Detection of rotavirus and other enteropathogens in children hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis in Havana, Cuba.

The aim of the study was to diagnose infections with rotavirus and other enteric pathogens in children under five years old with acute gastroenteritis and to identify the most common epidemiological and clinical characteristics of these pathogens. The study was conducted using 110 stool samples from the same number of children under five years old who were inpatients at three paediatric hospitals in Havana, Cuba, between October and December 2011. The samples were tested for rotavirus and other enteric pathogens using traditional and molecular microbiological methods. Pathogens were detected in 85 (77.3 %) of the children. Rotavirus was the most commonly found, appearing in 54.5 % of the children, followed by bacteria (29 %) and parasites (10.9 %). Other viral pathogens detected included adenovirus (6.4 %) and astrovirus (3.6 %). In rotavirus-positives cases, at least one other pathogen was detected, usually a bacterium (26.6 %). More than three episodes of watery diarrhea in 24 hours were observed in 78.3 % of the cases. Dehydration was found in 30 (50 %) rotavirus-positive children, of whom seven (11.6 %) were transferred to an intensive care unit due to complications of metabolic acidosis. Rotavirus was most commonly observed among children under 12 months old (65 %). The highest incidence of infection occurred in children who were under the care of a relative at home (78.3 %), had not been breastfed (65 %), or had been breastfed for less than six months (28.3 %). The genotype combinations most frequently found were G9P8 (28.3 %) and G1P8 (10 %). This study demonstrates the presence of rotavirus and other enteric pathogens as causes of gastroenteritis in hospitalized infants and young children in Cuba.

Comportamiento clínico-terapéutico de Fasciola hepatica en una serie de 87 pacientes / Clinical and therapeutic behaviour of Fasciola hepatica in a series of 87 patients

Introducción: la fasciolosis, por Fasciola hepatica, muestra a escala mundial un incremento en la incidencia de enfermos en los últimos años. Cuba se encuentra entre aquellos países donde se reportan casos esporádicos y algunos brotes epidémicos. Objetivo: describir el comportamiento clínico-terapéutico de esta trematodiosis de trasmisión digestiva en una serie de 87 pacientes ingresados en el Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Pedro Kourí" desde enero de 1996 a diciembre de 2005. Método: los pacientes se dividieron en 2 grupos atendiendo al fármaco prescrito, dihidroemetina o triclabendazol. Se recogieron las variables clínicas al inicio del diagnóstico y 90 d después del tratamiento; se hallaron las medias y la desviación estándar. Resultados: el sexo masculino predominó discretamente con 54 por ciento en nuestra serie de pacientes ingresados en el servicio de medicina tropical del instituto. La ingestión de berro (Nasturtium officinale) estuvo presente en casi la mitad de los pacientes. El dolor abdominal, fiebre y astenia resultaron los síntomas de mayor frecuencia. El triclabendazol y la dihidroemetina fueron útiles en el tratamiento. Conclusiones: se comprobó la utilidad de los exámenes de laboratorio en el diagnóstico y seguimiento de los enfermos. Los antiparasitarios dihidroemetina y triclabendazol resultaron efectivos a las dosis utilizadas con efectos adversos menores.

Introduction: in the last few years, the Incidence rate of fascioliosis caused by Fasciola hepatica has increased worldwide. Cuba is one of the countries that have reported sporadic cases and also some outbreaks of fasciolosis. Objective: to describe clinical and therapeutic features of this trematodiasis of digestive transmission found in 87 patients, who had been admitted to "Pedro Kourí" Institute of Tropical Medicine from January 1996 to December 2005. Methods: patients were divided into 2 groups according to the prescribed drug, that is, triclabendazole and dihydroemetine. The clinical variables were collected at the time of diagnosis and 90 days after treatment; the means and the standard deviation were estimated. Results: males was slightly predominant (54) in our series of patients admitted to the institute service. Consumption of watercress (Nasturtium officinale) was found in almost half of the patients. Abdominal pain, fever and malaise were the most frequent symptoms. Both drugs were useful to treat F. hepatica. Conclusions: this study showed the usefulness of lab tests for diagnosis and follow-up of patients after treatment. The anti-parasitic drugs dihydroemetine and triclabendazole proved to be effective at the prescribed doses in this research with minor adverse effects.

