The adjuvant effect of oil-based gastric lavage on the outcome of acute Aluminum phosphide poisoning: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Aluminum Phosphide (AlP) poisoning constituted the most common cause of poisoning death in some low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oil-based gastric lavage (GL) compared with standard therapy for the treatment of AlP poisoning. Materials and methods. This systematic review complied with "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses" (PRISMA) Protocols. A comprehensive search was carried out, identifying randomized controlled trials (RCTs), including anyone presenting within 6 h of exposure to AlP, and the administration of GL with oils, including liquid paraffin or coconut oil. Results: We identified 7 RCTs. The evidence from 4 RCTs indicates that GL with paraffin oil is an effective treatment for acute AlP poisoning, decreasing the mortality rate (RR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.48 to 0.81; participants = 226; I 2 = 10%; low-quality evidence). We estimate the Number Needed to Treat of 4. Likewise, this intervention reduces the need for intubation and mechanical ventilation (RR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.40 to 0.79; I2 = 0%; low-quality evidence). Regarding GL with coconut oil, the evidence from 4 RCTs, indicates a slight reduction in mortality (RR = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.69 to 0.98; participants = 112; I2 = 0%; very low-quality evidence). Conclusions: Limited evidence suggests that GL with paraffin oil is effective in reducing the mortality rate. Likewise, limited evidence showed in favor of paraffin oil concerning the need for intubation and mechanical ventilation. Very limited evidence suggests that GL with coconut oil could reduce mortality. Both interventions would have a benign safety profile.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of cytisine for the treatment of smoking cessation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Smoking is considered the main cause of preventable death world-wide. This study aimed to review the efficacy and safety of cytisine for smoking cessation. METHODS: This review included an exhaustive search of databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in health centers of any level with smokers of any age or gender investigating the effects of cytisine at standard dosage versus placebo, varenicline or nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). RESULTS: We identified 12 RCTs. Eight RCTs compared cytisine with placebo at the standard dose covering 5922 patients, 2996 of whom took cytisine, delivering a risk ratio (RR) of 2.25 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.42-3.56; I2  = 88%; moderate-quality evidence]. The greater intensity of behavioral therapy was associated directly with the efficacy findings (moderate-quality evidence). The confirmed efficacy of cytisine was not evidenced in trials conducted in low- and middle-income countries. We estimate a number needed to treat (NNT) of 11. Two trials compared the efficacy of cytisine versus NRT, and the combination of both studies yields modest results in favor of cytisine. Three trials compared cytisine with varenicline, without a clear benefit for cytisine. Meta-analyses of all non-serious adverse events in the cytisine group versus placebo groups yielded a RR of 1.24 (95% CI = 1.11-1.39; participants = 5895; studies = 8; I2 = 0%; high-quality evidence). CONCLUSIONS: Cytisine increases the chances of successful smoking cessation by more than twofold compared with placebo and has a benign safety profile, with no evidence of serious safety concerns. Limited evidence suggests that cytisine may be more effective than nicotine replacement therapy, with modest cessation rates.

Expansión de la distribución de escorpiones del género Tityus C. L. Koch 1836 en Argentina: Implicancias sanitarias / Expansion of the distribution of scorpions of the genus Tityus C. L. Koch 1836 in Argentina: Implications in public health

Se ha observado la presencia de especies de Tityus en diferentes regiones del país, en las cuales su presencia no había sido comunicada previamente: 1- Tityus bahiensis en las provincias de Entre Ríos y Buenos Aires, en esta última en la localidad de Lanús y en San Clemente del Tuyú, y 2- Tityus confluens en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA) y en la provincia de Buenos Aires en las localidades de Pilar, La Plata, Mar del Plata y Bahía Blanca. Estos hallazgos modifican el mapa de la distribución de escorpiones de importancia sanitaria en Argentina por lo que ante la picadura de escorpiones deben considerarse estos nuevos hallazgos. Esto es especialmente importante en el ámbito de la CABA y la provincia de Buenos Aires, en donde la enorme mayoría de los accidentes por escorpiones han sido causados por T. trivittatus y en donde ahora, al menos en algunas de sus regiones se pueden encontrar T. confluens y T. bahiensis. Se discuten posibles razones de esta nueva distribución así como la ocurrencia de accidentes graves en zonas donde no ocurrían históricamente y de sus posibles causas. En base a los casos graves producidos en los últimos tiempos y a este nuevo mapa de distribución, se hace énfasis en la necesidad de capacitación al personal de salud en general y de los médicos de guardia y terapistas en particular, para tratar adecuadamente los accidentes por escorpiones.

