ABSTRACT
Objetivo: Caracterizar la atención de accidentes de tránsito en la ciudad de Medellín para obtener una imagen general de la situación de salud en este contexto. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo observacional, con intención analítica, de fuentes secundarias de información, en pacientes con edad mayor o igual a 16 años, atendidos por el personal 123, módulo salud, víctimas de accidentes de tránsito en Medellín. Resultados: Un total de 3 829 individuos sufrieron accidente de tránsito entre octubre y diciembre del 2018 según los criterios del estudio. De estos, el 63.1% de sexo masculino, con edad media de 34 años. La zona con mayor demanda de atención prehospitalaria fue la comuna 10 de la ciudad (La Candelaria) y la mayoría de los afectados por los accidentes lo fueron en calidad de conductor, 64%, y en un 75% de los casos, el vehículo involucrado fue una motocicleta. Solo el 26.5% de los pacientes fueron dados de alta en la escena. Las extremidades fueron las zonas corporales de mayor compromiso, en un 78.2% de los episodios, seguidas por el cráneo y la cara, con un 26.8%. Conclusiones: Es evidente la necesidad de la ciudad de implementar y evaluar el impacto de estrategias dinámicas que permitan un manejo eficiente de los recursos, que priorice las zonas y grupos demográficos de mayor riesgo y la articulación de la disposición de pacientes dentro de la cadena de atención, según los tipos más frecuentes de lesiones.
Objective: To characterize the traffic accident attention in the city of Medellín in order to obtain a general image of the health situation in this context. Methodology: Observational descriptive study, with analytic intent, of secondary information sources in patients with age higher or equal to 16 years of age, served by the 123 personnel, health module, who were victims of traffic accidents in Medellín. Results: A total of 3 829 individuals suffered traffic accidents between October and December of 2018 according to the study criteria. Of these, 63.1% were males, with an average age of 34 years old. The zone with the highest demand of pre-hospital attention was the Comuna 10 of the city (known as La Candelaria) and most of the affected by the accidents were as drivers, 64%, and 75% of the cases, the vehicle involved was a motorcycle. Only 26.5% of the patients were discharged on the scene. The extremities were the body zones with the highest compromise in 78.2% of the episodes, followed by the cranium and the face, with 26.8%. Conclusions: It is evident that the city needs to implement and evaluate the impact of dynamic strategies that enable an efficient management of the resources that prioritizes the zones and demographic groups with the highest risk and the articulation of the disposition of patients within the attention chain, according to the most frequent types of injuries.
Objetivo: Caracterizar a atenção de acidentes de trânsito na cidade de Medellín para obter uma imagem geral da situação de saúde neste contexto. Metodologia: Estudo descritivo observacional, com intenção analítica, de fontes secundárias de informação, em pacientes com idade maior ou igual a 16 anos, atendidos pelo pessoal 123, módulo saúde, vítimas de acidentes de trânsito em Medellín. Resultados: Um total de 3 829 indivíduos sofreram acidente de trânsito entre outubro e dezembro de 2018 segundo os critérios do estudo. Destes, 63.1% de sexo masculino, com idade média de 34 anos. A região com maior demanda de atenção pré-hospitalar foi a comuna 10 da cidade (La Candelaria) e a maioria dos afetados pelos acidentes foram em qualidade de condutor, 64%, e num 75% dos casos, o veículo envolvido foi uma motocicleta. Só 26.5% dos pacientes foram dados de alta na cena. As extremidades foram as zonas corporais de maior compromisso, em 78.2% dos episódios, seguidas pelo crâneo e a cara, com um 26.8%. Conclusões: É evidente a necessidade da cidade de implementar e avaliar o impacto de estratégias dinâmicas que permitam um manejo eficiente dos recursos, que priorize as zonas e grupos demográficos de maior risco e a articulação da disposição de pacientes dentro da cadeia de atenção, segundo os tipos mais frequentes de lesões.
