Peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotypes in Alzheimer and Parkinson's diseases.

INTRODUCTION: Neuroinflammation is involved in the pathophysiology of various neurological disorders, in particular Alzheimer disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Alterations in the blood-brain barrier may allow peripheral blood lymphocytes to enter the central nervous system; these may participate in disease pathogenesis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the peripheral blood lymphocyte profiles of patients with AD and PD and their association with the disease and its progression. METHODS: The study included 20 patients with AD, 20 with PD, and a group of healthy individuals. Ten of the patients with AD and 12 of those with PD were evaluated a second time 17 to 27 months after the start of the study. Lymphocyte subpopulations and their activation status were determined by flow cytometry. All patients underwent neurological examinations using internationally validated scales. RESULTS: Compared to healthy individuals, patients with AD and PD showed significantly higher levels of activated lymphocytes, lymphocytes susceptible to apoptosis, central memory T cells, and regulatory T and B cells. As the diseases progressed, there was a significant decrease in activated cells (CD4+ CD38+ and CD8+ CD38+ in PD and AD, CD4+ CD69+ and CD8+ CD69+ in PD), T cells susceptible to apoptosis, and some regulatory populations (CD19+ CD5+ IL10+ in PD and AD, CD19+ CD5+ IL10+ FoxP3+, CD4+ FoxP3+ CD25+ CD45RO+ in PD). In patients with AD, disease progression was associated with lower percentages of CD4+ CD38+ cells and higher percentages of effector CD4 cells at the beginning of the study. Significant differences were observed between both diseases. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence of changes in peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotypes associated with AD and PD and their severity. Considering effective blood-brain communication, our results open new avenues of research into immunomodulation therapies to treat these diseases.

Fenotipos de linfocitos periféricos en las enfermedades de Alzheimer y Parkinson / Peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotypes in Alzheimer and Parkinson's diseases

Introducción: La neuroinflamación está involucrada en la fisiopatología de diferentes trastornos neurológicos, en particular la enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA) y la enfermedad de Parkinson (EP). Las alteraciones en la barrera hematoencefálica pueden permitir la entrada al sistema nervioso central de linfocitos periféricos, los cuales pueden participar en la patología de las enfermedades. Objetivo: Evaluar el perfil de linfocitos periféricos en pacientes con EA y EP y su asociación con la enfermedad y su progresión. Métodos: Se incluyeron 20 pacientes con EA, 20 pacientes con EP y un grupo de individuos sanos. Diez de los pacientes con EA y 12 de los pacientes con EP fueron evaluados una segunda vez de 17 a 27 meses después del inicio del estudio. Las subpoblaciones de linfocitos y su estado de activación se determinaron mediante citometría de flujo. Todos los pacientes fueron evaluados neurológicamente utilizando escalas validadas internacionalmente. Resultados: Los pacientes con EA y EP mostraron un aumento significativo en los niveles de linfocitos activados, linfocitos susceptibles a la apoptosis, células T de memoria central y células T y B reguladoras con respecto a los sujetos sanos. A medida que las enfermedades progresaron se observó una disminución significativa de las células activadas (CD4+ CD38+ y CD8+ CD38+ en EP y EA; CD4+ CD69+ y CD8+ CD69+ en EP), de las células T susceptibles a la apoptosis y de algunas poblaciones reguladoras (CD19+ CD5+ IL10+ en EP y EA; CD19+ CD5+ IL10+ FoxP3+, CD4+ FoxP3+ CD25+ CD45RO+ en EP). En pacientes con EA la progresión de la enfermedad se asoció con porcentajes más bajos de CD4 + CD38 + y mayores porcentajes de células CD4 efectoras al comienzo del estudio. Se observaron diferencias significativas entre ambas enfermedades. Conclusiones: Este estudio proporciona evidencia de cambios en los fenotipos de linfocitos periféricos asociados a EA y EP y a su gravedad. [...] (AU)

