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Objetivos. Determinar la alimentación del Aedes aegypti en brotes de dengue de dos zonas rurales del Perú durante el ciclón Yaku y El Niño Global del 2023. Material métodos. Se analizaron ocho muestras de sangre (8 pooles) obtenidas del abdomen de 80 especímenes Aedes aegypti capturados en los distritos rurales de Querecotillo y Marcavelica durante brotes de dengue acontecidos en el ciclón Yaku y en El Niño Global. Se extrajo ADN de las muestras analizadas, se llevó a cabo una PCR dirigida al gen CytB como marcador genético y los productos PCR fueron digeridos enzimáticamente con las restrictasas Hae III y Mwo I. Los productos PCR-RFLP fueron visualizados por electroforesis en gel de agarosa al 4%. Resultados. Se obtuvo ADN de todas las muestras y como producto PCR un amplicón de 358 pb. Así mismo, el único RFLP en Hae III observado fue el de Homo sapiens sapiens (233 y 125 pb). No se observó RFLP en Hae III de Gallus gallus y RFLP en Mwo I de Canis familiaris y Mus musculus. Conclusión. En brotes de dengue de zonas rurales, durante el ciclón Yaku y en El Niño Global, el Aedes aegypti presentó un comportamiento alimenticio antropofílico conservado.

Background: Fournier's gangrene secondary to mpox has been scarcely documented in the literature. To provide a clinical-epidemiological description of a case of mpox complicated with Fournier's gangrene treated in a secondary hospital. Clincal case: A 20-year-old male HIV infected with dermal lesions on the penis and penile and scrotal oedema developed Fournier's gangrene, for which he was hospitalized. Mpox was confirmed by the laboratory, and Ct values were issued on different days. Conclusion: The clinical manifestations of acute onset dermal lesions and scrotal and penile oedema are relevant when associated with mpox. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The study of travelers is important and has been a variable significantly associated with the number of covid-19 cases. Objective: To characterize the travelers infected with SARS-CoV-2 according to epidemiologic and sociodemographic variables of interest. Methods: An ecological study of temporary series was carried out, of travelers from abroad, residents in Santiago de Cuba or whose final destination was this province, that arrived at the country between March 11, 2020 and November 11, 2022. The sources of information were the travelers' records established by the Provincial Center of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Microbiology of this province and the results of polymerase chain reaction tests of the Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology. Results: Sixty-four thousand nine-hundred eighty four travelers were received, of which 568 were positive, with prevalence of the asymptomatic and the diagnosis at the fifth day of arrival. Conclusions: The control on the travelers influenced in the pattern of transmission of the disease; as long as, the realization of a second test at the fifth day allowed to find a high percentage of positivity. Some characteristics of morbidity in this group of cases differed from the incidence in the general population, such as the clinical forms, age and space distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To determine the feeding behavior of Aedes aegypti in dengue outbreaks in two rural areas of Peru during the Yaku cyclone and El Niño phenomenon of 2023. Material and methods. Eight blood samples (8 pools) were obtained from the abdomen of 80 Aedes aegypti specimens captured in the rural districts of Querecotillo and Marcavelica during the Yaku cyclone and El Niño dengue outbreaks. DNA was extracted from the analyzed samples, then a PCR was directed at the CytB gene as a genetic marker and the PCR products were enzymatically digested with the restrictases Hae III and Mwo I. The PCR-RFLP products were visualized by agarose gel electrophoresis at 4%. Results. DNA was obtained from all samples and a 358 bp amplicon was obtained as a PCR product. Likewise, the only RFLP found in Hae III was from Homo sapiens sapiens (233 and 125 bp). RFLP was not found in Hae III of Gallus gallus and RFLP in Mwo I of Canis familiaris and Mus musculus. Conclusion. Aedes aegypti showed conserved anthropophilic feeding behavior in dengue outbreaks in rural areas during the Yaku cyclone and El Niño. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introducción: C. albicans junto con C. dubliniensis y C. africana, forman el Complejo Candida albicans. Estas especies están estrechamente relacionadas entre sí, lo que dificulta la diferenciación por métodos convencionales. Objetivos: Diferenciar por método molecular Candida albicans y Candida dubliniensis en aislamientos de pacientes ambulatorios y hospitalizados de Central, Paraguay y conocer el perfil de sensibilidad de los mismos. Metodología: Se incluyeron levaduras aisladas de materiales respiratorios, cavidad bucal, secreciones purulentas, sangre, orina y otros. Se realizó una PCR dúplex de punto final a los aislamientos que desarrollaron coloración verdosa en medio cromogénico (CONDA®, España). El ADN se extrajo utilizando el kit Wizard® Genomic DNA (Promega, EE. UU.) con algunas modificaciones. La sensibilidad a antifúngicos se determinó por VITEK® 2 a un subgrupo de aislamientos. Resultados: De 1065 aislamientos, 838 (78,7 %) fueron C. albicans y 3 (0,3 %) C. dubliniensis, estos últimos provenientes de cavidad bucal; los 224 restantes fueron negativos para ambas especies. El 94,4 % de 503 aislamientos de C. albicans fueron sensibles a fluconazol, 97,6 % a voriconazol, 99,4 % a anfotericina B, 100 % a caspofungina y micafungina. Los tres aislamientos de C. dubliniensis presentaron CIM de ? 0,5 µg/mL frente a fluconazol, ? 0,12 µg/mL a voriconazol y ? 0,25 µg/mL a anfotericina B. Conclusiones: La frecuencia de C. dubliniensis es baja con relación a otros estudios que informan valores de 1,5 a 32 %. Estos aislamientos no presentaron indicios de resistencia. C. albicans mostró buena sensibilidad a los antifúngicos ensayados.

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis accounts for 15-20% of all cases, osteoarticular accounts for 11.3-34.5%. We report here the case of a 28-year-old male immunocompetent host who started with respiratory symptoms and subsequently developed a painful tumor on the second finger of the right hand. He started treatment in a peripheral health care center after identifying Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a sputum sample. Due to the persistence of symptoms, he was transferred to our institution. A biopsy of the tumor was positive for Gene Xpert MTB/RIF, and pathological studies revealed bone involvement of the second finger of the right hand. Incidentally, a vertebral lesion at D9 was found. This report helps consider bone tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of bone involvement in immunocompetent hosts from endemic areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The study of travelers is important and has been a variable significantly associated with the number of covid-19 cases. Objective: To characterize the travelers infected with SARS-CoV-2 according to epidemiologic and sociodemographic variables of interest. Methods: An ecological study of temporary series was carried out, of travelers from abroad, residents in Santiago de Cuba or whose final destination was this province, that arrived at the country between March 11, 2020 and November 11, 2022. The sources of information were the travelers’ records established by the Provincial Center of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Microbiology of this province and the results of polymerase chain reaction tests of the Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology. Results: Sixty-four thousand nine-hundred eighty four travelers were received, of which 568 were positive, with prevalence of the asymptomatic and the diagnosis at the fifth day of arrival. Conclusions: The control on the travelers influenced in the pattern of transmission of the disease; as long as, the realization of a second test at the fifth day allowed to find a high percentage of positivity. Some characteristics of morbidity in this group of cases differed from the incidence in the general population, such as the clinical forms, age and space distribution.

