Biomedical subjects
D Pérez Tamarit
Publications and source records attributed to D Pérez Tamarit.
[Recurrent scarlet fever].
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[The use of mantoux test].
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[Haemophilus influenzae type b osteoarthritis. A report of 7 cases and a review of the literature].
OBJECTIVE: The epidemiological and clinical characteristics, treatment and evolution of osteoarthritis by Haemophilus influenzae type b (HIB) are reviewed since there has been little published on this subject in our country. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The clinical histories of the 7 children with osteoarthritis due to Hib infection are reviewed. The diagnostic criteria included classical signs and symptoms of septic arthritis, radiological alterations compatible with joint infection and isolation of microorganisms in joint effusion and/or in the blood. RESULTS: During a 24-year period (1973-1996), 248 cases of invasive infection by Hib were documented. Seven cases (2.82%) had osteoarticular infections. The ages were between 5 and 7 years and there were more males than females (71.4% vs. 28.6%). Four children/58%) had previous upper respiratory infections (URI). The microorganism was isolated in the joint effusion in 5 children and in the blood sample of the other 2. C-reactive protein was high and radiology showed alterations in 100% of the cases. Surgical treatment with articular drainage was necessary in 5 children/71.4%). In 6 cases (85.7%) initial medical treatment was i.v. beta-lactam antibiotics for 2-3 weeks followed by oral antibiotic treatment for a minimum of 6 weeks. Three children (42.8%) had sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis of bacterial osteoarthritis by Hib is difficult. Final therapeutical success depends on an early clinical diagnosis and aggressive multidisciplinary treatment. Drainage of the hip joint is mandatory for successful outcome. Currently, arthritis by Hib can be avoided and its sequelae prevented by vaccination.
[Endocarditis due to Haemophilus influenzae type B: a new case and review of literature].
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[Pneumonia due to Haemophilus influenzae type b in children: presentation of 24 cases].
OBJECTIVE: Due to the higher incidence in invasive infections, the changes observed in the sensitivity of this microorganism during the last decade and the seriousness of pulmonary infections in children, the objective of this paper is to review the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) pneumonia, as well as to give an update of treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four children diagnosed between 1973 and 1992 are reviewed using the following criteria: clinical manifestations of pneumonia, radiology and isolation of the microorganism. RESULTS: The annual average was 7.8 cases/100,000 children under 5 years of age. More females were affected (58.3% vs 41.6%). Of the cases studied, 58.3% of the children were under one year and 83.3% under 2 years of age. Fever was the most common clinical manifestation (95.8%). Blood cultures were positive in 21 cases (87.5%); pleural effusion culture contributed to the diagnosis in two other cases (8.3%) and deep bronchial aspirate in one other case. Of the Haemophilus influenzae type b strains 62.5% were resistant to ampicillin and 100% were sensitive to second and third generation cephalosporins. Three infants with chronic illness died (12.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Hib pneumonia is an infection usually affecting children younger than 2 years of age. Its clinical manifestations are indistinguishable from those of other microorganisms. Blood culture is the most useful technique to confirm the diagnosis. The increase in resistance to classical treatment (ampicillin) obliges us to consider amoxicillin-clavulanic as the selected empirical treatment. Second and third generation cephalosporins may be considered a good alternative. There is a high mortality in children with chronic illness.
[Tuberculous meningitis in children. Study of 34 cases (author's transl)].
Thirty four cases of tuberculous meningitis in children of 6 months to 8 years of age are reviewed. Maximum frequency (44% of the cases) correspond to 0.5 to 2 year age group. In 55.8% of the cases symptoms appeared less than 20 days before admission to hospital. On admission 24% of the cases were in stage I, 64.7% in stage II and 11.7% in stage III according to the criteria of the Medical Research Council. None of the patients had been vaccinated with BCG. a family history of active tuberculosis was shown in 29.4% of the cases. "Mycobacterium tuberculosis" was isolated from spinal fluid in only 20.5% of the cases. A positive Mantoux was found in 70.5% and 50% showed a pathological chest X-ray film. A triple-drug therapy was instituted immediately after diagnosis. First choice drugs were streptomycin, rifampicin and isoniazid. Average length of treatment was 21 months. Corticosteroids were given to 17 children. Most frequent complications were convulsions, hydrocephalus, ophthalmoplegia, hyponatremia and hepatotoxicity due to rifampicin. Mortality rate was 14% and 55% of the survivors developed sequelae. Relations between precocity of diagnosis, therapeutic protocol and evolution are discussed. Importance of early diagnosis is stressed.
[Hepatotoxicity of rifampicin and isoniazid in the treatment of tuberculous meningitis (author's transl)].
Thirty four children with tuberculous meningitis were treated with rifampicin (mean, 17 mg/kg/day) and isoniazid (mean, 18 mg/kg/day). Fifteen (44%) showed rise in transaminase GOT and GPT values and four cases (11.7%) developed jaundice, hepatomegaly and low prothrombin levels. Rifampicin was removed in only nine of these 15 cases with signs of liver disfunction, but complete normalization of liver function and disappearance of symptoms occurred in all cases even when the treatment was not interrupted. Children are more sensitive to hepatic injury during rifampicin and isoniazid combination therapy than adults. Our results indicate very good prognosis for this hepatopathy and suggest that rifampicin need not be withdrawn in the benign situations. Removal of the rifampicin treatment may delay recovery of serious cases of tuberculous meningitis.