Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatological diseases admitted for intensive care in Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: Contemporary studies reporting outcomes of critical care in patients with inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatological diseases are scarce. This study describes 15 years of experience from 2005-2019 in a Colombian referral hospital. METHODS: This observational, descriptive, consecutive case series study was performed on adult patients with inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic diseases who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the San Ignacio University Hospital in Bogotá (Colombia), from January 1, 2005, to December 21, 2019. We describe the sociodemographic characteristics, admission causes and criteria, lengths of stay, immunosuppressive treatment, systemic support, and mortality. RESULTS: The study included 300 patients with a median age of 48 years [interquartile range (IQR) 31-62 years], predominantly female (76%). Disease exacerbations (30%), infections (17.6%), and cardiovascular diseases (15%) were the main causes of admission. Respiratory failure (23%) most commonly caused by septic shock (24%) was the principal indication for intensive care admission. The most frequent infections were community-acquired pneumonia (11.6%) and soft-tissue infections (9%). In 40.3% of patients, inotropic and vasopressor support was required. The median length of stay was 4 days (IQR 2-8), and global mortality was 21.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Rheumatic diseases in the ICU are still associated with high morbidity and mortality. Patients with inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic diseases require a meticulous clinical approach, strict clinical monitoring, frequent assessment of complications, evaluation of systemic support needs, and specific management.

Epidemiology and demographics of cutaneous lupus erythematosus in Colombia between 2015 and 2019.

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is classified into three groups - acute, subacute, and chronic - based on clinical and histopathological characteristics. The risk of systemic manifestations varies among these groups. There are few studies on CLE epidemiology. For this reason, this paper aims to describe CLE prevalence and demographics in Colombia between 2015 and 2019. This descriptive, cross-sectional study used the international classification of diseases, tenth revision, for CLE subtypes, utilizing official data from the Colombian Ministry of Health. In people older than 19 years, 26,356 CLE cases were registered, yielding a prevalence of 76 cases per 100,000 population. CLE was more frequent in females, at a 5:1 ratio compared to males. The most common clinical presentation was discoid lupus erythematosus, in 45% of cases. The majority of cases occurred in people between 55 and 59 years old. This is the first study that describes CLE demographics in adults in Colombia. Findings regarding clinical subtypes and female predominance are consistent with those in the medical literature.

Frequency of use and cost of biologic treatment for inflammatory bowel disease and inflammatory bowel disease-associated arthropathy in Colombia in 2019.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has a high economic burden due to its chronicity. Treatment has evolved, thanks to the understanding of IBD pathogenesis and the advent of biologic therapy, albeit the latter increases direct costs. The aim of the present study was to calculate the total cost and cost per patient/year of biologic therapy for IBD and IBD-associated arthropathy in Colombia. METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted. The data were obtained from the Comprehensive Social Protection Information System of the Department of Health for the year 2019, utilizing the medical diagnosis codes of the International Classification of Diseases related to IBD and IBD-associated arthropathy as keywords. RESULTS: The prevalence of IBD and IBD-associated arthropathy was 61 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, with a female-to-male ratio of 1.5:1. Joint involvement was 3%, and 6.3% of the persons with IBD and IBD-associated arthropathy received biologic therapy. Adalimumab was the most widely prescribed biologic drug (49.2%). Biologic therapy had a cost of $15,926,302 USD and the mean cost per patient/year was $18,428 USD. Adalimumab had the highest impact on healthcare resource utilization, with a total cost of $7,672,320 USD. According to subtype, ulcerative colitis had the highest cost ($10,932,489 USD). CONCLUSION: Biologic therapy is expensive, but its annual cost in Colombia is lower than that of other countries due to the government's regulation of high-cost medications.

