Spontaneous clearance of chronic hepatitis C in an immunocompetent patient.

Spontaneous clearance of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is rare and the cases described have been mainly in immunosuppressed patients (HIV). For this reason, we report the case of an immunocompetent patient diagnosed with chronic HCV infection with spontaneous clearance of the virus.

Hepatitis B virus in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with direct antiviral agents.

INTRODUCTION: cases of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation have been reported in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) treated with direct antiviral agents (DAA). OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: the main objectives of the present study are: a) to determine the prevalence of HBV/HCV coinfection in HCV patients treated with DAAs in the Autonomous Community of Madrid (CM) and also to determine the incidence and clinical relevance of HBV reactivation; and b) to determine the HBV screening rates in HCV patients in our region. For that purpose, 1,337 HCV patients were consecutively treated with DAAs in two hospitals located in South CM between January 2015 and June 2017. RESULTS: nine of the 1,337 (0.67%) participants were HBsAg positive and 356 (26.6%) had previous HBV infection markers. Two of the four (50%) HBsAg positive patients with untreated HBV developed a virological reactivation, but not a biochemical reaction. Of the 356 patients with previous HBV infection markers, all had normal transaminases at the end of treatment and during follow-up. The HBV screening rate amounted to 92.9% of the cohort. CONCLUSIONS: the prevalence of HBV (HBsAg positive) infection in patients with chronic hepatitis C in the southern area of the CM is low. HBV reactivation in HBsAg positive patients treated with DAAs is common, although without clinical relevance. In our region, there is a high rate of HBV screening in patients with HCV that are likely treated with DAAs.

SARSPLEX: Multiplex Serological ELISA with a Holistic Approach.

Currently, there are over 602 million severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) cases and 6.4 million COVID-19 disease-related deaths worldwide. With ambitious vaccine strategies, reliable and accurate serological testing is needed to monitor the dynamics of the novel coronavirus pandemic and community immunity. We set out to improve serological testing of the immune response against SARS-CoV-2. We hypothesize that by multiplexing the serological diagnostic test kit (SARSPLEX) and screening for three antibodies, an even more robust diagnostic can be developed. A total of 293 sera were analyzed for IgM, IgG, or IgA immune reactions to the subunit 1 spike glycoprotein and the nucleocapsid protein in a standardized ELISA platform. Testing IgM, IgG, and IgA demonstrated high positive and negative agreements compared to RT-PCR and serology reference tests. Comparison with the pre-2019-CoV (n = 102) samples highlighted the specificity of this test kit and indicated that no unspecific binding, even with the summer flu patients (n = 44), was detected. In addition, SARSPLEX demonstrated to be a valuable occupational surveillance tool used in a functional medicine facility. With increased and broader testing, SARSPLEX will be a valuable tool in monitoring immunity and aid in prioritizing access to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for high-risk patients.

Safety and Effectiveness Using 8 Weeks of Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir in HCV-Infected Treatment-Naïve Patients with Compensated Cirrhosis: The CREST Study.

