Infección severa por Strongyloides stercoralis en líquido ascítico / Severe infection by Strongyloides stercoralis in ascitic liquid

La estrongiloidiosis es una infección cuyos agentes responsables son Strongyloides stercoralis y S. fuelleborni. Estos nematodos son de localización intestinal, el factor de riesgo principal es el andar descalzo en lugares contaminados con las larvas filariformes. El estudio presenta a un paciente varón de 23 años de edad, residente de San Juan de Lurigancho, presentó 14 meses de enfermedad con signos de meteorismo, náuseas, vómitos y permaneció afebril, se indica también que 28 días antes presentó dolor del epigastrio irradiado a la espalda de duración constante. Al examen físico se encontró un abdomen distendido, blando timpánico doloroso a la palpación, el informe de ecografía abdominal evidenció dilatación de las asas intestinales, meteorismo, con presencia abundante de líquido libre en la cavidad abdominal (ascitis) y en los exámenes parasitológicos del líquido se observó larvas rabditoides L1, L2 y filariformes L3 de Strongyloides stercoralis; por lo que recibió tratamiento con Ivermectina, obteniéndose la recuperación del paciente.

The strongyloidiasis is an infection whose responsible agents are Strongyloides stercoralis and S. fuelleborni. These nematodes have an intestinal location; the main risk factor is to be barefoot in places contaminated with filariform larvae. The study presents a male 23-year-old resident of San Juan de Lurigancho, with 14 months of illness with signs of bloating, nausea, vomiting and wasafebrile,also indicates that 28 days before he had epigastric pain irradiated to the back. On physical examination a distended abdomen was found, soft painful tympanic tenderness, the abdominal ultrasonography showed dilated bowel loops, bloat, with abundant presence of free fluid in the abdominal cavity (ascites) and parasitological examinations observed, rabditoides larvae L1 and L2 and filariform L3 of Strongyloides stercoralis. He received Ivermectin, obtaining the patient's recovery.

[Severe infection by Strongyloides stercoralis in ascitic liquid]. / Infección severa por Strongyloides stercoralis en líquido ascítico.

The strongyloidiasis is an infection whose responsible agents are Strongyloides stercoralis and S. fuelleborni. These nematodes have an intestinal location; the main risk factor is to be barefoot in places contaminated with filariform larvae. The study presents a male 23-year-old resident of San Juan de Lurigancho, with 14 months of illness with signs of bloating, nausea, vomiting and wasafebrile,also indicates that 28 days before he had epigastric pain irradiated to the back. On physical examination a distended abdomen was found, soft painful tympanic tenderness, the abdominal ultrasonography showed dilated bowel loops, bloat, with abundant presence of free fluid in the abdominal cavity (ascites) and parasitological examinations observed, rabditoides larvae L1 and L2 and filariform L3 of Strongyloides stercoralis. He received Ivermectin, obtaining the patient's recovery.

Phylodynamics of vampire bat-transmitted rabies in Argentina.

Common vampire bat populations distributed from Mexico to Argentina are important rabies reservoir hosts in Latin America. The aim of this work was to analyse the population structure of the rabies virus (RABV) variants associated with vampire bats in the Americas and to study their phylodynamic pattern within Argentina. The phylogenetic analysis based on all available vampire bat-related N gene sequences showed both a geographical and a temporal structure. The two largest groups of RABV variants from Argentina were isolated from northwestern Argentina and from the central western zone of northeastern Argentina, corresponding to livestock areas with different climatic, topographic and biogeographical conditions, which determined their dissemination and evolutionary patterns. In addition, multiple introductions of the infection into Argentina, possibly from Brazil, were detected. The phylodynamic analysis suggests that RABV transmission dynamics is characterized by initial epizootic waves followed by local enzootic cycles with variable persistence. Anthropogenic interventions in the ecosystem should be assessed taking into account not only the environmental impact but also the potential risk of disease spreading through dissemination of current RABV lineages or the emergence of novel ones associated with vampire bats.

Short-term beta-carotene-supplementation positively affects ovarian activity and serum insulin concentrations in a goat model.

