Epidemiology of coccidioidomycosis in Argentina, an update.

The National Reference Laboratory in Clinical Mycology of Argentina conducted a retrospective review of human coccidioidomycosis cases diagnosed by the National Mycology Laboratory Network of Argentina between 2010 and 2022 to determine the burden of the disease in the country. A total of 100 human coccidioidomycosis cases were documented, with a higher prevalence in male patients (male-to-female ratio of 1.9:1), with a median age of 41 years. Comparing the number of cases between two ten-year periods (2000-2009 and 2010-2019), the increase was 36.51% (from 63 to 86 cases). Among the 100 recorded cases, 79 tested positive using the double immunodiffusion test. Spherules were observed in 19 cases through histopathology or direct microscopic examination and the fungus was isolated in 39 cases. Thirty six isolates were identified as Coccidioides posadasii through partial sequencing of the Ag2/PRA gene. Catamarca Province had the highest number of cases, comprising 64% of the total, with an incidence rate above 1.0-2.5/100,000 inhabitants until 2018. However, there has been a recent downward trend in the region from 2018 to 2022. It is concerning that more than half of diagnosed cases were chronic pulmonary or disseminated forms, indicating a lack of early disease detection. To rectify this issue, it is imperative to conduct targeted training programs for healthcare personnel and enhance public awareness within the endemic area. This will contribute to a better understanding of the true burden of coccidioidomycosis and enable the implementation of appropriate sanitary control measures.

We conducted a retrospective review of human coccidioidomycosis cases in Argentina between 2010 and 2022. We recorded 100 cases, 64% of which came from Catamarca Province. A significant number of diagnosed cases were chronic pulmonary or disseminated forms, indicating a lack of early detection.

Executive Summary of the Second International Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (PALICC-2).

OBJECTIVES: We sought to update our 2015 work in the Second Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference (PALICC-2) guidelines for the diagnosis and management of pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (PARDS), considering new evidence and topic areas that were not previously addressed. DESIGN: International consensus conference series involving 52 multidisciplinary international content experts in PARDS and four methodology experts from 15 countries, using consensus conference methodology, and implementation science. SETTING: Not applicable. PATIENTS: Patients with or at risk for PARDS. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Eleven subgroups conducted systematic or scoping reviews addressing 11 topic areas: 1) definition, incidence, and epidemiology; 2) pathobiology, severity, and risk stratification; 3) ventilatory support; 4) pulmonary-specific ancillary treatment; 5) nonpulmonary treatment; 6) monitoring; 7) noninvasive respiratory support; 8) extracorporeal support; 9) morbidity and long-term outcomes; 10) clinical informatics and data science; and 11) resource-limited settings. The search included MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL Complete (EBSCOhost) and was updated in March 2022. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology was used to summarize evidence and develop the recommendations, which were discussed and voted on by all PALICC-2 experts. There were 146 recommendations and statements, including: 34 recommendations for clinical practice; 112 consensus-based statements with 18 on PARDS definition, 55 on good practice, seven on policy, and 32 on research. All recommendations and statements had agreement greater than 80%. CONCLUSIONS: PALICC-2 recommendations and consensus-based statements should facilitate the implementation and adherence to the best clinical practice in patients with PARDS. These results will also inform the development of future programs of research that are crucially needed to provide stronger evidence to guide the pediatric critical care teams managing these patients.

Invasive Ventilatory Support in Patients With Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: From the Second Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference.

OBJECTIVE: To provide evidence for the Second Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference updated recommendations and consensus statements for clinical practice and future research on invasive mechanical ventilation support of patients with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (PARDS). DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Elsevier), and CINAHL Complete (EBSCOhost). STUDY SELECTION: We included clinical studies of critically ill patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation for PARDS, January 2013 to April 2022. In addition, meta-analyses and systematic reviews focused on the adult acute respiratory distress syndrome population were included to explore new relevant concepts (e.g., mechanical power, driving pressure, etc.) still underrepresented in the contemporary pediatric literature. DATA EXTRACTION: Title/abstract review, full text review, and data extraction using a standardized data collection form. DATA SYNTHESIS: The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach was used to identify and summarize relevant evidence and develop recommendations, good practice statements and research statements. We identified 26 pediatric studies for inclusion and 36 meta-analyses or systematic reviews in adults. We generated 12 recommendations, two research statements, and five good practice statements related to modes of ventilation, tidal volume, ventilation pressures, lung-protective ventilation bundles, driving pressure, mechanical power, recruitment maneuvers, prone positioning, and high-frequency ventilation. Only one recommendation, related to use of positive end-expiratory pressure, is classified as strong, with moderate certainty of evidence. CONCLUSIONS: Limited pediatric data exist to make definitive recommendations for the management of invasive mechanical ventilation for patients with PARDS. Ongoing research is needed to better understand how to guide best practices and improve outcomes for patients with PARDS requiring invasive mechanical ventilation.

