Bone mineral density and growth changes in patients with distal renal tubular acidosis after two-years treatment with a new alkalizing drug (ADV7103) / Cambios en la densidad mineral ósea y en el crecimiento en pacientes con acidosis tubular renal distal tras dos años de tratamiento con un nuevo fármaco alcalinizante (ADV7103)

Background and objectives: ADV7103 is a new prolonged-release treatment for distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA), containing potassium citrate and potassium bicarbonate. Since acidosis may affect bone mineral contents, the effects of ADV7103 on bone mineral density (BMD) and growth in patients with dRTA over 24 months were evaluated. Patients and methods: Thirty patients (24 paediatric patients and 6 adults) were included in an open-label extension study after a phase II/III trial. BMD, measured by densitometry, was assessed at baseline and at 24 months. Growth was evaluated throughout the study. Plasma bicarbonate, parathyroid hormone, 25-hydroxy vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D, bone alkaline phosphatase, calciuria and citraturia, were also determined. Safety and treatment compliance were evaluated as well. Results: After 24 months of treatment with ADV7103, mean spine BMD z-score values significantly increased as compared with baseline (p=0.024). In adults, spine and whole-body densitometry z-scores showed a significant correlation with plasma bicarbonate levels (rS=0.82 and rS=0.97, respectively, p<0.005). There was an increase>0.5 units in z-scores for height and weight in 18% and 36% of the paediatric patients, respectively. With treatment, plasma bicarbonate concentration and calciuria at the different visits were normal in 69–86% and 93–96% patients, respectively. Only nine treatment-related gastrointestinal AEs of mild/moderate severity, were reported in five patients. Conclusions: Two years of ADV7103 treatment improved growth and increased spine BMD. These results suggest that control of acidosis by ADV7103 treatment improves bone parameters. (AU)

Antecedentes y objetivo: El ADV7103 es un nuevo tratamiento de liberación prolongada para la acidosis tubular renal distal (ATRd), que contiene citrato potásico y bicarbonato potásico. Dado que la acidosis puede afectar al contenido mineral óseo, se ha evaluado el efecto de dicho medicamento a lo largo de 24 meses sobre la densidad mineral ósea (DMO) y el crecimiento en pacientes con ATRd. Pacientes y métodos: Se incluyeron treinta pacientes (24 pediátricos y seis adultos) en un estudio abierto de extensión tras un ensayo clínico de fase II/III. La DMO medida por densitometría se midió al inicio del estudio y los 24 meses. El crecimiento se evaluó a lo largo del estudio. Adicionalmente, se determinaron el bicarbonato plasmático, la parathormona, 25 hidroxivitamina D, 1,25 dihidroxivitamina D, fosfatasa alcalina ósea, calciuria y citraturia. La seguridad y el cumplimento terapéutico también fueron evaluados. Resultados: Tras 24 meses de tratamiento con ADV7103 la media del z-score de DMO de columna aumentó significativamente frente al valor basal (p = 0,024). En los adultos el z-score de la densitometría de columna y corporal total mostró una correlación significativa con los valores de bicarbonato plasmático (rS = 0,82 y rS = 0,97, respectivamente, p < 0,005). Se registró un incremento > 0,5 unidades de z-score para altura y peso en el 18 y 36%, respectivamente, de los pacientes pediátricos. Con el tratamiento, la concentración plasmática de bicarbonato y la calciuria fueron normales en las diferentes visitas en un 69-86% y un 93-96% de los pacientes, respectivamente. Solamente se notificaron nueve eventos adversos gastrointestinales relacionados con el tratamiento, todos de intensidad leve/moderada en cinco pacientes. Conclusiones: Dos años de tratamiento con ADV7103 mejoraron el crecimiento y la DMO de columna. Estos resultados sugieren que el control de la acidosis con dicho tratamiento provoca una mejora de parámetros óseos. (AU)

