Un padre olvidado de la Microbiología: Louis Joblot / A forgotten father of Microbiology

El microscopista francés Louis Joblot (1645-1723), contemporáneo de Antoine van Leeuwenhoek y Robert Hooke, puede ser considerado uno de los padres de la protistología/microbiología. Su obra titulada "Descripciones y usos de varios microscopios nuevos" de 1718 contiene varias extraordinarias imágenes de protozoos en movimiento y en división binaria. Lamentablemente, algunas imágenes de dicha obra contenían figuras fantásticas, por lo que su legado fue rápidamente obscurecido. Sus experimentos sobre el fenómeno de generación espontánea marcaron un hito en el desarrollo de este debate y se adelantaron en casi siglo y medio a los experimentos de Louis Pasteur.

The French microscopist Louis Joblot (1645-1723), a contemporary of Antoine van Leeuwenhoek and Robert Hooke, he can be considered one of the fathers of protistology/microbiology. His work entitled "Descriptions and uses of various new microscopes" of 1718 contains several extraordinary images of protozoa in motion and in binary division. Unfortunately, some images of this work contained fantastic figures, so his legacy was quickly obscured. His experiments on the phenomenon of spontaneous generation marked a milestone in the development of this debate and anticipated Louis Pasteur's experiments by almost a century and a half.

Does Topical Vancomycin Powder Use in Fracture Surgery Change Bacteriology and Antibiotic Susceptibilities? An Analysis of the VANCO Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether intrawound vancomycin changes the bacteriology of surgical site infection pathogens and investigate the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of phase III, prospective, randomized clinical trial. SETTING: Thirty-six US trauma centers. PATIENT SELECTION CRITERIA: Patients who became infected after fixation of tibial plateau or pilon fracture. OUTCOME MEASURES AND COMPARISONS: Pathogen types and bacterial susceptibilities as determined from routine clinical culture in the operating room. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients were studied who were 67.5% male with a mean age of 48.6 years. A lower proportion of gram-positive cocci was observed in the vancomycin powder compared with the standard-of-care group (3.7% vs. 8.0%, P = 0.01). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection incidence was comparable in both the vancomycin powder and the standard-of-care groups, but rates of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus infections were lower in the treatment group (1.4% vs. 4.8%, P = 0.01). The incidence of coagulase-negative Staphylococci and gram-negative rod infections were similar in both groups. There was no significant difference in susceptibilities between groups in rates of vancomycin-resistant enterococcus. CONCLUSIONS: Topical vancomycin powder decreases the likelihood of gram-positive infections consistent with the biologic activity of vancomycin. Fewer methicillin-susceptible S. aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococci infections were observed in the group treated with vancomycin powder. An effect of vancomycin powder on methicillin-resistant S. aureus infection risk was not detected given the low incidence in both the intrawound vancomycin and the standard-of-care groups. There was no emergence of gram-negative rod infections or increased resistance patterns observed. Use of topical vancomycin powder does not seem to produce infections in these patients with greater antibiotic resistance than would have occurred without its use. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Bacteriology of Different Phenotypes of Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) reduces the health-related quality of life and subsequently causes a tremendous socio-economic impact. Although many studies have been conducted, few have identified a relationship between bacteriological characteristics and different phenotypes or endotypes. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the recent trends in bacterial cultures from different types of CRS in the Asian population. METHODS: This retrospective case-control study recruited patients diagnosed with CRS who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) at a tertiary hospital in Taiwan. The patients were classified into those with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP)/chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP), eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (eCRS)/non-eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (NECRS), and central compartment atopic disease (CCAD)/lateral-dominant nasal polyp (LDNP) groups. The demographic data and bacteriological characteristics of the groups were analyzed. RESULTS: We included 503 patients, identifying no significant difference between CRSwNP and CRSsNP for several common bacteria in CRS. The number of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates in culture was significantly higher in the NECRS group (50.46% vs. 32.56%, p = 0.0003) than that in the eCRS group. The number of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA; 8.51% vs. 2.35%, p = 0.0221) positive isolates was significantly higher in the CCAD group than that in the LDNP group. CONCLUSIONS: This was the first study in Asia to analyze the relationship between bacteriological characteristics and CCAD. MRSA is significantly higher in the CCAD group than that in the LDNP group. Recognizing the unique microbiology of CRSwNP, eCRS, and CCAD is crucial when selecting antimicrobial therapy to lessen the socio-economic impact. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 134:1071-1076, 2024.

