In-Silico Selection of Wound-Healing Plant Secondary Molecules and Their Pro-Healing Activities on Experimental Models.

This study explored the potential of plant-derived molecules (PDMs) as a medicinal treatment for skin wounds. To assess their healing properties, 34 potential drug molecules (PDMs) and ten therapeutic targets were subjected to molecular docking and dynamics analysis, with allantoin used as a standard compound. Although aristolochic acid had the most potent inhibitory effect, its toxicity made it unsuitable for testing on cells and mice. Therefore, ß-caryophyllene (BC) and caryophyllene oxide (BCoxide) were chosen for further testing. The results showed that BC-treated HaCat cells had significantly improved scratch area closure, and both BC and BCoxide treatment produced positive effects such as reduced dermal cellularity and mast cells, decreased levels of inflammation markers IL-6 and TNF-α, and an increase in collagen deposition in mice tissues. However, these treatments did not accelerate wound healing. This study suggests that the PDMs selected based on in-silico results have significant potential for pro-healing abilities. It is essential to conduct further research to confirm our findings.

Anti-leishmanial activity of a topical miltefosine gel in experimental models of New World cutaneous leishmaniasis.

OBJECTIVES: Topical treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) would be useful for treatment of some forms of the disease. The aim of this study was to develop and then evaluate a topical miltefosine gel for anti-leishmanial activity and toxicity in BALB/c mice infected with New World (NW)-CL species. METHODS: A Carbopol-based gel of 0.5% miltefosine was prepared and physicochemical (colour, pH, consistency and antioxidant activity) and stability properties were determined using standard methodologies. Anti-leishmanial activities for Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis were determined both in cultured parasites and in infected BALB/c mice after topical miltefosine gel treatment administered for 20 days. The gel was evaluated for its capacity to inhibit parasites at a 50% level after 3 days of treatment in vitro, and its capacity to reduce lesion size (mm2) and parasitic load after 20 days of treatment. Dermal irritation, contact hypersensitivity (CHS), clinical biochemical profile and the weight of the animals were determined after treatment. RESULTS: The 0.5% miltefosine gel was transparent, homogeneous, colourless, of neutral pH, spreadable and stable at 4°C for at least 3 months. It was active against parasites in vitro and in vivo, reducing CL lesion size by 84%-100% with no detected parasites. No signs of irritation, CHS or changes in weight, food intake, urea or transaminase serum levels were observed after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The topical 0.5% miltefosine gel formulation was efficacious and non-toxic when administered topically in NW-CL murine models. This miltefosine formulation could be an appropriate candidate for further development.

Therapeutic response and safety of the topical, sequential use of antiseptic, keratolytic, and pentamidine creams (3-PACK) on Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis-infected mice.

BACKGROUND: Topical treatment of New World cutaneous leishmaniasis can be affected by bacterial coinfection, hyperkeratosis, and transdermal drug delivery. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to evaluate the therapeutic response and safety of the topical, sequential use of antiseptic, keratolytic, and pentamidine isethionate (PMD) creams (3-PACK kit) on CL-infected BALB/c mice. METHODS: A 0.5% chlorhexidine solution (CGH), 10% salicylic acid (SA), and 3% or 6% PMD were used as antiseptic, keratolytic, and antileishmanial drugs, respectively. During the first seven days, antiseptic, followed by 10% SA gel and PMD cream, were applied topically. Subsequently, treatment was performed only with the antiseptic and PMD creams. Skin irritation, reduction of lesion size (mm2), and parasitic load were observed until 30 days of treatment were completed. FINDINGS: The 3-PACK treatment using 6% PMD induced a complete lesion reduction in 3/6 mice and a partial reduction in 1/6 mice, with no parasites observed. In contrast, CGH and SA alone, along with the vehicle, were not effective (p < 0.05). Moderate to severe erythema was observed at the application site. MAIN CONCLUSION: The topical 3-PACK using 6% PMD was 67% effective in the treatment of CL by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. Currently, work is ongoing to improve PMD isethionate formulation and to determine a dose-response.

Gastrointestinal tuberculosis: An autopsy-based study.