YouTube® in Spanish as an information source for patients with autoimmune hepatitis.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: A large number of patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AH) seek information about their disease on the Internet. The reliability, comprehensiveness, and quality of said information in Spanish has not been studied. Our aim was to describe the characteristics of the information about AH on YouTube®. METHODS: An analytic observational study evaluated videos in Spanish about AH available on YouTube®, describing their general characteristics, viewer engagement, and information sources. Standardized tools were utilized to analyze reliability (DISCERN), comprehensiveness, and overall quality (Global Quality Score [GQS]). RESULTS: One hundred videos were included, 93% of which provided information from healthcare professionals (group 1), and 7% of which reflected patient opinions (group 2). There were differences in the median reliability (DISCERN 4 vs 2, p ≤ 0.05) and comprehensiveness (4 vs 2, p ≤ 0.05) scores between groups, but equal overall quality (GQS 3 vs 2, p = 0.2). Reliability (DISCERN 4; RIC 3-4) and comprehensiveness (4.5; IQR 3-5) were higher in videos by professional organizations, compared with those by independent users, healthcare information websites, and for-profit organizations (DISCERN 3; IQR 2.5-3.5) (p < 0.001). Reliability (DISCERN 2; IQR 1.5-3), comprehensiveness (2; IQR 1.5-2.5), and quality (GQS 2.5; IQR 1.5-3.5) were lower for videos made by for-profit organizations. CONCLUSION: The majority of videos about AH in Spanish on YouTube® have good reliability, comprehensiveness, and quality. Videos created by academic organizations had higher scores, thus their collaboration, with respect to patient opinion videos, is suggested.

YouTube® in Spanish as a source of information for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The majority of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) seek information about their disease on the Internet. The reliability, comprehensiveness, and quality of said information in Spanish has not previously been studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An analytic observational study was conducted that included YouTube® videos on IBD available in Spanish, describing general characteristics, engagement, and sources. Standard tools for evaluating reliability (DISCERN), comprehensiveness, and overall quality (Global Quality Score, GQS) were employed. RESULTS: One hundred videos were included. Eighty-eight videos consisted of information produced by healthcare professionals (group 1) and 12 included patient opinions (group 2). There were no differences in the median scores for reliability (DISCERN 3 vs 3, p = 0.554) or comprehensiveness (3 vs 2.5, p = 0.768) between the two groups, but there was greater overall quality in the group 2 videos (GQS 3 vs 4, p = 0.007). Reliability was higher for the videos produced by professional organizations (DISCERN 4; IQR 3-4), when compared with healthcare information websites and for-profit agencies (DISCERN 3; IQR 2.5-3.5) (p < 0.001), but the videos with healthcare information website and for-profit sources had a higher quality score (GQS 3 vs 4, p < 0.001). Comprehensiveness scores were similar. CONCLUSION: The majority of YouTube® videos in Spanish on IBD have good reliability, comprehensiveness, and quality. Reliability was greater for the videos produced by professional organizations, whereas quality was higher for those created from healthcare information websites and for-profit agencies.

Frequency of ANA/DFS70 autoantibodies in Colombian patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease.

The objective was to describe the clinical characteristics and the frequency of the ANA/DFS70 autoantibodies in patients affected by undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) in a tertiary hospital in Colombia. This descriptive cross-sectional study enrolled patients who fulfilled the classification criteria for UCTD. ANAHEp- 2 test and the modified assay for ANA/DFS70 autoantibodies were performed through the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factor, and the antibodies to anti-extractable nuclear antigens, DNA, phospholipids (IgG, IgM, IgA), and cyclic citrullinated peptide were also evaluated. Fifty-three patients were studied; 42/53 (79%) tested positive for ANA and 5/42 (11.9%) for ANA/DFS70 antibodies with a dense fine speckled fluorescent pattern (AC-2) in ANA HEp-2 test that was confirmed by a modified HEp-2-DFS70 assay. Patients had arthralgia (87%, n=47), non-erosive arthritis (66%, n=34), xerostomia (64%, n=34), xerophthalmia (42%, n=22), and Raynaud's phenomenon (17%, n=9). Arthralgia, xerophthalmia, xeroderma, and absence of disease evolution to a specific disease over five years were more frequent in patients with a positive result for the anti-DFS70 antibodies. The ANA/DFS70 autoantibodies were more frequent in patients with UCTD compared to other rheumatic diseases for which they were initially evaluated. More studies are required to support the predictive role of this antibody to the absence of progression to a well-defined connective tissue disease.

