[Evaluation of serology as a diagnostic method for Helicobacter pylori infection in the local population of Guayaquil]. / Valoración de la serología como método diagnóstico de Helicobacter pylori en la población local de la ciudad de Guayaquil.

INTRODUCTION: The infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), and the diagnostic efficacy of the serologic tests has certain variability among the different geographic regions. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present work was to find the local validation of serological methods for diagnosis of H. pylori infection and to determine the best cutoff value for the local population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight patients were evaluated, 27 males and 21 females, with a mean age of 29.2 years. On each patient, 3 tests for H. pylori diagnosis were performed: IgG serology, IgA serology and histology. We performed IgG and IgA serologic test for H. pylori infection and a histological examination for each patient. Efficacy parameters as well as the ROC curve were obtained for the IgG and IgA serology using histology as the gold standard. RESULTS: The cutoff point with the highest efficacy for IgG serology was 16 U/ml (sensitivity 81%, specificity 65%, positive predictive value 81%, negative predictive value 65%, and accuracy 75%), and for IgA serology was 17 U/ml (sensitivity 61%, specificity 53%, positive predictive value 70%, negative predictive value 43%, and accuracy 58%). The area under the curve was 67.1% (CI 95%: 50 to 84.1) and 54.4% (CI 95%: 38.3 to 72.5) for IgG and IgA respectively. CONCLUSION: The serology is a valuable tool in our population with high prevalence of H. pylori, especially due to its low cost and easy performance, but a reduction ofthe cutoff value was necessary to obtain more sensibility and a more adequate identification of true positives cases.

Valoración de la serología como método diagnóstico de Helicobacter pylori en la población local de la ciudad de Guayaquil / Evaluation of serology as a diagnostic method for Helicobacter pylori infection in the local population of Guayaquil

Introducción: la infección con Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) y la eficacia de las pruebas serológicas para su diagnóstico presentan variabilidad entre diferentes regiones geográficas. Objetivo: el objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar la eficacia de la serología como diagnóstico de infección por H. pylori y el mejor valor de corte para la población local. Materiales y métodos: se evaluaron 48 pacientes, 27 hombres y 21 mujeres, con una edad promedio de 29.2 años. En cada paciente se realizaron 3 pruebas para el diagnóstico de H. pylori: erología dosaje de anticuerpos tipo IgG (MÉTODO), serología dosaje de anticuerpos de tipo IgA (MÉ- TODO) e histología. Se obtuvieron los parámetros de eficacia y la curva de rendimiento diagnóstico de la serología IgG e IgA utilizando a la histología como estándar ideal. Resultados: el punto de corte de mayor eficacia para la serología IgG fue de 16 U/ml [sensibilidad 81%, especificidad 65%, valor predictivo positivo (VPP) 81%, valor predictivo negativo (VPN) 65% y exactitud diagnóstica 75%] y para la serología IgA fue de 17 U/ml (sensibilidad 61%, especificidad 53%, valor redictivo positivo 70%, valor predictivo negativo 43% y exactitud diagnóstica 58%). El área bajo la curva fue de 67% (IC 95%: 50 a 84) y de 54.4% (IC 95%: 38 a 72) para la IgG e IgA respectivamente. Conclusiones: la serología es una herramienta valiosa para el diagnóstico de infección por H. pylori en nuestra oblación donde hay alta prevalencia, especialmente por su bajo costo y fácil realización, pero fue necesaria una disminución del valor de corte sugerido para obtener mayor eficacia diagnóstica.