Background: Tuberculosis is a disease of great relevance since it is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Gastrointestinal tuberculosis is an unusual presentation. It is defined as the involvement of any segment of the digestive tract, associated viscera, and peritoneum. The study's main objective is to collect information from autopsies of patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal tuberculosis in a Pathology reference center in Colombia. Methods: This is a retrospective and descriptive study of autopsy reports. A total of 4,500 autopsies were performed between January 2004 and December 2020. The inclusion criteria were authorization of a family member following local law regulations and a final autopsy diagnosis of gastrointestinal tuberculosis using microscopic visualization. Results: Forty-eight patients with gastrointestinal tuberculosis autopsies were included in our study. Most of the patients were male (n = 35, 72.9%) with a median age of 40.5 years old. Human immunodeficiency virus infection history was reported in 28 cases (58.33%). The most affected gastrointestinal tract site was the terminal ileum. Ulcers and thickened epithelium were common autopsies macroscopic findings. Tuberculosis multiorgan compromise was a relevant finding in patients with gastrointestinal tuberculosis. Conclusions: Gastrointestinal tuberculosis is a disease of great importance, being its diagnosis a clinical challenge. Underdiagnosis can be reported in a high percentage of cases, so autopsy diagnosis can help reveal more accurate data about this condition.

Causes of death in patients with autoimmune and rheumatic diseases-a 16-year autopsy-based study.

Introduction: the autopsy is an essential medical procedure; however, its use has declined over the decades. In autoimmune and rheumatological diseases, anatomical and microscopic diagnosis is critical to diagnose of the cause of death. For this reason, our objective is to describe the cause of death in patients diagnosed with autoimmune and rheumatic diseases who underwent an autopsy in a Pathology reference center in Colombia. Materials and methods: a retrospective and descriptive study of autopsy reports. Results: between January 2004 and December 2019, 47 autopsies of patients with autoimmune and rheumatological diseases were performed. Systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis were the most common diseases. The leading cause of death was related to infections, being opportunistic infections in the majority of the cases. Conclusions: our autopsy-based study was focused on patients with autoimmune and rheumatological conditions. Infections are the leading cause of death, particularly opportunistic infections, diagnosed mainly by microscopy. Thus, the autopsy should continue to be considered the "gold standard" to determine the cause of death in this population.

Opportunistic infections as a cause of death in patients with autoimmune diseases: An autopsy-based study.

BACKGROUND: Infections are an important cause of mortality in patients with autoimmune diseases and opportunistic infections account for a large percentage of these cases. It is often a clinical challenge to find a balance between immunosuppressive therapy and the risk of developing an infectious process. METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive study of autopsy reports. RESULTS: 15 patients with a premortem diagnosis of autoimmune disease were included. All patients died due to an opportunistic infection. The most commonly reported infection was tuberculosis, followed by invasive fungal infections. CONCLUSIONS: The most prevalent pathogens were found in our autopsy-based study of patients with autoimmune diseases and opportunistic infections. Prevention and early detection strategies are vital in order to reach a correct diagnosis and begin the appropriate treatment as soon as possible.

Chagasic megacolon associated with Trypanosoma cruzi I in a Colombian patient.

Chagasic megacolon has been reported in the southern cone countries of South America and is mainly associated with Trypanosoma cruzi II infection. Herein, we report the first case in Colombia of chagasic megacolon with cardiomyopathy associated with the T. cruzi I lineage. This finding suggests that in Colombia, as well as in other northern countries of South America and throughout Central America, where T. cruzi I is endemic, cardiomyopathy may not be the only clinical form of Chagas disease.

[Human rabies encephalitis by a vampire bat bite in an urban area of Colombia]. / Encefalitis rábica humana por mordedura de murciélago en un área urbana de Colombia.

Human rabies encephalitis by a vampire bat bite in an urban area of Colombia A case of rabies encephalitis is presented in a teenaged male, which developed four months after a bat bite in the urban area of Floridablanca, Santander Province, Colombia. The complex clinical manifestations prevented the confirmation of an antemortem diagnosis, principally because of the lengthy incubation period and the absence of other similar urban cases. Despite application of several therapies, including the Milwaukee protocol, the patient died 19 days after hospital admission. The autopsy revealed a necrotic, acute, pan-encephalitis of rabies virus etiology. The test of direct immunofluorescence in brain tissue was positive, as well as the biologic test in mice. Serological tests indicated it to be an antigenic variant type 3, whose main reservoir is the hematophagous vampire bat, Desmodus rotundus. This is probably the first case of bat-induced rabies reported in an urban community of Colombia and one of the few in Latin America. Although rabies encephalitis by a bat bite is rare, the case serves as a notice to health authorities and to the medical community to be alert to this risk.

Dengue Virus and Influenza A Virus Co-Infection in Pregnancy: A Case Report.

