Bullous Pemphigoid Associated With the Use of Sacubitril/Valsartan: A Case Report and Literature Review.

 Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a complex autoimmune blistering disease with an increased incidence in the comorbid population, particularly among older adults. The occurrence of drug-induced BP is associated with an underlying genetic predisposition, triggering an enhanced immune response, the formation of autoantibodies, and alterations in antigenic properties within the basement membrane zone. With over 90 identified drugs capable of precipitating BP, we present the case of an 87-year-old woman with comorbidities who experienced a medication change from losartan to sacubitril/valsartan. Three months later, erythematous lesions appeared on her lower limbs, progressing to a generalized rash accompanied by itching. Over the following month, these lesions evolved into tense blisters with serous content and intense pain. Suspecting the medication switch to sacubitril/valsartan as the cause, the drug was discontinued, and immunomodulatory treatment was initiated, resulting in a notable improvement in the lesions.

High altitude pulmonary edema at 2640 m altitude associated with an acute Rhinovirus infection. First case in the literature.

High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a multifactorial condition that may occur after ascent of high altitudes, especially in genetic predisposed individuals. Diagnosis is challenging and could lead to potentially lethal complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We present one of the few reported cases of HAPE below 3000 m of altitude, and the first to our knowledge to present with a concomitant acute Rhinovirus infection, precipitating and complicating the diagnosis and clinical course. Clinical manifestations, treatment, and outcomes are shown below.

Human Genetic Host Factors and Its Role in the Pathogenesis of Chikungunya Virus Infection.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an alphavirus from the Togaviridae family that causes acute arthropathy in humans. It is an arthropod-borne virus transmitted initially by the Aedes (Ae) aegypti and after 2006's epidemic in La Reunion by Ae albopictus due to an adaptive mutation of alanine for valine in the position 226 of the E1 glycoprotein genome (A226V). The first isolated cases of CHIKV were reported in Tanzania, however since its arrival to the Western Hemisphere in 2013, the infection became a pandemic. After a mosquito bite from an infected viremic patient the virus replicates eliciting viremia, fever, rash, myalgia, arthralgia, and arthritis. After the acute phase, CHIKV infection can progress to a chronic stage where rheumatic symptoms can last for several months to years. Although there is a great number of studies on the pathogenesis of CHIKV infection not only in humans but also in animal models, there still gaps in the proper understanding of the disease. To this date, it is unknown why a percentage of patients do not develop clinical symptoms despite having been exposed to the virus and developing an adaptive immune response. Also, controversy stills exist on the pathogenesis of chronic joint symptoms. It is known that host immune response to an infectious disease is reflected on patient's symptoms. At the same time, it is now well-established that host genetic variation is an important component of the varied onset, severity, and outcome of infectious disease. It is essential to understand the interaction between the aetiological agent and the host to know the chronic sequelae of the disease. The present review summarizes the current findings on human host genetics and its relationship with immune response in CHIKV infection.

Alveolar Proteinosis Secondary to M. tuberculosis, in a Patient with Transient CD4 Lymphocytopenia Due to Cryptococcus neoformans Infection: First Case in the Literature.

Transient CD4 lymphocytopenia is defined as the transitory presence of CD4+ T lymphocyte fewer than 300 cells/mm3 or less than 20% of T cells without HIV infection. It can occur due to multiple causes; however, it is rare for it to occur due to opportunistic infections. Few cases have been described in the literature where antimicrobial treatment normalizes the CD4 count, being more frequent in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections. To date, this phenomenon has not been described in Cryptococcus neoformans infections. This would be the first reported case according to our knowledge, of a patient who normalizes CD4 count after antifungal treatment, later developing alveolar proteinosis due to M. Tuberculosis.

Pandoraea pnomenusa Superinfection in a Patient with SARS-CoV-2 Pneumonia: First Case in the Literature.

Pandoraea pnomenusa is a Gram-negative bacterium of the Pandoraea genus and is mainly associated with the colonization of structurally abnormal airways. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many microorganisms have been associated with coinfection and superinfection in SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, but so far, no coinfection or superinfection by P. pnomenusa has been reported. We present the first case describing this association in a previously healthy patient. Clinical manifestations, treatment, and outcomes are shown.

