Scorpion envenoming in two regions of Colombia: clinical, epidemiological and therapeutic aspects.

To determine clinical and epidemiological features of scorpion stings in two departments of Colombia, a descriptive study was performed in the hospitals of 10 towns from Antioquia (2 256 071 inhabitants) and five from Tolima (630 424 inhabitants). One hundred and twenty-nine cases were admitted during one year, 51 in Antioquia, 78 in Tolima and 41 were children less than 15 years old. Most stings (70.5%) occurred inside the house; 27.9% were on the hands and 26.4% on the feet. The scorpion species involved were Tityus pachyurus (51), Centruroides gracilis (31), T. fuehrmanni (29), T. asthenes (7) and Chactas spp. (1). In 10 cases the scorpion involved was not identified. Systemic envenoming signs (e.g. vomiting, tachypnea) were significantly more frequent in children than in adults (P < 0.05). Four children had hypertension, but none developed pulmonary oedema. One 3-year-old girl, stung by T. asthenes, had acute oedematous pancreatitis. Ninety-eight patients had mild envenoming. Moderate (27 patients) and severe (four patients) envenoming was significantly more frequent in children than in adults (P = 0.003; relative risk = 2.97). A pepsin-digested anti-Centruroides spp. antivenom was administered to 19 of 31 patients presenting systemic envenoming signs. No adverse reactions to antivenom were observed.

Optimización de la formulación de tabletas de Disopiramida 100 mg: Estudio Tecnológicos / Optimization of the formulation of pills of disopiramide 100 mg: I technologic study

Se realizó un profundo estudio para la formulación de tabletas de Disopiramida 100 mg. las cuales presentaban problemas de variación de peso, baja dureza y alta friabilida, se utilizaron 5 agentes aglutinantes es igual número de formulaciones. Se fabricaron 5 formulaciones, a las mismas, se le determinaron los parámetros físico-químicos y tecnológicos a los granulados y los parámetros físicos mecánicos y tecnológicos a las tabletas; se escogieron las 2 formulaciones de mejores resultados, realizando varios ajustes a las mismas para optimizarlas, se le repitieron las pruebas antes planteadas, fabricando 3 lotes para cada formulación, además se efectuó la prueba de disolución según la USP XXII y estudios de Estabilidad a los 6 meses de fabricados. Se comprobó que las formulaciones 3 (PVP) y 5 (almidon hidrolizado), son las de mejor resultados, obteniendose buenos valores de dureza y baja friabilidad en las tabletas, además ambas formulaciones cumplen con la prueba de disolución, según la USP XXII, los estudios de estabilidad a los 6 meses fueron satisfactorios. Las mejores formulaciones son la 3 (PVP) y la 5 (almidoón hridorlizado), con ambas se optimiza el proceso de fabricación de tabletas de sisopiramida 100 mg, no obstante, la formulación 3 aglutinante que se utiliza es más fácil adquisión en la Industria Farmacéutica que ek de la formulación 5 (almidón hridrolozado)

[Treatment of extrinsic bronchial asthma with transfer factor]. / Tratamiento del asma bronquial extrínseca con factor de trasferencia.

A group of 90 external asthmatics with cellular immunodeficiency or not was studied and treated during 10 months with transfer factor or double blind placebo. Total immunoglobulin serum studies (A, G, M and E), spontaneous rosette and intradermal tests, were made a month before the treatment's beginning and a month after the ending of the treatment. The patients were clinically evaluated every day in accordance to the intensity and the frequency of their crisis and with the immunological point of view of the tests made. There was not significant differences between the study groups treated with the transfer factor or not. Adverse reactions were not noticed.