[Beliefs and perceptions of the diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia in a group of rehabilitation and physical medicine specialists in Colombia]. / Conceptos y percepciones acerca del diagnóstico y tratamiento de la fibromialgia en un grupo de médicos especialistas en medicina física y rehabilitación en Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease characterised by the presence of musculoskeletal pain, usually associated with other symptoms, including depression, fatigue, and sleep disorders. There is no objective information on the beliefs and perceptions of the diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia among rehabilitation and physical medicine specialists. The aim of this study was to describe these beliefs and perceptions among a group of physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists in Colombia. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study. A focus group was held with the participation of 2 rheumatologists, one physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist and an expert in qualitative research. The group designed a survey to assess the beliefs and perceptions of physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists of the diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia. The self-administered, anonymous questionnaire was completed during meetings of the Colombian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 99 physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists. Of these, 17.1% (n=17) believed there was insufficient evidence to consider fibromyalgia a disease, 86.8% (n=86) used the ACR 1990 criteria to diagnose patients with fibromyalgia, and 33.3% (n=33) used the criteria of the 2010 classification. The most commonly used drugs for the management of fibromyalgia were antidepressants, prescribed by 84.8% of the surveyed physicians, followed by analgesics (75.7%) and anticonvulsants (66.6%). Concerning multidisciplinary management, 50.6% referred these patients to a rheumatologist and 40.7% to a psychiatrist. In all, 77.2% of rehabilitation specialists believed that patients with fibromyalgia should be managed by their specialty. CONCLUSION: This study provides information on perceptions of the diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia among a group of Colombian rehabilitation specialists and found frequent use of the ACR 1990 classification. Among these physicians, the use of drugs, especially antidepressants and analgesics, was high. Most believed that patients with fibromyalgia should be treated by rehabilitation specialists.

Effectiveness of the use of an algorithm in the diagnostic approach of joint pain patients by primary care physicians.

There is a high percentage of error in the approach of patients with joint pain by primary care physicians. An algorithm can help improve this misdiagnosis problem. Our study seeks to determine the effectiveness of an algorithm when used by primary care physicians for the diagnosis of cases of joint pain patients. A randomized clinical experiment was carried out. Primary care physicians from five cities in Colombia developed a series of clinical cases, which were presented to them through a website on their personal cell phones. Half of the doctors developed the cases using the diagnostic algorithm, and the other half developed the cases without the use of the algorithm. Main measures were proportion of correct diagnosis, number, type of laboratory and diagnostic images requested for the diagnostic approach of clinical cases. Two hundred and twenty-four primary care physicians participated. The overall proportion of cases correctly diagnosed was 37.3% higher in the intervention group; we found a greater difference in cases of spondyloarthritis (60.8%), followed by systemic lupus erythematosus with joint involvement (32.2%), rheumatoid arthritis (30.3%) and osteoarthritis (25.9%). The average number of tests requested to develop clinical cases was lower in the intervention group than in the control group, both globally and for each of the four diseases, with statistically significant differences for each of the comparisons. The diagnostic algorithm proved to be an effective tool when used by primary care physicians; the proportion of correct diagnoses increased, and the number of tests requested in the development of the cases decreased.

Immunohistochemical localization of TNF-α and IL-4 in granulomas of immunocompetent and immunosuppressed New Zealand white rabbits infected with Encephalitozoon cuniculi.

Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a fungi-related, obligate, zoonotic, spore-forming intracellular eukaryotic microorganism. This emerging pathogen causes granulomas to form in the brain and kidneys of infected individuals. The objective of the current study was to detect the distribution of TNF-α- and IL-4-positive cells using immunohistochemistry within these granulomas in both infected immunocompetent (group A) and immunosuppressed (group B) New Zealand white rabbits. In the brain, labeled TNF-α immune cells were mainly located in the granuloma peripheries in group B. Granulomas examined in the kidneys of groups A and B were TNF-α positive, but were significantly different (p < 0.001) when compared with the brain. IL-4-producing immune cells in the brain and kidneys were disseminated within granulomas in groups A and B; however, no significant difference (p > 0.05), was observed. IL-4 positive cells were more numerous in brain sections of group B and differed significantly (p < 0.05) when compared with kidneys. Granulomas were not observed in control animals (groups C and D). In conclusion, we identified TNF-α positive cells in both the brain and kidneys of immunocompetent and immunosuppressed animals; IL-4 positive cells were numerous in the brains of immunosuppressed rabbits; however, in terms of percentage were numerous in the brains of immunocompetent rabbits. Immunosuppression appeared to stimulate a change in the cellular phenotype of Th1- to Th2-like granulomas in the brain and kidneys via an unknown mechanism. Expression of pro- and pre-inflammatory cytokines in microsporidian granulomas suggests a mechanism by which E. cuniculi evades the immune response, causing more severe disease. These results increase our understanding of TNF-α and IL-4-positive cells within the E. cuniculi granuloma microenvironment.

