piRNA pathway evolution beyond gonad context: Perspectives from apicomplexa and trypanosomatids.

piRNAs function as genome defense mechanisms against transposable elements insertions within germ line cells. Recent studies have unraveled that piRNA pathways are not limited to germ cells as initially reckoned, but are instead also found in non-gonadal somatic contexts. Moreover, these pathways have also been reported in bacteria, mollusks and arthropods, associated with safeguard of genomes against transposable elements, regulation of gene expression and with direct consequences in axon regeneration and memory formation. In this Perspective we draw attention to early branching parasitic protozoa, whose genome preservation is an essential function as in late eukaryotes. However, little is known about the defense mechanisms of these genomes. We and others have described the presence of putative PIWI-related machinery members in protozoan parasites. We have described the presence of a PIWI-like protein in Trypanosoma cruzi, bound to small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) as cargo of secreted extracellular vesicles relevant in intercellular communication and host infection. Herein, we put forward the presence of members related to Argonaute pathways in both Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii. The presence of PIWI-like machinery in Trypansomatids and Apicomplexa, respectively, could be evidence of an ancestral piRNA machinery that evolved to become more sophisticated and complex in multicellular eukaryotes. We propose a model in which ancient PIWI proteins were expressed broadly and had functions independent of germline maintenance. A better understanding of current and ancestral PIWI/piRNAs will be relevant to better understand key mechanisms of genome integrity conservation during cell cycle progression and modulation of host defense mechanisms by protozoan parasites.

Dorsal Vascular Complex Nonligation Method and Preservation of Puboprostatic Ligaments and Endopelvic Fascia During Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy: Effect on Continence.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact on continence rate during 1-year follow-up of a preservation technique that included nonligation of the dorsal vascular complex and sparing of the puboprostatic ligaments and the endopelvic fascia during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Information from 30 patients who underwent the preservation technique was prospectively collected and compared with data from 60 patients who underwent the nonpreservation traditional technique. A single surgeon performed all procedures. RESULTS: Demographic and preoperative characteristics were similar. The mean patient age was 59 years in both groups. All patients were stage cT1c or cT2. Operative time was significantly lower in the preservation technique group (229.6 vs. 262.7 minutes, P < .001). There were no significant differences in intraoperative bleeding, discharge hemoglobin level, blood transfusion rate, length of hospitalization, and drop in the hemoglobin level. The probability of continence recovery was significantly higher in the preservation technique group than in the traditional technique group (hazard ratio = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.31-0.81). The continence rate (0 pads/day) for the preservation technique group versus the traditional technique group at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months was, respectively, 53.3% versus 30% (P = .031), 90% versus 45% (P < .001), 90% versus 63.3% (P = .008), and 96.6% versus 78.3% (P = .024). There were no significant differences between the groups regarding potency and oncologic outcomes. CONCLUSION: Nonligation of the dorsal vascular complex and preservation of the puboprostatic ligaments and the endopelvic fascia improved urinary continence compared with the traditional nonpreservation technique, with no impact in terms of bleeding and oncologic outcomes.

Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus lehensis M136, Isolated from the Manleluag Hyperalkaline Spring in Pangasinan, Philippines.

Here, we report the draft whole-genome sequence of Bacillus lehensis M136, isolated from a hyperalkaline spring located in Pangasinan, Philippines. From 24 scaffolds, the total genome assembly length is 3,985,437 bp. Industrially important genes like cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase) and proteases were detected in this draft genome.