Introduction: Neuroinflammation is involved in the pathophysiology of various neurological disorders, in particular Alzheimer disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Alterations in the blood-brain barrier may allow peripheral blood lymphocytes to enter the central nervous system; these may participate in disease pathogenesis. Objective: To evaluate the peripheral blood lymphocyte profiles of patients with AD and PD and their association with the disease and its progression. Methods: The study included 20 patients with AD, 20 with PD, and a group of healthy individuals. Ten of the patients with AD and 12 of those with PD were evaluated a second time 17 to 27 months after the start of the study. Lymphocyte subpopulations and their activation status were determined by flow cytometry. All patients underwent neurological examinations using internationally validated scales. Results: Compared to healthy individuals, patients with AD and PD showed significantly higher levels of activated lymphocytes, lymphocytes susceptible to apoptosis, central memory T cells, and regulatory T and B cells. As the diseases progressed, there was a significant decrease in activated cells (CD4+ CD38+ and CD8+ CD38 + in PD and AD, CD4+ CD69+ and CD8+ CD69+ in PD), T cells susceptible to apoptosis, and some regulatory populations (CD19+ CD5+ IL10+ in PD and AD, CD19+ CD5+ IL10+ FoxP3+, CD4+ FoxP3+ CD25+ CD45RO+ in PD). In patients with AD, disease progression was associated with lower percentages of CD4+ CD38+ cells and higher percentages of effector CD4 cells at the beginning of the study. Significant differences were observed between both diseases. Conclusions: This study provides evidence of changes in peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotypes associated with AD and PD and their severity. Considering effective blood-brain communication, our results open new avenues of research into immunomodulation therapies to treat these diseases. (AU)

Contribution to the reproductive ecology of Notoscopelus resplendens (Richardson, 1845) (Myctophidae) in the Central-Eastern Atlantic.

Notoscopelus resplendens is an abundant myctophid in the region of the Central-Eastern Atlantic. As with a majority of other myctophid species, this species performs vertical migration, playing a key role in the oceanic food web and in carbon sequestration. We examined the reproductive biology of N. resplendens based on 579 specimens caught between 1997 and 2002 off the Canary Islands. We found that the maximum standard length (SL) was lower than the size reported by other authors. The sex ratio was not different from 1:1. The average size at first maturity (L50) was higher in females (60.34 mm SL) than in males (56.61 mm SL). The gonadosomatic index (GSI) at 50% sexual maturity in females was higher than that in males. The reproductive activity was observed from January to April, while from May onwards, the majority of fish caught were in the process of maturation. The macroscopic scale of maturation was validated through the histological analysis of the ovarian development. The batch fecundity was related to the standard length, with an average of 1068.69 ± 369.84 eggs/spawn. These first data obtained for N. resplendens indicated that it is a batch spawner with asynchronous ovarian development.

Peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotypes in Alzheimer and Parkinson's diseases. / Fenotipos de linfocitos periféricos en las enfermedades de Alzheimer y Parkinson.

INTRODUCTION: Neuroinflammation is involved in the pathophysiology of various neurological disorders, in particular Alzheimer disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Alterations in the blood-brain barrier may allow peripheral blood lymphocytes to enter the central nervous system; these may participate in disease pathogenesis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the peripheral blood lymphocyte profiles of patients with AD and PD and their association with the disease and its progression. METHODS: The study included 20 patients with AD, 20 with PD, and a group of healthy individuals. Ten of the patients with AD and 12 of those with PD were evaluated a second time 17 to 27 months after the start of the study. Lymphocyte subpopulations and their activation status were determined by flow cytometry. All patients underwent neurological examinations using internationally validated scales. RESULTS: Compared to healthy individuals, patients with AD and PD showed significantly higher levels of activated lymphocytes, lymphocytes susceptible to apoptosis, central memory T cells, and regulatory T and B cells. As the diseases progressed, there was a significant decrease in activated cells (CD4+ CD38+ and CD8+ CD38 + in PD and AD, CD4+ CD69+ and CD8+ CD69+ in PD), T cells susceptible to apoptosis, and some regulatory populations (CD19+ CD5+ IL10+ in PD and AD, CD19+ CD5+ IL10+ FoxP3+, CD4+ FoxP3+ CD25+ CD45RO+ in PD). In patients with AD, disease progression was associated with lower percentages of CD4+ CD38+ cells and higher percentages of effector CD4 cells at the beginning of the study. Significant differences were observed between both diseases. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence of changes in peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotypes associated with AD and PD and their severity. Considering effective blood-brain communication, our results open new avenues of research into immunomodulation therapies to treat these diseases.

Quantum Artificial Life in an IBM Quantum Computer.

