Assessment of Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities of Liposomes Loaded with Curcumin and Lippia origanoides Essential Oil.

(1) Introduction: Curcumin and Lippia origanoides essential oils have a broad spectrum of biological activities; however, their physicochemical instability, low solubility, and high volatility limit their therapeutic use. Encapsulation in liposomes has been reported as a feasible approach to increase the physicochemical stability of active substances, protect them from interactions with the environment, modulate their release, reduce their volatility, improve their bioactivity, and reduce their toxicity. To date, there are no reports on the co-encapsulation of curcumin and Lippia origanoides essential oils in liposomes. Therefore, the objective of this work is to prepare and physiochemical characterize liposomes loaded with the mixture of these compounds and to evaluate different in vitro biological activities. (2) Methods: Liposomes were produced using the thin-layer method and physiochemical characteristics were calculated. The antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of both encapsulated and non-encapsulated compounds were evaluated. (3) Results: Empty and loaded nanometric-sized liposomes were obtained that are monodisperse and have a negative zeta potential. They inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and did not exhibit cytotoxic activity against mammalian cells. (4) Conclusions: Encapsulation in liposomes was demonstrated to be a promising strategy for natural compounds possessing antimicrobial activity.

Antiviral Activity of an Indole-Type Compound Derived from Natural Products, Identified by Virtual Screening by Interaction on Dengue Virus NS5 Protein.

Dengue is an acute febrile illness caused by the Dengue virus (DENV), with a high number of cases worldwide. There is no available treatment that directly affects the virus or the viral cycle. The objective of this study was to identify a compound derived from natural products that interacts with the NS5 protein of the dengue virus through virtual screening and evaluate its in vitro antiviral effect on DENV-2. Molecular docking was performed on NS5 using AutoDock Vina software, and compounds with physicochemical and pharmacological properties of interest were selected. The preliminary antiviral effect was evaluated by the expression of the NS1 protein. The effect on viral genome replication and/or translation was determined by NS5 production using DENV-2 Huh-7 replicon through ELISA and viral RNA quantification using RT-qPCR. The in silico strategy proved effective in finding a compound (M78) with an indole-like structure and with an effect on the replication cycle of DENV-2. Treatment at 50 µM reduced the expression of the NS5 protein by 70% and decreased viral RNA by 1.7 times. M78 is involved in the replication and/or translation of the viral genome.

Vigilancia ambiental de la circulación de poliovirus en tres municipios considerados como punto transitorio de migrantes en Colombia 2017-2019 / Environmental surveillance of the circulation of poliovirus in municipalities considered as transitory point of migrants in Colombia 2017-2019

Resumen Objetivo: Determinar la circulación de poliovirus en tres municipios considerados como punto transitorio de migrantes en Colombia. Material y método: Se colectaron muestras de aguas residuales (n=36) de municipios fronterizos, seleccionados por mayor tránsito de migrantes regulares como irregulares, en el periodo comprendido entre el 2017-2019. Las muestras fueron concentradas y cultivadas siguiendo el algoritmo de vigilancia ambiental para la circulación de poliovirus de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). La identificación molecular se realizo mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa empleando cebadores específicos de grupo, de serotipo y de cepa vacunal sabin. Resultados y Discusión: Se detectó la presencia de Enterovirus no polio (EVNP) en las muestras ambientales obtenidas y no se hallo circulación de poliovirus deriva dos de la vacuna ni de poliovirus salvaje en los tres municipos evaluados; sin embargo en dos estudios previos publicados por Gonzalez y col con una metodologia similar en el año 2005 y 2015 evaluando las aguas residuales de la ciudad de Armenia-Quindio; se logró identificar la presencia de virus derivado de vacuna, con resultados negativos para la identificación de poliovirus salvaje. Conclusiones: Los hallazgos indican que el sistema de monitoreo de aguas residuales con el fin de determinar la presencia de virus es una herramienta util para realizar vigilancia ambiental.