Coronavirus is a family of viruses that generally causes respiratory infection, such as the common cold, that varies in intensity from mild to moderate and can be severe or fatal. The virus is known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease it causes is called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Some coronaviruses cause serious illness that can lead to pneumonia and even death. The risk of infection and mortality increases with some comorbidities, such as older people, in men, in cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and chronic lung disease, as well as in cancer patients, in oncological treatments or on immunosuppression. The results secondary effects to neuro COVID 19 can be very varied and the brain alterations can be mild or minimal and intense. Presenting variable degrees of necrosis, stroke, hemorrhage, thrombosis, heart attacks, inflammation, vasculitis, endothelial damage, reactive gliosis, and neuronal damage, which are the most important histological findings that have been described. The diagnosis is made by PCR on nasal swabs and / or cerebrospinal fluid. By immunohistochemistry, the expression of the ACE2 receptor and SARS-CoV-2 proteins in endothelial cells, pericytes and in inflammatory cells are of great helpfully for the diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foundation: depression in ischemic cerebrovascular disease is one of the most frequent non-neurological complications.Objective: to determine the association of inflammatory markers and endothelial dysfunction with depression in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease.Methods: an analytical, prospective, cross-sectional study was carried out in patients with acute (N=22) and non-acute (N=37) ischemic cerebrovascular disease; treated at the Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery; and the Manuel Fajardo Hospital, in Havana, Cuba. Demographic variables, risk factors, etiology and location of the infarction, neurological deficiency, disability for activities of daily living (Barthel index), neuropsychological (depression by Beck inventory and Hamilton test) were collected. C-reactive protein, alpha-1-antitrypsin, C3 and C4 complements, and microalbuminuria were determined.Results: the scores of the neuropsychological tests did not have significant differences between the acute and non-acute phase, but there was a statistical increase in the frequency of patients without depression and with slight depression in the non-acute phase. In the acute phase, C4, and in the non-acute phase, C3, C-reactive protein and alpha-1-antitrypsin were directly correlated with the Beck inventory score. C-reactive protein and C3 were statistically correlated with the Hamilton test score. In the multivariate analysis, C-reactive protein showed an independent association with the degree of depression by the Hamilton test.Conclusions: C-reactive protein could be related to the severity of depression, perhaps by association with the disability for activities of daily living.

Copyright of Medicina (Buenos Aires) is the property of Medicina (Buenos Aires) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Foundation: depression in ischemic cerebrovascular disease is one of the most frequent non-neurological complications. Objective: to determine the association of inflammatory markers and endothelial dysfunction with depression in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Methods: an analytical, prospective, cross-sectional study was carried out in patients with acute (N=22) and non-acute (N=37) ischemic cerebrovascular disease; treated at the Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery; and the Manuel Fajardo Hospital, in Havana, Cuba. Demographic variables, risk factors, etiology and location of the infarction, neurological deficiency, disability for activities of daily living (Barthel index), neuropsychological (depression by Beck inventory and Hamilton test) were collected. C-reactive protein, alpha-1-antitrypsin, C3 and C4 complements, and microalbuminuria were determined. Results: the scores of the neuropsychological tests did not have significant differences between the acute and non-acute phase, but there was a statistical increase in the frequency of patients without depression and with slight depression in the non-acute phase. In the acute phase, C4, and in the non-acute phase, C3, C-reactive protein and alpha-1-antitrypsin were directly correlated with the Beck inventory score. C-reactive protein and C3 were statistically correlated with the Hamilton test score. In the multivariate analysis, C-reactive protein showed an independent association with the degree of depression by the Hamilton test. Conclusions: C-reactive protein could be related to the severity of depression, perhaps by association with the disability for activities of daily living. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introducción. La infección genital por Chlamydia trachomatis es una de las más frecuentes en el mundo. Cada año se registran cerca de 85 millones de nuevos casos de esta enfermedad, que cursa con graves complicaciones en la mujer y recién nacido. Objetivo. Determinar las características clínico-epidemiológicas de la infección por C. trachomatis en mujeres venezolanas sexualmente activas. Materiales y métodos. Es un estudio descriptivo, transversal y de campo, sustentado en la historia clínica y el examen físico, la detección de infección con la prueba inmunoenzimática con anticuerpos policlonales anti-LPS y la confirmación de los resultados con la de biología molecular. La muestra estuvo conformada por 100 mujeres sexualmente activas mayores de 12 años de edad, del estado Carabobo, Venezuela. Resultados. La mayoría de las mujeres se encontraba entre los 20 y los 45 años de edad. En el 25 % de las mismas, se detectaron anticuerpos IgG anti-C. trachomatis y, en el 84 % de estas, se confirmó la infección mediante PCR; en ninguna de las mujeres se hallaron anticuerpos IgM anti-C. trachomatis. Conclusión. La infección crónica predomina en las mujeres entre los 20 y los 45 años de edad; la prueba inmunoenzimática arrojó falsos positivos corroborados por PCR.

