Epidemiology of coccidioidomycosis in Argentina, an update.

The National Reference Laboratory in Clinical Mycology of Argentina conducted a retrospective review of human coccidioidomycosis cases diagnosed by the National Mycology Laboratory Network of Argentina between 2010 and 2022 to determine the burden of the disease in the country. A total of 100 human coccidioidomycosis cases were documented, with a higher prevalence in male patients (male-to-female ratio of 1.9:1), with a median age of 41 years. Comparing the number of cases between two 10-year periods (2000-2009 and 2010-2019), the increase was 36.51% (from 63 to 86 cases). Among the 100 recorded cases, 79 tested positive using the double immunodiffusion test. Spherules were observed in 19 cases through histopathology or direct microscopic examination and the fungus was isolated in 39 cases. Thirty-six isolates were identified as Coccidioides posadasii through partial sequencing of the Ag2/PRA gene. Catamarca province had the highest number of cases, comprising 64% of the total, with an incidence rate above 1.0-2.5/100,000 inhabitants until 2018. However, there has been a recent downward trend in the region from 2018 to 2022. It is concerning that more than half of diagnosed cases were chronic pulmonary or disseminated forms, indicating a lack of early disease detection. To rectify this issue, it is imperative to conduct targeted training programs for healthcare personnel and enhance public awareness within the endemic area. This will contribute to a better understanding of the true burden of coccidioidomycosis and enable the implementation of appropriate sanitary control measures.

A case-control study to assess the role of polyomavirus in transplant complications: Where do we stand?

PURPOSE: The study's aim was to assess whether polyomavirus DNAemia screening was associated with different outcomes in patients with positive viremia compared with negative viremia. METHODS: Case-control retrospective study of patients with polyomavirus DNAemia (viremia > 1000 copies/mL) matched 1:1 with controls. Control group consists of the patient who received a transplant immediately before or after each identified case and did have nil viremia. FINDING: Ultimately, 120 cases of BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) were detected and matched with 130 controls. Of these, 54 were adult kidney transplant recipients (KTRs), 43 were pediatric KTRs, and 23 were undergoing hemato-oncologic therapy, of which 20 were undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The odds ratio (OR) for overall risk of poorer outcomes in cases versus controls was 16.07 (95% CI: 5.55-46.54). The unfavorable outcome of switching the immunosuppressive drug (ISD) (14/40,35%) was no different from that of those treated with reduced ISD doses (31/71, 43.6%, P = .250). Acute rejection or graft-versus-host disease, previous transplant, and intensity of immunosuppression (4 ISDs plus induction or conditioning) were risk factors for BKPyV-DNAemia (OR: 13.96, 95% CI: 11.25-15.18, P < .001; OR: 6.14, 95% CI: 3.91-8.80, P < .001; OR: 5.53, 95% CI: 3.37-7.30, P < .001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Despite viremia screening, dose reduction, and change in therapeutic protocol, patients with positive BKPyV-DNAemia present poorer outcomes and unfavorable results.

[Optimization of screening methodologies for the detection of Streptococcus agalactiae in pregnant women]. / Optimización de metodologías de cribaje para la búsqueda de Streptococcus agalactiae en embarazadas.

Streptococcus agalactiae is a significant worldwide cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnant women and their newborn infants. The objective of this work was to determine the usefulness of bioMerieux chromogenic medium chromID Strepto B (CR) for detecting S. agalactiae in pregnant women from the selective Todd-Hewitt broth (sel-THB ) against the methods proposed by the CDC . A total of 1924 swabs were analyzed, 962 from vaginal introitus and 962 rectal, belonging to 962 women in weeks 35-37 of pregnancy. The swabs were directly seeded in CR. Both swabs were later placed in sel-THB with 15 µg/ml supplement of nalidixic acid and 10 µg/ml colistin. After 24 h of incubation, subcultures in CR medium and agar containing 5% sheep blood (SBA) were performed. The prevalence found was 17.4%. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of sel-THB subcultures with CR supplement and 48 h incubation were: 98.8, 100, 100 and 99.7%, respectively. The corresponding values of direct harvest of the sample were 57.8, 100, 100, and 90%, respectively. Sensitivity of sel-THB in SBA was 85%. Sel-THB subculture performance in CR was outstanding in comparison with the method proposed by the CDC.

