GII.4 human norovirus and G8P[1] bovine-like rotavirus in oysters (Crassostrea gigas) from Argentina.

Bivalve mollusks have been widely recognized as an important source of foodborne virus. The aim of this work was to determine the presence of norovirus (NoV) and rotavirus (RVA) in Pacific cupped oyster (Crassostrea gigas) from Buenos Aires, Argentina. A total of 88 oyster were processed. 7% of pooled samples resulted positive for NoV GII by RT-qPCR. The nucleotide analysis showed that it was closely related to GII.4/Sydney. Regarding RVA, 21% were positive by RT-qPCR targeting the NSP3 gene. RVA from one pool was isolated in cell culture and infective viral particles were evidenced by immunofluorescence. The genotype constellation of RVA/Oyster-wt/Crassostrea gigas_BA/2015/G8P[1] isolated strain was G8-P[1]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A3-N2-T6-E2-H3, which has a bovine-like genome backbone. Notably, RVA possesses an E2 genotype which is different from the characteristic E12 genotype of RVA circulating in animal species from South America. Our findings evidence not only the presence of enteric viruses in oysters from Argentina, but most important the viability of RVA. This result pose the need to implement surveillance programs to prevent potential foodborne viral outbreaks due to the consumption of contaminated shellfish.

First report of group A rotavirus and bovine coronavirus associated with neonatal calf diarrhea in the northwest of Argentina.

Group A rotavirus (RVA) and bovine coronavirus (BCoV) are the two main viral enteropathogens associated with neonatal calf diarrhea. The aim of the present survey was to investigate the epidemiology and the role of RVA and BCoV in the presentation of dairy and beef calf diarrhea in Lerma Valley of Salta province, within the Northwest region of Argentina. Stool samples of calves with or without diarrhea younger than 2 months of age were collected from 19 dairy farms and 20 beef farms between the years 2014 and 2016. Stool samples were screened for RVA and BCoV detection by ELISA. Heminested multiplex RT-PCR was used for RVA typing and RT-PCR to confirm BCoV. Positive samples were submitted to sequencing analysis. Bovine RVA and BCoV were circulating in 63% (12/19) and 10.52% (2/19) of the dairy farms, respectively, where 9.5% (46/484) of the calves were positives to RVA and 0.4% (2/484) to BCoV. In beef herds, RVA was detected in 40% (8/20) of the farms and in 6.75% (21/311) of the calves, without positives cases of BCoV. Molecular analysis showed that in dairy farms, G6P[11] and G10P[11] were the prevalent RVA strains, while in beef farms, G10P[11] was the prevalent. The main finding was the detection for the first time of a G15P[11] causing diarrhea in beef calves of Argentina that represents a new alert to be consider for future vaccine updates. Analysis of detected BCoV showed that it is related to the other circulating strains of Argentina.

Molecular and antigenic characterization of bovine Coronavirus circulating in Argentinean cattle during 1994-2010.

Bovine coronavirus (BCoV) is an important viral pathogen associated with neonatal calf diarrhea. Our aim was to investigate the incidence of BCoV in diarrhea outbreaks in beef and dairy herds from Argentina during 1994-2010. A total of 5.365 fecal samples from diarrheic calves were screened for BCoV diagnosis by ELISA. The virus was detected in 1.71% (92/5365) of the samples corresponding to 5.95% (63/1058) of the diarrhea cases in 239 beef and 324 dairy farms. The detection rate of BCoV was significantly higher in dairy than in beef herds: 12.13% (29/239) vs. 4.32% (14/324) respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the hypervariable S1 region of seven representative samples (from different husbandry systems, farm locations and years of sampling) indicated that BCoV strains circulating in Argentinean beef and dairy herds formed a cluster distinct from other geographical regions. Interestingly, Argentinean strains are distantly related (at both the nucleotide and amino acid levels) with the Mebus historic reference BCoV strain included in the vaccines currently available in Argentina. However, Mebus-induced antibodies were capable of neutralizing the BCoV Arg95, a field strain adapted to grow in vitro, and vice versa, indicating that both strains belong to the same CoV serotype reported in cattle. This work represents the first large survey describing BCoV circulation in Argentinean cattle.

Comparison of two commercial kits and an in-house ELISA for the detection of equine rotavirus in foal feces.

