Ictal Central Apnea Is Predictive of Mesial Temporal Seizure Onset: An Intracranial Investigation.

OBJECTIVE: Ictal central apnea (ICA) is a semiological sign of focal epilepsy, associated with temporal and frontal lobe seizures. In this study, using qualitative and quantitative approaches, we aimed to assess the localizational value of ICA. We also aimed to compare ICA clinical utility in relation to other seizure semiological features of focal epilepsy. METHODS: We analyzed seizures in patients with medically refractory focal epilepsy undergoing intracranial stereotactic electroencephalographic (SEEG) evaluations with simultaneous multimodal cardiorespiratory monitoring. A total of 179 seizures in 72 patients with reliable artifact-free respiratory signal were analyzed. RESULTS: ICA was seen in 55 of 179 (30.7%) seizures. Presence of ICA predicted a mesial temporal seizure onset compared to those without ICA (odds ratio = 3.8, 95% confidence interval = 1.3-11.6, p = 0.01). ICA specificity was 0.82. ICA onset was correlated with increased high-frequency broadband gamma (60-150Hz) activity in specific mesial or basal temporal regions, including amygdala, hippocampus, and fusiform and lingual gyri. Based on our results, ICA has an almost 4-fold greater association with mesial temporal seizure onset zones compared to those without ICA and is highly specific for mesial temporal seizure onset zones. As evidence of symptomatogenic areas, onset-synchronous increase in high gamma activity in mesial or basal temporal structures was seen in early onset ICA, likely representing anatomical substrates for ICA generation. INTERPRETATION: ICA recognition may help anatomoelectroclinical localization of clinical seizure onset to specific mesial and basal temporal brain regions, and the inclusion of these regions in SEEG evaluations may help accurately pinpoint seizure onset zones for resection. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:998-1008.

Frequency of Candida spp. in the Oral Cavity of Asymptomatic Preschool Mexican Children and Its Association with Nutritional Status.

Malnutrition is a public health problem in developing countries, affecting the child population, which favors the appearance of infections such as oral candidiasis. In Mexico, information on the presence of oral colonization by Candida spp. in asymptomatic children is scarce. The present study aimed to determine the presence of Candida spp. in the oral cavity of asymptomatic preschool Mexican children and its association with their nutritional status. A sample of oral mucosa was obtained using a sterile swab and then inoculated in Sabouraud dextrose agar with antibiotics, and the yeast growth was phenotypically identified. The anthropometric profile of children was performed based on the guidelines of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry. In addition, eating habits were investigated. The possible associations between the variables were determined through the chi-square test (IC95%, p < 0.05) (GraphPad Prism 8.0). Among the 743 assessed children (403 boys and 340 girls), the average age was 4.6 years, and the average nutritional status was normal (53.7%), followed by undernutrition (28.4%), overweight (12.4%) and obesity (5.5%). In 52 children, Candida was isolated, and the identified species were C. albicans (87.8%), C. glabrata (11.5%), C. krusei (5.8%) and C. parapsilosis (1.9%). The frequency of colonization was greater in males of six years (69.23%). There was no significant association between the colonization by Candida spp. and the nutritional status; however, a relation was observed with a high intake of simple carbohydrates.

Does the Fetus Limit Antibiotic Treatment in Pregnant Patients with COVID-19?

