Case Report: Re-Emergence of Cochliomyia hominivorax in Costa Rica: Report of a Human Myiasis Case 23 Years after Elimination.

The New World screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax Coquerel (Diptera: Calliphoridae), was officially eliminated from Costa Rica in 2000, but it was reintroduced in 2023. A myiasis by C. hominivorax in a 71-year-old man with a 4-month history of foot hyperkeratosis and interdigital ulcers is reported. The myiasis was detected before sampling for bacterial culture. Approximately 160 first- and second-instar larvae were recovered and identified as C. hominivorax. Morphological identification was based mainly on characteristics of the cephalopharyngeal skeleton, spiracles, and pigmented dorsal tracheal trunks. Sequencing of a cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene fragment confirmed the identity. The ulcers healed after extraction of the larvae and ciprofloxacin treatment of a concurrent Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Given the reintroduction of C. hominivorax in Costa Rica and the risk of northward expansion, this report highlights its impact on public health and calls for awareness among clinicians and healthcare practitioners.

Can upwelling regions be potential thermal refugia for marine fishes during climate warming?

Species are expected to migrate to higher latitudes as warming intensifies due to anthropogenic climate change since physiological mechanisms have been adapted to maximize fitness under specific temperatures. However, literature suggests that upwellings could act as thermal refugia under climate warming protecting marine ecosystem diversity. This research aimed to predict the effects of climate warming on commercial and non-commercial fish species reported in official Mexican documents (>200 species) based on their thermal niche to observe if upwellings can act as potential thermal refugia. Present (2000-2014) and Representative Concentration Pathway (6.0 and 8.5) scenarios (2040-2050 and 2090-2100) have been considered for this work. Current and future suitability patterns, species distribution, richness, and turnover were calculated using the minimum volume ellipsoids as algorithm. The results in this study highlight that beyond migration to higher latitudes, upwelling regions could protect marine fishes, although the mechanism differed between the innate characteristics of upwellings. Most modeled species (primarily tropical fishes) found refuge in the tropical upwelling in Northern Yucatan. However, the highest warming scenario overwhelmed this region. In contrast, the Baja California region lies within the Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems. While the area experiences an increase in suitability, the northern regions have a higher upwelling intensity acting as environmental barriers for many tropical species. Conversely, in the southern regions where upwelling is weaker, species tend to congregate and persist even during elevated warming, according to the turnover analysis. These findings suggest that tropicalization in higher latitudes may not be as straightforward as previously assumed. Nevertheless, climate change affects numerous ecosystem features, such as trophic relationships, phenology, and other environmental variables not considered here. In addition, uncertainty still exists about the assumption of increasing intensity of upwelling systems.

Unveiling the fungal color palette: pigment analysis of Fusarium solani species complex and Curvularia verruculosa clinical isolates.

Fungal species in the Nectriaceae, such as Fusarium spp. (Hypocreales: Nectriaceae), are etiologic agents of hyalohyphomycosis capable of producing violaceous or yellowish pigments under certain conditions, while Curvularia spp. (Pleosporales: Pleosporaceae) are agents of phaeohyphomycosis and typically produce melanin in their cell walls. In nectriaceous and pleosporaceous fungi, these pigments are mainly constituted by polyketides (e.g., azaphilones, naphthoquinones, and hydroxyanthraquinones). Considering the importance of pigments synthesized by these genera, this work focused on the selective extraction of pigments produced by eight Fusarium solani species complex and one Curvularia verruculosa isolate recovered from dermatomycosis specimens, their separation, purification, and posterior chemical analysis. The pigments were characterized through spectral and acid-base analysis, and their maximum production time was determined. Moreover, spectral identification of isolates was carried out to approach the taxonomic specificity of pigment production. Herein we describe the isolation and characterization of three acidic pigments, yellowish and pinkish azaphilones (i.e., coaherin A and sclerotiorin), and a purplish xanthone, reported for the first time in the Nectriaceae and Pleosporaceae, which appear to be synthesized in a species-independent manner, in the case of fusaria.

Thermal optimality and physiological parameters inferred from experimental studies scale latitudinally with marine species occurrences.

