Circulation of human coronaviruses OC43 and 229E in Córdoba, Argentina.

This is the first study of respiratory infections in Córdoba, Argentina, caused by endemic human coronavirus (HCoV)-OC43 and HCOV-229E, which circulated during 2011-2012 at a 3% rate, either as single or multiple infections. They were detected mainly in children, but HCoV-229E was also found in adults. HCoV-229E was detected in five out of 631 samples (0.8%), and HCoV-OC43 was found in 14 out of 631 (2.2%) samples. Clinical manifestations ranged from fever to respiratory distress, and a significant association of HCoV-229E with asthma was observed. Further studies and surveillance are needed to provide better clinical insights, early diagnosis, and medical care of patients, as well as to contribute to epidemiology modeling and prevention.

Prevalence, risk factors and molecular characterization of Chlamydia trachomatis in pregnant women from Córdoba, Argentina: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Chlamydia trachomatis causes the most prevalent bacterial Sexual Transmitted Infection. In pregnant women, untreated chlamydial infections are associated with abortions, premature rupture of membranes, postpartum endometritis, low birth weight and transmission to the newborn. In Córdoba, Argentina, there is little knowledge about the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in women in their third trimester of pregnancy, so, the aim of this study was to evaluate Chlamydia trachomatis prevalence and genotypes present in Cordovan pregnant women with different age and socioeconomic status. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Design: prospective study. Settings: Women population from Cordoba city, Argentina. Population: Pregnant women having 35 to 37 weeks of gestation. Methods: Five hundred and nine cervical swabs were collected. Each sample was subjected to DNA extraction and PCR for Chlamydia trachomatis using primers NRO/NLO and CTP1/CTP2. Positives samples were sequenced to determine genotype. Main outcome measures: Demographic data of the patients were collected to detect a population at risk for this infection. RESULTS: A prevalence of 6.9% (35/509) for Chlamydia trachomatis infection was detected, with 32/295 and 3/214 from pregnant women with low or better economic resources respectively (p = 0,0001). Results showed a significantly increased rate of 11.6% (30/258) in women under 25 years compared with 2% (5/251) in patients over that age (p = 0,00003). Genotype E was the most prevalent. CONCLUSIONS: With these results, we can say that pregnant women under 25 years old and low economic resources are one of the populations in which the screening programs of Chlamydia trachomatis should focus.

Knowledge of the General Community in Cordoba, Argentina, on Human Papilloma Virus Infection and its Prevention.

BACKGROUND: Most studies of human papilloma virus (HPV) are aimed at the natural history of the infection and its relation to cancer; however, there are few studies to assess knowledge of the general population. Our aim was analyze the degree of knowledge of Argentinians about HPV infection and its prevention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a voluntary, anonymous and non-binding survey with 27 multiple-choice items, in twelve private and public establishments, selected to include a broad population in terms of education, age and gender. The survey consisted of three sections: individual characteristics of the volunteer, HPV infection basic knowledge, its prevention and the virus relationship with other cancers. RESULTS: One thousand two hundred ninety seven volunteers aged 18 to 80 participated. The total number of correct answers was 45.1%. The correct answers for relationship HPV and cervical cancer was 62.1%. Almost 55% did not know about types of HPV that the vaccines for protection. Statistical analysis showed that women, single people, workers, the better educated, those who have had a STDs or HPV and receiving information through medical or educational establishments had greater knowledge of the topic. Only 0.2% of participants answered all questions correctly. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge plays an important role in health care and the deficiency found in our population could influence the success of the measures taken in the fight against cervical cancer. In this regard, we believe it would be appropriate, not only to emphasize early diagnosis and vaccine implementation, but also incorporate new communication strategies, facilitating reception of accurate and precise information by all strata of society.

Circulation of human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes in women from Córdoba, Argentina, with squamous intraepithelial lesions.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) can induce a wide spectrum of squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) of varying severity. The aim of the present study was to establish the frequency of HPV infection and identify the genotypes circulating in women from Córdoba, Argentina, in relation to age and cytology. A total of 186 women, between 18 and 65 years old, with antecedents of SIL, underwent a pelvic examination and had cervical cells collected for cytology and HPV DNA detection. Ninety-six samples (51.6%) were positive for HPV detection, and sixty-three (65.6%) of them showed the presence of at least one HR-HPV. Low- and high-grade SIL showed significant association in patients younger than 35 years of age. We found 18 different genotypes, with a greater presence of HR-HPV. Genotypes 16 and 6 were the most frequent. Seven (7.3%) multiple infections, 85.7% of which had at least one HR-HPV, were detected. The detection of a large number of different HPV genotypes is a warning sign. It is thus necessary to strengthen the monitoring of the circulation of high-risk genotypes, currently less prevalent in intraepithelial lesions, as a control measure for the possible impact of the implementation of vaccines against genotypes 16 and 18.

Circulation of human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes in women from Córdoba, Argentina, with squamous intraepithelial lesions / Circulación de genotipos de virus papiloma humano (VPH) en mujeres con lesiones intrepiteliales escamosas de Córdoba, Argentina

Human papillomavirus (HPV) can induce a wide spectrum of squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) of varying severity. The aim of the present study was to establish the frequency of HPV infection and identify the genotypes circulating in women from Córdoba, Argentina, in relation to age and cytology. A total of 186 women, between 18 and 65 years old, with antecedents of SIL, underwent a pelvic examination and had cervical cells collected for cytology and HPV DNA detection. Ninety-six samples (51.6 percent) were positive for HPV detection, and sixty-three (65.6 percent) of them showed the presence of at least one HR-HPV. Low- and high-grade SIL showed significant association in patients younger than 35 years of age. We found 18 different genotypes, with a greater presence of HR-HPV. Genotypes 16 and 6 were the most frequent. Seven (7.3 percent) multiple infections, 85.7 percent of which had at least one HR-HPV, were detected. The detection of a large number of different HPV genotypes is a warning sign. It is thus necessary to strengthen the monitoring of the circulation of high-risk genotypes, currently less prevalent in intraepithelial lesions, as a control measure for the possible impact of the implementation of vaccines against genotypes 16 and 18.

El papilomavirus humano (human papilloma, HPV) induce un amplio espectro de lesiones intraepiteliales escamosas (SIL) de variada severidad. Objetivo: conocer la frecuencia de infección por HPV y determinar los genotipos circulantes en mujeres de la ciudad de Córdoba, Argentina, en relación con la edad y la citología. Se realizó citología y detección de ADN-HPV en células cervicales de 186 mujeres de 18 a 65 años con antecedentes de SIL. Noventa y seis (51.6 por ciento) fueron positivas para la detección del HPV, de las cuales, en 63 (65.6 por ciento) se detectó la presencia de al menos, un HPV de Alto Riesgo (HR-HPV). Las SIL de alto grado (HSIL) y de bajo grado (LSIL) se asociaron a pacientes menores de 35 años. Se hallaron 18 genotipos diferentes, con mayor presencia de HR-HPV. HPV 16 y 6 fueron más frecuentes y se detectaron 7 (7.3 por ciento) infecciones múltiples, 85.7 por ciento de éstas presentaron al menos un HR-HPV. La detección de un alto número de diferentes genotipos es una señal de alerta. Por tanto, es necesario fortalecer la vigilancia de los HR-HPV, actualmente menos frecuentes en las SIL, como medida de control del impacto que tendrá la implementación de las vacunas contra HPV 16 y 18.