Control of paratuberculosis: who, why and how. A review of 48 countries.

Paratuberculosis, a chronic disease affecting ruminant livestock, is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). It has direct and indirect economic costs, impacts animal welfare and arouses public health concerns. In a survey of 48 countries we found paratuberculosis to be very common in livestock. In about half the countries more than 20% of herds and flocks were infected with MAP. Most countries had large ruminant populations (millions), several types of farmed ruminants, multiple husbandry systems and tens of thousands of individual farms, creating challenges for disease control. In addition, numerous species of free-living wildlife were infected. Paratuberculosis was notifiable in most countries, but formal control programs were present in only 22 countries. Generally, these were the more highly developed countries with advanced veterinary services. Of the countries without a formal control program for paratuberculosis, 76% were in South and Central America, Asia and Africa while 20% were in Europe. Control programs were justified most commonly on animal health grounds, but protecting market access and public health were other factors. Prevalence reduction was the major objective in most countries, but Norway and Sweden aimed to eradicate the disease, so surveillance and response were their major objectives. Government funding was involved in about two thirds of countries, but operations tended to be funded by farmers and their organizations and not by government alone. The majority of countries (60%) had voluntary control programs. Generally, programs were supported by incentives for joining, financial compensation and/or penalties for non-participation. Performance indicators, structure, leadership, practices and tools used in control programs are also presented. Securing funding for long-term control activities was a widespread problem. Control programs were reported to be successful in 16 (73%) of the 22 countries. Recommendations are made for future control programs, including a primary goal of establishing an international code for paratuberculosis, leading to universal acknowledgment of the principles and methods of control in relation to endemic and transboundary disease. An holistic approach across all ruminant livestock industries and long-term commitment is required for control of paratuberculosis.

Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella infections in wild boars (Sus scrofa) from Northeastern Patagonia, Argentina.

Wild boar (Sus scrofa) was introduced in many countries of the world and is recognized as carrier of many infectious diseases. Wild game meat consumption is recognized as a source of transmission of Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella spp. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of antibodies to T. gondii and Trichinella spp. in free-range wild boars in Northeastern Argentine Patagonia. Between 2014 and 2018, 144 blood samples and 423 muscle samples from 423 carcasses were collected. To detect T. gondii IgG, 144 sera were processed by an immunofluorescent antibody test, and to detect anti-Trichinella IgG, 125 sera and 304 muscle juice samples were processed by ELISA. Detection of first stage larvae in muscle was performed by artificial digestion. A total of 423 wild boars muscle samples were negative to Trichinella spp. by artificial digestion. Antibodies to Trichinella spp. were detected in 2.4% (3/125) of serum samples and in 1.64% (5/304) of meat juice samples. Antibodies to T. gondii infection were detected in 12.5% (18/144) of the serum samples. This is the first study to reveal the presence of antibodies to T. gondii in wild boars from Argentina. The present results suggest that consumption of raw or undercooked wild boar meat could represent a potential source risk for toxoplasmosis in humans and that Trichinella spp. is infrequent and/or that it circulates in low burdens among wild boars in Northeastern Patagonia.

Detection of Viable Mycobacterium bovis in Lungs and Livers Sold in Butchers' Shops in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Although Mycobacterium bovis is the major etiological agent of tuberculosis in bovines, it can infect other mammalians. Previously reported cases of tuberculosis caused by M. bovis in cats from the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CABA) led to the conclusion that the main source of infection for these felines was the ingestion of raw bovine lungs. Thus, for this study, we collected samples of bovine viscera from butchers' shops of the Greater Buenos Aires (GBA) and the CABA to assess presence and viability of these mycobacteria in bovine lungs (including the lymph nodes) and livers. We analyzed 216 different samples and obtained 5 isolates of M. bovis (4 from lungs and 1 from liver) by culture analysis. We also confirmed the presence of different isolates by polymerase chain reaction, spoligotyping, and MIRU-VNTR assays. The results obtained in this work emphasizes the need of social education for food hygiene, and to change the habit of feeding pets with raw viscera, which carries the risk of epizootic and zoonotic transmission. Moreover, control and eradication programs of bovine tuberculosis should be strengthened and improved.

