Análisis del comportamiento de la procalcitonina en el paciente con cirrosis hepática ingresado en una unidad de cuidados intensivos

La procalcitonina (PCT) és un dels biomarcadors d'inflamació aplicats al camp de la infecció més estudiats en els últims anys. Es forma en diversos parènquimes incloent el fetge. Alguns autors van postular que la disfunció hepàtica podria ocasionar falsos negatius en la determinació de la procalcitonina. Estudiem la resposta de la PCT en pacients amb insuficiència hepàtica, analitzem retrospectivament el seu comportament en els pacients amb cirrosis hepàtica ingressats en la nostra unitat de vigilància intensiva (UVI). Finalment observem que la disfunció hepàtica no impedeix l'augment de la PCT. Per tant, segueix sent útil per identificar infeccions bacterianes

Extra-cellular matrix changes in Schistosoma mansoni-infected Biomphalaria glabrata

Reactivity of snails against parasites exhibits a primitive focal reaction, with encapsulation, phagocytosis and destruction of parasite larvae by macrophage-like cells - the hemocytes. This reaction mimics granulomatous inflammation seen in higher animals. However, different from the latter, little is known about the participation of extra-cellular matrix in such snail defense reactions. Normal and Schistosoma mansoni-infected Biomphalaria glabrata of different strains were submitted to cytological, histological, ultrastructural and biochemical methods in order to investigate the behavior of extra-cellular tissues at the site of anti-parasite reactions. In spite of the presence of two cell-types in peripheral hemolymph, only one cell-type was present at the sites of tissue reactions. Although pre-existent collagen and elastic fibers and microfibrils sometimes appeared slightly compressed around focal reactions, no evidences of duplication, synthesis or deposition of connective-tissue extra-cellular components were observed within or around the zones of reactive cell accumulations. Thus, tissue reactions against S. mansoni in the snail B. glabrata appeared exclusively dependent on one specific population of hemocytes.

Evaluation of rapid techniques for the detection of mycobacteria in sputum with scanty bacilli or clinically evident, smear negative cases of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis

The objective of the current study was to compare two rapid methods, the BBL Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT TM) and Biotec FASTPlaque TB TM (FPTB) assays, with the conventional Löwenstein-Jensen (LJ) media assay to diagnose mycobacterial infections from paucibacillary clinical specimens. For evaluation of the clinical utility of the BBL MGIT TM and FPTB assays, respiratory tract specimens (n = 208), with scanty bacilli or clinically evident, smear negative cases and non-respiratory tract specimens (n = 119) were analyzed and the performance of each assay was compared with LJ media. MGIT and FPTB demonstrated a greater sensitivity (95.92% and 87.68%), specificity (94.59% and 98.78%), positive predictive value (94.91% and 99.16%) and negative predictive value (96.56% and 90.92%), respectively, compared to LJ culture for both respiratory tract and non-respiratory tract specimens. However, the FPTB assay was unable to detect nontuberculous mycobacteria and few Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex cases from paucibacillary clinical specimens. It is likely that the analytical sensitivity of FPTB is moderately low and may not be useful for the direct detection of tuberculosis in paucibacillary specimens. The current study concluded that MGIT was a dependable, highly efficient system for recovery of M. tuberculosis complexes and nontuberculous mycobacteria from both respiratory and non-respiratory tract specimens in combination with LJ media.

Giant extra-hepatic thrombosed portal vein aneurysm: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Extrahepatic Portal vein aneurysm (EPVA) is a rare finding that may be associated with different complications, e.g. thrombosis, rupture, portal hypertension and compression of adjacent structures. It is being diagnosed more frequently with the advent of modern cross-sectional imaging. Our review of the English literature disclosed 13 cases of thrombosed EPVA. CASE PRESENTATION: A 50-years-old woman presented with acute abdominal pain but no other symptom. She had no relevant medical history. Palpation of the right upper quadrant showed tenderness. Laboratory tests were unremarkable. A computed tomography showed portal vein aneurysm measuring 88 × 65 mm with thrombosis extending to the superior mesenteric and splenic vein. The patient was treated conservatively with anticoagulation therapy. She was released after two weeks and followed on an outpatient basis. At two months, she reported decreased abdominal pain and her physical examination was normal. A computed tomography was performed showing a decreased thrombosis size and extent, measuring 80 × 55 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Although rare, surgeons should be made aware of this entity. Complications are various. Conservative therapy should be chosen in first intent in most cases. We reported the case of the second largest thrombosed extra-hepatic PVA described in the literature, treated by anticoagulation therapy with a good clinical and radiological response.

ABD e-News, January 30, 2004, EXTRA

Weekly newsletter for the State of Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division

Iowa Health Focus Extra, October 2001

Monthly newsletter for Iowa Department of Public Health

ABD e-news, June 4, 2004, EXTRA

Newsletter for the State of Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division

ABD e-News EXTRA July 26, 2004

Weekly newsletter for the State of Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division - Extra

ABD e-News, September 10, 2004, EXTRA

Weekly newsletter for the State of Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division

ABD e-News September 24, 2004, EXTRA

Weekly newsletter for the State of Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division

Internação psiquiátrica e a manutenção do tratamento extra-hospitalar

O objetivo desse trabalho foi identificar características comuns entre pessoas que tiveram alta hospitalar de internação psiquiátrica recente. Foi realizado um estudo quantitativo exploratório em um serviço ambulatorial de saúde mental. A amostra foi composta por pacientes egressos de internação. Utilizou-se um questionário e a pesquisa foi aprovada pelo CEP. Estrevistou-se 48 pacientes com idade média de 39 anos. Diagnósticos de Esquizofrenia e Transtornos Esquizotípicos foram prevalentes em 33,3% da amostra. Em média treze pacientes recebem alta de internação psiquiátrica hospitalar ao mês e 62,5% deles tinham internações anteriores. No período, 12,5% da amostra necessitou de reinternação. A internação psiquiátrica demonstrou ser um recurso necessário aos momentos de crise e parte da manutenção do tratamento psiquiátrico, principalmente dos transtornos mentais graves. O que evidencia a necessidade de uma manutenção adequada do tratamento nos serviços de atendimento comunitário para que a necessidade de reinternações seja evitada.

