We present a brief review of the new emerging virus in the Americas: the ZIKA virus. For this reason we deal with the main aspects of its history, epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and control. This disease originated in Africa, reached the Americas in 2014, and from 2015 it expanded quickly and steadily affecting almost the whole continent. Although most cases are benign and self-limited, its spread has created a serious concern, since an important group of patients in Brazil have developed the Guillain-Barré syndrome, and many babies from women exposed to the virus were born with microcephaly, being this occurrence described as probably associated to the Zika virus infection. For these reasons, a sanitary emergency has been declared, and the main strategy for fighting the disease is vector control, limiting the spread of Aedes aegypti. Finally, another important aspect in the fight against the Zika virus is the access to practical information, since there are some computer tools which may orient physicians and patients for decision-making.

Presentamos una breve revisión del nuevo virus emergente en América: el virus ZIKA, por ello tocamos los principales aspectos de la historia, epidemiología, clínica, diagnóstico y control de esta dolencia. Esta enfermedad procedente de África, llega a América el 2014 y desde el 2015 se ha expandido de manera rápida y sostenida a casi todo el continente, si bien la enfermedad es de curso benigno y autolimitado, ha creado una seria preocupación, debido a que un grupo importantes de pacientes en Brasil han presentado en forma importante el síndrome de Guillain-Barré y muchas gestantes al ser expuestas al virus han presentado microcefalia con una probable asociación, por ello se ha declarado emergencia sanitaria, siendo el control de esta nueva enfermedad ligado al control del principal vector, el Aedes aegypti. Finalmente un aspecto importante en la lucha contra el virus Zika es el acceso a información práctica, por ello se presentan algunas herramientas informáticas que permita orientar al médico y al paciente en la toma de decisiones.

The case of an adult, 56 year old male is reported, from Sihuas (Ancash) who presented at Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo with fever, jaundice and anemia. In three days of hospitalization, he developed severe anemia (Hb: 11.8 to 6.7 g / dL) and generalized myalgias associated with a sudden worsening jaundice correlated with elevated bilirubin (TB 3.2 to 19.6 mg / dL direct dominance) and general deterioration. Microbiological smear and culture were positive for Bartonella bacilliformis. Subsequent serology (microagglutination) was positive for Lesptospira serovar Pomona. The patient was given specific antibiotic therapy (ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin), transfused two units of packed red blood cells, improved clinically and was discharged

Se reporta el caso de un adulto varón de 56 años, procedente de Sihuas (Ancash) que acude al Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo con cuadro clínico caracterizado por un síndrome ictérico febril anemizante, en cuya evolución tórpida de solo tres días de hospitalizado presenta anemia severa (Hb: 11,8 a 6,7 g/dL) así como mialgias generalizadas asociadas a un empeoramiento brusco de la ictericia correlacionada con elevación de bilirrubinas (BT: 3,2 a 19,6 mg/dL a predominio directo) y deterioro general del paciente; por ello, se realizó la investigación microbiológica donde se encontró frotis y cultivo positivo para Bartonella bacilliformis, posteriormente, la serología (microaglutinación) resultó positiva para Lesptospira serovar Pomona. El paciente recibe tratamiento antibiótico específico (ceftriaxona y ciprofloxacino), se le transfunde dos paquetes globulares, mejora clínicamente y es dado de alta

The case of an adult, 56 year old male is reported, from Sihuas (Ancash) who presented at Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo with fever, jaundice and anemia. In three days of hospitalization, he developed severe anemia (Hb: 11.8 to 6.7 g / dL) and generalized myalgias associated with a sudden worsening jaundice correlated with elevated bilirubin (TB 3.2 to 19.6 mg / dL direct dominance) and general deterioration. Microbiological smear and culture were positive for Bartonella bacilliformis. Subsequent serology (microagglutination) was positive for Lesptospira serovar Pomona. The patient was given specific antibiotic therapy (ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin), transfused two units of packed red blood cells, improved clinically and was discharged

Se reporta el caso de un adulto varón de 56 años, procedente de Sihuas (Ancash) que acude al Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo con cuadro clínico caracterizado por un síndrome ictérico febril anemizante, en cuya evolución tórpida de solo tres días de hospitalizado presenta anemia severa (Hb: 11,8 a 6,7 g/dL) así como mialgias generalizadas asociadas a un empeoramiento brusco de la ictericia correlacionada con elevación de bilirrubinas (BT: 3,2 a 19,6 mg/dL a predominio directo) y deterioro general del paciente; por ello, se realizó la investigación microbiológica donde se encontró frotis y cultivo positivo para Bartonella bacilliformis, posteriormente, la serología (microaglutinación) resultó positiva para Lesptospira serovar Pomona. El paciente recibe tratamiento antibiótico específico (ceftriaxona y ciprofloxacino), se le transfunde dos paquetes globulares, mejora clínicamente y es dado de alta