Cánula nasal de alto flujo en niños con crisis asmática en un servicio de urgencias pediátrico / High-flow nasal cannula therapy in children with severe asthma exacerbations in a pediatric emergency department

Resumen: Introducción: la oxigenoterapia por catéter nasal de alto flujo (CNAF) es un recurso terapéutico probado en la insuficiencia respiratoria aguda en lactantes; hay pocos trabajos en niños mayores en la urgencia pediátrica. Se aplica en el Departamento de Emergencia Pediátrica (DEP) del Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell (CHPR) desde 2013 en lactantes con broncoobstrucción. Publicaciones recientes avalan su aplicación en niños de todas las edades. Objetivos: comunicar la experiencia con el uso de CNAF en pacientes mayores de 2 años con crisis asmática moderada-severa en el DEP-CHPR. Material y métodos: estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, de niños mayores de 2 años con crisis asmática asistidos con CNAF en el DEP-CHPR entre 01/06/13 y el 31/08/2016. La severidad de la crisis asmática se evaluó siguiendo el Pediatric Asthma Score (severa > 11, moderada 8 a 11). Se utilizó equipo Fisher Paykel, con flujímetro de hasta 70 L/min. Resultados: 78 pacientes (41 niñas). Crisis asmática moderada 34; severa 44. PAS: media 11 (9-14). Flujo máximo: media 30 L/m (12-60). Duración OAF en DEP: media 15 h (1-46). CNAF como único soporte respiratorio: 42; ventilación no invasiva 33. AVM: tres pacientes. En un paciente: se detectó neumotórax hipertensivo en la radiografía realizada después del inicio de la CNAF. No hubo fallecimientos. Conclusiones: la CNAF resultó un recurso terapéutico sencillo y accesible para el tratamiento inicial de niños mayores de 2 años con fallo respiratorio. Se utilizaron flujos de 2 L/kg/min, con buena tolerancia. Constituyó el único soporte respiratorio en la mitad de este grupo. Su indicación temprana en el tratamiento escalonado de la crisis asmática en la emergencia ha aumentado; deberá considerarse en los protocolos de atención de la crisis asmática.

Summary: Introduction: high flow nasal cannula is used for the treatment of acute respiratory failure in infants, although there are few publications referred to older children in the Emergency Department. HFNC has been used at the Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) of Pereira Rossell Hospital since 2013, in infants with bronchial obstruction. Recent research has found it may be recommended for children of all ages. Objectives: to describe the experience in the use of HFNC in patients older than 2 years old, when they presented moderate and severe asthma exacerbation episodes at the in Pediatric Emergency Department of Pereira Rossell Hospital. Method: descriptive, retrospective study including children older than 2 years old with asthma exacerbations treated with HFNC, at the in Pediatric Emergency Department of Pereira Rossell Hospital between 06/01/13 - 08/31/16. The severity of acute asthma was evaluated with the Pediatric Asthma Score (severe being > 11, and moderate from 8 to 11). Fisher Paykel CNAF equipment was used up to 70 L/min. Results: 78 patients (41 female): Moderate exacerbation 34; severe 44. PAS: median 11 (9-14). Maximum flow: median 30L/m (12 - 60). HFNC in PED: median 15 h (1-46). HFNC as the only respiratory support: 42; non- invasive ventilation: 33. MVA: 3 patients. 1 patient: hypertensive pneumothorax in x-ray performed after the initiation of HNFC. No deaths recorded. Conclusions: HNFC was a simple and accessible therapy for the initial treatment of children older than 2 years old with acute respiratory failure. Oxygen flows of 2 L/k/min were used and no complications arose. It was the only respiratory support in half of these children. Its early indication in progressive treatment of acute asthma has increased. HNFC should now be included in protocols for management of asthma exacerbations.