Ocean warming is expected to occur due to anthropogenic climate change bringing a spatial shift of marine communities. Experimental data that characterize the aerobic power budget via an aerobic scope, thermal metabolic scope, or thermal preferences have been proposed as tools that can describe species distribution since they characterize species fitness or performance under different temperatures. This study tested the potential relationship between observed occurrences and different physiological studies in the Americas for 11 commercially important species in Mexico. Projections were also developed for Mexico's exclusive economic zone under different climate warming scenarios. The physiological data were fitted from optimum up to pejus temperatures and projected to sea surface temperatures for present (2003-2014) and Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios (RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, RCP 6.0, and RCP 8.5) for the period 2040-2050 and 2090-2100. For species with wide distributions in the Americas, the number of occurrences reported decreases at higher latitudes related to the decrease in species performance calculated from laboratory experiments. In addition, higher species occurrences are usually reported around optimum temperatures. Overall, the results suggest that pejus temperatures likely restrict latitudinal distribution, at least for widely distributed taxons. Regarding Mexican projections, the results varied widely by species. For example, in the Atlantic Ocean, Octopus maya and Panulirus argus are vulnerable to warming scenarios, while Centropomus undecimalis is not. Interestingly, northern Campeche Bank, the Gulf of California, and Western Baja California may act as thermal refugia for marine species indicating they could be assigned as protected areas to support fisheries throughout the Mexican exclusive economic zone. This research adds to the increasing evidence of the relationship between thermal niche and wild population distribution.

What lies behind the curtain: Cryptic diversity in helminth parasites of human and veterinary importance.

Parasite cryptic species are morphologically indistinguishable but genetically distinct organisms, leading to taxa with unclear species boundaries. Speciation mechanisms such as cospeciation, host colonization, taxon pulse, and oscillation may lead to the emergence of cryptic species, influencing host-parasite interactions, parasite ecology, distribution, and biodiversity. The study of cryptic species diversity in helminth parasites of human and veterinary importance has gained relevance, since their distribution may affect clinical and epidemiological features such as pathogenicity, virulence, drug resistance and susceptibility, mortality, and morbidity, ultimately affecting patient management, course, and outcome of treatment. At the same time, the need for recognition of cryptic species diversity has implied a transition from morphological to molecular diagnostic methods, which are becoming more available and accessible in parasitology. Here, we discuss the general approaches for cryptic species delineation and summarize some examples found in nematodes, trematodes and cestodes of medical and veterinary importance, along with the clinical implications of their taxonomic status. Lastly, we highlight the need for the correct interpretation of molecular information, and the correct use of definitions when reporting or describing new cryptic species in parasitology, since molecular and morphological data should be integrated whenever possible.

Acknowledging extraordinary women in the history of medical entomology.

Throughout history, women have been actively involved in the advancement of science, while struggling to overcome challenges to participate and a lack of recognition. Prior to 1950, most women were not included in the lists of "classical" descriptions of the iconic scientific figures nor included in the most relevant historical accounts. Since the second half of the twentieth century, great efforts have been made to recognize the contributions of women to the advancement of science, especially since formal scientific careers have been dominated by men, with limited (or no) access to women. Despite these challenging social, political and cultural contexts, many women have succeeded in making significant advancements, and their contributions are now being acknowledged. Such efforts have led to the publication of recent reviews and compilations on outstanding women in biological sciences. The field of medical entomology is inherently interdisciplinary, focusing on insects and other arthropods that affect human health, with input primarily from the biological and medical sciences and a strong public health perspective. Several reviews and book chapters describing the history of medical entomology have been published over the decades, but few women are mentioned in these publications, even though many women have contributed to this field. Much of the information on these women is currently scattered throughout the published literature and historical records on a wide range of topics, including activism, virology, vector control and even acarology. Considering that there is no single available compilation of women contributors in the history of medical entomology, this review aims to provide a list of 22 women and their contributions to this field. The list includes women from diverse backgrounds, born in the late 1800s and before 1950, who directly impacted medical entomology in various ways and in different regions of the world. This compilation is far from exhaustive, but it aims to identify role models and examples of extraordinary women to motivate the evolving future of this field.

Exploring the effects of warming seas by using the optimal and pejus temperatures of the embryo of three Octopoda species in the Gulf of Mexico.

