Hipersensibilidad a corticoides y manejo en asma severa. A propósito de un caso / Hipersensitivity to corticosteroids and management of severe bronchial asthma. Case study

Resumen Las reacciones de hipersensibilidad a corticoides son raras en la población general, se dividen en dos categorías: Inmediatas, típicamente mediadas por Inmunoglobulina E (IgE), donde se incluye la anafilaxia luego de la administración de un fármaco en un corto período. Su prevalencia descrita es de 0,3-0,5%. Otra reacción es la 'no inmediata', que se manifiesta en un tiempo mayor de una hora después de la administración del fármaco. Se revisó la literatura con el objetivo de mejorar y aclarar el tratamiento en pacientes asmáticos que poseen esta condición. Se encontró que las vías posibles para generar estas reacciones son intranasal, aerosol por inhalador, oral y parenteral. Frente a esta condición se requiere una evaluación estrecha y detallada de la historia clínica, síntomas y reacciones secundarias al fármaco sospechoso. Finalmente, al momento de elegir tipo de corticoide a usar es primordial la seguridad del paciente logrando, además, el control de la enfermedad.

Hypersensitivity reactions to corticosteroids are rare in the general population, they fall into two categories: 'immediate', typically mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE), which includes anaphylaxis after administration of a drug in a short period of time. Its reported prevalence is 0.3-0.5%. Another reaction is 'not immediate', which manifests itself in a time longer than one hour after the administration of the drug. We reviewed the literature with the aim of improving and clarifying the treatment in asthmatic patients with this condition. It was found that the possible routes to generate these reactions are intranasal, aerosol by inhaler, oral and parenteral. Facing this condition requires a close and detailed evaluation of the clinical history, symptoms and side reactions to the suspected drug. Finally, when choosing which corticosteroid to use, the patient's safety is paramount, and control of the disease is also essential.

Prevalencia de la desnutrición crónica en niños menores de 5 años atendidos en el Centro de Salud Tacopaya, primer semestre gestión 2014 / Prevalence of chronic under nutrition of children under 5 years served in the Center of Health management Tacopaya, first half 2014

Objetivo: determinar la prevalencia de la desnutrición crónica en menores de 5 años, atendidos en el Centro de Salud de Tacopaya de la Provincia Arque de Cochabamba, en el primer semestre de la gestión 2014. Material y métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, cuantitativo y transversal, incluyendo 654 menores de 5 años que asistieron al Centro de Salud Tacopaya, durante el primer semestre 2014, reportados en el SNIS. Los datos sobre el grupo de talla, peso, edad, sexo y grupo etáreo fueron recogidos y analizados de acuerdo con los estándares de la OMS; para determinar la desnutrición crónica, se utilizó el indicador antropométrico talla para la edad. Nuestros datos tabulados en Excel, fueron estratificados por sexo, grupo etáreo y comparados con otros periodos de otros años. Resultados: 361 (55,20%) niños y 293 (40,8%) niñas fueron atendidos para su control talla, peso en el Centro de Salud Tacopaya, 106 (16,2%) presentaron desnutrición crónica. El número más alto de desnutrición crónica fue en el grupo etáreo de 1 año a menor de 2 años y de sexo masculino, y el registro más bajo de desnutrición crónica fue para menores de 1 año. En el primer semestre del 2012, la prevalencia de desnutrición crónica fue de un 20,2%, en 2013, 19,1% y en 2014, 15,9%. Conclusiones: La desnutrición crónica en niños menores de 5 años de edad, que asistieron al Centro de Salud Tacopaya, para pacientes ambulatorios alcanzó el 16,2% en 2014, mostrando mayor prevalencia en los niños que en las niñas. Los niños de 1 año hasta menos de 2 años fueron los más afectados. La desnutrición sigue siendo un problema muy grave que sigue afectando a la población boliviana. Esta información puede ser útil para la planificación de intervenciones nutricionales dirigidas a reducir desnutrición crónica.

