Open-Label, Randomized, Multicenter, Phase III Study Comparing Oral Paclitaxel Plus Encequidar Versus Intravenous Paclitaxel in Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer.

PURPOSE: Intravenous paclitaxel (IVpac) is complicated by neuropathy and requires premedication to prevent hypersensitivity-type reactions. Paclitaxel is poorly absorbed orally; encequidar (E), a novel P-glycoprotein pump inhibitor, allows oral absorption. METHODS: A phase III open-label study comparing oral paclitaxel plus E (oPac + E) 205 mg/m2 paclitaxel plus 15 mg E methanesulfonate monohydrate 3 consecutive days per week versus IVpac 175 mg/m2 once every 3 weeks was performed. Women with metastatic breast cancer and adequate organ function, at least 1 year from last taxane, were randomly assigned 2:1 to oPac + E versus IVpac. The primary end point was confirmed radiographic response using RECIST 1.1, assessed by blinded independent central review. Secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Four hundred two patients from Latin America were enrolled (265 oPac + E, 137 IVpac); demographics and prior therapies were balanced. The confirmed response (intent-to-treat) was 36% for oPac + E versus 23% for IVpac (P = .01). The PFS was 8.4 versus 7.4 months, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.768; 95.5% CI, 0.584 to 1.01; P = .046), and the OS was 22.7 versus 16.5 months, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.794; 95.5% CI, 0.607 to 1.037; P = .08). Grade 3-4 adverse reactions were 55% with oPac + E and 53% with IVpac. oPac + E had lower incidence and severity of neuropathy (2% v 15% > grade 2) and alopecia (49% v 62% all grades) than IVpac but more nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and neutropenic complications, particularly in patients with elevated liver enzymes. On-study deaths (8% oPac + E v 9% IVpac) were treatment-related in 3% and 0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: oPac + E increased the confirmed tumor response versus IVpac, with trends in PFS and OS. Neuropathy was less frequent and severe with oPac + E; neutropenic serious infections were increased. Elevated liver enzymes at baseline predispose oPac + E patients to early neutropenia and serious infections (funded by Athenex, Inc; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02594371).

Beta-gonadotropina coriónica humana cualitativa, herramienta diagnóstica de rotura prematura de membranas ovulares en Honduras / Qualitative human beta chorionic gonadotropin for the diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes in Honduras

RESUMEN Objetivo : Analizar la beta gonadotropina coriónica humana (β-hCG) cualitativa como método diagnóstico de rotura prematura de membranas ovulares (RPM). Métodos: Estudio de casos y controles, prospectivo, con muestra no probabilística por conveniencia, de 90 mujeres entre 24 y 40 semanas de gestación divididas en dos grupos: grupo de estudio (45 pacientes con diagnóstico clínico de RPM) y grupo control (45 pacientes hospitalizadas sin RPM). Se realizó lavado o aspirado vaginal para determinar cualitativamente la β-hCG en kits comerciales de medición β-hCG con umbral de 25 mUI/mL, así también la prueba en papel de nitrazina. Resultados: La sensibilidad, especificidad, valor predictivo positivo y valor predictivo negativo para la prueba de β-hCG-25 fueron 77,8% (IC95%, 63,7 a 87,5), 82,2% (IC95%, 68,7 a 90,7), 81,4% y 78,7%, respectivamente. La precisión diagnóstica fue de 80,0% (0,6 índice kappa Landis & Koch) versus 75,6% para la pH-metría con nitrazina. Conclusiones: La prueba cualitativa de β-hCG mostró un valor diagnóstico representativo y puede corroborar el diagnóstico temprano de RPM, recomendándola por ser una prueba simple, rápida, accesible y de bajo costo.

ABSTRACT Objective : To analyze qualitative human beta chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) as a diagnostic method for premature rupture of membranes (PROM). Methods : Prospective case-control study, with a non-probabilistic sample by convenience, of 90 women between 24 and 40 weeks of gestation divided into two groups: study group (45 patients with clinical diagnosis of PROM) and control group (45 patients hospitalized without PROM). Vaginal lavage or aspirate was performed to qualitatively determine β-hCG in commercial β-hCG measurement kits with threshold of 25 mUI/mL as well as nitrazine paper test. Results : The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the β-hCG-25 test were 77.8% (95% CI, 63.7-87.5), 82.2% (95% CI, 68.7-90.7), 81.4%, and 78.7%, respectively. Diagnostic accuracy was 80.0% (0.6 Landis & Koch kappa index) versus 75.6% for nitrazine pH-metry. Conclusions : The qualitative β-hCG test showed a representative diagnostic value and can corroborate the early diagnosis of PROM, recommending it as a simple, rapid, accessible and low-cost test.