Dengue is still an important cause of disease and mortality in tropical countries, as is influenza A virus, which is also a cause of epidemics all over the globe. In this article, we present the case of a 31-year-old woman who was in her second trimester of pregnancy and presented with severe dengue with hematological and neurological complications, and premature labor. She was misdiagnosed with bacterial infection and received antibiotic treatment with no improvement of the clinical manifestations and previous to death, she was diagnosed with dengue infection. She died from cardiorespiratory arrest. In the postmortem evaluation, influenza A co-infection was confirmed and characterization of the tissue damage and immune response in lung, liver, kidney, heart, spleen, and brain was determined, finding a severe inflammatory response in lung with T cells and macrophages infiltrating the tissue. This case report highlights the risks of accepting a single diagnosis, especially in endemic countries to multiple tropical diseases, which can lead to delay in appropriate treatment that could reduce morbidity and mortality.

Causes of death in patients with autoimmune and rheumatic diseases—a 16-year autopsy-based study

ABSTRACT Introduction the autopsy is an essential medical procedure; however, its use has declined over the decades. In autoimmune and rheumatological diseases, anatomical and microscopic diagnosis is critical to diagnose of the cause of death. For this reason, our objective is to describe the cause of death in patients diagnosed with autoimmune and rheumatic diseases who underwent an autopsy in a Pathology reference center in Colombia. Materials and methods a retrospective and descriptive study of autopsy reports. Results between January 2004 and December 2019, 47 autopsies of patients with autoimmune and rheumatological diseases were performed. Systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis were the most common diseases. The leading cause of death was related to infections, being opportunistic infections in the majority of the cases. Conclusions our autopsy-based study was focused on patients with autoimmune and rheumatological conditions. Infections are the leading cause of death, particularly opportunistic infections, diagnosed mainly by microscopy. Thus, the autopsy should continue to be considered the "gold standard" to determine the cause of death in this population.

[Congenital tuberculosis associated with maternal disseminated miliary tuberculosis]. / Tuberculosis congénita asociada con tuberculosis materna miliar diseminada.

Untreated tuberculosis during pregnancy presents a serious risk for transmission of disease to the newborn and can result in adverse perinatal and obstetrical outcomes. Tuberculosis during pregnancy and congenital tuberculosis are infrequent conditions and are difficult to diagnose due the non-specificity of the symptoms. A case report is presented of a woman who had no children previously with disseminated miliary tuberculosis. Tuberculosis symptoms appeared immediately after birth of the first child, with a clinical diagnosis on the second month after childbirth, whereupon the patient died. The son, a premature infant, showed disease symptoms from the first day, with primary pulmonary complex and persistent atelectasis due to bronchial obstruction. The obstruction was due to thoracic lymphadenitis and coinfection with cytomegalovirus. The infant received standard treatment and his condition improved.

Anti-leishmanial activity of 29 daily sessions of intralesional-pentavalent antimony administration on Leishmania (Viannia)-infected BALB/c mice / Actividad antileishmania de 29 sesiones diarias de antimonio pentavalente intralesional en ratones BALB/c infectados con Leishmania (Viannia)

Abstract Introduction: Intralesional-pentavalent antimonials (IL-SbV) are recommended for simple cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Few treatment sessions (1-5) and drug volumes (1-5 ml each), relative to lesion size (LS), are recommended. There is not a validated IL-SbV protocol using doses calculated as mg/kg body weight and administered over a large number of IL-sessions, with small injection volumes. Objective: The study aim was to determine the efficacy of different concentrations of IL-SbV administered in 29 daily sessions of 100 μL each, on CL infected mice. Methods: Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis and L. (V.) braziliensis-infected mice (N = 6) were treated with 150, 50, and 16.6 mgSbV/kg/day x 29 days. Percentage of lesion area reduction, aesthetic and final (no lesions, no parasites) efficacy and effective dose (ED)50 were determined. In vitro-SbV activity against parasites was evaluated for both species. Results: The ED50 values were 72.2 and 66.3 (at the end of treatment), 54.3 and 37.7 (15-days pt.), and 145.3 and 148.6 (60-days pt.) for each species, respectively. Differences were observed between Leishmania species at 15-days pt., but not later. At 60-day pt., IL-SbV-150 mg showed final cure rates of 66.6 % for L. (V.) panamensis and 33.3 % for L. (V.) braziliensis-infected mice. After 15 days pt., lesion reactivation was observed in some "aesthetically cured" mice. Glucantime was not active in in vitro assays. Conclusions: The IL-SbV use with a dose calculated as mg/kg body weight and administered over a large number of IL-sessions, with small injection volumes each day could be effective against L. (V.) panamensis and L. (V.) braziliensis-CL infection. An appropriate SbV-dose (higher than 150 mg/kg/day x less than 29 days) must be evaluated.

