First report of Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae carriage in stray cats from Ecuador and its link to a cat scratch disease outbreak in 2022.

INTRODUCTION: The genus Bartonella includes species and subspecies of fastidious, facultative intracellular Gram-negative bacilli that infect a wide variety of mammalian reservoirs including cats and humans. In 2022, the Ecuadorian Ministry of Health reported an outbreak of cat scratch disease caused by B. henselae in the city of Guayaquil. Therefore, we aimed to characterize the presence of Bartonella spp. in domestic and stray cats from the area of Guayaquil where the outbreak happened in 2022. METHODS: Whole blood samples of 100 domestic and stray cats were collected. Riboflavin synthase (ribC) and 16S rRNA genes detection was performed by PCR using Bartonella spp. specific primers, followed by Sanger sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS: 14 cats were positive for Bartonella spp. carriage. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the presence of 12 cats infected with B. henselae and 2 cats with B. clarridgeiae. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of Bartonella spp. carriage in cats in the city of Guayaquil within the area where a recent cat scratch disease outbreak happened. Considering the high presence of cats and other domestic and stray animals in the city of Guayaquil, a One Health approach for surveillance and prevention of zoonotic diseases like cat scratch disease is needed.

Prevalence of Refractive Error in Vientiane Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of adult refractive error and associated risk factors in the Vientiane Province of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. METHODS: Population-based, cross-sectional ophthalmic survey of individuals ≥ 40 years of age in Vientiane Province. Suitable refractive data was available in 1058 individuals. Demographic data, which included age and gender, was obtained from all participants. Smoking status, presence of diabetes and hypertension was also recorded. The ophthalmic examination included autorefraction, grading of cataract, applanation tonometry and ultrasound pachymetry for ocular biometry, including axial length. RESULTS: Mean refractive error measured -0.36 diopters (D) (standard deviation [SD], 1.41) and mean cylindrical error measured -0.33 D (SD 0.95). Myopia ≤ -0.5 D and ≤ -5.0 D occurred in 53.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 43.7 to 62.6) and 2.0% (95% CI: 0.4 to 3.6) of participants, respectively. There was a correlation between myopia and both age and higher grading of nuclear cataract (p < .001). Hyperopia ≥ +0.5 D was present in 26.4% of participants and was associated with increasing age (p < .001). Astigmatism was present in 55.8% (95% CI: 51.5 to 60.2) of the population and was associated with increased nuclear cataract (p < .001). Urban participants had a reduced prevalence of myopia compared with rural participants. CONCLUSION: Myopia was associated with younger age and a higher grade of nuclear cataract. The prevalence of myopia in the adult population of Vientiane Province was higher than that reported in neighbouring Asian regions and contributed to low vision.

Outpatient closure in a late colo-cutaneous postoperative anastomotic leak managed with EVAC in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Case report.

INTRODUCTION: After Hartmann-type colostomy, the adequate selection of some patients allows reversal and closure of the colostomy, however, this reversal is not free of complications. Among complications, anastomotic leaks and fistulae can have functional, economic, and oncological consequences. Complications have been treated with surgery; yet, this management has changed considerably in recent years, moving towards less invasive therapies. PRESENTATION OF CASE: This is the report of a 42-year-old man with a history of closed abdominal trauma with perforation of the sigmoid colon managed with a Hartmann-type colostomy. Six months later, he was admitted for a Hartmann reversal procedure without immediate complications. He was assessed again after 4 months observing a small area of erythema and periumbilical edema. EUS was performed without evidence of collections. Colonoscopy evidenced a 7-mm fistulous orifice in the colocolonic anastomosis. The Endo-VAC system was used, performing endoscopically exchanges twice a week following a low-residue diet. The procedure was performed on an outpatient basis and the closure of the leak hole in the colonic anastomosis was achieved in 30 days. DISCUSSION: Endoluminal vacuum therapy or EVAC, is an adaptation of the therapy used for negative pressure wound closure. This minimally invasive technique has been used for the treatment of gastrointestinal leaks and fistulae in selected patients and within a hospital setting. Our case presents the use of this technique in a late colocutaneous postoperative leak on an outpatient basis. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge we report the first case of a late colocutaneous anastomotic leak managed with EVAC on an outpatient basis.