Social Distancing and Economic Crisis During COVID-19 Pandemic Reduced Cancer Control in Latin America and Will Result in Increased Late-Stage Diagnoses and Expense.

Since December 2019, the world has been mired in an infectious pandemic that has displaced other health priorities for 21st century populations. Concerned about this situation, Latin American experts on cancer decided to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on cancer control in the region. The analysis was based on information obtained from public sources and scientific publications and included the characteristics of the health care and cancer control prior to the pandemic, the COVID-19 pandemic and measures implemented by the governments of the region, and the regional impact of the pandemic on cancer control together with the costs of cancer care and possible impact of the pandemic on cancer expense. We compared 2019 and 2020 data corresponding to the period March 16-June 30 and found a significant reduction in the number of first-time visits to oncology services (variable depending on the country between -28% and -38%) and a corresponding reduction in pathology (between -6% and -50%), cancer surgery (between -28% and -70%), and chemotherapy (between -2% and -54%). Furthermore, a significant reduction in cancer screening tests was found (PAP smear test studies: between -46% and -100%, mammography: between -32% and -100%, and fecal occult blood test: -73%). If this situation becomes a trend, the health and economic impact will be compounded in the postpandemic period, with an overload of demand on health services to ensure diagnostic tests and consequent treatments. On the basis of this information, a set of prevention and mitigation measures to be immediately implemented and also actions to progressively strengthen health systems are proposed.

Reducing dermal exposure to agrochemical carcinogens using a fluorescent dye-based intervention among subsistence farmers in rural Honduras.

BACKGROUND: Occupational exposure to agrochemicals, some of which are known or suspected carcinogens, is a major health hazard for subsistence agricultural workers and their families. These impacts are more prevalent in low-and-middle income countries (LMIC) due to weak regulations, lack of awareness of the risks of contamination, predominant use of handheld backpack style spraying equipment, general lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), and low literacy about proper agrochemical application techniques. Reducing exposure to agrochemicals was identified as a paramount concern by rural Hondurans working with a community-engaged research initiative. Fluorescent tracer dyes have been described as a means of visualizing and quantifying dermal exposure to agricultural chemicals, and exposure models adapted for LMIC have been developed previously. Tracer dyes have also been used in educational simulations to promote pesticide safety. However, studies evaluating the effectiveness of these educational dye interventions in reducing future exposure have been lacking. AIM: To evaluate whether observing one's own chemical contamination after applying agrochemicals changed the amount of occupational dermal exposure during a subsequent chemical application. METHODS: We employed a multi-modal community intervention in a rural village in Honduras that incorporated chemical safety education and use of a fluorescent tracer dye during pesticide application on two consecutive occasions, and compared dermal exposure between the intervention group (previous dye experience and safety education, n = 6) and the control group (safety education only, n = 7). RESULTS: Mean total visual score (TVS) of the tracer dye, which accounts for both extent and intensity of whole-body contamination, was lower among those who had previously experienced the dye intervention (mean TVS = 41.3) than among participants who were dye-naïve (mean TVS = 78.4), with a difference between means of -37.10 (95% CI [-66.26, -7.95], p = 0.02). Stratifying by body part, contamination was significantly lower for the anterior left lower extremity and bilateral feet for the dye-experienced group vs. dye-naïve, with most other segments showing a trend toward decreased contamination as well. CONCLUSION: Participants who had previously experienced the dye intervention were significantly less contaminated than the dye-naïve control group during a subsequent spraying event. The findings of this small pilot study suggest that a multi-modal, community-based approach that utilizes fluorescence-augmented contamination for individualized learning (FACIL) may be effective in reducing dermal exposure to carcinogenic agrochemicals among subsistence farmers in Honduras and other LMIC.