Objective: determine the prevalence of chronic malnutrition in children < 5 years, treated at the outpatient Health Center Tacopaya of the Cochabamba Arque province in the first half of 2014. Material and methods: A descriptive, quantitative and cross-sectional study was performed, including 654 children, reported in the SNIS. Data on height, weight, age, sex and age group were collected and analyzed, in agreement to WHO standards, to determine the height-for-age chronic malnutrition anthropometric indicator. Our data, tabulated in Excel, were stratified by sex, age group and compared to other year periods. Results: among the 361 (55,20%) boy and 293 (40,8 %) girls treated for height control weight at the Tacopaya Health Center, 106 (16,2%) showed chronic malnutrition. The highest number of chronic malnutrition was in the age group of 1 year to less than 2 years and in the male group. The lowest record of chronic malnutrition was for children less than 1 year. Conclusions: chronic malnutrition in children less than 5-year-old, attending the Tacopaya outpatient Health Center, reached 16,2% in 2014, showing higher prevalence in boys than in girls. Children up to 1 year to less than 2 years were the most affected. Malnutrition remains a serious problem still affecting the Bolivian population. This information may be useful for planning nutritional interventions aiming to reduced chronic malnutrition.

Traqueobroncomegalia: a propósito de un caso clínico-radiológico / Tracheobronchomegaly: a case report

Tracheobronchomegaly corresponds to the anomalous diffuse dilatation of the trachea and main bronchi, usually accompanied by bronchiectasis, which predisposes to recurrent infections. The imaging study is essential to recognize this entity. A case of a 40-year-old woman, with suspicion of bronchial asthma is presented. Imaging study and bronchofiberscopy confirmed the diagnosis of tracheobronchomegaly in this patient.

La traqueobroncomegalia corresponde a la dilatación anómala y difusa de la tráquea y bronquios principales, acompañado habitualmente de bronquiectasias, lo que predispone a infecciones recurrentes. El estudio radiológico resulta fundamental para reconocer esta entidad. Se presenta un caso de una mujer de 40 años en estudio por sospecha de asma bronquial en que el estudio de imágenes (Rx y TAC) y lafibrobroncoscopia confirmó el diagnóstico de traqueobroncomegalia.

Selective, efficient modulation of activated CD4+ αßT cells by the novel humanized antibody GZ-αßTCR targeting human αßTCR.

Allograft rejection and immunosuppression are two major issues in transplantation medicine. The specific targeting of alloreactive T cells, the initiators and promoters of allograft rejection, would be a promising strategy to reduce unwanted T-cell responses and side effects of lifelong immunosuppression. The novel humanized monoclonal antibody GZ-αßTCR, specific for the human αßT-cell receptor, was tested in vitro and in vivo for its specificity and efficacy to modulate the αßT-cell compartment. GZ-αßTCR moderately induced apoptosis in resting αßT cells in vitro, an effect considerably amplified in activated T cells. A single dose of GZ-αßTCR significantly reduced human CD45(+)CD3(+) T cells in vivo, with a preferential modulation of CD4(+) αßT cells. Importantly, naive T cells, the T-cell subset from which alloreactivity emanates, were significantly reduced. Simultaneously, a significant, compensatory increase of γδ T cells was observed in vitro and in vivo in both humanized mouse models examined. GZ-αßTCR did not induce cytokines and was well tolerated. Thus, specificity and high efficacy make GZ-αßTCR a powerful tool to selectively eliminate putatively detrimental T-cell subsets, a major goal in transplantation medicine. At the same time, GZ-αßTCR spares γδ and natural killer cells, thus leaving the recipient's immune system competent for cell-mediated immunoregulation and cell-mediated immunity.

Invaginación intestinal recurrente secundaria a apéndice cecal invaginado: caso clínico / Recurrent intussusception secondary to invaginated cecal appendix. Case report

Introducción: La invaginación intestinal es una patología de causa idiopática en el 95 por ciento de los casos, encontrándose en el 5 por ciento restante algún factor desencadenante que la justifique. Las recurrencias se presentan en un 7 a 12 por ciento de los casos y se asocian a múltiples causas. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar el caso de un paciente con invaginación intestinal recurrente y analizar la causa de la recurrencia. Caso clínico: Paciente de 1 año y 4 meses de edad, sexo masculino, con antecedente de primer episodio de Invaginación intestinal operado a los 4 meses de edad. Presenta segundo episodio de invaginación a los 9 meses de edad, la cual se trató con desinvaginación neumática y a los 16 meses de edad presentó su tercer episodio, manejandose con desinvaginación hidrostática. Ocho horas post procedimiento el paciente presentó nueva invaginación; se realizó reducción manual quirúrgica. Se encontró una invaginación ileocólica con un remanente apendicular intracecal actuando como cabeza invaginante. Se reseco remanente y se envió a biopsia. Conclusiones: La invaginación intestinal recurrente se asocia a factores anatómicos desencadenantes, por lo cual al presentar recurrencias se debe tener en consideración una posible causa orgánica, ante lo cual se recomienda el tratamiento quirúrgico.

