Zika Virus Disease in Colombia - Preliminary Report.

BACKGROUND: Colombia began official surveillance for Zika virus disease (ZVD) in August 2015. In October 2015, an outbreak of ZVD was declared after laboratory-confirmed disease was identified in nine patients. METHODS: Using the national population-based surveillance system, we assessed patients with clinical symptoms of ZVD from August 9, 2015, to April 2, 2016. Laboratory test results and pregnancy outcomes were evaluated for a subgroup of pregnant women. Concurrently, we investigated reports of microcephaly for evidence of congenital ZVD. RESULTS: By April 2, 2016, there were 65,726 cases of ZVD reported in Colombia, of which 2485 (4%) were confirmed by means of reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) assay. The overall reported incidence of ZVD among female patients was twice that in male patients. A total of 11,944 pregnant women with ZVD were reported in Colombia, with 1484 (12%) of these cases confirmed on RT-PCR assay. In a subgroup of 1850 pregnant women, more than 90% of women who were reportedly infected during the third trimester had given birth, and no infants with apparent abnormalities, including microcephaly, have been identified. A majority of the women who contracted ZVD in the first or second trimester were still pregnant at the time of this report. Among the cases of microcephaly investigated from January 2016 through April 2016, four patients had laboratory evidence of congenital ZVD; all were born to asymptomatic mothers who were not included in the ZVD surveillance system. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary surveillance data in Colombia suggest that maternal infection with the Zika virus during the third trimester of pregnancy is not linked to structural abnormalities in the fetus. However, the monitoring of the effect of ZVD on pregnant women in Colombia is ongoing. (Funded by Colombian Instituto Nacional de Salud and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.).

[Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection in ColombiaEpidemiologia da infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C na Colômbia]. / Epidemiología de la infección por el virus de la hepatitis C en Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Colombia. METHODS: Critical review of epidemiological studies of HCV infection in Colombia. The PubMed, SciELO, and ScienceDirect databases were searched for original articles and reviews on the subject published from 1989 to 2020. Reports from the National Institute of Health and the High Cost Account of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection were also reviewed. RESULTS: Data on seroprevalence of HCV antibodies in blood donors range from 1.5% to 0.32%, corresponding to reports at the beginning and end of the study period, respectively. In the population with risk factors, a high prevalence of HCV infection is observed, although with variations over time. With respect to HCV genotypes in Colombia, genotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4 (subtypes 1a, 1b, 2a, and 3a) have been identified. CONCLUSIONS: In the observation period, a decrease was seen in seroprevalence of HCV infection in blood donors and hemodialysis patients in Colombia, demonstrating the impact of safe blood policies and biosafety measures. Studies in people who inject illicit drugs indicate a high prevalence of infection, with regional differences within the country. HCV genotype 1, subtype 1b, is the most frequent in the different studies carried out in Colombia, and the most recent report of the High Cost Account of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection indicates that genotype 4 is the second most frequent genotype in the country.

OBJETIVO: Descrever a epidemiologia da infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C na Colômbia. MÉTODOS: Foi realizada uma revisão crítica de estudos epidemiológicos sobre a infecção pelo HCV na Colômbia por meio de busca de artigos originais e revisões a respeito do tema, publicados no período de 1989 a 2020, nos bancos de dados PubMed, SciELO e ScienceDirect. Também foram analisados os relatórios do Instituto Nacional de Saúde e da Conta de Alto Custo do Ministério da Saúde e Proteção Social. RESULTADOS: O índice de soroprevalência de anticorpos anti-HCV em doadores de sangue varia de 1,5% a 0,32%, correspondendo aos relatos do início e do final do período de estudo, respectivamente. Na população com fatores de risco, observa-se prevalência elevada de infecção pelo HCV, embora com variações ao longo do tempo. Em relação aos genótipos do HCV, foram identificados os genótipos 1, 2, 3 e 4 (subgenótipos 1a, 1b, 2a e 3a) na Colômbia. CONCLUSÕES: No período de interesse, observa-se uma diminuição da soroprevalência da infecção pelo HCV em doadores de sangue e em pacientes em tratamento hemodialítico na Colômbia, o que demonstra o impacto das políticas de sangue seguro e medidas de biossegurança. Estudos com usuários de drogas ilícitas injetáveis indicam alta prevalência de infecção, com diferenças de acordo com a região do país. O subgenótipo 1b do genótipo 1 do HCV é o mais prevalente nos diferentes estudos realizados na Colômbia, enquanto o informe mais recente da Conta de Alto Custo do Ministério da Saúde e Proteção Social indica que o genótipo 4 é o segundo mais frequente no país.