Prevalence and risk factors for cataracts in the Lao People's Democratic Republic: The Vientiane Eye Study.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for cataracts in the Vientiane Province. Methods: We conducted a population-based study of 1264 participants aged ≥40 years of age from urban and rural areas of Vientiane Province. Data collection included demographic information, smoking history, body mass index, blood pressure, history of trauma and dilated lens examination using the World Health Organization WHO Simplified Cataract Grading System. Aphakic and pseudophakic eyes were included as operated cataracts for statistical analysis. Results: The mean age of the 1264 participants was 57.6 years. The prevalence of any cataract including operated eyes was 46.8% (95% CI: 44.1 - 49.6%): 36.9% nuclear, 21.7% cortical and 10.1% posterior subcapsular cataracts. Conclusion: The prevalence of cataract in the Vientiane Eye Study is similar compared to the prevalence reported in other studies from Asian regions; however, the median age in this study was low, reflecting the age group of the population and the rapid urbanisation occurring in the Lao People's Democratic Republic. A significant association for any cataract was found with elevated blood pressure >148mmHg (OR2.48, 95%CI:1.55 - 3.97, P < 0.01), increasing age (OR1.19, 95%CI:1.17 - 1.22, P < 0.001) and rural inhabitants for cortical cataract (OR1.99, 95%CI:1.37 - 2.90, P < 0.001). An inverse relationship between rural inhabitants with any cataract and nuclear cataract was found (OR 0.63, 95%CI: 0.45 - 0.89, P < 0.01 and OR 0.42, 95%CI: 0.31 - 0.59, P < 0.001) respectively. Nevertheless, cataract remains a high prevalence disease in this population.

Prevalence of glaucoma in the Lao People's Democratic Republic: the Vientiane Eye Study.

AIMS: To determine the prevalence and subtypes of glaucoma in Vientiane Province. METHODS: We conducted a population-based study of 1264 participants aged ≥40 years of age from urban and rural areas of Vientiane Province. Data collection included Snellen visual acuity, slip lamp examination, tonometry, gonioscopy, dilated stereoscopic disc examination and perimetry. Glaucoma was categorised by clinical subtype. RESULTS: The mean age of the 1264 participants was 57.6 years; 91.9% of eyes had a gradable disc. The prevalence of glaucoma of any category in at least one eye was 1.54% (95% CI 0.66% to 3.59%). The overall prevalence of primary open-angle glaucoma, primary angle-closure glaucoma and secondary glaucoma was 0.62% (95% CI 0.19% to 1.98%), 0.55% (95% CI 0.12% to 2.54%) and 0.37% (95% CI 0.07% to 1.86%); 12 (66.7%) of participants with glaucoma were at least unilaterally blinded by WHO definition. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of glaucoma in the Vientiane Eye Study is relatively low compared with the prevalence reported in other studies from Asian regions; however, the median age in this study was low, reflecting the age group of the population and the rapid urbanisation occurring in the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Nevertheless, glaucoma remains a blinding disease in this population.

Design and 3D Printing of Four Multimaterial Mechanical Metamaterial Using PolyJet Technology and Digital Materials for Impact Injury Prevention.

