Systematics and life cycles of four avian schistosomatids from Southern Cone of South America.

Relative to the numerous studies focused on mammalian schistosomes, fewer include avian schistosomatids particularly in the southern hemisphere. This is changing and current research emerging from the Neotropics shows a remarkable diversity of endemic taxa. To contribute to this effort, nine ducks (Spatula cyanoptera, S.versicolor, Netta peposaca), 12 swans (Cygnus melancoryphus) and 1,400 Physa spp. snails from Chile and Argentina were collected for adults and larval schistosomatids, respectively. Isolated schistosomatids were preserved for morphological and molecular analyses (28S and COI genes). Four different schistosomatid taxa were retrieved from birds: Trichobilharzia sp. in N. peposaca and S. cyanoptera that formed a clade; S.cyanoptera and S. versicolor hosted Trichobilharzia querquedulae; Cygnus melancoryphus hosted the nasal schistosomatid, Nasusbilharzia melancorhypha; and one visceral, Schistosomatidae gen. sp., which formed a clade with furcocercariae from Argentina and Chile from previous work. Of the physid snails, only one from Argentina had schistosomatid furcocercariae that based on molecular analyses grouped with T. querquedulae. This study represents the first description of adult schistosomatids from Chile as well as the elucidation of the life cycles of N.melancorhypha and T. querquedulae in Chile and Neotropics, respectively. Without well-preserved adults, the putative new genus Schistosomatidae gen. sp. could not be described, but its life cycle involves Chilina spp. and C. melancoryphus. Scanning electron microscopy of T. querquedulae revealed additional, undescribed morphological traits, highlighting its diagnostic importance. Authors stress the need for additional surveys of avian schistosomatids from the Neotropics to better understand their evolutionary history.

Molecular detection of Babesia canis vogeli and Hepatozoon canis in dogs in the department of Magdalena (Colombia) / Detección molecular de Babesia canis vogeli y Hepatozoon canis en perros en el departamento del Magdalena (Colombia)

ABSTRACT The canine population in the cities of Ciénaga and Santa Marta has been estimated at 54,953 based on individual dogs with owners. Due to the role that dogs play in society, either as pets or as transmitters of zoonoses to humans, we conducted a study with 169 blood samples from dogs that visited two veterinary clinics in these locations between March and September of 2017. The objective of the study was to detect species of Babesia and Hepatozoon canis by amplifying the 18S gene using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCRc). The presence of Babesia sp. and Hepatozoon canis was detected in 15 (8.87%) and 12 (7.10%) DNA samples, respectively. In addition, 7 (4.14%) cases of coinfection were recorded. The Babesia sp. sequences obtained corresponded to the B. canis vogeli subspecies. This both pathogens in the Colombian Caribbean region and cases of coinfection in Colombian dogs. Therefore, the national veterinary community is encouraged to consider the information presented here in their differential diagnoses associated with companion vector-borne diseases (CVBDs). This information will allow veterinary professionals to create control and prevention strategies to prevent the spread of these infections.

RESUMEN La población canina en las ciudades de Ciénaga y Santa Marta se ha estimado en 54.953 individuos con propietarios. Debido al rol que desempeñan los perros en la sociedad, ya sea como animales de compañía o como transmisores de zoonosis al humano, se realizó un estudio con 169 muestras sanguíneas de perros que visitaron dos clínicas veterinarias en estas localidades entre marzo y septiembre del año 2017. El objetivo del estudió consistió en detectar especies de Babesia y Hepatozoon canis amplificando el gen 18S mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa convencional (PCR-c). La presencia de Babesia sp. y Hepatozoon canis se detectó en 15 (8,87%) y 12 (7,10%) muestras de ADN, respectivamente. Además, se registraron 7 (4,14%) casos de coinfección. Las secuencias obtenidas de Babesia sp. correspondieron a la subespecie B. canis vogeli. Se presentan ambos patógenos para la región Caribe colombiana y casos de coinfección en perros de Colombia. Por lo tanto, se exhorta a la comunidad veterinaria nacional a considerar la información presentada en sus diagnósticos diferenciales asociados a las enfermedades transmitidas por vectores de compañía (CVBDs). Esta información permitirá a los profesionales veterinarios crear estrategias de control y prevención para mitigar la propagación de estas infecciones.

Use of semisynthetic dura mater substitute as a patch graft for prosthesis extrusion in anophthalmic socket. / Uso de sustituto semisintético de duramadre como injerto tras extrusión de prótesis en una cavidad anoftálmica.

