Comparing the effects of infant maternal and sibling separation on adolescent behavior in rats (Rattus norvegicus).

Maternal separation in early life has been observed to have lasting, detrimental effects that impair personal and social development and can persist into adulthood. Maternal separation during infancy can be most detrimental during adolescence, leading to long-term adverse effects on development and social behavior. This research study compared the effects of sibling and maternal separation in infancy on anxiety, sociability, or memory later in adolescence (postnatal day, PND, 50-58) in male and female Long-Evans Rats (Rattus norvegicus). Rat pups were semi-randomly assigned into eight conditions for daily isolation (PND 1-14). The groups were separated by the duration of isolation between 15 minutes (control group) or 180 minutes (experimental group) and the sex of the rat. They were also separated by comfort conditions with the dam present in an adjoining cage versus not present and siblings present or not present during isolation. The result was a 2 (15-min vs. 180-min) x 2 (dam vs. no dam) x 2 (single vs. grouped) x 2 (male vs. female) design. Once pups had reached adolescence (PND 50), researchers tested for differences in anxiety, activity, and social behavior using elevated plus-maze, open field habituation, a three-chamber social interaction, and a social discrimination task. Results indicate that longer isolation was more stressful and caused lower body weight. The female rats showed more anxious behavior in the open field but only if they were in the shorter isolation group. Social interaction showed that the rats isolated with the dam had different effects of isolation. In males, shorter isolation with the dam increased sociability but decreased sociability in females. These complicated findings may be due to the effects of inoculation, which describes how moderate stress combined with comfort may produce adaptation or immunity to stress and affect males and females differently.

High prevalence and clinical characteristics of respiratory infection by human rhinovirus in children from Lima-Peru during years 2009-2010.

INTRODUCTION: Human rhinovirus is a major cause of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) worldwide. Epidemiological data on human rhinovirus (RV) in Peru is still scarce, as well as its role in respiratory infections in children. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of rhinovirus and to identify the circulating species in nasopharyngeal swabs from children with acute respiratory infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed nasopharyngeal swab samples that were collected from children younger than 17 years old, who had a clinical diagnosis of ARI from the "Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia" between May 2009 and December 2010. The original study recruited 767 inpatients with ARI, 559 samples of which were included and analyzed in the current study. Detection of rhinovirus and determination of rhinovirus species were characterized by PCR. RESULTS: Rhinovirus was detected in 42.22% samples (236/559), RV-A was detected in 10.17% (24/236) of the cases, RV-B in 16.53% (39/236), and RV-C in 73.31% (173/236). The age group with the highest number of cases was the 0-5 months group with 45.97%, followed by the 1-5 years group with 25.22%. Most of the positive RV cases, i.e., 86.44% (204/236), were hospitalized. The most common signs and symptoms found in patients who tested positive for RV were cough (72.88%), fever (68.64%), rhinorrhea (68.22%), and respiratory distress (61.44%). Infection with RV-A was associated with wheezing (p = 0.02). Furthermore, RV-C was related to cough (p = 0.01), wheezing (p = 0.002), and conjunctival injection (p = 0.03). A peak in RV-C cases was found in March (32 cases in 2010); June (18 cases in 2009 and 12 cases in 2010), which corresponds to the fall season in Peru; and also November (17 cases in 2009 and 4 cases in 2010), which corresponds to spring. RV-A and RV-B cases were constant throughout the year. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we found a high prevalence of rhinovirus C infection among pediatric patients with acute respiratory infections in Lima, Peru. This viral infection was more common in children between 0 to 5 months old, and was associated with cough, wheezing, and conjunctival injection. Epidemiological surveillance of this virus should be strengthened/encouraged in Peru to determine its real impact on respiratory infections.

Lessons Learnt during the Implementation of WISN for Comprehensive Primary Health Care in India, South Africa and Peru.

