varones, de los cuales 47 pertenecían al HUCA y 61 al Hospital de Gandia; y 92 mujeres, 53 del HUCA y 39 del Hospital de Gandia y una edad media de 64,69 ± 17,69 años sin diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ambos hospitales. La anamnesis de tabaquismo se realizó en un 40% de los informes. (HUCA 49%, H de Gandia 31%) con d.e.s. (χ2 = 6,750; p < 0,007) En el HUCA, había 49 pacientes con anamnesis, de los cuales 18 eran no fumadores, 16 fumadores y 24 exfumadores. En el Hospital de Gandía había un total de 31 pacientes a los que se les había hecho anamnesis2 eran no fumadores, 20 fumadores y 9 exfumadores. La diferencia era estadísticamente significativa (χ2 = 11,265) habiendo mayor proporción de fumadores en Gandía. De los 16 fumadores del HUCA 6 recibieron consejo, y en el Hospital de Gandía de 20 fumadores, 8 recibieron consejo, sin diferencias significativas. La mitad de los diagnósticos (49,5%) estaban relacionados etiologicamente con el tabaquismo sin diferencia entre ambos hospitales. Ninguno de los pacientes fumadores fue remitido a la consulta especializada de tabaquismo en ninguno de los 2 hospitales. Conclusiones: Dada la importancia etiológica del tabaquismo en estos pacientes, la anamnesis y el consejo antitabaco deberían de ser mejorados en ambos hospitales (AU)

Objective: This study aims to know the interest of the hospital physicians in general about smoking in the patients admitted to hospital, evaluating the anamnesis and medical counseling of the discharge report. Patients and methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 200 discharge reports of patients admitted to 14 medical departments of the HUCA (100) and in the Regional Hospital of Gandia (Valencian Community) (100) and studied epidemiological, anamnesis and antismoking counseling parameters. Subsequently, statistical comparisons were made using the χ2, odds ratio and confidence intervals. Results: The discharge reports of 200 patients corresponded to 108 men, 47 of whom belonged to the HUCA and 61 to the Hospital of Gandia and 92 women, 53 from the HUCA and 39 from the Hospital of Gandia with mean age of 64.69±17.69 years without statistically significant differences between both hospitals. The smoking anamnesis was conducted in 40% of the reports (HUCA 49%, Hospital of Gandia 31%) con with S.D. (χ2 = 6.750; p< 0.007) There were 49 patients in the HUCA with anamnesis, 18 of whom did not smoke, 16 who smoked and 24 who were ex-smokers. In theHospital of Gandia, there was a total of 31 patients in whom anamnesis was made: 2 were non-smokers, 20 smoked and 9 ex-smokers. The difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 11.265), there being a greater proportion of smokers in Gandia. Six of the 16 smokers in the HUCA received counseling and 8 of the 20 smokers in the Hospital of Gandia received counseling, without significant differences. Half of the diagnoses (49.5%) were etiologically related with smoking, without any difference between both hospitals. None of the patients who smoked were referred to the specialized tobacco consultation in either of the 2 hospitals. Conclusions: Given the etiological importance of smoking in these patients, the anamnesis and anti-smoking counseling should be improved in both hospitals (AU)

Estimated numbers and prevalence of PI*S and PI*Z deficiency alleles of alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency in Asia.

The current study focuses on updating estimates of the numbers of individuals carrying the two most common deficiency alleles, protease inhibitor (PI)*S and PI*Z, for alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency (AT-D) in 20 Asian countries. A total of 170 cohorts with 31,177 individuals were selected from 20 Asian countries. The total AT-D populations in the countries selected were: 7,264 ZZ; 36,754 SZ; 6,672,479 MZ; 46,492 SS; and 16,881,108 MS. Marked differences among the Asian countries and regions were also found for the prevalence of the deficiency alleles PI*S and PI*Z. These numbers demonstrate that AT-D is not just a genetic disease that affects smaller numbers than various countries, for example, in Europe. There were marked differences between the prevalence of the PI*S and PI*Z deficiency alleles among these 20 Asian countries as well as among the countries within a given geographic region in Asia. The largest numbers of ZZ phenotypes (3,000-14,000) were in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Thailand; with <1,700 in each of the remaining countries.

