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Antonio Guerrero-Espejo

Publications and source records attributed to Antonio Guerrero-Espejo.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

[Significance of hepatitis B core antibody as the only marker of hepatitis B infection].

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about the clinical significance of the "anti-HBc alone" serological profile (absence of HBsAg and anti-HBs) in HBV infections. The objective of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of the anti-HBc alone immunological profile and the clinical-epidemiological characteristics of patients with this profile. METHODS: Prospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study performed in 2002 and including patients with anti-HBc alone (HBsAg-negative, anti-HBs-negative and anti-HBc-positive). All the cases identified underwent the following microbiological tests: IgM anti-HBc, HBeAg, anti-HBe, anti-HDV, anti-HCV, anti-HIV, as well as HBV-DNA testing by qualitative nested-PCR. Furthermore, studies of serum biochemical parameters, blood counts and coagulation, as well as a clinical-epidemiological interview were performed in all patients. RESULTS: Among 3900 patients studied, 195 (5%) presented the anti-HBc alone profile (48% were > 65 years old). Residual anti-HBs (< 10 mUI/mL) was found in 44% of cases and 33% were anti-HBe positive. HCV or HIV coinfection were seen in 38% and 8%, respectively. HBV-DNA was detected in 4.2% (5/120) of cases. Epidemiologically, detection of anti-HBc alone was casual in 60% of patients, whereas the remaining cases had a history of chronic liver disease (82% of these were anti-HCV positive). In a high percentage (63%) the transmission mechanism of HBV infection was unknown (11% intravenous drug abuser, 10% surgery, 6% transfusions). CONCLUSION: The anti-HBc alone pattern is a frequent finding, particularly in patients > 65 years old and in HCV or HIV coinfected patients. Although HBV-DNA was detected in a small percentage of cases, this test could be indicated in certain clinical situations (liver disease, coinfection, donors). Furthermore, this profile seems to be related with HCV infection; hence, we consider anti-HCV detection necessary in all patients with anti-HBc alone.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

[Diseases produced by Borrelia].

Lyme borreliosis, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, is a multi-organ infection with dermatological, rheumatological, neurological, and cardiac manifestations. The main characteristic is a skin lesion, named erythema migrans. Relapsing fever, caused by numerous species of Borrelia, is characterized by a periodic cycle of acute and afebrile episodes. The serological diagnosis of these infections has limited value in sensitivity, specificity and predictive values. Lyme borreliosis is usually diagnosed by recognition of a characteristic clinical picture with serological confirmation, and the diagnosis of relapsing fever relies on direct observation of spirochetes in peripherical blood. The elected treatment is almost always tetracycline for the young or for adults but not for pregnant women, although betalactamic (such as penicillin or 3rd generation cephalosporin for the central nervous system) or macrolides are indicated in several situations. The prognosis, with adequate treatment, is good. In the majority of Spanish regions, due to the low incidence of these diseases, the prophylactic antimicrobial treatment after a tick bite is not indicated.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Risk factors associated with invasive fungal infection in orthotopic liver transplantation].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Invasive fungal infection (IFI) in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) influences survival, hence the need for risk predictors. We have determined the incidence and risk factors associated with invasive fungal infection in OLT. PATIENTS AND METHOD: 165 OLTs performed in 152 receptors from May 1994 to May 1998 at the Hospital Juan Canalejo (La Coruña), were included in the study. Pre-surgical, surgical and post-surgical variables were evaluated. Those variables that independently influenced the development of IFI were determined by multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: IFI presented in 7 cases /152 patients (4.6%). In the univariate analysis, IFI was associated with pre-transplantation serum albumin, the number of blood units transfused, mechanical ventilation (OR = 7.56), re-transplantation (OR = 11.10) cytomegalovirus infection (OR = 8.35) and pre-transplantation GOT. In the multivariate analysis, the independent variables predicting IFI were the number of blood units transfused (OR = 1.21; 95% CI, 1.05-1.38), serum albumin pre-transplantation (OR = 0.06; 95% CI, 0.007-0.537) and re-transplantation (HR = 432; 95% CI, 9.80-19 058). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-transplantation serum albumin, a clear predictor, the number of blood units transfused and re-transplantation are all independent predictors of IFI.

Female↗