[Comparative economic evaluation of renal replacement therapies in Argentina, Costa Rica, and UruguayAvaliação econômica comparativa de terapias de substituição renal na Argentina, na Costa Rica e no Uruguai]. / Evaluación económica comparativa sobre terapias de reemplazo renal en Argentina, Costa Rica y Uruguay.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate differences in the cost and prevalence of renal replacement therapies (RRTs) such as transplants, peritoneal dialysis, and hemodialysis in Argentina, Costa Rica, and Uruguay, based on cost-effective dissemination strategies. METHODS: Costs and prevalence obtained from the main financers and providers in each country; analysis of cost-effectiveness using a Markov model with a five-year horizon, evaluating resource allocation strategies for their incremental cost-effectiveness ratio expressed as quality-adjusted years of life. RESULTS: There is observed dispersion among countries in terms of access to and beneficial value of RRTs, affecting their prevalence and monetary breakeven point. From the cost standpoint, it is more efficient to promote transplants and peritoneal dialysis, and to discourage hemodialysis, although the availability of each RRT in each country required a specific evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Promoting transplants saves costs, but the variable breakeven points make it necessary to determine different cost-effectiveness thresholds for each country. In Argentina and Uruguay, RRTs would be more cost-effective with an increase in the number of patients in peritoneal dialysis and higher donation rates for transplants. In Costa Rica (where there is a high transplant rate and large budgetary margin), the use of dialysis is aligned with demand and with the incidence of patients with terminal chronic kidney disease.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as diferenças de custos e prevalência das terapias de substituição renal (TSR) como o transplante, a diálise peritoneal e a hemodiálise na Argentina, na Costa Rica e no Uruguai, mediante estratégias de difusão custo-efetivas. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados custos e prevalência dos principais financiadores e prestadores por país, e realizada análise de custo-efetividade mediante modelo de Markov para 5 anos, avaliando estratégias de alocação de recursos expressas pela razão de custo-efetividade incremental por ano de vida ajustado por qualidade. RESULTADOS: Foi observada, entre os países, dispersão no acesso e nos valores prestacionais de TSR, afetando sua prevalência e o ponto de equilíbrio monetário. Do ponto de vista dos custos, é mais eficiente promover a realização de transplantes e de diálise peritoneal e desestimular a indicação de hemodiálise, embora a disponibilidade de cada TSR por país tenha exigido avaliações específicas. CONCLUSÕES: Promover a realização de transplantes economiza custos, embora os pontos de equilíbrio variáveis requeiram a determinação de diferentes limiares de custo-efetividade por país. Na Argentina e no Uruguai, a administração de TSR melhoraria sua eficiência se a quantidade de pacientes em diálise peritoneal e as taxas de doação para transplantes aumentassem. Na Costa Rica (onde há taxas elevadas de transplantes e margem orçamentária), a incorporação de técnicas dialíticas é ajustada por demanda e incidência de pacientes com DRCT.

Molecular Epidemiology of Candida auris in Colombia Reveals a Highly Related, Countrywide Colonization With Regional Patterns in Amphotericin B Resistance.