During pregnancy, there is a state of immune tolerance that predisposes them to viral infection, causing maternal-fetal vulnerability to the adverse effects of COVID-19. Bacterial coinfections significantly increase the mortality rate for COVID-19. However, it is known that all drugs, including antibiotics, will enter the fetal circulation in a variable degree despite the role of the placenta as a protective barrier and can cause teratogenesis or other malformations depending on the timing of exposure to the drug. Also, it is important to consider the impact of the indiscriminate use of antibiotics during pregnancy can alter both the maternal and fetal-neonatal microbiota, generating future repercussions in both. In the present study, the literature for treating bacterial coinfections in pregnant women with COVID-19 is reviewed. In turn, we present the findings in 50 pregnant women hospitalized diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 without previous treatment with antibiotics; moreover, a bacteriological culture of sample types was performed. Seven pregnant women had coinfection with Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus agalactiae, Escherichia coli ESBL +, biotype 1 and 2, Acinetobacter jahnsonii, Enterococcus faecium, and Clostridium difficile. When performing the antibiogram, resistance to multiple drugs was found, such as macrolides, aminoglycosides, sulfa, dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors, beta-lactams, etc. The purpose of this study was to generate more scientific evidence on the better use of antibiotics in these patients. Because of this, it is important to perform an antibiogram to prevent abuse of empirical antibiotic treatment with antibiotics in pregnant women diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy as an autoimmune disease.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an autoimmune disease characterized by neurological symptoms and signs of progressive weakness, paresthesias, and sensory dysfunction. Other symptoms include reduced or absent tendon reflexes, cranial nerve involvement, autonomic symptoms, ataxia, and neuropathic pain. Unlike other autoimmune diseases, CIDP generally affects older individuals and has a male predominance. The onset is generally insidious and can take up to 8 weeks with a relapsing-recovery pattern. Like all autoimmune diseases, the etiology is multifactorial, with both genetic and environmental factors contributing to it. Case reports of CIDP have found associations with multiple pathogenic organisms including Hepatitis B and C viruses, Bartonella henselae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Human immunodeficiency virus, Cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus. Possible antigenic self-targets include myelin protein 0, myelin protein 2, peripheral myelin protein 22, Connexin 32, and myelin basic protein. Antibodies targeting the Ranvier node proteins such as contactin-1, contactin-associated protein 1, and neurofascin 155 have been described. CIDP is treated with rehabilitation and pharmacological modalities. Pharmacological treatments target autoimmune dysfunction and include corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, subcutaneous immunoglobulin, plasma exchange, immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory agents such as methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, rituximab, and mycophenolate mofetil. Although there are few observational studies and randomized clinical trials with limited evidence supporting the use of immunosuppressive drugs, they are widely used in clinical practice. A comprehensive review of CIDP is presented herein in light of the autoimmune tautology.

Differential Methylation in APOE (Chr19; Exon Four; from 44,909,188 to 44,909,373/hg38) and Increased Apolipoprotein E Plasma Levels in Subjects with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

BACKGROUND: Biomarkers are essential for identification of individuals at high risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) for potential prevention of dementia. We investigated DNA methylation in the APOE gene and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) plasma levels as MCI biomarkers in Colombian subjects with MCI and controls. METHODS: In total, 100 participants were included (71% women; average age, 70 years; range, 43⁻91 years). MCI was diagnosed by neuropsychological testing, medical and social history, activities of daily living, cognitive symptoms and neuroimaging. Using multivariate logistic regression models adjusted by age and gender, we examined the risk association of MCI with plasma ApoE and APOE methylation. RESULTS: MCI was diagnosed in 41 subjects (average age, 66.5 ± 9.6 years) and compared with 59 controls. Elevated plasma ApoE and APOE methylation of CpGs 165, 190, and 198 were risk factors for MCI (p < 0.05). Higher CpG-227 methylation correlated with lower risk for MCI (p = 0.002). Only CpG-227 was significantly correlated with plasma ApoE levels (correlation coefficient = -0.665; p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Differential APOE methylation and increased plasma ApoE levels were correlated with MCI. These epigenetic patterns require confirmation in larger samples but could potentially be used as biomarkers to identify early stages of MCI.

Epigenetic Factors in Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease: MTHFR and CTH Gene Polymorphisms, Metabolic Transsulfuration and Methylation Pathways, and B Vitamins.

DNA methylation and other epigenetic factors are important in the pathogenesis of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene mutations occur in most elderly patients with memory loss. MTHFR is critical for production of S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM), the principal methyl donor. A common mutation (1364T/T) of the cystathionine-γ-lyase (CTH) gene affects the enzyme that converts cystathionine to cysteine in the transsulfuration pathway causing plasma elevation of total homocysteine (tHcy) or hyperhomocysteinemia-a strong and independent risk factor for cognitive loss and AD. Other causes of hyperhomocysteinemia include aging, nutritional factors, and deficiencies of B vitamins. We emphasize the importance of supplementing vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin), vitamin B9 (folic acid), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), and SAM to patients in early stages of LOAD.

Concurrent Guillain-Barré syndrome, transverse myelitis and encephalitis post-Zika: A case report and review of the pathogenic role of multiple arboviral immunity.

