Guillermo del Rey-Pineda

−592 and −1082 interleukin-10 polymorphisms in pulmonary tuberculosis with type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE To determine the polymorphisms of Interleukin-10 (IL-10) (-592, -1082) in pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D). METHODS We studied a Mexican mestizo population of 37 patients with TB in remission (TBr) and 40 with active pulmonary TB (PTB), 21 patients with TB + T2D, 47 blood donors accepted, and 13 healthy health-care workers with tuberculin skin test positive. Determination of IL-10 polymorphisms was performed by real-time Polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS IL-10-592C/A presented in a greater proportion in healthy individuals than in patients with type 2 diabetes and TB in a not quite significant statistically manner. IL-10-1082A/A presented more frequently in the group of patients with both diseases, not being statistically significant in comparison with the group of healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS This study describes two important new findings. First, it reveals that the IL-10 (-592 A/A and -592 C/C) polymorphisms were found in a greater proportion in a group of patients with T2D and TB than in healthy subjects. Second, the study provides evidence that the (-1082 G/G) polymorphism presented with greater frequency in healthy individuals than in patients with both of these diseases.

Anti-Chlamydophila pneumoniae Antibodies as Associated Factor for Carotid Atherosclerosis in Patients with AIDS

Atherosclerosis is a multifactor disease. Lately, infectious factors such as C. pneumoniae have been found to be involved. To determine whether the infection by C. pneumoniae is a risk factor for atherosclerosis in patients with AIDS. Case-control study on 43 patients with AIDS under HAART (16 cases and 27 controls). To document atherosclerosis, a carotid and transcranial Doppler ultrasound was performed. Anti-C pneumoniae antibodies were searched using a microimmunofluorescence test for IgM and IgG levels. To study the associations with risk of atherosclerosis, Odds Ratios were calculated for each IgG anti-C. pneumoniae antibody titre. A titre of 1:64 significantly increased the risk of atherosclerosis. These results suggest that hypertriglyceridemia and C. pneumoniae infection coexistence significantly increases the risk of atherosclerosis. The inverse geometric average of the antibodies titre against C. pneumoniae in individuals with atheromatous plaque fell to 64, two titres above the controls. This difference turned out to be statistically significant. Exposure to C. pneumoniae with antibodies (IgG) should be considered in any HIV diagnosed patient as a risk factor for atherosclerosis, having found that the inverse geometric averages of antibodies titre are significantly different comparing cases and controls, especially in patients with dyslipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia or in patients whose treatments could cause these conditions. In patients with concomitant hypertriglyceridemia, the association increases up to three times. It is advisable that AIDS patients take a serological test to determine exposure to C. pneumoniae, and to assess treatment options.

Interferon γ in patients with HIV/AIDS and suspicion or latent tuberculosis infection

OBJECTIVE To assess the usefulness of IGRA test (QuantiFERON(®)-Cell mediated immune) compared with the tuberculin skin test. METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out in Mexico, 25 infected patients with HIV-AIDS and the suspicion or with latent tuberculous infection (LTBI) who were >18 years of age and without treatment for tuberculosis (TB), were enrolled in the study. RESULTS Median cluster of differentiation (CD4) count was 364 cells/μ L and median HIV viral load was 50 copies/mL. Overall, 20 patients (80%) had at least one positive diagnostic test for LTBI: four (16%) had a positive tuberculin skin test and 19 (76%), a positive QuantiFERON(®)-tuberculosis. CONCLUSIONS No agreement is found between the two diagnostic tests: k = -0.004, 95% confidence interval (-0.2219, 0.2210). Additional longitudinal studies among HIV-infected populations with high prevalence of TB are needed to further assess the usefulness of IGRAs in this patient population.

Microbiología de lavado broncoalveolar en lactantes con neumonía bacteriana adquirida en la comunidad de mala evolución

BACKGROUND Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the most common infectious causes of morbidity and mortality in children <5 years of age. The aim of the study was to clarify the bacterial etiologic diagnosis in infants with CAP. METHODS A prospective, cross-sectional and descriptive study in patients 6 months to 2 years 11 months of age with CAP with poor outcome was conducted. Patients were admitted to the Pediatric Pneumology Service and underwent bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), taking appropriate measures during the procedure to limit the risk of contamination. RESULTS Aerobic bacteria isolated were Moraxella sp. 23%, Streptococcus mitis 23%, Streptococcus pneumoniae 18%, Haemophilus influenzae 12%, Streptococcus oralis 12%, and Streptococcus salivarius 12%. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to other reports, we found Moraxella sp. to be a major bacterial pathogen, possibly because of improved detection with bronchoscopy plus BAL.

Practical and Laboratory Diagnosis of Tuberculosis

The purpose of diagnostic guidelines for tuberculosis (TB) is to describe an acceptable level for all public and private professionals; they should try to achieve the proper diagnosis of patients who have, or suspected of having, or are at increased risk of developing TB. The basic principles of care for persons with, or suspected of having, TB are the same worldwide: a diagnosis should be established promptly and accurately; should use standardized treatment regimens proven, along with appropriate treatment support and supervision; response to treatment should be monitored; and the essential public health responsibilities must be carried out. The contribution of microbiology laboratory for diagnosis and management of TB is: (1) Collection of specimens for demonstration of tubercle bacilli; (2) Transport of specimens to the laboratory; (3) Digestion and decontamination of specimens; (4) Staining and microscopic examination; (5) Identifi cation of mycobacteria directly from clinical specimens (nucleic acid amplifi cation techniques (NAAT); (6) Cultivation of mycobacteria; (7) Identifi cation of mycobacteria from culture; and (8) Drug susceptibility testing (DST). To identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in people without the disease, the methods used are the tuberculin skin test (TST) and the Interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA).