Multipopulation evaluation of the internal morphology of mandibular first premolars from different South American countries. A micro-computed tomography study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare several anatomical parameters of mandibular first premolars from individuals from different Latin American countries using micro-computed tomography. DESIGN: Five hundred extracted mandibular first premolars from Brazilian, Argentinian, Chilean, Colombian, and Ecuadorian individuals were scanned using micro-computed tomography (n = 100 teeth/country). Root canal configurations were classified according to established parameters. Analyses also included: canal volume and surface area, structure model index, distances from the apical foramen to the root apex or the cementoenamel junction, major/minor apical canal diameters, canal orifice shape, and prevalence of ramifications. RESULTS: A single root was the most common anatomy in all countries (range, 97%-100%). Vertucci's type-I canal was the most frequent configuration (range, 36%-66%), followed by C-shaped and type-V canals. The oval-shaped canal orifice was the most predominant in all countries (range, 34%-58%), followed by the circular shape (range, 16%-47%). C-shaped canals occurred in all subpopulations (range, 14%-26%), always associated with radicular grooves. Ranges for canal ramifications were as follows: accessory canals, 36%-73%; lateral canals, 4%-12%; and apical delta, 4%-14% of the teeth. Many anatomic parameters differed significantly between countries (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Vertucci's types-I and -V, and C-shaped canals were the most prevalent configurations in the subpopulations investigated. Accessory canals and several complex anatomies were found, with some significantly different frequencies between countries.

Foreign body granuloma reaction after endovascular therapy of an unruptured right frontal arteriovenous malformation.

Foreign body reactions after endovascular procedures for brain arteriovenous malformations are extremely rare. We report the case of a cerebral foreign body granuloma reaction after embolization of a frontal arteriovenous malformation with Onyx. A previously treated 36-year-old man underwent re-embolization of a residual and recurrent unruptured right frontal vascular malformation with Onyx. The post-procedural imaging revealed a right frontotemporal heterogeneously enhancing expansive lesion associated with a residual malformation. Following microsurgical resection, the histopathological examination of the expansive lesion revealed basophilic foreign body like deposits adjacent to multi-nucleated giant cells, highly compatible with cerebral foreign body granulomas reaction to Onyx. The clinical and radiological follow-up of the patient was favorable after complete resection of the lesions.

Bacteriuria asintomática como factor asociado al infarto agudo del miocardio / Asymptomatic bacteriuria as a factor associated to acute myocardial infarction

Introducción: la aterosclerosis es una enfermedad inflamatoria en la cual la estabilidad de la placa coronaria y su ruptura con el desencadenamiento de infarto agudo de miocardio podría estar influenciada por infecciones microbianas a través de la producción de mediadores inflamatorios, estas moléculas también se producen en pacientes con bacteriuria asintomática, condición frecuente después de los 65 años. Objetivo: se desarrolló un estudio comparativo para determinar si la bacteriuria asintomática está asociada con el infarto agudo de miocardio. Material y métodos: se incluyeron pacientes mayores de 65 años con enfermedad coronaria aterosclerótica o alto riesgo de padecerla. Como casos se escogieron pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio en dos instituciones hospitalarias de cuarto nivel en Medellín Colombia. El cálculo del Odds ratio ajustado se realizó mediante un modelo de regresión logística. Resultados: se estudiaron 60 casos y 120 controles. La edad promedio fue 74.94 ± 7.08 años. Se documentaron 37 casos de bacteriuria asintomática entre los 180 pacientes, para una prevalencia igual a 20.6% con predominio en el género femenino (12.4 vs 32%). La proporción de bacteriuria asintomática en los casos fue 15% y en los controles 23.3%, para un OR crudo de 0.58 (IC 95%: 0.25-1.32) y un OR ajustado de 1.31 (IC 95%: 0.53-3.26). Conclusión: no se encontró una asociación entre bacteriuria asintomática e infarto agudo de miocardio. Se requieren estudios adicionales para determinar si existe esta asociación.