Executive Summary: International Clinical Practice Guidelines for Pediatric Ventilator Liberation, A Pediatric Acute Lung Injury and Sepsis Investigators (PALISI) Network Document.

Rationale: Pediatric-specific ventilator liberation guidelines are lacking despite the many studies exploring elements of extubation readiness testing. The lack of clinical practice guidelines has led to significant and unnecessary variation in methods used to assess pediatric patients' readiness for extubation. Methods: Twenty-six international experts comprised a multiprofessional panel to establish pediatrics-specific ventilator liberation clinical practice guidelines, focusing on acutely hospitalized children receiving invasive mechanical ventilation for more than 24 hours. Eleven key questions were identified and first prioritized using the Modified Convergence of Opinion on Recommendations and Evidence. A systematic review was conducted for questions that did not meet an a priori threshold of ⩾80% agreement, with Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodologies applied to develop the guidelines. The panel evaluated the evidence and drafted and voted on the recommendations. Measurements and Main Results: Three questions related to systematic screening using an extubation readiness testing bundle and a spontaneous breathing trial as part of the bundle met Modified Convergence of Opinion on Recommendations criteria of ⩾80% agreement. For the remaining eight questions, five systematic reviews yielded 12 recommendations related to the methods and duration of spontaneous breathing trials, measures of respiratory muscle strength, assessment of risk of postextubation upper airway obstruction and its prevention, use of postextubation noninvasive respiratory support, and sedation. Most recommendations were conditional and based on low to very low certainty of evidence. Conclusions: This clinical practice guideline provides a conceptual framework with evidence-based recommendations for best practices related to pediatric ventilator liberation.

Operational Definitions Related to Pediatric Ventilator Liberation.

BACKGROUND: Common, operational definitions are crucial to assess interventions and outcomes related to pediatric mechanical ventilation. These definitions can reduce unnecessary variability among research and quality improvement efforts, to ensure findings are generalizable, and can be pooled to establish best practices. RESEARCH QUESTION: Can we establish operational definitions for key elements related to pediatric ventilator liberation using a combination of detailed literature review and consensus-based approaches? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A panel of 26 international experts in pediatric ventilator liberation, two methodologists, and two librarians conducted systematic reviews on eight topic areas related to pediatric ventilator liberation. Through a series of virtual meetings, we established draft definitions that were voted upon using an anonymous web-based process. Definitions were revised by incorporating extracted data gathered during the systematic review and discussed in another consensus meeting. A second round of voting was conducted to confirm the final definitions. RESULTS: In eight topic areas identified by the experts, 16 preliminary definitions were established. Based on initial discussion and the first round of voting, modifications were suggested for 11 of the 16 definitions. There was significant variability in how these items were defined in the literature reviewed. The final round of voting achieved ≥ 80% agreement for all 16 definitions in the following areas: what constitutes respiratory support (invasive mechanical ventilation and noninvasive respiratory support), liberation and failed attempts to liberate from invasive mechanical ventilation, liberation from respiratory support, duration of noninvasive respiratory support, total duration of invasive mechanical ventilation, spontaneous breathing trials, extubation readiness testing, 28 ventilator-free days, and planned vs rescue use of post-extubation noninvasive respiratory support. INTERPRETATION: We propose that these consensus-based definitions for elements of pediatric ventilator liberation, informed by evidence, be used for future quality improvement initiatives and research studies to improve generalizability and facilitate comparison.

Consensus of the Respiratory Committee of the Latin American Society for Pediatric Intensive Care: Management of pediatric SARS-CoV-2. (SLACIP): COVID-19 Pediatric / Consenso del Comité Respiratorio Sociedad Latinoamericana Terapia Intensiva Pediátrica: Manejo SARS-CoV-2 pediátrico. (SLACIP): COVID-19 Pediátrico

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic generated many controversies in the management of critically ill pediatric patients. The main ones were about ventilatory support, phenotypic differences between adults and children, and acute and subacute clinical forms. For this reason, the Respiratory Committee (RC) of the Latin American Society of Pediatric Intensive Care (SLACIP) generated a document to summarize the recommendations with the best evidence. The objective of these recommendations is to provide an update on issues related to pediatric COVID-19. Methods and Materials The Respiratory Committee created a group composed of 19 pediatric kinesiologists/physiotherapists and intensivists from 8 Latin American countries and defined on 3/27/20 the 15 most relevant topics, assigning 3 referents and 2 reviewers for each. The manuscripts went through 4 stages until their final version. The complete document was freely distributed on 22/05/20 and updated twice (07/08/20 and 02/09/21). For the current version there were 3 special collaborators. Result The material consists of a complete 94-page document and an executive summary. The topics included are case definition, epidemiology, clinical classification, subacute inflammatory syndrome, personal protective equipment, aerosolization situations (intubation, extubation, suctioning, sampling, filter replacement, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, early mobilization), high flow cannula support, invasive, non-invasive and high frequency mechanical ventilation, pharmacological treatment, laboratory and imaging. Conclusion The purpose of this document is to serve as a guide for nurses, kinesiologists/physiotherapists and physicians in the management of critically ill pediatric patients with COVID-19.

