An Outbreak of Acute Chagas Disease Possibly Spread through Oral Transmission Involving Animal Reservoirs in Eastern Colombia.

Chagas disease (CD) is a parasitic infection caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Reports of CD cases associated with oral transmission have increased, particularly in Colombia, Brazil, and Venezuela. In this investigation, parasitological, serological, and molecular tests were conducted on samples obtained from humans, mammal reservoirs, and hosts involved in the assessment of a suspected oral transmission outbreak in Cubara, Boyaca, Colombia. Seropositivity was observed in 60% (3 of 5) of index patients and 6.4% (5 of 78) of close contacts. Trypanosoma cruzi DNA was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in 100% of index cases, 6.4% (5 of 78) of close contacts, 60% (6 of 10) of canines, and 100% (5 of 5) of opossums. In all index cases, the TcI lineage was identified, along with two cases of mixed infection (TcI/TcII-TcVI). Hemoculture revealed a flagellate presence in 80% of opossums, whereas all triatomine bugs tested negative. Our findings suggest a potential oral transmission route through contamination with opossum secretions.

Ventriculitis asociada a drenaje ventricular externo

RESUMEN Introducción: el drenaje ventricular externo es una herramienta útil en el manejo de muchos pacientes neurocríticos. Sin embargo este dispositivo no está exento de complicaciones. La ventriculitis es la más importante complicación infecciosa asociada. Objetivos: determinar la prevalencia de ventriculitis en pacientes adultos con drenaje ventricular externo del Hospital Nacional, describir los factores de riesgo asociados e identificar gérmenes más frecuentemente aislados. Resultados: se incluyeron 92 pacientes con drenaje ventricular externo de los cuales el 20% desarrolló ventriculitis. La totalidad de los pacientes con ventriculitis presentaron síntomas de infección luego de 7 días de instalación del drenaje, además la mitad de los mismos requirieron recambio del catéter lo cual constituyó factor de riesgo. Los gérmenes aislados más frecuentes fueron Staphylococcus epidermidis y Acinetobacter baumanii. Conclusiones: la ventriculitis asociada a catéter de drenaje ventricular externo fue 20%. El factor de riesgo estadísticamente asociado fue el recambio del catéter. Los gérmenes aislados más frecuentes fueron Staphylococcus epidermidis y Acinetobacter baumanii.

ABSTRACT Introduction: External ventricular drainage is a useful tool in the handling of neurocritical patients. However, this device is not free from complications. Ventriculitis is the most important related complication. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of ventriculitis in adult patients with external ventricular drainage of the National Hospital, to describe the associated risk factors and to identify the most frequently isolated microorganisms. Results: Ninety two patients with external ventricular drainage were included and 20% developed ventriculitis. All patients with ventriculitis presented symptoms of infection seven days after drainage installation and half of them required a change of the catheter which was a risk factor. The most frequent isolated microorganisms were Staphylococcus epidermidis and Acinetobacter baumanii. Conclusions: The prevalence of ventriculitis related to the external ventricular drainage catheter was 20%. The statistically associated risk factor was the change of catheter. The most frequent isolated microorganisms were Staphylococcus epidermidis and Acinetobacter baumanii.