Impacto de la implementación de oxigenoterapia de alto flujo en el manejo de la insuficiencia respiratoria por infecciones respiratorias agudas bajas en un departamento de emergencia pediátrica / Impact of high flow nasal cannula oxygen in the management of acute respiratory failure in a Pediatric Emergency Department

Introducción: la oxigenoterapia de alto flujo (OAF) administrada por cánulas nasales, se ha instaurado como una técnica sencilla, fácil de administrar, de bajo costo, sin complicaciones graves, efectiva para el tratamiento de la insuficiencia respiratoria (IR) en infecciones respiratorias agudas bajas (IRAB). Su aplicación temprana podría mejorar la evolución de estos niños. Objetivos: comunicar la primera experiencia con OAF en niños con IRAB en un Departamento de Emergencia Pediátrica (DEP). Compararla con una cohorte histórica de niños que no la recibió. Métodos: estudio descriptivo, prospectivo (1 de junio de 2013-20 de setiembre de 2013). Todos los niños tratados con OAF en DEP del Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell. Criterios de inclusión: <2 años con IRAB viral con IR y escore de Tal >8 o ³7 mantenido, apneas reiteradas, saturación de oxígeno <90% con O2 por máscara de flujo libre. Criterios de exclusión: pCO2 >70 mmHg, pH <7,2, depresión de conciencia, falla hemodinámica. Resultados: OAF 36 niños; mediana 4 meses; bronquiolitis 83%; VRS+ 58%. Destino pacientes en OAF: cuidados moderados 78%, UCI 22%, AVM 22%. No complicaciones ni fallecimientos. Cohorte histórica: 91 niños con IRAB no tratados con OAF. Cohorte histórica: UCI: 40 (44%) versus OAF (p=0,0005). AVM: cohorte histórica 30 (33%) versus OAF (p=0,026). Menores 6 meses: con OAF AVM 5 (19%), cohorte histórica: 25(45%) (p=0,026). Conclusiones: en un porcentaje elevado de pacientes fue posible evitar el ingreso a UCI. La necesidad de AVM en menores de 6 meses con OAF fue significativamente menor. La incorporación temprana de OAF en las IRAB graves modificó la forma de tratamiento de estos pacientes en la emergencia.

Introduction: high flow nasal cannula oxygen (HFNC) has become a simple, easy to implement, non-expensive technique, without serious complications, to treat respiratory failure in lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). Its early implementation could improve outcome in these children. Objectives: to communicate the first experience with HFNC in children with LRTI in a Pediatric Emergency Department. To compare it with a historical cohort of children who did not receive HFNC. Methods: descriptive, prospective study (01/06/13-20/09/2013). Every child treated with HFNC in the Emergency Department -Pereira Rossell Hospital. Inclusion criteria: <2 years old with viral LRTI, respiratory failure and Tal score >8 or persistent ³7, persistent apnea, oxygen saturation <90% with O2 mask. Exclusion criteria: pCO2>70 mmHg, pH<7.2, depression of consciousness, hemodynamic failure. Results: HFNC 36 children; median age 4 months; bronchiolitis 83%; VRS+ 58%. Destination HFNC patients: admission 78%, PICU 22%, MV 22%. No complications, no deaths.. Historic cohort: 91 children with LRTI not treated with HFNC; PICU: 40(44%) vs HFNC (p=0.0005). MV: historic cohort 30(33%) vs HFNC (p=0.026). Younger than 6 months: HFNCO MV 5(19%), historic cohort: 25(45%) (p=0.026). Conclusions: admission to PICU was prevented in a high number of patients. Need for MV in patients younger than 6 months with HFNC was significantly lower. The early application of HFNC in severe LRTI modified the treatment of these patients in the emergency department.

