Occurrence of Eimeria spp. in Wayúu goat herds in the Municipality of Maicao, La Guajira, Colombia.

The department of La Guajira is considered the region with the largest goat population in Colombia. The disease caused by protozoa of the genus Eimeria can result in significant economic losses in goat production, threatening the region's food security. The objective of this study was to identify the occurrence of coccidiosis produced by Eimeria spp. in pools of fecal samples of young and adult goats belonging to 12 indigenous communities in the municipality of Maicao, La Guajira. The results showed the presence of eight different species of Eimeria spp. (E. alijevi, E. ninakohlyakimovae, E. hirci, E. arloingi, E. jolchijevi, E. caprovina, E. aspheronica and E. christenseni) differentiated by their morphological characteristics, in addition to the estimation of the parasite load in each fecal pool. In conclusion, this study is the first to report the occurrence of different species of Eimeria spp. in goats located in the department of La Guajira, Colombia.

STAT1 signaling protects self-reactive T cells from control by innate cells during neuroinflammation.

The transcription factor STAT1 plays a critical role in modulating the differentiation of CD4+ T cells producing IL-17 and GM-CSF, which promote the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS). The protective role of STAT1 in MS and EAE has been largely attributed to its ability to limit pathogenic Th cells and promote Tregs. Using mice with selective deletion of STAT1 in T cells (STAT1CD4-Cre), we identified a potentially novel mechanism by which STAT1 regulates neuroinflammation independently of Foxp3+ Tregs. STAT1-deficient effector T cells became the target of NK cell-mediated killing, limiting their capacity to induce EAE. STAT1-deficient T cells promoted their own killing by producing more IL-2 that, in return, activated NK cells. Elimination of NK cells restored EAE susceptibility in STAT1CD4-Cre mice. Therefore, our study suggests that the STAT1 pathway can be manipulated to limit autoreactive T cells during autoimmunity directed against the CNS.

A nanoparticle vaccine that targets neoantigen peptides to lymphoid tissues elicits robust antitumor T cell responses.

Cancer vaccines using synthetic long peptides (SLP) targeting tumor antigens have been tested in the clinic but the outcomes have been unimpressive, perhaps because these peptides elicit predominantly CD4+ T cell responses. We hypothesized that enhanced delivery of peptide antigens to, and uptake in, secondary lymphoid tissues should elicit more robust CD8+ and CD4+ T cell responses and improved anti-tumor responses. Here, we have designed SLP-containing cationic lipoplexes (SLP-Lpx) that improve delivery of peptides to myeloid cells in the spleen and lymphatics. Using the G12D KRAS mutations as neoantigens, we found that vaccination of mice with naked synthetic peptides harboring the G12D mutation with CpG adjuvant stimulated mainly CD4+ T cell responses with limited tumor growth inhibition. On the other hand, immunization with SLP-Lpx stimulated both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and suppressed tumor growth in a CD8+ T cell-dependent manner. Combination of the SLP-Lpx vaccines with a checkpoint inhibitor led to profound growth suppression of established tumors. These studies suggest that preferential targeting of peptides derived from neoantigens to the spleen via lipoplexes elicits potent CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses that inhibit tumor growth.

IL-7/IL-7 Receptor Signaling Differentially Affects Effector CD4+ T Cell Subsets Involved in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis.

IL-17-producing CD4(+) T (Th17) cells, along with IFN-γ-expressing Th1 cells, represent two major pathogenic T cell subsets in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS). The cytokines and transcription factors involved in the development and effector functions of Th1 and Th17 cells have been largely characterized. Among them, IL-23 is essential for the generation of stable and encephalitogenic Th17 cells and for the development of EAE. The IL-7/IL-7R signaling axis participates in cell survival, and perturbation of this pathway has been associated with enhanced susceptibility to MS. A link between IL-23-driven pathogenic T cells and IL-7/IL-7R signaling has previously been proposed, but has not been formally addressed. In the current study, we showed that Th17 cells from mice with EAE express high levels of IL-7Rα compared with Th1 cells. Using mice that constitutively express IL-7Rα on T cells, we determined that sustained IL-7R expression in IL-23R-deficient mice could not drive pathogenic T cells and the development of EAE. IL-7 inhibited the differentiation of Th17 cells, but promoted IFN-γ and GM-CSF secretion in vitro. In vivo IL-7/anti-IL-7 mAb complexes selectively expanded and enhanced the proliferation of CXCR3-expressing Th1 cells, but did not impact Th17 cells and EAE development in wild-type and IL-23R-deficient mice. Importantly, high IL-7 expression was detected in the CNS during EAE and could drive the plasticity of Th17 cells to IFN-γ-producing T cells. Together, these data address the contribution of IL-23/IL-23R and IL-7/IL-7R signaling in Th17 and Th1 cell dynamics during CNS autoimmunity.

