Efficacy of powdered alfalfa leaves to ameliorate the toxic effects of aflatoxin B1 in turkey poults.

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of an adsorbent material based on powdered alfalfa leaves added in the aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-contaminated diet of turkey poults on production parameters, blood cell count, serum biochemistry, liver enzymes, and liver histology. For this purpose, three hundred and fifty female Nicholas-700 poults were randomly assigned into five treatments: (1) Control, AFB1-free diet; (2) AF, diet contaminated with 250 ng AFB1/g; (3) Alfalfa, AFB1-free diet + 0.5% (w/w) adsorbent; (4) AF+alfalfa, diet contaminated with 250 ng AFB1/g + 0.5% (w/w) adsorbent, and (5) AF+ yeast cell wall (YCW), diet contaminated with 250 ng AFB1/g + 0.5% (w/w) of yeast cell wall (a commercial mycotoxin binder used as reference material). The in vivo efficacy of powdered alfalfa leaves was assessed during a 28-day period. In general, the addition of powdered alfalfa leaves in the AFB1-free diet gave the best performance results (body weight, body weight gain, and feed intake) and improved the values of total protein, glucose, calcium, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen. Moreover, the addition of powdered alfalfa leaves in the AFB1-contaminated diet enhanced body weight and body weight gain and significantly reduced the feed intake, compared to the AF and AF+YCW groups. Additionally, significant alterations in serum parameters were observed in poults intoxicated with the AFB1, compared to the Control group. Furthermore, typical histopathological lesions were observed in the liver of the AF group, which were significantly ameliorated with the addition of powdered alfalfa leaves. Conclusively, these results pointed out that low inclusion of powdered alfalfa leaves in the contaminated feed counteracted the adverse effects of AFB1 in turkey poults.

Consensus and recommendations on vaginal-cuff Brachytherapy of the Spanish Brachytherapy Groups of SEOR and SEFM.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S): On October 5, 2018, a meeting of the Spanish Society of Radiation Oncology (SEOR) Brachytherapy Group was held, in collaboration with the Spanish Society of Medical Physics (SEFM), with the aim of preparing a consensus document on postoperative vaginal-cuff brachytherapy (VCBT). MATERIALS/METHODS: A survey including 42 questions was sent to Spanish Radiation Oncology Centres before the meeting. The survey items included: experience in VCBT, technique indications, previous patient preparation, applicator type, implant procedure, computerized tomography (CT) simulation, definition of target volumes and organs at risk (OAR), dose prescription, fractionation, treatment planning, dosimetric parameters and constraints to OAR. Thirty-three centres answered the survey. Statistical analysis of the survey considered that there was consensus when there was ≥ 85% of agreement related to a survey item, otherwise an item with < 85% of agreement would be discussed during the meeting to reach consensus. RESULTS: The results of the survey are reported here. The mean number of patients treated per centre in 2017 was 52 ± 41 (range 7-175), and the mean number of procedures per centre was 175 ± 150 (range 24-701).There was consensus on: the indications, applicator type, the OAR to be considered, the prescription point, standardisation and dosimetric quality parameters. There was no consensus on: patient preparation for the implant, the need for performing CT simulation and the frequency, the length of the vagina to be treated, if CTV should be delimited, the definition of the clinical target volume, fractionation, overall EQD2, active source length, separation between dwelling stepping source positions, if considering the uniformity/maximum values for dwelling stepping sources, the optimization mode, and the limiting doses to the OAR. After presenting the results of the survey, the consensus meeting discussion focused on the issues for which there was no consensus. CONCLUSION: A consensus document on postoperative VCBT of the Spanish Brachytherapy Groups of SEOR-SEFM was elaborated.

Comparison of PrestoBlue® and plating method to evaluate antimicrobial activity of ascorbic acid, boric acid and curcumin in an in vitro gastrointestinal model.

