Clinical and microbiological characteristics of bacterial infections in patients with cirrhosis. A prospective cohort study from Argentina and Uruguay.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: there is insufficient data regarding bacterial infections in patients with cirrhosis to support recommendations for empiric antibiotic treatments, particularly in Latin America. This study aimed to evaluate bacterial infection's clinical impact and microbiological characteristics, intending to serve as a platform to revise current practices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: multicenter prospective cohort study of patients with cirrhosis and bacterial infections from Argentina and Uruguay. Patient and infection-related information were collected, focusing on microbiology, antibiotic susceptibility patterns, and outcomes. RESULTS: 472 patients were included. Spontaneous bacterial infections and urinary tract infections (UTIs) were registered in 187 (39.6%) and 116 (24.6%) patients, respectively, representing the most common infections. Of the 256 culture-positive infections, 103 (40.2%) were caused by multidrug-resistant organisms (reaching 50% for UTI), and 181 (70.7%) received adequate initial antibiotic treatment. The coverage of cefepime and ceftriaxone was over 70% for the empirical treatment of community-acquired spontaneous infections, but ceftazidime´s coverage was only 40%. For all UTI cases and for healthcare-associated or nosocomial spontaneous bacterial infections, the lower-spectrum antibiotics that covered at least 70% of the isolations were imipenem and meropenem. During hospitalization, a second bacterial infection was diagnosed in 9.8% of patients, 23.9% required at least one organ support, and 19.5% died. CONCLUSIONS: short-term mortality of bacterial infections in patients with cirrhosis is very high, and a high percentage were caused by multidrug-resistant organisms, particularly in UTIs. The information provided might serve to adapt recommendations, particularly related to empirical antibiotic treatment in Argentina and Uruguay. The study was registered in Clinical Trials (NCT03919032).

Frecuencia y tipo de fracturas en traumatismos maxilofaciales: Evaluación con Tomografía Multislice con reconstrucciones multiplanares y tridimensionales / Frequency and types of fractures in maxillofacial traumas: Assessment using MDCT with multiplanar and 3D reconstructions

Introducción. Los traumatismos maxilofaciales (TMF) representan un motivo de consulta común en los servicios de Urgencias. La compleja anatomía del macizo facial requiere de métodos de imágenes multiplanares para su correcta evaluación. Objetivos. Describir la frecuencia y tipos de fracturas en una serie de pacientes con TMF evaluados mediante tomografía computada multislice (TCMS) con reconstrucciones multiplanares y tridimensionales. Materiales y Métodos. Se revisaron en forma retrospectiva las tomografías de macizo facial, solicitadas por TMF a través del servicio de Emergencias durante el período junio 2008- diciembre 2009. Se recabaron los siguientes datos: edad, sexo, causa del traumatismo, presencia y tipo de fracturas. Los pacientes fueron evaluados utilizando un TCMS de 8 filas de detectores. En todos los casos se realizaron reconstrucciones multiplanares con ventana de alta resolución para hueso y con ventana para partes blandas, así como reconstrucciones tridimensionales. Resultados. Fueron realizadas 137 tomografías por TMF, de las cuales 78 (57%) presentaron 131 fracturas. De estos 78 pacientes, 52 (66%) eran hombres y 26 (34%) mujeres. Edad promedio: 33 años (rango 14-90 años). Causas: 58% accidentes de tránsito; 24% lesiones por enfrentamientos o peleas; 13% lesiones deportivas; y 7% causas varias. Tipo y frecuencia de fracturas: de piso de órbita 18,3%; de senos maxilares 16%; nasales 15,3%; de mandíbula 13%; orbitarias 9,2%; del complejo zigomático- malar 12,3%; y dos fracturas Le Fort tipo II-III. Conclusiones. Las fracturas fueron más frecuentes en hombres y en el grupo etario de 15 a 35 años. La mayor cantidad, así como las más complejas, fueran causadas por accidentes de tránsito; la más común, aislada o asociada a otras, fue la del piso orbitario.

Introduction. Maxillofacial trauma (MFT) is a common reason for attendance at Emergency Departments. The complex anatomy of the facial bones requires multiplanar imaging techniques for a proper evaluation. Objectives. To describe frequency and types of fractures in a series of patients with MFT evaluated by multi-slice computed tomography (MDCT) with multiplanar and 3D reconstructions. Materials and Methods. Facial bone CTs ordered for MFT by the Emergency Department from June 2008 to December 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. The following data were obtained: age, gender, cause of trauma, presence and type of fractures. Patients were evaluated with an 8-channel MDCT. Multiplanar reconstructions were performed in all cases using high resolution bone window and soft tissue window, as well as 3D reconstructions. Results. One-hundred and thirty-seven CTs were performed for MFT: 78 (57%) showed 131 fractures. Of these 78 patients, 52 (66%) were males and 26 (34%) were females; mean age 33 years old (range: 14-90 yrs.). Causes: 58 % were injuries from traffic accidents; 24% were injuries from fights; 13% were sport injuries; and 7% were due to miscellaneous etiologies. Type and frequency of fractures: 18.3% were orbital floor fractures, 16% were maxillary sinus fractures, 15.3% were nasal fractures, 13% were jaw fractures, 9.2% were orbital fractures, and 12.3% were fractures of the zygomatic-malar complex; two cases of Le Fort II-III fractures were also observed. Conclusions. Fractures were more common in males, in the age range from 15 to 35 years old. Most fractures, and the most complex ones, were caused by traffic accidents. The most common fracture, either isolated or associated with other fractures, was the orbital floor fracture.