Introduction: atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the stability of coronary plaque and its rupture with the onset of acute myocardial infarction could be influenced by microbial infections through production of inflammatory mediators. These molecules also occur in patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria, common condition after age 65. Objective: a comparative study to determine if asymptomatic bacteriuria is associated with acute myocardial infarction was developed. Material and methods: patients over 65 with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease or patients at high risk of developing it, were included . Patients with acute myocardial infarction in two hospitals in fourth level in Medellin (Colombia) were chosen. The calculation of adjusted Odds ratio was performed using a logistic regression model. Results: 60 cases and 120 controls were studied. The mean age was 74.94 ± 7.08 years. 37 cases of asymptomatic bacteriuria among 180 patients were documented, for a prevalence equal to 20.6% with female predominance (12.4 vs 32%). The proportion of asymptomatic bacteriuria in the cases was 15% and in controls 23.3% for a crude OR of 0.58 (95% CI 0.25 - 1.32) and an adjusted OR of 1.31 (95% CI 0.53 - 3.26). Conclusion: no association between asymptomatic bacteriuria and acute myocardial infarction was found. Further studies are required to determine whether this association exists.

Identificación de nuevos escenarios epidemiológicos para la enfermedad de Chagas en la región momposina, norte de Colombia / Identification of new epidemiological scenarios for Chagas disease in the Momposina region, North of Colombia

Introducción. La región momposina es una de las zonas de mayor interés en Colombia para estudiar nuevos escenarios epidemiológicos de la enfermedad de Chagas. Objetivo. Determinar el riesgo epidemiológico de infección con Trypanosoma cruzi en seis poblaciones humanas de la región momposina, según el patrón climático bimodal característico de Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se hicieron cuatro muestreos, dos en época de lluvia y dos en sequía. Las heces de triatominos, como también muestras de sangre de humanos y otros animales mamíferos reservorios, se evaluaron por ELISA, IFI y PCR. Además, para determinar factores de riesgo se analizaron las condiciones de las viviendas, el estado alimentario de triatominos y la participación de los perros en el ciclo de transmisión. Resultados. Los insectos y mamíferos, incluyendo los humanos, presentaron altas tasas de infección por T. cruzi , con diferencias entre las épocas climáticas y según la vegetación asociada. Las tasas de infección por T. cruzi en perros fue de 15 % y, en humanos, de 16,8 %. La gran densidad de población de insectos, el alto porcentaje de insectos alimentados y la alta tasa de infección, indican que en la época seca hay mayor riesgo de infección. Conclusión. Se confirma la presencia y circulación de un foco peridoméstico de T. cruzi y se describen algunos factores de riesgo eco-epidemiológicos para la zona, que sugieren nuevos escenarios epidemiológicos para la enfermedad de Chagas en Colombia.

Introduction: The Momposina region is one of the most interesting areas to study new epidemiological scenarios for Chagas disease in Colombia. Objectives: To determine the presence of a source of peridomestic transmission of T. cruzi and its epidemiological risk in the Momposina region, based on the bimodal weather pattern characteristic of Colombia. Materials and methods: Four surveys over two years (two in the rainy season and two during the dry one) were conducted. Triatomines feces and blood samples from human and reservoirs were evaluated for presence of antibodies and parasites by ELISA, IFI and PCR. The conditions of housing, feeding triatomine state and involvement of dogs in the transmission were assessed. Results. High rates of infection with T. cruzi in insects and wild animals were found. Infection rates of T. cruzi in dogs (15%) and humans (16.8%) were found. The results obtained in this study indicated that in the dry season there is increased risk of infection with T. cruzi , given the higher population density of insects, the higher percentage of fed insects and the higher rate of infection. Conclusion: These results confirm the presence and movement of a peridomestic outbreak of T. cruzi and describes some risk factors for the eco-epidemiological area, suggesting new epidemiological scenarios for Chagas disease in Colombia.

