Healthcare personnel in 2016-2019 prospective cohort infrequently got vaccinated, worked while ill, and frequently used antibiotics rather than antivirals against viral influenza illnesses.

Background: Uncertainty about risk of illness and the value of influenza vaccines negatively affects vaccine uptake among persons targeted for influenza vaccination. Methods: During 2016-2019, we followed a cohort of healthcare personnel (HCP) targeted for free-of-charge influenza vaccination in five Lima hospitals to quantify risk of influenza, workplace presenteeism (coming to work despite illness), and absenteeism (taking time off from work because of illness). The HCP who developed acute respiratory illnesses (ARI) (≥1 of acute cough, runny nose, body aches, or feverishness) were tested for influenza using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR). Findings: The cohort (2968 HCP) contributed 950,888 person-days. Only 36 (6%) of 605 HCP who participated every year were vaccinated. The HCP had 5750 ARI and 147 rt-PCR-confirmed influenza illnesses. The weighted incidence of laboratory-confirmed influenza was 10.0/100 person-years; 37% used antibiotics, and 0.7% used antivirals to treat these illnesses. The HCP with laboratory-confirmed influenza were present at work while ill for a cumulative 1187 hours. Interpretation: HCP were frequently ill and often worked rather than stayed at home while ill. Our findings suggest the need for continuing medical education about the risk of influenza and benefits of vaccination and stay-at-home-while-ill policies.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices associated with frequent influenza vaccination among healthcare personnel in Peru, 2016─2018.

Introduction: Despite a government-subsidized vaccination program, healthcare personnel (HCP) influenza vaccination uptake remains low in Peru. Using three years of cross-sectional surveys and an additional five years of prior vaccination history of HCP in Peru, we explored HCP knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of influenza illness and its impact on vaccination frequency. Methods: In 2016, the Estudio Vacuna de Influenza Peru (VIP) cohort was initiated in Lima, Peru, which collected information about HCP KAP and influenza vaccination history from 2011─2018. HCP were classified by their 8-year influenza vaccination history as never (0 years), infrequently (1─4 years), or frequently (5─8 years) vaccinated. Logistic regression models were used to describe KAP associated with frequent compared to infrequent influenza vaccination, adjusted for each HCP's healthcare workplace, age, sex, preexisting medical conditions, occupation, and length of time providing direct patient care. Results: From 2016─2018, 5131 HCP were recruited and 3120 fully enrolled in VIP; 2782 consistently reported influenza vaccination status and became our analytic sample. From 2011─2018, 14.3% of HCP never, 61.4% infrequently, and 24.4% frequently received influenza vaccines. Compared to HCP who were infrequently vaccinated, frequently vaccinated HCP were more likely to believe they were susceptible to influenza (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]:1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.22─1.82), perceived vaccination to be effective (aOR:1.92, 95%CI:1.59─2.32), were knowledgeable about influenza and vaccination (aOR:1.37, 95%CI:1.06─1.77), and believed vaccination had emotional benefits like reduced regret or anger if they became ill with influenza (aOR:1.96, 95%CI:1.60─2.42). HCP who reported vaccination barriers like not having time or a convenient place to receive vaccines had reduced odds of frequent vaccination (aOR:0.74, 95%CI:0.61─0.89) compared to those without reported barriers. Conclusion: Few HCP frequently received influenza vaccines during an eight-year period. To increase HCP influenza vaccination in middle-income settings like Peru, campaigns could strengthen influenza risk perception, vaccine knowledge, and accessibility.

Influenza vaccine effectiveness within prospective cohorts of healthcare personnel in Israel and Peru 2016-2019.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) in preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza illness among healthcare personnel (HCP). METHODS: HCP with direct patient contact working full-time in hospitals were followed during three influenza seasons in Israel (2016-2017 to 2018-2019) and Peru (2016 to 2018). Trivalent influenza vaccines were available at all sites, except during 2018-2019 when Israel used quadrivalent vaccines; vaccination was documented by electronic medical records, vaccine registries, and/or self-report (for vaccinations outside the hospital). Twice-weekly active surveillance identified acute respiratory symptoms or febrile illness (ARFI); self-collected respiratory specimens were tested by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. IVE was 100 × 1-hazard ratio (adjusted for sex, age, occupation, and hospital). RESULTS: Among 5,489 HCP who contributed 10,041 person-seasons, influenza vaccination coverage was 47% in Israel and 32% in Peru. Of 3,056 ARFIs in Israel and 3,538 in Peru, A or B influenza virus infections were identified in 205 (7%) in Israel and 87 (2.5%) in Peru. IVE against all viruses across seasons was 1% (95% confidence interval [CI] = -30%, 25%) in Israel and 12% (95% CI = -61%, 52%) in Peru. CONCLUSION: Estimates of IVE were null using person-time models during six study seasons in Israel and Peru.