Background: Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant yeast associated with hospital outbreaks worldwide. During 2015-2016, multiple outbreaks were reported in Colombia. We aimed to understand the extent of contamination in healthcare settings and to characterize the molecular epidemiology of C. auris in Colombia. Methods: We sampled patients, patient contacts, healthcare workers, and the environment in 4 hospitals with recent C. auris outbreaks. Using standardized protocols, people were swabbed at different body sites. Patient and procedure rooms were sectioned into 4 zones and surfaces were swabbed. We performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) on all isolates. Results: Seven of the 17 (41%) people swabbed were found to be colonized. Candida auris was isolated from 37 of 322 (11%) environmental samples. These were collected from a variety of items in all 4 zones. WGS and AFST revealed that although isolates were similar throughout the country, isolates from the northern region were genetically distinct and more resistant to amphotericin B (AmB) than the isolates from central Colombia. Four novel nonsynonymous mutations were found to be significantly associated with AmB resistance. Conclusions: Our results show that extensive C. auris contamination can occur and highlight the importance of adherence to appropriate infection control practices and disinfection strategies. Observed genetic diversity supports healthcare transmission and a recent expansion of C. auris within Colombia with divergent AmB susceptibility.

Severe Neurologic Disorders in 2 Fetuses with Zika Virus Infection, Colombia.

We report the results of pathologic examinations of 2 fetuses from women in Colombia with Zika virus infection during pregnancy that revealed severe central nervous system defects and potential associated abnormalities of the eye, spleen, and placenta. Amniotic fluid and tissues from multiple fetal organs tested positive for Zika virus.

Genomic and Molecular Characterization of Clinical Isolates of Enterobacteriaceae Harboring mcr-1 in Colombia, 2002 to 2016.

Polymyxins are last-resort antimicrobial agents used to treat infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae Due to the worldwide dissemination of polymyxin resistance in animal and human isolates, we aimed to characterize polymyxin resistance associated with the presence of mcr-1 in Enterobacteriaceae and nonfermenter Gram-negative bacilli, using isolates collected retrospectively in Colombia from 2002 to 2016. A total of 5,887 Gram-negative clinical isolates were studied, and 513 were found to be resistant to the polymyxins. Susceptibility to colistin was confirmed by broth microdilution for all mcr-1-positive isolates, and these were further subjected to whole-genome sequencing (WGS). The localization of mcr-1 was confirmed by S1 pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (S1-PFGE) and CeuI-PFGE hybridization. Transferability was evaluated by mating assays. A total of 12 colistin-resistant isolates recovered after 2013 harbored mcr-1, including 8 Escherichia coli, 3 Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, and 1 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate. E. coli isolates were unrelated by PFGE and belonged to 7 different sequence types (STs) and phylogroups. S Typhimurium and K. pneumoniae isolates belonged to ST34 and ST307, respectively. The mcr-1 gene was plasmid borne in all isolates but two E. coli isolates which harbored it on the chromosome. Conjugation of mcr-1 was successful in 8 of 10 isolates (8.2 × 10-5 to 2.07 × 10-1 cell per recipient). Plasmid sequences showed that the mcr-1 plasmids belonged to four different Inc groups (a new IncP-1 variant and the IncFII, IncHI1, and IncH families). Our results indicate that mcr-1 is circulating in clinical isolates of colistin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Colombia and is mainly harbored in transferable plasmids.

