Medicina
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Case Reports
[Pulmonary cryptococcoma with involvement of the chest wall in an immunocompetent patient].
The pulmonary cryptococcosis in immunocompetent patients is unusual, and its presentation as large masses with involvement of the chest wall and the neighboring soft tissues has not been found in our bibliographic research. The variety gattii (serotype B/C) is limited geographically to tropical and subtropical regions and appears to affect particularly immunocompetent individuals. ⋯ A percutaneous biopsy of the mass provided a diagnosis of Cryptococcus neoformans, variety gattii. The patient was treated with antifungal therapy showing a favourable outcome with a progressive decrease of the mass.
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A subclinical inflammation state was detected in the early step of diabetes, which increases the serum levels of cytokines that induce acute-phase protein synthesis as C-reactive protein (PCR) and fibrinogen (Fg), stimulating the endothelial disfunction of adhesion molecules. Thirty patients (15 boys, 15 girls) with type 1 diabetes (DT1), without vascular complications, were studied. Their mean age and duration of diabetes were 11.8 +/- 2.1 and 3.9 +/- 3.2 years, respectively. ⋯ Increased levels of uPCR, sE-S and VCAM-1 were found, compared with the control group control [0.60 (0.30-1.25) vs. 0.20 (0.20-0.65) mg/l, p = 0.013], [108 (60-150) vs. 68 (56-82) ng/ml, p = 0.0031] y [750 (708-826) vs. 721 (674-751) ng/ml, p = 0.039] respectively. When diabetic patients were grouped according to duration of disease (3 and > de 3 years), uPCR values were higher in the second group. uPCR levels were better correlated with sE-S (r = 0.44, p = 0.03) and VCAM-1 (r = 0.49, p = 0.02). These results suggest the presence of pro-inflammatory and endothelial activation states, which are strongly associated with DT1.
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Fabry disease is an X- linked lysosomal disorder due to deficient activity of the enzyme alpha galactosidase A which leads to multisystemic storage of globotriaosylceramide with neurologic, gastrointestinal, cardiac, renal, skin and ophtalmological involvement. Recent studies indicate that heterozygous females develop symptoms similar to the males, but comparative information regarding the relative frequency of clinical manifestations, age of onset and severity of the disorder between males and females with Fabry disease is not available in Argentina. We identified 59 symptomatic adult patients with Fabry disease: 32 males (mean age 34.8 years) and 27 females (mean age 46.6 years). ⋯ There was a delayed latency between age at onset and age at diagnosis in our group: 14 years for men and 30 years for females. Fabry disease is an underdiagnosed and potentially fatal disorder that affects both sexes. The availability of enzyme replacement therapy should stimulate the identification of signs and symptoms suggestive of this disorder, to allow earlier diagnosis and treatment.
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Hyperglycemia is a frequent complication in patients admitted to the hospital, and it is associated with increased morbidity, mortality and length of stay. The mechanisms that cause these complications are not clear, but multiple physiological processes are affected with increased glucose levels. ⋯ In this article we review observational and prospective studies regarding hyperglycemia in the hospital. We also describe options for glucose control, and recommendations for the transition of glucose management to the ambulatory setting.
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We describe characteristics of patients admitted to our intensive care unit with severe acute respiratory illness and influenza-like syndrome during the first months of the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) 2009 in Argentina. We analyzed clinical data, severity scores, laboratory tests, microbiological and radiological findings at admission, clinical outcomes and in-hospital mortality. H1N1 was confirmed by RT-PCR. ⋯ There were no differences in analyzed variables when comparing H1N1 positive and H1N1 negative patients; which suggests this approach as a most correct in future epidemic outbreaks. H1N1 infection was associated with severe respiratory illness and ARDS. Fatal outcome was observed in very old patients, or in those with major co-morbidities.