[Evaluation of an automated streaking system of urine samples for urine cultures]. / Evaluación de un sistema automatizado de siembra de orinas para urocultivos.

INTRODUCTION: Automated systems have simplified laboratory workflow, improved standardization, traceability and diminished human errors and workload. Although microbiology laboratories have little automation, in recent years new tools for automating pre analytical steps have appeared. OBJECTIVES: To assess the performance of an automated streaking machine for urine cultures and its agreement with the conventional manual plating method for semi quantitative colony counts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 495 urine samples for urinary culture were inoculated in CPS® agar using our standard protocol and the PREVI™ Isola. Rates of positivity, negativity, polymicrobial growth, bacterial species, colony counts and re-isolation requirements were compared. RESULTS: Agreement was achieved in 98.97% of the positive/negative results, in 99.39% of the polymicrobial growth, 99.76% of bacterial species isolated and in 98.56 % of colony counts. The need for re-isolation of colonies decreased from 12.1% to 1.1% using the automated system. DISCUSSION: PREVI™ Isola's performance was as expected, time saving and improving bacterial isolation. It represents a helpful tool for laboratory automation.

[Presence of Bejing genotype among Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains in two centres of the Region Metropolitana of Chile]. / Presencia del genotipo Beijing entre cepas del complejo Mycobacterium tuberculosis en dos centros de salud de la Región Metropolitana-Chile.

BACKGROUND: Genotyping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (cMtb) allows us to know geographically predominant lineages. Some lineages spread more rapidly and are associated with multidrug resistance, particularly Beijing, which has been reported in Latin America (Peru). There is little information about this topic in Chile and there are no reports of the presence of the Beijing genotype. AIM: To determine the most prevalent lineages in the Metropolitan Region of Chile with emphasis on the search for Beijing in two health centers. METHODS: Two complementary molecular methods were used: spoligotyping, based on the variations of the direct repeat regions in the genome of cMtb and MIRU-VNTR, based in the variable number of tandem repeats of mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units, and subsequent analysis in international databases. A designed lineage was assigned to 37 of the 43 strains studied (86%); 6 isolates could not be assigned to any genotype. LAM and T genotype were the most frequent (39.5 and 32.5%, respectively) followed by Haarlem (7.0%), Beijing (4.7%) and X (2.3%). CONCLUSION: We describe for the first time the presence of the Beijing genotype in Chile. cMtb molecular surveillance should be implemented in our country in order to know the dynamics of its transmission.

[Evaluation of susceptibility and response to therapy with piperacillin-tazobactam in patients with infections caused by Escherichia coli with extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) CTX-M]. / Evaluación de susceptibilidad y respuesta al tratamiento con piperacilina/tazobactam en pacientes con infecciones por Escherichia coli productoras de ß-lactamasas de espectro extendido (BLEE) CTX-M.

BACKGROUND: Carbapenems are the preferred ß-lactamics for treatment for infections caused by enterobacteria producing extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBL); however, clinical studies show effectiveness of piperacillin/tazobactam in certain infections by Escherichia coli ESBL producers. AIM: To determine the clinical and micro-biological cure with piperacillin/tazobactam in patients with infections caused by E. coli ESBL producers, CTXM type. METHODS: Retrospective descriptive study with adults hospitalized in a university hospital. We included urinary tract infections (UTI), intra-abdominal infections (IAI), soft tissue infections (STI) and/or bacteremia. RESULTS: We studied 40 patients, where 65% corresponded to UTI, 25% to IAI and 10% were STI. The overall clinical cure was achieved in 89.4%, with the best results in the ITU (100%), followed by STI (80%) and 70% in IAI. The 85% of the strains had minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ≤8 µg/ml and 70% with MIC ≤4 µg/mL, however the rate of failure were high in intra-abdominal infections with high inocula or not controlled; CTX-M-15 was found in the 62.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Piperacillin/tazobactam was efficient to obtain clinical and microbiological cure in patients with infections caused by ESBL producers but susceptible E. coli, especially in UTI and STI and to a lesser extent in IAI.

