Bioinformatic analysis of post-transmission viral readaptation in Argentine patients with acute HIV-1 infection.

During the acute phase of HIV-1 infection, a strong readaptation occurs in the viral population. Our objective was to analyze the post-transmission mutations associated with escape to the cytotoxic immune response and its relationship with the progression of the infection. In this study, a total of 17 patients were enrolled during acute/early primary HIV infection and 8 subjects that were the HIV positive partner resulting in 8 transmission pairs. Genotyping of the genetic polymorphisms of HLA class I A and B was performed using PCR-SSOP. Viral RNA extraction was from plasma. 570 single Gag-gene amplifications were obtained by limiting-dilution RT-PCR. Epitope prediction was performed with NetMHC CBS prediction server for the 19 HLA-A and B alleles. Cytotoxic response prediction was performed by using the IEDB Analysis Resource. From our results, we deduce that the transmitted CTL / gag escape frequency in the founder virus was at least double compared to the post-transmission events. Additionally, by means of an algorithm that combines these frequencies, we observed that the founder viruses better adapted to the HLA A / B alleles of the recipient could contribute to a greater progression of the infection. Our results suggest that there is a large adaptation of HIV-1 to the HLA A / B alleles prevalent in our population. However, despite this adaptive advantage, the virus needs to make "readjustments" through new escape and compensatory mutations. Interestingly, according to our results, this readaptation could have a role in the progression of the infection.

Prevalence of anti-cytomegalovirus antibodies in a children population of Buenos Aires.

The seroprevalence of anti-Cytomegalovirus antibodies in a selected children population was studied by an enzyme-immunoassay (ELISA) prepared in our laboratory. Sera from 207 children from middle socio-economic classes were studied. Children were divided into the following groups: Group 1: cord sera (n = 87); Group 2: children aged 13 months to 6 years (n = 54); Group 3: children aged 6-15 years (n = 66). Overall seroprevalence was 46.3%. The seropositivity and ELISA index titers for the three groups were, respectively: Group 1, 55%, mean = 2.16; Group 2, 90.7%, mean = 5.15; Group 3, 59%, mean = 2.49. Group 2 exhibited higher seropositivity (p < 0.0001) and higher index titers (p < 0.0001) than the other two groups. These results suggests that primoinfection with Cytomegalovirus in this population occurs in children aged 13 months to 6 years (Group 2). However, the high percentage (55%) of cord blood without anti-Cytomegalovirus antibodies suggests a risk for congenital infection or primary infection for those newborn who required blood transfusions or were fed with bank milk. Further studies are needed to determine the impact of Cytomegalovirus infections in populations from different socio-economic classes, in congenital infections, the prevalence of antibodies in blood banks and their frequency in immunocompromised patients.

[The surgical verification of the periodontal probe and endoral radiography in assessing the bone substance loss in periodontal disease. A proposal for optimizing the methods]. / Verifica chirurgica del sondaggio parodontale e della radiografia endorale nella valutazione della perdita di sostanza ossea nella malattia parodontale. Proposta di ottimizzazione delle metodiche.

It is difficult to compare levels of bone loss in periodontal disease measured by periodontal probe and X-ray and to verify them versus surgical techniques. In fact, there are relatively few published reports on the subject. To this purpose the Authors describe their personal experience using plates equipped with guide tracks and center-film boxes with personalized bites. The suitability of the two methods (probe, intraoral X-ray) to determine levels of bone loss similar to those revealed by surgical verification was assessed on the basis of an analysis of the respective bone loss in 44 sites surrounding 19 dental elements. This method, which is accurate but time-consuming, demonstrated an broadly analogous underestimate (approx. 20%) using both preoperative probe and X-ray techniques in comparison to the true level of bone loss measured during surgery.

INFLUENCIA DEL TIPO DE ALIMENTACIÓN EN EL DESARROLLO DE LA ALERGIA A LA LECHE DE VACA. FACTORES INVOLUCRADOS EN EL PROCESO POR EL CUAL SE ADQUIERE LA ENFERMEDAD / Infl uence of the type of feeding in the development of cow's milk allergy. Factors involved in the process by which the disease is acquired

Antecedentes. Los resultados de las investigaciones sobre la historia natural de la alergia a la leche de vaca (ALV) no han provisto aún, de un cuadro claro y consistente que ayude en la práctica al médico tratante. Objetivo. Identifi car los factores involucrados en el desarrollo de la enfermedad en lactantes pequeños, con el fi n de determinar perfi les específi cos e índices predictivos. Lugar de realización: Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina. Diseño. Análisis observacional y retrospectivo. Población. 91 niños con diagnóstico de ALV y 91 controles, de ambos sexos, menores de 6 años. Método. Análisis de factores seleccionados de las historias clínicas, su relación individual con el diagnóstico (prueba X2, Odds Ratios, diferencias de medias) y su incidencia conjunta en la probabilidad de ser ALV para determinar perfi les (análisis de correspondencias múltiple y regresión logística). Elaboración de 3 índices predictivos basados en: odds ratios individuales, los correspondientes a la regresión logística y la identifi cación de criterios mayores y menores, con su respectiva evaluación de efectividad diagnóstica (sensibilidad, especifi cidad, valores predictivos y curva ROC). Resultados. Se encontró que la edad de inicio de los síntomas, el tipo de alimentación recibida hasta el 3er mes de vida, la exposición al humo de cigarrillo, los antecedentes alérgicos maternos y el tipo de manifestaciones clínicas con que comienza la ALV son factores que con mayor probabilidad inciden en su desarrollo. Conclusión. La utilidad de estos perfi les e índices predictivos radica en una temprana identifi cación de pacientes con riesgo de padecer ALV(AU)

Background: The results of the research on the natural history of allergy to cow's milk allergy (CMA) still have not provided a clear picture and consistent that in practice helps the attending physician. Objective: to identify the factors involved in the development of the disease in young infants, in order to determine specifi c profi les and predictive clinical indexes. Setting: Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina. Design: observacional and retrospective analysis. Population: 91 children with a diagnosis of CMA and 91 controls, of both sexes, under the age of 6 years. Methods: analysis of selected factors of the clinical histories, their relationship with the individual diagnosis (test X2, Odds Ratios, differences in average) and their combined impact on the probability of being CMA to determine profi les (multiple correspondence analysis and logistic regression). Elaboration of 3 predictive indices based on: individual Odds Ratios, corresponding to the logistic regression and the identifi cation of greater and smaller criteria, with its respective evaluation of effectiveness diagnoses (predictive sensitivity, specifi city, values and ROC curve). Results: we found that the age of onset of symptoms, the type of feeding received until the 3rd month of life, exposure to cigarette smoke, the maternal allergy history and the type of clinical manifestations with that begins the CMA, are factors that most likely have an impact on its development. Conclusion: the utility of these profi les and predictive clinics indexes lies in an early identifi cation of patients at risk of CMA.(AU)