Abstract Objective: To determine the circulation of poliovirus in three municipalities considered as transitory points for migrants in Colombia. Material and Method: Wastewater samples (n = 36) were collected from border municipalities, selected for greater transit of regular and irregular migrants, in the period between 2017-2019. The samples were concentrated and cultured following the World Health Organization (WHO) environmental surveillance algorithm for poliovirus circulation. Molecular identification was performed by polymerase chain reaction using group-specific, serotype and sabin vaccine strain primers. Results: The presence of non-polio Enterovirus (NPV) was detected in the environmental samples obtained and no circulation of poliovirus derived from the vaccine or wild poliovirus was found in the three evaluated municipalities; However, in two previous studies published by Gonzales et al with a similar methodology in 2005 and 2015 evaluating the wastewater of the city of Armenia-Quindío; It was possible to identify the presence of virus derived from vaccine, with negative results for the identification of wild poliovirus. Conclusions: The findings indicate that the wastewater monitoring system in order to determine the presence of viruses is a useful tool to carry out environmental surveillance.

Virtual Screening of Drug-Like Compounds as Potential Inhibitors of the Dengue Virus NS5 Protein.

Dengue virus (DENV) is the causative agent of dengue fever. Annually, there are about 400 million new cases of dengue worldwide, and so far there is no specific treatment against this disease. The NS5 protein is the largest and most conserved viral protein among flaviviruses and is considered a therapeutic target of great interest. This study aims to search drug-like compounds for possible inhibitors of the NS5 protein in the four serotypes of DENV. Using a virtual screening from a ∼642,759-compound database, we suggest 18 compounds with NS5 binding and highlight the best compound per region, in the methyltransferase and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase domains. These compounds interact mainly with the amino acids of the catalytic sites and/or are involved in processes of protein activity. The identified compounds presented physicochemical and pharmacological properties of interest for their use as possible drugs; furthermore, we found that some of these compounds do not affect cell viability in Huh-7; therefore, we suggest evaluating these compounds in vitro as candidates in future research.

In Vitro Inhibition of Replication of Dengue Virus Serotypes 1-4 by siRNAs Bound to Non-Toxic Liposomes.

Dengue virus is a ssRNA+ flavivirus, which produces the dengue disease in humans. Currently, no specific treatment exists. siRNAs regulate gene expression and have been used systematically to silence viral genomes; however, they require controlled release. Liposomes show favorable results encapsulating siRNA for gene silencing. The objective herein was to design and evaluate in vitro siRNAs bound to liposomes that inhibit DENV replication. siRNAs were designed against DENV1-4 from conserved regions using siDirect2.0 and Web-BLOCK-iT™ RNAiDesigner; the initial in vitro evaluation was carried out through transfection into HepG2 cells. siRNA with silencing capacity was encapsulated in liposomes composed of D-Lin-MC3-DMA, DSPC, Chol. Cytotoxicity, hemolysis, pro-inflammatory cytokine release and antiviral activity were evaluated using plaque assay and RT-qPCR. A working concentration of siRNA was established at 40 nM. siRNA1, siRNA2, siRNA3.1, and siRNA4 were encapsulated in liposomes, and their siRNA delivery through liposomes led to a statistically significant decrease in viral titers, yielded no cytotoxicity or hemolysis and did not stimulate release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Finally, liposomes were designed with siRNA against DENV, which proved to be safe in vitro.

Prevalencia de anticuerpos anti-hepatitis E de tipo IgG evaluados a través de tres ensayos comerciales / Prevalence of anti-Hepatitis E IgG analyzed in sera through three commercial kits

Resumen Introducción: El virus de la Hepatitis E (HVE) es de ácido ribonucleico desnudo, los genotipos 3 y 4 pueden presentarse como una zoonosis transmitida por agua o alimentos contaminados. En la zona del eje cafetero-Colombia, no se ha descrito la presencia de anticuerpos para este virus en la comunidad. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de anticuerpos anti-HVE de tipo Inmuniglobulinas G (IgG) en muestras de suero de un laboratorio clínico del Eje Cafetero. Materiales y métodos: En un periodo de dos meses se analizaron 90 sueros de pacientes atendidos en un laboratorio clínico de la ciudad de Armenia, se utilizaron tres técnicas diferentes para la caracterización de los anticuerpos y se compararon sus resultados. Resultados: De los 90 sueros evaluados, la técnica de ELISA de anticuerpos totales ELISA IgG anti HVE Recom Well marca Mikrogen identificó 2 sueros positivos (2,2%), la Prueba ELISA IgG HVE versión ULTRA® marca Diapro evidenció una muestra equivoca (1,1%). La prueba western blot Recom line HVE marca Mikrogen detectó 4 muestras positivas (4,4%). Conclusiones: Se encontró una prevalencia de anticuerpos HVE IgG que oscila entre 0 y 4,4% dependiendo de la prueba comercial utilizada, evidenciando circulación del virus y un posible ciclo infecciosos en la región.