Group A rotaviruses (RVA) are important infectious agents associated with diarrhea in the young of several animal species including foals. Currently, a variety of diagnosis methods are commercially available, like ELISA, latex agglutination and immunochromatographic assays. These commercial tests are mainly designed for the detection of human RVA; its applicability in veterinary diagnosis has been poorly studied. The aim of this study was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of two commercial diagnostic kits, Pathfinder™ Rotavirus and FASTest Rota® strip, with an in-house KERI ELISA, for the detection of equine RVA. A total of 172 stool samples from Thoroughbred foals with diarrhea were analyzed. The presence of equine RVA in samples in which only one of the three methods showed positive results was confirmed by RT-PCR. A sample was considered "true positive" when RVA was detected by at least two of the methods, and "true negative" when it tested negative by the three assays. Following these criteria, 50 samples were found positive and 122 were found negative, and were handled as reference population for the assay validation. Pathfinder™ Rotavirus assay showed 32% sensitivity and 97% specificity, FASTest Rota® strip, 92% sensitivity and 97% specificity, and KERI ELISA, 76% sensitivity and 93% specificity. Pathfinder™ Rotavirus showed 77%, FASTest Rota® strip 95%, and KERI ELISA 88% accuracy to correctly classify the samples as equine RVA positive or negative. Pathfinder failed specifically to detect equine RVA G3P12I6 genotype; such performance might be related to the specificity of the monoclonal antibody included in this kit. According to our results, differences among VP6 genotypes could influence the sensitivity to detect equine RVA in foal feces, and thus assay validation of diagnostic kits for each species is necessary. In conclusion, FASTest Rota® strip is more suitable than ELISA Pathfinder™ Rotavirus for the screening of rotavirus infection in foals. The KERI ELISA showed an acceptable performance, and could be considered a proper economic alternative for equine RVA diagnosis.

Equine G3P[3] rotavirus strain E3198 related to simian RRV and feline/canine-like rotaviruses based on complete genome analyses.

Equine group A rotavirus (RVA) strains are the most important cause of gastroenteritis in equine neonates and foals worldwide, and G3P[12] and G14P[12] are epidemiologically the most important genotypes. The genotype constellation of an unusual Argentinean G3P[3] RVA strain (RVA/Horse-wt/E3198/2008/G3P[3]) detected in fecal samples of a diarrheic foal in 2008 was shown to be G3-P[3]-I3-R3-C3-M3-A9-N3-T3-E3-H6. Each of these genotypes has been found typically in feline and canine RVA strains, and the genotype constellation is reminiscent to those of Cat97-like RVA strains. However, the phylogenetic analyses revealed only a distant relationship between E3198 and known feline, canine and feline/canine-like human RVA strains. Surprisingly, a rather close relationship was found between E3198 and simian RVA strains RVA/Simian-tc/USA/RRV/1975/G3P[3] for at least 5 gene segments. RRV is believed to be a reassortant between a bovine-like RVA strain and a RVA strains distantly related to feline/canine RVA strains. These analyses indicate that E3198 is unlikely to be of equine origin, and most likely represents a RVA interspecies transmitted virus, possibly in combination with one or more reassortments, from a feline, canine or related host species to a horse. Further studies are in progress to evaluate if this strain was a single interspecies transmission event, or if this strain started to circulate in the equine population.

Experimental infection with equid herpesvirus 3 in seronegative and seropositive mares.

Equine coital exanthema (ECE), caused by equid herpesvirus 3 (EHV-3), has been recognized as an economically significant venereal disease for years. However, no infection models on the natural host have been established. In order to set up an experimental infection protocol, seronegative and seropositive mares were topically inoculated in the perineal region with 4 × 10(6)TCID(50)/ml of EHV-3. Clinical signs were then evaluated by means of a designed scoring system, and body temperature was recorded daily. Virological, and serological studies were also performed. Typical ECE lesions, with clinical scores of 90, 92, 160 and 172, were observed in the four seronegative animals. Only mild ECE lesions were observed in the two seropositive mares, being the clinical scores 53 and 41. Both groups of mares shed the virus, but the duration of virus shedding was shorter and its intensity was lower in seropositive mares than in seronegative ones. Moreover, EHV-3 antibody response was detected in both seronegative and seropositive mares after experimental infection and re-infection, being more moderate in seropositive ones. As a conclusion, EHV-3 infection of mares was experimentally achieved in a reproducible manner. The typical lesions of ECE were observed after topical EHV-3 infection in seronegative mares, in association with virus excretion and neutralizing antibody kinetics.

