Recommendations for the management of candidemia in adults in Latin America. Latin America Invasive Mycosis Network.

Candidemia is one of the most frequent opportunistic mycoses worldwide. Limited epidemiological studies in Latin America indicate that incidence rates are higher in this region than in the Northern Hemisphere. Diagnosis is often made late in the infection, affecting the initiation of antifungal therapy. A more scientific approach, based on specific parameters, for diagnosis and management of candidemia in Latin America is warranted. 'Recommendations for the diagnosis and management of candidemia' are a series of manuscripts that have been developed by members of the Latin America Invasive Mycosis Network. They aim to provide a set of best-evidence recommendations for the diagnosis and management of candidemia. This publication, 'Recommendations for the management of candidemia in adults in Latin America', was written to provide guidance to healthcare professionals on the management of adults who have, or who are at risk of, candidemia. Computerized searches of existing literature were performed by PubMed. The data were extensively reviewed and analyzed by members of the group. The group also met on two occasions to pose questions, discuss conflicting views, and deliberate on a series of management recommendations. 'Recommendations for the management of candidemia in adults in Latin America' includes prophylaxis, empirical therapy, therapy for proven candidemia, patient work-up following diagnosis of candidemia, duration of candidemia treatment, and central venous catheter management in patients with candidemia. This manuscript is the second of this series that deals with diagnosis and treatment of invasive candidiasis. Other publications in this series include: 'Recommendations for the diagnosis of candidemia in Latin America', 'Recommendations for the management of candidemia in children in Latin America', and 'Recommendations for the management of candidemia in neonates in Latin America'.

[Recommendations for the diagnosis of candidemia in Latin America. Grupo Proyecto Épico]. / Recomendaciones para el diagnóstico de la candidemia en América Latina.

Candidemia is one of the most frequent opportunistic mycoses worldwide. Limited epidemiological studies in Latin America indicate that incidence rates are higher in this region than in the Northern Hemisphere. Diagnosis is often made late in the infection, affecting the initiation of antifungal therapy. A more scientific approach, based on specific parameters, for diagnosis and management of candidemia in Latin America is warranted. 'Recommendations for the diagnosis and management of candidemia' are a series of manuscripts that have been developed by members of the Latin America Invasive Mycosis Network. They aim to provide a set of best-evidence recommendations for the diagnosis and management of candidemia. This publication, 'Recommendations for the diagnosis of candidemia in Latin America', was written to provide guidance to healthcare professionals on the diagnosis of candidemia, as well as on the usefulness and application of susceptibility testing in patients who have a confirmed diagnosis of candidemia. Computerized searches of existing literature were performed by PubMed. The data were extensively reviewed and analyzed by members of the group. The group also met on two occasions to pose questions, discuss conflicting views, and deliberate on a series of management recommendations. 'Recommendations for the diagnosis of candidemia in Latin America' includes diagnostic methods used to detect candidemia, Candida species identification, and susceptibility testing. The availability of methods, their costs and treatment settings are considered. This manuscript is the first of this series that deals with diagnosis and treatment of invasive candidiasis. Other publications in this series include: 'Recommendations for the management of candidemia in adults in Latin America', 'Recommendations for the management of candidemia in children in Latin America', and 'Recommendations for the management of candidemia in neonates in Latin America'.

Recommendations for the management of candidemia in children in Latin America. Latin America Invasive Mycosis Network.

Candidemia is one of the most frequent opportunistic mycoses worldwide. Limited epidemiological studies in Latin America indicate that incidence rates are higher in this region than in the Northern Hemisphere. Diagnosis is often made late in the infection, affecting the initiation of antifungal therapy. A more scientific approach, based on specific parameters, for diagnosis and management of candidemia in Latin America is warranted. 'Recommendations for the diagnosis and management of candidemia' are a series of manuscripts that have been developed by members of the Latin America Invasive Mycosis Network. They aim to provide a set of best-evidence recommendations for the diagnosis and management of candidemia. This publication, 'Recommendations for the management of candidemia in children in Latin America', was written to provide guidance to healthcare professionals on the management of children who have, or who are at risk of, candidemia. Computerized searches of existing literature were performed by PubMed. The data were extensively reviewed and analyzed by members of the group. The group also met on two occasions to pose questions, discuss conflicting views, and deliberate on a series of management recommendations. 'Recommendations for the management of candidemia in children in Latin America' includes prophylaxis, empirical therapy, therapy for proven candidemia, patient work-up following diagnosis of candidemia, duration of candidemia treatment, and central venous catheter management in children with candidemia. This manuscript is the third of this series that deals with diagnosis and treatment of invasive candidiasis. Other publications in this series include: 'Recommendations for the diagnosis of candidemia in Latin America', 'Recommendations for the management of candidemia in adults in Latin America', and 'Recommendations for the management of candidemia in neonates in Latin America'.

[Recommendations for the management of candidemia in adults in Latin America. Grupo Proyecto Épico]. / Recomendaciones para el manejo de la candidemia en adultos en América Latina.

