Paired Primary and Recurrent Rhabdoid Meningiomas: Cytogenetic Alterations, BAP1 Gene Expression Profile and Patient Outcome.

Rhabdoid meningiomas (RM) are a rare meningioma subtype with a heterogeneous clinical course which is more frequently associated with recurrence, even among tumors undergoing-complete surgical removal. Here, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical-histopathological and cytogenetic features of 29 tumors, from patients with recurrent (seven primary and 14 recurrent tumors) vs. non-recurrent RM (n = 8). Recurrent RM showed one (29%), two (29%) or three (42%) recurrences. BAP1 loss of expression was found in one third of all RM at diagnosis and increased to 100% in subsequent tumor recurrences. Despite both recurrent and non-recurrent RM shared chromosome 22 losses, non-recurrent tumors more frequently displayed extensive losses of chromosome 19p (62%) and/or 19q (50%), together with gains of chromosomes 20 and 21 (38%, respectively), whereas recurrent RM (at diagnosis) displayed more complex genotypic profiles with extensive losses of chromosomes 1p, 14q, 18p, 18q (67% each) and 21p (50%), together with focal gains at chromosome 17q22 (67%). Compared to paired primary tumors, recurrent RM samples revealed additional losses at chromosomes 16q and 19p (50% each), together with gains at chromosomes 1q and 17q in most recurrent tumors (67%, each). All deceased recurrent RM patients corresponded to women with chromosome 17q gains, although no statistical significant differences were found vs. the other RM patients.

Triangle Tip-Jet Knife used as "probe mode" can reduce the risk of mucosal damage during incision and tunneling phase of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) procedures.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a minimally invasive endoscopic technique for the treatment of achalasia and its use has been widely spread in recent years. The Triangle Tip-Jet (TTJ) (Olympus Triangle TipKnife-J, KD645L) has become very popular in this field and currently one of the most used knives for POEM procedures. It has the capability of knife dissection along with submucosal injection and its triangle tip shape is especially useful for pulling tissue during the myotomy phase. However, its length may be too long in situations such as tight esophagogastric junction (EGJ), narrow submucosa due to fibrosis, trimming after mucosal incision and/or less experienced endoscopists3 in which preserving the integrity of the mucosa is vitally important. Distal attachment conical caps like ST Hood (DH28GR,29CR; Fujifilm, Tokyo, Japan) are commonly used for POEM, resting the distal end of the TTJ on the cap, with only the triangular tip protruding. By using straight caps, you can get a wider view and greater maneuverability, however is more difficult to calculate the distance between the triangle tip and the distal attachment end due to its straight shape. The T-shape of the distal TTJ tip was designed for its use in an open position. In this way, while using straight caps and/or less experiences endoscopists during challenging procedures (tight EGJ, submucosal fibrosis) can make them feel unsafe during incision and/or tunneling phase. Herein, we suggest the use of the TTJ knife in "probe mode"4 to reduce the distal knife length from 4.5 mm to 0.3 mm, thus allowing a greater control of the knife tip. In addition, the TTJ probe mode can be safely used with both contact and non-contact currents, which are becoming increasingly popular in recent years.

Fatty Liver Disease, Metabolism and Alcohol Interplay: A Comprehensive Review.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide, and its incidence has been increasing in recent years because of the high prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome in the Western population. Alcohol-related liver disease (ArLD) is the most common cause of cirrhosis and constitutes the leading cause of cirrhosis-related deaths worldwide. Both NAFLD and ArLD constitute well-known causes of liver damage, with some similarities in their pathophysiology. For this reason, they can lead to the progression of liver disease, being responsible for a high proportion of liver-related events and liver-related deaths. Whether ArLD impacts the prognosis and progression of liver damage in patients with NAFLD is still a matter of debate. Nowadays, the synergistic deleterious effect of obesity and diabetes is clearly established in patients with ArLD and heavy alcohol consumption. However, it is still unknown whether low to moderate amounts of alcohol are good or bad for liver health. The measurement and identification of the possible synergistic deleterious effect of alcohol consumption in the assessment of patients with NAFLD is crucial for clinicians, since early intervention, advising abstinence and controlling cardiovascular risk factors would improve the prognosis of patients with both comorbidities. This article seeks to perform a comprehensive review of the pathophysiology of both disorders and measure the impact of alcohol consumption in patients with NAFLD.

