Resultados de urocultivos en adultos realizados por el laboratorio de microbiología del Hospital de Clínicas - San Lorenzo de enero del 2015 a agosto de 2016 y métodos de estudio de las infecciones urinarias disponibles en la institución / Results of urine culture in adults carried out by the microbiology laboratory of the Clinics Hospital - San Lorenzo from january 2015 to august 2016 and methods of study of urinary infections available in the institution

Introducción: Los objetivos de este trabajo son: presentar los métodos de estudio de las infecciones urinarias actualmente disponibles en el Laboratorio de Microbiología del Hospital de Clínicas y mostrar los datos de los urocultivos evaluados en forma retrospectiva. Materiales y Métodos: Para estudiar los métodos de estudio de los urocultivos disponibles en el Laboratorio hemos recurrido al archivo del Laboratorio cuyos datos fueron consecutivamente cargados en una planilla de procesamiento de datos Excel de Microsoft Office ®. Los resultados de los urocultivos fueron evaluados de enero de 2015 a agosto de 2016, en forma retrospectiva, observacional, en corte transverso, de los adultos de ambos sexos. Las muestras para urocultivo son recibidas y procesadas en el laboratorio, siguiendo pasos preestablecidos. Resultados: El microorganismo preponderante de los urocultivos fue Escherichia coli (60% de las mujeres y 32% de los varones) seguido por Klebsiella pneumoniae (19% de los varones, 14% de las mujeres). Otros microorganismos aislados fueron Candida sp., Enterococcus faecalis, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomona aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumanii. La resistencia de Escherichia Coli a nitrofurantoína fue del 6% en los varones y 1% en las mujeres. La resistencia de E.Coli a meropenen fue también escasa. En cuanto a Klebsiella pneumoniae en las mujeres, la resistencia fue del 3%. En los hombres, los antibióticos testados para Klebsiella pneumoniae mostraron una resistencia superior al 30%, con excepción del meropenem. Uropatógenos productores de betalactamas de espectro extentido (BLEE) y de carbapenemasas fueron detectados en el presente estudio. Discusión: La toma de la orina para el urocultivo se efectúa siguiendo pautas claras, emanadas del laboratorio. Con la utilización de medios actualmente disponibles en el laboratorio, es posible tipificar el género y la especie tanto de bacterias Gram negativas y positivas como de hongos. Conclusión: La estructura del Laboratorio de Microbiología ha tenido avances que permiten la identificación precisa de los gérmenes de los urocultivos, así como la prevalencia y la resistencia que presentan a ciertos antibióticos. Estos aportes son particularmente útiles para los casos de Escherichia coli y Klebsiella pneumoniae debido a su alta prevalencia. También fue factible constatar la emergencia de gérmenes productores de betalactamasas de espectro extendido (BLEE) y carbapenemasas.

Introduction: The objectives of this work are: to present the methods of study of urinary infections currently available in the Laboratory of Microbiology of the Hospital de Clínicas and to show the data of the urine cultures evaluated retrospectively. Material and method: in order to study the available methods in urine cultures in the Laboratory, we have used the laboratory file whose data were consecutively loaded in an Excel data processing form of Microsoft Office ®. The results of the urine cultures were evaluated from January 2015 to August 2016, in a retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study of adults of both sexes. Samples for urine culture are received and processed in the laboratory, following pre-established steps. Results: The predominant microorganisms were Escherichia coli in 60% of women and 32%of men, Klebsiella pneumonia 19% of men and 14% of women. Other isolated organisms were Candida sp., Enterococcus faecalis, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter baumanii. Escherichia coli resistance to nitrofurantoin was seen in 6% of men and 1% of women and meropenem resistance to E. coli was also low. As for Klebsiella pneumoniae in women, resistance to meropenem was seen in 3% of cases. In men, the antibiotics tested for Klebsiella pneumoniae showed resistance greater than 30% except for meropenem. Uropathogens producing Extended-Spectrum -lactamase (ESBL ) and Carbapenemase were found. Discussion: Urine collection for urine culture is done following clear guidelines emanating from the laboratory. With the use of media currently available in the laboratory, it is possible to typify the genus and species of both Gram negative and positive bacteria as well as fungi. Conclusion: The structure of the Laboratory of Microbiology has had advances that allow the precise identification of the germs of the urine cultures, as well as the prevalence and resistance to certain antibiotics. These contributions are particularly useful for the cases of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae due to their high prevalence. It was also possible to verify the emergence of spread spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) and carbapenemases.

