Antimycobacterial and PknB Inhibitory Activities of Venezuelan Medicinal Plants.

Global control and elimination of tuberculosis are hindered by the high prevalence of drug-resistant strains, making the development of new drugs to fight tuberculosis a public health priority. In this study, we evaluated 118 extracts from 58 Venezuelan plant species for their ability to inhibit the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis mc26020, using the agar dilution method. Additionally, we determined the ability of these extracts to inhibit the activity of PknB protein, an essential M. tuberculosis serine/threonine kinase, using a high-throughput luminescent assay. Of the 118 extracts tested, 14 inhibited bacterial growth with a minimum inhibitory concentration ≤500 µg/ml, and 36 inhibited the kinase activity with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration <200 µg/ml. Five extracts inhibited M. tuberculosis growth and inhibited the activity of the kinase protein, suggesting that this could be the basis of their growth inhibition.

Atopic dermatitis guideline. Position paper from the Latin American Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

As in other regions, the incidence of atopic dermatitis in Latin America has been increasing in recent years. Although there are several clinical guidelines, many of their recommendations cannot be universal since they depend on the characteristics of each region. Thus, we decided to create a consensus guideline on atopic dermatitis applicable in Latin America and other tropical regions, taking into account socio-economic, geographical, cultural and health care system characteristics. The Latin American Society of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (SLAAI) conducted a systematic search for articles related to the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of dermatitis using various electronic resources such as Google, Pubmed, EMBASE (Ovid) and Cochrane data base. We have also looked for all published articles in Latin America on the subject using LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences) database. Each section was reviewed by at least two members of the committee, and the final version was subsequently approved by all of them, using the Delphi methodology for consensus building. Afterward, the final document was shared for external evaluation with physicians, specialists (allergists, dermatologists and pediatricians), patients and academic institutions such as universities and scientific societies related to the topic. All recommendations made by these groups were taken into account for the final drafting of the document. There are few original studies conducted in Latin America about dermatitis; however, we were able to create a practical guideline for Latin America taking into account the particularities of the region. Moreover, the integral management was highlighted including many of the recommendations from different participants in the health care of this disease (patients, families, primary care physicians and specialists). This practical guide presents a concise approach to the diagnosis and management of atopic dermatitis that can be helpful for medical staff, patients and their families in Latin America.

La incidencia de dermatitis atópica en Latinoamérica muestra un incremento constante, si bien existen muchas guías clínicas de dermatitis atópica, muchas de las recomendaciones no pueden ser válidas de manera universal debido a las particularidades de cada región. Por ello, nos propusimos crear una guía de consenso de dermatitis atópica válida para Latinoamérica y otras regiones tropicales, que tome en cuenta las características socioeconómicas, geográficas, culturales y de los sistemas de salud. La Sociedad Latinoamericana de Alergia, Asma e Inmunología (SLAAI) realizó una búsqueda sistemática de artículos relacionados con la fisiopatología, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de la dermatitis atópica usando diversas fuentes electrónicas, como Google, Pubmed, EMBASE (Ovid) y Cochrane. También realizamos una búsqueda extensa de las publicaciones realizadas en Latinoamérica utilizando el buscador LILACS (Literatura Latinoamericana y del Caribe en Ciencias de la Salud). Cada sección fue revisada por al menos dos miembros del comité y luego una versión final fue aprobada por todos los participantes, utilizando la metodología Delphi para la construcción de consensos. Finalmente, el documento final fue compartido para la evaluación externa por médicos, otros especialistas (alergólogos, dermatólogos, pediatras), pacientes e instituciones académicas, como universidades y sociedades científicas relacionadas con el tema. Todas las recomendaciones dadas por estos grupos se tomaron en cuenta y se incluyeron en la versión final del documento. Existen pocos estudios realizados en Latinoamérica acerca de dermatitis; sin embargo, fue posible crear una guía que considera las particularidades de la región tropical. Además, destacó el tratamiento integral porque se consideraron muchas de las recomendaciones ofrecidas por los diferentes participantes en el tratamiento de esta enfermedad (pacientes, familiares, médicos de atención primaria, especialistas). atópica, muchas de las recomendaciones no pueden ser válidas de manera universal debido a las particularidades de cada región. Por ello, nos propusimos crear una guía de consenso de dermatitis atópica válida para Latinoamérica y otras regiones tropicales, que tome en cuenta las características socioeconómicas, geográficas, culturales y de los sistemas de salud. La Sociedad Latinoamericana de Alergia, Asma e Inmunología (SLAAI) realizó una búsqueda sistemática de artículos relacionados con la fisiopatología, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de la dermatitis atópica usando diversas fuentes electrónicas, como Google, Pubmed, EMBASE (Ovid) y Cochrane. También realizamos una búsqueda extensa de las publicaciones realizadas en Latinoamérica utilizando el buscador LILACS (Literatura Latinoamericana y del Caribe en Ciencias de la Salud). Cada sección fue revisada por al menos dos miembros del comité y luego una versión final fue aprobada por todos los participantes, utilizando la metodología Delphi para la construcción de consensos. Finalmente, el documento final fue compartido para la evaluación externa por médicos, otros especialistas (alergólogos, dermatólogos, pediatras), pacientes e instituciones académicas, como universidades y sociedades científicas relacionadas con el tema. Todas las recomendaciones dadas por estos grupos se tomaron en cuenta y se incluyeron en la versión final del documento. Existen pocos estudios realizados en Latinoamérica acerca de dermatitis; sin embargo, fue posible crear una guía que considera las particularidades de la región tropical. Además, destacó el tratamiento integral porque se consideraron muchas de las recomendaciones ofrecidas por los diferentes participantes en el tratamiento de esta enfermedad (pacientes, familiares, médicos de atención primaria, especialistas).