We present the first experimental realization of a quantum artificial life algorithm in a quantum computer. The quantum biomimetic protocol encodes tailored quantum behaviors belonging to living systems, namely, self-replication, mutation, interaction between individuals, and death, into the cloud quantum computer IBM ibmqx4. In this experiment, entanglement spreads throughout generations of individuals, where genuine quantum information features are inherited through genealogical networks. As a pioneering proof-of-principle, experimental data fits the ideal model with accuracy. Thereafter, these and other models of quantum artificial life, for which no classical device may predict its quantum supremacy evolution, can be further explored in novel generations of quantum computers. Quantum biomimetics, quantum machine learning, and quantum artificial intelligence will move forward hand in hand through more elaborate levels of quantum complexity.

Genetic Algorithms for Digital Quantum Simulations.

We propose genetic algorithms, which are robust optimization techniques inspired by natural selection, to enhance the versatility of digital quantum simulations. In this sense, we show that genetic algorithms can be employed to increase the fidelity and optimize the resource requirements of digital quantum simulation protocols while adapting naturally to the experimental constraints. Furthermore, this method allows us to reduce not only digital errors but also experimental errors in quantum gates. Indeed, by adding ancillary qubits, we design a modular gate made out of imperfect gates, whose fidelity is larger than the fidelity of any of the constituent gates. Finally, we prove that the proposed modular gates are resilient against different gate errors.

Visión respecto a la legislación laboral chilena, desde sujetos en situación de discapacidad con participación política / Vision regarding chilean labor legislation, from subjects in disability situation with political participation

La presente investigación aborda la temática “Discapacidad y legislación laboral chilena”, con el propósito de incorporar en el análisis la visión de sujetos en situación de discapacidad con experiencia organizativa y orientados a la acción política. El objetivo es analizar la visión respecto a la legislación laboral actual chilena desde sujetos en situación de discapacidad que participan activamente en política, pertenecientes al Colectivo Palos de Ciego durante el año 2014. Se utiliza una metodología participativa con enfoque cualitativo, orientada a la emancipación y con perspectiva etnográfica. La recolección de información se realiza a partir de la observación participante, notas de campo y entrevistas en profundidad. El análisis de la información se realiza mediante codificación abierta. Los resultados se estructuran a partir de tres ejes temáticos: visión política de la legislación laboral, limitantes percibidas y propuestas de transformación respecto de la inclusión laboral chilena. La problemática central tiene relación con la lógica dominante bajo la cual el Estado actúa de manera subsidiaria, no reconociendo los Derechos inherentes de los sujetos en situación de discapacidad. Los miembros del Colectivo proponen estrategias de transformación de orden político, con incidencia en aspectos globales y de acción política directa, destacándose la importancia de concientizar a la sociedad respecto a la comprensión de la discapacidad como problema político. Finalmente, se expresa el desafío de ampliar la Terapia Ocupacional al ámbito político, orientando la participación del profesional en los procesos de lucha política de los sujetos en situación de discapacidad.

This research is framed in the thematic “Disability and Chilean labor legislation” with the purpose of incorporating the vision of the subjects in disability situation with experience and political action. The aim of this research is to analyze the political vision regarding the current Chilean labor legislation, from the subjects in disability situation belonging to the group “Palos de ciego” during 2014. A participatory methodology with qualitative focusing is used, oriented to emancipation, with ethnographic perspective. Data gathering is from participant observation, field notes, and in-depth interviews. The analysis of information is done through open coding. Results are structured from three thematic axes: political vision of the labor legislation, limitations and proposals of transformation of the Chilean labor inclusion. The central issue is related to the dominant logic, under which the state acts on a subsidiary basis, not recognizing the inherent rights of the subjects in disability situation. The group proposes strategies of transformation of political order, with incidence in global and specific aspects, standing out the importance of awareness in society regarding compression of disability as a political problem. Finally, is expressed the challenge of enlarge occupational therapy to a political scope, encouraging the professional’s participation in the processes of political struggle of the subjects in situation of disability, as well as political participation thereof.

Plasma and peritoneal fluid population pharmacokinetics of micafungin in post-surgical patients with severe peritonitis.

