[SARS-CoV-2 infection in people living with HIV. Topics on the global panorama and in Chile]. / Infección por SARS-CoV-2 en personas viviendo con VIH. Tópicos del panorama mundial y en Chile.

The COVID-19 disease is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and was declared a pandemic by the WHO on March 11, 2020. To date, more than 500 million people have been infected and it has caused over 6 million deaths worldwide. People that belong to the most vulnerable risk groups, such as those at the extremes of life, patients with chronic comorbidities and those with severe immunosuppression, are especially susceptible to developing a severe form of COVID-19 infection and death. Subjects living with HIV, especially those in precarious immunological conditions or those in whom antiretroviral therapy is yet to be started, may be at risk of developing complications related to COVID-19, as observed with other infectious diseases. This review aims to determine the magnitude of the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on people living with HIV in Chile.

Infección por SARS-CoV-2 en personas viviendo con VIH: tópicos del panorama mundial y en Chile / SARS-CoV-2 infection in people living with HIV: topics on the global panorama and in Chile

Resumen La enfermedad COVID-19 es una patología de origen infeccioso causada por el virus SARS-CoV-2 y fue declarada pandemia por la OMS el 11 de marzo 2020. A la fecha se registran más de 500 millones de personas infectadas y más de 6 millones de fallecidos en todo el mundo. Las personas que pertenecen a grupos de riesgo más vulnerables, particularmente aquellos que se encuentran en los extremos de la vida, con comorbilidades crónicas o inmunocomprometidas, son especialmente susceptibles a presentar un eventual mayor riesgo de infección, de gravedad y de mortalidad por esta enfermedad. Las personas que viven con VIH, especialmente aquellos en precarias condiciones inmunológicas o aquellas que aún no inician terapia antiretroviral, pueden ser un grupo especialmente susceptible de presentar complicaciones relacionadas a esta y otras enfermedades de origen infeccioso. Con esta revisión se pretende determinar la magnitud del impacto del virus SARS-CoV-2 en personas viviendo con VIH en Chile.

Abstract The COVID-19 disease is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and was declared a pandemic by the WHO on March 11, 2020. To date, more than 500 million people have been infected and it has caused over 6 million deaths worldwide. People that belong to the most vulnerable risk groups, such as those at the extremes of life, patients with chronic comorbidities and those with severe immunosuppression, are especially susceptible to developing a severe form of COVID-19 infection and death. Subjects living with HIV, especially those in precarious immunological conditions or those in whom antiretroviral therapy is yet to be started, may be at risk of developing complications related to COVID-19, as observed with other infectious diseases. This review aims to determine the magnitude of the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on people living with HIV in Chile.

Impacto de la primera ola pandémica de COVID-19 en el personal de salud en un hospital privado / Impact of the first pandemic wave of COVID-19 on health-care workers in a private hospital

El personal de salud (PS) está más expuesto que la población general a enfermar por SARS-CoV-2, por lo que debe utilizar elementos de protección personal (EPP) en todas las atenciones. El PS de Clínica Las Condes (CLC) que requirió licencia médica (LM) por COVID-19 durante el periodo de estudio, fue evaluado por Organismo Administrador según Ley 16.744, categorizando cada caso de contacto estrecho (CE) o contagio, en común o laboral. Además, fue contactado en su totalidad por equipo de RRHH y de IAAS, para conocer estado de salud, factores de riesgo y evolución. El objetivo fue caracterizar los casos y CE de PS que tuvieron LM, relacionándolas con diferentes eventos ocurridos en la institución y la comunidad durante el periodo comprendido entre el 12 de febrero y el 31 de julio. Un 21% del PS requirió LM en el periodo y un 12,97% presentó infección confirmada por PCR. En cuanto a la distribución por sexo y edad de casos y CE, esta no difiere de la distribución observada en el total de funcionarios de CLC. Se observa que, en los casos, la mayoría corresponde a categoría intrahospitalaria, en cambio los CE, la mayor parte correspondió a comunitario. En relación con casos confirmados intrahospitalarios, destaca que el primer caso ocurrió 63 días después del primer paciente hospitalizado en CLC con diagnóstico de COVID-19, y cuando ya estaba instalada la epidemia en la Región Metropolitana (RM) de Santiago , lo que refleja la efectividad de las medidas de prevención adoptadas al interior de CLC.

Health care workers (HCW) are at higher risk to get sick from SARS-CoV-2 than general population, so they must use personal protective equipment (PPE) in all care situations. The HCW at Clinica las Condes (CLC) that required a sick leave (SL) during the study period was evaluated by the Administrative Institution according to Law 16.744, which categorized each case of close contact (CC) or confirmed case, as community-acquired (CA) or health care-associated (HCA). In addition, all of them were traced by the HR and Infection Control team, to find out health status, risk factors and evolution. The aims were to characterize the confirmed cases and CC, their association with key events that occurred in the institution and the community between February 12th and July 31th. 21%

Síndrome de DRESS inducido por sulfasalazina. ¿Consideramos esta reacción adversa grave al indicar el fármaco? Caso clínico

DRESS syndrome (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) is a severe, rare and potentially lethal idiosyncratic condition associated with the use of some drugs. Given its broad spectrum of presentation, clinical suspicion is essential for management, since it requires the immediate withdrawal of the culprit drug, support measures and the use of corticosteroids as the first line of treatment. We report a 24-year-old woman with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis with joint involvement despite the use of infliximab, who presented symptoms, signs and laboratory compatible with DRESS syndrome on the third week after indicating sulfasalazine for her baseline disease.

