Miedo a las alturas en mareo postural perceptual persistente en ambientes arquitectónicos simulados por realidad virtual / Fear of heights in persistent postural perceptual dizziness in architectonic environments simulated with virtual reality

Introducción: El mareo postural perceptual persistente (MPPP) es una de las causas más frecuentes de vértigo crónico. Si bien, los pacientes con MPPP tienen alteraciones de la percepción espacial, se desconoce si presentan alteraciones en el miedo a las alturas. Para no exponer a pacientes con MPPP a ambientes reales con altura, nos propusimos utilizar la realidad virtual para estudiar el miedo a las alturas. Objetivo: Cuantificar el miedo a las alturas en pacientes con MPPP y controles mediante ambientes simulados con realidad virtual. Material y Método: Estudio transversal, prospectivo de casos y controles pareados por edad y sexo. Se reclutaron pacientes con MPPP del Servicio de Otorrinolaringología del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile entre los años 2020 y 2021. Se midió presencia subjetiva de miedo y taquicardia. Los escenarios se desarrollaron con el programa Blender 2.8 y Oculus Link para equipo Oculus Quest. Se utilizaron cinco escenarios a diferentes alturas (pisos 1, 3, 6, 12, 19). Resultados: Se reclutaron 20 sujetos (12 mujeres, 47 años en promedio), incluyendo 10 pacientes con MPPP y 10 controles sin síntomas vestibulares. Ningún sujeto del grupo control presentó miedo en los escenarios presentados, mientras que siete pacientes del grupo MPPP tuvieron miedo subjetivo a una altura menor a 40 metros virtuales (Fischer, p < 0,05). Conclusión: Los pacientes con MPPP presentan, con mayor frecuencia, miedo subjetivo a las alturas que los controles, pero se requiere de nuevos estudios para determinar si este miedo es específico de MPPP, o es general a otras causas de vértigo crónico.

Introduction: Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) is one of the most common causes of chronic vertigo. While patients with PPPD have spatial perception alterations, it is unknown whether they present alterations in fear of heights. To avoid exposing patients with PPPD to high places, we aimed to use virtual reality to quantify fear of heights. Aim: To quantify fear of heights in patients with PPPD and controls using simulated environments with virtual reality. Material and Method: A prospective cross-sectional study of age- and sex-matched case-control pairs. PPPD patients were recruited from the Otolaryngology Service of the Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile between 2020 and 2021. Presence of subjective fear and tachycardia were measured. The scenarios were developed using Blender 2.8 and Oculus Link for the Oculus Quest. Five scenarios at different heights (floors 1, 3, 6, 12, 19) were used. Results: Twenty subjects were recruited (12 women, average age of 47 years), including 10 PPPD patients and 10 controls without vestibular symptoms. None of the control group subjects presented fear in the presented scenarios, while seven patients in the PPPD group had subjective fear at a height lower than virtual 40 meters (Fischer, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Patients with PPPD present a greater proportion of subjective fear to heights than controls, but further studies are required to determine if this fear is specific to PPPD or is general to other causes of chronic vertigo.

Comparison of nerve conduits and nerve graft in digital nerve regeneration: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare nerve conduits and nerve graft for peripheral nerve regeneration. This type of lesion frequently causes disability due to pain, paresthesia and motor deficit. On the PICO process, "P" corresponded to patients with peripheral digital nerve lesions of any age, gender or ethnicity, "I" to interventions with nerve conduits or nerve graft, "C" to the control group with no treatment, placebo or receiving other treatment, and "O" to outcome assessment of nerve regeneration. Initial search found in 3859 studies, including 2001 duplicates. The remaining 1858 studies were selected by title and/or abstract; 1798 articles were excluded, leaving 60 articles for full-text review. Thirty-nine of these 60 reports were excluded as not meeting our inclusion criteria, and 21 articles were ultimately included in the systematic review. For patients older than 40 years, there was a greater mean improvement on S2PD and M2PD tests with grafting, which seemed to be the better surgical technique, positively impacting prognosis. On the M2PD test, there was significantly greater improvement in 11-17.99 mm defects with grafting (P < 0.001); this finding should guide surgical strategy in peripheral nerve regeneration, to ensure better outcomes.