Subject(s)
Humans , Accidents, Traffic , Prehospital Care , Extremities , Craniocerebral Trauma , Health ResourcesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are vital to the global tobacco market. The pack is key to cigarette branding, and review of cigarette packs revealed English as a common feature. The prevalence of English and its potential branding utility is explored. METHODS: Every available unique cigarette pack was purchased from diverse retailers in six LMICs where English is not the official language (Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Egypt, Ukraine, Vietnam). Packs' front panels were coded for English on pack fronts. English penetration was quantified by country and a comparison of English use between multinational and national brands was undertaken. A qualitative analysis of symbolic and utilitarian usage of English was conducted. RESULTS: Of 1303 unique cigarette packs analyzed, 67% (n = 876) included some English. English text conveyed product information and usage instruction. English was more prevalent for multinational brands. Qualitatively, English use frequently connected cigarettes with concepts of quality, style, luxury, and aspirational lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS: Restricting English use should be incorporated into plain packaging policy to protect populations from deceptive branding practices, specifically presenting cigarettes as an aspirational product.
Subject(s)
Developing Countries , Language , Product Packaging , Smoking/adverse effects , Tobacco Products/adverse effects , Adolescent , Bangladesh , Brazil , China , Consumer Behavior , Deception , Egypt , Humans , Income , Product Labeling , Symbolism , Ukraine , VietnamABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Therapeutic tolerance restoration has been proven to modify food allergy in patients and animal models and although sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has showed promise, combined therapy may be necessary to achieve a strong and long-term tolerance. AIMS: In this work, we combined SLIT with systemic administration of IL-2 associated with an anti-IL-2 monoclonal antibody (IL-2/anti-IL-2Ab complex or IL-2C) to reverse the IgE-mediated experimental allergy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Balb/c mice were sensitized with cholera toxin and milk proteins and orally challenged with allergen to elicit hypersensitivity reactions. Then, allergic mice were treated with a sublingual administration of very low amounts of milk proteins combined with intraperitoneal injection of low doses of IL-2C. The animals were next re-exposed to allergens and mucosal as well as systemic immunological parameters were assessed in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS: The treatment reduced serum specific IgE, IL-5 secretion by spleen cells and increased IL-10 and TGF-ß in the lamina propria of buccal and duodenal mucosa. We found an augmented frequency of IL-10-secreting CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) in the submaxilar lymph nodes and buccal lamina propria. Tregs were sorted, characterized and adoptively transferred to naïve mice, which were subsequently sensitized. No allergy was experienced in these mice and we encouragingly discovered a faster and more efficient tolerance induction with the combined therapy compared with SLIT. CONCLUSION: The combination of two therapeutic strategies rendered Treg-mediated tolerance more efficient compared to individual treatments and reversed the established IgE-mediated food allergy. This approach highlights the ability of IL-2C to expand Tregs, and it may represent a promising disease-modifying therapy for managing food allergy.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology , Food Hypersensitivity/immunology , Interleukin-2/immunology , Sublingual Immunotherapy , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal/administration & dosage , Interleukin-2/administration & dosage , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mouth Mucosa/immunologyABSTRACT
El pinzamiento femoroacetabular corresponde al contacto mecánico entre el fémur y la pelvis, frecuentemente entre el cuello del fémur y el borde acetabular, ya sea por deformidad del primero (CAM) o del segundo (PINCER);1,2 sin embargo, existen causas extraarticulares de pinzamiento.3,4 A la par del aumento en el diagnóstico de pinzamiento se ha hecho cada vez más frecuente el tratamiento artroscópico de éste siendo hoy el estándar de tratamiento.5 En este reporte se analiza un caso de pinzamiento de cadera extraarticular, causado por un contacto entre el fémur y una espina ilíaca antero inferior (EIAI) prominente debido probablemente a una avulsión antigua consolidada, y a su posterior manejo artroscópico.
