Estudio multicéntrico de fungemias por levaduras en la República Argentina / Multicenter study of bloodstream infections due to yeasts in Argentina

La incidencia de candidemias aumentó aproximadamente en un 500% en hospitales de alta complejidad y se observó un cambio en la distribución de especies del género Candida, con un incremento de las levaduras no Candida albicans. Con el objeto de conocer la distribución de especies asociadas a fungemias por levaduras en Argentina y determinar su sensibilidad a los antifúngicos de uso convencional, se realizó un estudio multicéntrico durante el período abril 1999 a abril 2000. Participaron 36 instituciones del país. Se colectaron 265 aislamientos de levaduras provenientes de hemocultivos, que se identificaron utilizando pruebas morfológicas, fisiológicas y bioquímicas y la determinación de la concentración inhibitoria mínima se realizó en base al estándar del NCCLS. La distribución de especies fue: Candida albicans (40,75%), Candida parapsilosis (28,67%), Candida tropicalis (15,84%), Candida famata (3,77%), Cryptococcus neoformans (3,77%), Candida glabrata (2,64%) y otras (4,53%). La mayoría de los aislamientos fueron sensibles a anfotericina B, fluconazol e itraconazol. La mortalidad asociada a las fungemias por levaduras estudiadas (n=265) fue del 30%, siendo más baja a lo descrito (33-54%) y fue menor en los pacientes que recibieron tratamiento antifúngico (26,3%), que en los no tratados (47%).

The incidence of candidemia has increased approximately 500% in high-complexity hospitals. A change in the spectrum of Candida infections due to species other than Candida albicans has also been detected. Between April 1999 and April 2000 a multicenter study was performed in order to determine the species distribution associated to candidemias in Argentina and the susceptibility profile of the isolates to the current antifungal drugs. Thirty six institutions have participated. All the 265 yeast strains isolated from blood cultures were identified by morphological, physiological, and biochemical tests. The antifungal susceptibility testing of isolates was performed based on the reference NCCLS procedure. The distribution of species was: Candida albicans (40.75%), Candida parapsilosis (28.67%), Candida tropicalis (15.84%), Candida famata (3.77%), Cryptococcus neoformans (3.77%), Candida glabrata (2.64%), and others (4.53%). Most of the isolates were susceptible to amphotericin B, fluconazole and itraconazole. Mortality associated to the fungemia by yeasts episodes (n=265) was 30%, lower than results previously determined (33-54%). The mortality percentage in patients who received antifungal therapy versus patients without treatment was 26.3% and 47%, respectively.

[Multicenter study of fungemia due to yeasts in Argentina]. / Estudio multicéntrico de fungemias por levaduras en la República Argentina.

The incidence of candidemia has increased approximately 500% in high-complexity hospitals. A change in the spectrum of Candida infections due to species other than Candida albicans has also been detected. Between April 1999 and April 2000 a multicenter study was performed in order to determine the species distribution associated to candidemias in Argentina and the susceptibility profile of the isolates to the current antifungal drugs. Thirty six institutions have participated. All the 265 yeast strains isolated from blood cultures were identified by morphological, physiological, and biochemical tests. The antifungal susceptibility testing of isolates was performed based on the reference NCCLS procedure. The distribution of species was: Candida albicans (40.75%), Candida parapsilosis (28.67%), Candida tropicalis (15.84%), Candida famata (3.77%), Cryptococcus neoformans (3.77%), Candida glabrata (2.64%), and others (4.53%). Most of the isolates were susceptible to amphotericin B, fluconazole and itraconazole. Mortality associated to the fungemia by yeasts episodes (n=265) was 30%, lower than results previously determined (33-54%). The mortality percentage in patients who received antifungal therapy versus patients without treatment was 26.3% and 47%, respectively.