Incremento del conocimiento en soporte vital básico facilitado por un recurso educativo digital / Basic life support knowledge acquisition using a digital educational resource / Incremento do conhecimento em suporte vital básico facilitado por um recurso educativo digital

Resumen Introducción: La enfermedad cardiovascular es responsable de 17.3 millones de muertes por año en el mundo y conlleva a complicaciones como el paro cardiorrespiratorio, el cual se puede presentar tanto en el escenario intra como extrahospitalario. Tener una comunidad capacitada posibilita la sobrevida y/o mitigación de secuelas. Con el propósito de aumentar la población capacitada en soporte vital básico, favorecer el aprendizaje y dedicar más tiempo al desarrollo de habilidades prácticas, se construyó un recurso educativo digital. Objetivo: Determinar el efecto de un recurso educativo digital en el proceso de aprendizaje de soporte vital básico en integrantes de la comunidad de una institución de educación superior. Métodos: Estudio cuantitativo, pre-experimental tipo pre-prueba/pos-prueba en un solo grupo. Resultados: El recurso educativo digital para el aprendizaje de soporte vital básico en 110 estudiantes incrementó el conocimiento, mostró una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en los resultados del post-test en comparación con el pre-test: p<0.01 para grupos ajustados al modelo gaussiano y p<0.05 para el grupo no ajustado. Discusión: Los resultados de implementar un recurso educativo digital para la enseñanza de soporte vital básico es consecuente con los beneficios hallados en otros estudios similares. Los Objetos Virtuales de Aprendizaje favorecen en los estudiantes la motivación, el aprendizaje autorregulado y la apropiación de conocimientos, por lo que los proponen como estrategia de aprendizaje. Conclusión: El recurso educativo digital favoreció el aprendizaje e incrementó el conocimiento, requisito necesario en la formación como primer respondiente en los tres grupos de estudiantes de pregrado que participaron en el presente estudio.

Abstract Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are accountable for 17.3 million deaths per year in the world. Cardiac arrests can happen anywhere. Therefore, having a correspondingly trained community can increase the survival chance and decrease the possible aftermath of those suffering complications. Objective: To estimate the effect of using a digital educational resource in the learning process related to basic life support among participants of a higher education institution. Methods: This is a quantitative, pre-experimental, pre-test-post-test study on a single group. Results: The use of a digital educational resource in the learning process related to basic life support increased knowledge acquisition in 110 students, demonstrating a statistically significant difference between the pre-test and post-test levels (p < 0.01 for the gaussian model adjusted group, and p < 0.05 for the unadjusted one). Discussion: These results are consistent with the findings of other similar studies. Since Virtual Learning Objects can foster motivation, self-regulated learning, and knowledge acquisition among students, this methodology is recommended as a complementary learning strategy. Conclusion: The digital educational resource increased knowledge acquisition related to basic life support among the participating students, making them better suited to address possible complications of cardiovascular diseases.

Resumo Introdução: A doença cardiovascular é responsável de 17.3 milhões de mortes por ano no mundo e envolve a complicações como a paragem cardiorrespiratória, o qual se pode apresentar tanto no cenário intra como extra-hospitalar. Ter uma comunidade capacitada possibilita a sobrevida e/ou mitigação de sequelas. Com o propósito de aumentar a população capacitada em suporte vital básico, favorecer a aprendizagem e dedicar mais tempo no desenvolvimento de habilidades práticas, construiu-se um recurso educativo digital. Objetivo: Determinar o efeito de um recurso educativo digital no processo de aprendizagem de suporte vital básico em integrantes da comunidade de uma instituição de educação superior. Métodos: Estudo quantitativo, pre-experimental tipo pre-teste/pos-teste apenas em um grupo. Resultados: O recurso educativo digital para a aprendizagem de suporte vital básico em 110 estudantes incrementou o conhecimento, mostrou uma diferença estatisticamente significativa nos resultados do post-teste em comparação com o pre-teste: p<0.01 para grupos ajustados ao modelo gaussiano e p<0.05 para o grupo não ajustado. Discussão: Os resultados para desenvolver um recurso educativo digital para o ensino de suporte vital básico, é consequente com os benefícios encontrados em outros estudos similares. Os Objetos Virtuais de Aprendizagem favorecem aos estudantes na motivação, na aprendizagem autorregulada e na apropriação de conhecimentos, pelo que os propõem como estratégia de aprendizagem. Conclusão: O recurso educativo digital favoreceu na aprendizagem e incrementou o conhecimento, requerimento necessário na formação como primeiro respondente nos três grupos de estudantes de pré-grau que participar no presente estudo.

