The public health exposome and pregnancy-related mortality in the United States: a high-dimensional computational analysis.

BACKGROUND: Racial inequities in maternal mortality in the U.S. continue to be stark. METHODS: The 2015-2018, 4-year total population, county-level, pregnancy-related mortality ratio (PRM; deaths per 100,000 live births; National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), restricted use mortality file) was linked with the Public Health Exposome (PHE). Using data reduction techniques, 1591 variables were extracted from over 62,000 variables for use in this analysis, providing information on the relationships between PRM and the social, health and health care, natural, and built environments. Graph theoretical algorithms and Bayesian analysis were applied to PHE/PRM linked data to identify latent networks. RESULTS: PHE variables most strongly correlated with total population PRM were years of potential life lost and overall life expectancy. Population-level indicators of PRM were overall poverty, smoking, lack of exercise, heat, and lack of adequate access to food. CONCLUSIONS: In this high-dimensional analysis, overall life expectancy, poverty indicators, and health behaviors were found to be the strongest predictors of pregnancy-related mortality. This provides strong evidence that maternal death is part of a broader constellation of both similar and unique health behaviors, social determinants and environmental exposures as other causes of death.

Enfermedad de Pompe de inicio tardío: análisis de una casuística de 19 pacientes mexicanos / Late onset Pompe disease: an analysis of 19 patients from Mexico

Introducción: La enfermedad de Pompe es una miopatía metabólica rara con espectro clínico heterogéneo, especialmente la de inicio tardío, cuya sintomatología es de progresión más lenta y representa un gran reto diagnóstico. Objetivo: Describir el genotipo y las características clínicas de pacientes mexicanos con Pompe de inicio tardío (LOPD). Material y métodos. Se incluyó a 19 pacientes mexicanos con LOPD confirmada mediante actividad enzimática y estudio molecular del gen GAA. Se evaluaron datos clínicos y se revisaron las mutaciones en bases de datos genómicas. Resultados: La mediana de edad de inicio de los síntomas fue de 19 años (rango: 2-43 años), y la edad de diagnóstico, de 36 años (rango: 9-52 años). Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron debilidad axial y proximal (n = 17; 89,5%), marcha basculante (n = 17; 89,5%) e hiperlordosis (n = 7; 36,8%). A 16 pacientes (84,2%) se les realizó electromiografía; 11 (57,8%) describieron patrón miopático y sólo en cinco pacientes (26%) se incluyó la valoración de los músculos paraespinales. Las variantes patogénicas más frecuentes en nuestra casuística fueron c.-32-13T>G, c.1799G>A y c.1082C>T. Conclusiones: Parecido a lo comunicado en publicaciones internacionales, la LOPD en México es clínicamente heterogénea; los pacientes pueden tardar años en llegar al diagnóstico. La debilidad muscular axial y proximal es el dato clínico más frecuente, por lo que la electromiografía debe incluir valoración de los músculos paraespinales. A excepción de una, las mutaciones encontradas en nuestra serie de casos se encuentran previamente descritas en las bases de datos de enfermedad de Pompe.(AU)

Introduction: Pompe disease (PD) is a rare metabolic myopathy with an ample and heterogeneous clinical spectrum, particularly late onset PD (LOPD), which is characterized by appearance at older age and slower disease progression, leading to diagnostic confirmation difficulty and delay. Aim: To describe the genotype and clinical characteristics of Mexican patients with LOPD. Material and methods: Clinical information from 19 Mexican patients with LOPD confirmed with enzyme activity and GAA gene analysis was reviewed. Genetic information of our population was crossed with international genetic databases. Results: Median age between onset of symptoms and diagnosis was 19 years (range 2-43) and diagnostic confirmation 36 years (range 9-52). Most frequently referred symptoms were proximal axial weakness (n = 17; 89.5%), waddling gait (n = 17; 89.5%) and hyperlordosis (n = 7; 36.8%). Sixteen patients (84.2%) were evaluated with electromyography; a myopathic pattern was reported in 11 (57.8%), but only in 5 patients (26%) paraspinal muscle evaluation was included. The most pathogenic mutations in our group were c.-32-13T>G, c.1799G>A and c.1082C>T. Conclusions: Similar to other international publications, LOPD in Mexico is clinically heterogeneous; patients may delay years before diagnosis is established. Axial and proximal weakness is the most frequent clinical feature; thus, electromyography with paraspinal muscle evaluation is essential. Except for one, the mutations found in our patients have been previously reported in PD genetic databases.(AU)

