Preclinical Studies and Drug Combination of Low-Cost Molecules for Chagas Disease.

Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). It remains the major parasitic disease in Latin America and is spreading worldwide, affecting over 10 million people. Hundreds of new compounds with trypanosomicidal action have been identified from different sources such as synthetic or natural molecules, but they have been deficient in several stages of drug development (toxicology, scaling-up, and pharmacokinetics). Previously, we described a series of compounds with simple structures, low cost, and environmentally friendly production with potent trypanosomicidal activity in vitro and in vivo. These molecules are from three different families: thiazolidenehydrazines, diarylideneketones, and steroids. From this collection, we explored their capacity to inhibit the triosephosphate isomerase and cruzipain of T. cruzi. Then, the mechanism of action was explored using NMR metabolomics and computational molecular dynamics. Moreover, the mechanism of death was studied by flow cytometry. Consequently, five compounds, 314, 793, 1018, 1019, and 1260, were pre-clinically studied and their pharmacologic profiles indicated low unspecific toxicity. Interestingly, synergetic effects of diarylideneketones 793 plus 1018 and 793 plus 1019 were evidenced in vitro and in vivo. In vivo, the combination of compounds 793 plus 1018 induced a reduction of more than 90% of the peak of parasitemia in the acute murine model of Chagas disease.

Análisis de desempeño de laboratorios clínicos en la determinación de glucosa y creatinina / Performance analysis of clinical laboratory in glucose and creatinine determinations / Análise de desempenho de laboratórios clínicos na determinação de glicose e creatinina

Los Programas de Evaluación Externa de la Calidad (PEEC) de los laboratorios clínicos (LC) son indispensables para la comparación del desempeño en una o varias determinaciones de analitos entre diferentes laboratorios. Se evaluó el desempeño de los LC del estado Carabobo en la determinación de las concentraciones séricas de glucosa y creatinina. El estudio fue no experimental, descriptivo, de campo y de corte transversal. Se evaluaron 22 laboratorios entre públicos y privados del estado Carabobo. Se distribuyeron a cada LC 5 sueros controles (SC) nivel I (NI) y 5 nivel II (NII) para glucosa y creatinina. Se evaluó la imprecisión intra- e interlaboratorios, el sesgo y el error total de los resultados. No hubo LC con competencia para la determinación de glucosa y creatinina en ambos niveles ensayados. Solo 3 (13,3%) LC fueron competentes en la determinación de creatinina en el NI y NII. Se concluye que los resultados obtenidos en los SC de glucosa y creatinina no pueden ser transferibles entre los diferentes LC, por lo que es importante poner en marcha programas de control de calidad intralaboratorios o mejorar los existentes para eliminar los errores sistemáticos y disminuir los aleatorios, así como también se hace necesaria la participación en PEEC para determinar la universalización de los resultados emitidos por los LC.

External Quality Assessment Schemes (EQAS) of clinical laboratories (CL) are indispensable to compare performance in one or more analyte determinations among different laboratories. Performance of CL in Carabobo state for the determination of serum glucose and creatinine was evaluated. The study was not experimental, descriptive and cross-sectional field. A total of 22 public and private laboratories in Carabobo state were evaluated. Each CL was distributed 5 control sera (CS) level I (LI) and 5 level II (LII) for glucose and creatinine. Intra- and inter-laboratory precision, bias and total error of the results were evaluated. There was no CL competition for determining glucose and creatinine both levels tested. Only 3 (13.3%) CL were proficient in the determination of creatinine in the LI and LII. It can be concluded that the results obtained in CS glucose and creatinine may not be transferable between different CL, so it is important to implement quality control programs within laboratories or improve the existing ones to eliminate systematic errors and reduce randomization; besides, participation in EQAS is also necessary to determine the universalization of the CL results.

Os Programas de Avaliação Externa da Qualidade (PAEQ) dos laboratórios clínicos (LC) são essenciais para comparar o desempenho numa ou varias determinações de analitos entre diferentes laboratórios. Avaliou--se o desempenho dos LC do estado Carabobo na determinação das concentrações séricas de glicose e creatinina. O estudo foi não experimental, descritivo, de campo e seção transversal. Avaliaram-se 22 laboratórios entre públicos e privados do estado Carabobo. Foram distribuídos a cada laboratórios 5 soros controle (SC) nível I (NI) y 5 soros controle nível II (NII) para a glicose e creatinina. Foi avaliada a imprecisão intra e inter-laboratórios, o desvio percentual relativo e o erro total dos resultados. Não houve LC com competência para a determinação de glicose e creatinina em ambos os níveis testados. Apenas 3 (13,3%) LC foram competentes na determinação de creatinina no NI e NII. Conclui-se que os resultados obtidos nos SC de glicose e creatinina não podem ser transferíveis entre os diferentes LC, por isso é importante implementar programas de controle de qualidade intralaboratórios ou melhorar os já existentes para eliminar erros sistemáticos e reduzir os aleatórios; bem como se torna necessária a participação em PAEQ, para determinar a universalização dos resultados emitidos pelos LC.

