Perspectivas futuras para la autopsia clínica en los pacientes procedentes de la unidad de cuidados críticos y urgencias / Future perspectives for clinical autopsy in patients from critic and urgent care units

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Excystation of Cryptosporidium parvum at temperatures that are reached during solar water disinfection.

Species belonging to the genera Cryptosporidium are recognized as waterborne pathogens. Solar water disinfection (SODIS) is a simple method that involves the use of solar radiation to destroy pathogenic microorganisms that cause waterborne diseases. A notable increase in water temperature and the existence of a large number of empty or partially excysted (i.e. unviable) oocysts have been observed in previous SODIS studies with water experimentally contaminated with Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts under field conditions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the temperatures that can be reached during exposure of water samples to natural sunlight (37-50 degrees C), on the excystation of C. parvum in the absence of other stimuli. In samples exposed to 40-48 degrees C, a gradual increase in the percentage of excystation was observed as the time of exposure increased and a maximum of 53.81% of excystation was obtained on exposure of the water to a temperature of 46 degrees C for 12 h (versus 8.80% initial isolate). Under such conditions, the oocyst infectivity evaluated in a neonatal murine model decreased statistically with respect to the initial isolate (19.38% versus 100%). The results demonstrate the important effect of the temperature on the excystation of C. parvum and therefore on its viability and infectivity.

Enfermedad por depósito de cadenas ligeras. Experiencia en nuestro medio / No disponible

La enfermedad por depósito de cadenas ligeras (EDCL) es una entidad rara, caracterizada por el depósito de un solo tipo de cadena ligera en la membrana basal del riñón. Puede asociarse a una discrasia de células plasmáticas, aunque en ocasiones no se detecta patología hematológica y se denomina idiopática. Suele manifestarse como una insuficiencia renal severa con proteinuria nefrótica, no tiene tratamiento claramente establecido y el pronóstico es malo. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar las características de los casos de EDCL diagnosticados en nuestro medio. Se identifican 6 casos, todos entre 1999 y 2005 de un total de 640 biopsias realizadas en ese periodo, 4 mujeres y 2 varones, media de 57 años. Se detectó un mieloma en 3 pacientes(50%). La insuficiencia renal aguda o de rápida evolución fue la presentación clínica más frecuente (66%) junto con proteinuria nefrótica (66%). Todas las biopsias mostraban engrosamiento de la membrana basal tubular y depósito lineal de cadenas kappa en la misma. La lesión glomerular más frecuente fue la glomérulo esclerosis nodular (83%).En un caso la afectación fue exclusivamente túbulo intersticial con cilindros tubulares asociados. Se trataron 3 pacientes,2 con mieloma. Requirieron diálisis 5 pacientes: 3 con EDCL idiopática con un tiempo medio desde el diagnóstico hasta recibir la misma de 7 días, y 2 con mieloma que tardaron una media de 46 días en requerir diálisis. Fallecieron 4 pacientes, 2 con mieloma. El tiempo de seguimiento hasta el exitus fue de 13 semanas para los pacientes con mieloma y de 110 semanas para el resto. Conclusión, la EDCL parece mas frecuente de lo publicado y se asocia a mieloma en la mitad de los casos. Se presenta con daño renal severo y la evolución renal y del paciente es mala (AU)