Evaluación de estructuras cerebrales por resonancia magnética en personas infectadas con el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) y adherentes al tratamiento antirretroviral / Evaluation by MRI of brain structures of HIV subjects with adherence to antiretroviral therapy

Introducción: los cambios estructurales del cerebro se pueden observar en fases tempranas de la infección por VIH y acelerarse en estadios avanzados, aunque queda por profundizar con más estudios clínicos la relación que pueda existir entre la adherencia al tratamiento antirretroviral y los cambios en los volúmenes de las estructuras cerebrales. Objetivo: identificar los cambios en estructurascerebrales de personas infectadas con VIH por medio de la resonancia magnética y explorar su relación con el tratamiento antirretroviral. Materiales y métodos: se eligieron 2 grupos, cada uno con 16 individuos; el primero conformado por personas infectadas con VIH y tratamiento adherente y el segundo con individuos no infectados (grupo control). Los volúmenes de las estructuras corticales, subcorticales, las regiones superficiales de la sustancia blanca y gris fueron calculados para los dos hemisferios, en los cuales se utilizaron algoritmos automáticos de la plataforma de análisis de imágenesFreeSurfer. Los datos anatómicos de los individuos fueron adquiridos en un equipo de resonancia magnética 3T en el Instituto de Alta Tecnología Médica (IATM), Medellín, Colombia. Resultados: el análisis de las estructuras corticales y subcorticales no arrojó diferencias significativas entre las volumetríasdel grupo control y los individuos infectados con VIH/adherentes al tratamiento. Conclusión: los hallazgos muestran que el cerebro puede estar posiblemente sin alteraciones en sus estructuras corticales y subcorticales en los individuos con VIH adherentes al tratamiento, en primera o segunda línea de tratamiento antirretroviral, y, a la vez, estos resultados pueden aportar nuevas estrategias de neuroprotección ante el autocuidado frente al esquema de tratamento.

Introduction: structural brain changes can be detected in early stages of HIV infection and may be accelerated in advanced stages, however it still important to have more clinic studies for analyze the relationship between the adherence to antiretroviral therapy and changes in the volume of brain structures. Objective: To identify changes in brain structures from HIV subjects by using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and to correlate the findings with the antiretroviral treatment. Materials and methods: Two groups with 16 subjects were chosen: a HIV group of subjects with medication adherence and healthy subjects (control group). By using the automatic segmentation software for brain Freesurfer, cortical and subcortical structures volumes as well as grey and white matter surface area were calculated for both brain hemispheres. Data were acquired through 3T MRI scanner in the Instituto de Alta Tecnología Médica (IATM) from Medellin (Colombia). Results: There were not statistically significant differences in cortical and subcortical structures between control group and subjects HIV infected with adherence to treatment. Conclusion: These findings show that subjects infectedwith VIH in first or second line of antiretroviral treatment probably do not have any change on the brain cortical and subcortical structures. In addition, this allows developing new neuroprotection and self-care strategies during the current treatment plans.

Cutting edge: the pathogenicity of IFN-γ-producing Th17 cells is independent of T-bet.

During the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the proportion of pathogenic and myelin-specific cells within CNS-infiltrating cytokine-producing Th cells is unknown. Using an IL-17A/IFN-γ double reporter mouse and I-A(b)/myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 38-49 tetramer, we show in this study that IL-17(+)IFN-γ(+) Th cells, which are expanded in the CNS during EAE, are highly enriched in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-specific T cells. We further demonstrate that IL-23 is essential for the generation and expansion of IFN-γ-producing Th17 cells independently of the Th1-associated transcription factors T-bet, STAT1, and STAT4. Furthermore, Th17 and IL-17(+)IFN-γ(+) Th cells can induce CNS autoimmunity independently of T-bet. Whereas T-bet is crucial for Th1-mediated EAE, it is dispensable for Th17 cell-mediated autoimmunity. Our results suggest the existence of different epigenetic programs that regulate IFN-γ expression in Th1 and Th17 cells.

[Morbidity and risk behavior regarding street-children in Medellin, Colombia, 2008]. / Morbilidad atendida y conductas de riesgo de la niñez y adolescencia en situación de calle de Medellín, 2008.