Several species of Tityus have been described in regions of Argentina where their presence had not been previously described. These are: 1- Tityus bahiensis in the provinces of Entre Ríos and Buenos Aires (in the localities of Lanús and San Clemente del Tuyú), and 2- Tityus confluens in the city of Buenos Aires and in the province of Buenos Aires in the localities of Pilar, La Plata, Mar del Plata and Bahía Blanca. These findings modify the distribution map of scorpions of sanitary importance in Argentina, reason for which this new distribution must be considered when facing a scorpion sting. This is especially important in the city of Buenos Aires and the province of Buenos Aires, where most of the accidents by scorpions are caused by Tityus trivittatus, and where at least in some of their regions, T. confluens or T. bahiensis can be found at present. The possible reasons of this new distribution, as well as the possible causes for the occurrence of severe envenomations in regions where these were not observed historically, are discussed. Based on the severe envenomations observed and on this new distribution map, emphasis is placed on the need to capacitate health personnel in general and intensivists or critical care physicians in particular to adequately treat scorpion accidents.

Ingesta de cáusticos alcalinos: intoxicación frecuente y prevenible, con secuelas graves / Caustic alkali intake: Frequent and preventable poisoning with serious consequences

Las sustancias cáusticas son productos químicos capaces de provocar lesiones de diferente gravedad, según sea la concentración del producto, el tiempo de contacto y la vía de ingreso. La exposición es habitual por tratarse de productos utilizados en el hogar como destapacañerías y/o limpiahornos. Los cáusticos alcalinos producen necrosis por licuefacción de los tejidos. La ingesta causa edema, ulceraciones, sangrado, placas blanquecinas e intensa actividad fibroblástica con cicatrización en tres semanas. El esófago se afecta más que el estómago, en especial cuando se trata de productos sólidos o en escamas. La secuela observada es la estenosis esofágica, la cual puede requerir desde procedimientos de dilatación hasta cirugía de reemplazo, con alta morbilidad. El objetivo del trabajo es presentar tres casos clínicos y sus complicaciones a largo plazo; recordar el manejo inicial del paciente que ingiere cáusticos alcalinos, su seguimiento multidisciplinario y resaltar las medidas de prevención para evitar este tipo de accidentes graves.

Caustic are chemical substances capable of causing different degree of lesions, according to the product concentration, the time and the route of contact. The usual exposure is because of their use as household products such as drain openers and oven cleaners. Caustic alkalis produce tissue liquefaction necrosis. Ingestion causes edema, ulceration, bleeding, whitish plaques and intense fibroblastic activity with healing in three weeks. The esophagus is more affected than the stomach, especially when solids are involved. The observed sequel is esophageal stricture, requiring treatments as dilation or replacement surgery, with high morbilidad. The aim of the paper is to report three clinical cases and their long-term complications; review the initial management of patients who ingested caustic alkali, highlighting its multidisciplinary monitoring and prevention measures to avoid such serious accidents.

[Toxic nephropathy secondary to occupational exposure to metallic mercury]. / Nefropatía membranosa secundaria a exposición laboral con mercurio metálico.

Toxic nephrophaties secondary to occupational exposure to metals have been widely studied, including membranous nephropathy by mercury, which is rare. Occupational poisoning by mercury is frequent, neurological symptoms are the main form of clinical presentation. Secondary renal involvement in chronic exposure to metallic mercury can cause glomerular disease by deposit of immune-complexes. Membranous glomerulopathy and minimal change disease are the most frequently reported forms. Here we describe the case of a patient with occupational exposure to metallic mercury, where nephrotic syndrome due to membranous glomerulonephritis responded favorably to both chelation and immunosuppressive therapy.

Nefropatía membranosa secundaria a exposición laboral con mercurio metálico

Las nefropatías tóxicas secundarias a la exposición ocupacional a metales han sido ampliamente estudiadas. La nefropatía membranosa por mercurio es poco frecuente.La intoxicación ocupacional con mercurio sí es frecuente, siendo las principales formas de presentación las manifestaciones clínicas neurológicas. La afectación renal secundaria a la exposición crónica a mercurio metálico puede desarrollar enfermedad glomerular por depósito de inmunocomplejos. La glomerulopatía membranosa y a cambios mínimos son las más frecuentemente comunicadas.Se presenta el caso de un paciente con exposición ocupacional a mercurio metálico, con síndrome nefrótico y biopsia renal con glomerulopatía membranosa que presentó respuesta favorable luego del tratamiento quelante e inmunosupresor.

Toxic nephrophaties secondary to occupational exposure to metals have been widely studied, including membranous nephropathy by mercury, which is rare. Occupational poisoning by mercury is frequent, neurological symptoms are the main form of clinical presentation. Secondary renal involvement in chronic exposure to metallic mercury can cause glomerular disease by deposit of immune-complexes. Membranous glomerulopathy and minimal change disease are the most frequently reported forms. Here we describe the case of a patient with occupational exposure to metallic mercury, where nephrotic syndrome due to membranous glomerulonephritis responded favorably to both chelation and immunosuppressive therapy.