We review post-infectious and post-vaccination neurological syndromes involving peripheral and central nervous system (CNS) and report an illustrative case of simultaneous occurrence of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), confirmed by nerve conduction velocities, plus MRI-demonstrated transverse myelitis (TM) and acute encephalitis [acute disseminated encephalomyelitis] (ADEM+GBS) affecting a 24-year-old woman from Cúcuta, Colombia, who developed acute Zika virus (ZIKV) infection confirmed by serum reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and convalescent ZIKV IgG antibodies. With intensive care treatment, respiratory support, steroids, and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), patient survived with residual flaccid paraparesis. She had preexisting immunity against Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and Dengue virus (DENV) acquired before the arrival of ZIKV in Colombia. From reports in the Caribbean, Central and South America we review 19 cases of ZIKV-associated TM, encephalitis and ADEM occurring after a mean latent period of 10.5 days (range 1-96) post-infection. Although GBS and ADEM are usually considered post-infectious and associated with development of antibodies against peripheral nerve and CNS epitopes, we postulate that our case of ADEM+GBS is para-infectious, induced by acute ZIKV neurotropism boosted by active immunity against other arboviruses. Animal models of ZIKV demonstrated strong viral neurotropism enhanced by passive immunity with antibodies against arboviruses such as West Nile virus, CHIKV, or DENV. These considerations are relevant to prevent potential ZIKV vaccine-induced reactions involving central and peripheral nervous system.

Estatus Epiléptico En Colombia: Análisis Descriptivo De Serie De Casos / Status Epilepticus In Colombia: A Case Series Descriptive Analysis

Resumen El estatus epiléptico (EE) es una emergencia neurológica y un síndrome per se definido por su presentación clínica y manifestaciones electroencefalográficas. No se encontraron series de casos de esta emergencia relativamente común en revistas colombianas indexadas en la literatura científica, por lo cual se realizó la búsqueda de los casos en dos centros de referencia para manejo neurológico crítico en la capital colombiana en periodo 2011-2015. Se describieron las características demográficas, diagnósticas y terapéuticas profundizando en su presentación clínica y paraclínica, así como el tratamiento recibido respecto a las guías internacionales. Se encontró que el EE convulsivo fue 3 veces más común que el no convulsivo, 1.4 veces más frecuentemente en población femenina que en población masculina, el grupo de edad donde se presentó principalmente fue el pediátrico y el menos frecuente el geriátrico, la mayoría de pacientes pediátricos presentan EE secundarios a lesiones estructurales congénitas mientras que los pacientes adultos y ancianos suelen presentar EE como consecuencia de un antecedente de epilepsia con pobre adherencia farmacológica, y que en el 66% de los pacientes el EE descrito no fue el primero de su tipo. El abordaje terapéutico farmacológico correspondió al estipulado en las guías en 41.67% de los casos.

Abstract Status Epilepticus (SE) is a neurological emergency that is by itself a syndrome defined according its clinical presentation and electroencephalographical manifestations, both highly variable. There aren't any case series about this relatively common neurological emergency in Colombian indexed journals, for which a search for cases was performed in two neurological critical care institutions in the Colombian capital city in the period between 2011-2015. We describe demographical, diagnostic and therapeutic characteristics emphasizing in its clinical and paraclinical presentation, as the treatment applied according international guidelines. We found convulsive SE was three times more common that the non-convulsing time, 1.4 times more common in females that in males, more common in the pediatric group and less common in the geriatric group, the majority of this cases presented SE secondary to a congenital structural injury while adult and elder patients presented SE as a consequence of non-voluntary discontinuation of the therapy, and in 66% of the cases the SE described was not the first of its kind. The therapeutic regime applied corresponded to the stipulated in international guidelines in only 41.67%.

Multicenter study in Colombia: Impact of a multidimensional International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) approach on central line-associated bloodstream infection rates.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of a multidimensional infection control approach and the use of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) Surveillance Online System on central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates from June 2003-April 2010. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, before-after surveillance study of 2,564 patients hospitalized in 4 adult intensive care units (ICUs) and 424 patients in 2 pediatric ICUs of 4 hospitals in 2 cities of Colombia. During baseline, we performed outcome surveillance of CLABSI applying the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Healthcare Safety Network definitions. During intervention, we implemented the INICC multidimensional approach and the ISOS, which included a bundle of infection prevention practice interventions, education, outcome surveillance, process surveillance, feedback on CLABSI rates and consequences, and performance feedback of process surveillance. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed using a logistic regression model to estimate the effect of the intervention on the CLABSI rate. RESULTS: The baseline rate of 12.9 CLABSIs per 1,000 central line (CL) days, with 3,032 CL days and 39 CLABSIs, was reduced to 3.5 CLABSIs per 1,000 CL days, with 3,686 CL days and 13 CLABSIs, accounting for a 73% CLABSI rate reduction (relative risk, 0.27; 95% confidence interval, 0.14-0.52; P=.002). CONCLUSIONS: Implementing the INICC multidimensional infection control approach for CLABSI prevention was associated with a significant reduction in the CLABSI rate of ICUs of Colombia.