INTRODUCTION: In clinical trials with hepatitis C virus-infected treatment-naïve (TN) patients with compensated cirrhosis (CC), glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (G/P), a fixed-dose, once-daily, pangenotypic regimen, has demonstrated sustained virologic response at posttreatment Week 12 (SVR12) > 95%. We evaluated the real-world safety and effectiveness of 8-week G/P therapy in TN patients with CC, including certain subgroups of interest. METHODS: The CREST study is a real-world, noninterventional, multicenter study retrospectively assessing data from Canada, Germany, Israel, Italy, and Spain. The full analysis set (FAS) designated all patients in the study; the modified analysis set (MAS) excluded patients who discontinued G/P for nonvirologic failure or who had missing SVR12 data. The primary endpoint was SVR12; safety endpoints were also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 386 patients were included in the FAS, 375 patients completed the study, and 325 patients were included in the MAS; 51 patients had missing SVR12 data. Overall, in the MAS and FAS, SVR12 was achieved in 99.1% and 84.2% of patients, respectively. In subgroups of interest, the percentage of patients achieving SVR12 in the MAS (and FAS) was: genotype (GT)3: 97.5% (80.6%); FibroScan® ≥ 12.5 kPa: 98.9% (89.3%); platelet count < 100 × 109/l: 100% (88.2%); both platelets < 150 × 109/l and FibroScan® > 20 kPa: 100% (88.9%); aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index > 1.09: 98.7% (83.1%); fibrosis-4 index > 3.25: 98.6% (84.0%); albumin < 3 g/dl: 100% (91.7%); people who use drugs: 97.7% (84.3%); psychiatric disorders: 96.6% (84.8%); and human immunodeficiency virus coinfection: 100% (95.0%). Overall, 26.9% (104/386) of patients experienced an adverse event, none of which were classed as serious. CONCLUSION: In this real-world cohort, 8 weeks of G/P therapy was well tolerated in TN patients with CC. SVR12 rates were similar to clinical trials, supporting 8-week treatment in TN patients with CC, including those with signs of advanced liver disease and GT3 infection.

Recalcitrant palmoplantar pustular psoriasis treated with etanercept.

We report a 10-year-old boy presenting with palmoplantar pustular psoriasis, resistant to topical and systemic treatments, who was successfully treated with subcutaneous etanercept (0.4 mg/kg) twice a week for 1 month. Maintenance therapy was extended for 18 months in combination with near ultraviolet light therapy without any adverse effect. Etanercept may be a safe and effective alternative for severe palmoplantar pustular psoriasis in children.

[Incidence of hypophosphatemia in not critically ill patients with enteral feeding]. / Incidencia de hipofosfatemia en pacientes ingresados no críticos con nutrición enteral.

BACKGROUND: Up to 30-40% of the patients starting artificial nutritional support develop hypophosphatemia. In general, patients with mild and moderate hypophosphatemia do not have symptoms, but severe hypophosphatemia is the hallmark of refeeding syndrome. AIM: To determine the incidence of hypophosphatemia in not critically ill patients receiving enteral feeding. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective study. We assessed during seven days 181 not critically ill patients started on enteral artificial nutrition support during seven days. RESULTS: 51.9% of the patients were considered to be at risk of developing refeeding syndrome (United Kingdom National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence criteria). The incidence of hypophosphatemia was 31.5%, but only 1.1% of the patients developed severe hypophosphatemia. Older age and lower plasma proteins were significantly associated with hypophosphatemia. CONCLUSION: The incidence of severe hypophosphatemia in our study is low, so we can't offer robust conclusions about the risk of hypophosphatemia in the type of patients receiving enteral nutrition.

INTRODUCCIÓN: se ha descrito una incidencia de hipofosfatemia en pacientes con soporte nutricional especializado (SNE) de hasta el 30-40%. La hipofosfatemia leve y la moderada son generalmente asintomáticas, mientras que la severa es el hecho fundamental del síndrome de realimentación. OBJETIVO: evaluar la incidencia y gravedad de la hipofosfatemia en pacientes hospitalizados no críticos con nutrición enteral (NE).MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: se diseñó un estudio observacional y prospectivo en condiciones de práctica clínica habitual. Se recogieron datos clínicos, antropométricos y analíticos de 181 pacientes a los que se les inició nutrición enteral. El seguimiento fue de siete días.RESULTADOS: el 51,9% de los pacientes estaban en riesgo de desarrollar síndrome de realimentación según las guías del United Kingdom National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). La incidencia de hipofosfatemia fue del 31,5% y la de la hipofosfatemia severa, del 1,1%. De todos los parámetros clínicos, antropométricos y analíticos analizados, solo la edad y unas proteínas séricas más bajas se correlacionaron de forma estadísticamente significativa con el aumento en la incidencia de hipofosfatemia. CONCLUSIÓN: la incidencia de hipofosfatemia grave en nuestra serie es muy baja, lo que hace imposible extraer conclusiones específicas para este grupo de pacientes.