Nefropatía membranosa secundaria a exposición laboral con mercurio metálico

Las nefropatías tóxicas secundarias a la exposición ocupacional a metales han sido ampliamente estudiadas. La nefropatía membranosa por mercurio es poco frecuente.La intoxicación ocupacional con mercurio sí es frecuente, siendo las principales formas de presentación las manifestaciones clínicas neurológicas. La afectación renal secundaria a la exposición crónica a mercurio metálico puede desarrollar enfermedad glomerular por depósito de inmunocomplejos. La glomerulopatía membranosa y a cambios mínimos son las más frecuentemente comunicadas.Se presenta el caso de un paciente con exposición ocupacional a mercurio metálico, con síndrome nefrótico y biopsia renal con glomerulopatía membranosa que presentó respuesta favorable luego del tratamiento quelante e inmunosupresor.(AU)

Toxic nephrophaties secondary to occupational exposure to metals have been widely studied, including membranous nephropathy by mercury, which is rare. Occupational poisoning by mercury is frequent, neurological symptoms are the main form of clinical presentation. Secondary renal involvement in chronic exposure to metallic mercury can cause glomerular disease by deposit of immune-complexes. Membranous glomerulopathy and minimal change disease are the most frequently reported forms. Here we describe the case of a patient with occupational exposure to metallic mercury, where nephrotic syndrome due to membranous glomerulonephritis responded favorably to both chelation and immunosuppressive therapy.(AU)

Nefropatía membranosa secundaria a exposición laboral con mercurio metálico. / [Toxic nephrophaty secondary to occupational exposure to metallic mercury].

Toxic nephrophaties secondary to occupational exposure to metals have been widely studied, including membranous nephropathy by mercury, which is rare. Occupational poisoning by mercury is frequent, neurological symptoms are the main form of clinical presentation. Secondary renal involvement in chronic exposure to metallic mercury can cause glomerular disease by deposit of immune-complexes. Membranous glomerulopathy and minimal change disease are the most frequently reported forms. Here we describe the case of a patient with occupational exposure to metallic mercury, where nephrotic syndrome due to membranous glomerulonephritis responded favorably to both chelation and immunosuppressive therapy.

Unintentional ingestion of 60% hydrogen peroxide by a six-year-old child.

Ingestion of industrial-strength hydrogen peroxide is rare. Fatal outcomes have been reported with solutions of 35%. We report a six-year-old boy who unintentionally ingested an unknown quantity of hydrogen peroxide with a concentration of 60%. Upon admission to our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit he was intubated and received ventilatory assistance for 48h. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed soon after admission and laparoscopy was performed 24h later. Recovery was satisfactory, and the patient was discharged on day 18 with no evidence of pathological sequelae.

Sindrome nefrotico agudo asociado a sifilis secundaria / Acute nephrotic syndrome associated with secondary syphilis

Se presenta a una paciente de 38 años con síndrome nefrótico y rash cutáneo, sin antecedentes patológicos. Al ingreso presentaba lesiones máculo papulares no pruriginosas en tronco y extremidades de veinte días de evolución, edema bipalpebral bilateral y de miembros inferiores desde la semana previa. El laboratorio informó función renal normal com proteinuria de 10g/día, proteínas séricas de 4.20 g/dl., albúmina 1.78 g/dl., colesterol 334 mg/l, VDRL(+) 1/32 dils, FTA abs.(+), HIV no reactivo, colagenograma normal. Se interpretó el cuadro como síndrome nefrótico asociado a sífilis secundaria y se trató con penicilina, reposo, restricción de sal, observándose buena evolución aún antes de completado el tratamiento y resolución completa después de la tercera semana. La incidencia de compromiso renal asociado a estadios precoces de la sífilis es menor de 0.3 por ciento. Creemos de interés llamar la atención de esta asociación que por ser rara puede pasar inadvertida.

Sindrome nefrotico agudo asociado a sifilis secundaria / Acute nephrotic syndrome associated with secondary syphilis

Se presenta a una paciente de 38 años con síndrome nefrótico y rash cutáneo, sin antecedentes patológicos. Al ingreso presentaba lesiones máculo papulares no pruriginosas en tronco y extremidades de veinte días de evolución, edema bipalpebral bilateral y de miembros inferiores desde la semana previa. El laboratorio informó función renal normal com proteinuria de 10g/día, proteínas séricas de 4.20 g/dl., albúmina 1.78 g/dl., colesterol 334 mg/l, VDRL(+) 1/32 dils, FTA abs.(+), HIV no reactivo, colagenograma normal. Se interpretó el cuadro como síndrome nefrótico asociado a sífilis secundaria y se trató con penicilina, reposo, restricción de sal, observándose buena evolución aún antes de completado el tratamiento y resolución completa después de la tercera semana. La incidencia de compromiso renal asociado a estadios precoces de la sífilis es menor de 0.3 por ciento. Creemos de interés llamar la atención de esta asociación que por ser rara puede pasar inadvertida. (AU)