Estimated numbers and prevalence of PI*S and PI*Z alleles of alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency in European countries.

The current study focuses on developing estimates of the numbers of individuals carrying the two most common deficiency alleles, PI*S and PI*Z, for alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency (AT-D) in Europe. Criteria for selection of epidemiological studies were: 1) AT phenotyping performed by isoelectrofocusing or antigen-antibody crossed electrophoresis; 2) rejection of "screening studies"; 3) statistical precision factor score of > or = 5 for Southwest, Western and Northern Europe, > or = 4 for Central Europe, > or = 3 for Eastern Europe; and 4) samples representative of the general population. A total of 75,390 individuals were selected from 21 European countries (one each from Austria, Belgium, Latvia, Hungary, Serbia-Montenegro, Sweden and Switzerland; two each from Denmark, Estonia and Lithuania; three each from Portugal and the UK; four each from Finland, The Netherlands, Norway and Spain; five each from Russia and Germany; six from Poland; eight from Italy; and nine from France). The total AT-D populations of a particular phenotype in the countries selected were: 124,594 ZZ; 560,515 SZ; 16,323,226 MZ; 630,401 SS; and 36,716,819 MS. The largest number of ZZ (5,000-15,000) were in Italy, Spain, Germany, France, the UK, Latvia, Sweden and Denmark, followed by Belgium, Portugal, Serbia-Montenegro, Russia, The Netherlands, Norway and Austria (1,000-2,000), with < 1,000 in each of the remaining countries. A remarkable lack in number of reliable epidemiological studies and marked differences among these European countries and regions within a given country was also found.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency in Italy: regional differences of the PIS and PIZ deficiency alleles.

BACKGROUND: Critical to the effective diagnosis and management of disease is information on its prevalence in a particular geographic area such as Italy. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AAT Deficiency) is one of the most common serious hereditary diseases in the world, but its prevalence varies markedly from one country to another. AAT Deficiency affects at least 120.5 million carriers and deficient subjects worldwide for the two most prevalent deficiency alleles PIS and PIZ. This genetic disease is known to exist in Italy and is related to a high risk for development of jaundice in infants, liver disease in children and adults, and pulmonary emphysema in adults. METHODS: Studies on the genetic epidemiology of AAT Deficiency has resulted in the development of a unique database that permits a unique analysis of the geographic distribution in 14 different regions located at random from Piemonte to Sicilia. RESULTS: The use of Hardy-Weinberg statistical analysis to evaluate the distribution of these two deficiency alleles has demonstrated striking differences in the frequencies of these two deficiency alleles in these 14 different regions with 23/84 pair wise combinations significantly different (P=0.05) for PIS, and 5/84 combinations for PIZ. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate differences that impact the standards of care and diagnosis of AAT Deficiency in Italy since the prevalence of these deficiency alleles is not uniform throughout the country.

Anamnesis de tabaquismo y consejo antitabaco a pacientes ingresados en un servicio de neumologia / Smoking anamnesis and anti-tobacco advice to patients admitted to a pneumology service

Introducción: El consejo médico es un arma poderosa para controlarel tabaquismo.Objetivo: Medir la anamnesis tabáquica y el consejo antitabaco enlos informes de alta del Servicio de Neumología de un Hospital Universitario.Materiales y método: Se revisaron la anamnesis y el consejo antitabacoen 100 informes de alta sucesivos de Neumología en junio del2003. Se hicieron comparaciones estadísticas con X2 y odds-ratio conlos intervalos de confianza.Resultados: correspondían a 76 varones y 24 mujeres con una edadmedia de 71 ± 15,55. 27 eran ingresos nuevos y 73 reingresos.La mayor parte de los diagnósticos principales eran enfermedadesrelacionadas etiológicamente con el tabaquismo.El 48% de los pacientes tenían anamnesis, 14 eran fumadores y 11tenían consejo escrito en el informe. De los 52 sin anamnesis, 16 resultaronfumadores a posteriori (30,66%) y, lógicamente, no constabael consejo.Los primeros ingresos tenían 5,96 más probabilidades de tener anamnesisque los reingresos.El 36,66% de los fumadores (11 de 30) tenían consejo, 18 no teníanconsejo (60%), 1 fue exitus.Los médicos fumadores hacían anamnesis de tabaquismo en menorproporción que los médicos no fumadores (32,4% frente a 57,1%) condiferencias estadísticamente significativas (X2 = 5’70, p = 0,017, oddsratio 2,8 [1,1 – 7,1]).Conclusiones: El tabaquismo de los pacientes ingresados en esteServicio de Neumología es elevado y la anamnesis y el consejo antitabacoson francamente mejorables, especialmente en los reingresos.La anamnesis de los médicos fumadores es menor

