Analysis for the presence of mutant kras gene supplements conventional cytopathology for the diagnosis of PAC even without a cytopathologist in attendance and using only 3 needle passes. Among patients with negative cytopathology, the presence of kras mutation represents pancreatic cancer while the absence of kras mutation increases the possibility of benign lesion.

Despite aggressive treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with high-dose glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive agents, a significant proportion of patients persist with activity or relapse. Although the results from randomized studies showed no beneficial effects of rituximab (RTX) in SLE, this treatment has proven promising results in open label trials including patients with severe and refractory disease. We report a prospective cohort of 42 Colombian patients with severe and refractory SLE treated with RTX after failure response to glucocorticoids and, at least, another immunosuppressive drug. We observed a reduction in steroid requirement [47.4 mg/day at 24 months (p < 0.001)]. Since the first three-month follow-up, 28% and 36% of the patients fulfilled criteria of complete or partial remission according to proteinuria, and 12.5% and 33% according to creatinine clearance, respectively. These response criteria remained at 12 months. Both neuropsychiatric and hematological sub-groups had a favorable clinical response. The median reinfusion-free survival time was 44 months (95% confidence interval: 10.1-50.1) and 80% of the patients did not require RTX reinfusion. Eleven adverse events were reported in 28 subjects. Most of these occurred during the first three-month follow-up, time during which patients were exposed to high-dose glucocorticoids.

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In 2014, the chikungunya virus reached Colombia for the first time, resulting in a nationwide epidemic. The objective of this study was to describe the demographics and clinical characteristics of suspected chikungunya cases. Chikungunya infection was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and 548 patients where included in the study. Of these patients, 295 were positive for antibodies against chikungunya (53.8%), and 27.6% (151/295) were symptomatic for chikungunya infection, with a symptomatic:asymptomatic ratio of 1.04:1. Factors associated with infection included low income and low socio-economic strata (odds ratio [OR]: 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0–3.2, p = 0.003 and OR: 2.1; CI: 1.3–3.4, p = 0.002, respectively). Confirmed symptomatic cases were associated with symmetric arthritis (OR: 11.7; CI: 6.0–23.0, p < 0.001) of ankles (OR: 8.5; CI: 3.5–20.9, p < 0.001), hands (OR: 8.5; CI: 3.5–20.9, p < 0.001), feet (OR: 6.5; CI: 2.8–15.3, p < 0.001), and wrists (OR: 17.3; CI: 2.3–130.5, p < 0.001). Our study showed that poverty is associated with chikungunya infection. Public health strategies to prevent and control chikungunya should focus on poorer communities that are more vulnerable to infection. The rate of asymptomatic infections among confirmed cases was 48.8%. However, those with symptoms displayed a characteristic rheumatic clinical picture, which could help differentiate chikungunya infection from other endemic viral diseases.

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