Aim The aim of this study was to identify factors predictive of serious infections over time in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods A multi-ethnic, multi-national Latin American SLE cohort was studied. Serious infection was defined as one that required hospitalization, occurred during a hospitalization or led to death. Potential predictors included were sociodemographic factors, clinical manifestations (per organ involved, lymphopenia and leukopenia, independently) and previous infections at baseline. Disease activity (SLEDAI), damage (SLICC/ACR Damage Index), non-serious infections, glucocorticoids, antimalarials (users and non-users), and immunosuppressive drugs use; the last six variables were examined as time-dependent covariates. Cox regression models were used to evaluate the predictors of serious infections using a backward elimination procedure. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed. Results Of the 1243 patients included, 1116 (89.8%) were female. The median (interquartile range) age at diagnosis and follow-up time were 27 (20–37) years and 47.8 (17.9–68.6) months, respectively. The incidence rate of serious infections was 3.8 cases per 100 person-years. Antimalarial use (hazard ratio: 0.69; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.48–0.99; p = 0.0440) was protective, while doses of prednisone >15 and ≤60 mg/day (hazard ratio: 4.18; 95 %CI: 1.69–10.31; p = 0.0019) and >60 mg/day (hazard ratio: 4.71; 95% CI: 1.35–16.49; p = 0.0153), use of methylprednisolone pulses (hazard ratio: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.10–2.13; p = 0.0124), increase in disease activity (hazard ratio: 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01–1.04; p = 0.0016) and damage accrual (hazard ratio: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.11–1.34; p < 0.0001) were predictive factors of serious infections. Conclusions Over time, prednisone doses higher than 15 mg/day, use of methylprednisolone pulses, increase in disease activity and damage accrual were predictive of infections, whereas antimalarial use was protective against them in SLE patients.
Breast implant infection by Mycobacterium fortuitum in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosusIn recent decades there has been an increase in the number of breast implants for reconstruction and cosmetic purposes. Infection is a severe complication mostly caused by Staphylococcus aureus or coagulase-negative staphylococci. Mycobacteria are an infrequent cause of infection in this type of surgery. We describe a case of Mycobacterium fortuitum infection in a patient with lupus, subjected to a prosthetic replacement. These patients are more prone to unusual opportunistic infections. Treatment always requires both removal of prosthetic material and antibiotic therapy.Key words: Breast implants; atypical mycobacterial infection; systemic lupus erythematosus; Mycobacterium fortuitum.Palabras clave: Implantes mamarios, infecciones por micobacterias atípicas, Mycobacterium fortuitum. Caso clínicoP aciente con 50 años de edad, con diagnóstico de lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) hacía cuatro años. Durante su evolución presentó como intercurrencia un síndrome antifosfolipídico y nefritis lúpica que requirió tratamiento con anticoagulantes orales, azatioprina 100 mg/día, hidroxicloroquina 200 mg/día y prednisona 20 mg/día en dosis decreciente. En el año 1996 se le practicó una mastectomía bilateral por antecedentes familiares directos de neoplasia mamaria y hallazgos mamográfi cos de micro-calcifi caciones agrupadas en ambas mamas. Con diagnóstico histopatológico de displasia severa se procedió a la colocación de prótesis mamarias texturizadas por vía submuscular. En agosto de 2008 fue sometida a un recambio protésico mamario bilateral, por encapsulamiento y retracción cutánea, colocándose prótesis texturizadas por vía retromuscular con incisión inframamaria. Al mes del procedimiento, comenzó con equivalentes febriles, tumefacción y eritema en ambas mamas. Se realizó una ecografía de tejidos blandos que demostró una colección periprotésica derecha evidente y mínima contralateral. Se le indicó reposo, hielo y anti-infl amatorios. Luego de una mejoría transitoria recrudeció el cuadro por lo que se le prescribió amoxicilina/ác. clavulánico (3 gr/ día) que luego fue modifi cado a ciprofl oxacina asociada a clindamicina. Posteriormente, consultó a un médico infectólogo quien le aconsejó retiro de ambas prótesis mamarias dado el hallazgo ecográfi co de colecciones bilaterales; sin embargo, la paciente no accedió. Evolucionó posteriormente con drenaje espontáneo de secreción en la mama derecha, por lo que se realizó una evacuación quirúrgica, obteniéndose un líquido de aspecto citrino que se envió a cultivo (Figuras 1 y 2).
Nosocomial bloodstream infections caused by gram-negative bacilli: epidemiology and risk factors for mortality Nosocomial bacteremia is a major cause of hospital infection, associated with high rate of morbidity and mortality, prolonged hospital stay and higher costs. However, few prospective studies analyse the prognostic factors associated with mortality of gramnegative rods bloodstream infections in hospital wards outside of intensive care units. A prospective/descriptive study was conducted from March to December 2006. All patients with nosocomial-acquired bloodstream infection due to gramnegative rods were included. Epidemiology and clinical features were analysed as potential prognostic factors for mortality. During the study period, 84 cases were detected, being A. baumannii, Burkholderia sp and E. coli the most frequent isolates, with a mortality of 48%. Bacteremia derived from a high-mortality associated septic focus (RR 4.9, IC95% 1.3-18.8) and admission to intensive care unit (RR 4.78, IC95% 1.7-13.1) were independent variables associated with mortality. Inappropriate empirical antibiotic treatment was not associated with greater risk of mortality. Nosocomial gramnegative bloodstream infections in our series were mainly due to non-fermentative bacilli and were associated with high mortality rates when their origin was a high risk septic focus or the patient was admitted to intensive care unit.
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