Efficacy of the application of leukocyte and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) on alveolar ridge preservation. A randomized controlled clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) is a well-defined treatment performed to reduce bone dimensional changes occurring during the healing of post-extraction sockets to allow for adequate implant placement. Leukocyte and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) has been showing to potentially promote bone and tissue regeneration during wound healing. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate its efficacy for ARP when applied to fresh extraction sockets, in comparison with spontaneous healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with hopeless non-molar teeth were treated. After randomization, fresh extraction sockets were either filled with L-PRF or allowed to heal spontaneously. CBCTs and intraoral scans were obtained immediately after extraction and at 4 months. Through superimposition of the obtained images, changes in the horizontal ridge width, height, buccal volume, and ridge contour changes were measured, as well as patient-reported outcome measures (PROM's). RESULTS: The ridge dimensions changed similarly in both groups. Although less reduction occurred in the test group at 1 mm from the bone crest, differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Application of L-PRF did not prevent reductions of ridge contours, neither in the linear vertical aspect nor in volumetric changes. There were no differences between groups in the need for bone regeneration when placing implants. Patients in both groups reported similar outcomes in terms of bleeding, pain, inflammation, and function at 1 and 4 weeks postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Alveolar preservation with L-PRF neither minimized bone resorption occurring after tooth extraction in non-molar sites nor reduced the need for bone regeneration when placing implants. Furthermore, its use did not improve PROM's.

Bone mineral density and growth changes in patients with distal renal tubular acidosis after two-years treatment with a new alkalizing drug (ADV7103).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: ADV7103 is a new prolonged-release treatment for distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA), containing potassium citrate and potassium bicarbonate. Since acidosis may affect bone mineral contents, the effects of ADV7103 on bone mineral density (BMD) and growth in patients with dRTA over 24 months were evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients (24 paediatric patients and 6 adults) were included in an open-label extension study after a phase II/III trial. BMD, measured by densitometry, was assessed at baseline and at 24 months. Growth was evaluated throughout the study. Plasma bicarbonate, parathyroid hormone, 25-hydroxy vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D, bone alkaline phosphatase, calciuria and citraturia, were also determined. Safety and treatment compliance were evaluated as well. RESULTS: After 24 months of treatment with ADV7103, mean spine BMD z-score values significantly increased as compared with baseline (p=0.024). In adults, spine and whole-body densitometry z-scores showed a significant correlation with plasma bicarbonate levels (rS=0.82 and rS=0.97, respectively, p<0.005). There was an increase>0.5 units in z-scores for height and weight in 18% and 36% of the paediatric patients, respectively. With treatment, plasma bicarbonate concentration and calciuria at the different visits were normal in 69-86% and 93-96% patients, respectively. Only nine treatment-related gastrointestinal AEs of mild/moderate severity, were reported in five patients. CONCLUSIONS: Two years of ADV7103 treatment improved growth and increased spine BMD. These results suggest that control of acidosis by ADV7103 treatment improves bone parameters.

Papiloma esofágico escamoso y esofagitis eosinofílica / Squamous esophageal papilloma and eosinophilic esophagitis

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Artificial Vision Algorithms for Socially Assistive Robot Applications: A Review of the Literature.

Today, computer vision algorithms are very important for different fields and applications, such as closed-circuit television security, health status monitoring, and recognizing a specific person or object and robotics. Regarding this topic, the present paper deals with a recent review of the literature on computer vision algorithms (recognition and tracking of faces, bodies, and objects) oriented towards socially assistive robot applications. The performance, frames per second (FPS) processing speed, and hardware implemented to run the algorithms are highlighted by comparing the available solutions. Moreover, this paper provides general information for researchers interested in knowing which vision algorithms are available, enabling them to select the one that is most suitable to include in their robotic system applications.

Safety, efficacy, and acceptability of ADV7103 during 24 months of treatment: an open-label study in pediatric and adult patients with distal renal tubular acidosis.

BACKGROUND: A new prolonged-release formulation of potassium citrate and potassium bicarbonate, ADV7103, has been shown to improve metabolic control, palatability, and gastrointestinal safety in patients with distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) when compared to standard of care (SoC) treatments. The present work evaluates safety and efficacy of ADV7103 during 24 months. METHODS: Thirty pediatric and adult patients were included in an open-label extension study after a phase II/III trial. Safety and tolerability were assessed. Plasma bicarbonate and potassium levels, as well as urine parameters, were evaluated over time. Acceptability, adherence, and quality of life were also assessed. The evolution of clinical consequences of dRTA in the cohort was explored. RESULTS: There were 104 adverse events (AEs) reported, but only 9 gastrointestinal events observed in five patients (17%) were considered to be related to ADV7103 treatment. There were no AEs leading to treatment discontinuation. Plasma bicarbonate and potassium levels were in the normal ranges at the different visits, respectively, in 69-86% and 83-93% of patients. Overall adherence rates were ≥ 75% throughout the whole study in 79% patients. An average improvement of quality of life of 89% was reported at 24 months of study. CONCLUSIONS: Common AEs concerned metabolism and gastrointestinal disorders; the former being related to the disease. Less than half of the gastrointestinal AEs were related to ADV7103 treatment and they were mostly mild in severity. Metabolic parameters were maintained in the normal ranges in most patients. Patient satisfaction was high and adherence to treatment was good and remained stable. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Registered as EudraCT 2013-003828-36 on the 3rd of September 2013.