El Instituto de Higiene y la enseñanza de la Bacteriología en Chile / The Institute of Hygiene and the teaching of Microbiology in Chile

El Instituto de Higiene, fundado por el gobierno de Chile en 1892, aparte de sus funciones en el ámbito de la salud pública, participó activamente en la docencia de pregrado de Bacteriología de la Escuela de Medicina de la Universidad de Chile. La cátedra de Bacteriología fundada en 1895 fue trasladada en 1902 a la sección de seroterapia de dicho instituto (uno de los cinco edificios que formaban el instituto). La cátedra permaneció en ese lugar por tres décadas, siendo trasladada en 1930 por el Dr. Hugo Vaccaro de vuelta a la Escuela de Medicina. Por otra parte, la cátedra extraordinaria de Bacteriología siguió ligada a dicho instituto y a su inmediato sucesor el Instituto Bacteriológico de Chile. Sin embargo, luego del incendio de la Escuela de Medicina en 1948, la cátedra ordinaria tuvo que retornar a sus antiguos edificios en la ribera del Mapocho y paralelamente la cátedra extraordinaria se trasladó a una nueva ubicación en Ñuñoa.

The Institute of Hygiene, founded by the Chilean government in 1892, apart from its functions in the field of public health, actively participated in the undergraduate teaching of Bacteriology at the School of Medicine of the University of Chile. The chair of Bacteriology founded in 1895 was transferred in 1902 to the serotherapy section of the mentioned institute (one of the five buildings that made up the institute). The chair remained in that place for three decades, being transferred by Dr. Hugo Vaccaro back to the School of Medicine in 1930. On the other hand, the Extraordinary Chair of Bacteriology continued to be linked to the said institute and to its immediate successor, the Bacteriological Institute of Chile. However, after the fire at the School of Medicine in 1948, the ordinary chair had to return to its old buildings on the banks of the Mapocho and at the same time the extraordinary chair moved to a new location in Ñuñoa.

Gasdermins assemble; recent developments in bacteriology and pharmacology.

The discovery of gasdermin D (GSDMD) as the terminal executioner of pyroptosis provided a large piece of the cell death puzzle, whilst simultaneously and firmly putting the gasdermin family into the limelight. In its purest form, GSDMD provides a connection between the innate alarm systems to an explosive, inflammatory form of cell death to jolt the local environment into immunological action. However, the gasdermin field has moved rapidly and significantly since the original seminal work and novel functions and mechanisms have been recently uncovered, particularly in response to infection. Gasdermins regulate and are regulated by mechanisms such as autophagy, metabolism and NETosis in fighting pathogen and protecting host. Importantly, activators and interactors of the other gasdermins, not just GSDMD, have been recently elucidated and have opened new avenues for gasdermin-based discovery. Key to this is the development of potent and specific tool molecules, so far a challenge for the field. Here we will cover some of these recently discovered areas in relation to bacterial infection before providing an overview of the pharmacological landscape and the challenges associated with targeting gasdermins.

Environmental DNA clarifies impacts of combined sewer overflows on the bacteriology of an urban river and resulting risks to public health.

