Recommendations for use of antigenic tests in the diagnosis of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection in the second pandemic wave: attitude in different clinical settings.

The high transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 before and shortly after the onset of symptoms suggests that only diagnosing and isolating symptomatic patients may not be sufficient to interrupt the spread of infection; therefore, public health measures such as personal distancing are also necessary. Additionally, it will be important to detect the newly infected individuals who remain asymptomatic, which may account for 50% or more of the cases. Molecular techniques are the "gold standard" for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the massive use of these techniques has generated some problems. On the one hand, the scarcity of resources (analyzers, fungibles and reagents), and on the other the delay in the notification of results. These two facts translate into a lag in the application of isolation measures among cases and contacts, which favors the spread of the infection. Antigen detection tests are also direct diagnostic methods, with the advantage of obtaining the result in a few minutes and at the very "pointof-care". Furthermore, the simplicity and low cost of these tests allow them to be repeated on successive days in certain clinical settings. The sensitivity of antigen tests is generally lower than that of nucleic acid tests, although their specificity is comparable. Antigenic tests have been shown to be more valid in the days around the onset of symptoms, when the viral load in the nasopharynx is higher. Having a rapid and real-time viral detection assay such as the antigen test has been shown to be more useful to control the spread of the infection than more sensitive tests, but with greater cost and response time, such as in case of molecular tests. The main health institutions such as the WHO, the CDC and the Ministry of Health of the Government of Spain propose the use of antigenic tests in a wide variety of strategies to respond to the pandemic. This document aims to support physicians involved in the care of patients with suspected SC2 infection, in the context of a growing incidence in Spain since September 2020, which already represents the second pandemic wave of COVID-19.

No evidence of increased ocular involvement in candidemic patients initially treated with echinocandins.

Candins are commonly used as initial therapy in patients with candidemia and are known to diffuse poorly into ocular tissue. The aim of our multicenter study was to assess whether eye involvement was more common in patients initially treated with echinocandins. We performed a post hoc analysis of a prospective, multicenter, population-based candidemic surveillance program implemented in Spain during 2010-2011 (CANDIPOP project). Eye involvement was detected in 13 of 168 patients with candidemia (7.7%) who underwent ophthalmoscopy. Two patients had endophthalmitis, while the remaining patients had chorioretinitis. The frequency of ocular candidiasis was similar in patients receiving initial therapy with candins (3/56; 5.4%) or with other regimens (10/112; 8.9%). At multivariate analysis, risk conditions for eye involvement were dialysis after candidemia (OR, 19.4; 95% CI, 1.7-218.4) and involvement of organs other than the eye (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 1.1-25.7). In conclusion, eye involvement was not found to be more frequent in patients receiving initial therapy with echinocandins than in patients receiving other drugs.

Malnutrition and obesity: influence in mortality and readmissions in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to assess the association of obesity and malnutrition with the mortality of hospitalised patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the risk of readmission in <30 days. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of consecutive patients admitted with COPD as the primary reason for discharge in Spain between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2007 was performed. Patients with a diagnosis of obesity or malnutrition in the hospital discharge clinical report were identified. The in-hospital mortality and re-admittance 30 days after discharge indices of obese and malnourished patients were compared against the subpopulation without these diagnoses. RESULTS: Of the 313 233 COPD admittances analysed, there were 22 582 (7.2%) diagnoses of obesity and 6354 (2.0%) diagnoses of malnutrition. In-hospital global mortality and the re-admittance risk were 12.0% and 16.7%, respectively. Obese patients showed a lower in-hospital mortality risk [odds ratio (OR) = 0.52; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.49-0.55] and early re-admittance risk (OR = 0.87; 95% CI = 0.85-0.92) compared to non-obese patients. Malnourished patients had a much higher risk of death when in hospital (OR = 1.73; 95% CI = 1.62-1.85) or of being re-admitted within 30 days after discharge (OR = 1.29; 95% CI = 1.22-1.38), even after adjusting for possible confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity in patients hospitalised for COPD substantially reduces in-hospital mortality risk and the possibility of early re-admittance. Malnutrition is associated with an important increase in in-hospital mortality and risk of re-admittance in the 30 days following discharge.