AIMS: To compare the conventional plating method vs a fluorometric method using PrestoBlue® as a dye by determining the antimicrobial activity of two organic acids and curcumin (CUR) against Salmonella Enteritidis in an avian in vitro digestion model that simulates the crop, proventriculus and intestine. METHODS AND RESULTS: A concentration of 108  CFU per ml of S. Enteritidis was exposed to groups with different rates of ascorbic acid (AA), boric acid (BA) and CUR. Significant differences were observed when the means of the treatments were compared with the controls in the compartments that simulate the crop and intestine (P < 0·05). Ascorbic acid alone and high rates of AA in the mixtures were the most efficient treatments in the crop compartment. However, in the intestinal compartment BA alone and at different rates in the mixture BA-CUR (1 : 1) were the best treatments to decrease the concentration of S. Enteritidis. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that there could be an antagonistic bactericidal effect between AA and CUR and AA and BA as well as a synergistic bactericidal effect between BA and CUR. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These findings may contribute to the development of a formulation with microencapsulated compounds to liberate them in different compartments to combat S. Enteritidis infections in broiler chickens.

[Signaling pathways mTOR and AKT in epilepsy]. / Vias de señalizacion mTOR y AKT en epilepsia.

INTRODUCTION: The signaling pathway AKT/mTOR is a central axis in regulating cellular processes, particularly in neurological diseases. In the case of epilepsy, it has been observed alteration in the pathophysiological process of the same. However, they have not described all the mechanisms of these signaling pathways that could open the opportunity to new research and therapeutic strategies. AIM: To review existing partnerships between intracellular signaling pathways AKT and mTOR in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. DEVELOPMENT: Epilepsy is a disease with a high epidemiological impact globally, so it is widely investigated regarding the pathophysiological components thereof. In that search they have been involved different intracellular signaling pathways in neurons, as determinants epileptogenic. Advances in this field have even allowed the successful implementation of new therapeutic strategies and to open the way to new research in the field. CONCLUSIONS: Improving knowledge about the pathophysiological role of the signaling pathway mTOR/AKT in epilepsy can raise new investigations regarding therapeutic alternatives. The use of mTOR inhibitors, has emerged in recent years as effective in treating this disease entity alternative however is clear the necessity of continue the research for new drug therapies.

TITLE: Vias de señalizacion mTOR y AKT en epilepsia.Introduccion. La via de señalizacion AKT/mTOR es un eje central en la regulacion celular, especialmente en las enfermedades neurologicas. En la epilepsia, se ha evidenciado su alteracion dentro de su proceso fisiopatologico. Sin embargo, aun no se han descrito todos los mecanismos de estas rutas de señalizacion, las cuales podrian abrir la puerta hacia nuevas investigaciones y estrategias terapeuticas, que finalmente permitan desarrollar tratamientos efectivos en enfermedades neurologicas como la epilepsia. Objetivo. Revisar las asociaciones existentes entre las rutas de señalizacion intracelular de mTOR y AKT en la fisiopatologia de la epilepsia. Desarrollo. La epilepsia es una enfermedad neurologica con un alto impacto epidemiologico en el mundo, por lo cual es de sumo interes la investigacion de los componentes fisiopatologicos que puedan generar nuevos tratamientos farmacologicos. En esta busqueda se han involucrado diferentes rutas de señalizacion intracelular en neuronas, como determinantes epileptogenos. Los avances en esta materia han permitido incluso la implementacion de nuevas estrategias terapeuticas exitosas y que abren el camino hacia nuevas investigaciones. Conclusiones. Mejorar los conocimientos respecto al papel fisiopatologico de la via de señalizacion mTOR/AKT en la epilepsia permite plantear nuevas investigaciones que ofrezcan nuevas alternativas terapeuticas para el tratamiento de la enfermedad. El uso de inhibidores de mTOR ha surgido en los ultimos años como una alternativa eficaz en el tratamiento de algunos tipos de epilepsias, pero es evidente la necesidad de seguir en la busqueda de nuevas terapias farmacologicas involucradas en estas vias de señalizacion.

Evaluation of changes in serum chemistry in association with feed withdrawal or high dose oral gavage with dextran sodium sulfate- (DSS-) induced gut leakage in broiler chickens.

