Dengue and COVID-19, overlapping epidemics? An analysis from Colombia.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has rapidly spread throughout Latin America, a region swept by multiple previous and ongoing epidemics. There are significant concerns that the arrival of COVID-19 is currently overlapping with other viruses, particularly dengue, in various endo-epidemic regions across South America. In this report, we analyzed trends for both viral infections in Colombia during the first 20 epidemiological weeks (EWs) of 2020. From 1st January to 16th May 2020 (EWs, 1-20), a total of 52 679 cases of dengue and 14 943 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Colombia. As both conditions may potentially lead to fatal outcomes, especially in patients with chronic co-morbidities, overlapping infections, and co-occurrence may increase the number of patients requiring intensive care and mechanical ventilation. In regions, such as Valle del Cauca, intensified preparation for such scenarios should be pondered, and further studies should be performed to address this critical issue in a timely matter.

Predicting sepsis severity at first clinical presentation: The role of endotypes and mechanistic signatures.

BACKGROUND: Inter-individual variability during sepsis limits appropriate triage of patients. Identifying, at first clinical presentation, gene expression signatures that predict subsequent severity will allow clinicians to identify the most at-risk groups of patients and enable appropriate antibiotic use. METHODS: Blood RNA-Seq and clinical data were collected from 348 patients in four emergency rooms (ER) and one intensive-care-unit (ICU), and 44 healthy controls. Gene expression profiles were analyzed using machine learning and data mining to identify clinically relevant gene signatures reflecting disease severity, organ dysfunction, mortality, and specific endotypes/mechanisms. FINDINGS: Gene expression signatures were obtained that predicted severity/organ dysfunction and mortality in both ER and ICU patients with accuracy/AUC of 77-80%. Network analysis revealed these signatures formed a coherent biological program, with specific but overlapping mechanisms/pathways. Given the heterogeneity of sepsis, we asked if patients could be assorted into discrete groups with distinct mechanisms (endotypes) and varying severity. Patients with early sepsis could be stratified into five distinct and novel mechanistic endotypes, named Neutrophilic-Suppressive/NPS, Inflammatory/INF, Innate-Host-Defense/IHD, Interferon/IFN, and Adaptive/ADA, each based on ∼200 unique gene expression differences, and distinct pathways/mechanisms (e.g., IL6/STAT3 in NPS). Endotypes had varying overall severity with two severe (NPS/INF) and one relatively benign (ADA) groupings, consistent with reanalysis of previous endotype studies. A 40 gene-classification tool (accuracy=96%) and several gene-pairs (accuracy=89-97%) accurately predicted endotype status in both ER and ICU validation cohorts. INTERPRETATION: The severity and endotype signatures indicate that distinct immune signatures precede the onset of severe sepsis and lethality, providing a method to triage early sepsis patients.

Linfadenopatía reactiva por vacuna Pfizer-BioNTech para COVID-19: reporte de un caso / Reactive lymphadenopathy due to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine: a case report

Uno de los efectos secundarios encontrados en pacientes con antecedente de vacunación por COVID-19, especialmente con la vacuna Pfizer-BioNTech, es la aparición de múltiples adenopatías hiperplásicas, principalmente en los ganglios linfáticos axilares, supraclaviculares e infraclaviculares ipsilaterales al sitio de vacunación. Presentamos el caso de una paciente femenina de 33 años, con aparición de masa dolorosa supraclavicular izquierda, quien una semana antes había sido vacunada con la primera dosis de la vacuna Pfizer-BioNTech en región deltoidea izquierda. Los hallazgos citológicos fueron sugestivos de una enfermedad linfoproliferativa, y el estudio histopatológico reveló linfadenopatía reactiva con proliferación de inmunoblastos B activados, secundaria a la vacunación contra COVID-19. Aportamos a la literatura con la caracterización de los hallazgos histopatológicos de la linfadenopatía posvacunación contra COVID-19. Es importante que los médicos tratantes y radiólogos estén familiarizados con este diagnóstico diferencial, para brindar recomendaciones adecuadas basadas en un seguimiento a corto plazo, en lugar de realizar biopsias, intervenciones y conductas inmediatas innecesarias en el manejo de los pacientes

