Emotional manifestations and psychological symptoms in healthcare workers of a general hospital of Buenos Aires city before and after vaccination against SARS-Cov-2 / Manifestaciones emocionales y síntomas psicológicos en los trabajadores de la salud de un Hospital General de Agudos de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires pre y posvacunación contra el SARS- CoV-2.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic left healthcare workers physically and mentally exhausted. Studies demonstrated the increase in psychological and psychiatric pathologies with the pandemic. In this work, the impact of vaccination against COVID-19 on the emotional manifestations and psychological symptoms of workers at a general acute care hospital in the City of Buenos Aires, Argentina was measured. Methods: A descriptive, observational, transversal study and analytical survey was developed in order to assess the impact of vaccination against COVID-19 on hospital workers' emotional demonstrations and psychological symptoms. An inquiry to the hospital personnel, who had received at least one dose of vaccine against COVID-19, was disseminated to know more details about self-perceived psychological symptoms and emotions, and safety to carry their work out, before and after vaccination. Results: 302 responses were obtained; 214 (70%) of those surveyed presented some psychological symptom, mainly anxiety (153-50,6%%), anguish (141-46,7%) and sleep disturbances (132-43,7%). The incidence of all decreased after vaccination and 22,1% (67) reported disappearance of some of those symptoms after it. The feelings of calm and security increased by 8% and 2,6% respectively. In 75% (229) vaccination increased the feeling of security at work. Conclusions: Our study shows how vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 reduced the psychological symptoms presented as a result of the pandemic and increased the feeling of job security.

Objetivo: La pandemia por COVID-19 dejó a los trabajadores de salud agotados física y  mentalmente. Estudios demostraron el incremento de patologías psicológicas y psiquiátricas con la pandemia. En este trabajo se midió el impacto de la vacunación contra COVID-19 en las manifestaciones emocionales y síntomas psicológicos de los trabajadores de un hospital general de agudos de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina Método: Se desarrolló  este estudio descriptivo, observacional, transversal y analítico. Se difundió una encuesta al personal que había recibido al menos una dosis de vacuna contra COVID-19 sobre los síntomas psicológicos  y emociones auto percibidos y sobre la seguridad para realizar labores, antes y  después de la vacunación. Resultados: Se obtuvieron 302  respuestas; 214 (70%) de los encuestados presentó algún síntoma psicológico, ansiedad (153-50,6%), angustia (14-46,7%) y alteraciones del sueño (132-43,7%). La incidencia de los mismos disminuyó luego de la vacunación y el 22,1% (67) manifestó desaparición de alguno luego de la misma. Los sentimientos de tranquilidad y seguridad se incrementaron en un 8 % y 2,6% respectivamente. En el 75% (229) la vacunación aumentó la sensación de seguridad en el trabajo. Conclusión: En nuestro estudio se evidencia cómo la vacunación contra SARS-CoV-2 redujo los síntomas psicológicos presentados a raíz de la pandemia y aumentó la sensación de seguridad laboral.

Characteristics of Patients Co-infected with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 and Dengue Virus, Buenos Aires, Argentina, March-June 2020.

An epidemic of dengue virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) co-infections occurred in Argentina during 2020. We describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes in a cohort of patients hospitalized because of co-infection. We retrospectively identified 13 patients from different hospitals in Buenos Aires who had confirmed infection with SARS-CoV-2 and dengue virus and obtained clinical and laboratory data from clinical records. All patients had febrile disease when hospitalized. Headache was a common symptom. A total of 8 patients had respiratory symptoms, 5 had pneumonia, and 3 had rash. Nearly all patients had lymphopenia when hospitalized. No patients were admitted to an intensive care unit or died during follow up. Co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 and dengue virus can occur in patients living in areas in which both viruses are epidemic. The outcome of these patients did not seem to be worse than those having either SARS-CoV-2 or dengue infection alone.

Experiencia COVID-19 en un sanatorio privado de Buenos Aires durante el primer mes de la pandemia: 26 casos / COVID-19 experience in a private institution in Buenos Aires during the first month of the pandemic: 26 cases

El primer caso de infección por coronavirus (COVID-19) en Argentina se informó en Buenos Aires el 3 de marzo de 2020, en un paciente proveniente de Milán. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir las características clínicas y curso de la enfermedad de una serie de pacientes infectados con COVID-19 en un sanatorio privado durante el mes de marzo del 2020. Durante marzo 2020 se internaron 63 pacientes sospechosos de infección por COVID-19. Fueron diagnosticados 26 positivos para COVID-19 por hisopado nasofaríngeo, con el método RT-PCR para SARS Cov2. Se recopilaron datos sobre las características epidemiológicas, signos y síntomas, así como comorbilidades, laboratorio e imágenes. La edad promedio fue 40 años (SD ± 15 años); hubo un igual número de varones; solo 1 caso no venía del exter ior. El síntoma más frecuente fue la fiebre (24/26 casos) y la linfopenia (8/26). En un grupo (n = 17) la fiebre se limitó dentro de las primeras 72 h y en otro, la fiebre duró 6 o más días (7 casos). Hubo un fallecido entre los 26 casos. La población de nuestro estudio era joven y la mayoría de los casos fueron importados, en concordancia con el estadio de la epidemia en el momento en que el estudio fue realizado. Observamos que hubo 2 patrones en la curva térmica pero la persistencia de la fiebre no implicó un peor pronóstico. Se necesitan estudios poblacionales más grandes para confirmar estos hallazgos clínicos.