Procedimientos invasivos en pacientes ingresados en los servicios de Medicina Interna españoles / Invasive procedures in patients hospitalized in spanish Internal Medicine departments

Objetivo. Los procedimientos invasivos (PI) se han convertido en técnicas de uso frecuente de las que se benefician un importante número de pacientes al mejorar su calidad de vida o evitarles tratamientos más agresivos. Hemos llevado a cabo un estudio sobre la realización de estos procedimientos en los servicios de Medicina Interna (MI) españoles entre los años 2005 y 2009. Pacientes y métodos. Se analizaron los PI realizados a los pacientes ingresados en los servicios de MI de nuestro país según los datos obtenidos del conjunto mínimo básico de datos (CMBD), Se definieron como procedimientos invasivos la colocación de filtro de vena cava, tubo de tórax, prótesis esofágica, biliar o colónica, la realización de pleurodesis, drenaje biliar externo, nefrostomía, gastrostomía percutánea, toracocentesis, o inserción de catéter peritoneal. Resultados. Durante este período se registraron un total de 75.853 procedimientos en 70.239 episodios de ingreso sobre 2.766.673 pacientes (2,5%). Los pacientes a los que se realiza PI son más jóvenes (68,1 años vs 71,4; p<0,001), con más frecuencia son varones (61,9 vs 53,2%; p<0,001), tienen una mortalidad mayor (14,6 vs 9,9%; p<0,001) y están más tiempo ingresados (18,4 días vs 9,6; p<0,001). El coste de ingreso es muy superior al de los que no son sometidos al mismo (5.600€ vs 3.835€; p<0,001). Conclusiones. Los PI se realizan en un bajo porcentaje de pacientes ingresados en MI. Se trata de procesos que conllevan alto gasto, estancia media y mortalidad comparada con la media de la población ingresada en MI. Un alto porcentaje de pacientes sometidos a PI padecen afección tumoral, en muchos casos avanzada, lo que justifica su elevada mortalidad intrahospitalaria(AU)

Aims. Invasive procedures (IP) have become routine techniques that benefit an important number of patients on improving their quality of life or avoiding more aggressive treatments. We have conducted a study on the IPs performed in Spanish Internal Medicine (IM) Departments between 2005 and 2009. Patients and methods. IP performed to patients admitted to Spanish Internal Medicine departments were analyzed based on the information obtained from the Minimum Basis Data Set (CMBD). IP was defined as the following: filter placement in the inferior vena cava, chest tube placement, biliary, esophageal and colon prosthesis placement, pleurodesis, nephrostomy, external biliary drain placement, gastrostomy tube placement, thoracocentesis and peritoneal catheter placement. Results. During the study period, a total of 75,853 invasive procedures on 70,239 admittances were performed in 2,766,673 patients (2.5%). IP subjects were younger (68.1 vs 71.4; P<.001), predominantly male (61.9 vs 53.2%; P<.001), with higher mortality (14.6 vs 9.9%; P<.001) and longer stay (18.4 vs 9.6 days; P<0.001). Cost of admittance was clearly higher than the rest of the patients (5,600€ vs 3,835€; P<.001). Conclusions. IPs are performed on a low percentage of IM Department hospitalized patients. They are costly, entail high mortality and a longer stay period compared to the mean population admitted to IM. A considerable proportion of the patients receiving IP suffer from neoplastic diseases, frequently in advances stages, which justifies the high inhospital mortality of this population(AU)

[Invasive procedures in patients hospitalized in Spanish internal medicine departments]. / Procedimientos invasivos en pacientes ingresados en los servicios de Medicina Interna españoles.