Introduction: The infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), and the diagnostic efficacy of the serologic tests has certain variability among the different geographic regions. Objective: The objective of the present work was to find the local validation of serological methods for diagnosis of H. pylori infection and to determine the best cutoff value for the local population. Materials and methods: Forty-eight patients were evaluated, 27 males and 21 females, with a mean age of 29.2 years. On each patient, 3 tests for H. pylori diagnosis were performed: IgG serology, IgA serology, and histology. We performed IgG and IgA serologic test for H. pylori infection and a histological examination for each patient. Efficacy parameters as well as the ROC curve were obtained for the IgG and IgA serology using histology as the gold standard. Results: The cutoff point with the highest efficacy for IgG serology was 16 U/ml (sensitivity 81%, specificity 65%, positive predictive value 81%, negative predictive value 65%, and accuracy 75%), and for IgA serology was 17 U/ml (sensitivity 61%, specificity 53%, positive predictive value 70%, negative predictive value 43%, and accuracy 58%). The area under the curve was 67.1% (CI 95%: 50 to 84.1) and 54.4% (CI 95%: 38.3 to 72.5) for IgG and IgA respectively. Conclusion: The serology is a valuable tool in our population with high prevalence of H. pylori, especially due to its low cost and easy performance, but a reduction of the cutoff value was necessary to obtain more sensibility and a more adequate identification of true positives cases.

Valoración de la serología como método diagnóstico de Helicobacter pylori en la población local de la ciudad de Guayaquil / Evaluation of serology as a diagnostic method for Helicobacter pylori infection in the local population of Guayaquil

Introducción: la infección con Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) y la eficacia de las pruebas serológicas para su diagnóstico presentan variabilidad entre diferentes regiones geográficas. Objetivo: el objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar la eficacia de la serología como diagnóstico de infección por H. pylori y el mejor valor de corte para la población local. Materiales y métodos: se evaluaron 48 pacientes, 27 hombres y 21 mujeres, con una edad promedio de 29.2 años. En cada paciente se realizaron 3 pruebas para el diagnóstico de H. pylori: erología dosaje de anticuerpos tipo IgG (METODO), serología dosaje de anticuerpos de tipo IgA (ME- TODO) e histología. Se obtuvieron los parámetros de eficacia y la curva de rendimiento diagnóstico de la serología IgG e IgA utilizando a la histología como estándar ideal. Resultados: el punto de corte de mayor eficacia para la serología IgG fue de 16 U/ml [sensibilidad 81%, especificidad 65%, valor predictivo positivo (VPP) 81%, valor predictivo negativo (VPN) 65% y exactitud diagnóstica 75%] y para la serología IgA fue de 17 U/ml (sensibilidad 61%, especificidad 53%, valor redictivo positivo 70%, valor predictivo negativo 43% y exactitud diagnóstica 58%). El área bajo la curva fue de 67% (IC 95%: 50 a 84) y de 54.4% (IC 95%: 38 a 72) para la IgG e IgA respectivamente. Conclusiones: la serología es una herramienta valiosa para el diagnóstico de infección por H. pylori en nuestra oblación donde hay alta prevalencia, especialmente por su bajo costo y fácil realización, pero fue necesaria una disminución del valor de corte sugerido para obtener mayor eficacia diagnóstica.(AU)

Introduction: The infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), and the diagnostic efficacy of the serologic tests has certain variability among the different geographic regions. Objective: The objective of the present work was to find the local validation of serological methods for diagnosis of H. pylori infection and to determine the best cutoff value for the local population. Materials and methods: Forty-eight patients were evaluated, 27 males and 21 females, with a mean age of 29.2 years. On each patient, 3 tests for H. pylori diagnosis were performed: IgG serology, IgA serology, and histology. We performed IgG and IgA serologic test for H. pylori infection and a histological examination for each patient. Efficacy parameters as well as the ROC curve were obtained for the IgG and IgA serology using histology as the gold standard. Results: The cutoff point with the highest efficacy for IgG serology was 16 U/ml (sensitivity 81%, specificity 65%, positive predictive value 81%, negative predictive value 65%, and accuracy 75%), and for IgA serology was 17 U/ml (sensitivity 61%, specificity 53%, positive predictive value 70%, negative predictive value 43%, and accuracy 58%). The area under the curve was 67.1% (CI 95%: 50 to 84.1) and 54.4% (CI 95%: 38.3 to 72.5) for IgG and IgA respectively. Conclusion: The serology is a valuable tool in our population with high prevalence of H. pylori, especially due to its low cost and easy performance, but a reduction of the cutoff value was necessary to obtain more sensibility and a more adequate identification of true positives cases.(AU)

[Biliary stenosis, hepatitis A and valsartan: multifactorial hepatotoxicity in a surgical patient]. / Estenosis biliar, hepatitis A y valsartán: hepatotoxicidad multifactorial en un paciente quirúrgico.

