LipF increases rifampicin and streptomycin sensitivity in a Mycobacterium tuberculosis surrogate.

BACKGROUND: Mortality due to tuberculosis (TB) has increased due to the development of drug resistance, the mechanisms of which have not been fully elucidated. Our research group identified a low expression of lipF gene in Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates with drug resistance. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of lipase F (LipF) expression on mycobacterial drug resistance. RESULTS: The effects of expressing lipF from Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Mycobacterium smegmatis on resistance to antituberculosis drugs were determined with resazurin microtiter assay plate and growth kinetics. Functionality of ectopic LipF was confirmed. LipF expression reduced the rifampicin (RIF) and streptomycin (STR) minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) from 3.12 µg/mL to 1.6 µg/mL and 0.25 µg/mL to 0.06 µg/mL respectively, moreover a reduced M. smegmatis growth in presence of RIF and STR compared with that of a control strain without LipF expression (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01) was shown. CONCLUSIONS: LipF expression was associated with increased RIF and STR sensitivity in mycobacteria. Reduced LipF expression may contribute to the development of RIF and STR resistance in Mycobacterium species. Our findings provide information pertinent to understanding mycobacterial drug resistance mechanisms.

Prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in dogs and small mammals in Nuevo León, Mexico.

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is an important public health concern in areas extending from South America northward into the southern United States of America. Although this hemoflagellate has many wild and domestic mammalians reported as reservoir hosts, studies on this subject are scarce in Nuevo León state, a region located in northeastern Mexico. This cross-sectional study showed that the general prevalence of T. cruzi infection in Nuevo León state was 14.5% (35/241), this percentage matching the ones determined by PCR and traditional diagnostics. Localities and infected mammals did not significantly differ (χ2=6.098, p=0.192); however the number of infected animals was highly correlated with mammalian species (p=0.009). Striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) were found to be the most infected overall (11/34, 32.3%), while dogs (Canis familiaris) had the lowest prevalence. In conclusion, although the prevalence of T. cruzi infection in small mammals was lower in Nuevo León than in other states of Mexico, our results provide new locality records, including striped skunks, opossums (Didelphis marsupialis) and dogs, and extend the recorded area to woodrats (Neotoma micropus).

Interferon-based therapy delays but metabolic comorbidity accelerates progression of chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND: We compared mortality and complications of chronic hepatitis C between treated and untreated Mexican patients after long-term follow-up. We used a time-to-event analysis and identified the prognostic factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy-four patients with chronic hepatitis C were studied. They were ≥ 18 years of age and had a molecular diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C and ≥ 6 months of follow-up. Patients with neoplasia or those infected with human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis B Virus were excluded. Kaplan-Meier analysis, log-rank test, annualized incidence per 100 person-years, and stepwise discriminant analysis were used to analyse mortality and complications. RESULTS: The end-point of annualized incidence was lowest in sustained virological responders, intermediate in non-responders, and highest in untreated patients. The absence of treatment impacted adversely on cirrhosis development and the occurrence of portal hypertension and hepatic decompensation/hepatocellular carcinoma (logrank, p < 0.05). Diabetes impacted adversely on liver-related death/liver transplantation among untreated patients. Stepwise discriminant analysis showed that diabetes, high blood pressure, and no retreatment predicted cirrhosis development (eigenvalue ≥ 0.8; p < 0.05). A MELD score ≥ 18 and age ≥ 50 years predicted hepatic decompensation/hepatocellular carcinoma (eigenvalue < 0.8; p < 0.05). APRI ≥ 1.5 predicted mortality/liver transplantation and liver-related death/liver transplantation (eigenvalue < 0.8; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first long-term study of chronic hepatitis C among Mexican patients. Treated patients showed less progression of liver disease. Treated patients showed less progression of liver disease; and older patients, those with metabolic comorbidities, with MELD score ≥ 18 and APRI ≥ 1.5 exhibited adverse effects.