Dairy production systems are a sensitive sector of the primary economy frequently affected by pathogens that negatively impact production parameters, the bovine leukemia virus (BLV) one of these. In this study, the molecular prevalence of BLV was determined in the specialized dairy sector of Antioquia using the viral marker of the envelope gene (env). Blood samples were taken from 575 bovines from specialized dairies in Antioquia distributed in 53 herds and located in the three specialized milk production areas of Antioquia (north, east, and Valle de Aburrá). DNA extraction was performed by salting out, and a nested PCR was performed to detect the env gene. The products were visualized on a 2% agarose gel with GelRed as an intercalator. A molecular prevalence of BLV of 17.0% in animals and 71.7% in herds were found, being Valle de Aburrá the area where the highest rate of positive animals was obtained (21.1%), unlike the northern area with the lowest rate (15.6%). The molecular prevalence of BLV in this study is lower than that of previous studies in the department, which ranged between 47 and 73%, and this may be associated with factors of breed resistance, the age of the animals, or management practices in the herds. These results can contribute to creating BLV control strategies and optimizing milk production in the department of Antioquia, being relevant to paying attention to the behavior of this pathogen under different production system conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, identifying the COVID-19 pathophysiology not only has been addressed to applying diagnostic tests or preventing through vaccines, but also to the timely detection, especially of patients in risk groups such as those in transplants areas (renal, hematology, etcetera). In the case of these patients, using RT-PCR tests avoids putting them at risk by subjecting them to states of immunosuppression that could aggravate their situation if they were faced with an onset of a COVID-19 infection. Objective: To present the results of patients of a transplant unit tested for SARS-CoV-2. Material and methods: Descriptive, observational, crosssectional, and retrolective study. Data of results of RT-PCR tests of patients who underwent transplantation from June 2021 to April 2022 in a third level hospital were collected. Results: 755 tests were done to patients who underwent transplantation. 384 (50.8%) were women. Out of all patients, only 73 (9.7%) were positive to SARS-CoV-2. Conclusions: Implementing RT-PCR tests as a transplant protocol to detect SARS-CoV-2 prevents fatal complications due to COVID infection to donors and receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is relevant in the development of cervical cancer, a situation that has led to screening with cervical-uterine cytology and DNA-HPV molecular test that allows the early detection of a risk of developing this pathology in women. Although the incidence and mortality have decreased, science could not eradicate this disease. Objective. Identified HPV in different samples of patients diagnosed with preneoplastic lesions and cervical-uterine cancer. Methodology. Patients with high-grade lesions (LEI-AG) and/or carcinoma on cervical cytology and/or biopsy were included. A blood sample was taken from all of them, the availability of paraffin tissue (FFPE) was evaluated, and PCR genotyping for HPV was performed. Results. 27% (3) LEI-AG were between 30-39 years old and 9% (1) were under 29; 50% (6) were positive for HR-HPV other than 16-18 in liquid-based cytology (CBL) and 16% (1) negative. DNA was obtained from 100% of the FFPE, with positivity in 67% (6), 2 (33%) for HPV-16 and 4 (67%) for others (56, 58 and 68). 1 (11%) presented coinfection with HPV-56 and 58. 67% (4) showed concordance between CBL and FFPE; 1 was CBL negative and HPV-56 positive on FFPE and 1 was CBL HPV-18 positive and FFPE negative. No HPV positivity was obtained in the plasma samples tested. Conclusion. The relationship HPV and cervical-uterine cancer requires to work out in regional studies that allow to understand and to reassess the policies that are currently implemented in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to determine the frequency of the mecA gene in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from patients treated at a third-level hospital in the Cajamarca region, Peru; as well as, to determine which of the two antibiotics used as phenotypic screening is more useful in explaining the presence of said gene. Methods: 71 bacterial isolates were analyzed from samples obtained from the Hospital Regional Docente of Cajamarca. The identification of S. aureus was carried out using the MicroScan system. Phenotypic screening for resistance to methicillin was performed using the diffusion technique with cefoxitin and oxacillin discs. DNA extraction was performed by heat shock, mecA gene detection was performed through polymerase chain reaction. For data analysis, the statistical software SPSS v.25 was used. Results: from 71 isolates, 40 (56,3%) were MRSA carriers of the mecA gene, the majority of these isolates corresponded to hospitalized patients 22 (31,0%), being more frequent in bronchial secretion samples 27 (38,0%). Phenotypic screening with cefoxitin disc was a better predictor for the presence of the mecA gene [P=0,010; Exp(B)= 12,3] compared to the oxacillin disc. Conclusions: It is shown a high frequency of positive MRSA mecA in samples of clinical origin, mainly from hospitalized patients. It is important to establish surveillance guidelines to identify MRSA in all hospitals in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of inoculation with lyophilised and/or activated Lactobacillus buchneri on lactic acid bacteria populations in corn silage. Experimental treatments consisted of corn silage without additives or silage with the inoculants of L. buchneri (1 x 105 cfu/g) applied according to the manufacturer’s recommendations (1 g/tonne fodder) in the forms of the lyophilised inoculant and pre-activated inoculant. Purified isolates from corn silage with and without the inoculant were identified, and 93% of the isolates corresponded to the lactic acid bacteria of the species Lactobacillus plantarum. Among the isolates, no bacteria of the species L. buchneri were detected. The application of lyophilised or activated L. buchneri improved the microbiological profile and reduced ethanol production in corn silage, even without being identified among the isolates captured 70 days after ensilage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction and aims: Viral hepatitis, which appears most frequently at birth or during childhood, is a disease whose transmission routes include tears, bile, sexual fluids, sweat, milk, urine, feces, and saliva. The aim of the present study was to analyze the specificity of the immunochromatographic and ELISA diagnostic tests for hepatitis B surface antigen and compare them with PCR testing. Materials and methods: The study sample was made up of 140 men and 60 women referred to the Urmia Medical University hospital to undergo PCR testing for HBV diagnosis. The ELISA test was performed using the Pioneer Medicine Company kit (Tehran, Iran). Results: The results of the HBs-Ag rapid test and the ELISA test were compared with the PCR test. The HBs-Ag rapid test had 97% sensitivity and 91% specificity, whereas the ELISA test had 78% sensitivity and 76% specificity. Discussion and conclusion: According to our results, the immunochromatographic test was accurate for diagnosing HBs-Ag in blood and the ELISA test had acceptable sensitivity and specificity, compared with PCR testing. Resumen: Introducción y objetivos: La hepatitis viral aparece más frecuentemente al nacer o durante la infancia y es una enfermedad cuyas vías de transmisión incluyen lágrimas, bilis, fluidos sexuales, sudor, leche, orina, heces y saliva. El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar la especificidad de la inmunocromatografía y la prueba ELISA para el antígeno de superficie de hepatitis B y compararlas con la prueba PCR. Materiales y métodos: La muestra estuvo compuesta por 140 hombres y 60 mujeres referidos al hospital de la Escuela de Medicina de la Universidad de Urmia para diagnóstico de VHB por medio de prueba PCR. La prueba ELISA fue realizada con el kit de la Pioneer Medicine Company (Teherán, Irán). Resultados: Los resultados de la prueba rápida HBsAg y de la prueba ELISA fueron comparados con la prueba de PCR. La prueba rápida de HBsAg tuvo una sensibilidad del 97% y especificidad del 91%, mientras que la prueba ELISA tuvo una sensibilidad del 78% y especificidad del 76%. Discusión y conclusión: De acuerdo con nuestros resultados, la prueba de inmunocromatografía fue precisa para diagnosticar HBsAg en sangre y la prueba ELISA tuvo sensibilidad y especificidad aceptables en comparación con la prueba de PCR.