Introducción La pandemia por COVID-19 generó muchas controversias en el manejo de los pacientes pediátricos críticos. Las principales fueron sobre el soporte ventilatorio, las diferencias fenotípicas entre adultos y niños y las formas clínicas aguda y subaguda.Por esa razón el Comité Respiratorio (CR) de la Sociedad Latinoamericana de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos (SLACIP) generó un documento para resumir las recomendaciones con mayor evidencia. El objetivo de estas recomendaciones es brindar una actualización de temas relacionados a COVID-19 pediátrico.Métodos y Materiales El Comité Respiratorio creó un grupo compuesto por 19 kinesiólogos/fisioterapeutas y médicos intensivistas pediátricos de 8 países de Latinoamérica y definió el 27/03/20 los 15 temas más relevantes, asignando 3 referentes y 2 revisores por cada uno. Los manuscritos pasaron por 4 etapas hasta su versión final. El documento completo se distribuyó libremente el 22/05/20, actualizándose en dos oportunidades (07/08/20 y el 02/09/21). Para la versión actual se contó con 3 colaboradores especiales.Resultado El material se compone de un documento completo de 94 páginas y un resumen ejecutivo. Los temas incluidos son definición de caso, epidemiología, clasificación clínica, síndrome inflamatorio subagudo, equipos de protección personal, situaciones de aerosolización (intubación, extubación, aspiración, toma de muestras, recambio de filtros, reanimación cardiopulmonar, movilización temprana), soporte con cánula de alto flujo, ventilación mecánica invasiva, no invasiva y de alta frecuencia, tratamiento farmacológico, laboratorio e imágenes.Conclusión La elaboración de este documento ha tenido como fin servir de guía para enfermeros, kinesiólogos/fisioterapeutas y médicos en el manejo de pacientes pediátricos en estado crítico por COVID-19.

Adherence to Lung-Protective Ventilation Principles in Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Incidence and Epidemiology Study.

OBJECTIVES: To describe mechanical ventilation management and factors associated with nonadherence to lung-protective ventilation principles in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome. DESIGN: A planned ancillary study to a prospective international observational study. Mechanical ventilation management (every 6 hr measurements) during pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome days 0-3 was described and compared with Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference tidal volume recommendations (< 7 mL/kg in children with impaired respiratory system compliance, < 9 mL/kg in all other children) and the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network lower positive end-expiratory pressure/higher Fio2 grid recommendations. SETTING: Seventy-one international PICUs. PATIENTS: Children with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Analyses included 422 children. On pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome day 0, median tidal volume was 7.6 mL/kg (interquartile range, 6.3-8.9 mL/kg) and did not differ by pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome severity. Plateau pressure was not recorded in 97% of measurements. Using delta pressure (peak inspiratory pressure - positive end-expiratory pressure), median tidal volume increased over quartiles of median delta pressure (p = 0.007). Median delta pressure was greater than or equal to 18 cm H2O for all pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome severity levels. In severe pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome, tidal volume was greater than or equal to 7 mL/kg 62% of the time, and positive end-expiratory pressure was lower than recommended by the positive end-expiratory pressure/Fio2 grid 70% of the time. In multivariable analysis, tidal volume nonadherence was more common with severe pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome, fewer PICU admissions/yr, non-European PICUs, higher delta pressure, corticosteroid use, and pressure control mode. Adherence was associated with underweight stature and cuffed endotracheal tubes. In multivariable analysis, positive end-expiratory pressure/Fio2 grid nonadherence was more common with higher pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome severity, ventilator decisions made primarily by the attending physician, pre-ICU cardiopulmonary resuscitation, underweight stature, and age less than 2 years. Adherence was associated with respiratory therapist involvement in ventilator management and longer time from pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome diagnosis. Higher nonadherence to tidal volume and positive end-expiratory pressure recommendations were independently associated with higher mortality and longer duration of ventilation after adjustment for confounding variables. In stratified analyses, these associations were primarily influenced by children with severe pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Nonadherence to lung-protective ventilation principles is common in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome and may impact outcome. Modifiable factors exist that may improve adherence.