Using data related to thermal optimal and pejus of the embryos of Octopus americanus from Brazil and O. insularis and O. maya from Mexico, this study aimed to project the potential distribution areas in the Gulf of Mexico and predict distribution shifts under different Representative Concentration Pathway scenarios (RCP 6 and 8.5) for the years 2050 and 2100. The different thermal tolerances elicited different responses to current and future scenarios. In this sense, O. insularis and O. maya thermal niches stretch from the Caribbean to Florida. Nevertheless, O. insularis may inhabit warmer areas than O. maya. Surprisingly, no area was considered thermally habitable for O. americanus, which could have been associated with the use of data of populations thermally adapted to temperate conditions south of Brazil. According to models, a warming scenario would cause a restriction of the available thermal niche of O. maya, while O. insularis could expand under RCP 6 scenarios. This restriction was more substantial in the RCP 8.5 scenario. Nevertheless, under the RCP 8.5 scenario, the temperature in 2100 may negatively affect even O. insularis, the species most thermal tolerant. If our results are accurate, the fishing yield of O. insularis will increase in the future, replacing the heavily exploited O. maya in the coasts of the southern Gulf of Mexico. Regarding O. americanus, no inference might be made until thermal tolerances of locally adapted populations can be studied.

Morphological, genetic and phenotypic comparison between human articular chondrocytes and cultured chondrocytes.

Articular cartilage is an avascular and aneural tissue with limited capacity for regeneration. On large articular lesions, it is recommended to use regenerative medicine strategies, like autologous chondrocyte implantation. There is a concern about morphological changes that chondrocytes suffer once they have been isolated and cultured. Due to the fact that there is little evidence that compares articular cartilage chondrocytes with cultured chondrocytes, in this research we proposed to obtain chondrocytes from human articular cartilage, compare them with themselves once they have been cultured and characterize them through genetic, phenotypic and morphological analysis. Knee articular cartilage samples of 10 mm were obtained, and each sample was divided into two fragments; a portion was used to determine gene expression, and from the other portion, chondrocytes were obtained by enzymatic disaggregation, in order to be cultured and expanded in vitro. Subsequently, morphological, genetic and phenotypic characteristics were compared between in situ (articular cartilage) and cultured chondrocytes. Obtained cultured chondrocytes were rounded in shape, possessing a large nucleus with condensed chromatin and a clear cytoplasm; histological appearance was quite similar to typical chondrocyte. The expression levels of COL2A1 and COL10A1 genes were higher in cultured chondrocytes than in situ chondrocytes; moreover, the expression of COL1A1 was almost undetectable on cultured chondrocytes; likewise, COL2 and SOX9 proteins were detected by immunofluorescence. We concluded that chondrocytes derived from adult human cartilage cultured for 21 days do not tend to dedifferentiate, maintaining their capacity to produce matrix and also retaining their synthesis capacity and morphology.

Relación entre las infecciones respiratorias agudas altas y el asma bronquial / Relationship between Acute High Respiratory Infections and Asthma

Introducción: la infección respiratoria es la enfermedad más frecuente en los seres humanos, pues es responsable de la mitad de todas las enfermedades agudas. En Cuba al igual que en el resto del mundo, el asma bronquial constituye un importante problema de salud con incidencia relevante en los niños. Se señala que las infecciones virales están involucradas en la patogénesis del asma, sobre todo en el paciente pediátrico. Objetivo: identificar la influencia de las Infecciones Respiratorias Agudas Altas en la aparición y exacerbación de las crisis de asma bronquial. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, transversal y prospectivo de los pacientes ingresados con asma bronquial en el servicio de enfermedades respiratorias del Hospital Pediátrico Docente de San Miguel del Padrón, durante todo el año 2008. Resultados: el tiempo de evolución de la IRAA más frecuente que desencadenó la crisis de asma bronquial fue de más de 7 días, con un 54,8 por ciento. Un total de 188 pacientes presentaron rinofaringitis aguda catarral relacionada con la aparición de la crisis de asma bronquial, lo que representó el 82,4 por ciento del total de la muestra. Conclusiones: predominó el grupo de 1 a 4 años con manifestaciones respiratorias altas de posible etiología viral sin diferencias apreciables en relación con el sexo.La mayoría de los pacientes que participaron en el estudio presentaron IRAA de etiología viral (Rinofaringitis), que precedieron la aparición y exacerbación de las crisis agudas de asma bronquial(AU)

Introduction: respiratory infection is the most common disease in humans; it is responsible for half of all acute diseases. In Cuba, as in the rest of the world, asthma is a major health problem with significant impact on children. It is noted that viral infections are involved in asthma pathogenesis, especially in pediatric patients. Objective: t o identify the influence of Acute High Respiratory Infections (AHRI) in the onset and aggravation of bronchial asthma crisis.Methods: a descriptive, cross-sectional and prospective study was conducted on hospitalized patients due to asthma in the service of respiratory diseases at the Pediatric Teaching Hospital in San Miguel del Padrón, during 2008. Results: the duration of the most common AHRI that triggered the asthma crisis was more than 7 days 54.8 percent. A total of 188 patients had acute catarrhal nasopharyngitis related to the onset of asthma crisis, which represented 82.4 percent of the total sample. Conclusions: the age group of 1 to 4 years had more upper respiratory manifestations of possible viral etiology with no noticeable differences in relation to gender. Most patients in this study had viral etiology AHRI (nasopharyngitis), which preceded the onset and aggravation of acute attacks of bronchial asthma(AU)

