Objective: This study aimed to demonstrate the benefits of using SaTScan (Boston, MA, USA), a cluster-detection software programme, and whole genome sequencing to investigate a suspected outbreak of Serratia marcescens infections in a tertiary government hospital in the southern Philippines. The hospital is part of the national Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program’s network of sentinel sites. Methods: The investigation followed national outbreak investigation protocols. In May 2022, when evaluation of daily hospital laboratory census data revealed an increase in the number of Serratia species in the hospital, an alert was triggered. A concurrent, routine SaTScan analysis of the hospital’s surveillance data by the Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Reference Laboratory confirmed a cluster of cases. The Reference Laboratory requested isolates from clinical specimens from the hospital for confirmation of bacterial identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole genome sequencing. Results: Six isolates were submitted for genomic analysis, two of which were from the identified cluster. Although originally identified as S. marcescens, five of the isolates were subsequently confirmed as S. sarumanii. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the two isolates from the cluster were closely related and belonged to the same clade, which may suggest a common source. Three antimicrobial resistance genes were identified, but their phenotypic expression was limited, with one isolate exhibiting resistance mechanisms. Discussion: This study highlighted the utility of SaTScan for the early detection of potential disease outbreaks. The use of whole genome sequencing enhanced the investigation by enabling the analysis of potential transmission pathways at the genetic level, identification of the outbreak source and the detection of novel species.

OBJECTIVES

This study determined the prevalence of BBD among toilet-trained children attending a tertiary hospital’s pediatric outpatient clinic, and to evaluate the effectiveness of standard urotherapy among affected children.

METHODS

A prospective interventional study was conducted among 144 toilet-trained children aged 7 to 12 years seen at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital outpatient clinic from August 2025 to September 2025. Sociodemographic data were collected, and BBD was screened using the validated Filipino version of the Dysfunctional Voiding Symptom Scores (DVSS) questionnaire. Children with BBD underwent standard urotherapy, which included behavioral and lifestyle interventions such as timed voiding, adequate hydration, constipation management and proper voiding posture. DVSS assessments were repeated at two and four weeks.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of BBD was 22.9% (33 of 144). BBD was significantly more prevalent among females (31.88%) than males (14.67%) (adjusted OR = 2.96, 95% CI: 1.28–6.86; p = 0.011). At baseline, children with BBD had significantly higher mean total DVSS scores (9.15 ± 3.64) compared to those without (2.01 ± 1.80, pCONCLUSION

Standard urotherapy proved effective in reducing symptom scores within two weeks and resulted in complete clinical resolution after four weeks among those who continued therapy. Routine screenings for BBD using DVSS and early initiation of standard urotherapy in pediatric outpatient settings are recommended to prevent complications and improve children’s urinary and bowel health.

Human ; Child: 6-12 Yrs Old ; World Health Organization ; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital ; Mass Screening ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Constipation ; Ambulatory Care Facilities

BACKGROUND

The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has instigated a profound public health crisis, particularly affecting professionals like dentists who, due to their close interaction with saliva—a potential viral reservoir—and the aerosols generated during specific procedures, face elevated risks of infection. To mitigate this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Philippine Dental Association (PDA) have established guidelines for averting cross-infection in dental settings.

OBJECTIVE

This study, conducted in an urbanized Metro Manila City, delves into the infection control practices of dentists amid the pandemic.

METHODS

Dentists from a Metro Manila city dental chapter were invited to participate in an online survey (Google Forms) consisting of participants' demographics, patient triage, engineering, administrative controls, disinfection personal hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), and waste management practices. Descriptive statistics, employing frequency distributions and percentages, summarized the dentists' adherence to infection control protocols.

RESULTS

Out of forty-nine respondents (49), the majority (92%) provided their teams' orientation on COVID-19 infection control protocols before reopening. Notably, 57% deferred elective procedures and 43% postponed aerosolgenerating procedures (AGPs). Only 39% utilized rubber dam isolation during AGPs. Most respondents reported full implementation of recommended administrative controls during the pandemic, with 92% isolating their treatment areas from other parts of the clinic. Most respondents adopted high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration units (82%) as one of their clinic’s engineering controls, and an extraoral vacuum machine, accounting for 71% of the respondents. The most common disinfection product used by the participants was alcohol, which was at 94%. Additionally, over 90% adhered to all recommended hand hygiene practices for both dental staff and patients. For the waste management protocols, only 55% of the respondents have their infectious waste collected by third-party Treatment Storage and Disposal (TSD) facilities.

CONCLUSION

The data shows that with the guidelines posted by both the PDA and CDC, the city’s dental practitioners could still provide services to the community in the safest manner at the time by being updated and following the infection control practices suggested by both organizations. Although some areas could have been improved, such as third-party waste management and the utilization of RT-PCR testing, some of these problems could have been attributed to the lack of availability in their areas.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; Middle Aged: 45-64 Yrs Old ; Aged: 65-79 Yrs Old ; World Health Organization ; Residence Characteristics ; Quarantine ; Public Health ; Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (u.s.) ; Covid-19 ; Centers For Disease Control And Prevention, U.s.

