[Negative effect of the components of the lysis-centrifugation system in the growth of mycobacteria in MGIT and Septi-Chek AFB liquid media]. / Efecto negativo de los componentes del sistema lisis-centrifugación en el crecimiento de micobacterias en los medios líquidos MGIT y Septi-Chek AFB.

BACKGROUND: The lysis-centrifugation system (Isolator system) is a technique with excellent results in the recovery of mycobacteria from blood specimens. This system consists mainly of saponin (SAP), polypropylenglycol (PPG), and sodium polianthol sulfonate (SPS). The objective of this work was to determine the effect of SAP, PPG, and SPS on the growth of Mycobacterium avium, M. kansasii, M. tuberculosis, and M. xenopi in fluid culture media MGIT and Septi-Chek AFB. METHODS: Two concentrations each of SAP, PPG, and SPS were prepared, and were added in 0.1 ml amounts (alone, in pairs and in combination) to fluid media MGIT and Septi-Chek AFB. Fluid culture media were then in individually inoculated with two different concentrations (10(3) and 10(5) CFU/ml) of each of the four mycobacterial strains used in this study. Culture media were incubated at 37 degrees C and were checked for growth daily. RESULTS: SAP, PPG, and SPS did not inhibit growth of mycobacteria but growth of these strains was indeed retarded (a lengthier time was required for detection of bacterial growth compared with the positive control). Final concentrations of SAP, PPG, and SPS which retarded mycobacterial growth varied, depending upon species, mycobacterial inoculum size, and fluid culture media used. CONCLUSIONS: Components included in the lysy-centrifugation system (SAP, PPG, and SPS), either alone or in combination retarded growth of M. avium, M. kansasii, M. tuberculosis, and M. xenopi in 10(3) and 10(5) CFU/ml concentrations in fluid culture media MGIT and Septi-Chek AFB. These results suggest that strategies should be adopted to decrease the concentrations of these three components, present in the sediment of the processed blood by the Isolator System, which eventually are going to be added to fluid media MGIT and Septi-Check AFB.

Estudio multicentrico, abierto, no comparativo sobre la seguridad y eficacia de sulbactam cefoperazona en infecciones bacterianas moderadas y severas / Non comparative multicentric study over security and efficacy of sulbactam cefoperazone in moderate and severe in bacterials infections

La eficacia y seguridad de sulbactam/cefoperazona fue evaluada en un estudio multicéntrico, abierto, no comparativo, usado como monoterapia. Doscientos dieciseis pacientes entraron inicialmente al estudio, siendo excluidos 42, por haber recibido antibioticoterapia concomiante. Ciento setenta y cuatro pacientes adultos (99M, 75 F), con rango de edad de 13 a 83 años fueron tratados con sulbactam/cefoperazona como monoterapia, en proporción 1:2, vía endovenosa, presentando 102 (59 por ciento) pacientes infecciones severas, y, 72(41 por ciento) infecciones moderadas. La localización de las infecciones fueron: piel y tejidos blandos (n=54,31 por ciento), abdominales (n=54,31 por ciento), infecciones respiratorias bajas (n=40,23 por ciento), tracto biliar (n=9,5 por ciento), tracto urinario (n=9,5 por ciento), área ginecológica (n=3,2 por ciento) y otras (n=5,3 por ciento). Ciento sesenta y uno (93 por ciento) de las infecciones fueron agudas, nueve (5 por ciento) crónicas y, 4 (2 por ciento) recurrentes. Los gérmenes obtenidos con mayor frecuencia el cultivo inicial fueron P. aeruginosa (27,16 por ciento), E.coli (n=23,13 por ciento), E.cloacae (n=14,8 por ciento), S. aureus (n=7,4 por ciento). La dosis diaria administrada de sulbactam/cefoperazona osciló entre 3 y 9 gr/día (media 4,6g/día), durante 1-70 días (media 10 días). Ciento cuarenta y cuatro pacientes fueron evaluados clínicamente, obteniéndose curación en 112 pacientes (78 por ciento), mejoría en 24 (17 por ciento), y falla en 8 pacientes (5 por ciento). Se incluyeron 96 pacientes para evaluación bacteriológica, reportándose erradicación en 88 (91 por ciento) y, persistencia en 8 (9 por ciento). Se presentaron efectos adversos en 9 pacientes (5 por ciento): rash, prolongación del PTT, cefalea, escalofríos y diarrea. Con un 95 por ciento de respuesta clínica satisfactoria, 91 por ciento de erradicación bacteriológica y buena tolerancia concluimos que sulbactam/cefoperazona usado como monoterapia es una buena elección para el tratamiento de infecciones moderadas y severas.

[The accompanying male parent in the intensive care unit]. / El acompañante masculino en la unidad de cuidados intensivos.

A study is made in the Intensive Care Unit of "José L. Miranda" Provincial Pediatric Teaching Hospital in Santa Clara in order to know the sequence with which the father occupies the place of the mother in the care of hospitalized children. With this objective, 54 male companions are surveyed in the first trimester of 1987. The prevailing occupational profile was that of worker. A higher number of the respondents were between 17 and 25 years of age. The school level of secondary school prevailed among patient companions. Most of them reported no economic inconveniences during the child's disease. The desire to remain at the bedside and the inability of the mother to do so were the major reasons for their stay. The advantages recognized by the nursing personnel in male companions are made known.