Presencia de infección de sitio quirúrgico en procedimientos gineco-obstétricos en un hospital de II nivel de atención, Honduras 2017-2018 / Presence of surgical site infection in obstetric-gynecological procedures in a level II care hospital, Honduras 2017-2018

OBJETIVO: Identificar la presencia de infección de sitio quirúrgico y factores de riesgo en pacientes sometidas a cirugías Gineco-Obstétricas de forma programada o de urgencia en un hospital de II nivel de atención en Honduras. METODOLOGÍA: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo; recopilando 226 fichas del registro de infección de sitio quirúrgico recuperadas de los expedientes clínicos brindados por el servicio de estadística del Hospital Mario Catarino Rivas. Captando pacientes sometidas a cirugías Gineco-Obstétricas, durante el 2017 y 2018. RESULTADOS: 99 fichas cumplieron los criterios de inclusión, reportando una edad de 24 años [RIQ, 19,0 - 30,0], peso 82,0 kg [RIQ, 51,7 - 98,25], talla 154 cm [150,0 - 158,0] y el IMC de 25,8 ± 3,6 kg/m2. Un 9,1% presento antecedentes de inmunosupresión. 5,1% presento ISQ. El 55.6% de las cirugías se realizó el mismo día de ingreso del paciente. El tiempo entre la profilaxis antibiótica y el comienzo de la intervención quirúrgica es de 60 minutos [RIQ, 40,0 - 160,0]. La duración de los procedimientos quirúrgicos son de 45 minutos [RIQ, 35,0 - 55,0]. Los microrganismos aislados en los cultivos fueron Cocos gram positivos (2/5), Enterococcus faecalis (1/5), Klebsiella pneumoniae (2/5). CONCLUSIÓN: La presencia de ISQ en cirugías Gineco-Obstétricas del HMCR es del 5.1%, identificando los siguientes factores de riesgo: edad extrema, obesidad, diabetes mellitus, estado inmunitario (VIH), profilaxis antibiótica (temprana); por último, la técnica y el tiempo quirúrgico.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the presence of surgical site infection and risk factors in patients undergoing Gynecological-Obstetric surgeries on a scheduled or emergency basis in a 2nd level of care hospital in Honduras. METHODOLOGY: Observational, descriptive, retrospective study, compiling 226 data sheets of the surgical site infection record recovered from the clinical records provided by the statistics service of the "Hospital Mario Catarino Rivas". Recruiting patients undergoing Gynecological-Obstetric surgeries, during 2017 and 2018. RESULTS: 99 tabs met the inclusion criteria, reporting an age of 24 [RIQ, 19.0 - 30.0], weight 82.0 kg [RIQ, 51.7 - 98.25], size 154 cm [150.0 - 158.0] and BMI of 25.8 ± 3.6 kg/m2. 9.1% have a history of immunosuppression. 5.1% present ISQ. 55.6% of surgeries were performed on the same day as the patient's admission. The time between antibiotic prophylaxis and the onset of surgery 60 minutes [RIQ, 40.0 - 160.0]. Duration of surgical procedures 45 minutes [RIQ, 35.0 - 55.0]. Isolated micro-morphisms in crops were Cocos gram positives (2/5), Enterococcus faecalis (1/5), Klebsiella pneumoniae (2/5). CONCLUSION: The presence of ISQ in HMCR Gynecological-Obstetric surgeries is 5.1%, identifying the following risk factors: extreme age, obesity, diabetes mellitus, immune status (HIV), early antibiotic prophylaxis; finally, technique and surgical time.

Prevalence of Cryptococcal Antigen and Outcomes in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Honduras: A Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcal meningitis is a major cause of death among people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH). Cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) testing of asymptomatic patients is an important public health measure to reduce mortality in high-incidence areas. However, limited data exist on CrAg prevalence in Central America. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study at the 2 largest human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) clinics and hospitals in Honduras. Cryptococcal antigen in serum and cerebrospinal fluid was performed in individuals with HIV who had CD4 ≤100 cells/mm3 between 2017 and 2018. After CrAg testing, individuals were observed for 12 months to assess mortality using adjusted Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: A total of 220 PWH were tested for CrAg, 12.7% (n = 28) of which tested positive. Cryptococcal antigen prevalence was higher among hospitalized individuals in 40% (n = 10 of 25) of the cases. The proportion (35.8%) of individuals taking antiretroviral therapy was significantly (P < .01) lower among those who tested positive for CrAg. Overall mortality among the cohort was 11.4% (n = 25 of 220) by 12 months. Cryptococcal antigen-positive cases were at a significantly higher risk of death (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.69; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-6.84) compared with CrAg-negative participants. CONCLUSIONS: Cryptococcal antigen prevalence in Honduras was high among PWH. Moreover, individuals who tested positive for CrAg testing were at a higher risk of death. Systemic CrAg of PWH with a CD4 ≤100 cells/mm3 should be routinely performed in Central America.