Abstract Introduction: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a nonenveloped, RNA virus. HEV genotypes 3 and 4 are considered zoonosis transmitted by contaminated water and/or food. The presence of antibodies against this virus have not been described in communities inhabiting the "Coffee Axis" region of Colombia. Objective: To determine the prevalence of anti-Hepatitis E IgG in serum samples analyzed in a clinical laboratory from the Colombian Coffee Axis. Materials and methods: 90 serum samples from patients treated at a clinical laboratory in the city of Armenia (Quindio) were analyzed and compared through three different methods that characterize antibodies. Results: The Mikrogen recomWell ELISA kit (IgG anti-HEV) identified two positive sera (2.2%). The Diapro HEV IgG ELISA (version ULTRA®) test registered a false positive sample (1.1%). The Mikrogen recom Line HVE western blot assay detected 4 positive samples (4.4%). Conclusions: Depending on the commercial kit used, the prevalence of anti-HEV IgG antibodies fluctuated between 0% to 4.4%, which demonstrates that the virus is circulating and that a possible infectious cycle in this region exists.

Standardization of a latex agglutination test for coproantigen detection of Fasciola sp. in bovine cattle stool.

Fasciolosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease, which affects humans and animals; diagnosed through noncommercial immunoassay tests that cannot be used on the field. Thereby, establishing the optimal conditions to develop a latex agglutination technique with IgG and IgM antibodies directed against excretion/secretion antigens of Fasciola sp. is a priority. Latex particles were sensitized with IgG and IgM antibodies directed against excretion/secretion antigens of Fasciola sp. The specificity of the antibodies was determined against antigens of different helminths and protozoa; the sensitivity and specificity of the test was evaluated against a previously standardized direct ELISA. The coupling rates of the IgG and IgM antibodies were 85.77 and 100%, respectively. The minimum detectable concentration of Fasciola sp. excretion/secretion antigens, diluted in a phosphate-buffered saline, was 1.589 mg/mL(IgG) and 0.158 mg/mL(IgM) and for the antigens incorporated in the bovine cattle stool it was 3.178 mg/mL(IgG) and 1.589 mg/mL(IgM). The test showed crossed reaction against Giardia sp., and Cryptosporidium sp. antigens. Agreement of the IgG and IgM latex test against the ELISA test was of 78.78 and 96.96%, respectively; the specificity found was of 100% for both tests and sensitivity was 78.79% (IgG) and 96.97% (IgM). This work standardized the latex agglutination technique to detect Fasciola sp. antigens in bovine cattle stool.

K48-linked polyubiquitination of dengue virus NS1 protein inhibits its interaction with the viral partner NS4B.

Dengue virus (DENV) is a member of the Flaviviridae family, which is transmitted to mammalian species through arthropods, and causes dengue fever or severe dengue fever in humans. The DENV genome encodes for multiple nonstructural (NS) proteins including NS1. NS1 plays an essential role in replication by interacting with other viral proteins including NS4B, however how these interactions are regulated during virus infection is not known. By using bioinformatics, mass spectrometry analysis, and co-immunoprecipitation assays, here we show that DENV-NS1 is ubiquitinated on multiples lysine residues during DENV infection, including K189, a lysine residue previously shown to be important for efficient DENV replication. Data from in vitro and cell culture experiments indicate that dengue NS1 undergoes modification with K48-linked polyubiquitin chains, which usually target proteins to the proteasome for degradation. Furthermore, ubiquitinated NS1 was detected in lysates as well as in supernatants of human and mosquito infected cells. Ubiquitin deconjugation of NS1 using the deubiquitinase OTU resulted in increased interaction with the viral protein NS4B suggesting that ubiquitinated NS1 has reduced affinity for NS4B. In support of these data, a K189R mutation on NS1, which abrogates ubiquitination on amino acid residue 189 of NS1, also increased NS1-NS4B interactions. Our work describes a new mechanism of regulation of NS1-NS4B interactions and suggests that ubiquitination of NS1 may affect DENV replication.