Diurnal and seasonal variations of carbonyls and their effect on ozone concentrations in the atmosphere of Monterrey, Mexico.

UNLABELLED: Few studies have been made regarding carbonyl concentrations in Monterrey, México. The Monterrey Metropolitan Area (MMA) has the third largest population in the country and has increasing pollution issues. The concentrations of 10 aldehydes and two ketones were measured in the MMA, in the spring and fall of 2011 and 2012. Formaldehyde (16-42 ppbv) was the most abundant carbonyl, followed by acetaldehyde (5-15 ppbv) and acetone (7-15 ppbv). The concentrations showed marked diurnal trends with maximum values between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., when photochemical activity is intense. Thus, secondary production of carbonyls is statistically significant in the city. Biogenic production of several carbonyls, such as 2-butanone, was supported by their mid correlation with solar radiation and low correlation with propionaldehyde, which is mainly emitted by anthropogenic sources. The seasonal variability of the concentrations was observed in the first three samplings, with the highest levels reached in the fall. The rainy conditions during the fourth sampling did not allow comparison. Carbonyl-NOx-O3 analysis was made. Results indicated a carbonyl-sensitive atmosphere, especially during the midday samplings of 10:00 a. m. to 2:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. because of the intense solar radiation during these periods. IMPLICATIONS: Monitoring of carbonyls in Monterrey, Mexico, was performed to quantify the pollutant concentration in the city's atmosphere. Although primary emission is significantly important, the secondary production of the pollutants, along with ozone production being carbonyl sensitive, indicates that air pollution controls must address the direct sources and the precursors of the pollutants to achieve air quality.

Association of Trypanosoma cruzi infection with risk factors and electrocardiographic abnormalities in northeast Mexico.

BACKGROUND: American trypanosomiasis is a major disease and public health issue, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The prevalence of T. cruzi has not been fully documented, and there are few reports of this issue in Nuevo Leon. The aim of this study was to update the seroprevalence rate of T. cruzi infection, including an epidemiological analysis of the risk factors associated with this infection and an electrocardiographic (ECG) evaluation of those infected. METHODS: Sera from 2,688 individuals from 10 municipalities in the state of Nuevo Leon, Mexico, were evaluated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and an indirect hemagglutination assay. An ECG case-control study was performed in subjects seropositive for T. cruzi and the results were matched by sex and age to seronegative residents of the same localities. A univariate analysis with χ2 and Fisher's exact tests was used to determine the association between seropositivity and age (years), sex, and ECG changes. A multivariate analysis was then performed to calculate the odd ratios between T. cruzi seropositivity and the risk factors. RESULTS: The seropositive rate was 1.93% (52/2,688). In the ECG study, 22.85% (8/35) of the infected individuals exhibited ECG abnormalities. Triatoma gerstaeckeri was the only vector reported. The main risk factors were ceiling construction material (P ≤ 0.0024), domestic animals (P ≤ 0.0001), and living in rural municipalities (P ≤ 0.0025). CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate a 10-fold higher prevalence of Chagas disease than previously reported (0.2%), which implies a serious public health threat in northeastern Mexico. The epidemiological profile established in this study differs from that found in the rest of Mexico, where human populations live in close proximity to domiciliary triatomines.

Plasma cholinesterase activity in the house finch, Carpodacus mexicanus, and the house sparrow, Passer domesticus, collected from pesticide-exposed agricultural land.

Agricultural lands are exposed to pesticides continuously, which impact on habitat of wild species, such birds. The purpose of this study was to determine the plasma cholinesterase activity in two passeriform wild birds, the house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) and the house sparrow (Passer domesticus), from agricultural land with exposure to pesticides. No significant difference was found in the house finch between specimens captured in non-agricultural and agricultural lands. However, house sparrows had significant differences in plasma cholinesterase activity, which indicates that this species is more sensitive to enzymatic activity inhibition by pesticides, and they could be indicators of pesticide pollution in agricultural areas.