Quality of life in caregivers of children with asthma: Validity and reliability of the IFABI-R questionnaire

BACKGROUND: Parents'/caregivers' quality of life is an important aspect to consider when handling paediatric asthma, but there is a paucity of valid and reliable instruments to measure it. The Family Impact of Childhood Bronchial Asthma (IFABI-R) is a recently developed questionnaire to facilitate the assessment of asthma-related parents'/caregivers' quality of life. This study researches the psychometric properties of IFABI-R. METHODS: Parents/main caregivers of 462 children between 4 and 14 years of age with active asthma were included in the sample. IFABI-R was administered on two different occasions and a number of other variables related to the parents'/caregivers' quality of life were measured: child's asthma control, family functioning, and parents'/caregivers' perception of asthma symptoms in the child. IFABI-R evaluative and discriminative properties were analysed, and the minimal important change in the IFABI-R score was identified. RESULTS: IFABI-R showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.941), cross-sectional construct validity (correlation with the degree of child's asthma control, family functioning and parent/caregiver perception of the child's asthma symptoms), longitudinal construct validity (correlation of changes in the IFABI-R with changes in asthma control and changes in the perception of symptoms), sensitivity to change and test-retest reliability. An absolute change of 0.3 units in IFABI-R related to a minimal significant change in the parents'/caregivers' quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: IFABI-R is a reliable and valid instrument to study the quality of life of parents/caregivers of children with asthma

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Soporte respiratorio no invasivo en el fallo respiratorio agudo del niño: análisis de un grupo de pacientes asistidos en una UCIP privada / Non invasive respiratory support in child acute respiratory failure: analysis of a group of patients seen in a private PICU

Introducción: el fallo respiratorio agudo (FRA) es la principal causa de morbimortalidad pediátrica. La ventilación mecánica no invasiva (VMNI) y la oxigenoterapia de alto flujo (CNAF) son cada vez más utilizados en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos pediátricos (UCIP) como alternativa a la ventilación mecánica invasiva (VMI). Objetivo: describir el perfil clínico-evolutivo de niños ingresados a una UCIP por FRA y tratados con VMNI-CNAF entre marzo y octubre de 2014. Metodología: corte transversal y observacional. Niños ingresados por FRA y tratados con VMNI-CNAF. Se clasificaron según éxito o fracaso (necesidad de VMI). Se calificó la gravedad según Escores PIM2 y Tal. Resultados: de 80 casos, 39 cumplieron criterios de inclusión, 15.4% fracasaron. Las causas de fracaso: depresión neuropsíquica, fallo cardiovascular y trabajo respiratorio. La mediana de edad fue 7 meses. Los que requirieron VMI eran menores de 1 año. Los indicadores de gravedad fueron similares en ambos grupos, así como sus comorbilidades. En cuatro de cada cinco pacientes se utilizó CNAF a un flujo promedio de 1,5 l/kg/min. El 64% de los diagnósticos fue bronquiolitis. Los días de soporte respiratorio requeridos fueron menores en los niños atendidos con métodos no invasivos. Ningún paciente falleció. Discusión: esta representa la primera descripción nacional de tratamiento ventilatorio no invasivo en el entorno de una UCIP. La VMNI-CNAF mostró ser una estrategia segura y exitosa en la gran mayoría de pacientes. Este trabajo servirá para planificación y elaboración de futuras investigaciones en UCIP en la era de los cuidados respiratorios no invasivos.

Introduction: acute respiratory failure (ARF) is the main cause of pediatric morbimortality. Non invasive ventilation (NIV) and high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) are increasingly being used un Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) as an alternative to invasive mechanical ventilation (MV). Aim: to describe the characteristics and clinical course of children admitted to our PICU for ARF and treated with NIV and HFNC between March and October 2014. Methods: cross-sectional and observational study. Children admitted with ARF and treated with NIV and HFNC were included. They were classified in two groups: “responders” and “failure” (failure was defined if MV was needed). Severity was scored by PIM2 and Tal scores. Results: of 80 patients admitted for ARF, 39 were included for analysis, failure rate was 15.4%. Failure causes were: neurological failure, cardiovascular failure and work of breathing. Median age was 7 months. All who needed MV were younger than one year. Severity scores were similar in both groups, as well as their comorbidities. 4 out of 5 patients were treated with CNAF. Mean flow was 1,5 l/kg/min. Most frequent diagnosis was Bronchiolitis in 64%. Those treated with non invasive methods needed less days of respiratory support. No patient died and no complications were recorded. Conclusion: this represents the first national description of non invasive respiratory support in a PICU environment. NIV and HFNC showed to be a safe and successful strategy in most patients admitted with ARF. This results will help to plan and elaborate further research in the age of pediatric non invasive respiratory care.