Relación entre las infecciones respiratorias agudas altas y el asma bronquial / Relationship between Acute High Respiratory Infections and Asthma

La infección respiratoria es la enfermedad más frecuente en los seres humanos, pues es responsable de la mitad de todas las enfermedades agudas. En Cuba al igual que en el resto del mundo, el asma bronquial constituye un importante problema de salud con incidencia relevante en los niños. Se señala que las infecciones virales están involucradas en la patogénesis del asma, sobre todo en el paciente pediátrico. Objetivo: identificar la influencia de las Infecciones Respiratorias Agudas Altas en la aparición y exacerbación de las crisis de asma bronquial. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, transversal y prospectivo de los pacientes ingresados con asma bronquial en el servicio de enfermedades respiratorias del Hospital Pediátrico Docente de San Miguel del Padrón, durante todo el año 2008. Resultados: el tiempo de evolución de la IRAA más frecuente que desencadenó la crisis de asma bronquial fue de más de 7 días, con un 54,8 por ciento. Un total de 188 pacientes presentaron rinofaringitis aguda catarral relacionada con la aparición de la crisis de asma bronquial, lo que representó el 82,4 por ciento del total de la muestra. Conclusiones: predominó el grupo de 1 a 4 años con manifestaciones respiratorias altas de posible etiología viral sin diferencias apreciables en relación con el sexo.La mayoría de los pacientes que participaron en el estudio presentaron IRAA de etiología viral (Rinofaringitis), que precedieron la aparición y exacerbación de las crisis agudas de asma bronquial...

Respiratory infection is the most common disease in humans; it is responsible for half of all acute diseases. In Cuba, as in the rest of the world, asthma is a major health problem with significant impact on children. It is noted that viral infections are involved in asthma pathogenesis, especially in pediatric patients. Objective: t o identify the influence of Acute High Respiratory Infections (AHRI) in the onset and aggravation of bronchial asthma crisis.Methods: a descriptive, cross-sectional and prospective study was conducted on hospitalized patients due to asthma in the service of respiratory diseases at the Pediatric Teaching Hospital in San Miguel del Padrón, during 2008. Results: the duration of the most common AHRI that triggered the asthma crisis was more than 7 days 54.8 percent. A total of 188 patients had acute catarrhal nasopharyngitis related to the onset of asthma crisis, which represented 82.4 percent of the total sample. Conclusions: the age group of 1 to 4 years had more upper respiratory manifestations of possible viral etiology with no noticeable differences in relation to gender. Most patients in this study had viral etiology AHRI (nasopharyngitis), which preceded the onset and aggravation of acute attacks of bronchial asthma...

Arginine and glutamate levels in the gingival crevicular fluid from patients with chronic periodontitis.

The objectives of this study were to determine arginine and glutamate levels in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of adult chronic periodontitis patients versus periodontally healthy controls, and to compare two kinds of microdialysis probes: normal and U-shaped probes. The analysis of GCF components was developed to improve the diagnosis of periodontal disease (PD). Proteolysis in the periodontal tissues increases the concentration of amino acids (aa) in the GCF and the levels of these aa may reveal PD features and stages. GCF samples were collected by microdialysis in situ from 5 periodontally affected sites (probing depth >or=5 mm, clinical attachment loss >or=3 mm) in 14 adult chronic periodontitis patients and from 14 adult periodontally healthy controls. Capillary zone electrophoresis coupled to laser induced fluorescence detection was used to measure concentration of arginine and glutamate in the GCF. Data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc tests (á=0.05). Arginine concentration was increased (p<0.001) and glutamate concentration was decreased (p<0.001) in chronic periodontitis patients as compared to controls. There were no significant differences (p=0.069) between the normal and U-shaped probes. In conclusion, the increase of arginine and decrease of glutamate concentration in GCF were associated to the presence of periodontitis, and might be used as markers to recognize periodontally susceptible subjects as well as to evaluate the treatment course.