Vacunas en pacientes con VIH/SIDA / Immunizations in HIV/AIDS patients

Los sujetos con infección por Virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) tienen mayor susceptibilidad de adquirir infecciones por su deterioro inmunológico. Según el deterioro inmunológico y el uso de terapia antiretroviral (TARV) en niños y adultos VIH (+), la intensidad de la respuesta inmune a las vacunas es menor que la población general. Por este motivo es preferible administrar vacunas una vez que la TARV haya permitido la inmunoreconstitución, y se recomiendan dosis de refuerzo. Por otra parte, las vacunas vivas atenuadas deben ser usadas con precaución, y están contraindicadas en inmunosupresión severa.

Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are more susceptible to acquiring infections due to their immune deterioration. The intensity of the immune response to vaccines is lower than general population, depending on immune status and the use of antiretroviral therapy (ARV). For this reason, it is preferable to administer vaccines once ART has allowed immune reconstitution, and booster doses are recommended. On the other hand, live vaccines should be used with caution, and are contraindicated in severe immunosuppression.

[DRESS syndrome induced by sulfasalazine. Report of one case]. / Síndrome de DRESS inducido por sulfasalazina. ¿Consideramos esta reacción adversa grave al indicar el fármaco? Caso clínico.

DRESS syndrome (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) is a severe, rare and potentially lethal idiosyncratic condition associated with the use of some drugs. Given its broad spectrum of presentation, clinical suspicion is essential for management, since it requires the immediate withdrawal of the culprit drug, support measures and the use of corticosteroids as the first line of treatment. We report a 24-year-old woman with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis with joint involvement despite the use of infliximab, who presented symptoms, signs and laboratory compatible with DRESS syndrome on the third week after indicating sulfasalazine for her baseline disease.

Leptospirosis-associated catastrophic respiratory failure supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

A previously healthy, 39-year-old obese farmer, arrived hypotensive and tachycardic, with fever, myalgia, headache, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and progressive dyspnea. Ten days before symptoms onset, he was in direct contact with mice and working in a contaminated drain. Patient laboratory showed acute kidney injury and thrombocytopenia. Chest X-ray exhibited bilateral diffuse interstitial infiltrates. First-line empirical antibiotics were started and influenza discarded. Patient evolved with severe respiratory failure, associated with hemoptysis, and rapidly severe hemodynamic compromise. Despite neuromuscular blockade and prone positioning, respiratory failure increased. Accordingly, veno-venous ECMO was initiated, with bilateral femoral extraction and jugular return. After ECMO connection, there was no significant improvement in oxygenation, and low pre-membrane saturations and low arterial PaO2 of the membrane showed that we were out of the limits of the rated flow. Thus, a second membrane oxygenator was installed in parallel. Afterward, oxygenation improved, with subsequent perfusion enhancement. Regarding etiology, due to high suspicion index, Leptospira serology was performed, coming back positive and meropenem was maintained. The patient ultimately recovered and experience excellent outcome. The clinical relevance of the case is the scared evidence of leptospirosis-associated severe respiratory failure treated with ECMO. This experience emphasizes the importance of an optimal support, which requires enough membrane surface and flow for an obese, highly hyperdynamic patient, during this reversible disease. A high index of suspicion is needed for an adequate diagnosis of leptospirosis to implement the correct treatment, particularly in the association of respiratory failure, pulmonary hemorrhage, and an epidemiological-related context.

[Outbreak due to Serratia marcescens associated with intrinsic contamination of aqueous chlorhexidine]. / Brote de infección nosocomial por Serratia marcescens asociado a contaminación intrínseca de clorhexidina acuosa.

Serratia marcescens is a widely distributed gram-negative rod, often associated to nosocomial infections. Some outbreaks linked to contaminated antiseptic solutions have been reported. In this study we report a nosocomial outbreak of surgical site infection and catheter insertion site infection due to S. marcescens. 33 patients with positive cultures were studied after an index case was identified. Epidemiological, microbiological and molecular analysis demostrated an intrinsic contamination of alcohol free chlorhexidine solution as causal factor. Positive cultures were associated with 13 clinical infections, 9 colonized patients, 6 pseudobacteremia episodes and 5 patients without documented exposure. Hospital and national recall of contaminated chlorhexidine solution was performed after this study. Intrinsic contamination of antiseptic solutions is an infrequent cause of nosocomial infections with major epidemiological relevance.