Candidemia is one of the most frequent opportunistic mycoses worldwide. Limited epidemiological studies in Latin America indicate that incidence rates are higher in this region than in the Northern Hemisphere. Diagnosis is often made late in the infection, affecting the initiation of antifungal therapy. A more scientific approach, based on specific parameters, for diagnosis and management of candidemia in Latin America is warranted. 'Recommendations for the diagnosis and management of candidemia' are a series of manuscripts that have been developed by members of the Latin America Invasive Mycosis Network. They aim to provide a set of best-evidence recommendations for the diagnosis and management of candidemia. This publication, 'Recommendations for the management of candidemia in adults in Latin America', was written to provide guidance to healthcare professionals on the management of adults who have, or who are at risk of, candidemia. Computerized searches of existing literature were performed by PubMed. The data were extensively reviewed and analyzed by members of the group. The group also met on two occasions to pose questions, discuss conflicting views, and deliberate on a series of management recommendations. 'Recommendations for the management of candidemia in adults in Latin America' includes prophylaxis, empirical therapy, therapy for proven candidemia, patient work-up following diagnosis of candidemia, duration of candidemia treatment, and central venous catheter management in patients with candidemia. This manuscript is the second of this series that deals with diagnosis and treatment of invasive candidiasis. Other publications in this series include: 'Recommendations for the diagnosis of candidemia in Latin America', 'Recommendations for the management of candidemia in children in Latin America', and 'Recommendations for the management of candidemia in neonates in Latin America'.

Recommendations for the diagnosis of candidemia in Latin America. Latin America Invasive Mycosis Network.

Candidemia is one of the most frequent opportunistic mycoses worldwide. Limited epidemiological studies in Latin America indicate that incidence rates are higher in this region than in the Northern Hemisphere. Diagnosis is often made late in the infection, affecting the initiation of antifungal therapy. A more scientific approach, based on specific parameters, for diagnosis and management of candidemia in Latin America is warranted. 'Recommendations for the diagnosis and management of candidemia' are a series of manuscripts that have been developed by members of the Latin America Invasive Mycosis Network. They aim to provide a set of best-evidence recommendations for the diagnosis and management of candidemia. This publication, 'Recommendations for the diagnosis of candidemia in Latin America', was written to provide guidance to healthcare professionals on the diagnosis of candidemia, as well as on the usefulness and application of susceptibility testing in patients who have a confirmed diagnosis of candidemia. Computerized searches of existing literature were performed by PubMed. The data were extensively reviewed and analyzed by members of the group. The group also met on two occasions to pose questions, discuss conflicting views, and deliberate on a series of management recommendations. 'Recommendations for the diagnosis of candidemia in Latin America' includes diagnostic methods used to detect candidemia, Candida species identification, and susceptibility testing. The availability of methods, their costs and treatment settings are considered. This manuscript is the first of this series that deals with diagnosis and treatment of invasive candidiasis. Other publications in this series include: 'Recommendations for the management of candidemia in adults in Latin America', 'Recommendations for the management of candidemia in children in Latin America', and 'Recommendations for the management of candidemia in neonates in Latin America'.

Comparison of caspofungin and amphotericin B for invasive candidiasis.

BACKGROUND: Caspofungin is an echinocandin agent with fungicidal activity against candida species. We performed a double-blind trial to compare caspofungin with amphotericin B deoxycholate for the primary treatment of invasive candidiasis. METHODS: We enrolled patients who had clinical evidence of infection and a positive culture for candida species from blood or another site. Patients were stratified according to the severity of disease, as indicated by the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) score, and the presence or absence of neutropenia and were randomly assigned to receive either caspofungin or amphotericin B. The study was designed to compare the efficacy of caspofungin with that of amphotericin B in patients with invasive candidiasis and in a subgroup with candidemia. RESULTS: Of the 239 patients enrolled, 224 were included in the modified intention-to-treat analysis. Base-line characteristics, including the percentage of patients with neutropenia and the mean APACHE II score, were similar in the two treatment groups. A modified intention-to-treat analysis showed that the efficacy of caspofungin was similar to that of amphotericin B, with successful outcomes in 73.4 percent of the patients treated with caspofungin and in 61.7 percent of those treated with amphotericin B (difference after adjustment for APACHE II score and neutropenic status, 12.7 percentage points; 95.6 percent confidence interval, -0.7 to 26.0). An analysis of patients who met prespecified criteria for evaluation showed that caspofungin was superior, with a favorable response in 80.7 percent of patients, as compared with 64.9 percent of those who received amphotericin B (difference, 15.4 percentage points; 95.6 percent confidence interval, 1.1 to 29.7). Caspofungin was as effective as amphotericin B in patients who had candidemia, with a favorable response in 71.7 percent and 62.8 percent of patients, respectively (difference, 10.0 percentage points; 95.0 percent confidence interval, -4.5 to 24.5). There were significantly fewer drug-related adverse events in the caspofungin group than in the amphotericin B group. CONCLUSIONS: Caspofungin is at least as effective as amphotericin B for the treatment of invasive candidiasis and, more specifically, candidemia.