Impact injuries are very common daily problems in sports. Over the last years there has been advances in the prevention of impact injuries with the creation of new energy-absorbing materials, but the field is still novel. Mechanical metamaterials are three-dimensional materials whose mechanical properties are strongly related to its structure and not only to the material of which they are made. The materials showed in this work are composed of various unit cells with a specific geometry. Because of the unit cells' complex architecture, 3D printers are more convenient to manufacture them. Thus, PolyJet is a perfect technology for metamaterials because it allows printing complex structures with high resolution and mixing the raw materials in order to obtain different properties such as flexibility and shock absorption.In this work, we aim to analyze the printing parameters of the Octet-Truss Lattice, Kelvin Foam, Convex-Concave Foam and Truss-Lattice auxetic unit cells (UC). In addition, the structures are composites of VeroPlus and Agilus. Finally, we 3D-printed all the metamaterials designed using the PolyJet printer Objet 500 Connex 3 to analyze the feasibility of manufacturing with suitable parameters. The results showed that the support material in the printing of the UC made of Truss-Lattice and Kelvin Foam could be removed more easily than in the Octet-Truss Lattice and Convex-Concave Foam. This happened because of the free space between the beams in the UC.

A survey of visual impairment and blindness in children attending eight schools for the blind in Myanmar: An update.

Purpose: To determine the causes of visual impairment (VI) and blindness among children in schools for the blind in Myanmar; to identify the avoidable causes of VI and blindness; to provide spectacles, low-vision aids, and ophthalmic treatment where indicated; to provide an update of the 2007 survey performed and identify any major epidemiological changes. Methods: Two hundred and ninety children under 16 years of age from all eight schools for the blind in Myanmar were examined and the data entered into the World Health Organization Prevention of Blindness Examination Record for Childhood Blindness. Results: In total, 271 children (93.4%) were blind (visual acuity [VA] <3/60 in the better eye) and 15 (5.17%) had severe visual impairment (SVI = VA <6/60 to 3/60 in the better eye). Most children had whole globe as the major anatomical site of SVI or blindness (105, 36.6%). The cause was unknown in the majority of these (155, 54.0%). One hundred and twelve children had avoidable causes of blindness and SVI (39.0%). Forty children (13.9%) required an optical device and 10.1% required surgical or medical attention, with a potential for visual improvement through intervention in 3.48%. Conclusion: In all, 39.0% of children had potentially avoidable causes of SVI and blindness with cataracts and measles being the commonest causes. This follow-up survey performed after the first one completed in Myanmar in 2007 demonstrates a change in the major site of abnormality from the cornea to whole globe and a reduction in avoidable blindness but highlights the ongoing burden of measles.

Resilience Related to Quality of Life Perceived in Elderly Patients With Orthotopic Liver Transplant for More Than 10 Years.

INTRODUCTION: Resilience is the ability to recover or adequately face adverse situations. It acts as a protective factor against negative events and/or complex stages of life, such as a chronic and complex disease requiring liver transplant. Age can also have an effect on a patient's ability to deal with liver transplant, resilience here being a predictor of well-being. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the level of resilience and its relationship with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients over 60 years of age who underwent an orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) more than 10 years ago. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study at the Hospital Clínico Virgen Arrixaca. INSTRUMENT: 1. To analyze resilience we used the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC 17) which measures 3 dimensions (tenacity/self-efficacy, personal control, and social competence). 2. To evaluate HRQoL, we used the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire which covers 8 dimensions and produces 2 summary scores. Variables included age, sex, and post-OLT survival. Non-parametric statistical analysis was performed (P < .05). RESULTS: We analyzed 47 patients, 68% men (n = 32). The average age was 70.85 ± 0.98 years and average post-OLT survival was 15.79 ± 0.78 years. In terms of resilience, men had higher scores in tenacity/self-efficacy (90.82 ± 2.71 vs 84.79 ± 3.49; P = .029) and personal control (82.5 ± 3.79 vs 69.33 ± 5.23; P = .023). The longer the post-OLT period, the less personal control (R = -0.298; P = .042). Regarding HRQoL, the dimension of personal control is positively related: physical function (R = 0.388; P = .007); general health (R = 0.429; P = .003); vitality (R = 0.560; P = .000); social function (R = 0.402; P = .005); mental health (R = 0.311; P = .034); and physical summary (R = 0.381; P = .008). Like social competence, it is related to mental health (R = 0.360; P = .013) and mental summary (R = 0.384; P = .008). CONCLUSION: These patients showed adequate levels of resilience. A greater resilience is related to greater general health, vitality, social functioning, and mental health.