The first case of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in Argentina was reported in Buenos Aires on March 3rd, 2020, in a patient who arrived from Milan. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical characteristics and course of illness of patients infected with Covid-19 that were hospitalized in a private clinical setting during March 2020. Sixty three patients suspected of COVID-19 infection, were admitted to our hospital during March 2020. Twenty six of these subjects were diagnosed positive by the RT-PCR for SARS Cov-2 in a nasopharyngeal swab specimen. We recorded data about epidemiological characteristics, clinical signs and symptoms, in addition to comorbidities, laboratory and radiological studies were done. The median age was 40 years (SD±15 years); there was an equal number of men and women; all the patients but one were coming from abroad; the most common symptom was fever (24/26 cases) and lymphopenia (n = 8). We found that there were patients in whom fever disappeared within the first 72h (n = 17) and another group in which the fever lasted six or more days (n = 7). One patient out of 26 died. The population of our study was young and almost all were imported cases, in alinement with the stage of the epidemic at the time when the study was conducted. We observed that there were two patterns in the fever curve but the persistence of it did not lead to a worse prognosis. Larger population studies are required in order to confirm these clinical findings.

Consenso Argentino intersociedades de Infección Urinaria 2018-2019 - Parte I / Consenso Argentino Intersociedades de Infección Urinaria 2018-2019 - Parte I

La Sociedad Argentina de Infectología y otras sociedades científicas han actualizado estas recomendaciones utilizando, además de información internacional, la de un estudio multicéntrico prospectivo sobre infecciones del tracto urinario del adulto realizado en Argentina durante 2016-2017. La bacteriuria asintomática debe ser tratada solo en embarazadas, a quienes también se las debe investigar sistemáticamente; los antibióticos de elección son nitrofurantoína, amoxicilina, amoxicilina-clavulánico, cefalexina y trimetoprima-sulfametoxazol. Ante procedimientos que impliquen lesión con sangrado del tracto urinario se recomienda solicitar urocultivo para pesquisar bacteriuria asintomática, y, si resultara positivo, administrar antimicrobianos según sensibilidad desde inmediatamente antes hasta 24 horas luego de la intervención. En mujeres, la cistitis puede ser tratada con nitrofurantoina, cefalexina, o fosfomicina y no se recomienda usar trimetoprima-sulfametoxazol o fluoroquinolonas; en pielonefritis puede emplearse ciprofloxacina, cefixima o cefalexina si el tratamiento es ambulatorio o ceftriaxona, cefazolina o amikacina si es hospitalario. En los hombres, las infecciones del tracto urinario se consideran siempre complicadas. Se recomienda tratamiento con nitrofurantoina o cefalexina por 7 días, o bien monodosis con fosfomicina. Para la pielonefritis en hombres se sugiere ciprofloxacina, ceftriaxona o cefixima si el tratamiento es ambulatorio y ceftriaxona o amikacina si es hospitalario. Se sugiere tratar las prostatitis bacterianas agudas con ceftriaxona o gentamicina. En cuanto a las prostatitis bacterianas crónicas, si bien su tratamiento de elección hasta hace poco fueron las fluoroquinolonas, la creciente resistencia y ciertas dudas sobre la seguridad de estas drogas obligan a considerar el uso de alternativas como fosfomicina.

The Argentine Society of Infectious Diseases and other scientific societies have updated these recommendations based on data on urinary tract infections in adults obtained from a prospective multicenter study conducted in Argentina during 2016-2017. Asymptomatic bacteriuria should be treated only in pregnant women, who should also be systematically investigated; the antibiotics of choice are nitrofurantoin, amoxicillin, clavulanic/amoxicillin, cephalexin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. In procedures involving injury to the urinary tract with bleeding, it is recommended to request urine culture and, in the presence of bacteriuria, antimicrobial treatment according to sensitivity should be prescribed from immediately before up to 24 hours after the intervention. In women, cystitis can be treated with nitrofurantoin, cephalexin or fosfomycin, while trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and fluoroquinolones are not recommended; pyelonephritis can be treated with ciprofloxacin, cefixime or cephalexin in ambulatory women or ceftriaxone, cefazolin or amikacin in those who are hospitalized. In men, urinary tract infections are always considered complicated; nitrofurantoin or cephalexin are recommended for 7 days, alternatively fosfomycin should be given in a single dose. In men, ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone or cefixime are suggested for pyelonephritis on ambulatory treatment whereas ceftriaxone or amikacin are recommended for hospitalized patients. Acute bacterial prostatitis can be treated with ceftriaxone or gentamicin. Fluoroquinolones were the choice treatment for chronic bacterial prostatitis until recently; they are no longer recommended due to the increasing resistance and recent concerns regarding the safety of these drugs; alternative antibiotics such as fosfomycin are to be considered.