Role of esxG and esxH Genes in Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium.

Tuberculosis drug resistance (DR) is a global problem that is not fully elucidated. Previously, overexpression of esxG and esxH genes was reported in a multidrug-resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolate compared with a reference H37Rv strain. To evaluate the roles of esxG and esxH in DR, analysis of their regulatory and coding sequences in sensitive and resistant strains was performed, and the expression levels of their transcriptional regulators IdeR, Zur, and MntR were evaluated. esxG and esxH were expressed heterologously using mycobacterial constructs, and the orthologs Msmeg_0620 and Msmeg_0621 were attenuated in Mycobacterium smegmatis by antisense knockdown. We found no differences in the regulatory and coding sequences of esxG and esxH between the sensitive strain and the MDR isolate. Expression analysis of transcriptional regulators showed that ideR was upregulated in isoniazid (INH)-resistant isolates; in addition, growth inhibition of the M. smegmatis strain was observed in the presence of rifampicin (RIF) and INH when esxG and esxH were expressed heterologously, while faster growth in the presence of RIF was observed when the orthologs were attenuated. In conclusion, the expression of esxG and esxH altered the growth of Mycobacterium in the presence of INH and RIF, suggesting a potential association with DR.

Comparison of specific expression profile in two in vitro hypoxia models.

The microenvironment plays a fundamental role in carcinogenesis: Acidity and hypoxia are actively involved in this process. It is important to have in vitro models to study these mechanisms. The models that are most commonly referred to are the hypoxia chamber and the chemical induction [Cobalt (II) chloride]. It is not yet defined if these models are interchangeable if the metabolic effect is the same, and if the results may be compared in these models. In the present study, the response to the effect of stress (hypoxia and acidity) in both models was evaluated. The results indicated that in the chemical model, the effect of hypoxia appeared in an early form at 6 h; whereas in the gas chamber the effect was slow and gradual and at 72 h there was an overexpression of erythropoietin (EPO), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α). In addition to the genes analyzed by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, the global expression analysis between both models revealed the 9 most affected genes in common. The present study additionally identified 3 potential genes (lysyl oxidase, ankyrin repeat domain 37, B-cell lymphoma 2 interacting protein 3 like) previously identified in other studies, which may be considered as universal hypoxia genes along with HIF1α, EPO, VEGF, glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), CA9, and LDH. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first time that both hypoxia models have been compared, and it was demonstrated that the effect of hypoxia induction was time sensitive in each model. These observations must be considered prior to selecting one of these models to identify selective hypoxia genes and their effects in cancer.

The association of Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus in Allende, Nuevo León, Mexico.

The recent appearance of Aedes Stegomyia albopictus (Skuse) in Nuevo León (NL) worries health officials. It is a vector of dengue fever in Asia and is more resistant to lower temperatures than Ae. aegypti. The objective of this study was to learn about some ecological parameters of Ae. albopictus and their association with Ae. aegypti, and other culicids in Allende, NL, Mexico, during 1999. Allende is a small town close to metropolitan Monterrey, which has 4 million inhabitants. The design was random with monthly sampling of 175 ovitraps. Chi-square analyses were performed with data of presence, absence, frequency, and relative abundances. During the study, the species Culex tarsalis (Coquillet), Cx. thriambus (Dyar), Cx. pipiens (Linnaeus), Cx. coronator (Dyar and Knab), Ae. albopictus, Ae. aegypti, Toxorhynchites rutilus (Coquillet), and Ae. triseriatus (Say) were found. April is the month for large numbers of mosquito species. September had the highest populations in positive ovitraps (66.67%), followed by July (63.27% of traps). Aedes aegypti was the most abundant (65.13%), followed by Ae. albopictus (19.71%). Both Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti were found from April until December. Aedes aegypti was more abundant than Ae. albopictus, except in August, when they were similar (chi2 = 0.197, P < 0.05). We found significant association between the presence of both species for every study month (chi2 = 9.837, P < 0.05), with a contingency coefficient of 0.247. September and November were the months having the most mosquitoes in this association. Only considering Ae. albopictus, more were found in ovitraps in July (34.6%), followed by September (33.3%). However, its presence was not significant throughout the year. Of 2 zones, in town and at the river, prevalence indicated that Ae. albopictus preferred the river. This mosquito is in its establishment phase in this area and requires further studies.