[Identification of new epidemiological scenarios for Chagas disease in the Momposina region, North of Colombia]. / Identificación de nuevos escenarios epidemiológicos para la enfermedad de Chagas en la región momposina, norte de Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: The Momposina region is one of the most interesting areas to study new epidemiological scenarios for Chagas disease in Colombia. OBJECTIVES: To determine the presence of a source of peridomestic transmission of T. cruzi and its epidemiological risk in the Momposina region, based on the bimodal weather pattern characteristic of Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four surveys over two years (two in the rainy season and two during the dry one) were conducted. Triatomines feces and blood samples from human and reservoirs were evaluated for presence of antibodies and parasites by ELISA, IFI and PCR. The conditions of housing, feeding triatomine state and involvement of dogs in the transmission were assessed. RESULTS: High rates of infection with T. cruzi in insects and wild animals were found. Infection rates of T. cruzi in dogs (15%) and humans (16.8%) were found. The results obtained in this study indicated that in the dry season there is increased risk of infection with T. cruzi , given the higher population density of insects, the higher percentage of fed insects and the higher rate of infection. CONCLUSION: These results confirm the presence and movement of a peridomestic outbreak of T. cruzi and describes some risk factors for the eco-epidemiological area, suggesting new epidemiological scenarios for Chagas disease in Colombia.

Distribución geográfica y ecoepidemiología de la fauna detriatominos (reduviidae: triatominae) en la Isla Margaritadel departamento de Bolívar, Colombia / Distribution and ecoepidemiology of the triatomine fauna (hemiptera: reduviidae) in Margarita Island, Bolívar, Colombia

Introducción. Los reportes sobre la diversidad de triatominos y algunos aspectos ecoepidemiológicos en la Isla Margarita se han limitado sólo a dos de los cinco municipios que la conforman. El conocimiento de las especies, su hábitat y la infección, es fundamental para establecer el riesgo en áreas endémicas para la enfermedad de Chagas.Objetivo. Describir la fauna de triatominos, la distribución y la infección por Trypanosoma cruzi en la Isla Margarita, con el fin de aportar conocimientos que permitan establecer y estratificar el riesgo de transmisión de la zona. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó la captura de triatominos en las viviendas y el extradomicilio. En las viviendas se hizo búsqueda activa en el intradomicilio y el peridomicilio, mientras en el extradomicilio, se hizo en palmas y nidos de aves. La infección por T. cruzi se determinó por PCR a partir de las heces.Resultados. Se capturaron 1.154 insectos de cinco especies en los municipios de la isla, Triatoma maculata y Rhodnius pallescens mostraron altos índices de infección en el intra domicilio y en el peridomicilio en Mompós y Talaigua Nuevo. En las palmas, R. pallescens fue hallado infectado en todos los municipios y Eratyrus cuspidatus sólo en San Fernando y Margarita. Conclusión. La presencia de triatominos infectados en las viviendas y en las palmas en los cinco municipios de la isla, llama la atención sobre el potencial riesgo que representan estos insectos en la zona.

Introduction. Information concerning to triatomine diversity and some eco-epidemiologic aspects on Margarita Island has been recorded only from two of the five counties on the island. Knowledge about species habitat and their natural infection is essential to establish the risk for Chagas disease in endemic areas. Objective. The distribution of triatomine insect fauna and its infection with Trypanosoma cruzi was described in order to establish and to stratify the risk of Chagas disease transmission. Material and methods. Each of the 5 counties on Margarita Island were surveyed for triatomid insects inside and outside each dwelling. In the extradomicilary area, searches were conducted in the palms and bird nests located within forests and in pastures near domiciles. Infection with T. cruzi was determined amplifying by PCR the DNA extracted from triatomine feces. Results. Five species of Reduviidae were recovered among the 1,154 triatomines captured in the 5 counties. Triatoma maculata and Rhodnius pallescens showed high infection rates within dwellings and as well as in the peridomestic areas in Mompós and Talaigua Nuevo. On the palm trees, only R. pallescens and Eratyrus cuspidatus were found infected, and only in San Fernando and Margarita. In Cicuco, only R. pallescens was infected. Presence of Triatoma dimidiata was also ascertained.Conclusion. Infected triatomines were present in houses and on palm trees in all counties on the island. These observations indicate a potential risk of Chagas across the entire island; furthermore the presence of T. dimidiata, a very efficient Chagas vector, emphasizes the need to establish its epidemiological status on the island.

