Publications by authors named "Mirta Acuna"

The urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections in childhood. An adequate diagnosis is essential to be able to carry out a rational, efficient and effective treatment, however, there is great heterogeneity in diagnostic methods, specifically in the study of antimicrobial susceptibility. The aim of these recommendations is to provide tools to homogenize the diagnosis criteria, susceptibility study and antimicrobial treatment of urinary tract infection in the pediatric population, with a rational use of antibiotics approach.

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The urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections in childhood. An adequate diagnosis is essential to be able to carry out a rational, efficient and effective treatment, however, there great heterogeneity in diagnostic methods, specifically in the study of antimicrobial susceptibility. The aim of these recommendations is to provide tools to homogenize the diagnosis criteria, susceptibility study and antimicrobial treatment of urinary tract infection in the pediatric population, with a rational use of antibiotics approach.

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Background: Central nervous system (CNS) infection has been an ongoing concern in paediatrics. The FilmArray® Meningoencephalitis (FAME) panel has greater sensitivity in identifying the aetiology of CNS infections. This study's objective was to compare the aetiological identification and hospitalization costs among patients with suspected CNS infection before and after the use of FAME.

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Background: Several risk factors are associated with COVID-19 severity and death, such as advanced age, male sex, and the presence of comorbidities.

Aim: To study the effect of these risk factors and socioeconomic variables on the outcome of Chilean patients admitted with COVID-19 to a Chilean public hospital.

Material And Methods: Review of medical records of patients admitted to a Chilean public hospital with a positive PCR test for COVID-19, Chile from March to June 2020.

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Staphylococcus aureus colonizes the nasopharynx in one third of healthy individuals and is also responsible for several infections in pediatrics such as endocarditis, pneumonia and osteoarticular infections. It has several virulence mechanisms, such as Panton Valentine leukocidin (PVL), which is an exotoxin that causes cell death. It is commonly related to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and more serious pulmonary and musculoskeletal infections.

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Objective: To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of hospitalized children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) in Santiago, Chile.

Methods: This was an observational study of children with MIS-C (May 1 to June 24, 2020), in three pediatric hospitals in Santiago. Demographic characteristics and epidemiological data, medical history, laboratory tests, cardiology evaluations, treatment, and clinical outcomes were analyzed.

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Objectives: To compare the efficacy of pre-emptive versus empirical antifungal therapy in children with cancer, fever and neutropenia.

Methods: This was a prospective, multicentre, randomized clinical trial. Children presenting with persistent high-risk febrile neutropenia at five hospitals in Santiago, Chile, were randomized to empirical or pre-emptive antifungal therapy.

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Background: Microorganisms isolated from blood cultures (BC) in patients with febrile neutropenia (NF) vary over time, requiring systematic monitoring to guide appropriate empirical therapy.

Aim: To identify microorganisms isolated from BC and their antimicrobial resistance profile in children with cancer and high risk NF.

Method: Prospective, multicenter study.

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Introduction: Enterobacteriaceae are a group of gram-negative rods that can cause serious infections in humans. A susceptibility in Klebsiella pneumoniae of 79.4% to piperacillin/tazobactam (PIP/TAZO) is reported in pediatric hospitals in Chile.

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Background: Clostridium dijfficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) has become very important due to the increase in its incidence, severity, recurrence and the associated economic burden. Having a national consensus guideline is essential to improve its management.

Objective: To build a multidisciplinary and evidence-based consensus in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of CDAD.

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Postsurgical aspergillosis occurs primarily in immunocompetent patients whose main predisposing factor is the loss of skin and mucosal integrity during surgery. Local infection tends to be destructive and refractory to treatment and relapses are common. It is important to consider aspergillosis in the differential diagnosis of slowly progressive and destructive surgical site infections with negative bacterial cultures.

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Background: The isolation of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp (ERV) has increased significantly within the last few years, along with the risk of infection and dissemination of these bacteria. Our aim was to determine risk factors (RF) for intestinal colonization in hospitalized pediatric patients with oncological disease at Hospital de Niños Roberto del Río.

Methods: Between January 2012 and December 2013 a transversal study was performed with 107 rectal swabs and processed with a PCR for ERV.

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Staphylococcus aureus is a known pathogen in pediatric patients that produces skin infections, cutaneous abscess, cellulitis and osteoarticular infections. Most of these infections are produced by a meticilin susceptible strain. The community associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus was published for the first time in 1993, ever since then is has been recognized as a cosmopolite pathogen.

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Background: Accurate diagnosis of catheter-related blood stream infection (CRBSI) is necessary to make a decision about removal of the catheter. Differential time to positivity (DTP) and the ratio of quantitative cultures (RQC) between central and peripheral blood cultures have not been evaluated against a strict standard in children, namely catheter tip culture.

Objective: Our aim is to compare DTP and RQC in the diagnosis of catheter tip-confirmed catheter-related infection in children.

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