Substrate-Induced Dimerization of Engineered Monomeric Variants of Triosephosphate Isomerase from Trichomonas vaginalis.

The dimeric nature of triosephosphate isomerases (TIMs) is maintained by an extensive surface area interface of more than 1600 Å2. TIMs from Trichomonas vaginalis (TvTIM) are held in their dimeric state by two mechanisms: a ball and socket interaction of residue 45 of one subunit that fits into the hydrophobic pocket of the complementary subunit and by swapping of loop 3 between subunits. TvTIMs differ from other TIMs in their unfolding energetics. In TvTIMs the energy necessary to unfold a monomer is greater than the energy necessary to dissociate the dimer. Herein we found that the character of residue I45 controls the dimer-monomer equilibrium in TvTIMs. Unfolding experiments employing monomeric and dimeric mutants led us to conclude that dimeric TvTIMs unfold following a four state model denaturation process whereas monomeric TvTIMs follow a three state model. In contrast to other monomeric TIMs, monomeric variants of TvTIM1 are stable and unexpectedly one of them (I45A) is only 29-fold less active than wild-type TvTIM1. The high enzymatic activity of monomeric TvTIMs contrast with the marginal catalytic activity of diverse monomeric TIMs variants. The stability of the monomeric variants of TvTIM1 and the use of cross-linking and analytical ultracentrifugation experiments permit us to understand the differences between the catalytic activities of TvTIMs and other marginally active monomeric TIMs. As TvTIMs do not unfold upon dimer dissociation, herein we found that the high enzymatic activity of monomeric TvTIM variants is explained by the formation of catalytic dimeric competent species assisted by substrate binding.

Vitamina D en pacientes con síndrome metabólico de la ciudad de valencia, venezuela / Vitamin D in patients with metabolic syndrome from valencia City, venezuela abstract

Entre los efectos no clásicos de la Vitamina D destaca su asociación con el sistema cardiovascular y su disminución, se relaciona con factores de riesgo que definen al Síndrome Metabólico (SM). Es por ello que el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los niveles de Vitamina D en pacientes con SM y relacionarlos con sus componentes. Fueron estudiados 31 individuos con SM que acudieron a consultas de medicina interna en el Instituto Venezolano de Seguro Social “Dr. Luis Guada Lacau” y el Ambulatorio Urbano “Dr. Miguel Franco” del Municipio Naguanagua, Edo. Carabobo durante el primer trimestre del año 2011. A los mismos les fueron medidos los niveles de 25-(OH)-Vitamina D, circunferencia abdominal, presión arterial, perfil lipídico y glicemia, así como los índices aterogénicos y la relación TG/HDL-c. 54% de los participantes presentó niveles insuficientes de Vitamina D, asociándose estadísticamente a LDL-c elevado (chi-cuadrado=3,77; p-valor=0,052), mostrando además una correlación media y positiva con los valores de esta lipoproteína (r=0.3813; p-valor=0.0350) y con la relación LDL-c/HDL-c (r=0.3820; p-valor=0,0340). No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los parámetros evaluados al dividir la muestra según la presencia o no de insuficiencia de vitamina D (prueba t de Student y Prueba de Wilcoxon-U-Mann Whitney). Los resultados obtenidos confirman la hipótesis de que la hipovitaminosis D puede ser considerada como un factor de riesgo para desarrollar SM, sugiriendo la realización de futuras investigaciones que contribuyan a profundizar la participación de la insuficiencia de esta vitamina y su posible interacción con otros factores no clásicos de riesgo cardiovascular(AU)