Los cuidados intensivos pediátricos en Latinoamérica / Pediatric intensive care in Latin America

Objetivo: Conocer cómo es la práctica de los cuidados intensivos pediátricos en Latinoamérica en comparación con 2 países europeos. Diseño: Recopilación y análisis de los datos presentados por los países miembros de la Sociedad Latinoamericana de Cuidado Intensivo Pediátrico (SLACIP), España y Portugal, en el Simposio de Intensivistas Pediátricos de Habla Española y Portuguesa realizado durante el V Congreso Mundial de Cuidado Intensivo Pediátrico. Ámbito: Unidades de cuidado intensivo pediátrico. Participantes: Intensivistas pediátricos representantes de los países que conforman la SLACIP, España y Portugal. Intervenciones: Ninguna. Variables de interés general: Se recolectaron, de cada país, indicadores de salud infantil, características de las instituciones de salud dedicadas al cuidado de los niños, unidades de cuidados intensivos pediátricos (UCIP), intensivistas pediátricos, procesos de certificación dentro de la especialidad, equipamiento de las diferentes unidades, casuística, cifras de mortalidad y principales problemas que requieren solución en cada uno de los países participantes. Resultados: Se analizaron los datos de 11 países, 9 latinoamericanos (Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Chile, Ecuador, Honduras, México, República Dominicana y Uruguay) y 2 europeos (..) (AU)

Objective: To describe the practice of pediatric intensive care in Latin America and compare it with two European countries. Design: Analysis of data presented by member countries of the Sociedad Latinoamericana de Cuidado Intensivo Pediátrico (SLACIP), Spain and Portugal, in the context of a Symposium of Spanish and Portuguese speaking pediatric intensivists during the Fifth World Congress on Pediatric Intensive Care. Setting: Pediatric intensive care units (PICUs).Participants: Pediatric intensivists in representation of each member country of the SLACIP, Spain and Portugal. Interventions: None. Variables of interest: Each country presented its data on child health, medical facilities for children, pediatric intensive care units, pediatric intensivists, certification procedures, equipment, morbidity, mortality, and issues requiring intervention in each participating country. Results: Data from 11 countries was analyzed. Nine countries were from Latin America (Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Chile, Ecuador, Honduras, México, Dominican Republic and Uruguay),and two from Europe (Spain and Portugal). Data from Bolivia and Guatemala were partially considered. Populational, institutional, and operative differences were identified. Mean PICU mortality was 13.29% in Latin America (..) (AU)

[Pediatric intensive care in Latin America]. / Los cuidados intensivos pediátricos en Latinoamérica.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the practice of pediatric intensive care in Latin America and compare it with two European countries. DESIGN: Analysis of data presented by member countries of the Sociedad Latinoamericana de Cuidado Intensivo Pediátrico (SLACIP), Spain and Portugal, in the context of a Symposium of Spanish and Portuguese - speaking pediatric intensivists during the Fifth World Congress on Pediatric Intensive Care. SETTING: Pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). PARTICIPANTS: Pediatric intensivists in representation of each member country of the SLACIP, Spain and Portugal. INTERVENTIONS: None. VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Each country presented its data on child health, medical facilities for children, pediatric intensive care units, pediatric intensivists, certification procedures, equipment, morbidity, mortality, and issues requiring intervention in each participating country. RESULTS: Data from 11 countries was analyzed. Nine countries were from Latin America (Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Chile, Ecuador, Honduras, México, Dominican Republic and Uruguay), and two from Europe (Spain and Portugal). Data from Bolivia and Guatemala were partially considered. Populational, institutional, and operative differences were identified. Mean PICU mortality was 13.29% in Latin America and 5% in the European countries (P=0.005). There was an inverse relationship between mortality and availability of pediatric intensive care units, pediatric intensivists, number of beds, and number of pediatric specialty centers. Financial and logistic limitations, as well as deficiencies in support disciplines, severity of diseases, malnutrition, late admissions, and inadequate initial treatments could be important contributors to mortality at least in some of these countries. CONCLUSION: There are important differences in population, morbidity and mortality in critically ill children among the participating countries. Mortality shows an inverse correlation to the availability of pediatric intensive care units, intensive care beds, pediatric intensivists, and pediatric subspecialty centers.

Neuropathogenic and non-neuropathogenic genotypes of Equid Herpesvirus type 1 in Argentina.