Increased risk of MAFLD and Liver Fibrosis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Independent of Classic Metabolic Risk Factors.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: There is conflicting evidence regarding the prevalence of and risk factors for metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to determine MAFLD prevalence and risk factors in IBD patients. METHODS: Cross-sectional, case-control study included all consecutive IBD patients treated at 2 different university hospitals. Controls were subjects randomly selected from the general population and matched by age, sex, type 2 diabetes status, and body mass index in a 1:2 ratio. MAFLD was confirmed by controlled attenuation parameter. Liver biopsies were collected when MAFLD with significant liver fibrosis was suspected. In addition, age- and fibrosis stage-paired non-IBD patients with biopsy-proven MAFLD served as a secondary control group. RESULTS: Eight hundred thirty-one IBD patients and 1718 controls were included. The prevalence of MAFLD and advanced liver fibrosis (transient elastography ≥9.7 kPa) was 42.00% and 9.50%, respectively, in IBD patients and 32.77% and 2.31%, respectively, in the general population (P < .001). A diagnosis of IBD was an independent predictor of MAFLD (adjusted odds ratio, 1.99; P < .001) and an independent risk factor for advanced liver fibrosis (adjusted odds ratio, 5.55; P < .001). Liver biopsies were obtained from 40 IBD patients; MAFLD was confirmed in all cases, and fibrosis of any degree was confirmed in 25 of 40 cases (62.5%). Body mass index and type 2 diabetes prevalence were significantly lower in IBD-MAFLD patients than in severity-paired patients with biopsy-proven MAFLD. CONCLUSIONS: MAFLD and liver fibrosis are particularly prevalent in IBD patients, regardless of the influence of classic metabolic risk factors.

Efficacy and safety of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty versus laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in obese subjects with Non-Alcoholic SteatoHepatitis (NASH): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (TESLA-NASH study).

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is frequently associated with obesity, and its standard treatment is weight loss with diet and exercise; a dy% weight reduction has been associated with improvement in liver histological and analytical abnormalities. However, less than 25% of subjects achieve this goal. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) represents the most common procedure of bariatric surgery, providing effective weight loss and improvement in comorbidities such as NASH, but it is associated with several postoperative complications. Endoscopic bariatric techniques are currently on the rise as a new tool in the fight against obesity, offering patients an alternative to more invasive surgery. However, their efficacy and safety compared with LSG is unclear. METHODS: The TESLA-NASH study is a randomized, controlled, open-label, unicentric clinical trial with a medical device. The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) versus laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in liver histology improvement of patients with obesity +/- metabolic syndrome and NASH. A total of 30 patients will be randomized 1:1 to the experimental or control group. DISCUSSION: LSG is an effective treatment for weight reduction and for the remission of hepatic alterations. However, LSG is associated with acute and chronic postoperative complications. Bariatric endoscopic techniques promise less invasive and more cost-effective approaches to the treatment of obesity and metabolic comorbidities. ESG represents one of the most promising novel endoscopic interventions and it is mainly proposed for patients with mild-to-moderate obesity, but there are still no guidelines that specify its applicability criteria. This clinical trial will help us apply different tactics to the treatment of obesity and NASH. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04060368. Registered on Nov 15, 2019.

Mutational profiling can identify laryngeal dysplasia at risk of progression to invasive carcinoma.

Early diagnosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) at the stage of dysplasia could greatly improve the outcome of affected patients. For the first time we compared the mutational landscape of non-progressing dysplasia (NPD; n = 42) with progressing dysplasia (PD; n = 24), along with patient-matched LSCC biopsies; a total of 90 samples. Using targeted next-generation sequencing identified non-synonymous mutations in six genes (PIK3CA, FGFR3, TP53, JAK3, MET, FBXW7), and mutations were validated by Sanger sequencing and/or qPCR. Analysis was extended in silico to 530 head and neck (HNSCC) cases using TCGA data. Mutations in PIK3CA and FGFR3 were detected in PD and LSCC cases, as well as other HNSCC cases, but absent in NPD cases. In contrast, mutations in JAK3, MET and FBXW7 were found in NPD cases but not PD, LSCC or other HNSCC cases. TP53 was the most frequently mutated gene in both PD and NPD cases. With the exception of R248W, mutations were mutually exclusive. Moreover, five of seven PD mutations were located in motif H2 of p53, whereas none of the NPD mutations were. In summary, we propose that the mutational profile of laryngeal dysplasia has utility for the early detection of patients at risk of progression.