Estudio multicéntrico de fungemias por levaduras en la República Argentina. / [Multicenter study of fungemia due to yeasts in Argentina]

The incidence of candidemia has increased approximately 500

in high-complexity hospitals. A change in the spectrum of Candida infections due to species other than Candida albicans has also been detected. Between April 1999 and April 2000 a multicenter study was performed in order to determine the species distribution associated to candidemias in Argentina and the susceptibility profile of the isolates to the current antifungal drugs. Thirty six institutions have participated. All the 265 yeast strains isolated from blood cultures were identified by morphological, physiological, and biochemical tests. The antifungal susceptibility testing of isolates was performed based on the reference NCCLS procedure. The distribution of species was: Candida albicans (40.75

), Candida parapsilosis (28.67

), Candida tropicalis (15.84

), Candida famata (3.77

), Cryptococcus neoformans (3.77

), Candida glabrata (2.64

), and others (4.53

). Most of the isolates were susceptible to amphotericin B, fluconazole and itraconazole. Mortality associated to the fungemia by yeasts episodes (n=265) was 30

, lower than results previously determined (33-54

). The mortality percentage in patients who received antifungal therapy versus patients without treatment was 26.3

and 47

, respectively.

[Vaginal candidiasis: etiology and sensitivity profile to antifungal agents in clinical use]. / Candidiasis vaginal: etiología y perfil de sensibilidad a agentes antifúngicos de uso clínico.

Candida vaginitis is one of the most frequent infection of the female genital tract with a high incidence. Approximately 75% of sexually active women suffer at least one episode of Candida vaginitis and 10% of them have recurrent episodes. Pregnancy, diabetes mellitus and antibiotic treatment are the most common predisposing factors, C. albicans is the etiologic agent most frequently found. The widespread reports of fluconazole resistance in Candida species and the selection of non Candida albicans prompted the study of species distribution of vulvovaginal candidiasis and their in vitro susceptibility against current antifungal agents. A total of 314 women with vaginal infection were studied. Yeasts were isolated from 104 patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis. The following species were identified: C. albicans 87.5%, C. glabrata 8.6% and 3.9% included C. krusei, C. famata, C. tropicalis and S. cerevisiae. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for nystatin, isoconazole, fluconazole and ketoconazole, using a broth microdilution method based on NCCLS procedure. Although most of the isolates were C. albicans, the high percentage of C. glabrata recovered suggests the need to identify the yeasts isolated. Fluconazole resistant C. albicans were isolated in 13.46% of the cases. Thus, further studies are required to correlate the possible role of these strains in recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Candidiasis vaginal: etiología y perfil de sensibilidad a agentes antifúngicos de uso clínico / [Vaginal candidiasis: etiology and sensitivity profile to antifungal agents in clinical use]

Candida vaginitis is one of the most frequent infection of the female genital tract with a high incidence. Approximately 75

of sexually active women suffer at least one episode of Candida vaginitis and 10

of them have recurrent episodes. Pregnancy, diabetes mellitus and antibiotic treatment are the most common predisposing factors, C. albicans is the etiologic agent most frequently found. The widespread reports of fluconazole resistance in Candida species and the selection of non Candida albicans prompted the study of species distribution of vulvovaginal candidiasis and their in vitro susceptibility against current antifungal agents. A total of 314 women with vaginal infection were studied. Yeasts were isolated from 104 patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis. The following species were identified: C. albicans 87.5

included C. krusei, C. famata, C. tropicalis and S. cerevisiae. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for nystatin, isoconazole, fluconazole and ketoconazole, using a broth microdilution method based on NCCLS procedure. Although most of the isolates were C. albicans, the high percentage of C. glabrata recovered suggests the need to identify the yeasts isolated. Fluconazole resistant C. albicans were isolated in 13.46

of the cases. Thus, further studies are required to correlate the possible role of these strains in recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Candidiasis vaginal: etiología y perfil de sensibilidad a agentes antifúngicos de uso clínico. / [Vaginal candidiasis: etiology and sensitivity profile to antifungal agents in clinical use]

Candida vaginitis is one of the most frequent infection of the female genital tract with a high incidence. Approximately 75

of sexually active women suffer at least one episode of Candida vaginitis and 10

of them have recurrent episodes. Pregnancy, diabetes mellitus and antibiotic treatment are the most common predisposing factors, C. albicans is the etiologic agent most frequently found. The widespread reports of fluconazole resistance in Candida species and the selection of non Candida albicans prompted the study of species distribution of vulvovaginal candidiasis and their in vitro susceptibility against current antifungal agents. A total of 314 women with vaginal infection were studied. Yeasts were isolated from 104 patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis. The following species were identified: C. albicans 87.5