Introduction: Intussusception is an idiopathic pathology that accounts for 95 percent of cases found; the remaining 5 percent is caused by some triggering events. Recurrences occur in 7 to 12 percent of cases and are associated with multiple causes. The aim of this research is to present the case of a patient with recurrent intussusception and analyze the cause of the recurrence. Case report: The patient was a 16 month-old male infant with a history of first episode of intussusception surgery at 4 months old. His second intussusception episode took place at 9 months of age, which was treated with pneumatic reduction process; at 16 months of age he presented his third episode, which was treated with hydrostatic reduction process. 8 hours post procedure, the patient had a new intussusception condition and surgical manual reduction was performed. Ileocolic intussusception was found with an appendiceal intrathecal remnant acting as the invaginating head. Remnant was removed and sent for biopsy. Conclusions: Recurrent intussusception is associated with triggering anatomical factors; therefore, in the case of recurrences, a possible organic cause should be considered and surgical treatment is recommended.

Prueba de caminata en seis minutos en sujetos chilenos sanos de 20 a 80 años / Reference values for the 6-minutes walking test in healthy subjects 20-80 years old

Background: The six minute walking distance test (6MWD) is widely used to evaluate exercise capacity in several diseases due to its simplicity and low cost. Aim: To establish reference values for 6MWD in healthy Chilean individuals. Material and methods: We studied 175 healthy volunteers aged 20-80 years (98 women) with normal spirometry and without history of respiratory, cardiovascular or other diseases that could impair walking capacity. The test was performed twice with an interval of 30 min. Heart rate, arterial oxygen saturation (with a pulse oxymeter) and dyspnea were measured before and after the test. Results: Walking distance was 576 ± 87 m in women and 644 ± 84 m in men (p < 0.0001). For each sex, a model including age, height and weight produced 6MWD prediction equations with a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.63 for women and 0.55 for men. Conclusions: Our results provide reference equations for 6MWD that are valid for healthy subjects between 20 and 80 years old.

[Reference values for the 6-minutes walking test in healthy subjects 20-80 years old]. / Prueba de caminata en seis minutos en sujetos chilenos sanos de 20 a 80 años.

BACKGROUND: the six minute walking distance test (6MWD) is widely used to evaluate exercise capacity in several diseases due to its simplicity and low cost. AIM: to establish reference values for 6MWD in healthy Chilean individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: we studied 175 healthy volunteers aged 20-80 years (98 women) with normal spirometry and without history of respiratory, cardiovascular or other diseases that could impair walking capacity. The test was performed twice with an interval of 30 min. Heart rate, arterial oxygen saturation (with a pulse oxymeter) and dyspnea were measured before and after the test. RESULTS: walking distance was 576 ± 87 m in women and 644 ± 84 m in men (p < 0.0001). For each sex, a model including age, height and weight produced 6MWD prediction equations with a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.63 for women and 0.55 for men. CONCLUSIONS: our results provide reference equations for 6MWD that are valid for healthy subjects between 20 and 80 years old.

[Refractory dermatomyositis associated with chronic organizing pneumonia treated with rituximab: report of one case]. / Dermatomiositis refractaria asociada a neumonía en organización tratada con rituximab: reporte de un caso.

Chronic organizing pneumonia (COP) has often been reported as a pulmonary manifestation of collagen vascular diseases, mainly rheumatoid arthritis, but the association of COP and dermatomyositis (DM) has rarely been documented. We report a 55 year-old woman with well-documented DM and a COP. She was refractory to steroids and two other immunosuppressive agents therapy (cyclophosphamide and azathioprine). Therefore, rituximab (2 x 1 g infusions) was used for treatment. During the following weeks her strength gradually increased while creatine kinase (CK), C reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate normalized. After 6 months, she had a relapse with increased muscle enzymes, fever and moderate muscle weakness. After a second course of rituximab (2 x 1 g infusions), the patient demonstrated a remarkable clinical response as indicated by an increase in muscle strength and moderate decline in creatine kinase levels. Lung abnormalities resolved significantly on high resolution chest CT scan. Thus, B-cell depletion therapy with rituximab used alone or in combination with other immunosuppressants may be a viable option in patients with polymyositis-dermatomyositis and pneumonia refractory to current therapies.