Infection with Equid Herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) leads to respiratory disease, abortion, and neurological disorders in horses. Molecular epidemiology studies have demonstrated that a single nucleotide polymorphism (A(2254)/G(2254)) in the genome region of the open reading frame 30 (ORF30), which results in an amino acid variation (N(752)/D(752)) of the EHV-1 DNA polymerase, is significantly associated with the neuropathogenic potential of naturally occurring strains. In order to estimate the prevalence of the EHV-1 neuropathogenic genotype in our country, we analyzed the ORF30 genome region of Argentinean EHV-1 isolates. The study was carried out by real time allelic discrimination PCR in 90 equine EHV-1-positive samples, being 89 from 54 cases of abortion outbreaks (two of which were in association with neurological disease) and one from the respiratory tract of a healthy horse in training. Our results indicate that 7% (4/54) of the abortion outbreaks studied were induced by the neuropathogenic (G(2254)) genotype of EHV-1 and 50% (2/4) of them were associated with simultaneous neurological disease. This information emphasizes the necessity to extreme the hygienic and preventive measures to diminish EHV-1 infections and consequently reduce the risk of epizootic neurological disease as has been recently observed in other countries.

Encuesta latinoamericana de nutrición en Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos (ELAN-CIP) / The Latin-American survey on nutrition in pediatric intensive care (ELAN-CIP)

Introducción: El soporte nutricional artificial (SNA) es una técnica terapéutica importante en la atención del niño críticamente enfermo que no siempre se implementa en forma oportuna y correcta; adicionalmente, hay diferentes métodos para su aplicación que varían entre los diferentes centros e, incluso, entre los diferentes profesionales. Material y métodos: Encuesta transversal multicéntrica. Resultados: Participaron en la encuesta 14 países y 24 unidades de cuidados intensivos pediátricos (UCIP), la mayoría multidisciplinarias y pertenecientes a hospitales públicos y universitarios. El SNA preferido fue el enteral, administrado por vía gástrica e iniciado en las primeras 72h después del ingreso. Las técnicas de administración y de monitorización del SNA (enteral y parenteral) fueron variadas pero, en general, consistentes con las recomendaciones mundialmente aceptadas. Conclusiones: Las UCIP latinoamericanas prefieren un SNA enteral administrado precozmente después del ingreso por vía gástrica (AU)

Introduction: Artificial Nutrition Support (ANS) is an important therapeutic technique in the care of the critically ill child that is not always implemented appropriately and correctly. There are also different ways of applying it which varies between the different centres and, even among the different health professionals. Material Methods: A cross-sectional multicentre survey. Results: A total of 24 PICUs took part in 14 countries, the majority multidisciplinary and belonging to public and university hospitals. The preferred ANS was enteral, administrated by the gastric route and started within the first 72h after admission. The administration techniques and monitoring of the ANS, enteral and parenteral, were variable but generally consistent with the world-wide accept recommendations. Conclusions: Latin-American PICUs prefer enteral ANS administered by gastric feed soon after admission (AU)

[The Latin-American survey on nutrition in Pediatric Intensive Care (ELAN-CIP)]. / Encuesta LatinoAmericana de nutrición en Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos (ELAN-CIP).

INTRODUCTION: Artificial Nutrition Support (ANS) is an important therapeutic technique in the care of the critically ill child that is not always implemented appropriately and correctly. There are also different ways of applying it which varies between the different centres and, even among the different health professionals. MATERIAL METHODS: A cross-sectional multicentre survey. RESULTS: A total of 24 PICUs took part in 14 countries, the majority multidisciplinary and belonging to public and university hospitals. The preferred ANS was enteral, administrated by the gastric route and started within the first 72h after admission. The administration techniques and monitoring of the ANS, enteral and parenteral, were variable but generally consistent with the world-wide accept recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Latin-American PICUs prefer enteral ANS administered by gastric feed soon after admission.

Experimental reactivation of equine herpesvirus-3 following corticosteroid treatment.

State of latency, well known for several herpesviruses, has been proposed for equine herpesvirus-3 (EHV-3) and supported by epidemiological observations. No detailed assessment about reactivation, patterns of excretion and reexcretion has been formally reported. An experimental reactivation study by corticosteroid treatment in previously naturally infected horses was therefore carried out. Two polo mares with clinical and virologically confirmed history of equine coital exanthema were injected with dexamethasone and prednisolone on 3 successive days. Clinical signs, body temperature and clinical samples for virological and serological studies were obtained daily. Mares did not show any systemic clinical signs or hyperthermia. EHV-3 shedding, seroconversion and the presence of a small lesion were observed in one of the mares under study 2 weeks after corticosteroid treatment. The results demonstrate that this virus exhibits a latency-reactivation behaviour similar to that of other alpha herpesviruses. Reactivation of latency may have an important bearing on the appearance of clinical signs in mares and/or stallions during the breeding season without the actual evidence of transfer from mare to stallion or vice versa.