Características de los pacientes adultos con neutropenia febril en un hospital universitario (Medellín, 2012-2016) / Characteristics of adult patients with febrile neutropenia in a university hospital (Medellin, 2012-2016) / Características dos pacientes adultos com neutropenia febril em um hospital universitário (Medellín, 2012-2016)

Objetivo: la neutropenia febril es una urgencia médica que se presenta frecuentemente en pacientes con inmunosupresión asociada a tratamientos oncológicos, que aumenta el riesgo de complicaciones infecciosas y de morir. El objetivo de esta investigación es describir las características clínicas, microbiológicas y pronósticas de los pacientes con neutropenia febril en un hospital universitario. Metodología: estudio observacional descriptivo, entre enero de 2012 y junio de 2016, en pacientes con diagnóstico de neutropenia febril (neutrófilos menores de 500 cel/mm, temperatura mayor de 38 °C) hospitalizados en el Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe de Medellín, Colombia. Resultados: se evaluaron 226 pacientes con neutropenia febril, de los que el 96% tenía enfermedad oncológica de base. Las principales fuentes de infección fueron la piel y el tracto gastrointestinal. Del total de los hemocultivos, el 31% fue positivo. El principal aislamiento fue Escherichia coli (E. coli) y la mortalidad hospitalaria fue del 17%. Conclusiones: las características clínicas de la población fueron similares a las de la literatura internacional. Se encontraron algunas discrepancias en cuanto a epidemiología de los microorganismos aislados, resistencia microbiana y mortalidad. Solo un tercio de los pacientes presentó bacteriemia, E. coli sigue siendo el principal patógeno.

Objective: Febrile neutropenia is a condition present in patients with some degree of immunosuppression associated to oncology treatment, which leads to risks of infectious complications and death. The aim of this research is to describe the clinical, microbiological and prognostic characteristics in patients with febrile neutropenia in a university hospital. Methodology: Retrospective cohort study developed between January of 2012 and June of 2016 in patients with febrile neutropenia (neutrophils <500 cell/mm, temperature >38.3 °C), who were hospitalized in the Pablo Tobon Uribe Hospital of Medellin, Colombia. Results: 226 patients were evaluated, 96% of who had an oncological diagnostic. The main infectious sources were the skin and the gastrointestinal tract. Blood cultures were positive in 31%. The main pathogen was Escherichia coli in 26% and the overall hospital mortality rate was 17%. Conclusions: The clinical characteristics of our population were similar to the national and international reports, but we found epidemiological differences in microbiological agents, bacterial resistance and mortality. Only one third of the patients presented bacteremia. E. coli remains the main pathogen involved.

Objetivo: a neutropenia febril é uma urgência médica que se apresenta frequentemente em pacientes com imunossupressão associada a tratamentos oncológicos, que aumenta o risco de complicações infecciosas e de morte. O objetivo desta investigação é descrever as características clínicas, microbiológicas e prognósticas dos pacientes com neutropenia febril em um hospital universitário. Metodologia: estudo observacional descritivo, entre janeiro de 2012 e junho de 2016, em pacientes com diagnóstico de neutropenia febril (neutrófilos menores de 500 cel/mm, temperatura maior de 38 °C) hospitalizados no Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe de Medellín, Colômbia. Resultados: se avaliaram 226 pacientes com neutropenia febril, dos quais, 96% tinha doença oncológica de base. As principais fontes de infecção foram a pele e o trato gastrointestinal. Do total das hemoculturas, 31% foi positivo. O principal isolamento foi Escherichia coli (E. coli) e a mortalidade hospitalar foi de 17%. Conclusões: as características clínicas da população foram similares às da literatura internacional. Se encontraram algumas discrepâncias em quanto a epidemiologia dos microrganismos isolados, resistência microbiana e mortalidade. Só um terço dos pacientes apresentou bacteriemia, E. coli segue sendo o principal patógeno.

Prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus in Colombia: data from the national health registry 2012-2016.

