Systemic effects of Subtilase cytotoxin produced by Escherichia coli O113:H21.

Unlabelled: Subtilase cytotoxin (SubAB) is a member of the AB cytotoxin family and is produced by certain strains of Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli. The toxin is known to be lethal to mice, but the pathological mechanisms that contribute to Uremic Hemolytic Syndrome (HUS) are poorly understood. In this study we show that intraperitoneal injection of a sublethal dose of SubAB in rats triggers a systemic response, with ascitic fluid accumulation, heart hypertrophy and damage to the liver, colon and kidney.

[Rapid identification of microorganisms by mass spectrometry in a blood culture system. Comparison of two procedures].

Rapid identification of microorganisms is critical in hospitalized infected patients. Blood culture is currently the gold standard for detecting and identifying microorganisms causing bacteremia or sepsis. The introduction of mass spectrometry by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF MS) in microbiology laboratories, especially in microorganisms growing in blood culture bottles, provides rapid identification.

[High frequency of thyroid abnormalities in polycystic ovary syndrome].

The prevalence of thyroid abnormalities (TA) has not been sufficiently assessed in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Our aim was to evaluate this relationship. In this prospective study 194 women were included.

Routine HIV testing among hospitalized patients in Argentina. is it time for a policy change?

Introduction: The Argentinean AIDS Program estimates that 110,000 persons are living with HIV/AIDS in Argentina. Of those, approximately 40% are unaware of their status, and 30% are diagnosed in advanced stages of immunosuppression. Though studies show that universal HIV screening is cost-effective in settings with HIV prevalence greater than 0.

[CHROMagar KPC. Comparison with the method proposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, USA) for rectal screening and evaluation of false positive results].

Eighty one rectal swabs (RS) were cultured on CHROMagar KPC and the CDC method. Of the 81 samples, 9 were positive for KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae on CHROMagar KPC, and 6 for the CDC method. CHROMagar KPC had two false positive (FP) results: 1 K.

Microalbuminuria and early renal response to lethal dose Shiga toxin type 2 in rats.

In Argentina, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) constitutes the most frequent cause of acute renal failure in children. Approximately 2%-4% of patients die during the acute phase, and one-third of the 96% who survive are at risk of chronic renal sequelae. Little information is available about the direct effect of Shiga toxin type 2 (Stx2) on the onset of proteinuria and the evolution of toxin-mediated glomerular or tubular injury.

Role of nitric oxide in young patients with vasovagal syncope.

Aims: Nitric oxide (NO) formed in the vascular endothelium produces, among other effects, a strong vasodilation. In order to evaluate the possible role of NO in hypotension induced by head-up tilt test (HUT), we measured plasma levels of its metabolites, nitrites and nitrates (NOx), during the test.

Methods And Results: Twelve patients with vasovagal syncope and positive HUT [HUT(+)] (mean age: 23+/-5 years) and 13 healthy volunteers with negative HUT (controls) (mean age: 24+/-5 years) were included.

Results of intracytoplasmic sperm injection in two infertile patients with abnormal organization of sperm mitochondrial sheaths and severe asthenoteratozoospermia.

Objective: To report assisted reproduction technologies (ART) outcome and characterize severe mitochondrial sheath (MS) anomalies in two infertile asthenoteratozoospermic patients.

Design: Case reports.

Setting: Private IVF clinic and academic research institution.

[Critical evaluation of the oral glucose tolerance test for the diagnosis of insulin resistance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome].

Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is the most commonly used method to evaluate insulin resistance (IR) in the clinical practice. Our objective was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of fasting tests compared with OGTT tests in women with PCO, and the ability of fasting tests to detect postprandial hyperglycemia. One hundred fourteen women with PCO and 29 normal women were evaluated by a 2 hours OGTT.

[Leptin in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Direct correlation with insulin resistance].

Up to now it is unclear whether there is a relationship between insulin resistance and circulating leptin levels (LEP) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). To assess the role of LEP in PCOS and to clarify the relationship between plasma LEP levels and insulin resistance (IR) in PCOS patients, we studied 49 women with PCOS and 14 normal premenopausal women. All subjects were evaluated by a 2 hours, 75 g, oral glucose tolerance test.

Insulin sensitivity in young women with vasovagal syncope.

Background: Insulin, in addition to its known metabolic effects, has sympatho-excitatory and vasodilatory actions on muscular blood vessels. The goal of this study was to evaluate insulin sensitivity in young women with vasovagal syncope and positive tilt test results (HUT+) and to compare it with that in patients with negative tilt test results (HUT-) and in control subjects without a history of syncope.

Methods: Different indices of insulin sensitivity were obtained by an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in 13 young women with syncope and HUT+ (age 26.