Contribución del panel de miositis en el estudio de pacientes con enfermedades pulmonares intersticiales y sospecha de enfermedad del tejido conectivo / Contribution of myositis panel in the study of patients with interstitial lung disease and suspicion of connective tissue disease

INTRODUCCIÓN: La manifestación extramuscular de las miopatías inflamatorias idiopáticas (MII) es la enfermedad pulmonar intersticial (EPI) y el diagnóstico se basa en autoanticuerpos séricos. Los nuevos anticuerpos específicos y asociados a MII han ayudado a identificar nuevas entidades clínicas en el espectro de MII. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la contribución diagnóstica de un panel de anticuerpos de miositis (PM) en una cohorte de pacientes chilenos con EPI sin una enfermedad del tejido conectivo (ETC) definitiva. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: A partir de enero de 2017 se realizó un panel de miositis a 111 pacientes consecutivos con EPI y sospecha de ETC, pero sin un diagnóstico definitivo a través de otra herramienta diagnóstica, en el programa de Pulmón-Reumatológico del Instituto Nacional del Tórax, Santiago, Chile. Se compararon las características basales clínicas y serológicas de los pacientes que se asociaban más frecuentemente a la probabilidad de tener un panel positivo. RESULTADOS: El PM fue positivo en 56 de 111 pacientes. El síndrome antisintetasa (SAS) fue el diagnóstico más frecuente. Los anticuerpos más frecuentes fueron Ro-52, PM / Scl-75 y Ku. Las variables más frecuentes en el grupo PM(+) fueron la presencia del Raynaud, miositis, manos de mecánico, los anticuerpos Ro y La positivos, la presencia de un patrón combinado de neumonía intersticial inespecífica y neumonía organizada en la tomografía computarizada de tórax. CONCLUSIONES: la incorporación del PM nos ha ayudado a mejorar nuestra precisión diagnóstica en pacientes con EPI / ETC. Presentamos elementos clínicos y serológicos que perfeccionan el rendimiento de la prueba.

INTRODUCTION: The most common extramuscular manifestation of the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) is interstitial lung disease (ILD) and the diagnosis is based on serum autoantibodies. The new specific and associated antibodies to IIM have helped to identify new clinical entities in the spectrum of IIM. The objective of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic contribution of a myositis antibodies panel (MP) in a cohort of Chilean patients with ILD without a definitive connective tissue disease (CTD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Starting on January 2017 we performed a MP to 111 consecutive patients with ILD and suspected CTD but without a definitive diagnosis through another diagnostic tools in the Lung-Rheumatological Program at the "Instituto Nacional del Tórax", Santiago, Chile. The clinical and serological baseline characteristics of the patients that were most frequently associated with the probability of having a positive panel were compared. RESULTS: The MP was positive in 56 of 111 patients. Anti synthetase syndrome (ASS) was the most prevalent diagnosis. The most frequent antibodies were Ro-52, PM/Scl-75 and Ku. The most frequent variables in the positive MP group were the presence of Raynaud's phenomenon, myositis, mechanic's hands, positive Ro and La antibodies and the presence of combined pattern of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia and organizing pneumonia in chest computed tomography scan. CONCLUSIONS: The incorporation of the MP has helped us to improve our diagnostic precision of patients with CTD/ILD. We present clinical and serological elements that refine the performance of the test.

Arteritis de células gigantes: actualización y proposición de un algoritmo de estudio

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a primary granulomatous systemic vasculitis involving the aorta and its main branches that affects people aged over 50 years with a genetic predisposition. Its main phenotypes are cranial and extracranial involvement, with or without symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica. These phenotypes can overlap. The extracranial form can be oligosymptomatic and must be sought directly. The main complications of the disease are ischemia of essential territories such as the optic nerve or cerebral circulation, and aneurysmal dilations of the aorta and its large branches. Clinicians must be aware of all the presentation forms of the disease, to start a timely treatment and avoid potentially serious or fatal consequences. To date, the diagnosis of GCA is based on clinical and pathological criteria, with the temporal artery biopsy as the "gold standard" for diagnosis, although its sensitivity is variable. This can lead to an underdiagnosis in patients with negative biopsies or predominant extra-cranial symptoms. The emergence of new and valuable imaging tools substantially improved the timely diagnosis, mainly in subclinical and oligosymptomatic forms. Among them we highlight ultrasonography of the temporal and axillary arteries, Computed Tomography Angiography, Magnetic Resonance Angiography, and PET-CT. These imaging techniques are complementary, and their use is highly recommended. GCA treatment is based on steroidal therapy, often associated with a corticosteroid-sparing immunosuppressive agent. The follow-up is eminently clinical.

[An update on giant cell arteritis]. / Arteritis de células gigantes: actualización y proposición de un algoritmo de estudio.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a primary granulomatous systemic vasculitis involving the aorta and its main branches that affects people aged over 50 years with a genetic predisposition. Its main phenotypes are cranial and extracranial involvement, with or without symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica. These phenotypes can overlap. The extracranial form can be oligosymptomatic and must be sought directly. The main complications of the disease are ischemia of essential territories such as the optic nerve or cerebral circulation, and aneurysmal dilations of the aorta and its large branches. Clinicians must be aware of all the presentation forms of the disease, to start a timely treatment and avoid potentially serious or fatal consequences. To date, the diagnosis of GCA is based on clinical and pathological criteria, with the temporal artery biopsy as the "gold standard" for diagnosis, although its sensitivity is variable. This can lead to an underdiagnosis in patients with negative biopsies or predominant extra-cranial symptoms. The emergence of new and valuable imaging tools substantially improved the timely diagnosis, mainly in subclinical and oligosymptomatic forms. Among them we highlight ultrasonography of the temporal and axillary arteries, Computed Tomography Angiography, Magnetic Resonance Angiography, and PET-CT. These imaging techniques are complementary, and their use is highly recommended. GCA treatment is based on steroidal therapy, often associated with a corticosteroid-sparing immunosuppressive agent. The follow-up is eminently clinical.