Análisis del uso de antibióticos en antibiogramas de urocultivos realizados por un laboratorio clínico de la región centro-occidental de Colombia / Analysis of the use of antibiotics in antibiograms of urine carried out by a clinical laboratory of the central-western region of Colombia

Resumen Introducción: Los antibióticos son moléculas bactericidas/bacteriostáticas que controlan infecciones bacterianas, su uso incorrecto favorece multirresistencia o falla terapéutica en el caso de cepas bacterianas naturalmente resistentes, generando así un riesgo para la salud. Objetivo: Analizar el uso de antibióticos en antibiogramas de urocultivos realizados por un laboratorio clínico (región centro-occidental, Colombia). Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo-retrospectivo. Se tomaron datos de urocultivos y antibiogramas realizados entre abril de 2014 a junio de 2015 por un laboratorio clínico de la región centro-occidental de Colombia. Los datos obtenidos fueron confrontados con los protocolos descritos por el Instituto Nacional de Salud de Colombia. Resultados: Se analizaron 1815 reportes de urocultivos y antibiogramas, identificando 18 especies bacterianas. En el 22,3%(403) de casos se evaluaron y reportaron antibióticos sobre microorganismos naturalmente resistentes. Pseudomonas aeruginosa presentó mayor resistencia, el antibiótico con mayor resistencia fue ácido nalidíxico (66,7%). Conclusión: El estudio mostró que existe un problema en cuanto al manejo, reporte e interpretación de antibiogramas frente a microorganismos naturalmente resistentes, que podría favorecer el desarrollo de multirresistencia en microorganismos sensibles de la flora bacteriana. Una revisión de la bibliografía nacional e internacional, mostró reportes similares; ningún autor menciona resistencias intrínsecas, por lo que los datos de antibiótico resistencia serían sobreevaluados.

Abstract Introduction: Antibiotics are bactericidal/bacteriostatic molecules that control bacterial infections, its misuse favors multidrug or therapeutic failure in the case of naturally resistant bacterial strains, thus generating a health risk. Objective: To analyze the use of antibiotics in urine antibiograms carried out by a clinical laboratory (central-western region, Colombia). Materials and methods: A descriptive-retrospective study was made. Urine and antibiograms data were collected from April 2014 to June 2015 by a clinical laboratory in the central-western region of Colombia. The obtained data was confronted with the protocols described by the National Institute of Health of Colombia. Results: 1815 reports of urine and antibiograms were analyzed, identifying 18 bacterial species. In the 22.3% (403) of cases, antibiotics were evaluated and reported on naturally resistant microorganisms. Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed greater resistance and the antibiotic with the highest resistance was nalidixic acid (66.7%). Conclusion: The study showed that there is a problem in managing, reporting and interpreting antibiograms against naturally resistant microorganisms, which could favor the development of multidrug in sensitive microorganisms of bacterial flora. A review of national and international bibliography showed similar reports; however, no author mentions intrinsic resistances, so the data of antibiotic resistance would be over evaluated.

Actividad biológica de tres Curcuminoides de Curcuma longa L. (Cúrcuma) cultivada en el Quindío-Colombia / Biological activity of three curcuminoids from Curcuma longa L. (turmeric) grown in Quindío, Colombia

Introducción: Curcuma longa L. es una planta de la familia Zingiberaceae distribuida en las regiones tropicales y subtropicales, utilizada en la industria alimentaria, en medicina y en cosmética. Su colorante principal es la curcumina, un polifenol con múltiples efectos medicinales. Objetivos: obtener, caracterizar químicamente y evaluar la actividad biológica de tres curcuminoides de C. longa, cultivada en el Quindío-Colombia. Métodos: se purificaron tres curcuminoides (curcumina (C), demetoxicurcumina (DMC) y bisdemetoxicurcumina (BDMC) desde el rizoma de la planta, en estado seco, por cromatografía en columna y se caracterizaron por punto de fusión, espectroscopía infrarroja (IR), espectroscopía UV-vis y espectrometría de masas. Se evaluó la actividad antimicrobiana en bacterias y hongos por el método modificado de pozos de agar, la citotoxicidad sobre células BHK-21 por el método de bromuro de 3-(4,5- dimetiltiazol-2-ilo)-2,5-difeniltetrazol (MTT) y la toxicidad sobre Artemia salina. Finalmente se determinó el efecto de los curcuminoides en células BHK-21 infectadas con dengue virus 2. Resultados: la curcumina presentó mayor punto de fusión (177,3 ºC-183,2 ºC). El espectro IR reveló los grupos funcionales característicos y el UV-vis indicó máximos de absorción para curcumina, demetoxicurcumina y bisdemetoxicurcumina de 419, 418 y 414 nm en cloroformo, respectivamente. El espectro de masas mostró m/z para C: 368, DMC: 338 y BDMC: 308. Se encontró actividad antimicrobiana frente a Staphylococcus aureus y Staphylococcus epidermidis, se determinó que BDMC presentó menor toxicidad y se evidenció mayor efecto inhibitorio sobre viriones infectivos de dengue con curcumina a 20 y 30 M. Conclusiones: la caracterización de los (AU)