Dextran sodium sulfate ( DSS: ) has been shown to be effective at inducing enteric inflammation in broiler chickens, resulting in increased leakage of orally administered fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran to circulation. In a previous study, 2 doses of DSS (0.45 g/dose) administered as oral gavage resulted in increased mucosal permeability. The main objective of the present study was to compare serum turbidity in control and DSS treated birds plus with feed restriction ( FR: ), and evaluate the associated serum chemistry. Three independent experiments were conducted with different combinations of treatment groups. In Experiment 1, control full-fed ( CON: ) and DSS full-fed ( FFD: ) with n = 15 birds/group were evaluated, Experiment 2 had groups (n = 15/group) CON, FFD, feed restriction ( FRS: for 34 h), and DSS with feed restriction ( FRD: ), and Experiment 3 (n = 15/group) had CON, FFD, and FRS (29 h FRS). All DSS treated birds received one or 2 doses of DSS by oral gavage (0.45 g/dose/bird). Results showed that, compared to CON group, there was an increase (P < 0.05) in serum turbidity in FFD birds, even though the difference between FRS and FRD was not apparent (P > 0.05). Administration of DSS did not result in increase of serum enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase ( LDH: ), nonetheless, the FFD showed lower (P < 0.05) LDH level compared to CON in Experiment 2. Among the various serum chemistry parameters evaluated triglycerides had the highest positive correlation (r2 = 0.85; P < 0.05) with serum turbidity. DSS administration resulted in decreased serum protein levels, especially albumin. These results suggest that oral gavage with DSS in broiler chicks could result in changes to serum chemistry parameters which could be developed as potential marker/s for gut leakage.

Glycerol supplementation enhances the protective effect of dietary FloraMax-B11 against Salmonella Enteritidis colonization in neonate broiler chickens.

Two independent trials were conducted in the present study to evaluate the effect of 5% glycerol supplementation combined with dietary FloraMax-B11 (FM) against Salmonella Enteritidis colonization in neonate broiler chickens. In each trial, 60 chicks were randomly assigned into 4 groups. Group 1 received a control diet. Group 2 received a control diet supplemented with 5% glycerol. Group 3 received a control diet supplemented with FM, and group 4 received a control diet supplemented with 5% glycerol and FM. At placement, chickens were challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis at 10(4) cfu/bird. In each trial, 12 chicks were humanely killed 72 h postchallenge, respectively, for Salmonella Enteritidis colonization. Supplementation of 5% glycerol or FM by themselves, showed no significant effect on Salmonella Enteritidis recovery or incidence when compared with control nontreated chickens in both trials. However, no detectable Salmonella Enteritidis was observed in the chickens that received the supplementation of 5% glycerol combined with FM in both trials. Further studies are in progress in older birds to substantiate these findings.

Evaluation of a commercially available organic acid product on body weight loss, carcass yield, and meat quality during preslaughter feed withdrawal in broiler chickens: a poultry welfare and economic perspective.

The effect of a commercial organic acid (OA) product on BW loss (BWL) during feed withdrawal and transportation, carcass yield, and meat quality was evaluated in broiler chickens. Two experiments were conducted in Brazil. Commercial houses were paired as control groups receiving regular water and treated groups receiving OA in the water. Treated birds had a reduction in BWL of 37 g in experiment 1 and 32.2 g in experiment 2. In experiment 2, no differences were observed in carcass yield between groups. Estimation of the cost benefit suggested a 1:16 ratio by using the OA. In experiment 3, conducted in Mexico, significant differences on water consumption, BWL, and meat quality characteristics were observed in chickens that were treated with the OA (P < 0.05). These data suggest this OA product may improve animal welfare and economic concerns in the poultry industry by reducing BWL and improving meat quality attributes.

Evaluation of effects of EarlyBird associated with FloraMax-B11 on Salmonella Enteritidis, intestinal morphology, and performance of broiler chickens.