Introduction: Medical advice is a powerful arm to control smoking.Objective: Measure the smoking anamnesis and anti-tobacco advicein discharge reports of the Pneumology Service of a UniversityHospital.Material and methods: The anamnesis and anti-tobacco advice in100 successive discharge reports of Pneumology in June 2003 are reviewed.Statistical comparisons were made with X2 and odds-ratio withconfidence interval.Results: They corresponded to 76 males and 24 females whose meanage was 71 ± 15.55. Twenty-seven were new admissions and 73 readmissions.Most of the main diagnoses were diseases etiologically related withsmoking.The proportion of smokers was 30% (26% of the first admissionsand 30% of the re-admissions). Atotal of 48% of the patients had anamnesis,14 were smokers and 11 have written advice in the report. Ofthe 52 patients without anamnesis, 16 were smokers a posteriori (30.66%)and logically, there was no advice.The first admissions had more likelihood of having anamnesis thanthe re-admissions (P < 0.0003).A total of 37.9% of the smokers (11 of 29) had advice, 18 had noadvice (60%), 1 was exitus.Physicians who smoke make a lower rate of smoking anamnesisthan those who do not smoke (32.4% verses 57.1%) with statisticallysignificant differences (X2 = 5.70, P = 0.017, odds ratio 2.8 (1.1 – 7.1))Conclusions: Smoking of patients hospitalized in this PneumologyService is high and smoking anamnesis and anti-tobacco advice in the dischargereports could be greatly improved, especially in the re-admissions.The anamnesis of physicians who smoke is less

Genetic epidemiology of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency in North America and Australia/New Zealand: Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States of America.

Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AAT deficiency) is one of the most common serious hereditary disorders in the world, as its affects all major racial subgroups worldwide, and there are an estimated 120.5 million carriers and deficient subjects worldwide. This genetic disease is related to susceptibility for development of jaundice in infants, liver disease in children and adults and pulmonary emphysema in adults. Moreover, AAT deficiency carrier phenotypes (PiMS and PiMZ) and deficiency allele phenotypes (PiSS, PiSZ and PiZZ) are suspected to predispose subjects to a variety of other adverse health effects. Because there is a limited database on the number of individuals affected by this disease worldwide, we have collected data on control cohorts in genetic epidemiological studies published on case-control studies in the peer-reviewed literature worldwide. Based on these data, we estimated the numbers of carriers and deficiency allele combinations for the two most common defective alleles, namely PiS and PiZ in 58 countries worldwide. The present paper focuses on the distribution of the PiS and PiZ deficiency alleles in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States of America. A total of 31,042,232 individuals at risk for adverse health effects have been calculated in these four countries: 2,144,158 in Australia, 3,258,564 in Canada, 430,922 in New Zealand and 24,909,548 in the United States of America. The prevalences for all five phenotypic classes of AAT deficiency in each of these countries is as follows: Australia 1 out of 8.9, Canada 1 out of 9.8, New Zealand 1 out of 8.5 and the United States of America 1 out of 11.3. The geographical distribution of individual control cohorts and estimates of the numbers of carriers and deficiency allele phenotypes in each of these four countries are given in individual tables.

Genetic epidemiology of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency in southern Europe: France, Italy, Portugal and Spain.

Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AAT deficiency) is one of the most common serious hereditary disorders in the world because it affects all major racial subgroups worldwide and there are at least 120.5 million carriers and deficient subjects worldwide. This genetic disease is related to a high risk for development of jaundice in infants, liver disease in children and adults, and pulmonary emphysema in adults. Moreover, AAT-deficiency carrier phenotypes (PiMS and PiMZ) and deficiency-allele phenotypes (PiSS, PiSZ, and PiZZ) are suspected to make subjects susceptible to a variety of other adverse health effects. As there is a limited database on the number of individuals affected by this disease worldwide, the authors of the present report collected data on control cohorts in genetic epidemiological studies published in the peer-reviewed literature worldwide. The data collected were used to estimate the numbers of carriers and deficiency-allele combinations for the two most common defective alleles, namely PiS and PiZ, in over 58 countries worldwide. The present report focuses on the distribution of the PiS and PiZ deficiency alleles in France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. The total number of individuals at risk for adverse health effects were as follows: 9, 101, 739 in France; 4, 289, 566 in Italy; 2, 659, 241 in Portugal; and 8, 903, 773 in Spain. The geographical distribution of individual control cohorts and estimates of the numbers of carriers and deficiency-allele phenotypes in each of these four southern European countries are shown in individual tables and maps. This report will be followed by other reports on the remaining countries in Europe, as well as worldwide.

Distribución de los genotipos del virus C en la población de hemodiálisis de la provincia de Alicante / Hepatitis c virus genotype distribution in the hemodialysis population from Alicante

Los genotipos del virus de la hepatitis C (VHC) se distribuyen irregularmente según las áreas geográficas y los diferentes grupos de riesgo. Objetivo: Conocer la prevalencia y distribución de los genotipos y subtipos del VHC en los pacientes de hemodiálisis (HD) de la provincia de Alicante, analizando la distribución por áreas y su asociación con algunas características como la edad y el tiempo en hemodiálisis. Métodos: Se estudiaron 640 pacientes en HD y se determinó el RNA-VHC y sus genotipos en los 120 pacientes con anticuerpos frente al VHC (Ac-VHC) positivos. Se comparó con un grupo control de 1.355 pacientes de otros grupos de riesgo de la misma área geográfica. Resultados: La prevalencia del VHC en HD fue del 20%. En el 15% (18/120)de los pacientes en HD con Ac-VHC no se detectó el RNA-VHC en suero. Los genotipos de los 102 pacientes con RNA viral positivo (85%) mostraron las siguientes prevalencias: 1b: 56,8% (58/102), 1a: 19,6% (20/102), 3: 17% (17/102),2a-2c: 1,9% (2/102), 2b: 0,9% (1/102), 4: 2,9% (3/102), 5: 0,9% (1/102).Conclusiones: Los genotipos más frecuentes en hemodiálisis en la provincia de (..) (AU)

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes are irregularly distributed among the different geographic area and groups at risk. Objective: To study the different HCV genotypes and subtypes of hemodialyzed patients from Alicante. Methods: We studied 640 patients on haemodialysis (HD) and we determined the RNA-HCV and the genotypes in the 120 patients with antibodies against HCV(HCV-Ab). We compared the results with the genotypes of 1,370 patients from other groups at risk in the same geographic area. Results: RNA-HCV was not found in the serum in 15% (18/120) of the patients on HD who were HCV-Ab positive. Prevalence of the different genotypes in the102 patients with positive viral RNA was the following: 1b: 56.8% (58/102), 1a:19.6% (20/102), 3: 17% (17/102), 2a-2c: 1.9 (2/102), 2b: 0.9% (1/102) 4: 2.9(3/102), 5: 0.9% (1/102). In conclusion, the genotype 1b was the most frequent in the patients studied in all these areas, and was the same as in the rest of the country. This genotype has been associated with the most severe hepatic disease and poor response to treatment, affecting the prognosis of these patients. The most frequent genotypes in HD in Alicante were 1b, 3 and 1a. HCV genotypes (AU)

Alpha-1-antitrypsin PI phenotypes S and Z in Europe: an analysis of the published surveys.

