Serum levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma in infants with and without dengue.

This study compared the serum levels of IL-6, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, in children under 1 year of age with and without dengue. Sera were collected from a total of 41 children living in the Department of Antioquia, Colombia (27 patients with dengue and 14 controls). The results showed higher cytokine levels in children with dengue than without dengue, with statistically significant differences for IL-6 and IFN-gamma. No statistically significant differences were found between clinical forms, although IL-6 and IFN-gamma levels were higher in dengue fever cases than in dengue hemorrhagic fever cases. On the other hand, TNF-alpha levels were higher in dengue hemorrhagic fever than in dengue fever. The levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were higher in secondary infection than in primary infection, although IFN-gamma levels were higher in primary infection. These results suggest that IL-6, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma are involved in dengue infection independently of the clinical form.

Subtyping of Clostridium difficile PCR ribotypes 591, 106 and 002, the dominant strain types circulating in Medellin, Colombia.

We aimed to achieve a higher typing resolution within the three dominant Clostridium difficile ribotypes (591,106 and 002) circulating in Colombia. A total of 50 C. difficile isolates we had previously typed by PCR-ribotyping, representing the major three ribotypes circulating in Colombia, were analyzed. Twenty-seven isolates of ribotype 591, 12 of ribotype 106 and 11 of ribotype 002 were subtyped by multiple locus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA). The presence of the PaLoc genes (tcdA/tcdB), toxin production in culture and antimicrobial susceptibility were also determined. From the total C. difficile ribotypes analyzed, 20 isolates (74%) of ribotype 591, nine (75%) of ribotype 106 and five (45.5%) of ribotype 002 were recovered from patients with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). MLVA allowed us to recognize four and two different clonal complexes for ribotypes 591 and 002, respectively, having a summed tandem-repeat difference (STRD) <2, whereas none of the ribotype 106 isolates were grouped in a cluster or clonal complex having a STRD >10. Six ribotype 591 and three ribotype 002 isolates belonging to a defined clonal complex were isolated on the same week in two different hospitals. All ribotypes harbored either tcdA+/tcdB+ or tcdA-/tcdB+ PaLoc genes. Moreover, 94% of the isolates were positive for toxin in culture. All isolates were susceptible to vancomycin and metronidazole, while 75% to 100% of the isolates were resistant to clindamycin, and less than 14.8% of ribotype 591 isolates were resistant to moxifloxacina. No significant differences were found among ribotypes with respect to demographic and clinical patients' data; however, our results demonstrated a high molecular heterogeneity of C. difficile strains circulating in Colombia.

Molecular, microbiological and clinical characterization of Clostridium difficile isolates from tertiary care hospitals in Colombia.

In Colombia, the epidemiology and circulating genotypes of Clostridium difficile have not yet been described. Therefore, we molecularly characterized clinical isolates of C.difficile from patients with suspicion of C.difficile infection (CDI) in three tertiary care hospitals. C.difficile was isolated from stool samples by culture, the presence of A/B toxins were detected by enzyme immunoassay, cytotoxicity was tested by cell culture and the antimicrobial susceptibility determined. After DNA extraction, tcdA, tcdB and binary toxin (CDTa/CDTb) genes were detected by PCR, and PCR-ribotyping performed. From a total of 913 stool samples collected during 2013-2014, 775 were included in the study. The frequency of A/B toxins-positive samples was 9.7% (75/775). A total of 143 isolates of C.difficile were recovered from culture, 110 (76.9%) produced cytotoxic effect in cell culture, 100 (69.9%) were tcdA+/tcdB+, 11 (7.7%) tcdA-/tcdB+, 32 (22.4%) tcdA-/tcdB- and 25 (17.5%) CDTa+/CDTb+. From 37 ribotypes identified, ribotypes 591 (20%), 106 (9%) and 002 (7.9%) were the most prevalent; only one isolate corresponded to ribotype 027, four to ribotype 078 and four were new ribotypes (794,795, 804,805). All isolates were susceptible to vancomycin and metronidazole, while 85% and 7.7% were resistant to clindamycin and moxifloxacin, respectively. By multivariate analysis, significant risk factors associated to CDI were, staying in orthopedic service, exposure to third-generation cephalosporins and staying in an ICU before CDI symptoms; moreover, steroids showed to be a protector factor. These results revealed new C. difficile ribotypes and a high diversity profile circulating in Colombia different from those reported in America and European countries.

