Programmatic management of patients with pre-extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis in Peru, 2011-2014.

BACKGROUND: In Peru, a treatment approach for extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) incorporating World Health Organization Group 5 drugs and patient-centred care has achieved 65% success. To extend this approach to pre-XDR-TB patients, we evaluated this population separately. OBJECTIVE: To assess programmatic management of pre-XDR-TB. METHOD: Retrospective study using the official national registry from 2011 to 2014. Cases were separately evaluated according to resistance to fluoroquinolones (FQs) (pre-XDR-F) or to second-line injectables (SLIs) (pre-XDR-I). RESULTS: Of 610 pre-XDR-TB patients, 120 (20%) had pre-XDR-F and 490 (80%) had pre-XDR-I. Pre-XDR-F cases were older (34 years vs. 28 years, P < 0.001) and a higher proportion had previously received two or more regimens (70% vs. 38%, P < 0.001). Among the 452 patients who started treatment in 2011-2013, treatment success was 43.3%, 26.5% were lost to follow-up, 12.1% died and 13.7% failed treatment. Success was higher in pre-XDR-I (48.5%) than pre-XDR-F (21.4%) patients. History of previous treatment (OR 2.23, 95%CI 1.52-3.38) and pre-XDR-F (OR 2.39, CI 1.18-4.83) were associated with unsuccessful outcomes. CONCLUSION: Programmatic management of pre-XDR-TB has not been successful, particularly in pre-XDR-F patients, with lower rates of success than those achieved in the same setting for XDR-TB. The strategy used for XDR-TB should be extended to pre-XDR-TB patients in Peru.

Rapid drug susceptibility testing and treatment outcomes for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Peru.

SETTING: The detection of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) using rapid drug susceptibility testing (DST) has increased steadily in recent years in Peru, from 9216 tests in 2010 to 27 021 tests in 2015. Research examining the impact of rapid DST on treatment outcomes is required. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between rapid DST use (nitrate reductase assay, microscopic observation drug susceptibility assay [MODS] and GenoType® MTBDRplus) and treatment outcomes and mortality in MDR-TB patients in Peru. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with pulmonary MDR-TB between 2010 and 2013 (with treatment outcomes up to December 2015) using the electronic registry of the Peruvian National TB Programme. RESULTS: A total of 2671 MDR-TB patients were included; the median age was 27 years, 2.8% were co-infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. Use of rapid DST was associated with a 40% increase in the adjusted odds of treatment success (aOR 1.40, 95%CI 1.19-1.64) and a 54% reduction in mortality (aOR 0.46, 95%CI 0.33-0.64). Higher treatment success rates were driven by MODS and GenoType® MTBDRplus testing (aORs for unsuccessful outcomes respectively 0.68 and 0.66). CONCLUSION: The use of rapid DST (MODS and MTBDRplus) to diagnose MDR-TB was associated with a reduction in the odds of death and a substantial increase in the odds of treatment success.

Familial aplasia cutis congenita and coarctation of the aorta.

We report on the association of aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) in the midline of the scalp vertex and coarctation of the aorta (CA) in mother and son. The acronym of ACCCA syndrome is proposed for this condition. Autosomal dominant inheritance is most commonly implicated in the familial cases of ACC. The familial aggregation of CA is attributed, in general, to a multi-factorial causation, with a few reported families suggesting autosomal dominant inheritance. The ACCCA syndrome could be due to a Mendelian mutation.

Factores de riesgo asociados a recidiva de carcinoma papilar de tiroides / Risk factors associated with recurrence of papillary thyroid carcinoma