Torcular dural sinus malformations (tDSMs) with high-flow fistulas pose complex management challenges due to their vascularity and the delicate neuroanatomy involved. This report presents the case of a child with tDSM and hydrocephalus, who underwent 3 staged embolization procedures but required a redo intervention due to residual malformation and venous hypertension. Utilizing the pressure cooker technique (PCT) in a redo setting allowed for high-pressure, targeted embolic delivery with minimized reflux, achieving near-complete occlusion and significant symptom relief. This case highlights PCT’s potential to improve outcomes in multi-stage treatments of high-flow tDSM, reducing reflux and enhancing safety in technically demanding cases.

Torcular dural sinus malformations (tDSMs) with high-flow fistulas pose complex management challenges due to their vascularity and the delicate neuroanatomy involved. This report presents the case of a child with tDSM and hydrocephalus, who underwent 3 staged embolization procedures but required a redo intervention due to residual malformation and venous hypertension. Utilizing the pressure cooker technique (PCT) in a redo setting allowed for high-pressure, targeted embolic delivery with minimized reflux, achieving near-complete occlusion and significant symptom relief. This case highlights PCT’s potential to improve outcomes in multi-stage treatments of high-flow tDSM, reducing reflux and enhancing safety in technically demanding cases.

Torcular dural sinus malformations (tDSMs) with high-flow fistulas pose complex management challenges due to their vascularity and the delicate neuroanatomy involved. This report presents the case of a child with tDSM and hydrocephalus, who underwent 3 staged embolization procedures but required a redo intervention due to residual malformation and venous hypertension. Utilizing the pressure cooker technique (PCT) in a redo setting allowed for high-pressure, targeted embolic delivery with minimized reflux, achieving near-complete occlusion and significant symptom relief. This case highlights PCT’s potential to improve outcomes in multi-stage treatments of high-flow tDSM, reducing reflux and enhancing safety in technically demanding cases.

Human ; Communication ; Counseling ; Family ; Genetic Counseling ; Risk

BACKGROUND

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) has been increasing in prevalence in recent years. The true prevalence of depression in hemodialysis patients is still not known. Cross-cultural studies showed prevalence ranging from 20-90%. Dimaano translated the Beck’s Depression Inventory Scale into the Visayan language and used this as a screening tool for depression among hemodialysis patients - and this was the first cross-cultural translation of the Beck’s Depression Inventory Scale to the Visayan language (BDI-Visayan).

GENERAL OBJECTIVE

Determine the accuracy of Beck’s Depression Inventory - Visayan in screening for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) among Visayan-speaking ESRD patients.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey

STUDY POPULATION AND SETTING

Adult Visayan-speaking patients, ≥ 18 years old with ESRD, with GFR < 15 ml/min/1.73 m2 and ongoing hemodialysis for at least 3 months at the Chong Hua Hospital Mandaue Renal Unit.

METHODOLOGY

The 73 subjects underwent both the BDI-Visayan and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders. Data was gathered to determine the accuracy of the BDI-Visayan in detecting Major Depressive Disorder.

RESULTS

Of the 73 subjects, 19.2% were identified with MDD, based on the SCID, while 37.0% were identified as depressed using the BDI-Visayan. Analyzed data showed that the accuracy of BDI-Visayan to detect MDD was 67.75%, with a sensitivity of 57.14%, and specificity of 67.8%.

CONCLUSION

BDI-Visayan had an acceptable accuracy in screening for MDD, however, it may tend to have an overdiagnosis in the ESRD population – emphasizing its role as a screening tool for suspected MDD cases.

Human ; Depression ; Dialysis ; Screening

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the predominant type of primary cutaneous lymphoma, accounting for at least 40%. It usually occurs in middle to late adulthood with the average age of diagnosis between 55 and 60 years. Folliculotropic MF is a variant that clinically presents with patches, plaques, and unusual hair loss within lesions. It predominantly involves the head and neck region. This usually presents with intense pruritus and commonly with secondary bacterial infection. Cutis verticis gyrata is a rare skin condition characterized by thickening and folding of the scalp, resulting in a furrowed or ridged appearance, and rarely associated with mycosis fungoides. A 46-year-old male, Filipino, presented with a 1-year history of generalized follicular papules, erythematous plaques, and subsequently presented with cutis verticis gyrata. Histopathological examination revealed findings consistent with folliculotropic MF. This was further confirmed by CD3, CD4, CD5 which revealed strongly positive immunohistochemical staining. To the best of our knowledge, there is currently only one published case of folliculotropic MF that presented with cutis verticis gyrata and only four cases of cutis verticis gyrata published locally.

Human ; Male ; Middle Aged: 45-64 Yrs Old ; Mycosis Fungoides

Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome (BCNS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by a range of abnormalities, most notably multiple basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), odontogenic keratocysts, and palmar and/or plantar pits. BCC is the most common form of skin cancer globally. It is typically locally invasive and very rarely metastasizes, with distal metastases occurring in only 0.00028% to 0.55% of cases.

We present a case of a 68-year-old Filipino woman who was diagnosed with BCNS. She presented with multiple black nodules and plaques on her face and neck, histopathologically confirmed as BCCs. In addition, the presence of palmoplantar pits and calcification of the falx cerebri met three of the six major criteria for BCNS. Computed tomography (CT) and bone scans, revealed multiple bone metastases in the cranium, spine, sternum, and ribs. No previous cases of metastasis in a BCNS patient have been reported in the Philippines, making this the first documented case.

Human ; Female ; Aged: 65-79 Yrs Old ; Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell