Nasal Skin Necrosis: An Unexpected New Finding in Severe Chikungunya Fever.

Three adult Venezuelan patients with virologically confirmed Chikungunya fever, who developed extensive acute nasal skin necrosis early in the course of a life-threatening illness characterized by shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, are discussed. One patient survived and fully recovered. Nasal necrosis has not previously been associated with the disease.

Chikungunya fever: Atypical and lethal cases in the Western hemisphere: A Venezuelan experience.

A large epidemic of Chikungunya fever currently affects the Caribbean, Central and South America. Despite a high number of reported cases, little is known on the occurrence of severe clinical complications. We describe four Venezuelan patients with a severe and/or lethal course who exhibit unusual manifestations of the disease. Case 1 describes a 75 year-old man with rapid onset of septic shock and multi-organ failure. Cases 2 and 3 describe two patients with rapid aggressive clinical course who developed shock, severe purpuric lesions and a distinct area large of necrosis in the nasal region. Case 4 depicts a splenectomized woman with shock, generalized purpuric lesions, bullous dermatosis and acronecrosis of an upper limb. Chikungunya fever in the Western hemisphere may also associate with atypical and severe manifestations. Some patients experience a life-threatening, aggressive clinical course, with rapid deterioration and death due to multisystem failure.

Infecciones hospitalarias (HI): identificación de factores de riesgo y prevalencia, Servicio de Cirugía General Hospital Universitario de Caracas (HUC) junio 2009 / Nosocomial infections (HI): identification of risk factors and prevalence, General Surgery Hospital Universitario de Caracas (HUC) in june 2009

Conocer la prevalencia puntual y factores de riesgo para IH en los servicios de cirugía general del HCU. Durante dos días de junio 2009 se realizaron encuestas a los pacientes, revisando las historias clínicas y resultados de los cultivos, registrando los datos en formulario. De acuerdo al censo diario de pacientes se calcularon las tasas. Los resultados se expresan en números absolutos, promedios, porcentajes y tasas. Las tasas generales de IH estuvieron entre 11% - 13,8%, predominando las piel y tejidos blandos 2,5% - 5,7% neumonías 2,5% - 5,7% y herida operatoria 2,6% - 4,5%. Más del 50% de los pacientes se encontraban en espera de la cirugía. Los factores de riesgo intrínsecos más frecuentes fueron neoplasias, 25,60%; desnutrición, 16,67%. Accesos venosos periféricos, 65,48%; uso previo de antimicrobianos, 60,71% catéteres urinarios, 11,31%; rasurado con afeitadora, 10,71%; catéter venoso central 8,93%; drenajes abiertos, 7,64% y promedios de estancia (PE) prolongados (preoperatorio 13,70 días; posoperatorio 11,45 días) fueron factores de riesgo asociados a la atención. Las tasas generales de IH en los servicios de cirugía del HUC son elevadas, predominando las piel y neumonías. Las estrategias de prevención deben orientarse a vigilacia, disminución del PE preoperatorio, racionalización del uso de antimicrobianos y catéteres, evitar el rasurado con afeitadora y manter educación continua.

To investigate the point prevalenceand risk factors for hospital infections (HI) in general surgery services at Hospital Universitario de Caracas. On two days in June 2009 interviews to admitted patients, and revisión of clinical charts were performed, recording data in a written from. Daily number od admitted patients was used to calculate prevalence rate. Results are expressed in absolute numbers, means, and percentages. HI general prevalence was 11.0% - 13.8%, with predominance of skin and soft tissue infections 2.5% - 5.7%, pneumonia 2.5 - 5.7% and surgical site infection 2.6% - 4.5%. More than 50% of the patients were waiting for surgical procedures. Intrinsic most common risk factors were neoplasic diseases, 25.6%; and malnutrition 16.7%. Peripheral vein access 65.5%; previous use of antimicrobial agents 60.7%; presence of urine bladder catheters 11.3%; shaving with a razor 10.7%; central venous catheter 8.9%; open drainages 7.6% and length of hospital stay (LOS) (preoperative 13.7 days; postoperative 11,5 days) were attention-related risk factors. HI general prevalence ingeneral surgery, HUC are high, most commonly skin and soft tissue infections and pneumonia. Prevention strategies must be directed to surveillance, shorten of length of preoperative stay, rational use of antimicrobial drugs and catheters, avoiding shaving with razors and continuing education to health workers and patients.