Serological response to Helicobacter pylori infection among Latin American populations with contrasting risks of gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer is a rare outcome of chronic Helicobacter pylori infection. Serologic profiles may reveal bacterial, environmental and/or host factors associated with cancer risk. We therefore compared specific anti-H. pylori antibodies among populations with at least twofold differences in gastric cancer mortality from Mexico, Colombia and Chile. Our study included 1,776 adults (mean age 42 years) from three nationally representative surveys, equally divided between residents of high- and low-risk areas. Antibodies to 15 immunogenic H. pylori antigens were measured by fluorescent bead-based multiplex assays; results were summarized to identify overall H. pylori seropositivity. We used logistic regression to model associations between antibody seroreactivity and regional cancer risk (high vs. low), adjusting for country, age and sex. Both risk areas had similar H. pylori seroprevalence. Residents in high- and low-risk areas were seroreactive to a similar number of antigens (means 8.2 vs. 7.9, respectively; adjusted odds ratio, OR: 1.02, p = 0.05). Seroreactivities to Catalase and the known virulence proteins CagA and VacA were each significantly (p < 0.05) associated with residence in high-risk areas, but ORs were moderate (1.26, 1.42 and 1.41, respectively) and their discriminatory power was low (area under the curve < 0.6). The association of Catalase was independent from effects of either CagA or VacA. Sensitivity analyses for antibody associations restricted to H. pylori-seropositive individuals generally replicated significant associations. Our findings suggest that humoral responses to H. pylori are insufficient to distinguish high and low gastric cancer risk in Latin America. Factors determining population variation of gastric cancer burden remain to be identified.

Molecular characterization of hepatitis c virus in multi-transfused Colombian patients.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects 170 million persons worldwide and is a public health problem. Considering that HCV is principally transmitted by exposure to infected blood, multi-transfused patients constitute one of the most important risk groups in developing countries. To explore the dynamics of this infection in Colombia, we performed a study to determine the genotypes of HCV in a cohort of multi-transfused patients. RESULTS: The serum samples from patients positive for anti-HCV were evaluated for HCV RNA by nested-PCR of the 5'untranslated region (5'UTR). Viral genotype was determined by RFLP and/or automated sequencing. HCV subtype 1b was found in eight cases (66.7%) and subtype 1a in two cases (16.7%); seven isolates of subtype 1b were obtained from patients who had received the first transfusion before 1986. Either genotypes 2b (8.3%) or 3a (8.3%) were found in the remaining positive specimens. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first HCV genotyping study developed in multi-transfused patients in Colombia where HCV subtype 1b was the most prevalent. The mutation G235A in the 5'UTR of three isolates generated an additional restriction site and an RFLP pattern different from those previously described for genotype 1.

[Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus infection in a population of multiply-transfused patients in Colombia]. / Seroprevalencia de infección por virus de la hepatitis B y por virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana en una población de pacientes con múltiples transfusiones en cuatro hospitales, Colombia, Sur América.

INTRODUCTION: Although the transfusion of blood products is a common therapy, it carries risk of transmission of infections, especially hepatitus B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). OBJECTIVE: As part of the blood safety initiative, the Pan American Health Organization supported studies to estimate the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B virus infection in Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February and September 2003, a cross sectional study examined 500 multiply-transfused patients at four hospital centers in the cities of Bogota and Medellin. The serum samples were analyzed by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) using commercial kits. RESULTS: The seroprevalence of HIV infection was 1.8% (CI 95% 0.5-3.1). The seroprevalence of HBV infection was 18.6% (CI 95% 15.1-22.1). Six risk factors were associated with HIV and HBV infection: (1) receiving more than 48 units of blood or blood components, (2) diagnosis of hemophilia, (3) receiving transfusions for more than one year, (4) receiving whole blood, (5) coinfection with hepatitis C virus and (6) receiving transfusions before 1993. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first epidemiological study with a significant sample size performed in multiply-transfused patients in Colombia. The principal finding was the high prevalence of HBV and HIV infection in patients with diagnosis of hemophilia compared with the other five groups of multiply-transfused patients.

Renal involvement in fatal cases of chikungunya virus infection.

