Encephalitis associated with human herpesvirus-7 infection in an immunocompetent adult.

BACKGROUND: Primary Human herpesvirus-7 (HHV-7) infection usually occurs during childhood and causes several clinical manifestations: mainly exanthem subitum (roseola infantum), followed by a lifelong latent state with possible reactivation in case of immunodeficiency. Nevertheless, some considerably different approaches exist regarding the natural history of HHV-7 and the possible consequences of HHV-7 infection in immunocompetent adults. In particular, little is known about its pathogenic role in central nervous system (CNS) disease in nonimmunosuppressed adults. Specifically, in case of encephalitis, it is important to distinguish between infectious encephalitis and postinfectious encephalomyelitis for the management of patients CASE PRESENTATION: We describe here a case of encephalitis associated to human herpesvirus-7 with associated polymyeloradiculopathy in an immunocompetent patient which may contribute to the delineation of the approach to a patient profile with a similar clinical presentation and evolution to those presented in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: This case may alert clinicians to consider this specific etiology in the differential diagnosis of encephalopathy in patients with suspected infectious encephalitis who do not respond to acyclovir or in patients who develop acute polymyeloradiculopathy, considering that HHV-7 may be a pathological factor and that a timely diagnosis is crucial for the early administration of specific treatment.

[Efficacy of a training program on sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome aimed at primary care physicians]. / Eficacia de un plan de formación en atención primaria sobre el síndrome de apneas-hipopneas durante el sueño.

OBJECTIVE: The level of clinical suspicion of sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) among primary care physicians is low. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of a primary care training program on the quality and quantity of referrals made due to suspected SAHS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A group of 16 primary care physicians were offered the option of participating in a training program consisting of 2 talks-workshops, the provision of up-to-date information on SAHS and a form for making referrals according to an established protocol, and the opportunity to contact the sleep department at our hospital directly. Twenty-one primary care physicians who did not receive training served as the control group. We gathered data on the quantity and quality of referrals made by both groups for the period January through June 2005 and 2006, and recorded the number of both SAHS diagnoses made and patients prescribed treatment with continuous positive airway pressure. Data were analyzed in function of the primary care population assigned to each group. RESULTS: The training program was completed by 81.3% of the physicians. The number of referrals made by the training group increased 2.38-fold after the program (intergroup comparison, P=.0001). There was also a 2.36-fold increase in the percentage of cases of SAHS detected in the population (P=.0008), a 1.85-fold increase in the percentage of serious cases detected (P=.001), and a 2-fold increase in the number of patients prescribed continuous positive airway pressure (P=.009). Agreement between the data gathered by the physicians and the sleep specialist was significantly higher in the training group for all the items studied. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a training program on SAHS aimed at primary care physicians improved both the quantity and quality of referrals made due to suspected SAHS.

Eficacia de un plan de formación en atención primaria sobre el síndrome de apneas-hipopneas durante el sueño / Efficacy of a training program on sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome aimed at primary care physicians

Objetivo: El grado de sospecha clínica del síndrome de apneas-hipopneas durante el sueño (SAHS) entre los médicos de atención primaria (MAP) es bajo. El propósito del presente trabajo ha sido analizar el impacto de un plan de formación dirigido a los MAP en la calidad y cantidad de las derivaciones realizadas por sospecha de SAHS. Material y métodos: Se ofreció a un grupo de 16 MAP un plan de formación consistente en 2 charlas-talleres, información actualizada sobre SAHS, una hoja de derivación protocolizada y contacto directo con la Unidad de Sueño. Un grupo de 21 MAP no formados sirvió como grupo control. Desde enero a junio de 2005 y 2006 se recogieron de ambos grupos datos referentes a la cantidad y calidad de las derivaciones realizadas según la población asignada a cada grupo, así como diagnósticos de SAHS y número de tratamientos prescritos con presión positiva continua de la vía aérea. Resultados: El 81,3% de los MAP siguió el plan de formación. El porcentaje de población asignada que fue derivada a la Unidad de Sueño aumentó en 2,38 veces tras el plan de formación en el grupo que la recibió (p intergrupos = 0,0001). Hubo un incremento de 2,36 veces en el porcentaje de población diagnosticada de SAHS (p intergrupos = 0,008), de 1,85 veces en SAHS graves (p intergrupos = 0,001) y de 2 veces en tratamientos prescritos con presión positiva continua de la vía aérea (p intergrupos = 0,009). La concordancia entre la información recogida por los MAP y por el especialista mejoró de forma significativa en todos los ítems estudiados. Conclusiones: La implantación de un plan de formación sobre SAHS dirigido a MAP resultó eficaz en la mejora de la cantidad y calidad de las derivaciones realizadas por sospecha de SAHS