There is no reference of microbiological water quality in the European Union's Water Framework Directive, adapted into English law, and consequently microbial water quality is not routinely monitored in English rivers, except for two recently designated bathing water sites. To address this knowledge gap, we developed an innovative monitoring approach for quantitative assessment of combined sewer overflow (CSO) impacts on the bacteriology of receiving rivers. Our approach combines conventional and environmental DNA (eDNA) based methods to generate multiple lines of evidence for assessing risks to public health. We demonstrated this approach by investigating spatiotemporal variation in the bacteriology of the Ouseburn in northeast England for different weather conditions in the summer and early autumn of the year 2021 across eight sampling locations that comprised rural, urban, and recreational land use settings. We characterized pollution source attributes by collecting sewage from treatment works and CSO discharge at the peak of a storm event. CSO discharge was characterized by log10 values per 100 mL (average ± stdev) of 5.12 ± 0.03 and 4.90 ± 0.03 for faecal coliforms and faecal streptococci, and 6.00 ± 0.11 and 7.78 ± 0.04 for rodA and HF183 genetic markers, for E. coli and human host associated Bacteroides, respectively, indicating about 5 % sewage content. SourceTracker analysis of sequencing data attributed 72-77 % of bacteria in the downstream section of the river during a storm event to CSO discharge sources, versus only 4-6 % to rural upstream sources. Data from sixteen summer sampling events in a public park exceeded various guideline values for recreational water quality. Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) predicted a median and 95th percentile risk of 0.03 and 0.39, respectively, of contracting a bacterial gastrointestinal disease when wading and splashing around in the Ouseburn. We show clearly why microbial water quality should be monitored where rivers flow through public parks, irrespective of their bathing water designation.

Comparison of Bacteriology Between Eosinophilic and Noneosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps.

OBJECTIVE: To compare culture results between eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with nasal polyps (ECRSwNP) and noneosinophilic CRS with nasal polyps (nECRSwNP). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Tertiary medical center. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of CRSwNP patients undergoing primary functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Prior to surgery, swab samples for bacterial culture were collected from their middle meatus using cotton tips. After surgery, postoperative specimens were histologically examined for tissue eosinophilia. A tissue eosinophil density of >10 cells at high power magnification was used to discriminate between ECRSwNP and nECRSwNP. RESULTS: A total of 295 patients were studied with polyps present on 471 sides of the nasal cavity. Among them, 236 sides were ECRSwNP, and the remaining 235 sides were nECRSwNP. Bacterial growth was found in 94 ECRSwNP sides, and in 88 nECRSwNP sides. Culture rates were similar between ECRSwNP and nECRSwNP sides (p = .595). However, Gram-negative aerobes were found in 25 of 236 ECRSwNP sides, and in 42 of 235 nECRSwNP sides. The Gram-negative culture rate was significantly higher in nECRSwNP than in ECRSwNP sides (p = .024). CONCLUSION: The bacteriology of CRS was different between ECRSwNP and nECRSwNP. The Gram-negative aerobes were present more in nECRSwNP than in ECRSwNP.

Los inicios de la fagoterapia en Chile: los doctores Mercedes Perez Matus y Hugo Vaccaro Kosovich / The beginnings of phage therapy in Chile: the doctors Mercedes Perez Matus and Hugo Vaccaro Kosovich

Mercedes Pérez Matus y Hugo Vaccaro Kosovich fueron destacados médicos y microbiólogos de la cátedra ordinaria de Bacteriología de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Chile. En 1931, ambos médicos fueron contratados por la Facultad de Medicina para reorganizar la convulsionada Cátedra de Bacteriología luego de la crisis política de 1931. En el mismo período el destacado investigador del instituto Pasteur Eugéne Wollman vino a Chile a dirigir el Instituto Sanitas (1929-1931), incorporando en nuestro país el conocimiento sobre los bacteriófagos y las técnicas para su aislamiento. La prolongada labor docente y de investigación de Vaccaro y Pérez se extendió por casi 40 años (1931-1970). Publicaron numerosos artículos científicos, siendo uno de sus temas preferidos, en los primeros años, el estudio de los bacteriófagos que aprendieron junto a Wollman. En la década de los 40, bajo el liderazgo de los Dres. Vaccaro y Pérez, se inició la fagoterapia en Chile.