Prospective cohort study of influenza vaccine effectiveness among healthcare personnel in Lima, Peru: Estudio Vacuna de Influenza Peru, 2016-2018.

BACKGROUND: The Estudio Vacuna de Influenza Peru (VIP) cohort aims to describe the frequency of influenza virus infection, identify predictors of vaccine acceptance, examine the effects of repeated influenza vaccination on immunogenicity, and evaluate influenza vaccine effectiveness among HCP. METHODS: The VIP cohort prospectively followed HCP in Lima, Peru, during the 2016-2018 influenza seasons; a fourth year is ongoing. Participants contribute blood samples before and after the influenza season and after influenza vaccination (for vaccinees). Weekly surveillance is conducted to identify acute respiratory or febrile illnesses (ARFI). When an ARFI is identified, participants self-collect nasal swabs that are tested for influenza viruses by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Influenza vaccination status and 5-year vaccination history are ascertained. We analyzed recruitment and enrollment results for 2016-2018 and surveillance participation for 2016-2017. RESULTS: In the first 3 years of the cohort, VIP successfully contacted 92% of potential participants, enrolled 76% of eligible HCP, and retained >90% of participants across years. About half of participants are medical assistants (54%), and most provide "hands-on" medical care (76%). Sixty-nine percent and 52% of participants completed surveillance for >70% of weeks in years 1 and 2, respectively. Fewer weeks of completed surveillance was associated with older age (≥50 years), being a medical assistant, self-rated health of fair or poor, and not receiving the influenza vaccine during the current season (P-values < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The VIP cohort provides an opportunity to address knowledge gaps about influenza virus infection, vaccination uptake, effectiveness and immunogenicity among HCP.

[Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension due to didanosina. A rare case]. / Hipertensión portal no cirrótica por didanosina. Un caso infrecuente.

Liver involvement is usually seen in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), especially in patients coinfected with hepatitis B or C, in alcohol abuse, etc. However, there is a group of patients who develop liver involvement and portal hypertension of unspecified cause. Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) is a liver disorder recently described, but potentially serious. It has been reported in HIV-infected patients with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), specifically didanosine (DDI). The pathophysiology involves the infectious agent (HIV) and its treatment (HAART), since both generate a pre-hepatic portal venulopathy. Similarly, HIV infection produces a prothrombotic state by protein S deficiency leading to the obliteration of small hepatic venules. It has been postulated that DDI as a cofactor in the pathogenesis of NCPH. All this leads that many of the liver biopsies show nodular regenerative hyperplasia. We present the case of a HIV-infected patient who was treated with a longstanding DDI. She developed upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGB) and ascites due to NCPH, whose diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy. However, there is no similar study in our country.

Hipertensión portal no cirrótica por didanosina: Un caso infrecuente / Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension due to didanosina: A rare case

El compromiso hepático es usualmente visto en pacientes con infección por el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH), sobretodo en pacientes coinfectados con el virus de la hepatitis B o C, con el abuso de alcohol, etc. Sin embargo, existe un grupo de pacientes que desarrolla compromiso hepático e hipertensión portal de causa no específica. La hipertensión portal no cirrótica (HPNC) es un desorden hepático descrito recientemente, potencialmente grave, que ha sido reportado en pacientes infectados por el VIH con terapia antirretroviral de gran actividad (TARGA), específicamente didanosina (DDI). La fisiopatología involucra al agente infeccioso (VIH) y a su tratamiento (TARGA), pues ambas generan una venulopatía prehepática portal. Además, la infección por el VIH genera un estado protrombótico por deficiencia de proteína S conllevando a la obliteración de pequeñas vénulas hepáticas. Se ha postulado a la didanosina como un cofactor en la patogénesis del HPNC. Todo ello conlleva a que en muchas de las biopsias hepáticas se evidencie una hiperplasia nodular regenerativa. Se reporta el caso de una paciente con infección del VIH y en tratamiento con DDI de larga data que debuta con hemorragia digestiva alta (HDA) y ascitis como consecuencia de la HPNC, cuyo diagnóstico fue corroborado por biopsia. No existe reporte de casos del tema en nuestro país

