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Introduction: Lyme disease (LD) is caused by bacteria of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex and transmitted by the bite of ticks of the Ixodes ricinus complex. To date, no autochthonous cases have been reported in Argentina. Its diagnosis involves serological tests included in a two-step algorithm. The study proposes to report the results of laboratory tests, describe the clinical-epidemiological characteristics of consultations received due to suspected LD, and critically evaluate the scientific evidence on alleged autochthonous cases of Lyme in Argentina., Materials and Methods: From 09/2014-05/2022, a study was carried out that included 53 individuals who consulted due to suspected LD at a reference laboratory. Serum samples were obtained and referred to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for determination of IgM and IgG antibodies. The samples met one or both inclusion criteria: Travel to an area where the transmitting vector circulates; positive diagnostic tests reported by national and international laboratories., Results: Only five cases (9%) with positive results from these laboratories were confirmed by the CDC, all of them had a travel history. The rest were reported as negative by the CDC and ruled out as autochthonous cases. The comparison of the results sent by private laboratories and those obtained by the CDC showed 91% (n = 48) of false positives., Discussion: The diagnosis of LD should only be considered based on the presence of typical symptoms of infection in patients with a history of exposure to the vector, and always use FDA-approved assays and recommended interpretation criteria.

Introduction: The tetravalent live virus vaccine developed by Takeda called Qdenga® is available in Argentina and approved for use from 4 years of age without age limit. The objective was to describe clinical characteristics and evolution of the initial reports of rash after the first dose., Material and Methods: The records of Events Supposedly Attributable to Vaccination or Immunization Reported in a Private Vaccination Center were reviewed between 15/11/2023 and 12/12/2023. Cases with skin rash that occurred outside the application site area were included. The main variables analyzed were age, sex, history of dengue, characteristics of the skin rash, accompanying symptoms, time elapsed from vaccination to the onset of the rash and evolution. The incidence of rash was calculated: cases/10,000 vaccinated., Results: Out of 12 551 doses applied, 15 cases were included. Median age: 35 years, female sex: 8/15. Clinical forms of presentation: generalized micropapular (3/15), maculopapular (3/15), scarlatiniform (1/15), urticarian (1/15), multiform (1/15), erythematous in the face (1/15) and unspecified (5/15). Most common concomitant symptoms: pruritus (5/15), fever or low-grade fever (6/15), headache (3/15), retro-ocular pain (2/15), asthenia (2/15). Three cases reported a history of dengue. The median number of days of rash presentation was 8 days' postvaccination. All patients progressed favorably. The overall incidence was 1.2/1000 vaccinated., Conclusions: In passive surveillance, after more than 12 000 first doses administered, the presence of rash was observed in less than 0.12% of those vaccinated. Everyone evolved favorably.

Competing Interests: All authors declare no competing of interest. GC-M has received an independent grant from Pfizer through the Asociación Colombiana de Infectologia ACIN- capitulo central; speaker fees from Pfizer, Sanofi Pasteur and Biomerieux; and participated in Advisory Boards for MSD and Sanofi Pasteur.

Scalp eschar and neck lymphadenopathy after a tick bite (SENLAT) is an emerging non-pathogen-specific syndrome characterized by scalp eschar and occipital and/or cervical lymph node enlargement following a tick bite. We report a case of SENLAT syndrome in an Argentinian patient after exposure to ticks during outdoor work in the Paraná River Delta region.

Chagas disease (ChD), caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is an endemic anthropozoonosis in Latin America, linked to deficients socio-economic and cultural aspects and is considered one of the neglected tropical diseases. We report a fatal case of Chagas disease reactivation with central nervous system involvement in a patient with HIV infection, whose diagnosis was confirmed by positive PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test of blood, with treatment response efficiency with benznidazol and management and etiologic treatment was difficult due to limited number of antitrypanosomal drugs and the occurrence of frequent and serious adverse effects.