Consenso Argentino intersociedades de Infección Urinaria 2018-2019 - Parte II / Argentine Intersociety Consensus on Urinary Infection 2018-2019 - Part II

La segunda parte del Consenso Argentino Intersociedades de Infección Urinaria incluye el análisis de situaciones especiales. En pacientes con sonda vesical se debe solicitar urocultivo solo cuando hay signo-sintomatología de infección del tracto urinario, antes de instrumentaciones de la vía urinaria o como control en pacientes post-trasplante renal. El tratamiento empírico recomendado en pacientes sin factores de riesgo es cefalosporinas de tercera generación o aminoglucósidos. Las infecciones del tracto urinario asociadas a cálculos son siempre consideradas complicadas. En caso de obstrucción con urosepsis, deberá realizarse drenaje de urgencia por vía percutánea o ureteral. En pacientes con stents o prótesis ureterales, como catéteres doble J, el tratamiento empírico deberá basarse en la epidemiología, los antibióticos previos y el estado clínico. Antes del procedimiento de litotricia extracorpórea se recomienda pesquisar la bacteriuria y, si es positiva, administrar profilaxis antibiótica según el antibiograma. Cefalosporinas de primera generación o aminoglúcosidos son opciones válidas. Se recomienda aplicar profilaxis antibiótica con cefalosporinas de primera generación o aminoglúcosidos antes de la nefrolitotomía percutánea. La biopsia prostática trans-rectal puede asociarse a complicaciones infecciosas, como infecciones del tracto urinario o prostatitis aguda, principalmente por Escherichia coli u otras enterobacterias. En pacientes sin factores de riesgo para gérmenes multirresistentes y urocultivo negativo se recomienda realizar profilaxis con amikacina o ceftriaxona endovenosas. En pacientes con urocultivo positivo, se realizará profilaxis según antibiograma, 24 horas previas a 24 horas post-procedimiento. Para el tratamiento dirigido de la prostatitis post-biopsia trans-rectal, los carbapenémicos durante 3-4 semanas son el tratamiento de elección.

The second part of the Inter-Society Argentine Consensus on Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) includes the analysis of special situations. In patients with urinary catheter, urine culture should be requested only in the presence of UTI symptomatology, before instrumentation of the urinary tract, or as a post-transplant control. The antibiotics recommended for empirical treatment in patients without risk factors are third-generation cephalosporins or aminoglycosides. UTIs associated with stones are always considered complicated. In case of obstruction with urosepsis, an emergency drainage should be performed via a percutaneous nefrostomy or ureteral stenting. In patients with stents or ureteral prostheses, such as double J catheters, empirical treatment should be based on epidemiology, prior antibiotics, and clinical status. Before the extracorporeal lithotripsy procedure, bacteriuria should be investigated and antibiotic prophylaxis should be administered in case of positive result, according to the antibiogram. First generation cephalosporins or aminoglycosides are valid alternatives. The use of antibiotic prophylaxis with first-generation cephalosporins or aminoglycosides before percutaneous nephrolithotomy is recommended. Transrectal prostatic biopsy can be associated with infectious complications, such as UTI or acute prostatitis, mainly due to Escherichia coli or other enterobacteria. In patients without risk factors for multiresistant bacteria and negative urine culture, prophylaxis with intravenous amikacin or ceftriaxone is recommended. In patients with positive urine culture, prophylaxis will be performed according to the antibiogram, from 24 hours before to 24 hours post-procedure. For the targeted treatment of post-transrectal biopsy prostatitis, carbapenems for 3-4 weeks are the treatment of choice.

[COVID-19 experience in a private institution in Buenos Aires during the first month of the pandemic: 26 cases]. / Experiencia COVID-19 en un sanatorio privado de Buenos Aires durante el primer mes de la pandemia: 26 casos.

The first case of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in Argentina was reported in Buenos Aires on March 3rd, 2020, in a patient who arrived from Milan. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical characteristics and course of illness of patients infected with Covid-19 that were hospitalized in a private clinical setting during March 2020. Sixty three patients suspected of COVID-19 infection, were admitted to our hospital during March 2020. Twenty six of these subjects were diagnosed positive by the RT-PCR for SARS Cov-2 in a nasopharyngeal swab specimen. We recorded data about epidemiological characteristics, clinical signs and symptoms, in addition to comorbidities, laboratory and radiological studies were done. The median age was 40 years (SD ± 15 years); there was an equal number of men and women; all the patients but one were coming from abroad; the most common symptom was fever (24/26 cases) and lymphopenia (n = 8). We found that there were patients in whom fever disappeared within the first 72h (n = 17) and another group in which the fever lasted six or more days (n = 7). One patient out of 26 died. The population of our study was young and almost all were imported cases, in alinement with the stage of the epidemic at the time when the study was conducted. We observed that there were two patterns in the fever curve but the persistence of it did not lead to a worse prognosis. Larger population studies are required in order to confirm these clinical findings.