Arginine and glutamate levels in the gingival crevicular fluid from patients with chronic periodontitis

The objectives of this study were to determine arginine and glutamate levels in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of adult chronic periodontitis patients versus periodontally healthy controls, and to compare two kinds of microdialysis probes: normal and U-shaped probes. The analysis of GCF components was developed to improve the diagnosis of periodontal disease (PD). Proteolysis in the periodontal tissues increases the concentration of amino acids (aa) in the GCF and the levels of these aa may reveal PD features and stages. GCF samples were collected by microdialysis in situ from 5 periodontally affected sites (probing depth >5 mm, clinical attachment loss >3 mm) in 14 adult chronic periodontitis patients and from 14 adult periodontally healthy controls. Capillary zone electrophoresis coupled to laser induced fluorescence detection was used to measure concentration of arginine and glutamate in the GCF. Data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc tests (?=0.05). Arginine concentration was increased (p<0.001) and glutamate concentration was decreased (p<0.001) in chronic periodontitis patients as compared to controls. There were no significant differences (p=0.069) between the normal and U-shaped probes. In conclusion, the increase of arginine and decrease of glutamate concentration in GCF were associated to the presence of periodontitis, and might be used as markers to recognize periodontally susceptible subjects as well as to evaluate the treatment course.

Os objetivos deste estudo foram determinar os níveis de arginina e glutamato no fluido gengival crevicular (FGC) em pacientes com periodontite crônica contra controles saudáveis e comparar dois tipos de cânulas de microdiálise: normais e em forma de U. A análise dos componentes do FGC desenvolveu-se para melhorar o diagnóstico da doença periodontal (DP). A proteólise dos tecidos periodontais aumenta a concentração de aminoácidos (aa) no FGC e os níveis destes aa podem revelar as características e estágios da DP. Amostras de FGC foram obtidas pela técnica de microdiálise in situ de cinco zonas com o periodonto afetado (profundidade de sondagem >5 mm, perda da inserção clínica >3 mm) em 14 pacientes adultos com periodontite crônica e 14 controles saudáveis. Para medir a concentração de arginina e glutamato no GFC, usou-se a técnica de eletroforese capilar com detecção de fluorescência induzida por laser. Nos pacientes com periodontite crônica, a concentração de arginina aumentou significantemente (p<0.001), enquanto a de glutamato diminuiu significantemente (p<0.001) em comparação aos controles. Não houve diferenças significantes (p=0.069) entre as cânulas normais e as cânulas em forma de U. Conclui-se que o aumento da concentração de arginina e diminuição de glutamato no FGC estavam associados à presença de periodontite, e podem ser usados como marcadores para identificar pacientes suscetíveis à periodontite bem como avaliar a evolução do tratamento.

Atenção ao idoso com diabetes mellitus na equipe saúde da família Maria de Lourdes Guimarães, no município de Pingo D'água, Minas Gerais

Apesar de a Diabetes Mellitus (DM) ser uma doença não transmissível, esta representa um grave problema de saúde pública no Brasil. A Atenção Básica, especificamente a Estratégia Saúde da Família, constitui-se para o desempenho do cuidado integral, da promoção à saúde e prevenção das complicações decorrentes dessa e de outras patologias. Diante desta realidade é premissa a discussão permanente sobre as práticas em saúde, utilizando-se de estratégias que permitam a reflexão fidedigna do processo de trabalho a ser executado. O presente estudo teve como objetivo sistematizar os cuidados aos portadores da diabetes Mellitus cadastrados na ESF Maria de Lourdes Guimarães no município de Pingo DÁgua, Minas Gerais. Foi realizada uma revisão de literatura narrativa proporcionando maior conhecimento sobre tema do presente trabalho. Após ser realizado um diagnóstico situacional da referida ESF, considerou-se de fundamental importância e urgência ampliar os cuidados aos portadores de Diabetes da ESF. A DM acomete 4,74% da população cadastrada na área abrangente da Equipe Saúde da Família Maria de Lourdes Guimarães, no município de Pingo DÁgua, Minas Gerais, sendo um total de 93 portadores da patologia. Vale ressaltar que, mesmo estando dentro da estimativa preconizada pelo Ministério da Saúde, que é 7%, este índice ainda representa para a área de abrangência um número significativo, considerando as consequências danosas oriundas deste mal. É necessária, portanto, a intervenção através da elaboração de um Plano de Ação para prevenção às complicações decorrentes desta patologia, e melhorar a qualidade de vida dos diabéticos idosos.