[Concordance of medication prescription records in the hospitalised surgical patient]. / Concordancia de los registros de prescripción de medicamentos en el paciente quirúrgico hospitalizado.

INTRODUCTION: Electronic prescription is the prescription system that allows healthcare professionals to send medication prescriptions directly to community pharmacies and the outpatient unit of Hospital Pharmacy Services for dispensing. However, there is difficulty in obtaining a reliable pharmacotherapeutic history in chronic patients through electronic prescription upon hospital admission as a critical point for adequate treatment adaptation. Therefore, the pharmacist as a member of the multidisciplinary team must ensure, through medication conciliation, an adequate transition of care through the correct management of the treatment that the chronic patient requires during their hospitalization. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the quality of electronic prescription records for routine chronic treatment by analyzing the concordance of the electronic prescription. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional and retrospective study at the General University Hospital of Elche. Hospitalized patients in charge of the Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, Urology and Neurosurgery Services in which the responsible doctor requested medication reconciliation by the Pharmacy Service between January 2022 - December 2022 were included. RESULTS: 378 patients, 209 (55.3%) women and 169 (44.7%) men, with a mean age±standard deviation of 71.0±11.6 years and 69.0±11.8 years, respectively. The total percentage of patients with discrepancies in the electronic prescription with respect to the usual chronic treatment was 60.6%, reflecting that only 39.4% of the patients had non-discordant electronic prescriptions. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of hospitalized surgical patients present discrepancies in the medications prescribed in the home electronic prescription, which justifies the importance of treatment reconciliation upon admission carried out by hospital pharmacists.

Comparison of professional pharmacy degrees and health systems in United States, Canada, Spain and Mexico / Comparación del grado profesional de farmacia y los sistemas de salud en Estados Unidos, Canadá, España y México

Introduction: It is known that in countries like United States, Canada or Spain, pharmacists are well recognized as important members of the healthcare team, in both community and hospital settings, due to their vital role in caring for patients’ medication safety. In Mexico, just a short time ago, pharmacists were recognized in this manner. The objective to this study is to compare professional pharmacy training programs and healthcare systems in the United States, Canada, Spain and Mexico.Methods: A convenience sample of four universities were selected due to the authors’ extensive knowledge of the content and development of the profession.Results: Pharmacy curricula in the United States and Canada are very similar. They have many clinical pharmacy subjects, such as pharmacotherapy, therapeutics, pharmaceutical care, drug calculations and skills-based lab courses. In Spain and Mexico, however, while some of the coursework is similar, Spain has an experiential rotation program and Mexico does not. Mexican universities allow students practice in workshops to simulate pharmacy practice.Conclusion: It will be important to develop pharmacist training programs in Mexico (químico, farmacéutico biólogo), with more clinical pharmacy subjects as well as patient-centered communication skills to strengthen the profession and be able to contribute within the health team and provide better patient care. (AU)

Introducción: Es sabido que en países como Estados Unidos, Canadá o España, el farmacéutico es reconocido como un elemento importante en el equipo de salud, ya sea en la farmacia comunitaria u hospitalaria, teniendo un papel importante en la seguridad de la medicación del paciente. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar los planes de estudio de farmacia y los sistemas de salud de Estados Unidos, Canadá, España y México.Métodos: Se tomó una muestra a conveniencia de cuatro universidades, las cuales fueron seleccionadas por el amplio conocimiento de los autores del contenido de los programas y el desarrollo de la profesión.Resultados: La currícula de farmacia de Estados Unidos y Canadá son muy similares, sus programas contienen gran cantidad de materias relacionadas a farmacia clínica como farmacoterapia, terapéutica, cuidado farmacéutico, cálculos de medicamentos y habilidades con el paciente. España y México, varias de sus materias son similares, con la diferencia de que en España, como en los otros dos países ellos tienen programas de rotaciones en farmacias comunitarias u hospitalarias. En México, la mayoría de las universidades aborda por talleres en estos temas.Conclusión: Sería importante enriquecer los programas de químico, farmacéutico biólogo en México con un mayor número de materias en el área de farmacia clínica, así como habilidades de comunicación con el paciente para fortalecer la profesión y tener la capacidad de participar dentro del equipo de salud, así como informar de una mejor manera al paciente sobre su medicación. (AU)

