Dynamics of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children associated to COVID-19 in Chile: Epidemiologic trends during pandemic, before and after children vaccination.

BACKGROUND: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated to Covid-19 (MIS-C) is one of the most severe outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 in children. Covid-19 vaccines were successfully implemented in Chile for the pediatric population since 2021, using both mRNA and inactivated platforms. Effectiveness against MIS-C has been reported for mRNA vaccines. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiologic trend of MIS-C in Chile during Covid-19 pandemic, both before and after the availability of vaccination for children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analytic study of MIS-C cases from April 2020 to December 2022. Epidemiological data, SARS-CoV-2 variants and vaccination uptake information were obtained from the Epidemiology Department-Ministry of Health, Institute of Public Health and the National Immunization Program, respectively. RESULTS: 496 cases of MIS-C were reported, 58 % males. Median age was 5 years and most frequent age-cohorts were 6-11 and 0-2 years old with a 33 % each. After the introduction of the Covid-19 vaccine, most cases occurred in children aged 0-2 years. Incidence rates were 3.8, 5.4 and 1.7 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. 97 % of cases (481) occurred in unvaccinated subjects. On those previously vaccinated (15), all but one case occurred in children receiving the inactivated vaccine. No association among circulating variants and incidence was observed. Incidence rate reduction (IRR) comparison between 2020 and 2021-2022 periods was 0.72 (CI 95 % 0.65-0.81, p < 0.05) overall; 0.86 for 0-2 years (CI 95 %:0.71-1; p = 0.12); 0.88 for 3-5 years (CI 95 %:0.69-1.11; p = 0.28); 0.61 for 6-11 years (CI 95 %: 0.50-0.75; p < 0.05); and 0.64 for 12-17 years (CI 95 %:0.47-0.89; p < 0.05), consistent with vaccination uptake during the studied period: 63 % for 3-5 years, 91 % for 6-11 years, and 99 % for 12-17 years. CONCLUSIONS: A decline of MIS-C incidence and a shift to younger, unvaccinated population overtime was observed. IRR decreased in age-cohorts which achieved high vaccination rates.

[Learning with COVID-19: what about anticoagulation?]

Infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic disease. So-me authors recommend anticoagulation at therapeutic doses for, at least, the most severely ill patients; this practice is not free of risks, which is why only thromboembolic prophylaxis is recommended by other consensuses. In the case of previously anticoagulated patients, changing the oral anticoagulant for a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is generally recommended. We present the cases of two patients admitted due to COVID-19, without serious clinical data, in whom anticoagulation (acenocoumarol and rivaroxaban, respectively) was replaced by LMWH at therapeutic doses, both presenting abdominal bleeding. This type of bleeding is an infrequent complication in anticoagulated patients, but the concurrence of two cases in a short period of time in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic leads us to consider that there is not yet any clear evidence on therapeutic anticoagulation in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Aprendiendo con el COVID-19: ¿qué pasa con la anticoagulación? / Learning with COVID-19: what about anticoagulation?

La infección por SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) se relaciona con un aumento del riesgo de enfermedad tromboembólica. Algunos autores recomiendan la anticoagulación en dosis terapéuticas de, al menos, los pacientes más graves, práctica no exenta de riesgos, por lo que otros consensos solo recomiendan la profilaxis tromboembólica. La recomendación generalizada en pacientes previamente anticoagulados es el cambio del anticoagulante oral por heparina de bajo peso molecular (HBPM). Presentamos dos pacientes ingresados por COVID-19 sin datos de gravedad, en los que se sustituyó la anticoagulación (acenocumarol en un caso y rivaroxabán en el otro) por HBPM a dosis terapéuticas, presentando ambos sangrados abdominales. Estos sangrados son una complicación infrecuente en pacientes anticoagulados, pero la concurrencia de dos casos en un breve espacio de tiempo en el contexto de la pandemia por COVID-19 nos plantea que aún no se dispone de una evidencia clara sobre la anticoagulación terapéutica en la infección por SARS-CoV-2

Infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic disease. Some authors recommend anticoagulation at therapeutic doses for, at least, the most severely ill patients; this practice is not free of risks, which is why only thromboembolic prophylaxis is recommended by other consensuses. In the case of previously anticoagulated patients, changing the oral anticoagulant for a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is generally recommended. We present the cases of two patients admitted due to COVID-19, without serious clinical data, in whom anticoagulation (acenocoumarol and rivaroxaban, respectively) was replaced by LMWH at therapeutic doses, both presenting abdominal bleeding. This type of bleeding is an infrequent complication in anticoagulated patients, but the concurrence of two cases in a short period of time in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic leads us to consider that there is not yet any clear evidence on therapeutic anticoagulation in SARS-CoV-2 infection

