Comparison of two identification and susceptibility test kits for Ureaplasma spp and Mycoplasma hominis in amniotic fluid of patients at high risk for intra-amniotic infection.

Objective: Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis are the most common microorganisms found in the amniotic fluid of patients at risk for preterm delivery. However, culture techniques for genital mycoplasms require special conditions, are barely considered as part of the evaluation of suspected intra-amniotic infection (IAI) and the results are available within 2 and 7 days. The objectives of this study are to validate the use of two commercially available kits (Mycoplasma IES y MYCOFAST® RevolutioN) for the identification of Ureaplasma spp. and Mycoplasma hominis in amniotic fluid, to compare the results of these kits with those obtained by culture and real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and to report the antibiotic sensitivity profile of the genital mycoplasms identified.Methods: This is a prospective cohort study including women with singleton and twin gestations between 16 and 36 weeks. Patients were admitted to perform an amniocentesis due to pregnancy complications considered at high risk for IAI (e.g. preterm labor with intact membranes, preterm prelabour rupture of membranes, short cervix, etc.), treatment of polyhydramnios, and for the assessment of fetal death and fever without a focus.Results: Overall, 93 patients underwent amniocentesis and 63 had results available for all tests. The prevalence of a positive culture was 6% (4/63). There were four cases of Ureaplasma spp. and none of Mycoplasma hominis. The qPCR identified one case as Ureaplasma spp., one case as Ureaplasma parvum and two cases as Ureaplasma urealyticum. For all tests, the diagnostic performance was as follows: sensitivity 100% [95% CI (39.8-100%)], specificity 100% [95% CI (93.9-100%)], positive predictive value 100% [95% CI (39.8-100%)] and negative predictive value 100% [95% CI (93.9-100%)]. In this cohort, Ureaplasma spp. showed low resistance to erythromycin, but a high resistance to clindamycin and clarithromycin that may change according to the antibiotic concentration.Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study that validates the use of the Mycoplasma IES and MYCOFAST® RevolutioN kits for the identification of genital mycoplasmas in amniotic fluid. The results of these kits are mostly available within 24 hours, have an excellent correlation with those from broth cultures and qPCR and characterize the antibiotic sensitivity profile of the genital mycoplasms identified, providing an opportunity for specific treatment in cases of IAI. Further validation studies in other populations are needed.

Complicated malaria in children and adults from three settings of the Colombian Pacific Coast: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Complicated malaria remains an important public health problem, particularly in endemic settings where access to health services is limited and consequently malaria fatal outcomes occur. Few publications describing the clinical course and outcomes of complicated malaria in Latin America are found in the literature. This prospective study approached the clinical and laboratory characteristics of hospitalized patients with complicated malaria in different endemic areas of the Colombian Pacific Coast with the aim to provide epidemiological knowledge and guide to further reducing malaria severity and mortality. METHODS AND FINDINGS: A prospective, descriptive hospital-based study was conducted in 323 complicated malaria patients (median age 20 years) enrolled in Quibdó, Tumaco and Cali between 2014 and 2016. Clinical evaluation was performed and laboratory parameters were assessed during hospitalization. Plasmodium falciparum was the most common parasite species (70%), followed by P. vivax (28%), and mixed malaria (Pf/Pv; 1.9%). Overall, predominant laboratory complications were severe thrombocytopenia (43%), hepatic dysfunction (40%), and severe anaemia (34%). Severe thrombocytopenia was more common in adults (52%) regardless of parasite species. Severe anaemia was the most frequent complication in children ≤10 years (72%) and was most commonly related to P. vivax infection (p < 0.001); whereas liver dysfunction was more frequent in older patients (54%) with P. falciparum (p < 0.001). Two deaths due to P. vivax and P. falciparum each were registered. Treatment provision before recruitment hindered qPCR confirmation of parasite species in some cases. CONCLUSIONS: The study identified a high prevalence of complicated malaria in the Pacific Coast, together with more frequent severe anaemia in children infected by P. vivax and hepatic dysfunction in adults with P. falciparum. Results indicated the need for earlier diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications development as well as more effective attention at hospital level, in order to rapidly identify and appropriately treat these severe clinical conditions. The study describes epidemiological profiles of the study region and identified the most common complications on which clinicians must focus on to prevent mortality.