[Late onset Pompe disease: an analysis of 19 patients from Mexico]. / Enfermedad de Pompe de inicio tardío: análisis de una casuística de 19 pacientes mexicanos.

INTRODUCTION: Pompe disease (PD) is a rare metabolic myopathy with an ample and heterogeneous clinical spectrum, particularly late onset PD (LOPD), which is characterized by appearance at older age and slower disease progression, leading to diagnostic confirmation difficulty and delay. AIM: To describe the genotype and clinical characteristics of Mexican patients with LOPD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical information from 19 Mexican patients with LOPD confirmed with enzyme activity and GAA gene analysis was reviewed. Genetic information of our population was crossed with international genetic databases. RESULTS: Median age between onset of symptoms and diagnosis was 19 years (range 2-43) and diagnostic confirmation 36 years (range 9-52). Most frequently referred symptoms were proximal axial weakness (n = 17; 89.5%), waddling gait (n = 17; 89.5%) and hyperlordosis (n = 7; 36.8%). Sixteen patients (84.2%) were evaluated with electromyography; a myopathic pattern was reported in 11 (57.8%), but only in 5 patients (26%) paraspinal muscle evaluation was included. The most pathogenic mutations in our group were c.-32-13T>G, c.1799G>A and c.1082C>T. CONCLUSIONS: Similar to other international publications, LOPD in Mexico is clinically heterogeneous; patients may delay years before diagnosis is established. Axial and proximal weakness is the most frequent clinical feature; thus, electromyography with paraspinal muscle evaluation is essential. Except for one, the mutations found in our patients have been previously reported in PD genetic databases.

TITLE: Enfermedad de Pompe de inicio tardío: análisis de una casuística de 19 pacientes mexicanos.Introducción. La enfermedad de Pompe es una miopatía metabólica rara con espectro clínico heterogéneo, especialmente la de inicio tardío, cuya sintomatología es de progresión más lenta y representa un gran reto diagnóstico. Objetivo. Describir el genotipo y las características clínicas de pacientes mexicanos con Pompe de inicio tardío (LOPD). Material y métodos. Se incluyó a 19 pacientes mexicanos con LOPD confirmada mediante actividad enzimática y estudio molecular del gen GAA. Se evaluaron datos clínicos y se revisaron las mutaciones en bases de datos genómicas. Resultados. La mediana de edad de inicio de los síntomas fue de 19 años (rango: 2-43 años), y la edad de diagnóstico, de 36 años (rango: 9-52 años). Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron debilidad axial y proximal (n = 17; 89,5%), marcha basculante (n = 17; 89,5%) e hiperlordosis (n = 7; 36,8%). A 16 pacientes (84,2%) se les realizó electromiografía; 11 (57,8%) describieron patrón miopático y sólo en cinco pacientes (26%) se incluyó la valoración de los músculos paraespinales. Las variantes patogénicas más frecuentes en nuestra casuística fueron c.-32-13T>G, c.1799G>A y c.1082C>T. Conclusiones. Parecido a lo comunicado en publicaciones internacionales, la LOPD en México es clínicamente heterogénea; los pacientes pueden tardar años en llegar al diagnóstico. La debilidad muscular axial y proximal es el dato clínico más frecuente, por lo que la electromiografía debe incluir valoración de los músculos paraespinales. A excepción de una, las mutaciones encontradas en nuestra serie de casos se encuentran previamente descritas en las bases de datos de enfermedad de Pompe.

