Zigomicosis y síndrome hemofagocítico en un paciente inmunocompetente: informe de caso / Zygomycosis and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in an immunocompetent patient: a case report

Introducción: la zigomicosis es una infección fúngica poco frecuente, con alta tasa de mortalidad y de mal pronóstico. Afecta principalmente a pacientes inmunocomprometidos. La asociación con el síndrome hemofagocítico es extremadamente inusual, más aún en pacientes inmunocompetentes, con pocos ejemplos registrados en la literatura. Caso clínico: se presenta el caso de un paciente masculino inmunocompetente de 40 años con diagnóstico de mucormicosis y síndrome hemofagocítico que evoluciona desfavorablemente, con fallo multiorgánico, a pesar de los esfuerzos médicos. Conclusión: la asociación de mucormicosis con síndrome hemofagocítico en un paciente inmunocompetente es extremadamente rara; existen pocos casos informados en Latinoamérica. Debemos tener presente esta asociación, ya que requiere un tratamiento agresivo y soporte vital avanzado. (AU)

Introduction: zygomycosis is a rare fungal infection that carries with high mortality rates. This poor prognosis, rapidly progressive infection mainly affects immunocompromised patients. The association with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is extremely unusual, even more in immunocompetent patients, with few cases reported. Case: we present the case of an immunocompetent male patient who was diagnosed with zygomycosis and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Despite medical efforts he developed multiorganic failure. Conclusion: the association of mucormycosis with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in an immunocompetent patient is exceptional with few cases reported in Latin America. We must always suspect this association considering they require aggressive treatment and advanced life support. (AU)

Sinus floor elevation using a new bovine bone grafting material: case report and bone grafting materials update / Actualización en materiales de relleno óseo: reporte de un caso clínico de elevamiento del piso del seno maxilar usando un nuevo material de relleno óseo bovino

Bone grafting is important to preserve the alveolar bone ridge height and volume for dental implant placement. Even though implant-supported overdentures present highly successful outcomes, it seems that a great number of edentulous individuals have not pursued implant-based rehabilitation. The cost of the treatment is one of the reasons of discrepancy between highly successful therapy and its acceptance. Therefore, the development of biomaterials for bone grafting with comparable characteristics and biological effects than those renowned internationally, is necessary. In addition, domestic manufacture would reduce the high costs in public health arising from the application of these biomaterials in the dental feld. The purpose of this clinical case report is to provide preliminary clinical evidence of the efficacy of a new bovine bone graft in the bone healing process when used for sinus floor elevation. (AU)

El uso de injertos óseos es importante para preservar la altura y el volumen de la cresta alveolar para la colocación de implantes dentales. Si bien las sobredentaduras implanto-soportadas presentan resultados altamente exitosos, la mayoría de las personas desdentadas no han sido rehabilitadas mediante implantes dentales. Uno de los principales motivos por los cuales los pacientes no aceptan este tipo de tratamiento, altamente exitoso, es el elevado costo del mismo. Por ello, es necesario el desarrollo de biomateriales de injerto óseo con características y efectos biológicos comparables a los reconocidos internacionalmente. Asimismo, la fabricación nacional reduciría los altos costos en Salud Pública derivados de la aplicación de estos biomateriales en el campo dental. El objetivo de esta comunicación es presentar un caso clínico a fin de proporcionar evidencia preliminar acerca de la eficacia de un nuevo injerto de hueso bovino en el proceso de cicatrización ósea en el levantamiento del piso del seno maxilar. (AU)

Amoxycillin Clavulanic Acid Induced Hepatotoxicity.

Drug-related hepatotoxicity is a serious health problem, with broad implications for patients, healthcare providers, the pharmaceutical industry and governmental regulatory agencies. Herein we report a rare case of amoxycillinclavulanic acid combination induced liver injury of cholestatic pattern in 40 years old, well educated male patient. Patient gave history that though other drugs were given to him by his physician for fever with chills & rigors, malaise, bodyache, except amoxycillin-clavulanic acid combination all other drugs were well tolerated previously by the patient, without appearance of jaundice. So jaundice in this patient was most probably due to amoxycillinclavulanic acid combination. Though severe liver injury is rare, proper history should be taken while prescribing amoxycillin-clavulanic acid combination. Attention must be paid to potential side-effects of the drugs and close follow-up with patients is a medical necessity to evaluate adverse reactions, especially in case of amoxycillinclavulanic acid combination.