Evaluación reumatológica del paciente con enfermedad pulmonar intersticial / Rheumatological evaluation of the patient with interstitial lung disease

Las Enfermedades del Tejido Conectivo (ETC) comprenden un grupo heterogéneo de patologías multisistémicas de origen autoinmune. La Enfermedad pulmonar intersticial (EPI) asociada a ETC (EPI-ETC) es frecuente y empeora el pronóstico de la ETC. Las EPI-ETC representan aproximadamente 15-30% del total las EPI y se presentan con las mismas formas histopatológicas y radiológicas descritas para las EPI idiopáticas. Esto pone en evidencia la importancia de incorporar en forma rutinaria a reumatología en el comité multidisciplinario para el diagnóstico y manejo de las EPI.

Connective Tissue Diseases (CTD) comprise a heterogeneous group of multisystemic pathologies of autoimmune origin. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with CTD (CTD-ILD) is common and and it worsens the prognosis of CTD. CTD-ILD represent approximately 15-30% of the universe of ILD and have the same histopathological and radiological forms described for idiopathic ILD. This highlights the importance of routinely incorporate a rheumatologist into the multidisciplinary committee for the diagnosis and management of ILD.

Global patterns of care in advanced stage mycosis fungoides/Sezary syndrome: a multicenter retrospective follow-up study from the Cutaneous Lymphoma International Consortium.

BACKGROUND: Advanced-stage mycosis fungoides (MF)/Sézary syndrome (SS) patients are weighted by an unfavorable prognosis and share an unmet clinical need of effective treatments. International guidelines are available detailing treatment options for the different stages but without recommending treatments in any particular order due to lack of comparative trials. The aims of this second CLIC study were to retrospectively analyze the pattern of care worldwide for advanced-stage MF/SS patients, the distribution of treatments according to geographical areas (USA versus non-USA), and whether the heterogeneity of approaches has potential impact on survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 853 patients from 21 specialist centers (14 European, 4 USA, 1 each Australian, Brazilian, and Japanese). RESULTS: Heterogeneity of treatment approaches was found, with up to 24 different modalities or combinations used as first-line and 36% of patients receiving four or more treatments. Stage IIB disease was most frequently treated by total-skin-electron-beam radiotherapy, bexarotene and gemcitabine; erythrodermic and SS patients by extracorporeal photochemotherapy, and stage IVA2 by polychemotherapy. Significant differences were found between USA and non-USA centers, with bexarotene, photopheresis and histone deacetylase inhibitors most frequently prescribed for first-line treatment in USA while phototherapy, interferon, chlorambucil and gemcitabine in non-USA centers. These differences did not significantly impact on survival. However, when considering death and therapy change as competing risk events and the impact of first treatment line on both events, both monochemotherapy (SHR = 2.07) and polychemotherapy (SHR = 1.69) showed elevated relative risks. CONCLUSION: This large multicenter retrospective study shows that there exist a large treatment heterogeneity in advanced MF/SS and differences between USA and non-USA centers but these were not related to survival, while our data reveal that chemotherapy as first treatment is associated with a higher risk of death and/or change of therapy and thus other therapeutic options should be preferable as first treatment approach.

Enfermedad pulmonar difusa en esclerodermia: diagnóstico y tratamiento / Intetstitial lung disease in scleroderma: diagnosis and treatment

Scleroderma is among the connective tissue diseases (CTD) with more pulmonary involvement. More than half of scleroderma patients have some kind of interstitial lung disease (ILD), and this is currently the leading cause of death due to the disease itself. The main risk factor for ILD is the autoantibodie profile, and the period of greatest risk of developing ILD is among the first 3-5 years of disease. The most common histopathological form is NSIP, but the histopathological subtype has no influence on prognosis or response to treatment. Given the fact that some ILD patients will remain stable and because of the lack of a really effective and risk free treatment, immunosuppressive therapy is generally reserved for patients with extensive and / or progressive disease. The main risk factors for progressive disease are pulmonary extent and functional impairment. With currently available therapies the more realistic goal is stabilization of lung disease. The most widely used immunosuppressive induction therapy is Cyclophosphamide (CYC), but there is enough evidence to support the use of Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF). As maintenance therapy, options are MMF and Azathioprine. Periodic clinical and functional reassessment is of vital importance, to monitor functional progression and/or the response to immunosuppressive therapy...