One of the side effects found in patients with a history of vaccination for COVID-19, especially with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, is the appearance of multiple hyperplastic adenopathies, mainly axillary, supraclavicular and infraclavicular lymph nodes ipsilateral to the vaccination site. We present the case of a 33-year-old female patient, with the appearance of a painful left supraclavicular mass, who was vaccinated a week earlier with the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in the left deltoid region. The cytological findings were suggestive of a lymphoproliferative disease, and the histopathological study revealed reactive lymphadenopathy with proliferation of activated B immunoblasts, secondary to vaccination against COVID-19. We contribute to the literature with the characterization of the histopathological findings of COVID-19 post-vaccination lymphadenopathy. It is important for treating physicians and radiologists to be familiar with this differential diagnosis, in order to provide appropriate recommendations based on short-term follow-up, instead of performing unnecessary immediate biopsies or interventions in patient management.

Linfangiomatosis esplénica en un paciente adulto: Reporte de caso

Los linfangiomas son malformaciones benignas del sistema linfático que afectan con mayor frecuencia a los niños y en raras ocasiones a adultos. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 36 años, con cuadro clínico de 6 meses de dolor abdominal difuso sin irritación peritoneal, y asociado a adinamia. Como parte de los estudios, se solicitó una tomografía axial computarizada con contraste de abdomen, que reveló múltiples lesiones esplénicas hipodensas hipovasculares, con sospecha diagnóstica de lesiones linfoproliferativas. Por tal motivo se solicitó una esplenectomía diagnóstica, que finalmente mostró hallazgos macroscópicos, microscópicos y de inmunohistoquímica (positividad de las lesiones quísticas para CD31 y D2-40) compatibles con linfagiomatosis esplénica difusa.

Lymphangiomas are benign malformations of the lymphatic system. They most often affect children and rarely adults. We present the case of a 36-year-old woman with a 6-month clinical picture of diffuse abdominal pain without peritoneal irritation associated with adynamia. As part of the studies, a computerized axial tomography with abdominal contrast was requested, which revealed multiple hypovascular hypodense splenic lesions with suspected diagnosis of lymphoproliferative lesions. For this reason, a diagnostic splenectomy was requested, which showed macroscopic, microscopic and immunohistochemical findings (positivity of cystic lesions for CD31 and D2-40) compatible with diffuse splenic lymphagiomatosis

Pigmentación violácea dolorosa, reto clínico y enfoque diagnóstico en un país tropical / Painful violaceous pigmentation, a clinical challenge and diagnostic approach in a tropical country

RESUMEN Contrario a lo que se cree, los milpiés no se consideran animales venenosos, su mecanismo de defensa puede resultar perjudicial para el ser humano, manifestándose como lesiones de carácter eritematoso, purpúrico y cianótico, concomitante dolor local y parestesia; Según la exposición, el cuadro clínico puede evolucionar a lesiones moderadas y severas, ampollas y úlceras. Describimos el caso de un paciente pediátrico de sexo masculino de la región andina de Colombia, con temperaturas diarias que oscilan entre 15° y 30°C y una humedad promedio de 72 %, quien accidentalmente pisó un milpiés, lo cual fue un desafío diagnóstico entre el personal de salud que generó su atención.

ABSTRACT Millipedes are not considered poisonous animals, although in some cases their chemical defense mechanisms may be deleterious for human beings, manifesting as erythematous, purpuric and/ or cyanotic lesions alongside local pain and paresthesia. According to the exposure, the clinical condition may progress to moderate and severe lesions such as ulcers and blisters. We describe a case of a male child from the Andean region in Colombia, an area with daily temperatures between 15° and 30° C and 72% average humidity. The boy accidentally stepped on a millipede, and this occurrence became a challenge for its diagnosis amongst staff who provided emergency health care.