Monitorización farmacocinética de antagonistas del factor de necrosis tumoral: utilidad clínica en enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal / Pharmacokinetics monitoring of tumour necrosis factor inhibitors: utility in inflammatory bowel disease management

Introducción: El fracaso de la terapia con biológicos en la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (EII) es un problema común. La monitorización farmacocinética es una herramienta que podría permitir optimizar estos tratamientos mediante la individualización de la posología en los diferentes escenarios clínicos. Objetivo: Describir las determinaciones de concentraciones séricas de infliximab y adalimumab en pacientes con EII y evaluar el impacto de las recomendaciones farmacocinéticas en la toma de decisiones clínicas y la evolución de los pacientes.Métodos: Estudio trasversal observacional retrospectivo de dos años de duración (2017-2018) de las determinaciones de inhibidores del factor de necrosis tumoral (anti-TNF) realizadas en pacientes del Servicio de Medicina Digestiva de un hospital general. Resultados: Se realizaron 133 determinaciones correspondientes a 66 sujetos (38% tratados con adalimumab; 62% infliximab). El principal motivo de monitorización (>55%) fue la presencia de enfermedad activa. Más de la mitad de los pacientes tenían concentraciones fuera del intervalo terapéutico (el 51% de adalimumab y 37% de infliximab presentaban una exposición subóptima). La recomendación de mantener la pauta posológica previa se propuso en <40% de los informes farmacocinéticos, siendo el grado de aceptación de la recomendación superior al 80% en todos los casos. Los datos analíticos de inflamación se redujeron tras la monitorización sin mostrar significación estadística en todos los casos.Conclusión: La mayoría de pacientes con EII tratados con anti-TNF presentan concentraciones de fármaco inadecuadas. La monitorización ha demostrado ser una herramienta útil para guiar la toma de decisiones terapéuticas y podría contribuir en la mejora de los parámetros clínicos de estos pacientes. (AU)

Introduction: The failure of biologic therapy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common problem. The pharmacokinetic monitoring is a useful tool that allows to optimize these treatments.Objective: To describe the pharmacokinetic determinations of plasma concentrations of infliximab and adalimumab in patients with IBD and evaluate its impact on clinical decision.Method: Retrospective, observational study of two years duration (2017-2018) of the tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) inhibitor determinations performed in patients of the Digestive Service of a general hospital.Results: A total of 133 determinations were obtained about 66 subjects (38% adalimumab, 62% infliximab). The main reason (>55%) of the request for monitoring was the presence of active disease. More than half of the patients had concentrations outside the therapeutic range (51% of patients with adalimumab and 37% of those with infliximab had plasma levels below the lower range considered suboptimal). The maintenance of the previous dosage was recommended only in <40% of the monitoring and the degree of acceptance of the interventions were more than 80% in all cases. The analytical data of inflammation were reduced after monitoring without showing statistical significance in all cases.Conclusion: Standard anti-TNF regimen was not adequate to obtain range concentrations in more than half of analyzed cases. Monitoring has proven to be very useful in supporting clinical decision and it may promote an improvement in the clinical parameters of patients with IBD. (AU)

Future care for long-term cancer survivors: towards a new model.

PURPOSE: The increase in the prevalence "long-term cancer survivor" (LCS) patients is expected to increase the cost of LCS care. The aim of this study was to obtain information that would allow to optimise the current model of health management in Spain to adapt it to one of efficient LCS patient care. METHODS: This qualitative study was carried out using Delphi methodology. An advisory committee defined the criteria for participation, select the panel of experts, prepare the questionnaire, interpret the results and draft the final report. RESULTS: 232 people took part in the study (48 oncologists). Absolute consensus was reached in three of the proposed sections: oncological epidemiology, training of health professionals and ICT functions. CONCLUSION: The role of primary care in the clinical management of LCS patients needs to be upgraded, coordination with the oncologist and hospital care is essential. The funding model needs to be adapted to determine the funding conditions for new drugs and technologies.