In early October 2010, adult goats (no.=22, 3.5 yr old, 7/8 Sannen-Alpine, 26° N, 103° W, at 1117 m), were randomly assigned to: i) beta-carotene group (BC) [no.=10; live weight (LW)=45.9±1.97 kg, body condition score (BCS) =3.04±0.08; orally supplemented with 50 mg of BC per goat per day]; ii) control group (CONT) (no.=12; LW=46.2±2.04 kg, BCS=3.0±0.08). Animals received a basal diet of alfalfa hay, corn silage, and corn grain, having free access to water, shade, and mineral salts. During the second half of October, estrus was synchronized by using intravaginal sponges. Thereafter, by mid-follicular phase, an intensive blood sampling (6 h × 60 min) was performed to evaluate serum insulin concentrations (INS) by radioimmunoassay. By the end of the luteal phase, an ultrasonographic scanning was performed to evaluate total ovarian activity (TOA) [TOA=total follicles (TF) + total corpus luteum (TCL)]. The whole experimental period consisted of 34 days pre- and 17 days post-ovulation, for a total of 52 days. Average LW and BCS did not differ (p>0.05) during the experimental period. Nonetheless, increases in TF no. (5.0 vs 3.4±0.6 units; p=0.05), TCL no. (3.4 vs 2.8±0.2 units; p=0.05), TOA (8.1 vs 6.2±0.6 units; p=0.05) and INS (4.6 vs 3.9±0.4 ng ml-1; p=0.05) favored to the BC-supplemented group. A positive correlation between LW (r(2)=0.42; p=0.04) and BCS (r(2)=0.47; p=0.02) with respect to ovulation rate, was detected. BC-supplementation increased ovarian activity in the female goat while positively affected the release pattern of insulin, suggesting a potential role of BC as a central and/or pancreas-activating molecule in adult goats; such results may hold not only physiologic but also clinical significance.

Fast frequency sweeping in resonance-tracking SPM for high-resolution AFAM and PFM imaging.

A new resonance-tracking (RT) method using fast frequency sweeping excitation was developed for quantitative scanning probe microscopy (SPM) imaging. This method allows quantitative imaging of elastic properties and ferroelectrical domains with nanoscale resolution at high data acquisition rates. It consists of a commercial AFM system combined with a high-frequency lock-in amplifier, a programmed function generator and a fast data acquisition card. The resonance-tracking method was applied to the atomic force acoustic microscopy (AFAM) and to the piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) modes. Plots of amplitude versus time and phase versus time for resonant spectra working with different sweeping frequencies were obtained to evaluate the response speed of the lock-in amplifier. It was proved that this resonance-tracking method allows suitable spectral acquisition at a rate of about 5 ms/pixel, which is useful for SPM imaging in a practical scanning time. In order to demonstrate the system performance, images of RT-AFAM for TiN films and RT-PFM for GeTe are shown.

[Rabies virus isolation in the salivary glands of insectivorous bats]. / Aislamiento de virus rábico en glandulas salivales de murciélagos insectívoros.

This study determined the presence of the rabies virus in salivary glands, as well as its titre and antigenic characterisation and the level of exposure to the virus from contact between domestic animals and humans. Twenty-six positive brain samples were selected, 80% of which were from the Brazilian free-tailed bat, Tadarida brasiliensis, corresponding to the period 1999-2005. Antigenic characterisation was conducted on a panel of 19 monoclonal antibodies targeting the rabies virus nucleoprotein supplied by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta in the United States of America. The results revealed a high percentage of isolations in salivary glands (76.9%). Their average titres were compared in a batch of positive samples of brain and salivary glands, giving values of 4.75 and 3.81 respectively (expressed as log LD50/0.03 ml). The isolated viruses corresponded principally to variant 4 associated with T brasiliensis and variant 6 associated with the hoary bat, Lasiurus cinereus, and the red bat, L. borealis, and their respective subvariants. The level of exposure in domestic animals and humans was 50% during the period under study.

Casos de paragonimiasis (paragonimiosis) en el Hospital Nacional Sergio E. Bernales (Lima, Perú) / A cases of paragonimiasis (paragonimiosis) in Sergio Bernales Nacional Hospital (Lima, Perú)

Se notifica el caso de un paciente que recibía tratamiento antituberculoso debido a que presentaba tos, pérdida de peso, hemoptisis e imágenes radiológicas compatibles con tuberculosis. Ante el fracaso del tratamiento se le deriva al Hospital Sergio Bernales donde accidentalmente se encuentran huevos de Paragonimus sp. en el esputo. El paciente, proveniente del departamento de Cajamarca, Perú, presentaba como antecedente epidemiológico el consumir cangrejos crudos en ceviche; su hijo, quien también estaba en el programa TBC y consumía cangrejos crudos, resultó positivo para Paragonimus sp en esputo y heces. Después del tratamiento con praziquantel ambos demostraron una mejoría en la sintomatología.

This is a case report of a patient who was receiving antituberculous therapy because of cough, weight loss, hemoptysis and radiological images compatible with pulmonary tuberculosis. Since he failed with therapy, he was referred to Sergio Bernales Hospital, where Paragonimus sp. eggs were casually found in a sputum examination. The patient came from Cajamarca department, and as part of his past medical history, he used to eat raw crab meat; and his son, who was also included in the tuberculosis program and who also used to eat raw crab meat, was found to be positive for Paragonimus sp. in sputum and stool samples. After therapy with Praziquantel, both patients improved their symptoms.