Extra-articular knee resection for a secondary chondrosarcoma evolving from an isolated enchondroma of the distal femur: A case report.

Introduction: Enchondromas are among the most current benign bone tumours. Malignant degeneration is extremely rare (<1%) and generally presents as a low grade chondrosarcoma. For localized grade 1 lesions, the treatment of choice is curettage. Wide excision and reconstruction is generally not necessary, unless locally advanced or more aggressive behaviour is suspected at presentation. Case report: A healthy 72 yo male presented with pain and recurrent knee joint effusion. X-rays show a classical central distal metaphyseal enchondroma of the femur associated with subtle osteolysis of the lateral condyle. MRI confirms the presence of a locally aggressive chondromatous lesion based in a classical enchondroma. Core needle biopsy revealed a grade 1 chondrosarcoma, which was in contrast to the radiological aggressiveness of the lesion. Total body CT-scan did not reveal metastatic disease. A wide resection was planned, as a high-grade lesion and joint contamination was suspected. We performed an extra-articular knee resection and reconstruction with a hinged modular total knee megaprosthesis. The definitive histology was grade 1 chondrosarcoma, the surgical margins were wide. The evolution was favourable and the patient was able to perform all his activities of daily living independently without pain at 6 weeks postop. Knee flexion reached 90°. The oncologic screening at 18 months did not show local or distant recurrence. Conclusion: Joints near a benign tumour that suddenly become symptomatic or present an effusion might indicate a malignant transformation. Wide resection and prosthetic reconstruction remains an effective treatment option even in low grade cartilaginous lesions if (1) the adjacent joint is contaminated, or (2) joint-sparing surgery would result in a severe functional impairment of the limb.

Estudio de las complicaciones infecciosas asociadas a la biopsia hepática en el trasplante hepático ortotópico

Analizamos un total de 669 biopsias hepáticas (557 percutáneas y 92 transyugulares) realizadas en 286 pacientes receptores de trasplante hepático con la intención de identificar factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de complicaciones infecciosas en relación a la biopsia hepática. Identificamos un total de 25 complicaciones en 24 pacientes (incidencia global de 3,7%). De ellas, 14 correspondieron a complicaciones infecciosas (2,09%). El principal factor de riesgo en nuestra serie fue el hecho de que los pacientes se encontrasen hospitalizados en el momento del procedimiento, reflejo de la mayor gravedad de esta población. Dentro de la población nosocomial, obtuvimos diferencias estadísticamente significativas en relación a los niveles de albúmina, con un riesgo estimado 3,7 veces mayor de desarrollar una infección en aquellos pacientes con niveles inferiores a 2,4 mg/dL.

Appropriate management of special situations in Crohn's disease (upper gastro-intestinal; extra-intestinal manifestations; drug safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding): results of a multidisciplinary international expert panel-EPACT II

Introduction: High-grade evidence is lacking for most therapeutic decisions in Crohn's disease. Appropriateness criteria were developed for upper gastro-intestinal, extra-intestinal manifestations and drug safety during conception, pregnancy and breastfeeding in patients with Crohn's disease, to assist the physician in clinical decision making. Methods: The European Panel on the Appropriateness of Crohn's Disease Therapy (EPACT II), a multidisciplinary international European expert panel, rated clinical scenarios based on evidence from the published literature and panelists' own clinical expertise. Median ratings (on a 9-point scale) were stratified into three categories: appropriate (7-9), uncertain (4-6 with or without disagreement) and inappropriate (1-3). Experts were also asked to rank appropriate medications by priority. Results: Proton pump inhibitors, steroids, azathioprine/6-mercaptopurine and infliximab are appropriate for upper gastro-duodenal Crohn's disease; for stenosis, endoscopic balloon dilation is the first-tine therapy, although surgery is also appropriate. Ursodeoxycholic acid is the only appropriate treatment for primary sclerosing cholangitis. Infliximab is appropriate for Pyoderma gangrenosum, ankylosing spondylitis and uveitis, steroids for Pyoderma gangrenosum and ankylosing spondylitis, adalimumab for Pyoderma gangrenosum and ankylosing spondylitis, cyclosporine-A/tacrolimus for Pyoderma gangrenosum. Mesalamine, sulfasalazine, prednisone, azathioprine/6-mercaptopurine, ciprofloxacin, and probiotics, may be administered safety during pregnancy or for patients wishing to conceive, with the exception that mate patients considering conception should avoid sulfasalazine. Metronidazol is considered safe in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters whereas infliximab is rated safe in the 1st trimester but uncertain in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Methotrexate is always contraindicated at conception, during pregnancy or during breastfeeding, due to its known teratogenicity. Mesalamine, prednisone, probiotics and infliximab are considered safe during breastfeeding. Conclusion: EPACT II recommendations are freely available online (www.epact.ch). The validity of these criteria should now be tested by prospective evaluation. (C) 2009 European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.