Among the nonclassical effects of vitamin D highlights its association with cardiovascular system, strongly associating your decline to risk factors that define the metabolic syndrome (MS). That is why the aim of this study was to assess vitamin D levels in patients with MS and link components. Was study 31 subjects with MS attending internal medicine clinics at the Venezuelan Institute of Social Security, “Dr. Luis Guada Lacau” and the Ambulatory Urban “Dr. Miguel Franco” of Naguanagua, Edo. Carabobo during the first quarter of 2011. At the same they were measured the levels of 25 - (OH)-vitamin D, waist circumference, blood pressure, lipid profile and glucose, and the atherogenic index and the ratio TG/HDL-c. 54% of participants had insufficient levels of Vitamin D, associated statistically elevated LDL-c (chi-square=3.77, p-value=0.052), also showing average and positive correlation with the values of this lipoprotein (r=0.3813, p-value=0.0350) and LDL-C/HDL-C relationship (r=0.3820, p-value=0.0340). No statistically significant differences were found between the parameters evaluated by dividing the sample according to the presence or absence of vitamin D insufficiency (Student’s t and Wilcoxon- U Mann-Whitney test). The results confirm the hypothesis that vitamin D deficiency may be considered a risk factor for developing MS, suggesting future conducting research that contributes to deepen the involvement of the failure of this vitamin and its possible interaction with other factors nonclassical cardiovascular risk(AU)

Medida del colesterol de lipoproteínas de baja densidad utilizando tres metodologías / Measurement of cholesterol low-density lipoprotein using three methodologies / Medida do colesterol de lipoproteínas de baixa densidade utilizando tres metodologias

Tomando en cuenta que aún no existe una metodología estándar de rutina para la determinación del colesterol de lipoproteínas de baja densidad (LDL-c) se decidió evaluar su determinación analítica utilizando tres técnicas: determinación enzimática homogénea, precipitación con sulfato de polivinilo y fórmula de Friedewald. Fueron procesadas 98 muestras de suero a las cuales se les determinó triglicéridos (TG), colesterol total (CT), colesterol de lipoproteínas de alta densidad (HDL-c) y colesterol de lipoproteínas de baja densidad (LDL-c). Los valores promedio de CT fueron 194,46 ± 43,54 mg/dL, HDL-c 51,12 ± 12,36 mg/dL y TG 132,88 ± 76,93 mg/dL. Aun cuando el análisis de regresión mostró una buena correlación entre los valores de LDL-c, los resultados indicaron una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en los mismos cuando los niveles de TG superaron los 200 mg/dL. La misma se observó principalmente entre el método de precipitación y la fórmula de Friedewald, siendo los valores significativamente más bajos en esta última (LDL-c por precipitación: 141,3 ± 26,2 mg/dL; LDL-c por fórmula de Friedewald: 110,1 ± 35,4 mg/dL). De la misma manera se vio afectada la proporción de individuos clasificados según su riesgo coronario. Es necesario comparar las técnicas aplicadas en este estudio con la cuantificación beta para evaluar cuál tiene un mayor nivel de exactitud.

Considering that there is still no standard methodology for routine determination of low density lipoprotein (LDL-c) it was decided to evaluate their analytical determination using three techniques: homogeneous enzymatic determination, polyvinyl sulphate precipitation and Friedewald formula. Ninety-eight serum samples were processed; triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c) and LDL-c were determined. Mean total cholesterol was 194.46 ± 43.54 mg/dL, HDL-C was 51.12 ± 12.36 mg/dL and TG was 132.88 ± 76.93 mg/dL. Although regression analysis showed a good correlation between LDL-c, the results showed a statistically significative difference in them when TG levels exceeded 200 mg/dL. It was mainly observed in the precipitation method and the Friedewald formula, the latter values being significantly lower (LDL-C by precipitation: 141.3 ± 26.2 mg/dL, LDL-C by the Friedewald formula: 110, 1 ± 35.4 mg/dL). Moreover, this difference affected the proportion of individuals classified according to their coronary risk. It is necessary to compare the techniques applied in this study with beta quantification to assess which has a higher level of accuracy.