Patología hipertensiva durante el embarazo y el producto de la concepción / Hypertensive pathology during pregnancy and the product of conception

El Hospital Nacional Dr. Mario Catarino Rivas (hospital de segundo nivel de atención), sirve como centro de atención para embarazos de alto riesgo de la zona noroccidental de Honduras; reportó 1,702 casos de trastor-nos hipertensivos del embarazo en 2017 y 2,070 casos en 2018. Se caracterizó pacientes con signos y síntomas de trastornos hipertensivos del embarazo agrupadas desde un punto de vista obstétrico, epidemiológico y clínico. Se realizó un estudio, descriptivo de corte transversal en gestantes que presentaron cefalea, cifras tensionales elevadas (≥ 140/90mmHg); registrando ausencia o presencia de proteinuria, atendidas en la emergencia de labor y parto de un hospital nacional de segundo nivel de atención en San Pedro Sula, Honduras, desde junio hasta octubre del 2019. Se incluyeron 110 pacientes de entre 18-43 años, mestizas y amas de casa, la edad gestacional promedio por fecha de ultima menstruación de 37.7 semanas; el 28.2% presentó preeclampsia severa. Las manifestaciones clínicas frecuentes fueron edema de miembros inferiores y cefalea. El 57.3% desarrolló trabajo de parto espontá-neo, la resolución del embarazo fue cesárea en el 57.3% de las gestantes. Respecto al producto de la concepción, 66.4% tenían peso normal y talla apropiada para la edad gestacional, un APGAR de 8 al primer minuto y de 9 a los 5 minutos. En este estudio, se reporta una prevalencia del 13.72% con respecto a los trastornos hipertensivos del embarazo. Particularmente en pacientes mayores de 35 años, multípara, con índice de masa corporal ≥ 32 kg/m2, presentando antecedentes de hipertensión arterial, diabetes mellitus y preeclampsia.

The National Hospital Dr. Mario Catarino Rivas (second-level care hospital), serves as a care center for high-risk pregnancies in the northwestern part of Honduras; it reported 1,702 cases of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in 2017 and 2,070 cases in 2018. Patients with signs and symptoms of hypertensive disorders of preg-nancy were characterized grouped from an obstetric, epidemiological and clinical point of view. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in pregnant women who presented headache, high blood pressure (≥ 140 / 90mmHg); registering the absence or presence of proteinuria in urine, attended in the labor and delivery emer-gency of a national hospital of second level of care in San Pedro Sula, Honduras; from June to October 2019. 110 patients between 18-43 years old, mixed race and housewives were included, the average gestational age by date of last menstruation of 37.7 weeks, 28.2% presented severe preeclampsia. The frequent clinical manifestations were lower limb edema and headache. 57.3% developed spontaneous labor, the pregnancy termination route was cesarean section in 57.3% of pregnant women. Regarding the product of conception, 69.1% had weight and height appropriate for gestational age, an APGAR of 8 at the first minute and of 9 at 5 minutes. In this study, a prevalence of 13.72% is reported with respect to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Particularly in patients older than 35 years, multiparous, with a body mass index ≥ 32 kg / m2, presenting a history of arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus and pre-eclampsia.

Antimicrobial profile of Acinetobacter baumannii at a tertiary hospital in Honduras: a cross-sectional analysis.

Acinetobacter baumannii is considered to be a worldwide threat to public health due to its high antimicrobial resistance rates and the severe infections it can cause. Little is known about this pathogen's resistance in Central America. This report aims to describe the antimicrobial resistance profile of A. baumannii at a tertiary hospital in Honduras. The cross-sectional analysis was conducted at the tertiary care laboratory hospital in San Pedro Sula in 2015 - 2017. A total of 113 consecutive microbiological reports were analyzed, comprising 100 individuals from whom A. baumannii was isolated. Epidemiological and microbiological data, including the isolation setting and patient information, were recorded. Prevalence of multi-drug and extensive-drug resistance was assessed according to international standards. The median age of individuals was 22 years (2 - 35 years); female was the predominant gender (53%). The hospital's pediatric wards had the highest number of isolates (n = 48). The most frequent specimen from which A. baumannii was isolated was skin and soft tissue (n = 39). Resistance to carbapenems was reported to be 40.7% among the isolates (n = 46); multi-drug resistant, 35.4% (n = 40); and extensively-drug resistant, 7.1% (n = 8). This report reveals the threat of this pathogen to public health in Honduras and appeals for antibiotic stewardship programs throughout Central America.