Human Bartonellosis has an acute phase characterized by fever and hemolytic anemia, and a chronic phase with bacillary angiomatosis-like lesions. This cross-sectional pilot study evaluated the immunology patterns using pre- and post-treatment samples in patients with Human Bartonellosis. Patients between five and 60 years of age, from endemic areas in Peru, in the acute or chronic phases were included. In patients in the acute phase of Bartonellosis a state of immune peripheral tolerance should be established for persistence of the infection. Our findings were that elevation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and numeric abnormalities of CD4+ and CD8+ T-Lymphocyte counts correlated significantly with an unfavorable immune state. During the chronic phase, the elevated levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 observed in our series correlated with previous findings of endothelial invasion of B. henselae in animal models.

La Bartonelosis Humana, tiene una fase aguda caracterizada por fiebre y anemia hemolítica, así como una fase crónica con lesiones semejantes a angiomatosis bacilar. En un estudio transversal piloto los patrones inmunológicos en pacientes con Bartonelosis Humana fueron estudiados mediante muestras pre y post tratamiento. Pacientes entre 5 y 60 años en fase aguda y crónica fueron incluidos en área endémica del Perú. En aquellos pacientes con fase aguda, una fase de tolerancia inmunológica periférica es necesaria para la persistencia de la infección. Los hallazgos de significativa elevación de citoquina anti-inflamatoria (IL-10) y anormalidades numéricas en el recuentos de Linfocitos T CD4+ y CD8+ correlacionan con un estado inmune que favorece la infección. Durante la fase crónica, elevados niveles de INF-γ y IL-4 observados en la serie de pacientes correlacionan con previos hallazgos en modelos animales que favorecen la invasión del endotelio por B. henselae.

It presents a case of a healthy woman of 28 years with a tumor in his leg attached to soft tissue, she doesn’t have epidemiological history of travel outside Lima, without pulmonary, hepatic or systemic disease and with negative serology for Equinococcus granulosus before, during and after the surgical excision. In a first opportunity, they removed tumor and they didn’t suspect of hydatidosis so they didn’t give a proper treatment, so 16 weeks after, she came back with a relapse, where with a specific diagnosis was performed the surgery and treatment with albendazole, followed up after six months, the patient didn’t have recurrence.

Se presenta el caso de una mujer saludable de 28 años con un tumor en la pierna dependiente de tejidos blandos, no tiene antecedentes epidemiológicos de viajes fuera de Lima Metropolitana, sin compromiso pulmonar, hepático o sistémico y con serología negativa para Equinococcus granulossus antes, durante y después de la extirpación de la lesión. En una primera oportunidad se realiza la extracción del tumor y no se sospecha de hidatidosis por lo que no se le dio el manejo adecuado, 16 semanas después regresa por recidiva, donde con un diagnóstico específico se realiza la intervención quirúrgica y el tratamiento con albendazol, seis meses de seguimiento después, la paciente no presentó recidiva.

O rinoscleroma é uma infecção rara nos países desenvolvidos, no entanto, tem sido relatado com alguma freqüência nas regiões pobres da África Central, América Central e do Sul, Europa Central e Oriental, Oriente Médio, Índia e Indonésia. A doença pode ser erroneamente diagnosticada como leishmaniose mucocutânea, hanseníase, paracoccidioidomicose, rinosporidiose, sífilis tardia, neoplasias ou outras doenças que afetam a via respiratória superior. No período de 1996 a 2003, foram diagnosticados oito casos de rinoscleroma no serviço de Doenças Dermatológicas e Infecciosas do Hospital Nacional "Cayetano Heredia", em Lima, Peru. Os pacientes apresentaram alterações estruturais das vias respiratórias, caracterizadas por estenose da nasofaringe e orofaringe, e em um paciente, a nível da laringe. As biópsias mostraram macrófagos com grandes vacúolos (células de Mikulicz). A ciprofloxacina 500 mg de 12/12 horas por quatro a 12 semanas foi usada em sete pacientes e oxitetraciclina 500 mg de 6/6 horas por seis semanas em um paciente. Durante o acompanhamento por seis a 12 meses todos os pacientes apresentaram cura clínica, sem recaída, embora exibissem algum grau de estenose na via respiratória superior. O motivo do relato deve-se ao fato desta doença constituir um grande desafio diagnóstico e pelo sucesso alcançado com o tratamento antibiótico.