Levando em consideragao que ainda nao existe uma metodologia padrao de rotina para a determinagao do colesterol de lipoproteínas de baixa densidade (LDL-c) se decidiu avaliar sua determinagao analítica utilizando tres técnicas: determinagao enzimática homogénea, precipitagao com sulfato de polivinil e fórmula de Friedewald. Foram processadas 98 amostras de soro as quais lhes foi determinado triglicerídeos (TG), colesterol total (CT), colesterol de lipoproteínas de alta densidade (HDL-c) e colesterol de lipoproteínas de baixa densidade (LDL-c). Os valores médios de CT foram 194,46 ± 43,54 mg/dL, HDL-c 51,12 ± 12,36 mg/dL e TG 132,88 ± 76,93 mg/dL. Inclusive quando a análise de regressao mostrou uma boa correlagao entre os valores de LDL-c, os resultados indicaram uma diferenga estatisticamente significativa nos mesmos quando os niveis de TG superaram os 200 mg/dL. A mesma se observou principalmente entre o método de precipitagao e a fórmula de Friedewald, sendo os valores significativamente mais baixos nesta última (LDL-c por precipitagao: 141,3 ± 26,2 mg/dL; LDL-c por fórmula de Friedewald: 110,1 ± 35,4 mg/dL). Da mesma maneira se viu afetada a proporgao de indivíduos classificados conforme seu risco coronariano. É necessário comparar as técnicas aplicadas neste estudo com a quantificagao beta para avaliar qual é que tem maior nível de exatidao.

Medida del colesterol de lipoproteínas de baja densidad utilizando tres metodologías / Measurement of cholesterol low-density lipoprotein using three methodologies / Medida do colesterol de lipoproteínas de baixa densidade utilizando tres metodologias

Tomando en cuenta que aún no existe una metodología estándar de rutina para la determinación del colesterol de lipoproteínas de baja densidad (LDL-c) se decidió evaluar su determinación analítica utilizando tres técnicas: determinación enzimática homogénea, precipitación con sulfato de polivinilo y fórmula de Friedewald. Fueron procesadas 98 muestras de suero a las cuales se les determinó triglicéridos (TG), colesterol total (CT), colesterol de lipoproteínas de alta densidad (HDL-c) y colesterol de lipoproteínas de baja densidad (LDL-c). Los valores promedio de CT fueron 194,46 ñ 43,54 mg/dL, HDL-c 51,12 ñ 12,36 mg/dL y TG 132,88 ñ 76,93 mg/dL. Aun cuando el análisis de regresión mostró una buena correlación entre los valores de LDL-c, los resultados indicaron una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en los mismos cuando los niveles de TG superaron los 200 mg/dL. La misma se observó principalmente entre el método de precipitación y la fórmula de Friedewald, siendo los valores significativamente más bajos en esta última (LDL-c por precipitación: 141,3 ñ 26,2 mg/dL; LDL-c por fórmula de Friedewald: 110,1 ñ 35,4 mg/dL). De la misma manera se vio afectada la proporción de individuos clasificados según su riesgo coronario. Es necesario comparar las técnicas aplicadas en este estudio con la cuantificación beta para evaluar cuál tiene un mayor nivel de exactitud.(AU)

Considering that there is still no standard methodology for routine determination of low density lipoprotein (LDL-c) it was decided to evaluate their analytical determination using three techniques: homogeneous enzymatic determination, polyvinyl sulphate precipitation and Friedewald formula. Ninety-eight serum samples were processed; triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c) and LDL-c were determined. Mean total cholesterol was 194.46 ñ 43.54 mg/dL, HDL-C was 51.12 ñ 12.36 mg/dL and TG was 132.88 ñ 76.93 mg/dL. Although regression analysis showed a good correlation between LDL-c, the results showed a statistically significative difference in them when TG levels exceeded 200 mg/dL. It was mainly observed in the precipitation method and the Friedewald formula, the latter values being significantly lower (LDL-C by precipitation: 141.3 ñ 26.2 mg/dL, LDL-C by the Friedewald formula: 110, 1 ñ 35.4 mg/dL). Moreover, this difference affected the proportion of individuals classified according to their coronary risk. It is necessary to compare the techniques applied in this study with beta quantification to assess which has a higher level of accuracy.(AU)

Levando em consideragao que ainda nao existe uma metodologia padrao de rotina para a determinagao do colesterol de lipoproteínas de baixa densidade (LDL-c) se decidiu avaliar sua determinagao analítica utilizando tres técnicas: determinagao enzimática homogénea, precipitagao com sulfato de polivinil e fórmula de Friedewald. Foram processadas 98 amostras de soro as quais lhes foi determinado triglicerídeos (TG), colesterol total (CT), colesterol de lipoproteínas de alta densidade (HDL-c) e colesterol de lipoproteínas de baixa densidade (LDL-c). Os valores médios de CT foram 194,46 ñ 43,54 mg/dL, HDL-c 51,12 ñ 12,36 mg/dL e TG 132,88 ñ 76,93 mg/dL. Inclusive quando a análise de regressao mostrou uma boa correlagao entre os valores de LDL-c, os resultados indicaram uma diferenga estatisticamente significativa nos mesmos quando os niveis de TG superaram os 200 mg/dL. A mesma se observou principalmente entre o método de precipitagao e a fórmula de Friedewald, sendo os valores significativamente mais baixos nesta última (LDL-c por precipitagao: 141,3 ñ 26,2 mg/dL; LDL-c por fórmula de Friedewald: 110,1 ñ 35,4 mg/dL). Da mesma maneira se viu afetada a proporgao de indivíduos classificados conforme seu risco coronariano. E necessário comparar as técnicas aplicadas neste estudo com a quantificagao beta para avaliar qual é que tem maior nível de exatidao.(AU)

