Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus: the problem is not over for tropical America.

The equine encephalitis viruses, Venezuelan (VEEV), East (EEEV) and West (WEEV), belong to the genus alphavirus, family Togaviridae and still represent a threat for human and animal public health in the Americas. In both, these infections are characterized by high viremia, rash, fever, encephalitis and death. VEEV encephalitis is similar, clinically, to other arboviral diseases, such as dengue, Zika or chikungunya. Most of the alphaviruses are transmitted between vertebrates and mosquitoes. They are able to replicate in a wide number of hosts, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibian and arthropods. The VEEV has enzootic and epizootic transmission cycles. At the enzootic one, enzootic strains (subtype I, serotypes D-F and serotypes II-VI) are continuously circulating between mosquitoes and wild rodents in tropical forests and mangroves of the Americas. The main reseroivrs are wild rodent species of the subfamily Sigmodontinae. However, bats can be also accidental reservoirs of VEEV. In this article, we reviewed the main features, epidemiology, clinical aspects and the current perspectives of the VEEV.

Epidemiological and viral features of a cohort of SARS-CoV-2 symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals in an area of the Colombian Caribbean.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an emerging viral pandemic disease. In the last 6 months, SARS-CoV-2 has caused millions of reported cases and hundreds of thousands of deaths. As other world regions, South America has not contained the pandemic's advance since it lacks the hospital and economic capacities. Public health implications of transmission, while the asymptomatic/presymptomatic infection is a critical concern at the current pandemic. OBJECTIVE: Describe the socio-demographic, clinical, and viral features of a cohort of SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals from the Colombian Caribbean. METHODS: Six hundred eighty-six clinical samples of suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection cases and contacts individuals from several hospital centers in the department of Córdoba, Colombia, were received at our laboratory between April 9th and May 16th, 2020. RNA was extracted using lysis buffers and spin columns. The samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) using commercially available multiplex real-time PCR assay for simultaneous detection of 3 target genes of SARS-CoV-2 (Allplex™, 2019-nCoV assay, Korea). Viral copies quantification was done using a standard curve constructed from seriated dilutions of a SARS-CoV-2 positive control. Statics descriptive methods were used. RESULTS: Thirty-five nasopharyngeal samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection; the average age was 43 (range, 1-95 years). Seventeen of 35 (49%) of the patients showed symptoms. Most of them had a cough, fever, and odynophagia; three of the patients reported having arthralgia. Only two patients required hospitalization. None of the patients had known co-morbidities. RT-qPCR results show that two of the symptomatic patients had significantly higher RNA copies than the rest. Eighteen of 35 (51%) individuals were asymptomatic, and the average age was 30 (range, 6-61 years). Four asymptomatic individuals showed a higher copy than some symptomatic patients; nonetheless, the average of RNA copies 8.26 × 1010 was lower than the symptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that asymptomatic patients may develop infections with a high number of RNA copies. Since a considerable percentage of infections may be asymptomatic/presymptomatic, enhanced testing approaches may be needed to detect these persons. Due the occurrence of a large proportion of infections being a result from transmission originated in asymptomatic/presymptomatic individuals, public health interventions in Colombia should be based on two steps: a massive molecular screening, and viral load quantification. Finally, a remarkable issue in our study is the average age of symptomatic and asymptomatic groups (43 and 30 respectively) which may be important because of the economic impact that has been caused by the coronavirus pandemic and may be probably the cause of the reduced lethality observed in the country and the department at the time of this study.

Screening of the antileishmanial and antiplasmodial potential of synthetic 2-arylquinoline analogs.

In this study, six analogs of 2-arylquinoline were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro and in vivo antiplasmodial and leishmanicidal activity. At a later stage, hemolytic activity and druggability were tested in vitro and in silico, respectively, observing as a result: firstly, compounds showed half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) values between 3.6 and 19.3 µM. Likewise, a treatment using the compounds 4a-f caused improvement in most of the treated hamsters and cured some of them. Regarding the antiplasmodial activity, the compounds showed moderate to high activity, although they did not show hemolytic activity. Furthermore, 4e and 4f compounds were not able to control P. berghei infection when administered to animal models. Molecular dynamic simulations, molecular docking and ligand binding affinity indicate good characteristics of the studied compounds, which are expected to be active. And lastly, the compounds are absorbable at the hematoencephalic barrier but not in the gastrointestinal tract. In summary, ADMET properties suggest that these molecules may be used as a safe treatment against Leishmania.