Resumen Introducción: Los antimoniales pentavalentes aplicados intralesionalmente (IL-SbV) se recomiendan para el tratamiento de la leishmaniasis cutánea (LC) simple. Se recomiendan pocas sesiones (1-5) y volúmenes (1-5 ml cada uno) en relación con el tamaño de la lesión (LS). No existe un protocolo de IL-SbV validado que utilice dosis calculadas según el peso corporal (en mg/kg) y administradas durante varias sesiones en pocos volúmenes de inyección. Objetivo: El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la eficacia de diferentes concentraciones de IL-SbV administradas en 29 sesiones diarias de 100 μL cada una, en ratones con LC. Métodos: Ratones infectados con L. (V.) panamensis y L. (V.) braziliensis (N = 6) fueron tratados intralesionalmente con 150, 50 y 16,6 mg SbV/kg/día x 29 días. Se determinó el porcentaje de reducción del área de la lesión, la eficacia estética y final (sin lesiones, sin parásitos) y la dosis efectiva (DE)50. Adicionalmente de evaluó la actividad in vitro del SbV. Resultados: Los valores de DE50 fueron 72.2 y 66.3 (al final del tratamiento), 54.3 y 37.7 (15 días pt) y 145.3 y 148.6 (60 días pt) para cada especie. Se encontraron diferencias entre las especies sólo a los 15 días pt. La eficacia del tratamiento IL-SbV-150 mg, 60 días pt., fue de 66.6 y 33.3 % en ratones infectados con L. (V.) panamensis L. (V.) braziliensis respectivamente. Después de 15 días pt., se observó reactivación de la lesión en algunos ratones "estéticamente curados". Glucantime no fue activo in vitro. Conclusiones: El uso intralesional de SbV con una dosis calculada en mg/kg de peso corporal y administrada durante varias sesiones, con pequeños volúmenes de inyección cada día, podría ser eficaz en LC por L. (V.) panamensis y L. (V.) braziliensis. Dosis adecuadas de SbV (superiores a 150 mg/kg/día x 20) deben evaluarse.

Acute Chagas outbreaks: molecular and biological features of Trypanosoma cruzi isolates, and clinical aspects of acute cases in Santander, Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Outbreaks of acute Chagas disease associated with oral transmission are easily detected nowadays with trained health personnel in areas of low endemicity, or in which the vector transmission has been interrupted. Given the biological and genetic diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi, the high morbidity, mortality, and the observed therapeutic failure, new characteristics of these outbreaks need to be addressed at different levels, both in Trypanosoma cruzi as in patient response. The aim of this work was to evaluate the patient's features involved in six outbreaks of acute Chagas disease which occurred in Santander, Colombia, and the characteristics of Trypanosoma cruzi clones isolated from these patients, to establish the potential relationship between the etiologic agent features with host behavior. METHODS: The clinical, pathological and epidemiological aspects of outbreaks were analyzed. In addition, Trypanosoma cruzi clones were biologically characterized both in vitro and in vivo, and the susceptibility to the classical trypanocidal drugs nifurtimox and benznidazole was evaluated. Trypanosoma cruzi clones were genotyped by means of mini-exon intergenic spacer and cytochrome b genes sequencing. RESULTS: All clones were DTU I, and based on the mini-exon intergenic spacer, belong to two genotypes: G2 related with sub-urban, and G11 with rural outbreaks. Girón outbreak clones with higher susceptibility to drugs presented G2 genotype and C/T transition in Cyt b. The outbreaks affected mainly young population (±25.9 years), and the mortality rate was 10 %. The cardiac tissue showed intense inflammatory infiltrate, myocardial necrosis and abundant amastigote nests. However, although the gastrointestinal tissue was congestive, no inflammation or parasites were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Although all clones belong to DTU I, two intra-DTU genotypes were found with the sequencing of the mini-exon intergenic spacer, however there is no strict correlation between genetic groups, the cycles of the parasite or the clinical forms of the disease. Trypanosoma cruzi clones from Girón with higher sensitivity to nifurtimox presented a particular G2 genotype and C/T transition in Cyt b. When the diagnosis was early, the patients responded well to antichagasic treatment, which highlights the importance of diagnosis and treatment early to prevent fatal outcomes associated with these acute episodes.