Medida del colesterol de lipoproteínas de baja densidad utilizando tres metodologías / Measurement of cholesterol low-density lipoprotein using three methodologies / Medida do colesterol de lipoproteínas de baixa densidade utilizando tres metodologias

Tomando en cuenta que aún no existe una metodología estándar de rutina para la determinación del colesterol de lipoproteínas de baja densidad (LDL-c) se decidió evaluar su determinación analítica utilizando tres técnicas: determinación enzimática homogénea, precipitación con sulfato de polivinilo y fórmula de Friedewald. Fueron procesadas 98 muestras de suero a las cuales se les determinó triglicéridos (TG), colesterol total (CT), colesterol de lipoproteínas de alta densidad (HDL-c) y colesterol de lipoproteínas de baja densidad (LDL-c). Los valores promedio de CT fueron 194,46 ± 43,54 mg/dL, HDL-c 51,12 ± 12,36 mg/dL y TG 132,88 ± 76,93 mg/dL. Aun cuando el análisis de regresión mostró una buena correlación entre los valores de LDL-c, los resultados indicaron una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en los mismos cuando los niveles de TG superaron los 200 mg/dL. La misma se observó principalmente entre el método de precipitación y la fórmula de Friedewald, siendo los valores significativamente más bajos en esta última (LDL-c por precipitación: 141,3 ± 26,2 mg/dL; LDL-c por fórmula de Friedewald: 110,1 ± 35,4 mg/dL). De la misma manera se vio afectada la proporción de individuos clasificados según su riesgo coronario. Es necesario comparar las técnicas aplicadas en este estudio con la cuantificación beta para evaluar cuál tiene un mayor nivel de exactitud.(AU)

Considering that there is still no standard methodology for routine determination of low density lipoprotein (LDL-c) it was decided to evaluate their analytical determination using three techniques: homogeneous enzymatic determination, polyvinyl sulphate precipitation and Friedewald formula. Ninety-eight serum samples were processed; triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c) and LDL-c were determined. Mean total cholesterol was 194.46 ± 43.54 mg/dL, HDL-C was 51.12 ± 12.36 mg/dL and TG was 132.88 ± 76.93 mg/dL. Although regression analysis showed a good correlation between LDL-c, the results showed a statistically significative difference in them when TG levels exceeded 200 mg/dL. It was mainly observed in the precipitation method and the Friedewald formula, the latter values being significantly lower (LDL-C by precipitation: 141.3 ± 26.2 mg/dL, LDL-C by the Friedewald formula: 110, 1 ± 35.4 mg/dL). Moreover, this difference affected the proportion of individuals classified according to their coronary risk. It is necessary to compare the techniques applied in this study with beta quantification to assess which has a higher level of accuracy.(AU)

Levando em consideragao que ainda nao existe uma metodologia padrao de rotina para a determinagao do colesterol de lipoproteínas de baixa densidade (LDL-c) se decidiu avaliar sua determinagao analítica utilizando tres técnicas: determinagao enzimática homogénea, precipitagao com sulfato de polivinil e fórmula de Friedewald. Foram processadas 98 amostras de soro as quais lhes foi determinado triglicerídeos (TG), colesterol total (CT), colesterol de lipoproteínas de alta densidade (HDL-c) e colesterol de lipoproteínas de baixa densidade (LDL-c). Os valores médios de CT foram 194,46 ± 43,54 mg/dL, HDL-c 51,12 ± 12,36 mg/dL e TG 132,88 ± 76,93 mg/dL. Inclusive quando a análise de regressao mostrou uma boa correlagao entre os valores de LDL-c, os resultados indicaram uma diferenga estatisticamente significativa nos mesmos quando os niveis de TG superaram os 200 mg/dL. A mesma se observou principalmente entre o método de precipitagao e a fórmula de Friedewald, sendo os valores significativamente mais baixos nesta última (LDL-c por precipitagao: 141,3 ± 26,2 mg/dL; LDL-c por fórmula de Friedewald: 110,1 ± 35,4 mg/dL). Da mesma maneira se viu afetada a proporgao de indivíduos classificados conforme seu risco coronariano. E necessário comparar as técnicas aplicadas neste estudo com a quantificagao beta para avaliar qual é que tem maior nível de exatidao.(AU)