, C. glabrata 8.6

and 3.9

included C. krusei, C. famata, C. tropicalis and S. cerevisiae. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for nystatin, isoconazole, fluconazole and ketoconazole, using a broth microdilution method based on NCCLS procedure. Although most of the isolates were C. albicans, the high percentage of C. glabrata recovered suggests the need to identify the yeasts isolated. Fluconazole resistant C. albicans were isolated in 13.46

of the cases. Thus, further studies are required to correlate the possible role of these strains in recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Comparación del trabajo respiratorio en ventilación mandatoria intermitente y ventilación asistida sincronizada por impedancia en lactantes con asistencia respiratoria prolongada / A comparative analysis of respiratory effort between intermitent mandatory ventilation (IMV) and assisted syncrhonized ventilation (ASV) by impedance in infants with prolonged mechanical ventilation

En niños con ARM y EPC existe evidencia de que el trabajo respiratorio (TR) genera un mayor gasto metabólico que podrá limitar la recuperación nutricional y retrasar la extubación. Se ha postulado que la VAS disminuiría el TR en estas condiciones pero los estudios en VAS mediada por flujo o presión demostraron que producen aumento del TR. En cambio la VAS por impedancia podria disminuir el TR al no generar esfuerzo respiratorio para sostener el flujo ventilatorio. Para confirmar esta hipótesis se estudiaron 3 lactantes (peso medio màs DS 2850 más menos 236 grs. edad media 34 más menos 8 días) con ARM prolongada (mayor/igual 20 dias) y EPC. Se estudió el TR por medio de un equipo BICORE de función pulmonar a través de las mediciones de la presión transpulmonar con un balón en el tercio inferior del esófago y de los volúmenes respiratorios. Se midio el TR en dos períodos sucesivos de 30 minutos en VMI y VAS por impedancia. Se observó un descenso significativo del TR del paciente en VAS por impedancia, permaneciendo estable los otros parámetros de evolución de la función ventilatoria. Conclusiones: 1- La Vas por impedancia produce disminución significativa del TR del paciente. 2- Este hecho prodría contribuir clinicamente a un mejor tratamiento nutricional de los lactantes con EPC y ARM prolongada y a una extubación más rápida. 3- Se requieren estudios controlados para validar la hipótesis.

[Familial combined hyperlipidemia with particularly severe and premature arteriosclerotic lesions. Description of a case]. / Iperlipidemia familiare combinata con lesioni arteriosclerotiche particolarmente gravi e precoci. Descrizione di un caso.

The case is reported of a 44 year old male patient admitted to our Department for left pyramidal hemisyndrome. Familial anamnesis was positive for premature cardiovascular complications and the patient, who was a heavy smoker, had suffered from arterial hypertension and claudicatio intermittens for 10 years. Laboratory investigations showed increased plasma levels of triglycerides, cholesterol and apolipoprotein B, with a sharp decrease in apo A/apo B ratio. Ultrasound and angiographic scans showed severe and diffuse atherosclerotic lesions. A diagnosis was made of familial combined hyperlipidemia and treatment was begun with simvastatin, which produced a progressive normalization of lipidic picture, without any effect of the symptoms related to lower limb occlusive arteriopathy. Two apparently healthy sisters of the patient have also been studied. The first was found to be affected by familial combined hyperlipidemia with isolated increase in cholesterol plasma levels, the second was perfectly normal. This case demonstrates that subjects with similar alterations in lipidic metabolism may present with completely different clinical pictures, even within the same inherited disorder. Different hypotheses are discussed to explain the particularly severe and precocious atherosclerotic lesions of our patient: sex, smoking habit and arterial hypertension, which would have been caused, at least in part, by the observed congenital malformation of renal circulation.