Síndromes neurológicos asociados al uso de medicamentos. Frecuencia y caracterización / Neurological syndromes associated with drug use. Frequency and characterisation

Introducción: La necesidad de una asistencia sanitaria segura en la que los cuidados y tratamientos no supongan daños diferentes a los derivados de la enfermedad de base, ha motivado este estudio. Nuestro objetivo ha sido determinar la frecuencia y describir los síndromes neurológicos atribuibles a fármacos, su evitabilidad y los niveles asistenciales implicados. Métodos: Estudio observacional. Cohorte prospectiva de todos los sujetos derivados desde atención primaria y especializada, en el período de diciembre de 2008 a enero de 2010, por síntomas neurológicos atribuibles a fármacos y enfermos neurológicos conocidos con clínica distinta o agravada de la enfermedad de base causada por fármacos. Las notificaciones quedaron reflejadas en un cuestionario. Se realizaron distribuciones de frecuencias, medidas de tendencia central, pruebas de la 2 o Fisher y pruebas no paramétricas correspondientes. Resultados: La prevalencia de efectos adversos neurológicos respecto a la muestra total fue 0,586%. De los 105 pacientes seleccionados, los principales efectos adversos fueron: 25,7% síndrome rígido-acinético; 18,1% discinético; 11,4% síntomas neuropsiquiátricos, y 10,5% síndrome confusional. Los grupos farmacológicos más registrados fueron, en orden decreciente: antiepilépticos, dopaminérgicos, antidepresivos, neurolépticos, antivertiginosos y procinéticos. Describimos la población más susceptible y las asociaciones estadísticamente significativas entre la presencia de determinados grupos farmacológicos y síndromes neurológicos concretos.Conclusiones: La baja prevalencia detectada puede deberse al diseño del estudio, aunque los efectos adversos neurológicos suponen el 2,84% de los ingresos en una unidad de neurología.Conocer la epidemiología permitirá identificar los abordajes más seguros, aplicarlos correctamente a la población de mayor riesgo y reducir necesidades asistenciales y recursos médicos (AU)

Introduction: The need for safe health care, in which the care and treatment of the patient does not cause any injuries in addition to those already arising from their baseline disease, hasled to the present study. Our objective has been to determine the frequency and describe the neurological syndromes attributable to drugs, their preventability and the levels of medical care involved. Methods: Observational study. Cohort of subjects referred from Primary and Specialized Care between December 2008 and January 2010 due to neurological symptoms attributable to drugs, and previously known neurology patients who began to have symptoms other than those of the baseline disease, also caused by drugs. The notifications were recorded in a questionnaire. Frequency distributions, central tendency measurements, X2 or Fisher tests and non-parametric tests were performed. Results: The prevalence of adverse neurological events was 0.586% of the total sample. Of the 105 patients selected, the most frequent adverse events were: 25.7%, akinetic-rigid syndrome, 18.1%, dyskinetic syndrome, 11.4% neuro-psychiatric symptoms, and 10.5% confusional syndrome. The most commonly recorded pharmacological groups were, in decreasing order: anti-epileptic, dopaminergic, antidepressant, neuroleptic, antivertiginous and prokinetic drugs. We describe the most susceptible population and the statistically significant relationships between the presence of certain pharmacological groups and neurological syndromes. Conclusions: The low prevalence detected may be due to the study design, although adverse neurological events accounted for 2.84% of the admissions to a Neurology Unit. Understanding the epidemiology should help to identify the safest approaches, apply them correctly to the population at a higher risk, and reduce healthcare needs and consumption of medical resources (AU)

Neurological syndromes associated with drug use. Frequency and characterisation.

INTRODUCTION: The need for safe health care, in which the care and treatment of the patient does not cause any injuries in addition to those already arising from their baseline disease, has led to the present study. Our objective has been to determine the frequency and describe the neurological syndromes attributable to drugs, their preventability and the levels of medical care involved. METHODS: Observational study. Cohort of subjects referred from Primary and Specialized Care between December 2008 and January 2010 due to neurological symptoms attributable to drugs, and previously known neurology patients who began to have symptoms other than those of the baseline disease, also caused by drugs. The notifications were recorded in a questionnaire. Frequency distributions, central tendency measurements, X(2) or Fisher tests and non-parametric tests were performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of adverse neurological events was 0.586% of the total sample. Of the 105 patients selected, the most frequent adverse events were: 25.7%, akinetic-rigid syndrome, 18.1%, dyskinetic syndrome, 11.4% neuro-psychiatric symptoms, and 10.5% confusional syndrome. The most commonly recorded pharmacological groups were, in decreasing order: anti-epileptic, dopaminergic, antidepressant, neuroleptic, antivertiginous and prokinetic drugs. We describe the most susceptible population and the statistically significant relationships between the presence of certain pharmacological groups and neurological syndromes. CONCLUSIONS: The low prevalence detected may be due to the study design, although adverse neurological events accounted for 2.84% of the admissions to a Neurology Unit. Understanding the epidemiology should help to identify the safest approaches, apply them correctly to the population at a higher risk, and reduce healthcare needs and consumption of medical resources.

