Virulence genes, antimicrobial resistance profile, phylotyping and pathotyping of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli isolated from children in Southwest Mexico.

Diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) strains are one of the most important etiology factors causing diarrhea in children worldwide, especially in developing countries. DEC strains have characteristic virulence factors; however, other supplemental virulence genes (SVG) may contribute to the development of diarrhea in children. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of DEC in children with diarrhea in southwestern Mexico and to associate childhood symptoms, SVG, and pathotypes with diarrhea-causing DEC strains. DEC strains were isolated from 230 children with diarrhea aged 0-60 months from the state of Oaxaca, southwestern Mexico; clinical data were collected, and PCR was used to identify SVG and pathotypes. Antibiotic resistance profiling was performed on DEC strains. 63% of samples were DEC positive, single or combined infections (two (21%) or three strains (1.3%)) of aEPEC (51%), EAEC (10.2%), tEPEC (5.4%), DAEC (4.8%), ETEC (4.1%), EIEC (1.4%), or EHEC (0.7%) were found. Children aged ≤ 12 and 49-60 months and symptoms (e.g., fever and blood) were associated with DEC strains. SVG related to colonization (nleB-EHEC), cytotoxicity (sat-DAEC and espC-tEPEC), and proteolysis (pic-aEPEC) were associated with DECs strains. E. coli phylogroup A was the most frequent, and some pathotypes (aEPEC-A, DAEC-B), and SVG (espC-B2, and sat-D) were associated with the phylogroups. Over 79% of the DEC strains were resistant to antibiotics, and 40% were MDR and XDR, respectively. In conclusion aEPEC was the most prevalent pathotype in children with diarrhea in this region. SVG related to colonization, cytotoxicity, and proteolysis were associated with diarrhea-producing DEC strains, which may play an essential role in the development of diarrhea in children in southwestern Mexico.

Uso de ácido valproico en unidades de psiquiatría de estancia prolongada / Use of valproic acid in long stay units of psychiatry

Objetivo: El ácido valproico es utilizado frecuentemente en psiquiatría para tratar la esquizofrenia y otras afecciones fuera de indicación de ficha técnica ("off-label"). A pesar de ello, su efectividad no ha sido suficientemente demostrada y su uso no está exento de efectos adversos. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo principal conocer la frecuencia de uso de ácido valproico tanto en las indicaciones recogidas en ficha técnica, como su utilización "off-label" en pacientes psiquiátricos. Método: Se diseñó un estudio transversal el 7 de julio de 2014 con una muestra de 167 pacientes residentes en un centro psiquiátrico. Se analizaron las siguientes variables: datos demográficos, tratamiento con ácido valproico y pauta posológica, tratamiento farmacológico asociado, monitorización de los parámetros de seguridad, interacciones y concentraciones de ácido valproico. Resultados: El ácido valproico se prescribió en 1 de cada 3 pacientes del centro. Se utilizó según las indicaciones aprobadas en ficha técnica en 8 (15%) de los 53 pacientes analizados: 5 (9%) de ellos con trastorno bipolar y 3 (6%) diagnosticados de epilepsia. Otros 5 pacientes (9%) se incluyeron en la indicación extendida de trastorno esquizoafectivo. El 76% (40) de los pacientes evaluados tenían prescrito ácido valproico fuera de indicación. La media de dosis de ácido valproico fue de 1,26 Dosis Diarias Definidas/paciente/día. Se encontró una media de 6 fármacos asociados al ácido valproico. El 18% de los pacientes presentó trombocitopenia. Conclusiones: El ácido valproico se utiliza frecuentemente en pacientes psiquiátricos fuera de indicación. Debería valorarse el beneficio-riesgo en esta población (AU)

