The Regulatory Status of Functional Foods in the Economic Integration Organizations of Latin America and the Caribbean / El Estatus Regulatorio de los Alimentos Funcionales en las Organizaciones de Integración Económica de Latinoamérica y el Caribe

Introduction. The legal declarations on functional foods of the four main economic integration organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) ­ Pacific Alliance (PA), Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) and Central American Integration System (SICA) - are based on the Codex Alimentarius system and do not regulate functional foods. The use of Codex in food marketing is an insufficient condition for its application in functional foods. Regulation based on scientific and technology results are required to be used in the economic integration organizations of LAC. Objective. The objective is to analyze the theoretical framework of the legal foundations that could govern the commercialization processes of functional foods, whose research advances have currently only been manifested in nutritional health. This article also seeks to address this gap through a systematic analysis of international regulations. Materials and methods. For this, a review of the literature emanating from two databases from 2018-2023 is carried by applying the legal-economic research method of documentary content analysis, applied to three general food marketing regulations: food safety declarations, regulations for inspections, food manufacturing and food labeling. Results. The results reveal the absence of specific legislation for functional foods in LAC economic integration organizations. Conclusions. The legal principle of marketing based on peremptory norm (also called jus cogens) can be facilitated through side letters, included in the contents of international contracts. along with the registration requirements of industrial property rights of the member countries associations(AU)

Introducción. Las declaraciones legales sobre alimentos funcionales de las cuatro principales organizaciones de integración económica de América Latina y el Caribe (ALC) ­ Alianza del Pacífico (AP), Comunidad del Caribe (CARICOM), Mercado Común del Sur (MERCOSUR) y Sistema de Integración Centroamericana (SICA) - se basan en el sistema del Codex Alimentarius y no regulan los alimentos funcionales. El uso del Codex en la comercialización de alimentos es condición insuficiente para su aplicación en alimentos funcionales. Se requiere que las regulaciones basadas en resultados científicos y tecnológicos sean utilizadas en los organismos de integración económica de ALC. Objetivo. Analizar el marco teórico de los fundamentos legales que podrían regir los procesos de comercialización de alimentos funcionales, cuyos avances en investigación actualmente solo se han manifestado en salud nutricional. Este artículo también busca abordar esta brecha a través de un análisis sistemático de las regulaciones internacionales. Materiales y métodos. Se realiza una revisión de la literatura emanada de dos bases de datos del período 2018-2023 aplicando el método de investigación jurídico- económica de análisis de contenido documental, aplicado a tres normas generales de comercialización de alimentos: declaraciones de seguridad alimentaria, normas para inspecciones, fabricación de alimentos y etiquetado de alimentos. Resultados. Los resultados revelan la ausencia de legislación específica para alimentos funcionales en las asociaciones comerciales de ALC. Conclusiones. El principio jurídico de comercialización basado en norma imperativa (también llamado jus cogens) puede facilitarse a través de cartas complementarias, incluidas en el contenido de los contratos internacionales. junto con los requisitos de registro de los derechos de propiedad industrial de las asociaciones de los países miembros(AU)

Histerectomía total vía abdominal: revisión de la literatura / Total abdominal hysterectomy: a literature review

Hysterectomy is the most common gynecological surgery in non-pregnant women. There are different surgical approaches for total hysterectomy, abdominal, vaginal, laparoscopic and robotic routes. The choice is determined by different factors such as uterine size, malformations, surgical risks, skill of the surgeon, expected postoperative quality of life, and monetary costs. The surgical technique is well described in the literature, however, there are certain anatomical and functional considerations that must be known before performing the hysterectomy to avoid complications. The most frequent complications are hemorrhage, infections, thromboembolism, urinary and gastrointestinal tract injuries. Majority can be avoided with an adequate procedure and management of pre-existing comorbidities. (AU)

[Transient renal failure in a newborn due angiotensin receptor II antagonist use during pregnancy: report of a case]. / Efectos sobre la función renal fetal y neonatal del tratamiento con antagonista del receptor de angiotensina II en el embarazo: Caso clínico.