AIMS: Invasive procedures (IP) have become routine techniques that benefit an important number of patients on improving their quality of life or avoiding more aggressive treatments. We have conducted a study on the IPs performed in Spanish Internal Medicine (IM) Departments between 2005 and 2009. PATIENTS AND METHODS: IP performed to patients admitted to Spanish Internal Medicine departments were analyzed based on the information obtained from the Minimum Basis Data Set (CMBD). IP was defined as the following: filter placement in the inferior vena cava, chest tube placement, biliary, esophageal and colon prosthesis placement, pleurodesis, nephrostomy, external biliary drain placement, gastrostomy tube placement, thoracocentesis and peritoneal catheter placement. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 75,853 invasive procedures on 70,239 admittances were performed in 2,766,673 patients (2.5%). IP subjects were younger (68.1 vs 71.4; P<.001), predominantly male (61.9 vs 53.2%; P<.001), with higher mortality (14.6 vs 9.9%; P<.001) and longer stay (18.4 vs 9.6 days; P<0.001). Cost of admittance was clearly higher than the rest of the patients (5,600€ vs 3,835€; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: IPs are performed on a low percentage of IM Department hospitalized patients. They are costly, entail high mortality and a longer stay period compared to the mean population admitted to IM. A considerable proportion of the patients receiving IP suffer from neoplastic diseases, frequently in advances stages, which justifies the high inhospital mortality of this population.

The impact of weekends on outcome for acute exacerbations of COPD.

Differences in hospital staffing may influence outcomes for patients with acute conditions, including acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), depending on which day of the week the patients are admitted. This study was conducted to determine whether weekend admission increases the risk of dying in hospital. We analysed the clinical data of 289,077 adults with acute exacerbations of COPD admitted to the hospital at any public centre in Spain, during 2006 and 2007. We analysed the following factors for their association with death rate: day of admission, demographics, medical history and comorbidity. During the study period, there were 35,544 (12.4%) deaths during admission in COPD patients. Weekend admissions were associated with a significantly higher in-hospital mortality (12.9%) than weekday admissions (12.1%) among COPD patients (OR 1.07 (95% CI 1.04-1.10)). The differences in mortality persisted after adjustment for age, sex and coexisting disorders (OR 1.05 (95% CI 1.02-1.08)). Analyses of deaths within 2 days after admission showed larger relative differences in mortality between the weekend and weekday admissions (OR 1.17 (95% CI 1.11-1.23)). We conclude that patients with acute exacerbations of COPD are more likely to die in the hospital if they are admitted on a weekend compared with a weekday.

Encuesta SEMI sobre la oferta asistencial de los internistas en los hospitales del Sistema Público de Salud / Survey of panish Society of Internal Medicine on Health Care Provision by Internists in the Public Health System

Objetivo. Conocer la organización de los servicios de medicina interna (SMI) y la opinión de sus jefes. Material y métodos. En 2008 se envió una encuesta a 410 jefes de SMI de 313 hospitales públicos de España. Incluía un formulario de preguntas estructuradas sobre plantilla, actividad de hospitalización, consulta, interconsultas, investigación y docencia. Además se pedía opinión y sugerencias sobre gestión, proyectos y futuro. Resultados. Se cumplimentaron 68 encuestas (22%). De media un internista hace 3 guardias mensuales y anualmente 200 altas, 500 consultas y 40 interconsultas. El SMI está constituido por 10 internistas y tiene asignadas 1/5 de las camas del hospital. Un tercio de los hospitales tiene alternativas de hospitalización; la más frecuente, cuidados paliativos. La consulta monográfica más habitual es enfermedades infecciosas, 1/3 no tiene estructurada su relación con Atención Primaria y urgencias no depende del SMI. La mitad tiene al menos un residente de MI, 6 de otras especialidades, realiza al menos dos ensayos clínicos y 1/3 participa en formación médica pregraduada. Se detectan problemas de relación con directivos, otras especialidades y población. La excesiva presión asistencial, el envejecimiento y la desmotivación de la plantilla y los problemas sociales tienen efectos negativos. Aún así se desea poner en marcha algún proyecto, existe optimismo respecto al futuro e interés por investigar en epidemiología clínica. Conclusiones. Aunque la muestra es pequeña y heterogénea, el estudio permite conocer la estructura y funcionamiento estándar de un SMI en España, así como sus expectativas de futuro y principales áreas de mejora(AU)