Perfil químico y actividad antibacterial de los extractos de Peltigera laciniata (Merrill ex Riddle) Gyeln / Chemical profile and antibacterial activity of extracts from Peltigera laciniata (Merrill ex Riddle) Gyeln

Introducción: los líquenes, al presentar metabolitos secundarios como xantonas, antraquinonas y alcaloides, se han postulado como material con alto potencial biológico (e. g. antibiótico y antiviral), siendo el antibacterial muy promisorio, el cual se determina por medio de antibiogramas por difusión, punto central de esta investigación. Objetivo: evaluar la actividad antibacterial de los extractos de Peltigera laciniata (Merrill ex Riddle) Gyeln. Olmo de hoja cortada. Métodos: el material liquénico se sometió a percolación con etanol 96 por ciento. Al extracto crudo etanólico se le realizó el aislamiento de alcaloides totales y flavonoides totales con adición de HCL 3 por ciento y metanol, respectivamente. Ambas fracciones, fueron monitoreados por cromatografía de capa fina y fraccionados utilizando cromatografía de columna. Los extractos y fracciones se sometieron a bioensayos sobre Escherichia coli y Staphylococcus aureus para la valoración de los halos de inhibición, utilizando como control Sultamicilina. Los ensayos fueron realizados tres veces con 2 réplicas. Resultados: al realizar la separación cromatográfica de los alcaloides, se observó aumento de la inhibición en comparación con la mezcla alcaloidal. La fracción A1 presenta valores de inhibición cercanos al control y presentó los menores valores de inhibición con respecto a los demás tratamientos evaluados. El efecto de la fracción de los flavonoides totales tuvo menor impacto sobre E. coli y S. aureus, sin embargo, es importante destacar la acción antibacterial de los compuestos nitrogenados de tipo alcaloidal sobre microoganismos Gram positivos. Conclusiones: en el perfil químico realizado a partir de los extractos de la especie de estudio se visualizó la presencia de metabolitos secundarios de tipo alcaloide y flavonoide...(AU)

Introduction: Due to their content of secondary metabolites such as xanthones, anthraquinones and alkaloids, lichens have been suggested to be a material of high biological potential (e.g. antibiotic and antiviral). Their very promising antibacterial potential may be determined by diffusion antibiograms, the main concern of the present study. Objective: Evaluate the antibacterial activity of extracts obtained from Peltigera laciniata (Merrill ex Riddle) Gyeln, cutleaf elm. Methods: The lichenic material was percolated with 96 percent ethanol. Total alkaloids and total flavonoids were isolated from the crude ethanolic extract by adding 3 percent HCL and methanol, respectively. Both fractions were monitored by thin-layer chromatography and fractioned by column chromatography. Extracts and fractions were subjected to bioassays against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus for inhibition haloes, using sultamicillin as control. The assays were conducted 3 times with 2 replications. Results: Upon chromatographic separation of the alkaloids, an increase was observed in inhibition when compared with the alkaloidal mixture. Fraction A1 displayed inhibition values close to the control. Fraction FT showed lower inhibition values than the other treatments evaluated. The fraction of total flavonoids had a lesser impact on E. coli and S. aureus, but alkaloidal nitrogenated compounds had significant antibacterial activity against Gram-positive microorganisms. Conclusions: The chemical profile of extracts from the study species revealed the presence of alkaloidal and flavonoidal secondary metabolites, as well as the antimicrobial effect of the alkaloids contained in the extract and the fraction. This confirms the antibacterial pharmacological potential attributed to the protoberberine core(AU)

Perfil químico y actividad antibacterial de los extractos de Peltigera laciniata (Merrill ex Riddle) Gyeln / Chemical profile and antibacterial activity of extracts from Peltigera laciniata (Merrill ex Riddle) Gyeln

