American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: Imported cases in Berlin 2000-2023.

BACKGROUND: American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) shows variable response to therapy, but data on species-specific treatment efficacy is scarce. We describe the clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with ACL imported to a tertiary centre in Germany and determine whether species-specific therapy according to the 2014 "LeishMan" group recommendations is associated with cure. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted at the Charité Institute of International Health in Berlin. We analysed data on PCR-confirmed ACL cases collected between 2000 and 2023. Systemic therapy included liposomal amphotericin B, miltefosine, pentavalent antimony, ketoconazole or itraconazole. Localized therapy included perilesional pentavalent antimony or paromomycin ointment. Cure was defined as re-epithelialization of ulcers or disappearance of papular-nodular lesions after 3 months of treatment. Logistic regression models were used to quantify the effect of species-specific systemic therapy on the outcome. RESULTS: 75 cases were analysed. Most patients were male (62%), median age was 35 years, no patient had a history of immunosuppression. The most common reason for travel was tourism (60%), the most common destination was Costa Rica (28%), the median duration of illness was 8 weeks, and most patients presented with ulcers (87%). Lesions were complex in 43%. The most common Leishmania (L.) species was L. braziliensis (28%), followed by L. panamensis (21%). 51/73 (70%) patients were cured after initial therapy and 17/21 (81%) after secondary therapy. Cure after systemic therapy was more frequent when species-specific treatment recommendations were followed (33/45; 73%), compared to when not followed, (6/17; 35%, P = 0.008). This association was independent of age, sex, previous therapy, complex lesions, and Leishmania species (adjusted OR, 5.06; 95% CI, 1.22-24.16). CONCLUSIONS: ACL is a rare, imported disease in Germany. Complex lesions were common, challenging successful therapy. This study highlights the importance of identifying the parasite species and suggests that a species-specific approach to treatment leads to better outcomes.

Valoración preoperatoria en cirugía no cardiaca: un abordaje por pasos / Preoperative evaluation in noncardiac surgery: a stepwise approach

Resumen La valoración preoperatoria en cirugía no cardiaca es fundamental para disminuir la tasa de complicaciones hospitalarias; su finalidad es identificar pacientes con riesgos mayores. La valoración preoperatoria no se debe limitar a los aspectos cardiovasculares, sino enfocarse en todos los órganos y sistemas e incluir la conciliación de medicamentos. El objetivo de este escrito es abordar la realización de una valoración preoperatoria en cirugía no cardiaca desde la perspectiva del médico internista, con el fin de ayudar a prevenir eventos adversos y mejorar el desenlace general.

Abstract Preoperative assessment in non-cardiac surgery is essential to reducing the rate of in-hospital complications. Its purpose is to identify patients with higher levels of risk. Preoperative assessment should not be restricted to cardiovascular aspects, but it should focus on all organs and systems and include medication reconciliation. The purpose of this article is to approach the performance of a preoperative assessment in non-cardiac surgery from the perspective of the internist, with the purpose to help prevent adverse events and improve the overall outcome.

Importance of Evaluating Cardiovascular Risk and Hepatic Fibrosis in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a well-recognized health problem, with an estimated worldwide prevalence of 25%.1 It is associated with metabolic syndrome (MetSx) and complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the main cause of death in patients with NAFLD is derived from cardiovascular disease, and outcome seems to be determined by the degree of hepatic fibrosis.2 The prevalence of NAFLD and associated cardiovascular risk factors in asymptomatic patients in Mexico are poorly documented, despite having one of the highest rates of obesity and metabolic syndrome worldwide.3.

Microbioma humano / Human microbiome

RESUMEN El estudio del microbioma humano ha crecido de manera exponencial en la última década, y su importancia en el proceso de salud enfermedad del ser humano se hace cada vez más evidente. Se le ha implicado en múltiples enfermedades autoinmunes, autoinflamatorias, en cáncer, obesidad, síndrome metabólico y riesgo cardiovascular. La transgresión del microbioma en ocasiones puede ocurrir por el abuso de ciertos fármacos como antibióticos e inhibidores de bomba de protones, entre otros. Reestablecer el equilibrio entre la microbiota y el ser humano debe de ser prioritario para mantener la salud del individuo.

ABSTRACT The study of the human microbiome has grown exponentially in the last decade and its importance in the human health-disease process is becoming more and more evident. It has been implicated in multiple autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases, cancer, obesity, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk. The transgression of the normal composition of the microbiome can sometimes occur due to the abuse of drugs such as antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors, among others. Re-establishing the balance between the microbiota and the human being must be a priority to maintain the health of the individual.