INTRODUCTION: The World Health Organization introduced the workload indicators of staffing needs (WISN) in 1998 to improve country-level health workforce planning. This study presents the primary care health workforce planning experiences of India, South Africa and Peru. METHODS: A case study approach was used to explore the lessons learnt in the implementation of WISN in India and South Africa. It also describes the methods developed and implemented to estimate health workforce in Peru. We identify the barriers and facilitators faced by countries during the implementation phase through the triangulation of literature, government reports and accounts of involved health planners in the three countries. RESULTS: India implemented WISN in a referral pathway of three district health facilities, including a primary health centre, community health centre and district hospital. Implementation was impeded by limited technical support, poor stakeholder consultation and information systems challenges. South Africa implemented WISN for health workforce planning in primary care and found the skills mix and staff determinations to be unaffordable. The Peruvian Ministry of Health considered using WISN but decided to develop a context-specific tool to estimate the health workforce needed using its available resources such as the National Register of Health Personnel. The main challenge in using WISN was the insufficient information on its inputs. CONCLUSION: While India and South Africa had unique experiences with the integration of WISN in their health system, none of the countries has yet benefited from the implementation of WISN due to financial, infrastructure and technical challenges. Since the methodology developed by the Peruvian Ministry of Health is context-specific, its implementation has been promising for health workforce planning. The learnings from these countries' experiences will prove useful in bringing future changes for the health workforce.

La integración disciplinaria para combatir la pandemia / Disciplinary integration to combat the pandemic

Webinar N° 51 del ORAS-CONHU, realizado el 25 de febrero de 2021. La integración disciplinaria ha sido fundamental y necesaria para combatir la pandemia producida por la COVID-19. Es pertinente que miembros de diferentes disciplinas se encuentren representados dentro del equipo de salud y que desde el inicio tengan punto de encuentro, y da como resultado: mejorar la salud de las personas y el acceso a la atención de la salud, mejorar las prácticas y la productividad en el ambiente de trabajo y aumenta la confianza de los profesionales de la salud. Se logró analizar econocer y valorar los enfoques integradores, participativos, y la confluencia de disciplinas en Salud Pública como eje fundamental y necesario para combatir la pandemia producida por la COVID-19. Conto con la participación del Director de Salud Ambiental del Centro de Investigación en Salud Poblacional del Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública de México, el Asesor Regional en Desarrollo de Recursos Humanos de salud de la OPS/OMS WDC y la Directora General de Personal de la Salud del Ministerio de Salud de Perú.

Gestión de los Recursos Humanos para la Salud en tiempos de COVID-19 / Management of Human Resources for Health in times of COVID-19

Webinar N° 21 del ORAS-CONHU, realizado el 10 de septiembre de 2020, con el objetivo de analizar los avances y desafíos que tiene la región en cuanto a las acciones y medidas intersectoriales para la gestión del personal de salud, que ha cobrado relevancia en la atención de la COVID-19. Para la disertación se contó con la participación de las autoridades responsables de la gestión del talento humano de los Ministerios de Salud de Ecuador y Perú, así como con el asesor de Recursos Humanos para la Salud del Programa Subregional para América del Sur de OPS/OMS.

Detection of human Metapneumovirus infection in children under 18 years old hospitalized in Lima-Peru.

BACKGROUND: Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a negative single-stranded RNA virus. Infection by hMPV mainly affects the pediatric population and can cause upper or lower respiratory tract pathologies which can develop life threating complications. This study was carried out between 2009 and 2010 in a high complexity national hospital in Lima, Peru. The time frame corresponds to the pandemic of influenza A H1N1. METHODS: A prospective study was performed between September 2009 and September 2010. Patients with a clinical diagnosis suggestive of an acute respiratory infection were included. RT-PCR was utilized to attain the amplification and identification of the hMPV. RESULTS: A total of 539 samples were analyzed from patients with a clinical context suggestive of an acute respiratory tract infection. Of these samples 73, (13.54%) were positive for hMPV. Out of the positive cases, 63% were under one year old, and increased to nearly 80% when considering children younger than two years old. Cough was the most frequent symptom presented by our population with a number of 62 cases (84.93%). Viral seasonality was also established, noting its predominance during the months of summer in the southern hemisphere. The infection by hMPV has an important prevalence in Peru. It mainly affects children under one year old and should be considered an important differential diagnosis in a patient with an acute respiratory infection.

Molecular etiological profile of atypical bacterial pathogens, viruses and coinfections among infants and children with community acquired pneumonia admitted to a national hospital in Lima, Peru.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to detect the presence of 14 respiratory viruses and atypical bacteria (Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae), via polymerase chain reaction in patients under 18 years old hospitalized due to community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) from Lima, Peru. RESULTS: Atypical pathogens were detected in 40% (58/146); viral etiologies in 36% (52/146) and coinfections in 19% (27/146). The most common etiological agent was M. pneumoniae (n = 47), followed by C. pneumoniae (n = 11). The most frequent respiratory viruses detected were: respiratory syncytial virus A (n = 35), influenza virus C (n = 21) and parainfluenza virus (n = 10). Viral-bacterial and bacterium-bacterium coinfections were found in 27 cases. In our study population, atypical bacteria (40%) were detected as frequently as respiratory viruses (36%). The presence of M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae should not be underestimated as they can be commonly isolated in Peruvian children with CAP.

High Prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae in Children with Acute Respiratory Infections from Lima, Peru.

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae are atypical pathogens responsible for pneumonia and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in low income countries. The study objective is to determine the prevalence of this pathogens in Peruvian children with acute respiratory infections. METHODS: A consecutive cross-sectional study was conducted in Lima, Peru from May 2009 to September 2010. A total of 675 children admitted with clinical diagnoses of acute respiratory infections were tested for Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and clinical symptoms were registered by the attending physician. RESULTS: Mycoplasma pneumonia was detected in 25.19% (170/675) of nasopharyngeal samples and Chlamydia pneumonia in 10.52% (71/675). The most common symptoms in patients with these atypical pathogens were rhinorrhea, cough and fever. A higher prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae cases were registered in summer, between December 2009 and March 2010. CONCLUSIONS: Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumonia are a significant cause of morbidity in Peruvian children with acute respiratory infections (ARI). Further studies should evaluate the use of reliable techniques such as PCR in Peru in order to avoid underdiagnoses of these atypical pathogens.

Amino Acid Oxidation Increases with Dietary Protein Content in Adult Neutered Male Cats as Measured Using [1-13C]Leucine and [15N2]Urea.

BACKGROUND: Cats are unique among domestic animals in that they are obligate carnivores and have a high protein requirement. However, there are few data on protein turnover and amino acid (AA) metabolism in cats. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of dietary protein content on urea production and Leu metabolism in cats. METHODS: Eighteen neutered male cats (4.4 ± 0.11 kg body weight, aged 4.6 ± 0.41 y) fed to maintain body weight for 3 wk with 15%, 40%, or 65% metabolizable energy intake as crude protein (CP) had [1-(13)C]Leu administered in the fed state. Urea production was measured by the infusion of [(15)N2]urea. Leu flux, nonoxidative Leu disposal (NOLD; protein synthesis), Leu rate of appearance (Ra; protein degradation), and Leu oxidation were determined. RESULTS: Urea production and Leu oxidation were both ∼ 3 times greater in cats fed 65% CP compared with those fed 15% CP, whereas those fed 40% CP were ∼ 1.6 times greater (P < 0.05). Leu flux was 1.9 and 1.3 times greater in cats fed 65% CP compared with those fed 15% and 40% CP (P < 0.001). Almost 39% of total Leu flux was oxidized by cats fed 15% CP, whereas this increased to 58% in cats fed 65% CP (P < 0.002). There were no differences for Ra, but cats fed 65% CP tended to have 30% greater NOLD (P = 0.09) and to be in positive protein balance (P = 0.08) compared with those fed 15% CP. CONCLUSION: The high protein requirement of cats combined with a low rate of whole-body protein synthesis ensures that an obligate demand of AAs for energy or glucose (or both) can be met in an animal that evolved with a diet high in protein with very little or no carbohydrate.

Incidence of respiratory viruses in Peruvian children with acute respiratory infections.

Acute respiratory infections are responsible for high morbi-mortality in Peruvian children. However, the etiological agents are poorly identified. This study, conducted during the pandemic outbreak of H1N1 influenza in 2009, aims to determine the main etiological agents responsible for acute respiratory infections in children from Lima, Peru. Nasopharyngeal swabs collected from 717 children with acute respiratory infections between January 2009 and December 2010 were analyzed by multiplex RT-PCR for 13 respiratory viruses: influenza A, B, and C virus; parainfluenza virus (PIV) 1, 2, 3, and 4; and human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) A and B, among others. Samples were also tested with direct fluorescent-antibodies (DFA) for six respiratory viruses. RT-PCR and DFA detected respiratory viruses in 240 (33.5%) and 85 (11.9%) cases, respectively. The most common etiological agents were RSV-A (15.3%), followed by influenza A (4.6%), PIV-1 (3.6%), and PIV-2 (1.8%). The viruses identified by DFA corresponded to RSV (5.9%) and influenza A (1.8%). Therefore, respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV) were found to be the most common etiology of acute respiratory infections. The authors suggest that active surveillance be conducted to identify the causative agents and improve clinical management, especially in the context of possible circulation of pandemic viruses.

