Exploring hepatitis E virus seroprevalence and associated risk factors among the human population in Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is a common cause of acute clinical hepatitis worldwide and is emerging as a disease in Argentina. It is primarily transmitted through contaminated water and food, following the fecal-oral route. Furthermore, is a zoonotic disease with swine as the primary reservoir. Prevalence of HEV infection in humans in several regions of Argentina remains unknown. Objectives: (i) Determine the seroprevalence of HEV among the human population in Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina; (ii) Evaluate its association with demographic, socioeconomic and other risk exposures variables, and (iii) Describe and analyze spatial patterns related to HEV infection. Methods: From August 2020 to July 2021, serum samples were collected from 969 individuals aged 1-80 years. Seroprevalence and 95% Confidence Interval was determined. To assess the factors associated with the presence of anti-HEV antibodies, associations between the variables and seropositivity were evaluated through bivariate and multivariate analysis. Spatial scanning for clusters of positivity was carried out. Factors associated with these clusters were also assessed. Results: Anti-HEV antibodies were detected in 4.64% (IC 95% 3.27-6.02) of samples. Dark urine was associated with seropositivity (p = 0.02). Seropositivity was linked with the presence of natural water courses near their households (p = 0.02); the age (p = 0.04); and previous travel to Europe (p = 0.04). A spatial cluster of low rates of HEV seropositivity was detected, with greater distance of the households to water courses associated to the cluster, and male sex inversely associated to it. Discussion and conclusion: This study is the first study to investigate the prevalence of HEV in the population from Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Considering HEV infection in the differential diagnosis in individuals presenting acute hepatitis is highlighted. The incorporation of HEV testing into blood screening policies should be mandatory. Factors related to the infection and spatial patterns of high and low risk were determined, and should be considered when implementing specific preventive measures.

Treatment of graft versus host disease with photopheresis interferes in voriconazole therapeutic drug monitoring: A case study.

Extracorporeal photopheresis is an established procedure for refractory graft-versus-host disease, a major complication associated with notable morbidity and mortality in patients with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Despite being implemented over a decade ago, there is scant information about potential interactions or analytical interferences with concomitant drugs in this polymedicated population. Here we report the case of a pediatric patient diagnosed with cutaneous steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease after unrelated allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant that was treated with photopheresis. Analytical quantification of voriconazole by HPLC-PDA the day following photopheresis treatment did not permit therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) due to the presence of interference at the voriconazole retention time. Following investigations, it was demonstrated that the interference is likely attributable to a psoralen-based compound. The interference was not present when samples were obtained prior to photopheresis, enabling TDM. This case underscores the relevance of communication among the members of the treating team to perform reliable TDM, especially in routine clinical practice of pediatric patients with complex diseases undergoing innovative treatments. This finding is relevant to voriconazole quantification by HPLC-PDA, frequently used in laboratories based in middle-income countries.

Leptospiral infection: a serosurvey in urban and rural communities in Olavarría county, Argentina.

INTRODUCTION: Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonotic disease, affecting mainly poor and vulnerable populations. METHODOLOGY: A cross sectional-study was carried out in 557 subjects from Olavarría county (Argentina) to estimate the seroprevalence of leptospirosis and the factors associated with seropositivity. A survey was carried out to obtain clinical and epidemiological data. Serum was tested for anti-leptospiral antibodies by Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT). Chi-square or Fisher Exact tests were used to assess association between the MAT results and the exploratory variables. For the variables statistically associated, odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. Individuals from Olavarría city were georeferenced to describe the spatial distribution and to detect clusters of seropositivity for leptospiral antibodies. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of leptospirosis infection was 7.00%, higher in rural (19.66%) than in urban populations (3.64%) (p < 0.001). Sejroe was the most predominant serogroup in rural communities while Icterohaemorrhagiae was the most prevalent in urban populations. The factors associated with Leptospira infection were the presence of rodents inside households (OR = 3.9) in rural populations, while contact with cats (OR = 4.97) and male gender (OR = 7.75) represented higher risk of infection for the urban ones. Cases with positive serology have been found near Tapalqué stream or in the peripheral areas of Olavarría city. CONCLUSIONS: The results from data obtained during the study period were similar to other reports and demonstrate the importance of continuous epidemiological surveillance system and specific community educational campaigns to prevent the leptospirosis infection in Olavarría county and other communities with similar characteristics especially in rural areas.

[Transfusional requirements for escharectomy in burned children]. / Requerimientos transfusionales para escarectomía en niños quemados.