Aims. To know the organization of internal medicine departments (IMD) and the opinion of their heads of department. Methods. In 2008, a survey was mailed to 410 heads of department of the IMD of 313 Spanish public hospitals. It included a standardized structured questionnaire on staff, hospitalization, outpatients, consultation, research and teaching. The heads of departments were also asked for their opinion and suggestions on management, projects and future. Results: Sixty-eight surveys (22%) were filled out. Internists are on call an average of 3 times a month and perform 200 discharges, 500 outpatient visits and 40 consultations in a year. The average IMD consists of 10 internists with one-fifth of the hospital beds. One third of hospitals have alternatives to inpatient care, the most frequent being palliative care. Infectious diseases accounts for the most common monographic outpatient visit, one-third of IMD lack a structured relationship with primary care and the emergency department is independent of IMD. Half of the IMD have at least one IM resident and 6 residents in other specialties; half are involved in at least two clinical trials and one-third train medical students. The heads of the IMD identify problems in their relationship with hospital managers, other specialties and local population. Excessive workload, aging and discouragement of staff and patients’ social problems have negative effects. Even so, they want to initiate projects, are optimistic about the future and take an interest in clinical epidemiology research. Conclusions. Although the sample is small and heterogeneous, it permits a valuable panoramic view of the structure and standard operation of a Spanish IMD as well as their expectations and areas of improvement(AU)

[Survey of Spanish Society of Internal Medicine on health care provision by internists in the public health system]. / Encuesta SEMI sobre la oferta asistencial de los internistas en los hospitales del Sistema Público de Salud.

AIMS: To know the organization of internal medicine departments (IMD) and the opinion of their heads of department. METHODS: In 2008, a survey was mailed to 410 heads of department of the IMD of 313 Spanish public hospitals. It included a standardized structured questionnaire on staff, hospitalization, outpatients, consultation, research and teaching. The heads of departments were also asked for their opinion and suggestions on management, projects and future. RESULTS: Sixty-eight surveys (22%) were filled out. Internists are on call an average of 3 times a month and perform 200 discharges, 500 outpatient visits and 40 consultations in a year. The average IMD consists of 10 internists with one-fifth of the hospital beds. One third of hospitals have alternatives to inpatient care, the most frequent being palliative care. Infectious diseases accounts for the most common monographic outpatient visit, one-third of IMD lack a structured relationship with primary care and the emergency department is independent of IMD. Half of the IMD have at least one IM resident and 6 residents in other specialties; half are involved in at least two clinical trials and one-third train medical students. The heads of the IMD identify problems in their relationship with hospital managers, other specialties and local population. Excessive workload, aging and discouragement of staff and patients' social problems have negative effects. Even so, they want to initiate projects, are optimistic about the future and take an interest in clinical epidemiology research. CONCLUSIONS: Although the sample is small and heterogeneous, it permits a valuable panoramic view of the structure and standard operation of a Spanish IMD as well as their expectations and areas of improvement.

Body mass index and mortality in patients with acute venous thromboembolism: findings from the RIETE registry.