Comportamiento clínico-terapéutico de Fasciola hepatica en una serie de 87 pacientes / Clinical and therapeutic behaviour of Fasciola hepatica in a series of 87 patients

Introducción: la fasciolosis, por Fasciola hepatica, muestra a escala mundial un incremento en la incidencia de enfermos en los últimos años. Cuba se encuentra entre aquellos países donde se reportan casos esporádicos y algunos brotes epidémicos. Objetivo: describir el comportamiento clínico-terapéutico de esta trematodiosis de trasmisión digestiva en una serie de 87 pacientes ingresados en el Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kourí desde enero de 1996 a diciembre de 2005. Método: los pacientes se dividieron en 2 grupos atendiendo al fármaco prescrito, dihidroemetina o triclabendazol. Se recogieron las variables clínicas al inicio del diagnóstico y 90 d después del tratamiento; se hallaron las medias y la desviación estándar. Resultados: el sexo masculino predominó discretamente con 54 por ciento en nuestra serie de pacientes ingresados en el servicio de medicina tropical del instituto. La ingestión de berro (Nasturtium officinale) estuvo presente en casi la mitad de los pacientes. El dolor abdominal, fiebre y astenia resultaron los síntomas de mayor frecuencia. El triclabendazol y la dihidroemetina fueron útiles en el tratamiento. Conclusiones: se comprobó la utilidad de los exámenes de laboratorio en el diagnóstico y seguimiento de los enfermos. Los antiparasitarios dihidroemetina y triclabendazol resultaron efectivos a las dosis utilizadas con efectos adversos menores(AU)

Introduction: in the last few years, the Incidence rate of fascioliosis caused by Fasciola hepatica has increased worldwide. Cuba is one of the countries that have reported sporadic cases and also some outbreaks of fasciolosis. Objective: to describe clinical and therapeutic features of this trematodiasis of digestive transmission found in 87 patients, who had been admitted to Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine from January 1996 to December 2005. Methods: patients were divided into 2 groups according to the prescribed drug, that is, triclabendazole and dihydroemetine. The clinical variables were collected at the time of diagnosis and 90 days after treatment; the means and the standard deviation were estimated. Results: males was slightly predominant (54) in our series of patients admitted to the institute service. Consumption of watercress (Nasturtium officinale) was found in almost half of the patients. Abdominal pain, fever and malaise were the most frequent symptoms. Both drugs were useful to treat F. hepatica. Conclusions: this study showed the usefulness of lab tests for diagnosis and follow-up of patients after treatment. The anti-parasitic drugs dihydroemetine and triclabendazole proved to be effective at the prescribed doses in this research with minor adverse effects(AU)

[Clinical and therapeutic behaviour of Fasciola hepatica in a series of 87 patients]. / Comportamiento clínico-terapéutico de Fasciola hepatica en una serie de 87 pacientes.

INTRODUCTION: in the last few years, the Incidence rate of fascioliosis caused by Fasciola hepatica has increased worldwide. Cuba is one of the countries that have reported sporadic cases and also some outbreaks of fasciolosis. OBJECTIVE: to describe clinical and therapeutic features of this trematodiasis of digestive transmission found in 87 patients, who had been admitted to "Pedro Kourí" Institute of Tropical Medicine from January 1996 to December 2005. METHODS: patients were divided into 2 groups according to the prescribed drug, that is, triclabendazole and dihydroemetine. The clinical variables were collected at the time of diagnosis and 90 days after treatment; the means and the standard deviation were estimated. RESULTS: males was slightly predominant (54) in our series of patients admitted to the institute service. Consumption of watercress (Nasturtium officinale) was found in almost half of the patients. Abdominal pain, fever and malaise were the most frequent symptoms. Both drugs were useful to treat F. hepatica. CONCLUSIONS: this study showed the usefulness of lab tests for diagnosis and follow-up of patients after treatment. The anti-parasitic drugs dihydroemetine and triclabendazole proved to be effective at the prescribed doses in this research with minor adverse effects.