Recomendación Clínica: "Recomendaciones para el manejo de pacientes con COVID-19 con indicación terapéutica de ventilación mecánica que eventualmente son conectados a máquinas de anestesia" / Recommendations for patient management with COVID-19 with therapeutic indication mechanical ventilation that eventually are connected to anesthesia machines

La pandemia de COVID-19 producida por SARS-CoV-2 actualmente en curso anticipa una gran demanda por ventiladores mecánicos (VM), ya que un porcentaje relevante de los contagiados cae rápidamente en insuficiencia respiratoria y requiere de cuidados intensivos. Anticipándose a ese exceso de demanda y considerando que es muy probable que el número actual de ventiladores mecánicos en las unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI) sean insuficientes, se ha solicitado a la SACH un informe técnico en relación al uso de las máquinas de anestesia como VM.

Recomendaciones para el manejo de pacientes con COVID19 en el perioperatorio / Recommendations for the management of patients with COVID19 in the perioperative period

En diciembre de 2019, una serie de casos de neumonía de causa desconocida surgieron en Wuhan, Hubei, China, con presentaciones clínicas muy parecidas a la neumonía viral. El análisis de secuenciación profunda de muestras del tracto respiratorio inferior indicó un nuevo coronavirus, que se denominó nuevo coronavirus 2019 (2019-nCoV o SARS-CoV2) [15]. La propagación del virus ha sido extremadamente rápida, tanto así que el 11 de marzo de 2020 y luego de más de 118.000 infectados en 114 países con 4.300 fallecidos a esa fecha, la organización mundial de la salud declaró a la enfermedad COVID-19, causada por 2019-nCoV, como una pandemia.

Paracoccidioidomicosis. A propósito de 4 casos / Paracoccidioidomycosis: A series of four cases

La paracoccidioidomicosis es una micosis endémica en la Argentina, cuyo agente etiológico es un hongo dimórfico saprófito, el Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Puede manifestarse como una enfermedad localizada o diseminada; ésta última es la forma de presentación más frecuente en pediatría. Objetivo: Alertar a los médicos pediatras sobre la importancia de considerar este diagnóstico en niños con cuadros clínicos sugestivos provenientes de áreas endémicas. Población, materiales y métodos: se realizó un análisis comparativo de la presentación clínica de la enfermedad y de sus factores determinantes. Se incluyeron pacientes inmunocompetentes menores de 18 años de edad entre los años 2000 y 2010, con diagnóstico anatomopatológico y/o microbiológico de paracoccidioidomicosis. Resultados: Se identificaron 4 casos, 3 niños y 1 niña, provenientes de áreas endémicas, con una edad media de presentación de 6,5 años. Clínicamente, todos presentaron un síndrome mononucleósico y marcado compromiso del estado general, asociado a: anemia, hipergamaglobulinemia y eosinofilia severa. El tiempo de evolución al diagnóstico fue, en la mayoría de los casos, mayor a 45 días. Se arribó al diagnóstico mediante anatomía patológica y/o cultivo del hongo. Se realizó tratamiento con anfotericina EV y/o itraconazol vía oral, con buena respuesta. Conclusión: La afectación sistémica observada en la población pediátrica, así como la demora en el diagnóstico hacen indispensable su consideración entre los diagnósticos diferenciales en pacientes con cuadros clínicos compatibles provenientes de área endémica (AU)

Paracoccidioidomycosis is an endemic mycosis in Argentina, caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis,a saprophytic dimorphic fungus. It may manifest as a localized or disseminated disease, the latter being the most frequent presentation in children. Objective: To increase awareness among pediatricians of the importance of considering this diagnosis in children with clinical signs and symptoms coming from endemic areas. Patients, Materials, and Methods: A comparative analysis was conducted on the clinical presentation of the disease and its determining factors. Immunocompetent patients under 18 years of age with a histopathological and/or microbiological diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis between 2000 and 2010 were included in the study. Results: Four cases, three boys and one girl, with a mean age of 6.5 years coming from endemic areas were identified. Clinically, all children presented with a mononucleotic syndrome and marked compromise of their general state associated with: anemia, hypergammaglobulinemia, and severe eosinophilia. The time of evolution at diagnosis was more than 45 days in the majority of the cases. The diagnosis was made based on histopathology and/or culture of the fungus. Treatment consisted of IV amphotericin and/or oral itraconazole, with good response. Conclusion: Because of systemic involvement observed in the pediatric population as well as the delay in diagnosis, it is important to consider this entity in the differential diagnosis of patients with compatible signs and symptoms coming from endemic areas (AU)