[Levels of different metabolites of arachidonic acid in synovial fluid of patients with arthrosis or rheumatoid arthritis]. / Livelli di differenti metaboliti dell'acido arachidonico nel liquido sinoviale di pazienti con artrosi o con artrite reumatoide.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical and experimental evidence suggests that arachidonic acid metabolism through lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase pathways may play an important role in the pathogenesis of both inflammatory and degenerative joint diseases. The aim of the present paper was to measure the levels of different arachidonate metabolites in arthrosis or rheumatoid joint effusions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied synovial fluids from 22 patients with arthrosis and 8 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The levels of TxB2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha LTB4 and LTC4 were measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: The levels of the different arachidonate metabolites were higher in patients with rheumatoid arthritis than in those with arthrosis and the differences were always statistically significant, except for TxB2 values. Furthermore, in patients with arthrosis the levels of such metabolites were not significantly correlated with one another, with the exception of LTB4 and LTC4 values, while in patients with rheumatoid arthritis these levels were directly and significantly correlated. CONCLUSIONS: In inflammatory joint disease levels of arachidonate metabolites are higher and more directly correlated with one another than in degenerative joint disease. Our data may explain the better efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in patients with arthrosis than in those with rheumatoid arthritis and the frequent necessity for steroidal treatment in this last condition.

Programa de entrenamiento en reanimación cardiopulmonar pediátrica: una nueva estrategia docente / A program for training in pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation. A new teaching strategy

Objetivo: Comunicar losresultados obtenidos en la enseñanza de la resucitación cardiopulmonar pediátrica a través de un programa de entrenamiento teórico-práctico. Material y Métodos: El curso se dicta en dos días y está dividido en 4 módulos: Prevención del Paro, Vía Aérea, Accesos Vasculares, Arritmias y Drogas, seguidos de una Sesión Integradora (esquema tomado del Pediatric Advanced Life Support, PALS). Antes de comenzar el mismo se entrega la bibliografía y se toma un pretest para estimular la lectura del material. Las exposiciones teóricas son breves para destinar el mayor tiempo a la práctica. Esta es realizada con simuladores que permiten la adquisición de las habilidades y destrezas necesarias y enfatizada con la presentación de casos clínicos. Al finalizar el curso se toma una evaluación teórica a través del método de opción múltiple y si la misma es aprobada, un exámen práctico con presentación de casos clínicos en tiempo real. También se realizó una encuesta anónima para evaluar el grado de satisfacción de los alumnos. Resultados: Desde Junio de 1993 se realizaron 9 cursos en los que participaron 146 médicos residentes y becarios del hospital con la siguiente distribución por años: 27 (18,4 por ciento) de 1er año, 34 (23,2 por ciento) de 2do año, 62 (42,4 por ciento) de3er año, 6 (4 por ciento) de 4to y 17 (11,6 por ciento) otros (médicos asistentes, concurrentes, etc.). Todos ellos aprobaron el exámen teórico y solo 10 reprobaron (6,8 por ciento) el práctico. No hubo diferencias significativas entre losresultados de los exámenes y el año de residencia. Del análisis de la encuesta surge que el grado de satisfacción discriminado por módulos es muy alto (>80 porciento) para prevención, vía aérea, accesos vasculares y sesión integradora y menor (63 por ciento) para el de arritmias. Conclusiones: La estrategia docente utilizada que combina la información teórica con la práctica ha demostrado ser unrecurso muy útil (AU)##

Programa de entrenamiento en reanimación cardiopulmonar pediátrica: una nueva estrategia docente / A program for training in pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation. A new teaching strategy