A posthatch fasting period of 24 to 72 h is a common and inevitable practice in commercial poultry production. This delay in start of feed intake has been reported to negatively affect yolk utilization, gastrointestinal development, slaughter weight, breast meat yield, performance, and to also depress immunological development, making the birds more susceptible to infection from pathogens such as Salmonella. Furthermore, public concerns regarding the considerable human rates of illness reported and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of Salmonella have doubled the challenge on the poultry industry to find alternative means of Salmonella control. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of a combination of early feeding with probiotic supplementation on morphological development of mucosa, control of Salmonella, and overall performance in broiler chickens. We used a blend of a commercially available perinatal supplement, EarlyBird (EB; Pacific Vet Group USA Inc., Fayetteville, AR), and a successful probiotic supplement, FloraMax-B11 (FM; Pacific Vet Group USA Inc.), to evaluate the effects on gut morphology, Salmonella intestinal colonization, and horizontal transmission, along with its effects on BW and related performance in broiler chickens under simulated commercial hatching management and shipping conditions. Morphometric analysis showed increased villus height, villus width, villus to crypt ratio, and villus surface area index in chickens treated with EB + FM groups. Significant reductions in Salmonella recovery, incidence, and horizontal transmission were also observed among the same groups, suggesting beneficial effects of early feeding and competitive exclusion by probiotic bacteria. Improved gut morphology and Salmonella exclusion was very well supported by BW data with significantly lower early BW loss and overall BW gains in birds treated with EB + FM mixture. The results of this study demonstrated that the combination of EB and FM improved gut morphology, reduced the amount of Salmonella that could be recovered, as well as improved BW when compared with controls and each product individually. These data address both animal welfare and food safety concerns faced by the poultry industry.

[Postnatal depression in a Colombian city. Risk factors]. / Depresión posparto en una ciudad colombiana. Factores de riesgo.

OBJECTIVE: Depression is a major public health problem, which women present, as well as at other periods of their lives, at the puerperium. Postnatal depression is the most frequent complication at this period, with worldwide prevalence as high as 15%. In Colombia, its frequency and associated factors were not clearly defined. DESIGN: To establish the incidence and associated factors for postnatal depression in the Bucaramanga, Colombia, metropolitan area. METHODS: Between May 2003 and April 2004, a cohort was assembled of 286 puerperal women from 11 health centres at different levels, within the Bucaramanga metropolitan area. Women were monitored for 6 weeks. Information was obtained on social, demographic and obstetric variables, psychiatric history, variables concerning the newborn, satisfaction with delivery, and breast-feeding. Postnatal depression was established by a psychiatrist, in a semi-structured clinical interview, using DSM-IV criteria. Incidence rate and associated factors were calculated through a regression model. RESULTS: Incidence rate of postnatal depression was: 1 case per 1000 days/person monitored (95% CI, 0.5-1.7). After the data were then fitted, only these factors were associated with postnatal depression: depression background, HR 3.87 (95% CI, 1.02-14.7), absence of prenatal monitoring, HR 3.87 (95% CI, 1.1-13.2), and background of dysphoria, HR 15.13 (95% CI, 1.9-118.2). CONCLUSIONS: Postnatal depression is little recognized during the puerperium. It is a major public health problem in Bucaramanga, where an appropriate prenatal monitoring program could reduce it. A follow-up program for mother and child would help its early diagnosis and management.

[Validation of the palmar pallor sign in the diagnosis of anemia in children in Bucaramanga (Colombia)]. / Validación del signo de palidez palmar para diagnóstico de anemia en niños de Bucaramanga (Colombia).