The Light chain deposition disease (LCDD) is a strange entity characterized by the deposition of only one type of light chain in the renal tubular basement membranes. It can be associated to a plasmacell dyscrasia, however, it can occur in the absence of any detectable hematological disorder and it is called idiopathic LCDD. The clinical manifestation is renal insufficiency and nephrotic proteinuria, it does not have a clearly fixed treatment and has a severe prognosis. The aim of this work is to analyse the characteristics of the LCDD cases diagnosed within our environment. Six cases were identified, all of them between 1999 and 2005,from a total amount of 640 renal biopsies performed during this period, 4 women and 2 men, average age of 57. Multiple myelomain 3 patients was detected (50%). The acute renal failure or rapidly progressive renal insufficiency was the most frequent clinical presentation (66%) together with nephrotic proteinuria (66%). All the biopsies showed tubular basement membranes thickening and kappa chains with a linear distribution within the same. The most frequent glomerular pathological finding was the nodular sclerosing glomerulopathy (83%). In one of the cases the affectation was exclusively tubular interstitial with tubular casts. 3 patients were treated, 2 with multiple myeloma. 5 patients needed dialysis: 3 with idiopathic LCDD within an average time of 7 days from the diagnosis to its reception, and 2 with myeloma, who started needing dialysis in an average of 46 days. 4 patients died, 2 of them with myeloma. The monitoring time until the death was 13 weeks for the patients with myeloma and 110 weeks for the rest. Conclusion: The LCDD seems to be more frequent than what has been published and it is associated to the myeloma in half of the cases. It appears together with severe renal insufficiency and the patient's and renal prognosis is poor (AU)

[Light chain deposition disease. Experience in our environment]. / Enfermedad por depósito de cadenas ligeras. Experiencia en nuestro medio.

UNLABELLED: The Light chain deposition disease (LCDD) is a strange entity characterised by the deposition of only one type of light chain in the renal tubular basement membranes. It can be associated to a plasma cell dyscrasia, however, it can occur in the absence of any detectable hematological disorder and it is called idiopathic LCDD. The clinical manifestation is renal insufficiency and nephrotic proteinuria, it does not have a clearly fixed treatment and has a severe prognosis. The aim of this work is to analyse the characteristics of the LCDD cases diagnosed within our environment. Six cases were identified, all of them between 1999 and 2005, from a total amount of 640 renal biopsies performed during this period, 4 women and 2 men, average age of 57. Multiple myeloma in 3 patients were detected (50%). The acute renal failure or rapidly progressive renal insufficiency was the most frequent clinical presentation (66%) together with nephrotic proteinuria (66%). All the biopsies showed tubular basement membranes thickening and kappa chains with a linear distribution within the same. The most frequent glomerular pathological finding was the nodular sclerosing glomerulopathy (83%). In one of the cases the affectation was exclusively tubular interstitial with tubular casts. 3 patients were treated, 2 with multiple myeloma. 5 patients needed dialysis: 3 with idiopathic LCDD within an average time of 7 days from the diagnosis to its reception and 2 with myeloma, who started needing dialysis in an average of 46 days. 4 patients died, 2 of them with myeloma. The monitoring time until the death was 13 weeks for the patients with myeloma and 110 weeks for the rest. CONCLUSION: The LCDD seems to be more frequent than what has been published and it is associated to the myeloma in half of the cases. It appears together with severe renal insufficiency and the patient's and renal prognosis is poor.

[Estimation of the prevalence of cerebral palsy in the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León (Spain) using a disabilities register]. / Estimación de la prevalencia de parálisis cerebral en la comunidad de Castilla y León mediante el registro de minusvalías.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of cerebral palsy in Western countries is estimated to be around 2 cases/1,000 inhabitants. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of cerebral palsy in the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León and to assess potential differences among the nine provinces of this region. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The number of patients with CP in 1999, separated by provinces and by age groups, was obtained from the Community Sectorial Program for Persons with Disabilities. These data originally came from handicap evaluations carried out in each base center. Prevalences were calculated using population data from the National Institute of Statistics. RESULTS: A total of 335 patients aged 0-13 years were registered as having a diagnosis of cerebral palsy in 1999. The prevalence of cerebral palsy was 1.05 cases/1,000 inhabitants aged 0-13 years. Statistically significant differences were found in the prevalence of cerebral palsy among provinces (p < 0.0001). The highest prevalence was found in Salamanca, with 1.87 cases/1,000 inhabitants, while the lowest prevalence was found in Segovia, with 0.33 cases/ 1,000 inhabitants. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of cerebral palsy in childhood in Castilla y León was lower than that reported in western countries. Substantial differences were found among provinces. The prevalence of cerebral palsy is probably underreported in some provinces. These differences could be due to a disparity in diagnostic criteria, especially in young children.