Single-dose intravenous paracetamol or propacetamol for prevention or treatment of postoperative pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Paracetamol is the most commonly prescribed analgesic for the treatment of acute pain. The efficacy and safety of i.v. formulations of paracetamol is unclear. We performed a systematic search (multiple databases, bibliographies, any language, to May 2010) for single-dose, randomized, controlled clinical trials of propacetamol or i.v. paracetamol for acute postoperative pain in adults or children. Thirty-six studies involving 3896 patients were included. For the primary outcome, 37% of patients (240/367) receiving propacetamol or i.v. paracetamol experienced at least 50% pain relief over 4 h compared with 16% (68/527) receiving placebo (number needed to treat=4.0; 95% confidence interval, 3.5-4.8). The proportion of patients in propacetamol or i.v. paracetamol groups experiencing at least 50% pain relief diminished over 6 h. Patients receiving propacetamol or paracetamol required 30% less opioid over 4 h and 16% less opioid over 6 h than those receiving placebo. However, this did not translate to a reduction in opioid-induced adverse events (AEs). Similar comparisons between propacetamol or i.v. paracetamol and active comparators were either not statistically significant, not clinically significant, or both. AEs occurred at similar rates with propacetamol or i.v. paracetamol and placebo. However, pain on infusion occurred more frequently in those receiving propacetamol compared with placebo (23% vs 1%). A single dose of either propacetamol or i.v. paracetamol provides around 4 h of effective analgesia for about 37% of patients with acute postoperative pain. Both formulations are associated with few AEs, although patients receiving propacetamol have a higher incidence of pain on infusion.

Trastornos neurológicos desmielinizantes y vacunación del papilomavirus humano / Demyelinating disease and vaccination of the human papillomavirus

Introducción. La prevención primaria mediante la vacunación contra la mayor causa de cáncer de cérvix, el papilomavirus humano (VPH) tipos 16 y 18, es de amplia distribución mundial. Tras su aprobación, se han descrito efectos adversos neurológicos en estudios descriptivos y limitados por la dificultad de obtener la información, por lo que debe considerarse la infraestimación. Describimos los casos de cuatro mujeres jóvenes que desarrollaron enfermedades de características desmielinizantes tras la vacunación para VPH. Casos clínicos. Se describen en total seis episodios neurológicos tras la vacunación, con un rango de tiempo entre la administración de la dosis y el desarrollo de la clínica de cuatro días a un mes. Los diagnósticos fueron dos mielitis transversas, neuritis óptica y parálisis facial periférica, estos dos últimos recurrentes con las dosis vacunales sucesivas. En la evolución posterior, dos de los casos desarrollaron síntomas que llevaron al diagnóstico de esclerosis múltiple. Conclusiones. Previamente se habían descrito encefalitis, síndrome de Guillain-Barré, mielitis transversa o neuritis braquial, relacionados con la inmunización posvacunal, lo que sugería el desencadenamiento de un mecanismo inmunológico como base del evento desmielinizante, quizás en jóvenes predispuestas. Nuestros casos nos llevan a postular que, en ocasiones, la vacuna puede desencadenar complicaciones similares a la encefalomielitis posvacunal, y en otros puede precipitar un primer brote o desenmascarar una esclerosis múltiple latente. Destacamos la necesidad de describir episodios desmielinizantes tras la vacunación del VPH, teniendo en cuenta que la latencia puede ser de hasta 30 días, para caracterizar su perfil de riesgo (AU)