Acidosis tubular renal distal (ATRd): aspectos epidemiológicos, diagnósticos, de seguimiento clínico y terapéuticos. Resultados de una encuesta a un colectivo de nefrólogos / Distar Renal Tubular Acidosis (dRTA): Epidemiological, diagnostics, clinical follow-up and therapeutical issues. Nephrologists cohort survey outcome

ANTECEDENTES Y OBJETIVOS: La acidosis tubular renal distal (ATRd) es una enfermedad minoritaria, de origen genético o adquirido, caracterizada por una incapacidad de excreción urinaria de hidrogeniones (H+), hipobicarbonatemia, hipercloremia, hipocitraturia y habitualmente hipokaliemia e hipercalciuria. Las formas genéticas suelen diagnosticarse en los primeros meses de vida y su tratamiento consiste en suplementos de álcali encaminados a evitar las consecuencias clínicas a largo plazo, sobre todo la enfermedad renal crónica (presente en algunas series hasta en el 82% de los pacientes) y la enfermedad ósea asociada. Se desarrolló una encuesta multirrespuesta cerrada de 10 preguntas encaminada a conocer aspectos epidemiológicos, diagnósticos, del manejo clínico y terapéutico, dentro del colectivo de nefrólogos españoles. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Encuesta distribuida a los asistentes a un foro científico sobre ATRd durante el congreso de 2019 de la Sociedad Española de Nefrología (SEN); las respuestas se recogieron a la salida del mismo. Los resultados se analizaron con un test estadístico paramétrico estableciéndose el porcentaje de cada respuesta a las 10 preguntas. RESULTADOS: De entre los que respondieron a la encuesta, el 44,4 y el 37,7% no atendieron a ningún paciente con ATRd en el último año ni en los tres anteriores, respectivamente. Cuando se sospecha la patología, el diagnóstico genético confirmatorio se realiza solo en el 13,3% de los casos y el estudio familiar solo en el 11,1%. Solo el 26,6% afirman que el control metabólico es excelente, bueno o muy bueno, y el 69% piensan que el cumplimiento terapéutico es regular, malo o muy malo. CONCLUSIONES: La encuesta ha puesto de manifiesto el relativo desconocimiento de esta patología, así como la baja satisfacción con el control metabólico y el pobre cumplimiento terapéutico, lo cual puede conllevar una mayor severidad en la enfermedad renal y ósea asociadas a la ATRd

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: dRTA is a genetic or acquired rare disease, characterized by an unability to excrete hydrogens (H+) into urine, hypobicarbonatemia, hyperchloremia, and frequently hypercalciuria and hypokalaemia. Genetic forms are usually diagnosed during the first months of life and its treatment is based on providing alkali supplements in order to prevent long term clinical consequences, particularly chronic kidney disease (described in some cohorts up to 82% of dRTA patients) and the associated bone disease. A 10 queries multi choice closed response survey was designed to know more about epidemiological, diagnostics, clinical management and therapeutical issues of this disease among Spanish nephrologists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This survey was delivered to the attendees to a scientific meeting on dRTA at the Spanish Nephrology Society congress in 2019. Surveys were collected at the end of this dRTA event. Results were analyzed by using a parametric statistical test, obtaining the percentage of each response for the 10 questions. RESULTS: Among the survey responders, 44.4% and 37.7% did not visit any dRTA patient during the 1st and 3rd last year respectively. When having a suspicious diagnose, confirming genetic diagnostic test is only performed on the 13.3% of cases and pedigree studies only on 11.1%. Only a 26.6% confirms that metabolic control is excellent, good or very good, and 69% of the responders believe that treatment compliance is not bad, bad or very bad. CONCLUSIONS: This survey enhances the fact that dRTA is not a well known entity, satisfaction with metabolic control is poor and compliance is low. All these factors can lead to a higher severity of renal and bone diseases associated to dRTA