La esclerodermia está entre las enfermedades del tejido conectivo (ETC) que con mayor frecuencia presentan enfermedad pulmonar difusa (EPD), y se encuentra en más de la mitad de los pacientes. Actualmente la EPD representa la principal causa de muerte atribuible a la propia enfermedad. El principal factor de riesgo es el perfil de autoanticuerpos, y el período de mayor riesgo de desarrollar EPD son los primeros tres a cinco años de enfermedad. La forma histopatológica más frecuente es neumonía intersticial no específica (NINE), pero el subtipo histopatológico no tiene mayor influencia en el pronóstico ni en la respuesta al tratamiento. Dada la existencia de pacientes con EPD intrínsecamente estable y a la ausencia de una terapia realmente efectiva y exenta de riesgos, la inmunosupresión se reserva en general para pacientes con enfermedad extensa y/o progresiva. Lo parámetros que mejor se han correlacionado con el riesgo de progresión son la extensión radiológica y el compromiso de la función pulmonar. Con las terapias actualmente disponibles, el objetivo más realista es la estabilización del compromiso pulmonar. El Inmunosupresor más utilizado para la terapia de inducción es ciclofosfamida (CYC), pero existe evidencia suficiente que avala el uso de micofenolato mofetil (MMF). Como terapia de mantención las principales opciones son azatioprina y MMF. La reevaluación clínica y funcional periódica es fundamental, para monitorizar la progresión y/o la respuesta al tratamiento inmunosupresor...

Perfil clínico radiológico de 18 pacientes con síndrome antisintetasas atendidos en Policlínico de Pulmón Reumatológico, Instituto Nacional del Tórax / Clinic and radiologic profile of 18 patients with antisynthetase syndrome, treated in a Rheumatologic Lung Disease Clinic, Instituto Nacional del Torax

Connective Tissue Diseases (CTD) can manifest as Interstitial lung disease (ILD). ILD is a common manifestation of Anti-synthetase syndrome (AS). The main pattern of ILD in AS is nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) with or without elements of organizing pneumonia (OP). Other less common forms include usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) and nonspecific forms. Objectives: Describe radiological and clinical profile of 18 patients with ILD due to AS, evaluated in Instituto Nacional del Torax (INT) between 2013 and 2015. Highlighting the importance of Myositis Panel in patients being evaluated for ILD. Methods: Review of clinical records and lung CT of 76 patients with ILD and suspected AS, seen at INT between august 2013 and July 2015. Results: The diagnosis of AS was made in 18 of 76 patients, with female predominance and mean age of 46.5 years . In most patients the diagnosis of AS and ILD was simultaneous. The most frequent AS antibody was Jo-1, followed by PL-12. Less than half had ANA (+). The predominant radiographic pattern was NSIP / OP. Half of the patients had myositis. Conclusions: AS should be suspected in patients under study for ILD, especially NSIP / OP, and may occur without myositis and with negative ANA. It is essential to have new immunological tests such as a Myositis Panel, which will allow us to diagnose AS with subtle clinical features and negative or inconclusive serology...

Las Enfermedades del tejido conectivo (ETC) se pueden manifestar como Enfermedad Pulmonar Difusa (EPD). El Síndrome Antisintetasas (SAS) con mucha frecuencia presenta EPD. La forma de expresión más frecuente en SAS es la neumonía intersticial no específica (NSIP) con o sin elementos de neumonía en organización (OP). Otras formas menos frecuentes son la neumonía intersticial usual (UIP) y formas inespecíficas. Objetivos: Describir el perfil clínico radiológico de 18 pacientes con EPD secundaria a SAS, atendidos en el Instituto Nacional del Tórax (INT) entre los años 2013 y 2015. Destacar la importancia del Panel de Miositis en pacientes con EPD en estudio. Métodos: Revisión de ficha clínica y TAC pulmonar de 76 pacientes con EPD y sospecha de SAS, atendidos en INT entre agosto 2013 y julio 2015. Resultados: En 18 de 76 pacientes se hizo el diagnóstico de SAS, predominio femenino, edad promedio 46,5 años. En la mayoría el diagnóstico reumatológico y pulmonar fue simultáneo, el anticuerpo antisintetasa más frecuente fue Jo-1, seguido de PL 12. Menos de la mitad tuvo ANA (+). El patrón radiológico predominante fue NSIP/OP. La mitad de los pacientes no presentaron miositis. Conclusiones: El SAS debe ser sospechado en el estudio de pacientes con EPD, especialmente NSIP/OP y se puede presentar sin miositis y ANA (-). Es indispensable contar con nuevos exámenes inmunológicos como el Panel de Miositis, que permite diagnosticar SAS con clínica sutil y serología habitual negativa o no concluyente...

