Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

Background: Nowadays about half of antibiotic prescriptions are inadequate, increasing bacterial resistance. Both cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones are associated with this phenomenon: increase of β-lactamase producing bacteria and Clostridioides difficile infections, which is why regulatory agencies seek to rationalize their use. Aim: To evaluate the effect of use recommendations on the proportion of inadequate prescriptions of ceftriaxone and fluoroquinolones. Methods: A prospective and interventional study was developed, comparing the quality and quantity of use of ceftriaxone and fluoroquinolones before and after the implementation of use recommendations for treatments of infectious diseases acquired at the community. The outcomes were: proportion of inadequate prescriptions and defined daily dose (DDD). Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test, Fisher’s correction and Student’s test. Results: A total of 206 patients were evaluated, a 35% decrease in inadequate prescriptions, a decline in the consumption of ceftriaxone and levofloxacin, and a significant increase in the use of ampicillin/ sulbactam was observed. Conclusions: The implementation of use recommendations based on scientific evidence and local susceptibility allowed to reduce the proportion of inadequate prescriptions and to reduce de consumption of ceftriaxone and fluoroquinolones.

Background. The hantavirus infection is an emerging zoonotic disease, endemic in Chile, generating the hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), characterized by cardiopulmonary dysfunction with rapidly progressive respiratory failure and high lethality. For an early clinical orientation of HCPS, due to its non-specificity in symptoms and to help the differential diagnosis, some laboratory parameter that may be useful have been studied. Aim: To identify laboratory criteria as predictive factors of HCPS in patients with suspected hantavirus infection. Methodology: Retrospective cohort study of 71 patients admitted to the Hospital Guillermo Grant Benavente Emergency. We determined discriminative capacity of laboratory’s parameters at the time of admission: platelets recount, hematocrit, inmunoblasts, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST/GOT). Results: Were found significant differences in all parameters studied between confirmed patients (22) with respect to unconfirmed (49). Hematocrit, inmunoblasts, AST/GOT and aPTT had a OR > 1 and platelets count had a OR < 1. The best combination for predict HCPS was hematocrit, platelets count and AST/GOT with 90,01% sensibility and 81,63% specificity. Conclusion: The five parameters studied are good predictors of HCS in suspicious patients and they would may be useful in low complexity hospitals for quick transfer a center with critical care units.

Preterm birth (PB) is the main contributor to the perinatal morbidity/mortality. In spite of the knowledge of the risk factors and the introduction of medical interventions intended to prevent PB, its frequency has increased. Ascending bacterial infection (ABI) is the obstetric condition most frequently associated to PB causing an important adverse perinatal outcome in a public hospital in Chile. This review shows the association between PB and ABI, analyzes the physiopathology and immunology of vaginal infections in the susceptible pregnant woman., as well as their application in this group of effective measures demonstrated by evidence, such as routine control, treatment of genitourinary tract infections (GTI), prophylactic or therapeutic cerclage, use of probiotics, use of vaginal progesterone, metabolic control of diabetes mellitus and weight of the obese woman. Treatment GTI together with the use of medical interventions that improve the vaginal immunity in the risk population allow to predict a reduction of PB by ABI and of its immediate consequences, long term sequels and high associated costs, with the consequent benefit of the public health in Chile.

Adult T cell lymphocyte leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a subtype of T-cell lymphoma caused by infection of the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1); which generates a pro-viral integration into the host DNA, resulting in a clonal expansion of T lymphocytes. We present the case of a 20-year-old woman who developed multiple lymphadenopathies, hepatosplenomegaly and fever, serum positivity for HTLV-1 and proviral integration in the host DNA, demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Immunohistochemistry of lymphoid node was positive to CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. ATLL has been described in all HTLV-1 endemic areas, however, there are differences in the mean age of its presentation in such areas: 40 to 50 years in South America, 60 years in Japan. We showed one of few reported cases of the lymphoma type of ATLL in young adults.

No fuimos pocos los estudiantes de Medicina que escuchamos de parte de nuestros profesores de Microbiología de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Chile que la calle que se localiza inmediatamente frente a la entrada principal de nuestra Facultad, denominada calle Carrión, había sido nombrada de tal manera en honor a un estudiante peruano mártir de la medicina. Tal relato parecía totalmente factible para nosotros, pues el estudiante de medicina Daniel Alcides Carrión había vivido y muerto en la segunda mitad del s. XIX y dicha calle tenía su nombre desde, al menos, la misma época. La historia era perfecta y cumplía con su objetivo de encantar al joven estudiante con un evento local, heroico y trágico.