Acinetobacter baumannii se considera como una amenaza mundial para la salud pública debido a sus tasas elevadas de resistencia a los antimicrobianos y a las infecciones graves que puede causar. Es poco lo que se conoce acerca de la resistencia de este agente patógeno en Centroamérica, por lo que el propósito de este informe es describir el perfil de resistencia a los antimicrobianos de A. baumannii mediante un estudio llevado a cabo en un hospital de atención terciaria en Honduras. Entre el 2015 y el 2017, se realizó un análisis transversal en el laboratorio de atención terciaria en el Instituto Hondureño de Seguridad Social en San Pedro Sula. Se analizó un total de 113 informes de análisis microbiológicos consecutivos, en los que las cepas aisladas de A. Baumannii provenían de un grupo de 100 personas. Se registraron los datos epidemiológicos y microbianos, así como el entorno de aislamiento y la información del paciente. La prevalencia de la multirresistencia y la resistencia extensa se evaluó con base en las normas internacionales. La mediana de edad de las personas fue de 22 años (intervalo: de 2 a 35 años de edad) y predominó el sexo femenino (53%). Las salas de pediatría del hospital presentaron el número más alto de cepas aisladas (n = 48). La piel y el tejido blando (n = 39) fueron las muestras más frecuente de las cuales se aisló la cepa A. Baumannii. Se notificó 40,7% de resistencia a los fármacos carbapenémicos en las cepas aisladas (n = 46); 35,4% de multirresistencia (n = 40); y 7,1% de resistencia extensa (n = 8). Este informe pone en evidencia la amenaza que este agente patógeno representa para la salud pública en Honduras. Asimismo, sirve para alertar a los programas de optimización del uso de antibióticos en Centroamérica.

Acinetobacter baumannii é considerado uma ameaça à saúde pública em todo o mundo devido às suas altas taxas de resistência antimicrobiana e às graves infecções que pode causar. Sabe-se pouco sobre a resistência deste patógeno na América Central. Este artigo visa descrever o perfil de resistência antimicrobiana de A. baumannii em um hospital terciário em Honduras. Realizamos uma análise transversal no hospital terciário de San Pedro Sula, de 2015 a 2017. Analisamos um total de 113 laudos microbiológicos consecutivos, que envolveram 100 pessoas das quais foi isolado A. baumannii. Registramos dados epidemiológicos e microbiológicos, incluindo o ambiente onde foi feito o isolamento e informações sobre os pacientes. Avaliamos a prevalência de resistência a múltiplos fármacos e resistência extensiva, de acordo com padrões internacionais. A idade mediana dos participantes foi de 22 anos (intervalo, 2 a 35 anos); a maioria dos participantes foi do sexo feminino (53%). As enfermarias pediátricas do hospital tiveram o maior número de isolados (n = 48). A pele e os tecidos moles foram os espécimes mais frequentes de isolamento de A. baumannii (n = 39). A resistência aos carbapenens foi constatada em 40,7% dos isolados (n = 46), a resistência a múltiplos fármacos esteve presente em 35,4% (n = 40) e a resistência extensiva em 7,1% (n = 8). Este artigo revela a ameaça que este patógeno representa à saúde pública em Honduras e faz um apelo pela implantação de programas de gestão do uso de antibióticos em toda a América Central.

Antimicrobial profile of Acinetobacter baumannii at a tertiary hospital in Honduras: a cross-sectional analysis

[ABSTRACT]. Acinetobacter baumannii is considered to be a worldwide threat to public health due to its high antimicrobial resistance rates and the severe infections it can cause. Little is known about this pathogen’s resistance in Central America. This report aims to describe the antimicrobial resistance profile of A. baumannii at a tertiary hospital in Honduras. The cross-sectional analysis was conducted at the tertiary care laboratory hospital in San Pedro Sula in 2015 – 2017. A total of 113 consecutive microbiological reports were analyzed, comprising 100 individuals from whom A. baumannii was isolated. Epidemiological and microbiological data, including the isolation setting and patient information, were recorded. Prevalence of multi-drug and extensive-drug resistance was assessed according to international standards. The median age of individuals was 22 years (2 – 35 years); female was the predominant gender (53%). The hospital’s pediatric wards had the highest number of isolates (n = 48). The most frequent specimen from which A. baumannii was isolated was skin and soft tissue (n = 39). Resistance to carbapenems was reported to be 40.7% among the isolates (n = 46); multi-drug resistant, 35.4% (n = 40); and extensively-drug resistant, 7.1% (n = 8). This report reveals the threat of this pathogen to public health in Honduras and appeals for antibiotic stewardship programs throughout Central America.