Action of Brazilian propolis on hematological and serum biochemical parameters of Blue-fronted Amazons (Amazona aestiva, Linnaeus, 1758) in captivity.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of propolis use on hematological and serum biochemical parameters in Blue-fronted Amazons (Amazona aestiva). For this, 12 adult birds were distributed randomly into individual cages, divided into treatments with different propolis levels (A = 0.0%; B = 0.5%; and C = 1.0%), in 3 distinct phases (I, II, and III), with 15-d duration for phases I and III and 30 d for phase II, totaling 60 d. In phases I and III, all birds received treatment A ration, and in phase II received A, B, or C (4 birds per treatment). At the end of each phase, blood was collected for biochemical and hematological evaluations. The variables were analyzed by ANOVA (P < 0.05). Results suggest that 0.5% propolis reduced lactate dehydrogenase levels, whereas treatment B augmented hemoglobin concentrations and eosinophil count. It is concluded that 0.5% propolis improves levels of lactate dehydrogenase, hemoglobin, and eosinophils.

Diagnóstico diferencial de nódulos pulmonares cavitados: a propósito de un caso clínico / Differential diagnosis of cavitary pulmonary nodules: a propos of a clinical case

El diagnóstico diferencial de nódulos pulmonares cavitados constituye un gran desafo en el cual, la clínica, la imagenología y los exámenes de laboratorio permiten una orientación etiológica en cutro grandes grupos: infecciosa, neoplásica, reumatológica y miscelánea. Presentamos el caso de una paciente gran fumadora y portadora de una diabetes mellitus descompensada, con nódulos pulmonares cavitados, en la cual el contexto clínico obligaba a plantear ciertas etiologías como las infecciosas y neoplásicas, pero cuya biopsia fue compatible con Granulomatosis con Poliangeítis (ex Granulomatosis de Wegener), sin una clínica ni exámenes de laboratorio concordantes con dicho hallazgo.

The differential diagnosis of cavitary pulmonary nodules is a great challenge, where the clinical context in addition to the image studies and laboratory tests are part of the key tools to guide the diagnostic process through 4 major etiological groups: infectious, neoplastic, rheumatologic and miscellaneous. We describe a case of a heavy smoker and complicated diabetic patient with cavitary pulmonary nodules, with a clinical context that induces certain etiologies such as infectious and neoplastic, but whose biopsy was compatible with Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (ex Wegener 's granulomatosis), without a clinical exam nor laboratory tests suggesting this finding.

Sindromes Dolorosos Regionales, Columna, Hombro y Rodilla / Regional pain syndromes, spine, shoulder and knee

Los Síndromes Dolorosos Regionales son muy frecuentes y de etiología múltiple. e debe distinguir si son de origen músculoesquelético o se trata de dolor referido a la zona dolorosa. Las pruebas de movilidad pasiva y activa permiten diferenciar el dolor articular del periarticular. Se debe descartar compromiso neurológico y la presencia de signos de enfermedad sistémica. En dolor de columna, es importante distinguir el origen mecánico del inflamatorio, cuyo enfrentamiento es muy diferente. El dolor mecánico es el más frecuente, generalmente autolimitado y no requiere estudios complementarios. En el hombro, lo más frecuente es la patología del manguito rotador, especialmente en mayores de 40 años, y el tratamiento principal incluye analgesia y fisioterapia precoz. En la rodilla, los trastornos periarticulares incluyen bursitis y tendinitis de distintas estructuras, y hay que considerar la osteonecrosis dentro del diagnóstico diferencial del dolor de rodilla del adulto mayor.

Regional pain syndromes are common and caused by multiple etiologies. We have to distinguish whether their origin is musculoskeletal or the pain is referred to the painful area. Passive and active mobility allows differentiate extra-articular joint pain from joint pain. It should be ruled out neurological involvement and signs of systemic disease. In back pain, it is important to distinguish mechanical pain from inflammatory pain, because the causes and approach are very different. Mechanical pain is the most common, usually self-limitted and requires no additional studies. Rotator cuff tendinitis is the most common cause of shoulder pain, especially in patients over 40 years old. Treatment includes analgesia and early physiotherapy. In the knee, extra-articular disorders include bursitis and tendinitis of different structures, and osteonecrosis must be considered in the differential diagnosis of knee pain in the elderly.

Association of the intronic polymorphism rs891512 (G24943A) of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene with hypertension in Chilean type 2 diabetes patients.

We investigated two single nucleotide polymorphisms of the NOS3 gene in type 2 diabetic patients (n=93) and healthy non-diabetic controls (n=76) and their relationship with smoking habits, body mass index, hypertension and dyslipidemia. Results showed that eNOS polymorphism rs891512 (G24943A) is associated with hypertension in Chilean individuals (p<0.05).

Infection and immunity for human parvovirus B19 in patients with febrile exanthema.

