Sustained seropositivity up to 20.5 months after COVID-19.

This study evaluated the persistence of IgM, IgA, and IgG to SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid antigens up to 616 days since the onset of symptoms in a longitudinal cohort of 247 primary health care workers from Barcelona, Spain, followed up since the start of the pandemic. The study also assesses factors affecting antibody levels, including comorbidities and the responses to variants of concern as well as the frequency of reinfections. Despite a gradual and significant decline in antibody levels with time, seropositivity to five SARS-CoV-2 antigens combined was always higher than 90% over the whole study period. In a subset of 23 participants who had not yet been vaccinated by November 2021, seropositivity remained at 95.65% (47.83% IgM, 95.65% IgA, 95.65% IgG). IgG seropositivity against Alpha and Delta predominant variants was comparable to that against the Wuhan variant, while it was lower for Gamma and Beta (minority) variants and for IgA and IgM. Antibody levels at the time point closest to infection were associated with age, smoking, obesity, hospitalization, fever, anosmia/hypogeusia, chest pain, and hypertension in multivariable regression models. Up to 1 year later, just before the massive roll out of vaccination, antibody levels were associated with age, occupation, hospitalization, duration of symptoms, anosmia/hypogeusia, fever, and headache. In addition, tachycardia and cutaneous symptoms associated with slower antibody decay, and oxygen supply with faster antibody decay. Eight reinfections (3.23%) were detected in low responders, which is consistent with a sustained protective role for anti-spike naturally acquired antibodies. Stable persistence of IgG and IgA responses and cross-recognition of the predominant variants circulating in the 2020-2021 period indicate long-lasting and largely variant-transcending humoral immunity in the initial 20.5 months of the pandemic, in the absence of vaccination.

Eleven-month longitudinal study of antibodies in SARS-CoV-2 exposed and naïve primary health care workers upon COVID-19 vaccination.

We evaluated the kinetics of antibody responses to Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic and 1 year after the start of vaccination rollout, the world faced a peak of cases associated with the highly contagious Omicron variant of concern (VoC) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) antigens over five cross-sectional visits (January-November 2021), and the determinants of pre-booster immunoglobulin levels, in a prospective cohort of vaccinated primary health care workers in Catalonia, Spain. Antibodies against S antigens after a full primary vaccination course, mostly with BNT162b2, decreased steadily over time and were higher in pre-exposed (n = 247) than naïve (n = 200) individuals, but seropositivity was maintained at 100% (100% IgG, 95.5% IgA, 30.6% IgM) up to 319 days after the first dose. Antibody binding to variants of concern was highly maintained for IgG compared to wild type but significantly reduced for IgA and IgM, particularly for Beta and Gamma. Factors significantly associated with longer-term antibodies included age, sex, occupation, smoking, adverse reaction to vaccination, levels of pre-vaccination SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, interval between disease onset and vaccination, hospitalization, oxygen supply, post COVID and symptomatology. Earlier morning vaccination hours were associated with higher IgG responses in pre-exposed participants. Symptomatic breakthroughs occurred in 9/447 (2.01%) individuals, all among naïve (9/200, 4.5%) and generally boosted antibody responses. Additionally, an increase in IgA and/or IgM seropositivity to variants, and N seroconversion at later time points (6.54%), indicated asymptomatic breakthrough infections, even among pre-exposed. Seropositivity remained highly stable over almost a year after vaccination. However, gradually waning of anti-S IgGs that correlate with neutralizing activity, coupled to evidence of an increase in breakthrough infections during the Delta and Omicron predominance, provides a rationale for booster immunization.

Determinants of early antibody responses to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in a cohort of exposed and naïve healthcare workers.