CT angiography with helical CT in the assessment of acute stage of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the usefulness of helical CT in the preoperative assessment of ruptured cerebral aneurysms during the acute stage of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). METHODS: Nine patients with 13 aneurysms were included in this study. Helical CT scanning was performed before preoperative angiography. The section thickness and the table-movement speed were 1-2 mm/sec. Helical CT scanning was started 20 sec after the start of injection of 100 ml of contrast agent at a rate of 3 ml/sec. RESULTS: The average CT value of SAH was 51.9 Hounsfield units (HU) and that of the aneurysm was 191.7 HU. Nine of 13 aneurysms greater than 3.0 mm in diameter were identified by three-dimensional CT angiography (3DCTA). In seven cases, the information provided by 3DCTA images, maximum intensity projection images, and multiplanar images, was very useful in surgical planning, providing information concerning the configuration of the neck and relationships between the aneurysm and brain parenchyma. Four aneurysms in two cases were not depicted by 3DCTA because they were located outside the imaging volume. This problem was overcome by changing the imaging volume according to the extent of origin of SAH. CONCLUSION: We conclude that helical CT in patients with SAH is useful for surgical planning, providing valuable information that cannot be obtained by conventional angiography.

Revisión epidemiológica y clínica de los pacientes con cáncer prostático: Hospital Carlos Andrade Marín 1995 / Overhaul epidemiologist and clinic of the patients with prostate cancer: Hospital Carlos Andrade Marín 1995

Presentamos el estudio de los casos de carcinoma de próstata en el Servicio de Urología del Hospital Carlos Andrade Marín en el año 1995, observándose 64 nuevos pacientes y 108 que se encontraban en tratamiento contínuo en la Consulta externa representando el 8.4xciento de la misma y el 8.8xciento de la Hospitalización. Se discuten todos los medios diagnósticos y los tratamientos que obtuvieron este grupo de pacientes.

Antagonistic activities of N-3389, a newly synthesized diazabicyclo derivative, at 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptors.

The antagonistic activities of compound N-3389 (endo-3,9-dimethyl-3,9- diazabicyclo[3,3,1]non-7-yl 1H-indazole-3-carboxamide dihydrochloride) at 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptors were examined using in vitro and in vivo assays. N-3389 showed potent 5-HT3 receptor antagonistic activities in a radioligand binding assay (pKi = 8.77), against 2-methyl-5-HT (2-Me-5-HT)-induced bradycardia in rats (ED50 = 0.73 micrograms/kg i.v., 38 micrograms/kg p.o.) and against 2-Me-5-HT-induced contraction in longitudinal muscle myenteric plexus preparations of guinea-pig ileum (IC50 = 3.2 x 10(-8) M). As a preliminary to investigating the effect of N-3389 on 5-HT4 receptors, we examined the contraction induced by 5-HT in guinea-pig ileum preparations. We confirmed that 5-HT (10(-8)-10(-5) M) induced biphasic contractions in the preparations. Furthermore, 5-HT3 receptor antagonism inhibited the late phase of the contraction induced by high concentrations of 5-HT (3 x 10(-6)-10(-5) M), whereas 5-HT4 receptor antagonism inhibited the early phase of the contraction induced by low concentrations of 5-HT (10(-8)-10(-6) M). N-3389 (10(-7)-10(-5) M) inhibited both phases of contraction induced by 5-HT. In addition, N-3389 (3 x 10(-7)-3 x 10(-6) M) was found to inhibit the increase of electrically stimulated twitch responses induced by 5-HT (10(-8) M) longitudinal muscle myenteric plexus preparation of the guinea-pig ileum. These results suggest that N-3389 acts as a 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptor antagonist.

Washington Psychosocial Seizure Inventory: a multiinstitutional study in Japan.

No reports of the Washington Psychosocial Seizure Inventory (WPSI) have yet been presented from Asian countries in detail. We performed a multiinstitutional study of this test in 652 Japanese subjects. The mean value of the Lie Scale was high, and only one third of our subjects were under the limit of the original criterion; this has been the biggest obstacle to use of the validity scales of this test in Japan. The profile form of the clinical scales was very similar to those reported from other countries. According to the relation between clinical characteristics and the WPSI scales, seizure frequency showed the strongest influence. In a comparison of whole subjects, mean scores of the clinical scales in Japan remained at an intermediate value or lower. This result was obviously distorted by the high score of the Lie Scale. When comparison was restricted to cases with valid Lie Scale scores, the values of five clinical scales showed high levels. Therefore, Japanese patients among developed countries apparently showed relatively severe levels of problems. We conclude that the WPSI could be a useful examination in Japan to determine reliably the various psychosocial problems of epileptic persons, but use of the Lie Scale according to the original criterion is not practical. Modifications of the limitation may be needed.