We present a case report of a three-year old patient diagnosed with retinoblastoma in her left eye. The course of the disease made enucleation of the latter eye and a prosthesis implant necessary. Two years after surgery, partial prosthesis extrusion occurred and a semisynthetic dura mater substitute was used as a patch graft to cover the defect. To our knowledge, semisynthetic dura mater substitutes' use in this scenario has not been previously reported.

Delayed infectious keratitis in a patient with radial keratotomy and floppy eyelid syndrome treated with simple interrupted stitches. / Queratitis infecciosa tardía en paciente con queratotomía radial y síndrome del párpado flácido tratado con puntos sueltos.

A 55-year-old male presented with an infectious keratitis in his left eye, affecting one of the incisions of the radial keratotomy he had undergone thirty-four years ago. Suturing the incision with two simple interrupted stitches was key to the resolution of the infection. Floppy eyelid syndrome was also found in this patient. Could this act as a risk factor for infectious keratitis in radial keratotomy? To our knowledge, this is the first reported case describing the association between both conditions, and the second reported case where sutures have been used as an adjuvant treatment in these types of cases.

Hypertensive choroidopathy and adrenal carcinoma: A new association. / Coroidopatía hipertensiva y carcinoma adrenal: una nueva asociación.

A 17 year-old Caucasian female presented with decreased vision, with no other symptoms reported at that time. Ophthalmological examination revealed typical signs of hypertensive choroidopathy, Elschnig spots, and Siegrist streaks. Further medical examination found high blood pressure (220/155mmHg), with a metastatic hormone-secreting adrenal carcinoma being the underlying cause of these alterations. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of hypertensive choroidopathy associated with adrenal carcinoma.

Coexistent central retinal vein and artery occlusion in a patient with psoriasis receiving ustekinumab. / Oclusión coexistente de vena y arteria central de la retina en un paciente con psoriasis en tratamiento con ustekinumab.

A 44 year-old Caucasian male with a history of plaque psoriasis currently being treated with ustekinumab presented with sudden loss of vision in his left eye. Fundus examination showed central retinal vein occlusion coexisting with central retinal artery occlusion. Posterior examination revealed mild polycythemia, being the underlying cause unknown.

Absceso iridiano tras endocarditis bacteriana en un paciente con leucemia. Diagnóstico diferencial / Iris abscess after bacterial endocarditis in a patient with leukaemia. Differential diagnosis

OBJETIVO: Describir un caso de absceso iridiano en un paciente con leucemia. CASO CLÍNICO: Varón, 46 años, con leucemia promielocítica y endocarditis presentó disminución de agudeza visual en ojo izquierdo (OI). A la exploración oftalmológica: en OI, lesión nodular iridiana a las 4 h con hipopión y exudado fibrinoso y en OD; tyndall +1. Cultivos de sangre y de humor acuoso dieron positivo a Staphylococcus aureus meticilina-sensible, descartando células blásticas en anatomía patológica. Se trató con antibióticos sistémicos con resolución completa de la inflamación. CONCLUSIÓN: El absceso iridiano es un foco inusual de émbolo séptico tras endocarditis bacteriana. En un paciente con leucemia es implescindible descartar metástasis extramedular porque condiciona el pronóstico

PURPOSE: To report a case of iris abscess due to bacterial endocarditis. CASE REPORT: A 46-year-old male under diagnosis of promielocitic leukemia and endocarditis presented with decreased vision in left eye (OS). Ophthalmic exploration revealed iris abscess and hypopyon with fibrinous exudate in iris of the left eye and tyndall +1 in right eye (OD). Blood culture and anterior chamber paracentesis was positive for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus and negative for blastic cells in citology. Treatment with systemic antibiotic was initiated with total resolution of inflammation. CONCLUSION: Iris abscess is an unusual septic focus in bacterial endocarditis. It is crucial to rule out an extramedullary metastasis in a patient with leukemia due to the general prognosis

[Iris abscess after bacterial endocarditis in a patient with leukaemia. Differential diagnosis]. / Absceso iridiano tras endocarditis bacteriana en un paciente con leucemia. Diagnóstico diferencial.

PURPOSE: To report a case of iris abscess due to bacterial endocarditis. CASE REPORT: A 46-year-old male under diagnosis of promielocitic leukemia and endocarditis presented with decreased vision in left eye (OS). Ophthalmic exploration revealed iris abscess and hypopyon with fibrinous exudate in iris of the left eye and tyndall +1 in right eye (OD). Blood culture and anterior chamber paracentesis was positive for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus and negative for blastic cells in citology. Treatment with systemic antibiotic was initiated with total resolution of inflammation. CONCLUSION: Iris abscess is an unusual septic focus in bacterial endocarditis. It is crucial to rule out an extramedullary metastasis in a patient with leukemia due to the general prognosis.