Evaluación del grado de adherencia al tratamiento intravenoso no antineoplásico de pacientes ambulatorios / Evaluation of the degree of adherence to non-antineoplastic intravenous treatment of ambulatory patients

Introducción: La falta de adherencia al tratamiento farmacológico es un problema prevalente y relevante en la evolución clínica.Objetivo: Evaluar el grado de adherencia al tratamiento intravenoso no antineoplásico de pacientes crónicos que acuden al hospital de día (HD), identificar los factores relacionados y analizar los desvíos de programación de la cita previa en el HD y su impacto en el Servicio de Farmacia (SF).Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo longitudinal retrospectivo de tres años de duración (2017-2019) que incluyó a los pacientes que acudieron al HD a administrarse el tratamiento. Los datos de adherencia se extrajeron de los registros del SF y los datos demográficos-clínicos, de las historias clínicas electrónicas. El grado de adherencia se expresó en porcentaje (adherencia adecuada ≥90%). La asociación entre las variables y el grado de adherencia se estudió mediante test estadísticos de contraste de hipótesis.Resultados: Se incluyeron 300 pacientes, 60% mujeres, edad media 47 años. El 18% presentaron una adherencia inadecuada. La adherencia se asoció con la edad, el medicamento administrado, el intervalo posológico y la persistencia al tratamiento (p<0,05). El 5,6% del trabajo de HD se desvió de la programación suponiendo un trabajo adicional para el SF.Conclusiones: El grado de adherencia al tratamiento era inadecuado en casi una cuarta parte de la población. La edad, el medicamento infundido, el intervalo posológico y la persistencia al tratamiento se asociaron con la adherencia de los pacientes. Los desvíos en la programación de HD se tradujeron en trabajo sobreañadido para el SF. (AU)

Introduction: The lack of adherence to pharmacological treatment of patients with chronic diseases it is a relevant problem.Objective: To assess the degree of adherence to the non-chemotherapy intravenous treatment of chronic patients who came to the outpatient clinic (OC), to identify the possible specific factors related to therapeutic compliance and to analyze the appointment changes in the OC and its impact on the Pharmacy Department (PD).Material and methods: Retrospective longitudinal descriptive study of three years duration (2017-2019). This included patients who went to the OC to receive the treatment. Adherence data were extracted from the PD records and demographic-clinical data from the review of electronic health records. Besides, the degree of adherence was expressed as a percentage (adherence adequate ≥90%). The association between the variables studied and the degree of adherence was estimated by means of statistical tests of hypothesis contrast.Results: A total sample size of 300 patients were included, mean age 47 years, 60% women. Adherence of the treatment was inadequate in 18% of patients. The variables that showed a statistically significant association with adherence were the age, the drug delivered, the dosage interval and the persistence of treatment (p<0.05). 5.6% of OC work deviated from schedule and it meant additional work to the PD.Conclusions: The degree of adherence to the intravenous ambulatory treatment was inadequate in approximately a quarter of the population. The age, the infused drug, the dosage interval and the persistence of treatment were the variables that showed association with the adherence. Changes to OC programming resulted in over-added work for the PD. (AU)

A rapid validated UV-HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of the antiretroviral compounds darunavir and raltegravir in their dosage form.

OBJECTIVE: A rapid, simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with ultraviolet detection has been developed for quantification of darunavir and raltegravir in their pharmaceutical dosage form. METHODS: The assay enables the measurement of both drugs with a linear calibration curve (R2= 0.999) over the concentration range 5-100 mg/L. The determination was performed on an analytical Tracer Excel 120 ODSB (15x0.4.6 cm) column at 35ºC. The selected wavelength was 254 nm. The mobile phase was a mixture of 0.037 M sodium dihydrogen phosphate buffer, acetonitrile and methanol (40:50:10, v/v/v) at a flow rate of 2.0 mL/min Nevirapine (50 mg/L) was used as internal standard. RESULTS: Accuracy, intra-day repeatability (n = 5), and inter-day precision (n = 3) were found to be satisfactory, being the accuracy from -4.33 to 3.88% and precisions were intra-day and inter-day, 0.25% and 4.42% respectively in case of darunavir. Raltegravir intra-day and inter-day precisions lower of 1.01 and 2.36%, respectively and accuracy values bet from -4.02 to 1.06%. CONCLUSIONS: Determination of the darunavir and raltegravir in their dosage form was done with a maximum deviation of 4%. This analytical method is rapid, easily implantable and offers good results.