Sobrevida en una cohorte con diagnóstico de tuberculosis en Colombia / Survival at cohort diagnosed with tuberculosis in Colombia

Introducción: La tuberculosis es una patología infecciosa crónica cuya incidencia es elevada en países en vía de desarrollo, sin embargo, es limitada la información y los estudios que analizan la mortalidad y sobrevida a largo plazo. Metodología: estudio de cohorte retrospectivo, en pacientes con diagnóstico de tuberculosis mayores de 18 años, el ingreso fue de manera consecutiva hasta completar el periodo de estudio. Se analizó la sobrevida y mortalidad a través del estimador Kaplan ­ Meier por la prueba de log Rank. Resultados: ingresaron 329 sujetos, la mortalidad a los 30 días fue de 11,9% y al año del 24,6%, la tuberculosis pulmonar fue el tipo más frecuente con en el 70,2%. Los hallazgos al examen físico relacionados con mortalidad fueron la caquexia (p<0,001) y el edema en extremidades (p<0,001). La sobrevida general fue del 87,2% a los 30 días y del 72,9% al año. En los pacientes con tuberculosis pulmonar la sobrevida fue del 85,8% a los 30 días y del 72,8% al año. Conclusión: La tasa de sobrevida a un año en pacientes hospitalizados por tuberculosis es baja, la edad avanzada, desnutrición, PaO2/FiO2 menor de 300, proteína c reactiva mayor de 45 mg/dL, enfermedad cerebrovascular y enfermedad vascular periférica fueron variables que se asociaron con una mayor mortalidad(AU)

Background: Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious pathology whose incidence is high in developing countries, however, information and studies that analyze mortality and long-term survival are limited. Methodology: retrospective cohort study, in patients with a diagnosis of tuberculosis older than 18 years, admission was consecutive until completing the study period. Survival and mortality were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier estimator by the log Rank test. Results: 329 subjects were admitted, mortality at 30 days was 11.9% and at one year 24.6%, pulmonary tuberculosis was the most frequent type with 70.2%. Physical examination findings related to mortality were cachexia (p<0.001) and extremity edema (p<0.001). Overall survival was 87.2% at 30 days and 72.9% at one year. In patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, survival was 85.8% at 30 days and 72.8% at one year. Conclusion: The one-year survival rate in patients hospitalized for tuberculosis is low, advanced age, malnutrition, PaO2/FiO2 less than 300, c-reactive protein greater than 45 mg/dL, cerebrovascular disease and peripheral vascular disease were variables that were associated with higher mortality(AU)

Validación y reproducibilidad del cuestionario COPD-PS para la tamización de la EPOC: Bogotá, Colombia / Validation and reproducibility of the COPD-PS questionnaire for the screening of COPD: Bogotá, Colombia

Resumen Introducción: La enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica es una afección con alta prevalencia a nivel mundial. Prevenible y tra table, pero con niveles de sub-diagnóstico muy altos. Es imperioso la utilización de herramientas de tamización; de fácil aplicación, interpretación y validadas en diferentes poblaciones, que ayudan no solo al clínico a la sospecha diagnostica, sino también al paciente a tomar conciencia sobre su enfermedad. Se busca validar el cuestionario COPD-Population Screener Questionnaire (COPD- PS) en una población colombiana. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio de cohorte prospectivo. Los participantes debían ser mayores de 40 años, tener una espirometría de buena calidad y haber realizado el cuestionario COPD-PS en dos oportunidades. La EPOC fue definida como un VEF1/ CVF < 0,7 y el antecedente de exposición a cigarrillo. Se realizó un análisis de reproducibilidad y validez. Resultado: De un total de 2199 sujetos potenciales, 1662 ingresaron al análisis final; la prevalencia de la EPOC en el estudio fue de 21,1%. Con el punto de corte de cuatro del cuestionario COPD-PS la sensibilidad fue del 77,2% y la especificidad de 46,3% con un área bajo la curva de características operativas del receptor de: 0,66(IC95%:0,63-0,69) (p < 0,01). Se obtuvo un coeficiente de correlación intraclase de 0,817(IC95%:0,79-0,84) y un coeficiente kappa de: 0,45(IC95%:0,31-0,59) (p < 0,01). Conclusión: El cuestionario COPD-PS es una herramienta con alta sensibilidad y buena reproducibilidad para la tamización de la EPOC, y podría ser una herramienta que oriente a la toma de espirometría en la búsqueda de sujetos no diagnosticados con esta patología.