Bats are an excellent sentinel model for the detection of genotoxic agents. Study in a Colombian Caribbean region.

Wildlife animals have been affected by human activities and the diminution of the areas needed to develop wildlife. In Colombia, artisanal and industrial mining focuses on gold extraction, which uses mercury and causes contamination in water sources. Bats may be susceptible to chemical contamination and primarily to bioaccumulated heavy metal contaminants in the food chain. The primary source of exposure is contaminated food and water ingest, followed by dermic exposition and inhalation. The objective was to evaluategenotoxic damage and mercury concentration in bats. Forty-five samples of blood and organs of bats captured in Ayapel and Majagual were collected. Erythrocytes were searched for micronuclei by peripheral blood smear. Mercury concentration in 45 liver and spleen samples was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy (DMA80 TRICELL, Milestone Inc, Italy). Bats from four families were studied: Phyllostomidae (6 species), Molossidae (3 species), Vespertilionidae (1 species), and Emballonuridae (1 species). Mercury was found in all bat species from the different dietary guilds. Insectivores had the highest concentration of mercury in the liver (0,23 µg/g) and spleen (0,25 µg/g) and the highest number of micronuclei (260 micronuclei/10,000). The specimens captured in Majagual had the highest frequency of micronuclei (677 micronuclei/10,000), and those captured in Ayapel had the highest mercury concentration (0,833 µg/g). This is the first study in Colombia to report that bats could act as sentinels to the environment's genotoxic chemical agents. Mercury and a high frequency of micronuclei were found in the tissues of captured bats. In addition to mercury contamination, there could also be other contaminants affecting Chiroptera.

Seroprevalencia de leptospirosis y brucelosis en búfalos de agua (Bubalus bubalis) en Tierralta Córdoba, Colombia

En la producción zootécnica, la brucelosis y la leptospirosis ocasionan problemas reproductivos y son una limitante en salud y en producción animal. El objetivo fue determinar la presencia de anticuerpos contra Leptospira spp. y Brucella abortus, en una población bufalera, en el municipio de Tierralta, Córdoba. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, que incluyó un total de 144 búfalos de la raza Murrah, destinados al doble propósito. Para el diagnóstico de Leptospira spp., se implementó la prueba de aglutinación microscópica, con 13 serogrupos, 19 serovares pertenecientes a 5 especies de Leptospira patógenas y para brucelosis Rosa de Bengala y C-Elisa. La seroprevalencia para Leptospira spp. fue del 87,5 %, el serogrupo Mini fue el de mayor frecuencia, pero Grippotyphosa presentó el mayor título. El 16,67 % de los búfalos evaluados presentaron títulos iguales o superiores a 1:800, asociados con infección actual o reciente. La alta seroprevalencia, se puede deber a las características ambientales de la zona, que brinda las condiciones favorables para el crecimiento y el mantenimiento de este patógeno que, sumado al comportamiento de los búfalos de revolcarse, los hace propensos a las infecciones con bacterias del género Leptospira sp., porque a menudo, las fuentes de agua están contaminadas por este patógeno. La seroprevalencia contra B. abortus por Rosa de Bengala y Elisa-C fue del 2,08 %. Todos los títulos determinados corresponden a procesos infecciosos. No hubo signos clínicos de enfermedad y la carencia de registros productivos no permitió determinar el efecto sobre los parámetros reproductivos.