Transvenous pacing in children weighing less than 10 kilograms.

Pacemakers are used in small children with increasing frequency for the treatment of life-threatening bradyarrhythmias. The epicardial approach is generally preferred in these patients, to avoid the risks of vessel thrombosis. We examined the feasibility and safety of transvenous pacemaker implantation in children weighing <10 kg, via subclavian puncture, using a 4 Fr sheath introduced after a venogram was performed to evaluate the vein diameter. Progressive dilation with 5, 6, and 7 Fr sheaths preceded the insertion and placement of the endocardial lead. A subaponeurotic pocket was created in the abdominal or pectoral regions, depending upon the patient's size. Between 2001 and 2007, we treated 12 patients (median age = 16 months; range 1-32; median weight = 7.9 kg; range 2.3-10.0; 7 males), of whom four weighed <5 kg. Indications for permanent pacing included postsurgical complete atrioventricular block (n = 8), sinus node dysfunction (n = 2), congenital atrioventricular block (n = 1), and long QT syndrome (n = 1). Single-chamber pacemakers were implanted in 10, and dual-chamber pacemakers in two patients. The patients were evaluated at 48 hours, 10 days, and at 3 and 6 months. The mean follow-up was 31.8 +/- 23.5 months. There were no procedural complications. Lead dislodgment occurred in one patient and required replacement of the ventricular lead. One patient died from septicemia. Endocardial pacemaker implantation was feasible and safe in children weighing <10 kg. This procedure is less invasive than the standard epicardial approach.

Sepsis por Shigella flexneri / Shigella flexneri sepsis

Se presenta un caso raro de sepsis por Shigella flexneri en una paciente de 45 años de edad quien estando hospitalizada para el estudio de un tumor cerebral, requirió el uso de manitol y dosis altas de corticoides; luego de ello presenta deposiciones líquidas con moco y sangre, desarrolla síndrome de respuesta inflamatoria sistémica, luego se aísla Shigella flexneri en el hemocultivo; recibió tratamiento antibiótico con ciprofloxacina. Se describen las características del caso y se comenta de acuerdo con la revisión de literatura.

An unusual case of sepsis caused by Shigella flexneri in a 45-year old female patient is presented. While being hospitalized for diagnostic management of a brain tumor, she required mannitol and high-dose steroids; she had liquidand dysenteric stools, and soon afterwards she developed a systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Shigella flexneri was isolated in the blood culture, and she was treated with ciprofloxacin. The case features are described and comments are presented, together with a review of the literature.

Incidencia de las neoplasias malignas en piel en los pobladores de las regiones mineras del departamento de Cajamarca / Skin neoplasm incidence in miner population of Cajamarca-Peru

Se han estudiado 18 casos de carcimoma de piel en el Hospital Regional de Cajamarca-Perú. En la serie de nuestra casuística, el paciente más joven fue de 20 años de edad. De los casos, 14 corresponden al sexo masculino y 4 al sexo femenino. La mayoría trabaja como obrero en las carreteras a las minas, otros son agricultores y pastores. Todos proceden de las regiones mineras de Cajamarca (Michiquillay, Encañada, Celendín, Hualgayoc, etc.). Los extremos del tiempo de la enfermedad fueron 2 meses y 2 años. La historia del paciente con 2 meses de enfermedad, refiere que la lesión empezó como un "granito" que al pelliscarse comenzó a sangrar, posteriormente aumentó de tamaño poco a poco. La historia del paciente con 2 años de enfermedad, refiere que comenzó como una pequeña verruga, que a la fecha aumentó de tamaño. La distribución de la lesión, como de aprecia en la fig. No 1, fue en las extremidades distales y en la cara. Del total de nuestra casuística el 61.05 por ciento (11 casos) correspondieron a carcinoma epidermoide y el resto al carcinoma basocelular