Influencia de variables del manejo de catéteres venosos tunelizados en hemodiálisis sobre la tasa de bacteriemia: estudio analítico observacional / Influence of management variables of tunneled venous catheters in hemodialysis on the bacteremia rate: observational analytical study

RESUMEN Introducción: La infección relacionada con catéter venoso central (CVC) es la complicación más frecuente y grave en los pacientes en hemodiálisis, asociada a una elevada mortalidad y morbilidad. En España, se ha publicado una incidencia de bacteriemia de 0.9 a 2 episodios por catéter y año. Diversas variables se han relacionado con la tasa de bacteriemia asociada a CVC, tales como disfunciones del catéter, la formación y experiencia del personal de enfermería, el número de sesiones de hemodiálisis y la duración de las mismas. El objetivo del presente estudio es analizar la influencia de las variables citadas en la aparición de bacteriemias, en pacientes portadores de catéteres en una unidad de hemodiálisis de un hospital de tercer nivel en España. Material y métodos: Estudio analítico, observacional y retrospectivo en el que se obtuvieron los datos relativos a la formación recibida y experiencia del personal de enfermería, el número y duración de sesiones de hemodiálisis por paciente y disfunciones de CVC. Se contabilizaron las bacteriemias acontecidas en un año, a través de la base de datos de la unidad, y se analizó la posible relación de tales variables en la tasa de bacteriemia. Resultados: Sobre un total de 41 catéteres tunelizados en 35 pacientes, observados durante 365 días, se obtuvo una tasa de incidencia de 1.45/1000 días de catéter, no habiendo encontrada relación estadísticamente significativa con la formación del personal de enfermería (p=0.330), experiencia (p=0.668), número de disfunciones y manipulaciones de catéter (p=0.718; p=0.118). Se objetivó relación inversa con el número y duración de sesiones (p=0.02). Conclusiones: Es preciso seguir analizando la relación entre las variables mencionadas y la tasa de bacteriemias. Abordarlo desde un punto de vista multicéntrico o aumentar el tiempo de observación de forma prospectiva pueden ser aspectos a tener en cuenta para determinar las variables que parecen tener una relación directa con la infección de CVC, que en otros contextos se ha llegado a evidenciar.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Central venous catheter (CVC)-related infection is the most frequent and serious complication in hemodialysis patients, associated with high mortality and morbidity. In Spain, an incidence of bacteremia of 0.9 to 2 episodes per catheter and year has been published. Variables have been related to the rate of bacteremia associated with CVC, such as catheter malfunctions, the training and experience of the nursing, the number of hemodialysis sessions and their duration. The objective of the present study is to analyze the influence of the aforementioned variables on the appearance of bacteremia in patients with catheters in a hemodialysis unit of a tertiary care hospital in Spain. Methods: Analytical, observational, and retrospective study in which data on the training received and experience of the nursing staff, the number and duration of hemodialysis sessions per patient and CVC dysfunctions were obtained. The bacteremia's that occurred in a year were counted, through the unit's database, and the possible relationship of such variables in the rate of bacteremia was analyzed. Results: On a total of 41 tunneled catheters in 35 patients, observed for 365 days, an incidence rate of 1.45/1000 catheter days was obtained, not having found a statistically significant relationship with the training of nursing staff (p = 0.330), experience (p=0.668), number of dysfunctions and manipulations of catheter (p=0.718; p=0.118). An inverse relationship was observed with the number and duration of sessions (p=0.02). Conclusions: It is necessary to continue analyzing the relationship between the mentioned variables and the rate of bacteremia. Approaching it from a multicenter point of view or increasing the observation time prospectively may be aspects to consider to determine the variables that seem to have a direct relationship with CVC infection, which has been shown in other contexts.

Humeral fracture repair using a robust fixation in an adult Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla): case report / [Reparo de fratura umeral usando uma fixação robusta em um tamanduá-bandeira adulto (Myrmecophaga tridactyla): relato de caso]

The treatment of fractures from the thoracic limb in giant anteaters is extremely challenging. Unfamiliar and peculiar anatomical characteristics, robust musculature and the imminent need for an early return to limb function highlight such challenges. The objective of this report was to describe the successful use of anatomical osteosynthesis with a robust locking compression plate in a humeral fracture of an adult giant anteater. The patient was rescued on the highway after being run over and presented for treatment at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Surgical stabilization was performed using a craniomedial approach to the humerus, using a customized broad 3.5mm locking compression plate. The patient presented early limb support at 24 hours postoperatively. Radiographic monitoring was performed at 30, 60 and 90 days postoperatively, and bone healing was observed without any complications. It is concluded that the treatment of humerus fractures in giant anteaters requires robust fixation. The use of a reinforced locking compression plate system proved to be effective and adequate to the mechanical load that an adult individual of this species needs for early use of the thoracic limb and, at the same time, efficient in controlling interfragmentary movement, which allowed fracture consolidation.(AU)

