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Biomedical subjects

Manuel Lizasoain

Publications and source records attributed to Manuel Lizasoain.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

[Nosocomial outbreak of influenza in high-risk hematological patients. Efficacy of control measures and the use of zanamivir].

INTRODUCTION: This study describes a nosocomial outbreak of influenza in high-risk-hematological patients, and the usefulness of epidemiological measures and zanamivir administration for its control. METHODS: Fifteen patients who had been in contact with a patient with influenza A were included in the study. Viral culture of nasopharyngeal exudate was performed and the epidemiological data, risk factors and clinical outcome were evaluated. The efficacy of early therapy and preventive use of zanamivir was also assessed. RESULTS: Seven out of 15 patients (46.6%) developed symptoms and in 5 of these 7 cases (71.4%), influenza A virus was isolated. Eight patients did not develop symptoms and viral culture was sterile. All symptomatic patients were isolated, and treatment with inhaled zanamivir (10 mg/12 h, 5 days) was initiated as soon as possible; only one patient developed respiratory failure; the remaining cases had self-limited upper respiratory tract symptoms. There was no associated mortality. Zanamivir prophylaxis was used in three non-symptomatic patients considered to be at high risk. Tolerance to zanamivir was excellent. No new cases were observed after initiation of the preventive measures and use of zanamivir. CONCLUSION: The attack rate in a nosocomial influenza outbreak can be very high in immunocompromised patients. Prompt initiation of preventive measures, early treatment and prophylaxis with zanamivir may help to limit the extension of these outbreaks.

Antiviral Agents↗

[Intestinal leishmaniasis and Sézary syndrome: endoscopic diagnosis].

Sézary syndrome is a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of cutaneous origin that provokes severe cellular immunosuppression leading to greater susceptibility to opportunistic infections. We present the case of a male patient with a diagnosis of Sézary syndrome complicated by visceral leishmaniasis and Mycobacterium avium complex coinfection, with intestinal involvement of both pathogens -an exceptional finding in the absence of HIV infection. The diagnosis was confirmed by bone marrow biopsy and oral endoscopy with intestinal biopsy. Because of the severity of the infection and the failure of conventional treatment, miltefosine, a new antiparasitic agent still under investigation, was administered with favorable response. However the patient developed fatal pneumonia.

Adult↗

[Epidemiology of infections in neutropenic patients].

Epidemiological data are useful to determine changes in forms of clinical expression and in the microbial agents causing infections. This allows empirical or preemptive treatments to be designed and can guide diagnostic tests. Empirical data also allow patients to be classified by risk group in order to decide on the need for hospitalization. The incidence of neutropenia is increasing as a result of the more aggressive antineoplastic treatments used and the broader age range of patients who receive them. It has been calculated that in the USA neutropenia causes approximately 60,000 hospitalizations per year and that a third of these occur in hematological patients. The most frequent foci of infection are: pneumonia (38%), bacteremia (35%) and urinary (11%). Of the bacteria causing infection, two thirds are Gram-positive and the remaining bacilli are Gram-negative. In the last few years, an increase of Gram-negative bacteria seems to have reemerged. The incidence of fungal isolates represents 2-10%, depending on the type of neutropenic patient analyzed. Fungal isolates are found preferentially in patients with prolonged neutropenia and/or other associated immunodeficiencies, as occurs in allogenic bone marrow transplantation or in patients who have received purine analogs. Viruses are very frequent. Respiratory viruses seem to be emerging pathogens in this group of patients.

Humans↗

[Systemic antifungal agents].

Invasive fungal infection is the infectious complication with highest associated mortality. Until the 90's amphotericin B was the only drug available to treat these infections. Its spectrum of antifungal activity is excellent, but its use is associated with toxicity in many cases. The development of amphotericin B lipid formulations has resulted in a significant decrease in most of the side effects associated with this drug. Triazoles are safe and effective for treating most invasive fungal infections. Fluconazole is an excellent drug for the prevention and treatment of Candida and Cryptococcus infections, itraconazole has good activity against Candida and Aspergillus, and voriconazole has shown to be better than amphotericin B for invasive aspergillosis. Caspofungin belongs to a new group of antifungal agents, the echinocandins, which are very safe and present excellent activity against Candida and Aspergillus.

Administration, Oral↗