Meth Mouth-A Growing Epidemic in Dentistry?

In the past two decades, the synthetic style and fashion drug "crystal meth" ("crystal", "meth"), chemically representing the crystalline form of the methamphetamine hydrochloride, has become more and more popular in the United States, in Eastern Europe, and just recently in Central and Western Europe. "Meth" is cheap, easy to synthesize and to market, and has an extremely high potential for abuse and dependence. As a strong sympathomimetic, "meth" has the potency to switch off hunger, fatigue and, pain while simultaneously increasing physical and mental performance. The most relevant side effects are heart and circulatory complaints, severe psychotic attacks, personality changes, and progressive neurodegeneration. Another effect is "meth mouth", defined as serious tooth and oral health damage after long-standing "meth" abuse; this condition may become increasingly relevant in dentistry and oral- and maxillofacial surgery. There might be an association between general methamphetamine abuse and the development of osteonecrosis, similar to the medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ). Several case reports concerning "meth" patients after tooth extractions or oral surgery have presented clinical pictures similar to MRONJ. This overview summarizes the most relevant aspect concerning "crystal meth" abuse and "meth mouth".

A comparison of the analgesic efficacy of vedaprofeno, carprofen or ketofen after ovariohysterectomy in bitches / Comparação da eficácia analgésica do vedaprofeno, do carprofeno ou do cetoprofeno após ovariohisterectomia em cadelas

In this study the authors aimed to compare the efficiency of carprofen, ketoprofen and vedaprofen for alleviating postoperative pain in bitches submitted to ovariohysterectomy (OH). Pre- and postoperative assessment of pain was made using serum levels of cortisol and glucose, the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the University of Melbourne pain scale (UMPS) in twenty-one bitches undergoing OH. Dogs were randomly assigned to one of three groups: vedaprofen at 0.5mg kg-1, carprofen at 2.2mg kg-1 or ketoprofen at 2.2mg kg-1. All analgesics were given orally 2 hour before surgery. Assessments were made before surgery and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12 and 24 hours post-extubation. No dog of this study required additional doses of analgesics. There were no significant differences on serum cortisol and glucose concentrations among groups or from basal values, excepted one hour after extubation. No significant differences on pain scores were observed. It was concluded that vedaprofen provided as good a level of postoperative analgesia as carprofen and ketoprofen.

O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a eficiência do carprofeno, do cetoprofeno e do vedaprofeno no alívio da dor pós-operatória em cadelas submetidas à ovariohisterectomia (OH) eletiva. Para tal, foram realizadas avaliações pré e pós-operatórias de cortisol e glicose séricos e foram usadas a escala análoga visual (VAS) e a escala da Universidade de Melbourne (University of Melbourne Pain Scale - UMPS). Vinte e uma cadelas foram distribuídas aleatoriamente em três grupos de sete animais cada: vedaprofeno 0,5mg kg-1, carprofeno 2,2mg kg-1 ou cetoprofeno 2,2mg kg-1. Todos os analgésicos foram administrados pela via oral, duas horas antes da cirurgia. As avaliações foram realizadas antes da cirurgia e uma, duas, três, quatro, cinco, seis, sete, oito, 12 e 24 horas após a extubação. Nenhum dos cães precisou de analgesia de resgate. Com exceção dos valores observados uma hora após a extubação, não houve diferenças significativas nas concentrações séricas de cortisol e glicose entre grupos ou quando foram comparadas aos valores basais. Tampouco houve diferenças significativas nos escores de dor entre as escalas usadas, nos tempos de avaliação para cada grupo, nem entre os grupos. Concluiu-se que o vedaprofeno fornece analgesia pós-operatória de qualidade similar à obtida com carprofeno e com cetoprofeno.