Efficacy and Safety of Fixed Dose Combination of Cefpodoxime Proxetil and Potassium Clavulanate (Cefchamp) in Comparison with Cefuroxime Axetil in Patients with Lower Respiratory Tract Infections.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Fixed Dose Combination of Cefpodoxime Proxetil and Potassium Clavulanate (Cefchamp) in comparison with Cefuroxime Axetil in patients with Lower Respiratory Tract Infections.Methods:In this open, randomized, and controlled, parallel-group study of 7 days, 57 patients of both gender above 18 years of age with diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infection were randomized to receive Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) of Cefpodoxime Proxetil plus Potassium Clavulanate (Cefchamp), or Cefuroxime Axetil (CA) for a period of 7 days. Efficacy was assessed by symptoms of cough, dyspnoea, wheezing, Rhonchi, and chest pain based on 4-point scale as 0=none,1=mild, 2=moderate, 3=severe. Fever was recorded as the patient’s actual temperature. Safety assessment included adverse events and adverse drug reactions during the study period.Results: Three patients lost to follow up with CA.The improvement in all symptoms except cough was greater with CC as compared to CA group(p, >0.05). Fever improved from 37.18°C at baseline to 37.01 on day 3 with CC, whereas with CA the fever improved from 37.l5 at baseline to 37.05 on day 3 with CA. Fever subsided in all the patients in both treatments by day 5 of study therapy. Clinical cure was seen in 57.14% (16/28) patients on CC, whereas 42.3% patients (11/26) on CA had clinical cure.Conclusions:The fixed dose combination of Cefpodoxime Proxetil 200 mg and Potassium Clavulanate 125mg (Cefchamp) in comparison with Cefuroxime Axetil 500 mg showed improvement in the cure of respiratory tract infections in terms of decreasing the patient’s LRTI symptoms, improving the patient’s general health and with few adverse events and adverse drug reactions. However, further studies of greater sample size and blinded nature are needed to further substantiate this effect.

Antibiotic treatment schemes for very severe community-acquired pneumonia in children: a randomized clinical study / Esquemas de tratamiento antibiótico para la neumonía extrahospitalaria muy grave en niños: estudio clínico aleatorizado

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical response to initial empiric treatment with oxacillin plus ceftriaxone and amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid in hospitalized children diagnosed with very severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). METHODS: A prospective randomized clinical study was conducted among children 2 months to 5 years old with a diagnosis of very severe CAP in the pediatric ward of São Paulo State University Hospital in Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil, from April 2007 to May 2008. Patients were randomly divided into two groups by type of treatment: an oxacillin/ceftriaxone group (OCG, n = 48) and an amoxicillin/clavulanic acid group (ACG, n = 56). Analyzed outcomes were: time to clinical improvement (fever and tachypnea), time on oxygen therapy, length of stay in hospital, need to widen antimicrobial spectrum, and complications (including pleural effusion). RESULTS: The two groups did not differ statistically for age, sex, symptom duration before admission, or previous antibiotic treatment. Time to improve tachypnea was less among ACG patients than OCG patients (4.8 ± 2.2 versus 5.8 ± 2.4 days respectively; P = 0.028), as was length of hospital stay (11.0 ± 6.2 versus 14.4 ± 4.5 days respectively; P = 0.002). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups for fever improvement time, time on oxygen therapy, need to widen antimicrobial spectrum, or frequency of pleural effusion. CONCLUSIONS: Both treatment plans are effective in treating very severe CAP in 2-month-to 5-year-old hospitalized children. The only analyzed outcome that favored amoxicillin/clavulanic acid treatment was time required to improve tachypnea.

OBJETIVO: Comparar la respuesta clínica al tratamiento empírico inicial con oxacilina más ceftriaxona frente a amoxicilina más ácido clavulánico en niños hospitalizados con diagnóstico de neumonía extrahospitalaria muy grave. MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo un estudio clínico prospectivo aleatorizado en niños de 2 meses a 5 años de edad con diagnóstico de neumonía extrahospitalaria muy grave en la sala de pediatría del Hospital Universitario del Estado de São Paulo en Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil, entre abril del 2007 y mayo del 2008. Los pacientes se dividieron aleatoriamente en dos grupos según el tratamiento administrado: un grupo recibió oxacilina/ceftriaxona (n = 48) y otro amoxicilina/ácido clavulánico (n = 56). Los criterios de valoración analizados fueron el tiempo hasta la mejoría clínica (de la fiebre y la taquipnea), el tiempo de administración de oxigenoterapia, la duración de la internación, la necesidad de ampliar el espectro antibiótico y las complicaciones (como el derrame pleural). RESULTADOS: Los dos grupos no presentaban diferencias estadísticas con respecto a la edad, el sexo, la duración de los síntomas antes de la internación o el tratamiento previo con antibióticos. El tiempo hasta la mejoría de la taquipnea fue menor en los pacientes tratados con amoxicilina/ácido clavulánico que en los que recibieron oxacilina/ceftriaxona (4,8 ± 2,2 días frente a 5,8 ±2,4 días, respectivamente; P = 0,028), y también fue menor la duración de la internación (11,0 ± 6,2 días frente a 14,4 ± 4,5 días, respectivamente; P = 0,002). No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los dos grupos en relación con el tiempo hasta la mejoría de la fiebre, el tiempo de administración de oxigenoterapia, la necesidad de ampliar el espectro antibiótico ni la frecuencia de derrame pleural. CONCLUSIONES: Ambos esquemas de tratamiento son eficaces para tratar la neumonía extrahospitalaria muy grave en niños de 2 meses a 5 años de edad hospitalizados. El único criterio de valoración analizado que favoreció el tratamiento con amoxicilina/ ácido clavulánico fue el tiempo hasta la mejoría de la taquipnea.