Validation and reproducibility of the COPD-PS questionnaire for the screening of COPD: Bogotá, Colombia

Abstract Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a condition with high prevalence worldwide. It is preventable and treatable, but with very high levels of underdiagnosis. The use of screening tools is imperative. These tools are easily applied, interpreted, and validated in different populations and help not only the clinician to confirm the diagnostic suspicion, but also the patients to become aware of their disease. The objective is to validate the COPD-Population Screener Questionnaire (COPD-PS) in one Colombian population. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study was carried out. Participants had to be older than 40 years, show a good quality spirometry, and have completed the COPD-PS questionnaire twice. COPD was defined as FEV1/FVC < 0.7 and with a history of exposure to tobacco smoke. A reproducibility and validation analysis has been conducted. Result: Out of a total of 2.199 potential subjects, 1.662 entered the final analysis; the prevalence of COPD in the study was 21.1%. With the COPD-PS questionnaire cut-off point of four, the sensitivity was 77.2% and the specificity was 46.3%, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of: 0.66 (95% CI: 0.63-0.69) (p<0.01). An intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.817 (95% CI: 0.79-0.84) and a kappa coefficient of: 0.45 (95% CI: 0.31-0.59) (p<0.01) were obtained. Conclusion: The COPD-PS questionnaire is a tool with high sensitivity and good reproducibility for the screening of COPD, and could suggest the use of a spirometry in subjects not diagnosed with this disease.

Demographic and clinical characteristics of chikungunya patients from six Colombian cities, 2014-2015.

In 2014, the chikungunya virus reached Colombia for the first time, resulting in a nationwide epidemic. The objective of this study was to describe the demographics and clinical characteristics of suspected chikungunya cases. Chikungunya infection was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and 548 patients where included in the study. Of these patients, 295 were positive for antibodies against chikungunya (53.8%), and 27.6% (151/295) were symptomatic for chikungunya infection, with a symptomatic:asymptomatic ratio of 1.04:1. Factors associated with infection included low income and low socio-economic strata (odds ratio [OR]: 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0-3.2, p = 0.003 and OR: 2.1; CI: 1.3-3.4, p = 0.002, respectively). Confirmed symptomatic cases were associated with symmetric arthritis (OR: 11.7; CI: 6.0-23.0, p < 0.001) of ankles (OR: 8.5; CI: 3.5-20.9, p < 0.001), hands (OR: 8.5; CI: 3.5-20.9, p < 0.001), feet (OR: 6.5; CI: 2.8-15.3, p < 0.001), and wrists (OR: 17.3; CI: 2.3-130.5, p < 0.001). Our study showed that poverty is associated with chikungunya infection. Public health strategies to prevent and control chikungunya should focus on poorer communities that are more vulnerable to infection. The rate of asymptomatic infections among confirmed cases was 48.8%. However, those with symptoms displayed a characteristic rheumatic clinical picture, which could help differentiate chikungunya infection from other endemic viral diseases.

Opioids for the management of dyspnea in patients with heart failure: a systematic review of the literature / Opioides para el manejo de la disnea en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca: Revisión sistemática de la literatura

Abstract Introduction: Heart failure is a chronic, progressive, prevalent disease, with a high impact on health systems and on the quality of life of patients and families. Dyspnea is a common symptom and management with opioids has been proposed. Objective: To conduct a systematic review of the literature pertaining to the use of opioids for the management of dyspnea in patients with stable chronic heart failure, functional class New York Heart Association (NYHA) II, III, or IV. Materials and methods: A systematic review was conducted in the MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, OVID, LILACS, and PROSPERO databases of articles published in 5 languages between January 1, 1995 and July 31, 2018. Studies describing the administration of any type of opioid for the management of dyspnea in patients with stable chronic heart failure NYHA II, III, or IV were included. Results: Four clinical trials were obtained for the final analysis with a total number of 70 patients, describing opioid administration for the management of dyspnea in patients with stable chronic heart failure, NYHA II, III, or IV. Conclusion: In adult patients with compensated chronic heart failure under optimum treatment, there is low-quality evidence that shows benefit with the use of opioids for the management of dyspnea. For a stronger recommendation, controlled, randomized studies with a larger number of subjects are required.