Morbilidad y mortalidad de los pacientes con síndrome de distress respiratorio agudo/injuria pulmonar aguda por Influenza A H1N1 que requirieron soporte cardiopulmonar en un hospital general / Morbidity and mortality of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome/acute pulmonary injury due to influenza A H1N1 who required cardiopulmonary support in a general hospital

Objetivo: Determinar la morbilidad y mortalidad de los pacientes con síndrome de distress respiratorio agudo (SDRA)/injuria pulmonar aguda (IPA) por Influenza A H1N1 que requirieron soporte cardiopulmonar en un hospital general. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo, tipo serie de casos. Se revisaron las historias clínicas, las hojas de monitoreo ventilatorio y hemodinámico de los pacientes con SDRA/IPA secundario a Influenza A H1N1 atendidos en el Servicio de Cuidados Intensivos Generales (SCIG) del Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia entre mayo y setiembre de 2009. El diagnóstico de Influenza A H1N1 se realizó por PCR-RT. Resultados: Se atendieron 99 pacientes con Influenza A H1N1, 9 ingresaron al SCIG por SDRA/IPA; cinco requirieron ventilación mecánica invasiva (VMI), tres ventilación mecánica no invasiva y uno no requirió soporte ventilatorio. La edad promedio fue 43,3 ± 18,3 años; el tiempo de enfermedad 8 ± 3 días. Al ingreso, el 100% tuvo fiebre y disnea, el score APACHE II fue 10,5 ± 4,1 y el SOFA 5,6 ± 3,2; el Pa02/Fi02 96,74 ± 28,6. En 4/5 pacientes en VMI el Pa02/Fi02 a las 12 h y al final de la ventilación mecánica fue < 200. La presión en cuña estimada fue 15,69 ± 3,6 y el índice cardiaco por doppler esofágico 2,4 ± 0,34. La TGO fue 160 ± 152,15, DHL 2366,33 ± 1862,13 y CPK 216 ± 298,25. Todos los pacientes recibieron Oseltamivir 150 mg cada 12 h por 10 días. Cuatro pacientes fallecieron. Conclusiones: Los pacientes con SDRA/IPA por Influenza A H1 N1, fueron adultos jóvenes, con tiempo de enfermedad prolongado; con fiebre, disnea y linfopenia; sin compromiso cardiovascular y con hipoxemia refractaria como causa de muerte.

Objective: To determine the morbidity and mortality patterns of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)/acute pulmonary injury (API) due to influenza A H1N1 who required cardiopulmonary support in a general hospital. Methods: Retrospective case series. Clinical charts, mechanical ventilation and hemodynamic monitoring charts of patients with ARDS/API due to influenza A H1N1 admitted to the general intensive care unit (GICU) of Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia from May to September 2009 were reviewed. The diagnosis of influenza H1N1 was confirmed with RT-PCR. Results: 99 patients with influenza A H1N1 were attended; 9 were admitted in the GICU with ARDS/API; five patients required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV); three non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) and one did not require ventilatory support. Mean age was 43.3 ± 18.3 years; mean duration of symptoms was 8 ± 3 days. On admission, 100% of patients had fever and dyspnea; mean APACHE II score was 10.5 ± 4.1 and mean SOFA score was 5.6 ± 3.2; the mean Pa02/Fi02 was 96.74 ± 28.6. In 4/5 of patients requiring IMV the Pa02/Fi02 at 12 hours and at the end of mechanical ventilation was < 200. Estimated pulmonary wedge pressure was 15.69 ± 3.6 and the cardiac index estimated by esophageal doppler ultrasound was 2.4 ± 0.34. AST was 160 ± 152.15, LDH was 2366.33 ± 1862.13 and CK was 216 ± 298.25. All patients received oseltamivir 150 mg every 12 hours per 10 days. Four patients died. Conclusions: Patients with ARDS/API due to influenza A H1N1 were young adults with protracted disease with fever and lymphopenia, without cardiovascular involvement and with refractory hypoxemia as the main cause of death.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in Peruvian children with bloody diarrhea.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is not routinely sought in clinical laboratories in developing counties. Among 131 bloody diarrhea samples in Peruvian children <5 years of age, STEC was found in 9.2% and was associated with absence of fever, an observation that may increase suspicion of these pathogens. Because of the significant prevalence of STEC locally, proper diagnostics methods should be implemented in the region.