Métodos de diagnóstico para la detección de la infección por Helicobacter pylori / Diagnostic methods for detection of Helicobacter pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a Gram-negative bacterium that survives in gastric acidity. Approximately 50% of the world population is a carrier of this infection and the prevalence is higher in African and Latin American populations. The clinical manifestations associated with this infection are gastritis, peptic ulcers, MALT lymphoma, gastric cancer (GC), and other extra-digestive pathologies. Chronic H. pylori infection is the most important risk factor for GC development. There are several diagnostic methods to detect H. pylori infection. The most widely used invasive methods are the rapid urease test and Giemsa staining in gastric biopsies. Culture and molecular techniques are very useful for the study of H. pylori presence and antibiotic resistance, but they are not easily available in health centers. The most widely used non-invasive methods are the urea breath test and bacterial antigens in stools. Serological studies are used for population studies. The use and indication of the diagnostic method for detecting H. pylori infection will depend on the clinical manifestations, risk factors for GC, and the age of the patient.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) es una bacteria Gram negativa que sobrevive a la acidez gástrica. Se estima que aproximadamente el 50% de la población mundial es portadora de esta infección, siendo mayor la prevalencia en poblaciones africanas y latinoamericanas. Entre las manifestaciones clínicas asociadas a esta infección se encuentra gastritis, úlceras pépticas, linfoma MALT, cáncer gástrico y otras patologías extradigestivas. La infección crónica por H. pylori es el factor de riesgo más importante para el desarrollo de CG. Existen diversos métodos diagnósticos para detectar la infección por H. pylori, los métodos invasivos más utilizados son la prueba rápida de ureasa y tinción de Giemsa en biopsias gástricas. El cultivo y las técnicas moleculares son de gran utilidad para el estudio de presencia de H. pylori y estudios de resistencia antibiótica, pero suelen estar poco disponibles en los centros de atención en salud. Los métodos no invasivos más utilizados son la prueba de aire espirado con urea marcada y antígeno bacteriano en deposiciones. Los estudios serológicos son utilizados para estudios poblacionales. El uso e indicación de cada uno de los métodos de diagnóstico para la detección de infección por H. pylori, dependerá de las manifestaciones clínicas, los factores de riesgo de CG y la edad del paciente.

Análisis del rol de los exámenes de imagen en el régimen de garantías explícitas en salud en Chile / Analysis of the role of imaging exams in the regime of explicit health guarantees in Chile

Resumen: Objetivo: Describir la participación de los exámenes de imagen en el Régimen de Garantías Explícitas en Salud en Chile y analizar el papel de los radiólogos en este campo. Materiales y métodos: todas las patologías incluidas en el Programa de garantías explícitas en salud, cuentan con una guía de práctica clínica (GC) y un listado de prestaciones específicas (LP). Ambos fueron analizados respecto a la cantidad y la modalidad de los exámenes de imagen recomendados, la presencia de radiólogos dentro de los paneles de expertos y la concordancia entre las recomendaciones de las guías y los Listados de Prestaciones. Resultados: 60 GC (67%) y 55 LP (69%) incluyen pruebas de imagen dentro de sus prestaciones garantizadas. 7 GC (8%) recomiendan pruebas de imágenes no cubiertas en su listado de prestaciones respectivos y 5 pruebas de imágenes del LP (6%) no están incluídas en las guías clínicas. La participación de un radiólogo en el panel de expertos se asoció con la ausencia de discrepancias en las pruebas de imagen entre GC y LP (p = 0,007). Discusión: el diagnóstico por imágenes juega un papel importante dentro del Programa de garantías explícitas y se asocia al aumento de los costos de atención médica. Algunos casos de discordancia entre las guías clínicas y los Listados de Prestaciones representan costos económicos y sociales significativos que podrían reducirse al incluir radiólogos en los paneles de expertos, así como optimizar el uso de recursos y reducir la exposición de los pacientes a la radiación ionizante.

Abstract: Objective: To describe the involvement diagnostic imaging exams in the framework of Regime of Explicit Health Guarantees in Chile and analyze the role of radiologists in this field. Materials and methods: Every pathology included in the Explicit Healthcare Guarantees Program encompasses an expert consensus clinical guideline (CG) and a specific services list (SL). Both of them were analyzed regarding the amount and modality of imaging exams recommended, the presence of radiologists within the expert panels and the concordance between guidelines recommendations and service lists. Results: 60 CG (67%) and 55 SL (69%) include imaging tests within their guaranteed services. Seven CG (8%) recommend medical imaging tests not covered in their respective services list and 5 SL (6%) reference imaging tests not included in the clinical guidelines. The involvement of a radiologist on the expert panel was associated with the absence of imaging test discrepancies between CG and SL (p=0.007). Discussion: Diagnostic imaging plays an important role within the Explicit Healthcare Guarantees Program and is associated with rising healthcare costs. There are cases of discordance between clinical guidelines and specific services lists that account for significant economic and social costs, which may be reduced by including radiologists on expert panels, optimizing resource use and lowering patients' exposure to ionizing radiation.

Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection is not associated with primary biliary cholangitis / La infección por Chlamydophila pneumoniae no está asociada con colangitis biliar primaria

ANTECEDENTES: La colangitis biliar primaria (CBP) es una enfermedad hepática inflamatoria crónica colestásica de causa desconocida. Varios patógenos virales y bacterianos han sido propuestos como factores que podrían gatillar una respuesta inmune por mimetismo molecular, o directamente estar relacionados en la persistencia del daño biliar. Existen reportes controversiales respecto al rol de en la patogenia de CBP. OBJETIVOS: Investigar marcadores de infección de séricos y en hígado de pacientes con CBP. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Veinte pacientes diagnosticados con CBP y 20 pacientes control con otras enfermedades hepáticas crónicas no colestásicas fueron estudiados. Se determinaron anticuerpos séricos anti- (IgG). Se realizó detección inmunohistoquímica de antígenos de en hígado. Se extrajo DNA de hígado para amplificación de la secuencia específica de rRNA 16S de por PCR. Fueron usados controles de amplificación de DNA bacteriano y humano. Los pacientes firmaron consentimiento informado. Se realizó un metaanálisis de la diferencia de riesgo de CBP en pacientes infectados por y en un grupo control. RESULTADOS: Los anticuerpos séricos fueron positivos en 30% de los pacientes con CBP y 50% de los controles (p = NS). Antígenos de no fueron detectados en tejido hepático de pacientes con CBP ni de controles. No se amplificó ADN bacteriano en ninguna de las muestras. El metaanálisis de la diferencia de riesgo mostró gran heterogeneidad de los estudios, por lo que no se realizó una estimación de diferencia de riesgo agrupada. DISCUSIÓN: No encontramos asociación entre infección por y CBP. En la evidencia actual, un estudio presenta resultados a favor de la asociación entre y CBP y tres estudios resultados en contra.,

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic inflammatory liver disease of unknown cause. Several viral and bacterial pathogens have been proposed as factors that could either trigger an immune response by molecular mimicry or directly be involved in the persistence of biliary damage. There are conflicting reports respecting the role of in the pathogenesis of PBC. To investigate markers of infection in serum and liver tissue from patients with PBC. Twenty patients with diagnosis of PBC and 20 control patients with other non-cholestatic chronic liver diseases were studied. Serum anti- antibodies (IgG) were determined. Liver tissue was available for immunohistochemistry detection of antigens. DNA was extracted from liver tissue and a specific sequence of 16S rRNA gene was amplified by CPR. Adequate controls of bacterial and human DNA amplification were used. Informed consent was obtained from patients. A meta-analysis of risk difference of PBC in Chlamydophila pneumoniae infected patients and in the control groupwas performed. Serum antibodies were positive in 30% of patients with PBC and 50% of controls (p = NS). antigens were not detected in liver tissue neither of patients with PBC nor controls. Bacterial DNA did not amplify in any of the samples, despite good amplification of internal and external controls. Risk difference meta-analysis showed high heterogeneity between studies. Therefore, we did not estimate a pooled risk difference. Our results do not support the association between infection and PBC. In the current literature only one study shows an association between and PBC, but other three studies do not support it.

Erradicación de Helicobacter pylori, consideraciones clínicas según la edad / Helicobacter pylori eradication, clinical considerations related to age

