In Vitro Effect of Epigallocatechin Gallate on Heme Synthesis Pathway and Protoporphyrin IX Production.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) treats nonmelanoma skin cancer. PDT kills cells through reactive oxygen species (ROS), generated by interaction among cellular O2, photosensitizer and specific light. Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) is a photosensitizer produced from methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) by heme group synthesis (HGS) pathway. In PDT-resistant cells, PDT efficacy has been improved by addition of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Therefore, the aim of this work is to evaluate the effect of EGCG properties over MAL-TFD and PpIX production on A-431 cell line. EGCG's role over cell proliferation (flow cytometry and wound healing assay) and clonogenic capability (clonogenic assay) was evaluated in A-431 cell line, while the effect of EGCG over MAL-PDT was determined by cell viability assay (MTT), PpIX and ROS detection (flow cytometry), intracellular iron quantification and gene expression of HGS enzymes (RT-qPCR). Low concentrations of EGCG (<50 µM) did not have an antiproliferative effect over A-431 cells; however, EGCG inhibited clonogenic cell capability. Furthermore, EGCG (<50 µM) improved MAL-PDT cytotoxicity, increasing PpIX and ROS levels, exerting a positive influence on PpIX synthesis, decreasing intracellular iron concentration and modifying HGS enzyme gene expression such as PGB (upregulated) and FECH (downregulated). EGCG inhibits clonogenic capability and modulates PpIX synthesis, enhancing PDT efficacy in resistant cells.

Tracing the Scientific Legacy: Bibliometric Analysis of LATAM Research in Bariatric Surgery for 33 Years.

INTRODUCTION: Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) has experienced considerable growth, addressing the challenges of obesity and its complications. The lack of a comprehensive bibliometric analysis in Latin America motivates this study, highlighting the need to understand the evolution of research in this area and its impact on clinical decision-making and health policies. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional bibliometric study was carried out using the Scopus database. A structured search strategy was designed to identify articles related to bariatric surgery with authors affiliated with Latin American countries. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, followed by a descriptive and bibliometric analysis of the scientific production found. RESULTS: A total of 3553 documents published between 1991 and 2024 were included. There was an annual growth of 11%, with an average age of documents of 7.5 years. A concentration was observed in some countries, notably Brazil, Mexico, and Chile. Although scientific output increased, the average number of citations per article showed a downward trend since 2003. DISCUSSION: Despite the growth in scientific production, the quality and relevance of research is questioned, especially given the decrease in the impact received. It highlights the lack of meaningful regional collaboration, which could limit the sharing of knowledge and resources. Questions are raised about gaps in research capacity and the economic and development implications are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides valuable information to strengthen future research in bariatric surgery in Latin America. It highlights the importance of promoting regional and international collaboration and improving research training in countries with less participation. Clinical intervention strategies can benefit from better understanding research trends and adopting evidence-based practices in a more informed manner.

Cysteine-Based Perfluorinated Derivatives: A Theoretical and Experimental Study.

Cysteine-based perfluoroaromatic (hexafluorobenzene (HFB) and decafluorobiphenyl (DFBP)) were synthesized and established as a chemoselective and available core to construct molecular systems ranging from small molecules to biomolecules with interesting properties. The DFBP was found more effective than HFB for the monoalkylation of decorated thiol molecules. As proof of concept of the potential application of perfluorinated derivatives as non-cleavable linkers, some antibody-perfluorinated conjugates were prepared via thiol through two different strategies, i) using thiol from reduced cystamine coupling to carboxylic acids from mAb by amide bond, and ii) using thiols from reduction of mAb disulfide bond. Conjugates cell binding analysis demonstrated that the bioconjugation does not affect the macromolecular entity. Besides, some molecular properties of synthesized compounds are evaluated through spectroscopic characterization (FTIR and 19 F NMR chemical shifts) and theoretical calculations. The comparison of calculated and experimental 19 F NMR shifts and IR wavenumbers give excellent correlations, asserting as powerful tools in structurally identifying HFB and DFBP derivatives. Moreover, molecular docking was also developed to predict cysteine-based perfluorated derivatives' affinity against topoisomerase Il and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). The results suggested that mainly cysteine-based DFBP derivatives could be potential topoisomerase II α and COX-2 binders, becoming potential anticancer agents and candidates for anti-inflammatory treatment.