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori infection affects more than 50% of the world population. Increased antibiotic resistance is the main cause of treatment failure. The main objective was to analyze the eradication success after the application of the new ESPGHAN treatment recommendations and the introduction of PCR as a direct diagnosis technique, describe the evolution of the local pattern of antibiotic resistance, and assess the cost-effectiveness of PCR application, isolated or in conjunction with culture as a diagnostic strategy. Patients and methods: Retrospective descriptive study of all microbiological isolates of Helicobacter pylori in 2013–2019 in our center, by comparing the percentage of resistance and eradication success between the periods 2013−2016 and 2017−2019. Cost-effectiveness study of direct diagnostic tests, comparing 3 different options: culture and PCR; only culture; PCR only. Results: 192 patients were included, 98 were detected by culture (2013−2016) and 94 by culture and/or PCR (2017−2019). Antibiotic treatment was established in 153 patients, 90 in the first period (2011 ESPGHAN guidelines: eradication percentage 62.2%), 63 in the second (2017 ESPGHAN guidelines: eradication percentage: 73%). An increase in resistance to clarithromycin was observed, going from 16.3% (n = 16) in the first period, to 53.2% (n = 48) in 2017−2019 (98% detected by PCR, 60% by culture). There were no differences in the rest of antibiotic resistances. The isolated PCR application presented a cost-effectiveness analysis ratio (CEAR) of 71.91, compared to 92.16 for the culture and 96.35 for the culture and PCR combined. Conclusions: The application of the ESPGHAN 2017 guidelines achieved greater eradication success, although less than that observed in previous publications, without reaching the target of at least 90%. An increase in resistance to macrolides was observed, without being able to discriminate whether it is a real increase or a greater diagnostic sensitivity of molecular techniques, with the isolated request for PCR being the most cost-effective strategy. Resumen: Introducción: La infección por Helicobacter pylori afecta a más del 50% de la población mundial. El aumento en las resistencias antibióticas es la principal causa del fracaso del tratamiento. El objetivo principal fue analizar el éxito erradicador tras la aplicación de las nuevas recomendaciones de tratamiento ESPGHAN e introducción de la PCR como técnica de diagnóstico directo, describir la evolución del patrón local de resistencias antibióticas y valorar el coste-efectividad de la aplicación de la PCR aislada o en conjunto con el cultivo como estrategia diagnóstica. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo del total de aislamientos microbiológicos de Helicobacter pylori entre 2013–2019 en nuestro centro, mediante comparación del porcentaje de resistencias y éxito erradicador entre los periodos 2013−2016 y 2017−2019. Estudio de coste-efectividad de las pruebas de diagnóstico directo, comparando 3 opciones distintas: cultivo y PCR; solo cultivo; solo PCR. Resultados: Se incluyeron 192 pacientes, 98 fueron detectados por cultivo (2013−2016) y 94 por cultivo y/o PCR (2017−2019). Se instauró tratamiento antibiótico en 153 pacientes, 90 en el primer periodo (pautas ESPGHAN 2011: porcentaje erradicación 62.2%), 63 en el segundo (pautas ESPGHAN 2017: porcentaje erradicación: 73%). Se observó un aumento en las resistencias a claritromicina, pasando de un 16.3% (n = 16) en el primer periodo, a un 53.2% (n = 48) entre 2017−2019 (98% detectadas por PCR, 60% por cultivo). No hubo diferencias en el resto de resistencias antibióticas. La solicitud aislada de la PCR presentó un ratio de análisis de coste-efectividad (CEAR) de 71.91, en comparación con un 92,16 del cultivo y un 96.35 del cultivo y la PCR de forma conjunta. Conclusiones: La aplicación de las pautas ESPGHAN 2017 consiguió un mayor éxito de erradicación, aunque menor que lo observado en publicaciones previas, sin llegar al objetivo marcado de al menos un 90%. Se observó un incremento en las resistencias a macrólidos, sin poder discriminar si se trata de un aumento real o de una mayor sensibilidad diagnóstica de las técnicas moleculares, siendo la solicitud aislada de la PCR la estrategia más coste efectiva.

Introducción. Toxoplasma gondii es un parásito con gran potencial zoonótico que puede infectar un amplio rango de huéspedes de sangre caliente, incluidos los animales del sector pecuario, lo que causa pérdidas a la industria. En el humano, es patógeno en personas inmunosuprimidas y afecta el desarrollo del feto en infecciones congénitas. Además, se asocia con diversos trastornos del comportamiento en personas sanas. El humano puede adquirir T. gondii al consumir carnes contaminadas mal cocidas. Objetivo. Determinar la positividad de T. gondii en carnes de consumo humano (res, pollo y cerdo) en Ibagué, Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizó la PCR convencional anidada y la secuencia del gen B1 de T. gondii como blanco de amplificación. Se tomaron 186 muestras de carne comercializada en la zona urbana de Ibagué (62 de res, 62 de pollo y 62 de cerdo) y se obtuvo el porcentaje de positividad en cada tipo de carne evaluada. Resultados. Se encontró un porcentaje de positividad de 18,8 % en las muestras, siendo la carne de cerdo la del mayor porcentaje (22,5 %; 14/62), seguida por las muestras de carne de res (19,3 %; 12/62) y de pollo (14,5 %; 9/62). Los mejores productos amplificados fueron secuenciados en Macrogen, y alineados con las secuencias del gen B1 depositadas en el GenBank, con lo que se confirmó su identidad. Conclusiones. Este es el primer estudio sobre prevalencia de T. gondii en carnes para consumo humano en Ibagué y el departamento del Tolima. Se demostró que los tres tipos de carne representan un riesgo para la infección en humanos a nivel local.

Introduction: Genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection is one of the most frequent in the world; about 85 million new cases of this pathology are registered each year, which causes severe complications in women and newborns. Objective: To determine the clinical-epidemiological characteristics of C. trachomatis infection in sexually active Venezuelan women. Materials and methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional, and field study based on the clinical history and physical examination, detection of infection with immunoenzymatic assay with anti- LPS polyclonal antibody and confirmation of results with molecular biology test. The sample consisted of 100 sexually active women over 12 years of age from Carabobo state, Venezuela. Results: The women were mostly between 20 and 45 years old, in 25% of them IgG antibodies to C. trachomatis were detected and in 84% of these the infection was confirmed by PCR, in none of the women IgM antibodies to C. trachomatis were found. Conclusion: Chronic infection characterizes women between 20 and 45 years of age; the immunoenzymatic test yielded false positives corroborated by PCR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. the objective of the present work was the detection of Leishmania sp. in Rattus rattus tail base skin through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. Material and method. We analyzed 45 Rattus rattus skin samples from the urban area of the city of Corrientes in Argentina. The Leishmania spp detection was performed by nested PCR technique. Results. Leishmania DNA was detected in 22 samples out of 45 processed (49%) in the first round of amplification, and in 14 samples (31%) in the second round (31%). Conclusions. These results contribute to increase the existing information in our region on the possible relationship between Leishmania and Rattus rattus, considering the high prevalence found in skin added to the total absence of lesions. Other aspects should be further studied to establish the role of these animals in the epidemiological chain of the disease in an urban area endemic to leishmaniasis in other animal species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista ADM is the property of Asociacion Dental Mexicana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Bovine mastitis poses a significant threat to global dairy production, resulting in substantial losses in milk production. Streptococcus bacteria, particularly Streptococcus uberis, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Streptococcus dysgalactiae, are commonly implicated in this condition. An accurate diagnosis is crucial for implementing effective treatment and minimizing its impact on production. This study examined 115 Streptococcus strains isolated from bovine mastitis cases in Uruguay using PCR for species identification. Additionally, the resistance to tetracycline, erythromycin, and penicillin was assessed in 81 of the bacterial strains under study. Significant disparities between phenotypic and genotypic detection were evident across all three species, with only 31% of strains identified phenotypically aligning with PCR results. Phenotypic prevalence indicated S. dysgalactiae as the most prevalent (44.35%), followed by S. uberis (24.34%) and S. agalactiae (6.09%). However, the genotypic identification revealed S. uberis as the most prevalent, followed by S. dysgalactiae, while S. agalactiae remained the least prevalent. The high sensitivity and speed of PCR suggest its potential routine implementation for diagnosing bovine mastitis caused by Streptococcus in any laboratory. Although, penicillin resistance was practically nonexistent, tetracycline and erythromycin exhibit higher resistance levels across all three species studied. In conclusion, the study underlines the importance of early diagnosis, highlights variations in bacterial prevalence, and proposes PCR as a valuable diagnostic tool for Streptococcus species responsible for bovine mastitis., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Cuban science has offered significant contributions for the confrontation to the COVID-19, what has facilitated, by means of diverse investigations, the prediction, design of confrontation ways, as well as the improvement of therapeutic protocols and performance models. Objective: To characterize suspicious and positive patients to the COVID-19 admitted to an isolation center from Santiago de Cuba. Methods: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study of the 731 suspicious and positive patients to the COVID-19 was carried out. They were admitted to the Medicine Faculty No. 2 isolation hospital from Santiago de Cuba, from January to March, 2021, aimed at characterizing them according to some selected clinical and epidemiologic variables, that is: age, sex, personal pathological history and symptoms at the moment of the diagnosis. Results: Of the total of patients there was a prevalence of the male sex (50.8 %) and the 21-30 and 51-60 age groups (21.6 and 20.7 %, respectively). In connection with the number of confirmed cases there was a prevalence of females (29.2 %) and the health areas with more affected patients were 28 de Septiembre (22.5 %), 30 de noviembre (16.8 %) and Mario Muñoz Monroy polyclinics (14.6 %); also, hypertension, bronchial asthma and other allergies are notable as personal pathological history, besides cough, fever and diffuse discomfort as clinical signs. It is remarkable that 45.6 % of the patients with positive test were asymptomatic at the moment of the diagnosis. Conclusiones: The COVID-19 constitute a high-priority problem of public health and the confrontation to this terrible pandemic not only has brought in itself to postpone goals and transform objectives of life in all sectors and nations, but it has also implied to constantly redefine strategies and ways of doing in the search of a better control of the disease.

