[Bacteremia in patients with liver cirrhosis]. / Bacteriemia en daño hepático crónico.

UNLABELLED: Bacteremic infections are more frequent in patients with cirrhosis, as their immune system is compromised. Series of cirrhotic patients with bacteremia has seldom been reported in Chile. We retrospectively collected, from 2005 to 2008, 59 episodes of bacteremia in cirrhotics representing 9% of the overall number of bacteremic episodes seen in our center in the period. Spontaneous bacteremia accounted for 29% followed by those of pulmonary origin (22%). Grampositive cocci and gramnegative bacilli were responsible in 52% and 48% respectively, however gramnegative rods predominated in nosocomial bacteremias. Overall, the most frequent organisms were Staphylococcus aureus (24%) and Escherichia col i (22%). Mortality in bacteremic patients was significantly higher compared with all cirrhotic patients hospitalized in the period (37.0 vs 9.4%; p < 0.001) and MELD score was significantly correlated with mortality. CONCLUSION: bacteremia is a severe complication of cirrhosis and MELD score could be a useful tool to stratify risk in these patients.

Bacteriemia en daño hepático crónico / Bacteremia in patients with liver cirrhosis

Las infecciones bacteriémicas son más frecuentes en el paciente cirrótico que en la población general. Se identificaron retrospectivamente 59 pacientes cirróticos con bacteriemia, hospitalizados entre los años 2005 y 2008. La bacteriemia sin foco fue la más frecuente (29 por ciento), seguida de aquellas de origen pulmonar (22 por ciento). Cincuenta y dos por ciento de los agentes aislados correspondieron a cocáceas grampositivas y 48 por ciento a bacilos gramnegativos, siendo estos últimos los agentes predominantes en las bacteriemias nosocomiales. Los principales agentes aislados fueron Staphylococcns aureus (24 por ciento) y Escherichia col i (22 por ciento). La mortalidad de los pacientes cirróticos bacteriémicos fue mayor que la del total de cirróticos hospitalizados (37 vs 9,4 por ciento; p < 0,001) y la medición del puntaje de MELD a las 72 horas se correlacionó significativamente con la mortalidad. Conclusión: La bacteriemia es una complicación grave del paciente cirrótico y el MELD podría ser útil en su categorización de riesgo.

Bacteremic infections are more frequent in patients with cirrhosis, as their immune system is compromised. Series of cirrhotic patients with bacteremia has seldom been reported in Chile. We retrospectively collected, from 2005 to 2008, 59 episodes of bacteremia in cirrhotics representing 9 percent of the overall number of bacteremic episodes seen in our center in the period. Spontaneous bacteremia accounted for 29 percent followed by those of pulmonary origin (22 percent). Grampositive cocci and gramnegative bacilli were responsible in 52 percent and 48 percent respectively, however gramnegative rods predominated in nosocomial bacteremias. Overall, the most frequent organisms were Staphylococcus aureus (24 percent) and Escherichia col i (22 percent). Mortality in bacteremic patients was significantly higher compared with all cirrhotic patients hospitalized in the period (37.0 vs 9.4 percent; p < 0.001) and MELD score was significantly correlated with mortality. Conclusion: bacteremia is a severe complication of cirrhosis and MELD score could be a useful tool to stratify risk in these patients.

[Cat scratch disease associated neuroretinitis: clinical report and review of the literature]. / Neuro-retinitis asociada a enfermedad por arañazo de gato: presentación de dos casos y revisión de la literatura.

Cat scratch disease is the main clinical presentation of Bartonella henselae infection. However, ocular manifestations of bartonellosis occur in about 5 to 10% of the patients, mainly presenting as neuroretinitis, choroiditis or oculoglandular syndrome of Parinaud. We describe two patients with documented B. henselae infection and typical ocular compromise. Both patients were treated and had a favorable visual outcome.