Design of Multiplexing CRISPR/Cas9 Constructs for Plant Genome Engineering Using the GoldenBraid DNA Assembly Standard.

Due to the huge potential of CRISPR/Cas9 for synthetic biology and genome engineering, many plant researchers are adopting this technology in their laboratories. CRISPR/Cas9 allows multiplexing of guide RNAs (gRNAs), therefore targeting several loci in the genome simultaneously. However, making DNA constructs for this purpose is not always straightforward for first-time users. Here we show how to make multiplex CRISPR/Cas9 constructs using the GoldenBraid (GB) DNA assembly system. As an example, we create a polycistronic gRNA construct that guides a dead version of Cas9 to three different positions of the nopaline synthase promoter, leading to transcriptional repression. After a description of the reagents, the protocol describes step-by-step the considerations for DNA target selection and the molecular cloning process of the final T-DNA construct as well as its testing by transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves along with a reporter construct for luciferase expression.

Prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in a cohort of HIV positive women with a history of treated neoplasms.

INTRODUCTION: Higher prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in HIV positive patients compared to non-infected population has been recognized. However, cancer patients have a higher risk of bone loss and fractures that is multifactorial. The aim of the study was to describe the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in HIV positive women with history of treated cancer. METHODS: Between January 2018 and December 2019, women aged >40 years, HIV+ with a history of cancer diagnosis, who attended the AIDS Cancer Clinic at Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City, and who had a dual X-ray absorptiometry performed during the study period were included. Two control groups (CG)-HIV negative women with history of cancer (CG1) and non-HIV, non-cancer women (CG2)-were matched by age 1:1. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients in each group were included; the mean age was 51.1 ± 8.1 years. Osteopenia was found in femoral neck in 54.2% (HIV+), 37.5% (CG1), and 27.1% (CG2), p = 0.02; in spine was 35.7%, 47.9%, and 31.2%, respectively, p = 0.442. Osteoporosis in femoral neck was documented in 12.5%, 2.1%, and 0% in HIV+, CG1, and CG2 (p = 0.03), and in the spine was 47.9%, 16.7%, and 14.6%, respectively (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: HIV patients with a history of treated cancer have a much higher prevalence of osteoporosis when compared with same-aged HIV-uninfected women with and without cancer. It is necessary to monitor Bone Mineral Density periodically, and all patients should be encouraged to make lifestyle changes, such as avoid tobacco and alcohol, and to increase exercising.

Polymyxin resistance in Enterobacterales: overview and epidemiology in the Americas.

The worldwide spread of carbapenem- and polymyxin-resistant Enterobacterales represents an urgent public-health threat. However, for most countries in the Americas, the available data are limited, although Latin America has been suggested as a silent spreading reservoir for isolates carrying plasmid-mediated polymyxin resistance mechanisms. This work provides an overall update on polymyxin and polymyxin resistance and focuses on uses, availability and susceptibility testing. Moreover, a comprehensive review of the current polymyxin resistance epidemiology in the Americas is provided. We found that reports in the English and Spanish literature show widespread carbapenemase-producing and colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in the Americas determined by the clonal expansion of the pandemic clone ST258 and mgrB-mediated colistin resistance. In addition, widespread IncI2 and IncX4 plasmids carrying mcr-1 in Escherichia coli come mainly from human sources; however, plasmid-mediated colistin resistance in the Americas is underreported in the veterinary sector. These findings demonstrate the urgent need for the implementation of polymyxin resistance surveillance in Enterobacterales as well as appropriate regulatory measures for antimicrobial use in veterinary medicine.

Management of bone metastasis and cancer treatment-induced bone loss during the COVID-19 pandemic: An international perspective and recommendations.