BACKGROUND: Two doses of mRNA vaccination have shown >94% efficacy at preventing COVID-19 mostly in naïve adults, but it is not clear if the second dose is needed to maximize effectiveness in those previously exposed to SARS-CoV-2 and what other factors affect responsiveness. METHODS: We measured IgA, IgG and IgM levels against SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) antigens from the wild-type and S from the Alpha, Beta and Gamma variants of concern, after BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNTech) or mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccination in a cohort of health care workers (N=578). Neutralizing capacity and antibody avidity were evaluated. Data were analyzed in relation to COVID-19 history, comorbidities, vaccine doses, brand and adverse events. FINDINGS: Vaccination induced robust IgA and IgG levels against all S antigens. Neutralization capacity and S IgA and IgG levels were higher in mRNA-1273 vaccinees, previously SARS-CoV-2 exposed, particularly if symptomatic, and in those experiencing systemic adverse effects (p<0·05). A second dose in pre-exposed did not increase antibody levels. Smoking and comorbidities were associated with 43% (95% CI, 19-59) and 45% (95% CI, 63-18) lower neutralization, respectively, and 35% (95% CI, 3-57%) and 55% (95% CI, 33-70%) lower antibody levels, respectively. Among fully vaccinated, 6·3% breakthroughs were detected up to 189 days post-vaccination. Among pre-exposed non-vaccinated, 90% were IgG seropositive more than 300 days post-infection. INTERPRETATION: Our data support administering a single-dose in pre-exposed healthy individuals as primary vaccination. However, heterogeneity of responses suggests that personalized recommendations may be necessary depending on COVID-19 history and life-style. Higher mRNA-1273 immunogenicity would be beneficial for those expected to respond worse to vaccination and in face of variants that escape immunity such as Omicron. Persistence of antibody levels in pre-exposed unvaccinated indicates maintenance of immunity up to one year. FUNDING: This work was supported by Institut de Salut Global de Barcelona (ISGlobal) internal funds, in-kind contributions from Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, the Fundació Privada Daniel Bravo Andreu, and European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Health (grant number 20877), supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, a body of the European Union receiving support from the H2020 Research and Innovation Programme. We acknowledge support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and State Research Agency through the "Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa 2019-2023" Program (CEX2018-000806-S), and support from the Generalitat de Catalunya through the CERCA Program. L. I. work was supported by PID2019-110810RB-I00 grant from the Spanish Ministry of Science & Innovation. Development of SARS-CoV-2 reagents was partially supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Centers of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance (contract number HHSN272201400008C). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, the decision to publish, or the preparation of the manuscript.

Highly Sensitive and Specific Multiplex Antibody Assays To Quantify Immunoglobulins M, A, and G against SARS-CoV-2 Antigens.

Reliable serological tests are required to determine the prevalence of antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and to characterize immunity to the disease in order to address key knowledge gaps in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Quantitative suspension array technology (qSAT) assays based on the xMAP Luminex platform overcome the limitations of rapid diagnostic tests and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) with their higher precision, dynamic range, throughput, miniaturization, cost-efficiency, and multiplexing capacity. We developed three qSAT assays for IgM, IgA, and IgG against a panel of eight SARS-CoV-2 antigens, including spike protein (S), nucleocapsid protein (N), and membrane protein (M) constructs. The assays were optimized to minimize the processing time and maximize the signal-to-noise ratio. We evaluated their performances using 128 prepandemic plasma samples (negative controls) and 104 plasma samples from individuals with SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis (positive controls), of whom 5 were asymptomatic, 51 had mild symptoms, and 48 were hospitalized. Preexisting IgG antibodies recognizing N, M, and S proteins were detected in negative controls, which is suggestive of cross-reactivity to common-cold coronaviruses. The best-performing antibody/antigen signatures had specificities of 100% and sensitivities of 95.78% at ≥14 days and 95.65% at ≥21 days since the onset of symptoms, with areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.977 and 0.999, respectively. Combining multiple markers as assessed by qSAT assays has the highest efficiency, breadth, and versatility to accurately detect low-level antibody responses for obtaining reliable data on the prevalence of exposure to novel pathogens in a population. Our assays will allow gaining insights into antibody correlates of immunity and their kinetics, required for vaccine development to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vaccinium meridionale Swartz extracts and their addition in beef burgers as antioxidant ingredient.

BACKGROUND: Vaccinium meridionale Swartz (mortiño) constitutes a source of bioactive phytochemicals, but reports related to its efficient and green production are scarce. In this study, pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and ultrasound-assisted extraction of mortiño were compared. Total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity (ABTS•+ ) were determined. Beef burgers with 20 g kg-1 of mortiño (MM) or its PLE extract (ME) were manufactured. Lipid oxidation (TBARS) and instrumental color changes were measured after refrigerated storage. RESULTS: High TPC (up to 72 g gallic acid equivalent kg-1 extract) was determined in mortiño extracts, which was positively correlated with antioxidant activity. TBARS values of beef burgers containing either MM or ME did not change after refrigerated storage, whereas lipid oxidation of control burgers increased significantly. The color of burgers with added MM or ME was different (lower b* and a* values) from that of control burgers. However, the evolution of color after storage was similar between control and ME samples. CONCLUSION: Mortiño extracts with high TPC can be obtained by PLE. Both mortiño and its PLE extract are able to control lipid oxidation of beef burgers, but the extract is preferred from the color quality point of view. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Efecto de la Violencia y Esquemas Cognitivos en el Cortisol de Mujeres Violentadas por sus Parejas / Violence and cognitive scheme affect cotisol in women beaten by their sentimental partners