[Distribution and ecoepidemiology of the triatomine fauna (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in Margarita Island, Bolívar, Colombia]. / Distribución geográfica y ecoepidemiología de la fauna de triatominos (Reduviidae: Triatominae) en la Isla Margarita del departamento de Bolívar, Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Information concerning to triatomine diversity and some eco-epidemiologic aspects on Margarita Island has been recorded only from two of the five counties on the island. Knowledge about species habitat and their natural infection is essential to establish the risk for Chagas disease in endemic areas. OBJECTIVE: The distribution of triatomine insect fauna and its infection with Trypanosoma cruzi was described in order to establish and to stratify the risk of Chagas disease transmission. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Each of the 5 counties on Margarita Island were surveyed for triatomid insects inside and outside each dwelling. In the extradomicilary area, searches were conducted in the palms and bird nests located within forests and in pastures near domiciles. Infection with T. cruzi was determined amplifying by PCR the DNA extracted from triatomine feces. RESULTS: Five species of Reduviidae were recovered among the 1,154 triatomines captured in the 5 counties. Triatoma maculata and Rhodnius pallescens showed high infection rates within dwellings and as well as in the peridomestic areas in Mompós and Talaigua Nuevo. On the palm trees, only R. pallescens and Eratyrus cuspidatus were found infected, and only in San Fernando and Margarita. In Cicuco, only R. pallescens was infected. Presence of Triatoma dimidiata was also ascertained. CONCLUSION: Infected triatomines were present in houses and on palm trees in all counties on the island. These observations indicate a potential risk of Chagas across the entire island; furthermore the presence of T. dimidiata, a very efficient Chagas vector, emphasizes the need to establish its epidemiological status on the island.

Human CD4+ T cells induced by synthetic peptide malaria vaccine are comparable to cells elicited by attenuated Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites.

Peptide vaccines containing minimal epitopes of protective Ags provide the advantages of low cost, safety, and stability while focusing host responses on relevant targets of protective immunity. However, the limited complexity of malaria peptide vaccines raises questions regarding their equivalence to immune responses elicited by the irradiated sporozoite vaccine, the "gold standard" for protective immunity. A panel of CD4+ T cell clones was derived from volunteers immunized with a peptide vaccine containing minimal T and B cell epitopes of the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein to compare these with previously defined CD4+ T cell clones from volunteers immunized with irradiated P. falciparum sporozoites. As found following sporozoite immunization, the majority of clones from the peptide-immunized volunteers recognized the T* epitope, a predicted universal T cell epitope, in the context of multiple HLA DR and DQ molecules. Peptide-induced T cell clones were of the Th0 subset, secreting high levels of IFN-gamma as well as variable levels of Th2-type cytokines (IL-4, IL-6). The T* epitope overlaps a polymorphic region of the circumsporozoite protein and strain cross-reactivity of the peptide-induced clones correlated with recognition of core epitopes overlapping the conserved regions of the T* epitope. Importantly, as found following sporozoite immunization, long-lived CD4+ memory cells specific for the T* epitope were detectable 10 mo after peptide immunization. These studies demonstrate that malaria peptides containing minimal epitopes can elicit human CD4+ T cells with fine specificity and potential effector function comparable to those elicited by attenuated P. falciparum sporozoites.

Actividad mutagénica de aguas de consumo humano antes y después de clorar en la planta de Villa Hermosa, Medellín / Mutagenic activity of human drinking water beforeand after chlorination in Villa Hermosa Treatment Plant

En este trabajo se encontró que la contaminación y la cloración influyen en la mutagenicidad de las aguas tratadas en la planta de Villa Hermosa. Para evaluar la actividad mutagénica se utilizó el test de Ames con las cepas TA-100 y TA-98 de Salmonella typhimurium. Se observó que la contaminación es la responsable de la alta mutagenicidad indirecta observada en el agua que entra a la planta de tratamiento de Villa Hermosa. El tratamiento de las aguas antes de clorar deja pasar aproximadamente un 30 por ciento de los mutágenos indirectos formados por contaminación, los cuales pueden agregarse o potenciar los nuevos mutágenos formados por la cloración del agua (zona 6). La alta mutagenicidad directa en la cepa TA-100 obtenida de esta agua clorada concuerda con el patrón de mutagenicidad producido por los trihalometanos formados en aguas cloradas.