Association of vitamin D deficiency, season of the year, and latent tuberculosis infection among household contacts.

OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D (VD) enhances the immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro, and VD deficiency has been described in patients with active tuberculosis (TB). However, the role of hypovitaminosis D in the pathogenesis of early TB infection acquisition is unclear. We aimed to evaluate the association of VD deficiency, season of the year, and latent TB infection in household contacts (HHC), given that this is a potentially modifiable condition often related to nutritional deficiencies and lack of sun exposure. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled new pulmonary TB cases (n = 107) and their HHC (n = 144) over a 2-year period in Santiago, Chile. We compared plasma 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25OHD) levels and examined the influence of season, ethnic background, living conditions, and country of origin. RESULTS: Over 77% of TB cases and 62.6% of HHC had VD deficiency (<20 ng/ml). Median 25OHD concentration was significantly lower in TB cases than in HHC (11.7 vs. 18.2 ng/ml, p<0.0001). Migrants HHC had lower 25OHD levels than non-migrants (14.6 vs. 19.0 ng/ml, p = 0.026), and a trend towards a higher burden of latent TB infection (52.9% vs. 35.2%, p = 0.066). Multivariate analysis found VD deficiency in HHC was strongly associated with being sampled in winter/spring (adOR 25.68, 95%CI 7.35-89.7), corresponding to the seasons with lowest solar radiation exposure. Spring enrollment-compared with other seasons-was the chief risk factor for latent TB infection in HHC (adOR 3.14, 95%CI 1.28-7.69). CONCLUSIONS: Hypovitaminosis D was highly prevalent in TB cases and also in HHC. A marked seasonality was found for both VD levels and latent TB in HHC, with winter being the season with lowest VD levels and spring the season with the highest risk of latent TB infection.

A first insight on the population structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex as studied by spoligotyping and MIRU-VNTRs in Santiago, Chile.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health problem worldwide, but the ecology of the prevalent mycobacterial strains, and their transmission, can vary depending on country and region. Chile is a country with low incidence of TB, that has a geographically isolated location in relation to the rest of South American countries due to the Andes Mountains, but recent migration from neighboring countries has changed this situation. We aimed to assess the genotypic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) strains in Santiago, Chile, and compare with reports from other Latin-American countries. We analyzed MTBC isolates from pulmonary tuberculosis cases collected between years 2008 and 2013 in Central Santiago, using two genotyping methods: spoligotyping and 12-loci mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number of tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTRs). Data obtained were analyzed and compared to the SITVIT2 database. Mean age of the patients was 47.5 years and 61% were male; 11.6% were migrants. Of 103 strains (1 isolate/patient) included, there were 56 distinct spoligotype patterns. Of these, 16 strains (15.5%) corresponded to orphan strains in the SITVIT2 database, not previously reported. Latin American and Mediterranean (LAM) (34%) and T (33%) lineages were the most prevalent strains, followed by Haarlem lineage (16.5%). Beijing family was scarcely represented with only two cases (1.9%), one of them isolated from a Peruvian migrant. The most frequent clustered spoligotypes were SIT33/LAM3 (10.7%), SIT53/T1 (8.7%), SIT50/H3 (7.8%), and SIT37/T3 (6.8%). We conclude that LAM and T genotypes are the most prevalent genotypes of MTBC in Santiago, Chile, and together correspond to almost two thirds of analyzed strains, which is similar to strain distribution reported from other countries of Latin America. Nevertheless, the high proportion of SIT37/T3, which was rarely found in other Latin American countries, may underline a specific history or demographics of Chile related to probable human migrations and evolutions.

