Male urethritis. A review of the ideal diagnostic method. / Uretritis masculina. Una revisión del método ideal de diagnóstico.

Male urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra and the periurethral glands; it is widely classified as gonococcal or non-gonococcal. The most frequent microorganisms responsible are Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Ureaplasma parvum. In the last three decades, the diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases depended almost exclusively on traditional methods, such as culture, enzyme immunoassay, fluorescent antibody staining, and hybridization, until the appearance of molecular techniques. Clinical syndromes such as urethritis are rarely specific for a single microorganism, so screening strategies should allow multiple agents to be considered. Multiplex PCR is the fastest and most sensitive technique for the diagnosis of gonococcal and non-gonococcal urethritis. Male urethritis without treatment is one of the main health problems related to reproductive and sexual function, constituting one of the main causes of infertility. The objective of this mini-review was to analyze the epidemiology, causes, diagnosis, and complications of male urethritis.

Blood transfusion in children at a university hospital in a middle-income country: The need to reinforce adherence to current guidelines.

OBJECTIVES: Blood component transfusion is a common procedure used during hospital admissions; however, it is not risk-free. The evaluation of correct use of blood products (BP) is of vast importance considering the risks and costs implied in their use. Our principal objective was to evaluate the adherence to national guidelines for blood transfusion in pediatric patients at a third level university hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective and retrospective descriptive analytical study was conducted to report the incidence of incorrect use of BP in pediatric patients (1 month to 16 years of age). In a timeline period of 4 years, 579 medical records were randomly selected from a total of 6575 transfusions realized to create a statistically significant sample. The variables studied were volume, infusion time, and transfusion criteria. Indications were evaluated in patient's medical records according to national guidelines. RESULTS: Of the transfusions analyzed, 54% were classified as incorrect mainly due to lack of transfusion criteria fulfillment. Blood transfusion indications in pediatric patients adhered poorly to national guidelines. CONCLUSION: The implementation of effective programs for education and information on the use of BP are needed to increase compliance with current guidelines.

Anticuerpos anti-Fya con reacción anamnésica asociada con anti-D en transfusión intrauterina: reporte de un caso / Anti-Fya antibodies with anamnestic reaction associated to anti-D in intrauterine transfusion: A case report

Resumen ANTECEDENTES La enfermedad hemolítica perinatal ocurre después de una transfusión sanguínea, que sensibiliza con antígenos eritrocitarios, hemorragia materno-fetal durante el embarazo o al momento del parto. La incidencia de anticuerpos anti-D ha disminuido de 14 a 0.1% en las madres D-negativas. No existe una inmunoglobulina que evite o disminuya la aloinmunización por otros antígenos eritrocitarios durante el embarazo. La incompatibilidad del grupo sanguíneo Duffy es una causa común de enfermedad hemolítica perinatal. OBJETIVO Exponer el caso de una paciente con hijo con enfermedad hemolítica perinatal por anticuerpos anti-Fya y anti-D tratado con transfusión intrauterina. CASO CLÍNICO Paciente de 22 años, con antecedente de múltiples transfusiones sanguíneas y datos clínicos de síndrome anémico. En la semana 28 del embarazo fue valorada para aplicarle inmunoglobulina anti-D. Luego de aplicarle dos unidades de concentrado eritrocitario Rh negativo se observó incompatibilidad (++) en fase de antiglobulina humana (Coombs), por esto se realizó el escrutinio de anticuerpos irregulares en gel, que resultó positivo en células I y II (+++). Enseguida se inició el protocolo de identificación de anticuerpos irregulares con un panel de 11 células, que reportó aglutinación en las células 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 y 11, sin mostrar especificidad. El estudio de adsorción del anticuerpo anti-D mostró células de antígeno D+ con las que se estableció el diagnóstico de anticuerpos anti-Fya y anti-D. El embarazo finalizó mediante cesárea con el nacimiento de un varón con grupo y Rh O positivo, de 30.1 semanas de gestación (talla de 40 cm y peso de 2000 g) con hidrops fetal. Se le realizaron ciclos de reanimación e ingresó a la unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales, sin tratamiento farmacológico, y después de una hora de vida extrauterina falleció. La madre se dio de alta del hospital 36 horas después del puerperio, sin complicaciones adicionales. CONCLUSIÓN Los anticuerpos antieritrocitarios anti-Fya, solos o en combinación con otros anticuerpos, provocan enfermedad hemolítica perinatal severa. El laboratorio de inmunohematología tiene participación importante en el diagnóstico, seguimiento y tratamiento de la enfermedad hemolítica perinatal.

Abstract BACKGROUND Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn occurs after alloimmunization with red blood cells antigens by blood transfusion, maternal-fetal hemorrhage during pregnancy or at delivery. Currently, the incidence of alloimmunization by anti-D antibody has been reduced from 14% to 0.1% of D-negative mothers, however, there is no immunoglobulin that prevents or decreases alloimmunization by other red blood cells antigens during pregnancy. The incompatibilities of the Duffy blood group are a common cause of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. OBJECTIVE To present the case of a neonate with perinatal hemolytic disease secondary to anti-Fya and anti-D antibodies managed with intrauterine transfusion. CLINICAL CASE A 22-year-old patient with a history of multiple blood transfusions and clinical data of anemic syndrome. In the 28th week of pregnancy it was evaluated for the application of anti-D immunoglobulin. The blood bank was asked for two units of Rh negative erythrocyte concentrate. Incompatibility (++) in the human antiglobulin phase (Coombs) was observed, so the irregular antibody gel was screened, which was positive in cells I and II (+++). An identification protocol for irregular antibodies was initiated with a panel of 11 cells, which reported agglutination in cells 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 11, without specificity. The adsorption study of the anti-D antibody showed D + antigen cells. The diagnosis of anti-Fya and anti-D antibodies was established. The pregnant woman was terminated by caesarean section, from which a male with a group was born and Rh O positive, of 30.1 weeks of gestation (size of 40 cm and weight of 2000 g) with fetal hydrops. He underwent resuscitation cycles, entered the neonatal intensive care unit, without pharmacotherapy and died after one hour of extrauterine life. The mother withdrew 36 hours after the puerperium, without additional complications. CONCLUSION The antibodies anti-Fya alone or next to other alloantibodies produce severe hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. The laboratory of immunohematology in the blood bank is an essential tool in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn.

Late-appearing Philadelphia chromosome in two patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia.

We describe two patients with typical myelogenous leukemia, who at the beginning of the disease lacked the Philadelphia chromosome in bone marrow cells, and 90 and 42 days later, respectively, its presence was shown in all cells analyzed from that tissue. These findings are compatible with the possibility that at least occasionally Ph1 occurs secondarily in already leukemic cells. The rapid change form Ph1- to Ph1+ CML in one of the patients (42 days), suggests the possibility that in addition to Ph1+ cells enjoying marked selective advantage, this change is induced simultaneously in multiple bone marrow cells.