Dietary isoflavone absorption, excretion, and metabolism in captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus).

Dietary isoflavones, capable of influencing reproductive parameters in domestic cats (Felis catus), have been detected in commercial diets fed to captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus). However, the absorptive and metabolic capacity of cheetahs towards isoflavones has not yet been studied. Experiments were designed to describe the plasma concentration-time curve, metabolite profile, and urinary and fecal excretion of genistein and daidzein in cheetahs following consumption of isoflavones. Four adult cheetahs were administered a single oral bolus of genistein and daidzein, and five juvenile cheetahs consuming a milk replacer formula found to contain isoflavones were also included. Urine was collected from all animals, and blood and feces were also collected from adult cheetahs following isoflavone exposure. Samples were analyzed for isoflavone metabolite concentration by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-multiple reaction ion monitoring mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. Sulfate conjugates were the primary metabolites detected of both genistein and daidzein (60-80% of total isoflavones present) in the plasma and urine of cheetahs. A smaller proportion of daidzein was detected as conjugates in the urine of juvenile cheetahs, compared to adult cheetahs. Other metabolites included unconjugated genistein and daidzein, O-desmethylangolensin, and dihydrodaidzein, but not equol. Only 33% of the ingested genistein dose, and 9% of daidzein, was detected in plasma from adult cheetahs. However, of the ingested dose, 67% of genistein and 45% of daidzein were detected in the feces of adults. This study revealed that cheetahs appear efficient in their conjugation of absorbed dietary isoflavones and only a small fraction of ingested dose is absorbed. However, the capacity of the cheetah to conjugate genistein and daidzein with sulfate moieties appears lower than reported in the domestic cat. This may confer greater opportunity for biologic activity of isoflavones in the cheetah than would be predicted from findings in the domestic cat. However, further investigation is required.

Infecciones del sistema nervioso central por enterovirus en niños atendidos en un hospital de Lima, Perú / Enteroviral central nervous system infections in children treated at a hospital in Lima, Peru

Objetivos. Determinar la frecuencia y las características clínicas de las infecciones del sistema nervioso central por enterovirus en niños atendidos en el Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia de Lima, Perú. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio prospectivo y descriptivo desde abril 2008 hasta marzo 2010. Se enrolaron pacientes de un mes a 14 años con diagnóstico clínico de encefalitis o meningitis asépticas. Se investigó la presencia de enterovirus, virus herpes simple 1 (VHS-1), virus herpes simple 2 (VHS-2) y virus varicela-zoster (VZV) mediante reacción en cadena de polimerasa (PCR). Resultados. Se enrolaron 97 pacientes de los cuales 69 por ciento presentaron encefalitis aguda y 31 por ciento meningitis aguda. Se identificó enterovirus en 52,6 por ciento del total de infecciones agudas no bacterianas del sistema nervioso central; encontrándose en 83,3 por ciento de las meningitis y en 38,8 por ciento de las encefalitis. No hubo casos de infección por VHS-1, VHS-2 ni VZV. Las infecciones por enterovirus alcanzaron el 82,9 por ciento en los meses cálidos de noviembre a enero y el 28,6 por ciento en los meses fríos de mayo a julio. Conclusiones. Los enterovirus fueron los principales agentes etiológicos en las encefalitis y meningitis asépticas agudas en pacientes pediátricos de Lima, Perú. Los enterovirus tienen un comportamiento epidemiológico estacional con un claro aumento del número de casos en los meses de verano. Resulta útil tener disponible un método de diagnóstico rápido, como una ayuda para el manejo de las infecciones agudas del sistema nervioso.

Objectives. To determine the frequency and clinical features of central nervous system infections caused by enterovirus in children treated at the Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia in Lima, Peru. Materials and methods. A prospective, descriptive study was performed from April 2008 to March 2010. Patients aged 1 month - 14 years with clinical diagnosis of encephalitis or aseptic meningitis were included. We investigated the presence of enterovirus, herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results. 97 patients were included, out of which 69 percent had acute encephalitis and 31 percent acute meningitis. Enteroviruses were identified in 52,6 percent of all acute non-bacterial central nervous system infections; corresponding to 83,3 percent of meningitis and 38,8 percent of encephalitis. There were no cases of infection due to HSV-1, HSV-2 or VZV. Enterovirus infections reached 82,9 percent in the warm months (November-January) and 28,6 percent in the colder months (May-July). Conclusions. Enteroviruses are the principal etiologic agents in acute aseptic meningitis and encephalitis in pediatric patients in Lima, Peru. Enteroviruses have a seasonal epidemiological pattern with a clear increase in the number of cases during the summer months. It is useful to have this rapid diagnostic method available as an aid in the management of acute central nervous system infections.