Quality of life in caregivers of children with asthma: Validity and reliability of the IFABI-R questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: Parents'/caregivers' quality of life is an important aspect to consider when handling paediatric asthma, but there is a paucity of valid and reliable instruments to measure it. The Family Impact of Childhood Bronchial Asthma (IFABI-R) is a recently developed questionnaire to facilitate the assessment of asthma-related parents'/caregivers' quality of life. This study researches the psychometric properties of IFABI-R. METHODS: Parents/main caregivers of 462 children between 4 and 14 years of age with active asthma were included in the sample. IFABI-R was administered on two different occasions and a number of other variables related to the parents'/caregivers' quality of life were measured: child's asthma control, family functioning, and parents'/caregivers' perception of asthma symptoms in the child. IFABI-R evaluative and discriminative properties were analysed, and the minimal important change in the IFABI-R score was identified. RESULTS: IFABI-R showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.941), cross-sectional construct validity (correlation with the degree of child's asthma control, family functioning and parent/caregiver perception of the child's asthma symptoms), longitudinal construct validity (correlation of changes in the IFABI-R with changes in asthma control and changes in the perception of symptoms), sensitivity to change and test-retest reliability. An absolute change of 0.3 units in IFABI-R related to a minimal significant change in the parents'/caregivers' quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: IFABI-R is a reliable and valid instrument to study the quality of life of parents/caregivers of children with asthma.

Looking beyond patients: Can parents' quality of life predict asthma control in children?

BACKGROUND: Social and family factors may influence the probability of achieving asthma control in children. Parents' quality of life has been insufficiently explored as a predictive factor linked to the probability of achieving disease control in asthmatic children. OBJECTIVE: Determine whether the parents' quality of life predicts medium-term asthma control in children. METHODS: Longitudinal study of children between 4 and 14 years of age, with active asthma. The parents' quality of life was evaluated using the specific IFABI-R instrument, in which scores were higher for poorer quality of life. Its association with asthma control measures in the child 16 weeks later was analyzed using multivariate methods, adjusting the effect for disease, child and family factors. RESULTS: The data from 452 children were analyzed (median age 9.6 years, 63.3% males). The parents' quality of life was predictive for asthma control; each point increase on the initial IFABI-R score was associated with an adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 0.56 (0.37-0.86) for good control of asthma on the second visit, 2.58 (1.62-4.12) for asthma exacerbation, 2.12 (1.33-3.38) for an unscheduled visit to the doctor, and 2.46 (1.18-5.13) for going to the emergency room. The highest quartile for the IFABI-R score had a sensitivity of 34.5% and a specificity of 82.2% to predict poorly controlled asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Parents' poorer quality of life is related to poor, medium-term asthma control in children. Assessing the parents' quality of life could aid disease management decisions. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:670-677. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Aspiración de cuerpo extraño: formas de presentación y complicaciones. A propósito de cuatro casos / Foreign body aspiration: presentation and complications. Study of four cases

La aspiración de cuerpo extraño (ACE) es un evento provocado por un agente externo, esta forma de lesión puede ser evitada con medidas preventivas. Los episodios de aspiración pueden pasar desapercibidos provocando lesiones en sectores distales del árbol bronquial manifestándose en la evolución por la presencia de complicaciones. Este artículo presenta 4 casos clínicos que plantearon dificultades diagnósticas y complicaciones en su evolución. Los mismos presentan similitudes con la literatura internacional en cuanto a sus características epidemiológicas ya que predominan en menores de 3 años, varones, en días festivos, predomina el maní como cuerpo extraño y existió un retraso en el diagnóstico en la mayoría de los casos. En el diagnóstico de la ACE se debe tener en cuenta el antecedente de sofocación o tos con dificultad respiratoria en un niño previamente asintomático que se encontraba jugando o comiendo. El examen físico y radiológico pueden ser normales después que el episodio de sofocación ha pasado, por lo que es necesario un alto índice de sospecha para el diagnóstico. Frente a la sospecha de ACE se debe realizar broncoscopía rígida porque ésta constituye el mejor método diagnóstico y terapéutico. Asimismo, hay que considerar el diagnóstico en pacientes que presentan neumonías recurrentes o lesiones persistentes sin otra causa, fundamentalmente si se asocian a otras lesiones como atelectasia y episodios de obstrucción bronquial.