Avaliação hemodinâmica e metabólica da cetamina e cetamina S(+) após a reposição volêmica com hidroxietilamido 130/0,4 e solução salina hipertônica 7,5 por cento / Hemodynamic and metabolic evaluation of ketamine and S(+) ketamine after volemic expansion with hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 and hypertonic saline solution

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos hemodinâmicos e metabólicos, após a administração de solução salina hipertônica (NaCL) 7,5 por cento ou em associação ao hidroxietilamido (HES), em cães com hipovolemia induzida e tratados com cetamina. Após a indução da hipovolemia, administrou-se NaCl 7,5 por cento (4,0ml kg-1) no grupo hipertônica levógira (GHL) e grupo hipertônica racêmica (GHR) ou HES 130/0,4 na mesma proporção de sangue retirado, associado a NaCl 7,5 por cento (4ml kg-1) no grupo hipertônica colóide levógira (GHCL) e no grupo hipertônica colóide racêmica (GHCR). Após 30 minutos, administrou-se, por via IV, cetamina levógira (CL) (5mg kg-1) no GHL e GHCL ou cetamina racêmica (CR) (10mg kg-1) no GHR e GHCR. Empregou-se a análise de variância de uma única via com repetições múltiplas (ANOVA) e o teste de Student Newman Keuls (P ≤ 0,05). A frequência cardíaca e a pressão arterial sistólica foram menores após a hipovolemia e após a CR. As pressões arteriais média e diastólica foram menores após a hipovolemia e cetamina. A pressão venosa central foi maior após a administração do colóide. Os índices cardíaco e sistólico foram menores após a hipovolemia em todos os grupos e, após a fase de expansão no GHL e GHR. A pressão média da artéria pulmonar foi menor após a hipovolemia em todos os grupos. A pressão de oclusão da artéria pulmonar foi maior após o colóide. O índice do trabalho ventricular esquerdo foi menor após a hipovolemia no GHCL e GHCR. O índice da resistência periférica total foi maior após a hipovolemia e menor após a CL. Observou-se acidose metabólica após a hipovolemia e após a cetamina. Ocorreu acidose respiratória após a cetamina no GHL e GHR. Conclui-se que a administração de NaCl 7,5 por cento associado ao HES 130/0,4 promove o restabelecimento imediato dos parâmetros hemodinâmicos e metabólicos no paciente hipovolêmico; a administração isolada de NaCl 7,5 por cento não é capaz...

The objective of this study was to evaluate the hemodynamics and hemogasometrics effects, after the administration of hypertonic solution (NaCl 7.5 percent) or in association with hidroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 (HES), in dogs with induced experimental hypovolemia and treated with racemic ketamine (RK) or S(+) ketamine (SK). After the hypovolemia induction, administration of NaCl 7.5 percent (4 ml kg-1) was performed in two groups called hypertonic S(+) group (HSG) and hypertonic racemic group (HRG), or NaCl 7.5 percent (4 ml kg-1) in association with HES, in the same ratio of removed blood, in two groups called hypertonic colloid S(+) group (HCSG) and hypertonic colloid racemic group (HCRG). After 30 minutes, it was administered by intravenous injection, SK (5tymg kg-1) in HSG and HCSG groups, or RK (10 mg kg-1) in HRG and HCRG groups. To evaluate the significance of the results, it was used One-way Analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures and Student Newman Keuls method (P ≤ 0.05). The heart rate and the systolic arterial pressure were reduced after hypovolemia and administration of the RK. Mean and diastolic arterial pressure were reduced after hypovolemia and either SK or RK administration. The central venous pressure was increased after administration of the colloid. The cardiac output, index cardiac, and index systolic were reduced after hypovolemia in all groups and, after phase of expansion in HSG and HRG. The pulmonary arterial occlusion pressure was increased after colloid administration. The left ventricular work index was reduced after hypovolemia in HCSG and HCRG. The systemic vascular resistance index was increased after hypovolemia and decreased after administration of the SK. The CO2 concentration to the end of the expiration increased after administration of ketamine in HCSG and HCRG. Metabolic acidosis was observed after hypovolemia and after administration of ketamine in all...

Comportamento da pressão intra-ocular segundo os efeitos cardiorrespiratórios e hemodinâmicos induzidos pela anestesia com desflurano, em cães submetidos à hipovolemia experimental / Behavior of intraocular pressure according to cardiorespiratory and hemodynamic effects induced by desflurane in dogs subjected to experimental hypovolemia

OBJETIVOS: Observar o comportamento da pressão intra-ocular, segundo os efeitos cardiorrespiratórios e hemodinâmicos induzidos pela anestesia geral com desflurano, em cães submetidos à hipovolemia experimental. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 18 cães, machos e fêmeas, com peso entre 10 e 15 kg. A hipovolemia foi realizada retirando-se 40 ml de sangue/kg de peso. A seguir, a anestesia foi induzida com desflurano através de máscara facial, até que a intubação orotraqueal fosse permitida. A pressão intra-ocular foi medida por tonometria de aplanação. Valores para freqüência cardíaca, débito cardíaco, pressão arterial média, pressão venosa central e pressão parcial de CO2 ao final da expiração e freqüência respiratória foram mensurados. Os parâmetros da avaliação foram registrados após a instrumentalização e antes de qualquer outro procedimento (T0), quinze minutos depois da indução da hipovolemia experimental (T45) e após 30 minutos da indução anestésica (T75). RESULTADOS: A pressão intra-ocular apresentou relação direta somente com a pressão parcial de CO2 no final da expiração. CONCLUSÕES: Não foi possível estabelecer correlação entre alterações da pressão arterial média e da pressão venosa central com a pressão intra-ocular e houve relação direta entre os valores da pressão intra-ocular e os de ETCO2.

Avaliação dos efeitos do amitraz por via epidural em vacas / Evaluation of the effects of epidural amitraz in cows

O amitraz possui efeitos sistêmicos resultantes da atividade intrínseca com receptores adrenérgicos do tipo a-2. Nesse estudo, avaliou-se os efeitos das injeções epidurais de amitraz (0,1 e 0,4 mg.kg-1) ou DMSO 10% (5,0 mL) sobre a freqüência cardíaca (FC), pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) , freqüência respiratória (FR) , motilidade ruminal (MR), temperatura retal (TR), altura de cabeça (AC) e as latências da resposta a estímulos nociceptivos nas regiões da coxa (LECC) e coroa do casco (LRRM) de vacas. Houve uma diminuição das variáveis FC e MR nos animais que receberam amitraz. Não houve diferenças significativas na FR, PAS e AC entre os grupos estudados. A LECC e a LRRM foram maiores no grupo amitraz (0,4 mg.kg-1) entre 25 e 120 minutos. Concluiu-se que o amitraz aumenta a latência de resposta a estímulo nociceptivo, sem induzir efeitos colaterais sistêmicos severos nas doses utilizadas, por via epidural em vacas.

Laparoscopy hepatic biopsy through cauterization

Hepatic biopsy was realized through laparoscopy with simultaneous cauterization in the present study, whose principal aim was to evaluate the efficacy of the applied method and to study its effects in the liver of healthy dogs. Furthermore, we tried to verify the main hematological and chemistry profile alterations related to the hepatic function, and to investigate the viability of the fragments collected by histopathology. To attain this objective, 21 clinically healthy dogs, weighing between 10 and 15kg were submitted to hepatic biopsy with forceps connected to the cautery. Cautery was performed by applying radiofrequency energy at 45 watts. Forty-two hepatic biopsies through laparoscopy were conducted in the animals. At group I one hepatic fragment per animal was collected, at group II two hepatic fragments per animal were collected, and at group III three fragments were collected. Hematocrit and alanine-aminotransferase measurements were employed to evaluate the animals at the pre-operative period, at four and six hour post-operative, and at day 30 post-operative. The results revealed that the procedure was safe and effective for hepatic biopsy in dogs. There were no clinical alterations related to the technique. The fragments collected were viable for histopathology. Hepatic biopsy through laparoscopy with simultaneous cauterization is an effective and usefull method in dogs

Tromboembolismo pulmonar: el valor de la clínica / Pulmonary embolism: the importance of clinical evaluation