Liver involvement is usually seen in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), especially in patients coinfected with hepatitis B or C, in alcohol abuse, etc. However, there is a group of patients who develop liver involvement and portal hypertension of unspecified cause. Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) is a liver disorder recently described, but potentially serious. It has been reported in HIV-infected patients with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), specifically didanosine (DDI). The pathophysiology involves the infectious agent (HIV) and its treatment (HAART), since both generate a pre-hepatic portal venulopathy. Similarly, HIV infection produces a prothrombotic state by protein S deficiency leading to the obliteration of small hepatic venules. It has been postulated that DDI as a cofactor in the pathogenesis of NCPH. All this leads that many of the liver biopsies show nodular regenerative hyperplasia. We present the case of a HIV-infected patient who was treated with a longstanding DDI. She developed upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGB) and ascites due to NCPH, whose diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy. However, there is no similar study in our country

[Actinic enteritis as a cause of digestive bleeding of obscure origin]. / Enteritis actínica como causa de hemorragia digestiva de origen oscuro.

Chronic actinic enteritis is a malfunction of the small bowel, occurring in the 6 months post-radiotherapy, and it can be manifestated as malabsortion, stenosis, fistula formation, local abscesses, perforation and bleeding, We report a case of an elderly patient who presents an episode of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) secondary to actinic enteritis. She is a 64-year- old female patient with the past medical history of cervical cancer who received radiotherapy and brachytherapy. One year after the treatment, the patient presents a chronic episode of melena and symptomatic anemia and 1 week before the admission she had hematochezia. At admission she has hemodynamic instability with a hemoglobin value of 2.7 gr/dl. We did an upper endoscopy, a colonoscopy and abdomino-pelvic tomography without any findings of the bleeding’s source. Reason why an endoscopic capsule was done, showing bleeding areas in the medial and distal small bowel. The patient had another gastrointestinal bleeding requiring a surgery where they decide to do a resection of the small bowel and a right hemicholectomy. The pathology was compatible with actinic enteritis. The patient after the surgery had a torpid evolution, and finally dies. We describe this case and do a review of all the existent data around the world, because is the first case reported in Peru of an actinic enteritis as a cause of OGIB.

Enteritis actínica como causa de hemorragia digestiva de origen oscuro / Actinic enteritis as a cause of digestive bleeding of obscure origin

La enteritis actínica crónica es un trastorno del intestino delgado que ocurre a partir de los 6 meses post radioterapia y se puede manifestar como malabsorción, estenosis, formación de fístulas, abscesos locales, perforación y sangrado. Se reporta el caso de una paciente adulta mayor la cual presentó un cuadro de hemorragia digestiva de origen oscuro (HDO) secundario a enteritis actínica. Es una paciente mujer de 64 años con antecedente de neoplasia maligna de cérvix quien recibió sesiones de radioterapia y braquiterapia, La paciente un año después de dicho tratamiento presenta un cuadro crónico de melena y anemia, presentando hematoquezia en la última semana previa a la hospitalización. Al ingreso presenta inestabilidad hemodinámica con valores de hemoglobina en 2,7gr/dL. Se realiza una endoscopia, colonoscopia y tomografía abdomino pélvica, las cuales no mostraron la causa del sangrado, motivo por el cual se realiza una cápsula endoscópica evidenciando áreas de sangrado en intestino delgado medio y distal. La paciente vuelve a presentar un episodio de sangrado agudo siendo sometida a una cirugía de emergencia en donde se decide realizar resección de intestino más hemicolectomia derecha. En la biopsia de la pieza quirúrgica se encuentran hallazgos compatibles con enteropatía actínica. La paciente posterior a la cirugía evoluciona tórpidamente, llegando a fallecer. Describimos el presente caso y hacemos una recolección de la data existente debido a que es el primer caso en el Perú en el que se reporta a una enteritis actínica como causante de HDO...