Estimación de la prevalencia de parálisis cerebral en la comunidad de Castilla y León mediante el registro de minusvalías / Estimation of the prevalence of cerebral palsy in the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León (Spain) using a disabilities register

Introducción La prevalencia de parálisis cerebral en países occidentales se estima en torno a 2 casos/1.000 habitantes. El objetivo de este estudio es estimar la prevalencia de parálisis cerebral en Castilla y León, y sus posibles diferencias entre las nueve provincias de la comunidad autónoma. Pacientes y métodos Se obtuvo el número de casos de parálisis cerebral en el año 1999, por provincia, y estratificados por grupos de edad, provenientes del Plan Regional Sectorial de Atención a las Personas con Discapacidad. Estos datos proceden originalmente de las evaluaciones para el reconocimiento de minusvalía realizadas en cada centro base correspondiente. Se calcularon las prevalencias con los datos de población provenientes del Instituto Nacional de Estadística. Resultados Existían 335 pacientes de 0 a 14 años registrados con diagnóstico de parálisis cerebral en el año 1999. La prevalencia de parálisis cerebral en ese grupo de edad fue de 1,05 casos/1.000 habitantes. Existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la cuantía de las prevalencias entre provincias (p < 0,0001). La que tenía mayor prevalencia fue Salamanca, con 1,87 casos/1.000 habitantes, mientras que Segovia, con 0,33, fue la de menor prevalencia registrada. Conclusiones La prevalencia en edad pediátrica de parálisis cerebral en Castilla y León, muestra una cifra inferior a las referidas en países occidentales. Existen importantes diferencias entre provincias. Es probable que los datos infravaloren la prevalencia de parálisis cerebral, en particular, en ciertas provincias. La disparidad de los criterios diagnósticos puede ser fuente de estas diferencias, sobre todo en edades tempranas

Introduction The prevalence of cerebral palsy in Western countries is estimated to be around 2 cases/1,000 inhabitants. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of cerebral palsy in the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León and to assess potential differences among the nine provinces of this region. Patients and methods The number of patients with CP in 1999, separated by provinces and by age groups, was obtained from the Community Sectorial Program for Persons with Disabilities. These data originally came from handicap evaluations carried out in each base center. Prevalences were calculated using population data from the National Institute of Statistics. Results A total of 335 patients aged 0-13 years were registered as having a diagnosis of cerebral palsy in 1999. The prevalence of cerebral palsy was 1.05 cases/1,000 inhabitants aged 0-13 years. Statistically significant differences were found in the prevalence of cerebral palsy among provinces (p < 0.0001). The highest prevalence was found in Salamanca, with 1.87 cases/1,000 inhabitants, while the lowest prevalence was found in Segovia, with 0.33 cases/ 1,000 inhabitants. Conclusions The prevalence of cerebral palsy in childhood in Castilla y León was lower than that reported in western countries. Substantial differences were found among provinces. The prevalence of cerebral palsy is probably underreported in some provinces. These differences could be due to a disparity in diagnostic criteria, especially in young children

Hiponatremia posquirúrgica / Postoperative hyponatremia

La hiponatremia posquirúrgica representa un problema frecuente en la práctica clínica diaria. A partir de nuestro caso particular, intentamos llamar la atención sobre la magnitud del problema, insistiendo especialmente en su fácil prevención, basada en el uso restringido de los sueros hipotónicos, y en la obligación de iniciar el tratamiento en cuanto se manifiestan los primeros síntomas (AU)