Mercedes Perez Matus and Hugo Vaccaro Kosovich were distinguished doctors and microbiologists from the ordinary chair of Bacteriology at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Chile. In 1931, both doctors were hired by the F aculty of Medicine to reorganize the convulsed Chair of Bacteriology after the political crisis of 1931. In the same period, the prominent Pasteur Institute researcher Eugene Wollman came to Chile to direct the Sanitas Institute (1929-1931), incorporating in our country the knowledge about bacteriophages and the techniques for their isolation. The long teaching and research work of Vaccaro and Pérez spanned almost 40 years (1931-1970). They published numerous scientific articles, being one of their favorite topics, in the early years, the study of bacteriophages that they learned together with Wollman. In the 1940s, under the leadership of Drs. Vaccaro and Pérez, phage therapy began in Chile.

Producción de vacunas en el antiguo Instituto Bacteriológico de Chile / Vaccine production at the ancient Bacteriological Institute of Chile

Se relata el nacimiento, auge y decadencia, de la producción de vacunas en el antiguo Instituto Bacteriológico de Chile, desde su fundación en 1929 hasta su fin en 1980, por boca de quien fuera por diecisiete años primero encargado de la fabricación de vacunas bacterianas y luego director de la institución. Las vicisitudes de la vacuna BCG, la introducción del toxoide tetánico, el fin de la vacuna antivariólica y el triunfo de vacuna antirrábica de Fuenzalida y Palacios, se narran a menudo con comentarios de quienes participaron en estos hechos.

The birth, rise and decline, of vaccine production at the Bacteriological Institute of Chile is recounted by mouth of who was for seventeen years first in charge of manufacturing and then director of the institution. The vicissitudes of the BCG vaccine, the introduction of tetanus toxoid, the end of smallpox vaccine, and the triumph of the rabies vaccine are often related with comments from those who participated in the events.

Cultivo primario de Helicobacter pylori a partir de biopsias gástricas obtenidas por endoscopia / Primary culture of Helicobacter pylori from endoscopic gastric biopsies

Objetivo: Determinar la viabilidad del cultivo de la bacteria Helicobacter pylori en Costa Rica por medio de la documentación de toma de muestras, la comparación del diagnóstico histopatológico y la descripción de los diagnósticos asociados a los aislamientos obtenidos con los resultados de la ureasa rápida. Métodos: Investigación descriptiva que involucró a pacientes de entre los 35 y 70 años, de ambos sexos, que asistieron al Servicio de Endoscopia Digestiva del Hospital Clínica Bíblica entre febrero y junio del 2019 para estudio gastroscópico. Se obtuvieron biopsias gástricas para diagnóstico histopatológico, prueba de ureasa rápida y cultivo de Helicobacter pylori. Para este último, se transportaron las biopsias en un medio de transporte semisólido, se maceró el tejido y se cultivó enagar Skirrow y agar selectivo para Helicobacter; una placa de cada medio se incubó a 37 °C en microaerofilia entre 48 horas y 10 días. La positividad del cultivo se realizó por observación de la morfología colonial y la bacteria se identificó por análisis microscópico al fresco, tinción de Gram y pruebas bioquímicas (catalasa, ureasa y oxidasa). Resultados: Se incluyó a 44 pacientes (edad: 50.6 ± 10.0, 54.5% masculinos). Se recuperó Helicobacter pylori en biopsias de 27 pacientes (61.4% de éxito). La recuperación de la bacteria fue similar en el medio Skirrow y en el selectivo para Helicobacter. El porcentaje de éxito de recuperación semanal aumentó durante el estudio hasta alcanzar un éxito del 100% en la semana 11. Se comparó el cultivo con la ureasa rápida en 27 pacientes y la concordancia entre ambos métodos fue de un coeficiente kappa de Cohen de 0.48. El cultivo detectó la bacteria en un 56% de los pacientes, la ureasa rápida en un 37% y la combinación de ambas técnicas permitió la detección en un 60%. El diagnóstico endoscópico más frecuente en los pacientes con cultivo positivo fue la gastritis eritematosa y gastritis crónica superficial y el diagnóstico histopatológico predominante fue gastritis crónica con atrofia gástrica. El diagnóstico por cultivo coincidió con la detección por azul de toluidina en un 80.4% de los casos. Conclusiones: Se puede implementar el cultivo de Helicobacter pylori en Costa Rica. Este estudio tuvo un porcentaje de recuperación de la bacteria de 61.4%. La combinación del método de cultivo con la prueba de ureasa rápida y la detección histológica contribuye a un diagnóstico certero y oportuno. Recomendamos que, con base en protocolos descritos en esta investigación, cada laboratorio estandarice las condiciones que le permitan un buen porcentaje de recuperación y una implementación adaptada a sus actividades de rutina.

