Malaria elimination challenges in Mesoamerica: evidence of submicroscopic malaria reservoirs in Guatemala.

BACKGROUND: Even though malaria incidence has decreased substantially in Guatemala since 2000, Guatemala remains one of the countries with the highest malaria transmission in Mesoamerica. Guatemala is committed to eliminating malaria as part of the initiative 'Elimination of Malaria in Mesoamerica and the Island of Hispaniola' (EMMIE); however, it is still in the control phase. During the past decade, the government strengthened malaria control activities including mass distribution of long-lasting insecticide-impregnated bed nets, early diagnosis and prompt treatment. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of malaria, including gametocytes, in three areas of Guatemala using active case detection (ACD) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). METHODS: Cross-sectional surveys were conducted in three departments with varying transmission intensities: Escuintla, Alta Verapaz and Zacapa. Blood samples from 706 volunteers were screened for malaria using microscopy and qPCR which was also used to determine the prevalence of gametocytes among infected individuals. Results were collected and analysed using REDCap and R Project, respectively. RESULTS: Malaria was diagnosed by microscopy in only 2.8 % (4/141) of the volunteers from Escuintla. By contrast, qPCR detected a prevalence of 7.1 % (10/141) in the same volunteers, 8.4 % (36/429) in Alta Verapaz, and 5.9 % (8/136) in Zacapa. Overall, 7.6 % (54/706) of the screened individuals were positive, with an average parasitaemia level of 40.2 parasites/µL (range 1-1133 parasites/µL) and 27.8 % carried mature gametocytes. Fifty-seven percent (31/54) of qPCR positive volunteers were asymptomatic and out of the 42.6 % of symptomatic individuals, only one had a positive microscopy result. CONCLUSIONS: This study found a considerable number of asymptomatic P. vivax infections that were mostly submicroscopic, of which, approximately one-quarter harboured mature gametocytes. This pattern is likely to contribute to maintaining transmission across the region. Robust surveillance systems, molecular diagnostic tests and tailored malaria detection activities for each endemic site may prove to be imperative in accelerating malaria elimination in Guatemala and possibly across all of Mesoamerica.

Molecular and serological prevalence of Coronavirus in Chiropterans: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

In recent years, and now especially with the arrival of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), there has been increased interest in understanding the role of bats in the dynamics of transmission and origin of this pandemic agent. To date, no systematic reviews have been published on this topic. This systematic review aimed to summarize and highlight the frequency of bat infections reported in currently available observational studies for coronavirus. The purpose of this study was also to examine the differences between the pool prevalence by technique and country. We performed a systematic literature review with meta-analysis, using three databases to assess coronavirus (CoV) infection in bats and its diagnosis by serological and molecular tests. We carried out random-effects model meta-analysis to calculate the pooled prevalence and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). In all, 824 articles were retrieved (1960-2021). After screening by abstract/title, 43 articles were selected for full-text assessment. Of these, 33 were finally included for qualitative and quantitative analyses. From the total of studies, the pool prevalence by RT-PCR (n=14,295 bats) for CoV was 9.8% (95% CI 8.7-10.9%); Italy reported the highest pooled prevalence (44.9%, 95% CI 31.6-58.1%), followed by the Philippines (29.6%). Regarding the ELISA, the pool prevalence for coronavirus from 15 studies, including 359 bats, was 30.2% (95% CI 14.7-45.6%). The results for coronaviruses with the MIF were significantly lower, 2.6% (95% CI 1.5-3.7%). A considerable proportion of infected bats tested positive, particularly by molecular tests. This essential condition highlights the relevance of bats and the need for future studies to detail their role as potential reservoirs of SARS-CoV-2. In this meta-analysis, bats were positive in almost 10% by RT-PCR, suggesting their relevance and the need to understand their potential participation in maintaining wild zoonotic transmission.