Tuberculosis genital y CA-125 elevado / Genital tuberculosis and high CA-125 titles

Se presenta caso de tuberculosis genital en mujer joven con títulos altos de CA-125 y diagnóstico inicial de carcinomatosis peritoneal de probable origen ovárico. Se compara hallazgos con lo reportado en la literatura a tráves de los 20 años en Medline y se discute su tratamiento

Tratamiento de la gonorrea en adolescentes y adultos / Gonorrhea treatment in adolescents and adults

La gonorrea continúa siendo una enfermedad frecuente. En Chile 70 porciento de las cepas de neisseria gonorrhoeae son resistentes a penicilina y mantienen 100 porciento de sensibilidad a cefalosporinas de tercera generación y ciprofloxacina. Se revisan los esquemas terapéuticos propuestos para las infecciones gonocóccicas uretrales, cervicales, rectales, faríngeas, conjuntivales, forma diseminada, endocarditis y meningitis. Además se comentan las exigencias del tratamiento en la mujer embarazada, en pacientes infectados por virus de inmunodeficiencia humana, en casos de coexistencia con chlamydia trachomatis y en pacientes alérgicos a b lactámicos

Fluctuación estacional de hongos anemófilos en Santiago Norte-Chile / Fungal seasonal fluctuation of anemophilus fungi in Northern Santiago-Chile

Por el método de cultivo de esporas viables, se monitoreó la concentración fúngica y variabilidad genérica presente en la atmósfera de Santiago entre 1991 y 1992. Durante 52 semanas se recolectaron 1.040 muestras en 10 lugares mediante la impactación de 20 litros de aire en la superficie de un medio de cultivo, utilizándo un equipo colector portátil RCS. La atmósfera se presentó homogénea cualitativa y cuantitativamente, con una concentración media de 1945 ufc/m3. El contenido fúngico aumentó en forma significativa en verano y presentó correlación positiva con la temperatura y luz solar y negativa con humedad relativa y presión barométrica. Se identificaron 39 taxa: 86,7 porciento correspondió a hongos filamentosos y 13,2 porciento a levaduras. Los géneros predominates en orden decreciente fueron cladosporium, ulocladium, alternaria, penicillium, aspergillus, aureobasidium, botrytis y epicoccum, los que en conjunto representaron el 75,6 porciento del total de las colonias. Cladosporium, ulocladium y epicoccum aumentan su concentración en verano y se correlacionan en forma positiva con la temperatura y luz solar; botrytis y penicillium aumentan en invierno y otoño y aspergillus solo en otoño

E-test para determinar concentraciones inhibitorias mínimas, estimar la diversidad bacteriana e identificar presuntivamente beta-lactamasas en cepas de pseudomonas aeruginosa y acinetobacter baumanii asociadas a infecciones intrahospitalarias / E-test to study minimal inhibitory concentrations, bacterial diversity and to presumably identify beta-lactamases in pseudomonas aeruginosa and acinetobacter baumanii strains associated to intrahospitaly infections

Sixty eight strains of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and acinetobacter baumanii isolated on a teaching hospital were analized with E-test strips to determine their minimal inhibitory concentration for different antimicrobials. More than 75 percent of Acinetobacter baumanii were resistent to Piperacillin, Cefpirome, Cefepime, Gentamicin or Amikacin, 40 percent of strains were resistant to Ceftazidime, 27 and 53 percent of isolates had a decreased susceptibility to Meropenem and Piperacillin-tazobactam respectively. Twenty eight to 54 percent of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were resistant to Cefpirome, Cefepime, Ciprefloxacin and Gentamicin. 18 and 10 percent of were resistant to Meropenem and Imipenem respectively. Less than 10 percent of strains were resistant to Amikacin, Aztreonam, Piperacillin-tazobactam or Ceftazidime. Most of beta-lactam resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was associated to dicreased susceptibility or resistance to Cefpirome, Cefepime or to Meropenem-Imipenem and did not match clearly with known beta-lactamase profiles. The knowledge of susceptibility of these bacteria responsible for nosocomial infections, will help to plan the appropiate use of antimicrobials

Hongos filamentosos contaminantes de superficie de diferentes frutas deshidratadas de venta libre en Santiago de Chile / Surface contaminant filamentous fungi of different dehydrated fruits sold in markets in Santiago, Chile

Sesenta y una muestra de frutas deshidratadas de diferentes marcas de venta libre en Santiago de Chile, fueron analizadas para determinar los hongos filamentosos contaminantes de superficie, con el objeto de tener una primera aproximación sobre el riesgo derivado de su consumo. De éstas 36 corresponden a muestras envasadas y 25 a granel. Las técnicas de estudio se desarrollaron bajo procedimientos estándar. 45 (73,8 porciento) muestras presentaron desarrollo fúngico. Se identificó en total 11 géneros, siendo los más encontrados: Aspergillus, Rhizopus, Penicillium y Mucor. Géneros como Aureobasidium, Chrysosporium, Paecilomyces, Epicoccum, Ulocladium, Scopulariopsis y Alternaria también fueron descritos. Se discute el potencial riesgo de infección de pacientes inmunodeprimidos que consumen frutas deshidratadas