Objetivo: detectar Leishmania sp. en piel de cola de Rattus rattus a través de técnicas de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa. Material y Método: Se analizaron 45 muestras de piel de Rattus rattus del área urbana de la ciudad de Corrientes, Argentina. La detección de Leishmania sp se realizó mediante técnicas de PCR anidada. Resultados: En la primera ronda de amplificación se detectó ADN de Leishmania en 22 muestras de 45 procesadas (49%) y en 14 muestras en la segunda ronda (31%). Conclusiones: Estos resultados contribuyen a aumentar la información existente en nuestra región sobre la posible relación entre Leishmania y Rattus rattus, teniendo en cuenta la alta prevalencia encontrada en piel sumado a la total ausencia de lesiones. Otros aspectos deberán seguir estudiándose para establecer el rol de estos animales en la cadena epidemiológica de la enfermedad en una zona urbana endémica a leishmaniasis en otras especies animales.

La resistencia a los antimicrobianos (RAM), representa un grave problema por el uso indiscriminado de antimicrobianos de amplio espectro. En nuestro país, durante el primer cuatrimestre del año, se observó un aumento inusual en el número de aislamiento de gérmenes multirresistentes, sobre todo de bacilos gramnegativos, los cuales fueron remitidos al laboratorio de referencia con el objetivo de caracterizar los genes de resistencia a los carbapenemes. Estudio observacional y prospectivo de corte transversal en 456 aislamientos de bacilos gramnegativos provenientes de 11 centros colaboradores de la Red Nacional de Vigilancia de la RAM, remitidos al Laboratorio Central de Salud Pública entre enero y abril de 2021, para la detección molecular (reacción en cadena de la polimerasa múltiple) de los genes de resistencia enzimática bla OXA-51, bla OXA-23, bla OXA-24, bla OXA-48, bla OXA-58, bla NDM, bla KPC, bla IMP, bla VIM. Trescientos sesenta correspondieron a bacilos gramnegativos no fermentadores: 346 Acinetobacter baumannii y 14 Pseudomonas aeruginosa; 96 fueron miembros de Enterobacterales, siendo prevalente Klebsiella pneumoniae (81). Todos los aislamientos de Acinetobacter baumannii resultaron ser productores de carbapenemasas: OXA-23 (94%), NDM (4%), NMD+OXA-58 (2%); en Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 7 de los 14 aislamientos (50%) fueron portadores de metalobetalactamasa del genotipo NDM (100%). Los genotipos NDM (92%) y KPC (8%) fueron confirmados en Enterobacterales. La resistencia plasmídica a carbapenemes es endémica en nuestro país, siendo prevalentes los genotipos OXA-23 en Acinetobacter baumannii y NDM en Pseudomonas aeruginosa y Enterobacterales.

Since the emergence of monkeypox in Europe, this disease has gradually spread throughout the rest of the world. In Mexico, epidemiological notices have been issued with the main guidelines to follow in terms of epidemiological surveillance and official figures have been published regularly on a microsite weeks after the first cases. These sources of information were reviewed and analyzed, based on which observations are issued, in addition to other relevant publications on the subject, with the interest of reinforcing the surveillance of this disease in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Los factores de virulencia de patógenos se expresan una vez superan los mecanismos fisiológicos de respuesta inmune por parte del organismo, Escherichia coli (E. coli) es una bacteria que se considera un problema en salud pública en todo el mundo debido a la alta prevalencia de mecanismos de resistencia y patogenicidad que expresa, se relaciona principalmente con infecciones intestinales y es transmitida en la cadena alimenticia; los determinantes genéticos que codifican factores de virulencia se trasladan entre diferentes especies o la misma, mediante el mecanismo de transferencia horizontal de genes. El objetivo de la presente revisión es describir factores de virulencia y genes que los codifican en cepas de E. coli aisladas de animales de producción y de productos alimenticios. En las bases de datos Medline, Lilacs, ScienceDirect, Scopus, SciELO y Dialnet, se realizó búsqueda utilizando una combinación de palabras claves validadas en inglés (gen, virulence, virulence factor, infection, horizontal gene transfer, mutation and production animals). En diferentes ambientes de producción se identificó la presencia de diferentes mecanismos de virulencia que varían según la especie animal y bacteriana, los genes con mayor circulación con Stx1, Stx2 codificantes de toxinas, Saa de adhesinas, ehxA de enterohemolisina, eaeA de intimina, IpfA de fimbrias. La vigilancia y control microbiológico en el área alimenticia y de producción animal es de gran importancia para evitar posibles brotes de enfermedades en población susceptible, por efecto de los factores de virulencia.

Introducción. La toxoplasmosis es una zoonosis que se transmite por vía oral al consumir alimentos contaminados con cualquier forma infectiva de Toxoplasma gondii. Su transmisión por agua ha sido documentada en varios países, incluido Colombia. Al no disponer de agua potable, la población rural de Sincelejo podría estar en riesgo de contraer toxoplasmosis por esta vía. Objetivo. Evaluar la contaminación por T. gondii del agua para consumo humano proveniente de jagüeyes de la zona rural de Sincelejo y establecer su relación con diferentes determinantes sociales de la salud en el área de estudio. Materiales y métodos. Mediante PCR anidada, se evaluaron 96 muestras de agua obtenidas en 48 fincas ubicadas en ocho corregimientos rurales de Sincelejo. En cada finca se obtuvieron dos muestras: una de agua cruda de jagüey y otra destinada al consumo directo. En cada finca se hizo una encuesta para recolectar información sobre características físicas de la vivienda, presencia de gatos, y disponibilidad de agua y sus usos. Las relaciones estadísticas se evaluaron con el test de Fisher. Resultados. De las 96 muestras analizadas, 13 resultaron contaminadas con T. gondii (13,5 %): nueve de agua cruda y cuatro de agua para el consumo directo. No se encontró asociación estadística entre las muestras positivas y los determinantes sociales de la salud evaluados (p>0,05). Conclusión. La población rural de Sincelejo podría estar en riesgo de contraer toxoplasmosis por el uso y consumo del agua proveniente de sus jagüeyes. La contaminación de estos cuerpos de agua por T. gondii puede estar influenciada por otros determinantes sociales de la salud no contemplados aquí.