Oxigenoterapia con cánula nasal de alto flujo en lactantes con infección respiratoria baja aguda: Experiencia en hospitales de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires / High-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy in infants with acute lower respiratory tract infection: An experience in hospitals of the City of Buenos Aires

Introducción. Durante el invierno, los lactantes con infecciones respiratorias agudas bajas (IRAB) sobrecargan los recursos sanitarios. En la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, 35 000 niños son asistidos anualmente en hospitales; se interna el 8-10 % en unidades generales, y el 5-12 % de ellos, en unidades de terapia intensiva. En 2017, el Departamento de Salud Materno-Infantil de dicha ciudad incluyó la oxigenoterapia por cánula nasal de alto flujo (CNAF) en el protocolo IRAB en unidades generales de tres hospitales. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir los resultados y explorar potenciales factores relacionados con el fracaso terapéutico. Métodos. Estudio prospectivo descriptivo que incluyó a lactantes < 18 meses hospitalizados por IRAB en 3 hospitales (Durand, Elizalde, Gutiérrez), de junio a septiembre de 2017. Todos los niños incapaces de cumplir los objetivos terapéuticos con bajo flujo recibieron CNAF, y se consideró fracaso de soporte el ingreso a Terapia Intensiva. Resultados. De 522 pacientes hospitalizados por IRAB, el 39,7 % requirieron CNAF. No se observaron diferencias basales significativas entre pacientes con CNAF y con oxigenoterapia convencional. Solo el 8,7 % de los pacientes con CNAF presentaron fracaso. Los pacientes con éxito del soporte mostraron un descenso de la frecuencia respiratoria significativamente mayor y más sostenido en el tiempo que aquellos con fracaso (p < 0,01). No se registraron complicaciones. Conclusión. La implementación protocolizada de CNAF en unidades generales fue una medida segura. Los pacientes con fracaso del soporte mostraron una menor disminución en la frecuencia respiratoria a lo largo del tratamiento.

Introduction. During the winter, infants with acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI) overburden health resources. In the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, 35 000 children are seen at the hospitals every year; 8-10 % of them are admitted to the general hospitalization ward and 5-12 % of these, to the intensive care unit (ICU). In 2017, the Department of Maternal and Child Health of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires included high flow nasal cannula (HNFC) oxygen therapy in the ALRTI protocol in the general ward of 3 hospitals. The objective of this study was to describe its outcomes and explore the potential factors related to therapeutic failure. Methods. Prospective, descriptive study with infants < 18 months old hospitalized due to ALRTI in 3 hospitals (Durand, Elizalde, Gutiérrez) between June and September 2017. All children unable to comply with low-flow therapeutic targets received HNFC oxygen therapy; admission to the ICU was considered a failure. Results. Out of 522 patients hospitalized due to ALRTI, 39.7% required HNFC oxygen therapy. No significant baseline differences were observed between patients receiving HNFC and conventional oxygen therapy. Failure was observed in only 8.7% of patients with HNFC oxygen therapy. The decrease in respiratory rate was significantly greater and longer in patients with support success versus those with failure (p < 0.01). No complications were recorded. Conclusion. The implementation of HNFC oxygen therapy under a protocol in the general wards was a safe measure. Patients with therapeutic failure showed a smaller reduction in respiratory rate during treatment.

High-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy in infants with acute lower respiratory tract infection. An experience in hospitals of the City of Buenos Aires.

INTRODUCTION: During the winter, infants with acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI) overburden health resources. In the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, 35 000 children are seen at the hospitals every year; 8-10 % of them are admitted to the general hospitalization ward and 5-12 % of these, to the intensive care unit (ICU). In 2017, the Department of Maternal and Child Health of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires included high flow nasal cannula (HNFC) oxygen therapy in the ALRTI protocol in the general ward of 3 hospitals. The objective of this study was to describe its outcomes and explore the potential factors related to therapeutic failure. METHODS: Prospective, descriptive study with infants < 18 months old hospitalized due to ALRTI in 3 hospitals (Durand, Elizalde, Gutiérrez) between June and September 2017. All children unable to comply with low-flow therapeutic targets received HNFC oxygen therapy; admission to the ICU was considered a failure. RESULTS: Out of 522 patients hospitalized due to ALRTI, 39.7% required HNFC oxygen therapy. No significant baseline differences were observed between patients receiving HNFC and conventional oxygen therapy. Failure was observed in only 8.7% of patients with HNFC oxygen therapy. The decrease in respiratory rate was significantly greater and longer in patients with support success versus those with failure (p < 0.01). No complications were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of HNFC oxygen therapy under a protocol in the general wards was a safe measure. Patients with therapeutic failure showed a smaller reduction in respiratory rate during treatment.