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar el impacto del tipo de violencia de que son víctimas las mujeres por parte de su pareja y sus esquemas cognitivos en el nivel del cortisol. Para ello se aplicó una versión traducida de la Encuesta de Severidad de Violencia en contra de la Mujer, la forma corta del Cuestionario de Esquemas Cognitivos de Young y se extrajeron muestras de cortisol plasmático diurno a 43 mujeres participantes en un programa de intervención. Se estructuró un modelo de regresión el cual confirmó que las amenazas, las agresiones sexuales y esquemas cognitivos como Abandono, Aislamiento social, Apego, Fracaso, Vulnerabilidad al Daño, Subyugación y Estándares Inflexibles, afectaron el nivel del cortisol de esta población.

This study aims to determine which type of violence and cognitive schemas impact on the cortisol levels of women who have been victims of intimate partner violence. A translated version of the Severity of Violence Against Women Scale and the short form of the Young Schema Questionnaire were applied to a sample of 43 women. Also, for each of those women, samples of plasmatic diurnal cortisol were collected. A regression model was proposed to identify the variables that affect the cortisol levels. The results show that threats, sexual aggression, and cognitive schemas as: Abandonment, Social Isolation, Attachment, Failure to Achieve, Vulnerability to Harm, Subjugation, and Unrelenting Standards have a significative impact on the cortisol levels

Vaccinium meridionale Swartz Supercritical CO2 Extraction: Effect of Process Conditions and Scaling Up.

Vaccinium meridionale Swartz (Mortiño or Colombian blueberry) is one of the Vaccinium species abundantly found across the Colombian mountains, which are characterized by high contents of polyphenolic compounds (anthocyanins and flavonoids). The supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of Vaccinium species has mainly focused on the study of V. myrtillus L. (blueberry). In this work, the SFE of Mortiño fruit from Colombia was studied in a small-scale extraction cell (273 cm³) and different extraction pressures (20 and 30 MPa) and temperatures (313 and 343 K) were investigated. Then, process scaling-up to a larger extraction cell (1350 cm³) was analyzed using well-known semi-empirical engineering approaches. The Broken and Intact Cell (BIC) model was adjusted to represent the kinetic behavior of the low-scale extraction and to simulate the large-scale conditions. Extraction yields obtained were in the range 0.1%-3.2%. Most of the Mortiño solutes are readily accessible and, thus, 92% of the extractable material was recovered in around 30 min. The constant CO2 residence time criterion produced excellent results regarding the small-scale kinetic curve according to the BIC model, and this conclusion was experimentally validated in large-scale kinetic experiments.

Efecto del tiempo de almacenamiento sobre propiedades fisicoquímicas y antioxidantes de productos derivados del fruto agraz (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz) / Effect of storage time on the physicochemical properties and antioxidants of products derived of andean berry (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz)

Antecedentes: Agraz es una baya globosa, de color púrpura intenso cuando está madura. Posee alta capacidad antioxidante comparada con bayas del mismo género, atribuido al contenido de compuestos polifenólicos. Objetivo: Evaluar la composición, actividad antioxidante y algunos parámetros microbiológicos de pulpa de agraz congelada (PAC) y pulpa de agraz liofilizada (PAL) y analizar su comportamiento durante 60 días de almacenamiento. Métodos: Se midieron pH, °Brix, acidez titulable, % humedad, cenizas, grasa, proteína, carbohidratos, calorías totales y actividad acuosa a intervalos de 15 días durante el almacenamiento. En las mismas condiciones se determinó el contenido de fenoles y antocianinas totales mediante Folin-Ciocalteau y método diferencial de pH, respectivamente. La actividad antioxidante mediante FRAP y ORAC. Resultados: no presentaron diferencias estadísticas significativas (p>0,05) durante el almacenamiento en pH, °Brix, aw (liofilizado), % humedad, grasa, cenizas, carbohidratos y calorías totales para PAC y PAL, indicando estabilidad de éstas variables a través del tiempo de almacenamiento. La acidez titulable expresada en mg de ácido cítrico/ml, varió significativamente (p < 0,05) a través del tiempo de almacenamiento para PAC y PAL entre 1,65-1,82 y 4,66-4,79 respectivamente. La proteína varió durante el almacenamiento para PAC y PAL entre 1,25-2,10 g y 4,70-5,20 g, y se observó para ambos un aumento significativo entre el día 15 y 60 de almacenamiento. PAC y PAL presentaron pérdidas significativas del contenido de antocianinas, fenoles totales y valor FRAP durante el almacenamiento; sin embargo la PAL conservó hasta el día 60 alto contenido de fenoles totales: 1046 mg eq de ácido gálico/100g), antocianinas totales: 82,64 (mg eq de cianidin-3-glicosido/100g), capacidad reductora (FRAP): 1032,17 mg de equivalentes de ácido ascórbico/100g y valor ORAC 33935 µmol de equivalentes de Trolox/100g. Conclusión: las variables fisicoquímicas analizadas en la PAL fueron estables y se conservó el contenido de compuestos polifenólicos por mayor tiempo comparado con la PAC. Considerando que el agraz tiene dos temporadas de cosecha al año en Colombia (mayo y diciembre), la liofilización es una estrategia que permitirá al productor abastecimiento constante de la fruta para el mercado.

