Antibodies of Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania mexicana and Leishmania braziliensis in domiciled dogs in Tabasco, Mexico / Anticuerpos de Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania mexicana y Leishmania braziliensis en perros domiciliados de Tabasco, México

ABSTRACT Objective. To determine Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), Leishmania mexicana (L.mexicana) and Leishmania braziliensis (L.braziliensis) circulating antibodies in dogs from Chontalpa region in Tabasco, Mexico using ELISA diagnostic techniques Fe-SOD and Western blot. Materials and methods. For this study, 119 serums were obtained from domiciled dogs. Serums were tested for antibodies against T. cruzi, L. mexicana and L. braziliensis, using ELISA and Western Blot sod as diagnostic test. The antigenic fraction used in both tests was the Fe-SOD excreted by the species of Leishmania and Trypanosoma. Results. The obtained frequency in this study was 3.36% for T. cruzi, 9.24% for L. mexicana and 10.08% for L. braziliensis. Conclusions. The present study has demonstrated the presence of antibodies to these parasites in Chontalpa region from Tabasco, Mexico.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Determinar la frecuencia de anticuerpos circulantes de Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), Leishmania mexicana (L. mexicana) y Leishmania braziliensis (L. braziliensis) en una población de perros usando ELISA Fe-SOD y Western blot en la región Chontalpa del estado de Tabasco, México. Materiales y métodos. Para este estudio se obtuvieron 119 sueros de perros domiciliados, con el consentimiento previo de los propietarios. Los sueros fueron analizados para detectar anticuerpos contra T. cruzi, L. mexicana, y L. braziliensis, usando como prueba diagnóstica ELISA-sod y Western Blot. La fracción antigénica utilizada en las dos pruebas fue la Fe-SOD excretada por las especies de Trypanosoma y Leishmania. Resultados. La frecuencia obtenida en este estudio fue de 3.36% para T. cruzi, 9.24% para L. mexicana y 10.08% L. braziliensis. Conclusiones. El presente estudio demostró la presencia de anticuerpos para estos parásitos en la región Chontalpa del estado de Tabasco, México.

[Long-term safety and efficacy of etanercept in the treatment of psoriasis]. / Seguridad y eficacia de etanercept a largo plazo en el tratamiento de la psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Clinical experience has shown that, in patients with psoriasis, suspending treatment with etanercept at week 24, as indicated in the prescribing information, may lead to a rebound effect. Several clinical trials support long-term use of etanercept, which was shown to have a good safety and efficacy profile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational study of 43 patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, with and without joint involvement, who received continuous treatment with etanercept for more than 24 weeks. RESULTS: Etanercept was administered for a mean of 57 weeks. Overall, the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score decreased from a baseline value of 22.5 to 4.3 after treatment. In addition, with continuous treatment, most patients maintained decreases in PASI scores of 50% and even of 75%. Some patients without significant improvement in their PASI score in the first 24 weeks did manage to achieve significant results after prolonged treatment. These outcomes were achieved with a low incidence of adverse effects (reported in 13 patients [30.2%]), which were generally mild. CONCLUSION: We present our clinical experience with long-term etanercept treatment in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis, with and without associated joint involvement. The efficacy and safety profiles were found to be favorable.

[Allergic contact dermatitis to cosmetics]. / Dermatitis alérgica de contacto por cosméticos.

INTRODUCTION: Contact dermatitis to cosmetics is a common problem in the general population, although its prevalence appears to be underestimated. We reviewed cases of allergic contact dermatitis to cosmetics diagnosed in our dermatology department over a 7-year period with a view to identifying the allergens responsible, the frequency of occurrence of these allergens, and the cosmetic products implicated. METHODS: Using the database of the skin allergy department, we undertook a search of all cases of allergic contact dermatitis to cosmetics diagnosed in our department from January 2000 through October 2007. RESULTS: In this period, patch tests were carried out on 2,485 patients, of whom 740 were diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis and the cause was cosmetics in 202 of these patients (170 women and 32 men), who accounted for 27.3 % of all cases. A total of 315 positive results were found for 46 different allergens. Allergens most often responsible for contact dermatitis in a cosmetics user were methylisothiazolinone (19 %), paraphenylenediamine (15.2 %), and fragrance mixtures (7.8 %). Acrylates were the most common allergens in cases of occupational disease. Half of the positive results were obtained with the standard battery of the Spanish Group for Research Into Dermatitis and Skin Allergies (GEIDAC). The cosmetic products most often implicated among cosmetics users were hair dyes (18.5 %), gels/soaps (15.7 %), and moisturizers (12.7 %). CONCLUSION: Most patients affected were women. Preservatives, paraphenylenediamine, and fragrances were the most frequently detected cosmetic allergens, in line with previous reports in the literature. Finally, in order to detect new cosmetic allergens, cooperation between physicians and cosmetics producers is needed.