Comparative efficacy and safety evaluation of cefaclor vs amoxycillin + clavulanate in children with Acute Otitis Media (AOM).

Acute Otitis Media (AOM) is the most frequent respiratory tract infection of infancy and childhood that is treated with antimicrobial agents. The most common causative pathogens include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Hemophilus influenzae and Moxarella catarrhalis, and therefore antibacterial management should target against these isolates. Cefaclor, a congener of cephalexin monohydrate, is a semisynthetic cephalosporin antibiotic. It is an orally active cephalosporin which has demonstrated activity against a wide range of organisms in vitro. Present study is designed as a multicentric prospective trial to study and compare the efficacy and safety of cefaclor versus amoxicillin + clav in children with acute otitis media. One hundred and sixty seven patients were evaluated for efficacy endpoints in the cefaclor arm comprised of 104 males and 63 females with a mean age of 5.74+/-2.80 years and 185 patients in the amoxy-clav group comprised of 118 males and 67 females with a mean age of 4.93+/-2.92 years. Both cefaclor and amoxy-clav caused a significant improvement in all the signs and symptoms after a 10-day treatment period. However, between-the-group comparisons showed that the reduction in most of the symptoms was significantly more in cefaclor arm as compared to amoxicillin-clav arm. The clinical success (clinical cure + improvement) at the end of therapy was significantly more in cefaclor arm: 98% with cefaclor versus 85% with amoxicillin + clav, p<0.05 Table 3. Failure cases were prescribed other antibiotics according to the culture sensitivity reports, as rescue medication. Bacterial eradication rates were largely consistent with clinical responses. Bacteriological eradication was seen in 95% of patients in cefaclor group and 78% of patients in amoxicillin + clav group. In conclusion, cefaclor is a well tolerated and effective antibacterial option for acute otitis media in children and it is superior to the combination of amoxicillin + clav in efficacy and tolerability in acute AOM. Moreover, its expanded spectrum of activity, ability to achieve adequate concentrations in tissues, suitability for twice-daily dosing, and proven tolerability suggest that it is a good alternative to agents traditionally used in acute otitis media.

Curso Temas de Antibioticoterapia: aula 2: Antibioticoprofilaxia em cirurgia / Antibioticotherapy themes: Antibioticprophylaxis in surgery

O artigo fornece uma revisão atualizada do uso de antibióticos com o objetivo de prevenir infecções cirúrgicas Aborda aspectos históricos, princípios gerais da antibioticoprofilaxia, áreas em que a literatura permanece duvidosa e propõe esquemas práticos com indicação da droga, doses e intervalos para administração dos antibióticos

Estudio ORACLE: protocolo y estado actual de la investigación en la Argentina / ORACLE study: protocol and present status of the investigation in Argentine

ORACLE es una investigación aleatorizada factorial pragmática multicéntrica, dirigida desde la Universidad de Leicester (Reino Unido), cuyo objetivo es verificar el rol de la antibióticoterapia (eritromicina y/o augmentina y/o placebo) en la amenaza de parto prematuro (APP), con o sin rotura prematura de membranas (RPM). Los puntos finales principales son mortalidad perinatal y morbilidad neonatal severa. El tamaño muestral propuesto es de 10.000 casos. Participan 164 maternidades de 16 países y se llevan incluidos 7.364 pacientes. Argentina, que inició su gestión en agosto de 1997, a marzo de 1999 lleva incluidos 762 pacientes, reclutados entre las 9 maternidades participantes, sitas en Buenos Aires, provincia de Buenos Aires y Salta. Dos de ellas, figuran 2º y 3º en la lista de hospitales con mayor índice de reclutamiento en el mundo. El 88 por ciento de las ingresadas presentó APP y el 12 por ciento, RPM. Ambas situaciones se combinaron en el 8 por ciento de ellas. La mediana de la edad gestacional al ingreso es 32 semanas (cuartilos: 29 y 34). El 82,6 por ciento ya finalizó su participación y sólo hay un 2 por ciento de pérdidas de seguimiento. El 58 por ciento de los nacimientos ocurrió al término. La mediana de peso al nacer es 2.870 g (cuartilos 2.250 y 3.250). El 27 por ciento requirió UTI y la mortalidad perinatal es 3,6 por ciento. No se han registrado efectos adversos fetoneonatales atribuibles a las medicaciones del estudio. Los efectos adversos maternos suman 14 casos y han sido los habituales ante el consumo de antibióticos.