Objectives: To standardize and validate an in-house RT-LAMP test for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, based on laboratory and field assays using samples from COVID-19 suspected patients. Materials and methods: An in-house SARS-CoV-2 RT-LAMP molecular test was standardized, establishing the detection limit with Vero cells of isolated Peruvian strains of SARS-CoV-2, and the robustness to various concentrations of primers. The laboratory validation was performed with 384 nasal and pharyngeal swab samples (UFH) obtained between March and July 2020. The field validation was performed with 383 UFH obtained from COVID-19 suspected symptomatic cases. All samples were tested by RT-LAMP and RT-qPCR. The RT-qPCR was considered as the reference standard test. The concordance measures and diagnostic performance were calculated. Results: The detection limit was consistent in cases with Ct 30 in both tests, showing efficiency to detect up to 1000 copies/μL of the target gene. Robustness was evidenced with half of the primer concentrations and 20 μL of final volume. Absence of amplification was identified for other HCoVs. Concordance showed a kappa index of 0.88 (95% CI: 0.83-0.93) and 0.89 (95% CI: 0.84 - 0.94) in laboratory and field settings, respectively. The sensitivity value in the laboratory was 87.4% (95% CI: 80.8 - 92.4) and 88.1% in the field (95% CI: 81.6 - 92.9). The specificity value in both settings was 98.8% (95% CI: 96.4-99.7). Conclusions: The in-house SARS-CoV-2 RT-LAMP test was successfully validated based on its adequate robustness, no cross-reactions, good concordance, and diagnostic performance compared to RT-qPCR.

Background: Bacteria of the Anaplasmataceae family and canine hemoparasitic protozoans transmitted by ticks are common in Colombia due to circulation and biological adaptation of vector Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.). Objective: To detect the circulation of Ehrlichia canis and Hepatozoon canis in sheltered dogs in three municipalities in southern Aburrá Valley, province of Antioquia, Colombia. Methods: Primers were used to amplify the 16S rRNA associated with the Anaplasmataceae family, dsb for Ehrlichia sp. and 18S rRNA for Hepatozoon sp. Results: Of the 357 samples of venous blood obtained, representing all the sheltered dogs in the study zone, Ehrlichia canis DNA was detected in 2.2% of individuals, showing identity of 100% with previous sequences from the GenBank. Hepatozoon canis showed 8.7% (31/357) prevalence of infection, with 100% identity to genotypes from Japan, Brazil, and Spain. Only one sequence of H. canis exhibited a phylogenic divergence concerning H. canis previously reported in Brazil and the Old World. Conclusions: This study confirms the circulation of E. canis and H. canis in asymptomatic shelter dogs in the south-central zone of the Aburrá Valley, province of Antioquia, Colombia. The present study is the first molecular detection of H. canis in the Province of Antioquia and the third report of canine hepatozoonosis from Colombia, highlighting the importance of considering this agent in veterinary clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite with great zoonotic potential. It can infect a broad range of warm-blooded hosts (including livestock) and causes significant losses in the industry. In humans, it has been described as a pathogen in immunosuppressed people, it affects the fetus development in congenital infections, and is associated with various behavioral disorders in healthy people. Humans can acquire T. gondii by consuming undercooked, contaminated meat. Objective: To determine T. gondii positivity (currently unknown) in meat for human consumption (i.e., beef, chicken, and pork) in the city of Ibague, Colombia. Materials and methods: We used conventional nested PCR and the T. gondii B1 gene sequence as amplification target. We collected samples of meat (N=186) sold in the urban area of Ibagué (62 beef, 62 chicken, and 62 pork samples) and determined the T. gondii positivity percentage for each type of meat. Results: The study found an average of 18.8% positivity for all meat samples, pork having the highest percentage (22.5%; 14/62), followed by beef (19.3%; 12/62) and chicken (14.5%; 9/62). The best-amplified products were sequenced by macrogen and aligned with the B1 gene sequences in GenBank, thereby confirming their identity. Conclusions: This is the first study of T. gondii prevalence in meat for human consumption carried out in the city of Ibagué and the department of Tolima. All three types of meat sampled represent a risk for local human infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introducción. En Nicaragua es necesario estandarizar pruebas moleculares como la PCR en tiempo real (quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction, qPCR) que mejoren el diagnóstico de leptospirosis en humanos y animales. Objetivo. Evaluar tres qPCR para la detección de leptospiras patógenas en animales domésticos de Nicaragua. Materiales y métodos. Se diseñaron cebadores para la amplificación del gen LipL32 en SYBR Green (SYBR Green-A) y TaqMan, y en otros descritos previamente (SYBR Green-B). Las secuencias de 12 cepas obtenidas de la base de datos del National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) se alinearon para la búsqueda de sondas y cebadores. La sensibilidad analítica se determinó calculando el equivalente genómico detectable, se utilizaron 18 cepas de referencia para la sensibilidad diagnóstica y 28 controles negativos para la especificidad. Los métodos se aplicaron en 129 muestras de orina de animales domésticos. Resultados. En SYBR Green-A se obtuvo un límite de detección de cuatro equivalentes genómicos; en TaqMan, la sensibilidad fue del 94,4 % (IC95% 81,1-100,0). Con SYBR Green-A, se obtuvo una sensibilidad del 77,8 % (IC95% 55,8-99,8), en tanto que con SYBR Green-B fue del 61,1 % (IC95% 35,8-86,4). En las tres pruebas se logró una especificidad del 100 % (IC95% 98,2-100,0). El 26,4 % de las muestras de animales domésticos fueron positivas con SYBR Green-A y el 6,2 % con SYBR Green-B. Conclusiones. El SYBR Green-A presentó un límite de detección bajo, en tanto que las tres técnicas evaluadas mostraron alta especificidad, en tanto que la TaqMan tuvo la mayor sensibilidad.

Introduction: The incidence of serogroup C invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) has decreased since the introduction of systematic vaccination in 2000 The aim of this study is to determine the number serogroup C IMD cases diagnosed since then and the vaccine failures. Patients and methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients diagnosed with IMD by culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a maternity and childhood hospital in Barcelona between 2001 and 2018. An analysis was made of the number of vaccine doses and the age received, as well as on the medical records and vaccine cards. Results: There were 128 confirmed cases of IMD (7.1 cases/year; 70.3 in