Introduction. Primary prevention by prophylactic vaccination against the major cause of cervical cancer, the carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18, is now available worldwide. Postlicensure adverse neurological effects have been described. The studies realized after the license are descriptive and limited by the difficulty to obtain the information, despite most of the statistical indexes show that the adverse effects by the vaccine of the HPV are not upper compared with other vaccines, the substimation must be considered. Case reports. We describe the cases of four young women that developed demyelinating disease after the vaccination of the HPV, with a rank of time between the administration of the dose and the development of the clinical of seven days to a month, with similar symptoms with the successive doses. We have described six episodes coinciding after the vaccination. Conclusions. Have been described seizures, autoimmune disorders such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, transverse myelitis, or motor neuron disease, probably adverse effects following immunization by HPV vaccine. So we suggest that vaccine may trigger an immunological mechanism leading to demyelinating events, perhaps in predisposed young (AU)

[Demyelinating disease and vaccination of the human papillomavirus]. / Trastornos neurológicos desmielinizantes y vacunación del papilomavirus humano.

INTRODUCTION: Primary prevention by prophylactic vaccination against the major cause of cervical cancer, the carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18, is now available worldwide. Postlicensure adverse neurological effects have been described. The studies realized after the license are descriptive and limited by the difficulty to obtain the information, despite most of the statistical indexes show that the adverse effects by the vaccine of the HPV are not upper compared with other vaccines, the substimation must be considered. CASE REPORTS: We describe the cases of four young women that developed demyelinating disease after the vaccination of the HPV, with a rank of time between the administration of the dose and the development of the clinical of seven days to a month, with similar symptoms with the successive doses. We have described six episodes coinciding after the vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Have been described seizures, autoimmune disorders such as Guillain-Barre syndrome, transverse myelitis, or motor neuron disease, probably adverse effects following immunization by HPV vaccine. So we suggest that vaccine may trigger an immunological mechanism leading to demyelinating events, perhaps in predisposed young.

An attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strain lacking the ZnuABC transporter induces protection in a mouse intestinal model of Salmonella infection.

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium has long been recognised as a zoonotic pathogen of economic significance in animals and humans. Attempts to protect humans and livestock may be based on immunization with vaccines aimed to induce a protective response. We recently demonstrated that the oral administration of a Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strain unable to synthesize the zinc transporter ZnuABC is able to protect mice against systemic salmonellosis induced by a virulent homologous challenge. This finding suggested that this mutant strain could represent an interesting candidate vaccine for mucosal delivery. In this study, the protective effect of this Salmonella strain was tested in a streptomycin-pretreated mouse model of salmonellosis that is distinguished by the capability of evoking typhlitis and colitis. The here reported results demonstrate that mice immunized with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) SA186 survive to the intestinal challenge and, compared to control mice, show a reduced number of virulent bacteria in the gut, with milder signs of inflammation. This study demonstrates that the oral administration a of S. Typhimurium strain lacking ZnuABC is able to elicit an effective immune response which protects mice against intestinal S. Typhimurium infection. These results, collectively, suggest that the streptomycin-pretreated mouse model of S. typhimurium infection can represent a valuable tool to screen S. typhimurium attenuated mutant strains and potentially help to assess their protective efficacy as potential live vaccines.

Mobility of plasmids.