OBJECTIVES: Describing the characteristics, morbidity and risk behaviour of street children from Medellin. METHODOLOGY: This was a descriptive, retrospective study. The medical charts of children aged less than 17 who sought medical attention in five protection institutions in Medellin during 2008 were reviewed. The analysis included descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis. Age was categorised into two groups: boys/girls (0- 12 years) and adolescents (13-17 years). RESULTS: The following characteristicswere found after reviewing 483 medical charts: being male (73.1 %), adolescent (73.1 %) and living in the streets (44.7 %). The most common diagnoses were for infectious and parasite illnesses (21.8 %), factors that affected health status and contact with health services (13.7 %), respiratory diseases (11.8 %). A total of 81.0 % of all children were engaged in psychoactive substance abuse,smoking marijuana being the most common (80.0 %);84.0 % reported engaging in sexual activity. CONCLUSION: Infectious diseases, sexual activity and usingpsychoactive substances placed this population in a high vulnerability category. This situation demands that local health-policy makers guarantee thispopulation's constitutional right to health, through health-promotion programmes and sexual and reproductive health strategies to prevent disease and psychoactive substance abuse.

Morbilidad atendida y conductas de riesgo de la niñez y adolescencia en situación de calle de Medellín, 2008 / Morbidity and risk behavior regarding street-children in Medellin, Colombia, 2008

Objetivos Describir características, morbilidad atendida y conductas de riesgo para la salud de la niñez y adolescencia en situación de calle de Medellín. Metodología Estudio observacional descriptivo y retrospectivo. Se revisaron historias clínicas de niños, niñas y adolescentes que recibieron atención médica en cinco instituciones de protección entre enero y diciembre del 2008. El análisis incluyo análisis uni y bivariado con las variables de interés. La edad fue agrupada en: niños y niñas (0-12 años) y adolescentes (13-17 años). Resultados Se incluyeron 483 historias clínicas. El 73,1 por ciento de los registros del sexo masculino, 73,1 por ciento adolescentes y 44,7 por ciento residían en la calle. Los principales diagnósticos fueron: Ciertas enfermedades infecciosas y parasitarias (18,3 por ciento), factores que influyen con el estado de salud y contacto con servicios de salud (13,7 por ciento), enfermedades del sistema respiratorio (11,8 por ciento). El 81,0 por ciento consumían sustancias sicoactivas, la más consumida fue la marihuana (80,0 por ciento). El 84,0 por ciento reporta actividad sexual. Conclusión La morbilidad atendida, su actividad sexual y consumo de sicoactivos evidencian una alta vulnerabilidad en salud en este grupo poblacional. Esto exige a instancias de planificación y dirección de políticas públicas en salud la garantía de su derecho constitucional a la salud a través de la ejecución de programas de promoción de la salud y la salud sexual y reproductiva y de estrategias para la prevención de enfermedades y del consumo de sicoactivos.

Objectives Describing the characteristics, morbidity and risk behaviour of street children from Medellin. Methodology This was a descriptive, retrospective study. The medical charts of children aged less than 17 who sought medical attention in five protection institutions in Medellin during 2008 were reviewed. The analysis included descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis. Age was categorised into two groups: boys/girls (0- 12 years) and adolescents (13-17 years). Results The following characteristicswere found after reviewing 483 medical charts: being male (73.1 percent), adolescent (73.1 percent) and living in the streets (44.7 percent). The most common diagnoses were for infectious and parasite illnesses (21.8 percent), factors that affected health status and contact with health services (13.7 percent), respiratory diseases (11.8 percent). A total of 81.0 percent of all children were engaged in psychoactive substance abuse,smoking marijuana being the most common (80.0 percent);84.0 percent reported engaging in sexual activity. Conclusion Infectious diseases, sexual activity and usingpsychoactive substances placed this population in a high vulnerability category. This situation demands that local health-policy makers guarantee thispopulation's constitutional right to health, through health-promotion programmes and sexual and reproductive health strategies to prevent disease and psychoactive substance abuse.

[Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in physicians in Medellín, Colombia]. / Prevalencia de la infección por Helicobacter pylori en médicos de Medellín, Colombia.

