[Assessing Convalescent Plasma Efficacy in Moderate COVID-19 Hospitalizations: A Bicentric Retrospective Study]. / Uso de plasma de convalecientes de COVID-19 en pacientes hospitalizados por SARS-CoV-2 de moderada grave-dad en la Región de Los Ríos, Chile.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 claimed millions of lives, mainly in the pre-vaccine era. Preliminary studies showed promising efficacy of convalescent plasma against SARS-CoV-2 (CP). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of CP in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 with moderate severity. METHODS: Retrospective, bicentric study including adults hospitalized for moderate (non-critical) COVID-19 who required oxygen therapy. CP donated by survivors of mild cases (600 cc) were searched for IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2. Its impact on mortality, hospital stay (days), and need for mechanical ventilation (IMV) was evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 119 patients included, 58% were men (median age 60 years), 88% had comorbidity, and 43% had a high-risk CALL score. Forty-three patients (36%) received CP, only 15 (12.6%) early (< 7 days). Twenty-two patients had to be transferred to the intensive care unit; 18 received IMV, and 15 died (12.6%). The use of CP was not associated with changes in mortality (p = 0.16), need for IMV (p = 0.79), or hospital stay (p = 0.24). Its early administration (< 7 days of symptoms) did not show a significant association either. The presence of heart disease and subsequently requiring IMV were independent factors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The use of CP in patients hospitalized for moderately severe COVID-19 was not associated with lower mortality, hospital stay, or the need for IMV.

[Management and follow-up of acute myeloblastic leukemia with translocation (8; 21). Report of one case]. / Tratamiento de la leucemia mieloblástica aguda con translocación (8;21) en Hospital Base Valdivia: ejemplificado en un caso clínico.

We describe the management and follow-up of a 20-year-old male with acute myeloblastic leukemia with translocation (8; 21) [t (8; 21)]. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction for t(8; 21) in bone marrow was performed at diagnosis and after three consolidations with high doses of cytarabine. Currently, the management of this type of leukemias has been oriented towards the early detection of relapse. The concept of minimal or measurable residual disease, as the burden of leukemia cells that persist undetected, is an important tool in the therapeutic decision and follow-up of these patients.

Effect of SAMITAL® in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced mucositis in adult oncohematological patients.

AIM: We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SAMITAL(®) (Indena SpA, Milan, Italy), a highly standardized botanical formulation, in reducing mucositis in patients undergoing treatment for hematological malignancies. PATIENTS & METHODS: In this observational, uncontrolled study, a total of 25 consecutively enrolled patients (19 males, aged 18-74 years) with chemotherapy-induced mucositis were compassionately treated orally with SAMITAL (three to four times per day) for 4-22 days per cycle. RESULTS: Patients demonstrated clinically relevant reductions in WHO mucositis grade with a reduction in pain, mucosal erosions, bleeding, dysphagia/feeding impairment and improvements in quality of life. SAMITAL was well tolerated and no local or systemic pharmacological, allergic, toxic or synergistic/antagonistic side effects were reported. Of note, SAMITAL also showed efficacy when administered prophylactically. CONCLUSION: These results add weight to previous experiences with SAMITAL. However, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials will need to confirm the suitability of SAMITAL for use in the treatment of mucositis.

Toxoplasma gondii oocyst-specific antibodies and source of infection.

Infection source can determine cost-effective public health interventions. To quantify risk of acquiring Toxoplasma gondii from environmental sources versus from meat, we examined serum from pregnant women in Chile. Because 43% had oocyst-specific antibodies, we conclude that contaminated meat remains the primary source of infection but that environmental sources also pose substantial risk.