Plasmids are key vectors of horizontal gene transfer and essential genetic engineering tools. They code for genes involved in many aspects of microbial biology, including detoxication, virulence, ecological interactions, and antibiotic resistance. While many studies have decorticated the mechanisms of mobility in model plasmids, the identification and characterization of plasmid mobility from genome data are unexplored. By reviewing the available data and literature, we established a computational protocol to identify and classify conjugation and mobilization genetic modules in 1,730 plasmids. This allowed the accurate classification of proteobacterial conjugative or mobilizable systems in a combination of four mating pair formation and six relaxase families. The available evidence suggests that half of the plasmids are nonmobilizable and that half of the remaining plasmids are conjugative. Some conjugative systems are much more abundant than others and preferably associated with some clades or plasmid sizes. Most very large plasmids are nonmobilizable, with evidence of ongoing domestication into secondary chromosomes. The evolution of conjugation elements shows ancient divergence between mobility systems, with relaxases and type IV coupling proteins (T4CPs) often following separate paths from type IV secretion systems. Phylogenetic patterns of mobility proteins are consistent with the phylogeny of the host prokaryotes, suggesting that plasmid mobility is in general circumscribed within large clades. Our survey suggests the existence of unsuspected new relaxases in archaea and new conjugation systems in cyanobacteria and actinobacteria. Few genes, e.g., T4CPs, relaxases, and VirB4, are at the core of plasmid conjugation, and together with accessory genes, they have evolved into specific systems adapted to specific physiological and ecological contexts.

Heterogeneidad clínica y terapéutica de la trombosis venosa cerebral: descripción de una serie de 20 casos / Clinical and therapeutic heterogeneity of cerebral venous thrombosis: A descripion of a series of 20 cases

Resumen. Introducción. El desarrollo de las técnicas neurorradiológicas ha permitido diagnosticar con mayor frecuencia la trombosis venosa cerebral (TVC) y conocer su gran heterogeneidad clínica. Objetivos. Revisar los casos diagnosticados de TVC en nuestro servicio en el período 1996-2008 y analizar sus características. Pacientes y métodos. Se describen 20 pacientes (14 mujeres y 6 varones), con edades de 22 a 75 años. Resultados. El síntoma más frecuente fue la cefalea, seguida del síndrome de hipertensión intracraneal, alteración de conciencia y déficit focal. Destacan como presentaciones inusuales el accidente isquémico transitorio y la neuropatía óptica progresiva. Las instauraciones subaguda y crónica fueron más frecuentes que la aguda. La etiología fue muy variada: puerperio, hipertiroidismo, enfermedad de Crohn, meningitis, anovulatorios, mutación del factor V de Leiden, mieloma múltiple, colitis ulcerosa, meningioma y anestesia epidural. En ocho casos no se encontró la causa. La resonancia magnética fue diagnóstica en todos. Los pacientes en fase aguda recibieron anticoagulación, y en el resto se optó por ésta o por un tratamiento más conservador según la situación individual. Sólo hubo secuelas leves en seis pacientes. Conclusiones. En nuestra serie, hemos encontrado una gran variedad de etiologías y formas de presentación de TVC. Destacamos la necesidad de sospechar TVC ante una cefalea subaguda también en el paciente ambulatorio. El subgrupo con cefalea aislada o hipertensión intracraneal y presentación no aguda podría tener mejor pronóstico y ser susceptible de terapia menos agresiva (AU)

Summary. Introduction. Current neuro-radiological techniques have led to a more frequent diagnosis of cerebral vein thrombosis (CVT), and revealed its greater clinical heterogeneity. Aim. To analize the characteristics of the cases with the diagnosis of CVT in our unit between 1996 and 2008. Patients and methods.We describe 20 cases of CVT (14 women and 6 men), with ages of 22to 75 years. Results. Headache was the most frequent symptom, followed by intracranial hypertension, disorders of consciousness and focal deficits. Unusual presentations included transitory ischemia and progressive optical neuropathy. Subacute and chronic courses were more frequent than acute. The etiology was diverse including puerperium, contraception, hyperthyroidism, meningitis, Leiden V factor mutation, multiple myeloma, Crohn, ulcerative colitis, meningioma and epidural anesthesia. No cause was found in 8 cases. Magnetic resonance imaging was always diagnostic. Patients were anticoagulated during the acute phase. In subacute or chronic presentations, a more conservative treatment was considered on individual basis. Only 6 patients had mild sequelae. Conclusions. We report a great variety of etiologies and patterns of presentation of CVT. CVT should be suspected in patients with subacute headache, even in outpatients. Nonacute presentation with isolated headache or intracranial hypertension could have better prognosis, requiring a less aggressive therapy (AU)