[Pharmaceutical intervention in duration of antimicrobial treatment at hospital ambit]. / Actuación farmacéutica en el control de la duración del tratamiento con antimicrobianos en el ámbito hospitalario.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the acceptance of the pharmaceutical intervention in controlling duration of antimicrobial therapy and to evaluate their impact on optimizing the treatment. METHODS: Prospective observational study for two years in a General University Hospital. For the patients record, we followed non critical adult patients with antibiotic treatment. When the duration of antimicrobial treatment not complied with established criteria for each antibiotic and pathology, there was a communication with the physician, at which is recommended to assess the need for continue treatment. The acceptance of pharmaceutical intervention was collected and afterwards we analyzed the impact of this work by antimicrobial consumption and incidence of Clostridium difficile. RESULTS: . In 122 patients the pharmacist made a pharmaceutical intervention due to prolonged antibiotic treatment. The most prevalent antibiotics were ß-lactams, specifically meropenem. The intravenous administration was more frequent. In 77 cases it was decided to recommend the suspension of treatment, we conducted an orally prospective intervention at 70.15 % and the rest of interventions were written. Acceptance was 65.95 % and 65.00%, respectively. During the study period, the DDD of the antimicrobials decreased by 8.89% and expenditure on antimicrobials one 40.12%. The incidence of C. difficile was stable. CONCLUSIONS: . In a hospital, a pharmaceutical counselling program on the duration of antimicrobial therapy is well accepted by the prescriber physician, but it must be improved. The route of information does not affect the degree of acceptance. These actions could involve a reduction of antimicrobial consumption.

Algoritmo de diagnóstico y tratamiento del angioedema hereditario como herramienta para su manejo / Algorithm for diagnosis and treatment of hereditary angioedema as a tool for management

Introducción: El angioedema hereditario es una enfermedad rara de baja prevalencia y gran heterogeneidad en la gravedad del cuadro clínico, lo que dificulta su diagnóstico, y establece la necesidad de iniciar un tratamiento precoz y específico con el fin de evitar complicaciones. Objetivo: Proponer un algoritmo de decisión en el angioedema hereditario (AEH), basado en la evidencia disponible, sobre el diagnóstico, valoración clínica y tratamiento. Se trata de presentar opciones terapéuticas disponibles, así como un algoritmo de decisión para seleccionar el tratamiento más eficiente en cada momento. Material y Métodos: Revisión bibliográfica mediante una búsqueda a través de PubMed y otras fuentes de interés. Resultados: Se han desarrollado cuatro algoritmos de decisión para el AEH; diagnóstico de angioedema mediado por bradicinina, tratamiento del ataque agudo y profilaxis a corto y largo plazo del AEH por déficit del inhibidor C1.Conclusiones: La aplicación de un algoritmo de decisión, en función de unas variables clínicas, ayuda a la selección de la opción terapéutica más eficiente en cada momento y puede ser un instrumento de utilidad en el abordaje terapéutico (AU)

Introduction: Hereditary angioedema is a disease with low prevalence and high heterogeneity with regards to the severity of the clinical picture, which makes the diagnosis difficult and requires the need for early start of specific treatment in order to prevent complications. Objective: To propose a decision algorithm for hereditary angioedema (HAE), based on the evidence available on the diagnosis, clinical assessment, and treatment. The aim is to present the available therapeutic options as well as a decision algorithm to select the most efficient therapy at each time. Material and methods: Literature search by means of PubMed and other relevant sources. Results: four decision algorithms have been developed for HAE; diagnosis of bradikinin-mediated angioedema, treatment of acute attacks and short and long-term prophylaxis for HAE due to C1 inhibitor deficiency. Conclusions: The application of a decision algorithm based on the clinical variables helps to select the most efficient therapeutic option at each time and may be a useful tool for the therapeutic approach (AU)

[Algorithm for diagnosis and treatment of hereditary angioedema as a tool for management]. / Algoritmo de diagnóstico y tratamiento del angioedema hereditario como herramienta para su manejo.