Femoroacetabular impingement is the mechanical contact between the femur and the pelvis, frequently between the femur neck and the acetabular rim, whether due to a deformity of the former (cam type) or the latter (pincer type).1,2 However, there may be extraarticular causes of impingement.3,4 Together with the increased diagnosis of impingement, arthroscopic treatment is increasingly frequent and has become the standard treatment.5 This report analyzes a case of extraarticular hip impingement caused by contact between the femur and a prominent anteroinferior iliac spine (AIIS), probably due to a healed old avulsion and its later arthroscopic management.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Arthroscopy/methods , Femoracetabular Impingement/surgery , Femur , Femoracetabular Impingement/diagnosis , Femoracetabular Impingement , Pelvis , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
Femoroacetabular impingement is the mechanical contact between the femur and the pelvis, frequently between the femur neck and the acetabular rim, whether due to a deformity of the former (cam type) or the latter (pincer type). However, there may be extraarticular causes of impingement. Together with the increased diagnosis of impingement, arthroscopic treatment is increasingly frequent and has become the standard treatment. This report analyzes a case of extraarticular hip impingement caused by contact between the femur and a prominent anteroinferior iliac spine (AIIS), probably due to a healed old avulsion and its later arthroscopic management.
Subject(s)
Arthroscopy/methods , Femoracetabular Impingement/surgery , Femur/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Femoracetabular Impingement/diagnosis , Femoracetabular Impingement/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Male , Pelvis/diagnostic imaging , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
Knee arthroscopic surgery stands out as one of the most common surgical procedures in orthopedics and traumatology. The incidence of this type of procedures reaches 3.5 million procedures per year worldwide. Thromboprophylaxis is done basically with low molecular weight heparins; however, the dosing, indication and duration of therapy are currently debated. The objective is to prevent both deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism. The purpose is to describe a clinical case reporting the occurrence of DVP and pulmonary thromboembolism after arthroscopic knee surgery and characterize patients in detail.
Subject(s)
Arthroscopy , Osteoarthritis, Knee/surgery , Postoperative Complications/etiology , Pulmonary Embolism/etiology , Aged , Anticoagulants/therapeutic use , Asymptomatic Diseases , Dalteparin/therapeutic use , Female , Hemostasis, Surgical/adverse effects , Humans , Ischemia/etiology , Leg/blood supply , Menisci, Tibial/surgery , Osteoarthritis, Knee/diagnostic imaging , Postoperative Complications/diagnostic imaging , Postoperative Complications/drug therapy , Pulmonary Embolism/diagnostic imaging , Radiography , Thrombophlebitis/drug therapy , Thrombophlebitis/etiology , Time FactorsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To assess the influence of vitamins B1, B6 and B12 on the analgesia success achieved by diclofenac in subjects with acute lumbago. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A randomised, double blind controlled clinical study in parallel groups, in which subjects received twice-daily oral administration of either the combination therapy, Group DB (50 mg diclofenac plus 50 mg thiamine, 50 mg pyridoxine and 1 mg cyanocobalamin) or diclofenac monotherapy, Group D (50mg diclofenac). The study period lasted a maximum of 7 days. If sufficient pain reduction was achieved (defined as Visual Analogue Scale <20 mm and patient's satisfaction), subjects could withdraw from the treatment after 3 or 5 days. All subjects gave written informed consent to participate in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary confirmatory study objective was to determine the number of patients with sufficient pain reduction after 3 days of treatment. RESULTS: Three hundred and seventy-two subjects were allocated at random to either treatment group: Group DB - 187 subjects and Group D - 185 subjects. After 3 days of treatment, a statistically significant higher proportion of subjects in Group DB (n = 87; 46.5%) than in Group D (n = 55; 29%) terminated the study due to treatment success (chi(2): 12.06; p = 0.0005). Furthermore, the combination therapy yielded superior results in pain reduction, improvement of mobility and functionality. Drug safety monitoring profile throughout the trial was within the expected safety profile of diclofenac. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of diclofenac with B vitamins was superior to diclofenac monotherapy in lumbago relief after 3 days of treatment. As a study drawback, daily VAS measurements were only recorded until subject withdrawal from treatment, whether after 3, 5, or 7 days. There were no differences in safety profile between the two study groups.