[Asthma and covert toxocariasis]. / Asma y toxocarosis encubierta.

The relationship between asthma and covert toxocariasis was studied in 38 patients with asthma and 44 control individuals (without asthma). Inclusion/exclusion criteria were determined. An ELISA test based on the detection of Anti-Toxocara canis (E/S antigen) serum immunoglobulin G (Ig G) and E (Ig E) was determined in both groups. Ordinary allergens and E/S antigen of T. canis injections were used to evaluate cutaneous reactivity. The seroprevalence in patients with asthma was 68.42%, and in the control individuals was 13.63%. This difference was significant. The percentage of asthmatic patients with two antitoxocara antibodies was 26.31% and 4.54% in control individuals. All asthmatic patients with antitoxocara IgE had cutaneous reactivity to Ag E/S. We conclude that the asthmatic patients with IgE and IgG antitoxocara suffer a covert toxocarosis.

Asma y toxocarosis encubierta. / [Asthma and covert toxocariasis]

The relationship between asthma and covert toxocariasis was studied in 38 patients with asthma and 44 control individuals (without asthma). Inclusion/exclusion criteria were determined. An ELISA test based on the detection of Anti-Toxocara canis (E/S antigen) serum immunoglobulin G (Ig G) and E (Ig E) was determined in both groups. Ordinary allergens and E/S antigen of T. canis injections were used to evaluate cutaneous reactivity. The seroprevalence in patients with asthma was 68.42

, and in the control individuals was 13.63

. This difference was significant. The percentage of asthmatic patients with two antitoxocara antibodies was 26.31

and 4.54

in control individuals. All asthmatic patients with antitoxocara IgE had cutaneous reactivity to Ag E/S. We conclude that the asthmatic patients with IgE and IgG antitoxocara suffer a covert toxocarosis.

[Diarrhea due to microsporidia in a patient with AIDS]. / Diarrea por microsporidia en un enfermo con SIDA.

A 26-year-old male AIDS patient with diarrhea of two-months evolution is reported here. The most relevant intestinal pathogens, including Cryptosporidium parvum, were ruled out by routine microbiological tests. Stool samples stained with an "oblong" Ziehl-Neelsen method (fucsin, 7 min instead of 3 min) allowed visualization of organisms resembling microsporidia. Both modified trichrome and calcofluor stains showed organisms compatible with Enterocytozoon bieneusi. Significant titer of antibodies (> or = 1/800) against 4 different microsporidial species were obtained from the serum of the patient by an ELISA test. Clinical improvement was observed after treatment with albendazole, 400 mg twice daily for 4 weeks, even though microsporidial spores were still detected in stool specimens. To our knowledge, this is the first microsporidial infection reported in Argentina.

Diarrea por microsporidia en un enfermo con SIDA. / [Diarrhea due to microsporidia in a patient with AIDS]

A 26-year-old male AIDS patient with diarrhea of two-months evolution is reported here. The most relevant intestinal pathogens, including Cryptosporidium parvum, were ruled out by routine microbiological tests. Stool samples stained with an [quot ]oblong[quot ] Ziehl-Neelsen method (fucsin, 7 min instead of 3 min) allowed visualization of organisms resembling microsporidia. Both modified trichrome and calcofluor stains showed organisms compatible with Enterocytozoon bieneusi. Significant titer of antibodies (> or = 1/800) against 4 different microsporidial species were obtained from the serum of the patient by an ELISA test. Clinical improvement was observed after treatment with albendazole, 400 mg twice daily for 4 weeks, even though microsporidial spores were still detected in stool specimens. To our knowledge, this is the first microsporidial infection reported in Argentina.