Optimum management of patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic has proved extremely challenging. Patients, clinicians and hospital authorities have had to balance the risks to patients of attending hospital, many of whom are especially vulnerable, with the risks of delaying or modifying cancer treatment. Those whose care has been significantly impacted include patients suffering from the effects of cancer on bone, where delivering the usual standard of care for bone support has often not been possible and clinicians have been forced to seek alternative options for adequate management. At a virtual meeting of the Cancer and Bone Society in July 2020, an expert group shared experiences and solutions to this challenge, following which a questionnaire was sent internationally to the symposium's participants, to explore the issues faced and solutions offered. 70 respondents, from 9 countries (majority USA, 39%, followed by UK, 19%) included 50 clinicians, spread across a diverse range of specialties (but with a high proportion, 64%, of medical oncologists) and 20 who classified themselves as non-clinical (solely lab-based). Spread of clinician specialty across tumour types was breast (65%), prostate (27%), followed by renal, myeloma and melanoma. Analysis showed that management of metastatic bone disease in all solid tumour types and myeloma, adjuvant bisphosphonate breast cancer therapy and cancer treatment induced bone loss, was substantially impacted. Respondents reported delays to routine CT scans (58%), standard bone scans (48%) and MRI scans (46%), though emergency scans were less affected. Delays in palliative radiotherapy for bone pain were reported by 31% of respondents with treatments often involving only a single dose without fractionation. Delays to, or cancellation of, prophylactic surgery for bone pain were reported by 35% of respondents. Access to treatments with intravenous bisphosphonates and subcutaneous denosumab was a major problem, mitigated by provision of drug administration at home or in a local clinic, reduced frequency of administration or switching to oral bisphosphonates taken at home. The questionnaire also revealed damaging delays or complete stopping of both clinical and laboratory research. In addition to an analysis of the questionnaire, this paper presents a rationale and recommendations for adaptation of the normal guidelines for protection of bone health during the pandemic.

Bone Marrow Culture Yield for the Diagnosis of Opportunistic Diseases in Patients with AIDS and Disseminated Kaposi Sarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Disseminated Kaposi sarcoma (DKS) is present in patients with advanced HIV infection in whom co-infection with other opportunistic pathogens can occur. Bone marrow (BM) aspirate and biopsy comprise a robust diagnostic tool in patients with fever, cytopenias, and abnormal liver tests. However, the yield in patients with DKS has not been determined. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of BM aspirate and biopsy in patients with DKS. METHODS: We included 40 male patients with a recent diagnosis of DKS. BM aspirate and biopsy was performed as part of the workup to rule out co-infections. RESULTS: In four patients, Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) was recovered from culture. In other four patients, intracellular yeasts were observed in the Grocott stain, diagnosed as Histoplasma. The yield of BM was calculated in 20%. Only 12 patients (30%) had fever and 11 (27.5%) had pancytopenia. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) above normal values and C-reactive protein (CRP) were higher in patients with positive results for BM than in those with negative results (63% vs. 21.9%, and 3.0 vs. 1.2 mg/L; p = 0.03 in both comparisons). No differences were found when complete blood-count abnormalities were compared. CONCLUSION: We recommend performing a BM aspirate for stains, culture, and biopsy in all HIV patients with DKS, as this will permit the early diagnosis of co-infections and prevent further complications in those who receive chemotherapy.

