Comparative membrane proteomic analysis of Tritrichomonas foetus isolates.

Tritrichomonas foetus is a flagellated and anaerobic parasite able to infect cattle and felines. Despite its prevalence, there is no effective standardized or legal treatment for T. foetus-infected cattle; the vaccination still has limited success in mitigating infections and reducing abortion risk; and nowadays, the diagnosis of T. foetus presents important limitations in terms of sensitivity and specificity in bovines. Here, we characterize the plasma membrane proteome of T. foetus and identify proteins that are represented in different isolates of this protozoan. Additionally, we performed a bioinformatic analysis that revealed the antigenicity potential of some of those proteins. This analysis is the first study to identify common proteins at the plasma membrane of different T. foetus isolates that could be targets for alternative diagnostic or vaccine techniques in the future.

Impact of healthcare inequities on survival in Mexican patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Introduction: The survival of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has improved dramatically due to novel systemic treatments. However, mRCC mortality continues to rise in Latin America. Methods: A retrospective, multicenter study of patients diagnosed with mRCC between 2010-2018 in Mexico City was conducted. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of healthcare insurance on access to treatment and survival in patients with mRCC. Results: Among 924 patients, 55.4%, 42.6%, and 1.9% had no insurance (NI), social security, (SS) and private insurance (PI), respectively. De novo metastatic disease was more common in NI patients (70.9%) compared to SS (47.2%) and PI (55.6%) patients (p<0.001). According to IMDC Prognostic Index, 20.2% were classified as favorable, 49% as intermediate, and 30.8% as poor-risk disease. Access to systemic treatment differed by healthcare insurance: 36.1%, 99.5%, and 100% for the NI, SS, and PI patients, respectively (p<0.001). NI patients received fewer lines of treatment, with 24.8% receiving only one line of treatment (p<0.001). Median overall survival (OS) was 13.9 months for NI, 98.9 months for SS, and 147.6 months for NI patients (p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, NI status, brain metastases, sarcomatoid features, bone metastases, no treatment were significantly associated with worse OS. Conclusion: OS in mRCC was affected by insurance availability in this resource-limited cohort of Mexican patients. These results underscore the need for effective strategies to achieve equitable healthcare access in an era of effective, yet costly systemic treatments.

Serological evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pets naturally exposed during the COVID-19 outbreak in Argentina.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has rapidly spread worldwide. The monitoring of animals has shown that certain species may be susceptible to be infected with the virus. The present study aimed to evaluate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies by ELISA and virus neutralization (VN) in pets from owners previously confirmed as COVID-19-positive in Argentina. Serum samples of 38 pets (seven cats and 31 dogs) were obtained for SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection. Three out of the seven cats and 14 out of the 31 dogs were positive for SARS-CoV-2 by ELISA, and one cat and six dogs showed the presence of neutralizing antibodies in which the cat and two of the six dogs showed high titers. Another dog from which three serum samples had been obtained within eight months from the diagnosis of its owner showed the presence of antibodies at different times by both ELISA and VN. However, the results showed that the antibodies decreased slightly from the first to the third sample. Our results provide evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infection in pets living with COVID-19-positive humans from Argentina during the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 can be detected by serology assay.

First detection and molecular analysis of SARS-CoV-2 from a naturally infected cat from Argentina.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has rapidly spread worldwide. Studies of transmission of the virus carried out in animals have suggested that certain animals may be susceptible to infection with SARS-CoV-2. The aim of the present study was to investigate the infection of SARS-CoV-2 in pets (18 cats and 20 dogs) from owners previously confirmed as COVID-19-positive. Oropharyngeal and rectal swabs were taken and analyzed by real-time RT-PCR assays, while blood samples were taken for antibody detection. Of the total pets analyzed, one cat was found reactive to SARS-CoV-2 by real-time RT-PCR of an oropharyngeal and a rectal swab. This cat presented only sneezing as a clinical sign. Serological analysis confirmed the presence of antibodies in the serum sample from this cat, as well as in the serum from another cat non-reactive to real-time RT-PCR. Complete sequence and phylogenetic analysis allowed determining that the SARS-CoV-2 genome belonged to the B.1.499 lineage. This lineage has been reported in different provinces of Argentina, mainly in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires. This study notifies the first detection of the natural infection and molecular analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in a cat from Argentina whose owner where COVID-19-positive. Although there is currently no evidence that cats can spread COVID-19, results suggest that health authorities should test pets with COVID-19-positive owners.

Flow cytometry evaluation of in vitro susceptibility of bovine isolates of Tritrichomonas foetus to metronidazole.