Oral Mucosal Melanoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

ABSTRACT: Oral mucosal melanoma is an unusual and aggressive malignant tumor that mainly affects the palate of men aged between 50 and 60 years. We present a literature review focusing on the etiopathogenesis and the clinicopathologic features of this entity. In addition, we reported a rare case of an oral mucosal melanoma arising in the left cheek of a 60-yea r- old man. Computed tomography scan revealed infiltration of the tumor to other anatomic structures including the maxillary sinus, the zygomatic bone and the pterygoid processes. Based on its extension, the lesion was considered inoperable and treatment with three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy was proposed but the patient only attended to the first session and died from cancer progression 6 months after the diagnosis. This paper reinforces the importance of inclusion of this malignant tumor in the differential diagnosis of pigmented lesions of the oral mucosa.

RESUMEN: El melanoma de la mucosa oral es un tumor maligno inusual y agresivo que afecta principalmente al paladar de hombres de entre 50 y 60 años. Presentamos una revisión bibliográfica centrada en la etiopatogenia y las características clínico-patológicas de esta entidad. Además, reportamos un caso raro de melanoma de la mucosa oral que surgió en la mejilla izquierda de un hombre de 60 años. La tomografía computarizada reveló la infiltración del tumor a otras estructuras anatómicas, incluido el seno maxilar, el hueso cigomático y los procesos pterigoideos. En base a su extensión, la lesión se consideró inoperable y se propuso tratamiento con radioterapia conformada tridimensional pero el paciente solo asistió a la primera sesión y falleció por progresión del cáncer 6 meses después del diagnóstico. Este trabajo refuerza la importancia de la inclusión de este tumor maligno en el diagnóstico diferencial de las lesiones pigmentadas de la mucosa oral.

Comparison of technical parameters and women's experience between self-compression and standard compression modes in mammography screening: a single-blind randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: We compared the compression force, breast thickness, and glandular dose, as well as the severity of discomfort and women's experience between the patient-assisted compression (PAC) and standard compression (SC) modes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective randomized controlled study at Hospital del Mar in Barcelona, Spain. We included 448 asymptomatic women aged 50 to 69 years old, attending their screening round from December 2017 to December 2019. Mammograms included the two bilateral views. In each woman, one breast was studied with SC and the other with PAC. The mode used in each breast was selected following a randomized list. Compression force, breast thickness, and average glandular dose were obtained for each of the 1792 images. We also recorded the degree of discomfort and women's experience, after mammogram acquisitions, using a predefined survey. RESULTS: Higher compression forces were obtained with PAC than with SC (99.27 N vs 83.25 N, p < 0.001). Breast thickness mode (56.11 mm vs 57.52 mm, p = 0.015) and glandular dose (1.34 mGy vs 1.37 mGy, p = 0.018) were lower in PAC. The discomfort score was slightly higher with PAC (mean 3.94 vs 3.69, p = 0.042), but in the satisfaction survey, more women reported that PAC caused less discomfort. Additionally, 63.2% of women (289/448) preferred PAC. CONCLUSION: PAC achieved higher compression forces without impairing the other technical imaging parameters and enhanced women's experience of screening mammography. We believe there were no clinically significant differences in the severity of discomfort between the two modes. KEY POINTS: • Self-compression allows higher compression forces than the standard compression mode. • Self-compression does not affect technical imaging parameters. • Self-compression improved women's experience of screening mammography when standard compression was used on one breast and self-compression on the other.

