Reduced bioavailability of oral amoxicillin tablets compared to suspensions in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass bariatric subjects.

AIMS: To evaluate the relative bioavailability of oral amoxicillin (AMX) tablets in comparison to AMX suspension in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass bariatric subjects. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, cross-over study was performed on the bioavailability of oral AMX tablets and suspension in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass subjects operated at least 3 months previously . Doses of 875 mg of the AMX tablet or 800 mg of the AMX suspension were given to all the subjects, allowing a washout of 7 days between the periods. Blood samples were collected at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours after drug administration and the AMX levels were quantified by liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by noncompartmental analysis, normalized to an 875 mg dose and the bioavailability of the AMX from the tablets was compared to that from the suspension formulation. RESULTS: Twenty subjects aged 42.65 ± 7.21 years and with a body mass index of 29.88 ± 4.36 kg/m2 were enrolled in the study. The maximum AMX plasma concentration of the tablets and the suspension (normalized to 875 mg) were 7.42 ± 2.99 mg/L and 8.73 ± 3.26 mg/L (90% confidence interval of 70.71-99.11), and the total area under the curve from time zero to infinity were 23.10 ± 7.41 mg.h/L and 27.59 ± 8.32 mg.h/L (90% confidence interval of 71.25-97.32), respectively. CONCLUSION: The tablets presented a lower bioavailability than the suspension formulation and the total absorbed amount of AMX in these subjects was lower in comparison to the standard AMX absorption rates in nonbariatric subjects, regardless of the formulation.

HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-DRB1 Allele and Haplotype Frequencies in Renal Transplant Candidates in a Population in Southern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Very few studies have examined the diversity of human leukocyte antigens (HLA) in the Brazilian renal transplant candidates. METHODS: The frequencies of the HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-DRB1 alleles, haplotypes and phenotypes were studied in 522 patients with chronic renal failure, renal transplant candidates, registered at the Transplant Centers in north/northwestern Paraná State, southern Brazil. Patients were classified according to the ethnic group (319 whites [Caucasians], 134 mestizos [mixed race descendants of Europeans, Africans, and Amerindians; browns or "pardos"] and 69 blacks). The HLA typing was performed by the polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific oligonucleotide method (PCR-SSO), combined with Luminex technology. RESULTS: In the analysis of the total samples, 20 HLA-A, 32 HLA-B, and 13 HLA-DRB1 allele groups were identified. The most frequent allele groups for each HLA locus were HLA-A*02 (25.4%), HLA-B*44 (10.9%), and HLA-DRB1*13 (13.9%). The most frequent haplotypes were HLA-A*01-B*08-DRB1*03 (2.3%), A*02-B*44-DRB1*07 (1.2%), and A*03-B*07-DRB1*11 (1.0%). Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in the HLA-A*68, B*08, and B*58 allele frequencies among ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first data on the HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-DRB1 allele, phenotype and haplotype frequencies of renal transplant candidates in a population in southern Brazil.

Lack of effect of cell-wall targeted antibacterials on biofilm formation and antifungal susceptibility of Candida species

The use of central venous catheters (CVC) and broad-spectrum antibacterials are among the main risk factors for the development of candidemia in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU). It is known that some antibacterials increase the resistance of these yeasts to azole antifungals. Thus, the aim of this research was to determine whether yeast present in CVC colonizations previously exposed to cell-wall targeted antibacterials benefit from a reduction in susceptibility to fluconazole and voriconazole, facilitating their ability to form biofilms. Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis and C. guilhermondii were seeded into antibacterial (cefepime, meropenem, vancomycin, and piperacillin-tazobactam) gradient plates produced in Mueller-Hinton Agar. The susceptibility to fluconazole and voriconazole and the biofilm formation of the yeasts were tested before and after exposure to the antibacterials. None of the antibacterials exerted a significant effect on the in vitro susceptibility of the yeasts to the antifungal agents or on their ability to form biofilms. These results suggest that increased candidemia in ICU patients is not attributable to possible alterations in the yeasts, but is more likely caused by a weakening of the patient's general condition after long exposure to infection.

O uso de cateter venoso central (CVC) e antibióticos de amplo espectro estão entre os principais fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento da candidemia em pacientes internados em unidades de terapia intensiva (UTI). É conhecido que alguns antibióticos aumentam a resistência das leveduras aos antifúngicos azólicos. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar se leveduras presentes em colonização de CVC expostas a antibióticos que atuam em parede celular se beneficiam de uma redução na suscetibilidade ao fluconazol e voriconazol e se obtêm maior capacidade de formar biofilme. Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata,C. parapsilosis e C. guilhermondii foram semeadas em placas de Mueller-Hinton Agar, com gradientes de antibióticos (cefepima, meropenem, vancomicina e piperacilina-tazobactam). A suscetibilidade e a formação de biofilme das leveduras foram testadas antes e após a exposição aos antibióticos. Nenhum dos antibióticos provocou alterações detectáveis in vitro sobre a suscetibilidade das leveduras aos antifúngicos ou à capacidade de formar biofilme. Estes resultados sugerem que o aumento da candidemia na UTI não seria atribuído a possíveis alterações provocadas nas leveduras e sim pelo enfraquecimento da condição geral do paciente após longa exposição à infecção.