Rhinoscleroma is a rare infection in developed countries; although, it is reported with some frequency in poorer regions such as Central Africa, Central and South America, Eastern and Central Europe, Middle East, India and Indonesia. Nowadays, rhinoscleroma may be erroneously diagnosed as mucocutaneos leishmaniasis, leprosy, paracoccidioidomycosis, rhinosporidiasis, late syphilis, neoplasic diseases or other upper airway diseases. From 1996 to 2003, we diagnosed rhinoscleroma in eight patients attended in the Dermatologic and Transmitted Diseases service of "Cayetano Heredia" National Hospital, in Lima, Peru. The patients presented airway structural alterations producing nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal and, in one patient, laryngeal stenosis. Biopsy samples revealed large vacuolated macrophages (Mikulicz cells) in all patients. Ciprofloxacin 500 mg bid for four to 12 weeks was used in seven patients and oxytetracycline 500 mg qid for six weeks in one patient. After follow-up for six to 12 months the patients did not show active infection or relapse, however, all of them presented some degree of upper airway stenosis. These cases are reported because of the difficulty diagnosing the disease and the success of antibiotic treatment.

Anthrax is a zoonosis produced by Bacillus anthracis, and as an human infection is endemic in several areas in the world, including Peru. More than 95% of the reported naturally acquired infections are cutaneous, and approximately 5% of them can progress to meningoencephalitis. In this study we review the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the patients with diagnosis of cutaneous anthrax evaluated between 1969 and 2002 at the Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia (HNCH) and the Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt in Lima, Peru. Seventy one patients were included [49/71 (69%) of them men], with a mean age of 37 years. The diagnoses were classified as definitive (44%) or probable (56%). The most common occupation of the patients was agriculture (39%). The source of infection was found in 63 (88.7%) patients. All the patients had ulcerative lesions, with a central necrosis. Most of the patients (65%) had several lesions, mainly located in the upper limbs (80%). Four patients (5.6%) developed meningoencephalitis, and three of them eventually died. In conclusion, considering its clinical and epidemiological characteristics, cutaneous anthrax must be included in the differential diagnosis of skin ulcers. A patient with clinical suspicion of the disease should receive effective treatment soon, in order to avoid neurological complications which carry a high fatality rate.

El ántrax es una zoonosis producida por el Bacillus anthracis y la infección humana es endémica en diversas partes del mundo, incluyendo el Perú. Más del 95% de las infecciones adquiridas naturalmente son cutáneas y aproximadamente 5% de ellas pueden evolucionar para meningoencefalitis. En este estudio revisamos las características clínicas y epidemiológicas de los pacientes con diagnóstico de ántrax cutáneo evaluados entre 1969 y 2002 en el Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia (HNCH) y en el Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, en Lima, Perú. Se incluyeron 71 pacientes [49/71 (69%) del sexo masculino], con edad media de 37 años. Los diagnósticos fueron clasificados como definitivos (44%) o probables (56%). La ocupación más frecuente fue la agricultura (39%). La fuente de infección fue identificada en 63 (88.7%) pacientes. Todos presentaron lesiones ulcerativas con necrosis central. La mayoría de ellos (65%) tuvieron lesiones múltiples, principalmente localizadas en miembros superiores (80%). Cuatro pacientes (5.6%) desarrollaron meningoencefalitis y tres de ellos fallecieron. En conclusión, considerando sus particulares características clínicas y epidemiológicas, el ántrax cutáneo debe ser siempre incluido en el diagnóstico diferencial de las lesiones cutáneas ulcerativas. Los pacientes con sospecha clínica de la enfermedad deben recibir tratamiento precoz con el objetivo de evitar complicaciones neurológicas, las cuales presentan elevados índices de fatalidad.

Bartonellosis, or Carrion's Disease, is an endemic and reemerging disease in Peru and Ecuador. Carrion's Disease constitutes a health problem in Peru because its epidemiology has been changing, and it is affecting new areas between the highland and the jungle. During the latest outbreaks, and previously in endemic areas, the pediatric population has been the most commonly affected. In the pediatric population, the acute phase symptoms are fever, anorexia, malaise, nausea and/or vomiting. The main signs are pallor, hepatomegaly, lymphadenopathies, cardiac murmur, and jaundice. Arthralgias and weight loss have also commonly been described. The morbidity and mortality of the acute phase is variable, and it is due mainly to superimposed infections or associated respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological or gastrointestinal complications. The eruptive phase, also known as Peruvian Wart, is characterized by eruptive nodes (which commonly bleed) and arthralgias. The mortality of the eruptive phase is currently extremely low. The diagnosis is still based on blood culture and direct observation of the bacilli in a blood smear. In the chronic phase, the diagnosis is based on biopsy or serologic assays. There are nationally standardized treatments for the acute phase, which consist of ciprofloxacin, and alternatively chloramphenicol plus penicillin G. However, most of the treatments are based on evidence from reported cases. During the eruptive phase the recommended treatment is rifampin, and alternatively, azithromycin or erythromycin.