Studies about risk factors for mortality in burn children are scarce. We conducted this study to evaluate the risk factors for mortality in pediatric burn patients. We included 110 patients. Mean age was 31.5 months (range: 1 to 204). The burn surface was between 1% and 95%(median 27%) Type of burn was: A or superfitial in 39 patients (36%), AB or intermediate in 19 (17%), and B or full thickness in 52 (47%). Inhalatory injury was present in 52 patients (47%). Invasive procedures were: venous catheter, 90 patients (82%), arterial catheter, 83patients (75.5%), urinary catheter, 86 patients (78%), and mechanical ventilation, 75 patients (68%). In 84 patients, 128 infections were diagnosed. in 53 cases (48%). Multiresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acynetobacter baumannii were the most common organisms isolated. The median length of hospital stay was 33 days (r: 8-139 days). Seventeen patients (15%) died and 14 of them of infection-related causes. Age< <4 years, Garcés 4, full thickness burn, > 40% burn surface, presence of inhalatory syndrome, use of venous catheter, arterial catheter, urinary catheter and mechanical ventilation, positive blood cultures, colistin use in documented multiresistant infections, antifungal use and graft requirement, were identified as risks factors for mortality in the univariate analysis. By multivariate analysis: age <4 years, Garcés 4, colistin use in multiresistant infections, mechanical ventilation and graft requirement were independent variables related with mortality.CONCLUSIONS:In this series of burn children age < 4 years, Garces index score 4, colistin use in documented multiresistant infections, mechanical ventilation and graft requirement were identified as independent variables related with mortality.

Introduction. Burns are the third cause of accidental deaths among children. Approximately 50-60% of these deaths are the result of an infection. Objective. To determine infection related risk factors in burned children. Population and Methods. All patients admitted to the Burn Unit of Hospital "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan" between June 2007 and December 2009 were included. The epidemiology of hospital-acquired infections and the associated outcome measures were determined. Groups of infected and non-infected children were compared using Student's t test or the Mann-Whitney Rank Sum test, as applicable. Dichotomous outcome measures were analyzed with the X2 test using Yates' correction. In order to assess the predictive value of independent outcome measures, the multiple logistic regression model was applied. Results. In this cohort of 110 children, 128 hospital-acquired infections were recorded in 84 patients. There were 17 deaths (15%); 14 out of these 17 (82%) were related to infection. Infection-related factors included the percentage of burned body surface area; the highest Garces' index; burn depth; antibiotic prophylaxis; the use of topical antibiotics; the presence of a central venous line, an arterial line, a urinary catheter, mechanical ventilation support, escharotomy, and the need of a graft. The multivariate analysis showed a higher risk of infection with the use of central venous lines (RR: 5.15; 95% CI: 1.44-18.46), antibiotic prophylaxis (RR: 5.22; 95% CI: 1.26-21.63), and graft requirement (RR: 3.65; 95% CI: 1.08-12.37). Conclusions. The presence of lines or catheters, antibiotic prophylaxis, and graft requirement were independent risk factors for infection in burned children.

Introducción. Las quemaduras son la tercera causa de muerte por accidentes en los niños. El 50 a 60% de estas muertes son por infección. Objetivo. Determinar los factores de riesgo asociados a la infección en los niños quemados. Población y métodos. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes ingresados por quemaduras en la Unidad de Quemados del Hospital "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan" en el período comprendido entre junio de 2007 y diciembre de 2009. Se determinó la epidemiología de las infecciones intrahospitalarias y las variables asociadas. Se compararon los grupos de niños infectados y no infectados con las pruebas de Student o de Mann-Whitney Rank Sum, según correspondía. Las variables dicotómicas se analizaron con la prueba de la X², con corrección de Yates. Para evaluar el valor predictivo de las variables independientes se utilizó el modelo de regresión logística múltiple. Resultados. En esta cohorte de 110 niños se documentaron 128 infecciones intrahospitalarias en 84 pacientes. Se produjeron 17 (15%) muertes; en 14 de 17 (82%) la causa estuvo relacionada con la infección. Los factores vinculados a la infección fueron el porcentaje de superfcie quemada; el mayor puntaje de Garcés; la profundidad de la quemadura; la proflaxis antibiótica; el uso de antibióticos tópicos; la presencia de catéter venoso central, catéter arterial, sonda vesical, asistencia respiratoria, escarectomía y requerimiento de injerto. El análisis multivariado mostró mayor riesgo de infección con el uso de catéteres venosos centrales (RR 5,15; IC 95% 1,44 a 18,46), la proflaxis antibiótica (RR 5,22; IC 95% 1,26 a 21,63) y el requerimiento de injerto (RR 3,65; IC 95%; 1,08 a 12,37). Conclusiones. La presencia de catéteres, la proflaxis antibiótica y el requerimiento de injerto fueron factores independientes de riesgo de infección en los niños quemados.