The contribution of parvovirus B19 (B19V) as a causative agent of febrile exanthema (FE) in Cordoba, Argentina, was analysed by detection of viral DNA, and specific IgM and IgG. Serum from 141 patients with FE who were negative for measles and rubella, collected during 2005-2009, plus serum from 31 healthy individuals, were assayed. B19V was the aetiological agent in 14·9% of all FE cases, and in 39·1% in an epidemic year (2007). B19V DNA was detected in 47·6% of IgM-positive FE patients, 30·2% of IgM-negative/IgG-positive FE patients, and 9·7% of healthy controls, indicating B19V long-term infection in ~10% of immunocompetent individuals. Persistent B19V DNA was significantly more frequent in children than adults and in males than females. All patients with acute B19V infection had rash and fever, 85·7% had adenopathy, and only 14·3% had arthropathy. This is the first follow-up study of markers of infection and immunity for B19V infection in Argentina.

Hombre joven con déficit motor y lesiones inflamatorias intracerebrales: reporte de un caso clínico de Neuro-Behcet / Young man with motor deficit and intracerebral inflammatory lesions: a Neuro-Behcet case report

La enfermedad de Behçet (EB) es una patología inflamatoria vascular, multisistémica y recurrente. El fenómeno subyacente es una perivasculitis que afecta el territorio arterial y venoso. La mayor prevalencia de la enfermedad se encuentra en el Oriente y cuenca del Mediterráneo, en la llamada “Ruta de la Seda”. La prevalencia en Chile es desconocida. Las manifestaciones clínicas más frecuentes son úlceras orales y genitales recurrentes, uveítis, artritis, compromiso de sistema nervioso y vascular. El compromiso de SNC (Neuro-Behçet) varía entre 5 por ciento y 13 por ciento, y se divide en dos tipos: Intra-axial o parenquimatoso, más frecuente, más grave, con lesiones inflamatorias en tronco del encéfalo, en unión meso-diencefálica y región pontobulbar. Puede extenderse hacia diencéfalo, bulbo y médula espinal. El compromiso hemisférico es menos frecuente. Extra-axial, que se presenta como trombosis de senos venosos, y aneurismas, estenosis y disección arterial. El tratamiento del Neuro-Behçet intra-axial se basa en esteroides en dosis altas asociados a inmunosupresores, entre ellos, y dependiendo de la severidad, Metotrexato, Azatioprina, Ciclofosfamida, Micofenolato, y Anti-TNFα en casos refractarios o severos.

The highest prevalence of the disease is found in the East and the Mediterranean basin, in the so called “Silk Road”. The prevalence in Chile is unknown. The most frequent clinical manifestations are recurrent oral and genital ulcers, uveitis, arthritis, and CNS involvement (Neuro-Behçet). Neurological disease varies between 5 percent and 13 percent, and it can be divided into two types: Intra-axial or parenchymatous: more frequent, more severe, with inflammatory lesions involving the brainstem, midbrain, diencephalon and pontobulbar regions. It may extend into the spinal cord. Involvement of the brain hemispheres is less common. Extra-axial: also called “Neurovasculo Behçet”, less common and with better prognosis. It can manifests as venous sinus thrombosis, and aneurysm, stenosis, or arterial dissection of intracerebral or extracranial arteries. Treatment of Intra-axial Neuro-Behçet is based on high-dose steroids associated with immunosuppressive agents like: Methotrexate, Azathioprine, Cyclophosphamide, Mycophenolate, and anti α-TNF in refractory or severe disease.

Concomitancia de anticuerpos antimembrana basal y ANCA en el síndrome riñón-pulmón / Concomitance of glomerular basement membrane antibodies and ANCA in pulmonary - renal syndrome

La enfermedad antimembrana basal glomerular (anti-MBG) es una condición que se manifiesta clínicamente como glomerulonefritis rápidamente progresiva y hemorragia alveolar, también llamada Síndrome Riñón- Pulmón. Se asocia a la presencia de autoanticuerpos dirigidos contra el colágeno tipo IV de la membrana basal glomerular. Las vasculitis sistémicas asociadas a ANCA también pueden manifestarse como Síndrome Riñón-Pulmón, cuadro clínico a veces indistinguible de la enfermedad anti-MBG. La concomitancia de ANCA y anticuerpos anti-MBG en el Síndrome Riñón-Pulmón es del orden de un 30 por ciento, según distintos reportes de la literatura. El perfil clínico, el pronóstico y el rol fisiopatológico de cada anticuerpo en este grupo de pacientes todavía son materia de investigación. El mecanismo patogénico inicial parece ser el daño mediado por ANCA, que puede inducir la aparición de anticuerpos anti-MBG, los que perpetúan el daño en el glomérulo.

Anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-MBG) disease is a condition that is manifested clinically as rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and alveolar hemorrhage, also known as Pulmonary-Renal Syndrome. It is associated with the presence of autoantibodies directed against type IV collagen of the glomerular basement membrane. Systemic vasculitis associated with ANCA may also manifest as Pulmonary-Renal Syndrome, sometimes clinically indistinguishable from the anti-MBG disease.The concomitance of ANCA and anti-MBG antibodies in the Pulmonary-Renal Syndrome is about 30 percent, according to various reports in literature. The clinical profile, prognosis and physiopathologic roles of each antibody in this group of patients is still under investigation. The pathogenic mechanism appears to be the initial damage mediated by ANCA, which may induce the appearance of anti-MBG, those who perpetuate the glomerulus damage.