La incorporación de terapias biológicas ha significado un gran avance en el manejo de diversas patologías de origen autoinmune, neoplásico u otros. Si bien su uso ha implicado mejoras significativas en el pronóstico de estas enfermedades, no está exento de complicaciones, entre estas, las infecciosas. El objetivo de este consenso fue evaluar el perfil de seguridad, desde la mirada infectológica, de las terapias biológicas de uso más frecuente y dar recomendaciones para la prevención de infecciones en pacientes tratados con ellas, basándose en la evidencia de mayor calidad disponible para los biológicos seleccionados. El consenso cuenta de dos manuscritos. Esta primera parte detalla los riesgos de desarrollar complicaciones infecciosas dependiendo del tipo de biológico utilizado para determinada patología. La revisión incluyó búsqueda amplia en MEDLINE y Epistemonikos de revisiones sistemáticas y meta-análisis de estudios clínicos controlados y caso/control que examinaban infecciones posteriores al tratamiento con anti-TNF alfa, anti-CD20, anti-CD52, CTLA4-Ig y anti-integrinas. Esta búsqueda se complementó con revisión de cohortes multicéntricas de usuarios de biológicos, del MMWR del CDC, Atlanta, E.U.A. y de registros nacionales y/o de sociedades científicas en la que se hiciera mención a complicaciones infecciosas derivadas del uso de biológicos.

Background: Antiretroviral treatment (ART) is essential in HIV/Aids patients. Suppressing viral load requires strict adherence to ART in addition to the patient’s commitment to treatment. The failure of ART is mainly due to lack of adherence, which may in turn be due to poor quality of life and/or to psychological variables. Aim: To determine the quality of life and psychological variables and adherence to ART, in patients with HIV/Aids. Material and Method: 160 patients diagnosed with HIV/Aids and with ART were included. The MOS SF-36 and VPAD-24 instruments, a socio-demographic survey, and clinical data were collected. Quantitative and qualitative associations were made between the variables. Results: The adherence to ART was associated with avoidance of depressive behavior and with the absence of addictions. Depressive behavior associated with addictions. 87% of patients ranked in the best quality of life. Below the average of the general health score were males, with MSM sexual orientation, single, in vitality at ≥ 38 years, in corporal pain and with social function to three ART schemes. Conclusion: Good adherence to ART was associated with avoiding depressive behavior and with non-addictions and not associated with quality of life.

El síndrome cardiopulmonar por hantavirus (SCPH) es causado en Chile y en el sur de Argentina por el Andes hantavirus (ANDV), el cual es endémico en esta zona. La enfermedad causada por ANDV produce un aumento de permeabilidad vascular y filtración de plasma con una alta tasa de letalidad (35%), debido principalmente a insuficiencia respiratoria por edema pulmonar y al desarrollo en los casos severos de compromiso miocárdico, hipoperfusión y shock.  Aunque se sabe que los factores sociodemográficos del hospedero pueden influir en el curso y el resultado de la enfermedad, estos no se han caracterizado previamente en la población chilena. Este estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar la relación entre los factores sociodemográficos y la gravedad del SCPH. Se analizaron 139 pacientes chilenos, 64 (46%) con enfermedad grave, entre los cuales 12 murieron (19%).  Se observó una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre etnia, lugar de residencia y evolución de SCPH.

Las especies de Pasteurella multocida son reconocidas por ser de las más frecuentemente aisladas en la microbiota oral de animales domésticos y salvajes; por esto, están asociadas a infecciones de piel y tejidos blandos secundarias a mordeduras y rasguños. Las infecciones sistémicas son poco frecuentes, pero están asociadas a diseminación desde infecciones localizadas y algunos factores de riesgo asociados a inmunosupresión. Reportamos un caso de bacteriemia por Pasteurella multocida en un paciente de 88 años, relacionada con alimentos compartidos con su mascota; un mecanismo de producción de bacteriemia nunca antes descrito en la literatura.