Topical agents are widely used in the care of burn patients; however the efficacy to prevent local infections and/or sepsis has not been clearly established in studies with a high level of evidence. This systematic review was conducted to assess the comparative efficacy among different topical agents. Material and Methods. The literature search was performed using the Medline database. Key MESH terms were: (burn* or scald*) AND (antibacterial or antibiotic*) AND (topic*) AND (therap* or prophylax*). Only randomized or quasi-randomized clinical trials, with a primary endpoint of local infection and/or sepsis were included. Studies were scored and classified regarding methodological key issues according to their level of evidence. Results. The initial search identified 457 studies of which 14 were eligible for final evaluation, and full text was available for 11 of them. Conclusions. The evidence found in our review does not support differences in efficacy of topical agents to reduce sepsis and/or local infections in burn patients.

Los agentes tópicos son ampliamente utilizados en el cuidado de los pacientes quemados. Con el objetivo de evaluar la eficacia comparativa entre diferentes agentes tópicos habitualmente utilizados para la prevención de infecciones, llevamos a cabo una revisión sistemática. Material y métodos. La búsqueda bibliográfica se realizó en la base Medline. Las palabras clave utilizadas, fueron: burn* or scald* AND antibacterial or antibiotic* AND topic* AND therap* or prophylax*. Solamente se incluyeron estudios con asignación aleatorizada o cuasi-aleatorizada de las intervenciones y cuya variable principal fuera la presencia de infección local y/o sepsis. Resultados. La búsqueda inicial detectó 457 artículos, de los cuales se seleccionaron 14 para su evaluación final, disponiendo del texto de 11 de ellos. Conclusiones. Las evidencias halladas sobre el tema fueron de calidad científica moderada. No se identificaron evidencias que demostraran la superioridad de alguno de los agentes tópicos sobre otros para reducir la infección o la sepsis en el paciente quemado.

The proper use of products containing sodium hypochlorite, ammonium salts and triclosan has proved to be effective in the elimination of infectious agents in the household environment. Our objective was to evaluate the immediate, one-week and one-month efficacy of controlled use of five products containing these components, compared to other commonly used products. Within a six month period, thirty two middle-class homes from Buenos Aires City and suburbs were included in this open-label, randomized, parallel-group intervention study. Sixteen homes were randomized to use products containing sodium hypochlorite, ammonia and triclosan in the kitchen and bathroom during one month. The remaining maintained usual practices for domestic cleaning. Bacterial counts and identification were performed from samples taken from each study site. Baseline samples (no group discrimination) contained a mean bacterial count in kitchen of 66.0 CFU/cm², and in bathroom 40.1 CFU/cm². Samples taken immediately after-cleaning (no group discrimination) contained: kitchen 0.8 CFU/cm²; bathroom < 1 CFU/ cm². After one week (intervention group vs. control group) contained: kitchen 18.0 vs. 32.5 CFU/cm²; bathroom 12.7 vs. 7.7 CFU/cm². After one month (intervention group vs. control group): kitchen 60.1 vs. 62.1 CFU/cm²; bathroom 37.0 vs. 42.0 CFU/cm². A remarkable dicrease of bacterial load was observed in both groups, which suggests that not only product quality but also education for suitable use plays a key role in successful house disinfection. This approach could be an important tool for improving prevention of foodborne infections since fecal coliforms widely predominated in all analyzed samples.