Physical activity in a rural community in Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize physical activity profiles in a rural community in the southwest of Colombia and to identify knowledge gaps on this issue in the country. METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted in a rural area in Puerto Caldas, Pereira, Risaralda. The population of the study was obtained by convenience sampling from people participating in the activities of the Second Multidisciplinary Camp for Research and Services (CUMIS, for its acronym in Spanish), which was organized by the Colombian Association of Medical Students' Scientific Societies (ASCEMCOL, for its acronym in Spanish). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used in order to measure and classify the physical activity behaviors of this population. RESULTS: Data from 100 subjects with a mean age of 43±18 years were collected. 6 % of the population did not perform any kind of physical activity, while 61 % performed vigorous physical activity. Men spent more time in doing vigorous and moderate physical activity than women did (p<0.05). The World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations on physical activity were followed by 72.29 % (n=60) and 82.35 % (n=14) of the people with an age of 18 to64 and ≥65 years, respectively. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to build up evidence regarding physical activity in rural areas in order to implement public policies that promote its practice in communities where socioeconomic and health inequities exist. Part of the population living in the community where the study was carried out does not follow the WHO recommendations on physical activity; therefore, the lack of public health interventions is highlighted. A better coherence between international resolutions, national public policies and their implementation could lead to an increase in practice levels of physical activity.

Scleredema Diabeticorum / Escleredema Diabeticorum Scleredema Diabeticorum

Abstract Scleredema diabeticorum is one of the skin disorders associated with diabetes mellitus, characterized by thickening of the deep layers of the dermis, with excessive mucin and collagen deposition, clinically evidenced in hardening of the skin, especially in the upper half of the body. We describe the clinical case of an adult male diabetic who was seen for an indurated cervical lesion which was subsequently diagnosed histopathologically as scleredema diabeticorum. The interest in this case lies in the low prevalence of the condition and its association with poor metabolic control of diabetes. (Acta Med Colomb 2021; 46. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2021.1888).

Resumen Dentro de los trastornos cutáneos asociados a la diabetes mellitus, se describe el escleredema diabeticorum el cual se caracteriza por un engrosamiento de las capas profundas de la dermis con depósito excesivo de mucina y colágeno, que produce clínicamente endurecimiento de la piel, principalmente en la mitad superior del cuerpo. Se describe un caso clínico correspondiente a un hombre adulto diabético que consultó por la aparición de una lesión indurada en la región cervical con posterior diagnóstico histopatológico de escleroderma diabeticorum. El interés radica en la baja prevalencia de la condición y su asociación al pobre control metabólico de la diabetes. (Acta Med Colomb 2021; 46. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2021.1888).

Estimating and mapping the incidence of giardiasis in Colombia, 2009-2013.

BACKGROUND: Giardiasis is one of the most common intestinal infections in the world. There have been no national studies on the morbidity of giardiasis in Colombia. In this study, incidence rates of giardiasis were estimated for the years 2009-2013. METHODS: An observational, retrospective study of the giardiasis incidence in Colombia, 2009-2013, was performed using data extracted from the personal health records system (Registro Individual de Prestación de Servicios, RIPS). Official population estimates from the National Department of Statistics (DANE) were used for the estimation of crude and adjusted incidence rates (cases/100 000 population). RESULTS: During the period studied, 15 851 cases were reported (median 3233/year; 5-year cumulated crude national rate of 33.97 cases/100 000 population). Of these, 50.3% were female; 58.4% were <10 years old and 14.8% were 10-19 years old. By region, 17.7% were from Bogotá (10.07 cases/100 000 population, 2009), 10.9% from Antioquia (9.42, 2009), 8.6% from Atlántico (15.67, 2009), and 6.5% from Risaralda (33.38, 2009). Cases were reported in all departments (even insular areas). CONCLUSIONS: As giardiasis is neglected in many countries, surveillance is not regularly undertaken. Despite its limitations, this study is the first attempt to provide estimates of national giardiasis incidence with consistent findings regarding affected age groups and geographical distribution.

Differences on Primary Care Labor Perceptions in Medical Students from 11 Latin American Countries.

BACKGROUND: The shortage in Latin-American Primary Care (PC) workforce may be due to negative perceptions about it. These perceptions might be probably influenced by particular features of health systems and academic environments, thus varying between countries. METHODS: Observational, analytic and cross-sectional multicountry study that evaluated 9,561 first and fifth-year medical students from 63 medical schools of 11 Latin American countries through a survey. Perceptions on PC work was evaluated through a previously validated scale. Tertiles of the scores were created in order to compare the different countries. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios were calculated using simple and multiple Poisson regression with robust variance. RESULTS: Approximately 53% of subjects were female; mean age was 20.4±2.9 years; 35.5% were fifth-year students. Statistically significant differences were found between the study subjects' country, using Peru as reference. Students from Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Paraguay perceived PC work more positively, while those from Ecuador showed a less favorable position. No differences were found among perceptions of Bolivian, Salvadoran, Honduran and Venezuelan students when compared to their Peruvian peers. CONCLUSIONS: Perceptions of PC among medical students from Latin America vary according to country. Considering such differences can be of major importance for potential local specific interventions.