OBJECTIVES: Limited information about the pharmacokinetics of micafungin in the peritoneal cavity is available. The aim of this study was to explore the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of micafungin in plasma and peritoneal fluid in post-surgical critically ill patients with proven or suspected intra-abdominal fungal infection. METHODS: Patients were administered 100 mg/day micafungin. Serial blood and peritoneal fluid samples were collected on day 1 and day 3 (steady-state) of treatment. Concentrations were determined by validated chromatography and were subject to a population pharmacokinetic analysis with Pmetrics(®). Monte Carlo simulations were performed for AUC0-24/MIC ratios in plasma. The PTA was calculated using AUC0-24/MIC cut-offs: 285 for Candida parapsilosis and 3000 for non-parapsilosis Candida spp. RESULTS: Ten patients were included; six were male. The median (range) age, APACHE II score and Mannheim peritonitis index were 72 (43-85) years, 15 (11-36) and 26 (8-37), respectively. On day 1, median (SD) penetration of micafungin into the peritoneal cavity was 30% (30%-40%). A three-compartment model adequately described the data. The mean (SD) estimates for clearance and volume of distribution of the central compartment were 1.27 (0.75) L/h and 9.26 (1.11) L, respectively. In most patients, the PTA in plasma was ≥ 90% for MICs of 0.008-0.016 mg/L for Candida spp. and 0.125-0.25 mg/L for C. parapsilosis. CONCLUSIONS: After the first dose, micafungin at 100 mg/day achieves pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic targets in plasma for Candida spp. and C. parapsilosis MICs of 0.008-0.016 and 0.125-0.25 mg/L, respectively.

The Forbidden Quantum Adder.

Quantum information provides fundamentally different computational resources than classical information. We prove that there is no unitary protocol able to add unknown quantum states belonging to different Hilbert spaces. This is an inherent restriction of quantum physics that is related to the impossibility of copying an arbitrary quantum state, i.e., the no-cloning theorem. Moreover, we demonstrate that a quantum adder, in absence of an ancillary system, is also forbidden for a known orthonormal basis. This allows us to propose an approximate quantum adder that could be implemented in the lab. Finally, we discuss the distinct character of the forbidden quantum adder for quantum states and the allowed quantum adder for density matrices.

Current status of prenatal diagnosis in Cuba: causes of low prevalence of Down syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze trends in cytogenetic prenatal diagnosis in Cuba and to analyze possible causes leading to a low Down syndrome prevalence in a country where the triple test is not available. METHODS: An analysis of the Cuban program in prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis from 1984 to 2012 was conducted. Results are described, with particular emphasis on indications, abnormal results, types of invasive procedures, and terminations of pregnancy. RESULTS: Cytogenetic prenatal diagnostic analyses (n = 75,095) were conducted; maternal age was the indication for 77.9% of the amniocenteses and chorionic villus samplings. The detection rate of chromosomally abnormal pregnancies was 2.3% for maternal age and increased to 8-9% for other indications. When a chromosomal abnormality was identified, 88.5% terminated the pregnancy. In 2002, the live birth prevalence of Down syndrome was 8.4 per 10,000 live births, and in 2012, 7 per 10,000. CONCLUSION: Prenatal diagnosis in Cuba has contributed to a significant reduction in chromosomal aberrations. The impact increased because of the demographic trends of the population, the high index of terminations of pregnancy, and the establishment of a network of cytogenetic laboratories throughout Cuba.

Biomimetic cloning of quantum observables.

We propose a bio-inspired sequential quantum protocol for the cloning and preservation of the statistics associated to quantum observables of a given system. It combines the cloning of a set of commuting observables, permitted by the no-cloning and no-broadcasting theorems, with a controllable propagation of the initial state coherences to the subsequent generations. The protocol mimics the scenario in which an individual in an unknown quantum state copies and propagates its quantum information into an environment of blank qubits. Finally, we propose a realistic experimental implementation of this protocol in trapped ions.

Quantum simulation of noncausal kinematic transformations.

We propose the implementation of Galileo group symmetry operations or, in general, linear coordinate transformations in a quantum simulator. With an appropriate encoding, unitary gates applied to our quantum system give rise to Galilean boosts or spatial and time parity operations in the simulated dynamics. This framework provides us with a flexible toolbox that enhances the versatility of quantum simulation theory, allowing the direct access to dynamical quantities that would otherwise require full tomography. Furthermore, this method enables the study of noncausal kinematics and phenomena beyond special relativity in a quantum controllable system.