Fetal renal structure and function can be altered by medications prescribed to pregnant women. We report a chronic hypertensive pregnant woman treated with losartan before and throughout pregnancy. At 30 weeks the patient was referred to our Fetal Medicine Unit due to absent amniotic fluid with normal uterine artery Doppler and fetal growth. During her hospitalization a new scan was performed showing that both fetal kidneys were enlarged and slightly hyperechogenic and placental and fetal artery Doppler showed signs of hypovolemia or increased resistance to feto-placental blood flow. Ductus venosous was normal. The fetus was delivered after three days by caesarean section at 30+4 weeks of gestation due to abnormal fetal heart rate tracing. Following delivery, the preterm newborn was treated for a transient renal failure characterized by anuria-oliguria and high plasma creatinine levels (from 3.8 mg/dL at day 5 to 0.8 mg/dL at 16 days). At 30 days of age, ultrasound showed kidneys of normal form and size. The adverse effects of Angiotensin II receptor antagonists in fetal nephrogenesis and function are discussed.

Efectos sobre la función renal fetal y neonatal del tratamiento con antagonista del receptor de angiotensina II en el embarazo: Caso clínico / Transient renal failure in a newborn due angiotensin receptor II antagonist use during pregnancy: Report of one case

Fetal renal structure and function can be altered by medications prescribed to pregnant women. We report a chronic hypertensive pregnant woman treated with ¡osarían before and throughout pregnancy. At 30 weeks the patient was referred to our Fetal Medicine Unit due to absent amniotic fluid with normal uterine artery Doppler and fetal growth. During her hospitalization a new scan was performed showing that both fetal kidneys were enlarged and slightly hyperechogenic and placental and fetal artery Doppler showed signs of hypovolemia or increased resistance to feto-placental blood flow. Ductus venosous was normal. The fetus was delivered after three days by caesarean section at 30+4 weeks of gestation due to abnormal fetal heart rate tracing. Following delivery, the preterm newborn was treated for a transient renal failure characterized by anuria-oliguria and high plasma creatinine levels (from 3.8 mg/dL at day 5 to 0.8 mg/dL at 16 days). At 30 days of age, ultrasound showed kidneys of normal form and size. The adverse effects of Angiotensin II receptor antagonists in fetal nephrogenesis and function are discussed

Espectro clínico de la preeclampsia: estudio comparativo de sus diversos grados de severidad / Clinical spectrum of preeclampsia: comparative study of different grades of severity

Objetivo: Comparar los resultados maternos y perinatales en embarazadas que cursaron con preeclampsia (PE) en sus diversas presentaciones en el período 2001 -2005. Material y Método: Estudio retrospectivo de 7.205 partos asistidos en la maternidad del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile. 204 mujeres presentaron PE/eclampsia, dividiéndose en 3 grupos: PE modera, severa y síndrome de HELLP. Se analizaron las variables clínicas y de laboratorio de la embarazada y del recién nacido. Se compararon estos resultados en los 3 grupos de estudio. Para variables continuas de distribución normal se empleó el análisis de varianza (ANOVA). Para variables categóricas se empleó la tabla de contingencia de Chi2 o la prueba exacta de Fisher. Resultados: 80 mujeres presentaron PE moderada (39,2 por ciento), 114 PE severa (55,8 por ciento) y 10 HELLP (4,9 por ciento). Se observaron diferencias significativas en la vía de parto, edad gestacional, peso del recién nacido, percentil, morbi-mortalidad neonatal, complicaciones maternas médico-quirúrgicas en los grupos de PE severa y HELLP comparados con las PE moderadas. La PE severa tuvo una mayor proteinuria que los otros dos grupos. Así mismo, se observaron también diferencias significativas en el grupo de síndrome de HELLP en los niveles de enzimas hepáticas, LDH y recuento plaquetario en comparación con el grupo de las PE moderadas y severas. Conclusión: La PE es una entidad clínica que puede presentarse en diversos grados de severidad, por lo que su correcta clasificación de acuerdo a criterios clínicos y de laboratorio, es clave para el tratamiento y pronóstico de las pacientes.