Objective: The level of clinical suspicion of sleep apnea­hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) among primary care physicians is low. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of a primary care training program on the quality and quantity of referrals made due to suspected SAHS. Material and Methods: A group of 16 primary care physicians were offered the option of participating in a training program consisting of 2 talks­workshops, the provision of up-to-date information on SAHS and a form for making referrals according to an established protocol, and the opportunity to contact the sleep department at our hospital directly. Twenty-one primary care physicians who did not receive training served as the control group. We gathered data on the quantity and quality of referrals made by both groups for the period January through June 2005 and 2006, and recorded the number of both SAHS diagnoses made and patients prescribed treatment with continuous positive airway pressure. Data were analyzed in function of the primary care population assigned to each group. Results: The training program was completed by 81.3% of the physicians. The number of referrals made by the training group increased 2.38-fold after the program (intergroup comparison, P=.0001). There was also a 2.36-fold increase in the percentage of cases of SAHS detected in the population (P=.0008), a 1.85-fold increase in the percentage of serious cases detected (P=.001), and a 2-fold increase in the number of patients prescribed continuous positive airway pressure (P=.009). Agreement between the data gathered by the physicians and the sleep specialist was significantly higher in the training group for all the items studied. Conclusions: The implementation of a training program on SAHS aimed at primary care physicians improved both the quantity and quality of referrals made due to suspected SAHS

Macrosomía fetal. Resultados obstétricos y neonatales / Fetal macrosomia. Obstetric and neonatal outcomes

Objetivos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo y longitudinal de los partos de los recién nacidos (RN) que pesaron más de 3.999 g en el servicio de Obstetricia y Ginecología del Hospital Universitario Materno Infantil de Canarias, durante el período comprendido entre el 1 de enero de 1998 y el 31 de diciembre de 2002. Sujetos y métodos: Se recogieron los datos de las historias clínicas maternas y de los RN, y se procesaron estadísticamente un total de 2.037 casos cuyos RN pesaron 4.000 g o más. Posteriormente se evaluaron: la edad, la paridad, la edad gestacional, la afección durante la gestación, el inicio y la vía del parto, el sexo del RN, puntuación en la prueba de Apgar, el pH arterial, el traslado a la unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales, la mortalidad fetal y neonatal, las complicaciones hemorrágicas y los traumatismos del canal del parto, y se compararon con el grupo control de RN de menos de 4.000 g en ese período. Resultados: La incidencia de macrosomía fue del 5,3%, el 79,4% entre los 17 y los 34 años de edad. El 54,4% de las pacientes eran multíparas. Un 74,6% de los partos fue a término, el 66,7% de inicio espontáneo y el 64,1% de finalización eutócica. La mayoría de los RN fueron varones, y un 67,3% tuvo buenos resultados perinatales. En el grupo de macrosomías hubo las siguientes complicaciones: el 74,07% presentó traumatismos del canal del parto; el 25,97%, afección gestacional; el 2,95%, complicaciones hemorrágicas, y el 2,061%, distocia de hombros. Conclusiones: En las tablas 1, 2, 3 y 4 se recogen los datos finales. En éstos, se evidencian diferencias estadísticamente significativas, con una p < 0,001, en los siguientes datos: edad mayor de 34 años en el momento del parto, multiparidad, gestación cronológicamente prolongada, sexo fetal varón, más posibilidades de inducción de parto, parto finalizado mediante cesárea, mayor tasa de ingresos de recién nacidos en la unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales y mayor mortalidad perinatal ampliada

Objective: A longitudinal descriptive retrospective study was performed of neonates weighing more than 3,999 g born in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Service of the University Maternity Hospital of the Canary Islands (Spain) from January 1st, 1992 to December 31st, 2002. Subjects and methods: Data were taken from the medical records of mothers and newborn infants. Statistical analysis was performed of 2,037 newborns weighing 4,000 g or more. Subsequently, the following variables were analyzed: age at delivery, parity, gestational age, pregnancy-related conditions, onset and route of delivery, sex of the infant, Apgar score, fetal artery pH, intensive care unit admission, fetal and neonatal mortality, hemorrhagic complications, and birth canal trauma. These data were compared with those in a control group of infants weighing less than 4,000 g at birth and delivered in the same period. Results: The incidence of macrosomia was 5.3%. Most of the mothers (79.4%) were aged between 17 and 34 years old and 54.4% were multiparous. Three-quarters (74.6%) of deliveries were at term, with spontaneous onset in 66.7% and normal delivery in 64.1%. Most of the newborns were boys (67.3%) with good perinatal outcomes. In the macrosomic group, birth canal trauma was found in 74.07%, pregnancy-related conditions in 25.97%, hemorrhagic complications in 2.95%, and shoulder dystocia in 2.061%. Conclusions: In tables 1, 2, 3 and 4 are related the final data. Statistically significant differences with p less than 0.001 are demonstrated in the following data: older age of 34 years at the time of delivery, multiparity, gestation chronological prolonged, male fetal gender, delivery induction, rates of cesaran section, neonatal income in intensive care unit, and extended perinatal mortality

Manejo del asma grave en pacientes gestantes / Management of severe asthma in pregnant women

El asma es una de las afecciones crónicas más frecuentes en mujeres gestantes; normalmente, es una condición que con el tratamiento adecuado se controla bien durante el embarazo. Describimos el caso de una gestante en el tercer trimestre que presentó una crisis de broncospasmo que derivó en un estatus asmático que complicó seriamente su vida. Posteriormente, describimos las implicaciones y el manejo del asma grave en la mujer embarazada

Asthma is one of the most frequent chronic diseases in pregnant women. With appropriate treatment, this condition can normally be well controlled during pregnancy. We describe a woman in the third trimester of pregnancy who suffered an attack of bronchospasm leading to status asthmaticus, which jeopardized the patient's life. We describe the implications and management of severe asthma in pregnant women