Introduction: Curcuma longa L. is a plant from the family Zingiberaceae distributed in tropical and subtropical regions and used in the food industry, in medicine and in cosmetics. Its main coloring substance is curcumin, a polyphenol with many medicinal properties. Objectives: Obtain, characterize chemically and evaluate the biological activity of three curcuminoids from C. longa grown in Quindío, Colombia. Methods: Three curcuminoids (curcumin (C), demethoxycurcumin (DMC) and bisdemethoxycurcumin BDMC) from the rhizome of the plant were purified in a dry state by column chromatography and characterized by fusion point, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi was evaluated by the modified agar well method, cytotoxicity to BHK-21 cells by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method, and toxicity against Artemia salina. Finally, determination was made of the effect of the curcuminoids in BHK-21 cells infected with dengue virus 2. Results: Curcumin had the highest fusion point (177.3 ºC-183.2 ºC). IR spectroscopy revealed the characteristic...(AU)

Actividad biológica de tres Curcuminoides de Curcuma longa L. (Cúrcuma) cultivada en el Quindío-Colombia / Biological activity of three curcuminoids from Curcuma longa L. (turmeric) grown in Quindío, Colombia

Introducción: Curcuma longa L. es una planta de la familia Zingiberaceae distribuida en las regiones tropicales y subtropicales, utilizada en la industria alimentaria, en medicina y en cosmética. Su colorante principal es la curcumina, un polifenol con múltiples efectos medicinales. Objetivos: obtener, caracterizar químicamente y evaluar la actividad biológica de tres curcuminoides de C. longa, cultivada en el Quindío-Colombia. Métodos: se purificaron tres curcuminoides (curcumina (C), demetoxicurcumina (DMC) y bisdemetoxicurcumina (BDMC) desde el rizoma de la planta, en estado seco, por cromatografía en columna y se caracterizaron por punto de fusión, espectroscopía infrarroja (IR), espectroscopía UV-vis y espectrometría de masas. Se evaluó la actividad antimicrobiana en bacterias y hongos por el método modificado de pozos de agar, la citotoxicidad sobre células BHK-21 por el método de bromuro de 3-(4,5- dimetiltiazol-2-ilo)-2,5-difeniltetrazol (MTT) y la toxicidad sobre Artemia salina. Finalmente se determinó el efecto de los curcuminoides en células BHK-21 infectadas con dengue virus 2. Resultados: la curcumina presentó mayor punto de fusión (177,3 ºC-183,2 ºC). El espectro IR reveló los grupos funcionales característicos y el UV-vis indicó máximos de absorción para curcumina, demetoxicurcumina y bisdemetoxicurcumina de 419, 418 y 414 nm en cloroformo, respectivamente. El espectro de masas mostró m/z para C: 368, DMC: 338 y BDMC: 308. Se encontró actividad antimicrobiana frente a Staphylococcus aureus y Staphylococcus epidermidis, se determinó que BDMC presentó menor toxicidad y se evidenció mayor efecto inhibitorio sobre viriones infectivos de dengue con curcumina a 20 y 30 M. Conclusiones: la caracterización de los compuestos confirma su composición como polifenoles, lo cual se relaciona a la actividad biológica de éstos, encontrándose principalmente que la curcumina altera la infección por virus dengue en cultivo celular. Esta investigación confirma la importancia de los principios activos de plantas con amplio espectro farmacológico como C. longa(AU)

