Serie de paciente con escabiosis tratados con azufre precipitado al 6% / Series of patient with scabies treated with 6% precipitated sulfur

OBJETIVOS: reportar los resultados de la estrategia que incluye "el tratamiento tópico con azufre precipitado al 6% sumado a medidas no farmacológicas" en la población de Villa Verde, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina. MÉTODOS: Serie de casos tratados entre Marzo de 2007 y marzo de 2008 de una muestra de conveniencia integrada por toda la población con signos y síntomas sugestivos de escabiosis durante dicho período. RESULTADOS: Fueron incluidos 161 pacientes, pero sólo se pudo realizar la evaluación completa en 110 de ellos (68,3%). De éstos, 74 se encontraba curado a los 15 días de iniciado el tratamiento y otros 23, al mes, lo que implica una tasa global de curación de 88%. Sólo 12,7% de la muestra evaluada presentó efectos adversos. El 20% de los encuestados percibió la intervención como de bajo costo, el 32,6 de costo moderado y el 47,5 alto. El autorreporte de adherencia al tratamiento farmacológico fue de 95% y del no farmacológico, 96%. CONCLUSIONES: Estos resultados contribuyen a avalar una estrategia terapéutica ampliamente utilizada en nuestro medio (por su bajo precio y amplia disponibilidad), que por el momento posee escasa evidencia científica y es utilizada por motivos fundamentalmente empíricos.

OBJECTIVES: Report the results of the strategy that includes "the topical treatment with precipitated sulfur at 6% plus non-pharmacological measures" in the population of Villa Verde, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina. METHODS: A series of cases treated between March 2007 and March 2008 of a sample of convenience integrated by the entire population with signs and symptoms suggestive of scabies during this period. RESULTS: A total of 161 patients were included, but only 110 of them could complete the complete evaluation (68.3%). Of these, 74 were cured 15 days after starting treatment and another 23, a month, which implies an overall cure rate of 88%. Only 12.7% of the sample evaluated had adverse effects. 20% of respondents perceived the intervention as low cost, 32.6 moderate cost and 47.5 high. Self-reported adherence to pharmacological treatment was 95% and non-pharmacological self-report was 96%. CONCLUSIONS: These results contribute to endorse a therapeutic strategy widely used in our environment (due to its low price and wide availability), which at the moment has little scientific evidence and is used for fundamentally empirical reasons.

Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever: clinical and epidemiological studies of 165 cases.

Epidemiological and clinical data are presented on 165 cases of Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever (VHF), a newly emerging viral zoonosis caused by Guanarito virus (of the family Arenaviridae). The disease is endemic in a relatively circumscribed area of central Venezuela. Since its first recognition in 1989, the incidence of VHF has peaked each year between November and January, during the period of major agricultural activity in the region of endemicity. The majority of cases have involved male agricultural workers. Principal symptoms among the patients with VHF included fever, malaise, headache, arthralgia, sore throat, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, convulsions, and a variety of hemorrhagic manifestations. The majority of patients also had leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. The overall fatality rate among the 165 cases was 33.3%, despite hospitalization and vigorous supportive care.