Fluoroquinolones versus trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for the treatment of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Fluoroquinolones are a popular alternative to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infections. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of fluoroquinolones and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole on mortality of S. maltophilia infections. DATA SOURCES: PubMed and EMBASE. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Clinical studies reporting mortality outcomes of S. maltophilia infections. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with clinical infections caused by S. maltophilia. INTERVENTIONS: Fluoroquinolone monotherapy in comparison with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole monotherapy. METHODS: Systematic review with meta-analysis technique. RESULTS: Seven retrospective cohort and seven case-control studies were included. Three cohort studies were designed to compare the two drugs, whereas others had other purposes. A total of 663 patients were identified, 332 of which were treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (50.1%) and 331 with fluoroquinolones (49.9%). Three cohort studies were designed to compare the effect of the two drugs, whereas the others had other purposes. Levofloxacin was most frequently used among fluoroquinolones (187/331, 56.5%), followed by ciprofloxacin (114/331, 34.4%). The overall mortality rate was 29.6%. Using pooled ORs for the mortality of each study, fluoroquinolone treatment (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.39-0.99) was associated with survival benefit over trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole treatment, with low heterogeneity (I2 = 18%). Specific fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.17-1.12) and levofloxacin (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.48-1.26) did not show a significant difference in comparison with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. In the sub-group analyses of adult and bacteraemic patients, significant differences in mortality were not observed between fluoroquinolones and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. CONCLUSIONS: Based on a meta-analysis of non-randomized studies, fluoroquinolones demonstrated comparable effects on mortality of S. maltophilia infection to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, supporting the use of fluoroquinolones in clinical S. maltophilia infections. Although the pooled analysis of overall studies favoured fluoroquinolones over trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, the studies included were observational, and sub-group analyses of certain fluoroquinolone agents did not show statistical differences with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Randomized clinical studies are needed to address these issues.

Non-AIDS defining cancer (NADC) among HIV-infected patients at an oncology tertiary-care center in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Non-AIDS defining cancers (NADCs) have been an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with HIV. There is no data on the spectrum of NADCs in Mexico. We describe the type of neoplasms, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of HIV-infected patients with NADCs. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of all patients with confirmed diagnosis of NADC attending the HIV/AIDS clinic at the National Cancer Institute in Mexico City (a tertiary-care center for adult patients with cancer) from January 1990 to December 2016. RESULTS: From 1126 HIV-positive individuals seen at the institute since 1990, 127 (11.3%) were diagnosed with NADCs; seven patients developed two NADCs during their follow-up. At diagnosis of NADC median age was 43.7 ± 10.9 years; 101 (79.5%) were male; median CD4 was 273 cells/mm3, 70 patients had a CD4 count of > 200 cells/mm3, 73 had undetectable HIV viral load and 82 had taken combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) for more than 1 year. The most frequent NADCs were in men, Hodgkin lymphoma (34.3%) followed by anal cancer (15.7%), whereas in women, were vulvo-vaginal cancers associated to human papilloma virus (HPV) (51.8%), followed by breast cancer (25.9%). The main risk factor associated with death was cancer progression or relapse (OR, 28.2, 2.5-317.1; p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: HL- and HPV-related neoplasms are the commonest NADC in a cancer referral hospital from a middle-income country with universal access to cART since year 2005. Screening for early anogenital lesions should be emphasized in patients with HIV. It is essential to establish multidisciplinary groups involving Hemato-oncologists, Oncologists, Gynecologists, and HIV Specialists in the treatment of these patients.

Seroprevalence of Chikungunya Virus after Its Emergence in Brazil.

Chikungunya has had a substantial impact on public health because of the magnitude of its epidemics and its highly debilitating symptoms. We estimated the seroprevalence, proportion of symptomatic cases, and proportion of chronic form of disease after introduction of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in 2 cities in Brazil. We conducted the population-based study through household interviews and serologic surveys during October-December 2015. In Feira de Santana, we conducted a serologic survey of 385 persons; 57.1% were CHIKV-positive. Among them, 32.7% reported symptoms, and 68.1% contracted chronic chikungunya disease. A similar survey in Riachão do Jacuípe included 446 persons; 45.7% were CHIKV-positive, 41.2% reported symptoms, and 75.0% contracted the chronic form. Our data confirm intense CHIKV transmission during the continuing epidemic. Chronic pain developed in a high proportion of patients. We recommend training health professionals in management of chronic pain, which will improve the quality of life of chikungunya-affected persons.

