Uptake of Screening and Recurrence of Bicuspid Aortic Valve and Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Among At-Risk Siblings of Pediatric Probands.

OBJECTIVE: To determine uptake of cardiac screening and recurrence of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) in a population of at-risk siblings of pediatric probands. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review of pediatric patients with known BAV and/or TAA was performed. Echocardiogram data from identified siblings were collected to determine screening uptake and recurrence of BAV and TAA. Statistical analyses were performed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test and chi-square. RESULTS: The cohort included 251 probands and 388 at-risk siblings. Among the siblings, 150 had at least 1 echocardiogram, giving an overall screening uptake of 38.7%. The only factor found to be associated with increased uptake was documented recommendation for screening of first-degree relatives in the proband's initial cardiology note (P = .03). A total of 11 screened siblings (7.3%) had BAV and 19 had TAA (12.7%), with an overall combined recurrence of 15.3%. Siblings of probands who had both BAV and TAA had increased recurrence of TAA compared with siblings of probands with isolated BAV (16.1% vs 3.9%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Given low uptake in at-risk siblings, the opportunity exists to assess barriers for families in pursuing the recommended screening. Furthermore, the relatively high recurrence of BAV and TAA in at-risk siblings highlights the potential for improved health outcomes through increased screening and early detection. Developing standardized guidelines and promoting early cardiac screening in at-risk siblings while counseling families about hereditary risk for BAV and TAA may help improve uptake and optimize clinical management in at-risk pediatric patients.

Bacterial Community of the Rice Floodwater Using Cultivation-Independent Approaches.

In agricultural systems, interactions between plants and microorganisms are important to maintaining production and profitability. In this study, bacterial communities in floodwaters of rice fields were monitored during the vegetative and reproductive stages of rice plant development using 16S amplicon sequencing. The study was conducted in the south of Brazil, during the crop years 2011/12 and 2012/13. Comparative analyses showed strong differences between the communities of floodwaters associated with the two developmental stages. During the vegetative stage, 1551 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were detected, while less than half that number (603) were identified in the reproductive stage. The higher bacterial richness observed in floodwater collected during the vegetative stage may have been favored by the higher concentration of nutrients, such as potassium, due to rhizodeposition and fertilizer application. Eighteen bacterial phyla were identified in both samples. Both communities were dominated by Gammaproteobacteria. In the vegetative stage, Alphaproteobacteria and Betaproteobacteria were more abundant and, in contrast, Bacilli and Clostridia were the more dominant classes in the reproductive stage. The major bacterial taxa identified have been previously identified as important colonizers of rice fields. The richness and composition of bacterial communities over cultivation time may contribute to the sustainability of the crop.

Acute New World cutaneous leishmaniasis presenting as tuberculoid granulomatous dermatitis.

Acute primary cutaneous leishmaniasis typically presents microscopically with a lymphohistiocytic infiltrate containing admixed plasma cells, parasitized macrophages and abundant organisms. Tuberculoid granulomatous changes may occur in the later phases of primary infection. A 23-year-old male presented 1 month after visiting Peru with classic clinical findings of acute primary cutaneous leishmaniasis, while histopathology showed a tuberculoid granulomatous process that lacked any organisms in hematoxylin-eosin and fungal stains. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and tissue cultures confirmed the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis with Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis infection. A pauci-organism tuberculoid granulomatous process may uncommonly be the presenting histopathology in the acute infectious phase of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Clinicians and dermatopathologists should be aware of this atypical presentation, which may cause diagnostic confusion and delay proper treatment. PCR testing should be employed in cases with high clinical suspicion when histopathology is not definitive.

Epidemiological data and molecular characterization (mtDNA) of Sporothrix schenckii in 13 cases from Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Sporotrichosis is an endemic mycosis in Mexico and Central America. OBJECTIVES: To present epidemiological data and characterize molecular subtypes of 13 strains of Sporothrix schenckii, and to correlate clinical and epidemiologic presentation with subtypes. METHODOLOGY: Thirteen Mexican cases of sporotrichosis were identified, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from clinical isolates of S. schenckii were analyzed using RFLP Hae III. Molecular types 2, 3, 14, 28, and 29 were observed. RESULTS: Clinical presentations and molecular types were consistent with established epidemiologic patterns for S. schenckii in this region. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation provides further evidence of the strong regional specificity of molecular types of this organism.

Capacitación de Productores en la Identificación y Tratamiento de Enfermedades en Bovinos Informe Final

Resumen ejecutivo que contiene información acerca del programa de asistencia técnica provisto por ACDI -VOCA para la Asociación de Ganaderos de Pando - ASOGAPANDO y la Asociación de Ganaderos de San Borja. Programa orientado a brindar apoyo en la identificación de las principales enfermedades bovinas de la región, contemplando la capacitación de los productores, técnicos y veterinarios de la zona en cuanto al manejo y aplicación de sus respectivas medidas preventivas y/o curativas

Capacitación de Promotores Comunales en Sanidad Animal - Municipio de Tarvita, Departamento de Chuquisaca Informe Final

Resumen ejecutivo que contiene información acerca del programa de asistencia técnica provisto por ACDI -VOCA para el Programa de Desarrollo Comunitario - PRODESCO. Programa orientado a mejorar la situación de sanidad animal en el Municipio de Tarvita, contemplando la capacitación de los comunarios, técnicos y veterinarios de la zona en cuanto a las enfermedades comunes en el ganado y sus técnicas frecuentes de prevensión, control y curación