Subject(s)
Diclofenac/administration & dosage , Low Back Pain/drug therapy , Vitamin B Complex/administration & dosage , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/administration & dosage , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/adverse effects , Diclofenac/adverse effects , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Double-Blind Method , Drug Administration Schedule , Drug Therapy, Combination/adverse effects , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Treatment Outcome , Vitamin B Complex/adverse effects , Young AdultABSTRACT
The reservoir capacity of domestic cats and dogs for Trypanosoma cruzi infection and the host-feeding patterns of domestic Triatoma infestans were assessed longitudinally in 2 infested rural villages in north-western Argentina. A total of 86 dogs and 38 cats was repeatedly examined for T. cruzi infection by serology and/or xenodiagnosis. The composite prevalence of infection in dogs (60%), but not in cats, increased significantly with age and with the domiciliary density of infected T. infestans. Dogs and cats had similarly high forces of infection, prevalence of infectious hosts (41-42%), and infectiousness to bugs at a wide range of infected bug densities. The infectiousness to bugs of seropositive dogs declined significantly with increasing dog age and was highly aggregated. Individual dog infectiousness to bugs was significantly autocorrelated over time. Domestic T. infestans fed on dogs showed higher infection prevalence (49%) than those fed on cats (39%), humans (38%) or chickens (29%) among 1085 bugs examined. The basic reproduction number of T. cruzi in dogs was at least 8.2. Both cats and dogs are epidemiologically important sources of infection for bugs and householders, dogs nearly 3 times more than cats.
Subject(s)
Cat Diseases/epidemiology , Chagas Disease/epidemiology , Disease Reservoirs , Dog Diseases/epidemiology , Insect Vectors/parasitology , Triatoma/parasitology , Trypanosoma cruzi , Age Factors , Animals , Argentina/epidemiology , Cat Diseases/diagnosis , Cat Diseases/immunology , Cat Diseases/parasitology , Cats , Chagas Disease/diagnosis , Chagas Disease/immunology , Chagas Disease/parasitology , Chagas Disease/veterinary , Child , Dog Diseases/diagnosis , Dog Diseases/immunology , Dog Diseases/parasitology , Dogs , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Prevalence , Rural Population , Surveys and Questionnaires , XenodiagnosisSubject(s)
Internet , Organ Transplantation/statistics & numerical data , Australia , Europe , Humans , New Zealand , South America , United StatesABSTRACT
The long-term effects on domiciliary reinfestation by Triatoma infestans of smoothing the plaster of indoor walls prior to insecticide application (in Amamá village) relative to only insecticide application (in Trinidad-Mercedes villages) were evaluated in rural northwestern Argentina from 1992 to 1997. All domestic and peridomestic areas of each house were sprayed with 2.5% suspension concentrate deltamethrin at 25 mg/m(2) in October 1992, and infestations were assessed by various methods every 6 months. Domiciliary infestation decreased from 72-88% in 1992 to 6-17% in late 1995, to increase moderately thereafter without returning to baseline rates. Peridomestic sites were the first in becoming reinfested, and reached more abundant T. infestans populations than domiciliary areas. Domiciliary infestation rates and bug abundances were not significantly different between communities during surveillance. Domiciliary infestation rates in well-plastered houses were very low (5-9%) and approximately stable until 1996, but in houses with regular or bad plaster they consistently increased from 5 to 19-21% in both communities. Logistic multiple regression analysis showed that the likelihood of domestic infestation assessed through householders' collections was significantly and positively associated with the occurrence of an infested peridomestic site in the respective house, the occurrence of high-density domestic infestations before interventions, and well-plastered walls in 1996. Combining insecticide spraying and partial improvement of walls controlled domestic infestations and transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi effectively, but was not sufficient to eliminate T. infestans from the study area or increase the effectiveness of careful chemical control.
Subject(s)
Chagas Disease/prevention & control , Housing , Insect Control/methods , Pyrethrins/therapeutic use , Triatoma , Animals , Argentina , Ectoparasitic Infestations/epidemiology , Ectoparasitic Infestations/prevention & control , Humans , Insecticides , Nitriles , Population Surveillance , PrevalenceABSTRACT
American trypanosomiasis, or Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and transmitted by blood-feeding triatomine bugs, is a chronic, frequently fatal infection that is common in Latin America. Neither adequate drugs nor a vaccine is available. A mathematical model calibrated to detailed household data from three villages in northwest Argentina shows that householders could greatly reduce the risk of human infection by excluding domestic animals, especially infected dogs, from bedrooms; removing potential refuges for bugs from walls and ceilings; and using domestically applied insecticides. Low-cost, locally practicable environmental management combined with intermittent use of insecticides can sustainably control transmission of T. cruzi to humans in rural Argentina and probably elsewhere.
