Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome (SHS) is a life-threatening condition that warrants early detection and management. We describe the pathogenesis, organ-specific clinical manifestations, and risk factors associated to this condition. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted in PubMed, LILACS, EBSCO and SciELO by using the keywords: ''hyperinfection syndrome''; ''Strongyloides stercoralis''; ''disseminated strongyloidiasis''; ''systemic strongyloidiasis'', ''pathogenesis'' and ''pathophysiology''. Relevant articles on this topic were evaluated and included by consensus. Also, a secondary search of the literature was performed. Articles in English and Spanish language were included. SHS has been described in tropical and subtropical regions. However, there is growing evidence of cases detected in developed countries favored by increasing migration and the advance in immunosuppressive therapies for oncologic and inflammatory diseases. SHS is characterized by massive multiplication of larvae, typically in immunocompromised hosts. Clinical manifestations vary according to the organ involved and include diarrhea, intestinal bleeding, alveolar hemorrhages, heart failure, jaundice, bacteremia among others. Despite advances in the understanding of this condition, fatality rates are near 90%. Clinicians should consider SHS in the differential diagnosis of acutely ill patients with multiple organ damage and epidemiological risk factors. Adverse outcomes are common, especially with delayed anti-parasitic treatment.

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BackgroundHyperchloremia is common in critically ill septic patients. The impact of hyperchloremia on the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) is not well studied. We investigated the association between hyperchloremia and AKI within the first 72 h of intensive care unit (ICU) admission.Methods6490 ICU adult patients admitted with severe sepsis or septic shock were screened for eligibility. Exclusion criteria included: AKI on admission, baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <15 ml/min/1.73 m2, chronic renal replacement therapy, absent baseline serum creatinine data, and absent serum chloride data on ICU admission.ResultsA total of 1045 patients were available for analysis following the implementation of eligibility criteria: 303 (29%) had hyperchloremia (Cl0 ≥ 110 mEq/L) on ICU admission, 561 (54%) were normochloremic (Cl0 101–109 mEq/L) and 181 (17%) were hypochloremic (Cl0 ≤ 100 mEq/L). AKI within the first 72 h of ICU stay was the dependent variable. Chloride on ICU admission (Cl0) and change in Cl by 72 h (ΔCl = Cl72 – Cl0) were the independent variables. The odds for AKI were not different in the hyperchloremic group when compared to the normochloremic group [adjusted odds ratio (OR) =0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] (0.51–1.25); p = 0.33] after adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, baseline kidney function, drug exposure and critical illness indicators including cumulative fluid balance and base deficit. Furthermore, within the subgroup of patients with hyperchloremia on ICU admission, neither Cl0 nor ΔCl was associated with AKI or with moderate/severe AKI (KDIGO Stage ≥2).ConclusionsHyperchloremia occurs commonly among critically ill septic patients admitted to the ICU, but does not appear to be associated with an increased risk for AKI within the first 72 h of admission.

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BackgroundSensitive and specific biomarkers are needed to provide better biologic insight into the risk of incident and progressive CKD. However, studies have been limited by sample size and design heterogeneity.MethodsIn this assessment of the prognostic value of preclinical plasma and urine biomarkers for CKD outcomes, we searched Embase (Ovid), MEDLINE ALL (Ovid), and Scopus up to November 30, 2020, for studies exploring the association between baseline kidney biomarkers and CKD outcomes (incident CKD, CKD progression, or incident ESKD). We used random-effects meta-analysis.ResultsAfter screening 26,456 abstracts and 352 full-text articles, we included 129 studies in the meta-analysis for the most frequently studied plasma biomarkers (TNFR1, FGF23, TNFR2, KIM-1, suPAR, and others) and urine biomarkers (KIM-1, NGAL, and others). For the most frequently studied plasma biomarkers, pooled RRs for CKD outcomes were 2.17 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.91 to 2.47) for TNFR1 (31 studies); 1.21 (95% CI, 1.15 to 1.28) for FGF-23 (30 studies); 2.07 (95% CI, 1.82 to 2.34) for TNFR2 (23 studies); 1.51 (95% CI, 1.38 to 1.66) for KIM-1 (18 studies); and 1.42 (95% CI, 1.30 to 1.55) for suPAR (12 studies). For the most frequently studied urine biomarkers, pooled RRs were 1.10 (95% CI, 1.05 to 1.16) for KIM-1 (19 studies) and 1.12 (95% CI, 1.06 to 1.19) for NGAL (19 studies).ConclusionsStudies of preclinical biomarkers for CKD outcomes have considerable heterogeneity across study cohorts and designs, limiting comparisons of prognostic performance across studies. Plasma TNFR1, FGF23, TNFR2, KIM-1, and suPAR were among the most frequently investigated in the setting of CKD outcomes.