The foreign body aspiration event is caused by an external agent, this form of injury can be avoided by preventive measures. The episodes of aspiration may go unnoticed causing injury to distal areas of the bronchial tree, manifesting the presence of complications in the evolution. This article presents four clinical cases that raised diagnostic difficulties and complications in its evolution. These cases have similarities with the international literature regarding their epidemiological characteristics: prevalence in children under 3 years, male, in festive days, peanuts being the most common foreign body and there being a delay in diagnosis in most cases. Diagnosis must take into account the history of choking or coughing respiratory distress in a previously asymptomatic child who was playing or eating. The physical and radiological examination may be normal after the episode of suffocation has passed, so a high index of suspicion is necessary for diagnosis. Upon suspicion of foreign body aspiration event, a rigid bronchoscopy should be performed, since this is the best diagnostic and therapeutic method. Also, in patients with persistent or recurrent pneumonia lesions without other cause, mainly this diagnosis should be considered, if associated with other lesions such as atelectasis and episodes of bronchial obstruction.

Evaluation of cocktails with recombinant proteins of Mycobacterium bovis for a specific diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis.

The Delayed type hypersensitivity skin test (DTH) and interferon-gamma assay are used for the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis (TBB). The specificity of these diagnoses, however, is compromised because both are based on the response against purified protein derivative of Mycobacterium bovis (PPD-B). In this study, we assessed the potential of two cocktails containing M. bovis recombinant proteins: cocktail 1 (C1): ESAT-6, CFP-10 and MPB83 and cocktail 2 (C2): ESAT-6, CFP-10, MPB83, HspX, TB10.3, and MPB70. C1, C2, and PPD-B showed similar response by DTH in M. bovis-sensitized guinea pigs. Importantly, C1 induced a lower response than PPD-B in M. avium-sensitized guinea pigs. In cattle, C1 displayed better performance than PPD-B and C2; indeed, C1 showed the least detection of animals either vaccinated or Map-infected. To optimize the composition of the cocktails, we obtained protein fractions from PPD-B and tested their immunogenicity in experimentally M. bovis-infected cattle. In one highly reactive fraction, seven proteins were identified. The inclusion of FixB in C1 enhanced the recognition of M. bovis-infected cattle without compromising specificity. Our data provide a promising basis for the future development of a cocktail for TBB detection without interference by the presence of sensitized or infected animals with other mycobacteria.

Association between quality of life in parents and components of asthma control in children.

OBJECTIVE: Describe the association between parents' quality of life and the two components of asthma control in children: impairment and risk. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with children between 4 and 14 years of age with active asthma recruited at primary care centers in Spain. Asthma control was assessed according to the Third National Asthma Expert Panel Report, classifying "impairment" in three levels (well-controlled asthma, partially controlled, and poorly controlled), and "risk" as high or low. The parents' quality of life was evaluated using the specific Family Impact of Childhood Bronchial Asthma Questionnaire instrument (IFABI-R). The association between asthma control and the parents' quality of life was analyzed using multivariate regression models adjusted for other social and family variables. RESULTS: Data from 408 children were analyzed. The parents' quality of life was affected in the partially controlled asthma group when compared with well-controlled asthma, as showed by an increase in IFABI-R scores in all dimensions: functional 17.2% (p < 0.001), emotional 10.4% (p = 0.021), and socio-occupational 6.8% (p = 0.056). The differences were higher in poorly controlled asthma compared with well-controlled asthma: functional 24.3% (p = 0.001), emotional 18.9% (p = 0.008), and socio-occupational 11.5% (p = 0.036). The "risk" component was independently associated with the parents' quality of life. Of all the elements used to assess the control, the only one independently associated with the parents' quality of life was recurrent asthma crisis. CONCLUSIONS: In asthma control, both "impairment" and "risk" in children are gradually associated with the parents' quality of life. The global assessment of the control surpasses the importance of each individual element used in this assessment.