INTRODUCTION: Hereditary angioedema is a disease with low prevalence and high heterogeneity with regards to the severity of the clinical picture, which makes the diagnosis difficult and requires the need for early start of specific treatment in order to prevent complications. OBJECTIVE: To propose a decision algorithm for hereditary angioedema (HAE), based on the evidence available on the diagnosis, clinical assessment, and treatment. The aim is to present the available therapeutic options as well as a decision algorithm to select the most efficient therapy at each time. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Literature search by means of PubMed and other relevant sources. RESULTS: four decision algorithms have been developed for HAE; diagnosis of bradikinin-mediated angioedema, treatment of acute attacks and short and long-term prophylaxis for HAE due to C1 inhibitor deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: The application of a decision algorithm based on the clinical variables helps to select the most efficient therapeutic option at each time and may be a useful tool for the therapeutic approach.

Introducción: El angioedema hereditario es una enfermedad rara de baja prevalencia y gran heterogeneidad en la gravedad del cuadro clínico, lo que dificulta su diagnóstico, y establece la necesidad de iniciar un tratamiento precoz y específico con el fin de evitar complicaciones. Objetivo: Proponer un algoritmo de decisión en el angioedema hereditario (AEH), basado en la evidencia disponible, sobre el diagnóstico, valoración clínica y tratamiento. Se trata de presentar opciones terapéuticas disponibles, así como un algoritmo de decisión para seleccionar el tratamiento más eficiente en cada momento. Material y Métodos: Revisión bibliográfica mediante una búsqueda a través de PubMed y otras fuentes de interés. Resultados: Se han desarrollado cuatro algoritmos de decisión para el AEH; diagnóstico de angioedema mediado por bradicinina, tratamiento del ataque agudo y profilaxis a corto y largo plazo del AEH por déficit del inhibidor C1. Conclusiones: La aplicación de un algoritmo de decisión, en función de unas variables clínicas, ayuda a la selección de la opción terapéutica más eficiente en cada momento y puede ser un instrumento de utilidad en el abordaje terapéutico.

Atención farmacéutica en pacientes ingresados con insuficiencia renal / Pharmaceutical care in renal insufficiency inpatients

Objetivos: Valorar los resultados de un programa de ajuste posológico en pacientes hospitalizados con enfermedad renal, describir los medicamentos mayoritariamente implicados y determinar el grado de aceptación de la intervención farmacéutica realizada. Método: Estudio prospectivo, de intervención no aleatorizada, de 15 meses de duración en pacientes hospitalizados con función renal alterada (Creatinina sérica > 1,4 mg/dL) y en tratamiento con medicamentos que precisan ajuste en insuficiencia renal. La variable principal fue el porcentaje de adecuación posológica según la tasa de filtrado glomerular. También se evaluó la aceptación global por servicio clínico, el grupo farmacoterapéutico más prescrito de forma inadecuada, las monitorizaciones farmacocinéticas que se derivaron de la intervención y el carácter educativo de la misma. Resultados: Se identificaron un total de 384 pacientes de los que 341 presentaban un aclaramiento de creatinina entre 10-50 ml/min. Se revisaron 2.807 medicamentos prescritos, de éstos, 2.052 no requerían ajuste posológico en insuficiencia renal y 508 estaban correctamente ajustados. 247 prescripciones eran susceptibles de un ajuste posológico de las cuales 164 prescripciones era necesario un ajuste posológico concreto. Se realizaron recomendaciones posológicas en 200 ocasiones, y se aceptaron un total de 131. Los fármacos con mayor número de intervenciones fueron la enoxaparina, levofloxacino, amoxicilina-clavulánico y digoxina. Conclusiones: La implantación del programa de atención farmacéutica ha tenido una buena aceptación entre los facultativos prescriptores, siendo los antibióticos el grupo farmacológico más susceptible de realizar un ajuste posológico sobre una mayoría de pacientes con insuficiencia renal moderada (AU)