El primer caso de infección por coronavirus (COVID-19) en Argentina se informó en Buenos Aires el 3 de marzo de 2020, en un paciente proveniente de Milán. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir las características clínicas y curso de la enfermedad de una serie de pacientes infectados con COVID-19 en un sanatorio privado durante el mes de marzo del 2020. Durante marzo 2020 se internaron 63 pacientes sospechosos de infección por COVID-19. Fueron diagnosticados 26 positivos para COVID-19 por hisopado nasofaríngeo, con el método RT-PCR para SARS Cov2. Se recopilaron datos sobre las características epidemiológicas, signos y síntomas, así como comorbilidades, laboratorio e imágenes. La edad promedio fue 40 años (SD ± 15 años); hubo un igual número de varones; solo 1 caso no venía del exterior. El síntoma más frecuente fue la fiebre (24/26 casos) y la linfopenia (8/26). En un grupo (n = 17) la fiebre se limitó dentro de las primeras 72 h y en otro, la fiebre duró 6 o más días (7 casos). Hubo un fallecido entre los 26 casos. La población de nuestro estudio era joven y la mayoría de los casos fueron importados, en concordancia con el estadio de la epidemia en el momento en que el estudio fue realizado. Observamos que hubo 2 patrones en la curva térmica pero la persistencia de la fiebre no implicó un peor pronóstico. Se necesitan estudios poblacionales más grandes para confirmar estos hallazgos clínicos.

[Consenso Argentino Intersociedades de Infección Urinaria 2018-2019 - Parte I]. / Argentine Intersociety Consensus on Urinary Infection 2018-2019 - Part I.

The Argentine Society of Infectious Diseases and other scientific societies have updated these recommendations based on data on urinary tract infections in adults obtained from a prospective multicenter study conducted in Argentina during 2016-2017. Asymptomatic bacteriuria should be treated only in pregnant women, who should also be systematically investigated; the antibiotics of choice are nitrofurantoin, amoxicillin, clavulanic/amoxicillin, cephalexin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. In procedures involving injury to the urinary tract with bleeding, it is recommended to request urine culture and, in the presence of bacteriuria, antimicrobial treatment according to sensitivity should be prescribed from immediately before up to 24 hours after the intervention. In women, cystitis can be treated with nitrofurantoin, cephalexin or fosfomycin, while trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and fluoroquinolones are not recommended; pyelonephritis can be treated with ciprofloxacin, cefixime or cephalexin in ambulatory women or ceftriaxone, cefazolin or amikacin in those who are hospitalized. In men, urinary tract infections are always considered complicated; nitrofurantoin or cephalexin are recommended for 7 days, alternatively fosfomycin should be given in a single dose. In men, ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone or cefixime are suggested for pyelonephritis on ambulatory treatment whereas ceftriaxone or amikacin are recommended for hospitalized patients. Acute bacterial prostatitis can be treated with ceftriaxone or gentamicin. Fluoroquinolones were the choice treatment for chronic bacterial prostatitis until recently; they are no longer recommended due to the increasing resistance and recent concerns regarding the safety of these drugs; alternative antibiotics such as fosfomycin are to be considered.

La Sociedad Argentina de Infectología y otras sociedades científicas han actualizado estas recomendaciones utilizando, además de información internacional, la de un estudio multicéntrico prospectivo sobre infecciones del tracto urinario del adulto realizado en Argentina durante 2016-2017. La bacteriuria asintomática debe ser tratada solo en embarazadas, a quienes también se las debe investigar sistemáticamente; los antibióticos de elección son nitrofurantoína, amoxicilina, amoxicilina-clavulánico, cefalexina y trimetoprimasulfametoxazol. Ante procedimientos que impliquen lesión con sangrado del tracto urinario se recomienda solicitar urocultivo para pesquisar bacteriuria asintomática, y, si resultara positivo, administrar antimicrobianos según sensibilidad desde inmediatamente antes hasta 24 horas luego de la intervención. En mujeres, la cistitis puede ser tratada con nitrofurantoina, cefalexina, o fosfomicina y no se recomienda usar trimetoprima-sulfametoxazol o fluoroquinolonas; en pielonefritis puede emplearse ciprofloxacina, cefixima o cefalexina si el tratamiento es ambulatorio o ceftriaxona, cefazolina o amikacina si es hospitalario. En los hombres, las infecciones del tracto urinario se consideran siempre complicadas. Se recomienda tratamiento con nitrofurantoina o cefalexina por 7 días, o bien monodosis con fosfomicina. Para la pielonefritis en hombres se sugiere ciprofloxacina, ceftriaxona o cefixima si el tratamiento es ambulatorio y ceftriaxona o amikacina si es hospitalario. Se sugiere tratar las prostatitis bacterianas agudas con ceftriaxona o gentamicina. En cuanto a las prostatitis bacterianas crónicas, si bien su tratamiento de elección hasta hace poco fueron las fluoroquinolonas, la creciente resistencia y ciertas dudas sobre la seguridad de estas drogas obligan a considerar el uso de alternativas como fosfomicina.

[Argentine Intersociety Consensus on Urinary Infection 2018-2019 - Part II]. / Consenso Argentino Intersociedades de Infección Urinaria 2018-2019 - Parte II.