Impact of intensity and timing of integrated home palliative cancer care on end-of-life hospitalization in Northern Italy.

PURPOSE: The Veneto Region implemented a novel integrated home-based palliative cancer care (HPCC) program embedded in primary care. We examined the impact of timing and intensity of this program on the quality of end-of-life (EOL) care. METHODS: We selected adult cancer patients died in the Veneto Region between March and December 2013, excluding those died from haematological malignancies as well as the very elderly (85+ years). We retrieved the claim-based data on hospitalization and homecare visits, and defined two observation windows: 90 to 16 days before death to examine intensity of HPCC exposure, and the last 15 days of life to examine EOL outcomes, including hospital death, any hospital stay for medical reasons and hospital stay ≥7 days for medical reasons. Multivariate analysis was conducted using a Poisson model. RESULTS: Among the 2211 adults who died of solid tumours and received 1+ homecare visits during the exposure period, 1077 (48.7%), 552 (25.0%) and 582 (26.3%) had 0.1-1.9, 2-3.9 and 4+ homecare visits/week, respectively. The median duration between an HPCC home visit and death was 92 days (IQR 42-257 days). Hospital death occurred in 856 (38.7%) patients, while 1087 (49.2%) and 556 (25.1%) had a hospital stay and a hospital stay ≥7 days during the exposure period, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, a greater intensity of integrated HPCC (4+ visits/week) was significantly associated with a lower risk of hospital death (relative risk [RR] = 0.67, 0.59-0.76), any hospital stay (RR = 0.69, 0.62-0.77) and hospital stay ≥7 days for medical reasons (RR = 0.59, 0.49-0.71). A late activation (≤30 days before death) of HPCC was also associated with increased both hospital stay (RR = 1.26, 0.11-1.42) and hospital stay ≥7 days (RR = 1.25, 1.01-1.54). CONCLUSIONS: A greater HPCC program intensity reduces the risk of hospital death and hospital stay in the end-of-life. An early activation of this program can contribute to improve these EOL outcomes.

Tuberculosis infantil: estudio de tendencia en la Región Sanitaria V de la provincia de Buenos Aires, años 2000-2014 / Childhood tuberculosis: A trend analysis in Public Health Region V of the Province of Buenos Aires, 2000-2014

La prevención, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de la Tuberculosis Infantil (TBI), no ha sido suficientemente reconocida como causa importante de enfermedad y muerte entre los 0 a 14 años. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue analizar la situación epidemiológica de la TBI en la Región Sanitaria V (RSV), provincia de Buenos Aires. Es un estudio observacional longitudinal, realizado entre el 1º de enero del 2000 y el 31 de diciembre de 2014. Se efectuó un análisis de tendencia sobre un total de 2.142 casos de Tuberculosis Infantil, calculada por regresión lineal simple y expresada como variación anual promedio (VAP). Se analizó el número de casos notificados y tasas de incidencia(TI) por 100.000 habitantes de todas las formas de TBI, TBI pulmonar (TBIP) y TBIP confirmada por bacteriología. La TBP se estudió desagregada en dos grupos de edad: 0 a 4 y 5 a 14 años. Resultados: La tasa de incidencia de TBI y la tasa de incidencia de la TBIP presentaron una tendencia neta al descenso, con una declinación mayor al 5% y similar a la TBIP entre los 0 a 4 años y entre los 5 a 14 años. En cambio, la tasa de incidencia de la TBIP confirmada del total de los casos y en los dos subgrupos, la tendencia al descenso fue mínima y no resultó estadísticamente significativa. La TB se mantiene como un riesgo de salud en la RSV, con la mayor afectación en edades jóvenes, hecho que refleja la tendencia de una transmisión reciente y que se asocia cuando no se ha logrado controlar la enfermedad (AU)

Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of childhood tuberculosis (childhood TB) is underrecognized as an important cause of disease and death between 0 and 14 years of age. The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiological situation of childhood TB in the Public Health Region V (PHRV), the province of Buenos Aires. In a longitudinal, observational study conducted between January 1, 2000 and December, 2014.A trend analysis was performed in a total of 2,142 cases of childhood TB, calculated by simple linear regression and expressed as average annual rate (AAR). The number of reported cases and incidence rate (IR) were calculated per 100,000 inhabitants of all forms of childhood TB, childhood lung TB, and childhood lung TB confirmed by bacteriological tests. Lung TB was assessed according to age group: 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 years. Results: IR of childhood TB and IR of childhood lung TB showed a net downward trend, with a greater than 5% decrease and similar to childhood lung TB between children between 0 and 4 years and those between 5 and 14 years of age. However, the IR of confirmed childhood lung TB of the total of cases and in the two subgroups showed a minimal downward trend and was not statistically significant. TB remains a health risk in PHRV, with a higher incidence in children, reflecting a trend of recent transmission and associated with a lack of disease control (AU)

From microvasculature to fibroblasts: Contribution of anti-endothelial cell antibodies in systemic sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by skin and internal organ fibrosis, caused by microvascular dysfunction. In recent years, the hypothesis that anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) play a key role in microvascular damage seems to be increasingly convincing. In fact, AECA can induce antibody-dependent cellular apoptosis and stimulate the microvasculature to release pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokines. Human-microvascular-endothelial-cells (MVECs) were stimulated with SSc sera (with and without AECA) and with sera from healthy donors. The conditioned MVEC culture media were then added to fibroblast cultures obtained from control skin (CTR), non-affected skin of SSc patients (NA), and affected skin of the same sclerodermic (SSc) patients, respectively. AECA contributed to the MVEC increased release of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the culture medium and to MVEC apoptosis. Fibroblast (CTR, NA, and SSc) proliferation was increased after treatment with AECA-positive conditioned media, compared to AECA-negative and control conditioned media. Furthermore, both AECA-positive (in major contribution) and AECA-negative conditioned media were responsible for alpha-smooth-muscle-actin (αSMA) over-expression in all fibroblast cultures, compared to control conditioned media. Fibroblast type I collagen synthesis was upregulated by both SSc conditioned media (with and without AECA). Finally, the synthesis of fibroblast transforming-growth-factor-beta (TGF-ß) was statistically higher in AECA-positive conditioned media, compared to AECA-negative and control conditioned media. These findings support the concept that AECA may mediate the crosstalk between endothelial damage and dermal-fibroblast activation in SSc.

[The network of palliative care for persons with incurable disease in the Local Health Agency n. 7 of the Veneto region]. / La rete di cure palliatiave per malati non guaribili dell'Azien- da Ulss 7 del Veneto.

Only 20% of terminally ill people with cancer in Italy are assisted by a network of palliative care, whereas the majority of them die in the hospital, against their will, and with very low doses of opioids. A palliative care service, is offered by the Nucleus of Palliative care within the Operative Unit of District Primary Care in the local health agency n. 7 of Pieve di Soligo. This service takes charge of the patient from hospital discharge until his/her death, working in concert with the inpatieint hospitals and other territorial health care structures. In this way, the patient and his/her family are followed by a team of professionals working together in coordination and collaboration. In 2010 the percentage of terminally ill persons enrolled in the program was 52%, much greater than the standard of 45% required by ministerial law (DM no 43 del 2007) for the local health agencies without a hospice. The duration of time spent at home during the last phases of the illness was over 90% of time in care, with an in-home mortality of 63%. The consumption of major opioids was amongst the highest in Italy. Thanks to the opening of a hospice, already planned, we will be able to take charge within the network of palliative care thos sick people who cannot remain in the home and extend the service to ill persons without cancer in conditions of advanced incurable disease and end of life.

Seroprevalence study on the diffusion of the West Nile virus among blood donors, healthcare workers, jockeys, grooms and fowlers, veterinary surgeons and hunters in Messina (Italy).

INTRODUCTION: West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-transmitted flavivirus widely distributed in Africa, Middle East, Asia, Southern Europe and in 1999 was first identified in the United States as a cause of disease in New York City. It mainly circulates among birds, but can infect many species of mammals. Epidemics can occur in rural as well as urban areas. METHODS: 1,280 sera were collected during 2006 from 80 stable workers, as jockey and grooms, 100 fowlers, 500 blood donors, 600 healthcare workers, 100 veterinary surgeons and 100 hunters in the Messina province to evaluate the prevalence of the WNV infection, by ELISA test, in relation to risk exposure or not. RESULTS: None of the 1280 subjects examined has shown positive for antibodies anti WN virus. CONCLUSION: Among the strategies of control and surveillance, finally, in our opinion, are and will be indispensable the programs of continuous antibody survey in all the risk categories and in the general population in order to succeed to preview which effects could have the presence of infections from WNV, also imported from other zones where the virus is constantly present, in future and which it could be the impact of geographic factors on the epidemic spread of the disease.