Neuro-retinitis asociada a enfermedad por arañazo de gato: Presentación de dos casos y revisión de la literatura / Cat scratch disease associated neuroretinitis: Clinical report and review of the literature

La infección por Bartonella henselae se presenta característicamente con adenopatías regionales y fiebre de intensidad variable, entidad conocida como “enfermedad por arañazo de gato”. Alrededor de 5 a 10 por ciento de los casos desarrolla compromiso ocular, entre los que destacan el síndrome óculo-glandular de Parinaud, la neuro-retinitis y la retino-coroiditis focal. A continuación se presentan dos pacientes con infección aguda por B. henselae y compromiso ocular. Ambos recibieron tratamiento y evolucionaron con recuperación completa de la visión.

Cat scratch disease is the main clinical presentation of Bartonella henselae infection. However, ocular manifestations of bartonellosis occur in about 5 to 10 percent of the patients, mainly presenting as neuroretinitis, choroiditis or oculoglandular syndrome of Parinaud. We describe two patients with documented B. henselae infection and typical ocular compromise. Both patients were treated and had a favorable visual outcome.

Transmission electron microscopy of solution-processed, intrinsic and Al-doped ZnO nanowires for transparent electrode fabrication.

A solution-based chemistry was used to synthesize intrinsic and Al-doped (1% and 5% nominal atomic concentration of Al) ZnO nanostructures. The nanowires were grown at 300 degrees C in trioctylamine by dissolving Zn acetate and Al acetate. Different doping conditions gave rise to different nanoscale morphologies. The effect of a surfactant (oleic acid) was also investigated. An electron microscopy study correlating morphology, aspect ratio and doping of the individual ZnO wires to the electrical properties of the spin coated films is presented. HRTEM revealed single crystalline [0001] wires.

[Listeria monocytogenes: report of a rise in pregnant women and literature review]. / Listeria monocytogenes: Informe de un aumento de casos en mujeres embarazadas y revisión de la literatura.

Listeria monocytogenes, rare pathogen in the general population, causes serious infections in patients at the extreme ages of life, pregnant woman, and those with immunosuppression. The clinical manifestations are essential to suspect the disease in patients at risk, allowing an early prescription of antimicrobial therapy, before the results of the cultures are available. Clinical course and prognosis depends on how early treatment is started and, in pregnant women, the gestational age. In Clínica Alemana, at Santiago, we detected a 15 fold rate rise of neonatal listeriosis between year 2007 and 2008. Ten cases were diagnosed between January and July 2008 and the seven cases occurring in pregnant women are reported here. All these patients were in their first pregnancy, which could be associated with similar lifestyle and food habits. Considering this new epidemiological scenario, it is important to educate the population, and to conduct an epidemiological study in order to determine the national situation of Listeria monocytogenes infection.

Listeria monocytogenes: informe de un aumento de casos en mujeres embarazadas y revisión de la literatura / Listeria monocytogenes: report of a rise in pregnant women and literature review

Listeria monocytogenes, rare pathogen in the general population, causes serious infections in patients at the extreme ages of life, pregnant woman, and those with immunosuppression. The clinical manifestations are essential to suspect the disease in patients at risk, allowing an early prescription of antimicrobial therapy, before the results of the cultures are available. Clinical course and prognosis depends on how early treatment is started and, in pregnant women, the gestational age. In Clínica Alemana, at Santiago, we detected a 15 fold rate rise of neonatal listeriosis between year 2007 and 2008. Ten cases were diagnosed between January and July 2008 and the seven cases occurring in pregnant women are reported here. All these patients were in their first pregnancy, which could be associated with similar lifestyle and food habits. Considering this new epidemiological scenario, it is important to educate the population, and to conduct an epidemiological study in order to determine the national situation of Listeria monocytogenes infection.

Listeria monocytogenes, es un patógeno poco frecuente en la población general, causante de infecciones graves en pacientes en edades extremas de la vida, mujeres embarazadas e inmunodeprimidos. La sospecha de la enfermedad en pacientes de riesgo se basa principalmente en el cuadro clínico, lo que permite iniciar un tratamiento empírico antes de contar con los resultados de los cultivos. La evolución y pronóstico dependen de la precocidad con que se inicia la terapia y de la edad gestacional. En Clínica Alemana de Santiago detectamos un aumento de 15 veces en la tasa de listeriosis comparando el año 2007 con el 2008. Entre enero y julio 2008, se diagnosticaron 10 casos, de los cuales siete fueron en primigestas, lo que podría tener relación con un hábito alimentario y características de vida similar. Es fundamental, a la vista de esta nueva realidad epidemiológica, educar a la población en hábitos alimentarios y de higiene, como también realizar un estudio epidemiológico que determine la situación nacional de infección por L. monocytogenes.