Therapeutic response and safety of the topical, sequential use of antiseptic, keratolytic, and pentamidine creams (3-PACK) on Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis-infected mice

BACKGROUND Topical treatment of New World cutaneous leishmaniasis can be affected by bacterial coinfection, hyperkeratosis, and transdermal drug delivery. OBJECTIVE The aim of this work was to evaluate the therapeutic response and safety of the topical, sequential use of antiseptic, keratolytic, and pentamidine isethionate (PMD) creams (3-PACK kit) on CL-infected BALB/c mice. METHODS A 0.5% chlorhexidine solution (CGH), 10% salicylic acid (SA), and 3% or 6% PMD were used as antiseptic, keratolytic, and antileishmanial drugs, respectively. During the first seven days, antiseptic, followed by 10% SA gel and PMD cream, were applied topically. Subsequently, treatment was performed only with the antiseptic and PMD creams. Skin irritation, reduction of lesion size (mm2), and parasitic load were observed until 30 days of treatment were completed. FINDINGS The 3-PACK treatment using 6% PMD induced a complete lesion reduction in 3/6 mice and a partial reduction in 1/6 mice, with no parasites observed. In contrast, CGH and SA alone, along with the vehicle, were not effective (p < 0.05). Moderate to severe erythema was observed at the application site. MAIN CONCLUSION The topical 3-PACK using 6% PMD was 67% effective in the treatment of CL by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. Currently, work is ongoing to improve PMD isethionate formulation and to determine a dose-response.

Fracturas en niños: experiencia en un centro de alta complejidad del suroccidente Colombiano / Fractures in children: experience in a tertiary referral hospital in South west Colombia

Resumen Introducción: Es importante conocer las características demográficas y clínicas de las fracturas en niños para mejorar las estrategias de prevención y tratamiento en estos pacientes. Objetivos: Describir las fracturas en niños y sus características epidemiológicas. Metodología: Estudio tipo corte transversal desde enero 2014 hasta diciembre 2017. Pacientes menores de 18 años que consultaron por fracturas a una clínica en Colombia fueron incluidos. Se incluyeron datos demográficos, lugar donde ocurrió el trauma, huesos fracturados y tipo de tratamiento. Se evaluó la distribución por género y grupo etario. La fuente de información fue la historia clínica. Se utilizaron medidas de tendencia central y dispersión para agrupar los datos. Se calculó la incidencia de fracturas por cada 1000 niños/ año. Este estudio recibió aval del comité de ética de la institución. Resultados: Hubo 2436 niños fracturados, 65.6% (n=1597) ocurrieron en hombres. La mayoría fueron entre 6-11 años (40.7%, n=991), luego entre 12-17 años (36.4%, n=887) y finalmente, menores de 6 años (22.9%, n=558). La localización de la fractura más frecuente entre 0-5 años fue el húmero (30.6%, n=171), seguido por el radio (29%, n=162) y la clavícula (15.9%, n=89); entre 6-11 años fue el radio (45.2%, n=448), seguido por el húmero (18%, n=178) y el cúbito (16.6%, n=165); y entre 12-17 años fue el radio (34.6%, n=307), seguido por los huesos de la mano (22.7%, n=201) y los huesos del pie (10.8%, n=96). Requirieron manejo quirúrgico 30.9% de los niños fracturados (n=752). La incidencia de fracturas fue de 29.7/1000 niños por año. Conclusión: Las fracturas en niños se presentan con mayor frecuencia en el género masculino. Los huesos fracturados varían dependiendo del grupo etario, con un porcentaje importante del radio en todos los grupos. La mayoría se manejan de forma conservadora.

Abstract Introduction: It is important to know the demographic and clinical characteristics of fractures in children to improve prevention and treatment strategies in these patients. Objectives: To describe fractures in children and their epidemiological characteristics. Methodology: Cross-sectional study performed between January 2014 and December 2017. Patients under 18 years old with fractures who consulted to a hospital in Colombia were included. Demographic data, the location where the trauma occurred, fractured bones and type of treatment were included. Age and gender distribution were analyzed. Medical records were the source of information. Central tendency and dispersion measures were used to group the data. Incidence of fractures per 1000 children / year was calculated. This study received approval from the institution's ethics committee. Results: There were 2436 children with fractures, 65.6% (n=1597) occurred in males. Most fractures were in children between 6-11 years old (40.7%, n=991), followed by 12-17 years old (36.4%, n=887) and finally by children under 6 years old (22.9%, n=558). For the group under 6 years, most fractures occurred in humerus (30.6%, n=171), followed by radius (29%, n=162) and clavicle (15.9%, n=89); between 6-11 years old it was in radius (45.2%, n=448), followed by humerus (18%, n=178) and ulna (16.6%, n=165); and between 12-17 years it was in radio (34.6%, n=307), followed by bones of the hand (22.7%, n=201) and bones of the foot (10.8%, n=96). Surgical treatment was required in 30.9% (n=752) of the patients. The incidence of fractures was 29.7/1000 children per year. Conclusions: Fractures in children occur more frequently in males. The fractured bones differ depending on the age group; however, radius fractures represent an important proportion in all groups. Most fractures in children are treated in a conservative manner.

