Dexamethasone-prepared Escherichia coli-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation. Animal model.

We have developed a new model of disseminated intravascular coagulation in rats based on the induction of immunosuppression by prolonged high-dose dexamethasone treatment. Most models of disseminated intravascular coagulation are based on the generalized Shwartzman reaction, which is observed characteristically in experimental animals after two separate inoculations of bacterial endotoxins. These produce massive deposition of thrombi in the microcirculation and significant hemorrhagic and ischemic phenomena. We have demonstrated that the administration of glucocorticosteroids at the specific doses and intervals can adequately replace the first (preparatory) injection of endotoxin. For this reason, we have attempted to experimentally simulate a frequent clinical situation, such as sepsis secondary to peritonitis, by intraperitoneal inoculation of Escherichia coli and hog gastric mucin into rats pretreated with dexamethasone. This inoculation was equivalent to the second injection of endotoxin in the Shwartzman model (triggering inoculation). A typical picture of disseminated intravascular coagulation induced by bacterial endotoxins developed, as demonstrated by the anatomopathologic, microbiologic, and hematologic studies performed. These results were then compared to those obtained in rats treated exclusively with dexamethasone or given, in addition, an effective antibiotic therapy.

[Xylose test. Anatomoclinical correlations]. / "Test" de xilosa. Correlaciones anatomoclínicas.

We present a research work on the diagnosis of the malabsorption syndrome in childhood. The study is based on two diagnostic tests which are: the xylose test and the histological examination of intestinal mucosa. We have tried to assess the usefulness of the determination of the blood xylose after an extra oral load of xylose, comparing the results with the morphological findings in the intestinal mucosa, making a correlation between both, in order to discern the contribution of this examination to the diagnosis of the malabsorption syndrome in childhood. We come to the following conclusions: The determination of the blood xylose after an extra oral load with a single dose is a useful test in the diagnosis of malabsorption syndromes in childhood, and gives us facts about the status of the intestinal mucosa. The abnormality of the results of this test is an important indication for an intestinal biopsy. The xylose test cannot replace the intestinal biopsy.

[Chondroid syringoma. Clinico-pathologic aspects]. / Siringoma condroide. Aspectos clínico-patológicos.

Following the observation of a case of Chondroid Syringoma which corresponded to the clinical-histological requisites of Hirsch and Helwig, we review the bibliography and insist on the possibility of reaching a clinical diagnosis predicting even the benign of malign character of the neoformation due to its location.