[Chlamydia pneumoniae in patients with acquired pneumonia in the Santiago of Chile community]. / Chlamydia pneumoniae en pacientes con neumonías adquiridas en la comunidad en Santiago de Chile.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection varies according to the population and geographic area studied. AIM: To evaluate the incidence of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in Chilean subjects with community acquired pneumonia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1995 and 1997, patients with community acquired pneumonia attending two emergency rooms in Santiago, were studied. The diagnosis of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection was based on the detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae specific IgG antibody in samples from both the acute and convalescent phase, using an indirect microimmunofluorescent technique. Evidence of present infection was defined as seroconversion, a significant increase in the titer of the second sample and an initial titer equal or greater than 1/512. RESULTS: During the study period, 160 patients consulted and seven (six male), aged 54 +/- 27 years old, complied with the diagnostic criteria of present Chlamydia pneumoniae infection. These patients had no special clinical or radiological features. Five of seven patients improved without any specific treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Eight percent of this sample of patients with community acquired pneumonia had Chlamydia pneumoniae infection. This agent should be included in the design of empiric treatment schemes, although our results cast doubt on the pathogenic role of Chlamydia pneumoniae in pneumonia.

[Neuroborreliosis in Chile. Report of a child probably infected by imported pets]. / Neuroborreliosis en Chile. Caso pediátrico de probable adquisición por mascotas importadas.

Lyme disease, caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, has several clinical manifestations and is transmitted to man by tick bites. In Chile and Latin America, several cases have been reported, but none with immunoblot confirmation or isolation of the infecting organism. We report a 9 year old boy consulting with bilateral facial palsy, polyradiculoneuritis with tetraparesis and meningeal irritation. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed increased protein concentration without pleocytosis and negative viral or bacterial cultures. IgM antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi, were positive by ELISA and were confirmed by immunoblot at the Reference Laboratory of the University of Connecticut. The child had a recent contact with hamsters brought from Germany. The substantiation of Lyme disease existence in Chile should prompt the search and isolation of the causal agent.

Neuroborreliosis en Chile: caso pediátrico de probable adquisición por mascotas importadas / Neuroborreliosis in Chile: pediatric case probably due to imported pets

Lyme disease, caused by spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, has several clinical manifestations and is transmitted to man by tick bites. In Chile and Latin America, several cases have been reported, but none with inmunoblot confirmation or isolation of the infecting organism. We report a 9 year old boy consulting with bilateral facila palsy, polyradiculoneuritis with tetraparesis and meningeal irritation. Cerebrospinal fluis analysis showed increased protein concentration without pleocytosis and negative viral or bacterial cultures. IgM antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi, were positive by ELISA and were confirmed by immunoblot at the Reference Laboratory of the University of Connecticut. The child had a recent contact with hamsters brought from Germany. The substantiation of Lyme disease existence in Chile should prompt the search and isolation of the causal agent

[Seroprevalence of Legionella pneumophila infection in healthy, adults from Santiago, Chile]. / Seroprevalencia de infeccion por Legionella pneumophila en adultos sanos de Santiago de Chile.

In order to investigate the L pneumophila seroprevalence in healthy adult population of Santiago, Chile, a serologic survey of antibodies to serogroups 1 through G was performed. Sera of 100 blood donors were studied with the indirect fluorescent antibody method. Positive results (> or = 1.64) were obtained in five samples. Titres > or = 1:128 were not observed. We conclude that the seroprevalence of L pneumophila in Santiago is 5% and that a single titre > or = 1:256 suggests the diagnosis of legionellosis. The low seroprevalence in Santiago is in agreement with the few cases of legionellosis reported.

[Cryptococcosis in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome]. / Criptococosis en el curso del síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida.

The diagnosis of cryptococcal infection was established in 3 patients with AIDS. Infection was meningo-encephalic in all and presented a violent outset. The chemical characteristics of the CSF were normal. Detection of cryptococcal antigen, presence of encapsulated yeast forms revealed by india-ink staining and positive cultures allowed a definitive diagnosis. Response to therapy with amphotericin B alone or in combination with 5-fluorocytosine was poor. A maintenance therapy with fluconazole is recommended.

Meningoencefalitis por Cryptococcus neoformans. / Meningoencephalitis by Cryptococcus neoformans

Cryptococcus neoformans es una etiologia que siempre debe plantearse en sujetos portadores de patologias del S.R.E., sometidos a corticoterapia e inmunosupresores y que presenten compromiso del S.N.C., en especial meningoencefalitis. Es necesario destacar la sencillez del procedimiento de busqueda directa del hongo en L.C.R. y la importancia de este hallazgo