Toxicidad, genotoxicidad y actividad anti-Leishmania de aceites esenciales obtenidos de cuatro (4) quimiotipos del género Lippia / Toxicity, genotoxicity and anti-Leishmania activity of essential oils obtained of four chemotypes of Lippia genus

Los aceites esenciales (AEs), pertenecientes al género Lippia, son candidatos interesantes de formulaciones tópicas en el tratamiento de la leishmaniasis cutánea (LC). El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar el perfil toxicológico y la actividad anti-Leishmania de AEs obtenidos de plantas colombianas del género Lippia. Ratones BALB/c fueron tratados tópica u oralmente con AEs obtenidos de L. alba quimiotipo citral (AE1) y de L. origanoides quimiotipos timol (AE2), carvacrol (AE3) y felandreno (AE4). El efecto del tratamiento en la irritación de la piel, la toxicidad aguda oral, la genotoxicidad (prueba cometa y micronúcleos), los cambios en la función hepática y renal, la inducción de reacción de hipersensibilidad de contacto y en la actividad contra L. (V) panamensis y L. (V.) braziliensis fueron determinados. Todos los AEs presentaron un perfil toxicológico similar a los parámetros normales, exceptuando los aceites AE2 y AE3 los cuales fueron irritantes y presentaron algunos signos de toxicidad aguda oral al ser utilizados en altas concentraciones (concentraciones bajas no fueron tóxicas). El AE2 mostró actividad antiparasitaria en las formas parasitarias evaluadas. Concentraciones bajas de los AEs podrían utilizarse de forma segura como componentes de formulaciones farmacológicas en LC.

Essential oils (EOs) belonging to the genus Lippia are interesting candidates in pharmaceutical systems for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). The aim of this work was to determine both toxicological and antileishmanial activities of EOs obtained from different species of Lippia, a widely distributed Colombian plants. BALB/c mice were treated topically or orally with EOs obtained from L. alba citral chemotype (EO1) and L. origanoides thymol (EO2), carvacrol (EO3) and phellandrene (EO4) chemotypes. The skin irritation, oral acute toxicity, genotoxicity (comet assay and micronucleus test), liver and renal adverse effects, All the EOs showed a toxicological profile similar to the normal parameters, except for oils EO2 and EO3 which were irritant and showed some signs of acute oral toxicity at high concentrations (low concentration were safe). The EO2 showed antiparasitic activity. Low concentrations of the EO could be used safely as components of pharmacological formulations in CL.

Direct analysis of genetic variability in Trypanosoma cruzi populations from tissues of Colombian chagasic patients.

The clinical symptoms of Chagas disease are highly variable and are correlated with geographical distribution and parasite genetic group. Trypanosoma cruzi group I is associated with chagasic cardiomyopathy in Colombia and other countries in northern South America. However, in southern South America, T cruzi group II predominates and is associated with cardiomyopathy and digestive forms of the disease. The aim of this work was to determine the correlation between the genetic profiles of T cruzi groups circulating in the biological cycle and those present in tissues from patients with Chagas disease. We genotyped T cruzi in 10 heart tissue samples from patients with cardiomyopathy from a highly endemic area of Colombia. The genotyping was performed using nuclear and mitochondrial genes and low-stringency single-specific primer polymerase chain reaction. As expected, the predominant genetic group was T cruzi group I; however, we also detected T cruzi group II. Microsatellite analyses suggested a predominance of monoclonal populations, and sequence alignments showed similarities with Colombian strains. In addition, kinetoplast DNA signatures obtained by low-stringency single-specific primer polymerase chain reaction allowed us to group strains into the 2 genetic groups. Thus, we conclude that both T cruzi genetic groups are producing severe cases of Chagas disease in Colombia. We did not observe any correlation between low-stringency single-specific primer polymerase chain reaction profiles, histopathologic findings, clinical forms, and severity of Chagas disease.