The objective of the study was to isolate, identify and characterize the predominant microorganisms during the fermentation of incwancwa and optimize fermentation conditions. The lactic acid bacteria (LAB) load from fermented uncooked samples ranged from 4.6 ± 1.46 to 6.56 ± 0.2 log CFU/g whereas the load for yeast and coliforms ranged from 1.5 ± 0.39 to 2.12 ± 0.43 log CFU/g and 2.14 ± 0.22 to 4.09 ± 0.57 log CFU/g, respectively. LAB were the dominant microorganisms in incwancwa where Lueconostoc lactis was the main. Fermentation time and temperature had significant (p <.05) effect on the sensory perception of the product. The best temperature and time was found to be 32°C to 35°C for 8 to 24 hours. Numerical optimization predicted that the preferred temperature and time combination was 35°C for 15 hours. Thus, it is feasible to produce an acceptable incwancwa product under temperature/time conditions of 35°C for 15 hours using starter cultures derived from the original indegonuos flora of traditional incwancwa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primer design is critical for amplifying gene regions because the specificity that primer-sequence maintain can cause success or failure in the PCR reaction. Concerning Potamotrygon magdalenae (a species of interest according to the PAN Tiburones-Colombia), there is little information available about aspects related to population genetics of this river stingray. This study aimed to design primers under DNA Loss Model (DNA-LM) criteria, which will allow assessing the genetics status of populations of P. magdalenae. We aligned sequences from the superfamily Dayastoidea, available in the NCBI, of the mitochondrial genes Cytochrome C Oxidase 1 (MT-CO1) and Cytochrome b (MT-CYB). We followed the parameters Gap open penalty (5), Gap extension penalty (0.2) and Terminal gap penalties (0.1) and selected two pairs of primers according to the DNA-LM. We calculated the amplified product of the MTCO1 gene in 916 pb and the MT-CYB gene in 774 pb in samples from different swamps of the middle Magdalena. We discussed the results from the perspective of validating the specificity of the primers designed, considering the correspondence and identity of gene sequences considered. The primers reported here will contribute to broadening the knowledge of population genetics, biogeography and phylogenetic of the river stingray P. magdalenae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Investigación en Salud VIVE is the property of Revista de Investigacion en Salud VIVE and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Odontológica Colombiana is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: The pandemic of COVID-19 has caused an international epidemiologic contingency at the moment. Objective: To characterize the hospitalizations due to the COVID-19. Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional investigation was carried out in Santiago de Cuba, from March to May, 2020, of the 3 491 patients admitted due to the COVID-19 in the different units designated for it according to established categories: "suspected" (presumed case), "confirmed" (patient with positive result for the SARS-CoV-2 virus) or "contact" (someone that had had some type of contact with a contaminated person). Also, demographic variables were analyzed by age and sex and some others were taken into account, such as residence place, number of beds in hospitals, classification of patients and number of polymerase chain reaction tests carried out in real time. Results: It was obtained that the municipality of Santiago de Cuba presented the highest number of people infected by the coronavirus and that Dr. Ambrosio Grillo Portuondo Clinical Surgical University Hospital admitted a higher percentage of patients (70.7 %); in a same way, most of the series corresponded to the 25 to 59 age group and the female sex. It was outstanding that the polymerase chain reaction test in real time was carried out to 83.3 % of admitted patients. Conclusions: Taking the sociodemographic approach as a starting point, with this study the incidence of cases associated with the COVID-19 in Santiago de Cuba province could be evaluated according to the available beds for the hospitalization and the established classification to such an effect (suspected, confirmed and contacts).

La reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) se emplea en investigación y como prueba diagnóstica para confirmar la infección malárica en muestras clínicas. Por ser un método con una sensibilidad cercana a 100%, es susceptible a la contaminación por amplicones, cuando se procesa un gran volumen de muestras, aumentando el riesgo de falsos positivos. Este estudio evaluó la incorporación del sistema uracilo ADN glicosilasa (UDG)-dUTPs en la reacción de PCR anidada (nPCR) para Plasmodium falciparum y Plasmodium vivax, como estrategia para prevenir la contaminación por amplicones en nuevas reacciones. Se empleó ADN de la cepa 3D7 de P. falciparum y una muestra clínica con infección confirmada por P. vivax. Se evaluó el efecto de reemplazar dTTPs por dUTPs en la reacción de nPCR y se verificó su efecto en el límite de detección. Se evaluó la acción degradante de la enzima UDG en reacciones de PCR contaminadas artificialmente con amplicones. Se cuantificó el ADN contaminante que fue capaz de degradar una unidad de UDG en este sistema. La sustitución de dTTPs por dUTPs no afectó la función de la Taq polimerasa, sin embargo, se observó una ligera disminución en la sensibilidad analítica de la nPCR cuando se incorporaron dUTPs. En reacciones contaminadas, la UDG fue capaz de degradar exclusivamente los amplicones contaminantes, sin afectar la amplificación del ADN nativo. Una unidad de UDG logró degradar completamente hasta 6 pg/µl de ADN contaminante. El sistema UDG-dUTPs puede prevenir la contaminación para mejorar el diagnóstico molecular en malaria.

Introduction: The COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is presented in an asymptomatic way in up to 80 % of the cases at world level. Objective: To characterize the patients with asymptomatic clinical course of the COVID-19. Methods: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in Santiago de Cuba province, with retrospective gathering of the information, from March to May, 2020, belonging to 13 patients with diagnosis of the disease and no symptomatic manifestation of it. Results: Of the patients with positive results for coronavirus in the province, 26,0 % were asymptomatic; there was a predominance of the 20-39 years-old (38,4 %), and the 60 and more years (30,7 %) in these age groups, as well as of the female sex (84,6 %). Equally, 30,7 % suffered from non-communicable chronic diseases and 38,5 % turned out to be infection source to other people. Conclusions: The frequency of asymptomatic patients in Santiago de Cuba was different from that notified in the rest of the country and in other nations, which could not be conditioned by the emergence of episodes or buds and the registered low incidence; nevertheless, in the analysis of the variables, there were no discrepancies with the reports on patients with this clinical form of disease.

Introduction: The new coronavirus specimen (COVID-19), has generated scenarios of sanitary emergencies in many countries from all continents. Objective: To characterize the variability of the PCR evolutionary results in patients with COVID-19. Methods: An observational, descriptive, prospective and cross-sectional study was carried out in 68 patients with COVID-19 (children and adults from both sexes) admitted in Dr. Joaquín Castillo Duany Military Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, from March 12th to April 30th, 2020. To collect the virological, the nasal and pharyngeal use of isotope was carried out, which analysis of PCR-RT was processed in the territorial reference center. Management, social, demographic and epidemiological variables were included, among others. Results: Female sex prevailed in the series (52.9 %). Two PCR-RT fast tests were made to all the patients, through their clinical course, 40.0 % of the children and 10.0 % of the aged patients requiered a third virological test. In the second and third third of the clinical and epidemiological observation period, the report of the result averaged 1.5 days (SD ± 0.6) and 3.2 days (SD±1.6), respectively. After 15 days of treatment there were active positive cases in all populational groups; likewise 60.0 % of those with viral charge between 16-20 days were asymptomatic, as the 66.7 % of those with more than 20 days under medication. Conclusions: Independently from the age and duration of the medical treatment, some patients remained with detectable viral charge. It is not adviced to discharge patients without a negative PCR-RT, above all for asympthomatic cases, in whom the evolutionary clinical course has been less favorable.

San Andrés y Providencia son islas colombianas en el mar de las Antillas. San Andrés tiene 68.283 habitantes y allí se han registrado casos de lepra en inmigrantes provenientes del interior colombiano. Providencia tiene 5.037 habitantes e, históricamente, los programas de salud no tenían registros de la enfermedad; no obstante, en el 2009 se confirmaron dos casos de lepra multibacilar histioide y, posteriormente, otros dos, lo cual representa una prevalencia de 8 casos por 10.000 habitantes y la la convierte en un sitio hiperendémico para lepra. Inicialmente, se diagnosticó lepra histioide en una niña de 14 años y, durante su estudio, se encontró la misma forma clínica de la enfermedad en su padre. Recientemente, se detectó lepra multibacilar en otro miembro de la misma familia y, lepra indeterminada, en una niña de otro núcleo familiar. El objetivo de este trabajo fue presentar estos casos clínicos ante la comunidad científica y los entes de salud pública, y llamar la atención de las autoridades de salud sobre la necesidad de establecer programas de vigilancia epidemiológica continua en la isla, incorporando las nuevas herramientas disponibles en el Programa de Control de la Lepra.