[RESUMEN]. Acinetobacter baumannii se considera como una amenaza mundial para la salud pública debido a sus tasas elevadas de resistencia a los antimicrobianos y a las infecciones graves que puede causar. Es poco lo que se conoce acerca de la resistencia de este agente patógeno en Centroamérica, por lo que el propósito de este informe es describir el perfil de resistencia a los antimicrobianos de A. baumannii mediante un estudio llevado a cabo en un hospital de atención terciaria en Honduras. Entre el 2015 y el 2017, se realizó un análisis transversal en el laboratorio de atención terciaria en el Instituto Hondureño de Seguridad Social en San Pedro Sula. Se analizó un total de 113 informes de análisis microbiológicos consecutivos, en los que las cepas aisladas de A. Baumannii provenían de un grupo de 100 personas. Se registraron los datos epidemiológicos y microbianos, así como el entorno de aislamiento y la información del paciente. La prevalencia de la multirresistencia y la resistencia extensa se evaluó con base en las normas internacionales. La mediana de edad de las personas fue de 22 años (intervalo: de 2 a 35 años de edad) y predominó el sexo femenino (53%). Las salas de pediatría del hospital presentaron el número más alto de cepas aisladas (n = 48). La piel y el tejido blando (n = 39) fueron las muestras más frecuente de las cuales se aisló la cepa A. Baumannii. Se notificó 40,7% de resistencia a los fármacos carbapenémicos en las cepas aisladas (n = 46); 35,4% de multirresistencia (n = 40); y 7,1% de resistencia extensa (n = 8). Este informe pone en evidencia la amenaza que este agente patógeno representa para la salud pública en Honduras. Asimismo, sirve para alertar a los programas de optimización del uso de antibióticos en Centroamérica.

[RESUMO]. Acinetobacter baumannii é considerado uma ameaça à saúde pública em todo o mundo devido às suas altas taxas de resistência antimicrobiana e às graves infecções que pode causar. Sabe-se pouco sobre a resistência deste patógeno na América Central. Este artigo visa descrever o perfil de resistência antimicrobiana de A. baumannii em um hospital terciário em Honduras. Realizamos uma análise transversal no hospital terciário de San Pedro Sula, de 2015 a 2017. Analisamos um total de 113 laudos microbiológicos consecutivos, que envolveram 100 pessoas das quais foi isolado A. baumannii. Registramos dados epidemiológicos e microbiológicos, incluindo o ambiente onde foi feito o isolamento e informações sobre os pacientes. Avaliamos a prevalência de resistência a múltiplos fármacos e resistência extensiva, de acordo com padrões internacionais. A idade mediana dos participantes foi de 22 anos (intervalo, 2 a 35 anos); a maioria dos participantes foi do sexo feminino (53%). As enfermarias pediátricas do hospital tiveram o maior número de isolados (n = 48). A pele e os tecidos moles foram os espécimes mais frequentes de isolamento de A. baumannii (n = 39). A resistência aos carbapenens foi constatada em 40,7% dos isolados (n = 46), a resistência a múltiplos fármacos esteve presente em 35,4% (n = 40) e a resistência extensiva em 7,1% (n = 8). Este artigo revela a ameaça que este patógeno representa à saúde pública em Honduras e faz um apelo pela implantação de programas de gestão do uso de antibióticos em toda a América Central.

Treatment of Patients With Late-Stage Colorectal Cancer: ASCO Resource-Stratified Guideline.

PURPOSE: To provide expert guidance to clinicians and policymakers in resource-constrained settings on the management of patients with late-stage colorectal cancer. METHODS: ASCO convened a multidisciplinary, multinational Expert Panel that reviewed existing guidelines, conducted a modified ADAPTE process, and used a formal consensus process with additional experts for two rounds of formal ratings. RESULTS: Existing sets of guidelines from four guideline developers were identified and reviewed; adapted recommendations from five guidelines form the evidence base and provided evidence to inform the formal consensus process, which resulted in agreement of ≥ 75% on all recommendations. RECOMMENDATIONS: Common elements of symptom management include addressing clinically acute situations. Diagnosis should involve the primary tumor and, in some cases, endoscopy, and staging should involve digital rectal exam and/or imaging, depending on resources available. Most patients receive treatment with chemotherapy, where chemotherapy is available. If, after a period of chemotherapy, patients become candidates for surgical resection with curative intent of both primary tumor and liver or lung metastatic lesions on the basis of evaluation in multidisciplinary tumor boards, the guidelines recommend patients undergo surgery in centers of expertise if possible. On-treatment surveillance includes a combination of taking medical history, performing physical examinations, blood work, and imaging; specifics, including frequency, depend on resource-based setting.Additional information is available at www.asco.org/resource-stratified-guidelines.