Osteoporosis asociada a indinavir en paciente infectado por virus de inmunodeficiencia humana: comunicación de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Osteoporosis associated to indinavir in an HIV infected patient. case report and review

Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 45 años portador de VIH que desarrolló osteoporosis secundaria a 33 meses de exposición a sulfato de indinavir como parte de su terapia antiretroviral (TAR). Su manejo consistió en alendronato, calcio y vitamina D junto con modificación de su TAR: suspensión de indinavir e inicio de efavirenz. Luego de 16 meses de tratamiento se verificó un incremento en la densidad mineral ósea de 11 por ciento en promedio. No ocurrieron fracturas ni se constató efectos adversos o interacciones medicamentosas. Se revisa la literatura.

Trasplante hepático en adultos: casuística de Clínica Alemana de Santiago / Adult liver transplantation: a single center experience from Chile

Background: The success of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has resulted in its widespread use for different liver diseases. Aim: To report our 8 years experience with adult OLT at Clinica Alemana de Santiago. Patients and methods: In all transplantations done at the center, we recorded patient's overall data and survival, postoperative medical and surgical complications and causes of death. Results: Between November 1993 and September 2001, 51 consecutive OLT were performed in 44 patients (22 females, median age 45 years old). Thirty eight patients presented with chronic and 6 with acute or sub-acute liver failure. Cryptogenic cirrhosis and hepatitis C infection were the most common causes for OLT. Postoperative bleeding and extra-hepatic biliary complications were seen in 17.6 and 21.5 percent of cases respectively. Acute rejection, bacterial infections, CMV infection or disease and post OLT hemodialysis were the most common medical complications (51, 31, 19.6 and 19.6 percent of cases respectively). The overall 1 and 5 years survival rates were 80 percent and 73 percent respectively. Considering exclusively the last 22 OLT performed since January 1999, the 1 year survival rate has improved to 91 percent. Conclusions: Liver transplantation in Chile provides a good long term survival with acceptable morbidity, due to a multidisciplinary approach management. The survival rates have improved over the last few years probably due to better surgical techniques, ICU care and immunosuppression. These overall results are comparable with those from other Centers in developed countries

Histoplasmosis pulmonar / Pulmonary histoplasmosis

Histoplasma capsulatum es un hongo dismórfico de distribución geográfica, que reside en la tierra. Su presencia se favorece en la deposición de pájaros y murciélagos. La infección en humanos es por inhalación de un alto inóculo de esporas. Se presenta el curso clínico de un paciente de 43 años, inmunocompetente, geólogo, quien adquirió la infección al recorrer minas subterráneas en Centroamérica y Perú. El 90 por ciento de las infecciones por Histoplasma spp son asintomáticas, el resto cursa con infección pulmonar o diseminada, aguda o crónica. Su diagnóstico se basa en tests de reacción cutánea, detección de antígenos en sangre u orina, visión directa del agente en muestras clínicas y cultivo. Estos pacientes deben ser tratados con itraconazol o anfotericina B, de acuerdo a la gravedad clínica

Sinusitis complicada / Complicated sinusitis

Se presenta el caso de una paciente boliviana quien acude con el diagnóstico de una osteomielitis de cadera, décima costilla y techo del etmoides, posiblemente secundario a una infección por bacterias anaerobias. Se revisa la evolución y tratamiento y se efectúa una revisión de las etiologías infectológicas que podrían explicar un cuadro de estas características

Polirradiculopatía por citomegalovirus en 2 pacientes con SIDA: tratamiento exitoso con terapia anti retroviral de alto grado de actividad TAAGA / Polyradiculopathy caused by cytomegalovirus in 2 AIDS patients treated successfully with highly active antiretroviral therapy HAART