In animal production, brucellosis and leptospirosis cause reproductive problems and limit animal health and production. The objective was to determine the presence of antibodies against Leptospira spp. and Brucella abortus in a buffalo population in the municipality of Tierralta, Cordoba. A descriptive, transversal study was carried out including a population of 144 Murrah´s breed buffalos destined for beef and milk production. For the Leptospira spp. diagnostic, was used a rapid slide agglutination test with 13 serogrups and 19 serovars belonging to 5 pathogenic Leptospira species was implemented and for Brucella abortus Rose Bengal and C-Elisa was used. Seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. was 87,5 %, serogrup Mini was the most frequent, but Grippotyphosa showed the higher titer. The 16,67 % of the buffaloes evaluated presented titles equal to or above than 1:800 associated with current or recent infection. High seroprevalence may be due to environmental characteristics of the zone, which gives favorable conditions for the growth and maintenance of this pathogen, these factors in conjunction with the habit of wallowing makes them prone to suffering infections caused by bacteria of the genera Leptospira sp. since water sources are often contaminated. Seroprevalence against B. abortus by Rose-Bengal and C-Elisa was 2,08 %, the determined titers correspond to infectious processes. There were no clinical manifestations of disease and the effects on reproductive parameters were not determined because of the lack of productive registries.

Análisis de usos y resistencia a antibióticos en una UCI de Montería, Colombia / Analysis of antibiotic uses and resistance in an ICU from Monteria, Colombia

Resumen Introducción: El uso de antibióticos, enfrenta grandes problemas que deben ser resueltos en pro de la calidad de vida de los pacientes buscando un equilibrio en el costo-efectividad. Los análisis farmacoeconómicos son una herramienta útil para determinar qué fármacos deben estar disponibles en guías farmacoterapéuticas. Aunque el método de selección de fármacos varía en cada institución, el principio general es que deben ser elegidos los más efectivos al menor costo. El objetivo fue establecer el costo de los tratamientos, la evaluación de susceptibilidad y resistencia a los antibióticos en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos de Montería. Métodos: La muestra se integró por todos los pacientes ingresados a la UCI, que recibieron tratamiento antibiótico, durante doce meses. De las historias clínicas, se identificaron y se clasificaron los tratamientos aplicados, duración del tratamiento, costo del tratamiento por paciente, consumos por paciente de los antibióticos con el fin de estimar los costos de los antibióticos utilizados en pacientes de la UCI. Resultados: Se registraron 670 ingresos, de los cuales el 48,40% recibieron terapia antimicrobiana. Las principales causas de ingreso a la UCI fueron: evento coronario agudo (16,69%), insuficiencia respiratoria aguda (13,83%), sepsis (12,48%). Los microorganismos encontrados fueron: E. coli, K. pneumoniae, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, S. epidermidis, A. baumanni, A. haemolyticus. Conclusión: Los sistemas estandarizados de vigilancia para el uso de antibióticos es una herramienta esencial en el uso racional y en el control de la resistencia antibacteriana.

Abstract The use of antibiotics, faces major problems that must be solved to ensure high-quality care of patients, which seeking a balance in cost-effectiveness. Pharmacoeconomics analyzes are a useful tool for determining which drugs should be available for pharmacotherapy strategies. Although the method of drug selection varies in each institution, the general principle is that the most effective ones should be chosen amongst the lowest-cost. The objective was to establish the cost of treatments, susceptibility assessment and resistance to antibiotics in an Intensive Care Unit in Montería. The sample was integrated by all the patients admitted to the ICU, who received antibiotic treatment, during twelve months. From the clinical records served, the treatments applied, duration of treatment, cost of treatment per patient, consumption per patient of the antibiotics were identified and classified to estimate the costs in relation to the therapeutic effectiveness of the antibiotics used in patients in the ICU. A total of 670 patients were registered, of whom 48,40% received antimicrobial therapy. The main causes of ICU admission were: acute coronary event (16,69%), acute respiratory failure (13,83%), sepsis (12,48%). The strains were: E. coli, K. pneumoniae, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, S. epidermidis, A. baumanni, A. haemolyticus. Standardized surveillance systems for the use of antibiotics are an essential strategic intervention for the rational use and control antimicrobial resistance.

