Identification and validation of novel Blastocystis subtype ST41 in a Colombian patient undergoing colorectal cancer screening.

Blastocystis sp. is among the most frequent intestinal protists identified in humans globally. However, characterization of Blastocystis subtype diversity in humans is ongoing. We report here the identification of novel Blastocystis subtype ST41 in a Colombian patient undergoing colorectal cancer screening involving colonoscopy and fecal testing (microscopy, culture, PCR). The full-length ssu rRNA gene sequence of the protist was generated using MinION long-read sequencing technology. The validity of the novel subtype was confirmed via phylogenetic and pairwise distance analyses of the full-length ST41 sequence and all other valid subtypes. The study provides reference material essential for conducting subsequent experimental studies.

[Evaluation of a rapid weight estimation tool for pediatric emergencies]. / Evaluación de una herramienta de estimación rápida de peso para urgencias pediátricas.

Weight measurement is essential in the treatment of pediatric patients in emergencies, however, in cases of patient instability or limited resources, weight estimation becomes a plausible alternative. There are rapid estimation methods, although with performance discrepancies in different populations. OBJECTIVE: To compare the performance of the "Colombian Pediatric Tape" (CPT) and Broselow Tape (BT) in weight estimation in children. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Descriptive cross-sectional study and concordance analysis. Sample of 42,232 children from the 2010 National Survey of the Nu tritional Situation of Colombia. For the performance evaluation, the prediction of zones and weight of each tool and their concordance using the Kappa coefficient and the Bland-Altman index were considered. RESULTS: Cohen's Kappa index for the BT with respect to the color area agreement was 0.57 and for the CPT it was 0.65. The Bland-Altman index for CPT of the actual weight and the esti mated weight showed a mean difference of 0.005 Kg (CI95; -4.1 to +4.1), and for the BT was 0.13 Kg (CI95; -5.2 to 5.5). The percentage difference analysis of concordance between the two tools showed a statistically significant overall difference in favor of the CPT, 66% Vs 70% (p = 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: In Colombian children, the BT overestimates or underestimates the weight by up to 21% with respect to the real value, while CPT can be used with better performance to estimate the weight.

Giardia intestinalis and nutritional status in children participating in the complementary nutrition program, Antioquia, Colombia, May to October 2006.

Giardia intestinalis infection is prevalent throughout the world and widely distributed in developing countries. In general, children display serious consequences to their state of health, including slow height-weight development; therefore, the main aim of this study was to determine the association between Giardia infection and the nutritional status of children who participate in the program of complementary feeding (Mejoramiento Alimentario y Nutricional de Antioquia (MANA) - Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar (ICBF)). A cross-sectional study examining the association of giardiasis with nutritional status was conducted. A total of 2035 children aged eight months to six years-old were studied. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, anthropometric measurements and laboratory analysis of blood and stool samples. Analysis of the results showed that 27.6% of children were infected with G. intestinalis, while 8.1% and 1.9% were mildly and significantly underweight, respectively, and 14.1% presented stunting. Giardiasis was statistically identified as a strong predictor of stunting in this study population.

Giardia intestinalis and nutritional status in children participating in the complementary nutrition program, Antioquia, Colombia, May to October 2006 / Giardia intestinalis e estado nutricional em crianças participantes do programa de nutrição complementar, melhoramento alimentar e nutricional da Antioquia (MANA): Instituto Colombiano de Bem-Estar Familiar (ICBF), Antióquia, Colombia, maio a outubro de 2006

Giardia intestinalis infection is prevalent throughout the world and widely distributed in developing countries. In general, children display serious consequences to their state of health, including slow height-weight development; therefore, the main aim of this study was to determine the association between Giardia infection and the nutritional status of children who participate in the program of complementary feeding (Mejoramiento Alimentario y Nutricional de Antioquia (MANA) - Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar (ICBF)). A cross-sectional study examining the association of giardiasis with nutritional status was conducted. A total of 2035 children aged eight months to six years-old were studied. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, anthropometric measurements and laboratory analysis of blood and stool samples. Analysis of the results showed that 27.6% of children were infected with G. intestinalis, while 8.1% and 1.9% were mildly and significantly underweight, respectively, and 14.1% presented stunting. Giardiasis was statistically identified as a strong predictor of stunting in this study population.