Clinicopathologic features of breast disease in Jamaica: findings of the Jamaican Breast Disease Study, 2000-2002 / Características clínico-patológicas de la enfermedad de mamas en Jamaica: hallazgos del estudio jamaicano de la enfermedad de mamas, 2000-2002

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinicopathologic profile of breast disease in Jamaica. METHODS: The Jamaican Breast Disease Study is an ongoing prospective, multidisciplinary investigation of breast disease at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI). The initial phase was a prevalence survey comprising all consenting patients referred to the Surgical Outpatient Department (SOPD) UHWI, for breast disease. Demographic, clinical, radiologic and pathologic information were recorded for each patient and the data for the first three years (2000-2002) were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 1189 patients was enrolled for the study period (28.8% of all new SOPD patients). The age range was10 to 93 years (mean/SD = 36.5 +/- 16.4 years) with a female : male ratio of 14:1. Most patients (67.8%) presented with a palpable lump and the clinical diagnosis was benign in the majority (70.4%) of patients. Fibroadenoma was the most common benign histologic result (39.4% of all biopsies) followed by non-proliferative (fibrocystic) disease (19.3% of all biopsies). Proliferative disease without atypia, complex fibroadenoma and atypical ductal hyperplasia accounted for 6.9%, 2.6% and 0.4% of biopsies respectively. Overall, 23.4% of biopsies showed malignant histology (10.8% patients); invasive ductal carcinoma accounted for the majority of these cases (69.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients with breast disease in Jamaica are young women with clinically benign disease. There was a low prevalence of clinically significant premalignant disease. This is the first study to prospectively describe the clinicopathologic features of breast disease in Jamaica and supports the need for advocating breast cancer screening to facilitate detection of significant premalignant disease and early stages of breast cancer.

OBJETIVO: Describir el perfil clínico-patológico de la enfermedad de mamas en Jamaica. MÉTODOS: El "Estudio jamaicano de la enfermedad de mamas" - que continua realizándose en la actualidad en el Hospital Universitario de West Indies (HUWI) - consiste en una investigación prospectiva y multidisciplinaria de la enfermedad de mamas. La fase inicial fue un estudio de prevalencia que abarcó a todos los pacientes que dieron su consentimiento, y que fueron remitidos al Departamento de Cirugía Ambulatoria (DCA) de HUWI a causa de la enfermedad de mamas. Se registró información demográfica, clínica, radiológica y patológica de cada paciente, así como los datos referidos a los primeros tres años (2000-2002). RESULTADOS: Un total de 1189 pacientes fueron captados para el periodo de estudio (28.8% de todos los pacientes nuevos del DCA). El rango de edad fue de 10 a 93 años (media/SD = 36.5 + / - 16.4 años) con una proporción hembra:varón de 14:1. La mayoría de los pacientes (67.8%) presentó un nódulo palpable y el diagnóstico clínico fue benigno en la mayoría (70.4%) de los pacientes. El fibroadenoma fue el resultado histológico benigno más común (39.4% de todas las biopsias) seguido por la enfermedad (fibrocística) no proliferativa (19.3% de todas las biopsias). La enfermedad proliferativa sin atipia, el fibroadenoma complejo y la hiperplasia ductal atípica representaron el 6.9%, 2.6% y 0.4% de las biopsias respectivamente. En general, el 23.4% de las biopsias mostraron histología maligna (10.8% de los pacientes); el carcinoma ductal invasivo representó la mayoría de estos casos (69.5%). CONCLUSIONES: La mayor parte de los pacientes con la enfermedad de mamas en Jamaica son mujeres jóvenes con enfermedades clínicamente benignas. Hubo una baja prevalencia de enfermedades premalignas clínicamente significativas. Este es el primer estudio dirigido a describir prospectivamente las características clínico-patológicas de la enfermedad de mamas en Jamaica, y respalda la necesidad de abogar por el pesquisaje del cáncer de mamas, a fin de facilitar la detección de enfermedades premalignas significativas y las fases tempranas del cáncer de mamas.