INTRODUCTION: Registries are essential to keep track of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) epidemiology and to provide better care to patients. The Colombian Ministry of Health has adopted a registry (SISPRO) to gather comprehensive information coming from the Colombian health system, which provides close to universal coverage (around 95%). The information collected from SISPRO is available for scientific analysis. OBJECTIVES: We used data collected by SISPRO to estimate prevalence and specific characteristics of patients with SLE registered from January 2012 to December 2016. METHODS: This is a descriptive epidemiological study using the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems as search terms related to SLE, based on SISPRO data. Criteria for diagnosis are not explicitly addressed in each individual case. RESULTS: National records report 41,804 patients with a diagnosis of SLE for an estimated prevalence of 91.9/100,000 subjects (based on a total population of 47,663,162), being more frequent in women (89% cases). When adjusted, female and male prevalences were 204.3 and 20.2 per 100,000 (ratio 10.1) with a 7.9:1 female:male ratio, and were highest in the 45-49-year age group. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study that describes demographic characteristics of SLE in Colombia, with useful information for decision makers. It also suggests a similar prevalence to other countries.

Acidosis tubular renal como presentación clínica de Síndrome de Sjögren: reporte de caso / Renal tubular acidosis as a clinical presentation of Sjögren Syndrome: case report

Presentamos el caso clínico de una mujer en la quinta década de la vida, de nacionalidad argentina, que acudió a la guardia de clínica médica de un hospital de tercer nivel por cuadro de mialgias y paresia en las cuatro extremidades, de inicio agudo, progresivo, con dificultad para la movilización de miembros superiores, bipedestación y marcha. Se constató hipocalemia severa, acidosis metabólica, pH urinario alcalino, brecha aniónica urinaria positiva (excreción de amonio), hipocitraturia e hipercalciuria, por lo que se diagnosticó Acidosis Tubular Renal (ATR) tipo I; además se evidenció elevación de creatinkinasa (CK) e insuficiencia renal aguda que corrigió con la reposición de líquidos. Al interrogatorio dirigido, la paciente refirió síndrome seco asociado a artralgias, de varios años de evolución, por lo que se realizaron estudios complementarios que apoyaron el diagnóstico de Síndrome de Sjögren.

We present the clinical case of a woman in the fifth decade of life, argentina, who went to the Internal Medicine emergency room of a third level hospital for symptoms of myalgia and paresis in all four extremities, acute onset, progressive, with difficulty for the mobilization of members superior, standing and walking. Severe hypokalemia, metabolic acidosis, alkaline urinary pH, positive urinary anion GAP (ammonium excretion), hypocitraturia and hypercalciuria were diagnosed. Renal Tubular Acidosis (RTA) type I was diagnosed; acute renal failure was also noted, which corrected with the treatment and elevated creatine kinase (CK). In the anamnesis, the patient reported dry syndrome associated with arthralgias of years of evolution, so that complementary studies were carried out that supported the diagnosis of Sjögren's Syndrome (SS).

Resveratrol attenuates iron-induced toxicity in a chronic post-treatment paradigm in Caenorhabditis elegans.

There is an increase in the number of studies indicating that a disturbance in iron homeostasis is involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, in which oxidative stress plays an important role. Oxidative stress can be counteracted by bioactive molecules like the flavonoid resveratrol, which acts as scavenging agent, or by modulating enzymes and metabolic signalling pathways, thus depicting the neuroprotective potential. On the other hand, flavonoids, resveratrol included, have been reported to induce an increase in the reactive species production. In this study we aimed to evaluate in vivo the protective potential of resveratrol against iron imbalance using the Caenorhabditis elegans model. We acutely exposed C. elegans to iron and administered resveratrol pre- or post-iron treatment. Iron-treated worms demonstrated a significant decrease in the survival, neuronal change, decreased dehydrogenases activity and ATP levels, and a significant increase in the oxidative stress. Acute pre-exposure to resveratrol potentiated the toxic effect of the metal by reducing ATP levels, while post-iron chronic resveratrol treatment following the iron exposure increased the worms' survival and reduced the generation of reactive species and neuronal damage. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that resveratrol has various protective effects depending on the duration and order of administration, whereby chronic post-iron treatment to resveratrol as an antidote appeared to be a more effective approach.