Aim: To document the recent experiences on the implementation of sampling and culturing Helicobacter pylori in Costa Rica, to compare it with other diagnostic methods: rapid urease test and histopathology and to describe the diagnoses associated with the obtained isolates. Methods: Descriptive research involving patients who visited the digestive endoscopy department of the Clínica Bíblica hospital in San José, Costa Rica between February and July of 2019 for gastroscopy. Gastric biopsies were obtained and histopathological analysis, rapid urease test, and bacteriological culture for Helicobacter pylori were performed. For culture techniques, the sample was transported in an in-house semi-solid medium. Biopsy fragments were macerated and plated on Skirrow agar and Helicobacterselective in-house agar, and incubated in microaerophilic atmosphere for 48 hours to 10 days. Culture positivity was determined by observation of the colonial morphology and microscopic observation; Gram staining and biochemical tests (urease, catalase, and oxidase) were used for bacterial identification. Results: 44 patients (mean aged 50.6 ± 10.0 years old, 54.5% male) were included in the study. Helicobacter pylori was recovered in biopsies from 27 patients (61.4% success rate). Bacterial growth was similar regardless the culture medium, but the physiological state of the bacteria was better in the Helicobacter-selective agar than in Skirrow. The weekly recovery rate increased to reach a 100% recovery plateau on week 11. Culture was compared with the rapid urease test in 27 patients, and the concordance between both methods using Cohen's kappa coefficient was 0.48. Whilst the culture detected Helicobacter pylori in 56% of the patients, and the rapid urease test in 37%, the combination of both allowed a 60% rate. The most frequent endoscopic diagnosis in patients with positive cultures were erythematous gastritis and chronic superficial gastritis, and the predominant histopathological diagnosis was chronic atrophic gastritis. Culture-based diagnosis was consistent with the histopathology detection of Helicobacter pylori in 80.4% of the cases. Conclusions: The implementation of H. pylori culture in Costa Rica is possible. This study had a 61.4% recovery rate. The combination of culture with rapid urease test and histopathology increases the probability of an accurate and timely diagnosis. We recommend that, based on previously described protocols such as ours, each laboratory adjusts the conditions to allow a good recovery rate and implement H. pylori diagnostic methods most suitable to their routine activities.

From Dresden to the world: images of the German Hygiene Museum's relations with Latin America, 1911-1933 / De Dresden para o mundo: imagens das relações do Museu Alemão de Higiene com a América Latina, 1911-1933

Abstract As of the nineteenth century, the number of world fairs and hygiene exhibitions grew significantly. This phenomenon was linked to the experience of modernity and the emergence of bacteriology, when different cities were sanitized with the aim of combating urban diseases and epidemics. For the purpose of sanitary education and hygiene propaganda, many objects and pictures were displayed in hygiene exhibitions and museums, such as the International Hygiene Exhibition of 1911 and the German Hygiene Museum, both in Dresden. The goal of this article is to analyze a chapter of the international history of health through images that portray the connections between the German Hygiene Museum and Latin American countries between 1911 and 1933.

Resumo A partir do século XIX, o número de exposições universais e de exposições de higiene cresceu significativamente. Esse fenômeno estava ligado à experiência da modernidade e ao surgimento da bacteriologia, quando diferentes cidades foram higienizadas com o objetivo de combater doenças e epidemias urbanas. Visando à educação sanitária e à propaganda da higiene, inúmeros objetos e imagens foram exibidos em exposições e museus de higiene, como na Exposição Internacional de Higiene de 1911 e no Museu Alemão de Higiene, ambos em Dresden. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar um capítulo da história internacional da saúde por meio de imagens que retratam as conexões entre o Museu Alemão de Higiene e os países latino-americanos de 1911 a 1933.