Does the patient-assisted compression mode affect the mammography quality? A within-woman randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the image quality of a mammography screening device using the patient-assisted compression (PAC) compared with the standard compression (SC) mode. METHODS: This prospective within-woman, randomized controlled trial was conducted between September 2017 and December 2019. Participants were asymptomatic women aged 50 to 69 years attending their second or subsequent screening mammography round. By random assignment, one breast underwent the SC and the other breast, the PAC. Image quality was evaluated as perfect, good, moderate, or inadequate (PGMI) on 10 criteria for the craniocaudal (CC) view and 8 criteria for the mediolateral oblique (MLO) view. Pearson's chi-square test, with Yates' correction if pertinent, was performed to compare image quality between compression modes. RESULTS: A total of 444 participants were included (mean [± standard deviation] age, 60 [± 4.9] years). There were no differences in the percentages of PGMI between the PAC and SC modes for the CC view (perfect, 37% [162/444] vs 37% [163/444]; good, 1% [5/444] vs 2% [9/444]; moderate, 62% [277/444] vs 61% [271/444]; inadequate, 0% vs 0.2% [1/444]; p = .88) or for the MLO view (perfect, 53% [237/444] vs 56% [247/444]; good, 22% [99/444] vs 22% [97/444]; moderate, 23% [102/444] vs 22% [98/444]; inadequate, 1% [6/444] vs 0.5% [2/444]; p = .72). No differences were found when we stratified by laterality or when analyzed by PGMI criteria. CONCLUSION: PAC does not seem to impair mammographic image quality. Future research should focus in a daily practice setting. KEY POINTS: No differences were found in the distribution of the PGMI classification, a tool for quality assessment, between patient-assisted compression and standard compression. Similar results were found on stratification of image quality by mammographic view and breast laterality for both types of compression. None of the PGMI criteria had significantly more errors in patient-assisted compression than in standard compression.

Extracellular Vesicles as Mediators of Cancer Disease and as Nanosystems in Theranostic Applications.

Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide despite decades of intense efforts to understand the molecular underpinnings of the disease. To date, much of the focus in research has been on the cancer cells themselves and how they acquire specific traits during disease development and progression. However, these cells are known to secrete large numbers of extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are now becoming recognized as key players in cancer. EVs contain a large number of different molecules, including but not limited to proteins, mRNAs, and miRNAs, and they are actively secreted by many different cell types. In the last two decades, a considerable body of evidence has become available indicating that EVs play a very active role in cell communication. Cancer cells are heterogeneous, and recent evidence reveals that cancer cell-derived EV cargos can change the behavior of target cells. For instance, more aggressive cancer cells can transfer their "traits" to less aggressive cancer cells and convert them into more malignant tumor cells or, alternatively, eliminate those cells in a process referred to as "cell competition". This review discusses how EVs participate in the multistep acquisition of specific traits developed by tumor cells, which are referred to as "the hallmarks of cancer" defined by Hanahan and Weinberg. Moreover, as will be discussed, EVs play an important role in drug resistance, and these more recent advances may explain, at least in part, why pharmacological therapies are often ineffective. Finally, we discuss literature proposing the use of EVs for therapeutic and prognostic purposes in cancer.

Genetic Patterns Found in the Nuclear Localization Signals (NLSs) Associated with EBV-1 and EBV-2 Provide New Insights into Their Contribution to Different Cell-Type Specificities.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a globally dispersed pathogen involved in several human cancers of B-cell and non-B-cell origin. EBV has been classified into EBV-1 and EBV-2, which have differences in their transformative ability. EBV-1 can transform B-cells into LCL more efficiently than EBV-2, and EBV-2 preferentially infects T-cell lymphocytes. The EBNA3A oncoprotein is a transcriptional regulator of virus and host cell genes, and is required in order to transform B-cells. EBNA3A has six peptide motifs called nuclear localization signals (NLSs) that ensure nucleocytoplasmic protein trafficking. The presence of multiple NLSs has been suggested to enhance EBNA3 function or different specificities in different cell types. However, studies about the NLS variability associated with EBV types are scarce. Based on a systematic sequence analysis considering more than a thousand EBNA3A sequences of EBV from different human clinical manifestations and geographic locations, we found differences in NLSs' nucleotide structures among EBV types. Compared with the EBNA3A EBV-1, EBNA3A EBV-2 has two of the six NLSs altered, and these mutations were possibly acquired by recombination. These genetic patterns in the NLSs associated with EBV-1 and EBV-2 provide new information about the traits of EBNA3A in EBV biology.

Optimized and scalable synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles for RNA extraction in response to developing countries' needs in the detection and control of SARS-CoV-2.

Ecuador is one of the most affected countries, with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, in Latin America derived from an ongoing economic crisis. One of the most important methods for COVID-19 detection is the use of techniques such as real time RT-PCR based on a previous extraction/purification of RNA procedure from nasopharyngeal cells using functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNP). This technique allows the processing of ~ 10,000 tests per day in private companies and around hundreds per day at local Universities guaranteeing to reach a wide range of the population. However, the main drawback of this method is the need for specialized MNP with a strong negative charge for the viral RNA extraction to detect the existence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Here we present a simplified low cost method to produce 10 g of nanoparticles in 100 mL of solution that was scaled to one litter by parallelizing the process 10 times in just two days and allowing for the possibility of making ~ 50,000 COVID-19 tests. This communication helps in reducing the cost of acquiring MNP for diverse biomolecular applications supporting developing country budgets constraints and chemical availability specially during the COVID-19 International Health Emergency.