Uso de plasma de convalecientes de COVID-19 en pacientes hospitalizados por SARS-CoV-2 de moderada grave-dad en la Región de Los Ríos, Chile / Assessing Convalescent Plasma Efficacy in Moderate COVID-19 Hospitalizations: A Bicentric Retrospective Study

INTRODUCCIÓN: COVID-19 cobró millones de vidas especialmente en la era pre-vacunas. Estudios preliminares mostraban eficacia promisoria del plasma de personas convalecientes anti SARS-CoV-2 (PPC). Objetivo: evaluar la eficacia del PPC en hospitalizados por COVID-19 de moderada gravedad. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo, bicéntrico, en adultos hospitalizados por COVID-19 moderado (no crítico) que requirieron oxigenoterapia. Al plasma donado por sobrevivientes de cuadros leves (600 cc) se les realizó búsqueda de IgG anti SARS-CoV-2. Se evaluó su impacto en mortalidad, estadía hospitalaria (días) y necesidad de ventilación mecánica (VMI). RESULTADOS: De los 119 pacientes incluidos, 58% eran hombres (edad mediana 60 años), 88% poseía comorbilidad y 43% tenía "CALL score" de alto riesgo. 43 pacientes (36%) recibieron PPC, sólo 15 (12,6%) precozmente (< 7 días). 22 pacientes debieron trasladarse a unidad intensiva, 18 recibieron VMI y 15 fallecieron (12,6%). El uso de PPC no se asoció a cambios en la mortalidad (p = 0,16), necesidad de VMI (p = 0,79) ni en la estadía hospitalaria (p = 0,24). Su administración en forma precoz (< 7 días de síntomas) tampoco demostró asociación significativa. La presencia de cardiopatía y el requerir posteriormente VMI fueron factores independientes asociados a mortalidad. CONCLUSIONES: El uso de PPC en pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19 de moderada gravedad no se asoció a menor mortalidad, estadía hospitalaria ni necesidad de VMI.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 claimed millions of lives, mainly in the pre-vaccine era. Preliminary studies showed promising efficacy of convalescent plasma against SARS-CoV-2 (CP). Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of CP in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 with moderate severity. METHODS: Retrospective, bicentric study including adults hospitalized for moderate (non-critical) COVID-19 who required oxygen therapy. CP donated by survivors of mild cases (600 cc) were searched for IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2. Its impact on mortality, hospital stay (days), and need for mechanical ventilation (IMV) was evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 119 patients included, 58% were men (median age 60 years), 88% had comorbidity, and 43% had a high-risk CALL score. Forty-three patients (36%) received CP, only 15 (12.6%) early (< 7 days). Twenty-two patients had to be transferred to the intensive care unit; 18 received IMV, and 15 died (12.6%). The use of CP was not associated with changes in mortality (p = 0.16), need for IMV (p = 0.79), or hospital stay (p = 0.24). Its early administration (< 7 days of symptoms) did not show a significant association either. The presence of heart disease and subsequently requiring IMV were independent factors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The use of CP in patients hospitalized for moderately severe COVID-19 was not associated with lower mortality, hospital stay, or the need for IMV.

Tratamiento de la leucemia mieloblástica aguda con translocación (8; 21) en Hospital Base Valdivia: ejemplificado en un caso clínico / Management and follow-up of acute myeloblastic leukemia with translocation (8; 21): report of one case

We describe the management and follow-up of a 20-year-old male with acute myeloblastic leukemia with translocation (8; 21) [t (8; 21)]. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction for t(8; 21) in bone marrow was performed at diagnosis and after three consolidations with high doses of cytarabine. Currently, the management of this type of leukemias has been oriented towards the early detection of relapse. The concept of minimal or measurable residual disease, as the burden of leukemia cells that persist undetected, is an important tool in the therapeutic decision and follow-up of these patients.

[Octreotide for bilateral chylothorax secondary to lymphoma. Report of one case]. / Uso de octreotide (análogo de somatostatina) en un caso de quilotórax bilateral secundario a linfoma: report of one case.

Since chylothorax is uncommon and has multiple causes, its best treatment choice is not clear. Recent reports show that octreotide is useful in the treatment of chylothorax secondary to cancer or caused by surgical procedures. We report a 21 years old male with a chylothorax secondary to a non Hodgkin lymphoma. Treatment with octreotide changed the color and triglyceride content of pleural effusion. Serum albumin and proteins increased and the effusion subsided after the second cycle of chemotherapy with CHOP. Thus octreotide was discontinued on the 27th day of therapy and pleural drainages were withdrawn. He was discharged in good conditions, 38 days after admission.