Purple urine bag syndrome in an elderly patient from Colombia.

A 71-year-old woman in a nursing home, with indwelling urinary catheter, bedridden, presented with a purple urine collector bag. The purple urine bag syndrome is a rare condition associated with the metabolism of tryptophan by overgrowth of intestinal bacteria. The purple color is formed by a combination of indigo and indirubin produced as a result of phosphatase and sulfatase enzymatic activity of bacteria on indoxyl sulfate, under alkaline pH of the urine. We present the second case of this syndrome reported in Colombia detailing the management of this rare syndrome associated with urinary tract infection. Several conditions should be considered in the differential diagnose of diseases that cause discoloration of the urine.

Geographical and occupational aspects of leptospirosis in the coffee-triangle region of Colombia, 2007-2011.

BACKGROUND: There are few studies occupationally profiling as well as using Geographic information system (GIS) to map human leptospirosis. There are no detailed, municipality-level, epidemiological maps in Colombia neither in South America. We developed such maps for the Coffee-triangle region, Colombia and assess some occupational issues. METHODS: surveillance cases data (2007-2011) were used to estimate the annual incidence rates (cases/100,000 population) of leptospirosis to develop the first maps of disease in the 53 municipalities of the Coffee-triangle region of Colombia. GIS used was Kosmo(®) 3.1. Five thematic maps were developed according to municipalities and years. Using labor official information, analyses between agriculture (harvested areas) with disease occurrence was done (linear regression). RESULTS: Between 2007 and 2011, 786 cases were reported (77.8% from one department, Risaralda), for a cumulated rate of 32.18 cases/100,000 population. The highest rate was reported in the less developed municipality of one department (Pueblo Rico, Risaralda) with 1535.05 cases/100,000 population (187 cases, 2009). Armenia (Quindio department capital city), reported 23.41 cases/100,000pop (2011). In those patients with identified occupations, 33.3% were agriculture workers, finding a significant relationship between the number of cases in 2008 and the harvested area by municipality (r(2)=0.48; p=0.0083). CONCLUSION: one of the 53 municipalities contributed with almost a quarter of the cases. Agriculture was significantly associated with the incidence. Use of GIS-based epidemiological maps allow to focus actions in prevention and control for risk zones for leptospirosis which still represents a significant issue in the region and Colombia, particularly in agriculture workers.

[Low frequency of prophylaxis prescription for osteoporosis in patients receiving chronic treatment with corticosteroids in Colombia]. / Baja frecuencia de prescripción de profilaxis para osteoporosis en pacientes en tratamiento crónico con corticoides en Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the frequency of drug use for the prevention of corticosteroid induced osteoporosis (CIO) among patients using corticosteroids for more than three months affiliated to the General Social Health Security System of Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Information about people affiliated to the General Social Health Security System of Colombia (3.7 million) was used. This study included men and women of all ages having been prescribed any glucocorticoid from August 1 to November 30, 2011. Sociodemographic variables and the characteristics of of the glucocorticoid prescription and CIO prophylaxis drugs in a defined daily dose (DDD) were identified. RESULTS: A database of 255,568 prescriptions of glucocorticoids was obtained, with a total of 1,837 patients receiving some glucocorticoid chronically. The majority of participants were females (60.2%), with an average age of 55.2± 16.9 years distributed in 65 cities of the country. Prednisolone was the most commonly used glucocorticoid (1,546 patients, 84.1%), whereas the most prescribed prophylaxis drug used was calcitriol (67.1%). Despite the need to receive prophylaxis, 994 cases (54.2%) were not receiving it. CONCLUSIONS: There is a poor utilization of CIO prophylaxis. The implementation of drug surveillance actions that allow the identification of problems related to these drugs in order to prevent adverse events and optimize resources is recommended, thus anticipating the emergence of complications in the patients.