Hereditary coproporhyria

Abstract Hereditary coproporphyria (HCP) is a congenital, autosomal dominant disorder which occurs in approximately two to five people per million inhabitants, worldwide. It is a diagnostic challenge in patients with acute abdominal pain. We present the case of a 17-year-old adolescent who debuted with atypical abdominal pain with no clear etiology. Elevated urinary porphobilinogen was found, which was treated with hematin. A genetic study concluded that the adolescent was a heterozygous carrier of the c.717T>A; p.Cys239 pathogenic nonsense mutation in the CPOX gene, leading to a diagnosis of hereditary copropophyria. The available national literature has presented cases diagnosed with acute intermittent porphyria in patients with abdominal pain of unknown origin, without covering the existing classifications of hepatic porphyrias and without detailing the genetic diagnosis; thus, this case is a contribution to the national case studies. (Acta Med Colomb 2021; 46. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2021.1950).

Inclusión body myositis: A differential diagnosis to consider in patients with myopathy refractory to immunosuppressants. Two case reports / Miopatía por cuerpos de inclusión: un diagnóstico diferencial que considerar en pacientes con miopatía refractaria a inmunosupresores. Reporte de 2 casos

ABSTRACT Inclusion body myositis is part of the group of inflammatory myopathies, representing 30% of this group of diseases, and is considered an orphan disease because its estimated prevalence is less than 5 per 10,000 inhabitants. It produces weakness and atrophy of the proximal and distal muscles. The pathophysiological mechanisms are mainly autoimmune, inflammatory, and degenerative. The cases are presented of two female patients who came to : the emergency department due to progressive loss of upper and lower limb strength, and progressive asymmetric muscle weakness.

RESUMEN La miositis por cuerpos de inclusión forma parte del grupo de las miopatías inflamatorias, de las que representa el 30%; es considerada una enfermedad huérfana, ya que se estima que su prevalencia es menor a 5 por cada 10.000 habitantes. Produce debilidad y atrofia de los músculos proximales y distales. Los mecanismos fisiopatológicos son principalmente autoinmunes, inflamatorios y degenerativos. Se presentan 2 casos de mujeres, quienes acudieron a urgencias por pérdida progresiva de la fuerza en miembros superiores e inferiores, con debilidad muscular asimétrica de curso progresivo.

Criterio apropiado para el tratamiento quirúrgico de las fracturas de platillos tibiales / Use of Benchmarking for Surgical Treatment of Tibial Plateau Fractures

Introducción Este trabajo propone el concepto de criterio apropiado en el tratamiento quirúrgico de las fracturas de platillos tibiales compuesto por 10 elementos. Dentro de estos se incluye el abordaje, la calidad de la reducción, la estabilidad de la fijación y el tiempo para la fijación, entre otros. El estudio busca correlacionar el puntaje de esta escala propuesta con la escala funcional descrita por Rasmussen. Materiales y métodos Estudio tipo cohorte retrospectiva que incluye los pacientes con fracturas de platillos tibiales tratadas quirúrgicamente entre enero de 2013 y junio de 2017. Se registraron variables demográficas, las variables de interés para establecer el criterio apropiado y el resultado funcional con la escala de Rasmussen. Resultados 75 pacientes fueron incluidos, logrando seguimiento mínimo de 6 meses en 89% (n=67). La mediana para edad fue 39 años y el predominio masculino (56.7%). La etiología principal fue accidente de tránsito en moto (67%). En 78% se presentó compromiso de alguna columna posterior. El tratamiento fue apropiado en 61% de los casos, mientras 89% tuvieron resultado bueno o excelente en la escala de Rasmussen. La correlación fue lineal y estadísticamente significativa entre el criterio apropiado y la escala funcional de Rasmussen, correlación Pearson: 0.6279 (p<0.001). Discusión El concepto de criterio apropiado puede ser aplicado en la toma de decisiones y planeamiento quirúrgico de las fracturas de platillos tibiales. Sus buenos resultados se asocian con mejores resultados en la escala de Rasmussen y mayor satisfacción para el paciente.