Clinicopathologic features of breast disease in Jamaica: findings of the Jamaican Breast Disease Study, 2000-2002.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinicopathologic profile of breast disease in Jamaica. METHODS: The Jamaican Breast Disease Study is an ongoing prospective, multidisciplinary investigation of breast disease at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI). The initial phase was a prevalence survey comprising all consenting patients referred to the Surgical Outpatient Department (SOPD) UHWI, for breast disease. Demographic, clinical, radiologic and pathologic information were recorded for each patient and the data for the first three years (2000-2002) were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 1189 patients was enrolled for the study period (28.8% of all new SOPD patients). The age range was 10 to 93 years (mean/SD = 36.5 +/- 16.4 years) with a female : male ratio of 14:1. Most patients (67.8%) presented with a palpable lump and the clinical diagnosis was benign in the majority (70.4%) of patients. Fibroadenoma was the most common benign histologic result (39.4% of all biopsies) followed by non-proliferative (fibrocystic) disease (19.3% of all biopsies). Proliferative disease without atypia, complex fibroadenoma and atypical ductal hyperplasia accounted for 6.9%, 2.6% and 0.4% of biopsies respectively. Overall, 23.4% of biopsies showed malignant histology (10.8% patients); invasive ductal carcinoma accounted for the majority of these cases (69.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients with breast disease in Jamaica are young women with clinically benign disease. There was a low prevalence of clinically significant premalignant disease. This is the first study to prospectively describe the clinicopathologic features of breast disease in Jamaica and supports the need for advocating breast cancer screening to facilitate detection of significant premalignant disease and early stages of breast cancer.

Fenotipia e concentração inibitória mínima (cim) em linhagens de escherichia coli isoladas de leitões com diarréia nas fases de maternidade, creche, crescimento e terminação

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli is recognized as a frequent cause of diarrhea in swine. The objective of this study was to phenotypically characterize the fimbrial types of 349 E. coli strains isolated from swine with diarrhea, in different age groups, through the microhemagglutination and seroagglutination tests and to determine the susceptibility profile in regard to the more common antimicrobials used on pig farms. Of the 159 strains that not agglutinate eritrocytes in the manose-resistant hemagglutination test (HAMR), 57 (35%) were positive for the expression of the fimbrial antigen F6, in the fast seroagglutination test carried out in plates. Considering the age group and the fimbrial phenotype, the potentially pathogenic serotypes of E. coli more prevalent until the third week of age were: F5 (K99), F6 (987P), F42 and F41 in, respectively, 29%, 23%, 11% and 10% of the strains. In piglets over 21 days old, fimbriae F4 (K88) predominated in 44.6% (58) of the strains. The animals were susceptible to strains containing F4, in all of the age groups, but with more frequency at more advanced ages, above 76 days. The largest resistance indexes were observed for oxytetracycline (84.0%), gentamicin (76.0%) and amoxicilin (72.0%). The smallest CIM 50 and 90 values were observed for ceftiofur.

RESUMO Escherichia coli é reconhecida como causa freqüente de diarréia em suínos em todo o mundo. O objetivo do presente estudo foi caracterizar fenotipicamente os tipos fimbriais de 349 linhagens de E. coli isoladas de suínos com diarréia, em diferentes faixas etárias, utilizando os testes de microhemaglutinação e soroaglutinação, bem como determinar o perfil de suscetibilidade frente aos principais antimicrobianos utilizados em granjas de suínos. Do total de 159 linhagens de E. coli que não aglutinaram eritrócitos no teste de hemaglutinação manose-resistente (HAMR), 57 (35%) foram positivas para a expressão do antígeno fimbrial F6 no teste de soroaglutinação rápida em placa. Considerando a faixa etária e o fenótipo fimbrial, os sorotipos de E. coli, potencialmente patogênicos mais prevalentes até a terceira semana de idade, foram F5 (K99), F6 (987P), F42 e F41 em, respectivamente, 29%, 23%, 11% e 10% das linhagens. Em leitões com mais de 25 dias, predominaram fimbrias F4 (K88) em 44,6% (58) das linhagens. Os animais foram suscetíveis às cepas contendo F4, durante todas as faixas etárias, mas com maior predominância em idades mais avançadas, acima de 76 dias. Os maiores índices de resistência das linhagens foram observados para oxitetraciclina (84,0%), gentamicina (76,0 %) e amoxicilina (72,0%). Os menores valores de Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM) 50 e 90 foram observados para o ceftiofur.

Compromiso cardiovascular en el lupuseritematoso sistémico / Cardiovascular involvement in patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

Lupus erythematosus is a multisystemic disease that compromises principally women in fertile age. The principal affected organs are kidney, SNC, bone marrow and serous membranes. Cardiovascular affection includes pericardium, conduction system, myocardium, valves and coronary arteries. The most frequent valve disease is Libman-Sacks endocarditis, although valvulitis or valve dysfunction can exist as well. The mitral valve is the most affected, followed by the aortic valve. The most frequent valve abnormality is slight to moderate aortic insufficiency, while serious insufficiency or valve disruption is very rare. A physical examination has limited efficacy in the diagnosis of valve disease. A high degree of suspicion associated with echocardiography helps to establish the diagnosis. If surgery is not needed, antiplatelet therapy is recommended for asymptomatic patients, and oral anticoagulation treatment is advised for those with valve disease and evidence of thromboembolic phenomena. Recurrence of the disease has been observed in biological grafts, which makes the use of mechanical prostheses advisable when valve replacement indication exists. The following case shows the clinical evolution of a female patient with a rare but very serious lupus erythematosus complication.