Introducción. Durante el invierno, los lactantes con infecciones respiratorias agudas bajas (IRAB) sobrecargan los recursos sanitarios. En la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, 35 000 niños son asistidos anualmente en hospitales; se interna el 8-10 % en unidades generales, y el 5-12 % de ellos, en unidades de terapia intensiva. En 2017, el Departamento de Salud Materno-Infantil de dicha ciudad incluyó la oxigenoterapia por cánula nasal de alto flujo (CNAF) en el protocolo IRAB en unidades generales de tres hospitales. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir los resultados y explorar potenciales factores relacionados con el fracaso terapéutico. Métodos. Estudio prospectivo descriptivo que incluyó a lactantes < 18 meses hospitalizados por IRAB en 3 hospitales (Durand, Elizalde, Gutiérrez), de junio a septiembre de 2017. Todos los niños incapaces de cumplir los objetivos terapéuticos con bajo flujo recibieron CNAF, y se consideró fracaso de soporte el ingreso a Terapia Intensiva. Resultados. De 522 pacientes hospitalizados por IRAB, el 39,7 % requirieron CNAF. No se observaron diferencias basales significativas entre pacientes con CNAF y con oxigenoterapia convencional. Solo el 8,7 % de los pacientes con CNAF presentaron fracaso. Los pacientes con éxito del soporte mostraron un descenso de la frecuencia respiratoria significativamente mayor y más sostenido en el tiempo que aquellos con fracaso (p < 0,01). No se registraron complicaciones. Conclusión. La implementación protocolizada de CNAF en unidades generales fue una medida segura. Los pacientes con fracaso del soporte mostraron una menor disminución en la frecuencia respiratoria a lo largo del tratamiento.

Gender disparity in ICU staffing in Argentina.

PURPOSE: Gender disparities in healthcare are striking, notwithstanding an increase in female students and physicians. Underrepresentation of women in leadership positions is well-documented; however, information from low and middle-income countries (LMICs) is still sparse. The Argentinian Society of Intensive Care Medicine (SATI) aimed to characterize the gender composition in Argentine ICUs. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between 8/1/2018 and 1/1/2019, 131 questionnaires were submitted to ICU Department Chairs of SATI research networks. Gender distribution of the different staffing levels, board certification and hospital characteristics were recorded. One-hundred and four were completed, including 2186 physicians; 44% were female. Female participation decreased with highest responsibility: only 23% of Department Chairs were female (P = .002 vs. the rest of the staffing categories, adjusted for multiple comparisons). Residents exhibited the highest proportion of female physicians (47%). Board certification was similar for both sexes (62.3% vs. 62.2%, P = .97). Female/male distribution in public and private hospitals was 47%/53% and 40/60% (P < .01), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our data provide evidence of an important gender gap in ICU management in a LMIC. Women were poorly represented in the leadership positions, although qualifications were similar to men. Moreover, female physicians worked more frequently in the public health subsector, usually underfinanced in LMICs-a surrogate of a gender pay gap.

Paediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome incidence and epidemiology (PARDIE): an international, observational study.

BACKGROUND: Paediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (PARDS) is associated with high mortality in children, but until recently no paediatric-specific diagnostic criteria existed. The Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference (PALICC) definition was developed to overcome limitations of the Berlin definition, which was designed and validated for adults. We aimed to determine the incidence and outcomes of children who meet the PALICC definition of PARDS. METHODS: In this international, prospective, cross-sectional, observational study, 145 paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) from 27 countries were recruited, and over a continuous 5 day period across 10 weeks all patients were screened for enrolment. Patients were included if they had a new diagnosis of PARDS that met PALICC criteria during the study week. Exclusion criteria included meeting PARDS criteria more than 24 h before screening, cyanotic heart disease, active perinatal lung disease, and preparation or recovery from a cardiac intervention. Data were collected on the PICU characteristics, patient demographics, and elements of PARDS (ie, PARDS risk factors, hypoxaemia severity metrics, type of ventilation), comorbidities, chest imaging, arterial blood gas measurements, and pulse oximetry. The primary outcome was PICU mortality. Secondary outcomes included 90 day mortality, duration of invasive mechanical and non-invasive ventilation, and cause of death. FINDINGS: Between May 9, 2016, and June 16, 2017, during the 10 study weeks, 23 280 patients were admitted to participating PICUs, of whom 744 (3·2%) were identified as having PARDS. 95% (708 of 744) of patients had complete data for analysis, with 17% (121 of 708; 95% CI 14-20) mortality, whereas only 32% (230 of 708) of patients met Berlin criteria with 27% (61 of 230) mortality. Based on hypoxaemia severity at PARDS diagnosis, mortality was similar among those who were non-invasively ventilated and with mild or moderate PARDS (10-15%), but higher for those with severe PARDS (33% [54 of 165; 95% CI 26-41]). 50% (80 of 160) of non-invasively ventilated patients with PARDS were subsequently intubated, with 25% (20 of 80; 95% CI 16-36) mortality. By use of PALICC PARDS definition, severity of PARDS at 6 h after initial diagnosis (area under the curve [AUC] 0·69, 95% CI 0·62-0·76) discriminates PICU mortality better than severity at PARDS diagnosis (AUC 0·64, 0·58-0·71), and outperforms Berlin severity groups at 6 h (0·64, 0·58-0·70; p=0·01). INTERPRETATION: The PALICC definition identified more children as having PARDS than the Berlin definition, and PALICC PARDS severity groupings improved the stratification of mortality risk, particularly when applied 6 h after PARDS diagnosis. The PALICC PARDS framework should be considered for use in future epidemiological and therapeutic research among children with PARDS. FUNDING: University of Southern California Clinical Translational Science Institute, Sainte Justine Children's Hospital, University of Montreal, Canada, Réseau en Santé Respiratoire du Fonds de Recherche Quebec-Santé, and Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine.