Incisiones transversas en oncología ginecológica / Transverse incisions in gynecologic oncology

OBJETIVO: Determinar si el tipo de laparotomía influye en la etapificación de pacientes con cáncer de cuerpo y cuello uterino. MÉTODO: Se revisaron todas las fichas clínicas de pacientes con cáncer de cuerpo y cuello uterino que fueron operadas en el Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile y el Hospital Clínico de la Fuerza Aérea Chilena, entre enero de 1999 y mayo de 2005. Se recopiló la siguiente información: tipo de laparotomía, índice de masa corporal (IMC), comorbilidades médicas, tiempo operatorio, histología, número total y distribución de linfonodos, pérdida sanguínea, complicaciones, duración de la cirugía y hospitalización. Se aplicaron análisis estadísticos con t student y c². RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 51 pacientes. Se usó laparotomía media (LM) y transversa (LT) en 16 (31%) y 35 (69%) de las pacientes, respectivamente. No hubo diferencias significativas en índice de masa corporal, estadio FIGO, histología, comorbilidades, estimación de pérdida sanguínea ni complicaciones intra o post operatorias entre el grupo de LM y LT. Se encontraron diferencias significativas en pacientes con IMC 25 sometidas a laparotomías verticales comparadas con las transversas, donde ocurrió mayor sangrado intraoperatorio, se recolectó mayor número de ganglios para-aórticos y tuvieron hospitalizaciones más prolongadas. CONCLUSIONES: La etapificación quirúrgica de pacientes con cáncer de cérvix o cuerpo uterino se puede realizar adecuadamente a través de incisiones transversas, sin mayor morbilidad. Previa adecuada selección, pacientes con cánceres cervical y uterino pueden beneficiarse de las ventajas ya descritas para las laparotomías transversas.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the type of abdominal incision influences the adequacy of surgical staging in patients with uterine and cervical cancer. METHODS: A retrospective review of all uterine and cervical cancer patients operated on by the same surgeon at the Universidad de Chile Clinical Hospital and the Chilean Air Force Clinical Hospital between January 1, 1999, and May 1, 2005, is presented. Data on type of incision, body mass index (BMI), medical comorbilities, histology, total number and distribution of lymph nodes, estimated blood loss, complications, length of surgery and hospital stay were abstracted. Statistical analysis with two-tailed Student t test and c² were performed. RESULTS: 51 patients were identified. A vertical incision (VI) was used in 16 (31%) while 35 (69%) received a transverse incision (TI). There were no statistically significant differences in BMI, FIGO stage, histology, comorbilities, estimated blood loss or intraoperative and postoperative complications between the VI and TI groups. Compared patients with BMI 25, VI was associated with significantly more intraoperative blood loss, number of para-aortic lymph nodes harvested and length of hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive surgical staging for uterine and cervical cancer can be adequately performed through a TI without greater morbidity. After appropriate selection, patients with uterine and cervical cancer can benefit from the inherent benefits previously described for TI.

Effect of small bowel bacterial overgrowth on the immunogenicity of single-dose live oral cholera vaccine CVD 103-HgR.

Several live oral vaccines (polio, bovine rotavirus, CVD 103-HgR cholera) are less immunogenic in developing than in industrialized countries. It was hypothesized that proximal small bowel bacterial overgrowth (common in children in less developed countries but rare in industrialized settings) diminishes the vibriocidal antibody response to CVD 103-HgR. In total, 202 fasting Santiago schoolchildren aged 5-9 years had lactulose breath H2 tests to detect proximal small bowel bacteria 1 day before ingesting CVD 103-HgR. Florid small bowel overgrowth was observed in 10 (5.6%) of 178 analyzable children. In children with florid overgrowth, vibriocidal seroconversion differed little from other children (60% vs. 67%), but the geometric mean titer was lower (160 vs. 368; P=.25). By logistic regression, increased peak breath H2 at small bowel time points was associated with diminished seroconversion (P=.04), as was the interaction of H2 value and weight (children >25 kg had lower seroconversion rates among subjects with heaviest overgrowth).

Palatability, reactogenicity and immunogenicity of engineered live oral cholera vaccine CVD 103-HgR in Chilean infants and toddlers.