Introducción: los líquenes, al presentar metabolitos secundarios como xantonas, antraquinonas y alcaloides, se han postulado como material con alto potencial biológico (e. g. antibiótico y antiviral), siendo el antibacterial muy promisorio, el cual se determina por medio de antibiogramas por difusión, punto central de esta investigación. Objetivo: evaluar la actividad antibacterial de los extractos de Peltigera laciniata (Merrill ex Riddle) Gyeln. Olmo de hoja cortada. Métodos: el material liquénico se sometió a percolación con etanol 96 por ciento. Al extracto crudo etanólico se le realizó el aislamiento de alcaloides totales y flavonoides totales con adición de HCL 3 por ciento y metanol, respectivamente. Ambas fracciones, fueron monitoreados por cromatografía de capa fina y fraccionados utilizando cromatografía de columna. Los extractos y fracciones se sometieron a bioensayos sobre Escherichia coli y Staphylococcus aureus para la valoración de los halos de inhibición, utilizando como control Sultamicilina. Los ensayos fueron realizados tres veces con 2 réplicas. Resultados: al realizar la separación cromatográfica de los alcaloides, se observó aumento de la inhibición en comparación con la mezcla alcaloidal. La fracción A1 presenta valores de inhibición cercanos al control y presentó los menores valores de inhibición con respecto a los demás tratamientos evaluados. El efecto de la fracción de los flavonoides totales tuvo menor impacto sobre E. coli y S. aureus, sin embargo, es importante destacar la acción antibacterial de los compuestos nitrogenados de tipo alcaloidal sobre microoganismos Gram positivos. Conclusiones: en el perfil químico realizado a partir de los extractos de la especie de estudio se visualizó la presencia de metabolitos secundarios de tipo alcaloide y flavonoide, evidenciando el efecto antimicrobiano de los alcaloides presentes en el extracto y la fracción, lo cual ratifica el potencial farmacológico de tipo antibacterial, atribuido al núcleo Protoberberínico(AU)

Introduction: Due to their content of secondary metabolites such as xanthones, anthraquinones and alkaloids, lichens have been suggested to be a material of high biological potential (e.g. antibiotic and antiviral). Their very promising antibacterial potential may be determined by diffusion antibiograms, the main concern of the present study. Objective: Evaluate the antibacterial activity of extracts obtained from Peltigera laciniata (Merrill ex Riddle) Gyeln, cutleaf elm. Methods: The lichenic material was percolated with 96 percent ethanol. Total alkaloids and total flavonoids were isolated from the crude ethanolic extract by adding 3 percent HCL and methanol, respectively. Both fractions were monitored by thin-layer chromatography and fractioned by column chromatography. Extracts and fractions were subjected to bioassays against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus for inhibition haloes, using sultamicillin as control. The assays were conducted 3 times with 2 replications. Results: Upon chromatographic separation of the alkaloids, an increase was observed in inhibition when compared with the alkaloidal mixture. Fraction A1 displayed inhibition values close to the control. Fraction FT showed lower inhibition values than the other treatments evaluated. The fraction of total flavonoids had a lesser impact on E. coli and S. aureus, but alkaloidal nitrogenated compounds had significant antibacterial activity against Gram-positive microorganisms. Conclusions: The chemical profile of extracts from the study species revealed the presence of alkaloidal and flavonoidal secondary metabolites, as well as the antimicrobial effect of the alkaloids contained in the extract and the fraction. This confirms the antibacterial pharmacological potential attributed to the protoberberine core(AU)

Actividad ictiotóxica de extractos de dos especies colombianas del género Meriania Swartz (melastomataceae) / Ichtyotoxic activity of two colombian species extracts fromthe genus Meriania Swartz (melastomataceae)