Optimización de metodologías de cribaje para la búsqueda de Streptococcus agalactiae en embarazadas / Optimization of screening methodologies for the detection of Streptococcus agalactiae in pregnant women

Streptococcus agalactiae es una causa importante de morbimortalidad en mujeres embarazadas y neonatos en todo el mundo. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar la utilidad del medio cromogénico chromID Strepto B de bioMérieux para detectar S. agalactiae en embarazadas cuando la muestra es sembrada directamente en dicho medio o después del enriquecimiento en caldo de Todd Hewitt selectivo, opciones que se compararon con la metodología propuesta por el CDC . Se analizaron 1924 hisopados, 962 de introito vaginal y 962 rectales, correspondientes a 962 embarazadas entre la semana 35 y 37 de gestación, asistidas en distintos hospitales. Los hisopados se sembraron directamente en el medio chromID Strepto B (CR) y luego se colocaron en un caldo de Todd Hewitt selectivo, suplementado con 15 µg/ml de ácido nalidíxico y 10 µg/ml de colistina (CTH-sel). Luego de 24 h de incubación, se realizaron subcultivos en el medio CR y en agar con 5% de sangre de carnero (ASO). La prevalencia global de S. agalactiae fue de 17,4%. La sensibilidad, la especificidad y los valores predictivos positivo y negativo del subcultivo en CR del material desarrollado en el CTH -sel fueron 98,8%, 100%, 100% y 99,7% respectivamente, con una incubación de 48 h. Los valores correspondientes de la siembra directa fueron 57,8%, 100%, 100% y 90%. La sensibilidad del subcultivo en ASO del material desarrollado en el CTH -sel fue del 85%. Se destaca el excelente rendimiento del subcultivo en CR luego del enriquecimiento en caldo de Todd Hewitt selectivo en comparación con el método propuesto por el CDC.

Streptococcus agalactiae is a significant worldwide cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnant women and their newborn infants. The objective of this work was to determine the usefulness of bioMrieux chromogenic medium chromID Strepto B (CR) for detecting S. agalactiae in pregnant women from the selective Todd-Hewitt broth (sel-THB ) against the methods proposed by the CDC . A total of 1924 swabs were analyzed, 962 from vaginal introitus and 962 rectal, belonging to 962 women in weeks 35-37 of pregnancy. The swabs were directly seeded in CR. Both swabs were later placed in sel-THB with 15 µg/ml supplement of nalidixic acid and 10 µg/ml colistin. After 24 h of incubation, subcultures in CR medium and agar containing 5% sheep blood (SBA) were performed. The prevalence found was 17.4%. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of sel-THB subcultures with CR supplement and 48 h incubation were: 98.8, 100, 100 and 99.7%, respectively. The corresponding values of direct harvest of the sample were 57.8, 100, 100, and 90%, respectively. Sensitivity of sel-THB in SBA was 85%. Sel-THB subculture performance in CR was outstanding in comparison with the method proposed by the CDC.

Arteriosclerosis carotídea y femoral preclínica en sujetos sanos: su relación con lipemia pospandrial, fibrinólisis y sensibilidad a la insulina / Preclinical carotid and femoral atherosclerosis in healthy subjects: its relation to post prandial lipemia, fibrinolysis and insulin sensitivity

En este trabajo se estudió a 30 sujetos aparentemente sanos que, según valores basales de triglicéridos, se dividieron en grupo 1: TG 150-200 mg/dl y grupo 2: TG <150 mg/dl. Con ayuno de 12 horas, se analizaron perfil lipídico, glucemia, insulinemia, sensibilidad insulínica, fibrinógeno, PAI-1 ag y t-PA ag. Se estudiaron valores posprandiales de TG, PAI-1 ag y t-PA ag, tolerancia oral a la glucosa y niveles de presión arterial. Por ultrasonido en modo B se estudiaron el grosor del complejo íntima-media de la pared arterial y eventuales placas de ateroma a nivel carotídeo y femoral. Los resultados sugieren que la identificación de hiperlipemia PP (asociada con diferentes desórdenes metabólicos y hemostáticos) y la ecografía arterial bidimensional contribuyen al diagnóstico de estadios tempranos de aterosclerosis (AU)

Arteriosclerosis carotídea y femoral preclínica en sujetos sanos: su relación con lipemia pospandrial, fibrinólisis y sensibilidad a la insulina / Preclinical carotid and femoral atherosclerosis in healthy subjects: its relation to post prandial lipemia, fibrinolysis and insulin sensitivity

En este trabajo se estudió a 30 sujetos aparentemente sanos que, según valores basales de triglicéridos, se dividieron en grupo 1: TG 150-200 mg/dl y grupo 2: TG <150 mg/dl. Con ayuno de 12 horas, se analizaron perfil lipídico, glucemia, insulinemia, sensibilidad insulínica, fibrinógeno, PAI-1 ag y t-PA ag. Se estudiaron valores posprandiales de TG, PAI-1 ag y t-PA ag, tolerancia oral a la glucosa y niveles de presión arterial. Por ultrasonido en modo B se estudiaron el grosor del complejo íntima-media de la pared arterial y eventuales placas de ateroma a nivel carotídeo y femoral. Los resultados sugieren que la identificación de hiperlipemia PP (asociada con diferentes desórdenes metabólicos y hemostáticos) y la ecografía arterial bidimensional contribuyen al diagnóstico de estadios tempranos de aterosclerosis