Biomedical subjects
Patricia García C
Publications and source records attributed to Patricia García C.
[Evaluation of Hucker stain as Campylobacter sp screening detection during an acute diarrhea disease].
Campylobacter infection is one of the most frequent causes of gastroenteritis in the world and the third in Chile according to some studies. The routinary culture for Campylobacter in our country is not performed because of its high cost, and it is known, that the Hucker stain is a reasonable screening alternative. The objective of this study was to know the utility of the Hucker stain and estimate the frequency of Campylobacter in stool samples. A total of 5,750 stool samples received in the Catholic University Health Net Microbiology Laboratories, from March 2002 to May 2004, were studied with conventional stool culture and Hucker stain. In order to validate the Hucker stain with culture, during one month, all the stool samples were also studied with Campylobacter culture, with 35% sensitivity and 100% specificity. In 115/5.750 samples (2%), curved bacilli suggesting Campylobacter were observed by Hucker stain, and another 233 enteropathogens (4%) which corresponded to: 151 Salmonella sp, 55 Shigella sp, 25 enterohemorrhagic E coli, and 2 Yersinia sp were isolated. When analyzing the patients in whom the Hucker stain was positive, 62.2% were younger than 5 years and of these, 63.8% were infants. We conclude that the Hucker stain is a simple and specific method, although not very sensitive, that allows us to increase the yield of diagnosing enteric pathogens in a 33%. Campylobacter sp was in the second place after Salmonella sp in stool samples, and most frequent in young children. The active search for Campylobacter by means of culture is fundamental in the diagnosis of acute diarrhea.
[In vitro activity of telithromycin against community acquired respiratory pathogens].
BACKGROUND: Telithromycin is a new ketolide antimicrobial, that can be useful for the treatment of respiratory infections. AIM: To compare in vitro activity of telithromycin against respiratory pathogens, isolated in outpatient clinics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred eighty strains isolated from patients with respiratory infections, were studied. The strains studied were S pneumoniae, penicillin sensitive (SPNS:57); intermediate (SPNI:35), resistant (SPNR:25); S pyogenes (SP:57); H influenzae (HIN 51); M catarrhalis (MC:25) and S aureus meticillin sensitive (SAUS:30). Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) by broth microdilution was studied for telitrhomycin and levofloxacin in all strains. Other antimicrobials studied, but not in all strains were erythromycin, clindamycin, trimetoprim sulphamethoxazole, oxacillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and cefuroxime. RESULTS: All strains were sensible to telithromycin at a concentration -4 microg/ml. MIC 90 and its range for SPNS was 0.03 microg/ml (-0.004-0.12), for SPNI was 0.03 microg/ml (-0.004-025), for SPNR was 0.06 microg/ml (-0.004-0.25), for HIN was 2 microg/ml (0.12-4), for SP was 0.5 microg/ml (-0.004-2), for MC was 0.5 microg/ml (0.06-2) and for SAU was 0.25 microg/ml (0.06-0.25). CONCLUSIONS: All studied pathogens were sensible to telithromycin in vitro. This antimicrobial is an alternative for the treatment of community acquired respiratory infections.
[Risk factors and frequency of positive antibodies for leptospirosis in a sub urban population near Santiago].
BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease and its incidence is known in Chile since 2002, when it was incorporated as a disease that must be reported to health authorities. A serologic survey for leptospirosis was performed in humans and animals from a farm in a semi urban area in Santiago Chile, after the death of a farmer due to Weil disease in that place. AIM: To report the prevalence of antibodies against leptospirosis and to determine exposure to infection risk factors in the humans and domestic animals studied in this survey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Antibodies were detected by IgM immunodot and indirect haemagglutination test in 61 humans (43 male, aged 5 to 70 years) and by microscopic agglutination test (MAT) in 44 animals. A questionnaire was applied to determine their exposure to risk factors for infection with Leptospira. RESULTS: Seventy two percent of the studied population were farm workers and 70% had activities that required contact with water from canals, 41% cleaned closed places where rodents were present. Other risk factors detected were lack of sewage and waste disposal, high level of rodent infestation and disposal of faeces into canals used for watering. Two humans (3.3%) and six animals (1 bovine and 5 rodents) had positive antibodies. Among animals, antibodies against Leptospira serovar pomona and icterohaemorragiae were detected. CONCLUSIONS: In Chile, leptospirosis exists not only in rural areas but semi urban ones close to Santiago, although the prevalence is low. Education is necessary among semi urban population to avoid infection.
[Antimicrobial susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae in pediatric and adult population from Santiago, 1997-2003].
BACKGROUND: In Chile, the emergence of drug-resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae has complicated treatment decisions and may lead to treatment failures. AIM: to examine antimicrobial resistance trends among pneumococcal isolates from the Catholic University Hospital between 1997 and 2003. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During a seven-year period, we examined 901 strains of S. pneumoniae isolated from sterile and non-sterile samples from adult and pediatric population. RESULTS: Overall, 20% of isolates showed intermediate resistance to penicillin (MIC: 0.12-1 microg/ml) y 10.8% high level of resistance to penicillin (MIC > or = 2 microg/ml). Pneumococcal resistance to penicillin did not change significantly during the study period, but it was more common in pediatric patients and isolates from non-sterile samples. No isolate had a MIC > or = 8 microg/ml for penicillin. Twenty one percent of pneumococcal strains were resistant to erythromycin, 41.6% to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 3.6% to chloramphenicol. Macrolides resistance tended to increase between 1997 and 2003. Fourteen percent of strains showed intermediate resistance (MIC: 1 microg/ml) and 2.5%, a high level of resistance to cefotaxime (MIC: > or = 2 microg/ml). No isolate had a CIM > or = 4 microg/ml for cefotaxime. Among those isolates with intermediate or high level of resistance to penicillin, there were significantly more isolates highly resistant to erythromycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and cefotaxime. CONCLUSIONS: Multidrug-resistant pneumococci are common and are increasing in our country, particularly in pediatric population, probably associated to indiscriminate ambulatory prescription of antimicrobials.