Performance of the Pediatric Index of Mortality 3 Score in PICUs in Argentina: A Prospective, National Multicenter Study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the performance of the Pediatric Index of Mortality 3 score in a population of children admitted to PICUs in Argentina. DESIGN: Prospective, national, multicenter study. SETTING: Forty-nine PICUs located in Argentina belonging to public and private institutions. PATIENTS: All children between 1 month and 16 years old admitted to the participating PICUs between May 15, 2016, and February 15, 2017. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 6,602 patients were enrolled in the study. The observed mortality was 8% (531/6,602), whereas mortality predicted by Pediatric Index of Mortality 3 was 6.16% (407 deaths). The standardized mortality rate was 1.3 (95% CI, 1.20-1.42). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.83 (95% CI, 0.82-0.85). The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that the difference between the mortality observed and the mortality predicted by Pediatric Index of Mortality 3 was statistically significant (χ, 135.63; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The Pediatric Index of Mortality 3 score adequately discriminated patients who died from those who survived in our population. However, the observed mortality was higher than predicted by the score. The use of an updated instrument such as Pediatric Index of Mortality 3 will allow an actual comparison between pediatric intensive care provided in the country and care provided internationally. This might also allow future planning of pediatric intensive care services in Argentina.

Subcutaneous infection by Graphium basitruncatum in a heart transplant patient

ABSTRACT Graphium basitruncatum, a synanamorph of Pseudoallescheria has been rarely reported in human infections. We report a case of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by this fungus in a heart transplant recipient. We also describe the phenotypic, molecular methods and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) used to achieve isolate identification.

Subcutaneous infection by Graphium basitruncatum in a heart transplant patient.

Graphium basitruncatum, a synanamorph of Pseudoallescheria has been rarely reported in human infections. We report a case of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by this fungus in a heart transplant recipient. We also describe the phenotypic, molecular methods and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) used to achieve isolate identification.

Immunohistochemical detection of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in granulomas in cattle with natural Mycobacterium bovis infection.

Cellular immune response was evaluated in lymph nodes and lung with different granulomatous lesions from cattle naturally infected with Mycobacterium bovis. For this purpose, we assessed pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines by immunohistochemical assays. Immunoreaction was observed for all the cytokines analyzed. Fourteen animals displayed advanced stage IV granulomas, with intense immunoreactivity to IFN-γ and TGF-ß in areas of caseous necrosis, macrophages and lymphocytes. Seven animals showed stage III granuloma, with high immunoreactivity to IFN-γ (average of 44.5% immunoreactive cells) and moderate to TNF-α and to the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-ß, in relation to the proliferation of fibroblasts in granuloma periphery We found satellite stage I granulomas in 4 bovines and stage II granulomas in 2 bovines, which exhibited low immunostaining response (-13%). Cytokine expression in stage III and IV granulomas was significant, with predominance of immunoreactivity to IFN-γ, thus suggesting a strong, longstanding local immune response mediated by macrophages and epithelioid cells. In addition, these two stages displayed lower reactivity to IL-10; which suggests a deficit of anti-inflammatory cytokines, suppressed immunity and persistence of the infection. High expression of TGF-ß could indicate a chronic process with greater tissue damage and fibrosis. Numerous bacilli observed in necrotic areas in stage III and IV granulomas with low expression of IL-1ß suggest failure in the immune response with bacterial multiplication. In this study, evidence of in situ presence of cytokines demonstrates these cytokines are involved in the development and evolution of bovine tuberculosis granulomas.

[Interlaboratory test: Isolation of Mycobacterium bovis from granulomatous lesions in bovine]. / Ensayo interlaboratorio: aislamiento de Mycobacterium bovis a partir de lesiones granulomatosas en bovinos.