The objective of the present study was to review published surveys on allelic frequencies S and Z in European populations to evaluate the validity of the reported data. More than a hundred studies on the topic, published since 1965 until 2000, were retrieved by Medline, Index Medicus and bibliographic references consultation. The criteria for studies selection were: 1) sample size> or =250 individuals; 2) alpha-1-antitrypsin phenotype determination performed by means of crossed antigen-antibody or isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gels; 3) PI type determination performed without any previous screening procedure; 4) S and Z 95% confidence interval (CI) of the reported outcomes with a calculated coefficient of variation <42.3 for S and <95.8 for Z; 5) S and Z 95% CI of the reported outcomes comprised within 95% CI limits of comparative hypothetical surveys designed with the same sample size of the questioned surveys and the highest/lowest frequencies accepted for a specific area, according to the figures of isogen boundary maps. Seventy studies comply with the five established criteria for analysis. According to the data of the selected studies, a geographical distribution on S and Z gene frequencies in Europe is proposed.

Fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis-like syndrome in hepatitis B virus-negative and hepatitis C virus-negative renal transplant recipients.

Cholestatic hepatitis and diffuse liver fibrosis have been described in immunosuppressed patients with hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus infection as fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis (FCH). FCH is characterized by cholestasis, with only a modest increase in aminotransferase levels. The pathologic picture typically shows periportal and perisinusoidal fibrosis, scarce mixed infiltrates, hepatocellular ballooning, and histologic cholestasis. We report two patients with diffuse fibrosis and cholestasis quite similar to the histologic picture of FCH, but in whom neither hepatitis B virus nor hepatitis C virus infection could be shown, highlighting the potential contribution of cytomegalovirus infection and azathioprine toxicity in the development of this severe complication of solid-organ transplantation.

The enhanced anticaries efficacy of a sodium fluoride and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate dentifrice in a dual-chambered tube. A 2-year caries clinical study on children in the United States of America.

PURPOSE: To clinically evaluate and compare a dentifrice system in a dual-chambered tube, wherein one chamber contained sodium fluoride in a silica base and the other chamber contained dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (Test Dentifrice delivering 0.243% sodium fluoride), to a dentifrice containing 0.243% sodium fluoride in a silica base (Positive Control Dentifrice). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in harmony with the published 1988 American Dental Association guidelines for studies geared toward the comparison of fluoride dentifrices. This 2-yr caries clinical study employed a double-blind, parallel-group design, and involved 5-17 yr-old children from the Central and South areas of Florida and from the Lares area of Puerto Rico. Qualifying subjects were stratified according to age and sex, and were randomly assigned to the two treatment groups, with multiple subjects in the same household all assigned to the dentifrice randomly allocated to the first among them. Caries examinations were conducted in accordance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines for the clinical evaluation of drugs to prevent dental caries. Two calibrated examiners performed all the measurements. After treatment assignment, study participants were instructed to brush their teeth at home with their assigned dentifrice at least twice daily. Brushing instructions were reinforced by indoctrination in proper oral hygiene techniques by dental professionals, supplemented by pamphlets supplied by the sponsor and yearly mailings to participants, emphasizing good oral hygiene and the need to enforce compliance with the study. Post-baseline examinations were performed after 1 yr of product use, and again after 2 yrs of product use. RESULTS: Two thousand five hundred six (2,506) subjects completed this 2-yr study. For these subjects, the mean caries scores (DMFS, decayed, missing and filled tooth surfaces) at baseline were 2.29 for the Test Dentifrice group, and 2.47 for the Positive Control Dentifrice group. For caries increments after 1 yr, the respective means were 0.69 for the Test Dentifrice group and 0.81 for the Positive Control Dentifrice group. Finally, after 2 yrs, the mean caries increments were 1.25 for the Test Dentifrice group, and 1.46 for the Positive Control Dentifrice group. No statistically significant difference was indicated between the treatment groups at baseline or between the 1-yr caries increment scores. However, there was a statistically significant difference in the 2-yr caries increment scores between the treatment groups. Relative to the Positive Control Dentifrice group, the Test Dentifrice group presented a 14.38% reduction in caries increment scores at 2 yrs. In accordance with the procedures and standards provided by the published guidelines of the American Dental Association for the comparison of the anticaries efficacy of fluoride dentifrices, the results of this study support the conclusion that the dentifrice system in a dual-chambered tube, wherein one chamber contained sodium fluoride in a silica base and the other chamber contained dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, delivering 0.243% sodium fluoride, provided a superior level of anticaries efficacy than did the dentifrice containing 0.243% sodium fluoride in a silica base.