Consideraciones anestésicas en el paciente con enfermedad por virus dengue / Anesthetic considerations in the patient with dengue virus disease

El dengue continúa siendo un problema de salud pública en América. Suele presentarse como una enfermedad febril leve, sin embargo, los pacientes con enfermedad grave pueden presentar síndromes hemorrágicos y choque por dengue. Diferentes circunstancias pueden surgir en el curso evolutivo de los pacientes con dengue impactando en la posibilidad de que sea necesario realizar en ellos una intervención quirúrgica, ante lo cual es necesario plantear las consideraciones anestésicas que deben ser tenidas en cuenta para el correcto abordaje. El presente texto tiene como objetivo establecer consideraciones clínicas útiles para el manejo anestésico en el paciente con enfermedad por dengue para reducir el riesgo de complicaciones peri-operatorias y muerte.

Dengue fever continues to be a public health problem in America. It usually presents as a mild febrile illness, however, patients with severe disease may have hemorrhagic syndromes and dengue shock. Different circumstances can arise in the evolutionary course of patients with dengue impacting on the possibility that it is necessary to perform a surgical intervention, before which it is necessary to raise the anesthetic considerations that must be taken into account for the correct approach. The present text aims to establish useful clinical considerations for anesthetic management in the patient with dengue disease to reduce the risk of peri-operative complications and death.

Experiencia en el uso de tromboprofilaxis farmacológica en un hospital colombiano de tercer nivel / Experience with the use of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis in a tertiary care Colombian hospital

Objetivo: Describir las características de la población con patologías no quirúrgicas en quien se indicó manejo de tromboprofilaxis farmacológica en un hospital de tercer nivel y determinar la indicación según riesgo de tromboembolia venosa (VTE) y sangrado con las escalas Padua e IMPROVE Bleeding Score. Materiales y métodos: estudio observacional, descriptivo, de corte transversal que incluyó a pacientes > 18 años, con patología no quirúrgica del servicio de medicina interna, con estancia hospitalaria mínima de 48 horas, atendidos entre el 1 de junio de 2015 a 1 de junio de 2016. En la valoración de riesgo de VTE y sangrado se aplicaron las escalas Padua e IMPROVE Bleeding Score, respectivamente. Resultados: se incluyeron 531 pacientes, de los que el 51,78% fueron hombres, con una edad promedio de 66 años y hospitalización de 37,2 días. La indicación farmacológica más empleada fue la heparina de bajo peso molecular (76,3%). De acuerdo a la escala de Padua, solo 225 pacientes (42,37%) tenían un alto riesgo de tener VTE; según la IMPROVE Bleeding Score, 447 (84,18%) pacientes presentaban bajo riesgo de sangrado y 84 pacientes (15,81%) alto riesgo. Además, se observó que los pacientes con puntaje PADUA ≥ 4, el 21,33% tenía puntaje IMPROVE Bleeding Score ≥7, adicionalmente el 20,23% de los pacientes con alto riesgo de sangrado según esta última escala presentó un episodio de sangrado. Conclusión: se evidenció un sobreuso de tromboprofilaxis farmacológica, lo cual se ve reflejado en episodios de sangrado en paciente que no tenían indicado su uso

Objective: To describe the characteristics of the population with non-surgical conditions who were prescribed pharmacological thromboprophylaxis in a tertiary care hospital, and to determine the indication according to the risk for developing venous thromboembolism (VTE) and bleeding using the Padua Scale and the IMPROVE Bleeding Score. Materials and Methods: This is an observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study that included patients >18 years old from the internal medicine ward who had no surgical conditions, who were hospitalized for 48 hours as a minimum, between June 1st, 2015 and June 1st, 2016. When assessing the risk for VTE and bleeding the Padua scale and the IMPROVE Bleeding Score were used, respectively. Results: Five-hundred and thirty-one patients were included, half of them (51.78%) were male, their mean age was 66 years, and their average hospitalization time was 37.2 days. The most frequently used pharmacological indication was low molecular weight heparin (76.3%). According to the Padua scale, only 225 patients (42.37%) were at high risk for developing VTE; according to the IMPROVE Bleeding Score, 447 (84.18%) patients were at low risk for bleeding, and 84 patients (15.81%) were at high risk. Also, it was observed that patients with a >4 score in the PADUA scale, 21.33% had >7 points in the IMPROVE Bleeding Score; additionally, 20.23% of patients at high risk for bleeding according to the latter instrument had a bleeding episode. Conclusion: There was overuse of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis, which was reflected in the occurrence of bleeding episodes in patients who did not qualify for such indication