BACKGROUND: There is little information on the influence of body mass index (BMI) on mortality in patients with acute venous thromboembolism (VTE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: RIETE is an ongoing registry of consecutive patients with symptomatic, objectively confirmed, acute VTE. We examined the association between BMI and mortality during the first 3 months of therapy. RESULTS: Of the 10 114 patients enrolled as of March 2007: 153 (1.5%) were underweight (BMI < 18.5); 2882 (28%) had a normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9); 4327 (43%) were overweight (BMI 25.0-30); and 2752 (27%) were obese (BMI > 30). The overweight and obese patients were significantly older, and were less likely to have had cancer, recent immobility or renal insufficiency. After 3 months of therapy their death rates were 28%, 12%, 6.2% and 4.2%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, the relative risks for death after adjusting for confounding variables including age, cancer, renal insufficiency or idiopathic VTE were: 2.1 (95% CI, 1.5-2.7); 1.0 (reference); 0.6 (95% CI, 0.5-0.7); and 0.5 (95% CI, 0.4-0.6), respectively. The rates of fatal pulmonary embolism (2.0%, 2.1%, 1.2% and 0.8%, respectively) also decreased with BMI. There were no differences in the rate of fatal bleeding, but patients who were underweight had an increased incidence of major bleeding complications (7.2% vs. 2.7%; odds ratio, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.4-5.1). CONCLUSIONS: Obese patients with acute VTE have less than half the mortality rate when compared with normal BMI patients. This reduction in mortality rates was consistent among all subgroups and persisted after multivariate adjustment.

Economic evaluation of assistance to HIV patients in a Spanish hospital.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the global effects of HAART on the use of medical resources after the complete implementation of this therapy in Spain. This study was designed to determine the use of medical resources and the costs of health care for HIV-infected patients. METHODS: All patients with HIV infection who came to our institution during the year 2002 were included in the study. We analyzed the global assistance data and pharmaceutical costs during the year. Costs were calculated based on a unitary cost for DRG and an officially assigned standard cost for outpatient clinic, visits to the day care unit and to the emergency room (ER), outpatient surgery, and total costs of pharmacy. RESULTS: The total cost for HIV-related health care assistance was euro739,048. The cost related to admissions was euro150,766.60; euro8631 per first visit and euro49,199.40 per successive visit; euro5085.10 per day care unit; euro14,920 per outpatient surgery; euro7655.70 per ER visit; and euro491,342.40 per antiretroviral treatment. A significant proportion of the total outpatient assistance was given by physicians other than HIV specialists, namely, 63% of the costs attributed to the first visit and 41% per successive visit. CONCLUSION: More than 50% of the costs of caring for HIV-infected patients are still attributed to antiretroviral therapy. Specialists other than infectious disease specialists provide a significant proportion of outpatient assistance. A method to control HIV costs is greatly needed.

Mortality among adult patients admitted to the hospital on weekends.

BACKGROUND: Some reports have shown that the risk of death is higher for patients admitted on weekends than for patients who go into the hospital on weekdays. This study was conducted to assess what independent influence, if any, weekend admission might have on mortality in our hospital. METHODS: The clinical data of 35,993 adult (>14 years) patients admitted to the emergency department of Fundación Hospital Alcorcón from 1999 to 2003 were analyzed. We compared global mortality and mortality within the first 48 h according to whether the patients were admitted on the weekend or on a weekday. Elective admissions, critical care patients, children under 14 and births were not included. RESULTS: Global mortality was similar in both groups, but mortality within the first 48 h was higher for patients admitted on the weekend (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.18-1.62, P<0.001), even after controlling for age, gender and comorbidity (weight of diagnosis-related group and Charlson comorbidity index). CONCLUSION: The risk of mortality within the first 48 h is higher for patients admitted on weekends than for patients admitted on a weekday.

Opinión de los familiares sobre el uso de procedimientos invasivos en ancianos con distintos grados de demencia o incapacidad / Relatives' opinions on the use of invasive procedures in the elderly with different degrees of dementia or incapacity