Deficiencia de vitamina D: ¿Factor de riesgo de síndrome metabólico? / Association between vitamin D deficiency and metabolic syndrome

Vitamin D has an essential role in calcium metabolism and bone health. Vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol is synthesized from 7-dehydrocholesterol or provitamin D3, by sunlight ultraviolet radiation to the skin. 7-dehydrocholesterol is subsequently hydroxylated in the liver and then in the kidney to produce 1,25-(OH)2D3, the active metabolite that binds to specific receptors (VDR) in target tissues, mainly bone and intestine. Other tissues, such as the immune and cardiovascular system, have also VDR. Vitamin D deficiency can induce rickets in children and osteomalacia and osteoporosis in adults. A possible inverse association between vitamin D levels and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome has been proposed. Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of type 1 diabetes, insulin resistance, and hypertension, key components of this syndrome. However, other studies have not confirmed this association. Further clinical and experimental studies are needed to ascertain the role of vitamin D in metabolic syndrome.

[Association between vitamin D deficiency and metabolic syndrome]. / Deficiencia de vitamina D: ¿Factor de riesgo de síndrome metabólico?

Vitamin D has an essential role in calcium metabolism and bone health. Vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol is synthesized from 7-dehydrocholesterol or provitamin D3, by sunlight ultraviolet radiation to the skin. 7-dehydrocholesterol is subsequently hydroxylated in the liver and then in the kidney to produce 1,25-(OH)2D3, the active metabolite that binds to specific receptors (VDR) in target tissues, mainly bone and intestine. Other tissues, such as the immune and cardiovascular system, have also VDR. Vitamin D deficiency can induce rickets in children and osteomalacia and osteoporosis in adults. A possible inverse association between vitamin D levels and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome has been proposed. Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of type 1 diabetes, insulin resistance, and hypertension, key components of this syndrome. However, other studies have not confirmed this association. Further clinical and experimental studies are needed to ascertain the role of vitamin D in metabolic syndrome.

Miocarditis viral por herpes simple tipoI: a propósito de un caso / Viral miocarditis for herpes virus type I: case report

Describimos a continuación un caso de miocarditis por Herpes Virus Tipo 1 secundario a un proceso de encefalitis, patología frecuente en neonatos pero no en otros grupos etarios. Se trata de un preescolar femenino de años de edad, la cual ingresa al Servicio de Terapia Intensiva del Hospital de Niños "J.M." de Los Ríos (Caracas) presentando: insuficiencia cardíaca y bajo gasto cardíaco. Evidenciamos en la radiografía de torax infiltrado intersticial bilateral con aumento de la silueta cardíaca; en el trazado electrocardiagráfico observamos taquicardia supraventricular; el ecocardiograma mostró dilatación del ventriculo izquierdo, con 9,5 por ciento de fraccción de acortamiento; por laboratorio encontramos elevación de la fracción MB de la Creatincinasa a 40 U/1 y reporte serológico con IgM positiva en 1/40 para Herpes Virus Tipo I. Con respuesta satisfactoria a la terapéutica instaurada. Se hace una revisión de la patogenia, clínica, diagnóstico y tratamiento de las miocarditis virales

Convulsiones recurrentes secundarias a hipomagnesemia congénita: presentación de un caso clínico / Second recurrent convulsions to congenital hypomagnesemic: a clinical case presentation

La hipomagnesemia congénita constituye una condición rara. Presentamos un preescolar masculino de tres años, con historia de convulsiones tónico-clónicas generalizadas recurrentes, desde la segunda semana de vida, asociadas a hipocalcemia e hipomagnesemia severas, tratadas con dosis convencionales de gluconato de calcio, sulfato de magnesio y difenilhidantoína. A los tres años sufre regresión psicomotora, cuadro neurológico caracterizado por hipertonía, nistagmus y espasmos musculares asociados a status convulsivo. Se constata hipocalcemia, hipomagnesemia severa con pérdida tubular renal de magnesio. Después de la administración de dosis elevadas de calcio, magnesio parenteral y calcitriol oral, se logra la normalización de cifras de magnesio sérico, con recuperación clínica neurológica