ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Ixodid ticks, particularly Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l., are important vectors of various disease-causing agents in dogs and humans in Cuba. However, our understading of interactions among tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in infected dogs or the vector R. sanguineus s.l. remains limited. This study integrates microfluidic-based high-throughput real-time PCR data, Yule's Q statistic, and network analysis to elucidate pathogen-pathogen interactions in dogs and ticks in tropical western Cuba. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 46 client-owned dogs was conducted. Blood samples were collected from these dogs, and ticks infesting the same dogs were morphologically and molecularly identified. Nucleic acids were extracted from both canine blood and tick samples. Microfluidic-based high-throughput real-time PCR was employed to detect 25 bacterial species, 10 parasite species, 6 bacterial genera, and 4 parasite taxa, as well as to confirm the identity of the collected ticks. Validation was performed through end-point PCR assays and DNA sequencing analysis. Yule's Q statistic and network analysis were used to analyse the associations between different TBP species based on binary presence-absence data. RESULTS: The study revealed a high prevalence of TBPs in both dogs and R. sanguineus s.l., the only tick species found on the dogs. Hepatozoon canis and Ehrlichia canis were among the most common pathogens detected. Co-infections were observed, notably between E. canis and H. canis. Significant correlations were found between the presence of Anaplasma platys and H. canis in both dogs and ticks. A complex co-occurrence network among haemoparasite species was identified, highlighting potential facilitative and inhibitory roles. Notably, H. canis was found as a highly interconnected node, exhibiting significant positive associations with various taxa, including A. platys, and E. canis, suggesting facilitative interactions among these pathogens. Phylogenetic analysis showed genetic diversity in the detected TBPs. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this research enhances our understanding of TBPs in Cuba, providing insights into their prevalence, associations, and genetic diversity, with implications for disease surveillance and management.
Subject(s)
Dog Diseases , Rhipicephalus sanguineus , Tick-Borne Diseases , Humans , Animals , Dogs , Phylogeny , Cross-Sectional Studies , Microfluidics , Anaplasma/genetics , Ehrlichia canis/genetics , Rhipicephalus sanguineus/microbiology , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Dog Diseases/parasitology , Tick-Borne Diseases/epidemiology , Tick-Borne Diseases/veterinary , Tick-Borne Diseases/microbiologyABSTRACT
RESUMEN Objetivos. Determinar los cambios en las características clínicas y desenlaces intrahospitalarios de los pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19 en un hospital privado de Caracas durante dos años de pandemia. Materiales y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo, observacional, de pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19. Se investigó la correspondencia entre las olas de ingresos hospitalarios con las variantes circulantes del SARS-CoV-2 en la población general del Distrito Capital y estado Miranda. Resultados. Se incluyeron 1025 pacientes (569 hombres y 456 mujeres), con edad promedio de 62,9 DE: 16,2 años. Cuatro olas de ingresos hospitalarios fueron identificadas: primera (marzo-noviembre 2020) 150/1025 (14,6%) casos; segunda (diciembre-2020 a mayo-2021) 415/1025 (40,5%) casos; tercera (junio-diciembre 2021) 344/1025 (33,6%) casos; cuarta (enero-febrero 2022) 116/1025 (11,3%) casos. La edad promedio fue mayor en la cuarta ola (primera 64,0±15,7, segunda 61,4±15,8, tercera 62,1±16,5, y cuarta ola 68,5±16,4), mientras que la proporción de pacientes masculinos (primera 66,7%, segunda 58,8%, tercera 50,3%, y cuarta 44,8%), los pacientes con enfermedad grave-crítica (primera 65,3%, segunda 57%, tercera 51,7% y cuarta 44,8%), la estadía intrahospitalaria (primera 9,1±6,0, segunda 9,0±7,3, tercera 8,8±7,7, y cuarta 6,9±5,0 días), los ingresos a la UCI (primera 23,3%, segunda 15,7%, tercera 14,0%, y cuarta 11,2%; p=0,027) y la mortalidad (primera 21.8%, segunda 10,7%, tercera 9,1%, y cuarta 7,1%; p<0,001) disminuyeron progresivamente con el tiempo. Conclusiones. Los resultados muestran menor frecuencia de casos severos y mejoría de los desenlaces intrahospitalarios en dos años de pandemia. Es probable que los cambios en las variantes circulantes, las mejoras del manejo de la enfermedad y la vacunación hayan influido sobre estos resultados.
