Genetic and Biological Characterization of Four Nucleopolyhedrovirus Isolates Collected in Mexico for the Control of Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

This study describes four multiple nucleocapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus isolates recovered from infected larvae of beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), on crops in two different geographical regions of Mexico. Molecular and biological characterization was compared with characterized S. exigua multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (SeMNPV) isolates from the United States (SeUS1 and SeUS2) and Spain (SeSP2). Restriction endonuclease analysis of viral DNA confirmed that all Mexican isolates were SeMNPV isolates, but molecular differences between the Mexican and the reference isolates were detected using PCR combined with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Amplification of the variable region V01 combined with RFLP distinguished the two Mexican isolates, SeSLP6 and SeSIN6. BglII digestions showed that the majority of the isolates contained submolar bands, indicating the presence of genetic heterogeneity. Amplification of the variable regions V04 and V05 distinguished between American and the Spanish isolates. Biological characterization was performed against two laboratory colonies of S. exigua, one from Mexico, and another from Switzerland. Insects from the Mexican colony were less susceptible to infection than insects from Se-Swiss colony. In the Se-Mex colony, SeSP2 was the most pathogenic isolate followed by SeSIN6, although their virulence was similar to most of the isolates tested. In Se-Swiss colony, similar LD50 values were observed for the five isolates, although the virulence was higher for the SeSLP6 isolate, which also had the highest OB (occlusion body) yield. We conclude that the Mexican isolates SeSIN6 and SeSLP6 possess insecticidal traits of value for the development of biopesticides for the control of populations of S. exigua.

Meningitis neumococica en adultos / Pneumococcal meningitis in adults

Se analizan 30 episodios de meningitis por Streptococcus pneumoniae ocurridos en 28 pacientes, en un período de tiempo comprendido entre 1989 y 1998. La edad media de los pacientes fue de 41 años, el 32 por ciento presentó enfermedades o condiciones clínicas subyacentes, entre la que se destacó la diabetes mellitus; en el 46 por ciento se constataron focos infecciosos que sirvieron como puerta de entrada para el compromiso del espacio meníngeo que en orden de frecuencia fueron: otitis media aguda, mastoidistis, sinusitis, fístula pericraneal y neumonía. El tiempo promedio de evaluación de los síntomas desde su inicio hasta el diagnóstico fue de 36 hs. El 90 por ciento de los pacientes presentó fiebre e irritación meníngea. A su ingreso, en el 48 por ciento se evidenció deterioro del estado de conciencia y en el 23 por ciento signos de foco neurológico. Tomografía axial computada de cerebro se realizó en el 53 por ciento de la serie. La rentabilidad del Gram y cultivo del LCR fue del 80 y 75 por ciento respectivamente y de los hemocultivos 60 por ciento. El 100 por ciento de las cepas de neumococos aisladas fueron sensibles a la penicilina. La mortalidad fue del 28 por ciento y las sucuelas nerológicas se observaron en el 13 por ciento. La inmunización no se realizó en ninguno a pesar de que presentaban indicaciones precisas de la misma

Disco fever: epidemic meningococcal disease in northeastern Argentina associated with disco patronage.

Neisseria meningitidis is a leading cause of adult meningitis worldwide. From 5 to 14 August 1996, 8 cases of meningococcal disease occurred in Corrientes city (population 306,000) in northeastern Argentina. Those infected ranged in age from 15 to 45 years (median, 18.5). To determine risk factors for infection, a case-control study was done. Infecting isolates were serogrouped and underwent phenotyping by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Those infected were significantly more likely than those not infected to have had exposure to passive or active cigarette smoke or to have attended a particular disco. Isolates available from 6 case-patients were all serogroup C; all had identical MLEE and PFGE patterns. These data suggest that dance clubs or discos may be a focus of transmission of N. meningitidis among young people.

[Allergic contact dermatitis caused by garlic, Primula, Frullania and Compositae]. / Dermatitis alérgica de contacto por ajo, prímula, frullania y compuestas.

As a complementary study to a previous work (14) in which we examined 43 cases of contact dermatitis to plants, we have taken a closer look at the provocative cases which made up 76% of that study - Allium (garlic) (11 cases), Primula (8), Frullania (8) and Compositae (6). The clinical methodology, preparation of extracts and execution of the skin tests were identical to those described in the previous study (14). Patients with sensitivity to Frullania and Compositae were submitted to standard skin tests as shown in table II. These patients were also tested with a 0.1% preparation of Helenin in vaseline. The eleven cases of sensitization to Allium sativum L (garlic) corresponded to women whose primary or secondary profession was that of a housewife. In each case, the reaction was in the form of pulpitis, typically affecting the thumbs, left middle and index fingers and right thumb, which are those that have the greatest contact with the garlic bulb. Primula obconica Hance was responsible for the sensitization of 7 women and 1 man. In two of the patients, the positive test result was unrelated to the clinical picture for which the patients sought medical attention. In one of the two cases, the patient had had prolonged, previous contact with Primula but without reaction. In the other case, the origin of the reaction could not be established. The contact dermatitis produced by Primula are located principally in the face and hands.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Allergic contact dermatitis caused by plants]. / Dermatitis alérgicas de contacto por plantas.

The proliferation of house and garden plants, some of them highly sensitizing, produced by the general improvement of the standard of living, is causing an increase in the number of cases of contact dermatitis from plants with both irritative and allergic mechanisms. During the past 12 years, we have studied 43 cases of allergic eczema caused by plant contact as primary sensitization which supposes 2.4% of the patients with allergic contact dermatitis attended in our Services. The majority of patients were women (65%) as opposed to 35% men while the ages varied from 12 to 70 years with an average of 44.5. Below the age of 25 there were only 3 cases (6.9%) 12, 18 and 20 years respectively. In the clinical study, as well as the profession, secondary activities and hobbies were also evaluated. Through localization of lesions, an attempt was made to determine how the patient came in to contact with the different plants. The diagnosis was confirmed by the use of epicutaneous tests, as recommended by the ICDRG (3). Some plants in a natural state were used but etheral extracts were preferred. In cases of photo-dermatitis, photo-patch-tests were carried out using standard photo-sensitizers and suspected plants. The plants found to be responsible were: Allium (garlic) in 11 cases, Frullania in 8, Primula (primrose) in 8. Compositae (composites) in 6, Pinus (pine) in 3, Umbelliferae (umbellifers) in 3, Philodendron (philodendron) in 1, Pelagonium (pelargonium) in 1, Citrus (citrus) in 1 and Chlorophora (iroko) in 1. The frequency of reactions to garlic and primrose is particularly interesting and their characteristics will be the object of a later study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)