Subject(s)
Chagas Disease/transmission , Dog Diseases/epidemiology , Housing , Insect Vectors/physiology , Models, Biological , Triatoma/physiology , Animals , Argentina , Blood , Chagas Disease/epidemiology , Chagas Disease/prevention & control , Chagas Disease/veterinary , Chickens , Dogs , Feeding Behavior , Humans , Insect Vectors/parasitology , Insecticides , Mathematics , Seasons , Triatoma/parasitology , Trypanosoma cruzi/physiologyABSTRACT
OBJECT: With the recent development and refinement of endovascular stents, the significant potential for these devices in the treatment of wide-necked dissecting and fusiform aneurysms has become apparent. In this article the authors report on the use of stents and coils to treat dissecting and fusiform vertebral artery (VA) aneurysms. METHODS: Eight consecutive patients harboring eight dissecting aneurysms and one fusiform aneurysm of the VA were succesfully treated using a procedure in which the authors inserted an intravascular stent and secondary endosaccular coils when needed. In all but one patient complete aneurysm occlusion was achieved, and in all cases there was no neurological complication. Follow-up angiography examinations were performed in all patients (mean duration of follow-up angiography review 13.1 months, range 3-42 months). The patients remained stable throughout the clinical follow-up period (mean 14.1 months, range 4-42 months). No rebleeding was recorded. CONCLUSIONS: At present this combined approach represents a reliable and safe alternative for the treatment of VA dissecting aneurysms, especially in patients who cannot tolerate occlusion tests.
Subject(s)
Embolization, Therapeutic , Stents , Vertebral Artery Dissection/therapy , Adult , Angiography, Digital Subtraction , Cerebral Angiography , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Morbidity , Postoperative Complications/mortality , Treatment Outcome , Vertebral Artery Dissection/diagnosis , Vertebral Artery Dissection/mortalityABSTRACT
Partial clipping may occur in about 4% of surgical procedures. The risk of hemorrhage persists if the aneurysm is not completely excluded. Reoperations are often difficult, technically demanding and may carry an increased risk of complications. We report our experience with the use of Guglielmi detachable coils in the treatment of 9 aneurysm remnants. Five patients (55.6%) presented with a second subarachnoid hemorrhage. Eight of the aneurysms (88.9%) were located on the anterior circulation. Postoperative angiography showed complete occlusion in 8 cases (88.9%). Certain partial clipping types may assist and favor a stable coiling procedure allowing a more compact cast. On the other hand, the clip may interfere with the correct visualization of the neck. In this series, there was no neurological morbidity associated with the procedure. There were no hemorrhagic events during or after the embolization. Endovascular treatment of aneurysm remnants can be performed safely and may constitute a valuable option to microsurgery.
Subject(s)
Intracranial Aneurysm/therapy , Postoperative Complications/therapy , Stents , Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/therapy , Surgical Instruments , Adult , Carotid Arteries/diagnostic imaging , Cerebral Angiography/methods , Female , Humans , Intracranial Aneurysm/diagnostic imaging , Intracranial Aneurysm/etiology , Male , Middle Aged , Postoperative Complications/diagnostic imaging , Recurrence , Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/diagnostic imaging , Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/etiology , Vertebral Artery/diagnostic imagingABSTRACT
Partial clipping may occur in about 4
of surgical procedures. The risk of hemorrhage persists if the aneurysm is not completely excluded. Reoperations are often difficult, technically demanding and may carry an increased risk of complications. We report our experience with the use of Guglielmi detachable coils in the treatment of 9 aneurysm remnants. Five patients (55.6
) presented with a second subarachnoid hemorrhage. Eight of the aneurysms (88.9
) were located on the anterior circulation. Postoperative angiography showed complete occlusion in 8 cases (88.9
). Certain partial clipping types may assist and favor a stable coiling procedure allowing a more compact cast. On the other hand, the clip may interfere with the correct visualization of the neck. In this series, there was no neurological morbidity associated with the procedure. There were no hemorrhagic events during or after the embolization. Endovascular treatment of aneurysm remnants can be performed safely and may constitute a valuable option to microsurgery.