[Clinical and therapeutic heterogeneity of cerebral venous thrombosis: a description of a series of 20 cases]. / Heterogeneidad clínica y terapéutica de la trombosis venosa cerebral: descripción de una serie de 20 casos.

INTRODUCTION: Current neuro-radiological techniques have led to a more frequent diagnosis of cerebral vein thrombosis (CVT), and revealed its greater clinical heterogeneity. AIM: To analize the characteristics of the cases with the diagnosis of CVT in our unit between 1996 and 2008. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We describe 20 cases of CVT (14 women and 6 men), with ages of 22 to 75 years. RESULTS: Headache was the most frequent symptom, followed by intracranial hypertension, disorders of consciousness and focal deficits. Unusual presentations included transitory ischemia and progressive optical neuropathy. Subacute and chronic courses were more frequent than acute. The etiology was diverse including puerperium, contraception, hyperthyroidism, meningitis, Leiden V factor mutation, multiple myeloma, Crohn, ulcerative colitis, meningioma and epidural anesthesia. No cause was found in 8 cases. Magnetic resonance imaging was always diagnostic. Patients were anticoagulated during the acute phase. In subacute or chronic presentations, a more conservative treatment was considered on individual basis. Only 6 patients had mild sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: We report a great variety of etiologies and patterns of presentation of CVT. CVT should be suspected in patients with subacute headache, even in outpatients. Nonacute presentation with isolated headache or intracranial hypertension could have better prognosis, requiring a less aggressive therapy.

Detection of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes in clinical isolates of Enterobacter spp. in Spain.

We have studied by PCR and DNA sequencing the presence of the qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, aac(6')-Ib-cr, qepA, intI1, and ISCR1 genes in 200 clinical isolates of Enterobacter cloacae (n = 153) and E. aerogenes (n = 47) consecutively collected between January 2004 and October 2005 in two hospitals located in Santander (northern Spain) and Seville (southern Spain). Mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining region of gyrA and parC also were investigated in organisms containing plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes. The isolates had different resistant phenotypes, including AmpC hyperproduction, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase production, resistance or decreased susceptibility to quinolones, and/or resistance to aminoglycosides. Among the 116 E. cloacae isolates from Santander, qnrS1, qnrB5, qnrB2, and aac(6')-Ib-cr were detected in 22 (19%), 1 (0.9%), 1 (0.9%), and 3 (2.6%) isolates, respectively. Twenty-one, 17, and 2 qnrS1-positive isolates also contained bla(LAP-1), intI1, and ISCR1, respectively. A qnrB7-like gene was detected in one E. aerogenes isolate from Santander. No plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance gene was detected in the isolates from Seville. The qnrS1-containing isolates corresponded to four pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns and showed various levels of resistance to quinolones. Six isolates were susceptible to nalidixic acid and presented reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin. The qnrS1 gene was contained in a conjugative plasmid of ca. 110 kb, and when the plasmid was transferred to recipient strains that did not have a specific mechanism of quinolone resistance, the ciprofloxacin MICs ranged from 0.047 to 0.125 microg/ml.

Lipoma del cuerpo calloso / Lipoma of the corpus callosum

No disponible

Evaluation of Brucella melitensis B115 as rough-phenotype vaccine against B. melitensis and B. ovis infections.