UNLABELLED: Infection by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and its associated complications, such as gastric cancer, constitute a true public health problem due to the high morbidity and mortality rates in Colombia and Latin America, where it is highly prevalent. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the prevalence of H. pylori infection in the medical population ofMedellin, Colombia. METHODS: A transversal-cut observational epidemiological study was done, 342 physicians were included. The presence of H. pylori infection, diagnosed with carbon 13-labelled urea breath test, and its association with personal aspects, history of gastric disease and clinical manifestations was evaluated. RESULTS: The general prevalence of H. pylori infection was found to be 77.2% (CI 95%: 72.4% to 81.5%). Discriminating by gender, it represents a prevalence of 78.4% in men and 72.6% in women, without any significant association (chi-square, p = 0.37). Of the total 342 participants, 183 (53.5%) presented at least one suspected episode of gastric disease, and of these, 141 (77%) were positive and 42 (23%) were negative for H. pylori; of the 264 H. pylori positive participants, 141 (53.4%) had history of gastric disease and 123 (46.6%) were asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of H. pylori infection in the medical population in Medellin, Colombia, is 77.2% (CI 95%: 72.4% to 81.5%), in accordance to the epidemiologic profile of the region. Also, 46.6% of individuals infected by H. pylori were asymptomatic and with no history or symptoms suggestive of the presence of the bacteria, which is only possible to determine after appropriate testing of the individuals.

Prevalencia de la infección por Helicobacter pylori en médicos de Medellín, Colombia / Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in physicians in Medellín, Colombia

La infección por Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) y las omplicaciones asociadas, como el cáncer gástrico, representan un verdadero problema de salud pública porque lideran las tasas de morbilidad y mortalidad en Colombia y Latinoamérica, en donde es altamente prevalente. Objetivo: caracterizar la prevalencia de la infección por H. pylori en la población médica de Medellín, Colombia. Métodos: se realizó un estudio epidemiológico bservacional transversal donde se incluyeron 342 médicos. Se evaluó la presencia de la infección por H. pylori mediante la prueba de aliento con urea marcada con carbono 13 y su asociación con aspectos personales, antecedentes de enfermedad gástrica y manifestaciones clínicas. Resultados: se encontró una prevalencia general de infección por H. pylori de 77.2% (IC 95%: 72.4% a 81.5%), que discriminada por género epresenta una prevalencia de 78.4% en hombres y 72.6% en mujeres, sin asociación significativa (Chi- –cuadrado p= 0.37). Del total de los 342 participantes, 183 (53.5%) presentaron al menos un evento sospechoso de enfermedad gástrica y de éstos, 141 (77%) fueron positivos y 42 (23%) negativos para H. pylori; de los 264 participantes H. pylori positivos, 141 (53.4%) presentaban antecedentes de enfermedad gástrica y 123 (46.6%) fueron asintomáticos. Conclusiones: la prevalencia de la infección por H. pylori en lapoblación médica de Medellín, Colombia, es de 77.2% (IC 95%: 72.4% a 81.5%), acorde con el perfil epidemiológico de la región. Además, el 46.6% de los individuos infectados por H. pylori fueron asintomáticos y no hay antecedentes ni síntomas que permitan sospechar la presencia de la bacteria, la cual sólo es posible determinar tras el estudio apropiado de los individuos.

Infection by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and its associated complications, such as gastric cancer, constitute a true public health problem due to the high morbidity and mortality rates in Colombia and Latin America, where it is highly prevalent. Objective: To characterize the prevalence of H. pylori infection in the medical population of Medellín, Colombia. Methods: A transversal-cut observational epidemiological study was done, 342 physicians were included. The presence of H. pylori infection, diagnosed with carbon 13-labelled urea breath test, and its association with personal aspects, history of gastric disease and clinical manifestations was evaluated. Results: The general prevalence of H. pylori infection was found to be 77.2% (CI 95%: 72.4% to 81.5%). Discriminating by gender, it represents a prevalence of 78.4% in men and 72.6% in women, without any significant association (chisquare, p=0.37). Of the total 342 participants, 183 (53.5%) presented at least one suspected episode of gastric disease, and of these, 141 (77%) were positive and 42 (23%) were negative for H. pylori; of the 264 H. pylori positive participants, 141 (53.4%) had history of gastric disease and 123 (46.6%) were asymptomatic. Conclusions: Prevalence of H. pylori infection in the medical population in Medellín, Colombia, is 77.2% (CI 95%: 72.4% to 81.5%), in accordance to the epidemiologic profile of the region. Also, 46.6% of individuals infected by H. pylori were asymptomatic and with no history or symptoms suggestive of the presence of the bacteria, which is only possible to determine after appropriate testing of the individuals.