Ventilación no invasiva en menores de dos años internados en sala con infección respiratoria aguda baja. Posibles factores predictivos de éxito y de fracaso / Noninvasive ventilation in children under two years with acute lower respiratory tract infection and analyze potential predictors of success or failure

Objetivo. Describir los resultados de la aplicación de ventilación no invasiva en los años 2009 y 2010 en niños menores de dos años con infección respiratoria aguda baja y analizar posibles factores predictivos de éxito o fracaso. Diseño. Observacional, prospectivo, analítico. Población. Menores de 2 años cursando IRAB con insuficiencia respiratoria y escore de Tal 8, o Tal 6 sin respuesta al tratamiento. Se excluyeron aquellos con peso < 7 kg, hemodinamia inestable, depresión neuropsíquica, neumotórax, neumomediastino y/o acidosis mixta. Resultados. Se incluyeron 185 niños, mediana de edad 9 meses, peso promedio 8,6 kg. Se constató éxito en 151 niños (81,6%). No se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la edad, peso y severidad al ingreso entre el grupo de niños con éxito versus fracaso terapéutico. A las 2 horas la frecuencia respiratoria (FR) mayor a 60 rpm, la frecuencia cardíaca (FC) mayor 140 cpm y la presión de soporte mayor a 9 se asoció con fracaso (p<0,05). El análisis multivariado mostró que a las 2 h la FR > 60 rpm incrementó el riego de fracaso 6.4 veces (IC95 1,9-21,7); la FC > 140 cpm 4,3 (IC95 1,5-11,8) y la PS >9 lo incrementó 8,7 veces (IC95 2,3-32,2). Conclusión. El aumento de la FR, la FC y la PS a las 2 horas constituyen posibles factores predictivos de fracaso terapéutico. Futuras investigaciones son necesarias para confirmar estos hallazgos e individualizar las indicaciones de esta técnica en estos pacientes.

Introduction: to describe the results of applying noninvasive ventilation in the years 2009 and 2010 in children under two years with acute lower respiratory tract infection and analyze potential predictors of success or failure. Design: observational, descriptive, prospective. Population: children under 2 years with lower respiratory tract infection and respiratory failure Tal score> 8, or 6 and not responding to treatment. We excluded children weighing <7 kg, unstable hemodynamics, neuropsychic depression, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and/or mixed acidosis. Intervention: a protocol with stabilization measures, monitoring and VNI parameters was applied. Results: Results: we included 185 children, median age 9 months old, average weight 8.6 kg. It was successful in 151 children (81.6%). There were not statistically significant differences in age, weight and severity at admission between the group of children with treatment failure versus success. After 2 hours respiratory frequency (RF) greater than 60 rpm, heart rate (HR) increased 140 cpm and support pressure (SP) greater to 9 were associated with failure (p <0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that after 2 h the RF> 60 rpm increase the risk of failure 6.4 times (CI95 1.9 to 21.7), HR > 140 cpm 4.3 (CI95 1.5 to 11.8) and SP > 9 it increased 8.7 times (CI95 2.3 to 32.2). Conclusions: increase in FR, HR and SP at 2 hours are potential predictors of treatment failure. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and identify the indications of this technique in these patients.