Brucella melitensis strain Rev1 is used as vaccine for the prophylaxis of brucellosis in sheep and goats. Because of its smooth phenotype, however, it induces antibodies directed to the O-polysaccharide (O-PS) of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS), thus unabling to distinguish between vaccinated and infected animals. It has been speculated that alternative vaccines could be live, attenuated Brucella rough strains, which are devoid of the O-PS. B. melitensis B115 is a natural, attenuated, rough strain. The O-PS is not exposed at the surface but is present in the cytoplasm. We tested the protective activity of B115 against B. melitensis and B. ovis infections in mice, in comparison with that of Rev1. The residual virulence and the humoral response following B115 vaccination were also evaluated. Vaccination with B115 conferred significant protective immunity against B. melitensis 16M and B. ovis challenge strains, equivalent to that provided by Rev1. No interfering antibodies to O-PS were detected, while the B115 vaccination was monitored by a specific B115-based complement fixation test. These promising features suggest further evaluation of B. melitensis B115 as vaccine for target animal hosts.

Brucella melitensis B115-based complement fixation test to detect antibodies induced by Brucella rough strains.

AIMS: To assess the efficiency of a Brucella melitensis B115 rough strain, naturally devoid of anticomplementary activity, used as antigen in a complement fixation test (CFT) to detect antibodies induced by Brucella strains with rough phenotype, such as Brucella abortus RB51, Brucella ovis and Brucella canis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Complement fixation testing was performed on sera from RB51-vaccinated cattle and buffaloes, B. ovis-infected sheep and B. canis-infected dogs using B115, RB51 and the hot saline extract (HSE) as antigens. The B115-based CFT proved highly sensitive and specific in detecting rough antibodies and its efficiency was comparable with that of RB51 and HSE-based CFT. CONCLUSIONS: Brucella melitensis B115 can be successfully used as an antigen in CFT to detect antibodies induced by Brucella rough strains. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Brucella melitensis B115 antigen may represent an improvement over Brucella rough strains for Brucella antibody detection by CFT, thus enhancing the efficiency of brucellosis surveillance systems. Owing to the absence of anticomplementary activity, it does not require particular growth conditions or modifications and can be accurately standardized. The B115-based CFT may constitute a suitable supplementary test for the diagnosis of human infections owing to rough Brucellae.

Rotavirus: vieja enfermedad, nuevas vacunas / No disponible

El rotavirus es la causa más importante de diarrea en la infancia. En países en vías de desarrollo presenta una gran morbimortalidad, siendo responsable de casi 500.000 muertes en niños menores de 5 años cada año. Por otro lado, en Europa y Norteamérica cerca de la tercera parte de todos los ingresos hospitalarios por gastroenteritis se deben a este microorganismo. La infección por rotavirus afecta prácticamente a la totalidad de los niños hasta los 5 años de edad, aunque las formas graves de la enfermedad ocurren sobre todo entre los 3 meses y los 3 años. El virus aparece en altas concentraciones en las heces de los niños enfermos y tiene una gran capacidad de transmisión entre individuos. La carga de la enfermedad y el costo social y económico son muy elevados, alcanzando los 1.600 euros por cada ingreso. En 2006 se han comercializado en nuestro país dos nuevas vacunas orales. Ambas demuestran un muy buen perfil de seguridad y una elevada eficacia en la prevención de enfermedad grave, deshidratación y hospitalizaciones por gastroenteritis en población infantil

Rotavirus is a major cause of diarrhoea in childhood. It shows an enormous morbidity and mortality in developing countries, being responsible for approximately half a million deaths per year among children aged less than five years. In the other hand in Europe and United States of America nearly one third of admissions by gastroenteritis are due to this microorganism. Rotavirus infects almost all infants by the age of five years, although severe disease appears almost always in children of three to thirty-six months. Rotavirus appears in high concentrations in the stools of infected children having an increasing capacity of transmission person to person. Burden of the disease and its social and economic cost are extremely high reaching one thousand and six hundred euros by each hospitalization. Two new oral vaccines have been commercialized in our country last year. Both of them report an excellent profile of security and a high efficacy in the prevention of severe disease, dehydration and admissions to hospital because of gastroenteritis in the childhood population (AU)