Imaging luminescent tattoo inks for direct visualization of linac and cobalt irradiation.

PURPOSE: Tattoo fiducials are commonly used in radiotherapy patient alignment, and recent studies have examined the use of UV-excited luminescent tattoo ink as a cosmetic substitute to make these visible under UV illumination. The goal of this study was to show how luminescent tattoo inks could be excited with MV radiation and imaged during beam delivery for direct visualization of field position. METHODS: A survey of nine UV-sensitive tattoo inks with various emission spectra were investigated using both UV and MV excitation. Images of liquid solutions were collected under MV excitation using an intensified-CMOS imager. Solid skin-simulating phantoms were imaged with both surface-painted ink and in situ tattooing during dose delivery by both a clinical linear accelerator and cobalt-60 source. RESULTS: The UV inks have peak fluorescence emission ranging from approximately 440 to 600 nm with lifetimes near 11-16 µs. The luminescence intensity is approximately 6x higher during the x-ray pulse than after the pulse, however, the signal-to-noise is only approximately twice as large. Spatial resolution for imaging was achieved at 1.6 mm accuracy in a skin test phantom. Optical filtering allows for continuous imaging using a cobalt source and provides a mechanism to discriminate ink colors using a monochromatic image sensor. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates how low-cost inks can be used as fiducial markers and imaged both using time-gated and continuous modes during MV dose delivery. Phantom studies demonstrate the potential application of real-time field verification. Further studies are required to understand if this technique could be used as a tool for radiation dosimetry.

Screening for Human Papillomavirus in a Low- and Middle-Income Country.

PURPOSE: Low- and middle-income countries have high incidences of cervical cancer linked to human papillomavirus (HPV), and without resources for cancer screenings these countries bear 85% of all cervical cancer cases. To address some of these needs, brigade-style screening combined with sensitive polymerase chain reaction-based HPV testing to detect common high-risk HPV genotypes may be necessary. METHODS: We deployed an inexpensive DNA extraction technique and a real-time polymerase chain reaction-based HPV genotyping assay, as well as Papanicolaou testing, in a factory in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, where 1,732 women were screened for cervical cancer. RESULTS: We found that 28% of participants were positive for high-risk HPV, with 26% of HPV-positive participants having more than one HPV infection. Moreover, the most common HPV genotypes detected were different than those routinely found in the United States. CONCLUSION: This work demonstrates a deployable protocol for HPV screening in low- and middle-income countries with limited resources to perform cytopathology assessment of Pap smears.

Feasibility of a Symptom Management Intervention for Honduran Adults Undergoing Chemotherapy.

Evidence-based interventions often need to be adapted to maximize their implementation potential in low-to middle-income countries. A single-arm feasibility study was conducted to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a telephone-delivered, nurse-led, symptom management intervention for adults undergoing chemotherapy in Honduras. Over the course of 6 months, nurses engaged 25 patients undergoing chemotherapy in the intervention. Each participant received an average of 16.2 attempts to contact them for telephone sessions (SD = 8.0, range = 2-28). Collectively, the participants discussed 24 different types of symptoms. The most commonly discussed symptoms were pain (12%), nausea (7%), and constipation (5%). Qualitative and quantitative data were used to identify treatment manual modifications (i.e., adding content about different symptoms and addressing scheduling of treatment) and workplace modifications (i.e., dedicated nurse time and space) that are needed to optimize implementation of the intervention.

Unexplored Genetic Diversity of Multidrug- and Extremely Drug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates from Tertiary Hospitals in Honduras.

Although Acinetobacter baumannii has become one of the most important nosocomial pathogens worldwide, very little is known about the genetic identity of isolates from less developed countries in Latin America. To alleviate this, we sequenced the genomes of 16 A. baumannii isolates from Honduras. Whole-genome sequencing was conducted on 16 isolates from five Honduran Hospitals. With the sequences of these Honduran isolates and other 42 publically available genomes, a maximum likelihood phylogeny was constructed to establish the relationship between the Honduran isolates and those belonging to the International Clones (ICs). In addition, sequence type (ST) assignation was conducted by the PubMLST, and antibiotic resistance genes were identified using ResFinder. The Honduran isolates are highly diverse and contain new allele combinations under the Bartual multilocus sequence typing scheme. The most common STs were STB447/STP10 and STB758/STP156. Furthermore, none of these isolates belongs to clonal complexes related to the ICs. Antibiotic susceptibility profiles of these isolates showed that they are multidrug resistant (MDR) or extensively drug resistant (XDR). In addition, the Honduran isolates had genes involved in resistance to seven antibiotic families. For instance, several blaOXA alleles were found, including blaOXA-23 and a gene encoding the metallo-beta-lactamase NDM-1. Notably, nine of the Honduran isolates have antibiotic resistance genes to three or more antibiotic families. In summary, in this study, we unveiled an untapped source of genetic diversity of MDR and XDR isolates; notably, these isolates did not belong to the well-known ICs.