O tratamento das fraturas do membro torácico dos tamanduás-bandeira (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) é extremamente desafiador. Características anatômicas pouco familiares e peculiares, musculatura muito desenvolvida e necessidade iminente de retorno precoce à função do membro destacam tais desafios. Objetivou-se, neste relato, descrever a utilização com sucesso da osteossíntese anatômica com placa bloqueada robusta em fratura umeral de um tamanduá-bandeira. O paciente foi resgatado em rodovia após atropelamento e atendido no Hospital Veterinário Universitário. Após sedação e avaliação física completa, foi realizado exame radiográfico, o qual revelou fratura completa oblíqua curta em diáfise média de úmero esquerdo. A estabilização cirúrgica foi realizada por abordagem craniomedial ao úmero, utilizando-se placa bloqueada (LCP) do sistema 3,5mm customizada. O paciente apresentou apoio precoce do membro com 24 horas de pós-operatório. Realizou-se acompanhamento radiográfico aos 30, 60 e 90 dias, sendo observada união clínica sem quaisquer complicações. Conclui-se que o tratamento das fraturas do úmero em tamanduás-bandeira exige robustez na fixação. A utilização de sistema reforçado de placa bloqueada mostrou-se efetiva e adequada à carga mecânica de que um indivíduo adulto dessa espécie necessita para uso precoce do membro torácico e, ao mesmo tempo, eficiente no controle da movimentação interfragmentária, o qual permitiu consolidação da fratura.(AU)

Infection control attitudes and perceptions among dental students in Latin America: implications for dental education.

UNLABELLED: Latin American dental schools are at diverse stages in the continuum of implementation of infection control (IC) programmes that comply with evidence-based recommendations. Poor IC training may result in low compliance and negative attitudes against patients infected with blood borne pathogens (BBP). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate students' knowledge on IC and attitudes toward occupational BBP risks, in six dental schools in Latin America. METHODS: This survey was administered to convenience samples of dental students at one school in Costa Rica; four schools in Mexico, and one in Venezuela. The questionnaire included Likert-type scale evaluations of agreement with statements. Study variables included knowledge about and confidence in recommended IC procedures, degree of concern about HIV and HBV transmission in dental settings, and attitudes toward patients infected with BBP. Possible associations between variables were analysed using Pearson's Chi square and Kruskal Wallis tests. RESULTS: Substantial numbers of students had incomplete knowledge and often lacked confidence on IC and procedures; believed that HIV and HBV could be transmitted during clinical procedures; felt worried about occupational exposure to BBP, and held prejudices towards HIV and HBV infected individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Educational efforts are needed to enhance IC teaching and compliance. Diverse educational resources and international networks for research collaboration are available from organisations specialised in IC, hopefully paving the way to harmonising regional standards.

[Use of a questionnaire for screening people with undiagnosed diabetes]. / Utilidad de un cuestionario en la detección de individuos con riesgo de diabetes mellitus asintomática.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a screening questionnaire to identify individuals with undiagnosed diabetes. DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a community survey to detect people at increased risk for diabetes using a questionnaire proposed by Herman et al. (1995), that incorporates major risk factors as age, obesity, family history of diabetes, sedentary lifestyle and personal history of delivering a macrosomic infant. Blood glucose test was made by means of reagent strip and a reflectance meter system. We used the ADA recommendations and cut-points for screening programs, adjusted for fasting and random blood glucose. RESULTS: We included 360 participants older than 20 years of age. A total of 200 subjects (55.5%) were at risk for diabetes according to the questionnaire, of whom 31 (15.5%) had an abnormal glucose test compared to the 4.4% of the low-risk group (p < 0.001). The 1995 Herman et al. Questionnaire had sensitivity of 81.6%, specificity of 47.5, positive predictive value of 15.5 and negative predictive value of 95.6%. The high-risk group was older (44.9 vs. 34.6 y, p < 0.001) and heavier (30.5 vs. 24.4 kg/m2, p < 0.001) than the low-risk group. There were 38/360 (10.5%) abnormal glucose readings, of which 31 (81.5%) had a positive questionnaire (p < 0.01). The mean fasting glucose in the high-risk group was higher (90.6 vs. 84.2 mg/dL, p = 0.015) than in those with low risk by questionnaire, as well as for random blood glucose (116.1 vs. 100 mg/dL, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The questionnaire proposed by Herman et al. combined with capillary blood glucose testing performance good in mexican population to identify people at high risk for undiagnosed diabetes, and improved the detection rate.

Changes in plasma IgE levels during complicated and uncomplicated measles virus infections.

Plasma IgE levels were measured in 214 samples from 182 Peruvian patients with acute measles virus infections. Plasma IgE levels were significantly elevated early in infection compared to later time points. Plasma levels of IgG from the same patients rose during the same time period, whereas levels of IgA and IgM did not change. In patients with postmeasles encephalomyelitis, IgE remained elevated longer than it did in patients either with uncomplicated measles or measles complicated by pneumonia. It is proposed that the elevation of IgE is another manifestation of the altered immunoregulatory function in patients with measles.