Raising the suspicion of a non-autochthonous infection: identification of Leishmania guyanensis from Costa Rica exhibits a Leishmaniavirus related to Brazilian north-east and French Guiana viral genotypes.

BACKGROUND: Costa Rica has a history of neglecting prevention, control and research of leishmaniasis, including limited understanding on Leishmania species causing human disease across the country and a complete lack of knowledge on the Leishmania RNA virus, described as a factor linked to the worsening and metastasis of leishmanial lesions. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was to describe a case of cutaneous leishmaniasis by Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis, bearing infection with Leishmaniavirus 1 (LRV1) in Costa Rica, raising the suspicion of imported parasites in the region. METHODS: The Leishmania strain was previously identified by routine hsp70 polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in Costa Rica and subsequently characterised by isoenzyme electrophoresis and Sanger sequencing in Brazil. Screening for LRV1 was conducted with a dual RT-PCR approach and sequencing of the fragment obtained. FINDINGS: Since 2016 Costa Rica performs Leishmania isolation and typing as part of its epidemiological surveillance activities. Amongst 113 strains typed until 2019, only one was characterised as a L. (V.) guyanensis, corresponding to the first confirmed report of this species in the country. Interestingly, the same strain tested positive for LRV1. Sequencing of the viral orf1 and 2, clustered this sample with other LRV1 genotypes of South American origin, from the Northeast of Brazil and French Guiana. MAIN CONCLUSION: The unique characteristics of this finding raised the suspicion that it was not an autochthonous strain. Notwithstanding its presumed origin, this report points to the occurrence of said endosymbiont in Central American Leishmania strains. The possibility of its local dispersion represents one more challenge faced by regional health authorities in preventing and controlling leishmaniasis.

Raising the suspicion of a non-autochthonous infection: identification of Leishmania guyanensis from Costa Rica exhibits a Leishmaniavirus related to Brazilian north-east and French Guiana viral genotypes

BACKGROUND Costa Rica has a history of neglecting prevention, control and research of leishmaniasis, including limited understanding on Leishmania species causing human disease across the country and a complete lack of knowledge on the Leishmania RNA virus, described as a factor linked to the worsening and metastasis of leishmanial lesions. OBJECTIVES The aim of this work was to describe a case of cutaneous leishmaniasis by Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis, bearing infection with Leishmaniavirus 1 (LRV1) in Costa Rica, raising the suspicion of imported parasites in the region. METHODS The Leishmania strain was previously identified by routine hsp70 polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in Costa Rica and subsequently characterised by isoenzyme electrophoresis and Sanger sequencing in Brazil. Screening for LRV1 was conducted with a dual RT-PCR approach and sequencing of the fragment obtained. FINDINGS Since 2016 Costa Rica performs Leishmania isolation and typing as part of its epidemiological surveillance activities. Amongst 113 strains typed until 2019, only one was characterised as a L. (V.) guyanensis, corresponding to the first confirmed report of this species in the country. Interestingly, the same strain tested positive for LRV1. Sequencing of the viral orf1 and 2, clustered this sample with other LRV1 genotypes of South American origin, from the Northeast of Brazil and French Guiana. MAIN CONCLUSION The unique characteristics of this finding raised the suspicion that it was not an autochthonous strain. Notwithstanding its presumed origin, this report points to the occurrence of said endosymbiont in Central American Leishmania strains. The possibility of its local dispersion represents one more challenge faced by regional health authorities in preventing and controlling leishmaniasis.

Reduction of inappropriate prescriptions in older adults through the support of Asynchronous Geriatric Counseling Online (AGAlink): Implemented in primary care.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Medication prescription is a fundamental component in the care of the elderly. Several characteristics of aging and geriatric medicine affect prescriptions for these people and make the selection of drug therapy a difficult and complex process. The objective of this study is to develop a geriatric portal for asynchronous online counseling (AGAlink) for use by physicians specializing in family medicine to reduce medication problems among older adult patients in the first level of care. METHOD: A qualitative study was carried out in the first level of care at the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), 31 family doctors were interviewed to identify attitudes, preferences about the use of the AGAlink geriatric portal, as well as their recommendations for the implementation of this tool in their daily practice. For the analysis of the data obtained, a qualitative thematic content analysis was used. RESULTS: 90% of the physicians used the geriatric portal outside office hours without the need for the patient to be present. The perception of the physician towards the use of the AGAlink geriatric portal was favorable, provided relevant information and had several positive effects on the process of care for medical prescription. The barriers identified to accept the change in medication were not having the proposed therapeutic option, lack of any laboratory analysis, continuing to consider their experience for the prescription of the medication. CONCLUSIONS: The AGAlink geriatric portal was a tool that was well received by physicians who expressed a positive attitude, considered an investment of a short time that allowed them to update and learn about strategies to reduce the prescription problems presented among the elderly population. However, the main barrier was the use of technology, especially in the doctors with more seniority in the service.

Clinical Weighting of Drug-Drug Interactions in Hospitalized Elderly.