We report two male patients with AlDS, aged 23 and 30 years old respectively. One was admitted due to a progressive weakness of the left leg and urinary and fecal incontinence. The other was admitted due to a progressive paraparesia without incontinence, but with a severe lumbar pain. In both patients polymerase chain reactions for cytomegalovirus in cerebrospinal fluid were positive. Treatment with ganciclovir, for 21 and 14 days respectively and highly active antiretroviral therapy was started. Both patients experienced recovery of their neurological deficits after 98 and 88 days of therapy, respectively

Acidosis láctica fatal en paciente con síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirido y tratamiento antiretroviral de alto grado de actividad: comunicación de un caso / Fatal lactic acidosis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy: case report

Type B lactic acidosis occurs without any evidence of cellular hypoxia and is associated with the use of drugs or toxins. We report a 36 years old woman with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome that was admitted to the hospital with a severe lactic acidosis. She had been treated with didanosine, stavudine and efavirenz for four months prior to admission. Despite the use of high bicarbonate doses and vasoactive drugs, the patient had a catastrophic evolution and died in shock and multiple organ failure, 68 hours after admission

Tratamiento de la retinitis por citomegalovirus con inyecciones intravítreas de ganciclovir / Treatment of the cytomegalovirus retinitis with intravitreous injections of ganciclovir

Objetivo: Evaluar la eficacia y seguridad de las inyecciones intravítreas de ganciclovir en el tratamiento de mantención de la retinitis por citomegalovirus en pacientes con SIDA. Método: Entre 1995 y 1997 se administraron 319 inyecciones intravítreas de 200 ug de ganciclovir a los 13 ojos de 10 pacientes. Se efectuó un tratamiento de inducción de 2 semanas con ganciclovir intravenoso, seguido de inyecciones intravítreas semanales. Resultados: Se obtuvo estabilización de la retinitis con inyecciones consecutivas en todos los ojos. De los 13 ojos, 2 desarrollaron desprendimiento de retina (15,3 por ciento), uno asociado a un desgarro periférico y el otro sin agujeros visibles. Un ojo desarrolló endoftalmitis (7,6 por ciento). No se observó hemorragia vítrea. La agudeza visual inicial se mantuvo o mejoró en 11 ojos (84,6 por ciento). Conclusiones: Las inyecciones intravítreas de ganciclovir son efectivas para suprimir la retinitis por CMV y para prevenir las recurrencias. Aunque pueden ocurrir complicaciones severas, la visión generalmente se conserva

Resistencia del virus de inmunodeficiencia humano (VIH) a zidovudina (AZT): análisis genotípico en cepas aisladas de pacientes chilenos / Resistance of human immunodeficiency virus (VIH) to zidovudine: genotypic analysis in strains isolated from chilean patients

Background: Resistance of HIV to AZT is the result of mutations in the pol gene that codifies the enzyme reverse transcriptase. Aim: To asses the resistance to antiretroviral drugs in Chhilean patients infected with HIV. Material and methods: The presence of mutations was searched in 22 patients infected with HIV. The emergence or persistence of these mutations was studiend in sequential samples of 19 patients. The presence of the mutation that confers resistance to didanosine (ddi) was studied in those subjects exposed to the drug. Polymerase chain reaction techniques were used to analyze mutations in codons 41, 70 and 215 of the pol gene (resistance to AZT) and the mutation in codon 71 (resistance to DDI). Results: On admission, none of the patients without previous exposure to AZT had drug resistance mutations. Seven of 12 patients (58.3 percent) that had received AZT had mutations in codon 215. In two, they were associated to a mutation in codon 41 and in two, to a mutation in codon 70. After a mean follow up of 14 months, 13 of 15 patients (86 percent) that received AZT had viral strains genotypically resistant to the drug. In nine of these, the resistance was associated with disease progression. None of the 10 patients that received DDI had the mutation in codon 74 that confers resistance to the drug. However, in one of these patients, that never receided AZT, virus with a mutation in codon 215 was detected. Conclusions: A high percentage of patients that have received monotheraphy with AZT have genotypic resistance to the drug. This resistance is associated with clinical and immunological derangement in 70 percent of these subjects