[Prevalence of malnutrition in not critically ill older inpatients]. / PREVALENCIA DE DESNUTRICIÓN EN PACIENTES ANCIANOS HOSPITALIZADOS NO CRÍTICOS.

BACKGROUND: Elder people suffer physiological changes and illnes that increase the risk of malnutrition. Nutritional status is a major prognosis factor in older people. This study is aimed at estimating the prevalence of malnutrition among the population of 65 and over inpatients as much at admission as at discharge. METHODS: We conducted a transversal observational study. 174 consecutive inpatients were examined using Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002) and Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF) in the first 48 hours from admission. Patient Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) was applied to cancer patients. All patients were submitted the NRS-2002 at discharge. RESULTS: 29.31% of patients were at malnutrition risk according to the results of NRS-2002 at admission. This percentage increased up to 57.89% at discharge. The MNA-SF revealed nutritional alteration in 70.35% (54.65% with malnutrition risk, 15.7% with malnutrition). The NRS-2002 showed that 34.14% of cancer patients presented with nutritional risk; however, according to PG-SGA 56.41% of the cases presented with malnutrition to a certain extent (46.15% with moderate malnutrition and 10.26% with serious malnutrition). There are different groups of patients (older patients, transferred from emergency department, patients with heart failure) who present higher risk of nutritional deterioration while they are hospitalised (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is a very high percentage of 65 and over patients at nutritional risk in our centre, as much at admission as at discharge. It is necessary to install a systematic screening of the nutritional status.

Introducción: los cambios fisiológicos propios del envejecimiento, junto con distintos procesos patológicos, predisponen a los ancianos a la aparición de complicaciones nutricionales, siendo el estado nutricional un factor pronóstico importante. El objetivo del estudio es conocer la prevalencia de desnutrición en los mayores de 65 años en nuestro centro, tanto al ingreso como al alta. Métodos: realizamos un estudio transversal, observacional. Para ello evaluamos 174 pacientes mayores de 65 años que ingresaron de forma consecutiva, mediante la aplicación del Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS- 2002) y el Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF) en las primeras 48 horas de ingreso. Los pacientes oncológicos también se evaluaron mediante la Valoración Global Subjetiva Generada por el Paciente (VGS-GP). Al alta se realizó de nuevo el NRS-2002. Resultados: el 29,31% de los pacientes estaban en situación de riesgo nutricional según los resultados del NRS-2002 al ingreso. Este porcentaje aumentaba hasta el 57,89% al alta. El MNA-SF objetivó alteración nutricional en el 70,35% (54,65% riesgo de desnutrición, 15,7% desnutrición). Según el NRS-2002 el 34,14% de los pacientes con cáncer presentaban riesgo nutricional; sin embargo, la VGS-GP mostraba deterioro nutricional en el 56,41% de los casos (46,15% desnutrición moderada y 10,26% desnutrición grave). Existen grupos de pacientes (los de mayor edad, los ingresados de forma urgente, los que presentan insuficiencia cardíaca) con mayor riesgo de deterioro nutricional durante el ingreso (p < 0,05). Conclusiones: el porcentaje de pacientes mayores de 65 años en riesgo nutricional en nuestro centro es muy alto, tanto al ingreso como al alta. Se hace necesario el cribado nutricional sistemático.