Introducción. Dadas las dificultades del diagnóstico microscópico de la malaria o paludismo en las áreas rurales, las pruebas de diagnóstico rápido constituyen una buena alternativa, por lo que es importante conocer su desempeño. Objetivo. Evaluar el desempeño de las pruebas de diagnóstico rápido utilizadas en cinco departamentos para al diagnóstico microscópico de la malaria usando la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) como estándar de referencia. Materiales y métodos. Se usaron la prueba de gota gruesa y las pruebas de diagnóstico rápido y, además, se impregnó papel de filtro con sangre para la prueba molecular (PCR), en individuos sintomáticos. Resultados. Se incluyeron 314 muestras cuyo porcentaje de positividad para malaria fue de 49 % con la PCR, de 48 % con microscopía y de 46 % con las pruebas de diagnóstico rápido; la parasitemia fluctuó entre 180 y 23.800 parásitos/μl de sangre. La concordancia de los resultados de los puestos de microscopía comparados con la PCR (Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia) fueron los siguientes: coeficiente kappa de Cohen de 0,975 (IC95% 0,950-0,999), sensibilidad de 97 % (IC95% 95-100) y especificidad de 100 % (IC95% 100-100), e índice kappa de especie de 0,958 (IC95% 0,912-1,00). La concordancia de los resultados de la prueba de diagnóstico rápido Pf/Pv en los puestos de microscopía y los de la PCR (Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia), fue la siguiente: coeficiente kappa de 0,878 (IC95% 0,784-0,973), sensibilidad de 94 % (IC95% 87-100), especificidad de 95 % (IC95% 90-100), e índice kappa de especie de 1,0 (IC95% 1,00-1,00). La concordancia entre la prueba de diagnóstico rápido Pf/Pan y la PCR fue la siguiente: coeficiente kappa de Cohen de 0,920 (IC95% 0,865-0,974), sensibilidad de 94 % (IC95% 90-98), especificidad de 99 % (IC95% 95-100), e índice kappa de especie de 0,750 (IC95% 0,637-0,863). Conclusión. Los resultados de este estudio respaldan el uso de las pruebas de diagnóstico rápido en Colombia, aunque se requiere un mejor entrenamiento del personal para diferenciar eficientemente las especies de Plasmodium.

Objetivos: Determinar la eficacia de una prueba molecular en el diagnóstico del Streptococcus agalactiae o Streptococcus beta hemolítico del grupo B (SGB), en gestantes Samarias.Métodos: Estudio evaluativo con diseño no experimental, llevado a cabo en una población de 100 mujeres entre 35 y 37 semanas de gestación, de la cual se calculó una muestra probabilística de 80 pacientes, con nivel de confianza de 95 % y margen de error de 5 %. La prueba utilizada para la evaluación de eficacia fue la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) en tiempo real, la cual permite amplificar secuencias específicas de ácido desoxirribonucleico (ADN) a más de un billón de veces, confrontadas con una prueba rutinaria utilizando el medio Cromogénico (CHROMagar) orientador. Se respetaron los criterios éticos definidos para estudios en humanos.Resultados: Edad promedio de la población 27 años; con la aplicación de la prueba molecular (PCR en tiempo real) se detectaron 42/80 pacientes colonizadas por SGB, correspondiente a una positividad del 52 %; prueba que demostró sensibilidad de 65, especificidad de 93, valor predictivo positivo (VPP) 91,2 y valor predictivo negativo (VPN) 73,1; mientras que con la prueba de comparación el nivel de positividad fue del 5 % (4/80), con una sensibilidad de 6,2, especificidad de 3, VPP 8,8 y VPN 26,9.Conclusiones: La prueba PCR en tiempo real, como prueba molecular utilizada, mostró mayor eficacia a la hora de diagnosticar casos de Streptococcus agalactiae beta hemolítico del grupo B (SGB) al ser confrontada con la prueba rutinaria.

Background: Bladder cancer (BC) is the seventh most common cancer worldwide. Not every infection ends as cancer, although the HPV-induced carcinogenesis is a complex process consequence of inflammation. To determine the association between human papillomavirus (HPV) and the diagnosis of bladder cancer., Methods: We carried out a systematic review according to Cochrane and PRISMA recommendations. We searched in EMBASE, Medline (Ovid), and The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), from inception to nowadays. We included case-control studies. The risk of bias assessment was performed based on QUADAS2. We performed a random effect Meta-analysis., Results: We included 14 studies in qualitative and quantitative analysis. There was mainly a low risk of bias. We finally found a strong association between the presence of HPV and bladder cancer diagnosis (OR 4.18 95%CI 2.63-6.66; I2 = 40%)., Conclusions: HPV is currently associated with the diagnosis of bladder cancer., (Copyright © 2024 AEU. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Cuban science has offered significant contributions for the confrontation to the COVID-19, what has facilitated, by means of diverse investigations, the prediction, design of confrontation ways, as well as the improvement of therapeutic protocols and performance models. Objective: To characterize suspicious and positive patients to the COVID-19 admitted to an isolation center from Santiago de Cuba. Methods: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study of the 731 suspicious and positive patients to the COVID-19 was carried out. They were admitted to the Medicine Faculty No. 2 isolation hospital from Santiago de Cuba, from January to March, 2021, aimed at characterizing them according to some selected clinical and epidemiologic variables, that is: age, sex, personal pathological history and symptoms at the moment of the diagnosis. Results: Of the total of patients there was a prevalence of the male sex (50.8 %) and the 21-30 and 51-60 age groups (21.6 and 20.7 %, respectively). In connection with the number of confirmed cases there was a prevalence of females (29.2 %) and the health areas with more affected patients were 28 de Septiembre (22.5 %), 30 de Noviembre (16.8 %) and Mario Muñoz Monroy polyclinics (14.6 %); also, hypertension, bronchial asthma and other allergies are notable as personal pathological history, besides cough, fever and diffuse discomfort as clinical signs. It is remarkable that 45.6 % of the patients with positive test were asymptomatic at the moment of the diagnosis. Conclusions: The COVID-19 constitute a high-priority problem of public health and the confrontation to this terrible pandemic not only has brought in itself to postpone goals and transform objectives of life in all sectors and nations, but it has also implied to constantly redefine strategies and ways of doing in the search of a better control of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To identify by molecular techniques the presence of bovine papillomavirus (BPV) in an equine sarcoid, and to carry out its histological characterization. Materials and methods. Using a sarcoid lesion from a Pinto Americano mare, nucleic acid extraction and identification by molecular techniques was performed. A partial region of the gene corresponding to the L1 segment of papillomavirus was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, then it was sequenced and analyzed using BLAST algorithm. Hematoxylin-eosin staining of the tissue was performed and analyzed under a 100X light microscope. Results. BPV-2 was detected in the equine sarcoid lesion, and the lesion was classified as nodular according to its morphological and histological characteristics. Histopathology showed a fibrotic lesion, with exophytic neoplasia and expansion of the spinous layer. Conclusions. The study established for first time the presence of BPV-2 in an equine sarcoid in Costa Rica using molecular techniques and its association with a nodular-type sarcoid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]