INTRODUCTION: Early excision has considerably improved outcome in extensive burns, but massive resections usually mean copious bleeding that must be conveniently corrected. The purpose of this study was to measure blood component use during escharectomies in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All pediatric patients with acute burns excised at the Burn Unit of the Hospital Garrahan during one year were included. Volume of blood component used during and immediately after surgery was analyzed and related to percent excised, time post-burn, and the coexistence of infection and autograft at the time of excision. RESULTS: Ninety-four surgeries in 51 children aged 0-14 years with total burned body surface areas of 5-80% who underwent resections of 3-70% were studied. Total blood use (intra + post-operatively) was 2.07 ml/kg/%excised for red blood cells (60% during surgery) and 0.7 ml/kg/% excised for plasma. Only 12% of patients required platelet transfusion. There was no significant requirement variation with the existence of infection, grafting or time post-burn. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 2 ml/kg/% excised of red blood cells (2/3 for surgery) and 1 ml/kg/% excised of plasma are needed for escharectomies in children. The need for platelets must be judged considering the individual patient.

Requerimientos transfusionales para escarectomía en niños quemados / Transfusional requirements for escharectomy in burned children

La escarectomía masiva temprana ha mejorado los resultados en grandes quemados, pero las grandes resecciones se asocian a sangrados considerables que obligan a una reposición de sangre en forma oportuna. El presente estudio se diseño con el objetivo de cuantificar el consumo de hemocomponentes durante escarectomías de niños quemados. Material y métodos. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes pediátricos con quemaduras agudas escarectomizados en la Unidad de Quemados del Hospital Nacional de Pediatría Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan en un año. Se analizó el volumen de hemocomponetes (glóbulos rojos, plasma y plaquetas) utilizados en el intraoperatorio y posoperatorio inmediato, y se relacionó con el porcentaje de superficie corporal resecada (por ciento SCR), tiempo de evolución, presencia de infección y autoinjerto en el mismo acto quirúrgico. Resultados. Se estudiaron 94 resecciones 51 pacientes de 0 - 14 años de edad con superficies corporales quemadas (por ciento SCQ) de 5 - 80 por ciento sometidos a escarectomías de 3-70 por ciento por sesión. El consumo total (intraoperatorio más posoperatorio) promedio de hemocomponentes fue de 2,07 ml/kg/ por ciento SCR para los glóbulos rojos (el 60 por ciento del cual fue durante la cirugía) y de 0,7 ml/Kg/ por ciento SCR para el plasma. Sólo un 12 por ciento requirió transfusión de plaquetas. Los requerimientos no variaron significativamente con la coexistencia de infección, autoinjerto o el tiempo de evolución. Conclusiones. Se estima que, para una escarectomía, se requerirán alrededor de 2 ml/Kg/por ciento resecado de concentrados de glóbulos rojos (2/3 para la cirugía) y 1 ml/Kg/por ciento resecado de plasma. La necesidad de plaquetas debe preverse según cada paciente.

Requerimientos transfusionales para escarectomía en niños quemados / Transfusional requirements for escharectomy in burned children

La escarectomía masiva temprana ha mejorado los resultados en grandes quemados, pero las grandes resecciones se asocian a sangrados considerables que obligan a una reposición de sangre en forma oportuna. El presente estudio se diseño con el objetivo de cuantificar el consumo de hemocomponentes durante escarectomías de niños quemados. Material y métodos. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes pediátricos con quemaduras agudas escarectomizados en la Unidad de Quemados del Hospital Nacional de Pediatría Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan en un año. Se analizó el volumen de hemocomponetes (glóbulos rojos, plasma y plaquetas) utilizados en el intraoperatorio y posoperatorio inmediato, y se relacionó con el porcentaje de superficie corporal resecada (por ciento SCR), tiempo de evolución, presencia de infección y autoinjerto en el mismo acto quirúrgico. Resultados. Se estudiaron 94 resecciones 51 pacientes de 0 - 14 años de edad con superficies corporales quemadas (por ciento SCQ) de 5 - 80 por ciento sometidos a escarectomías de 3-70 por ciento por sesión. El consumo total (intraoperatorio más posoperatorio) promedio de hemocomponentes fue de 2,07 ml/kg/ por ciento SCR para los glóbulos rojos (el 60 por ciento del cual fue durante la cirugía) y de 0,7 ml/Kg/ por ciento SCR para el plasma. Sólo un 12 por ciento requirió transfusión de plaquetas. Los requerimientos no variaron significativamente con la coexistencia de infección, autoinjerto o el tiempo de evolución. Conclusiones. Se estima que, para una escarectomía, se requerirán alrededor de 2 ml/Kg/por ciento resecado de concentrados de glóbulos rojos (2/3 para la cirugía) y 1 ml/Kg/por ciento resecado de plasma. La necesidad de plaquetas debe preverse según cada paciente.(AU)