Relapsing Plasmodium vivax malaria is due to activation of dormant intrahepatic parasitic forms known as hypnozoits. Primaquine is the only available drug effective against hypnozoits and, alongside a schizonticidal drug, constitutes the radical treatment of malaria. Failure of radical treatment is frequently attributed to inadequate dosing, poor adherence, or reinfection. However, several cases of radical treatment failure without these factors have been reported, inferring that metabolic properties of the host or tolerance mechanisms of the parasite may be implied. A case of malaria due to Plasmodium vivax acquired in the Amazonic region, treated outside endemic area, with multiple relapses despite adequate radical treatment is described.

The next FIFA World Cup will be held in Brazil in June-July 2014. Around 600,000 international visitors and participants (as well over 3 million domestic travelers) are expected. This event will take place in twelve cities. This event poses specific challenges, given its size and the diversity of attendees, including the potential for the transmission of imported or endemic communicable diseases, especially those that have an increased transmission rate as a result of close human proximity, eg, seasonal influenza, measles but also tropical endemic diseases. In anticipation of increased travel, a panel of experts from the Latin American Society for Travel Medicine (SLAMVI) developed the current recommendations regarding the epidemiology and risks of the main communicable diseases in the major potential destinations, recommended immunizations and other preventives measures to be used as a basis for advice for travelers and travel medicine practitioners. Mosquito-borne infections also pose a challenge. Dengue poses a significant risk in all states, including the host cities. Vaccination against yellow fever is recommended except for travelers who will only visit coastal areas. Travelers visiting high-risk areas for malaria (Amazon) should be assessed regarding the need for chemoprophylaxis. Chikunguya fever may be a threat for Brazil, given the presence of Aedes aegypti, vector of dengue, and the possibility of travelers bringing the virus with them when attending the event. Advice on the correct timing and use of repellents and other personal protection measures is key to preventing these vector-borne infections. Other important recommendations for travelers should focus on preventing water and food-borne diseases such as hepatitis A, typhoid fever, giardiasis and traveler's diarrhea. Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) should be also mentioned and the use of condoms advocated. This review addresses pre-travel, preventive strategies to reduce the risk of acquiring communicable diseases during a mass gathering such as the World Cup and also reviews the spectrum of endemic infections in Brazil to facilitate the recognition and management of infectious diseases in travelers returning to their countries of origin., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

As a consequence of YF outbreaks that hit Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay in 2008-2009, a significant demand for YF vaccination was subsequently observed in Argentina, a country where the usual vaccine recommendations are restricted to provinces that border Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia. The goal of this paper is to describe the adverse events following immunization (AEFI) against YF in Argentina during the outbreak in the northeastern province of Misiones, which occurred from January 2008 to January 2009. During this time, a total of nine cases were reported, almost two million doses of vaccine were administered, and a total of 165 AEFI were reported from different provinces. Case study analyses were performed using two AEFI classifications. Forty-nine events were classified as related to the YF vaccine (24 serious and 1 fatal case), and 12 events were classified as inconclusive. As the use of the YF 17D vaccine can be a challenge to health systems of countries with different endemicity patterns, a careful clinical and epidemiological evaluation should be performed before its prescription to minimize serious adverse events., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Trichinellosis is a parasitic zoonosis caused by ingestion of infected meat containing cysts of Trichinella spp., Objectives: To analyze the epidemiological, clinical and laboratory findings of trichinellosis patients in our center and compare the results with those from published series. To analyze the relationship between the clinical symptoms and laboratory findings., Materials and Methods: The clinical records of 127 patients were retrospectively analyzed., Results: Epidemiological: 61% were male and mean age was 32 years; 95% were associated with other cases. The food implicated was always pork. Clinical: 45% presented gastrointestinal symptoms and 98% systemic symptoms. Three patients required intensive care unit hospitalization and one died. In 53%, treatment consisted of associated antiparasitic and anti-inflammatory drugs. Laboratory: 59% presented leukocytosis and 72% absolute eosinophilia. Creatine phosphokinase was elevated in 62%, lactic dehydrogenase in 56% and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) in 30%. Among 52 patients, 65% had positive serology; trichinoscopy of food samples was positive in three outbreaks. The population studied had a mean of 5 signs and/or symptoms. The patient group with more than 5 signs and/or symptoms presented higher white blood cell counts and GOT levels (p < 0.05), Conclusions: Our results were comparable to those of other series; however, there was a low rate of complications. An association was found between a larger number of signs and symptoms and higher leukocyte counts and GOT levels. The relevance of these findings should be assessed in future studies. There is no agreement as to the best therapeutic option, a fact reflected in the various treatment modalities seen in our study.