Objetivo: Comunicar losresultados obtenidos en la enseñanza de la resucitación cardiopulmonar pediátrica a través de un programa de entrenamiento teórico-práctico. Material y Métodos: El curso se dicta en dos días y está dividido en 4 módulos: Prevención del Paro, Vía Aérea, Accesos Vasculares, Arritmias y Drogas, seguidos de una Sesión Integradora (esquema tomado del Pediatric Advanced Life Support, PALS). Antes de comenzar el mismo se entrega la bibliografía y se toma un pretest para estimular la lectura del material. Las exposiciones teóricas son breves para destinar el mayor tiempo a la práctica. Esta es realizada con simuladores que permiten la adquisición de las habilidades y destrezas necesarias y enfatizada con la presentación de casos clínicos. Al finalizar el curso se toma una evaluación teórica a través del método de opción múltiple y si la misma es aprobada, un exámen práctico con presentación de casos clínicos en tiempo real. También se realizó una encuesta anónima para evaluar el grado de satisfacción de los alumnos. Resultados: Desde Junio de 1993 se realizaron 9 cursos en los que participaron 146 médicos residentes y becarios del hospital con la siguiente distribución por años: 27 (18,4 por ciento) de 1er año, 34 (23,2 por ciento) de 2do año, 62 (42,4 por ciento) de3er año, 6 (4 por ciento) de 4to y 17 (11,6 por ciento) otros (médicos asistentes, concurrentes, etc.). Todos ellos aprobaron el exámen teórico y solo 10 reprobaron (6,8 por ciento) el práctico. No hubo diferencias significativas entre losresultados de los exámenes y el año de residencia. Del análisis de la encuesta surge que el grado de satisfacción discriminado por módulos es muy alto (>80 porciento) para prevención, vía aérea, accesos vasculares y sesión integradora y menor (63 por ciento) para el de arritmias. Conclusiones: La estrategia docente utilizada que combina la información teórica con la práctica ha demostrado ser unrecurso muy útil (AU)

Verapamil inhibits to different extents agonist-induced Ca2+ transients in human tumor cells and in vitro tumor cell growth.

Platelet agonists are known to contribute to the regulation of cytoplasmic Ca2+ levels in tumor cells and this property could be relevant in the stimulation of cell proliferation. In the present study we investigated the ability of ADP, collagen and thrombin to increase cytoplasmic Ca2+ levels in different human tumor cell lines (mesothelioma, DND-1A melanoma, HeLa uterine carcinoma) and we analyzed the effect of the calcium channel blocker verapamil on Ca2+ fluxes and on in vitro tumor cell growth. ADP was able to induce a transient increase in the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration in tumor cells from all lines; collagen showed this effect in mesothelioma cells and in HeLa cells, and thrombin was effective only in mesothelioma cells. Verapamil inhibited Ca2+ fluxes induced by the effective agonists in a dose-dependent manner. Values of IC50 for inhibition of ADP-induced Ca2+ transients were 63.5 microM in mesothelioma cells, 97.3 microM in DND-1A cells and 93.5 microM in HeLa cells, while those for inhibition of collagen-induced Ca2+ movements were slightly higher (170.2 microM in mesothelioma cells and 112.3 microM in HeLa cells) and the value of IC50 for inhibition of thrombin-induced Ca2+ fluxes (evaluated only in mesothelioma cells) was lower (22.5 microM). The drug dose-dependently also inhibited the in vitro growth of tumor cells; values of IC50 for growth inhibition were 21.8 microM in mesothelioma cells, 9.1 microM in DND-1A cells and 6.4 microM in HeLa cells, suggesting that the antiproliferative activity of verapamil was partly Ca(2+)-independent. These data may be of interest to elucidate the mechanisms of the two-way interactions of tumors with the hemostatic system and may help to identify new pharmacologic strategies for their control.

Effect of different platelet agonists on intracellular free Ca++ concentrations in human tumor cells: possible role in tumor growth.

Modulation of cytoplasmic Ca++ concentration is a mechanism common to signal transduction pathways regulating many cellular phenomena, including the interactions of tumors with the hemostatic system. We have investigated the pro-aggregating and pro-coagulant activities of human tumor cell lines cultured in vitro and the ability of different platelet agonists to induce Ca++ transients in these cells. Cells of a malignant mesothelioma line activated platelets by a thrombin-dependent mechanism; on the contrary, HeLa cells, derived from a uterine cervical cancer, possessed ADP-dependent pro-aggregating activity, and DND-IA melanoma cells did not stimulate platelet aggregation. All cell lines showed a tissue-factor-like procoagulant property, more pronounced in mesothelioma cells. Furthermore, ADP was able to induce a transient increase in cytoplasmic Ca++ concentration in tumor cells from all lines; collagen showed this effect in mesothelioma cells and in HeLa cells, and thrombin was effective only in mesothelioma cells. PAF never induced Ca++ fluxes in any of the cell lines investigated. Finally, the calcium-channel blocker verapamil inhibited agonist-induced Ca++ transients in tumor cells and in vitro tumor-cell growth. These data may help to identify new possible mechanisms of the 2-way interaction of tumors with the hemostatic system.