BACKGROUND: Live oral cholera vaccine CVD 103-HgR is well-tolerated and immunogenic when administered to adults, school age children and preschool children in a single 5 x 10(9) colony-forming unit dose. Because elicitation of immune responses after administration of a single dose is exceptional for any oral vaccine in any age group, CVD 103-HgR was used as a probe to investigate the clinical acceptability, practicality and immunogenicity of this vaccine in infants and toddlers 3 to 17 months of age. METHODS: The study was undertaken successively in 12- to 17-month-olds (n = 104), 7- to 11-month-olds (n = 106) and 3- to 5-month-olds (n = 102). One-half of the subjects were randomly allocated to receive vaccine and the other one-half to receive placebo, in double blind fashion. After 2 weeks of double blind follow-up, all subjects received a dose of vaccine. Vibriocidal antibody titers were measured on coded sera collected at baseline and 2 weeks after each dosing. The buffered vaccine "cocktail" had a volume of 100 ml; subjects who ingested > or =70 ml were considered fully vaccinated. FINDINGS: Only 37% of subjects overall (25% of 3- to 5-month-olds) ingested > or =70 ml of the cocktail. The vaccine was well-tolerated with no significant differences in the rate or severity of adverse reactions after ingestion of vaccine vs. placebo. Seroconversion after ingestion of a single dose of CVD 103-HgR was similar in fully vaccinated subjects (66%) and in those who ingested a smaller fraction of the vaccine cocktail (63%). Of subjects who ingested two doses, 5 of 118 excreted vaccine organisms on Day 7 after the first dose vs. 0 of 118 after the second dose. INTERPRETATION: Single dose oral CVD 103-HgR is well-tolerated and immunogenic in infants even when a partial dose is ingested. The buffered vaccine cocktail that is readily imbibed by older children is not appealing to young infants, and improved vaccine formulations and delivery vehicles for immunizing infants must be sought.

[Serum antibodies against hepatitis A virus among subjects of middle and low socioeconomic levels in urban area of Santiago, Chile]. / Anticuerpos séricos contra el virus hepatitis A en sujetos de nivel socioeconómico medio y bajo, en comunas urbanas de Santiago.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is closely associated to the level of hygiene and sanitation of the population. Newly industrialising areas experience a transition from high to intermediate endemicity, which is characterized by a shift in the exposure age to HAV, from early childhood to school ages or adolescence. AIM: To measure the prevalence of HAV antibodies in subjects living in urban Santiago. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A HAV antibody survey in five medium and low socioeconomic level urban districts of northern Santiago, was conducted in 1996. Healthy subjects aged 1 to 39 years old were recruited from randomly selected households. RESULTS: Five hundred three subjects were studied. Anti HAV antibodies were found in 13.2, 29.5, 59.6, 78.1, 95.6 and 98.2% of individuals aged 1 to 4, 5 to 9, 10 to 14, 15 to 19, 20 to 29 and 30 to 39 years old, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The profile of positive antibodies is compatible with an intermediate pattern of transmission of HAV. The current data supports the idea that infection is shifting towards older ages. A progressive increase in the number of susceptible school age children and teenagers is propitious for the occurrence of common source hepatitis A outbreaks.

Population-based study of the incidence of Shigella diarrhea and causative serotypes in Santiago, Chile.

BACKGROUND: Shigella is an important cause of diarrheal disease in children in developing countries. The increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant strains has stimulated interest in the use of multivalent Shigella vaccines. Because Shigella vaccines under development are based on eliciting immunity to O antigens, monitoring the distribution of serotypes in defined target populations is critical. We initiated health center-based surveillance in a poor semirural community in Colina, Santiago (7489 children <60 months of age) to determine the age-specific incidence of Shigella disease and the responsible serotypes. FINDINGS: Surveillance was maintained at the 2 health centers during warm seasons (November 1 through April 30) for 4 successive years (1994 to 1998). Shigella was recovered from 54 of 243 cases of dysentery (22%) and from 215 of 3966 cases of nondysenteric diarrhea (5.4%) (P < 0.001). The peak mean annual incidence of shigellosis occurred among children 12 to 47 months of age (9.0 to 12.6 cases/10(3) children), although the incidence in infants (5.2/10(3)) and children 48 to 59 months of age (6.2/10(3)) was also substantial. During the 1995 through 1996 season, an age-matched healthy control was cultured for every child <60 months of age with diarrhea. Shigella isolation from cases (34 of 576, 5.9%) was >8-fold higher than controls (4 of 576, 0.7%) (P < 0.01). Four serotypes, Shigella sonnei (45%), Shigella flexneri 2b (19%), S. flexneri 2a (14%) and S. flexneri 6 (11%), accounted for 89% of all cases. INTERPRETATION: Shigella remains an important pediatric pathogen in Santiago. The serotype distribution from Colina, which closely resembles data from a population-based surveillance study in Santiago in the mid-1980s, demonstrates a remarkable degree of serotype stability in Santiago during a 15-year period.