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a gram negative bacteria that survives in the gastric acid environment. The infection is acquired mainly during childhood. Fifty to 70% of adult population has the infection. However, in the last 10 year, a decrease in the prevalence of this infection has been observed in all age groups, in particular in pediatric population and elderly patients over 60 years old. The evolution of the infection depends on bacterial factors (virulence and toxins) and host immune response. People infected mainly develop gastrointestinal diseases such as gastritis, peptic ulcer and MALT lymphoma. H. pylori infection is the main risk factor of gastric cancer and for that reason, the eradication is recommended if H. pylori has been detected through invasive or non-invasive tests. Among children, eradication is not recommended unless there is a clinical manifestation that merits. H. pylori eradication is recommended in symptomatic adults and there is a controversy about massive eradication in asymptomatic population due to the risk of development of antibiotic resistance. Treatment is based on the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) associated to antibiotics, that should be chosen taking into account the increasing antibiotic resistance, and local availability. Clarithromycin (CLA) and levofloxacin resistance is increasingly high, and CLA-free quadruple therapy schemes are currently recommended for first-line therapy. H. pylori eradication must be confirmed with invasive or non-invasive tests. Second-line therapy based on antibiotics not previously used, PPI high doses and bismuth is recommended.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) es una bacteria gramnegativa que sobrevive en el medio ácido gástrico. La infección se adquiere principalmente en la niñez. Un 50 a 70% de la población adulta es portadora, pero en los últimos 10 años, se ha observado una disminución en la prevalencia de infección en todos los grupos etarios, en particular en población pediátrica y mayores de 60 años. La evolución de la infección depende de factores propios de la bacteria (virulencia, toxinas) y de la respuesta inmune del huésped. Los individuos infectados desarrollan principalmente patologías gastrointestinales como gastritis, úlcera péptica y linfoma MALT. La infección por H. pylori es el principal factor de riesgo del cáncer gástrico por lo que se recomienda su erradicación en caso de haberse detectado mediante test invasivo o no invasivo. En niños, no es recomendable la erradicación a menos que exista una manifestación clínica que lo amerite. Se recomienda su erradicación en adultos sintomáticos y existe controversia respecto a la erradicación masiva en población asintomática debido al riesgo de desarrollar resistencia antibiótica. El tratamiento se basa en el uso de inhibidores de la bomba de protones asociado a antibióticos, los cuales deben ser escogidos teniendo en cuenta la tasa de resistencia antimicrobiana y disponibilidad local. La resistencia a claritromicina (CLA) y levofloxacino es creciente, por lo que se recomienda el uso de esquemas de cuadriterapia libre de CLA en esquemas de primera línea. Se recomienda confirmar su erradicación con test no invasivos y retratar con esquema de segunda línea con antibióticos no utilizados previamente, asociado a dosis altas de inhibidores de bomba de protones y sales de bismuto.

Tunable entanglement distillation of spatially correlated down-converted photons.

We report on a new technique for entanglement distillation of the bipartite continuous variable state of spatially correlated photons generated in the spontaneous parametric down-conversion process (SPDC), where tunable non-Gaussian operations are implemented and the post-processed entanglement is certified in real-time using a single-photon sensitive electron multiplying CCD (EMCCD) camera. The local operations are performed using non-Gaussian filters modulated into a programmable spatial light modulator and, by using the EMCCD camera for actively recording the probability distributions of the twin-photons, one has fine control of the Schmidt number of the distilled state. We show that even simple non-Gaussian filters can be finely tuned to a ∼67% net gain of the initial entanglement generated in the SPDC process.

Eventos adversos asociados al uso de inhibidores de bomba de protones: un análisis crítico de la evidencia actual / Adverse events associated with the use of proton-pump inhibitors: a critical analysis of current evidence

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are one of the most widely used types of drugs in clinical practice, designed to treat highly prevalent pathologies in the clinical activity of gastroenterology. Despite having precise and approved indications, reports have described a use beyond the established indications, such as management of various symptoms of the digestive tract or associated with polypharmacy, considering that their indication could be questionable in a significant percentage of individuals on prolonged treatment with PPI. In recent years, several basic, clinical and epidemiological studies have warned of possible adverse events associated with the use of PPIs that have generated concern in physicians and patients, and an impact on the public opinion due to the wide use of these drugs among the population. The purpose of this review is to critically analyze the available evidence regarding adverse events associated with the use of PPIs, in addition to providing some recommendations for clinical practice

Los inhibidores de bomba de protones (IBP) son fármacos ampliamente usados en la práctica clínica, destinados a tratar patologías altamente prevalentes en la actividad clínica de gastroenterología. Pese a contar con indicaciones precisas y aprobadas, reportes han descrito un uso más allá de las indicaciones establecidas, como manejo de diversos síntomas del tracto digestivo o asociado a polifarmacia, considerándose que su indicación podría ser cuestionable en un porcentaje importante de individuos en tratamiento prolongado con IBP. En los últimos años, diversos estudios básicos, clínicos y epidemiológicos han alertado sobre posibles eventos adversos asociados al uso de IBP que han generado preocupación en tratantes y pacientes, además de impactar en la opinión pública por la amplia distribución del uso de estos fármacos en la población. El objetivo de esta revisión es analizar críticamente la evidencia disponible respecto a los eventos adversos asociados al uso de IBP, además de entregar algunas recomendaciones para la práctica clínica.