ÁNTRAX: enfermedad aún vigente / ANTHRAX: disease still current

El ántrax es una zoonosis producida por Bacillus anthracis, único miembro del género Bacillus que es capaz de causar enfermedad epidémica en humanos y otros mamíferos. Afecta principalmente a los animales herbívoros domésticos y silvestres. Los humanos son hospederos accidentales y se infectan por contacto directo o indirecto con animales o productos contaminados. Las esporas pueden vivir en el suelo por años y los humanos pueden contraer el ántrax al tener contacto con animales infectados, productos provenientes de estos que al consumir carne infectada; esto se presenta principalmente en países poco desarrollados donde los niveles de vacunación animal contra esta enfermedad son bajos. Este escrito tiene por objetivo presentar una revisión sobre el tema, especialmente sobre aspectos como el modo de infección, manifestaciones clínicas, diagnóstico y tratamiento de la enfermedad.

Anthrax is a zoonosis produced by Bacillus anthracis, the only member of the genus Bacillus that is capable of causing epidemic disease in humans and other mammals. It mainly affects wild and domestic animals. Humans are accidental hosts and are infected through direct or indirect contact with animals or contaminated animal products. B. anthracisspores can live in the soil for many years and humans can become infected with anthraxby contact with infected animals or products contaminated from eating meat infected. This disease occurs mainly in developing countries where vaccine levels are low.The objective of this paper is to present a review on thesubject, especially on aspects such as mode ofinfection, clinical features diagnostic assessment and treatment of thedisease.

Estudio fitoquímico y evaluación de la actividad antioxidante de Esenbeckia litoralis Donn.Sm. (Loro grande) / Phytochemical study and evaluation of the antioxidant activity of Esenbeckia litoralis Donn. Sm. (loro)

Introducción: la especie Esenbeckia litoralis Donn.Sm. (Rutaceae) es también conocida como Loro o Loro grande, ha sido empleado en la medicina tradicional para el tratamiento de mordeduras de serpientes, dolor de garganta y lesiones ocasionadas por picaduras de insectos. Esta variedad de actividades son causadas por acción de los compuestos que la constituyen, como lignanos, terpenos, alcaloides, cumarinas y polifenoles que representan un alto potencial farmacológico para esta especie. Objetivo: realizar el estudio fitoquímico y evaluación de la actividad antioxidante de la especie E. litoralis. Métodos: los extractos vegetales de hojas corteza y madera se obtuvieron empleando etanol al 96 por ciento, y posteriormente fueron fraccionados usando técnicas cromatográficas como Cromatografía en Capa Delgada (CCD), Cromatografía en Columna (CC) y Cromatografía en Capa Delgada Preparativa (CCDP). Los compuestos se identificaron mediante el análisis de datos espectroscópicos con el empleo de técnicas instrumentales como: Infrarrojo (IR), Resonancia Magnética Nuclear Protónica y de Carbono trece (RMN-1H y 13C), Espectrometría de Masas (EM) y difracción de rayos x (DRX). La actividad antioxidante se evaluó a través de los métodos radical catiónico ABTS•+, radical libre DPPH• y Potencial de Actividad de Reducción Férrica (FRAP). Resultados: de esta especie se aislaron e identificaron cinco compuestos: cuatro alcaloides y un flavonoide. Los extractos en acetato de etilo de hojas y corteza mostraron una significativa actividad frente a los radicales ABTS•+ con un IC50 de 5,65 y 7,65 µg/mL respectivamente. Conclusiones: de los distintos extractos se aislaron cinco compuestos: 1-hidroxi-3-metoxi-N-metilacridona (1), maculosidina (2) maculina (3), dictamina (4) y gardenina B (5). El extracto en acetato de etilo de hojas y corteza presentaron una significativa actividad antioxidante frente al radical ABTS con un IC50 de 5,65 y 7,65 mg/L, respectivamente(AU)

