Revista chilena de infectología : órgano oficial de la Sociedad Chilena de Infectología
-
Rev Chilena Infectol · Feb 2014
Review[Children with asplenia or hyposplenia: Preventing overwhelming post splenectomy infection].
The spleen's ability to prevent overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI) is mainly given by its capacity to filter and phagocyte bacterial elements from the blood, remove foreign elements from it, and the early production of opsonins. The anatomic absence of the spleen is usually secondary to a surgical resection, but it could also be congenital. Streptococcus pneumoniae has been identified as the main agent of OPSI in asplenic patients with an extremely high global mortality associated. This article is an exhaustive review of the current evidence and recommendations available for prevention of invasive infections in asplenic patients.
-
Rev Chilena Infectol · Dec 2013
[Pharmacokinetics of vancomycin in children hospitalized in a critical care unit].
Monitoring PK/PD of vancomycin with basal and peak serum levels and the area under the curve of drug exposure 24 h/MIC (ABC 24 h/MIC) could optimize the management of children. ⋯ Based on our results, children admitted to PICU could be exposed to sub therapeutic doses of vancomycin. We recommend to implement tailored antimicrobial treatment monitoring vancomycin PK/PD parameters.
-
Rev Chilena Infectol · Dec 2013
Case Reports[Tungiasis, an emerging tropical disease in Chile: three imported cases reports].
Tungiasis is a cutaneous ectoparasitosis caused by the sand flea Tunga penetrans whose higher prevalence occurs in South America, the Caribbean and Sub-Saharan Africa. It is clinically characterized by a papular lesion, either single or multiple, with a whitish halo and a brown-black central core, most of them localized on the feet. The lesions can be painful and itchy with the most common complication being bacterial superinfection of the skin. ⋯ The diagnosis is made by the clinical features of lesions in a patient from an endemic zone. Standard treatment consists of surgical extraction of the flea followed by application of a topical antibiotic and a tetanus prophylaxis. Prevention of the infestation is essential and includes the use of closed footwear and repellents.