The second part of the Inter-Society Argentine Consensus on Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) includes the analysis of special situations. In patients with urinary catheter, urine culture should be requested only in the presence of UTI symptomatology, before instrumentation of the urinary tract, or as a post-transplant control. The antibiotics recommended for empirical treatment in patients without risk factors are third-generation cephalosporins or aminoglycosides. UTIs associated with stones are always considered complicated. In case of obstruction with urosepsis, an emergency drainage should be performed via a percutaneous nefrostomy or ureteral stenting. In patients with stents or ureteral prostheses, such as double J catheters, empirical treatment should be based on epidemiology, prior antibiotics, and clinical status. Before the extracorporeal lithotripsy procedure, bacteriuria should be investigated and antibiotic prophylaxis should be administered in case of positive result, according to the antibiogram. First generation cephalosporins or aminoglycosides are valid alternatives. The use of antibiotic prophylaxis with first-generation cephalosporins or aminoglycosides before percutaneous nephrolithotomy is recommended. Transrectal prostatic biopsy can be associated with infectious complications, such as UTI or acute prostatitis, mainly due to Escherichia coli or other enterobacteria. In patients without risk factors for multiresistant bacteria and negative urine culture, prophylaxis with intravenous amikacin or ceftriaxone is recommended. In patients with positive urine culture, prophylaxis will be performed according to the antibiogram, from 24 hours before to 24 hours post-procedure. For the targeted treatment of post-transrectal biopsy prostatitis, carbapenems for 3-4 weeks are the treatment of choice.

La segunda parte del Consenso Argentino Intersociedades de Infección Urinaria incluye el análisis de situaciones especiales. En pacientes con sonda vesical se debe solicitar urocultivo solo cuando hay signo-sintomatología de infección del tracto urinario, antes de instrumentaciones de la vía urinaria o como control en pacientes post-trasplante renal. El tratamiento empírico recomendado en pacientes sin factores de riesgo es cefalosporinas de tercera generación o aminoglucósidos. Las infecciones del tracto urinario asociadas a cálculos son siempre consideradas complicadas. En caso de obstrucción con urosepsis, deberá realizarse drenaje de urgencia por vía percutánea o ureteral. En pacientes con stents o prótesis ureterales, como catéteres doble J, el tratamiento empírico deberá basarse en la epidemiología, los antibióticos previos y el estado clínico. Antes del procedimiento de litotricia extracorpórea se recomienda pesquisar la bacteriuria y, si es positiva, administrar profilaxis antibiótica según el antibiograma. Cefalosporinas de primera generación o aminoglúcosidos son opciones válidas. Se recomienda aplicar profilaxis antibiótica con cefalosporinas de primera generación o aminoglúcosidos antes de la nefrolitotomía percutánea. La biopsia prostática trans-rectal puede asociarse a complicaciones infecciosas, como infecciones del tracto urinario o prostatitis aguda, principalmente por Escherichia coli u otras enterobacterias. En pacientes sin factores de riesgo para gérmenes multirresistentes y urocultivo negativo se recomienda realizar profilaxis con amikacina o ceftriaxona endovenosas. En pacientes con urocultivo positivo, se realizará profilaxis según antibiograma, 24 horas previas a 24 horas post-procedimiento. Para el tratamiento dirigido de la prostatitis post-biopsia trans-rectal, los carbapenémicos durante 3-4 semanas son el tratamiento de elección.

Switching to nevirapine-based regimens after undetectable viral load is not associated with increased risk of discontinuation due to toxicity.

INTRODUCTION: Due to its good tolerability, favourable cardiovascular risk-profile, low-pill burden and cost, nevirapine-based regimens are an attractive simplification strategy for patients with suppressed viral load (VL). However, current guidelines recommend caution if nevirapine (NVP) is prescribed in males and females with CD4 counts above 400 or 250 cells/µL, respectively. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with development of toxicity or treatment discontinuation in patients switching to NVP-based regimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective chart review of HIV-infected patients with suppressed VL who switched from a PI-based regimen to a NVP-based regimen in four HIV clinics in Argentina, between 1997 and 2013. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to explore factors associated with treatment discontinuation. High CD4 count was defined as CD4-cell count ≥400 or 250 cells/µL in males and females, respectively. RESULTS: Of 218 patients included, 165 (75.7%) were male; 21 (9.6%) were co-infected with HCV and/or HBV. Median baseline (BSL) CD4 count: 138 cells/µL (IQR: 64-276). At switch, patients had a median age of 38 years (IQR: 33.4-43.8) and had been suppressed for a median of 1.4 years (IQR: 0.6-2.2); 138 patients (63.3%) had high CD4-cell counts: among females, median CD4 count at switch was 462 (IQR: 330-709) cells/µL; among males, 433 (IQR: 305-595) cells/µL. Thirty-six patients (13.5%) presented NVP-related toxicity (30 skin toxicity, 6 hepatic toxicity), 29 (13.3%) discontinued NVP. Median time to development to toxicity: 32 days (IQR: 15-75). In bivariate analysis, chronic hepatitis was the only variable associated with development of toxicity (OR: 2.90, 95% CI 1.08-7.78). In multivariate analysis, no statistical significant associations were observed between either development of toxicity or treatment discontinuation and gender, chronic hepatitis, age or CD4-cell count at BSL or at switch (all p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, switching to a NVP-based regimen in patients with undetectable VL was associated with a low incidence of skin or liver toxicity, and treatment discontinuation. Moreover, these were unrelated to the CD4-cell count. Our findings suggest that, in contrast with ART-naïve patients, switching to NVP-based regimens could be a safe strategy for patients with suppressed viremia regardless of the CD4-cell count.