Tuberculosis transmission of predominant genotypes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in northern suburbs of Buenos Aires city region.

In 2003, the incidence of tuberculosis in Argentina showed an increase compared to 2002. The severe national crisis at the end of the 90s has probably strongly contributed to this situation. The goal of this work was to estimate the extent of the spread of the most predominant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains and to assess the spread of predominant M. tuberculosis clusters as determined by spoligotyping and IS6110 RFLP. The study involved 590 pulmonary, smear-positive TB cases receiving medical attention at health centers and hospitals in Northern Buenos Aires (NBA) suburbs, from October 2001 to December 2002. From a total of 208 clinical isolates belonging to 6 major clusters, 63 (30.2%) isolates had identical spoligotyping and IS6110 RFLP pattern. Only 22.2% were shown to have epidemiological connections with another member of their respective cluster. In these major clusters, 30.2% of the 208 TB cases studied by both molecular techniques and contact tracing could be convincingly attributable to a recently acquired infection. This knowledge may be useful to assess the clonal distribution of predominant M. tuberculosis clusters in Argentina, which may make an impact on TB control strategies.

Tuberculosis transmission of predominant genotypes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Northern suburbs of Buenos Aires city region / Transmisión de la tuberculosis por genotipos predominantes de Mycobacterium tuberculosis en la región Gran Buenos Aires Norte

In 2003, the incidence of tuberculosis in Argentina showed an increase compared to 2002. The severe national crisis at the end of the 90s has probably strongly contributed to this situation. The goal of this work was to estimate the extent of the spread of the most predominant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains and to assess the spread of predominant M. tuberculosis clusters as determined by spoligotyping and IS6110 RFLP. The study involved 590 pulmonary, smear-positive TB cases receiving medical attention at health centers and hospitals in Northern Buenos Aires (NBA) suburbs, from October 2001 to December 2002. From a total of 208 clinical isolates belonging to 6 major clusters, 63 (30.2%) isolates had identical spoligotyping and IS6110 RFLP pattern. Only 22.2% were shown to have epidemiological connections with another member of their respective cluster. In these major clusters, 30.2% of the 208 TB cases studied by both molecular techniques and contact tracing could be convincingly attributable to a recently acquired infection. This knowledge may be useful to assess the clonal distribution of predominant M. tuberculosis clusters in Argentina, which may make an impact on TB control strategies.

La incidencia de la tuberculosis en Argentina mostró en 2003 un incremento en comparación con 2002. La grave crisis nacional a fines de los 90 ha probablemente contribuido en gran medida a esta situación. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar la diversidad genética de aislamientos de Mycobacterium tuberculosis y el grado de dispersión de algunas cepas mayoritarias genéticamente relacionadas. El estudio involucró 590 aislamientos clínicos provenientes de muestras respiratorias con examen directo positivo, de pacientes atendidos en los hospitales y centros de salud que conforman la región Gran Buenos Aires Norte (NBA), de octubre de 2001 a diciembre de 2002. De 208 aislamientos que se encontraron en los 6 mayores clusters, 63 (30,2%) tenían patrones idénticos de spoligotyping y de IS6110 RFLP. En el 22,2% de los casos fue posible verificar la conexión epidemiológica con otro miembro del respectivo cluster. Concluimos que el 30,2% de estos agrupamientos principales pueden ser atribuidos a una infección reciente. Estos resultados pueden ser útiles para determinar la distribución clonal de los grupos predominantes de M. tuberculosis en Argentina, lo que puede impactar en las estrategias de control de la tuberculosis.

First description of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing genotype in Argentina.

During a population-based study to genotype isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from Buenos Aires Northern suburbs, we found isolates with molecular patterns related to those of the Beijing genotype. Five out of 590 (0.85%) patients had isolates with spoligopattern identical to that of the Beijing family. Since two of these isolates showed identical IS6110RFLP pattern, we found only four different patterns containing 11 to 19 bands. The isolates were obtained from young people (including a 7 years-old child) who were born in Argentina, and were living in a small area of our region. However, conventional contact tracing did not prove epidemiological linkage among them. These isolates were fully drug-susceptible to the first-line drugs. The comparison of the IS6110RFLP patterns from our isolates against a set of 19 reference Beijing patterns from the RIVM (The Netherlands) confirmed that the strains belonged to the Beijing lineage. These findings might be partially explained by the important migration phenomena occurred during the last decade. Further surveillance studies would help in the following of Beijing family strain dissemination in our community.