Mycobacterium bovis is the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis. The diagnostic laboratory confirmation is made through bacterial isolation. The aim of interlaboratory tests is to assess the performance of each participant in comparison with other of similar capacities. The test objective was to determine the efficiency of isolation of M. bovis. Four laboratories were part of the test and processed 25 blind tissue samples from granulomatous lesions and with previous M. bovis isolation. The laboratory that had the highest proportion of isolates was A (68%), followed by C (60%) and then B and D (both with 52%). The greatest concordance was observed between B-D and B-C laboratories (68%). The differences could be due to specific factors in each laboratory procedures. This type of interlaboratory tests highlights errors in the bacteriology and identifies critical points in the process to detect M. bovis accurately.

Características de las residencias de terapia intensiva pediátrica de la República Argentina: Encuesta nacional / Characteristics of pediatric intensive care residency programs in Argentina: A national survey

Introducción. La residencia de terapia intensiva pediátrica (TIP) tiene pocos años de desarrollo en nuestro país. Conocer su situación brinda la posibilidad de establecer estrategias para contribuir al desarrollo y capacitación de profesionales. Objetivos. 1) Describir las características de las residencias de TIP del país. 2) Evaluar si existen características que se relacionen con una mayor ocupación de las vacantes. 3) Explorar la inserción laboral en el hospital formador de los residentes. Diseño. Descriptivo, observacional. Encuesta nacional. Criterios de inclusión. Residencias de TIP funcionales entre el 1/4/2014 y el 31/5/2014. Resultados. Se analizaron 31 residencias. Solo 11/31 tenían volumen de internación anual >400 pacientes. No había normas y/o criterios de atención en 9/31. En 17/31, el programa estuvo adecuado al marco de referencia nacional. Hubo 13/31 que no contaban con jefe ni instructor de residentes. Fueron acreditadas por el Ministerio de Salud 5/31. Hubo 65 vacantes; el número aumentó en los últimos 4 años; la ocupación disminuyó de 59% en 2009 a 30% en 2013. El 60% de los residentes tuvo inserción laboral en la TIP formadora. El análisis de regresión logística multivariado identificó la variable ingresos anuales > 400 pacientes como predictora independiente de ocupación de vacantes > 60%. Conclusiones. 1) Hay un déficit en la ocupación de cargos. 2) El número de residencias acreditadas es escaso. 3) Las unidades de cuidados intensivos pediátricos con mayor número de ingresos se asociaron a una mayor cobertura de vacantes. 4) Más de la mitad de los residentes se insertaron laboralmente en la TIP formadora.

Introduction. Pediatric intensive care residency programs have been in place in Argentina for just a few years. Knowing their status offers the possibility to establish strategies to help with professional development and training. Objectives. 1) To describe the characteristics of pediatric intensive care residency programs across Argentina. 2) To assess whether certain characteristics are related to a higher vacancy filling rate. 3) To assess job placement in the hospital where residents are trained. Design. Descriptive, observational study. National survey. Inclusion criteria. Pediatric intensive care residency programs in place between April 1st, 2014 and May 31st, 2014. Results. Thirty-one residency programs were analyzed. Only 11/31 had an annual hospitalization volume >400patients. There were no guidelines and/or criteria for care in 9/31. The program suited the national reference frameworkin17/31. There was no head ofresidents or resident trainer in 13/31. Only 5/31 had been certified by the Ministry of Health. There were 65 vacancies; this number increased in the past four years; vacancy filling rate decreased from 59% in 2009 to 30% in 2013. Sixty percent of residents got a job in the pediatric intensive care unit where they were trained. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the outcome measure annual hospitalization volume >400 patients as an independent predictor of vacancy filling rate >60%. Conclusions. 1) Vacancy filling is deficient. 2) The number of certified residency programs is scarce. 3) Pediatric intensive care units with a higher number of hospitalizations were associated with a higher vacancy filling rate. 4) More than half of residents got a job in the pediatric intensive care unit where they were trained.

Características de las residencias de terapia intensiva pediátrica de la República Argentina: Encuesta nacional / Characteristics of pediatric intensive care residency programs in Argentina: A national survey

Introducción. La residencia de terapia intensiva pediátrica (TIP) tiene pocos años de desarrollo en nuestro país. Conocer su situación brinda la posibilidad de establecer estrategias para contribuir al desarrollo y capacitación de profesionales. Objetivos. 1) Describir las características de las residencias de TIP del país. 2) Evaluar si existen características que se relacionen con una mayor ocupación de las vacantes. 3) Explorar la inserción laboral en el hospital formador de los residentes. Diseño. Descriptivo, observacional. Encuesta nacional. Criterios de inclusión. Residencias de TIP funcionales entre el 1/4/2014 y el 31/5/2014. Resultados. Se analizaron 31 residencias. Solo 11/31 tenían volumen de internación anual >400 pacientes. No había normas y/o criterios de atención en 9/31. En 17/31, el programa estuvo adecuado al marco de referencia nacional. Hubo 13/31 que no contaban con jefe ni instructor de residentes. Fueron acreditadas por el Ministerio de Salud 5/31. Hubo 65 vacantes; el número aumentó en los últimos 4 años; la ocupación disminuyó de 59% en 2009 a 30% en 2013. El 60% de los residentes tuvo inserción laboral en la TIP formadora. El análisis de regresión logística multivariado identificó la variable ingresos anuales > 400 pacientes como predictora independiente de ocupación de vacantes > 60%. Conclusiones. 1) Hay un déficit en la ocupación de cargos. 2) El número de residencias acreditadas es escaso. 3) Las unidades de cuidados intensivos pediátricos con mayor número de ingresos se asociaron a una mayor cobertura de vacantes. 4) Más de la mitad de los residentes se insertaron laboralmente en la TIP formadora.(AU)