Evaluación de susceptibilidad y respuesta al tratamiento con piperacilina/tazobactam en pacientes con infecciones por Escherichia coli productoras de β -lactamasas de espectro extendido (BLEE) CTX-M / Evaluation of susceptibility and response to therapy with piperacillin-tazobactam in patients with infections caused by Escherichia coli with extended-spectrum β -lactamase (ESBL) CTX-M

Resumen Introducción: En las infecciones por enterobacterias productoras de β-lactamasas de espectro extendido (BLEE), los β-lactámicos preferidos para tratamiento son los carbapenémicos. Sin embargo, estudios clínicos muestran eficacia de piperacilina/tazobactam en ciertas infecciones por Escherichia coli productoras de BLEE. Objetivo: Determinar la cura clínica y microbiológica con piperacilina/tazobactam en pacientes con infecciones por E. coli productoras de BLEE, tipo CTX-M. Materiales/Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, con adultos internados en un hospital universitario. Incluimos infecciones del tracto urinario (ITU), intra-abdominales (IIA) e infecciones de tejidos blandos (ITB). Resultados: Estudiamos 40 pacientes, donde 65% correspondían a ITU, 25% IIA y 10 % ITB. La cura clínica global se logró en 89,4%, con mejores resultados en las ITU (100%), seguidas de ITB (80%) e IIA (70%). El 85% de las cepas tenía concentraciones inhibitorias mínimas (CIM) ≤ 8 μg/mL y 70% con CIM ≤ 4 μg/mL. La tasa de fracaso fue mayor en las infecciones con inóculos altos intraabdominales. La BLEE del tipo CTX-M-15 se encontró en 62,5%. Conclusiones: Piperacilina/tazobactam logró cura clínica y microbiológica, en pacientes con infecciones por E. coli productoras de BLEE susceptibles, especialmente en ITU e IPB y en menor medida en IIA.

Background: Carbapenems are the preferred β-lactamics for treatment for infections caused by enterobacteria producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL); however, clinical studies show effectiveness of piperacillin/tazobactam in certain infections by Escherichia coli ESBL producers. Aim: To determine the clinical and micro-biological cure with piperacillin/tazobactam in patients with infections caused by E. coli ESBL producers, CTXM type. Methods: Retrospective descriptive study with adults hospitalized in a university hospital. We included urinary tract infections (UTI), intra-abdominal infections (IAI), soft tissue infections (STI) and/or bacteremia. Results: We studied 40 patients, where 65% corresponded to UTI, 25% to IAI and 10% were STI. The overall clinical cure was achieved in 89.4%, with the best results in the ITU (100%), followed by STI (80%) and 70% in IAI. The 85% of the strains had minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ≤8 μg/ml and 70% with MIC ≤4 μg/mL, however the rate of failure were high in intra-abdominal infections with high inocula or not controlled; CTX-M-15 was found in the 62.5%. Conclusions: Piperacillin/tazobactam was efficient to obtain clinical and microbiological cure in patients with infections caused by ESBL producers but susceptible E. coli, especially in UTI and STI and to a lesser extent in IAI.

Satisfacción usuaria respecto a competencia de comunicación del profesional de enfermería / Customer satisfaction regarding communication quality by the nursing professional

El modelo de relación de persona a persona, de Joyce Travelbee, sustenta el estudio cuyo objetivo es determinar apreciación usuaria respecto a la competencia de comunicación del profesional de enfermería, considerando las dimensiones: proactividad, actitud profesional, comunicación verbal, comunicación no verbal y apoyo emocional. Estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo, transversal. Universo: 305 personas hospitalizadas, 3 servicios públicos, V Región, Chile, octubre y diciembre 2013. Unidades Mediana Complejidad. Muestra151, > 18 años; estadía > 5 días; Glasgow = 15. Aceptación comité ética, consentimiento informado. Cuestionario satisfacción usuaria autoaplicado 17 ítemes escala Lickert 1-4. Alfa de Cronbach 0.943. Resultados: Alto grado de satisfacción global respecto de competencia de comunicación, las mujeres perciben una mayor insatisfacción que los hombres. Aumenta grado de satisfacción con mayor estadía; los jóvenes y quienes tienen mayor nivel de instrucción, mayor insatisfacción. La comunicación no verbal refleja menor nivel de satisfacción, en comparación con el resto de variables. La actitud profesional y proactividad se perciben en menor nivel que las otras dimensiones, siendo el apoyo emocional mejor valorado. Conclusiones: La comunicación y la visualización del otro como un ser único, autónomo, que tiene derecho a ser informado, tomar decisiones respecto a su salud, son dimensiones que deben ser respetadas. El centro del quehacer de la enfermera(o) como generador de cuidados a través de la comunicación, resaltando la relación persona a persona.