Host-feeding preference of Culex quinquefasciatus in Monterrey, northeastern Mexico.

Studies were conducted to determine the host selection patterns of Culex quinquefasciatus in the municipalities of Guadalupe and Escobedo near Monterrey, northeastern Mexico. Mosquitoes were captured inside and outside houses. Chickens and humans were the most common blood sources for all Cx. quinquefasciatus females, accounting for nearby 70% of blood meals. Human blood was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 36.4% and 28.4% of engorged females resting inside houses in Guadalupe and Escobedo, respectively. The proportions of indoor resting females fed on chicken blood were 38.7% and 56.7%, respectively. The weighted and unweighted human blood index (HBI) values were calculated, by using indoor and outdoor data, from the proportions of humanfed mosquitoes. Weighted means (HBI) estimates for Guadalupe and Escobedo were 23.0% and 15.4%, respectively. The forage ratios (FRs) for humans were <1.0 (with or without chicken populations); consequently, it seems that these mosquitoes feed on humans with less frequency in comparison with chickens, horses, and pigs. The FRs for chickens were the highest of all available hosts (1.7 and 3.2), and they were the most abundant hosts in Escobedo, and the second most abundant in Guadalupe, indicating a selective bias of Cx. quinquefasciatus for chickens (i.e. ornithophagic).

Gonotrophic cycle and survivorship of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) using sticky ovitraps in Monterrey, northeastern Mexico.

Mark-release-recapture experiments were conducted to determine the length of the gonotrophic cycle and rate of survivorship of Culex quinquefasciatus Say in Monterrey, northeastern Mexico. A total of 2,352 field-caught Cx. quinquefasciatus females were marked and released at 8-12 h postemergence in 2 field trials. Sticky ovitraps were used to recapture marked gravid females. One hundred and ten (4.6%) marked females were recaptured during a 12-day sampling period. Recapture rates for the 2 individual trials were 6.4% and 3.5%. The length of the gonotrophic cycle, calculated as the average time between the initial blood meal and the time of recapture of gravid females, was 2-3 days. The first blood-fed mosquitoes were recaptured on the 2nd day postrelease. Gravid egg-laying females were most commonly recaptured at 2-3 days postfeeding. Daily survival estimates for the 2 release dates were of 0.871 and 0.883, respectively.

Antimicrobial properties and dental pulp stem cell cytotoxicity using carboxymethyl cellulose-silver nanoparticles deposited on titanium plates.

Objective: To evaluate the antimicrobial properties and dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) cytotoxicity of synthesized carboxymethyl cellulose-silver nanoparticles impregnated on titanium plates. Material and methods: The antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticles in a carboxymethyl cellulose matrix impregnated on titanium plates (Ti-AgNPs) in three concentrations: 16%, 50% and 100% was determined by adding these to bacterial cultures of Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis. The Ti-AgNPs cytotoxicity on DPSCs was determined using a fluorimetric cytotoxicity assay with 0.12% chlorhexidine as a positive control. Results: Silver nanoparticles in all concentrations were antimicrobial, with concentrations of 50% and 100% being more cytotoxic with 4% cell viability. Silver nanoparticles 16% had a cell viability of 95%, being less cytotoxic than 0.12% chlorhexidine. Conclusions: Silver nanoparticles are a promising structure because of their antimicrobial properties. These have high cell viability at a concentration of 16%, and are less toxic than chlorhexidine.

