Aliskiren prevents the toxic effects of peritoneal dialysis fluids during chronic dialysis in rats.

The benefits of long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) in patients with end-stage renal failure are short-lived due to structural and functional changes in the peritoneal membrane. In this report, we provide evidence for the in vitro and in vivo participation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the signaling pathway leading to peritoneal fibrosis during PD. Exposure to high-glucose PD fluids (PDFs) increases damage and fibrosis markers in both isolated rat peritoneal mesothelial cells and in the peritoneum of rats after chronic dialysis.

Pericardial effusion: clinical and analytical parameters clues.

Prospectively, clinical and biochemical data of 83 patients with a diagnosis of pericardial effusion were studied. The etiologies were as follows: Idiopathic: 42 cases (50%); Tuberculous: 18 cases (22%); Neoplastic: 14 cases (17%); Other: 9 cases (11%) with a miscellaneous etiology. Sedimentation rate resulted significantly higher in Tuberculous group (67-102), p<0.

Value of serological testing for diagnosis of legionellosis in outbreak patients.

Serum antibody detection tests and a urine antigen detection technique were compared in samples from 116 patients epidemiologically characterized as belonging to a legionellosis outbreak. Sera were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG plus IgM and by immunofluorescent assays (IFAs) for IgG, IgM, IgA, and polyimmunoglobulin using commercial kits (Vircell); concentrated urines were tested with the Binax NOW Legionella test. ELISA for IgM, ELISA for IgG plus IgM, antigenuria detection, and IFA for IgM were able to diagnose 72.

[Clinical patterns of community acquired pneumonia microbiologically documented compared to the not documented.]Prospective and comparative study between 1991 and 1997].

Introduction: The diagnostic of the pneumonia is the problems more important for its adequate treatment and best evolution.

Objectives: To study in a prospective way the patron clinic de la NAC compared the documented with the not documented in a microbiological way. PATIENTS Y METHODS: We have studied patients with NAC hospitalized in the HUVA between January of 1991 and May of 1997.

[Influence of consensual protocols on the use of antibiotics and bacterial resistance in a general hospital. A prospective study 1995-2000].

Reasoned and consensual protocols, by means of diversification of the use of antibiotics, significantly influence their consumption, preventing and reducing the development of bacterial resistance against the Gram-negative microorganisms most frequently isolated in general hospitals. The increase in the consumption of piperacillin-tazobactam was found to be significantly associated with an increased resistance of E. cloacae, but less so in K.