A infecção pela Giardia intestinalis está amplamente distribuída no mundo apresentando a maior prevalência nos países em desenvolvimento. Em crianças, esta parasitose pode ter conseqüências graves no estado geral de saúde assim como no ganho de peso e estatura. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi estabelecer a associação entre a infecção com Giardia e o estado nutricional das crianças beneficiárias do programa de complementação alimentar - MANA. Um estudo de corte no qual foram avaliadas 2035 crianças entre os oito meses e os seis anos de idade foi realizado. A informação foi obtida a partir de questionários estruturados, medições antropométricas e exame de fezes. Os resultados mostraram que 27,6% das crianças estavam infectadas com Giardia intestinalis, das quais 8,1% apresentaram desnutrição moderada, 1,9% desnutrição grave e 14,1% franca queda no crescimento. Em conclusão, nesta população a Giardíase foi indicador de desnutrição grave.

Determinación de anticuerpos anti beta 2 glicoproteina I en pacientes con síndrome antifosfolípido / Anti- ß2 glycoprotein antibodies in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome

El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar la presencia de anticuerpos anti-B2glicoproteína I (anti-B2GPI) con las pruebas convencionales de laboratorio de anticuerpos anticardiolipina (aCL) y anticoagulante lúpico, y con las manifestaciones clínicas del síndrome antifosfolípido (SAF).Se incluyeron en el estudio 80 mujeres con SAF; 35 de ellas de la consulta de Reumatología y las otras 45 con historia de aborto recurrente espontáneo (ARE); 5 mujeres de la consulta de Reumatología sin SAF, 27 mujeres con ARE, sin SAF y un grupo control de 20 mujeres sanas en edad reproductiva. Se investigaron la presencia de anticuerpos IgG e IgM anticardiolipina (aCL) e IgG anti-B2GPI por la técnica de ELISA, y el anticoagulante lúpico por la determinación del tiempo parcial de tromboplastina activado. Adicionalmente, se registraron las manifestaciones clínicas asociadas al SAF.De las pacientes con SAF, 25.7 por ciento del grupo de Reumatología (9/35) y 4.4 por ciento de las pacientes con ARE (2/45) fueron positivas para anticuerpos anti-?2GPI, mientras que ninguna de las mujeres sin SAF, ni de las mujeres del grupo control, fue positiva. La asociación entre la presencia de anti-B2GPI y los anticuerpos IgG e IgM aCL mostró una diferencia significativa en los títulos de 3+ (altamente positivos) en contraste con los individuos negativos para anti-B2GPI. La positividad del anticoagulante lúpico también se correlacionó con la presencia de anticuerpos anti-B2GPI. No hubo diferencia significativa entre las diversas manifestaciones clínicas del SAF y la presencia de dichos anticuerpos.En conclusión, la determinación de anticuerpos anti-B2GPI tiene una alta especificidad en pacientes con SAF pero no se asoció con ninguna manifestación clínica en particular.

El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar la presencia de anticuerpos anti- ß2glicoproteína I (anti-ß2GPI) con las pruebas convencionales de laboratorio de anticuerpos anticardiolipina (aCL) y anticoagulante lúpico, y con las manifestaciones clínicas del síndrome antifosfolípido (SAF). Se incluyeron en el estudio 80 mujeres con SAF; 35 de ellas de la consulta de Reumatología y las otras 45 con historia de aborto recurrente espontáneo (ARE); 5 mujeres de la consulta de Reumatología sin SAF, 27 mujeres con ARE, sin SAF y un grupo control de 20 mujeres sanas en edad reproductiva. Se investigaron la presencia de anticuerpos IgG e IgM anticardiolipina (aCL) e IgG anti-ß2GPI por la técnica de ELISA, y el anticoagulante lúpico por la determinación del tiempo parcial de tromboplastina activado. Adicionalmente, se registraron las manifestaciones clínicas asociadas al SAF. De las pacientes con SAF, 25.7% del grupo de Reumatología (9/35) y 4.4% de las pacientes con ARE (2/45) fueron positivas para anticuerpos anti- ß2GPI, mientras que ninguna de las mujeres sin SAF, ni de las mujeres del grupo control, fue positiva. La asociación entre la presencia de anti-ß2GPI y los anticuerpos IgG e IgM aCL mostró una diferencia significativa en los títulos de 3+ (altamente positivos) en contraste con los individuos negativos para anti-ß2GPI. La positividad del anticoagulante lúpico también se correlacionó con la presencia de anticuerpos anti-ß2GPI. No hubo diferencia significativa entre las diversas manifestaciones clínicas del SAF y la presencia de dichos anticuerpos. En conclusión, la determinación de anticuerpos anti-ß2GPI tiene una alta especificidad en pacientes con SAF pero no se asoció con ninguna manifestación clínica en particular