Background: Andean berry is a globose berry, deep purple when it reaches its highest degree of maturity. It fruit has a high antioxidant capacity compared to other Vaccinum berries, attributed to the content of polyphenolic compounds. Objectives: To evaluate the composition, antioxidant activity and some microbiological parameters of frozen pulp of Andean berry (PAC) and freeze-dried pulp of Andean berry (PAL) and analyze their behavior during 60 days of storage. Methods: the variables pH, ° Brix, titratable acidity, % moisture, ash, fat, protein, carbohydrates, total calories and water activity (lyophilized) were measured at intervals of 15 days during storage. Under the same conditions the content of phenols and total anthocyanins by Folin-Ciocalteu and pH differential method respectively was determined. The antioxidant activity by FRAP and ORAC. Results: There were no significant differences (p>0,05) during storage in pH, ° Brix, Aw (lyophilized), % moisture, fat, ash, carbohydrates and total calories for PAC and PAL indicating stability of these variables over time storage. Titratable acidity expressed in mg citric acid/ ml, varied significantly p (<0.05) over time storage for PAC and PAL between 1.65 to 1.82 and 4.66 to 4.79 respectively. The protein varied during storage for PAC and PAL between 1.25 to 2.10 g and 4.70 to 5.20 g, and was observed for both a significant increase between day 15 and 60 of storage. PAC and PAL showed significant losses of anthocyanins, total phenols and FRAP value during storage; however the PAL retained until day 60 high content of total phenols: 1046 (mg gallic eq/100 g acid), anthocyanins: 82.64 (mg eq of cyanidin-3-glucoside/100g), reducing capacity (FRAP): 1032.17 mg ascorbic acid equivalents /100 g and ORAC value 33935 umol equivalents Trolox/100g. Conclusions: physicochemical variables analyzed in the PAL were stable and content of polyphenolic compounds retained for longer compared to PAC. Whereas Andean berry has two growing seasons a year in Colombia (May and December), freezedried is a strategy that will allow the producer constant supply of fruit on the market.

Pregnancy and malaria exposure are associated with changes in the B cell pool and in plasma eotaxin levels.

Pregnancy triggers immunological changes aimed to tolerate the fetus, but its impact on B lymphocytes is poorly understood. In addition, exposure to the Plasmodium parasite is associated with altered distribution of peripheral memory B cell (MBC) subsets. To study the combined impact of high malaria exposure and pregnancy in B cell subpopulations, we analyzed PBMCs from pregnant and nonpregnant individuals from a malaria-nonendemic country (Spain) and from a high malaria-endemic country (Papua New Guinea). In the malaria-naive cohorts, pregnancy was associated with a significant expansion of all switched (IgD(-)) MBC and a decrease of naive B cells. Malaria-exposed women had more atypical MBC and fewer marginal zone-like MBC, and their levels correlated with both Plasmodium vivax- and Plasmodium falciparum-specific plasma IgG levels. Classical but not atypical MBC were increased in P. falciparum infections. Moreover, active atypical MBC positively correlated with proinflammatory cytokine plasma concentrations and had lower surface IgG levels than the average. Decreased plasma eotaxin (CCL11) levels were associated with pregnancy and malaria exposure and also correlated with B cell subset frequencies. Additionally, active atypical and active classical MBC expressed higher levels of eotaxin receptor CCR3 than the other B cell subsets, suggesting a chemotactic effect of eotaxin on these B cell subsets. These findings are important to understand immunity to infections like malaria that result in negative outcomes for both the mother and the newborn and may have important implications on vaccine development.