Uso de sustituto dérmico en niños con secuelas de quemaduras: tres casos clínicos / Dermis cutaneous substitute for burn sequel: 3 case-reports

Background: In COANIQUEM, burn sequel ambulatory reconstructive surgeries in paediatric patients are performed during their rehabilitation treatments. One of these surgeries is the traditional technique of post burn contracture release and split-thickness skin grafting. A new alternative has been the appearance of a dermis substitute (Integra, Dermal Regeneration Template). There is no previous experience in Chile with this artificial skin applied in children with burn sequel. Objective: Evaluate the ambulatory utilization of this dermis substitute in paediatric patients with burn sequel and their evolution during two years. Case-reports: Surgeries carried out during 2004 in three patients 9 to 13 years-old, with upper extremity esthetic - functional sequel. 24 months after surgery, a life- quality test (BSHS) and a rehabilitation protocol were applied. Results: There were no surgical complications in the three patients; the grafting attachment percentage varied between 75 and 100 percent. All of them needed compression therapy for 13 months. The elasticity and folding were similar to normal skin two years after evolution, with absence of fibrosis and graft contraction. BSHS was favourable. One case presented mild infection. Conclusion: Dermis cutaneous substitute Integra constitutes a good treatment alternative and its ambulatory use is possible without surgical complications.

Introducción: En COANIQUEM se realizan cirugías reconstructivas de secuelas de quemaduras en forma ambulatoria, en pacientes pediátricos durante su tratamiento de rehabilitación. Una de estas cirugías es la técnica tradicional del desbridamiento más injerto dermo-epidérmico. Una nueva alternativa ha sido la aparición del sustituto dérmico Integra (Dermal Regeneration Témplate). En Chile, no existe experiencia con este sustituto dérmico aplicado en forma ambulatoria en niños con secuelas de quemaduras. Objetivo: evaluar la utilización de un sustituto dérmico en forma ambulatoria, en pacientes pediátricos con secuelas de quemadura y su evolución a dos años plazo. Casos clínicos: cirugías realizadas durante 2004 en tres pacientes de 9 a 13 años de edad, con secuelas estético-funcionales de extremidad superior. Se aplicó protocolo de evaluación de rehabilitación a 24 meses y administración de test de calidad de vida (BSHS). Resultados: No hubo complicaciones quirúrgicas en los tres pacientes; el porcentaje de prendimiento varió entre 75 y 100 por ciento. Todos requirieron presoterapia por 13 meses. La elasticidad y plegabilidad fue similar a la piel normal a los dos años de evolución, con ausencia de fibrosis y contracción del injerto. BSHS resultó favorable. Hubo presencia de infección leve en un caso. Conclusión: El sustituto dérmico Integra® es una buena alternativa de tratamiento y es posible su uso en forma ambulatoria sin mayores complicaciones quirúrgicas.

Dermatomiositis refractaria asociada a neumonía en organización tratada con rituximab: Reporte de un caso / Refractory dermatomyositis associated with chronic organizing pneumonia treated with rituximab: Report of one case

Chronic organizing pneumonia (COP) has often been reported as a pulmonary manifestation of collagen vascular diseases, mainly rheumatoid arhritis, but the association of COP and dermatomyositis (DM) has rarely been documented. We report a 55 year-old woman with well-documented DM and a COP. She was refractory to steroids and two other immunosuppressive agents therapy (cyclophosphamide and azathioprine). Therefore, rituximab (2 x 1 g infusions) was used for treatment. During the following weeks her strength gradually increased while creatine kinase (CK), C reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate normalized. After 6 months, she had a relapse with increased muscle enzymes, fever and modérate muscle weakness. After a second course of rituximab (2 x 1 g infusions), the patient demonstrated a remarkable clinical response as indicated by an increase in muscle strength and moderate decline in creatine kinase levels. Lung abnormalities resolved significantly on high resolution chest CT sean. Thus, B-cell depletion therapy with rituximab used alone or in combination with other immunosuppressants may be a viable option in patients with polymyositis-dermatomyositis and pneumonia refractory to current therapies.

