Management of disseminated histoplasmosis in a high-complexity clinic in Cali, Colombia.

Histoplasmosis presents a substantial clinical challenge globally, with a particular prevalence in South America, especially among patients with concurrent Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. Despite itraconazole's established efficacy, investigating alternative therapeutic approaches remains imperative. This is the largest study in our region to date, assessing the effectiveness of the less explored posaconazole treatment. This observational study, conducted at Fundación Valle del Lili (FVL) from 2016 to 2022, encompassed adults with disseminated histoplasmosis. Patients (n = 31) were treated with liposomal amphotericin B as an initial treatment, followed by consolidation treatment with posaconazole or itraconazole. Patients with single-organ cases, those lacking microbiological diagnosis, those who received initial treatment with antifungals other than liposomal Amphotericin B and those with < 6 months follow-up were excluded (Figure 1). Analyses considered population characteristics, treatments, and outcomes. Patients (average age: 45.6; 58.1% female) had common comorbidities (HIV 38.7%, solid organ transplantation 29% and oncologic disease 12.9%). Lungs (48.4%) and lymph nodes (16.1%) were commonly affected. Biopsy (64.5%) was the primary diagnostic method. Initial treatment with liposomal amphotericin B (100%) was given for 14 days on average. Follow-up indicated 71% completion with 19.4% requiring treatment modifications. Notably, 70.9% completed a posaconazole consolidation regimen over 350 days on average. Drug interactions during consolidation (80.6%) were common. No relapses occurred, and three deaths unrelated to histoplasmosis were reported. Traditionally, itraconazole has been the prevalent initial treatment; however, in our cohort, 55.9% of patients received posaconazole as the primary option. Encouragingly, posaconazole showed favorable tolerance and infection resolution, suggesting its potential as an effective and well-tolerated alternative for consolidation treatment. This finding prompts further exploration of posaconazole, potentially leading to more effective patient care and better outcomes.

Histoplasmosis is a critical concern in South America, notably among human immunodeficiency virus patients, leading to high mortality rates. This study, the largest in our region, investigates the effectiveness of posaconazole as an alternative treatment to itraconazole. The results offer the potential for enhanced patient care and improved outcomes.

Primer caso confirmado de brucelosis humana por Brucella melitensis, una zoonosis presente en Colombia / First confirmed case of human brucellosis by Brucella melitensis, a zoonosis present in Colombia

Resumen La brucelosis, principal zoonosis a nivel mundial tiene alta prevalencia en varios países de Latinoamérica. Se asocia con la exposición a ganado infectado por distintas especies del género Brucella. B. melitensis la más virulenta para el humano, causa con frecuencia complicaciones de predominio osteoarticular. En Colombia se cree que la infección por B. melitensis es una entidad ausente, a pesar de su plausibilidad biológica en nuestro contexto; sin embargo, son escasos los estudios sobre su ocurrencia y mínimo el índice de sospecha de la enfermedad, por lo cual creemos está subdiagnosticada. Presentamos el primer caso confirmado de brucelosis por B. melitensis en Colombia en una joven embarazada, con diagnóstico incidental, en quien el análisis retrospectivo de su cuadro clínico alertó sobre puntos clave que pueden impactar en el diagnóstico y tratamiento oportuno de la enfermedad. Se plantean preguntas de prevalencia real de esta entidad en Colombia.

Summary Brucellosis, the principal zoonoses globally is highly prevalent in different countries of Latin America. It is associated with the exposition of livestock infected with different Brucella species, being B. melitensis the most virulent for humans, and frequently causing osteoarticular complications. In Colombia it is believed that B. melitensis infection is an absent entity, despite its biological plausibility in our context; however, there are few studies on its occurrence and a minimum index of suspicion of the disease, which is why we believe it is underdiagnosed. We present the first confirmed case of brucellosis by B. melitensis in Colombia diagnosed in a young pregnant patient, with an incidental diagnosis, in whom a retrospective analysis of her clinical outcome warned of key points that may impact on the diagnosis and timely treatment of the disease. We present several questions surrounding the real prevalence of this entity in Colombia.

Prototheca: A Danger Underwater.

Prototheca wickerhamii rarely causes systemic infection in humans but when it occurs, there are coexisting comorbidities. This case illustrated shows the manifestation of this opportunistic microorganism in an immunosuppressed patient. The patient was successfully treated with Liposomal amphotericin B with complete resolution of the lesions.

Amoxicilina como posible causante de meningitis aséptica: presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Amoxicillin as possible cause of aseptic meningitis: a case report and literature review

Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 71 años, quien desarrolló cefalea en 2 ocasiones relacionada con la exposición a amoxicilina. Se documentó mediante punción lumbar una inflamación linfocítica con cultivos negativos; por tanto, se enfocó como meningitis aséptica y en el contexto clínico de posible origen medicamentoso. Este se ha considerado un diagnóstico de exclusión. Los hallazgos a nivel del líquido cefalorraquídeo son variables; los síntomas y signos de irritación meníngea son menos predominantes. Es importante tener presente este diagnóstico diferencial al haber descartado otras etiologías. Suspender el medicamento sospechoso y realizar un seguimiento estricto del paciente puede evitar que sea abordado mediante procedimientos diagnósticos y tratamientos infructuosos y, en algunos casos, perjudiciales. Dado que es un medicamento de uso frecuente y para múltiples indicaciones, es importante tener presente este efecto colateral.