Clinical and Microbiological Characterization of Patients with Generalized Aggressive Periodontitis / Caracterización Clínica y Microbiológica de Pacientes con Periodontitis Agresiva Generalizada

Aggressive periodontitis embraces a cluster of promptly advancing forms of periodontal disease that appear in otherwise clinically healthy patients. The objective of this investigation was to characterize clinical and microbiologically a sample of Colombian patients with Generalized Aggressive Periodontitis (GAgP). In this cross sectional study, 40 subjects 30 years with GAgP who attended the dental clinics of the Universidad de Antioquia in Medellín, Colombia were invited to participate from February 2012 to August 2013. Microbial sampling on periodontitis patients was performed on pockets 5 mm. The deepest six pockets were selected for sampling. The samples were analyzed using microbial culture techniques. Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella spp. were both detected at high levels. In bivariate analysis a strong association between the periodontal parameters and presence of all microorganisms studied was observed (P<0.0001). Similarly, the logistic regression analysis showed a significant association among periodontopathogens. The most relevant was observed between P. gingivalis and Tanerella forsythia (OR=4.8). A high proportion of sites 6mm (869 sites; 49.95%) was observed. In conclusion, P. gingivalis was more intensely related with aggressive periodontal disease, while the occurrence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans was lower than that of P. gingivalis.

La periodontitis agresiva abarca un conjunto de variedades de la enfermedad periodontal que avanzan rápidamente en pacientes clínicamente sanos. El objetivo de esta investigación fue caracterizar clínica y microbiológicamente una muestra de pacientes colombianos con periodontitis agresiva generalizada (PAG). En este estudio transversal, la muestra se conformó con 40 sujetos mayores de 30 años con PAG, que asistieron a las clínicas dentales de la Universidad de Antioquia en Medellín, Colombia, y fueron invitados a participar del estudio desde febrero de 2012 hasta agosto de 2013. El muestreo microbiano en pacientes con periodontitis se realizó en bolsas periodontales 5 mm. Los seis bolsas periodontales más profundos fueron seleccionadas para el muestreo. Las muestras se analizaron usando técnicas de cultivo microbianos. Porphyromonas gingivalis y Prevotella spp. fueron detectadas en niveles altos. En el análisis bivariado se observó una fuerte asociación entre los parámetros periodontales y la presencia de los microorganismos estudiados (P<0,0001). Del mismo modo, el análisis de regresión logística mostró una asociación significativa entre los periodontopatógenos. La asociación más relevante se observó entre P. gingivalis y Tanerella forsythia (OR=4,8). Se observó además, una alta proporción de los sitios 6 mm (49,95%, 869 sitios). En conclusión, P. gingivalis fue más intensamente relacionada con la enfermedad periodontal agresiva, mientras que la aparición de Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans fue mucho menor que la de P. gingivalis.

Enfermedad asociada a Clostridium difficile: prevalencia y diagnóstico por laboratorio / Clostridium difficile associated disease: Prevalence and diagnostic laboratory

Clostridium difficile es un bacilo gram positivo, anaerobio estricto, capaz de formar esporas que le permiten su supervivencia en aguas, suelos y en ambientes hospitalarios, donde puede permanecer hasta años. Inicialmente, fue descrito en 1935 como un agente normal de la microbiota intestinal de recién nacidos sanos. El presente escrito pretende revisar las generalidades del microorganismo y de la enfermedad asociada a C. difficile , enfatizando la prevalencia de ambos en nuestro medio, la problemática, el vacío del conocimiento que se presenta y los métodos de laboratorio que permiten su diagnóstico y estudio.

Clostridium difficile is a gram-positive, strictly anaerobic, bacillus capable of forming spores that enable it to survive in waters, soils, and in hospital environments, where it can remain for years. It was initially described in 1935 as a normal microorganism of the intestinal microbiota of healthy newborns. This article reviews the general features of the microorganism and the disease associated with C. difficile , emphasising the prevalence of both in our environment, the problems, the lack of knowledge on it, and the laboratory methods that help in its diagnosis and study.

Serum levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gama in infants with and without dengue

This study compared the serum levels of IL-6, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, in children under 1 year of age with and without dengue. Sera were collected from a total of 41 children living in the Department of Antioquia, Colombia (27 patients with dengue and 14 controls). The results showed higher cytokine levels in children with dengue than without dengue, with statistically significant differences for IL-6 and IFN-gamma. No statistically significant differences were found between clinical forms, although IL-6 and IFN-gamma levels were higher in dengue fever cases than in dengue hemorrhagic fever cases. On the other hand, TNF-alpha levels were higher in dengue hemorrhagic fever than in dengue fever. The levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were higher in secondary infection than in primary infection, although IFN-gamma levels were higher in primary infection. These results suggest that IL-6, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma are involved in dengue infection independently of the clinical form.