BACKGROUND: Information regarding physiopathology and complications in fatal cases of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is scarce. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe the frequency and severity of renal complications in fatal cases associated with CHIKV infection based on the clinical and histopathological features from post-mortem tissue biopsies. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective study included fatal cases associated with CHIKV infection occurring from September 2014 through October 2015, reported to National System for Public Health Surveillance (SIVIGILA) and laboratory-confirmed by the National Institute of Health of Colombia. Medical records from 13 patients were available. Information was collected on history, physical examination, and haematological, biochemical, radiological, and virologic investigation reports. RESULTS: Diagnosis of CHIKV infection was performed by positive CHIKV-PCR on post-mortem tissue in 10 cases, positive CHIKV-PCR in serum in 6 cases and anti-CHIKV virus IgM in 2 cases. Only 3 cases were children (≤5 years old). Four cases had underlying diseases, mainly systemic arterial hypertension. The median value of creatinine at admission was 2.8 mg/dL (interquartile range 1.52-4.51). During hospitalization, 9 cases required ICU admission, 8 vasopressor support and 6 mechanical ventilation. Kidney histopathological findings were mainly acute interstitial nephritis (11 cases), congestion/oedema glomerular (10 cases) and acute tubular necrosis (5 cases). CONCLUSIONS: Renal impairment in fatal cases of CHIKV infection is frequent and related mainly to acute interstitial nephritis. These data demonstrate evidence of acquired kidney injuries during CHIKV infection.

[Costs of Chagas' disease screening test in blood donors in two Colombian blood banks, 2015].

INTRODUCTION: Transfusion is a mechanism of transmission of Chagas' disease. There are no studies on the costs of the screening test in Colombian blood banks. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the costs of the screening test for Chagas' disease among blood donors in two Colombian blood banks, 2015. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a micro-costing study from the perspective of the health care provider to estimate the cost of Chagas' disease testing in two blood banks, Banco de Sangre de la Cruz Roja, Seccional Bolívar, and Banco de Sangre del Hospital de Yopal, Casanare, taking into account four cost categories: 1) Administrative costs: public services and insurance costs were calculated based on the blood bank area in square meters; 2) capital costs: building and equipment costs that were annualized using a 3% discount rate and a lifespan of 20 years for building and five for equipment; 3) costs of Chagas' disease test materials and reagents adjusted by blood bank production level, and 4) costs of staff in charge of Chagas' disease test processing. The costs of transfusion bagsand immunohematology tests are also reported. RESULTS: The cost of Chagas' disease test in the blood bank of Seccional Bolívar was COP$ 37,804 (USD$ 12), and the blood bag and immunohematology test costs were COP$ 25,941 (USD$ 8.2) and COP$ 6,800 (USD$ 2.2), respectively. In the blood bank of Yopal, Casanare, the costs were COP$ 77,384 (USD$ 24.6), COP$ 30,141 (USD$ 9.6) and COP$ 12,627 (USD$ 4), respectively. Personnel cost accounted for the highest percentage of the total cost for both blood banks (47.5% in Seccional Bolívar, and 55.7% in Yopal, Casanare). CONCLUSION: Our results are an important input for the planning of services and cost-effectiveness studies for screening tests for Chagas' disease in Colombian blood banks.

Detection of Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies in multitransfused patients in Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Chagas disease is a public health problem in Latin America. Even though vector-borne infection is the most important transmission mode for this disease, other modes such as transfusions require evaluation. OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of T. cruzi infection in multitransfused patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We detected IgG antibodies against T. cruzi by two immunoassays in samples from multitransfused patients in four hospitals located in Bogotá and Medellín, Colombia. We analyzed the association with known risk factors, and we calculated the odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals using Stata 11™ statistical software. RESULTS: In total, 479 samples were tested. Overall, T. cruzi antibody prevalence was 1.88% (nine patients). Five were onco-hematological patients, two were hemodialyzed, one had thalassemia, and one had suffered acute blood loss. We found no hemophilia patients. There was no association between known risk factors for transfusion-transmitted infection (such as the number of transfusion events, number of blood units and type of blood component) and the presence of anti-T. cruzi antibodies in this study. Only the hepatitis C virus infection showed a positive association with the presence of anti-T. cruzi antibodies (OR=5.68, 95% CI: 1.36-23.63). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed a low frequency of T. cruzi infection in multitransfused patients, suggesting that the risk of transfusion infection in Colombia is low. Known risk factors for transfusion-related infection were not associated with the presence of anti-T. cruzi antibodies.