We present the case of a 71 year-old patient who developed headaches on 2 related occasions upon exposure to amoxicillin. Lumbar puncture revealed lymphocytic inflammation with negative cultures, so the focus was aseptic meningitis in the clinical context of possible drug-induced events. This diagnosis was made by exclusion, and the findings in terms of cerebrospinal fluid were variable; symptoms and signs of meningeal irritation were less prevalent. It is important to consider this differential diagnosis when other etiologies have been ruled out. Stopping the suspected medication and monitoring the patient closely can prevent unnecessary diagnostic procedures and possibly harmful treatments. Since amoxicillin is a commonly used drug for multiple indications, it is important to keep this collateral effect in mind.

Emerging trends in invasive and noninvasive isolates of Streptococcus agalactiae in a Latin American hospital: a 17-year study.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus agalactiae or group B Streptococcus (GBS) has been recognized as a lethal pathogen in neonates worldwide. S. agalactiae infections also severely affect pregnant women and immunosuppressed adults with substantial attributable morbidity and mortality. However, in Latin America, studies on the epidemiology and behaviour of S. agalactiae infections remain limited. METHODS: To better understand the behaviour of S. agalactiae infections in our region, we conducted a retrospective study to phenotypically describe S. agalactiae isolates collected in one of the largest hospitals in Colombia at two time periods: 1994-2001 and 2004-2012. The isolates were identified by biochemical analysis and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. RESULTS: In 1994-2001 a total of 201 S. agalactiae isolates were found in urine 38.3%, vaginal exudates 27.8%, soft tissue 12.9%, and blood 8.5%. Susceptibility to ampicillin or penicillin was 94% whereas resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin were 2.8% and 5.2% respectively. In total 46 culture-positive cases of invasive infections were reported, 11 (24%) in neonates and 35 (76%) in adults. In 2004-2012 a total of 671 isolates were found in urine 47.8%, vaginal exudates 32.6%, soft tissue 2.7% and blood 9%. Susceptibility rates to ampicillin and penicillin were 98% whereas resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin were 12.5% and 9.4%. A total of 95 severe infections were reported: 12 (12.6%) were in neonates, 5 (5.3%) in children and 78 (82.1%) in adults. Over the 17-year study period the averaged prevalence of invasive S. agalactiae isolates was 17.4%. The estimated incidence for neonatal infections was 1.34 per 1000 livebirths (0.99 × 1000 livebirths for early- onset disease and 0.35 × 1000 livebirths for late- onset disease) whereas for non-pregnant adults the estimated incidence was 0.75 × 1000 admissions. CONCLUSIONS: A remarkable increase in bloodstream infections in immunosuppressed adults and a shift to early neonatal S. agalactiae infections were seen over time. We also found an increase in S. agalactiae resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin during the study period, and the emergence of penicillin-nonsusceptible isolates. Our findings are consistent with the global trends described elsewhere, reinforcing the need for S. agalactiae control measures in our region.

Fracaso del tratamiento de estrongiloidiasis con ivermectina / Strongyloidiasis treatment failure with ivermectin

La estrongiloidiasis es una enfermedad parasitaria producida por el nemátodo Strongyloides stercoralis. La infección grave, que resulta del aumento de la generación de larvas filariformes, ocurre cuando la inmunidad del paciente se encuentra alterada, especialmente por terapia esteroidea y, menos comúnmente, otros inmunosupresores, neoplasias hematológicas o desnutrición. La infección con el virus humano linfocitrotrópico de células T1 (HTLV-1) se asocia con un aumento en la susceptibilidad a la infección por Strongyloides sp. y resistencia al tratamiento. Debido a que la ivermectina es la primera opción terapéutica en esta infección, preocupa la falla en el tratamiento y la posibilidad de resistencia.

Diagnóstico por imágenes / Diagnoses through images

Paciente de 38 años, hombre. Ingresa a la Fundación Clínica Valle del Lili (FCVL) el 21 de octubre de 2002 con un cuadro clínico de dos meses de evolución consistente en malestar general , fiebre y pancitopenia. Es valorado por el servicio de Hemato-oncología quien hace un diagnóstico de Leucemia Linfoide Aguda e inician quimioterapia. Su enfermedad fue refractaria al tratamiento inicial, requiriendo un tratamiento de rescate que lo torna severamenteneutropénico. Requirió múltiples transfusiones de glóbulos rojos y plaquetas. Presenta epistaxismoderada por lo cual se practicó un taponamiento nasal. El paciente hace fiebre estando neutropénico por lo cual es evaluado por infectología; recibía múltiples antibióticos incluyendo Cefepime, Vancomicina, Aciclovir y continuaba recibiendo quimioterapia.

Síndrome retroviral agudo Vs sífilis secundaria / Acute retroviral syndrome versus secondary syphillis

Resumen: Paciente de 16 años, hombre. Ingresa a laFundación Valle del Lili (FCVL) el 12-XI-2000 conun cuadro clínico de 10 días de evolución deaparición de lesiones ulcerativas en pene asociadoposteriormente a la aparición de fiebre, rash ypérdida del estado general. Tenía el antecedentede haber presentado lesiones similares en losgenitales meses atrás, las cuales habían sidomanejadas con penicilina benzatínica, con mejoría.En ese entonces tenía un VDRL positivo nocuantificado y un FTA-abs positivo. Comoantecedentes importantes adicionales, era adicto amúltiples sustancias ilícitas, entre ellas cocaína ymarihuana y tenía varias compañeras sexuales