Primer caso del síndrome hemofagocítico asociado con posible infección con Rickettsia sp del grupo de las fiebres manchadas, Meta, Colombia

El presente estudio describe un caso de síndrome hemofagocítico (SHF) probablemente asociado a la infección por una especie de Rickettsia del grupo de las fiebres manchadas (GFM). La paciente fue una niña de ocho años procedente de un área rural tropical del departamento del Meta, en el Oriente Colombiano, la cual fue admitida en el Hospital de Villavicencio con fiebre alta de tres días de evolución, dolor de cabeza, erupción, astenia, dolor abdominal, linfadenopatias y hepatoesplenomegalia. Los estudios serológicos para HIV, hepatitis, citomegalovirus, virus Epstein Barr entre otros resultaron negativos. La paciente fue admitida en un estudio de fiebres tropicales indiferenciadas, las muestras de suero pareadas fueron analizadas mediante inmunofluorescencia indirecta (IFI) para detección de anticuerpos IgG contra Rickettsia spp., del GFM y se encontró seroconversión de títulos de anticuerpos entre fase aguda (IgG 1:64) y convaleciente (IgG 1:1024). Dada la rápida remisión de las manifestaciones clínicas tras la instauración del tratamiento con doxiciclina, la causa del síndrome hemofagocítico fue atribuido a la infección por Rickettsia spp del GFM

Climate changes and infectious diseases: new epidemiological challenges

El Niño / Oscilación Sur (ENSO) es el fenómeno mejor conocido que influye en la variabilidad del clima mundial en escalas de tiempo inter anuales. El término El Niño se refiere al fenómeno climático vinculado a un calentamiento periódico de las temperaturas superficiales del mar en la zona central y oriental del Pacífico ecuatorial central (aproximadamente entre la línea internacional y 120 grados de longitud oeste), y se refiere a veces como un episodio cálido del Pacífico. Lo contrario de lo que es La Niña, la fase fría del fenómeno ENSO. Debido al gran tamaño del Océano Pacífico, los cambios en los patrones de temperatura superficial del mar tienen gran influencia en la circulación atmosférica con efectos pronunciados en la precipitación tropical mundial y los patrones de temperatura. Se ha relacionado el ENSO con las anomalías climáticas y el incremento de las enfermedades infecciosas, especialmente las transmitidas por insectos, por lo que su conocimiento puede permitir ofrecer mejores predicciones a largo plazo de epidemias o epizootia.El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the most well-known phenomenon influencing the global climate variability at inter annual time scales. The term El Niño refers to the largescale ocean-atmosphere climate phenomenon linked to a periodic warming in sea surface temperatures across the central and east-central equatorial Pacific (between approximately the International Date line and 120 degrees west longitude), and thus represents the warm phase of the ENSO, and is sometimes referred to as a Pacific warm episode. The opposite of which is La Niña, a cold phase of ENSO. Given the large size of the Pacific Ocean, changes in the sea surface temperature patterns and gradients across the basin influence atmospheric circulation with pronounced impacts on global tropical precipitation and temperature patterns. Building evidence of the links between ENSO driven climate anomalies and infectious diseases, particularly those transmitted by insects, the knowlodgment could allow providing improved long range forecasts of an epidemic or epizootic

Dengue: a common cause of febrile syndrome in Meta State, Colombia

Introduction:Epidemic Dengue fever is an ancient disease, however in the past 17 years, it’s activity has a dramatic resurgence of Dengue in the tropics areas worldwide. This increased of epidemic activity, has been associated with the geographical expansion of both, the mosquito vectors and the viruses, the development of hyper-endemicity, and the emergence of Dengue hemorrhagic fever. Objective: The goal of this study was to determine the frequency of Dengue infection in patients with acute febrile syndrome in Meta’s Administrative District, Colombia. That ask for a medical advice at the Departmental hospital of Villavicencio. Material and methods: Blood serum were collected from 100 febrile patients in of acute and convalescent stages from the rural and urban zones that arrive for medical advice to the Departmental hospital of Villavicencio during 2013 and 2014. Serologic tests for Dengue (IgM and IgG by ELISA) were performed. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 21.0 for Windows (SPSS Inc., USA). The chi-square test was used to make a comparison. Variables that were statistically significant (p&lt;0.05) were kept in the final model. Results: From a total of 100 persons surveyed, (51%) were women, and average age was 23,5 ± 15,6 years, 50%  was students  and  51 % had some type of Dengue, mainly secondary infections (44 %). Conclusions:Dengue is a frequent infection in Meta Administrative District, Colombia, with a high frequency of exposed population with secondary infection which is a risk factor for severe forms of the disease.Keywords: Febrile syndrome, Dengue, ELISA, antibody, IgM, IgG, Colombia.</p

An approach to the situation of pulmonary tuberculosis in indigenous communities of Puerto Gaitán, Meta, Colombia