A 21 year old man, previously healthy, presented with subcutaneous nodes consistent with gummas. Ultrasonography disclosed multiple subcutaneous abscesses and images suitable with piomiositis, pleural and pericardium effusion. A puncture-aspirate with fine-needle was performed and produced purulent material, with isolate of Staphylococcus aureus. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing by disk diffusion showed resistant to cefalotin, erythromycin and clindamycin, and susceptibility to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin and rifampicin. Methicilin-resistance was confirmed by Staphyslide agglutination testing (Biomérieux). The patient was treated with ciprofloxacin and rifampicin during four weeks, with a good clinical response. The frequency of CA-MRSA infections is increasing, and these are reported in patients without identified predisposing risks leading to failure on empiric therapy for community infections presumed to be due to staphylococcal agents.

During 1996, four patients that returned from South Africa suffering from rickettsiosis were attended at the Traveler's Medicine practice of our hospital. All of them presented fever, headache and cutaneous scar. One of these presented maculopapular rash, while the rest developed a vesicular rash. The Weil-Felix reaction was negative and the immunofluorescence test for Rickettsia conorii was positive in all cases. None of the patients remembered having been bitten by any insects, however all of them had been staying in or going through a wild environment. All the patients were treated with doxycycline and presented a good outcome.

Human poisoning by Lepidoptera (butterflies, caterpillars and moths) has been known to physicians since old times. In the last few years, several factors have been causative of a great number of contacts between different stages of these insects and humans, occasionally with epidemic features. Species of medical interest in Argentina are those related to Megalopygidae, Saturniidae, Hemileucidae, Arctiidae, Notodentidae and Eucliedae families. Among all the species involved, it is important to describe the pathology produced by contact with Lonomia obliqua caterpillar (Saturniidae). The caterpillar Lonomia has several enzymes with procoagulant and fibrinolytic activities, acting on various components of the hemostatic system inducing hemorrhage that can lead to death. In the South of Brazil during the last years caterpillars of this butterfly caused a great number of cases of erucism including some deaths. In the past two years, there have been some cases of poisoning by Lonomia obliqua in Misiones, in the North East of Argentina on the border with Southern Brazil. This presents a potential risk, taking into account the poor knowledge regarding this insect and its venom in Argentina. This brief actualization gives some biochemical, clinical and epidemiologic tools towards understanding human Lepidopterism, an uncommon medical problem in this country.

A study was carried out on T. cruzi infection in pregnant women in the Guemes area in Salta province; the rate of infection was 12.3%. Of newborn children studied by the microhematocrit technique, 8.8% were diagnosed with Chagas' disease. All of them were treated with benznidazol (5mg/kg/day) for one month; all of them presented anemia, which was interpreted to be an adverse drug reaction. The microhematocrit technique is believed to represent the best option for diagnosis of this disease in newborn children. A diagnostic methodology to follow the course of the infection is proposed.

A case of cutaneous hyalohyphomycosis, due to Fusarium oxysporum, in a 40 years old man is presented. The patient came from Paraguay where he worked in a tropical rural area. His disease had begun 2 months before his admission as a skin ulcer located in the left leg. Clinical characteristics, diagnosis methods, differential diagnosis with other ulcers of the legs in tropical areas as well as therapeutic measures are discussed in this presentation.