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of anemia in children from Santander (Colombia), is nearly 28 %. Economic conditions make it difficult to perform the hemoglobin test in all children with suspected anemia. The palmar pallor sign has been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan-American Health Organization for the diagnosis of anemia in children aged less than 5 years old; however, the yield of the test has not been established in Colombian communities. The aims of the present study were to establish the efficiency of the test and to determine its reproducibility. METHODS: The palmar pallor sign was evaluated in a sample of 167 children attending a low complexity hospital located in a deprived area of Bucaramanga city. Two pediatricians determined the presence of the sign, according to criteria from the "Integrated Management of Childhood Illness" strategy of the WHO and the Pan-American Health Organization. A hospital laboratory determined the concentration of hemoglobin in each of the children. Based on these data, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were determined and the agreement between observers was established. RESULTS: The prevalence of anemia in the sample evaluated was 28.74 %. Sensitivity was 33.33 %, specificity was 79.83 %, the positive predictive value was 40 % and the negative predictive value was 74.8 %. The reproducibility of the test was low. The yield of the test substantially improved when the hemoglobin cut-off point was reduced from 11 g/dl, which is the value proposed by the WHO, to 10.5 g/dl. CONCLUSIONS: Anemia is frequent in children aged less than 5 years old in Bucaramanga city. The Palmar pallor sign is a valuable tool for the diagnosis of severe anemia, but is much less useful in mild or moderate anemia. If the hemoglobin level proposed by the WHO were lower, the palmar pallor sign would be more useful.

Association of primary Pneumocystis carinii infection and sudden infant death syndrome.

To delineate clinical and histological features of the first Pneumocystis carinii infection affecting the immunocompetent host, P. carinii-specific histological stains were performed on autopsy lung specimens from 534 consecutive pediatric patients (those with AIDS and malignancies were excluded) in Santiago, Chile. P. carinii clusters were found in 4 (25%) of 16 infants who died of no apparent cause at arrival to the emergency department, and in 10 (2.9%) of 342 infants who died of multiple conditions at the hospital (P=.002, Fisher's exact test). This prompted us to analyze additional series of infants with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In 161 additional SIDS cases, 47 (35.1%) of 134 infants from Chile and 4 (14.8%) of 27 infants from Oxford, United Kingdom, were found to have P. carinii clusters in the lungs. The quantity of P. carinii cysts was small compared with the numbers seen in immunocompromised hosts with P. carinii pneumonitis. This study provides histological evidence that primary P. carinii infection is associated with SIDS.

Impacto del uso de anticuerpos antiendotelina 1 sobre la estenosis arterial coronaria secundaria a barotrauma con balón de porcinos

La reestenosis coronaria (RC) después de angiplastia en un problema de salud pública, que implica un altisimo costo. Los mecanismos son: a)trombosis. b)retroceso elástico, c)remodelación, d)hiperplasia intinal. Los tres primeros han sido contrarestados por el uso de stents, antiagregantes plaquetarios y de los inhibidores de la glucoproteina IIb/IIa, sin una disminución importante de la reestenosis coronaria. La hiperplasia intimal se ha atribuido a sustancias como los factores de crecimiento, la angiotensina II y la endotelina 1. Los 2 primeros han sido bloqueados en forma moderada sin impacto sobre la reestenosis coronaria. Materiales y Métodos: Se realizó angioplastia coronaria (ACTP) a 2 grupos de cerdos: Grupo I: sometidos a la inyección intracoronaria de 1 mgr/kg de peso de anticuerpos policlonales contra la Endotelina 1 y Grupo II sometidos a la inyección intracoronaria de placebo. Se observaron durante 4 semans y luego se sacrificaron para obtener cortes de las arterias coronarias en segmentos traumatizados y no traumatizados con balón (proximal y distal); los cortes se sometieron a la evaluación del Score de Schwartz para trauma arterial y al análisis histomorfométrico de los diversos diámetros y áreas arteriales y las diversas capas vasculares. Se evaluaron 47 especímenes arteriales, 23 en el grupo I y 24 en el grupo II. Resultados: No hubo diferencia significativa entre los resultados en diámetro luminal, diámetro del vaso, área del lumén, área de la capa media, área de la adventicia entre ambos grupos. se encontró una disminución muy significativa del área de la neointima (ANI) entre ambos grupos, siendo menor en el grupo I (0.89 +/- 0.34 Vs 1.53+1.16 p<0.028) que se hace mayor al analizar los especímenes con Score II en ambos grupos (P<0.000001). Los índices de ANI/área lumén y ANI/área del vaso son también significativamente menores en el grupo I. Conclusión: El uso intracoronario de anticuerpos antiendotelina 1, inmediatamente antes de la angioplastia en cerdos, previene el crecimiento de la neointima como respuesta al trauma arterial, esto sugiere un papel patogénico de la Endotelina 1 en la reación arterial y probablemente en la reestenosis coronaria.