Introduction. Pediatric intensive care residency programs have been in place in Argentina for just a few years. Knowing their status offers the possibility to establish strategies to help with professional development and training. Objectives. 1) To describe the characteristics of pediatric intensive care residency programs across Argentina. 2) To assess whether certain characteristics are related to a higher vacancy filling rate. 3) To assess job placement in the hospital where residents are trained. Design. Descriptive, observational study. National survey. Inclusion criteria. Pediatric intensive care residency programs in place between April 1st, 2014 and May 31st, 2014. Results. Thirty-one residency programs were analyzed. Only 11/31 had an annual hospitalization volume >400patients. There were no guidelines and/or criteria for care in 9/31. The program suited the national reference frameworkin17/31. There was no head ofresidents or resident trainer in 13/31. Only 5/31 had been certified by the Ministry of Health. There were 65 vacancies; this number increased in the past four years; vacancy filling rate decreased from 59% in 2009 to 30% in 2013. Sixty percent of residents got a job in the pediatric intensive care unit where they were trained. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the outcome measure annual hospitalization volume >400 patients as an independent predictor of vacancy filling rate >60%. Conclusions. 1) Vacancy filling is deficient. 2) The number of certified residency programs is scarce. 3) Pediatric intensive care units with a higher number of hospitalizations were associated with a higher vacancy filling rate. 4) More than half of residents got a job in the pediatric intensive care unit where they were trained.(AU)

Characteristics of pediatric intensive care residency programs in Argentina: A national survey.

INTRODUCTION: Pediatric intensive care residency programs have been in place in Argentina for just a few years. Knowing their status offers the possibility to establish strategies to help with professional development and training. OBJECTIVES: 1) To describe the characteristics of pediatric intensive care residency programs across Argentina. 2) To assess whether certain characteristics are related to a higher vacancy filling rate. 3) To assess job placement in the hospital where residents are trained. DESIGN: Descriptive, observational study. National survey. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Pediatric intensive care residency programs in place between April 1st, 2014 and May 31st, 2014. RESULTS: Thirty-one residency programs were analyzed. Only 11/31 had an annual hospitalization volume >400 patients. There were no guidelines and/or criteria for care in 9/31. The program suited the national reference framework in 17/31. There was no head of residents or resident trainer in 13/31. Only 5/31 had been certified by the Ministry of Health. There were 65 vacancies; this number increased in the past four years; vacancy filling rate decreased from 59% in 2009 to 30% in 2013. Sixty percent of residents got a job in the pediatric intensive care unit where they were trained. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the outcome measure annual hospitalization volume >400 patients as an independent predictor of vacancy filling rate >60%. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Vacancy filling is deficient. 2) The number of certified residency programs is scarce. 3) Pediatric intensive care units with a higher number of hospitalizations were associated with a higher vacancy filling rate. 4) More than half of residents got a job in the pediatric intensive care unit where they were trained.

Genotyping Mycobacterium bovis from cattle in the Central Pampas of Argentina: temporal and regional trends

Mycobacterium bovis is the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis (TB), a disease that affects approximately 5% of Argentinean cattle. Among the molecular methods for genotyping, the most convenient are spoligotyping and variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR). A total of 378 samples from bovines with visible lesions consistent with TB were collected at slaughterhouses in three provinces, yielding 265 M. bovis spoligotyped isolates, which were distributed into 35 spoligotypes. In addition, 197 isolates were also typed by the VNTR method and 54 combined VNTR types were detected. There were 24 clusters and 27 orphan types. When both typing methods were combined, 98 spoligotypes and VNTR types were observed with 27 clusters and 71 orphan types. By performing a meta-analysis with previous spoligotyping results, we identified regional and temporal trends in the population structure of M. bovis. For SB0140, the most predominant spoligotype in Argentina, the prevalence percentage remained high during different periods, varying from 25.5-57.8% (1994-2011). By contrast, the second and third most prevalent spoligotypes exhibited important fluctuations. This study shows that there has been an expansion in ancestral lineages as demonstrated by spoligotyping. However, exact tandem repeat typing suggests dynamic changes in the clonal population of this microorganism.