Bilateral carpal valgus deformity in hand-reared cheetah cubs (Acinonyx jubatus).

Four hand-reared cheetah cubs (Acinonyx jubatus) exhibited progressively severe bilateral valgus deformity of the carpi (CV) during the weaning period. Radiographs of the thoracic limbs suggested normal bone ossification, and serum chemistry was unremarkable. All affected cubs developed CV shortly after the onset of gastroenteritis, which was treated medically, and included use of a prescription diet. A sudden decrease in growth rate was associated with gastrointestinal disease. Before gastroenteritis and CV, affected cubs had higher growth rates than unaffected cubs, despite similar mean daily energy intake. Return to normal thoracic limb conformation was consequent to dietary manipulation (including a reduction in energy intake and vitamin and mineral supplementation), as well as decreased growth rates and recovery from gastroenteritis. The cause of the CV is likely to have been multi-factorial with potentially complex physiological interactions involved.

[Enteroviral central nervous system infections in children treated at a hospital in Lima, Peru]. / Infecciones del sistema nervioso central por enterovirus en niños atendidos en un hospital de Lima, Perú

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency and clinical features of central nervous system infections caused by enterovirus in children treated at the Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia in Lima, Peru. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, descriptive study was performed from April 2008 to March 2010. Patients aged 1 month - 14 years with clinical diagnosis of encephalitis or aseptic meningitis were included. We investigated the presence of enterovirus, herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: 97 patients were included, out of which 69 % had acute encephalitis and 31 % acute meningitis. Enteroviruses were identified in 52,6% of all acute non-bacterial central nervous system infections; corresponding to 83,3 % of meningitis and 38,8 % of encephalitis. There were no cases of infection due to HSV-1, HSV-2 or VZV. Enterovirus infections reached 82,9 % in the warm months (November-January) and 28,6 % in the colder months (May-July). CONCLUSIONS: Enteroviruses are the principal etiologic agents in acute aseptic meningitis and encephalitis in pediatric patients in Lima, Peru. Enteroviruses have a seasonal epidemiological pattern with a clear increase in the number of cases during the summer months. It is useful to have this rapid diagnostic method available as an aid in the management of acute central nervous system infections.

Aminofilina y fenoterol en niños con crisis asmática / Aminophylin and fenoterol in children with asthmatic crisis

El presente estudio compara los efectos clínicos y colaterales de dos esquemas de medicación, fenoterol en MDI (micro dosificador inhalatorio) de 100 urg versus fenoterol en MDI de 100 ugr más aminofilina endovenosa, para el tratamiento de crisis de asma leve-moderadas en población pediátrica. Los parámetros evaluados fueron: puntuación de crisis de asma de Bierman-Pierson, frecuencia cardíaca, presencia de tremor, pico espiratorio forzado (PEF). Además se consignó la aparición de otros efectos colaterales, durante un período de 2 horas. Fueron incluídos cincuenta pacientes: veinticinco para cada esquema en forma randomizada. Se encontró que no hubo diferencia significativa entre los grupos de pacientes en cuanto a sus características al ingreso y el efecto clínico del tratamiento, siendo la mejoría en ambos casos similar. Por otro lado el esquema de fenoterol en MDI más aminofilina endovenosa se asoció a un número mayor de efectos adversos, principalmente gastrointestinales. Se observó además que los puntajes clínicos al ingreso constituyen un factor pronóstico para ambos esquemas

Mola Hidatiforme en el Hospital Obrero numero 2 / Hydatiform male at hospital Obrero 2

Comunicamos nuestra experiencia con 92 casos de mola hidatiforme estudiados en el servicio de patologia del Hospital Obrero numero 2 de la caja nacional de salud de Cochabamba, en un periodo de 22 anos. Analisamos su incidencia en la patologia quirurgica los aspectos anatomopatologicos, su relacion con el numero de embarazos, la distribucion segun edad los antecedentes ginecoobstetricos, la condicion socioeconomica de las pacientes, revisamos la literatura, los conceptos actuales y comentamos nuestras observaciones.