Background and objective: To asses the outcomes of posological adjust program in renal impairment inpatients, describe the drugs more usually involved, and determine the degree of acceptance of the pharmaceutical intervention made. Material and method: A fifteen months-prospective study, in renal insufficiency inpatients (serum creatinine > 1,4 mg/dL) treated with drugs that needs posological adjustment. The primary outcome was the ratio of adequate dosage of the treatment, according with the glomerular filtration rate. We also evaluated the global acceptation rate, the drugs inadequate prescribed more frequently, phamacokinetic analysis derived from the pharmaceutical intervention and its educative character. Results: 384 patients were identified, and 341 of them presented a glomerular filtration rate between 10-50 ml/min. 2.807 prescribed drugs were reviewed, and 2.052 of them didn’t require posological adjustment in renal insufficiency, 508 prescribed drugs were correctly adjusted. 247 pres - criptions were susceptible of posological adjustment and 164 of them, needed a concrete posological adjustment. We performed 200 posological recommendations, and 131 were accepted. The drugs with a higher number of interventions were enoxaparine, levofloxacin, amoxicillin-clavulanic and digoxin. Conclusions: The implementation of the pharmaceutical care program was accepted between physicians, being antibiotics the group more susceptible of doing a posological adjustment in most patients with renal impairment (AU)

[Pharmaceutical care in renal insufficiency inpatients]. / Atención farmacéutica en pacientes ingresados con insuficiencia renal.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To asses the outcomes of posological adjust program in renal impairment inpatients, describe the drugs more usually involved, and determine the degree of acceptance of the pharmaceutical intervention made. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A fifteen months-prospective study, in renal insufficiency inpatients (serum creatinine > 1,4 mg/dL) treated with drugs that needs posological adjustment. The primary outcome was the ratio of adequate dosage of the treatment, according with the glomerular filtration rate. We also evaluated the global acceptation rate, the drugs inadequate prescribed more frequently, phamacokinetic analysis derived from the pharmaceutical intervention and its educative character. RESULTS: 384 patients were identified, and 341 of them presented a glomerular filtration rate between 10-50 ml/min. 2.807 prescribed drugs were reviewed, and 2.052 of them didn%#39;t require posological adjustment in renal insufficiency, 508 prescribed drugs were correctly adjusted. 247 pres - criptions were susceptible of posological adjustment and 164 of them, needed a concrete posological adjustment. We performed 200 posological recommendations, and 131 were accepted. The drugs with a higher number of interventions were enoxaparine, levofloxacin, amoxicillin-clavulanic and digoxin. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of the pharmaceutical care program was accepted between physicians, being antibiotics the group more susceptible of doing a posological adjustment in most patients with renal impairment.

Imipenem-induced Clostridium difficile diarrhea in a patient with chronic renal failure.

An 80-year-old man was diagnosed to have pneumonia and advanced chronic kidney disease. He presented with anuria and hemodialysis, by temporary femoral catheter, was initiated. He was empirically treated with imipenem/cilastatin 500 mg/24 h after hemodialysis. After 10 days of antibiotic intake, he developed severe diarrhea. Diagnosis of Clostridium difficile (CD)-associated diarrhea was confirmed by detection of the toxins A and B in his stool. Imipenem therapy was discontinued; Vancomycin 500 mg orally every 6 h and 1000 mg per rectum every day was added. After two weeks of this treatment, the patient reported complete resolution of the diarrhea and stool samples were negative for Clostridium toxin. In this case, the most possible cause of CD colitis was considered to be imipenem because of the temporal relationship between exposure to the drug and onset of symptoms.