Introducción: la familia melastomataceae es la séptima más grande del reino vegetal y ha sido utilizada en la medicina tradicional para el tratamiento de algunas enfermedades. En Colombia se encuentra representada por alrededor de 62 géneros, de los cuales Meriania ha sido poco estudiado, sin presentar reportes en la literatura de sus propiedades químicas y biológicas; por lo que el estudio de sus propiedades ictiotóxicas, constituye un acercamiento en la búsqueda de sustancias activas que permitan avanzar en el conocimiento del género y en la búsqueda de compuestos promisorios con aplicaciones biológicas. Objetivo: evaluar la actividad ictiotóxica de extractos de diferente polaridad de Meriania speciosa (Bonpl.) Naudiny Merianiaquintuplinervis Naudin. Métodos: los extractos de diferente polaridad (n-hexano, acetona 70 por ciento, metanol, acetato de etilo, n-butanol y agua) de ambas especies fueron evaluados frente a peces guppy (Poecilia reticulata Peters),sometidos durante 24 h a la acción de los extractos para la cuantificación del porcentaje de actividad ictiotóxica en una escala semicuantitativa, el test de observación de FinnSandberg-Irwin y como prueba anexa se obtuvieron cortes histopatológicos, con el fin de identificar posibles lesiones generadas por los extractos vegetales. Resultados: de acuerdo con los porcentajes de actividad ictiotóxica obtenidos en este estudio, las sustancias evaluadas se clasifican como no activas, sin embargo, los resultados aportados por el test de observación indican que las sustancias afectan el sistema nervioso y generan daño hepático en el pez. Conclusiones: los extractos vegetales de las especies de Meriania estudiadas presentan comportamientos diferentes, ya que M. speciosa ejerce un efecto psicoactivo en los peces, alterándose su sistema nervioso central, mientras que M. quintuplinervis está más relacionada con un nivel de toxicidad moderado, además de provocar un efecto vasodilatador comprobado en el hígado de P. reticulata(AU)

Introduction: Melastomataceae is the seventh largest family in the plant kingdom and has been widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of some diseases. In Colombia it is represented by around 62 genera, of which Meriania has been understudied, without presenting reports in the literature of its chemical and biological properties; so the study of their ichtyotoxic properties constitutes an approach in the search for active substances that advance knowledge of genus and in finding promising compounds with biological applications. Objetive: To evaluate the ichtyotoxic activity of extracts of different polarity of Meriania speciosa (Bonpl.) and Meriania quintuplinervis Naudin. Methods: The extracts of different polarity (n-hexane, acetone 70 percent, methanol, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water) of both species were evaluated against guppy (Poeciliareticulata Peters), subjected for 24 h to action extracts for quantification of the percentage of ichtyotoxic activity in a semiquantitative scale and the observation Finn Sandberg-Irwintest and histopathological sections were obtained, in order to identify potential injuries from plant extracts. Results: According to ichtyotoxic activity rates obtained in this study, the evaluated substances are classified as inactive; however, the test results indicate that the substances affect the nervous system and produce liver damage in fishes. Conclusions: The plant extracts of the Meriania species studied have different behaviors, as M. speciosahas a psychoactive effect on fishes, mainly altering the central nervous system, while M. quintuplinervisis more related to a moderate level of toxicity as well as causing a vasodilator effect found in the liver of P. reticulata(AU)

Plasmodium vivax gametocyte infectivity in sub-microscopic infections.

BACKGROUND: The use of molecular techniques has put in the spotlight the existence of a large mass of malaria sub-microscopic infections among apparently healthy populations. These sub-microscopic infections are considered an important pool for maintained malaria transmission. METHODS: In order to assess the appearance of Plasmodium vivax gametocytes in circulation, gametocyte density and the parasite infectivity to Anopheles mosquitoes, a study was designed to compare three groups of volunteers either experimentally infected with P. vivax sporozoites (early infections; n = 16) or naturally infected patients (acute malaria, n = 16 and asymptomatic, n = 14). In order to determine gametocyte stage, a quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-qPCR) assay targeting two sexual stage-specific molecular markers was used. Parasite infectivity was assessed by membrane feeding assays (MFA). RESULTS: In early infections P. vivax gametocytes could be detected starting at day 7 without giving rise to infected mosquitoes during 13 days of follow-up. Asymptomatic carriers, with presumably long-lasting infections, presented the highest proportion of mature gametocytes and were as infective as acute patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the potential role of P. vivax asymptomatic carriers in malaria transmission should be considered when new policies are envisioned to redirect malaria control strategies towards targeting asymptomatic infections as a tool for malaria elimination.