Este estudo comparou os níveis séricos de IL-6, TNF-alfa e IFN-gama, em crianças menores de um ano com e sem dengue. Os soros foram coletados de um total de 41 crianças residentes no Departamento de Antioquia, Colômbia (27 pacientes com dengue e 14 controles). Os resultados mostraram níveis de citoquinas mais elevadas em crianças com dengue do que naquelas sem dengue, com diferenças estatisticamente significativas para IL-6 and IFN-gama. Não houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre formas clínicas, embora os níveis de IL-6 e IFN-gama estivessem mais elevados nos casos de febre do dengue que nos casos de febre hemorrágica do dengue. Por outro lado, os níveis de TNF-alfa estavam mais elevados na febre hemorrágica do dengue que na febre do dengue. Os níveis de IL-6 and TNF-alfa estavam mais elevados em infecções secundárias que em infecções primarias, embora os níveis de IFN-gama estivessem mais elevados em infecções primárias. Estes resultados sugerem que IL-6, TNF-alfa e IFN-gama estejam envolvidos na infecção do dengue, independentemente da forma clínica.

Transmisión vertical y transferencia placentaria de anticuerpos contra el dengue / Vertical transmission and transplacental antibody transfer in dengue infection

La expansión del dengue puede afectar a las mujeres durante el embarazo, por lo tanto es importante conocer sus consecuencias. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron determinar los efectos del dengue en el binomio madre-hijo, describir la presentación clínica e inmunológica de la enfermedad y la transferencia placentaria de anticuerpos IgG. En el departamento de Antioquia, Colombia, se realizó un estudio descriptivo longitudinal comparativo, en el cual fueron estudiadas 39 gestantes con dengue y 39 gestantes sin dengue y los recién nacidos. En las gestantes con dengue, se presentó mayor frecuencia de sangrado vaginal (p = 0.005), aborto, preeclampsia y sufrimiento fetal agudo (p = 0.02). En 26 recién nacidos de gestantes con dengue, se observó la presencia de anticuerpos IgG, los cuales declinaron a los 9 meses, y en dos se observaron anticuerpos IgM. El análisis cromosómico de estos recién nacidos fue normal y su desarrollo psicomotor fue adecuado durante el primer año. Los niveles séricos de INF-gamma, TNF-alfa eIL-6 fueron más elevados en las gestantes con dengue. En conclusión, la infección por el virus del dengue durante el embarazo puede tener efectos adversos en la evolución del embarazo y en el recién nacido, no presenta efectos teratogénicos y la respuesta clínica e inmunológica es semejante a la de otras poblaciones...

Factores de riesgo para el abandono del tratamiento contra la tuberculosis en la ciudad de Medellín. Enero 2000 - Junio 2001 / Risk factors for abandonment of the tuberculosis treatment in Medellín. January 2000 – June 200

La no adherencia parece ser motivo para el fracaso de los tratamientos. Investigaciones previas sobre el abandono del tratamiento para tuberculosis han identificado como factores de riesgo: falta de comunicación médico-paciente, desorganización del servicio de salud, la índole del tratamiento, sentir mejoría de los síntomas, raza, consumo de alcohol y de drogas ilícitas. Este estudio tiene como propósito establecer la asociación entre factores de riesgo y abandono del TAES en Medellín, entre enero de 2000 y junio de 2001. Se realizo un estudio analítico observacional de "Casos y Controles". Casos fueron los pacientes que iniciaron TAES en Medellín durante el período indicado y suspendieron el tratamiento por un mes y más; los controles fueron pacientes que culminaron el tratamiento, tomados en razón de 1:3...

Dengue y embarazo en Antioquia, Colombia / Dengue and pregnancy in Antioquia, Colombia

Objetivo: en Antioquia, Colombia, se realizó un estudio de cohorte en 39 gestantes con dengue y 39 gestantes sin la enfermedad entre enero de 2000 y diciembre de 2002 con el fin de determinar los efectos adversos del virus del dengue durante el embarazo y en el recién nacido. Resultados: se encontró que en el grupo de embarazadas con dengue se presentaron 7 casos de hemorragia vaginal (17,9 por ciento) (P=0,005) y 2 abortos (5,1 por ciento); una paciente falleció por dengue y se desencadenó trabajo de parto simultáneamente con la infección en 20,5 por ciento de los casos. Se presentaron 8 casos de sufrimiento fetal (21,6 por ciento) (P=0,0026) y 11 recién nacidos tuvieron un índice de Apgar menor de 7 (29,7 por ciento) (P=0,0002). Conclusión: las mujeres con infección por dengue durante la gestación tienen riesgo de hemorragia vaginal y presentan con mayor frecuencia aumento de la actividad uterina; además la infección por dengue durante el embarazo puede ser un factor desencadenante de sufrimiento fetal