Neumonía grave por Streptococcus pyogenes: reporte de un caso / Community-acquired pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pyogenes: report of one case

During the past two decades there has been a resurgence ofinvasive group A streptococcal (GAS) infection, specially pneumonia and bacteremia. We report a 35 year-old female previously subjected to a thyroidectomy for a thyroid cáncer, that five days after operation, presented with a severe community-acquired pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (Lancefield Group A Streptococcus) that was complicated by acute respiratory failure and septic shock. She was treated with a combination of 3 g/day of cefotaxime and 1.8 g/day of clindamycin with a good clinical response and discharged from the hospital in good conditions. Although this microorganism is an uncommon cause of community-acquired pneumonia, previously healthy individuals may be infected and the clinical course may be fulminant. Patients with invasive GAS infection admitted to ICU have a high mortality rate. Treatment of choice of Group A streptococcal infection is penicillin. However, clindamycin should be added in severe infections.

Compromiso pleural en la leucemia de células plasmáticas: reporte de un caso / Pleural effusion in plasma cell leukemia: a case report

Multiple myeloma is a low malignant, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which is characterized by infiltration of the bone marrow by clonal proliferation of atypical plasma cells. Extramedullary manifestations are relatively rare. Serous effusions in multiple myeloma are uncommon (6 percent of cases) but a myelomatous pleural effusion occurring in these patients is extremely rare. Plasma cell leukemia, occurring either de novo or in patients with long standing multiple myeloma, is the least common type of plasma cell dyscrasia. The authors describe the course of plasma cellular leukemia in a 63-year-old male patient where the first manifestation of the disease was a bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia and a contralateral pleural exudate with a cytological finding of plasma cells. The exudate disappeared after the first cycle of chemotherapy (vincristine, adriamycin, dexamethasone). After the third cycle of chemotherapy remission of the disease was recorded which was, however, short. After three months' remission the disease recurred, consequently underwent autologous bone marrow transplantation. The patient has maintained complete remission for 12 months after diagnosis. Pleural effusion is an unusual but important complication of multiple myeloma and does not necessarily carry the grave prognosis implied in previous reports.

El mieloma múltiple es una neoplasia maligna de células plasmáticas que invade la médula ósea y otros tejidos. Las manifestaciones extramedulares son relativamente raras. El derrame pleural en el mieloma múltiple es poco frecuente (6 por ciento de los casos), y el derrame pleural neoplásico es extremadamente raro. La leucemia de células plasmáticas, que se produce de novo o en pacientes con mieloma múltiple, es la variedad menos común de discrasia de células plasmáticas. Los autores describen el cuadro clínico de un paciente de 63 años con leucemia de células plasmáticas, donde la primera manifestación de la enfermedad fue una neumonía neumocócica bacteriémica asociado a un derrame pleural contralateral, que correspondió a un exudado predominio mononuclear. El examen citológico reveló abundantes células plasmáticas inmaduras en el líquido pleural y la sangre periférica. El derrame pleural desapareció después del primer ciclo de quimioterapia (vincristina, adriamicina, dexametasona). Después de tres meses de remisión, la enfermedad neoplásica recidivó, siendo el paciente sometido a trasplante autólogo de médula ósea. El paciente se ha mantenido en remisión completa un año después del diagnóstico. El derrame pleural es una complicación poco común, pero importante, del mieloma múltiple y no necesariamente conlleva un mal pronóstico.

[Six minutes walk for the assessment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]. / La prueba de caminata en seis minutos en la evaluación de la capacidad de ejercicio en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica.

Exercise capacity can be evaluated in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), measuring the distance that patients are able to walk in 6 minutes (six-minute walk distance test; 6WDT). This test is simple to perform, inexpensive, reproducible and safe. It has been frequently employed for the assessment of COPD patients due to its high prognostic value of mortality and its usefulness to evaluate long-term of therapeutic interventions. In severe stages of the disease, the declining results of the best are useful to detect worsening. This review describes the method, standardization and reference values for the 6WDY and the results obtained with different therapeutic interventions, based on data from the literature and from the authors' experience. We also review its predictive value for mortality and its value in the assessment of patients with more severe COPD.