Adverse drug reactions impact on patient health, effectiveness of pharmacological therapy and increased health care costs. This investigation intended to detect the most critical drug-drug interactions in hospitalized elderly patients, weighting clinical risk. We conducted a cross-sectional study between January and April 2014; all patients 70 years or older, hospitalized for >24 hr and prescribed at least one medication were included in the study. Drug-drug interactions were estimated by combining Stockley's, Hansten and Tatro drug interactions. Drug-drug interactions were weighted using a risk-analysis method based on failure modes, effects and criticality analysis. We calculated a criticality index for each drug involved in the drug-drug interactions based on the severity of the interaction mechanism, the frequency the drug was involved in drug-drug interactions and the risk of drug-drug interactions in patients with impaired renal function. The average number of drugs consumed in the hospital was 6 ± 2.69, involving 160 active ingredients. The most frequent were as follows: Furosemide, followed by Enalapril. Of drug-drug interactions, 2% were classified as contraindicated, 14% advised against and 83% advised caution during the hospital stay. Thirty-four drug-drug interactions were assessed, of which 23 were pharmacodynamic drug-drug interactions and 12 were pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions (1 was both). The clinical risk calculated for each drug-drug interaction included heparins + non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or Digoxin + Calcium Gluconate, cases which are pharmacodynamic drug-drug interactions with agonist effect and clinical risk of bleeding, one of the most common clinical risks in the hospital. An index of clinical risk for drug-drug interactions can be calculated based on severity by the interaction mechanism, the frequency that the drug is involved in drug-drug interactions and the risk of drug-drug interactions in an elderly patient with impaired renal function.

[Inappropriate prescribing in older adults with chronic-degenerative disease]. / Prescripción inapropiada en el adulto mayor con padecimiento crónico degenerativo.

BACKGROUND: potentially inappropriate prescribing (IP) includes the use of drugs that represent greater risk than benefit to the patient, the STOPP-START instrument, allows its detection, the aim was to evaluate its utility. METHODS: a descriptive cross-sectional study was performed. Randomly selecting records of older adults with at least one chronic degenerative disease, as last query had more than two months and have completed their monthly meeting at least four citations in the last 6 months were analyzed. RESULTS: the files from 285 patients were reviewed, females were 60 %, and the mean age was 74 ± 6 years. A total of 1749 prescriptions included 126 different drugs. The prevalence of inappropriate prescribing was 55 % (95 % CI = 49-61) and 87 % polypharmacy (95 % CI = 83-91). The cardiovascular, endocrine and skeletal muscle system diseases had the highest number of prescriptions and inappropriate prescribing. It was detected the omission of one or more drugs listed in 72 % of 75 % specific clinical circumstances. CONCLUSIONS: the STOPP-START instrument is useful for detecting inappropriate prescribing. Also, the omission of indicated preventive treatments required for older adults with chronic degenerative diseases.

Introducción: la prescripción potencialmente inapropiada incluye el uso de medicamentos que representan mayor riesgo que benefi cio para el paciente. El objetivo fue evaluar la utilidad del instrumento STOPP-START para su detección. Métodos: se realizó un estudio transversal descriptivo, con selección aleatoria de expedientes de adultos mayores con al menos una enfermedad crónica degenerativa, cuya última consulta tuviera máximo dos meses y que hubiesen cumplido con su cita mensual cuando menos cuatro veces en el últimos semestre. Resultados: de los 285 expedientes revisados, 60 % de los pacientes fueron mujeres; la edad promedio fue de 74 ± 6 años. Se revisaron 1749 prescripciones de 126 medicamentos diferentes. La prescripción inapropiada tuvo una prevalencia de 55 % (IC 95 % = 49-61) y la polifarmacia de 87 % (IC 95 % = 83-91). En los padecimientos cardiovasculares, endocrinos y musculoesqueléticos se registró el mayor número de prescripciones y de prescripción potencialmente inapropiada. Se detectó la omisión de uno o más medicamentos indicados en 72 % de 75 circunstancias clínicas específi cas. Conclusiones: el STOPP-START es útil para detectar prescripción potencialmente inapropiada. Es frecuente la omisión de tratamientos preventivos indicados para el adulto mayor con enfermedades crónicas degenerativas.

[Clinical practice guideline. Drug prescription in elderly]. / Guía de práctica clínica. Prescripción farmacológica en el adulto mayor.

The process of prescribing a medication is complex and includes: deciding whether it is indicated, choosing the best option, determining the dose and the appropriate management scheme to the physiological condition of the patient, and monitoring effectiveness and toxicity. We have to inform patients about the expected side effects and indications for requesting a consultation. Specific clinical questions were designed based on the acronym PICOST. The search was made in the specific websites of clinical practice guidelines, was limited to the population of older adults, in English or Spanish. We used 10 related clinical practice guidelines, eight systematic reviews and five meta-analyses. Finally, we made a search of original articles or clinical reviews for specific topics. The development and validation of clinical practice guidelines for "rational drug prescriptions in the elderly" is intended to promote an improvement in the quality of prescription through the prevention and detection of inappropriate prescribing in the elderly and, as a result of this, a decrease in the adverse events by drugs, deterioration of health of patients and expenditure of resources.

El proceso de prescribir un medicamento incluye decidir si está indicado, elegir el mejor, determinar una dosis y un esquema de administración adecuados a la condición fisiológica del paciente, el seguimiento de la eficacia y toxicidad. Debe informarse a los pacientes sobre los efectos secundarios esperados y las indicaciones para solicitar la consulta. Para la elaboración de esta guía se formularon preguntas clínicas específicas, con base en el acrónimo PICOST. La búsqueda se realizó en los sitios web específicos de guías de práctica clínica, en inglés o español, y se limitó a la población de adultos mayores. Se usaron 10 guías de práctica clínica relacionadas, ocho revisiones sistemáticas y cinco metaanálisis. Por último, se realizó una búsqueda de artículos originales o revisiones clínicas para aspectos específicos. La elaboración y validación de una guía de práctica clínica para "prescripción farmacológica razonada en el adulto mayor" tiene el propósito de promover una mejora en la calidad de la prescripción médica, mediante la prevención y detección de la prescripción inapropiada en el anciano y como resultado de esto disminuir los eventos adversos originados por fármacos, el deterioro de la salud de los pacientes y el gasto no justificado de los recursos.