ABSTRACT Objectives. To determine changes in the clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in a private hospital in Caracas during two years of the pandemic. Materials and Methods. Retrospective, observational study of patients hospitalized for COVID-19. We evaluated the correspondence between waves of hospital admissions and circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2 in the general population of the Capital District and Miranda state. Results. A total of 1025 patients (569 men and 456 women) were included, with a mean age of 62.9 SD: 16.2 years. Four waves of hospital admissions were identified: first (March-November 2020) 150/1025 (14.6%) cases; second (December 2020 to May 2021) 415/1025 (40.5%) cases; third (June-December 2021) 344/1025 (33.6%) cases; fourth (January-February 2022) 116/1025 (11.3%) cases. The mean age was higher in the fourth wave (first: 64.0±15.7, second: 61.4±15.8, third: 62.1±16.5, and fourth wave: 68.5±16.4), while the proportion of male patients (first: 66.7%, second: 58.8%, third: 50.3%, and fourth wave: 44.8%), patients with severe-critical illness (first: 65.3%, second: 57%, third: 51.7%, and fourth wave: 44.8%), in-hospital stay (first: 9.1±6.0, second: 9.0±7.3, third: 8.8±7.7, and fourth wave: 6.9±5.0 days), ICU admissions (first: 23.3%, second: 15.7%, third: 14.0%, and fourth wave: 11.2%; p=0.027) and mortality (first: 21. 8%, second: 10.7%, third: 9.1%, and fourth wave: 7.1%; p<0.001) progressively decreased over time. Conclusions. The results show lower frequency of severe cases and improvement of in-hospital outcomes in two years of the pandemic. Changes in circulating variants, improvements in disease management and vaccination are likely to have influenced these results.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , SARS-CoV-2 , COVID-19 , Hospitalization , Public Health , Intensive Care UnitsABSTRACT
Introducción: El ozono (O3) presenta múltiples acciones biológicas, entre ellas su efecto antimicrobiano, lo que ha sido beneficioso en odontología, siendo la presentación acuosa la más utilizada (20 µg/ mL), la cual presenta efectos similares a la clorhexidina. Reporte de caso: Paciente masculino de 76 años de edad, diagnosticado con periodontitis crónica moderada localizada, el cual fue tratado mediante ozonoterapia acuosa durante la fase inicial periodontal y la fase quirúrgica en colgajo por debridación. 12 semanas posteriores al acto quirúrgico se obtuvo la eliminación de las bolsas periodontales, encontrándose un surco de 3 y 2 mm y un buen control de placa dentobacteriana. Conclusión: No existen reportes acerca del uso de ozonoterapia acuosa durante un colgajo por debridación. El éxito del tratamiento periodontal consiste en la eliminación del factor causal así como en establecer y mantener un control de placa dentobacteriana adecuado (AU)
Introduction: Ozone (O3) has multiple biological actions, including its antimicrobial effect, which has been beneficial in dentistry, the aqueous presentation being the most used (20 µg/mL), which has similar effects to chlorhexidine. Case report: Male patient of 76 years of age, diagnosed with localized moderate chronic periodontitis, which was treated by aqueous ozone therapy during the initial periodontal phase and surgical phase in debridement flap. Twelve weeks after surgery, the periodontal pockets were eliminated, finding a 3 and 2 mm groove and good control of dentobacterial plaque. Conclusion: There are no reports about the use of aqueous ozone therapy during a debridement flap. The success of the periodontal treatment consists in the elimination of the causal factor, as well as establishing and maintaining an adequate control of plaque (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Aged , Ozone/therapeutic use , Chronic Periodontitis/drug therapy , Periodontal Pocket/drug therapy , Surgical Flaps , Chronic Periodontitis/surgery , Periodontal Debridement/methodsABSTRACT
Objetivo: Determinar los factores de riesgo para las alteraciones histológicas del aparato genital en población abierta. Material y métodos: Estudio de casos y controles anidado en una cohorte. Se incluyeron pacientes de la consulta externa que acudieron de forma espontánea al programa de prevención y control de cáncer cervicouterino. Se estudiaron 1933 pacientes, de las cuales 88 fueron diagnosticadas con alteración celular y fueron pareadas con 88 sin alteraciones. El análisis estadístico se realizó con Anova de una vía para la comparación entre grupos y la asociación de las variables con riesgo relativo para un intervalo de confianza de 95 % y p < 0.05. Resultados: El grupo de pacientes consideradas como casos tuvo edad promedio de 36.1 ± 1.6 y el de controles de 35.8 ± 2.1 años. Los diagnósticos obtenidos en el grupo de casos mostró mayor frecuencia de ectropión, infección por virus del papiloma humano y NIC1. Los factores de riesgo analizados solo demostraron diferencia estadística en el número de gestas mayor a dos (RR = 2.33) y el inicio de vida sexual menor a 19 años (RR = 1.14), para padecer algún problema histológico del aparato genital. Conclusiones: La prevención del cáncer cervicouterino se puede realizar por detección oportuna, orientada a evitar o disminuir factores de riesgo, por lo que utilizar preservativo, posponer el inicio de la vida sexual y limitar el número de parejas, son medidas que debe conocer la población general.