Results of the national surveillance of antimicrobial resistance of Enterobacteriaceae and Gram negative bacilli in health care-associated infections in Colombia, 2012-2014.

INTRODUCTION: The Colombian National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System for the surveillance of healthcare-associated infections was set up to meet this problem in the third quarter of 2012. OBJECTIVE: To describe resistance profiles and laboratory-based surveillance based on the information collected by the System. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective and descriptive study of the information notified to the Colombian Public Health Surveillance System (Sivigila), and in the Whonet databases covering the period from July 2012 to December 2014 provided by the primary data-generating units in the country, as well as laboratory surveillance results from 1,642 phenotypic and genotypic tests on carbapenemase isolates (927 from Enterobacteriaceae, 614 from Pseudomonas spp. and 101 from Acinetobacter spp.). RESULTS: There was a significant increase in Escherichia coli resistance to third-generation cephalosporins (reaching 26.3% in ICUs and 22.5% in other hospital wards), and Klebsiella pneumoniae resistance to ertapenem also increased (reaching 14.6% in ICUs). Acinetobacter baumannii carbapenem resistance exceeded 50% in ICUs whereas Pseudomonas aeruginosa had lower carbapenem resistance (38.8%). KPC (n = 574) and NDM (n=57) were the most frequently occurring carbapenemases in Enterobacteriaceae, VIM (n=229) and KPC (n=114) in P. aeruginosa, and OXA-23 in A. baumannii (n=87); several carbapenemase combinations were identified, KPC + VIM being the most common in Pseudomonas spp. and Enterobacteriaceae. CONCLUSION: The data from the surveillance of healthcare-associated infections revealed significant carbapenem resistance profiles and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms circulating in Colombian healthcare institutions.

First Complete Providencia rettgeri Genome Sequence, the NDM-1-Producing Clinical Strain RB151.

Providencia rettgeri is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen of clinical significance due to its association with urinary tract infections and multidrug resistance. Here, we report the first complete genome sequence of P. rettgeri The genome of strain RB151 consists of a 4.8-Mbp chromosome and a 108-kbp blaNDM-1-positive plasmid.

Genomic Epidemiology of NDM-1-Encoding Plasmids in Latin American Clinical Isolates Reveals Insights into the Evolution of Multidrug Resistance.

Bacteria that produce the broad-spectrum Carbapenem antibiotic New Delhi Metallo-ß-lactamase (NDM) place a burden on health care systems worldwide, due to the limited treatment options for infections caused by them and the rapid global spread of this antibiotic resistance mechanism. Although it is believed that the associated resistance gene blaNDM-1 originated in Acinetobacter spp., the role of Enterobacteriaceae in its dissemination remains unclear. In this study, we used whole genome sequencing to investigate the dissemination dynamics of blaNDM-1-positive plasmids in a set of 21 clinical NDM-1-positive isolates from Colombia and Mexico (Providencia rettgeri, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter baumannii) as well as six representative NDM-1-positive Escherichia coli transconjugants. Additionally, the plasmids from three representative P. rettgeri isolates were sequenced by PacBio sequencing and finished. Our results demonstrate the presence of previously reported plasmids from K. pneumoniae and A. baumannii in different genetic backgrounds and geographically distant locations in Colombia. Three new previously unclassified plasmids were also identified in P. rettgeri from Colombia and Mexico, plus an interesting genetic link between NDM-1-positive P. rettgeri from distant geographic locations (Canada, Mexico, Colombia, and Israel) without any reported epidemiological links was discovered. Finally, we detected a relationship between plasmids present in P. rettgeri and plasmids from A. baumannii and K. pneumoniae. Overall, our findings suggest a Russian doll model for the dissemination of blaNDM-1 in Latin America, with P. rettgeri playing a central role in this process, and reveal new insights into the evolution and dissemination of plasmids carrying such antibiotic resistance genes.