Trypanosoma cruzi -infected Triatoma gerstaeckeri (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) from Nuevo León, México, and pathogenicity of the regional strain.

INTRODUCTION: Four species of triatomines have been reported in Nuevo León, northeast (NE) México, but Triatoma gerstaeckeri has only been recorded from a peridomestic dwelling. OBJECTIVES: To assess the natural infection index (NII) of Trypanosoma cruzi in triatomines and the infestation index (II) of T. gerstaeckeri collected in a suburban locality, and to collect histopathological data to understand tissue tropism of the regional T. cruzi strain (strain NE) obtained from the vectors collected after an experimental inoculation in Mus musculus . MATERIALS AND METHODS: Triatomines were collected from 85 houses and peridomiciles in Allende, Nuevo León. Stool samples were obtained to determine the T. cruzi NII and were used in an experimental mice infection. RESULTS: A total of 118 T . gerstaeckeri were captured, and 46 (adults and nymphs) were collected inside the same house (II=1.17%). Thirty-seven reduvids were infected with T. cruzi (NII=31.3%). Tissue tropism of the T. cruzi NE strain was progressive in skeletal muscle, myocardial, and adipose tissues and was characterized by the presence of intracellular amastigotes and destruction of cardiac myocells. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of naturally infected domiciliary vectors is an important risk factor for public health in the region considering that these vectors are the principal transmission mechanism of the parasite. The T. cruzi NE strain has similar virulence to that of other Mexican and Texan strains and caused chagasic infections in 11 of 12 mice.

Cellular pharmacology of P-ethoxy antisense oligonucleotides targeted to Bcl-2 in a follicular lymphoma cell line.

A P-ethoxy oligonucleotide (oligo), 20 bases long and specific for the translation initiation site of human Bcl-2 mRNA, was incorporated into liposomes to increase its intracellular delivery. This oligo selectively inhibited Bcl-2 protein expression and induced growth inhibition in t(14;18)-positive transformed follicular lymphoma (FL) cell lines. We studied the inhibitory effects of shorter liposomal P-ethoxy oligos (7, 9, 11 or 15 mer) in order to determine the activity of different oligo chain lengths targeted to the same Bcl-2 mRNA. At 12 microM, all the oligos inhibited the growth of a FL cell line. We compared the 7-mer oligo with the 20-mer oligo. The two oligos inhibited Bcl-2 protein expression similarly: 66% and 60% for the 7- and 20-mer, respectively. The uptake and retention of both oligos were also very similar. Our results indicate that the Bcl-2 inhibitory activity is maintained with P-ethoxy antisense oligos ranging from 7 to 20 bases.

Spatial distribution of the larval indices of Aedes aegypti in Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico, with circular distribution analysis.

A census of all outdoor larval breeding sites (951) present in 361 dwellings in a neighborhood of Guadalupe in northeastern Mexico was conducted in October 1997 to determine larval indices of Aedes aegypti, and their relationship to human population density and vegetation type. Here we present a method that allows finding the direction and extrapolar flight range of vectors, as parameters in the dynamics of dengue transmission. By using circular statistics applied to each block of data, ranges (quartiles) were computed for larval index type, adult-child (a/c) relationship, and vegetation. Eight angles between 37 and 300 degrees were used. Circular distribution was determined by using mean angle (a) and argument (r) from the sum of ranges for each variable. Arguments corresponding to the mean angle of house (260 degrees), recipient (265 degrees), and Breteau (247 degrees) indices were 0.2321, 0.2331, and 0.2225, respectively. In addition, arguments for the mean angle of herbaceous (277 degrees), shrub (318 degrees), and arboreal (333 degrees) vegetation were 0.2589, 0.1984, and 0.2367, respectively, and the 3 were located in the 4th quadrant. The a/c relationship was in 282 degrees, with an argument of 0.2466, which indicates that in this neighborhood in southern Guadalupe, both the human population density and the larval indices were higher than in other areas.