Infectious Complications and Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria in Patients With Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in the First 12 Months After Transplant.

BACKGROUND: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been used as treatment in different hematologic and solid malignancies. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of infectious complications, microbiology, and outcome in patients undergoing HSCT in Mexico during the pre-engraftment period and the impact on mortality rates at 12 months. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of all hematologic malignancies that received HSCT from January 2009 and December 2014, at an oncology reference center. RESULTS: We included 210 patients: 144 autologous (69%) and 66 allogeneic HSCT (31%). There were 184 infections documented in 109 patients; incidence rate was 47.2 per 1000 neutropenia/days and 22.4 per 1000 hospitalization/days. The main infections reported were pneumonia (n = 40, 19%), bloodstream infections (n = 36, 17.1%), and central line-associated bloodstream infections (n = 28, 13.3%). There were 110 bacteria isolated, 31 were multidrug-resistant (26 were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase; Escherichia coli). There were 25 disseminated or complicated viral infections and 20 invasive fungal diseases. Fourteen patients died in the first 30 days (all related to the infectious process). In multivariate analysis leukemia, more than 2 chemotherapy regimens before transplant and pneumonia were related to 12-month mortality rates. CONCLUSIONS: Even though infectious processes are frequent in patients with HSCT, multidrug-resistant bacteria were not as frequent as supposed; however, when these microorganisms are involved, mortality rate is increased. It is important to be alert that patients with pneumonia have a significantly increased mortality risk in the first year.

Meningitis bacteriana aguda por S. pneumoniae / Acute bacterial meningitis due to S. pneumoniae

Resumen La meningitis bacteriana aguda es una enfermedad infecciosa, considerada una urgencia médica. La mortalidad secundaria alcanza hasta 37% y las secuelas neurológicas se estiman en 52% de los adultos supervivientes. El diagnóstico y tratamiento oportunos tiene una importante repercusión en la evolución de la enfermedad. Comunicamos el caso de un paciente de 33 años de edad, con antecedente de sinusitis crónica, sometido a tratamiento quirúrgico mediante rinoplastia electiva. En el periodo posquirúrgico inició con desorientación, agitación psicomotriz, fiebre, rigidez de la nuca y convulsiones tónico-clónicas generalizadas. Se realizó tomografía de cráneo, que reportó sinusitis etmoidal y esfenoidal. Ingresó a la unidad de cuidados intensivos debido a que requirió apoyo mecánico ventilatorio; recibió tratamiento empírico con esteroides, ceftriaxona y vancomicina. Se le realizó punción lumbar y el análisis del líquido cefalorraquídeo fue sugerente de infección piógena. El cultivo desarrolló Streptococcus pneumoniae sensible a penicilina, por lo que se ajustó el tratamiento antimicrobiano con penicilina G sódica cristalina. El paciente egresó 15 días después, sin secuelas neurológicas. En pacientes con factores de riesgo y un cuadro clínico sugerente de meningitis bacteriana debe iniciarse el tratamiento antibótico lo antes posible, con la finalidad de disminuir la mortalidad y las complicaciones asociadas.

Abstract Acute bacterial meningitis is considered a medical emergency. Mortality is up to 37% and the neurological sequels are estimated at 52% in the survivors. The timely management and diagnosis have a significant impact on the evolution of the disease. This paper reports the case of a 33-year-old male with a history of chronic sinusitis, he was summited to an elective rhinoplasty, and 24 hours after the surgery the patient began with disorientation, psychomotor agitation, fever, neck stiffness and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Cranial CT showed ethmoidal and sphenoidal sinusitis. Lumbar puncture was done and the cerebrospinal fluid (CFS) analysis was suggestive of pyogenic infection. Patient was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with mechanical ventilation. Empirical treatment with steroids, ceftriaxone and vancomycin was started. The cerebrospinal fluid culture revealed Streptococcus pneumoniae penicillin susceptible. Antimicrobial treatment was adjusted to penicillin G, and after 15 days patient was sent to home without any neurological damage. In patients with risk factors and a clinical picture suggestive of bacterial meningitis treatment should be started as soon as possible, with the aim of reducing the mortality and the associated complications.