Implementation of Multicolor Melt Curve Analysis for High-Risk Human Papilloma Virus Detection in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Pilot Study for Expanded Cervical Cancer Screening in Honduras.

PURPOSE: Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and screening in LMICs is extremely limited. We aimed to implement on-site high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) DNA testing in cohorts of women from an urban factory and from a rural village. METHODS: A total of 802 women were recruited for this study in partnership with La Liga Contra el Cancer through the establishment of women's health resource fairs at two locations in Honduras: a textile factory (n = 401) in the city of San Pedro Sula and the rural village of El Rosario (n = 401) in Yoro. Participants received a routine cervical examination during which three sterile cytobrushes were used to collect cervical samples for testing. hrHPV genotyping was performed using a hrHPV genotyping assay and a real-time polymerase chain reaction instrument. RESULTS: hrHPV status across all participants at both sites was 13% hrHPV positive and 67% hrHPV negative. When hrHPV status was compared across all three testing sites, hrHPV-positive rates were approximately equal among the factory (13%), village (12%), and confirmatory testing at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (Lebanon, NH; 14%). hrHPV genotype was compared across sites, with HPV16 showing the highest infection rate (15%), followed by HPV59 (12%), and HPV68 (11%). There was a low prevalence of HPV18 observed in both populations compared with the hrHPV-positive population in the United States. CONCLUSION: In collaboration with oncologists and pathologists from La Liga Contra el Cancer, we were able to provide a continuum of care once health-fair testing was performed. We established a method and implementation plan for hrHPV testing that is sustainable in LMICs.

Rural distribution of human papilloma virus in low- and middle-income countries.

Cervical cancer rates in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are higher than in developed countries and account for 80% of an estimated 500,000 new cases annually. Factors that contribute to this are that diagnostic and prevention strategies designed for developed countries suffer from the combination of low vaccination rates and limitations due to lack of consistent access to both healthcare and supplies. Here we: 1) improve upon our LMIC deployable HPV test and 2) determine both the high and low-risk HPV genotype prevalence in an isolated Honduran population. We found an unexpected HPV distribution with an abundance of HPV 52 and HPV 72 infections. In this context, molecular testing using a LMIC deployable approach for the detection of HPV can aid in both the triage of HPV positive cytology-based follow up and provide information regarding HPV genotype distribution in support of vaccination strategies.

Opportunistic Breast Cancer Education and Screening in Rural Honduras.

PURPOSE: In Honduras, the breast cancer burden is high, and access to women's health services is low. This project tested the connection of community-based breast cancer detection with clinical diagnosis and treatment in a tightly linked and quickly facilitated format. METHODS: The Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth College partnered with the Honduran cancer hospital La Liga Contra el Cancer to expand a cervical cancer screening program, which included self-breast exam (SBE) education and clinical breast exams (CBEs), to assess patient attitudes about and uptake of breast cancer education and screening services. The cervical cancer screening event was held in Honduras in 2013; 476 women from 31 villages attended. RESULTS: Half of the women attending elected to receive a CBE; most had concerns about lactation. Clinicians referred 12 women with abnormal CBEs to La Liga Contra el Cancer for additional evaluation at no cost. All referred patients were compliant with the recommendation and received follow-up care. One abnormal follow-up mammogram/ultrasound result was negative on biopsy. One woman with an aggressive phyllodes tumor had a mastectomy within 60 days. Multimodal education about breast cancer screening maximized delivery of women's health services in a low-tech rural setting. CONCLUSION: The addition of opportunistic breast cancer education and screening to a cervical cancer screening event resulted in high uptake of services at low additional cost to program sponsors. Such novel strategies to maximize delivery of women's health services in low-resource settings, where there is no access to mammography, may result in earlier detection of breast cancer. Close follow-up of positive results with referral to appropriate treatment is essential.