[Prevalence of malnutrition in not critically ill inpatients]. / Prevalencia de desnutrición en pacientes hospitalizados no críticos.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is a frequent issue in our hospitals, and it is associated with an increase in morbi- mortality and financial costs, together with a decline in the patients' quality of life. This study is aimed at establishing the prevalence of malnutrition in our health centre, as much at admission as at discharge. METHODS: Transversal observational study assessing 277 adult patients, who were admitted consecutively, and applying the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002) in the first 48 hours from admission and then again at discharge. Cancer patients were also submitted the Patient Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) and the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF) was applied to the population of 65 and over. RESULTS: 32.49% of patients were at malnutrition risk according to the results of NRS-2002 at admission. This percentage increased up to 40.98% at discharge. The NRS-2002 showed that 31.15% of cancer patients presented with nutritional risk; however, according to VGS-GP, 52.54% of the cases presented with nutritional risk to a certain extent (38.98% with moderate malnutrition and 13.56% with serious malnutrition). Among patients aged 65 and over, 29.31% were considered at risk according to the NRS-2002; the MNA-SF revealed nutritional alteration in 70.35% (54.65% with malnutrition risk, 15.7% with malnutrition). There are different groups of patients: 65 years old and over, transferred from the emergency department, multi-medicated, cancer patients and patients with heart failure, who present with a higher risk of nutritional deterioration at admission (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is a very high percentage of patients at nutritional risk in our centre, as much at admission as at discharge. It is therefore necessary to install a systematic screening of the nutritional status for all inpatients.

Introducción: La desnutrición es un problema frecuente en nuestros hospitales, asociándose a un aumento de la morbi-mortalidad y de los costes económicos y al deterioro de la calidad de vida de los pacientes. El objetivo del estudio es conocer la prevalencia de desnutrición en nuestro centro, tanto al ingreso como al alta. Métodos: Realizamos un estudio transversal, observacional. Para ello evaluamos 277 pacientes mayores de edad que ingresaron de forma consecutiva, mediante la aplicación del Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002) en las primeras 48 horas de ingreso y de nuevo al alta. En los pacientes oncológicos también se realizó la Valoración Global Subjetiva Generada por el Paciente (VGS-GP) y en la población de 65 ó más años el Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF). Resultados: El 32.49% de los pacientes estaban en situación de riesgo nutricional según los resultados del NRS-2002 al ingreso. Este porcentaje aumentaba hasta el 40.98% al alta. El NRS-2002 mostraba que el 31.15% de los pacientes con cáncer presentaban riesgo nutricional, sin embargo, según la VGS-GP existía algún grado de deterioro nutricional en el 52.54% de los casos (38.98% desnutrición moderada y 13.56% desnutrición grave). Entre los pacientes de 65 ó más años el 29.31% se consideraba en riesgo al aplicar el NRS-2002; el MNA-SF objetivó alteración nutricional en el 70.35% (54.65% riesgo de desnutrición, 15.7% desnutrición). Existen grupos de pacientes, a saber: mayores de 65 años, ingresados desde urgencias, polimedicados, oncológicos y pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca, que presentan un mayor riesgo de deterioro nutricional durante el ingreso (p.

[Malnutrition in patients with cancer; four years experience]. / Desnutrición en pacientes con cáncer; una experiencia de cuatro años.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence and degree of malnutrition among patients with cancer who were sent to an Oncological Nutrition visit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It is an observational crosssectional descriptive study. First nutrition visit data of all patientes aged ≥ 18 with cancer who were evaluated from march of 2008 to february of 2012 were used. A total of 997 patients were studied using the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment. RESULTS: 69% of the patients had lost more than 5% of their usual weight within the previous 3 months, the patients with the highest frequency of weight loss were those with digestive cancer. Eating problems were encountered by the 81.2% of the patients, the most frequent problem being anorexia (53.3%) and the median number of symptoms was 3. Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment shows a malnutrition prevalence of 72.9% (29.9% with moderate malnutrition and 43% with severe malnutrition). Malnutrition was related to the type of cancer and the stage of the disease and was not related to age, gender neither usual body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition prevalence among patients who were evaluated in our consulting-room is high. Nutritional evaluation is very important to detect patients at risk of malnutrition or with malnutrition and helps to choose the nutritional treatment.