La prueba de caminata en seis minutos en la evaluación de la capacidad de ejercicio en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica / Six minutes walk for the assessment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Exercise capacity can be evaluated in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), measuring the distance that patients are able to walk in 6 minutes (six-minute walk distance test; 6WDT). This test is simple to perform, inexpensive, reproducible and safe. It has been frequently employed for the assessment of COPD patients due to its high prognostic valué of mortality and its usefulness to evalúate long-term of therapeutic interventions. In severe stages of the disease, the declining results of the best are useful to detect worsening. This review describes the method, standardization and reference valúes for the 6WDY and the results obtained with different therapeutic interventions, based on data from the literature and from the authors experíence. We also review its predictive valué for mortality and its valué in the assessment of patients with more severe COPD.

Enfermedad pulmonar difusa asociada al consumo de tabaco / Smoking related interstitial lung disease: case report

The relationship between cigarette smoke and interstitial lung diseases (ILD) is not clear. Respiratory bronchiolitis (RB), usually found as an incidental histologic abnormality in otherwise asymptomatic smokers, is characterized by the accumulation of cytoplasmic golden-brown-pigmented macrophages within respiratory bronchioles. A small proportion of smokers have a more exaggerated response that, in addition to the bronchiole-centered lesions, provokes interstitial and air spaces inflammation and fibrosis extending to the nearby alveoli. This set of histologic changes is called RB-ILD, and it results in clinical symptoms. Desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP) is characterized by panlobular involvement, diffuse mild-to-moderate interstitial fibrosis, and massive alveolar filling with macrophages. It is well known that the histopathologic patterns of RB-IID and DIP may overlap, and that the key features for differentiating these disorders are the distribution and the extent of the lesions: bronchiolocentric in RB-IID and diffuse in DIP. It has been proposed that RB, RB-IID and DIP may be different components of the same histopathologic disease spectrum, representing various degrees of severity of the same process caused by chronic smoking, although this is still controversial. To illustrate the problem, we present the clinical case of a heavy-smoker patient with progressive dyspnea and radiographic pulmonary infiltrates suggesting of smoking related interstitial lung disease.

La enfermedad pulmonar difusa asociada al consumo de tabaco no ha sido claramente definida, la bronquiolitis respiratoria (RB) es un hallazgo morfológico frecuente en fumadores asintomáticos, se caracteriza por la acumulación de macrófagos pigmentados en los bronquiolos respiratorios. Sólo una pequeña proporción de los sujetos fumadores presenta una respuesta inflamatoria exagerada que compromete el intersticio y espacio alveolar, lo cual corresponde a la bronquiolitis respiratoria asociada a enfermedad pulmonar difusa (RBIID), que se manifiesta por disnea de esfuerzos y tos. La neumonía intersticial descamativa (DIP) se caracteriza por compromiso panlobular, fibrosis intersticial discreta e infiltración masiva del espacio aéreo por macrófagos. El patrón histopatológico de RBIID y DIP se pueden sobreponer, siendo los principales elementos diferenciadores entre ambas entidades, la distribución y extensión de las lesiones: compromiso bronquiolo-céntrico en RBIID y difuso en DIP. Se ha planteado que la RB, RBIID y DIP pueden constituir diferentes fases de una misma enfermedad asociada al consumo de tabaco, lo cual aún es motivo de controversia. Con el propósito de ilustrar este problema, se presenta el caso clínico de un paciente fumador que consultó por disnea progresiva, tos e infiltrados pulmonares bilaterales sugerentes de enfermedad pulmonar difusa asociada al tabaquismo.

[Impact of infectious diseases specialist evaluation on the rational use of antibiotics in patients with Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia]. / Impacto de la evaluación infectológica en el uso racional de antimicrobianos en pacientes con bacteriemia por Streptococcus pneumoniae.

The increasing reporting of Streptococcus pneumoniae resistance to penicillin has lead to the recommendation of third generation cephalospirins for the treatment of serious pneumococcal infections. As a consequence, clinicians usually do not prescribe first line antibiotics despiste the availability of susceptibility studies. Whit the aim to evaluate the impact of the infectious diseases specialist evaluation in the apropriate use oh the susceptibility studies, two series were compared: a historic control one (1998-2002, n = 50) and a prospectuve group that had the advisement of one infectious diseases specialist (2003-2006, n = 60). In both series, pneumonia stood out as the source of the bacteremia, and -alcoholism/hepatic insufficiency as associated factor. In the first series, 48 isolates resulted susceptible to penicillin by agar diffusion, and 1 out of 36 patients with pneumonia had a change in the antibiotic therapy to penicillin. In the prospective series, we found 56 susceptible isolates, and the remaining four were classified as intermediate susceptibility according to the MIC value. Antibiotics were changed in 36 out of 50 patients with bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia (p < 0.05). The infectious diseases specialist evaluation had a positive impact on the use of the microbiological information for therapeutics purposes.