Therapeutic monitoring of vancomycin / Monitorização terapêutica da vancomicina

The present study aimed to characterize admitted patients in a public hospital in the Northwestern region of Paraná State, which were subject to therapeutic monitoring of vancomycin during 2007 and 2008. The data were obtained by a retrospective study of patients' medical records, from where we separated the laboratory results, medical prescriptions, gender, age, and diagnosis of patients submitted to therapeutic monitoring. Of the total of 38 patients, only eight (21.1%) presented serum concentrations within recommended range, varying from 1.3 to 47.9 mg L-1. Concentrations above the reference value were observed in 22 patients (57.9%), and below the reference, in other eight patients (21.1%). The recommended serum concentrations at peak were obtained in only four patients (11.4%), higher than the recommended value in seven patients (20.0%), and lower, in 24 patients (68.6%). Only one patient (2.6%) presented serum concentration within the reference values at both high and low dosages. Therefore, the results evidenced the importance of therapeutic monitoring of vancomycin, individualizing the dose for each patient, and reducing toxic or subtherapeutic effects of this antimicrobial substance

O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar a caracterização dos pacientes internados em um hospital público da região Noroeste do Estado do Paraná que foram submetidos à monitorização terapêutica da vancomicina no período de 2007 a 2008. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de um estudo retrospectivo dos prontuários dos pacientes. Foram separados para este estudo os resultados laboratoriais, prescrições médicas, gênero, idade e diagnóstico dos pacientes que foram submetidos à monitorização terapêutica de vancomicina. Do total de 38 pacientes, em apenas oito (21,1%) as concentrações séricas no vale se encontravam na faixa recomendada variando de 1,3 a 47,9 mg L- 1. Foram observadas concentrações acima do valor de referência em 22 pacientes (57,9%) e concentrações abaixo do valor de referência em outros oito pacientes (21,1%). As concentrações séricas recomendadas no pico foram obtidas em apenas quatro pacientes (11,4%), acima do valor de referência em sete pacientes (20,0%) e abaixo em 24 pacientes (68,6%). Apenas um paciente (2,6%) apresentou o nível sérico de vancomicina dentro do valor de referência em ambas as dosagens de pico e vale. Diante desses dados, confirmamos a necessidade da realização da monitorização terapêutica da vancomicina, individualizando a dose minimizando os efeitos tóxicos ou subterapêuticos do antimicrobiano.

Caracterização epidemiológica dos pacientes atendidos no ambulatório de nefrologia do hospital universitário de Maringá no ano 2004 / Epidemiologic characterization of patients assisted at the nephrology clinic in the Maringá academic hospital in 2004

Atualmente, a doença renal crônica (DRC), apesar da elevada prevalência, da importância clínica e dos elevados gastos com seu controle, é considerada uma patologia subdiagnosticada e subtratada. A hipertensão arterial e o diabetes melitus estão entre as causas mais comuns de DRC. Este trabalho teve como objetivo principal a descrição do perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes atendidos no ambulatório de nefrologia do HUM no ano de 2004. Foram analisados 114 prontuários de pacientes com idade acima de 11 anos. Os resultados mostraram que a maioria dos pacientes era do sexo feminino (63,1%), sendo predominante a faixa etária entre 46 e 60 anos (28,1%) e a raça branca (86,0%). Do total 35,1% dos pacientes apresentaram algum grau de insuficiência renal. Observamos também que a maioria com DRC dos pacientes era hipertensa (62,5%) e diabética (37,5%). Um dado preocupante foi o alto índice de hipertensos não controlados (78,6%), na faixa etária entre 31 e 60 anos. Isto mostra a necessidade de novas formas de abordagem dos pacientes hipertensos para reduzir a morbidade e a mortalidade associadas a este fator de risco entre as pessoas com DRC.

Nowadays, chronic kidney disease (CKD), in spite of its high prevalence, clinical importance, and high expenses concerning its control is considered an underrecognized and undertreated disease. Arterial hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus are among the most common causes of CKD. This paper describes the epidemiologic profile from patients assisted at the Nephrology Clinic in the Maringá Academic Hospital in the year 2004. One hundred fourteen handbooks of patients aged above 11 years old were analyzed. The results showed that most of them were female (63.1%), the 46-60 yr group was predominant (28.1%), as well as White (86.0%). 35.1% presented some degree of renal inadequacy. We also observed that the most of the patients with CKD were hypertensive (62.5%) and diabetic (37.5%). A preoccupying datum was the high level of not-controlled (78.6%) in the 31-60 yr group. This suggests the need for new approaches on hypertensive patients to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with this risk factor among CKD people.

Tratamento laparoscópico dos cateteres de diálise peritoneal obstruídos / Laparoscopic treatment of catheters with obstruction in peritoneal dialisis

The success of peritoneal dialysis in the treatment of patients with chronic renal failure depends on a proper performance of peritoneal catheter. This study shows the experience from the Service of Surgery from Departament of Medicine of State University of Maringá and the Service of Nephrology from Maria Auxiliadora Hospital, Maringá, in the laparoscopic approach of catheters with obstruction

Endotélio e hipertensäo arterial / Endothelium and arterial hypertension

O endolélio exerce papel fundamental na regulaçäo do tônus vascular e da resistência periférica, por meio da síntese e da secreçäo de inúmeros compostos vasoativos. O desarranjo dessa funçäo pode estar envolvido na patogênese da hipertsäo arterial. Neste artigo, revisamos a importância de alguns desses compostos produzidos pelo endotélio, com ênfase especial no papel representado pelo óxido nitríco e nos modelos de hipertensäo arterial baseados na inibiçäo aguda ou crônica de sua biossíntese.