RESUMEN Introducción: Aunque el carcinoma papilar de tiroides (CPT) tiene una buena sobrevida, en el 30% de los casos recidivará a largo plazo. Se han descrito factores pronósticos como el tamaño, histopatología, procedimiento quirúrgico y administración de yodo radiactivo. Objetivo: Este trabajo pretende determinar factores de riesgo de recidiva a largo plazo. Material y método: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo y observacional, se incluyeron a los pacientes sometidos a cirugía por CPT con seguimiento a 10 años, y se analizaron variables clínicas y bioquímicas relacionadas con la recidiva a largo plazo. Resultados: Se identificaron 91 pacientes con seguimiento de 10 años. No se encontró relación para recidiva con historia familiar oncológica, enfermedad tiroidea pre-via, pero sí con tabaquismo (p 0,040). Se encontraron a 27 (29%) con recidiva, en relación a lesiones >3 cm (p 0,05), y CPT multicéntrico (p 0,003). Conclusión: El tiempo de evolución prolongado favorece el crecimiento de las lesiones, y la diseminación de la enfermedad, así como la recidiva. El CPT es una enfermedad con capacidad metastásica a largo plazo, que requiere un seguimiento cercano y detección oportuna de pacientes susceptibles de recidiva. El tiempo entre el diagnóstico y la cirugía es un factor fundamental para el crecimiento de las lesiones y la propagación de la enfermedad, por lo que se debe reducir el tiempo de espera, evitando así las lesiones de mayor tamaño, diseminación de células tumorales y la recidiva con peor pronóstico para los pacientes.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The papillary thyroid cancer has good survival rate, however, 30% of the patients will have a recurrence. Prognostic factors have been described such as size, histopathology, surgical procedure and administration of radioactive iodine. Aim: To determine preventable risk factors for long-term recurrence. Material and method: This is a retrospective and observational study, patients undergoing surgery for CPT and 10 year follow up were included to analyze clinical and biochemical variables related to long-term recurrence. Results: Ninety-one patients with a 10-year follow-up were identified. No relationship was found for recurrence with oncological family history, previous thyroid disease, but smoking was a risk factor (p 0.040). We found 27 (29%) with relapse, in relation to lesions > 3 cm (p 0.05), and multicentric PTC (p 0.003). Conclusion: The long evolution time favors the growth of lesions, the spread of the disease, as well as the recurrence. The CPT is a disease with long-term metastatic capacity; it requires close monitoring and opportune detection of patients susceptible to recurrence. The time between diagnosis and surgery is a fundamental factor for the growth of the lesions and the spread of the disease, so the waiting time must be reduced, thus avoiding larger lesions, malignant cell dissemination and recurrence with worse prognosis for patients.

Reliability of the MODS assay decentralisation process in three health regions in Peru.

OBJECTIVE: To deliver rapid isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RMP) drug susceptibility testing (DST) close to the patient, we designed a decentralisation process for the microscopic observation drug susceptibility (MODS) assay in Peru and evaluated its reliability. METHODS: After 2 weeks of training, laboratory staff processed ≥ 120 consecutive sputum samples each in three regional laboratories. Samples were processed in parallel with MODS testing at an expert laboratory. Blinded paired results were independently analysed by the Instituto Nacional de Salud (INS) according to pre-determined criteria: concordance for culture, DST against INH and RMP and diagnosis of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) ≥ 95%, McNemar's P > 0.05, kappa index (κ) ≥ 0.75 and contamination 1-4%. Sensitivity and specificity for MDR-TB were calculated. RESULTS: The accreditation process for Callao (126 samples, 79.4% smear-positive), Lima Sur (n = 130, 84%) and Arequipa (n = 126, 80%) took respectively 94, 97 and 173 days. Pre-determined criteria in all regional laboratories were above expected values. The sensitivity and specificity for detecting MDR-TB in regional laboratories were >95%, except for sensitivity in Lima Sur, which was 91.7%. Contamination was 1.0-2.3%. Mean delay to positive MODS results was 9.9-12.9 days. CONCLUSION: Technology transfer of MODS was reliable, effective and fast, enabling the INS to accredit regional laboratories swiftly.

Onychotrichodysplasia and chronic neutropenia without mental retardation (ONS): a second case report.

Onychotrichodysplasia, chronic neutropenia and mental retardation syndrome (ONMRS) is a rare autosomal recessive mutation, mostly reported in patients of Mexican ancestry. We describe a second patient with onychotrichodysplasia and chronic neutropenia without mental retardation (ONS). It is unclear if ONS found in the two European patients with normal mental development is due to genetic heterogeneity or variable expressivity of the same syndrome.

[Presence of Tarebia granifera (Lamarck) (Mollusca: prosobranchia) in several fresh water bodies in the municipality of Sancti Spiritus]. / Presencia de Tarebia granifera (Lamarck) (mollusca: prosobranchia) en diferentes cuerpos de agua dulce del municipio Sancti Spiritus.

The distribution of T. granifera in bodies of sweet water in Sancti Spiritus municipality is studied. It was found that it is widely distributed and that it occupies very varied biotopes, except in places with a high organic contamination.

Hemorroidectomía, método quirúrgico alternativo: experiencia inicial en un hospital público / Surgical treatment of hemorrhoids: harmonic scalpel hemorrhoidectomy as a safe and rapid alternative to conventional open techniques

This report describe the surgical treatment of hemorrhoids. In the last years, encouraging results have been presented using a harmonic or ultrasonic scalpel (Ultracision). Harmonic scalpel hemorrhoidectomy ia a safe and rapid alternative to conventional open techniques.