Estudio de frecuencia del anticuerpo LKM-1 en una cohorte de pacientes con criterios de hepatitis autoinmune / Study of frequency of antibody LKM-1 in a cohort of patients with criteria of autoimmune hepatitis

Antecedentes: la hepatitis autoinmune (HAI) es una enfermedad autoinmune crónica del hígado con características clínicas y de laboratorio típicas. La HAI se ha subdividido en tres categorías de acuerdo a la positividad de los anticuerpos. El anticuerpo LKM-1 (del inglés Liver/kidney microsomal antibody type 1) y el anticuerpo LC1 (del inglés and liver cytosol antibody type 1) son marcadores que definen la HAI tipo 2 y la diferencian del tipo 1. No se conoce la prevalencia de los anticuerpos anti LKM-1 en pacientes con HAI en Colombia. Objetivos: el objetivo de este estudio fue analizar un grupo de pacientes con HAI y describir la frecuencia de los anticuerpos anti-LKM-1. El objetivo secundario fue conocer la frecuencia de síntomas y signos reumatológicos en estos pacientes. Métodos: se realizó la prueba para detectar los anticuerpos LKM-1 con el reactivo semi-cuantitativo Quanta Lite mediante el método ELISA de los laboratorios INOVA en 32 pacientes colombianos con HAI. El diagnóstico de HAI fue clasificado como probable o definitivo de acuerdo a la clasificación internacional del grupo de estudio para la hepatitis autoinmune. Se excluyeron los pacientes con menos de 10 puntos, demencia, hepatitis inducida por drogas o tóxicos, y la hepatitis alcohólica o metabólica. Resultados: ninguno de los pacientes fueron positivos para el anticuerpo LKM-1. La edad media fue de 39,03 (1,2-80), las mujeres 78,1 y los hombres 21,9. La educación de los pacientes: Bachillerato 37,5%, universidad 31,3%. El síntoma más frecuente fue la fatiga en 68,8%, ictericia 62%, prurito 24,9%, artralgias y dolor abdominal de 34,4%. Los anticuerpos antinucleares de más de 1/ 80 fueron encontrados en el 53,8% de los pacientes. Los anticuerpos antimúsculo liso en títulos mayores de 1:40 fueron positivos en 40,6% de los pacientes. El síndrome de Sjögren y la tiroiditis autoinmune fueron las enfermedades autoinmunes asociadas más frecuentes.

Background: autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic and immune disease with typical clinic and laboratory characteristics. Liver/kidney microsomal antibody type 1 (LKM-1) and liver cytosol antibody type 1 (LC1) are the markers of type 2 AIH and differentiates the subtypes of AIH. Anti- LKM-1 antibodies are present in AIH type 2 and help to differentiate AIH type 1from AIH 2. Incidence and prevalence of autoimmune hepatitis and LKM-1 antibodies in Colombia are unknown. Objectives: our goal was to analyze a group of patients with AIH and to study the frequency of anti-LKM-1 antibody in these patients. In addition, we described the autoimmune diseases and rheumatologic signs and symptoms associated to this group of patients with autoimmune hepatitis. Methods: semi-quantitative Quanta Lite probe to detect anti-LKM-1 antibodies was developed by ELISA method from INOVA laboratories in 32 Colombian patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). The diagnosis was classified of probable or definitive AIH according of the classification of international autoimmune hepatitis group. Patient with less than 10 points, dementia, toxic or drug induced hepatitis and hepatitis of metabolic origin were excluded. Results: no one of the patients was positive for anti LKM-1 antibody. The mean age was 39.03 (1,2-80), women 78.1 and men 21.9. Level of education of these patients: High school 37.5% and university 31.3%. The most frequent symptom was fatigue in 68.8%, jaundice 62%, pruritus 24.9%, arthralgia and abdominal pain 34.4%. Antinuclear antibodies positive more than 1:80 were found in 53.8% of patients. Anti- smooth muscle antibody more than 1:40 were positive in 40.6% of patients. Sjogrën’s syndrome and autoimmune thyroiditis were the most frequently autoimmune diseases found.