Cryptococcus spp. isolation from excreta of pigeons (Columba livia) in and around Monterrey, Mexico.

The presence of Cryptococcus spp. has been reported in Mexico's capital city; however, to our knowledge there are no reports of its presence in the state of Nuevo León located in northeast Mexico. This is presumed to be because the hot and dry climate in this region does not favor cryptococcal proliferation. This study confirmed the presence of C. neoformans and C. albidus in 20% (10/50) of randomly selected fecal samples of pigeons (Columba livia) in the Monterrey metropolitan area. The presence of this yeast in the state of Nuevo León is proof of its adaptation to the typically hot climate of the area and is consistent with recent reviews of cryptococcosis cases in several local hospitals. The two species were identified and characterized through microbiological tests and molecular identification by DNA extraction and PCR amplification of highly conserved 18S ribosomal DNA using ITS1 and ITS2 as target regions. The PCR products were sequenced and compared with those reported in GenBank.

Trypanosoma cruzi -infected Triatoma gerstaeckeri (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) from Nuevo León, México, and pathogenicity of the regional strain / Triatoma gerstaeckeri (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) infectada con Trypanosoma cruzi en Nuevo León, México, y capacidad patógena de la cepa regional

Introduction: Four species of triatomines have been reported in Nuevo León, northeast (NE) México, but Triatoma gerstaeckeri has only been recorded from a peridomestic dwelling. Objectives: To assess the natural infection index (NII) of Trypanosoma cruzi in triatomines and the infestation index (II) of T. gerstaeckeri collected in a suburban locality, and to collect histopathological data to understand tissue tropism of the regional T. cruzi strain (strain NE) obtained from the vectors collected after an experimental inoculation in Mus musculus . Materials and methods: Triatomines were collected from 85 houses and peridomiciles in Allende, Nuevo León. Stool samples were obtained to determine the T. cruzi NII and were used in an experimental mice infection. Results: A total of 118 T . gerstaeckeri were captured, and 46 (adults and nymphs) were collected inside the same house (II=1.17%). Thirty-seven reduvids were infected with T. cruzi (NII=31.3%). Tissue tropism of the T. cruzi NE strain was progressive in skeletal muscle, myocardial, and adipose tissues and was characterized by the presence of intracellular amastigotes and destruction of cardiac myocells. Conclusions: The presence of naturally infected domiciliary vectors is an important risk factor for public health in the region considering that these vectors are the principal transmission mechanism of the parasite. The T. cruzi NE strain has similar virulence to that of other Mexican and Texan strains and caused chagasic infections in 11 of 12 mice.

Introducción. En Nuevo León, localizado en el noreste de México, existen cuatro especies de triatominos, de las cuales Triatoma gerstaeckeri ha sido la única reportada en peridomicilios. Objetivos. Evaluar el índice de infección natural de Trypanosoma cruzi en los triatominos y el índice de infestación de T. gerstaeckeri en una localidad suburbana, y obtener datos histopatológicos para comprender el tropismo tisular de la cepa regional (cepa NE) de T. cruzi obtenida de los vectores recolectados después de la infección experimental en Mus musculus. Materiales y métodos. La recolección de triatominos se llevó a cabo en 85 casas y peridomicilios de Allende, Nuevo León, México. Se obtuvieron muestras de las deyecciones para conocer el índice de infección natural por T. cruzi y, con estas, se hicieron inoculaciones experimentales en ratones. Resultados. Se capturaron 118 especímenes de T. gerstaeckeri , 46 (adultos y ninfas) en el mismo domicilio (índice de infestación=1,17 %). Treinta y siete redúvidos estaban infectados con T. cruzi (índice de infección natural, 31,3). El tropismo tisular de la cepa NE de T. cruzi fue progresivo en músculo esquelético, miocardio y tejido adiposo, y se caracterizó por la presencia de amastigotes intracelulares con destrucción de células cardiacas. Conclusiones. La presencia de vectores domiciliarios naturalmente infectados con T. cruzi , es un factor de riesgo importante para la salud pública de la región, considerando que este es el principal mecanismo de la transmisión del parásito y que la cepa NE de T. cruzi tiene una virulencia similar a la de otras cepas mexicanas y texanas, y causó infección chagásica en 11 de los 12 ratones inoculados.

