Aeroallergens causing rhinoconjunctivitis

Background: Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC) has a prevalence of 30% in industrialized countries. For an accurate diagnosis and treatment, it is crucial to identify the causative aeroallergen. Aim: To evaluate aeroallergen sensitization in adults with ARC in the city of Temuco, Chile. Patients and Methods: A skin test against the main aeroallergens present in Temuco was carried out in patients aged 15 to 64 years with ARC diagnosed by medical examination and the Score For Allergic Rhinitis. Results: At least one aeroallergen sensitization was present in 234 (62.4%) out of 375 patients. Pollen-sensitized patients were positive mainly for Grasses (44.4%), Plantago (27.8%), Cynodon (26.1%), Sorrel (23.5%), Birch (14.9%), Nothofagus obliqua (13.3%) and Alder (11.1%). Dust mites were the most common non-pollinic sensitizing aeroallergens, including Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (70.1%) and Dermatophagoides farinae (62.8%). Conclusions: According to our results, skin tests in the city of Temuco should include at least dust mites, pollens of Grasses, Plantago, Cynodon, Sorrel, Birch, Nothofagus obliqua and Alder, because these allergens account for 93% of ARC cases in this city

PREVALENCIA DE COLONIZACION POR STREPTOCOCCUS AGALACTIAE (GRUPO B) EN EL TERCER TRIMESTRE DEL EMBARAZO PESQUISADO EN MEDIO DE CULTIVO NO SELECTIVO

El Streptococcus agalactiae es el principal agente bacteriano responsable de sepsis neonatal. Para evitar la infección perinatal se recomienda la pesquisa de la bacteria en región vagino-perianal durante el tercer trimestre, indicando tratamiento antibiótico durante el parto en aquellas gestantes colonizadas. La prevalencia de colonización varía según el tipo de cultivo utilizado (selectivo vs no selectivo). El objetivo de este estudio es conocer la prevalencia de colonización del Streptococcus agalactiae en la población de embarazadas controladas en nuestra maternidad durante los años 2001-2002. Se tomó cultivo en medio no selectivo, entre las 35-37 semanas de gestación a 1658 pacientes, encontrando una prevalencia de colonización vagino-perianal de 6,2%. Esta cifra es bastante menor a la comunicada en otros estudios en embarazadas chilenas, por lo que creemos importante la implementación de medios de cultivos selectivos para mejorar el rendimiento de pesquisa<br>Streptococcus agalactiae is the main bacterial agent in neonatal sepsis. To avoid the perinatal infection, a vaginal and anal culture in the third trimester is recomended and then treated with antibiotics during labour. The prevalence varies depending on the type of culture used (selective vs non selective medium). The aim of our study was to know the prevalence of Streptococcus agalactiae in pregnant women followed in our hospital during 2001-2002. Vaginal and anal samples were taken at 35-37 weeks using non selective medium. We recruited 1658 patients, finding a prevalence of 6.2%. Due to the lower prevalence expected in comparison to other studies in Chilean pregnancies, we believe that the application of selective medium for streptococcal culture may improve result