Bovine Trichomonosis, an endemic sexually transmitted disease in countries with extensive livestock and natural service, represents one of the most common causes of reproductive failure. 5-nitroimidazoles and their derivatives are used for its treatment, mainly metronidazole (Mz). The emergence of resistance mechanisms adopted by the parasites against the drug and failure of the treatments suggest the need to investigate susceptibility and obtain current values. The available information of in vitro susceptibility of these drugs comes from the use of a diversity of methodologies and criteria, especially observation of the mobility of the parasite under the optical microscope to evaluate its viability. These techniques are arduous and time consuming and lead to a subjective assessment dependent on the operator, the methodology used, and the morphology adopted by the protozoan. In this sense, flow cytometry has proven to be a fast and efficient method to evaluate viability in other protozoa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro susceptibility of six bovine isolates of Tritrichomonas foetus to Mz in aerobic (AC) and anaerobic (ANC) conditions by means of the calculation of the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50), by flow cytometry, and also to analyze minimum lethal concentration (MLC) by means of recovery tests post-treatment in vitro. IC50 values ranged from 1.06 to 1.25 µM in ANC and from 1.44 to 3.03 µM in AC, these being the only ones reported at 48 h for these protozoa. With respect to MLC at 48 h, the results were from 3.67 to 7.35 µM in ANC, and from 7.35 to 14.7 µM for AC, where two isolates (Tf0 and Tf2) for AC and one (Tf2) for ANC showed higher values than those described in the literature. Flow cytometry has proven to be an effective, rapid and objective methodology and very useful in susceptibility tests. The data obtained through these tests allow us to describe the susceptibility exhibited by these protozoa, this being valuable information when establishing dosages in Mz treatments.

In Vitro Susceptibility to Metronidazole of Tritrichomonas foetus Bovine Isolates from Argentina.

BACKGROUND: Tritrichomonas foetus is the etiologic agent of the sexually transmitted disease Bovine Trichomonosis (BT). In Argentina, BT is endemic and represents a relevant health problem that causes reproductive inefficiency in cattle and large economic losses. Metronidazole is the drug of choice in the treatment of BT. Treatment has been associated with a temporary resolution of the clinical signs but is not able to control the disease. In recent years, the apparition of in vivo and in vitro aerobic and anaerobic resistance leading to ineffective treatments has been reported. AIMS: Thus, the aim of the present study was to explore the susceptibility of six different isolates of T. foetus under aerobic (AC) and anaerobic (ANC) conditions. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Six isolates of T. foetus were obtained from samples of preputial smegma of bovine origin. Values of minimum lethal concentration and minimum inhibitory concentration were higher than those observed in other works and represent current data in Argentina and provide information to establish new treatment protocols.

Molecular and morphological characterization of Acanthamoeba isolated from corneal scrapes and contact lens wearers in Argentina.

In this study, we describe the frequency of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) in patients that assisted in the Ophthalmology Department and determine the species/genotypes of free living amoebas (FLA) isolates. FLA from Corneal scrapes (CS) and contact lens (CL) wearers were studied by morphological and molecular characterization. A database was constructed with sociodemographic, clinical findings and history of use of CL variables. During January 2000 and September 2016 patients with corneal pathology admitted to the Ophthalmology Service of the University Hospital in Córdoba city, Argentina were included in the study. FLA were detected in 1.5% (11/739) and in 17% (11/65) of CS and CL analyzed respectively. FLA isolates from CL users evidenced an 80.9% of inappropriate lens maintenance, 4.8% (1/21) were not CL users that have been in contact with waters in outdoor environment and 14,3% (3/21) with no data about CL users. Acanthamoeba was confirmed in 100% and 82% of CS and LC respectively. The most frequent symptom associated with AK was red eye and photophobia. FLA from CS belonged to group II but 82% (9/11) and 18% (2/11) from CL belonged to group II and III respectively. T4 genotype and A. polyphaga species were detected in 100% of Acanthamoeba isolates. Poor CL hygiene practices, highlights the need for improved education about the severity of AK and consequences of improper CL hygiene. Genotype T4 detected in 100% of both CS and CL samples, consistently with previous findings indicating that this genotype is by far the most prevalent isolated from ocular infection.

Drug-Coated Balloon Treatment of Very Late Stent Thrombosis Due to Complicated Neoatherosclerosis.

We describe the treatment of a patient presenting with very-late stent thrombosis with the use of a drug-coated balloon. In this patient, optical coherence tomography disclosed that ruptured and complicated neoatherosclerosis was the underlying substrate responsible for the episode of very-late stent thrombosis. The potential use of drug-coated balloons in this unique scenario is discussed.

Drug-Coated Balloon Treatment of Very Late Stent Thrombosis Due to Complicated Neoatherosclerosis / Tratamento por Balão Farmacológico de Trombose de Stent Muito Tardia Causada por Neoaterosclerose Complicada

Abstract We describe the treatment of a patient presenting with very-late stent thrombosis with the use of a drug-coated balloon. In this patient, optical coherence tomography disclosed that ruptured and complicated neoatherosclerosis was the underlying substrate responsible for the episode of very-late stent thrombosis. The potential use of drug-coated balloons in this unique scenario is discussed.

Resumo Descrevemos o tratamento de um paciente apresentando trombose de stent muito tardia com a utilização de um balão farmacológico. Nesse paciente, a tomografia de coerência ótica revelou que a neoaterosclerose apresentava-se complicada e com ruptura, sendo portanto o substrato subjacente responsável pelo episódio de trombose de stent muito tardia. O uso potencial de balões farmacológicos nesse cenário especial é discutido.