BACKGROUND: We undertook this study to determine risk factors for histological alterations of the female genital tract in an open population who attend a first-level care medical facility. METHODS: We conducted a case/control cohort study that included patients from outpatient consultation who responded to a cervical cancer control and prevention program. We studied 1933 patients; 88 patients (cases) had cellular alterations and were matched with 88 patients without alterations (controls). Statistical analysis was carried out with one-way ANOVA for comparison between groups and association of variables with relative risk for 95% confidence interval; p <0.05. RESULTS: Mean age of the case group was 36.1 +/- 1.6 years and the control group had a mean age of 35.8 +/- 2.1 years. Diagnoses obtained in the case group showed a greater frequency of ectropion, human papilloma virus infection and CIN1. Risks factors analyzed in these patients showed statistical differences in number of gestations >2 (RR = 2.33) and the early initiation of sexual activity (<19 years) (RR = 1.14) for experiencing histological problems of the female genital tract. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention of cervical cancer can be accomplished through timely and opportune detection in order to avoid the disease or to decrease risk factors by using condoms, delaying initiation of sexual activity and limiting the number of sexual partners. These are all strategies that the general population should be aware of.
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Adolescent , Adult , Genital Diseases, Female/epidemiology , Genital Diseases, Female/pathology , Case-Control Studies , Cohort Studies , Health Facilities , Risk Factors , Young AdultABSTRACT
La enfermedad de Chagas sigue siendo un problema en Venezuela y en varios países de Latinoamérica. Este trabajo presenta datos sobre las alteraciones que esta enfermedad produce en los músculos esqueléticos periféricos, lo cual puede contribuir a la incapacidad funcional que presentan muchos de los pacientes. Fueron estudiados 19 pacientes con enfermedad avanzada, a quienes se les hizo evaluación cardiorrespiratoria, ecocardiograma, prueba de ejercicio y biopsia del músculo cuádriceps. El 42% presentó incapacidad funcional moderada a severa, medida por el consumo máximo de oxígeno, que estuvo relacionada con cambios morfológicos y metabólicos en las fibras musculares. Se hallaron alteraciones en la microvasculatura muscular compatibles con daño autoinmune. En conclusión, los pacientes con enfermedad de Chagas sufren alteraciones en la musculatura periférica que puede contribuir a la incapacidad funcional y al grado de afectación por esta enfermedad. La determinación de la capacidad funcional debería agregarse a la evaluación de la enfermedad
Chagas disease is still a problem in Venezuela and other Latin American countries, in spite of efforts to control the disease. Peripheral muscle alterations that contribute to decreased functional capacity in moderate to advanced Chagas disease patients are analyzed in the present work. Nineteen Chagas disease patients were studied, including cardio-respiratory evaluation, echocardiogram, exercise test and quadriceps muscle biopsy. The results showed 42% patients with moderate to severe decrease of maximal oxygen consumption. Muscle biopsies presented morphologic and metabolic alterations, some related to functional capacity. Capillary vessel damage in muscle was similar to that found in autoimmune diseases. In conclusion, Chagas disease patients showed peripheral muscle alterations related to decreased functional capacity. The functional capacity changes may contribute to the severity of the disease and should be added to the evaluation of the patients
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Echocardiography/methods , Chagas Disease/epidemiology , Chagas Disease/parasitology , Chagas Disease/pathology , Muscle Fibers, Skeletal/pathology , Musculoskeletal Diseases/etiology , Lung Volume Measurements/methodsABSTRACT
Se presenta una nueva revisión de la literatura con respecto a la placa bacteriana, como factor etiológico de la caries y de la enfermedad periodontal. Una parte considerable de todo tratamiento dental debe estar dirigido a la eliminación de la placa bacteriana y a la prevención de su nueva formación. También se enfatiza la importancia de motivar al paciente, desde la edad preescolar, para que adquiera hábitos correctos de higiene oral.