The Bacteriology of Middle Meatus and Ethmoid Sinuses in Chronic Rhinosinusitis: Epidemiological Analysis and Surgical Impact.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore the difference between sinus bacteriology in chronic rhinosinusitis patients with and without nasal polyposis. We also analyzed the possible differences in culture results from swabs taken from the middle meatus versus the ethmoid sinus. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of adult chronic rhinosinusitis patient data from the year 2006 to 2020. Nasal swabs were taken under endoscopic guidance either intraoperatively from either the ethmoid sinus or middle meatus, or in the outpatient clinic from the middle meatus. The results were categorized based on the most common microorganisms affecting the nose and sinuses. RESULTS: We found that, the presence of nasal polyps seemed to have no effect on sinus bacteriology as whole. There was also no significant difference between the bacteriology of chronic rhinosinusitis patients who did not need surgery and those who did. Finally, we found that middle meatal cultures, taken endoscopically, give similar bacteriology results to that of ethmoid sinus cultures (taken intraoperatively). CONCLUSION: Middle meatal culture results accurately represent true sinus flora, and therefore can be used to aid in appropriate culture guided antibiotic therapy for patients visiting the outpatient clinic.

Factors affecting bacteriology of hand sepsis in South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Hand sepsis is a common cause of morbidity. The study was conducted in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, investigating the bacteriological profile and aetiology of hand sepsis, aiming at optimising empiric antibiotic therapy. METHODS: This is a descriptive study of 120 patients who presented to the plastic surgery department of Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital with hand sepsis, from January 2017 to April 2019, that required surgical drainage. Data recorded included: aetiology of sepsis, underlying comorbidities, length of hospital stay, and outcome. A pus swab was taken during surgical drainage for microscopy, culture and sensitivity (MCS) analysis. The relationship between clinical factors and microbiological findings was analysed. RESULTS: The predominant bacterial strains cultured from infected patients, excluding methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, were Staphylococcus aureus (80.8%) and Streptococcus spp. (20.0%), mostly due to spontaneous onset infection (58.3%). Cultures of the more problematic Streptococcus spp. were more frequently associated in patients with diabetes mellitus (60.0%), penetrating trauma (41.9%), or blunt trauma (31.3%). The diabetes group in isolation had the longest median hospital stay of 8 (5-15) days, the most need for multiple procedures (60.0%), amputations (30.0%), and skin grafts (20.0%). The most effective antimicrobial drug particularly in mixed cultures was amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. CONCLUSION: Staphylococcus aureus infection was the most common. Streptococcus spp. occurred more frequently in patients with traumatic injury and diabetes mellitus. The latter required further surgical procedures and an increased hospital stay. Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid is the preferred empiric antimicrobial agent.

Triunfo de Finlay, una obra para el proceso formativo de profesionales de la salud / Triumph of Finlay, one picture useful for preparation the professionals of the health

Un acontecimiento en la vida del doctor Carlos Juan Finlay Barrés motivó al Maestro Esteban Valderrama Peña a realizar la composición pictórica Triunfo de Finlay. La pintura representa al médico cubano exponiendo ante una comisión médica militar estadounidense, su teoría sobre el modo de contagio de la fiebre amarilla y el ente transmisor, el mosquito Aedes aegypti. Finlay había estudiado durante años la enfermedad sin que las autoridades coloniales reconocieran los resultados de sus investigaciones, a pesar de que la enfermedad causaba estragos en los militares españoles y la población. En 1898 la intervención norteamericana en la guerra de los cubanos contra el colonialismo español, generó la necesidad de sanear la Isla y crear condiciones higiénicas favorables para la estancia de las tropas norteñas. El general y médico Leonard Wood fijó su atención en la teoría de Finlay y solicitó al gobierno de su país especialistas para verificarla. Fue enviada una comisión dirigida por el mayor Walter Reed, cirujano del ejército y catedrático de bacteriología de la Facultad de Medicina Militar en Washington, para confirmarla. En la pintura, el artista representó la reunión de Finlay con la comisión norteña. El presente trabajo destaca la trascendencia de la obra, su valor estético y la integración del arte, la historia, la medicina y la ciencia. Se propone incluir su estudio como parte del trabajo educativo dirigido a fomentar la cultura general en la formación de los profesionales de la salud(AU)

