ABSTRACT
Traveling with the intention of encountering art or seeking purification of the spirit involves retribution of intangible nature and therefore can be expected to be a positive experience; nevertheless, among susceptible travelers, there is also a possibility of experiencing pathological conditions. Although it is colloquially known that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, it is necessary to mention that the appreciation of beauty, immensity, or mysticism contained in masterpieces is not perceived only through the eyes but through other sense organs as well. Additionally, this is understood within a cultural framework and through previous knowledge. The reaction triggers a series of somatosensory responses of diverse nature, with a wide range of responses that together constitute a pathological phenomenon that can be defined as syndromic by eliciting signs and symptoms of a physical, physiological, and psychotic nature. Both Stendhal and Jerusalem syndromes are travelers' syndromes that may occur in response to objectively aesthetic elements saturated with meaning linked to the cultural heritage of contemporary humanity. While Stendhal syndrome evokes physical and psychoemotional symptoms from the contemplation of art, Jerusalem syndrome goes beyond perception, adding delusions of being a religious or prophetic protagonist pursuing individual or collective salvation.
ABSTRACT
In Latin America, 51 995 emergencies and 337 deaths are caused by snakebites yearly. Prompt and adequate treatment is crucial after an envenomation. We here report the case of a 40-year-old male agriculturalist, who was bitten by a venomous snake. Hours after the bite, he was admitted at the nearest clinic, diagnosed with type IV envenomation. After initial antivenom treatment he was transported to an urban hospital. Hemorrhage persisted and the patient developed compartmental syndrome and renal failure. The patient died 3 days after the accident. To reduce fatalities from snakebite envenomation, such as the case we here presented, there is a need for coordinated and multilevel approach, collaborative work and continual medical training.
Subject(s)
Craniocerebral Trauma/etiology , Emergency Treatment/methods , Snake Bites/therapy , Adult , Fatal Outcome , Humans , Male , Mexico , Rural Population , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Chagas disease also known as American Trypanosomiasis is mainly caused by haematophagous insects widely distributed from Mexico to Argentina. According to the Panamerican Health Organization, 7.7 to 10 million people are living with chronic infection. Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan transmitted by triatomine vectors. After an initial acute phase, Chagas is followed by a silent phase that lasts 15-20 years before debuting with cardiac, neurological or gastrointestinal manifestations. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the atypical clinical course of chagasic cardiopathy in a pediatric patient from southern Mexico. CASE REPORT: The patient was treated by a chagoma in his left leg. Five months later an electrocardiogram showed evidence of sinus tachycardia and left atrium distension with P wave enlargement and prolonged QT interval. The thorax radiography showed cardiomegaly (Cardio-thoracic index = 0.52); the trans-thoracic echocardiogram showed left atrial and ventricular dilation. CONCLUSION: It is important to develop early cardiac evaluations even in pediatric patients with Chagas disease, it should not be assumed that the patients will undergo a long asymptomatic phase or that they will not develop an early cardiopathy.
Subject(s)
Chagas Cardiomyopathy/diagnosis , Child , Humans , Male , MexicoABSTRACT
La enfermedad de Chagas (ECh) o tripanosomiasis americana es una enfermedad transmitida principalmente por insectos hematófagos detectados en zonas rurales y urbanas desde México hasta Argentina. De acuerdo a la Organización Panamericana de la Salud, entre 7,7 y 10 millones de personas cursan con infección crónica. La ECh es causada por el protozoario flagelado Trypanosoma cruzi. Posterior al contacto inicial con el vector, la fase aguda es comúnmente seguida por una fase silente que dura 15-20 años antes de debutar con manifestaciones cardíacas, neurológicas o gastrointestinales. OBJETIVO: Analizar el curso clínico atípico de un caso de cardiopatía chagásica en un paciente pediátrico del sureste de México. CASO CLÍNICO: El paciente consultó al desarrollar un chagoma en la pierna izquierda. Cinco meses después, se observó en su electrocardiograma una taquicardia sinusal y un crecimiento auricular izquierdo con ondas P anchas e intervalo QT prolongado. En la radiografía de tórax se observó cardiomegalia (índice cardiotorácico = 0,52); en el ecocardiograma transtorácico mostró dilatación del atrio y ventrículo izquierdos. CONCLUSIÓN: Es importante realizar evaluaciones cardíacas oportunas en pacientes pediátricos con ECh, pues no debe asumirse que cursarán con una fase silente o que debutarán tardíamente con cardiopatía.
Chagas disease also known as American Trypanosomiasis is mainly caused by haematophagous insects widely distributed from Mexico to Argentina. According to the Panamerican Health Organization, 7.7 to 10 million people are living with chronic infection. Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan transmitted by triatomine vectors. After an initial acute phase, Chagas is followed by a silent phase that lasts 15-20 years before debuting with cardiac, neurological or gastrointestinal manifestations. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the atypical clinical course of chagasic cardiopathy in a pediatric patient from southern Mexico. CASE REPORT: The patient was treated by a chagoma in his left leg. Five months later an electrocardiogram showed evidence of sinus tachycardia and left atrium distension with P wave enlargement and prolonged QT interval. The thorax radiography showed cardiomegaly (Cardio-thoracic index = 0.52); the trans-thoracic echocardiogram showed left atrial and ventricular dilation. CONCLUSION: It is important to develop early cardiac evaluations even in pediatric patients with Chagas disease, it should not be assumed that the patients will undergo a long asymptomatic phase or that they will not develop an early cardiopathy.