Infección urinaria en niños: evaluación imagenológica / Children urinary infection: imaging assessment

La infección del tracto urinario (ITU) es frecuente en pediatría y es considerada un marcador biológico de enfermedad anatómica o funcional del aparato urinario en niños. Se realizó un estudio prospectivo en cuatro hospitales públicos de Uruguay cuyos objetivos fueron: conocer la prevalencia de enfermedad nefrourinaria asociada; comparar resultados de la cistouretrografía miccional (CUM) realizada en dos oportunidades distintas; analizar en menores de 2 años los hallazgos centellogr ficos en relación con la presencia de "par metros sugestivos de pielonefritis aguda (PNA)"; conocer la evolución centellogr fica. A todos los niños con ITU sintom tica se les realizó ecografía renal y de vías urinarias. Se practicó CUM a menores de 5 años y a mayores de esa edad en casos seleccionados, en un primer período al mes pos ITU y en el segundo se autorizó realizarla intratratamiento. Se realizó centellograma renal en agudo a los menores de 2 años y a mayores en casos seleccionados. Se incluyeron 168 niños. De las ecografías, 21 por ciento tenían alteraciones. De las CUM, 30 por ciento fueron patológicas (26 por ciento de los varones y 32 por ciento de las niñas estudiados). En el segundo período aumentaron significativamente los estudios realizados, sin diferencia en el número ni severidad de reflujo vesicoureteral (RVU) detectados (total: 26 por ciento). La mitad de los centellogramas fueron patológicos, predominantemente im genes de PNA. En los menores de 2 años con dos o m s "par metros sugestivos de PNA" la mitad de los centellogramas fueron normales. Se destaca la importancia de evaluar anatómica y funcionalmente el aparato urinario a todos los niños desde su primer ITU.

[Evaluation of activities and effectiveness of an asthmatic child program developed in primary care]. / Evaluación de las actividades y de la efectividad de un programa del niño asmático desarrollado en atención primaria.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate activities and effectiveness of a programme of attention to asthmatic child, defined by a proper diagnostic process and therapeutic intervention, by the gain of educational goals and by reduction of number of asthma attacks. DESIGN: A before-after study SETTING: Primary care PARTICIPANTS: The first 81 children attracted to the programme. Aged 5 to 13. INTERVENTION: Each child was periodically revised (mean time of monitoring 11 months and 24 days: interval 7-17 months). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Intervention obtained significative results (p < 0.0001) in: lung function study and allergens detection, use of inhalatory way and peak flow meter. Asthma attacks were reduced (p < 0.0001): before 216, mean 2.66, SD 1.85, range 0-8; and after 117, mean 1.44, SD 1.27, range 0-5. CONCLUSIONS: 1. A systematic and organized intervention from Primary Care results effective to improve quality of life in asthmatic child (better diagnostic, more abilities, less asthma attacks). 2. It must be stated new strategies for reduction of smoking at home of these children.

Prevalencia de Chagas congénito: segundo estudio en Tucumán, Argentina / Congenital Chagas disease prevalencia: a second study in Tucuman, Argentina

En este trabajo se presenta una breve revisión del tema Transmisión congénita de infección por Trypanosoma cruzi en seres humanos (enfermedad de Chagas congénito o tripanosomiasis americana congénita), con preferente enfoque sobre prevalencia de la misma. A continuación se comunican los resultados de una segunda encuesta sobre la prevalencia de Chagas congénito en la Provincia de Tucumán, realizada en 1990-1991. Un total de 1496 recién nacidos vivos hijos de madres sin antecedentes conocidos sobre infección chagásica fueron examinados mediante la técnica de concentración en tubos de microhematocrito y de la gota gruesa. Con este procedimiento detectaron cuatro casos positivos (0,27 por ciento). De éstos, tres fueron niños nacidos al término de la gestación (0,36 por ciento) y uno fue prematuro (0,17 por ciento). Al nacer, dos casos mostraron peso adecuado para la edad gestacional y dos, bajo peso; uno fue asintomático y tres oligosintomáticos. Adicionalmente, dos casos transitaron los primeros días de vida con niveles bajos de parasitemia y dos con niveles definidamente altos. Finalmente, cotejan estos resultados con los de la primera encuesta efectuada 1967-1969. Verificaron que durante el lapso transcurrido entre ambas se ha producido sustancial disminución en la tasa de prevalencia: del 2,58 por ciento en 1967-1969 al 0,27 por ciento en 1990-1991. Adjudican mejoría a la realización del Programa Nacional de Control de la enfermedad de Chagas en Tucumán