First description of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing genotype in Argentina

During a population-based study to genotype isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from Buenos Aires Northern suburbs, we found isolates with molecular patterns related to those of the Beijing genotype. Five out of 590 (0.85

) patients had isolates with spoligopattern identical to that of the Beijing family. Since two of these isolates showed identical IS6110RFLP pattern, we found only four different patterns containing 11 to 19 bands. The isolates were obtained from young people (including a 7 years-old child) who were born in Argentina, and were living in a small area of our region. However, conventional contact tracing did not prove epidemiological linkage among them. These isolates were fully drug-susceptible to the first-line drugs. The comparison of the IS6110RFLP patterns from our isolates against a set of 19 reference Beijing patterns from the RIVM (The Netherlands) confirmed that the strains belonged to the Beijing lineage. These findings might be partially explained by the important migration phenomena occurred during the last decade. Further surveillance studies would help in the following of Beijing family strain dissemination in our community.

First description of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing genotype in Argentina.

During a population-based study to genotype isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from Buenos Aires Northern suburbs, we found isolates with molecular patterns related to those of the Beijing genotype. Five out of 590 (0.85

) patients had isolates with spoligopattern identical to that of the Beijing family. Since two of these isolates showed identical IS6110RFLP pattern, we found only four different patterns containing 11 to 19 bands. The isolates were obtained from young people (including a 7 years-old child) who were born in Argentina, and were living in a small area of our region. However, conventional contact tracing did not prove epidemiological linkage among them. These isolates were fully drug-susceptible to the first-line drugs. The comparison of the IS6110RFLP patterns from our isolates against a set of 19 reference Beijing patterns from the RIVM (The Netherlands) confirmed that the strains belonged to the Beijing lineage. These findings might be partially explained by the important migration phenomena occurred during the last decade. Further surveillance studies would help in the following of Beijing family strain dissemination in our community.

[Effects of "host factor" bile on adaptability and virulence of Vibrios, foodborne potential pathogenic agents]. / Effetti della bile come "fattore-ospite" su adattamento e virulenza di potenziali agenti patogeni a trasmissione alimentare appartenenti al genere Vibrio.

In order to improve the knowledge of host/pathogenic agent interaction and to obtain a more careful estimation of risk related to ingestion of food contaminated by Vibrio spp., the effects of bile extracts have been studied. The growth of one V. fluvialis, two V. alginolyticus, and three V. parahaemolyticus strains, isolated from mollusks and crustaceans, has been determined to evaluate their adaptability to intestinal environment. Moreover, the expression of virulence factors responsible for the colonization, as bacterial "swarming mobility", biofilm production, adherence on epithelial cells and hydrophobicity, has been evaluated. Using a bile concentration of 1.5%, all examined strains showed a constant inhibitory effect, quite moderate in the first growth phases. Bile increased the "swarming mobility" and biofilm production; also the adherence was favored, but only after adaptation and during the early logarithmic phase. The decreased hydrophobicity could explain the reduction of adherence during the stationary phase. Studying the phenotypic expression of virulence factors in "minor vibrios" in the presence of bile, it was possible to extend the knowledge about their pathogenetic mechanisms owing to the ingestion of contaminated food. That permits a more careful estimation of risk related to the contamination, considering the high frequency of isolation of these species in some seafood.

A microplate indicator-based method for determining the susceptibility of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis to antimicrobial agents.

SETTING: Reference Laboratory, Buenos Aires Province Tuberculosis Control Program, Dr Cetrangolo Hospital, Argentina. OBJECTIVE: To obtain a rapid, inexpensive method of determining minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of several drugs acting on multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR-TB), a colorimetric, microplate-based assay (M-MTT) was developed. DESIGN: One hundred and one clinical isolates were studied. Drugs were placed in a microtiter plate, and several two fold dilutions were made in situ. Kanamycin, capreomycin, ethionamide, para-aminosalicylic acid and clarithromycin were tested in a range concentration of 8.0-0.25 microg/ml, cycloserine 60.0-1.9 microg/ml, clofazimine 3.0-0.10 microg/ml, levofloxacin 4.0-0.13 microg/ml and rifabutin 1.0-0.13 microg/ml. General indicator 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) at 5.0 mg/ml was used for visualising cellular growth and viability. The proportion method with Middlebrook 7H11 was used as the gold standard. RESULTS: MICs by M-MTT were obtained at on average 8 days and correlated with those obtained using the proportion method. In our conditions, the total cost of MIC determination for nine drugs was 5.00 US dollars. CONCLUSION: M-MTT could be used as a simple, rapid, low-cost technology to test the susceptibility of MDR-TB strains to several second-line and alternative drugs, with the objective of orienting future treatment regimens.