One event for Doctor Carlos J. Finlay Barrés was the motive for the oil painting composition named "Triumph of Finlay" by Master of Art Esteban Valderrama Peña. The picture shows Finlay presenting his theory about the transmission of yellow fever by mosquitoes to the US Army Yellow Fever Commission. He had conceived a new infection way able to explain the propagation of the illness, and added the possibility of their scientific confirmation by experimental method. In 1898 the US army took place in the Cuban`s fighting against the Spanish colonialism. This circumstance beginning the need to improve the sanitary condition in the Island to create favorable hygienic conditions to the stay of the troops. The Military Governor of the Island, general and physician Leonard Wood took Finlay´s theory as center of his attention. He requested the government of his country experts to verify it. One commission heading for Major Walter Reed was sent. Reed was a surgeon of the army and professor of bacteriology in Military Medicine Faculty in Washington. After experimentally investigation, the commission could confirm Finlay´s theory. Valderrama´s picture shows the meeting of Finlay with the experts. This article has like objective to give emphasis about this pictorial by its importance for the Cuba´s medicine and the science history in Cuba. By the esthetic value that contains it must be included in the educational labor towards the preparation the professionals of the health. It is useful for contributing with the general culture integrating art, history, medicine and science(AU)

The Bacteriology of Acute Cholecystitis: Comparison of Bile Cultures and Clinical Outcomes in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Patients.

BACKGROUND: Acute cholecystitis is one of the most common acute surgical diseases. Diabetic patients have been shown to have an increased risk for gallbladder disease, but the correlation between the severity of gallstone disease and diabetes is still debated. The aim of this study is to examine the possible difference in the disease process between patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and those without. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of all patients who underwent percutaneous cholecystostomy between 2005 and 2015 at Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel. Demographic and medical history including data on bile and blood culture results, antimicrobial susceptibility, and clinical outcomes were retrieved from patient files. RESULTS: The cohort included 272 patients. Mean age was 68 years old, 50.74% were male and 43.75% had diabetes mellitus. Bile cultures were obtained from 252 (92.64%) patients and were positive in 134 (53.2%) patients. In 11 patients (4%) two pathogens were isolated. Blood cultures obtained from 231 patients and were positive in 35 (15.2%). Escherichia coli was the most common isolate, and was seen in 22.3% of positive bile cultures and 40% of blood cultures. Although diabetic patients had significantly more positive bile cultures, the severity of the disease, according to the Tokyo guidelines, was not higher. CONCLUSIONS: Acute cholecystitis was neither more severe nor had significant difference in bacteriological properties when comparing diabetic patients to non-diabetic ones.

The utility of Amies charcoal bacteriology swabs for storage of canine urine prior to culture.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of bacteriology swabs as a storage method of canine urine samples and the effect on quantitative bacterial culture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred fourteen canine urine samples were collected by cystocentesis. The reference aliquot was placed in a sterile tube and processed for quantitative bacterial culture within 6 hours. A bacteriology swab was then immersed in the urine for 5 seconds and returned to the charcoal Amies media container. The urine samples in the sterile tube and bacteriology swab were stored at room temperature for 48 hours and processed for quantitative bacterial culture. RESULTS: Thirty-seven of the samples were positive on reference culture with a total of 42 bacterial isolates. Samples stored in sterile tube and bacteriology swab had identical sensitivity and specificity for detection of bacteriuria (94.7% and 100%, respectively) with very good agreement (κ = 0.92; 95% CI 0.81 to 1.00). Agreement between the bacterial species of the reference sample and the bacteriology swab was higher (κ = 0.85; 95% CI 0.71 to 0.99) than compared to the sterile tube (κ = 0.78; 95% CI 0.62 to 0.94), but the overlapping confidence intervals mean improved agreement cannot be inferred. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Bacteriology swabs stored in Amies charcoal transport media should be considered an alternative method to preserve canine urine sample when immediate processing for quantitative bacterial culture is not possible. The sensitivity of culturing plain urine, stored for 48 hours in a sterile tube, for detection of bacteriuria, was higher than previously reported.