Impacto de la evaluación infectológica en el uso racional de antimicrobianos en pacientes con bacteriemia por Streptococcus pneumoniae / Impact of infectious diseases specialist evaluation on the rational use of antibiotics in patients with Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia

The increasing reporting of Streptococcus pneumoniae resistance to penicillin has lead to the recommendation of third generation cephalospirins for the treatment of serious pneumococcal infections. As a consequence, clinicians usually do not prescribe first line antibiotics despiste the availability of susceptibility studies. Whit the aim to evaluate the impact of the infectious diseases specialist evaluation in the apropriate use oh the susceptibility studies, two series were compared: a historic control one (1998-2002, n = 50) and a prospectuve group that had the advisement of one infectious diseases specialist (2003-2006, n = 60). In both series, pneumonia stood out as the source of the bacteremia, and -alcoholism/hepatic insufficiency as associated factor. In the first series, 48 isolates resulted susceptible to penicillin by agar diffusion, and 1 out of 36 patients with pneumonia had a change in the antibiotic therapy to penicillin. In the prospective series, we found 56 susceptible isolates, and the remaining four were classified as intermediate susceptibility according to the MIC value. Antibiotics were changed in 36 out of 50 patients with bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia (p < 0.05). The infectious diseases specialist evaluation had a positive impact on the use of the microbiological information for therapeutics purposes.

La descripción creciente de Streptococcus pneu-moniae resistente a penicilina, ha llevado a la recomendación de emplear cefalosporinas de tercera generación para el tratamiento de las infecciones neumo-cócicas graves. Como consecuencia, los médicos clínicos no prescriben, usualmente, antimicrobianos de primera línea, a pesar de disponer de estudios de susceptibilidad in vitro. Con el propósito de evaluar el impacto de la asesoría del infectólogo para el uso adecuado de los estudios de susceptibilidad, se compararon dos series: un control histórico (1998-2002, n = 50) y un grupo prospectivo en que sí hubo asesoría infectológica (2003-2006, n = 60). En ambas series, la neumonía fue el foco principal de bacteriemia y alcoholismo/falla hepática los factores asociados más frecuentes. En el primer grupo, 48 aislados resultaron susceptibles a penicilina por prueba de difusión en agar y en uno de 36 pacientes con neumonía, se efectuó cambio en la terapia antimicrobiana a bencilpeni-cilina. En el grupo prospectivo, hubo 56 cepas susceptibles y las cuatro restantes fueron clasificadas como de susceptibilidad intermedia, de acuerdo con los valores de CIM. Se cambió de antimicrobiano en 36 de 50 pacientes con neumonía neumocóccica bacteriémica (p < 0,05). La evaluación hecha por el infectólogo tuvo un impacto positivo en el uso de información micro-biológica con fines terapéuticos.

Conducto arterioso en el prematuro / Arterioso Conduit in the premature one

Revisa bibliografía actualizada sobre la persisistencia del conducto arterios en el prematuro, así como las posibilidades de su tratamiento. En la Unidad Intensiva del Hospital "Carlos Andrade Marín", en el año de 1997, hubo 40 casos de la patología en niños prematuros de distinta severidad, en ellos hubo problemas concomitantes, como la enfermedad de membrana hialina pulmonar. Recibieron como tratamiento indometacina en unos casos y cirugía en otros. La presente comunicación, reporta los resultados alcanzados con cada uno de ellos y propone, algunas recomendaciones para mejorar, en nuestro medio, la eficiencia y eficacia de cada uno de ellos, en un grupo de niños de muy alto riesgo, como son los prematuros...

La Organización mundial de la Salud y el control de la tuberculosis / WHO role in the programme of tuberculosis control in the world

A brief history of the tuberculosis control programme is described. The basic issues of the programme, like BCG vaccination and case-finding are analyzed and the role of the specific Expert Commitiee is pointed out. Special emphasis on the task of PAHO and the chilean participation was considered very important. The relationship between tuberculosis and HIV infection and AIDS is underlined as an emergent and relevant aspect of the epidemiological situation of tuberculosis, a real problem in the future