Treatment as prevention: are Argentinean HIV care providers willing to adopt earlier antiretroviral therapy?

HIV guidelines increasingly recommend antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation at a higher CD4 levels. The extent to which these evolving standards are translated into routine clinical care has not been evaluated in Argentina. During October 2012, we conducted an online survey among Argentinean HIV clinicians to assess their attitudes and practices toward ART initiation and its potential use for HIV prevention. Of the 280 physicians included, 61% would prescribe ART at CD4 ≤ 500 cells/µL for asymptomatic patients. Although, only 11% would recommend ART irrespective of CD4 cell count, 72% would do it for serodiscordant couples, and 75% for sex workers. Most participants agreed that they would consider earlier initiation of ART if transmission risk exists, and that expansion of ART could help decrease HIV incidence. These results suggest that a large proportion of Argentinean HIV care providers are willing to adopt the recently updated Argentinean guidelines recommending earlier ART, especially when high HIV transmission risk exists.

Treatment as prevention in resource-limited settings: is it feasible to maintain HIV viral load suppression over time?

INTRODUCTION: Recently, there has been increasing interest in the role of "treatment as prevention" (TasP). Some of the questions regarding TasP strategies arise from the perceived difficulties in achieving and maintaining viral load (VL) suppression over time and the risk of emergence of viral resistance that could compromise future treatment options. This study was conducted to assess these questions in a resource-limited setting. METHODOLOGY: We performed a retrospective observational study of HIV-infected patients diagnosed in the pre-HAART era on follow-up at a private center from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Socio-demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were extracted from clinical charts. Analyses were performed to test for potential associations of selected variables with current virologic failure or use of third-line drugs. RESULTS: Of 619 patients on follow-up, 82 (13.2%) were diagnosed in the pre-HAART era. At the time of our study, 79 (96.3%) patients were on HAART, with a median duration of 14 years (IQR 12-15) of therapy, and exposure to mono or dual nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors regimens in 47.8% of cases. Sixty-nine patients (87.3%) had undetectable VL, 37 (46.8%) never presented virologic failure, and 19 (24.1%) experienced only one failure. Thirteen patients (16.5%) were receiving third-line ART regimens, with an average of 2.7-fold more virologic failures than those on first- or second-line regimens (p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Maintaining viral load suppression over time in resource-limited-settings is feasible.

Detection, treatment, and prevention of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae: recommendations from an International Working Group.

The prevalence of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) has increased during the past 10 years. Its detection is frequently difficult, because they do not always show a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value for carbapenems in the resistance range. Both broth microdilution and agar dilution methods are more sensitive than disk diffusion method, Etest and automated systems. Studies on antimicrobial treatment are based on a limited number of patients; therefore, the optimal treatment is not well established. Combination therapy with two active drugs appears to be more effective than monotherapy. Combination of a carbapenem with another active agent--preferentially an aminoglycoside or colistin--could lower mortality provided that the MIC is ≤4 mg/l and probably ≤8 mg/l, and is administered in a higher-dose/prolonged-infusion regimen. An aggressive infection control and prevention strategy is recommended, including reinforcement of hand hygiene, using contact precautions and early detection of CPE through use of targeted surveillance.

[Inter-society consensus for the management of respiratory infections: acute bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]. / Consenso Intersociedades para el manejo de infecciones respiratorias: bronquitis aguda y enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica.

The Argentine Society for Infectious Diseases and other national societies issued updated practical guidelines for the management of acute bronchitis (AB) and reactivations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with the aim of promoting rational use of diagnostic and therapeutic resources. AB is a condition characterized by inflammation of the bronchial airways which affects adults and children without underlying pulmonary disease. It is usually caused by a virus. The diagnosis is based on clinical findings after community acquired pneumonia has been ruled out. Treatment of AB is mainly symptomatic. Antibiotics should be used in immune-compromised hosts, patients with chronic respiratory or cardiac diseases and in the elderly with co-morbidities. Reactivation of COPD is defined as an acute change in the patient's baseline clinical situation beyond normal day to day variations, with an increase in dyspnea, sputum production and/or sputum purulence, warranting a change in medication. An increase in one symptom is considered a mild exacerbation, two as moderate, and the presence of three symptoms is considered a severe exacerbation. An infectious agent can be isolated in sputum in 50 to 75% of COPD reactivations. Moderate and severe episodes must be treated with antibiotics, amoxicillin/ beta-lactamase inhibitor, macrolides and fluoroquinolones are first choice drugs.

Consenso Intersociedades para el manejo de infecciones respiratorias: bronquitis aguda y enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica / [Inter-society consensus for the management of respiratory infections: acute bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

The Argentine Society for Infectious Diseases and other national societies issued updated practical guidelines for the management of acute bronchitis (AB) and reactivations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with the aim of promoting rational use of diagnostic and therapeutic resources. AB is a condition characterized by inflammation of the bronchial airways which affects adults and children without underlying pulmonary disease. It is usually caused by a virus. The diagnosis is based on clinical findings after community acquired pneumonia has been ruled out. Treatment of AB is mainly symptomatic. Antibiotics should be used in immune-compromised hosts, patients with chronic respiratory or cardiac diseases and in the elderly with co-morbidities. Reactivation of COPD is defined as an acute change in the patient’s baseline clinical situation beyond normal day to day variations, with an increase in dyspnea, sputum production and/or sputum purulence, warranting a change in medication. An increase in one symptom is considered a mild exacerbation, two as moderate, and the presence of three symptoms is considered a severe exacerbation. An infectious agent can be isolated in sputum in 50 to 75

of COPD reactivations. Moderate and severe episodes must be treated with antibiotics, amoxicillin/ beta-lactamase inhibitor, macrolides and fluoroquinolones are first choice drugs.