Clinical acceptability and immunogenicity of a pentavalent parenteral combination vaccine containing diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, inactivated poliomyelitis and Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate antigens in two-, four- and six-month-old Chilean infants.

BACKGROUND: In recent years additional parenteral vaccines have been recommended for routine immunization of infants in the US and elsewhere. The ability to administer multiple vaccines as a single injection without unacceptably increasing reactogenicity or decreasing immunogenicity of any component would offer many practical advantages. METHODS: A randomized, open, controlled trial was conducted to assess the tolerance profile and immunogenicity, as well as to identify potential antigenic interferences, resulting from administration of a parenteral combination vaccine for infants. The vaccine contains diphtheria and tetanus toxoids, acellular pertussis antigens (DTaP), enhanced inactivated poliovirus (eIPV) and Haemophilus influenzae type b-tetanus toxoid conjugate (PRP-T). Infants (n=711) were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 5 regimens as the primary series at 2, 4 and 6 months of age, by group: (1) DTaP plus oral polio vaccine (OPV); (2) DTaP plus eIPV (separate injections); (3) DTaP-eIPV combined as a single injection; (4) DTaP-eIPV combined, plus a separate injection of PRP-T; or (5) DTaP-eIPV combined and reconstituting PRP-T, as a single injection. At 3, 5 and 7 months Groups 1, 2 and 3 received PRP-T. At 12 months all infants received a booster dose of DTaP reconstituting PRP-T as a single injection, plus a separate injection of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. Groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 received OPV at 7 months, and all infants received OPV at 13 months. Serum immune responses were measured to the primary series at 2 and 7 months and to the booster dose at 12 and 13 months. RESULTS: Reaction rates were similar among groups. In the primary series combining eIPV with DTaP decreased geometric mean titers (GMTs) to diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. In addition concomitant PRP-T (either simultaneous or combined) with DTaP-eIPV lowered anti-PRP and further decreased tetanus GMTs. Nonetheless in 100% of infants protective titers were achieved against diphtheria and tetanus (>0.01 IU/ml each) and against the poliovirus types 1, 2 and 3 after eIPV (Groups 2 to 5); 99% of infants (Groups 4 and 5) had protective titers against PRP (> or = 0.15 microg/ml). After boosting with DTaP/PRP-T decreased GMTs to diphtheria and PRP antigens were observed in the groups that received DTaP and eIPV combined. Nonetheless protective titers to diphtheria, tetanus and PRP occurred consistently. In contrast concomitant PRP-T with DTaP-eIPV enhanced the pertussis GMTs. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that combined DTaP, eIPV and PRP-T in a single injection is well-tolerated and elicits an acceptable immune response to each component.

[Antimicrobial multiresistance of Shigella sp strains in a semi rural community of northern Santiago]. / Multirresistencia antimicrobiana en cepas de Shigella sp en una comuna semi rural del área norte de Santiago.

UNLABELLED: Appropriate antimicrobial therapy shortens the duration of Shigellosis and significantly reduces the risk of transmission. Shigella strains resistant to common antimicrobials have increased during the past years, determining the need for a periodic surveillance, to guide effective therapy. AIM: To report the results of a surveillance program in a rural community near Santiago (Colina), for Shigella infections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1995 and 1997, stool samples from 3,534 episodes of diarrhoea, that occurred in Colina, were obtained. Two hundred twenty six Shigella strains were isolated and studied for susceptibility to ampicilin (AM), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (AMC), cotrimoxazole (STX), chloramphenicol (CAF), tetracycline (TET), furazolidine (FU), ciprofloxacine (CIPR), nalidixic acid (AC NAL), gentamycin (GENT) and cefotaxime (CFTX). RESULTS: Shigella flexnerii represented 134 of 226 Shigella strains isolated. All strains were susceptible to CIPR, AC NAL, GENT and CFTX. Yearly variation of resistance patterns to other antimicrobials were observed for these strains. Resistance to AM varied from 56 to 76%, to AMC from 25 to 56%, to STX from 21 to 47%, to CAF from 36 to 69%, to TET from 44 to 78% and to FU from 9 to 18%. Overall resistance was higher during 1997. All 85 strains of S sonnei were susceptible to CIPR, AC NAL and CFTX. Resistance throughout the years varied from 56 to 88% for AM, from 0 to 28% for AMC, from 44 to 53% for STX, from 11 to 40% for CAF, from 11 to 42% for TET and from 5 to 11% for FU. Overall resistance was also higher during 1997, except for AM and STX. Seven S hoydii strains were isolated, only during 1995. All seven were resistant to AM and TET and none were resistant to FU, CIPR, AC NAL and CFTX. Two strain was resistant to AMC, STX and CAF. CONCLUSIONS: Antimicrobial resistance patterns of Shigella sp isolated in Colina have increased from 1995 to 1997, specially for commonly used antimicrobials. Resistance remains low for furazolidine and all strains remain susceptible to quinolones.