Afrontamiento y adaptación en pacientes egresados de unidades de cuidado intensivo / Coping and Adaptation in Patients Discharged from Intensive Care Units / Enfrentamento e adaptação em pacientes dados de alta de unidades de cuidados intensivos

Objetivo: describir la capacidad de afrontamiento y adaptación en pacientes egresados de unidades de cuidado intensivo de la ciudad de Cartagena, Colombia. Método: estudio descriptivo, realizado en 171 pacientes egresados de unidades de cuidados intensivos durante el segundo semestre de 2009. Se empleó la Escala de medición del proceso de afrontamiento y adaptación de Callista Roy. Para valorar los factores que miden las estrategias y los recursos de afrontamiento para la adaptación se utilizaron medidas de tendencia central y coeficiente de variación. Resultados: el 50,3 % de los participantes fueron mujeres y 49,7 % hombres. La capacidad de afrontamiento y adaptación fue del 63,2 %, el 19,9 % presentó mediana capacidad. La baja capacidad reportó 1,2 %. Por factores, el proceso de alerta presentó una mayor puntuación, con 46,2 %, en alta capacidad en las estrategias de afrontamiento, y en el procesamiento sistemático, el 45,0% se ubicó en muy alta capacidad en cuanto a los recursos utilizados para la adaptación. Conclusión: los pacientes reflejaron un estilo de afrontamiento activo con estrategias centradas en el problema tanto cognitivas como comportamentales, percibiendo la situación como controlable. El Modelo de Roy permite a las enfermeras identificar en los pacientes estrategias adecuadas o inefectivas y orientar el cuidado.

Objective: Describe the capacity for coping and adaptation among patients released from intensive care units in the city of Cartagena (Colombia). Method: A descriptive study of 171 patients who were released from intensive care units in the second half of 2009. Callista Roy's coping and adaptation measurement scale was used. Measures of the central tendency and coefficient of variation were employed to assess the factors that gauge coping strategies and resources for adaptation. Results: 50.3% of the participants were women and 49.7% were men. The capacity to cope and adapt was in 63.2% of the patients studied, while 19.9% showed medium or average capacity, and 1.2% reported low capacity. By factors, the warning process scored highest, with 46.2% of the patients being quite capable in terms of their coping strategies. As for systematic processing, 45.0% showed extremely good capacity with respect to the resources used to adapt. Conclusion: The patients in question displayed an active coping style with cognitive and behavioral strategies centered on the problem and with the situation being perceived as controllable. The Roy model allows nurses to identify adequate or ineffective strategies in patients and to orient care accordingly.

Objetivo: descrever o enfrentamento e a adaptação em pacientes que receberam alta da unidade de terapia intensiva na cidade de Cartagena, Colômbia. Método: estudo descritivo em 171 pacientes que receberam alta da unidade de cuidados intensivos durante o segundo semestre de 2009. Utilizou-se a Escala de Callista Roy para medir o processo de enfrentamento e adaptação. Para avaliar os fatores que medem as estratégias e os recursos de enfrentamento; para a adaptação se utilizaram medidas de tendência central e coeficiente de variação. Resultados: 50,3% dos participantes eram mulheres e 49,7% homens. A capacidade de enfrentar e adaptar-se foi em 63,2% dos pacientes. O 19,9% mostrou capacidade média. O 1,2% apresentou baixa capacidade. Pelos fatores, o processo de alerta alcançou maior pontuação (46,2%) com alta capacidade nas estratégias de enfrentamento e no processamento, O 45,0% se situou en muita alta capacidade em termos de recursos utilizados para a adaptação. Conclusão: os pacientes apresentaram um estilo ativo de enfrentamento com estratégias cognitivas e comportamentais focalizadas no problemas, percebendo a situação controlável. O modelo de Roy permite as enfermeiras identificarem estratégias adequadas o inefeticazes nos pacientes e orientarem o cuidado.