Reporte de dos casos de miocardiopatía periparto en la Unidad de Terapia Intensiva Obstétrica / Report of two cases of peripartum cardiomyopathy in the Intensive Care Unit Obstetric

La miocardiopatía periparto es una enfermedad poco frecuente de causa desconocida, que se caracteriza por la aparición de insuficiencia cardíaca aguda en embarazadas que cursan el último mes de gestación y en el puerperio. En las poblaciones estudiadas, la frecuencia más alta se observa en Haití, donde se estima 1 caso cada 299 nacidos vivos; Sudáfrica 1 caso cada 1000 nacidos vivos. Las frecuencias más bajas corresponden a los Estados Unidos (1 caso cada 4000 nacidos vivos) y Europa. La tasa de mortalidad hospitalaria estimada es del 1,36% y la tasa global de mortalidad, del 2,05%. Se desconoce su verdadera prevalencia e incidencia en la Argentina, probablemente como consecuencia de subregistros. En nuestra Unidad de Terapia Intensiva Obsté- trica, ingresaron dos casos de miocardiopatía periparto, en un período de dos años, que fueron abordados por el equipo multidisciplinario compuesto por intensivistas, cardiólogos, nefrólogos y obstetras.(AU)

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is an unusual condition of unknown origin that is characterized by an acute heart failure during the last months of pregnancy and the puerperium. Most case studies show that Haiti has the highest rate of peripartum cardiomyopathy, 1 in 299 live births, followed by South Africa with 1 in 1,000 and the lowest rate is observed in United States (1 in 4,000 live births) and Europe. Hospital case mortality rate is 1.36% with a global mortality rate of 2.05%. Its prevalence and incidence in Argentina are unknown, perhaps as a result of underreporting cases. Two cases of peripartum cardiomyopathy were treated in our Obstetric Intensive Care Unit within a period of two years by a multidisciplinary team of intensivists, cardiologists, nephrologists and obstetricians.(AU)

Endometriosis peritoneal masiva asociada a gran elevación de CA-125: discrepancia entre hallazgos y clínica / Massive peritoneal endometriosis associated with high elevation of CA-125: discrepancy between findings and symptoms

ANTECEDENTES: Frecuentemente, las pacientes con endometriosis presentan una elevación de marcadores tumorales Ca 125 y Ca 19.9. No obstante, no existe correlación clara con la expresión clínica ni con el grado de afectación. En algunos casos, es necesario un diagnóstico diferencial con patologías malignas. CASO CLÍNICO: Mujer de 29 años con clínica aislada de dismenorrea moderada y hallazgo de masas ováricas bilaterales con elevación intensa de marcadores tumorales: Ca-125: 7.716 U/mL y Ca-19.9: 995 U/mL. Se decide intervención quirúrgica laparoscópica evidenciándose endometriosis ovárica y extensión peritoneal masiva con afectación de peritoneo parietal abdominal, superficie uterina, fondo de Douglas, parametrios, vejiga, hemidiafragma derecho, hígado y serosa intestinal. Se realiza adhesiolisis cuidadosa, quistectomía y extirpación de múltiples implantes endometriósicos en cavidad abdominal. Se observó un descenso de los marcadores a las 48 horas: Ca-125 de 253 U/mL y Ca 19.9 de 4,9 U/mL, ambos negativos al mes de la cirugía. CONCLUSIÓN: Una elevación intensa de los marcadores tumorales precisa de diagnóstico diferencial en el contexto de la endometriosis. Existe una gran discrepancia entre los valores de los marcadores tumorales con la clínica y severidad de la endometriosis. Los hallazgos quirúrgicos son fundamentales, evidenciando una afectación masiva subdiagnosticada hasta la cirugía.

BACKGROUND: Frequently, patients with endometriosis present elevated tumor marker Ca 125 and Ca 19.9. However, there is no clear correlation with the clinical expression or the degree of involvement. In some cases, differential diagnosis is necessary with malignancies. CASE REPORT: A 29 year old woman with moderate dysmenorrhea and finding of bilateral ovarian masses with intense elevation of tumor markers, CA125: 7,716 U/mL and Ca-19.9: 995 U/mL. Laparoscopic surgery is decided evidenced massive ovarian endometriosis and peritoneal extension with involvement of abdominal peritoneum, uterine surface, Douglas, parametrium, bladder, right hemidiaphragm, liver and intestinal serosa. Careful liberation of adherences, ovarian cystectomy and removal of multiple endometriosic implants. A decrease of tumor markers was observed at 48 hours (Ca-125: 253 U/mL and Ca-19.9: 4.9 U/mL), and negative one month after surgery. CONCLUSION: An intense elevated tumor markers accurate differential diagnosis in the context of endometriosis. There is a large discrepancy between the values of tumor markers with clinical and severity of endometriosis.

Arterial hypertension and skin allergy are risk factors for progression from dengue to dengue hemorrhagic fever: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: Currently, knowledge does not allow early prediction of which cases of dengue fever (DF) will progress to dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), to allow early intervention to prevent progression or to limit severity. The objective of this study is to investigate the hypothesis that some specific comorbidities increase the likelihood of a DF case progressing to DHF. METHODS: A concurrent case-control study, conducted during dengue epidemics, from 2009 to 2012. Cases were patients with dengue fever that progressed to DHF, and controls were patients of dengue fever who did not progress to DHF. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between DHF and comorbidities. RESULTS: There were 490 cases of DHF and 1,316 controls. Among adults, progression to DHF was associated with self-reported hypertension (OR = 1.6; 95% CI 1.1-2.1) and skin allergy (OR = 1.8; 95% CI 1.1-3.2) with DHF after adjusting for ethnicity and socio-economic variables. There was no statistically significant association between any chronic disease and progression to DHF in those younger than 15 years. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians attending patients with dengue fever should keep those with hypertension or skin allergies in health units to monitor progression for early intervention. This would reduce mortality by dengue.

The impact of hospital-acquired infections with multidrug-resistant bacteria in an oncology intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To describe overall site-specific hospital-acquired infection (HAI) rates and to describe the microbiological and antibiotic resistance profiles of infecting pathogens, together with their impact on multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria-associated mortality. METHODS: We conducted a 5-year retrospective descriptive study of HAI in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a cancer center in Mexico from January 2007 to December 2011. The following information was collected: patient characteristics and comorbidities, data related to the neoplasm and its treatment, microbiology, and the resistance pattern of all isolates. RESULTS: During the study period, 1418 patients were admitted to the ICU; 134 of them developed 159 infections, with an incidence of 11.2/100 hospitalized patients and 32.2/per 1000 patient-days. Two hundred sixty-six microorganisms were isolated. The overall prevalence of MDR-HAI was 39.5%. The most frequent organisms were as follows: 54 (20%) Escherichia coli (94.4% of these were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producers), 32 (12%) Staphylococcus aureus (90.6% of these were methicillin-resistant), 32 (12%) Enterococcus faecium (18.7% of these were vancomycin-resistant), and 20 (6%) Acinetobacter baumannii (all were MDR). Among patients admitted to the ICU, 252 (17.8%) died. Death was related to the HAI in 58 (23%) of these patients (p<0.001) and 51 (88%) had a MDR organism isolated (p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The emergence of MDR bacteria poses a difficult task for physicians, who have limited therapeutic options. Critically ill cancer patients admitted to the ICU are at major risk of a bacterial MDR-HAI that will impact adversely on mortality.