[Effect of surveillance on surgical site infection rate in knee and hip arthroplasty]. / Efecto de la vigilancia sobre la tasa de infección de la herida quirúrgica en prótesis de cadera y rodilla.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether continuous surveillance of hospital-associated infections with regular feedback to the staff reduces the infection rate in orthopedic surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective surveillance in two time periods in an orthopedic surgery department at a Spanish university hospital. Two infection control nurses and an epidemiologist surveyed all patients over a 3-year period for infections and potential risk factors. After an initial 24-month period (period A), surveillance for 12 months was conducted (period B). Between them adherence to recommendations was reinforced. MAIN RESULTS: A total of 1,088 patients were surveyed. In period A, 3.3% of all operations were followed by an infection, compared with 2.0% in period B (p = 0.14). Adherence to recommended schedule of surgical prophylaxis increased from 8.7% in the first year to 32.7% in the last year (p < 0,001). We also determined the NNIS (National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance) index risk in 383 patients, the NNIS index-risk 2 being more frequent in period A (16.8%) than in period B (5.4%) (p<0.001). Renal failure frequency was higher in period A (3.4% vs. 1.6%; p = 0.04). However, diabetes and neoplasms were the same in both periods. In period B, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (14.6 vs. 11.0; p = 0.05) and obesity (12.8 vs. 10.3; p = 0.12) predominated. The means for surgical intervention, hospital stay, and age, were very similar in both periods. CONCLUSIONS: Surveillance of hospital-associated infections including regular feedback to the staff is accompanied by a reduction in infection rates, possibly with lower cost and most patient safety. Therefore, such a surveillance program for orthopedic surgery department seems to be beneficial.

[Effect of surveillance on surgical site infection rate in knee and hip arthroplasty]. / Efecto de la vigilancia sobre la tasa de infección de la herida quirúrgica en prótesis de cadera y rodilla.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether continuous surveillance of hospital-associated infections with regular feedback to the staff reduces the infection rate in orthopedic surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective surveillance in two periods of time in an orthopedic surgery department at a Spanish university hospital. Two infection control nurses and an epidemiologist surveyed all patients over a 3-year period for infections and potential risk factors. After an initial 24-month period (period A), surveillance for 12 months was conducted (period B). Between these periods, adherence to recommendations was reinforced. RESULTS: A total of 1,088 patients were surveyed. In period A, 3.3% of all operations were followed by an infection, compared with 2.0% in period B (p = 0.14). Adherence to recommended schedule of surgical prophylaxis increased from 8.7% in the first year to 32,7% in the last year (p = 0.001). We also determined the NNIS (National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance) index risk in 383 patients, with the NNIS index-risk 2 as more frequent in period A (16.8%) than the period B (5.4%) (p < 0.001). Renal failure frequency was higher in period A (3.4% vs. 1.6%; p = 0.04). However, diabetes and neoplasms were the same in both periods. In period B, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (14.6 vs. 11.0; p = 0.05) and obesity (12.8 vs. 10.3; p = 0.12) predominated. The means for surgical intervention, hospital stay, and age, were very similar in both periods. CONCLUSIONS: Surveillance of hospital-associated infections including regular feedback to the staff is accompanied by a reduction in infection rates, possibly with lower cost and more patient safety. Thus, such a surveillance program for orthopedic surgery department seems to be beneficial.

Protective effect of melatonin against oxidative stress induced by ligature of extra-hepatic biliary duct in rats: comparison with the effect of S-adenosyl-L-methionine.

In the present research, we studied the effect of the administration of melatonin or S-adenosyl-L-methionine (S-AMe) on oxidative stress and hepatic cholestasis produced by double ligature of the extra-hepatic biliary duct (LBD) in adult male Wistar rats. Hepatic oxidative stress was evaluated by the changes in the amount of lipid peroxides and by the reduced glutathione content (GSH) in lysates of erythrocytes and homogenates of hepatic tissue. The severity of the cholestasis and hepatic injury were determined by the changes in the plasma enzyme activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AP), g-glutamyl-transpeptidase (GGT), and levels of albumin, total bilirubin (TB) and direct bilirubin (DB). Either melatonin or S-AMe were administered daily 3 days before LBD, and for 10 days after biliary obstruction. LDB caused highly significant increases in plasma enzyme activities and in bilirubin and lipid peroxides levels in erythrocytes and hepatic tissue. At the same time, this procedure produced a notable decrease in the GSH pools in these biological media. Both melatonin and S-AMe administration were effective as antioxidants and hepatoprotective substances, although the protective effects of melatonin were superior; it prevented the GSH decrease and reduced significantly the increases in enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation products produced by biliary ligature. S-AMe did not modify the increased GGT activity nor did it decrease greatly the TB levels (43% melatonin vs. 14% S-AMe). However, S-AMe was effective in preventing the loss of GSH in erythrocytes and hepatic tissue, as was melatonin. The obtained data permit the following conclusions. First, the LDB models cause marked hepatic oxidative stress. Second, the participation of free radicals of oxygen in the pathogenecity and severity of cholestasis produced by the acute obstruction of the extra-hepatic biliary duct is likely. Third, the results confirm the function of S-AMe as an antioxidant and hepatoprotector. Finally, melatonin is far more potent and provides superior protection as compared to S-AMe. Considering the decrease in oxidative stress and the intensity of cholestasis, these findings have interesting clinical implications for melatonin as a possible therapeutic agent in biliary cholestasis and parenchymatous liver injury.