Joyce Travelbee's interpersonal relationship model sheds light on the study to measure customer rating regarding the quality of communication by the nursing professional, especially considering initiative, professional attitude, verbal communication, non-verbal communication and emotional support. Quantitative, descriptive, transversal study. Universe: 305 hospitalized persons at 3 public institutions, moderate complexity units. Sample size 151, > 18 years old; stay > 5 days; Glasgow=15. Ethics Committee acceptance, informed consent, signed. Customer satisfaction self-questionnaire 17 items, Lickert scale 1-4. Cronbach alpha 0.943. Results: High degree of overall satisfaction regarding the quality of communication. However, female patients are relatively less satisfied than male patients. The degree of satisfaction increases with the hospitalization length. Young and well educated patients show the lowest relative satisfaction level. Non-verbal communication is less well developed than verbal communication. Professional attitude and initiative are the least developed aspects and emotional support the highest developed parameter. Conclusions: Communication and patient perception as a unique, autonomous being with the right to be well informed and make his/her own health decisions are all dimensions to be respected. These should be the focus of the nursing professional and also a source of patient care thus enhancing the interpersonal relationship.

Evaluación de un sistema automatizado de siembra de orinas para urocultivos / Evaluation of an automated streaking system of urine samples for urine cultures

Introduction: Automated systems have simplified laboratory workflow, improved standardization, traceability and diminished human errors and workload. Although microbiology laboratories have little automation, in recent years new tools for automating pre analytical steps have appeared. Objectives: To assess the performance of an automated streaking machine for urine cultures and its agreement with the conventional manual plating method for semi quantitative colony counts. Materials and Methods: 495 urine samples for urinary culture were inoculated in CPS® agar using our standard protocol and the PREVI™ Isola. Rates of positivity, negativity, polymicrobial growth, bacterial species, colony counts and re-isolation requirements were compared. Results: Agreement was achieved in 98.97% of the positive/negative results, in 99.39% of the polymicrobial growth, 99.76% of bacterial species isolated and in 98.56 % of colony counts. The need for re-isolation of colonies decreased from 12.1% to 1.1% using the automated system. Discussion: PREVI™ Isola's performance was as expected, time saving and improving bacterial isolation. It represents a helpful tool for laboratory automation.

Introducción: Los sistemas automatizados han facilitado el flujo de trabajo, mejorado la estandarización, la trazabilidad, disminuido el error humano y la carga de trabajo en los laboratorios. A pesar de que la microbiología ha permanecido poco automatizada, en los últimos años han aparecido nuevas herramientas para la automatización de la etapa pre analítica. Objetivos: Evaluar el desempeño de un sistema automatizado de siembra de urocultivos y la concordancia con la siembra manual convencional en el recuento semicuantitativo de colonias. Materiales y Métodos: 495 muestras de orinas fueron sembradas según nuestro protocolo habitual y comparadas con las placas de CPS® obtenidas con PREVI™ Isola en cuanto a positividad/negatividad, muestras polimicrobianas, especies de bacterias aisladas, recuentos y necesidad de resembrar. Resultados: Hubo concordancia en 98,97% de los positivos y negativos, en 99,39% de las muestras polimicrobianas, en 99,76% de las especies aisladas y en 98,56% de los recuentos. La necesidad de resiembra disminuyo de 12,1% a un 1,1% usando este sistema automatizado. Discusión: El desempeño de PREVI™ Isola fue el esperado, mejorando el aislamiento bacteriano y el tiempo requerido y representa una buena herramienta para la automatización de laboratorios.