The bacteriology of recurrent acute exacerbations of chronic rhinosinusitis: a longitudinal analysis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the microbiology of recurrent acute exacerbations of chronic rhinosinusitis over time. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients with recurrent acute exacerbations of chronic rhinosinusitis who underwent endoscopic-guided cultures during acute exacerbations of chronic rhinosinusitis. RESULTS: 386 cultures were obtained from 112 patients during recurrent acute exacerbations of CRS. A change of bacterial isolates during the course of recurrent exacerbations was observed in 68% (76/112) of patients, necessitating a change of treatment in 40% (45/112). The main risk factor for the subsequent change in cultures was polymicrobial growth. Sinus surgery was not associated with subsequent change in cultured isolates. Resistant strains developed in 11.6% (13/112) of patients, of whom those with abnormal mucociliary clearance being at the highest risk. CONCLUSION: Repeated middle meatal cultures should be considered in patients with recurrent exacerbations of CRS, particularly in cases not responding to standard therapy.

Pediatría y cultura de viaje: los pensionados españoles y la apropiación del laboratorio en la periferia, 1907-1939 / Pediatrics and travel culture: Spanish travel award-holders and the appropriation of laboratories on the periphery, 1907-1939

Resumen Partiendo de la hipótesis de que el laboratorio jugó un papel importante en la autonomía disciplinar de la pediatría, este artículo estudia la influencia del viaje científico en la apropiación de nuevas metodologías por parte de los pediatras y puericultores españoles del primer tercio del siglo XX. Para ello, se analizan las pensiones concedidas a tal efecto por la Junta para Ampliación de Estudios e Investigaciones Científicas. Se describe la geografía científica creada por el programa y se profundiza en el papel de los mentores - especialmente de Gustavo Pittaluga (1876-1956) - en este proceso. Además de un estudio prosopográfico del grupo, se presentan tres casos que demuestran la importancia del programa en el encuentro de la pediatría con la bacteriología, la anatomía patológica y la bioquímica.

Abstract Starting from the hypothesis that laboratories played an important role in pediatrics becoming an autonomous discipline, this article studies the influence of scientific travel on the appropriation of new methodologies by Spanish pediatricians and child-care experts in the first third of the twentieth century. To do so, it analyzes the travel awards granted by the Junta para Ampliación de Estudios e Investigaciones Científicas. It describes the scientific geography created by the program and takes an in-depth look at the role of mentors - especially Gustavo Pittaluga (1876-1956) - in this process. In addition to a prosopographical study of the group, it presents three cases that demonstrate the importance of the program in bringing pediatrics into contact with bacteriology, pathological anatomy and biochemistry.

Juan Nicolás Dávalos Betancourt y Federico Grande Rossi: dos amigos y una profesión / Juan Nicolás Dávalos Betancourt y Federico Grande Rossi: two friends, one profession

El papel desempeñado por destacados científicos cubanos y matanceros como Juan Nicolás Dávalos Betancourt y Federico Grande Rossi fue fundamental en el desarrollo de la bacteriología en el país. Con este trabajo se pretende acercar a estos dos hombres unidos en la vida como grandes amigos y en la profesión. Juan Nicolás Dávalos Betancourt conocido como "el sabio que soñaba con las bacterias" trasciende su campo de trabajo particular y se proyecta en el desarrollo de nuestra nación. Federico Grande Rossi fue médico bacteriólogo y fecundo escritor (AU).

The role played by eminent Cuban and Matanzasan scientist like Juan Nicolas Davalos Betancourt and Federico Grandi Rossi was essential for the development of the bacteriology in the country. With this work the authors pretend to bring near these two men who were very close in life as friends and colleagues in their profession. Juan Nicolas Davalos Betancourt, known as "the scholar who dreamed with bacteria" went beyond his particular work field and entered the process of development of Cuban nation. Federico Grandi Rossi was a doctor-bacteriologist and a prolific writer (AU).