In vitro effect of bombesin-related peptides on the procoagulant activity of alveolar macrophages.

Bombesin-related peptides (BRP) are present in the lung during foetal life and are mitogenic for normal bronchial epithelial cells, pulmonary fibroblasts, and small-cell lung carcinoma cell lines. Increased levels of BRP have been described in the adult lung of cigarette smokers and in smoking related lung diseases. BRP have also been involved in the network of neuroimmune interactions, having been shown to modulate the phagocytic function of monocytes and alveolar macrophages. BRP have recently been shown to modulate the release of procoagulant activity (PCA) by human monocytes and alveolar macrophages after a 24 h culture. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of bombesin on cell-associated PCA of alveolar macrophages (AMs) obtained from asymptomatic subjects. In basal conditions, AMs were found to possess a low procoagulant activity, that was not affected by their preincubation (4 h at 37 degrees C) with phorbol myristate acetate (1 microgram-mL-1). On the contrary, endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide (LPS)) induced a significant increase of procoagulant activity of macrophages when used at a concentration of 1 microgram.mL-1, in the same experimental conditions; whilst a lower (1 ng.mL-1) concentration of LPS nonsignificantly enhanced cell-associated PCA. Treatment of AMs with synthetic bombesin (BN) alone (10(-6) to 10(-10) M) did not enhance cell-associated PCA, whilst a significant effect was seen when BN was added to the lower concentration of LPS (BN 10(-6) M+LPS 1 ng.mL-1: 12.6 U.10(-6) cells; LPS alone 1 ng.mL-1: 7.8 U.10(-6) cells).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Crisis asmática grave en niños: experiencia de seis años en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos y seguimiento a largo plazo / A six years experience in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and long term follow up

El objetivo del trabajo fue analizar la experiencia de 6 años en los pacientes con crisis asmática admitidos en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) del Hospital de Pediatría J. P. Garrahan en relación a: historia previa, evolución en la UCI y seguimiento a largo plazo. Para ello se revisaron las historias clínicas de los niños mayores de 2 años internados con diagnóstico de crisis asmática entre agosto de 1987 y febrero de 1993. Se registraron 27 episodios de crisis asmática en 25 pacientes (17 varones, 8 mujeres) siendo la mediana de la edad 66 meses (r 24-180). El comienzo de la enfermedad fue antes del año en el 40 por ciento de los pacientes. El 64 por ciento tenía asma severo. Los motivos más frecuentes de ingreso en UCI fueron la solicitud de ARM (36 por ciento) y el score de Wood > 5 (33 por ciento). Solo el 37 por ciento de los pacientes presentó una PaCO2 > 45 torr en el momento de la admisión. Once pacientes (41 por ciento) requirieron ARM siendo la claudicación respiratoria inminente su indicación más frecuente (48 por ciento). La duración promedio de la ARM fue de 40 hs (r 24-72). La hipoventilación controlada se utilizó como estrategia de ARM. Ningún paciente requirió intubación endotraqueal de emergencia por paro cardiorrespiratorio o apnea. No se registraron episodios de barotrauma, ni mortalidad en esta serie de enfermos. El valor del VEF, fue normal al alta en el 80 por ciento de los pacientes. Doce pacientes fueron seguidos en el Servicio de Neumonología del Hospital Garrahan y al cabo del tercer año de evolución 7 mejoraron su enfermedad en forma manifiesta.

Crisis asmática grave en niños: experiencia de seis años en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos y seguimiento a largo plazo / A six years experience in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and long term follow up