Severe acute respiratory disease in health-care workers during the influenza H1N1 pandemic in Argentina.

INTRODUCTION: During the 2009 influenza H1N1virus pandemic, health-care workers were exposed to elevated risk of infection. The aim of this study was to estimate the risk for severe acute respiratory disease (SARD) in this population during the pandemic period in Argentina. METHODOLOGY: we conducted a retrospective survey in which all members of the Argentine Society of Infectious Diseases were invited to answer an online survey providing information on health-care staff working at their hospital or health center, who were hospitalized for SARD, between May and August 2009. Results were compared to population-based SARD surveillance data obtained from the Ministry of Public Health. RESULTS: Fifty hospitals completed the survey. Out of a total population of 58,902 health-care workers, 41 were reported to have been hospitalized for SARD (hospitalization rate 69.6/100000), 19 of whom tested positive for H1N1 using real time polymerase chain reaction. Hospitalization rate in the general population during the same time period was 20.3/100000 (p < 0.01), thus indicating increased SARD hospitalization risk in health-care workers (OR 3.1 95% CI: 2.3 - 4.1; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: During the 2009 pandemic, health-care workers in Argentina suffered increased risk of hospitalization due to SARD compared to the general population. We recommend immunization of all personnel, as well as enforcing stricter infection control measures in hospitals to prevent future transmission of influenza H1N1virus.

Consenso Intersociedades para el manejo de infecciones respiratorias: bronquitis aguda y enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica. / [Inter-society consensus for the management of respiratory infections: acute bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

The Argentine Society for Infectious Diseases and other national societies issued updated practical guidelines for the management of acute bronchitis (AB) and reactivations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with the aim of promoting rational use of diagnostic and therapeutic resources. AB is a condition characterized by inflammation of the bronchial airways which affects adults and children without underlying pulmonary disease. It is usually caused by a virus. The diagnosis is based on clinical findings after community acquired pneumonia has been ruled out. Treatment of AB is mainly symptomatic. Antibiotics should be used in immune-compromised hosts, patients with chronic respiratory or cardiac diseases and in the elderly with co-morbidities. Reactivation of COPD is defined as an acute change in the patients baseline clinical situation beyond normal day to day variations, with an increase in dyspnea, sputum production and/or sputum purulence, warranting a change in medication. An increase in one symptom is considered a mild exacerbation, two as moderate, and the presence of three symptoms is considered a severe exacerbation. An infectious agent can be isolated in sputum in 50 to 75

of COPD reactivations. Moderate and severe episodes must be treated with antibiotics, amoxicillin/ beta-lactamase inhibitor, macrolides and fluoroquinolones are first choice drugs.

[Consensus guidelines for the management of upper respiratory tract infections]. / Consenso sobre diagnóstico y tratamiento de infecciones de vías respiratorias altas.

Upper respiratory tract infections are the most common source of antibiotic prescriptions. Acute pharyngitis is caused mainly by viruses, viral cases can be distinguished from acute streptococcal pharyngitis using Centor clinical epidemiological criteria, by rapid antigen tests or throat culture. Treatment of choice for streptococcal infection is penicillin V given in two daily doses. In children, acute otitis media (AOM) is the infection for which antibiotics are most often prescribed. Predominant causative pathogens include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae non-type b and Moraxella catarrhalis. Diagnosis is based on history, physical examination and otoscopic exam. Antibiotic treatment should be initiated promptly in all children<2 years of age, and in older children presenting bilateral AOM, otorrhoea, co-morbidities or severe illness. In Argentina, amoxicillin is the drug of choice given the low penicillin resistance rates for S. pneumoniae. In children who fail amoxicillin therapy, amoxicillin/clavulanate provides better coverage against beta-lactamase producing H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis. Rhinosinusitis is caused mainly by viruses, secondary bacterial complication occurs in less than 5% of cases. Diagnosis is based on physical examination and additional studies are not usually required. Acute bacterial sinusitis is caused by the same pathogens that cause AOM and amoxicillin is the drug of choice.