Nivel de autoestima y su relación con el valor absoluto de linfocitos TCD4 en pacientes que viven con VIH/SIDA / Level of self-esteem and its relation to the absolute value of TCD4 lymphocytes in patients living with HIV / AIDS

La cuantificación de las células TCD4 en pacientes que viven con VIH/SIDA es indicador de estado inmunológico. Factores como el estrés físico, psicológico, embarazo, entre otros, pueden disminuir su valor. Objetivo: Evaluar el nivel de autoestima y su relación con el valor absoluto de linfocitos T CD4. Metodos: Se realizó un estudio de casos, analítico del tipo correlacional. Para ello, se utilizó la técnica de la encuesta escrita como medio de recolección de datos en los pacientes atendidos en la "Unidad de Infectología del Hospital Universitario Dr. Ángel Larralde (HUAL)" durante el periodo marzo junio del 2015. Resultados: De los 100 pacientes, predominó el sexo masculino y se registró una edad promedio de 28,22 años ± 0,81 siendo más frecuente edades entre 18 y 29 años (65 casos). El tiempo de diagnóstico que predominó fue entre 1 y 5 años (58 casos). El nivel alto de autoestima prevaleció entre los pacientes del estadio 2 (20/38) y en estadio 1 (19/53). Entre los pacientes con 1 y 5 años de diagnóstico predominó el nivel de autoestima medio (27/58), y en los pacientes con menos de un año de diagnóstico predominó el nivel alto (9/20). El mayor promedio registrado de linfocitos TCD4 correspondió a aquellos pacientes con autoestima alta y el promedio más bajo se observó en aquellos pacientes con autoestima baja. Conclusiones: Hubo diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre el nivel de autoestima y el promedio de células TCD4; se encontró relación directa entre el nivel de autoestima y estadio de la enfermedad al mismo tiempo que se encontró relación directa entre el tiempo de diagnóstico y el nivel de autoestima(AU)

The number of CD4+ cells in patients living with HIV / AIDS is known as an indicator of immune status. Factors such as physical and psychological stress, pregnancy, among others, may decline the number of CD4. Objective: To assess the level of self- esteem and its relationship to the absolute value of TCD4 lymphocytes in patients living with HIV / AIDS. Methods: A case study, correlational and analytical was performed. A written survey technique was used as by a data collection questionnaire applied to the patients with AIDS attending the "Unidad de Infectología del Hospital Universitario Dr. Ángel Larralde (HUAL)" during the period from March to June 2015. Results: The sample was 100 patients, with a male the prevalent sex and an average age of 28.22 years ± 0.81, being more frequent between 18 and 29 years (65 cases). The predominant diagnosis time was between 1 and 5 years (58 cases). The high level of self-esteem prevailed among patients of stage 2 (20/38) and stage 3 (19/53). Among patients with 1 and 5 years of diagnosis, the medium level of self-esteem (27/58) was the predominant. Patients within a year of diagnosis registered high level of self-esteem (9/20). The highest average CD4 cells registered corresponded to those with high self-esteem and the lowest average was observed in patients with low self-esteem. Conclusions: There was a statistically significant difference between the level of self-esteem and the average of Lympochytes T CD4 cells and also a direct relationship between self-esteem, the stage of disease and between time of diagnosis and the level of self-esteem.(AU)

Evaluación de plataformas web para su implementación en el sistema de vigilancia tecnológica de la Consultoría Biomundi / Evaluation of web platforms for their implementation in the system of BIOMUNDI Consulting technological surveillance

Las plataformas web enfocadas a la vigilancia tecnológica son soluciones informáticas que apoyan de forma eficiente este proceso. Su finalidad es descubrir los conocimientos nuevos en un tiempo menor y aportar los elementos necesarios para la adecuada toma de decisiones. Objetivo: evaluar las aplicaciones web disponibles para proponer la implementación de una de ellas en el sistema de vigilancia tecnológica de la Consultoría Biomundi. Métodos: se realizó el análisis documental, la triangulación de fuentes y la consulta a expertos, y se aplicó el modelo multicriterio, con el fin de determinar los indicadores y sus pesos, al tiempo que se estableció la jerarquización de los elementos que se evaluaron. Se examinaron ocho plataformas web para vigilancia tecnológica. Resultados: no se encontraron modelos de calidad para la evaluación de este tipo de software. Conclusiones: se demostró que Hontza es la plataforma que tiene una correspondencia alta a los criterios evaluados; por lo tanto, se propone para su implementación en el sistema de vigilancia tecnológica de Biomundi(AU)

The web platforms focused on technology surveillance are informatics solutions efficiently supporting this process. Its purpose is to discover new knowledge in less time and provide the necessary elements for proper decision making. Objective: to evaluate the available web applications to propose the implementation of one of them in the system of BIOMUNDI Consulting technological surveillance. Methods: adocument analysis, triangulation of sources and expert consultation were conducted, and a multi-model was applied in order to determine the indicators and their weights, while the ranking of the assessed items was established. Eight Web platforms for technological surveillance were examined. Results: no quality models for evaluating this type of software are found. Conclusions: Hontza platform is shown to have high correspondence with the assessed criteria, therefore its implementation is proposed in the BIOMUNDI Consulting technological surveillance system(AU)