El objetivo del trabajo fue analizar la experiencia de 6 años en los pacientes con crisis asmática admitidos en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) del Hospital de Pediatría J. P. Garrahan en relación a: historia previa, evolución en la UCI y seguimiento a largo plazo. Para ello se revisaron las historias clínicas de los niños mayores de 2 años internados con diagnóstico de crisis asmática entre agosto de 1987 y febrero de 1993. Se registraron 27 episodios de crisis asmática en 25 pacientes (17 varones, 8 mujeres) siendo la mediana de la edad 66 meses (r 24-180). El comienzo de la enfermedad fue antes del año en el 40 por ciento de los pacientes. El 64 por ciento tenía asma severo. Los motivos más frecuentes de ingreso en UCI fueron la solicitud de ARM (36 por ciento) y el score de Wood > 5 (33 por ciento). Solo el 37 por ciento de los pacientes presentó una PaCO2 > 45 torr en el momento de la admisión. Once pacientes (41 por ciento) requirieron ARM siendo la claudicación respiratoria inminente su indicación más frecuente (48 por ciento). La duración promedio de la ARM fue de 40 hs (r 24-72). La hipoventilación controlada se utilizó como estrategia de ARM. Ningún paciente requirió intubación endotraqueal de emergencia por paro cardiorrespiratorio o apnea. No se registraron episodios de barotrauma, ni mortalidad en esta serie de enfermos. El valor del VEF, fue normal al alta en el 80 por ciento de los pacientes. Doce pacientes fueron seguidos en el Servicio de Neumonología del Hospital Garrahan y al cabo del tercer año de evolución 7 mejoraron su enfermedad en forma manifiesta. (AU)

In vitro Effect of Verapamil on Platelet Activation Induced by ADP, Collagen or Thrombin.

We studied the effects in Vitro of the calcium channel blocker verapamil (0.1, 0.2 or 0.3 mM) on platelet aggregation, on cytoplasmic Ca(+ +) levels and on TxB(2) production after activation of platelets with adenosine diphosphate (ADP) (100 µM), collagen (20 µg/ml) or thrombin (1 U/ml). A Platelet Ionized Calcium Aggregometer was used and washed, aequorin loaded platelets were employed. The drug was able to inhibit similarly and always significantly aggregation, Ca(+ +) fluxes and TxB(2) production when collagen was the agonist. Furthermore, inhibition of aggregation and TxB(2) production was significant at all the concentrations tested when platelets were activated by ADP or thrombin, but in this case inhibition of Ca (+ +) fluxes was observed only with the higher concentrations of the drug (0.2 or 0.3 mM). Hence, with these two last agonists inhibition of Ca(+ +) movements was less pronounced than inhibition of aggregation or TxB(2) production. These data suggest that platelet activation by collagen depends directly and almost exclusively on Ca(+ +) fluxes through biological membranes, while activation by ADP or thrombin is less strictly related to Ca(+ +) movements. Indeed, with these last two agonists verapamil may inhibit platelet activation also by calcium-independent mechanism(s).

Current concepts in coronary thrombolysis.

Thrombolytic therapy has become standard care in treating acute myocardial infarction. Fibrinolytic drugs such as streptokinase, APSAC and urokinase are non fibrin specific, and induce systemic activation of the fibrinolytic process, while t-PA and prourokinase are fibrin specific since they are able to activate mainly fibrin bound plasminogen. Both groups of thrombolytics exert different and opposing effects on the hemostatic balance: indeed, they have antithrombotic as well as prothrombotic properties, and this may be important for explaining therapeutic failures or reocclusions. New strategies have been considered or are under investigation for further improving the already excellent efficacy of thrombolytic treatment in myocardial infarction: combined administration of fibrinolytic agents, thrombus-targeted thrombolytic drugs, association with other drugs both effective and ineffective on the hemostatic process. At present, however, the first priority still seems to be a continuing effort to increase the percentage of patients treated with thrombolytics, since the benefits of this therapy have already been clearly demonstrated.

[Neurocysticercosis and epilepsy. Description of a clinical case]. / Neurocisticercosi ed epilessia. Descrizione di un caso clinico.

Since 1985 infection by suin tapeworm Taenia Solium seems to have disappeared in Italy, but patients may still exist which have contracted many years ago the disease that has followed its natural course. We report the case of an Italian, 50 year-old-man with neurocysticercosis presenting with generalized seizures. CT and MR showed typical calcific and cystic lesions in the brain. Rx scans of muscles revealed the presence of fusisorm calcific lesions suggestive for cysticercosis and the serum levels of specific antibodies confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was treated with albendazole with no regression of cerebral lesions after one month, but simultaneous treatment with antiepileptic drugs was able to control completely neurologic symptoms.