Study on the association of UGT1A9 gene c.98T>C polymorphism and mycophenolic acid plasma levels in renal transplant patients.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a prodrug active only after its hydrolysis to mycophenolic acid (MPA). The UGT1A9 enzyme is of special interest since it is the main enzyme involved in the glucuronidation of MPA. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the UGT1A9 gene may be responsible for individual differences in the pharmacokinetics of MMF. Expression levels and the activity of UGT1A9 may depend on the presence of some SNPs located in the gene promoter region (-2152C>T and -275T>A), as well as changes in the coding region (c.98T>C). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of allelic variants of the UGT1A9 c.98T>C polymorphism (rs72551330; g. 87289T>C) on MMF metabolism in renal transplant patients. MPA and MPA 7-O glucuronide (MPAG) levels were determined on plasma samples of kidney transplant patients (N = 39) by high-performance liquid chromatography using ultraviolet detection. DNA was isolated from leukocytes and stored at -20°C. The presence of SNPs was investigated using polymerase chain reaction, followed by amplicon sequencing. The analysis of the UGT1A9 c.98T>C polymorphism revealed that all study patients presented the TT genotype. Diverse MPA and MPAG plasma concentrations were detected, including therapeutic, subtherapeutic, and toxic levels. A standardized molecular method permitted identification of UGT1A9 c.98T>C polymorphism genotypes in the examined renal transplant patients. All individuals of the study group presented the same genotype (c.98TT) for that polymorphism. Thereby, no association between the c.98T>C polymorphism and MPA and MPAG plasma levels could be evaluated, despite different levels of these compounds being observed.

Kidney Transplantation at a Southern Brazilian University Hospital: A 35-Year Practice Review.

BACKGROUND: The Nephrology Unit at São Lucas Hospital, a University Hospital in Southern Brazil, has recently reached 35 years since its first kidney transplant. Few centers in the area have made a longitudinal analysis of processes, problems, grafts, and patient survival changes along this time. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective study was performed. Data were separated into different eras, based on the nature of immunosuppression used: pre-cyclosporine (1978-1986), cyclosporine (1987-1997), mycophenolate introduction (1998-2002), new immunosuppressant drugs (2003-2007), and the current period (2008-2013). RESULTS: Between April 27, 1978, and April 30, 2013, 1231 transplants were performed. Significant differences were detected among different eras. The number of transplants has been progressively increasing, to include significantly older recipients (and donors), at a longer waiting list time, receiving organs that underwent longer cold ischemia time (P < .001). Yet, fewer acute rejection episodes and lower incidence of myocardial infarction and post-transplant diabetes mellitus (P < .001) were detected. In the present era, patient survival at 1, 3, and 5 years is 98.3%, 94.6%, and 90.5% respectively, for living donors, and 92.4%, 87.2%, and 80.7% for deceased donors, respectively. Living donor graft survival is 92.2%, 88.7%, and 82.4%, respectively, whereas deceased donor survival is 80.4%, 71.1%, and 63.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective analysis has significant historical value. It assembles and depicts a long follow-up period of a transplant series at a single Brazilian center. Throughout the eras, organ and patient survival increased, with fewer rejection episodes or complications, yet with overall decreased graft function.

Does Thymoglobulin Induction Increase Susceptibility to Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Sepsis-related Death in Expanded Criteria Donors?

BACKGROUND: Solid organ transplant recipients are susceptible to antibiotic-resistant infections and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) has recently been recognized as a serious complication in solid organ recipients. High mortality rates have been described. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 807 transplantations and detected 10 patients who died 24 hours after the diagnosis of septicemia, all with CRAB-positive blood cultures. Recipients were followed up for at least 1 year and were stratified into the following groups: Group 1, patients alive; Group 2, patients that died due to other causes except Acinetobacter infection; and Group 3, patients who died within 24 hours of CRAB diagnosis. RESULTS: CRAB-positive patients died a median of 3.17 (range, 1.81-18.7) months after transplantation. In these patients, expanded criteria donors (ECDs) were more frequent (P < .001), as were the use of anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) induction (P = .02) and delayed graft function (P = .01). For ECD recipients, death rate from any cause, whether induced with ATG or not, was 25% and 20.6%, respectively (odds ratio [OR], 1.28; confidence interval [CI] 95%, 0.56-2.91; P = .68). The death rate from CRAB-related sepsis was 10.3% and 0% whether receiving ATG or not, respectively (OR, 15.49; CI 95%, 0.87-277.16; P = .014). There was a 25.75-fold increase in the death rate in ECD kidney recipients induced with thymoglobulin and with CRAB-related sepsis. CONCLUSION: Transplants from ECDs and induced with thymoglobulin may be at increased risk of CRAB death in 24 hours when compared with patients with standard donors and induced with thymoglobulin.

Acute Graft Pyelonephritis Occurring up to 30 Days After Kidney Transplantation: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Survival.