Background This study presents the use of benchmark criteria for the surgical treatment of tibial plateau fractures. It has 10 elements, including: quality of fracture reduction, fixation stability, time elapsed to fixation, among others. The purpose of the study is to correlate the benchmark criteria used with Rasmussen's functional score system. Materials and methods A retrospective cohort study that included patients with a tibial plateau fracture that required surgical treatment between January 2013 and June 2017. Baseline characteristics, outcomes related with the benchmark criteria, and Rasmussen's score variables, were registered. Results A total of 75 patients were included, with a 6-months minimum follow-up for 89% (n=67). The median age was 39 years old, and the majority (56.7%) were men. The first cause of fracture was motorcycle accident (67%). There was compromise of a posterior column in 78% of the cases. Treatment was considered appropriate in 61%, and 89% had a good/excellent result in Rasmussen's functional score. There was a significant linear correlation between the benchmark criteria and Rasmussen's score, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.6279 (P<.001). Discussion Benchmarking criteria may be useful in the evaluation and planning of surgical treatment of tibial plateau fractures. They are associated with better functional results and satisfaction in the Rasmussen's score.

Control de daño y estabilización temprana definitiva en el tratamiento del paciente politraumatizado / Damage control and definitive early stabilization in the treatment of polytrauma patient

Introducción En este estudio se busca evaluar los desenlaces de los pacientes con traumatismo múltiple, fractura de pelvis o de huesos largos, que recibieron tratamiento con estabilización definitiva de sus fracturas en las primeras 48 horas y después de 48 horas del episodio traumático. Materiales y métodos Estudio de tipo cohorte retrospectiva que incluye a todos los pacientes politraumatizados con fracturas de pelvis o de huesos largos, que ingresaron en una institución de salud de nivel IV entre enero de 2012 y junio de 2016. Se evaluaron mortalidad, infección, tiempo de hospitalización y complicaciones. Además, se calculó el índice de gravedad del traumatismo (ISS) y el nuevo índice (NISS) de cada paciente. Resultados Ingresaron 220 pacientes, con predominio masculino (82%). La nueva escala del índice de gravedad del traumatismo (NISS) registró una mediana 4,5 puntos mayor a la mediana de la escala de ISS tradicional (34 frente a 29,5; p = 0,016). Los pacientes con fijación temprana definitiva tuvieron menor tiempo de hospitalización (p = 0,008) y menos complicaciones (p = 0,022). Discusión La escala tradicional del ISS podría subestimar la gravedad del traumatismo en los pacientes politraumatizados al no permitir que un mismo sistema registre más de una afectación independiente de cuán comprometido haya estado. El control del daño se puede reservar para los pacientes más graves, que no se compensan tras la reanimación inicial, con valores de ISS y NISS por encima de 36 y 40 puntos, respectivamente. Nivel de evidencia clínica Nivel II.

Background The aim of this study is to evaluate patients with multiple trauma and pelvis or long bones fractures that were treated with definite fixation of their fractures in the first 48 hours of trauma and after 48 hours. Methods Retrospective cohort study that includes all polytraumatized patients with pelvis or long bones fracture, that were admitted to a first level trauma center between January 2012 and June 2016. Outcomes evaluated were mortality, infection, hospital stay length and complications. Injury severity score (ISS) and new injury severity score (NISS) were calculated for every patient. Results A total of 220 patients were included, with male predominance (82%). The new injury severity score had a median that was 4.5 points higher than traditional ISS (34 vs 29.5, p=0.016). Patients with early total care had shorter hospital stay lengths (p=0.008) and lower rate of complications (p=0.022). Discussion The traditional injury severity score might underestimate the severity of trauma because each system can only be registered once independently of how affected it is. Damage control can be reserved for the most seriously injured patients, that do not respond properly to initial reanimation, with ISS values higher than 36 points and NISS values greater than 40 points. Evidence level IV.