El uso adecuado de hipoclorito de sodio, sales de amonio cuaternario y triclosán ha demostrado ser eficaz para eliminar gérmenes dentro del hogar. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la eficacia inmediata, a la semana y al mes del uso controlado de cinco productos con estos componentes, comparados con otros productos de uso habitual. Se incluyeron 32 hogares de clase media de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires y la periferia en un estudio con intervención, abierto, aleatorizado, y de grupos paralelos, durante 6 meses. La mitad de los hogares fue seleccionada para usar hipoclorito de sodio, sales de amonio cuaternario y triclosán en la cocina y el baño durante un mes. El grupo control mantuvo prácticas habituales de limpieza doméstica. Se tomaron muestras para recuento y tipificación bacteriana de los sitios estudiados: muestras basales (sin discriminación de grupo) en cocina, que presentaron recuento bacteriano promedio de 66.0 UFC/cm²; baño: 40.1 UFC/cm². Las muestras inmediatas a la limpieza (sin discriminación de grupo): en cocina: 0.8 UFC/cm²; baño: <1 UFC/cm². A la semana (grupo intervenido vs. grupo control): cocina 18.0 vs. 32.5 UFC/cm²; baño 12.7 vs. 7.7 UFC/cm². Al mes (intervenido vs. control): cocina: 60.1 vs. 62.1 UFC/cm²; baño: 37.0 vs. 42.0 UFC/cm². Se observó una notable disminución de la carga bacteriana en ambos grupos, lo que sugiere que no sólo la calidad de los productos sino también la educación en el uso desempeñan un papel clave en la desinfección del hogar. Este enfoque podría ser una herramienta importante para prevenir infecciones transmitidas por alimentos, dado que los coliformes fecales predominaron ampliamente en todas las muestras tipificadas.

Tigecycline is the first of a new class of antibiotics named glycylcyclines and it was approved for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections and complicated skin and skin structure infections. Notwithstanding this, tigecycline's pharmacological and microbiological profile which includes multidrug-resistant pathogens encourages physicians' use of the drug in other infections. We analyzed, during the first months after its launch, the tigecycline prescriptions for 113 patients in 12 institutions. Twenty-five patients (22%) received tigecycline for approved indications, and 88 (78%) for "off label" indications (56% with scientific support and 22% with limited or without any scientific support). The most frequent "off label" use was ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) (63 patients). The etiology of infections was established in 105 patients (93%). MDR-Acinetobacter spp. was the microorganism most frequently isolated (50% of the cases). Overall, attending physicians reported clinical success in 86 of the 113 patients (76%). Our study shows that the "off label" use of tigecycline is frequent, especially in VAP. due to MDR-Acinetobacter spp., where the therapeutic options are limited (eg: colistin). Physicians must evaluate the benefits/risks of using this antibiotic for indications that lack rigorous scientific support.

Herpes zoster (HZ) is a public health problem worldwide. Although, there is paucity of data of this disease from South American countries. The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical and epidemiological aspects of HZ in a population of patients from South America. We underwent a retrospective analysis of clinical charts of an infectious diseases reference center (period: 2000-2005). Univariate analysis was performed to assess variables related to post herpetic neuralgia (PHN). From a total of 302 cases, 62% were in women. The median age was 57 years; 16.1% of the patients had a predisposing condition for the development of HZ. Most frequent dermatomes involved were: thoracic, ophthalmic and lumbar; 93.5% of the patients received antiviral drugs and 94% complementary medications. The most frequent complication was PHN and was related with age over 50 years. Clinical and epidemiological aspects of HZ and the frequency of complications in our population were similar to data from developed countries.

El herpes zoster (HZ) constituye una enfermedad de distribución mundial; sin embargo, existen es casos datos comunicados sobre la misma en países de Latinoamérica. Con el objetivo de evaluar aspectos clínicos y epidemiológicos de esta enfermedad en nuestra población, realizamos un análisis retrospectivo de historias clínicas de un centro privado de referencia en enfermedades infecciosas en Buenos Aires, Argentina (período: 2000-2005). Se realizó un análisis estadístico univariado para evaluar los factores asociados a neuralgia posherpética en este grupo de pacientes. Sobre un total de 302 casos evaluables, el 62% correspondieron a mujeres. La mediana de edad fue de 57 años. El 16.1% de los pacientes presentó condiciones predisponentes al desarrollo de zoster. Las localizaciones más frecuentes fueron la torácica, oftálmica y lumbosacra. El 7.75% presentó compromiso de más de dos metámeras. El 94% de los pacientes recibió medicación antiviral, siendo el aciclovir la droga más utilizada. El 94% recibió alguna medicación coadyuvante (antiinflamatorios no esteroideos, antineuríticos, corticoides). La complicación más frecuente fue la neuralgia posherpética (12%) y se encontró estadísticamente asociada a edad mayor de 50 años.