El tromboembolismo pulmonar constituye un problema clínico frecuente; sus síntomas y signos son inespecíficos y los exámenes habitualmente utilizados para su diagnóstico son a menudo poco sensibles y específicos. La Angiografía Pulmonar es el Gold Standard, no obstante es de escasa disponibilidad en nuestro medio, de alto costo, constituye un método invasivo no exento de complicaciones y de difícil interpretación en algunas oportunidades. La tomografía helicoidal de tórax es una técnica nueva, de mayor accesibilidad, cuyo desarrollo tecnológico ha permitido lograr mejorías en su sensibilidad y especificidad diagnósticas y consecuentemente un cambio en nuestras decisiones terapéuticas. Presentamos el caso de un paciente con trombosis venosa de las extremidades inferiores y un cuadro clínico compatible con alta probabilidad para tromboembolismo pulmonar. Hubo desarrollo de infiltrados pulmonares bilaterales asociados a derrame pleural en ausencia de fiebre y leucocitosis. Se inició terapia anticoagulante con lo cual hubo mejoría clínica del cuadro. Sin embargo, la realización de una tomografía helicoidal de tórax no demostró presencia de émbolos en la vasculatura pulmonar. Es por ello que debemos ser cautos en el momento de tomar decisiones clínicas basadas en un solo test diagnóstico, sin importar cuan eficiente este sea

Administraçäo epidural de opióides em cäes / Epidural opioids administration in dogs: a review

Os opióides têm sido utilizados em Medicina Veterinária há vários anos como alternativa para o alívio da dor pós-operatória ou traumática. Atualmente, tem-se dado maior valor ao controle da dor nos animais, visando a oferecer melhores condiçöes de recuperaçäo ao paciente traumatizado ou recém-operado. A morfina foi o primeiro opióide usado em animais. Mais recentemente, a administraçäo dessa substância, por via epidural, vem sendo empregada no controle da dor com resultados promissores. Assim, nesta revisäo, abordam-se vários aspectos referentes aos efeitos e às indicaçöes da administraçäo epidural de opióides em cäes.

Rendimiento del lavado broncoalveolar en el diagnóstico de las neumonías / Yield of bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnosis of pneumonia

Para evaluar la utilidad clínica del lavado broncoalveolar (LBA) con cultivos semicuantitativos en el diagnóstico de las neumonías bacterianas, estudiamos prospectivamente 28 pacientes con síndrome febril e infiltrados pulmonares radiológicos, hospitalizados por su gravedad o fracaso de la terapia antibiótica inicial. Estos pacientes suspendieron los antibióticos 48 horas previas al estudio. A todos ellos se les tomó hemocultivos, muestras de expectoración para estudio bacteriológico y baciloscopías así como muestras de líquido pleural en los casos en que esto fue posible. A todos los pacientes se les realizó una fibrobroncoscopía con LBA. Del LBA se obtuvo muestra para punción de Gram, baciloscopías y cultivo semicuantitativo en medios aeróbicos. El cultivos del LBA fue positivo con desarrollo para un agente patógeno con recuento >10(5) unidades formadoras de colonias por ml (ufc/ml) en 10 casos. Todos ellos respondieron favorablemente a la terapia antibiótica específica. Sólo uno de los cultivos de LBA dió desarrollo a Estreptococo viridans con recuento superior a 10(5) ufc/ml en un paciente con derrame pleural y atelectasia subyacente de resolución espontánea. En 17 casos el cultivo del LBA fue negativo y dió desarrollo a agentes de la flora normal de la farínge en un número <10(5) ufc/ml. Estos cultivos correspondieron a 11 pacientes con patología pulmonar no infecciosa, a 6 pacientes con neumonías atípicas y a un enfermo con neumonía tuberculosa. Si suponemos que la clínica y la respuesta al tratamiento antibiótico específico confirman la etiología bacteriana de los infiltrados, el cultivo semicuantitativo de LBA, considerando positivos los cultivos con recuentos >10(5) ufc/ml, tuvo un valor predictivo positivo en el diagnóstico de neumonía bacteriana de 91 porciento y valor predictivo negativo de 100 porciento. El LBA mostró tener una sensibilidad de 100 porciento y especificidad de 94 porciento con un límite de corte en recuentos >10(5) ufc/ml