Chronic actinic enteritis is a malfunction of the small bowel, occurring in the 6 months post-radiotherapy, and it can be manifestated as malabsortion, stenosis, fistula formation, local abscesses, perforation and bleeding, We report a case of an elderly patient who presents an episode of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) secondary to actinic enteritis. She is a 64-year-old female patient with the past medical history of cervical cancer who received radiotherapy and brachytherapy. One year after the treatment, the patient presents a chronic episode of melena and symptomatic anemia and 1 week before the admission she had hematochezia. At admission she has hemodynamic instability with a hemoglobin value of 2.7 gr/dl. We did an upper endoscopy, a colonoscopy and abdomino-pelvic tomography without any findings of the bleedingÆs source. Reason why an endoscopic capsule was done, showing bleeding areas in the medial and distal small bowel. The patient had another gastrointestinal bleeding requiring a surgery where they decide to do a resection of the small bowel and a right hemicholectomy. The pathology was compatible with actinic enteritis. The patient after the surgery had a torpid evolution, and finally dies. We describe this case and do a review of all the existent data around the world, because is the first case reported in Peru of an actinic enteritis as a cause of OGIB...

[Assesing the effect of Lepidium meyenii "Maca" on the gastric mucosa in patients with functional dyspepsia]. / Evaluacióndel efecto de la Lepidium meyenii "Maca" en la mucosa gástrica en pacientes con dispepsia funcional.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to determine the histological effect of Lepidium meyenii "Maca" on the gastric mucosa in patients with functional dyspepsia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study consists of a clinical case series, in which the effect of Maca on the gastric histopathology of 29 Peruvian patients diagnosed with functional dyspepsia was examined. The presence of H. pylori, as well as the degree and depth of the gastric mucosa inflammation was evaluated from biopsies obtained before and after the treatment based solely of Maca 3 grams per day for four weeks. RESULTS: Average values of the degree and depth of mucosal inflammation before and after the treatment were compared showing no statistical difference among the samples. Sixteen patients were infected with H. pylori, and they remained infected after the treatment with Maca. CONCLUSIONS: A four week long treatment with Maca does not produce significant changes on gastric mucosa of patients with functional dyspepsia, neither on H. pylori eradication.

Evaluación del efecto de la Lepidium meyenii “Maca” en la mucosa gástrica en pacientes con dispepsia funcional / Assesing the effect of Lepidium meyenii “Maca” on the gastric mucosa in patients with functional dyspepsia

Objetivo: Determinar el efecto que tiene Lepidium meyenii “Maca” en la histología de la mucosa gástrica en pacientes con dispepsia funcional. Material y métodos: Serie de casos realizado en el Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia en la que se evaluó el efecto de la Maca administrada por cuatro semanas 3 gramos por día en la histopatología gástrica de pacientes con diagnóstico clínico y endoscópico de dispepsia funcional. Se evaluó el grado y la profundidad de la inflamación en la lámina propia y el efecto sobre la presencia de H. pylori (en aquellos que tenían la infección), a través de biopsias obtenidas antes y después del tratamiento. Resultados: Se reclutaron 29 pacientes con dispepsia funcional entre el 2010 y 2012. Las biopsias antes y después del tratamiento, revisadas por un solo patólogo, no demostraron cambios significativos en los parámetros histológicos, ni tuvo efecto en la erradicación del H. pylori. Conclusiones: La Maca no produce cambios significativos en la mucosa gástrica ni tiene efecto en la erradicación del H. pylori al ser brindada por cuatro semanas a pacientes con dispepsia funcional.

Objective: The present study was designed to determine the histological effect of Lepidium meyenii “Maca” on the gastric mucosa in patients with functional dyspepsia. Material and methods: This study consists of a clinical case series, in which the effect of Maca on the gastric histopathology of 29 Peruvian patients diagnosed with functional dyspepsia was examined. The presence of H. pylori, as well as the degree and depth of the gastric mucosa inflammation was evaluated from biopsies obtained before and after the treatment based solely of Maca 3 grams per day for four weeks. Results: Average values of the degree and depth of mucosal inflammation before and after the treatment were compared showing no statistical difference among the samples. Sixteen patients were infected with H. pylori, and they remained infected after the treatment with Maca. Conclusions: A four week long treatment with Maca does not produce significant changes on gastric mucosa of patients with functional dyspepsia, neither on H. pylori eradication.

[Stromal tumor of esophagus: case report]. / Tumor estromal de esófago: reporte de caso.

Gastrointestinal stromal cell tumors (GIST) are rare neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract, although they are the most common mesenchymal neoplasms. The stomach and small intestine are the most frequent site of involvement accounting for approximately 85% of cases. However, esophagus involvement is exceptional (<5%); indeed some large series fail to report it. Surgery resection is the cornerstone of treatment; currently imatinib has demonstrated its utility to reduce local recurrences and tumor mass. We report a 75 years-old male with a medical history of dysphagia who presented upper gastrointestinal bleeding caused by an esophageal GIST. The patient did not undergo surgery because of severe chronic heart failure.

