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This report is about the X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer studies of three impactite samples denominated PMe-8, PMe-9 and PMe-11 from Huamalies Province in Huánuco Region, Peru. When terrestrial rocks are submitted to pressures higher than 60 GP, the majority is completely melted, forming a kind of glass called impactites. X-ray diffraction indicates the presence of quartz as the principal mineralogical phase in all samples. The 57Fe Mössbauer spectra at room temperature of samples PMe-8 and PMe-9 show broadened spectra that were fitted using a distribution model. The most probable field of the magnetic component is 34 T, corresponding to the presence of small particles of goethite, confirmed by the 4.2 K spectrum. For the sample PMe-11, the MS showed the presence of well crystallized hematite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A historical and epidemiological review of the presence of yellow fever in South America, particularly in Peru is presented, emphasizing the differences between urban yellow fever and jungle yellow fever. The first condition used to be prevalent in the whole Peruvian coast, and the main ports were mostly affected areas, and thousands of persons perished. Nowadays Peru is the country that notifies the greatest case toll of wild yellow fever in South America. From the epidemiological point of view, there are fully identified enzootic areas, especially in the so-called highland jungle ecological niche (Rupa-Rupa). People affected by jungle yellow fever are mainly young male (migrant farmers), who had not been immunized against this condition. The analysis of two periods of yellow fever surveillance in Peru, 1994 to 1999 and 2000 to 2004 does not reveal any major epidemiological change, except for the mortality rate, which increased from 38% to 56%, similar to the death rate recorded in the past (54% from 1991 to 1994). Five years ago the immunization strategy began in Peru, attempting to bring coverage to 100% of all children at one year of age, and in the past two years there have been massive immunization campaigns in areas where migrants come from, additionally to people from endemic areas, aiming to eradicate jungle yellow fever from Peru. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of two collection methods for adult anopheline mosquitoes (human bait and light CDC traps) within households and in their surroundings during rainy and dry seasons between January and June 2005 in an endemic area for malaria in Yurimaguas District, Loreto Department, Peru. Material and methods: Adult mosquito collection using human bait and CDC light traps were performed in five locations: San Juan, Santa Rosa, Central, San Antonio, and Florida in Munichis Municipality in Yurimaguas. Nine households were selected for each collection method. Linear regression, quadratic and cubic equations were estimated for calculating the number of anopheline mosquitoes collected using human bait compared to data from capture using light traps. Results: 7790 anopheline mosquitoes were captured using human baits and 1252 using light traps. During the study nine Anopheles species were identified, and the four most frequently found were: Anopheles benarrochi Gabaldon, Cova & Lopez, 1941 (85,2%); Anopheles rangeli, Gabaldon, Cova & Lopez, 1940 (7,3%); Anopheles konderi, Galvao & Damasceno, 1942 (4,0%); and Anopheles triannulatus, Neiva & Pinto, 1922 (3,1%). CDC light traps captured 16,4%, 15,3%, and 17,1% of all anopheline mosquitoes, within the households and their surroundings, respectively, compared to those captured using human bait. There were no differences between dry and rainy seasons in any of assessed parameters. Conclusions: Three regression models are proposed for estimating the number of anopheline mosquitoes in human baits within the households and in their surroundings from the use of CDC light traps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Description of the Cases: A series of 6 cases with a probable diagnosis of sporadic CJD, treated in a Peruvian national reference hospital, are presented., Clinical Findings: The relevant clinical signs were rapidly progressive dementia and myoclonus, followed by akinetic mutism and pyramidal signs., Treatment and Results: Of the cases presented, 80% were men, with an average age of presentation of 65 years and duration from diagnosis to death of 6.5 months. Laboratory tests, images (Brain Resonance) and protein dosage 14.3.3 were performed to support the clinical suspicion. There is no effective treatment at the moment for said pathology., Clinical Relevance: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a progressive, fatal, neurodegenerative disease of low prevalence and incidence. Great clinical suspicion and the exclusion of other etiologies are required. Currently there is no treatment for this entity and there is a high probability of death before one year., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: None