Introduction: Curcuma longa L. is a plant from the family Zingiberaceae distributed in tropical and subtropical regions and used in the food industry, in medicine and in cosmetics. Its main coloring substance is curcumin, a polyphenol with many medicinal properties. Objectives: Obtain, characterize chemically and evaluate the biological activity of three curcuminoids from C. longa grown in Quindío, Colombia. Methods: Three curcuminoids (curcumin (C), demethoxycurcumin (DMC) and bisdemethoxycurcumin BDMC) from the rhizome of the plant were purified in a dry state by column chromatography and characterized by fusion point, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi was evaluated by the modified agar well method, cytotoxicity to BHK-21 cells by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method, and toxicity against Artemia salina. Finally, determination was made of the effect of the curcuminoids in BHK-21 cells infected with dengue virus 2. Results: Curcumin had the highest fusion point (177.3 ºC-183.2 ºC). IR spectroscopy revealed the characteristic functional groups and UV-vis spectroscopy showed maximum absorption values for curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin of 419, 418 and 414 nm in chloroform, respectively. Mass spectrometry found that m/z values were C: 368, DMC: 338 and BDMC: 308. Antimicrobial activity was observed against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. BDMC was found to have lower toxicity. A greater inhibitory effect against infective dengue virions was observed with curcumin at 20 y 30 µM. Conclusions: Characterization of the compounds confirms their polyphenolic composition, which manifests in their biological activity, mainly the capacity of curcumin to alter infection by dengue virus in cell cultures. The study corroborated the importance of the active principles of plants with a wide pharmacological spectrum, such as C. longa(AU)

Manifestaciones clínicas y hallazgos de laboratorio de una serie de casos febriles agudos con diagnóstico presuntivo de infección por el virus dengue. Quindío (Colombia) / Clinical manifestations and laboratory findings on a case series of acute febrile syndrome with a presumptive diagnosis of dengue virus infection. Quindio, Colombia

Objetivo: Describir las manifestaciones clínicas y hallazgos de laboratorio de una serie de casos febriles agudos con diagnóstico presuntivo de infección por el virus dengue. en Quindío (Colombia). Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio de corte transversal, en pacientes con sospecha clínica de dengue en el periodo comprendido entre enero y agosto de 2013, en algunos centros hospitalarios del departamento del Quindío. Se tomaron muestras de sangre para diagnóstico de dengue, leptospira, malaria, hepatitis B, y rickettsiosis. Como pruebas confirmatorias para dengue se realizó aislamiento viral en células C6/36HT y serotipificación para dengue por RTPCR; pruebas de función hepática, cuadro hemático y niveles de citocinas. Resultados: Se caracterizaron 149 casos, de los cuales el 43% presentaron infección por dengue, 4% leptospira, 6,8% rickettsias, un caso de malaria y uno de hepatitis B. En 5 casos se logró el aislamiento del DENV2 y DENV3. Mediante la RT-PCR, se evidenció cocirculación de serotipos 2, 3, 4. Se encontró que las enzimas AST/ALT, el conteo de plaquetas, la erupción y el dolor abdominal fueron marcadores característicos de la infección por dengue, mientras la ictericia y el dolor lumbar se correlacionaron con la leptospirosis. Los valores de citocinas mostraron que la IL-10, TNF α variaron significativamente en casos con dengue frente a otros diagnósticos, y la IL-17 a presentó diferencias significativas en individuos con dengue grave. Conclusiones: El dengue se confirmó como causa etiológica importante de síndrome febril icterohemorrágico en el departamento del Quindío, pero la leptospirosis y la rickettsiosis tienen también una participación importante. Sin embargo, en el 44% de los casos fueron catalogados como síndrome febril indeterminado.

Objective: To characterise the clinical and laboratory findings on a series of febrile cases with a presumptive diagnosis of dengue virus infection in Quindío, Colombia. Materials and methods: This study was conducted from January to July 2013. Blood samples were obtained from patients suspected of dengue virus infection from Quindío department hospitals. These samples were tested for dengue, leptospira, malaria, hepatitis B and rickettsiosis. To confirm dengue infection, we performed viral isolation in C6/36HT cells and dengue serotyping by RT-PCR; liver function tests, complete blood counts and cytokine levels. Results: Of 149 cases, 43% were infected by dengue, 4% leptospira, 6.8% rickettsia, one case of malaria and one case of hepatitis b. We obtained 5 clinical isolates of DENV2 and DENV3 that evidenced co-circulation of serotypes 2, 3, and 4. We found that AST/ALT levels, platelet count, rash and abdominal pain were good markers of infection by dengue, while jaundice and lumbar pain suggested leptospirosis. Cytokine levels revealed that IL-10, TNF a varied significantly in dengue compared with other diagnostics and that IL-17 α showed significant differences in individuals with severe dengue. Conclusions: Dengue was confirmed as an important aetiology of acute febrile icterohaemorrhagic syndrome in Quindío, but leptospirosis and rickettsia also play an important role. However, 44% of the cases were classified as undetermined febrile syndrome.