Introducción: la toma de decisiones en los pacientes que no están capacitados tiene importantes implicaciones éticas y en nuestro medio es habitual que se consulte con la familia. En este trabajo se valora el grado de intervención considerado adecuado por las familias de los pacientes ancianos con distintos grados de demencia o incapacidad. Pacientes y método: estudio prospectivo realizado en pacientes > 75 años ingresados en el servicio de medicina interna durante 1 mes. Se realizó una encuesta autoadministrada a la familia, así como el test del informador y el índice de Barthel a cada paciente. Se realizó un análisis univariable y un análisis de regresión múltiple. Resultados: participaron familiares de 115 pacientes. La puntuaciones medias fueron de 51,1 ± 37,4 (Barthel) y 67,3 ± 15 (test del informador). En 57 pacientes se detectó una demencia grave (puntuación > 65) y 30 pacientes tenían incapacidad grave (Barthel < 30). El porcentaje de familiares que deseaban realizar siempre cada una de las intervenciones se acercó al 85% en la mayoría, salvo en la reanimación cardiopulmonar (38%), la punción diagnóstica (40%), la colocación de sonda nasogástrica (41%) y el uso de varios ciclos de antibióticos intravenosos (49%). No hubo diferencias entre los pacientes incapacitados y los no incapacitados. Entre los familiares de los pacientes con demencia, el 47% deseó realizar una punción diagnóstica siempre, frente al 66% en el caso de los pacientes sin demencia (p = 0,03). Conclusiones: los familiares de los ancianos del área tienen una actitud muy intervencionista a priori, sin apenas diferencias entre los pacientes dementes o incapacitados y los que no lo están

Introduction: medical decisions affecting elderly and demented people are controversial, sometimes involve ethical dilemmas, and have been hardly evaluated in a systematic manner. We designed this study to explore the desirable level of intervention in elderly patients according to the opinion of their relatives. Patients and method: all patients older than 75 years who were admitted to the Internal Medicine Unit during June 2002 were included. We interviewed a relative from every patient with a questionnaire about treatment choices. Barthel and Informant Questionnaire Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) were performed for every patient. Results are compared by chi square, Student t test and multivariate analysis. Level of significance p 65) and 30 patients had severe disability (Barthel's score < 30). About 85% of the relatives were decided to performed all the interventions, except for cardiac resucitation (38%), diagnostic puncture (40%), feeding by nasogastric tube (41%) and several intravenous antibiotic cycles (49%). Non differences were found between relatives of incapacitated or non-incapacitated patients, but diagnostic puncture was wanted less frequently in relatives of demented than in non-demented patients (47% vs 66%, p = 0.03). Conclusions: relatives of elderly patients in our hospital desire a high level of intervention. This attitude was not modified by incapacity and only to a minor extent by the presence of dementia

Infective endocarditis not related to intravenous drug abuse in HIV-1-infected patients: report of eight cases and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVES: To add to the limited information on infective endocarditis (IE) not related to intravenous drug abuse (IVDA) in HIV-1-infected patients. METHODS: We have reviewed the characteristics of eight cases of IE in non-IVDA HIV-1 infected patients diagnosed in our institution between 1979 and 1999 as well as cases in the literature. RESULTS: All our patients were male, and the mean age was 44 years (range 29-64). HIV-1 risk factors were: homosexuality in five, heterosexuality in two, and the use of blood products in one. HIV stage C was found in six cases, and the median (range) CD4 cell count was 22/microL (4-274 cells/microL). IE was caused by Enterococcus faecalis in three cases, staphylococci in two cases, and Salmonella enteritidis, viridans group streptococci and Coxiella burnetii in one case each. Three patients acquired IE while in the hospital. All IE cases involved a native valve, and underlying valve disease was found in three patients. The aortic valve was the most frequently affected (five cases). Two patients underwent surgery, with a good outcome, and one patient died. Fourteen cases of IE not related to IVDA in HIV-1-infected patients were found in the literature review. The most common causative agents were Salmonella spp. and fungi (four cases each). Two patients had prosthetic valve IE, and the mitral valve was the most frequently affected (10 cases). The remaining clinical characteristics and the outcome were similar to those in the present series. CONCLUSIONS: IE not related to IVDA is rare in HIV-1-infected patients. In more than half of the cases, IE develops in patients with advanced HIV-1 disease. A wide etiologic range is found, reflecting different clinical and environmental conditions. None of the patients who underwent surgery died, and the overall mortality rate was not higher than in non-HIV-1-infected patients with IE.