ABSTRACT
En los últimos años las técnicas percutáneas han evolucionado de forma tal, que a la fecha estos procedimiento se efectúan rutinaria y extensivamente en muchos centros, para el diagnóstico y el tratamiento del dolor originada en la columna vertebral por diferentes procesos. Estas técnicas permiten una reducción de los costos de hospitalización y una rápida reincorporación del paciente a sus tareas habituales. En este artículo analizamos las indicaciones, resultados y complicaciones de los procedimientos, así como tambien el desarrollo de nuevas técnicas que son y serán de utilidad en la práctica. (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Spinal Diseases/diagnosis , Spinal Diseases/therapy , Spinal Diseases/surgery , Pain/diagnosis , Pain/diagnostic imaging , Pain/radiotherapy , Pain/therapy , MethodsABSTRACT
En los últimos años las técnicas percutáneas han evolucionado de forma tal, que a la fecha estos procedimiento se efectúan rutinaria y extensivamente en muchos centros, para el diagnóstico y el tratamiento del dolor originada en la columna vertebral por diferentes procesos. Estas técnicas permiten una reducción de los costos de hospitalización y una rápida reincorporación del paciente a sus tareas habituales. En este artículo analizamos las indicaciones, resultados y complicaciones de los procedimientos, así como tambien el desarrollo de nuevas técnicas que son y serán de utilidad en la práctica.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Pain , Spinal Diseases , MethodsABSTRACT
Ca2+ plays a key role in many pathological processes, including viral infections. Rotavirus, the major etiological agent of viral gastroenteritis in children and young animals, provides a useful model to study a number of Ca2+ dependent virus-cell interactions. Rotavirus entry, activation of transcription, morphogenesis, cell lysis, particle release, and the distant action of viral proteins are Ca2+ dependent processes. In the extracellular medium, Ca2+ stabilizes the structure of the viral capsid. During entry into the cell the low cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration induced the solubilization of the outer protein layer of the capsid and transcriptase activation. Viral protein synthesis modifies Ca2+ homeostasis which, in turn, favours viral morphogenesis and induces cell death. The generation of diarrhea is a multifactorial process involving Ca2+ dependent secretory processes of mediators and water and electrolytes, as well as the induction of cell death in the different cell types that compose the intestinal epithelium. The discovery of the non-structural viral protein NSP4 as a viral enterotoxin and the possible participation of the enteric nervous system in the pathogenesis of diarrhea represent significant advances in its understanding. Ca2+ also plays a role in the replication cycles and pathogenesis of other viral diseases such as poliovirus, Coxsackie virus, cytomegalovirus, vaccinia and measles virus and HIV.
Subject(s)
Calcium , Rotavirus Infections/virology , Rotavirus/physiology , Rotavirus/pathogenicity , Animals , Calcium/metabolism , Capsid/metabolism , Cell Death , Diarrhea/virology , Endocytosis , Glycoproteins/metabolism , Homeostasis , Humans , Toxins, Biological , Viral Nonstructural Proteins/metabolism , Virus ReplicationABSTRACT
Although basic science and clinical research typically dominate at this biennial event, by far the most riveting sessions at the XIII International AIDS Conference here revolved around the thicket of issues that prevent poor people in sub-Saharan Africa--where a staggering 24.5 million people are estimated to be infected with HIV--from receiving the 14 anti-HIV treatments now used in wealthy countries. Pharmaceutical companies and donors last week loosed a flood of promises about removing barriers. Conference attendees welcomed the offers of help, but many stressed that much more will be needed.