Helicobacter pylori-associated gastroduodenal disease in symptomatic Chilean children: diagnostic value of serological assay.

A newly developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) IgG serological assay for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection was used recently in two epidemiological surveys in Chile. To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of this assay in a local symptomatic pediatric population, we studied 70 school-age patients referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy because of complaints suggestive of gastroduodenal disease. Evidence for antral H. pylori infection was sought by three biopsy-related methods: culture, histology, and urease activity. IgG anti-H. pylori serum antibodies were determined by ELISA. Altogether, chronic antral gastritis was found in 55 patients and duodenal ulcers in nine; 11 subjects had normal histology. Sixty (86%) patients had H. pylori in the antrum. This group had significantly higher mean IgG optical density values when compared with the H. pylori-negative group (1.860 versus 0.669; p < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of the assay in detecting antral H. pylori were both 90%; the positive predictive value was 98% and the negative, 60%. Accuracy of the assay was superior in predicting the presence or absence of gastroduodenal lesions with a sensitivity of 96%, a specificity of 92%, a positive predictive value of 98%, and a negative predictive value of 86%. We conclude that the diagnostic efficiency of this assay renders it appropriate both to screen for H. pylori-associated gastroduodenal disease in individual patients and to be used in seroepidemiological surveys.

[Tumors in newborn infants]. / Tumores en recién nacidos.

Fifty one cases of tumors detected along a 20 years period (1969 throughout 1989) in newborn infants are described. Most frequent kinds of neonatal tumors were teratomas (n: 30), followed by vascular tumors (n: 6), neuroblastomas IV-S (n: 5), hepatic hamartomas (n: 5), renal tumors (n: 3), soft tissue sarcomas (n: 2) and melanocytic melanoma (n: 1). Follow up was extended from 1 to 20 years. Death occurred in two patients of this series: one in a case of sacrococcygeal teratoma, who died of septicemia secondary to urinary tract obstruction and infection before any attempt of surgical treatment was possible, and by multiple pulmonary metastases one year after apparently satisfactory surgical treatment in another patient with neuroblastoma.

Intra-arterial cisplatin given prior to surgery in osteosarcoma: grade of necrosis and size of tumor as major prognostic factors.

From January 1983 to August 1987, 29 evaluable patients with high-grade osteosarcoma were treated in our institution with preoperative intra-atrial cisplatin, 100 mg/m2 every 14 days for three courses. Surgery was done on day 42. Surgery consisted of limb salvage in six, amputations in 15, and disarticulations in eight. Postoperative chemotherapy included Adriamycin (ADR), 45 mg/m2 for 2 days every 6 weeks, alternated with cisplatin 120 mg/m2 every 6 weeks. The nephrotoxicity (18 out 29) was reversible in all cases. Cardiotoxicity was prominent; it was observed in 31% of patients. In six, there was congestive heart failure, but there were no fatal cases. The hematological toxicity was severe. There were three patients with fatal infections who had no evidence of disease after they had finished treatment. Seventeen of 29 patients (58.6%) were good responders and showed 60-100% tumoral necrosis after intra-atrial cisplatin. The 6-year, relapse-free survival rate was 58.6%--70.5% for the good responders and 41.6% for the poor responders (p less than 0.05). The size of the tumor was the other important prognostic factor. The rate of 6-year, relapse-free survival was 73.6% for small tumors (those measuring less than 100 cm2) and 33.3% for large tumors (p less than 0.05).

[Fulminant hepatic failure in children]. / Falla hepatica fulminante en niños.

