Informality in the time of COVID-19 in Latin America: Implications and policy options.

This paper analyzes the dynamics of the labor market in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic. After a decade of a virtuous circle of growth with the creation of formal jobs, the pandemic has had an considerable impact on the region's labor market, generating an unparalleled increase in the proportion of the inactive population, considerable reductions in informality, and, in contrast, smaller fluctuations in formal jobs. In this context, the formal sector, given its lower flexibility, became a "social safety net" that preserved the stability of employment and wages. Based on the findings presented in this paper, it is projected that, starting in 2021, informality will grow to levels higher than those of the pre-COVID-19 era-with 7.56 million additional informal jobs-as a result of the population returning to the labor market to compensate for the declines in incomes. According to the simulations presented, postponing or forgiving income tax payments and social security contributions conditional on the generation of formal jobs could reduce the growth of informality by 50 to 75 percent. Achieving educational improvements has the potential to reduce it by 50 percent.

Molecular typing reveals the co-existence of two transmission cycles of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Andean Region of Venezuela with Lutzomyia migonei as the vector.

BACKGROUND The transmission routes for American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) are in flux, so studies examining its transmission in humans, mammalian hosts, and sand fly vectors are urgently needed. OBJECTIVES The aim of this work was understand the epidemiological cycles of Leishmania spp., which causes ACL in the Andean Region of Venezuela, by identifying the Leishmania and the sand fly species involved in human and dog infections. METHODS Thirty-one biopsies from patients in Mérida and Táchira states with suspected ACL were studied by both parasitological tests (cultures and hamster inoculation) and a molecular test [Internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) nested polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)]. We also conducted a survey to detect Leishmania infection in dogs (Immunifluorescence antibody test and ITS1 nested PCR-RFLP) and sand flies (ITS1 nested PCR-RFLP) from El Carrizal, a highly endemic focus of ACL in Venezuela. FINDINGS Three different Leishmania species were identified in the clinical samples from humans (Leishmania braziliensis, L. guyanensis, and L. mexicana) and dogs (L. guyanensis and L. mexicana). The predominant sand fly species found were those from the Verrucarum group (infected with L. mexicana) and Lutzomyia migonei (infected with L. guyanensis and L. mexicana). MAIN CONCLUSIONS We show that Lu. migonei may be the putative vector in two ACL epidemiological cycles, involving L. guyanensis and L. mexicana. We also report for the first time the presence of L. guyanensis in domestic animals.

Molecular typing reveals the co-existence of two transmission cycles of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Andean Region of Venezuela with Lutzomyia migonei as the vector

BACKGROUND The transmission routes for American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) are in flux, so studies examining its transmission in humans, mammalian hosts, and sand fly vectors are urgently needed. OBJECTIVES The aim of this work was understand the epidemiological cycles of Leishmania spp., which causes ACL in the Andean Region of Venezuela, by identifying the Leishmania and the sand fly species involved in human and dog infections. METHODS Thirty-one biopsies from patients in Mérida and Táchira states with suspected ACL were studied by both parasitological tests (cultures and hamster inoculation) and a molecular test [Internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) nested polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)]. We also conducted a survey to detect Leishmania infection in dogs (Immunifluorescence antibody test and ITS1 nested PCR-RFLP) and sand flies (ITS1 nested PCR-RFLP) from El Carrizal, a highly endemic focus of ACL in Venezuela. FINDINGS Three different Leishmania species were identified in the clinical samples from humans (Leishmania braziliensis, L. guyanensis, and L. mexicana) and dogs (L. guyanensis and L. mexicana). The predominant sand fly species found were those from the Verrucarum group (infected with L. mexicana) and Lutzomyia migonei (infected with L. guyanensis and L. mexicana). MAIN CONCLUSIONS We show that Lu. migonei may be the putative vector in two ACL epidemiological cycles, involving L. guyanensis and L. mexicana. We also report for the first time the presence of L. guyanensis in domestic animals.

Descriptive study of cerebrovascular accidents among Hispanic population.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Data characterizing stroke patients among Hispanic population are scant. The aim of this study was to describe this population and to assess baseline knowledge of stroke type, risk factors, and family history, among others. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 253 stroke patients admitted to the University of Puerto Rico Hospital during the fiscal year July 2002 to June 2003 was done. A standardized data collection form was used to obtain the following information from patient records: patient age, gender, stroke type, time of symptom onset, patient risk factors, family risk factors, and patient outcome. RESULTS: We enrolled 253 patients, 120 (47%) males and 133 (53%) females. Patient age distribution was as follows: 18 (7%) were < 44 years, 79 (31%) were bwtween 45-64 years, 156 (62%) were > 65 years. Stroke type distribution was: ischemic 174 (69%), hemorrhagic 49 (19%), and transformation from ischemic to hemorrhagic 13 (5%). Ischemic stroke subtypes distribution was: large-artery occlusion 113 (65%), small-artery occlusion 60 (34%), cardio-embolism 1 (0.6%), 17 (7%) information was not recorded. Time of symptom onset: 153 (60%) > 3 hours, 14 (6%) < 3 hours, and 86 (34%) was unknown. Family history of risk factors was present in 103 (41%), not present 29 (11%) and 121 (49%) was unknown. Most common patient risk factors were: hypertension 212 (84%), > 65 years 156 (62%), male gender 120 (47%), diabetes mellitus 105 (42%), previous history of stroke 91 (36%), hyper-cholesterolemia 44 (17%), history of smoking 51 (20%), alcoholism 43 (17%). CONCLUSION: The data obtained from this Hispanic population is similar to that reported in the literature for the general population. The prevalence of ischemic strokes out numbered by far the occurrence of hemorrhagic strokes in the study group. Both men and women demonstrated an increasing tendency of stroke incidence with increasing age. Among death outcome, a difference was evident in the > 65 age group, showing an increase in women fatality compared to men. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor. This study will serve to build a database for future reference, thus providing an evidence-based foundation for treatment, therapy improvement, and patient care.