Presencia del genotipo Beijing entre cepas del complejo Mycobacterium tuberculosis en dos centros de salud de la Región Metropolitana-Chile / Presence of Bejing genotype among Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains in two centres of the Region Metropolitana of Chile

Background: Genotyping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (cMtb) allows us to know geographically predominant lineages. Some lineages spread more rapidly and are associated with multidrug resistance, particularly Beijing, which has been reported in Latin America (Peru). There is little information about this topic in Chile and there are no reports of the presence of the Beijing genotype. Aim: To determine the most prevalent lineages in the Metropolitan Region of Chile with emphasis on the search for Beijing in two health centers. Methods: Two complementary molecular methods were used: spoligotyping, based on the variations of the direct repeat regions in the genome of cMtb and MIRU-VNTR, based in the variable number of tandem repeats of mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units, and subsequent analysis in international databases. A designed lineage was assigned to 37 of the 43 strains studied (86%); 6 isolates could not be assigned to any genotype. LAM and T genotype were the most frequent (39.5 and 32.5%, respectively) followed by Haarlem (7.0%), Beijing (4.7%) and X (2.3%). Conclusion: We describe for the first time the presence of the Beijing genotype in Chile. cMtb molecular surveillance should be implemented in our country in order to know the dynamics of its transmission.

Introducción: La genotipificación del complejo Mycobacterium tuberculosis (cMtbc) permite conocer los genotipos geográficamente predominantes. Algunos genotipos se diseminan con mayor rapidez y se asocian a multi-resistencia, tal como Beijing, reportado en América Latina en Perú. Existe poca información al respecto en Chile, sin reportes de la presencia de Beijing. Objetivo: Conocer los genotipos prevalentes en dos centros de salud de la Región Metropolitana de Chile con énfasis en la búsqueda de Beijing. Métodos: Se utilizaron dos métodos moleculares complementarios basados en la variación de las regiones de repeticiones directa en el genoma de M. tuberculosis (espoligotipificación) y número variable de repeticiones en tandem de las unidades repetitivas de interespaciadores micobacterianos (MIRU-VNTRs) y posterior análisis en bases de datos internacionales. Resultados: Se asignó un genotipo conocido a 37 de las 43 cepas estudiadas (86%), mientras que en 14% no se asignó alguno. Los genotipos LAM y T fueron los más frecuentes (39,5 y 32,5%, respectivamente), seguidos por Haarlem (7,0%), Beijing (4,7%) y X (2,3%). Conclusión: Se describe por primera vez en Chile la presencia del genotipo Beijing en cepas de cMtb. Es necesario realizar una vigilancia epidemiológica molecular en el cMtb para conocer la dinámica de la transmisión en nuestro país.

Tumor neuroblástico en el niño / Neuroblastic tumor in children

Los tumores neuroblásticos son tumores del sistema nervioso periférico. Algunos inmaduros como el neuroblastoma tienen comportamiento muy agresivo, mientras otros como el ganglioneuroma son considerados benignos. Por su variada sintomatología, al neuroblastoma se le denomina "el gran simulador" y es caracterizado como enigmático. El dolor es la principal manifestación, así como también la distensión abdominal y la palpación de una masa abdominal.

Tuberculosis miliar: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Miliary tuberculosis: a case report and literature review

La tuberculosis debe aún ser incluida en el diagnóstico diferencial de síndrome febril y sintomatología respiratoria en la infancia. Se presenta el caso de un adolescente con TBC miliar, patología frecuente en este grupo etario.