We report the clinical characteristics and course of 38 children with fulminant liver failure. A viral etiology was demonstrated in 19 patients out of 25 with serologic screening (virus A in 17 patients, B in 2 patients). One patient had toxic liver damage from ingestion of a caustic substance. Mean age was 4 years and 6 months. Jaundice was present in all but 2 patients at admission. Encephalopathy developed at a mean of 13 days and 17 children were admitted with stage 3 or 4 coma. Evidence of severe liver failure was present in every patient. A lower prothrombin time and higher bilirrubin concentration were shown by non survivors. Hypoglycemia developed in 37% of patients, seizures in 37%, gastrointestinal bleeding in 45%, respiratory failure in 32% and severe infection in 32%. Overall mortality rate was 42% raising to 83% in patients with stage 3 coma at admission. Thus, although the etiology of fulminant liver failure differs in children as compared to adults, mortality rate and complications are similar.

Serological characterization of bovine rotaviruses isolated from dairy and beef herds in Argentina.

Bovine rotaviruses isolated from beef and dairy herds in Argentina were serotyped by the immunoperoxidase focus reduction assay as previously described (G. Gerna, M. Battaglia, G. Milenesi, N. Passarani, E. Percivalle, and E. Cattaneo, Infect. Immun. 43:722-729, 1984). Three strains from beef herds were related to the UK and NCDV bovine rotavirus strains defined as serotype 6 (Y. Hoshino, R. G. Wyatt, H. B. Greenberg, J. Flores, and A. Z. Kapikian, J. Infect. Dis. 149:694-702, 1984). Two other strains from dairy herds were classified as bovine viruses related to the bovine B223 strain reported by Woode and co-workers (G. N. Woode, N. E. Kelso, T. F. Simpson, S. K. Gaul, L. E. Evans, and L. Babiuk, J. Clin. Microbiol. 18:358-364, 1983) in the United States. A serotyping antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunoassay to detect serotype 6 rotavirus using a serotype 6-specific monoclonal antibody was developed and evaluated for strain characterization. Characterization of 72 group A rotavirus-positive fecal samples from beef herds and 43 fecal samples from dairy herds showed a predominance of serotype 6 rotavirus in beef herds but both serotype 6 and non-serotype 6 rotaviruses in dairy herds. Analysis of genomic double-stranded RNA by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that when outbreaks were caused by one serotype only a single electropherotype was present in all samples.

Endoscopic small intestinal biopsy in infants and children: its usefulness in the diagnosis of celiac disease and other enteropathies.

Forty-seven endoscopic small intestinal biopsies were performed in children with chronic diarrhea and malabsorption and suspected celiac disease. The purpose of this study was to reach the distal duodenum or proximal jejunum with large channel panendoscopes in order to get adequate samples for histopathological diagnosis. Patients younger than 8 years of age were anesthetized with ketamine. Time required for the full procedure was less than 10 min in most cases. There were no failures or complications. In all 47 endoscopic examinations, histologically adequate specimens of small bowel mucosa were obtained. These results suggest that this is a safe, quick, and easy method to obtain high-quality samples for histopathological diagnosis of enteropathies.

[Campylobacter pylori in children and adults subjected to endoscopy, correlation of endoscopic, bacteriologic and histopathologic findings]. / Campylobacter pylori en niños y adultos sometidos a endoscopía, correlación de hallazgos endoscópicos, bacteriológicos e histopatológicos.

Campylobacter pylori has been associated to peptic ulcer and gastritis. We investigated the presence of C pylori in 17 children and 50 adults who needed endoscopy to investigate upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Gram stain, Whartin-Starry stain and the urease test were used to identify the germ; best results were obtained with the Gram stain. C pylori was present in 5.8% of children and 88% of adults, including all patients with peptic ulcer and 36 out of 39 with histologic evidence of gastritis. However, the germ was also found in 79% of patients with a normal mucosa. Our results suggest that C pylori is frequently present in gastric mucosa of children and adults with upper gastrointestinal problems. Further studies are needed to elucidate its possible pathogenic role in gastritis or peptic ulcer.