Epigallocatechin Gallate Enhances MAL-PDT Cytotoxic Effect on PDT-Resistant Skin Cancer Squamous Cells.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been used to treat certain types of non-melanoma skin cancer with promising results. However, some skin lesions have not fully responded to this treatment, suggesting a potential PDT-resistant phenotype. Therefore, novel therapeutic alternatives must be identified that improve PDT in resistant skin cancer. In this study, we analyzed the cell viability, intracellular protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) content and subcellular localization, proliferation profile, cell death, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection and relative gene expression in PDT-resistant HSC-1 cells. PDT-resistant HSC-1 cells show a low quantity of protoporphyrin IX and low levels of ROS, and thus a low rate of death cell. Furthermore, the resistant phenotype showed a downregulation of HSPB1, SLC15A2, FECH, SOD2 and an upregulation of HMBS and BIRC5 genes. On the other hand, epigallocatechin gallate catechin enhanced the MAL-PDT effect, increasing levels of protoporphyrin IX and ROS, and killing 100% of resistant cells. The resistant MAL-PDT model of skin cancer squamous cells (HSC-1) is a reliable and useful tool to understand PDT cytotoxicity and cellular response. These resistant cells were successfully sensitized with epigallocatechin gallate catechin. The in vitro epigallocatechin gallate catechin effect as an enhancer of MAL-PDT in resistant cells is promising in the treatment of difficult skin cancer lesions.

Detección molecular de agentes infecciosos de transmisión sexual en un grupo de hombres sintomáticos y su relación con la conducta sexual / Molecular detection of sexually transmitted agents in a symptomatic group of men and its relationship with sexual behavior

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) affect sexual and reproductive health of millions of men. Pathogens such as human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 (HSV-1 y HSV-2), Chlamydia trachomatis,Mycoplasmagenitalium,Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum are associated with STIs. Aim: To detect pathogens associated with STIs in symptomatic men and its relationship with sexual behavior. Methodology: DNA was obtained from exfoliated cells of penis from 20 symptomatic men. Pathogens were detected using qPCR or PCR followed by reverse line blot. Sexual behavior was evaluated through a survey. Results: Two or more infectious agents were detected in 50% of samples. U. urealyticum was found in 25%, meanwhile C. trachomatis and M. hominis were detected in 15%. VHS-1, VHS-2 andM. genitalium were detected only in 5%. HPV was found in all samples. The most frequent HPV genotypes were VPH 16, 11, 70. There were no statistical link found between sexual behavior and the studied microorganisms Conclusion: Infectious agents associated with STIs were detected in symptomatic men. HPV was the most frequent pathogen and it was detected in multiple genotypes. It is necessary to increase the sample size to associate significantly the sexual behavior with the results.

Introducción: Las infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS) afectan la salud sexual y reproductiva de millones de hombres. Patógenos como virus papiloma humano (VPH), virus herpes simplex (VHS-1 y VHS-2), Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis y Ureaplasma urealyticum están asociados a ITS. Objetivo: Detectar patógenos asociados a ITS en hombres sintomáticos y relacionarlos con su conducta sexual. Metodología: Se obtuvo ADN de exfoliado celular del pene de 20 hombres sintomáticos de ITS. Los patógenos fueron detectados por RPC cuantitativa o RPC seguida de reverse line blot. La conducta sexual se evaluó mediante una encuesta. Resultados: En 50% de las muestras se detectaron dos o más agentes infecciosos; U. urealyticum fue detectado en 25% de los casos, mientras que C. trachomatis y M. hominis en 15%. VHS-1, VHS-2 y M. genitalium sólo en 5%. VPH se encontró en todas las muestras y los genotipos más frecuentes fueron VPH 16, 11, 70. No se encontró relación estadística entre los microorganismos estudiados y la conducta sexual de los encuestados. Conclusión: Se detectaron agentes infecciosos asociados a ITS en hombres sintomáticos, siendo VPH el más frecuente y encontrándose en múltiples genotipos. Es necesario aumentar el tamaño de muestra para asociar significativamente la conducta sexual a los resultados.