Resumen Introducción: La insuficiencia cardiaca es una enfermedad crónica, progresiva, prevalente, con un alto impacto en los sistemas de salud y en la calidad de vida de los pacientes y sus familias, la disnea es un síntoma común y se ha planteado el uso de opioides para su control. Objetivo: Revisión sistemática de la literatura sobre el uso de opioides en el manejo de la disnea en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca crónica estable con clase funcional NYHA II, III o IV. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó una revisión sistemática de los artículos encontrados en las bases de datos MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, OVID, LILACS, PROSPERO a partir del 1 de enero del 1995 hasta el 31 de julio del 2018, publicados en cinco idiomas. Se incluyeron aquellos estudios en los cuales se describe la administración de cualquier tipo de opioide para el manejo de la disnea en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca crónica estable, NYHA II, III o IV. Resultados: Se incluyeron cuatro ensayos clínicos para el análisis final, con un numero total de 70 pacientes, en los cuales se describe la administración de opioides para el manejo de la disnea en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca crónica estable, NYHA II, III, o IV. Conclusiones: En pacientes adultos con insuficiencia cardiaca crónica compensada en tratamiento óptimo, existe evidencia de baja calidad que muestra beneficio para el manejo de la disnea con opioides, deben realizarse estudios aleatorizados controlados con una cantidad de individuos mayor para poder generar una recomendación más fuerte.

Percepción de neurofobia en estudiantes de último año de Medicina en una universidad privada / Neurophobic perception in last year medical students at a private university

RESUMEN INTRODUCCIÓN: Las neurociencias tienen un alto grado de dificultad en el pregrado; los estudiantes pueden percibir una sensación de neurofobia, definida como la poca afinidad o miedo hacia su aprendizaje y a la aplicación práctica de conocimientos neurológicos. OBJETIVO: Determinar la frecuencia de percepción de neurofobia en estudiantes de internado e indagar acerca de los factores que generan dicha percepción. MÉTODOS: Estudio de corte transversal en 100 estudiantes mediante la aplicación de una encuesta estructurada. RESULTADOS: 48 % tuvieron una percepción de neurofobia en algún momento de la carrera y el 69 % consideró que las neurociencias tenían mayor grado de dificultad que otras especialidades; el 63 % sentía que sus conocimientos eran menores y el 53 % que sus habilidades para interrogar y examinar pacientes neurológicos eran menores. El 50 % consideró que el estilo de enseñanza de los profesores de neurología podía estar relacionado con dicha percepción. CONCLUSIONES: La percepción de neurofobia en estudiantes de internado se acercó al 50 %, siendo el estilo de enseñanza de los profesores un factor relacionado al problema; la percepción de menor destreza en la atención a los pacientes plantea implementar estilos de enseñanza en neurología con un modelo que defina los resultados de aprendizaje más importantes de la especialidad.

SUMMARY INTRODUCTION: Neurosciences have a high degree of difficulty in undergraduate programs; students can feel a sense of Neurophobia defined as the low affinity or fear of their learning and neurological clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of perceived Neurophobia during the internship and inquire about key factors related to that perception. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 100 medical students by implementing a structured survey. RESULTS: 48% of students had a perception of Neurophobia at some point in the career and 69% felt that the Neurosciences had greater difficulty than other specialties; 63% felt that their general knowledge were lower and 53% perceived their practical skills to assess neurological patients was lower. 50% felt that the teaching style of clinical teachers could be related to that perception. CONCLUSIONS: The perception of Neurophobia in internship students was near 50% and the teaching style of clinical teachers was a related factor to the problem; the perception of lower skills in practical care is the factor that raises the need to implement new styles of teaching and learning with a model that defines the most important learning outcomes in Neurology.

Neumonía adquirida en la comunidad por Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina / Community-Acquired Pneumonia Due to Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Los casos de infecciones causadas por Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina han aumentado durante la última década. Dentro de ellas, la neumonía necrotizante (NN) adquirida en la comunidad se ha encontrado en pacientes jóvenes, sanos y sin factores de riesgo, lo que ha generado cuadros de evolución rápida y potencialmente mortales. En este artículo se discuten factores epidemiológicos, fisiopatológicos, de diagnóstico, tratamiento y pronóstico de la NN por Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina adquirida en la comunidad.

The cases oí iníections caused by methicillirvresistant Stapkylococcus aureus have íncreased over the last decade, within them necrotizmg community'acquired pneumonía has been íound in healthy, young and with no risk factors patients, developing dínícal symptoms rapidly evolving and threatening. This artide discussed epidemiológica!, pathophysiological, diagnostic, treatment, and prognosis oí necrotizing pneumonía by Staphyiococcus aureus methicillin resistant communitV' acquired.