Leuconiquia total adquirida en paciente infectado por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana / Acquired Total Leukonychia in a Patient With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

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Sistematización de un programa de entrenamiento en endoscopia digestiva alta diagnóstica en ambiente simulado y curvas de aprendizaje en pacientes reales / Systematization of a UGE training program for diagnosis in a simulation-based setting and learning curves in real patients

Introduction: Upper endoscopy (UE) is one the most common diagnostic medical procederes. While UE is safe, it is not free of complications. Structured training programs could help to ensure technical quality and adequate safety standars. Objective: To describe a standardized training program in diagnostic UE in a simulated and a clinical environment. Methods: Gastroenterology residents of the following areas: pediatrics, adults, digestive surgery, and family medicine, without previous experience in UE, were trained in a simulated environment followed by a stage of supervised clinical practice. The achievement of 4 pre-established key-goals in UE were assessed (esophageal intubation, pylorus trespassing, second portion of the duodenum trespassing, and gastric retroversion), and learning curves were constructed. Results: Eight residents completed the simulated training sessions, followed by 130 UE performed during their clinical training. Initially, the most difficult goal to be achieved was the esophageal intubation with only 12.5 percent during the first 10 sessions, and it was statistically significant compared to the other endoscopic goals (gastric retroversion: 63.8 percent second portion of the duodenum trespassing: 46.3 percent; and pylorus trespassing: 62.5 percent p < 0.001). The learning curves were flat between 80 to 90 UE for the 4 endoscopic goals, and no complications were observed in 1,040 procedures. Conclusion: The endoscopic program reduces the training time in a manner that is efficient and safe for the patient. Simulation models could be useful to improve the trainees’ performance in more difficult stages in their training process.

Introducción: La endoscopía digestiva alta (EDA) diagnóstica es uno de los procedimientos médicos más solicitados en la práctica clínica habitual y si bien es una técnica segura no está exenta de complicaciones. Programas de entrenamiento estructurados podrían ayudar a garantizar un procedimiento de calidad y con adecuados estándares de seguridad. Objetivo: Describir un programa estandarizado de entrenamiento en EDA diagnóstica en un ambiente simulado y clínico. Métodos: residentes de los programas de gastroenterología adultos, pediátrica, cirugía digestiva y medicina familiar, sin experiencia en EDA, fueron sometidos a un programa de entrenamiento simulado, seguido de una etapa de práctica clínica supervisada. Se evaluó el cumplimiento de 4 hitos preestablecidos (intubación esofágica, paso del píloro, paso a la segunda porción duodenal y retrovisión) y se confeccionaron curvas de aprendizaje. Resultados: Ocho residentes completaron la etapa de simulación y realizaron 130 EDA durante la etapa clínica. Inicialmente el hito más difícil de cumplir fue la intubación esofágica, logrado sólo en el 12,5 por ciento en las primera 10 sesiones, existiendo una diferencia estadísticamente significativa con los otros hitos (retrovisión: 63,8 por ciento paso a la segunda porción duodenal: 46,3 por ciento y paso del píloro: 62,5 por ciento; p < 0,001). El aplanamiento de la curva de aprendizaje fue alcanzado entre la endoscopía 80 y 90 de forma comparable para los 4 hitos, sin complicaciones en 1.040 procedimientos. Conclusión: El programa de entrenamiento reduce el tiempo de entrenamiento de manera eficiente y segura para los pacientes. Modelos de simulación podrían servir para mejorar el rendimiento en etapas de mayor dificultad.

Apariencia mamográfica, ecográfica e histopatológica del hemangioma cavernoso de mama: a propósito de un caso / Mammographic, ultrasonographic and histopathological appearances of cavernous hemangioma of the breast: one case report

Los tumores vasculares mamarios son infrecuentes. La mayoría de los tumores parenquimatosos son angio-sarcomas y los tumores extraparenquimatosos usual-mente corresponden a hemangiomas. Presentamos el caso de una paciente asintomática, que fue remitida para la realización de biopsia de un nódu-lo superficial identificado en mamografía de tamizaje. El diagnóstico histológico fue hemangioma cavernoso. Se describen las características clínicas, imagenológi-cas e histopatológicas de esta entidad y se realiza una revisión de la literatura.