Dimorphic fungal coinfection as a cause of chronic diarrhea and pancolitis.

Histoplasma capsulatum and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis are dimorphic fungi that cause systemic mycosis mostly in tropical South America and some areas of North America. Gastrointestinal involvement is not uncommon among these fungal diseases, but coinfection has not previously been reported. We report a patient with chronic diarrhea and pancolitis caused by paracoccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis.

Tumor estromal de esófago: reporte de caso / Stromal tumor of esophagus: case report

Los tumores del estroma gastrointestinales (GIST) son neoplasias poco frecuentes del tracto digestivo, sin embargo, son los tumores mesenquimales más frecuentes. El estómago y el intestino delgado son los lugares de presentación más comunes representando aproximadamente el 85 por ciento de los casos. Por otro lado la ubicación esofágica es excepcional (<5 por ciento), inclusive existen grandes series donde su frecuencia no se reporta. El manejo quirúrgico es el tratamiento definitivo, sin embargo actualmente con el uso de imatinib se ha podido disminuir la frecuencia de recurrencias y la masa tumoral. Presentamos un paciente varón de 75 años con antecedente de disfagia que presentó hemorragia digestiva alta debido a un GIST de esófago. El paciente no fue sometido a manejo quirúrgico, debido a una severa insuficiencia cardiaca.

Gastrointestinal stromal cell tumors (GIST) are rare neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract, although they are the most common mesenchymal neoplasms. The stomach and small intestine are the most frequent site of involvement accounting for approximately 85 percent of cases. However, esophagus involvement is exceptional (<5 percent); indeed some large series fail to report it. Surgery resection is the cornerstone of treatment; currently imatinib has demonstrated its utility to reduce local recurrences and tumor mass. We report a 75 years-old male with a medical history of dysphagia who presented upper gastrointestinal bleeding caused by an esophageal GIST. The patient did not undergo surgery because of severe chronic heart failure.

Chronic diarrhea and pancolitis caused by paracoccidioidomycosis: a case report.

South American blastomycosis is a systemic micosis caused by infection with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. The most frequently affected sites are the lower lip buccal mucous membrane, palate, tongue, sublingual region, lymph glands, and lungs. However, colonic involvement is not a common expression of Paracoccidioidomycosis. We report a case of chronic diarrhea and pancolitis caused by Paracoccidioidomycosis with fatal outcome.

[Duodenal ulcer due by cytomegalovirus as a cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in an immunecompetent patient]. / Ulcera duodenal por Citomegalovirus como causa de Hemoragia Digestiva Alta en un Paciente Inmunocompetente.

Duodenal ulcer due to cytomegalovirus (CMV) is quite infrequent in the inmunocompetent patient. We present an elderly patient with a history of upper urinary infections who was admitted at the hospital because of tarry black stool and coffee ground vomits. Endoscopy revealed duodenal ulcer and the histopathology confirm CMV infection. The workout was negative for human immunodeficient virus (HIV), HTLV-1 and occult cancer. The patient developed a serious infection and died due to urinary septic shock. Key words : Duodenal ulcer, cytomegalovirus, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, immunocompetent.

Úlcera duodenal por citomegalovirus como causa de hemoragia digestiva alta en un paciente inmunocompetente / Duodenal ulcer due by cytomegalovirus as a cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in an immunecompetent patient

La úlcera duodenal por citomegalovirus (CMV) es muy poco frecuente en el paciente inmunocompetente. El presente caso es un adulto mayor con antecedente de infecciones urinarias a repetición que ingresa al hospital por historia de melena y vómitos tipo borra de café con hallazgos endoscópicos de úlcera duodenal y confirmación histopatológica de infección por citomegalovirus (CMV). Los estudios VIH, HTLV-1 y neoplasia oculta fueron negativos. El paciente presentó una evolución desfavorable falleciendo de shock séptico de origen urinario.

Duodenal ulcer due to cytomegalovirus (CMV) is quite infrequent in the inmunocompetent patient. We present an elderly patient with a history of upper urinary infections who wasadmitted at the hospital because of tarry black stool and coffee ground vomits. Endoscopy revealed duodenal ulcer and the histopathology confirm CMV infection. The workout was negative for human immunodeficient virus (HIV), HTLV-1 and occult cancer. The patient developed a serious infection and died due to urinary septic shock.