Verónica Araceli Martínez-Ordaz

Eustachian tube dysfunction in allergic rhinitis

OBJECTIVE: To assess eustachian tube function in patients with allergic rhinitis and compare them with a control group. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Tympanometry was performed in 130 patients (260 ears), divided into 2 groups: 80 cases with allergic rhinitis and 50 healthy controls. Cases underwent skin hypersensitivity tests. RESULTS: Cases, age 21.1 ± 14.9; Controls, age 23.9 ± 15.6. Most frequent skin hypersensitivity: Dermatophagoides pt (62%), Zea Maiz (44%), and Cockroach (37%). Tympanometry of cases showed negative values of peak tympanometric pressure in both children and adults (P ≤ 0.05). Among children under 11 years of age, 15.5% tympanograms showed abnormal curves (13% C curves and 3% B curves); among the control group only normal curves were found (type A). CONCLUSION: Allergic rhinitis patients have a higher risk of eustachian tube dysfunction, particularly during childhood. Tympanometry is a noninvasive, readily available procedure that may be useful in these patients to prevent chronic middle-ear disease.

Immunochromatographic Monoclonal Test for Detection of Helicobacter pylori Antigen in Stool is Useful in Children from High‐Prevalence Developing Country

Background:  Tests to detect Helicobacter pylori antigens in feces for diagnosis of infection in children demonstrate controversial results. One novel and fast monoclonal test improves diagnostic accuracy in adults, but clinical evidence of its usefulness at pediatric age is insufficient to date. The objective of this work was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of this test in a sample of Mexican children.

Prevalence of Skin Reactivity to Coccidioidin and Associated Risks Factors in Subjects Living in a Northern City of Mexico

BACKGROUND Coccidioidomycosis is a reemerging fungal disease seen mainly in the states located at the Mexican-U.S. border. The finding of advanced cases of the disease are now more frequent. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of skin reactivity to coccidioidin in the city of Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico, located in the northern region of the country. A multifactorial association of environmental, social, and health conditions was analyzed. A total of 1,653 coccidioidin skin tests was applied in male and female subjects older than 8 years of age. RESULTS The overall rate of positive reactivity in this city was 40.2%, with a 95% confidence interval of 37.8-42.5. This was related to time/life exposure risk and to the habitat of unpaved streets. No statistically significant difference regarding gender, socioeconomic level, and working activities was found. The highest reactivity was observed in subjects between 30 and 65 years of age. CONCLUSIONS Positive results were related to exposure risk and habitat, principally in the southeast region of the city. These results were applied both to residents and outsiders with no differences between the groups. Of the total, 87.5% were considered high-risk subjects. It is recommended that future surveys be carried out in other northern cities of Mexico to obtain more useful data concerning the extent of the infection and mainly to establish preventive measures, such as appropriate reforestation and urbanization procedures.

Chronic gastritis associated with Helicobacter pylori in Mexican children: histopathological patterns.

The objective of this study was to analyze the histopathological patterns of inflammation, distribution, severity, and degree of gastric mucosa of Helicobacter pylori (Hp)–infected children in Northern Mexico, as well as the correlation between colonization density and inflammation intensity. We carried out a cross-sectional study of gastric biopsies performed on children ranging from 2 to 17 years of age who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for diverse gastroduodenal disorders. This study includes only children who were found to be Hp carriers, with positive results for tests of Hp antigens in feces and in gastric biopsy studies. We studied 107 patients (age 8.2 ± 3.7 years). In 47.7% of patients, the density of Hp colonization was low; only 21.5% had a marked density. Mononuclear leukocyte infiltration showed a similar distribution. Thirty-seven percent of patients had follicular gastritis. An acute inflammatory response was absent in 65% and mild in 20.6% of patients. When inflammation was present, it was primarily located in the antrum (79%). There were no cases of intestinal metaplasia or atrophy. A link was found between Hp density and age, infiltration by mononuclear cells, the presence of follicular gastritis, and the level of neutrophil infiltration (P = 0.001). Despite the high rates of Hp infection in the region, the histopathological findings in these children were mild and were limited primarily to the antral mucosa. These data indicate the need to study the behavior of this disease in children in diverse study populations to provide localized prevention and treatment strategies.

Survival After Bronchial Artery Embolization in Massive Hemoptysis: Experience in 24 Cases

Abstract:Massive hemoptysis is a life-threatening event that requires emergency treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of bronchial artery embolization on survival in cases of massive hemoptysis. This prospective study included 24 consecutive patients with massive hemoptysis who