Objective: Valproic acid is often used in psychiatry to treat schizophrenia and other conditions outside of indication ("off-label"). However, its effectiveness has not been sufficiently demonstrated and its use is not exempt of adverse effects. This study's main objective is to determine the frequency of use of valproic acid in approved indications and the "off-label" use in psychiatric patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study on July 7, 2014 with a sample of 167 patients residents in a psychiatric center was designed. Demographics, valproic acid treatment, posology and associated drug treatment, monitoring safety parameters, interactions and valproic acid concentrations. Results: Valproic acid is prescribed in 1 of 3 patients of the center. It was used in the approved indications in 8 (15%) of the 53 patients analyzed: 5 (9%) of them with bipolar disorder and 3 (6%) diagnosed with epilepsy. Other 5 patients (9%) were included in the extended schizoaffective disorder indication. 76% (40) of the evaluated patients were prescribed valproic acid off-label. The mean dose of valproic acid was 1.26 Defined Daily Dose / patient / day. An average of 6 drugs associated with valproic acid was found. 18% of patients had thrombocytopenia. Conclusions: Valproic acid is often used off-label in psychiatric patients. It should be assessed the benefit-risk in this population (AU)

[Use of valproic acid in long stay units of psychiatry]. / Uso de ácido valproico en unidades de psiquiatría de estancia prolongada.

OBJECTIVE: Valproic acid is often used in psychiatry to treat schizophrenia and other conditions outside of indication ("off-label"). However, its effectiveness has not been sufficiently demonstrated and its use is not exempt of adverse effects. This study's main objective is to determine the frequency of use of valproic acid in approved indications and the "off-label" use in psychiatric patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study on July 7, 2014 with a sample of 167 patients residents in a psychiatric center was designed. Demographics, valproic acid treatment, posology and associated drug treatment, monitoring safety parameters, interactions and valproic acid concentrations. RESULTS: Valproic acid is prescribed in 1 of 3 patients of the center. It was used in the approved indications in 8 (15%) of the 53 patients analyzed: 5 (9%) of them with bipolar disorder and 3 (6%) diagnosed with epilepsy. Other 5 patients (9%) were included in the extended schizoaffective disorder indication. 76% (40) of the evaluated patients were prescribed valproic acid off-label. The mean dose of valproic acid was 1.26 Defined Daily Dose / patient / day. An average of 6 drugs associated with valproic acid was found. 18% of patients had thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSIONS: Valproic acid is often used off-label in psychiatric patients. It should be assessed the benefit-risk in this population.

Objetivo: El ácido valproico es utilizado frecuentemente en psiquiatría para tratar la esquizofrenia y otras afecciones fuera de indicación de ficha técnica ("off-label"). A pesar de ello, su efectividad no ha sido suficientemente demostrada y su uso no está exento de efectos adversos. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo principal conocer la frecuencia de uso de ácido valproico tanto en las indicaciones recogidas en ficha técnica, como su utilización "off-label" en pacientes psiquiátricos. Método: Se diseñó un estudio transversal el 7 de julio de 2014 con una muestra de 167 pacientes residentes en un centro psiquiátrico. Se analizaron las siguientes variables: datos demográficos, tratamiento con ácido valproico y pauta posológica, tratamiento farmacológico asociado, monitorización de los parámetros de seguridad, interacciones y concentraciones de ácido valproico. Resultados: El ácido valproico se prescribió en 1 de cada 3 pacientes del centro. Se utilizó según las indicaciones aprobadas en ficha técnica en 8 (15%) de los 53 pacientes analizados: 5 (9%) de ellos con trastorno bipolar y 3 (6%) diagnosticados de epilepsia. Otros 5 pacientes (9%) se incluyeron en la indicación extendida de trastorno esquizoafectivo. El 76% (40) de los pacientes evaluados tenían prescrito ácido valproico fuera de indicación. La media de dosis de ácido valproico fue de 1,26 Dosis Diarias Definidas/paciente/día. Se encontró una media de 6 fármacos asociados al ácido valproico. El 18% de los pacientes presentó trombocitopenia. Conclusiones: El ácido valproico se utiliza frecuentemente en pacientes psiquiátricos fuera de indicación. Debería valorarse el beneficio-riesgo en esta población.