Serial Head and Brain Imaging of 17 Fetuses With Confirmed Zika Virus Infection in Colombia, South America.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate fetal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging findings among a series of pregnant women with confirmed Zika virus infection to evaluate the signs of congenital Zika syndrome with respect to timing of infection. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective case series of pregnant women referred to two perinatal clinics in Barranquilla and Ibagué, Colombia, who had findings consistent with congenital Zika syndrome and Zika virus infection confirmed in maternal, fetal, or neonatal samples. Serial ultrasound measurements, fetal magnetic resonance imaging results, laboratory results, and perinatal outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: We describe 17 cases of confirmed prenatal maternal Zika virus infection with adverse fetal outcomes. Among the 14 symptomatic women, the median gestational age for maternal Zika virus symptoms was 10 weeks (range 7-14 weeks of gestation). The median time between Zika virus symptom onset and microcephaly (head circumference less than 3 standard deviations below the mean) was 18 weeks (range 15-24 weeks). The earliest fetal head circumference measurement consistent with microcephaly diagnosis was at 24 weeks of gestation. The earliest sign of congenital Zika syndrome was talipes equinovarus, which in two patients was noted first at 19 weeks of gestation. Common findings on fetal magnetic resonance imaging were microcephaly, ventriculomegaly, polymicrogyria, and calcifications. CONCLUSION: Our analysis suggests a period of at least 15 weeks between maternal Zika virus infection in pregnancy and development of microcephaly and highlights the importance of serial and detailed neuroimaging.

Cytomegalovirus seroprevalence in organ donors and kidney transplant recipients, Colombia, 2010-2014.

INTRODUCTION: Cytomegalovirus infections have gained high importance for individuals that have received organ transplants given the clinical implications this may have in immunocompromised patients.  OBJECTIVE: To describe the seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus in organ donors and recipients of kidney transplants nationwide from the six regions established by the Red Nacional de Donación y Trasplante.  MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a descriptive retrospective study that included 1,813 organ donors and 3,313 recipients of kidney transplants, and we calculated IgM and IgG seroprevalence for cytomegalovirus. IgG prevalence was stratified according to sex, age group, and region, and the results were analyzed in each donor-recipient pair and classified according to the risk. Statistical packages IBM SPSS®, Statistics 22, and Epi Info 7 were utilized.  RESULTS: IgG prevalence for cytomegalivirus was 86.8% in donors and 91.0% in kidney transplant recipients with statistical significance observed for age, geographical location, and between donors and recipients. We analyzed 1,764 pairs of donors and recipients, of which 91.4% were categorized as having intermediate risk.  CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed high cytomegalovirus infection rates in Colombia. Given the risk, categorization of patients undergoing transplants, measures should be adopted by medical teams to minimize risks.

Prevalence of human T-cell lymphotropic virus I and II in Colombian blood donors, 2001-2014: Implications for transfusion safety.

INTRODUCTION: The human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) 1 and 2 cause various clinical disorders associated with degenerative diseases. Blood transfusion is a primary mechanism of transmission that is associated with the use of cellular components such as red blood cells.  OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology of HTLV 1 and 2 in blood donors in Colombia from 2001-2014.  MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed using screening, reactivity and positivity for HTLV 1 and 2 data collected from 2001 to 2014 by Colombian blood banks and consolidated by the Instituto Nacional de Salud. Using this information, transfusion-associated infectivity was also estimated.  RESULTS: From 2001 to 2014, 60.2% of blood collected in Colombia was screened for HTLV 1 and 2 and had a cumulative reactivity of 0.30%. This was 20 times higher in Chocó (6.28%), where blood collection ended in 2004. Blood screening for HTLV reached 94.9% in 2014 with a positive concordance of 14.7%, and an estimated 406 unscreened, potentially infectious blood units were released. The majority of the unscreened blood units (215 units, 53%) came from Antioquia, a non-endemic department.  CONCLUSION: These results suggest that HTLV 1 and 2 infections are distributed in different areas of the country that were not previously classified as endemic. These findings support the importance of the universal screening of blood units to minimize the risk of infection through transfusion for this event.