[Molecular detection of sexually transmitted agents in a symptomatic group of men and its relationship with sexual behavior]. / Detección molecular de agentes infecciosos de transmisión sexual en un grupo de hombres sintomáticos y su relación con la conducta sexual.

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) affect sexual and reproductive health of millions of men. Pathogens such as human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 (HSV-1 y HSV-2), Chlamydia trachomatis,Mycoplasmagenitalium,Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum are associated with STIs. AIM: To detect pathogens associated with STIs in symptomatic men and its relationship with sexual behavior. METHODOLOGY: DNA was obtained from exfoliated cells of penis from 20 symptomatic men. Pathogens were detected using qPCR or PCR followed by reverse line blot. Sexual behavior was evaluated through a survey. RESULTS: Two or more infectious agents were detected in 50% of samples. U. urealyticum was found in 25%, meanwhile C. trachomatis and M. hominis were detected in 15%. VHS-1, VHS-2 andM. genitalium were detected only in 5%. HPV was found in all samples. The most frequent HPV genotypes were VPH 16, 11, 70. There were no statistical link found between sexual behavior and the studied microorganisms Conclusion: Infectious agents associated with STIs were detected in symptomatic men. HPV was the most frequent pathogen and it was detected in multiple genotypes. It is necessary to increase the sample size to associate significantly the sexual behavior with the results.

Disminución del influjo parasimpático en fibromialgia: Su relación con la Psiquiatría en un centro especializado de referencia nacional / Reduction of the parasympathetic influx in fibromyalgia: Its relationship with Psychiatry in a national referral specialized center

Antecedentes La fibromialgia (FM) se caracteriza por dolor crónico generalizado, fatiga, alteraciones del sueño, depresión, ansiedad y disautonomía (hiperactividad simpática). Objetivo Comparar la variabilidad de la frecuencia cardiaca (VFC) en mujeres: 20 pacientes con FM vs. 20 controles, mediante Holter de 24 hrs. Método La medición consistió en segmentos de cinco minutos. El dominio de la frecuencia se determinó por logaritmo natural de la razón LF/HF (Low/High Frecuencies). Se utilizó ANOVA simple para dos grupos de variables dimensionales. Resultados El rango de edad fue de 30 a 60 años. Nueve mujeres presentaron comorbilidad psiquiátrica: depresión (77.7%) y ansiedad (22.3%). Hubo diferencias (F=24.45, p<0.0001) en LF/HF entre los grupos en la fase nocturna del registro (22 hrs a 2 am), mostrándose mayor activación simpática en las pacientes. En el índice SDNN (desviación estándar de intervalos entre latidos) existieron diferencias significativas en 9 de 12 periodos del registro. En el índice pNN50 (porcentaje de intervalos que difieren en más de 50 milisegundos), el grupo control mostró valores más altos de 6 a 12 hrs. La variación nocturna se observó de 22 hrs. (F=22.37, p=0.0001) hasta las 6 am (F=30.27, p=0.0001). El indicador rMSSD (raíz cuadrada de la media de las diferencias de la frecuencia cardiaca) mostró valores más altos para el grupo control desde las 22 hrs. (F=67.71, p=0.0001) hasta las 6am (F=80.35, p=0.0001). Discusión y conclusión Los resultados reflejan la disminución del influjo parasimpático en las pacientes con FM. Esto confirma la participación del sistema nervioso parasimpático en la fisiopatología de la FM.

Background Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by chronic widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety and dysautonomia (sympathetic hyperactivity). Objective To compare the heart rate variability (HRV) in women: 20 patients with FM vs. 20 controls by Holter 24 hrs. Method The measurement consisted of segments of five minutes. The frequency domain is determined by the natural logarithm of the LF/HF (Low/ High Frecuencies) reason. Simple ANOVA was used for two groups of dimensional variables. Results The age range was 30-60 years. Nine presented psychiatric comorbidity: depression (77.7%) and anxiety (22.3%). There were differences (F = 24.45, p <0.0001) in LF/HF between groups in the nocturnal phase of registration (22 pm to 2 am) showing increased sympathetic activation in patients. In the SDNN index (standard deviation of intervals between heartbeats) there were significant differences on December 9 periods of record. In pNN50 index (percentage of intervals which differ by more than 50 milliseconds), the control group showed higher values of 6 to 12 hrs. Nocturnal variation was observed in 22 hrs (F = 22.37, p = 0.0001) until 6am (F = 30.27, p = 0.0001). The rMSSD indicator (square root of the mean of the differences in heart rate) showed higher values for the control group from 22 hrs (F = 67.71, p = 0.0001) until 6am (F = 80.35, p = 0.0001). Discussion and conclusion The results reflect the decreased parasympathetic influence in patients with FM. This confirms the participation of parasympathetic nervous system in the pathophysiology of FM.