Acute graft pyelonephritis is a very common infection in renal transplantation. The impact of acute graft pyelonephritis (AGPN) on graft and patient outcome has not yet been established. Eight hundred seventy kidney and kidney-pancreas transplants were retrospectively studied, over last 13 years, to verify occurrence of AGPN in the first 30 days post-transplantation. We found that 112 patients (15.8%) presented post-transplantatiom AGPN up to 30 days after a kidney transplantation. The occurrence was higher in older patients (P = .005) and in those with ureteral stents (P = .06). Escherichia coli was the most frequent microorganism in urine cultures (32%). Ureteral stent (relative risk = 1.7; confidence interval [CI], 1.1-2.5; P = .018) was a major risk factor for AGPN as well as older ages (RR = 1.02; CI 1.01-1.04; P = .001), length of hospitalization stay (RR = 1.01; CI, 1.01-1.02; P < .001), and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) induction (RR = 1.6; CI, 1.022-2.561; P = .04). Long-term graft and patient survival was significantly lower in patients with pyelonephritis in the first 30 days after transplantation (OR 1.43; 95% CI, 0.95-2.16; P = .024 and OR 1.77; 95% CI, 1.12-2.80; P = .006, respectively). Acute pyelonephritis in the first 30 days after transplantation is therefore associated with a lower long-term graft and patient survival.

Agentes etiológicos y su sensibilidad antimicrobiana en urocultivos confirmatorios de infección urinaria en un servicio de urgencia de pediatría / Etiological agents and its antimicrobial sensitivity in confirmatory urine cultures in a pediatric emergency service

La infección del tracto urinario (ITU) es una patología frecuente en pediatría. Su diagnóstico ytratamiento precoz son fundamentales. Para un adecuado tratamiento, es importante conocer la sensibilidadantimicrobiana local. Objetivo: Identificar los agentes etiológicos más frecuentes y su sensibilidad antimicrobiana en urocultivos confirmatorios de ITU, solicitados en Servicio de Urgencia de Pediatría (SUP) del Hospital San Martin de Quillota (HSMQ). Materiales y métodos: Se analizaron todos los urocultivos solicitados desde el SUP del HSMQ entre enero 2013 – julio 2014. Se efectuó análisis por sexo y grupos etarios. La etiología y susceptibilidad microbiana se analizó con la técnica de difusión en agar. Resultados: Se analizaron 298 urocultivos, de los cuales el 80,5 por ciento correspondieron a mujeres. La bacteria encontrada más frecuente, en un 87,4 por ciento fue la Escherichia coli. La sensibilidad antibiótica de E.coli para ampicilina, cefalotina, cefixime, ciprofloxacino, ceftriaxona, gentamicina, nitrofurantoina y cotrimoxazol, correspondieron a un 23,3 por ciento; 32,8 por ciento; 96,6 por ciento; 92,7 por ciento; 97,7 por ciento; 94,5 por ciento; 99,6 por ciento; y 71,9 por ciento, respectivamente. Conclusión: El agente etiológico más frecuente en urocultivos confirmatorios solicitados en el SUP del HSMQ fue E. coli. Respecto a su sensibilidad antimicrobiana demostró una alta resistencia y sensibilidad intermedia a cefalosporinas de primera generación y una alta sensibilidad a cefalosporinas de tercera generación, nitrofurantoína, gentamicina y fluoroquinolonas...

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common pediatric disease. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential. For proper treatment, it is important to know the local antimicrobial susceptibility. Objective: Identify the most common etiologic agents and their antimicrobial susceptibility in urine cultures in Pediatrics Emergency Service (PES) of San Martin Hospital, Quillota. Summary of work: All the urine cultures requested from the PES between January 2013 and July 2014 were analyzed by sex and age groups. The etiology and microbial susceptibility was analyzed with the agar diffusion technique. Summary of Results: 298 urine cultures were analyzed, 80.5 percent were women. The most common bacteria found was Escherichia coli with 87.4 percent.The antimicrobial susceptibility of E.coli to ampicillin, cephalothin, cefixime, ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, gentamicin, cotrimoxazole and nitrofurantoin were 23.3 percent; 32.8 percent; 96.6 percent; 92.7 percent; 97.7 percent; 94.5 percent; 99.6 percent; and 71.9 percent, respectively. Conclusion: The most common etiologic agent in urine cultures requested in PES was E. coli. The antimicrobial susceptibility showed a high resistance and intermediate susceptibility to first generation cephalosporins and high susceptibility to thirdgeneration cephalosporins, nitrofurantoin, gentamicin andfluoroquinolones...