Effects of cardiopulmonary bypass on the development of lymphopenia and sepsis after cardiac surgery in children with congenital cardiopathy.

The objective of the present study was to investigate whether lymphopenia occurring after heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is related to apoptosis and or sepsis in children. The design was a prospective cohort study in a third level care hospital in Mexico City. In total, 68 children (31 girls and 37 boys) with congenital cardiopathy who needed corrective cardiac surgery with or without CPB were included. The samples were obtained from central blood before, immediately after and 24 h after surgery. Complete blood counts and lymphocyte apoptosis were analyzed. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), sepsis and the type of microorganism were recorded. A total of 53 patients received CPB and 15 did not. Lymphocyte count decreased after surgery in both groups (P<0.001). However, neutrophil count increased markedly in both groups. Apoptosis of B (CD19+) lymphocytes was higher in the non-CPB group (14, 2 and 21% before, immediately after and 24 h after surgery, respectively) than the CPB group (0, 2 and 3%, respectively), but apoptosis of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8+) was higher in the CPB group (5, 4 and 3% before, immediately after and 24 h after surgery, respectively) than in the non-CPB group (2, 3 and 2%, respectively). However, the extent of apoptosis of T and B lymphocytes after surgery did not differ between groups. The CPB group had more complications than the non-CPB group [38 (71.7%) vs. 9 (60.0%)]. In conclusion, the decrease in lymphocyte count may be related to apoptosis of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in children receiving cardiac surgery with CPB and to apoptosis of B lymphocytes in those not receiving CPB. The decreased lymphocyte counts in both groups suggested that CPB is not the main cause of this decrease. Children who received CPB during surgery had more complications, such as sepsis and cardiogenic shock than did those who did not receive CPB.

Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase in Cultured Cerebellar Bergmann Glia: Glutamate-Dependent Regulation.

Glutamate exerts its actions through the activation of membrane receptors expressed in neurons and glia cells. The signaling properties of glutamate transporters have been characterized recently, suggesting a complex array of signaling transactions triggered by presynaptic released glutamate. In the cerebellar molecular layer, glutamatergic synapses are surrounded by Bergmann glia cells, compulsory participants of glutamate turnover and supply to neurons. Since a glutamate-dependent increase in cGMP levels has been described in these cells and the nitric oxide-cGMP signaling cascade increases their glutamate uptake activity, we describe here the Bergmann glia expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthetase. An augmentation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase was found upon glutamate exposure. This effect is mediated by glutamate transporters and is related to an increase in the stability of the enzyme. These results strengthen the notion of a complex regulation of glial glutamate uptake that supports neuronal glutamate signaling.

Case report: Respiratory syncytial virus / Caso clínico: virus sincicial respiratorio

Background: The Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the most important viral pathogen in children under 2 years of age, which warrants hospitalization for a low respiratory infection. 0.5% of children under 5 with RSV infection require hospitalization. The aim of this case is to reaffirm the importance of this virus as a cause of severe disease and to emphasize the importance of adequate diagnosis and management to improve prognosis. Clinical case: Child of 1 year 3 months old, without risk factors for severe infection by respiratory viruses. A 3-day course of respiratory failure, requiring mechanical ventilation with a pulmonary protection strategy due to the development of intra-pulmonary ARDS, was considered a mixed infection and received antibacterial treatment. During his hospitalization, RSV infection was documented. He was graduated without pulmonary sequelae. Conclusions: Respiratory syncytial virus is the respiratory virus that causes a greater burden of disease, even above influenza. Unfortunately for children without risk factors for severe infection there are no options for prevention or treatment, so in subjects with severe disease the only option is the management of support in specialized units and the timely detection of bacterial overinfection. The development of a vaccine is necessary.

Introducción: El virus sincicial respiratorio (VSR) es el patógeno viral más importante en niños menores de 2 años que ameritan hospitalización por infección respiratoria baja. Un 0.5% de los menores de 5 años con infección por VSR requiere ingreso hospitalario. El objetivo de este caso es reafirmar la importancia de este virus como causa de cuadros graves y recalcar la importancia de un diagnóstico y manejo adecuados para mejorar el pronóstico. Caso clínico: Paciente de 1 año 3 meses de edad, sin factores de riesgo para infección grave por virus respiratorios. Padecimiento de 3 días de evolución hacia falla respiratoria, requirió ventilación mecánica con estrategia de protección pulmonar por desarrollo de SDRA intrapulmonar, se consideró infección mixta por lo que recibió tratamiento antibacteriano, durante su hospitalización se documentó infección por VSR. Fue egresado sin secuelas pulmonares. Conclusiones: El virus sincicial respiratorio es el virus respiratorio que ocasiona mayor carga de la enfermedad, incluso por arriba de influenza. Desafortunadamente, para los niños sin factores de riesgo para infección grave no hay opciones de prevención ni de tratamiento, por lo que en los sujetos con enfermedad grave la única opción es el manejo de soporte en unidades especializadas y la detección oportuna de sobreinfección bacteriana. Es necesario el desarrollo de una vacuna.