Introduction: The species Esenbeckia litoralis Donn. Sm. (Rutaceae), also known as loro or loro grande, has been used in traditional medicine to treat snakebites, sore throats and lesions caused by insect bites. The compounds contained in the plant, among them lignans, terpenes, alkaloids, coumarins and polyphenols, are responsible for such a broad variety of activities, granting it great pharmacological potential. Objective: Conduct a phytochemical study and evaluation of the antioxidant activity of the species E. litoralis. Methods: Plant extracts from leaves, stem and wood were obtained using 96 percent ethanol, and then fractioned with chromatographic techniques such as thin-layer chromatography (TLC), column chromatography (CC) and preparative thin-layer chromatography (PTLC). The compounds were identified by spectroscopic data analysis using instrumental techniques such as infrared (IR) spectroscopy, proton and Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR-1H and 13C), mass spectrometry (MS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Antioxidant activity was evaluated with the methods ABTSo+ radical cation, DPPHo free radical and ferric reducing ability power (FRAP). Results: Five compounds were isolated from the species: four alkaloids and one flavonoid. Ethyl acetate extracts from leaves and stem displayed significant activity against ABTSo+ radicals, with a CI50 of 5.65 and 7.65 µg/ml, respectively. Conclusions: Five compounds were isolated from the various extracts: 1-hydroxy-3-methoxy-N-methylacridone (1), maculosidin (2), maculin (3), dictamin (4) and gardenin B (5). The leaf and stem extract in ethyl acetate displayed significant antioxidant activity against the ABTS radical, with a CI50 of 5.65 and 7.65 mg/l, respectively(AU)

Análisis epidemiológico y clínico de intoxicaciones agudas atendidas en montería, Colombia / Analysis epidemiology and clinical of acute poisoning of served in monteria, Colombia

Introducción. Las intoxicaciones agudas constituyen un problema de salud potencialmente grave, que representa entre 1 a 2 porciento de las urgencias médicas atendidas en los hospitales. Objetivo. Analizar el perfil epidemiológico y clínico de intoxicaciones agudas en pacientes del hospital San Jerónimo de Montería durante el tiempo comprendido entre enero del año 2008 a junio de 2011. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo que incluyo a todos los pacientes diagnosticados consintomatología de intoxicación en el hospital San Jerónimo de Montería, Córdoba. Resultados.Se revisaron 316 historias clínicas; de estas el 60,5 porciento correspondieron al género masculino y el 39,5 porciento al femenino. Los accidentes ofídicos con un 47,8 porciento fue la principal causa de intoxicaciones agudas, seguido de intoxicacionespor plaguicidas con el 24,3 porciento; la mayor proporción de pacientes se presentó en el grupo etareoentre 14 a 25 años. El 64,5 porciento los pacientes procedían de las áreas rurales del departamento de Córdoba. Se presentó una mortalidad del4,5 porciento.Conclusiones. Los accidentes ofídicos y las intoxicaciones por plaguicidas fueron las principales causas de intoxicaciones agudas en la población laboralmente activa del área rural del departamento de Córdoba.

Introduction. Acute poisoning is a potentially serious health problem, which represents between 1-2 % of medical emergencies treated in hospitals. Objective. To analyze the epidemiological and clinical profile of acute poisoning in patients Monteria St. Jeronimo Hospital during the period between January 2008 to June 2011. Materials and Methods. Through a retrospective study that included all patients diagnosed with symptoms of poisoning in Monteria St. Jeronimo hospital in Córdoba. Results. 316 medical records were reviewed; of these 60.5% were masculine and 39.5 % female. The snakebites with 47.8% were the leading cause of acute poisoning, pesticide poisoning followed with 24.3%; the highest proportion was presented with patients aged 14-25 years. It was established that in 64.5% patients were from rural areas of the Department of Córdoba. A mortality of 4.5% was presented. Conclusions. The snakebites and pesticide poisoning were the leading causes of acute poisoning in the working population of the rural area of Cordoba.

Eritrodermia deccamativa agresiva, reacción advrsa en paciente tratado con hiddroclorotiazida: reporte de caso / Aggressive scaly erytroderma, adverse reaction ina patient treated with hydrochllorothiazide: a case report

Se describe un caso clínico de un hombre de 69 años, hipertenso que recibió tratamiento con hidroclorotiaziada 25 mg día y desarrolló una reacción adversa compatible con una eritrodermia descamativa. El paciente experimentó mejoría clínica y resolución total de sus problemas cutáneos cuando finalizó el uso de la hidroclorotiazida.

The clinical case of a 69 year old man having high blood pressure who was treated with hydrochlorothiazide at 25 mg per day and who developed an adverse reaction compatible with scaly erythroderma is described. The patient underwent clinical recovery and total solution to his skin problems when the use of hydrochlorothiazide was susupended.