Objetivo: Analizar la prevalencia y el grado de desnutrición de los pacientes con cáncer remitidos a una consulta específica de Nutrición Oncológica. Material y métodos: Se trata de un estudio transversal, observacional y descriptivo basado en los datos recogidos en la primera consulta de nutrición de todos los pacientes mayores de edad con cáncer evaluados en el período comprendido entre el 1 de marzo de 2008 y el 29 de febrero de 2012. Se incluyeron 997 pacientes, a los que se les realizó la Valoración Global Subjetiva Generada por el Paciente. Resultados: El 69% de los pacientes habían perdido más de un 5% de su peso habitual en los 3 meses previos, siendo esto más frecuente entre los portadores de tumores digestivos. El 81,2% de los pacientes tenían dificultades para alimentarse, el síntoma más frecuente era la anorexia (53,3%) y la mediana de síntomas por paciente 3. La Valoración Global Subjetiva Generada por el Paciente muestra una prevalencia de desnutrición del 72,9% (29,9% desnutrición moderada y 43% desnutrición severa). La desnutrición se relacionó con el tipo de tumor y con el estadío, pero no con la edad, el sexo ni con el Índice de Masa Corporal habitual. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de desnutrición en los pacientes con cáncer evaluados en nuestra consulta es elevada. La valoración nutricional es básica para identificar a aquellos pacientes con desnutrición o riesgo de desnutrición y orientar la necesidad de tratamiento nutricional.

Consenso Brasileiro sobre Alergia Alimentar: 2018 - Parte 1 - Etiopatogenia, clínica e diagnóstico. Documento conjunto elaborado pela Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria e Associação Brasileira de Alergia e Imunologia / Brazilian Consensus on Food Allergy: 2018 - Part 1 - Etiopathogenesis, clinical features, and diagnosis. Joint position paper of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics and the Brazilian Association of Allergy and Immunology

A alergia alimentar é definida como uma doença consequente a uma resposta imunológica anômala, que ocorre após a ingestão e/ou contato com determinado(s) alimento(s). Atualmente é considerada um problema de saúde pública, pois a sua prevalência tem aumentado no mundo todo. É um capítulo à parte entre as reações adversas a alimentos, e de acordo com os mecanismos fisiopatológicos envolvidos, essas reações podem ser imunológicas ou não-imunológicas. Em geral, a alergia alimentar inicia precocemente na vida com manifestações clínicas variadas na dependência do mecanismo imunológico envolvido. A anafilaxia é a forma mais grave de alergia alimentar mediada por IgE. Conhecimentos recentes permitiram a melhor caracterização da Síndrome da enterocolite induzida por proteína alimentar (FPIES), assim como da esofagite eosinofílica. Vários fatores de risco, assim como novos alérgenos alimentares, têm sido identificados nos últimos anos. Tomando-se como ponto de partida o "Consenso Brasileiro sobre Alergia Alimentar: 2007" foi realizada revisão e atualização dos conceitos apresentados por grupo de alergologistas, gastroenterologistas, nutrólogos e pediatras especializados no tratamento de pacientes com alergia alimentar. Novos conceitos foram apresentados sobretudo pela melhor caracterização. O objetivo desta revisão foi elaborar um documento prático capaz de auxiliar na compreensão dos mecanismos envolvidos na alergia alimentar, assim como dos possíveis fatores de risco associados à sua apresentação, bem como sobre a sua apresentação clínica.

Food allergy is defined as a disease resulting from an anomalous immune response that occurs after ingestion of and/or contact with certain foods. It is currently considered a public health problem because of its increased prevalence worldwide. Food allergy is a major entity among adverse reactions to foods; depending on the pathophysiological mechanisms involved, these reactions may be immunological or non-immunological. In general, food allergy starts early in life with varied clinical manifestations depending on the immune mechanism involved. Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of IgE-mediated food allergy. Recent knowledge has allowed to better characterize food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES), as well as eosinophilic esophagitis. Several risk factors as well as new food allergens have been identified in recent years. Taking the 2007 Brazilian Consensus on Food Allergy as a starting point, the concepts presented were reviewed and updated by a group of allergologists, gastroenterologists, nutrologists and pediatricians specialized in the treatment of patients with food allergy. The objective of this review was to develop a hands-on document capable of helping improve the understanding of the mechanisms involved in food allergy, possible associated risk factors, as well as clinical presentation.

