[Antimicrobial susceptibility in Chile 2012].

Bacteria antimicrobial resistance is an uncontrolled public health problem that progressively increases its magnitude and complexity. The Grupo Colaborativo de Resistencia, formed by a join of experts that represent 39 Chilean health institutions has been concerned with bacteria antimicrobial susceptibility in our country since 2008. In this document we present in vitro bacterial susceptibility accumulated during year 2012 belonging to 28 national health institutions that represent about 36% of hospital discharges in Chile.

[Update of the consensus document on ventilator-associated pneumonia: part I. Diagnostic aspects].

The best strategy to resolve the diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is unsettled, and periodic reviews of new evidence are necessary. An update was performed to renew the 2001 recommendations on the diagnosis of this condition by The Chilean Society of Infectious Diseases. The main proposals are: to incorpórate a microbiology-based strategy when there is a suspicion of VAP to gather local epidemiologic data and design appropriate empirical therapy for next cases, and to apply a non-invasive approach such as an endotracheal aspirate or mini-bronchoalveolar lavage, to facilitate accessibility and lower costs.

[Results of antimicrobial susceptibility surveillance in Chile: consolidating a network].

Antimicrobial resistance is an increasing public health issue. Creation of surveillance networks is a matter of major importance for antimicrobial resistance understanding and monitoring. Also, they contribute to design actions for controlling its appearance and dissemination.

[Multicenter study on the monitoring of in vitro susceptibility to tigeeyeline in Santiago, Chile].

The objective of this multicenter study was to determine tigecycline susceptibility rates, measured by agar diffusion, in nine hospitals in Santiago and to compare these rates with other antimicrobials. Each center studied 20 strains per month. All intermediate and fully resistant strains as well as 10% of susceptibile strains were also studied by the broth microdilution method.

[Tuberculosis in health care workers from a public health service in Santiago, Chile].

Objective: To evalúate the risk of tuberculosis (TBC) among health care workers (HCW) of the Southern Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS) of Santiago, Chile.

Method: A retrospective study using records of patients receiving TBC treatment in the SMHS from 2001 to 2006 was performed, in which HCW were identified. Total population of HCWs at risk was calculated using annual records of personnel hired at the SMHS.

[Tuberculosis in healthcare workers].

Tuberculosis (TB) is an occupational risk hazard that explains 5 to 5.361 additional cases of TB per 100.000 individuals among healthcare workers (HCW) in relation to general population in developing countries.

[Precautions in the care of patients hospitalized with H5N1 avian influenza].

Several agencies have proposed infection control guidelines for management of patients admitted with the diagnosis of avian influenza. These guidelines aim to prevent transmission from the patient to hospital personnel and other inpatients. The guidelines presented here by the Advisory Committee of Nosocomial Infections have been elaborated for the local medical community after reviewing currently available recommendations.