Background Previous studies suggest that medical students may have higher rates of irritable bowel syndrome as compared to the general population. We hypothesized lifestyle characteristics may be associated to irritable bowel syndrome. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2015 among students in their fourth, fifth, sixth and seven years of a medical school in Peru. Volunteer participants responded to questions pertaining to demographics, surveys including the Rome III criteria and the Self-reported Stress questionnaire. Regression models were performed to establish variables independently associated with irritable bowel syndrome. Results Out of 452 students, 346 responded the survey (response rate: 76.5%; female rate: 47%; median age: 22 years). The irritable bowel syndrome prevalence in respondents was 9.5% (95% confidence interval: 6.7%–13.1%). On univariate analysis, being a senior medical student (odds ratio: 2.8; 95% confidence interval: 1.3–5.9; P < 0.01), mental illness (odds ratio: 3.3; 95% confidence interval: 1.6–6.8; P = 0.002), psychiatric medication use (odds ratio: 2.8; 95% confidence interval: 1.4–5.9; P = 0.005), sedentary lifestyle (odds ratio: 4.4; 95% confidence interval: 1.8–11; P = 0.001) and stress (odds ratio: 4.4; 95% confidence interval: 2.1–9.3; P < 0.001) were associated to irritable bowel syndrome. On a multivariate analysis, a sedentary lifestyle (odds ratio: 3.2; 95% confidence interval: 1.25–8.20; P = 0.01) and stress (odds ratio: 3.0; 95% confidence interval: 1.35–6.67; P < 0.01) were independently associated with irritable bowel syndrome. Conclusion The prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome in medical students from Peru is slightly lower compared to the global prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome. Stress and a sedentary lifestyle were independent risk factors associated with irritable bowel syndrome. Our study suggests that lifestyle modifications and stress coping techniques could have an impact to reduce the rates of irritable bowel syndrome in medical students.

Background Distal renal tubular acidosis is a relatively infrequent condition with complex pathophysiology that can present with life-threatening electrolyte abnormalities. Case presentation We describe a case of a 57-year-old Caucasian woman with previous episodes of hypokalemia, severe muscle weakness, and fatigue. Upon further questioning, symptoms of dry eye and dry mouth became evident. Initial evaluation revealed hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, severe hypokalemia, persistent alkaline urine, and a positive urinary anion gap, suggestive of distal renal tubular acidosis. Additional laboratory workup and renal biopsy led to the diagnosis of primary Sjögren’s syndrome with associated acute tubulointerstitial nephritis. After potassium and bicarbonate supplementation, immunomodulatory therapy with hydroxychloroquine, azathioprine, and prednisone was started. Nonetheless, her renal function failed to improve and remained steady with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 42 ml/min/1.73 m 2 . The literature on this topic was reviewed. Conclusions Cases of renal tubular acidosis should be carefully evaluated to prevent adverse complications, uncover a potentially treatable condition, and prevent the progression to chronic kidney disease. Repeated episodes of unexplained hypokalemia could be an important clue for diagnosis.

. Children in the Peruvian Amazon Basin are at risk of soil-transmitted helminths (STH) infections. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of STH infection in children from a rural Amazonian community of Peru and to elucidate epidemiological risk factors associated with its perpetuation while on a school-based deworming program with mebendazole. Stool samples of children aged 2–14 years and their mothers were analyzed through direct smear analysis, Kato–Katz, spontaneous sedimentation in tube, Baermann’s method, and agar plate culture. A questionnaire was administered to collect epidemiological information of interest. Among 124 children, 25.8% had one or more STH. Individual prevalence rates were as follows: Ascaris lumbricoides , 16.1%; Strongyloides stercoralis , 10.5%; hookworm, 1.6%; and Trichuris trichiura , (1.6%). The prevalence of common STH ( A. lumbricoides , T. trichiura , and hookworm) was higher among children aged 2–5 years than older children (31.6% versus 12.8%; P = 0.01). In terms of sanitation deficits, walking barefoot was significantly associated with STH infection (OR = 3.28; CI 95% = 1.11–12.07). Furthermore, STH-infected children more frequently had a mother who was concomitantly infected by STH than the non-STH–infected counterpart (36.4% versus 14.1%, P = 0.02). In conclusion, STH infection is highly prevalent in children from this Amazonian community despite routine deworming. Institutional health policies may include hygiene and sanitation improvements and screening/deworming of mothers to limit the dissemination of STH. Further studies are needed to address the social and epidemiological mechanics perpetuating these infections.