Consenso Brasileiro sobre Alergia Alimentar: 2018 - Parte 2 - Diagnóstico, tratamento e prevenção. Documento conjunto elaborado pela Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria e Associação Brasileira de Alergia e Imunologia / Brazilian Consensus on Food Allergy: 2018 - Part 2 - Diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Joint position paper of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics and the Brazilian Association of Allergy and Immunology

Na última década o conhecimento sobre a etiopatogenia da alergia alimentar (AA) avançou muito. A identificação de novas formas clínicas de apresentação, aliada à aquisição de novos métodos laboratoriais, possibilitaram a realização do diagnóstico etiológico de modo mais preciso, sobretudo quanto à reatividade cruzada entre alimentos e mesmo na identificação de marcadores indicativos de formas clínicas transitórias, persistentes e quadros mais graves. A padronização dos testes de provocação oral permitiu a sua realização de forma mais segura e possibilitou a sua inclusão entre as ferramentas disponíveis para uso na confirmação etiológica da AA. Apesar disso, a exclusão do alimento responsável pelas manifestações clínicas continua sendo a principal conduta terapêutica a ser empregada. Entre os pacientes alérgicos às proteínas do leite de vaca, a disponibilidade de fórmulas especiais, por exemplo parcialmente hidrolisadas, extensamente hidrolisadas à base da proteína do leite de vaca e fórmulas de aminoácidos, tem facilitado o tratamento substitutivo do leite de vaca para esses pacientes. A abordagem atual da anafilaxia é revisada, uma vez que os alimentos são os principais agentes etiológicos em crianças. Avanços na conduta de algumas manifestações gastrintestinais também são abordados. Na atualidade, a imunoterapia oral tem sido cada vez mais utilizada. A aquisição de novos agentes, os imunobiológicos, também são apresentados à luz das evidências científicas e clínicas atuais. Considerações sobre história natural da AA, assim como sobre formas de prevenção da AA também são abordadas. Em conclusão, o Consenso Brasileiro sobre Alergia Alimentar de 2018 objetivou rever os métodos diagnósticos e esquemas de tratamento disponíveis e empregados no acompanhamento de pacientes com AA, visando a melhor abordagem terapêutica desses pacientes.

Over the last decade, knowledge about the etiopathogenesis of food allergy (FA) has advanced a great deal. The identification of new clinical presentations, associated with the acquisition of new laboratory methods, have made the diagnostic process more accurate, especially with regard to cross-reactivity between foods and the identification of biomarkers suggestive of transitory, persistent clinical forms and/or more severe manifestations. The standardization of oral provocation tests has made their performance safer and has allowed their inclusion among the tools available for use in the etiological confirmation of FA. Despite this, exclusion of the food involved in the clinical manifestations remains as the main therapeutic strategy. Among patients allergic to cow's milk proteins, the availability of special formulas, e.g., partially hydrolyzed and extensively hydrolyzed cow's milk protein-based formulas, in addition to amino acid formulas, has facilitated the introduction of substitute formulas for these patients. The current approach to anaphylaxis is reviewed, since food is the major etiological agent in children. Advances in the management of some gastrointestinal manifestations are also addressed. Currently, oral immunotherapy has been increasingly used. The acquisition of new agents, namely, immunobiological agents, is also described in light of current scientific and clinical evidence. Considerations on the natural history of FA, as well as on ways how to prevent FA, are addressed. In conclusion, the 2018 Brazilian Consensus on Food Allergy aimed to review the diagnostic methods and treatment schemes available and used in the follow-up of patients with FA, with a view to adopting the best possible therapeutic approach to these patients.

