[First South american network of biomedical research. Education and biotechnology for health]. / Primera Red Sudamericana de Biomedicina. Investigación, educación y biotecnología aplicadas a la salud.

It is in our interest, in this brief manuscript, to report the creation of the first program of regional integration of a network of research institutes in Biomedicine belonging to members of the MERCOSUR countries. We discuss some of the foundations that gave sustenance to its creation and its objectives in the medium and long term. In addition, we consider the potential of the results of this program in the fields of applied medical research, education and biotechnology.

Retrospective Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Dengue Virus 1, 2 and 4 in Paraguay.

Dengue virus (DENV) has been a major public health concern in Paraguay, with frequent outbreaks occurring since early 1988. Although control measures have been implemented, dengue remains a significant health threat in the country, and continued efforts are required for prevention and control. In response to that, in collaboration with the Central Public Health Laboratory in Asunción, we conducted a portable whole-genome sequencing and phylodynamic analysis to investigate DENV viral strains circulating in Paraguay over the past epidemics. Our genomic surveillance activities revealed the co-circulation of multiple DENV serotypes: DENV-1 genotype V, the emerging DENV-2 genotype III, BR4-L2 clade, and DENV-4 genotype II. Results additionally highlight the possible role of Brazil as a source for the international dispersion of different viral strains to other countries in the Americas emphasizing the need for increased surveillance across the borders, for the early detection and response to outbreaks. This, in turn, emphasizes the critical role of genomic surveillance in monitoring and understanding arbovirus transmission and persistence locally and over long distances.

Dengue virus type 3 isolated from a fatal case with visceral complications induces enhanced proinflammatory responses and apoptosis of human dendritic cells.

A recent (2007 to 2009) dengue outbreak caused by dengue virus (DENV) in Paraguay presented unusual severe clinical outcomes associated with 50% mortality rates. Although it has been reported that inflammatory responses influence the severity of dengue virus infection (T. Pang, M. J. Cardosa, and M. G. Guzman, Immunol. Cell Biol. 85:43-45, 2007), there remains a paucity of information on virus-innate immunity interactions influencing clinical outcome. Using human dendritic cells from a major innate immune cell population as an in vitro model, we have investigated signature cytokine responses as well as infectivity-replicative profiles of DENV clinical isolates from either a nonfatal case of classical dengue fever (strain DENV3/290; isolated in Brazil in 2002) or a fatal case of dengue fever with visceral complications isolated in Paraguay in 2007 (strain DENV3/5532). Strain DENV3/5532 was found to display significantly higher replicative ability than DENV3/290 in monocyte-derived dendritic cells (mdDCs). In addition, compared to DENV3/290 results, mdDCs exposed to DENV3/5532 showed increased production of proinflammatory cytokines associated with higher rates of programmed cell death, as shown by annexin V staining. The observed phenotype was due to viral replication, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) appears to exert a protective effect on virus-induced mdDC apoptosis. These results suggest that the DENV3/5532 strain isolated from the fatal case replicates within human dendritic cells, modulating cell survival and synthesis of inflammatory mediators.

Detection, subgroup specificity, and genotype diversity of rotavirus strains in children with acute diarrhea in Paraguay.

Of a total of 220 stool specimens from children with acute diarrhea, mostly under the age of 3 years, collected in Paraguay between January 1999 and March 2000, 70 (31.8%) were found positive for rotaviruses (RV). Positive samples were characterized by electropherotyping and subgrouping. Sixty-one (87.1%) were classified as group A, subgroup II; one (1.4%) was classified as group A, subgroup I; six (8.6%) were group A, non-I non-II; and two (2.9%) were not tested. RV strains were G and P genotyped by reverse transcription-PCR. The following G types were detected: G4 (34.3%), G1 (21.4%), G2 (1.4%), and G9 (5.7%). Mixtures of human and animal genotypes were detected in 15 (21.4%) samples, and 11 samples (15.7%) were nontypeable. The following P types were detected: P[8] (48.6%), P[4] (1.4%), and P[1] (1.4%). A mixed type was found in 10% of samples, and an unexpectedly high percentage (38.6%) of nontypeable samples was found. The common human G- and P-type combinations P[8], G4 (15.7%) and P[8], G1 (14.2%) were detected. Mixed human and animal genotypes were observed as the following combinations: G4 + G5, G4 + G5 + G10, and G1 + G10 for G types and P[8]-P[1] for P types. The emerging G9 genotype was detected in four samples. These results show for the first time the diversity of RV circulating among children in Paraguay and contribute to the knowledge of this pathogen required to devise strategies to prevent diarrheal illness in this country. The finding of mixed genotypes may indicate interspecies transmission of RV between humans and animals.

Primera Red Sudamericana de Biomedicina. Investigación, educación y biotecnología aplicadas a la salud / [First South american network of biomedical research. Education and biotechnology for health].

It is in our interest, in this brief manuscript, to report the creation of the first program of regional integration of a network of research institutes in Biomedicine belonging to members of the MERCOSUR countries. We discuss some of the foundations that gave sustenance to its creation and its objectives in the medium and long term. In addition, we consider the potential of the results of this program in the fields of applied medical research, education and biotechnology.

Sindrome Pulmonar por Hantavirus : un nuevo problema de salud pública para el Paraguay / Annual reports 1998 / Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome : a new public health problem for Paraguay

Se realiza una pequeña revisión, complementada con el esfuerzo individual de distintos profesionales que trabajan en el tema, sobre los mecanismos de transmisión, diagnóstico y tratamiento del Síndrome Pulmonar por Hantavirus, así como sobre aspectos epidemiológicos, y medidas para evitar la propagación de la enfermedad

Hantavirosis en Paraguay. A propósito de los 7 ultimos casos de Sindrome Pulmonar confirmados serológicamente / Annual reports 1998 / Hantavirosis in Paraguay. Report of the 7 serologically confirmed Pulmonary Syndrome cases

El presente trabajo intenta ordenar de un modo más sistematizado la interpretación diagnóstica y el tratamiento, habitualmente desconocidos por cierto personal de salud, a fin de facilitar el diagnóstico precóz y un tratamiento fisiopatológico más efectivo