Lead-, cadmium-, and arsenic-induced DNA damage in rat germinal cells.

Toxic agents can interfere with the male reproductive system at many targets. One of the major unresolved questions concerning male infertility is identification of its molecular origins. Clinical and animal studies indicate that abnormalities of spermatogenesis result from exposure to three toxic metals (lead acetate, cadmium chloride, and arsenic trioxide), but the effects on primary spermatocyte DNA of the male rat after chronic exposure to these metals have not been identified. The aims of this study were to analyze, in three independent experiments, the DNA damage induced by lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) in rat germinal cells during three time periods, and to determine the relationship between DNA damage and blood Pb, blood Cd, and urine As levels. For lead acetate and cadmium chloride experiments, blood was collected by cardiac puncture, while for arsenic trioxide a 24-h urine sample was collected. Afterward, the animals were sacrificed by decapitation. Pachytene spermatocytes from rat testes were purified by trypsin digestion followed by centrifugal elutriation. After establishment of cell purity and viability, DNA damage (tail length) was measured employing a single cell gel/comet assay. Significant DNA damage was found in primary spermatocytes from rats with chronic exposure (13 weeks) to toxic metals. In conclusion, these findings indicate that exposure to toxic metals affects primary spermatocyte DNA and are suggestive of possible direct testicular toxicity.

Update on seroprevalence of anti-Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies among blood donors in northeast Mexico.

Chagas disease has become frequent in non-endemic areas, where it can be transmitted by blood transmission. Therefore, we explored seroprevalence of anti-Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies among blood donors at the Cardiology Hospital, Mexican Institute of Social Security at Monterrey, Nuevo León, by both an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and indirect hemagglutination. Blood samples from 1,000 healthy blood donors were selected. A seropositivity of 2.8% was shown among the studied population, of which 2.59% (21/809) were inhabitants of Nuevo León, whereas 3.07% (2/65) and 3.96% (5/126) were from Coahuila and Tamaulipas, respectively. Our result is higher than that of a previous study from 1998, where a prevalence of 0.5% was reported. This once again corroborates the importance of installing a surveillance program to detect and prevent the transfusion of T. cruzi from asymptomatic blood donors in blood banks located in urban cities recognized as non-endemic.

[Distribution of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) in Nuevo León, México, 2001-2004]. / Distribución de Aedes albopictus (Skuse) en Nuevo León, México, 2001-2004.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the distribution of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) in Nuevo Leon between 2001 and 2004. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Standardized methods were used to collect 6371 samples of mosquito's larvae from 167 sites. The proportions of samples positive for Ae. albopictus were obtained by municipality and year, using the software program Excel. RESULTS: There were 1179 samples positive for Ae. albopictus. This species was distributed over 10 municipalities, as follows: Five on the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Plains, which predominantly have a semi-warm, sub-humid climate, and precipitations almost year round (Allende, Montemorelos, Linares, General Teran, and Santiago); two (Sabinas Hidalgo, and Cadereyta) localized on the North American Great Plains, which have a warm, semiarid climate, and scarce precipitations. The final three were Apodaca, San Nicolas, and Escobedo distributed over the metropolitan area of Monterrey City. CONCLUSIONS: Up to January 2004, the second most important epidemiological vector in the transmission cycle of Ae. albopictus worldwide was found in ten municipalities of Nuevo Leon State, Mexico.