Distar Renal Tubular Acidosis (dRTA): Epidemiological, diagnostics, clinical follow-up and therapeutical issues. Nephrologists cohort survey outcome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: dRTA is a genetic or acquired rare disease, characterized by an unability to excrete hydrogens (H+) into urine, hypobicarbonatemia, hyperchloremia, and frequently hypercalciuria and hypokalaemia. Genetic forms are usually diagnosed during the first months of life and its treatment is based on providing alkali supplements in order to prevent long term clinical consequences, particularly chronic kidney disease (described in some cohorts up to 82% of dRTA patients) and the associated bone disease. A 10 queries multi choice closed response survey was designed to know more about epidemiological, diagnostics, clinical management and therapeutical issues of this disease among Spanish nephrologists. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This survey was delivered to the attendees to a scientific meeting on dRTA at the Spanish Nephrology Society congress in 2019. Surveys were collected at the end of this dRTA event. Results were analyzed by using a parametric statistical test, obtaining the percentage of each response for the 10 questions. RESULTS: Among the survey responders, 44.4% and 37.7% did not visit any dRTA patient during the 1st and 3rd last year respectively. When having a suspicious diagnose, confirming genetic diagnostic test is only performed on the 13.3% of cases and pedigree studies only on 11.1%. Only a 26.6% confirms that metabolic control is excellent, good or very good. 69% of the responders believe that treatment compliance is not bad, bad or very bad. CONCLUSIONS: This survey enhances the fact that dRTA is not a well known entity, satisfaction with metabolic control is poor and compliance is low. All these factors can lead to a higher severity of renal and bone diseases associated to dRTA.

Distar Renal Tubular Acidosis (dRTA): Epidemiological, diagnostics, clinical follow-up and therapeutical issues. Nephrologists cohort survey outcome. / Acidosis tubular renal distal (ATRd): aspectos epidemiológicos, diagnósticos, de seguimiento clínico y terapéuticos. Resultados de una encuesta a un colectivo de nefrólogos.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: dRTA is a genetic or acquired rare disease, characterized by an unability to excrete hydrogens (H+) into urine, hypobicarbonatemia, hyperchloremia, and frequently hypercalciuria and hypokalaemia. Genetic forms are usually diagnosed during the first months of life and its treatment is based on providing alkali supplements in order to prevent long term clinical consequences, particularly chronic kidney disease (described in some cohorts up to 82% of dRTA patients) and the associated bone disease. A 10 queries multi choice closed response survey was designed to know more about epidemiological, diagnostics, clinical management and therapeutical issues of this disease among Spanish nephrologists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This survey was delivered to the attendees to a scientific meeting on dRTA at the Spanish Nephrology Society congress in 2019. Surveys were collected at the end of this dRTA event. Results were analyzed by using a parametric statistical test, obtaining the percentage of each response for the 10 questions. RESULTS: Among the survey responders, 44.4% and 37.7% did not visit any dRTA patient during the 1st and 3rd last year respectively. When having a suspicious diagnose, confirming genetic diagnostic test is only performed on the 13.3% of cases and pedigree studies only on 11.1%. Only a 26.6% confirms that metabolic control is excellent, good or very good, and 69% of the responders believe that treatment compliance is not bad, bad or very bad. CONCLUSIONS: This survey enhances the fact that dRTA is not a well known entity, satisfaction with metabolic control is poor and compliance is low. All these factors can lead to a higher severity of renal and bone diseases associated to dRTA.

Pharmacogenetic research activity in Central America and the Caribbean: a systematic review.

AIM: The present review was aimed at analyzing the pharmacogenetic scientific activity in Central America and the Caribbean. MATERIALS & METHODS: A literature search for pharmacogenetic studies in each country of the region was conducted on three databases using a list of the most relevant pharmacogenetic biomarkers including 'phenotyping probe drugs' for major drug metabolizing enzymes. The review included 132 papers involving 47 biomarkers and 35,079 subjects (11,129 healthy volunteers and 23,950 patients). RESULTS: The country with the most intensive pharmacogenetic research was Costa Rica. The most studied medical therapeutic area was oncology, and the most investigated biomarkers were CYP2D6 and HLA-A/B. Conclusion: Research activity on pharmacogenetics in Central American and the Caribbean populations is limited or absent. Therefore, strategies to promote effective collaborations, and foster interregional initiatives and research efforts among countries from the region could help for the rational clinical implementation of pharmacogenetics and personalized medicine.