No adverse impact on protection against pertussis from combined administration of Haemophilus influenza type b conjugate and diphtheria-tetanus toxoid-pertussis vaccines in the same syringe.

To assess whether combining a Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine (PRP-T) and diphtheria-tetanus toxoid-pertussis (DTP) vaccine in a single syringe would impact adversely the antibody response and clinical protection conferred by pertussis vaccine, surveillance and a nested serosurvey were conducted among infants in a large-scale evaluation of PRP-T in Santiago. Infants received either combined PRP-T/DTP or DTP only at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. At 8 months, pertussis agglutinin, anti-pertussis toxin, and anti-filamentous hemagglutinin antibody levels in the PRP-T/DTP (137.7, 23.1, and 12.2, respectively) and DTP (142.9, 20.6, and 13.0, respectively) groups were comparable. The incidence of pertussis was similar among infants assigned to health centers administering combined PRP-T/DTP and those administering DTP alone (13.1 vs. 12.2 cases/10(5) child-years). Combined PRP-T/DTP vaccine did not diminish protection against pertussis.

Large scale, postlicensure, selective vaccination of Chilean infants with PRP-T conjugate vaccine: practicality and effectiveness in preventing invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b infections.

BACKGROUND: Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccines have demonstrated an impressive impact in diminishing Hib disease in industrialized countries. However, their high cost prompts nonindustrialized countries to corroborate their effectiveness under local conditions before considering their programmatic implementation. Such a postlicensure evaluation of vaccine effectiveness was undertaken in Chile. METHODS: After its licensure in Chile polyribosylribitol phosphate-tetanus toxoid protein conjugate vaccine (PRP-T), combined with diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, was introduced into the Expanded Program on Immunization schedules in 36 health centers throughout metropolitan Santiago for 12 months, whereas 35 similar health centers administered only diphtheria-tetanus toxoid-pertussis vaccine. Bacteriologic surveillance data for invasive Hib cases collected over the ensuing 30 months were analyzed. RESULTS: In an intent-to-vaccinate (effectiveness) analysis, PRP-T provided 90.2% protection (95% confidence interval, 74.5 to 100%) against invasive Hib disease (40 vs. 4 cases, P < 0.001). Vaccine effectiveness was 91.3% against meningitis (22 vs. 2 cases) and 80% against pneumonia and empyema (10 vs. 2 cases, P = 0.039). Vaccine efficacy among infants who received all three doses of PRP-T was 91.7% (95% confidence interval, 64.8 to 100%). CONCLUSIONS: Programmatic use of Hib conjugate vaccine administered in combination with diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine constitutes a highly effective and practical intervention in Chile, a newly industrializing country.

[Dyspnea as the first clinical manifestation of amyloidosis]. / Disnea como primera manifestación clínica de amiloidosis.

We present a case of a 65-year-old woman, in whom diagnosis of primary systemic amyloidosis was established, being dyspnea the main cause of consultation. In addition, we emphasize the importance of the adequate valorization of such symptom in a patient with no precedents of cardiorespiratory pathology.

Cardiac arrhythmias associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage: prospective study.

This is a prospective study of cardiac arrhythmias in patients with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) secondary to ruptured aneurysm. Twenty per cent of the patients had serious, life-threatening arrhythmias. However, 100% of the patients had some kind of cardiac arrhythmia. The arrhythmias occurred during the first 48 hours after SAH. Such arrhythmias occur in patients without overt, pre-existing heart disease, hypoxemia, or electrolyte imbalance. A prolonged Q-T interval is frequently observed in patients with SAH who develop serious ventricular arrhythmias. (Neurosurgery, 5: 675--680, 1979).