IL-18 discriminates highly frequent hepatitis E virus positive from negative blood donors in Mexico.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is not routinely screened in blood banks in low- and middle-income countries, and no specific biomarkers of exposure to this virus have yet been identified. We aimed to identify HEV seropositivity and detect virus RNA among blood donors from Mexico to further correlate risk factors related to infection and levels of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) as potential biomarkers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional, single-center study included 691 serum samples of blood donors obtained in 2019. Anti-HEV IgG and IgM antibodies were detected in sera and the viral genome was screened in pooled samples. A statistical comparison of risk factors for infection, demographic and clinical features was performed; IL-18 and IFN- Î³ values were tested in sera. RESULTS: Of all the individuals, 9.4% were positive for anti-HEV antibodies and viral RNA detection was confirmed in one of the pools positive for anti-HEV. From the analysis of risk factors, age and having pets were statistically significant for anti-HEV antibody detection. Seropositive samples showed significantly higher IL-18 concentrations relative to samples from seronegative donors. Interestingly, IL-18 values were similar when HEV seropositive samples were compared to samples from clinically acute previously confirmed HEV patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the need to follow up on HEV in blood banks in Mexico and underscore that IL-18 could represent a biomarker of HEV exposure.

[Coffin-Lowry syndrome. Its association with congenitally narrow cervical canal and myelomalacia]. / Síndrome de Coffin-Lowry. Su asociación con canal cervical estrecho congénito y mielomalacia.

BACKGROUND: Typical clinical features of the Coffin-Lowry syndrome include facies with hypertelorism, small nose, wide mouth, full and everted lips; short stature, mental retardation, pectus deformity, mitral valve dysfunction, hippocampal and cerebellar involvement, hearing loss and spinal disorders such as kyphosis and scoliosis. Due to its scarce incidence, it is difficult making an early diagnosis. The aim of this report was to document the anatomical peculiarities identified during the surgical treatment of a patient with this syndrome. CLINICAL CASE: Male patient with Coffin-Lowry syndrome who evolved with narrow cervical canal plus myelomalacia at short age, making decompression from C3 to C6 and instrumentation from C2 to C7 necessary. During the surgery, in addition to calcification of the yellow ligament, adhesions on the dura mater from C4 to C4, dark purplish color in this area and hourglass-shaped thinning were found; the ends at C3 and C6 were normal. The purpose of the surgery was to stop the myopathy. Post-operatively, the patient had pulmonary complications; at the sixth day he passed away due to ventilatory complications and inadequate secretion control. CONCLUSIONS: The Coffin-Lowry syndrome is a rare diagnosis in our country; neurological involvement at the spinal level is characterized by kyphosis or scoliosis; for its diagnosis, an adequate medical history and a karyotype are necessary.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las características clínicas típicas del síndrome de Coffin-Lowry son facies con hipertelorismo, nariz pequeña, boca amplia, labios amplios y evertidos; estatura corta, retardo mental, deformidad del pectus, disfunción de la válvula mitral, afectación de hipocampo y cerebelo, pérdida de la audición y trastornos de la columna, como cifosis o escoliosis. Debido a su escasa incidencia es difícil realizar el diagnóstico temprano. El objetivo de este informe fue documentar las peculiaridades anatómicas identificadas durante el tratamiento quirúrgico de un paciente con este síndrome. CASO CLÍNICO: varón con síndrome de Coffin-Lowry quien evolucionó con canal cervical estrecho más mielomalacia a corta edad, por lo que fue necesaria descompresión de C3 a C6 e instrumentación de C2 a C7. Durante la cirugía se encontró, además de la calcificación del ligamento amarillo, adherencias a la duramadre desde C4 a C5, color violáceo obscuro en esta área y adelgazamiento en forma de reloj de arena; los extremos en C3 y C6 eran normales. El objetivo de la cirugía fue detener la miopatía. En el posquirúrgico, el paciente presentó complicaciones pulmonares; al sexto día falleció por complicaciones ventilatorias y mal manejo de secreciones. CONCLUSIONES: el síndrome de Coffin-Lowry es un diagnóstico raro en nuestro país, la afección neurológica a nivel de la columna se caracteriza por cifosis o escoliosis, para su diagnóstico es necesario una adecuada historia clínica y un cariotipo.

Guidelines for treatment of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis / Diretrizes para tratamento de espondilolistese lombar degenerativa / Guía de tratamiento de la espondilolistesis lumbar degenerativa

ABSTRACT Objectives: To determine the standard of treatment of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis in its different clinical presentations in UMAE Dr. Victorio de la Fuente Narváez. Methods: Six cases found in the literature were presented to 36 experts in spine surgery, along with treatment options, to thereby obtain a standard prescription for the treatment of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. Analytical observational cross-sectional descriptive study. Results: It was found that the treatment of choice in cases of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis with axial symptoms is conservative. The surgical treatment of choice for both stable and unstable patients with radiculopathy and/or claudication is decompression + posterolateral graft + transpedicular instrumentation + discectomy (graft). Conclusions: We managed to define the degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis treatment guidelines in our unit, which can serve as a basis for the development of a clinical practice guide.

RESUMO Objetivos: Determinar o padrão de tratamento de espondilolistese lombar degenerativa em suas diversas apresentações clínicas em UMAE Dr. Victorio de la Fuente Narváez. Métodos: Seis casos encontrados na literatura foram apresentados a 36 médicos especialistas em cirurgia de coluna, juntamente com opções de tratamento, para assim, obter um padrão de prescrição para o tratamento de espondilolistese degenerativa lombar. Estudo descritivo transversal observacional analítico. Resultados: Verificou-se que o tratamento de escolha para os casos de espondilolistese lombar degenerativa com sintomas axiais são conservadores. O tratamento cirúrgico de escolha para casos estáveis ou instáveis com radiculopatia e/ou claudicação é descompressão + enxerto posterolateral + instrumentação transpedicular + discectomia (enxerto). Conclusões: Foi possível definir as diretrizes de tratamento de espondilolistese lombar degenerativa em nossa unidade, que pode servir de base para o desenvolvimento de um guia de prática clínica.

RESUMEN Objetivos: Conocer el patrón de tratamiento de la espondilolistesis lumbar degenerativa en sus diferentes presentaciones clínicas en la UMAE Dr. Victorio de la Fuente Narváez. Métodos: Se presentaron a 36 médicos expertos en cirugía de columna 6 casos basados en la literatura, junto con las posibilidades de tratamiento, para obtener de este modo un patrón de prescripción para el tratamiento de espondilolistesis lumbar degenerativa. Estudio observacional descriptivo transversal analítico. Resultados: Se encontró que el tratamiento de elección para los casos de espondilolistesis lumbar degenerativa con sintomatología axial es conservador. El tratamiento quirúrgico de elección para los casos estables o inestables con radiculopatía y/o claudicación es la descompresión + injerto posterolateral + instrumentación transpedicular + discectomía (injerto). Conclusiones: Se logró definir la guía de tratamiento de espondilolistesis lumbar degenerativa en nuestra unidad, lo que puede servir como fundamento en la elaboración de una guía de práctica clínica.