Association between human-Pneumocystis infection and small-cell lung carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco smoking is the most important but not the only risk factor in lung carcinoma. There is evidence that certain infections, which cause chronic inflammatory reactions, can also induce tumour development. It has recently been shown that patients with chronic pulmonary diseases present a high rate of subclinical Pneumocystis infection, and that the latter is able to induce inflammatory responses and alveolar cell alterations. The possible role of Pneumocystis infection in the development of lung neoplasms thus deserves consideration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction has been used to analyze the presence of DNA of two independent loci of the Pneumocystis genome: the mitochondrial region (mtLSU rRNA) and the gene encoding for the dihydropteroate synthase enzyme, in paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of 10 cases of small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and 10 cases of nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) with similar demographic and clinical characteristics. Five cases without lung pathology, and two cases of Pneumocystis pneumonia were also analyzed as controls. RESULTS: DNA of the microorganism was found in all the cases of SCLC but in only two of the NSCLC, and in none of the controls without pulmonary disease - thus implying a statistically significant association (P < 0.0001) between subclinical Pneumocystis infection and SCLC. CONCLUSIONS: While the nature of this association is not clear, it nevertheless constitutes an important finding - either the infection is specifically facilitated by this tumour or induces the development of this type of neoplasm in combination with other factors. Eur J Clin Invest 2004; 34 (3): 229-335

Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis associated with the selective COX-2 enzyme inhibitor, rofecoxib.

The nephrotoxic effect of COX-2 selective inhibitors has not yet been established. We report a case of reversible acute renal failure due to acute tubulointerstitial nephritis, confirmed by histology of a renal biopsy sample, associated with taking rofecoxib, a selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor.

Estudio clinicoepidemiológico de la bronquiolitis aguda / Clinicalepidemiological study of acute bronchiolitisobjective

OBJETIVO: Conocer la incidencia de hospitalización por bronquiolitis en nuestro medio, analizar las malformaciones neonatales graves como factor de riesgo de ingreso por bronquiolitis y establecer las variables disponibles en el momento del ingreso por bronquiolitis que se asocian a una peor evolución. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio de incidencia de ingreso por bronquiolitis en población general y en niños con malformaciones neonatales graves. Estudio descriptivo y analítico sobre las características clínicas disponibles en el ingreso por bronquiolitis que predicen una peor evolución, sobre 61niños nacidos en el Hospital de Medina del Campo. Todos cumplían los criterios de McConnochie y se clasificaron según la evolución en leve, moderado o grave. RESULTADOS: La incidencia acumulada anual de ingreso por bronquiolitis fue de 1,79 por ciento (intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95 por ciento, 1,37-2,30). La incidencia de hospitalización fue significativamente mayor en los niños con antecedentes de malformaciones neonatales graves (13,11 por ciento) que en los sanos (1,59 por ciento) (RR, 8,26; IC 95 por ciento, 4,10-16,02). La edad fue significativamente menor (p = 0,0056) en el grupo grave (mediana, 1,0; cuartiles, 1,0-2,75) que en los grupos moderado (mediana, 5,0; cuartiles, 2,0-8,0) y leve (mediana, 5,5; cuartiles, 3,25-9,0). Tomando como referencia la evolución leve se relacionaron con una evolución moderada-grave el rechazo de tomas (OR, 4,08; IC 95 por ciento, 1,10-16,80), los vómitos (OR, 4,22; IC 95 por ciento, 1,14-25,30) y la espiración alargada (OR, 5,35; IC 95 por ciento, 1,14-24,30). Tomando como referencia el grupo leve-moderado se relacionaron con evolución grave la presencia de vómitos (p = 0,004), los crepitantes (p = 0,002), la disminución de ventilación (p < 0,001) y la condensación radiológica (p = 0,017). CONCLUSIÓN: La incidencia de ingreso por bronquiolitis se situó en cifras similares a las de otros países. Las variables que presentes en el momento del ingreso se asociaron a una peor evolución fueron: edad inferior a 3meses, vómitos, rechazo de tomas, espiración alargada, crepitantes, disminución de ventilación y condensación radiológica. Las malformaciones neonatales graves son un importante factor de riesgo para requerir ingreso por bronquiolitis (AU)

[Clinico-epidemiological study of acute bronchiolitis objective]. / Estudio clinicoepidemiológico de la bronquiolitis aguda.