We present the case of a male patient with a history of hypertension who developed acute lithiasic cholecystitis. Shortly before the patient's admission, valsartan was prescribed to control his blood pressure. Surgery was performed without complications, but during the immediate postoperative period he developed marked jaundice, light colored stools, dark urine, and malaise. A cholangiogram showed a mild stricture of the common bile duct, and laboratory analyses revealed IgM antibodies against hepatitis A virus. Moreover, the patient reported the he continued to take valsartan. The patient improved with conservative treatment without any further complaints. In patients with jaundice after biliary surgery, exhaustive studies must be carried out before reintervention is performed, including investigation of the administration of drugs with potential hepatotoxic effects.

Estenosis biliar, hepatitis A y valsartán: hepatotoxicidad multifactorial en un paciente quirúrgico / Biliary stenosis, hepatitis A and valsartan: multifactorial hepatotoxicity in a surgical patient

Presentamos el caso de un paciente varón con antecedentes de hipertensión arterial, que desarrolló un cuadro de colecistitis litiásica aguda. Poco antes de su ingreso, al paciente se le prescribió valsartán para el control de su presión arterial. Se le intervino quirúrgicamente sin complicaciones, pero durante su postoperatorio inmediato presentó ictericia marcada, acolia, coluria y malestar general. Los estudios colangiográficos mostraron una estenosis leve del conducto colédoco y los análisis de laboratorio mostraron presencia de anticuerpos IgM contra hepatitis A; además, el paciente refirió que había continuado con el consumo de valsartán. El paciente mejoró con tratamiento conservador y no referió molestias en los controles ulteriores. En un paciente con ictericia tras una cirugía biliar, antes de decidir una reintervención es necesario un estudio diagnóstico exhaustivo que incluya el seguimiento de la toma de medicamentos con potenciales efectos hepatotóxicos (AU)

We present the case of a male patient with a history of hypertension who developed acute lithiasic cholecystitis. Shortly before the patient's admission, valsartan was prescribed to control his blood pressure. Surgery was performed without complications, but during the immediate postoperative period he developed marked jaundice, light colored stools, dark urine, and malaise. A cholangiogram showed a mild stricture of the common bile duct, and laboratory analyses revealed IgM antibodies against hepatitis A virus. Moreover, the patient reported the he continued to take valsartan. The patient improved with conservative treatment without any further complaints. In patients with jaundice after biliary surgery, exhaustive studies must be carried out before reintervention is performed, including investigation of the administration of drugs with potential hepatotoxic effects (AU)

Ventajas reconocidas de la colecistectomía por minilaparotomía frente a la colecistectomía laparoscópica / Established advantages of minilaparotomy cholecystectomy versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy

No disponible

[Efficacy of stool antigen and serologic tests in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori in Ecuadorian population]. / Eficacia de las pruebas de antigenos en heces y serológica para el diagnóstico de helicobacter pylori en la población ecuatoriana.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness in the Ecuadorian population of 2 non-invasive methods for the detection of the Helicobacter pylori: the stool antigens immunoassay (HpSAg) and the determination IgG serum of'antibodies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty six dyspeptic patients were evaluated. In each, Helicobacter pylori presence was investigated with three methods: histology, HpSAg and serology. Sensibility and specificity values were obtained, as well as the positive and negative predictive values. RESULTS: The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori with the 3 tests was 89.53%. The sensibility, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were: 42.5%, 69.2%, 88.6% and 17.6% with histology; 69.2%, 42.9%, 78.9% and 31% with HpSAg; 64.2%, 47.7%, 81.1% and 27.3% with serology. CONCLUSIONS: In the highly prevalent Ecuadorian setting, HpSAg and serology have relative low sensibility and specificity values. Based on our results, it is necessary to assess for conditions that could alter their results, and strategies to increase the sensibility of these tests, including the histology.

[Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori among the child population of Ecuador]. / Seroprevalencia de Helicobacter pylori en la poblacion infantil Ecuatoriana.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of anti-Helicobacter pylori IgG antibodies among the children population of Ecuador and the possible relation with the presence of recurring gastrointestinal symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children randomly selected from different geographical areas were included and the presence of serum antibodies was tested using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The gastrointestinal symptoms between patients with serum antibodies and those without serum antibodies were analyzed, excluding children who had not been treated for intestinal parasites before. RESULTS: A total of 257 children was studied, with a mean age of 8.3 years (age range between 6 months and 16 years). A seroprevalence of 63.03% was found, the most affected being the children from the Andes mountains, in the range 0 to 4 years old. A significant relation was found between the presence of anti-Hp antibodies and symptoms (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of anti-Helicobacter pylori IgG antibodies among the Ecuadorian children, related with the presence of recurring gastrointestinal symptoms.

Repair of bile duct injuries with Gore-Tex vascular grafts: experimental study in dogs.

Bile duct injury is the most feared complication related to biliary tract operations. The goal of this investigation was to offer an alternative treatment that might prevent this complication. Twelve mongrel dogs, thin-walled FEP-ringed Gore-Tex vascular grafts, and Gore-Tex sutures were used in this study. The dogs were randomized into three groups of four according to the length of time of graft implantation: group 1 = 1 month; group 2 = 2 months; and group 3 = 3 months. During the first part of the study, a biliary injury was induced by ligating the middle choledocus after performing a conventional cholecystectomy. During the second part of the study, biliodigestive and biliobiliary anastomosis were performed using Gore-Tex vascular grafts prior to resection of the stenotic area. Initially, an increase in serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase levels was noted. Two weeks later, after implantation of the grafts, these values returned to normal. Thin-walled FEP-ringed Gore-Tex vascular grafts were found to be useful in the repair of bile duct injuries, especially in complete transections of the common bile duct. The ductility and flexibility of the material allows any type of anastomosis to be performed, especially when bile duct-gut anastomosis is technically difficult.

Gastrostomía endoscópica percutánea (GEP): Dispositivo diseñado reutilizable (NAGEP) en técnica endoscópica de un tiempo. Estudio experimental en perros / Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (GEP): designed reusable device (NAGEP) for one time endoscopic technique. Experimental study in dogs

INTRODUCTION: This aim of our experimental study was to demonstrate the versatility of our designed reusable decive for PEG and its future application in humans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 mongrel dogs received enteral nutrition by a Foley tube placed by a single endoscopic technique using a reusable stainless steel designed decive, three reusable stainless steel designed decive, three reusable stainless steel dilators, an Olympus XQ20 video gastrointestinal endoscope, basic surgical equipment and surgical material. RESULTS: The procedure was successfully performed in all dogs under general anaesthesia. The duration of the whole procedure ranged from 10 to 18 min. The complications regardless by the PEG procedure were minimal. The Foley tube was retained by 15 days. CONCLUSIONS: The application of the stainless steel reusable designed decive for the PEG is safe, and presents several advantages. This technique for PEG placement could be used in the future due the characteristics of the designed device: durable and reusable for unlimited number of procedures.

Gastrostomía endoscópica percutánea (GEP): Dispositivo diseñado reutilizable (NAGEP) en técnica endoscópica de un tiempo. Estudio experimental en perros / Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (GEP): designed reusable device (NAGEP) for one time endoscopic technique. Experimental study in dogs

INTRODUCTION: This aim of our experimental study was to demonstrate the versatility of our designed reusable decive for PEG and its future application in humans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 mongrel dogs received enteral nutrition by a Foley tube placed by a single endoscopic technique using a reusable stainless steel designed decive, three reusable stainless steel designed decive, three reusable stainless steel dilators, an Olympus XQ20 video gastrointestinal endoscope, basic surgical equipment and surgical material. RESULTS: The procedure was successfully performed in all dogs under general anaesthesia. The duration of the whole procedure ranged from 10 to 18 min. The complications regardless by the PEG procedure were minimal. The Foley tube was retained by 15 days. CONCLUSIONS: The application of the stainless steel reusable designed decive for the PEG is safe, and presents several advantages. This technique for PEG placement could be used in the future due the characteristics of the designed device: durable and reusable for unlimited number of procedures. (Au)