Manifestaciones osteoarticulares por amiloidosis sistémica / Osteoarticular manifestations by systemic amyloidosis

La amiloidosis es un grupo de enfermedades cuyo común denominador es el depósito extracelular de fibrillas insolubles derivadas de proteínas en órganos y tejidos. De acuerdo a su etiología y al tipo de proteína depositada existen varias clases de amiloi-dosis. A pesar que la incidencia de amiloidosis sisté -mica secundaria (AA) ha disminuido notoriamente con el advenimiento de drogas modificadoras de la enfermedad (DMARD) y terapia biológica, continúa siendo el tipo de amiloidosis más frecuentemente observada por el reumatólogo. En este artículo revisamos la historia, clasificación, epidemiología, diagnóstico y tratamiento de la amiloidosis sistémica haciendo énfasis en las manifestaciones osteoar-ticulares que produce la enfermedad y en las distintas enfermedades reumatológicas que pueden originar una amiloidosis secundaria (AA). Así mismo publicamos un material fotográfico recopilado durante 20 años en diferentes centros de reumatología del país que es de gran ayuda para realizar el diagnóstico clínico de esta infrecuente patología.

Amyloidosis is a generic term that refers to the extracellular tissue deposition of fibrils composed of low molecular weight subunits of a variety of proteins. Amyloidosis classification depends on its etiology and subtype of protein involved. Systemic secondary amyloidosis (AA) is the most frequent subtype seen on rheumatology services because rheumatoid arthritis is currently the most frequent cause of AA, although its incidence has been declined because a better treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD). In this review we provide a general overview of the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of the systemic amyloidosis, emphasizing on the rheu-matic manifestations of these disorders. Besides, we present a photographic material obtained in the last 20 years in several rheumatologic centers in our country that it has a crucial role in the diagnosis and follow-up of this infrequent pathology.

Terapia triple con lansoprazol, amoxicilina y claritromicina durante 10 dias (LAC-10) erradica Helicobacter pylori / Triple therapy with lansoprazole, amoxicilin and clarotomycin for H. Pylori in Colombia

Se detectó la presencia de autoanticuerpos contra la mucosa gástrica en pacientes con enfermedad gastroduodenal e infectados con Helicobacter pylori. Métodos: se estudiaron 39 pacientes, se tomaron biopsias gástricas y suero. Los anticuerpos IgG anti H. pylori se detectaron por la técnica de ELISA. Para la detección de anticuerpos antigástricos se utilizaron técnicas de inmunohistoquímica. Resultados: se detectó la bacteria en el 97,5 por ciento de los casos. Los anticuerpos contra la mucosa gástrica se encontraron en el 12,8 por ciento de los pacientes. Se hallaron dos patrones: a) autoanticuerpos contras las células parietales, b) autoanticuerpos contra la membrana apical del epitelio glandular. Conclusión: se evidenció la presencia de autoanticuerpos contra la mucosa gástrica en pacientes con enfermedad gastroduodenal, infectados con Helicobacter pylori. La presencia de autoanticuerpos puede estar involucrada en el desarrollo de la in.amación y posterior atro.a de la mucosa

Hepatitis viral B asociada a neuropatía craneal. Reporte de un caso

La infección con el virus de la hepatitis B puede estar acompañada de desórdenes sistémicos autoinmunes o inespecíficos siendo su prevalencia desconocida. Se presenta un caso de hepatitis B aguda asociada a neuropatía

Correlación de valores citoquímicos y bacteriológicos en el líquido pleural de pacientes con tuberculosis y carcinoma metastásico a pleura / Correlation of cytochemical and bacteriological values in pleural fluid of patients with tuberculosis and metastatic carcinoma of the pleura

Se estudiaron en forma prospectiva 32 pacientes con diagnóstico de derrame pleural y en quienes se llegó a una conclusión diagnósticada con el estudio anatomopatológico de la pleura obtenida con aguja de Cope. Se correlacionaron los hallazgos anatómicos con las características citoquímicas, inmunológicas y bacteriológicas del líquido, para obtener un posible patrón citoquímico que pudiese ayudar al diagnóstico cuando no se dispone de la biopsia pleural. En el estudio, 14(43.7%) pacientes tuvieron tuberculosis (TBC) pleural, 6(18.7%) carcinoma (CA) metastásico a pleura y en 12(37.5%) no se obtuvo una conclusión anatomopatológica. El trabajo muestra que la biopsia pleural y el cultivo del líquido son los exámenes de mayor especificidad diagnóstica. Los otros exámenes citoquímicos no son específicos en el diagnóstico etiológico pero ayudan en la diferenciación entre exudado y trasudado