Brote de infección nosocomial por Serratia marcescens asociado a contaminación intrínseca de clorhexidina acuosa / Outbreak due to Serratia marcescens associated with intrinsic contamination of aqueous chlorhexidine

Serratia marcescens is a widely distributed gram-negative rod, often associated to nosocomial infections. Some outbreaks linked to contaminated antiseptic solutions have been reported. In this study we report a nosocomial outbreak of surgical site infection and catheter insertion site infection due to S. marcescens. 33 patients with positive cultures were studied after an index case was identified. Epidemiological, microbiological and molecular analysis demostrated an intrinsic contamination of alcohol free chlorhexidine solution as causal factor. Positive cultures were associated with 13 clinical infections, 9 colonized patients, 6 pseudobacteremia episodes and 5 patients without documented exposure. Hospital and national recall of contaminated chlorhexidine solution was performed after this study. Intrinsic contamination of antiseptic solutions is an infrequent cause of nosocomial infections with major epidemiological relevance.

Serratia marcescens es un bacilo gramnegativo de amplia distribución, frecuentemente asociado a infecciones nosocomiales. Se han descrito brotes asociados a la contaminación de diversas soluciones antisépticas. Describimos a continuación un brote de infección de sitio operatorio (ISO) y de infección de sitio de inserción de catéter vascular (ISC) por S. marcescens. A raíz de un caso índice se estudió un total de 33 pacientes con cultivo positivo para S. marcescens. El análisis epidemiológico, microbiológico y molecular logró demostrar la contaminación intrínseca de un lote de clorhexidina acuosa, como fuente común de exposición. Las muestras positivas correspondieron a 13 infecciones clínicas, nueve colonizaciones, seis pseudo-bacteriemias y cinco pacientes sin exposición demostrada. Los resultados de este estudio determinaron el retiro del producto de la institución y posteriormente a nivel nacional. La contaminación intrínseca de antisépticos es una causa poco frecuente de brotes de infecciones nosocomiales cuya identificación posee un gran impacto epidemiológico.

[Pneumococcal vaccines in adults: an update]. / Vacunas anti-neumocóccicas en adultos: actualización.

The burden of pneumococcal disease is high worldwide, mainly among elderly and immunosuppressed patients. Vaccines are important tools as preventive strategy for this population. There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines approved for adults, these are polysaccharide and conjugate, which are inactivated, have different serotype composition and immunogenicity. As new studies are available for pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, new recommendations have been made for its use in adults.

[HIV-related lymphoma in a public hospital in Chile. Analysis of 55 cases]. / Linfoma relacionado a infección por virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana en un hospital público de Santiago, Chile.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is the third cause of death in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and lymphoma is the most common type. AIM: To describe the clinical characteristics, histology, risk factors and prognosis of these patients, in a Chilean public hospital in Chile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Records of 55 patients (45 males) aged between 23 and 67 years with lymphoma and HIV positive serology, diagnosed between 1992-2008, were reviewed. RESULTS: Six patients (11%) had Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and the rest, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). B-cell phenotype constituted 83.7% of NHL cases. The most common subtypes of all the lymphoma were diffuse large B cell lymphoma in 24 cases (43.6%), Burkitt lymphoma in 12 cases (21.8%), and plasmablastic lymphoma in 5 cases (9.1%). Thirty five patients (64%) underwent curative intended chemotherapy (CT) concomitantly with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Three year survival of the whole cohort was 27%. By multivariate analysis, the most important prognostic factors for long term survival, were complete responses to CT, (p < 0.01) and a low international prognostic index (IPI) score for NHL, (p = 0.01). HAART, histologic subtype and CD4 lymphocyte count at diagnosis, did not influence survival. CONCLUSIONS: The most important prognostic factors for HIV patients with lymphoma, were achieving CR with CT and low IPI score. Prognosis remains poor, even with HAART therapy.

Linfoma relacionado a infección por virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana en un hospital público de Santiago, Chile / HIV-related lymphoma in a public hospital in Chile. Analysis of 55 cases

Background: Cancer is the third cause of death in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and lymphoma is the most common type. Aim: To describe the clinical characteristics, histology, risk factors and prognosis of these patients, in a Chilean public hospital in Chile. Material and Methods: Records of 55 patients (45 males) aged between 23 and 67years with lymphoma and HIV positive serology, diagnosed between 1992-2008, were reviewed. Results: Six patients (11%) had Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and the rest, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). B-cell phenotype constituted 83.7% of NHL cases. The most common subtypes of all the lymphoma were diffuse large B cell lymphoma in 24 cases (43.6%), Burkitt lym-phoma in 12 cases (21.8%), andplasmablastic lymphoma in 5 cases (9.1%). Thirty five patients (64%) underwent curative intended chemotherapy (CT) concomitantly with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Three year survival of the whole cohort was 27%. By multivariate analysis, the most important prognostic factors for long term survival, were complete responses to CT, (p < 0.01) and a low international prognostic index (IPI) score for NHL, (p = 0.01). HAART, histologic subtype and CD4 lymphocyte count at diagnosis, did not influence survival. Conclusions: The most important prognostic factors for HIV patients with lymphoma, were achieving CR with CT and low IPI score. Prognosis remains poor, even with HAART therapy.