Vascular tumors of breast are infrequent. Most parenchymal tumors are angiosarcomas and extra parenchymal tumors are usually hemangiomas. We describe the case of an asymptomatic patient referred to our institution for a biopsy on a superficial nodule identified in screening mammography. Histopathologic diagnosis of cavernous hemangioma was made. The clinical, mammographic, ultrasonographic and histopathological features of this tumor are reviewed.

Differential effect of clozapine and haloperidol on rats treated with methylphenidate in the open field test.

Development of atypical antipsychotic compounds is an important task in pharmacology in order to improve therapeutic features and avoid side effects shown by classical antipsychotic compounds. The prototype of the second generation compounds, clozapine differs from typical antipsychotics by having a high D4 and 5HT(2A) and low D2 receptor affinity. Clozapine is the prototype agent for screening new atypical antipsychotic compounds. Clozapine was compared to haloperidol in the open field animal model in which crossings, rearings and rearing time were analyzed. Clozapine (0.5 and 1 mg/kg) and haloperidol (0.03 mg/kg) were administered by intraperitoneal injection. Five days before experiments, animals were given methylphenidate (12 mg/kg, orally). The experiments were performed 24 hr after the last methylphenidate dose. In the open field test, clozapine blocked the increase in rearing time and rearings elicited by methylphenidate administration in a dose-dependent fashion. No effect was observed in crossings at 1 mg/kg, but there was at 0.5 mg/kg. This could be related to an anxiolytic action at this dose. Haloperidol blocked the increase in rearing time, rearings and crossings. Results are discussed in terms of the putative participation of D4 subtype receptors in the mediation of time and rearing behavior. This approach could be used for the screening of atypical antipsychotic drugs.

Metaloenzimas tipo VIM detectadas en aislamientos clínicos en Pseudomonas aeruginosa en cuatro hospitales en Venezuela / VIM- type metalloenzymes detected in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in four Venezuelan hospitals

En los últimos años se ha observado mundialmente un incremento del aislamiento de cepas de Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistentes a múltiples antibióticos, siendo la producción de β-lactamasas la principal causa de resistencia a los antibióticos β-lactámicos, los cuales constituyen la única opción terapéutica en muchos casos. Las metalo-β-lactamasas (MBLs) son una familia de enzimas degradadoras de β-lactámicos que recientemente han emergido como determinantes de resistencia de importancia clínica y que son activas contra los carbapenem; no hidrolizan a los monobactámicos; son inhibidas por agentes quelantes de iones metálicos como el EDTA y el ácido dipicolínico; no son inhibidas por el ácido clavulánico, sulbactan ni tazobactan y presentan uno o dos iones de zinc en su sitio activo. Este reporte describe la detección de MBLs tipo VIM mediante ensayos fenotípicos y moleculares en nueve cepas de Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistentes a carbapenems aisladas de muestras clínicas de cuatro hospitales de Venezuela. Por métodos fenotípicos se evidenció que 100% de las cepas eran productoras de MBLs, y por PCR todas las MBLs resultaron ser de la familia VIM, las cuales confieren alto nivel de resistencia a los antibióticos β-lactámicos, con excepción del Aztreonam, único antibiótico al cual se observó sensibilidad, complicando así las opciones terapéuticas.

In recent years there has been a worldwide raise in the isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains with resistance to multiple antibiotics, being β-lactamase production the main cause of resistance to β-lactamic antibiotic (which are the only therapeutic option in many cases). The MBLs are an β-lactamic- degrading enzymatic family that have emerged as clinically relevant resistance determinants and are active against carbapemens, don´t hydrolise monobactams, have one or two zinc ions in its active site and are inhibited by metallic ions chelating agents such as EDTA and dipicolinic acid, but aren´t inhibited by β-lactamase inhibitors such as clavulanic acid, sulbactam or tazobactam. This report describes the detection of VIM-type MBLs by phenotypic and molecular methods in 9 carbapenemsresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from clinical samples of four Venezuelan hospitals. By phenotypic methods it was evidenced that 100% of the strains were MBLs producers, and by final- point PCR it was determined that all the MBLs were from the VIM family, which confer high- level resistance to the β-lactamic antibiotics (except Aztreonam), and because they are carried by plasmids with the ability to transfer horizontally to other bacterial families, they can be responsible for therapeutic complications in an individual or the patients collective.