Chronic Joint Pain 3 Years after Chikungunya Virus Infection Largely Characterized by Relapsing-remitting Symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of chronic joint pain and stiffness 3 years after infection with chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in a Latin American cohort. METHODS: A cross-sectional followup of 120 patients from an initial cohort of 500 patients who reported joint pain 2 years after infection from the Atlántico Department, Colombia. Patients were clinically diagnosed as having CHIKV during the 2014-2015 epidemic, and baseline and followup symptoms at 40 months were evaluated in serologically confirmed cases. RESULTS: Of the initial 500 patients enrolled in the study, 482 had serologically confirmed chikungunya infection. From this group, 123 patients reported joint pain 20 months after infection, and 54% of those patients reported continued joint pain 40 months after infection. Therefore, 1 out of every 8 people who tested serologically positive for CHIKV infection had persistent joint pain 3 years after infection. Participants who followed up in person were predominantly adult (mean ± SD age 51 ± 14 yrs) and female (86%). The most common type of pain reported in these patients at 40 months post-infection was pain with periods of relief and subsequent reoccurrence, and over 75% reported stiffness after immobility, with 39% experiencing morning stiffness. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report to describe persistent joint pain and stiffness 40 months after viral infection. The high frequency of chronic disease highlights the need to develop prevention and treatment methods. Further studies should be conducted to understand the similarities between post-chikungunya joint pain and rheumatoid arthritis.

Genome sequencing of three bacteria associated to black band disease from a Colombian reef-building coral.

We announce the draft genome sequence of three Gram-negative bacteria isolated from coral tissues affected with the black band disease (BBD), identified with the NCBI's Assembly Database accession numbers: MBQF, MAYB and MBQE. These genome drafts constitute an useful tool for the characterisation of these bacteria and for the understanding of the relationship between the microbial consortia associated with the disease and the onset and progression of the pathology.

Prevalencia de síntomas de extremidades superiores según riesgos del puesto de trabajo, psicosociales y personales / Prevalence of upper limb symptoms according to workplace, psychosocial and personal

El presente artículo identificó la prevalencia de síntomas de trastornos músculo esquelético relacionados al trabajo en extremidades superiores y su relación con algunos factores de riesgo vinculados al desempeño de las tareas, factores psicosociales, sexo, edad y antigüedad laboral. Utilizando un diseño exploratorio, correlacional y una muestra por conveniencia de 45 trabajadores (hombres/mujeres). Se exploró la presencia de síntomas mediante el cuestionario nórdico estandarizado para población chilena; la repetitividad, postura forzada, fuerza y algunos factores ambientales mediante la norma técnica para identificación y evaluación de factores de riesgo de Trastornos Musculo esqueléticos relacionados con el trabajo del Ministerio de Salud chileno, los factores psicosociales mediante el cuestionario de SUSESO-ISTAS 21 versión breve, y la edad, sexo y antigüedad laboral mediante una ficha propuesta por los autores. Los resultados (año 2017) muestran que el 8 % de los trabajadores no manifestó síntomas en extremidad superior y espalda. Que 48.9% de trabajadores sintomáticos son hombres y menores de 45 años (55.6%) de antigüedad laboral inferior de 5 años (73.4%). No se observó diferencias estadísticas entre exigencia psicosocial y presencia de síntomas de Trastornos Musculo esqueléticos. No obstante el 51.6% de los trabajadores sintomáticos de Trastornos Musculo esqueléticos, tenía nivel alto de riesgo psicosocial para la dimensión doble presencia. Se concluye que para el control y la prevención Trastornos Musculo esqueléticos en el trabajo es imprescindible el conocimiento de la población laboral a proteger y adoptar un enfoque biopsicosocial amplio que genere información para actuar racionalmente y con expectativas de solución(AU)

This study measured the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms related to work using the upper extremities and their relationship to risk factors linked to task performance, psychosocial risk factors, sex, age and length of employment. The study design was exploratory and correlational, conducted in a convenience sample of 45 workers. The presence of symptoms was explored using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire for a Chilean population, along with repetitiveness, forced posture, strength. Environmental factors were explored using the standard identification and evaluation of risk factors based on the Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders inventory (TMERT in Spanish) of the Chilean Ministry of Health. Psychosocial factors were explored using the short version (21 items) of the Psychosocial Risk of the Workplace (SUSESOISTAS in Spanish) questionnaire, which explores age, sex and length of employment. Results in 2017 show that 8% of workers reported no symptoms in the upper extremity or back. In addition, 48.9% of symptomatic workers were men under 45 years of age (55.6%), with less than 5 years of employment (73.4%). No statistically significant differences were observed between psychosocial demands and presence of musculoskeletal symptoms. However, 51.6% of workers with musculoskeletal symptoms had high levels of psychosocial risk for the dual presence. We conclude that specific knowledge of the working population is essential in order to protect them and to control and prevent musculoskeletal disorders at work. In addition, a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach that generates information to act rationally and with expectations of finding solutions must be adopted(AU)