Infections in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus Despite the availability of newer therapeutic interventions to improve clinical outcome in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), the incidence of infections as a cause of morbidity and mortality has not changed over the past 30 years. SLE itself increases the risk of infection, due to genetic (complement deficiencies) and acquired factors such as functional asplenia (humoral immunodepression) and the use of immunosuppressive drugs. These medications increase the risk of opportunistic infections that are associated with an altered cellular immune response. The main etiologic infectious agents in SLE patients are common bacterial pathogens, especially capsulated ones. The most common sites are lung, skin, bladder, brain and systemic infections. The main risk factor for infection is (Rev Méd Chile 2009; 137: 1367-74).

Introduction: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a serious disease in children due to its potential complications and sequelae if not promptly and adequately managed. Objectives: To describe clinical and epidemiological characteristics of children hospitalized due to KD at a tertiary care center and identify risk factors for poor outcome. Patients and Methods: Retrospective and descriptive study of 32 medical records of patients hospitalized with diagnosis of KD at a tertiary care center of Santiago, Chile between February 1999 and May 2007. Results: The annual frequency was of 5 cases, mainly boys and during spring. The median age at diagnosis was 1.5 years and 87.5% of the children were younger than 5 years. Typical presentation prevailed in all ages (68,7%). Coronary artery affection, including dilatation or aneurisms, occurred in 21.9% of the cases, with aneurysms in 3 cases. All patients were treated with aspirin and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG); 4 patients required a second dose. No deaths were reported. The identifi ed risk factors for poor outcome were age older than 5 years and hypoalbuminemia. Conclusions: KD is an infrequent disease that mainly occurs in children younger than 5 years and with a typical presentation. There are risk factors associated with poor outcome.

No abstract

0.61). Self-evaluation of PDA decreased as the age of children increased, with OR of 0.76 (95% IC 0.74 -0.79); 0.87 (95% IC 0.83 - 0.91) and 0.92 (95% IC 0.88 - 0.96) for PH, MD and MG respectively. An inverse relationship between nutritional status (NS) and PDA was observed only in PH, obese school children underscored their PH (OR 0.6; 95% IC 0.5 - 0.7). Multivariate analysis for gender and NS showed that only females overestimate their PH, OR of 1.15 (95% IC 1-1.32). Conclusions: PDA through self-assessment yields only moderate correlation coefficients, thus it is not reliable for making relevant clinical decisions.]]>