Synthesis of novel C5-curcuminoid-fatty acid conjugates and mechanistic investigation of their anticancer activity.

The first synthesis of C5-curcumin-fatty acid (C5-Curc-FA) conjugates was successfully performed. Through a two-step synthetic route, 10 analogs were synthesized for a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study. It was found that C5-Curc-FA conjugates containing either decanoic acid or palmitic acid moieties were cytotoxic against colorectal adenocarcinoma cell (CCL-229) at IC50s ranging from 22.5 to 56.1µg/mL, being 5c the most active C5-Curc-FA conjugate. Our results strongly suggests that a decanoic acid moiety at the meta position in C5-Curc-FA conjugates is important for their anticancer activity effect. Possible mechanisms for the anticancer activity of C5-Curc-FA conjugates were also investigated including apoptosis induction, mitochondrial damage and caspases activation. It was shown that 5c inhibited the luminescence activity of NFκB, a key signaling molecule involved in cell apoptosis and cell proliferation, at IC50=18.2µg/mL. In addition, it was demonstrated that 5c displayed significant apoptotic effect at GI50=46.0µg/mL in colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (ATCC CCL-222), which can be explained by the significant mitochondrial membrane permeabilization and caspases 3 and 7 activation effect of 5c. Finally, it was investigated that C5-Curc-FA conjugates can affect the replication process of cancer cells, since compounds 5c, 5e, and 6c inhibited the relaxing activity of the human DNA topoisomerase I at minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) that range from 50 to 250µg/mL. Our results strongly support the hypothesis that the inhibition of both NFκB and DNA topoisomerase I by C5-Curc-FA conjugates is associated with their anticancer activity.

Pharmacogenetics in Central American healthy volunteers: interethnic variability.

Ethnicity is one of the major factors involved in interindividual variability to drug response. This study aims to describe the frequency of the most relevant pharmacogenetic biomarkers and metabolic phenotypes in Central American healthy volunteers and to determine its interethnic variability. Twenty-six original research articles on allelic, genotypes or metabolic phenotype frequencies were analyzed, in which a total number of 7611 Central American healthy volunteers were included (6118 were analyzed for genotype and 1799 for metabolic phenotype). No reports were available for population from Belize and Honduras. The CYP2D6*4 and *5 frequencies in Amerindian populations from Costa Rica have shown to be among the highest frequencies so far reported in the world. Furthermore, NAT2*5 and *6 presented higher frequencies in admixed populations than in Amerindians, but, inversely, the NAT2*7 was more frequent in Amerindians compared to an admixed population. Likewise, different patterns of distribution have been shown in HLA-A*02, *03 and HLA-B*07 among Native populations from Latin America. Reports on Central American populations were also found for the CYP2C19, LDLR, CYP2E1, MDR1, G6PD, TP53, CYP1A2, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 biomarkers, but no data were available for the other 91 pharmacogenetic biomarkers revised in Central American populations. Differences in the frequency of some pharmacogenetic biomarkers and metabolic phenotypes were found, showing interethnic variability within Central American and with other Latin American populations.

Análisis del régimen de las servidoras públicas y servidores públicos en el proyecto de texto de la Nueva Constitución Política del Estado

Menciona que el régimen de los Funcionarios Públicos que establece la Constitución en Vigencia, encuentra aspectos generales en cuanto a este concepto, dejando de desarrollo de la normativa para una ley específica que se denomina la Ley del Estatuto del Funcionario Público

Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) en un foco suburbano de leishmaniosis visceral en el Cañón del Chicamocha en Santander, Colombia / Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) at a suburban focus of visceral leishmaniasis in the Chicamocha Canyon, Santander, Colombia