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly prevalent disease in Colombian indigenous communities of the Orinoquia.  The prevalence and incidence of TB in these communities may be underestimated due to an inadequate detection and treatment, and the lack of reliable information. Objective: To explore the situation of pulmonary tuberculosis in selected indigenous communities of Puerto Gaitan.Materials and Methods: An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted in indigenous communities of Puerto Gaitan, Meta, Colombia from June 2015 to November 2015. Socio-demographic surveys were applied, and 200 sputum samples from symptomatic patients with respiratory diseases were collected and analyzed with GeneXpert® (real-time polymerase chain reaction, RT-PCR).Results: The surveys showed that the indigenous population is exposed to deteriorating conditions in their quality of life, which expose them to a greater risk of suffering from tuberculosis. Two of the samples analyzed showed to be positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis 2/191 (1.04%).Conclusions: It is required to implement a differential surveillance system for tuberculosis in indigenous population according to their living conditions, health, and culture, prioritizing a fast and sensitive diagnosis. Keywords: Tuberculosis, indigenous population, health conditions, polymerase chain reaction (PCR).</p

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Dengue: una causa frecuente de síndrome febril agudo en el Departamento de El Meta, Colombia

Introduction:Epidemic Dengue fever is an ancient disease, however in the past 17 years, it’s activity has a dramatic resurgence of Dengue in the tropics areas worldwide. This increased of epidemic activity, has been associated with the geographical expansion of both, the mosquito vectors and the viruses, the development of hyper-endemicity, and the emergence of Dengue hemorrhagic fever. Objective: The goal of this study was to determine the frequency of Dengue infection in patients with acute febrile syndrome in Meta’s Administrative District, Colombia. That ask for a medical advice at the Departmental hospital of Villavicencio. Material and methods: Blood serum were collected from 100 febrile patients in of acute and convalescent stages from the rural and urban zones that arrive for medical advice to the Departmental hospital of Villavicencio during 2013 and 2014. Serologic tests for Dengue (IgM and IgG by ELISA) were performed. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 21.0 for Windows (SPSS Inc., USA). The chi-square test was used to make a comparison. Variables that were statistically significant (p<0.05) were kept in the final model. Results: From a total of 100 persons surveyed, (51%) were women, and average age was 23,5 ± 15,6 years, 50%  was students  and  51 % had some type of Dengue, mainly secondary infections (44 %). Conclusions:Dengue is a frequent infection in Meta Administrative District, Colombia, with a high frequency of exposed population with secondary infection which is a risk factor for severe forms of the disease.Keywords: Febrile syndrome, Dengue, ELISA, antibody, IgM, IgG, Colombia.Introducción.  La fiebre epidémica por Dengue es una enfermedad antigua, sin embargo, en los últimos 17 años su actividad ha tenido un aumento dramático en los trópicos a nivel mundial. Este incremento se ha asociado con la expansión geográfica tanto del mosquito vector como del virus, el desarrollo de la hiperendemicidad y la emergencia del Dengue grave. Objetivo. Determinar la frecuencia de Dengue en pacientes con enfermedad febril aguda en el Departamento de El Meta, quienes acudieron al Hospital Departamental de Villavicencio, Colombia. Material y Métodos. Se tomaron muestras de suero en fase aguda y de convalescencia de 100 pacientes febriles, los que acudieron al Hospital Departamental de Villavicencio, durante 2013 y 2014. Se practicaron pruebas para diagnóstico de Dengue (detección de anticuerpos  IgM e IgG por ELISA). El análisis estadístico se hizo con el programa SPSS versión 21 para Windows. Para la comparación, se empleó la prueba de Chi Cuadrado. Se definió como significancia cuando la prueba fue <0,05. Resultado. De los 100 pacientes, 51% fueron  mujeres y el  promedio de edad de 23,5 ± 15,6 años de edad.  Cincuenta por ciento de ellos fueron estudiantes y 51% tuvieron alguna forma de Dengue, principalmente secundario (44%). Conclusiones. El Dengue es una infección frecuente en el Departamento de El Meta, Colombia, con una alta frecuencia de individuos expuestos, quienes constituyen un riesgo para Dengue grave debido a infección secundaria. Palabras clave: Síndrome febril, Dengue, ELISA, anticuerpos, IgM, IgG, Colombia

Dengue:: una causa frecuente de síndrome febril agudo en el Departamento de El Meta, Colombia

Introducción. La fiebre epidémica por Dengue es una enfermedad antigua, sin embargo, en los últimos 17 años su actividad ha tenido un aumento dramático en los trópicos a nivel mundial. Este incremento se ha asociado con la expansión geográfica tanto del mosquito vector como del virus, el desarrollo de la hiperendemicidad y la emergencia del Dengue grave. Objetivo. Determinar la frecuencia de Dengue en pacientes con enfermedad febril aguda en el Departamento de El Meta, quienes acudieron al Hospital Departamental de Villavicencio, Colombia. Material y Métodos. Se tomaron muestras de suero en fase aguda y de convalescencia de 100 pacientes febriles, los que acudieron al Hospital Departamental de Villavicencio, durante 2013 y 2014. Se practicaron pruebas para diagnóstico de Dengue (detección de anticuerpos IgM e IgG por ELISA). El análisis estadístico se hizo con el programa SPSS versión 21 para Windows. Para la comparación, se empleó la prueba de Chi Cuadrado. Se definió como significancia cuando la prueba fue <0,05. Resultado. De los 100 pacientes, 51% fueron mujeres y el promedio de edad de 23,5 ± 15,6 años de edad. Cincuenta por ciento de ellos fueron estudiantes y 51% tuvieron alguna forma de Dengue, principalmente secundario (44%). Conclusiones. El Dengue es una infección frecuente en el Departamento de El Meta, Colombia, con una alta frecuencia de individuos expuestos, quienes constituyen un riesgo para Dengue grave debido a infección secundaria