Diretrizes da Associação Brasileira de Alergia e Imunologia e Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria para sibilância e asma no pré-escolar / Guidelines of the Brazilian Association of Allergy and Immunology and the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics for wheezing and asthma in preschool children

A asma é uma das doenças crônicas de maior frequência na infância. Parcela significativa de crianças com asma desenvolve sintomas nos primeiros anos de vida, mas nem sempre a sua confirmação diagnóstica é fácil. Outras causas de sibilância que podem gerar confusão diagnóstica, além da complexidade para a obtenção de medidas objetivas, tais como a realização de provas de função pulmonar nessa faixa etária, são justificativas para esse fato. Especialistas na abordagem desses pacientes, da Associação Brasileira de Alergia e Imunologia e da Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria, após revisão extensa da literatura pertinente elaboraram esse documento, onde são comentados os possíveis agentes etiológicos, prevalência, diagnóstico diferencial, assim como tratamento e prevenção da sibilância e asma em pré-escolares.

Asthma is one of the most frequent chronic diseases in childhood. A significant portion of children with asthma develop symptoms in the first years of life, but diagnostic confirmation is not always easy. The difficulty is justified by other causes of wheezing that can generate diagnostic confusion, and by the complexity involved in obtaining objective measures ­ such as pulmonary function tests ­ in this age group. Specialists with expertise in the approach of these patients, from both the Brazilian Association of Allergy and Immunology and the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics, after extensive review of the pertinent literature, developed this document to discuss possible etiological agents, prevalence, differential diagnosis, as well as treatment and prevention of wheezing and asthma in preschool children.

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus infection after cytotoxic chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy.

Reactivation of hepatitis B is defined as the recurrence or an abrupt rise in hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication, often accompanied by an increase in serum transaminase levels, and both events occurring in a patient with a previous inactive hepatitis B infection. This reactivation can occur in situations in which the ratio of HBV replication and immune response is altered. It can happen during the treatment of hemato-oncological malignancies with chemotherapy and in immunosuppression of autoimmune diseases. Clinical manifestations of hepatitis B reactivation are variable and can range from asymptomatic to acute hepatitis, which are sometimes serious and result in acute liver failure with risk of death, and usually occur in the periods between cycles or at the end of chemotherapy. Immunosuppressive drugs such as corticosteroids or azathioprine can induce HBV reactivation in patients carrying hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) or anti-HBc, but much less frequently than chemotherapy treatments. The tumor necrosis factor α inhibitors infliximab, etanercept and adalimumab may cause reactivation of hepatitis B, and the overall frequency with infliximab may be similar (50%-66%) to that caused by chemotherapy. Baseline HBV serology is recommended for all patients receiving chemotherapy and immunosuppressive drugs, and HBsAg positive patients should receive anti-HBV prophylaxis to decrease virus reactivation and death rates.

Topical 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy for the treatment of unilesional mycosis fungoides: a report of two cases and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Unilesional mycosis fungoides (MF) is a rare variant of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), characterized clinically by a solitary lesion and by histopathological features indistinguishable from multilesional MF. The photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new and effective treatment of precancerous lesions and non-melanoma skin cancers. In recent years it has been used successfully for the treatment of MF. METHODS: We present two cases of unilesional MF treated with 5-Aminolevulinic acid-PDT (ALA-PDT). We used twenty per cent ALA, applied topically to the lesion, and a well defined laser irradiation at 585 nm wavelength from C-Beam laser. Treatment was repeated three times at monthly intervals. Skin biopsies were taken before and after therapy. RESULTS: Both patients showed clinical remission. The biopsies confirmed a regression of the infiltrate after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: PDT is effective and can be used successfully for MF treatment, particularly for patch and plaque stage MF, including unilesional MF.