Betalactamases production is one of the main bacterial resistance mechanisms to betalactam antibiotics. The use of bectalactamases inhibitors combined with betalactam antibiotics allows the inactivation of certain betalactamases produced by Gram positive, Gram negative and anaerobic organisms, and even by mycobacteria. Betalactamases inhibitors are an improved therapeutic alternative compared with the other betalactam since, in most cases, they cover a wider antimicrobial spectrum than their analogues. Betalactamases enzimatic activity is specifically directed to the betalactam ring hydrolisis, producing a compound without antibacterial activity. According to their genomic position within microorganisms, betalactamases can be either chromosomic or plasmidic. Currently there are three betalactamases inhibitors locally available: clavulanic acid, sulbactam and tazobactam. Of them, only sulbactam has an intrinsic antimicrobial activity against penicillin binding proteins. The clinical experience from over 20 years confirms that the combination of betalactam antibiotics is effective in the empirical initial treatment of respiratory, intraabdominal, urinary tract and gynecologic infections, including those of polymicrobial origin. In the specific case of amoxicillin-sulbactam, experiences have shown the effectiveness of the combination in the treatment of peritonsillar abscess, otitis media, sinusitis, community acquired pneumonia, acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonar disease (COPD), urinary tract infection and obstetric/ gynecologic infections. The spectrum and pharmacologic properties of this combination makes it also an excellent option for the treatment of skin/soft tissue and intraabdominal infections.

La producción de betalactamasas constituye uno de los principales mecanismos de resistencia bacteriana a los antibióticos betalactámicos. La utilización de inhibidores de betalactamasas en combinación con antibióticos betalactámicos permite la inactivación de determinadas betalactamasas producidas por gérmenes Gram positivos, Gram negativos, anaerobios, y aun por micobacterias. Los inhibidores de betalactamasas representan una alternativa terapéutica mejorada respecto del resto de los betalactámicos al asegurar, en la mayoría de los casos, un mayor espectro antimicrobiano comparado con el de sus análogos. La actividad enzimática de las betalactamasas está dirigida específicamente a la hidrólisis del anillo betalactámico, con producción de un compuesto sin actividad antibacteriana. De acuerdo con su posición genómica dentro de los microorganismos, las betalactamasas pueden ser cromosómicas o plasmídicas. Actualmente existen tres inhibidores de betalactamasas localmente disponibles: ácido clavulánico, sulbactam y tazobactam. De ellos, sólo el sulbactam posee actividad antimicrobiana intrínseca sobre las proteínas ligadoras de penicilina. La experiencia clínica acumulada durante más de 20 años confirma que las combinaciones de betalactámicos-inhibidores de betalactamasas son efectivas en el tratamiento empírico inicial de infecciones respiratorias, intraabdominales, urinarias y ginecológicas, incluidas las de origen polimicrobiano. En el caso particular de amoxicilina-sulbactam, la evidencia citada indica que esta combinación es efectiva para el tratamiento de absceso periamigdalino, otitis media, sinusitis, neumonía extrahospitalaria, exacerbación aguda de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC), infección del tracto urinario e infecciones ginecoobstétricas. Por su espectro y propiedades farmacológicas, la combinación amoxicilina-sulbactam constituye una excelente opción también para el tratamiento de infecciones de piel y partes blandas e infecciones intraabdominales.

We retrospectively evaluated 73 immunocompetent adult patients assisted at our Infectious Diseases Clinic between March 1999 and March 2004 who presented fever and asthenia, mild to moderate increase of transaminases and serological findings compatible with recent cytomegalovirus infection. We excluded patients with a history of transfusions, drug abuse, immunodeficiencies, preexistent hepatic impairment or serological findings compatible with acute hepatitis A, B and C (HAV, HBV, HCV) and Epstein Barr virus (EBV). The laboratory diagnosis of recent cytomegalovirus infection was made by especific IgM detection (ELISA) or a significant increase of specific IgG. The most frequent symptoms were fever (85%) and asthenia (83%), followed by cephalea (25%), splenomegaly (20%), adenomegalies (22%), pharyngitis (25%), myalgias (25%) and hepatomegaly (19%). All the patients showed moderate increase of transaminases and lymphomonocytosis (73/73). In average, ALT was increased by 6 fold and AST by 3.5 fold. The clinical characteristics that differentiate CMV infection from Epstein-Barr infection are the lesser frequency of adenomegalies and pharyngitis in the former. The differential diagnosis of CMV infection with hepatic involvement from acute hepatitis A and B, is based on the absence of jaundice, the lower elevation of transaminases, the intense lymphomonocytosis and the presence of specific IgM against CMV that are characteristic of CMV infection. In conclusion, in previously healthy young adults with fever, intense asthenia, lymphomonocytosis and moderate increase in transaminases levels, cytomegalovirus infection should be investigated.