Elevated non-transferrin bound iron in the lungs of patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present work was to determine the concentrations of iron and iron-binding proteins in the lungs of patients suffering from Pneumocystis carinii (PCP), which is crucial for justifying the treatment with iron-chelating agents in this disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed in 10 HIV patients with PCP and five healthy controls. Total iron and iron-binding proteins (transferrin, ferritin and lactoferrin) were measured in acellular bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in both groups. Iron was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry; transferrin and lactoferrin were measured using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA); and ferritin concentration was quantified by automated immunonephelometry. RESULTS: Our findings in patients with PCP demonstrated a six- to seven-fold increase of total iron levels and an eight-fold increase of ferritin in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid when compared with controls. No significant differences were found in transferrin or lactoferrin levels. Moreover, our results suggest that this iron is non-transferrin bound. CONCLUSION: Non-transferrin bound iron is increased in the lower respiratory tracts of PCP patients. This finding would lend experiment support to the use of iron-chelating agents in this disease.

[Treatment of pneumonia caused by Legionella with azithromycin]. / Tratamiento de la neumonía por Legionella con azitromicina.

Nineteen patients with pneumonia caused by Legionella, who did not need to be admitted to ICU were treated with 500 mg/day of azithromycin. The etiological diagnosis was made retrospectively by detecting Legionella pneumophila in the urine of nine patients and/or by serology (seroconversion or single titer 1/256) in 19 cases. None of them met the criteria for ICU admittance nor had received prior treatment with antibiotics which were potentially active against L. pneumophila. Serology tests and radiography of the thorax were carried out on all the patients in the study during their convalescence period. The average age (+/- SD) of the group was 58.5 +/- 16.2 years. The average respiratory frequency (+/- SD) 26 +/- 6 breaths per minute; the radiologic extension was of one lobule in 18 cases and two lobules in one case. No patients showed bilateral disease. Arterial gasometry (FiO2 0.21) showed a pO2 average of (+/- SD) 53 +/- 14 mmHg and the hemogram an average of 6.700 leukocytes/mm3 (range: 4,200-41-800). All the patients progressed favorably. The average duration of fever was 1.8 days; the average stay (+/- SD) was 6.1 +/- 2 days. The treatment was well tolerated. One month after discharge radiographies were clear for all patients. There were no relapses. In conclusion, 3-day administration of azithromycin was found to be a useful guide in the treatment of community acquired pneumonia caused by Legionella in patients whose clinical situation does not require ICU administration and allows for oral administration.

[Nitric oxide in the lower respiratory tract]. / Oxido nítrico en el tracto respiratorio inferior.

The aim of this work is to review of the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the lower respiratory tract. This review mainly focuses on the generation of nitric oxide by alveolar macrophages. In the first part of the paper, we summarize the literature on nitric oxide synthesis by different cell types and the effects of this mediator on target cells. Methods for measuring nitric oxide are also analyzed. The core of the paper is a review of the role of nitric oxide in diffuse interstitial lung diseases (both human and experimental models). We include data about the concentration of this mediator in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and then summarize the knowledge about the regulation of nitric oxide synthesis by animal or human alveolar macrophages. Finally, we review the biological effects of nitric oxide in the lower respiratory tract.

The role of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in interstitial pulmonary disease.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a biolipid of crucial importance in the inflammatory response. In the first part of this work we review the basic biochemical characteristics of PAF. Also, the production and degradation of PAF by inflammatory cells is detailed in depth, with a description of enzymes linked to these processes. Subsequently, we examine the main characteristics of the generation of PAF by pulmonary cells, with emphasis on its production by alveolar macrophages. We then discuss in depth the effects of this biolipid on the inflammatory cells present in interstitial disease. In this part of the review we describe the direct effect of PAF on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (neutrophils and eosinophils), mononuclear phagocyte system cells, lymphocytes and endothelial cells. We then examine the indirect effect of PAF on inflammatory cells (mainly due to an interaction with neuropeptides). Finally, we discuss the data on the role of PAF in diffuse interstitial pulmonary disease (both human and experimental).