Hepatitis C virus seroprevalence in multi-transfused patients in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is a public health problem worldwide, with particular relevance in multi-transfused patients given that HCV is principally transmitted by exposure to infected blood. STUDY DESIGN: Between February and September 2003 a cross-sectional study was carried out in four hospital centres in Bogotá and Medellin, Colombia, to determine the risk factors for HCV infection in 500 multi-transfused patients. RESULTS: The study population was distributed in five groups: haemophilia, haemodyalsis, acute bleeding, ontological illnesses and sickle cell disease or thalassemia. Serum samples from patients were tested for HCV antibodies (Asxym, Abbott). An overall prevalence (9.0%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 6.4-11.6) (45/500) of HCV infection was found. Anti-HCV antibodies were detected in 32.2% of patients with haemophilia, 6.1% of patients undergoing haemodialysis, 7.1% of patients with sickle cell disease or thalassemia, 2.6% of patients with acute bleeding and 3.4% of patients with ontological or hematological diseases. The main risk factors associated with infection by HCV were: to be hemophilic (odds ratio, OR = 18.03; 95% Cl: 3.96-114.17), having received transfusions before 1995 (OR = 12.27; 95% Cl: 5.57-27.69), and having received more than 48 units of blood components (OR = 6.08; 95% CI: 3.06-12.1). In the multivariate analysis, only the year of transfusions (before 1995) remained significantly associated with risk of infection by HCV. CONCLUSIONS: The data show a 3-fold reduction in the infection risk between 1993 and 1995, when the serological screening for HCV in blood donors was being introduced. A reduction greater than 90% was achieved by 1995 when the screening coverage reached 99%.

[Control of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in blood donors in Colombia, 2003]. / Control de la infección por Trypanosoma cruzi en donantes de sangre de Colombia, 2003.

INTRODUCTION: Chagas disease is a public health problem in Latin America. Whereas the primary source of transmission is the insect vector, the second is by blood transfusion. Consequently, in Colombia, screening for trypanosomiasis has been obligatory for blood donors since 1995. OBJECTIVE: The effectiveness ot current strategies for infection control in donors was evaluated in order to estimate the risk of blood stock contamination with Chagas disease. The screening data came from the blood banks in the Program of External Evaluation in the Performance of Serology and the reports of the Laboratories of Public Health on confirming donor serology tests. RESULTS: In 2003, 482,371 units of blood were collected in all of Colombia. Of these, 99.9% were analyzed for anti-T. cruzi reactivity, with a positives of 0.42% detected. The Casanare Province presented the biggest number of reactive donors 107/1487 (7.2%), with 75 confirmed positive. In the Program of External Evaluation in the Performance of Serology, 45.5% of all banks participated-all used ELISA for screening of anti-T. cruzi. 1.1% false positives and nofalse negatives were indicated in 12 provinces, where 338,563 units were analyzed for anti- T.cruzi, 1298 units were reactive and 1108 (85.4%) were confirmed by the IFI test. This indicated a rate of Chagas positives of 0.33%. CONCLUSIONS: Although the analysis covered arrived at 99.9% of the blood units, a small degree of infection risk for T. cruzi still remains. The cases of T. cruzi in donors oscillate between 0 and 50 per thousand. This rate is highest in Casanare with a concomitantly high risk for acquisition of transfusional Chagas. ot show negative false results.