AIM: To determine the incidence of hospital admissions for bronchiolitis in our environment, to analyze the importance of neonatal malformations as a risk factor for hospitalization for bronchiolitis and to establish the variables available on admission that are associated with a worse evolution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Descriptive study of admissions for bronchiolitis in a sample of the general population and in children with severe neonatal malformations. Descriptive and analytical study of the clinical characteristics available on admission for bronchiolitis that predict a worse evolution. Sixty-one children born at the Medina del Campo Hospital in Spain were studied. All the children were diagnosed according to McConnochie's criteria and classified into three groups according to evolution (mild, moderate and severe). RESULTS: The annual cumulative incidence of admissions due to bronchiolitis was 1.79 % (95 % CI, 1.37-2.30). This incidence was higher in children with a history of severe neonatal malformations (13.11 %) than in those without malformations (1.59 %) (RR 5 8.26; CI 95 %, 4.10-16.02). Children with severe bronchiolitis were younger (p 5 0.0056; median 1.0, quartiles 1.0-2.75) than those with moderate bronchiolitis (median 5.0; quartiles 2.0-8.0) or mild bronchiolitis (median 5.5; quartiles 3.25-9.0). Using the group with mild bronchiolitis as reference, diminished appetite (OR 5 4.08; 95 % CI, 1.10-16.80), vomiting (OR 5 4.22; 95 % CI, 1.14-25.30) and prolonged expiration (OR 5 5.35, 95 % CI, 1.14-24.30) were associated with moderate-severe evolution. Using the mild-moderate group as reference, vomiting (p 5 0.004), crepitant rales (p 5 0.002), decreased ventilation (p, 0.001) and radiological consolidations (p 5 0.017) were associated with severe evolution. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of hospital admission for bronchiolitis in our environment was similar to data reported from other countries. Variables available at admission predicting a worse evolution were age lower than 3 months, vomiting, diminished appetite, prolonged expiration, crepitant rales, decreased ventilation and radiological consolidations. Severe neonatal malformations were an important risk factor for hospital admission due to bronchiolitis.

[Acute interstitial pneumonia (Hamman Rich syndrome)]. / Neumonía intersticial aguda (síndrome de Hamman Rich).

We report the case of a 65-year-old woman with no history of respiratory disease who suffered onset of dyspnea after an episode of pseudoinfluenza. Dyspnea progressed such that within 15 days it was triggered by minimal effort. The patient died 15 hours after admission to our hospital, with a clinical picture of adult respiratory distress. Autopsy allowed us to rule out several diseases and arrive at a diagnosis of acute interstitial pneumonia, consistent with clinical course, anatomical and pathological findings as described in the literature.

Presence of glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibodies in HIV- patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

Following the unexpected finding of antibodies to GBM in a patient with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in the absence of kidney abnormalities, the presence of anti-GBM antibodies was analysed in 14 patients with pulmonary P. carinii infection who did not have clinical evidence of autoimmune glomerulonephritis. Patients were divided into three groups: HIV- with P. carinii pneumonia (n = 4), HIV+ with P. carinii pneumonia (n = 5) and HIV- carriers of P. carinii without pneumonia (n = 5). As control groups, HIV- patients with community-acquired non-P. carinii pneumonia (n = 6) and healthy individuals (n = 16) were included. Anti-GBM antibodies, studied with a quantitative enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for anti-alpha3 chain of collagen IV antibodies, were detected in three out of the four HIV-patients with P. carinii pneumonia, but not in any individuals of the other categories. These results suggest that P. carinii alveolar injury or the host response to the organism could affect the basal membrane Goodpasture antigen or a similar antigen, and induces anti-GBM antibody production in HIV- patients, and support the hypothesis that, at least in some cases, Goodpasture's syndrome could be triggered by an alveolar lesion induced by a P. carinii pneumonia.

Mixed systemic amyloidosis in a patient receiving long term haemodialysis.

A 64 year old woman had been receiving haemodialysis for 11 years. She had a history of chronic renal failure, caused by probable chronic pyelonephritis, and dialysis arthropathy. She died of acute pulmonary oedema and haemorrhage. At necropsy, histological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural studies showed widespread visceral deposits of beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-M) and AA amyloid.