Pulmonary agenesis: Importance of the diagnosis

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Adverse cutaneous reactions associated with the newest antiretroviral drugs in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

HIV-infected patients have a higher risk of developing cutaneous reactions than the general population, which has a significant impact on patients' current and future care options. The severity of cutaneous adverse reactions varies greatly, and some may be difficult to manage. HIV-infected patients just at the beginning of antiretroviral treatment can frequently show a wide variety of adverse drug effects such as drug rashes, hyperpigmentation, hair loss, hypersensitivity reactions, injection site reaction, urticarial reaction, erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal necrolysis or Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The early detection and treatment of cutaneous adverse drug reactions, plus identification of the causative agent, are essential to prevent the progression of the reaction, preventing additional exposures and ensuring the appropriate use of medications for the current condition and keeping in mind others, such as patient age. This article emphasizes the most common features of an antiretroviral drug-induced cutaneous reaction from protease inhibitors, non-nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors, fusion inhibitors, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, integrase inhibitors and inhibitors of the CCR5 chemokine receptor, paying special attention to the newest drugs approved for the treatment of HIV infection, such as tipranavir, darunavir, etravirine, enfuvirtide, raltegravir and maraviroc.

Locomotor activity is a predictive test after global ischemia-reperfusion in Mongolian gerbils.

OBJECTIVE: The Mongolian gerbil is one of the main animal species used for the study of global ischemia, due to its specific Circle of Willis. Because of their anatomic variations, a large number of animals is needed. On account of the specific vulnerability of the hippocampus, striatum and neocortex, it is possible to evaluate the severity of the ischemic damage through an analysis of locomotor activity. The tests support the sensitvity of the experimental sample and compensate the interanimal variability. METHODS: The locomotor pattern of 30 male Mongolian gerbils was recorded before they were subjected to experimental bilateral carotid clippage for 15 minutes followed by reperfusion. A transparent 75x50x90 cm acrylic box was filmed in order to determine the total distance covered by the animals in five minutes, for three consecutive days. The locomotor activity of the animals was also examined in an open field at 24 hours and seven days after ischemia. Serum neurospecific enolase (NSE) was measured in the ischemic group and compared with that of an intact control group. RESULTS: The recording for normal animals was uniformly similar (average 200 squares in periphery), in the first trial of 3 consecutive days (188+/-6.7 S.D.). After ischemia, the numbers increased to 388 (+/- 40 S.D.), indicating that they were sensitive to the ischemic episode. Seven days later they returned to basal values. Serum NSE was high in the ischemic group versus the intact control group (S=<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Locomotor activity in an open field is a useful reference as a predictive test to determine the sensitivity of experimental animals to ischemia. It is also associated to the degree of cerebral damage in global ischemia-reperfusion, and this behavior is representative of the expression of selective ischemic injury. The determination of NSE is useful as an associated parameter of ischemic injury.

Increased lipid peroxidation and neuron specific enolase in treatment refractory schizophrenics.

It is well-known that increased lipid peroxidation and failure of antioxidant mechanisms leads to neuronal damage in schizophrenic patients. However, this neurodegenerative mechanism has not been studied in treatment refractory schizophrenics (TRS). Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to determine neuronal damage in TRS in comparison to non-refractory schizophrenics (NRS) by means of quantitative analysis of lipid peroxidation and neuron specific enolase (NSE) related to the psychopathology severity. Two groups of paranoid schizophrenics, TRS and NRS, and a group of healthy controls (CO) were assembled (n=13). Lipid peroxidation was analyzed through spectrophotometry for quantification of malonaldehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) serum concentrations. As well, serum NSE was quantified by radioimmunoassay (ELSA). Psychopathology was evaluated using the brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS) and the positive and negative symptoms scale (PANSS). TRS showed significant higher concentrations of lipoperoxides by-products and NSE, than NRS and CO. Clinical scores also revealed a more severe pathology in TRS, than in NRS. Raised lipoperoxidation correlated with higher delusions and emotional withdrawal symptoms, and increased NSE correlated with a lower flow of the conversation and lack of spontaneity. All these results together suggest that TRS patients suffer a greater lipid peroxidation and neuronal damage than NRS, apparently related to worsening of some of the psychiatric symptoms.