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/drug therapy , Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use , Drug Industry , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/epidemiology , Africa South of the Sahara/epidemiology , Brazil/epidemiology , Developing Countries , Drug Costs , Drugs, Generic/chemical synthesis , Drugs, Generic/therapeutic use , European Union , Foundations , Global Health , Humans , Public Opinion , United Nations , World Health OrganizationABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Gas-containing brain abscesses are very rare, and the majority are caused by Clostridium perfringens. We report a case of gas-containing brain abscess that required urgent surgery after a craniotomy for a brain tumor. METHODS AND RESULTS: The patient was a 53-year-old male who presented with a cerebral neoplasm. A temporal lobectomy was performed and the diagnosis of low grade glioma was confirmed. Although the surgery was uneventful the postoperative course was complicated; the patient became agitated and febrile and deteriorated to a deep coma. A computed tomography scan demonstrated gas in the temporal fossa at the lobectomy site, producing mass effect. Urgent surgical debridement and drainage was performed and C. perfringens and mixed flora were found. Antibiotics were started and the patient's condition markedly improved. He was awake and alert, followed commands adequately and was extubated; however, after a week he suffered massive gastrointestinal bleeding and died. CONCLUSIONS: Early recognition of a gas-containing brain abscess is of great interest to immediately start the appropriate treatment. Urgent surgical debridement and broad spectrum chemotherapy are major components in the management of this entity.
Subject(s)
Brain Abscess/etiology , Brain Abscess/surgery , Clostridium Infections/etiology , Clostridium perfringens , Craniotomy/adverse effects , Emergency Treatment , Neurosurgical Procedures , Brain Abscess/microbiology , Clostridium Infections/microbiology , Clostridium perfringens/isolation & purification , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: A maximum likelihood method of mixed distribution analysis (MDA) is presented as a method to estimate the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in Costa Rican infants 12-23 months old. MDA characterizes the parameters of the admixed distributions of iron deficient anaemics and non-iron-deficient-anaemics (NA) from the frequency distribution of haemoglobin concentration of the total sample population. METHODS: Data collected by Lozoff et al. (1986) from 345 Costa Rican infants 12-23 months old were used to estimate the parameters of the IDA and NA haemoglobin distributions determined by MDA and the widely used three-criteria model of iron deficiency. The estimates of the prevalence of IDA by each of the methods were compared. The sensitivity and specificity of MDA compared to diagnosis by the three-criteria method were assessed. Simulations were carried out to assess the comparability of MDA and the three-criteria method in low and high prevalence scenarios. RESULTS: The mean and standard deviation (SD) of the NA haemoglobin distribution determined by both methods was 12.1 +/- 1.0 g/dL. The IDA haemoglobin distribution determined by MDA had a mean and SD of 10.2 +/- 1.3 g/dL while the IDA distribution by the three-criteria method had a mean and SD of 10.4 +/- 1.3 g/dL. The prevalences of IDA as estimated by MDA and the three-criteria method were 24% and 29%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of MDA were 95% and 97%, respectively. The performance of MDA was similar to the three-criteria method at a simulated high prevalence of IDA and less similar at a low prevalence of IDA. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the reference three-criteria method MDA provides a more accurate estimate of the true prevalence of IDA than the haemoglobin cutoff method in a population of children aged 12-23 months with a moderate to high prevalence of IDA. MDA is a less costly method for estimating the severity of IDA in populations with moderate to high prevalences of IDA, and for assisting in the design, monitoring and evaluation of iron intervention programmes.
PIP: A maximum likelihood method of mixed distribution analysis (MDA) is presented as a method to estimate the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in Costa Rican infants aged 12-23 months old. MDA characterizes the parameters of the ad-mixed distributions of iron deficient anemics and non-iron-deficient anemics (NA) from the frequency distribution of hemoglobin concentration of the total sample population. Data collected by Lozoff et al. from 345 Costa Rican infants aged 12-23 months old were used to estimate the parameters of the IDA and NA hemoglobin distributions determined by MDA and the 3-criteria model of iron deficiency. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of the NA hemoglobin distribution determined by both methods was 12.1 +or- 1.0 g/dl. The IDA hemoglobin distribution determined by MDA had a mean and SD of 10.2 +or- 1.3 g/dl, while the IDA distribution by the 3-criteria method had a mean and SD of 10.4 +or- 1.3 g/dl. The prevalences of IDA as estimated by MDA and the 3-criteria method were 24% and 29%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of MDA were 95% and 97%, respectively. MDA performed similarly to the 3-criteria method at a simulated high prevalence of IDA and less similar at a low prevalence of IDA.