Morbilidad de la enfermedad de Chagas en fase cronica en Colombia. Deteccion de pacientes chagasicos con cardiopatia en un area endemica del departamento de Boyaca / Morbidity of Chagas's disease in chronic phase on Colombia

Introducción: en Colombia se estima que existen 1.200.000 personas infectadas con T. cruzi. Los estudios publicados sobre cardiomiopatía chagásica en Colombia han sido usualmente descritos en hospitales de tercer nivel. Objetivo: caracterizar desde el punto de vista clínico y electrocardiográfico la cardiomiopatía chagásica crónica en centros de atención primaria en un área endémica. Diseño del estudio: estudio descriptivo, seccional de morbilidad en población chagásica y no chagásica no seleccionadas. Lugar del estudio: municipios de San Eduardo, Zetaquira y Campohermoso, Boyacá. Pacientes: 405 individuos. Mediciones: se consideraron: edad, sexo, escolaridad, antecedentes, síntomas y signos físicos y hallazgos electrocardiográfícos. Se practicaron serologías por test de ELISA e IFI. Se estableció como seropositivo aquel paciente con positividad en las dos pruebas y seronegativo aquél con resultado negativo en las dos técnicas. Análisis estadístico: se calcularon promedios y proporciones de las distintas variables para los dos grupos de acuerdo con el nivel de medición y se establecieron las diferencias de proporciones entre ellos, tomando un nivel de significación del 0.5 por ciento. Resultados: 405 individuos, 205 seropositivos y 200 seronegativos (control). Edad promedio 45 años, 58 por ciento del sexo femenino para ambos grupos. El 80 por ciento del total de los dos grupos no alcanzó un nivel de escolaridad mayor al de primaria completa. Los hallazgos significativos a favor del grupo de seropositivos fueron: contacto con triatominios (p.-O.OOOl), Chagas en hermanos (p :0.01), muerte súbita en hermanos (p:0.04), sensación de palpitaciones (p:0.05), presíncope (p:0.005), angina (p:0.03), insuficiencia mitral (p:0.004), bloqueo de rama derecha (p:0.01), bloqueo bifascicular (p :0.007) y trastornos de la repolarización (p;0.008). Conclusiones: los hallazgos observados en el grupo de pacientes seropositivos con diagnóstico de cardiomiopatía de Chagas, corresponden a estadios clínicos I y II de la enfermedad. La edad media, el predominio en el sexo femenino, el pobre nivel de escolaridad, los antecedentes personales y familiares, son de resaltar por su impacto socio-económico

Distribución actual e importancia epidemiológica de las especies de triatominos (Reduviidae: Triatominae) en Colombia / Present distribution and epidemiological importance of triatomine (Reduviidae: Triatominae) species in Colombia

Se presenta la distribución geográfica y la importancia epidemiológica en la transmisión de la enfermedad de Chagas de las 23 especies de triatominos presentes en Colombia, tomando como base los registros bibliográficos existentes en el país y las colecciones de referencia del Laboratorio de Entomología del Instituto Nacional de Salud y del Centro de Investigaciones Microbiología y Parasitologpía Tropical de la Universidad de los Andes; además se realiza un análisis de la condiciones ecológicas en las cuales han sido registrados triatominos en los países con fronteras con Colombia para poder establecer la presencia de posibles especies que aún no se han registrado en nuestro país. De esta manera, existe las posibilidad de tener en Colombia especies con hábitos silvestres como: Alberprosenia malheiroi, Belminus laportei y Cavernicola lenti, presentes todas ellas en los departamentos amazónicos; Triatoma nigromacula en la Cordillera Oriental y con hábitos intradomiciliarios; Panstrongylus chinai con posibilidad de encontrarse en hábitats selváticos o en las viviendas de los colonos de la Amazonia debido a su atracción por la luz y Alberprosenia goyovargasi en hábitats silvestres de la frontera con Venezuela. Se resalta la importancia de la vigilancia entomológica a nivel nacional como estrategia para reforzar los estudios de triatominos silvestres en Colombia

Enfermedad de Chagas transfucional en Colombia

La Enfermedad de Chagas, causada por el Trypanosoma cruzi, afecta a cerca de 18 millones de personas en Latinoamérica. La transmisión por insectos (triatomineos) tiende a disminuir, pero la efectuada por medio de las transfusiones sanguíneas, tiende a aumentar. Se revisan los datos de prevalencia real de T.cruzi, en los bancos de Sangre afiliados a la Cruz Roja Colombiana y a la Red Nacional de Bancos de sangre de acuerdo con su localización en áreas endémicas, y se recomienda el uso rutinario de pruebas serológicas que sirvan para detectar el parásito en la sangre de transfuciones.