Frecuencia de la infección por Chlamydia trachomatis en un grupo de mujeres de la Región de la Araucanía, Chile / Frequency of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in a group of women from Region of Araucanía, Chile

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most commonly reported sexually transmitted bacterial infection worldwide. Between 70 and 90% of women are asymptomatic, however, untreated and persistent infections can lead to the development of urethritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Aims: To determine C. trachomatis infection frequency in a group of women in Chile, using quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) and to compare the usefulness of endocervical and urine samples for C. trachomatis detection. Methods: 87 asymptomatic women aged 15-64 years were included. Every woman donated one endocervical sample and one urine sample. Detection and quantification of C. trachomatis was performed by qPCR. Results: Of 87 endocervical samples, the frequency was 11.49% (n = 10). Of these samples, 5 cases were found in women < 35 years old. About urine samples, 16 samples were positive (18.39%). Ten women < 35 years old yielded positive urine samples. Only four women had both samples positive for C. trachomatis (4.6%). There was no statistically significant relationship between age and C. trachomatis infection. Cryptic plasmid quantification was found between 3.55 - 96.050 copies/μL for endocervical samples and 7.22-633.1 copies/μL for urine samples. Conclusion: Estimated frequency of C. trachomatis in Chilean women was higher than previous Chilean studies. Both types of samples are complementary for screening and diagnosis strategies using sensitive techniques, because silent infection can be present in either urinary or genital tract or in both in women.

Introducción: La infección por Chlamydia trachomatis es la infección bacteriana de transmisión sexual más frecuente en el mundo. Entre 70 y 90% de las mujeres son asintomáticas; sin embargo, las infecciones sin tratar y persistentes permiten el desarrollo de uretritis, enfermedad inflamatoria pélvica, infertilidad y embarazo ectópico. Objetivos: Determinar la frecuencia de infección por C. trachomatis en un grupo de mujeres chilenas, mediante RPC en tiempo real cuantitativa (qPCR) y comparar la utilidad de muestras endo-cervicales y de orina para la detección de C. trachomatis. Metodología: Participaron 87 mujeres asintomáticas (15-64 años). Cada mujer donó una muestra endo-cervical y una de orina. Se realizó detección y cuantificación C. trachomatis mediante qPCR. Resultados: La frecuencia de infección por C. trachomatis en muestras endo-cervicales fue de 11,49% (n: 10) y en muestras de orina de 18,39% (n: 16). El mayor número de casos se encontró en mujeres < 35 años. Sólo en cuatro mujeres se detectó C. trachomatis en ambas muestras (4,6%). La cuantificación de plásmido críptico se encontró en un rango 3,55 - 96.050 copias/μL. Conclusión: La frecuencia estimada de C. trachomatis fue más alta que en otros estudios chilenos. Ambos tipos de muestra deberían ser complementarias para estrategias de tamizaje y diagnóstico de C. trachomatis usando técnicas sensibles de detección, ya que la infección puede desarrollarse en el tracto genital y/o en el tracto urinario en mujeres.

[Detection of human papilloma virus infection in men]. / Diagnóstico de la infección por virus papiloma humano en el hombre.

Globally, human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most frequent sexually transmitted infection (STI) and it affects men and women equally. In men, HPV has been mainly associated with skin lesions like ano-genital warts and intraepithelial neoplasia of penis and anus in recent years. HPV prevalence in men varies extremely due to kind of sample and detection techniques. The most widely used samples to study HPV in men are: penile shaft, glans, prepuce, coronal sulcus, urine and semen, and its detection is usually performed with techniques like reverse line blot (RLB) and hybrid capture (HC). Given that the highest infection rates are in Africa and Latin America, the aim of this review is to describe the pathogenesis of HPV and its main detection techniques in men.