[Tuberculosis in the V Sanitary Zone of Buenos Aires Province. Analysis of its trends between 1984 and 1996]. / Tuberculosis en la región sanitaria V de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Análisis de su tendéncia entre 1984 y 1996.

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a serious health problem in most of the districts in the 5th Sanitary Region of Buenos Aires Province (RSV) which is located in North Buenos Aires City suburbs. The aim of this study was to analyse and compare the evolution of the TB epidemiological situation in ten districts, in a thirteen year period (1984-96) and to analyse possible reasons for differences. The average annual variation (VAP) of morbidity rate was calculated in order to estimate the trends of TB in these communities along time. Reporting to the National and Provincial TB Control Programmes of TB cases is mandatory for physicians and these data were used as a source of information for the number of cases and rates. A statistical analysis was performed. Our results showed that the VAP value for the whole RSV was lower than -5.0%. On this basis several districts were identified as having a TB critical situation. The proportion of smear positive cases among TB patients reported decreased during this period, suggesting that smear microscopy was being poorly used as a diagnostic tool for TB. Furthermore, the cure rates of the patients attained--in average--only 60.0% and several warning indicators (IA)--like TB meningitis cases and mortality due to TB in people younger than thirty years old, as well as TB--HIV/AIDS association--have been observed to grow in several districts. Previous world global experience and those obtained in other provinces in our own country, suggest that the unique possible strategy for modifying this situation, is to set up the directly observed treatment (DOTS), according to World Health Organization/International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (WHO IVATLD) recommendations, in order to achieve the control of TB.

Tuberculosis en la región sanitaria V de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Análisis de su tendéncia entre 1984 y 1996. / [Tuberculosis in the V Sanitary Zone of Buenos Aires Province. Analysis of its trends between 1984 and 1996]

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a serious health problem in most of the districts in the 5th Sanitary Region of Buenos Aires Province (RSV) which is located in North Buenos Aires City suburbs. The aim of this study was to analyse and compare the evolution of the TB epidemiological situation in ten districts, in a thirteen year period (1984-96) and to analyse possible reasons for differences. The average annual variation (VAP) of morbidity rate was calculated in order to estimate the trends of TB in these communities along time. Reporting to the National and Provincial TB Control Programmes of TB cases is mandatory for physicians and these data were used as a source of information for the number of cases and rates. A statistical analysis was performed. Our results showed that the VAP value for the whole RSV was lower than -5.0

. On this basis several districts were identified as having a TB critical situation. The proportion of smear positive cases among TB patients reported decreased during this period, suggesting that smear microscopy was being poorly used as a diagnostic tool for TB. Furthermore, the cure rates of the patients attained--in average--only 60.0

and several warning indicators (IA)--like TB meningitis cases and mortality due to TB in people younger than thirty years old, as well as TB--HIV/AIDS association--have been observed to grow in several districts. Previous world global experience and those obtained in other provinces in our own country, suggest that the unique possible strategy for modifying this situation, is to set up the directly observed treatment (DOTS), according to World Health Organization/International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (WHO IVATLD) recommendations, in order to achieve the control of TB.

Transvaginal ultrasound diagnosis of twin reversed arterial perfusion syndrome at 9 weeks' gestation.

Diagnosis of twin reversed arterial perfusion syndrome was made using transvaginal sonography at 9 weeks' gestation. The morphological evaluation of the abnormal twin revealed a dysmorphic cephalic pole and absence of the upper extremities. There was diffuse subcutaneous edema and no detectable cardiac activity. The other twin had a normal appearance and a size compatible with the gestational age. The fetuses were divided by a thin amniotic membrane with normal amniotic fluid in both sacs. Diagnosis was confirmed by demonstrating fetal growth and lower limb activity in the abnormal twin 10 days later.