Consenso sobre diagnóstico y tratamiento de infecciones de vías respiratorias altas / Consensus guidelines for the management of upper respiratory tract infections

Las infecciones respiratorias altas son la primera causa de prescripción de antibióticos. La faringitis aguda es de origen viral en la mayoría de los casos; los episodios virales pueden diferenciarse de los de origen bacteriano producidos por Streptococcus pyogenes por criterios clínico-epidemiológicos (criterios de Centor), por pruebas diagnósticas rápidas o por el cultivo de fauces. Cuando la etiología es estreptocócica, la droga de elección es penicilina V (cada 12 horas). La otitis media aguda (OMA) es una de las causas más frecuentes de prescripción de antibióticos en niños. Los patógenos principales son Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae no tipable y Moraxella catarrhalis. Los antecedentes, la evaluación clínica junto con la otoscopía permiten establecer el diagnóstico. En niños menores de 2 años se recomienda tratamiento antibiótico precoz al igual que en niños mayores de 2 años con otitis bilateral, otorrea, presencia de comorbilidad o cuadro clínico grave. En la Argentina, debido a los bajos niveles de resistencia de S. pneumoniae a penicilina la droga de elección es amoxicilina; ante falta de respuesta al tratamiento puede utilizarse amoxicilina/clavulánico para cubrir cepas de H. influenzae y de M. catarrhalis productoras de betalactamasas. Las rinosinusitis son virales en la mayoría de los casos y menos del 5% se complican con sinusitis bacteriana. El diagnóstico es clínico y en general no se requieren estudios complementarios. Los patógenos bacterianos implicados son los mismos que causan OMA, por esta razón también se recomienda la amoxicilina como droga de elección.(AU)

Upper respiratory tract infections are the most common source of antibiotic prescriptions. Acute pharyngitis is caused mainly by viruses, viral cases can be distinguished from acute streptococcal pharyngitis using Centor clinical epidemiological criteria, by rapid antigen tests or throat culture. Treatment of choice for streptococcal infection is penicillin V given in two daily doses. In children, acute otitis media (AOM) is the infection for which antibiotics are most often prescribed. Predominant causative pathogens include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae non-type b and Moraxella catarrhalis. Diagnosis is based on history, physical examination and otoscopic exam. Antibiotic treatment should be initiated promptly in all children < 2 years of age, and in older children presenting bilateral AOM, otorrhoea, co-morbidities or severe illness. In Argentina, amoxicillin is the drug of choice given the low penicillin resistance rates for S. pneumoniae. In children who fail amoxicillin therapy, amoxicillin/clavulanate provides better coverage against beta-lactamase producing H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis. Rhinosinusitis is caused mainly by viruses, secondary bacterial complication occurs in less than 5% of cases. Diagnosis is based on physical examination and additional studies are not usually required. Acute bacterial sinusitis is caused by the same pathogens that cause AOM and amoxicillin is the drug of choice.(AU)

Consenso sobre diagnóstico y tratamiento de infecciones de vías respiratorias altas / Consensus guidelines for the management of upper respiratory tract infections

Las infecciones respiratorias altas son la primera causa de prescripción de antibióticos. La faringitis aguda es de origen viral en la mayoría de los casos; los episodios virales pueden diferenciarse de los de origen bacteriano producidos por Streptococcus pyogenes por criterios clínico-epidemiológicos (criterios de Centor), por pruebas diagnósticas rápidas o por el cultivo de fauces. Cuando la etiología es estreptocócica, la droga de elección es penicilina V (cada 12 horas). La otitis media aguda (OMA) es una de las causas más frecuentes de prescripción de antibióticos en niños. Los patógenos principales son Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae no tipable y Moraxella catarrhalis. Los antecedentes, la evaluación clínica junto con la otoscopía permiten establecer el diagnóstico. En niños menores de 2 años se recomienda tratamiento antibiótico precoz al igual que en niños mayores de 2 años con otitis bilateral, otorrea, presencia de comorbilidad o cuadro clínico grave. En la Argentina, debido a los bajos niveles de resistencia de S. pneumoniae a penicilina la droga de elección es amoxicilina; ante falta de respuesta al tratamiento puede utilizarse amoxicilina/clavulánico para cubrir cepas de H. influenzae y de M. catarrhalis productoras de betalactamasas. Las rinosinusitis son virales en la mayoría de los casos y menos del 5% se complican con sinusitis bacteriana. El diagnóstico es clínico y en general no se requieren estudios complementarios. Los patógenos bacterianos implicados son los mismos que causan OMA, por esta razón también se recomienda la amoxicilina como droga de elección.

Upper respiratory tract infections are the most common source of antibiotic prescriptions. Acute pharyngitis is caused mainly by viruses, viral cases can be distinguished from acute streptococcal pharyngitis using Centor clinical epidemiological criteria, by rapid antigen tests or throat culture. Treatment of choice for streptococcal infection is penicillin V given in two daily doses. In children, acute otitis media (AOM) is the infection for which antibiotics are most often prescribed. Predominant causative pathogens include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae non-type b and Moraxella catarrhalis. Diagnosis is based on history, physical examination and otoscopic exam. Antibiotic treatment should be initiated promptly in all children < 2 years of age, and in older children presenting bilateral AOM, otorrhoea, co-morbidities or severe illness. In Argentina, amoxicillin is the drug of choice given the low penicillin resistance rates for S. pneumoniae. In children who fail amoxicillin therapy, amoxicillin/clavulanate provides better coverage against beta-lactamase producing H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis. Rhinosinusitis is caused mainly by viruses, secondary bacterial complication occurs in less than 5% of cases. Diagnosis is based on physical examination and additional studies are not usually required. Acute bacterial sinusitis is caused by the same pathogens that cause AOM and amoxicillin is the drug of choice.