Evaluamos retrospectivamente a 73 adultos inmunocompetentes que consultaron entre marzo de 1999 y marzo de 2004 a un centro infectológico ambulatorio por fiebre y astenia, con elevación discreta de las transaminasas y serología compatible con infección reciente por citomegalovirus (CMV). Excluimos a pacientes con antecedentes de transfusiones, adicciones e inmunodeficiencias, así como aquellos con alteraciones hepáticas preexistentes o con serología compatible con infección aguda por hepatitis A, B, C (VHA, VHB, VHC) o virus Epstein Barr (VEB). El diagnóstico de infección reciente por citomegalovirus se efectuó mediante la detección de IgM específica (ELISA de captura), seroconversión o aumento cuádruple del título de IgG específica, en presencia de un cuadro clínico compatible. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron: fiebre (85%) y astenia (83%), cefalea (25%), esplenomegalia (20%), adenomegalia (22%), faringitis (25%), mialgia (25%) y hepatomegalia (19 %). Se encontró elevación discreta de transaminasas y linfomonocitosis en todos los pacientes (73/73). La elevación promedio de GPT fue de 6 veces y la de GOT fue de 3.5 veces su valor límite. Las características clínicas que diferencian la infección por CMV de la infección por VEB son la menor frecuencia de poliadenopatías y faringitis en la primera. El diagnóstico diferencial de la infección por CMV con compromiso hepático con las hepatitis A y B agudas se basa en la ausencia de ictericia, la menor elevación de las transaminasas, la linfomonocitosis intensa y la presencia de IgM específica que caracterizan a la infección por CMV. En conclusión, ante un paciente joven, previamente sano, con fiebre, astenia intensa, linfomonocitosis y elevación discreta de transaminasas, es importante investigar infección por citomegalovirus.

The safety and efficacy of cefepime empiric monotherapy compared with standard broad-spectrum combination therapy for hospitalized adult patients with moderate to severe community-acquired bacterial infections were evaluated. In an open-label, multicenter study, 317 patients with an Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) score ranging from >5 to =19 were enrolled with documented pneumonia (n=196), urinary tract infection (n=65), intra-abdominal infection (n=38), or sepsis (n=18). Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive cefepime 1 to 2 g IV twice daily or three times a day or IV ampicillin, cephalothin, or ceftriaxone ± aminoglycoside therapy for 3 to 21 days. For both treatment groups, metronidazole, vancomycin, or macrolide therapy was added as deemed necessary. The primary efficacy variable was clinical response at the end of therapy. Two hundred ninety-six (93%) patients met evaluation criteria and were included in the efficacy analysis. Diagnoses included the following: 180 pneumonias (90 cefepime, 90 comparator), 62 urinary tract infections (29 cefepime, 33 comparator), 37 intra-abdominal infections (19 cefepime, 18 comparator), and 17 sepses (8 cefepime, 9 comparator). At the end of therapy, overall clinical success rates were 131/146 (90%) for patients treated with cefepime vs 125/150 (83%) for those treated with comparator (95% confidence interval [CI]: - 2.6% to 16.3%). The clinical success rate for patients with community-acquired pneumonia, the most frequent infection, was 86% for both treatment groups. Among the patients clinically evaluated, 162 pathogens were isolated and identified before therapy. The most commonly isolated pathogens were Escherichia coli (n=49), Streptococcus pneumoniae (n=29), Haemophilus influenzae (n=14), and Staphylococcus aureus (n=11). Bacteriologic eradication/presumed eradication was 97% for cefepime vs 94% for comparator-treated patients. Drug-related adverse events were reported in 16% of cefepime patients and 19% of comparator patients. In conclusion, cefepime had higher cure rates compared with broad-spectrum combination therapy as an initial empiric treatment for hospitalized patients with moderate to severe community-acquired infections, including urinary tract infections, intra-abdominal infections, and sepsis.