Introducción. Entre los años 1998-2000 la aparición de 8 casos de leishmaniosis visceral americana en niños de un asentamiento humano de reciente establecimiento en la localidad de Guatiguará del municipio de Piedecuesta (Santander Colombia), señaló la posible presencia de un ciclo de transmisión de Leishmania en dicho lugar que motivó el presente estudio entomológico. Objetivos. Determinar frecuencia relativa en el intra y peridomicilio de Lutzomyia longipalpis y la infección natural de este vector con Leishmania spp. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizaron para el muestreo trampas CDC intra y peridomiciliares, capturas sobre cebo humano, cebo animal y en sitios de reposo, en el periodo de mayo de 1999 a septiembre del 2000. La infección natural se determinó mediante la técnica de PCR, en pooles de hembras de Lutzomyia longipalpis. Resultados. Se capturaron 7.391 flebótomos. La especie predominante fue Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva), con un 99,5 por cioento de las capturas. En las recolecciones con trampas de luz CDC, L. longipalpis tuvo una mayor frecuencia en el intradomicilio que en el peridomicilio (p=0,0001). La tasa total de infección natural fue del 1,93 por ciento y se observó una correlación positiva entre los meses de mayor abundancia y el número de hembras infectadas que ingresan al domicilio. Conclusiones. Los resultados indican que en la localidad de Guatiguará Lutzomyia longipalpis, presenta tendencias marcadas hacia el intradomicilio, lo cual tiene serias implicaciones en la transmisión por cuanto el riesgo de transmisión se ve aumentado durante los meses de mayor abundancia por el ingreso de un mayor número de hembras infectadas. Desde el punto de vista de control este comportamiento permite diseñar estrategias que disminuyan la transmisión del parásito en el interior del domicilio.

Introduction. Between 1998 and 2000, the occurrence of 8 cases of American visceral leishmaniasis in children from a recently established human settlement in Guatiguará, in the municipality of Piedecuesta (Santander, Colombia) indicated the possible presence of Leishmania transmission in this locality. This observation motivated the current entomological investigation. Objectives. To determine the relative frequency of Lutzomyia longipalpis inside houses and outdoors, and the natural infection of this vector with Leishmania spp. Materials and methods. CDC light traps were used for sampling inside houses and outdoors, and sand flies were collected on human volunteers and domestic animals, and in resting places, during the period from May 1999 through September 2000. Natural infection was determined by PCR, in pools of female Lutzomyia longipalpis. Results: A total of 7,391 phlebotomine sand flies were collected. The predominant species was Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva), representing 99.5% of captures. In the sand flies collected with CDC light traps, L. longipalpis was more frequently collected indoors than outdoors ( p=0.0001). The total rate of natural infection was 1.93% and a positive correlation was observed between months with higher abundance and the number of infected females entering human dwellings. Conclusions: The results indicate that in Guatiguará Lutzomyia longipalpis, shows marked tendency for the indoors, which has important implications for leishmaniasis transmission. Furthermore, transmission risk is increased during the months of higher abundance due to the entry of a higher number of infected females. From the standpoint of control, this behaviour permits the design of strategies to reduce indoor transmission.

[Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) at a suburban focus of visceral leishmaniasis in the Chicamocha Canyon, Santander, Colombia]. / Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) en un foco suburbano de leishmaniosis visceral en el Cañón del Chicamocha en Santander, Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Between 1998 and 2000, the occurrence of 8 cases of American visceral leishmaniasis in children from a recently established human settlement in Guatiguará, in the municipality of Piedecuesta (Santander, Colombia) indicated the possible presence of Leishmania transmission in this locality. This observation motivated the current entomological investigation. OBJECTIVES: To determine the relative frequency of Lutzomyia longipalpis inside houses and outdoors, and the natural infection of this vector with Leishmania spp. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CDC light traps were used for sampling inside houses and outdoors, and sand flies were collected on human volunteers and domestic animals, and in resting places, during the period from May 1999 through September 2000. Natural infection was determined by PCR, in pools of female Lutzomyia longipalpis. RESULTS: A total of 7,391 phlebotomine sand flies were collected. The predominant species was Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva), representing 99.5% of captures. In the sand flies collected with CDC light traps, L. longipalpis was more frequently collected indoors than outdoors (p = 0.0001). The total rate of natural infection was 1.93% and a positive correlation was observed between months with higher abundance and the number of infected females entering human dwellings. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that in Guatiguará Lutzomyia longipalpis, shows marked tendency for the indoors, which has important implications for leishmaniasis transmission. Furthermore, transmission risk is increased during the months of higher abundance due to the entry of a higher number of infected females. From the standpoint of control, this behaviour permits the design of strategies to reduce indoor transmission.