The Onchocerciasis elimination program for the Americas: a history of partnership

The decision in 1987 by the pharmaceutical firm Merck & Co. to provide Mectizan (ivermectin) free of charge to river blindness control programs has challenged the international public health community to find effective ways to distribute the drug to rural populations most affected by onchocerciasis. In the Americas, PAHO responded to that challenge by calling for the elimination all morbidity from onchocerciasis from the region by the year 2007 through mass distribution of ivermectin. Since 1991, a multinational, multiagency partnership (consisting of PAHO, the endemic countries, nongovernmental development organizations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as academic institutions and funding agencies) has developed the political, financial, and technical support needed to move toward the realization of that goal. This partnership is embodied in the Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas (OEPA), which is supported by the River Blindness Foundation (RBF) and now by the Carter Center, OEPA was conceived as a means of maintaining a regional initiative to eliminate what is otherwise a low priority disease. Since its inception in 1993, the OEPA has provided more than US$ 2 million in financial, managerial, and technical assistance to stimulate and/or support programs in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Venezuela, so as to take full advantage of the Merck donation, Now halfways into a five-year, US$ 4 million grant provided through the Inter-American Development Bank, the OEPA's capacity to support the regional initiative is assured through 1999 (AU)

The onchocerciasis elimination program for the Americas: a history of partnership / Programa de Eliminación de la Oncocercosis para las Américas: historia de solidaridad

The decision in 1987 by the pharmaceutical firm Merck & Co. to provide Mectizan (ivermectin) free of charge to river blindness control programs has challenged the international public health community to find effective ways to distribute the drug to rural populations most affected by onchocerciasis. In the Americas, PAHO responded to that challenge by calling for the elimination of all morbidity from onchocerciasis from the Region by the year 2007 through mass distribution of ivermectin. Since 1991, a multinational, multiagency partnership (consisting of PAHO, the endemic countries, nongovernmental development organizations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as academic institutions and funding agencies) has developed the political, financial, and technical support needed to move toward the realization of that goal. This partnership is embodied in the Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas (OEPA), which is supported by the River Blindness Foundation (RBF) and now by the Carter Center. OEPA was conceived as a means of maintaining a regional initiative to eliminate what is otherwise a low priority disease. Since its inception in 1993, the OEPA has provided more than US$2 million in financial, managerial, and technical assistance to stimulate and/or support programs in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico and Venezuela, so as to take full advantage of the Merck donation. Now halfway into a five-year, US$ 4 million grant provided through the Inter-American Development Bank, the OEPA's capacity to support the regional initiative is assured through 1999

La decisión tomada en 1987 por la Merck & Co., fabricante de productos farmacéuticos, de proveer Mectizan® (ivermectina) gratuitamente a los programas de control de la oncocercosis ha obligado a la comunidad sanitaria internacional a buscar formas de distribuir el medicamento a las poblaciones rurales que se ven más afectadas por la enfermedad. En las Américas, la OPS respondió al reto con un llamado a eliminar de la Región toda morbilidad por oncocercosis para el año 2007 mediante la distribución de ivermectina al público. Desde 1991, una alianza multinacional de diversas entidades (la OPS, países con oncocercosis endémica, agencias de desarrollo no gubernamentales, los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades en Atlanta, Georgia, instituciones académicas y agencias de financiamiento) ha generado el apoyo político, económico y técnico necesario para tratar de alcanzar esa meta. Esta alianza está representada por el Programa de Eliminación de la Oncocercosis en las Américas (OEPA), subvencionado por la Fundación Ceguera de los Ríos y actualmente por el Centro Carter. El OEPA se creó como iniciativa de alcance regional destinada a eliminar una enfermedad que no merece atención prioritaria. Desde su aparición en 1993, el OEPA ha aportado más de US$ 2 millones en ayuda económica, administrativa y técnica para fomentar y subvencionar programas en Brasil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, México y Venezuela, logrando así aprovechar al máximo la donación de la Merck & Co. Ahora que hemos llegado a la mitad de una subvención de 5 años y US$ 4 millones aportada por el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo, se sabe que el OEPA tiene la capacidad para apoyar la iniciativa regional hasta fines de 1999

Comportamiento de aspergillus niger en los exudados gomosos de cercidium praecox y cedrela odorata / Behavior of aspergillus niger in the gum exudates of cercium praecox and cedrela odorata

Se estudió el comportamiento de la cepa de aspergillus niger ATCC 11414, en medio de cultivos basados en los exudados gomosos de cercidium praecox y cedrela odorata. Las condiciones óptimas para la preparación de estos medios se determinaron previamente. Se evaluó el crecimiento de la colonia y la biomasa por técnicas específicas. Las características macro y microscópicas observadas para el hongo en estos medios, fueron similares a las exhibidas en sabouraud deztrosa agar. Este comportamiento sugiere que, a. niger produce las enzimas necesarias para hidrolizar los heteropolisacáridos ácidos ("exudados gomosos"). La preparación de los medios ensayados, indujo la autohidrólisis de los polímeros: se liberó preferentemente galactosa, arabinosa y xilosa, sustratos aprovechados como fuente de carbono y energía por este microorganismo.

Presentación del primer caso humano de parasitismo por Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus en el Perú y breve revisión

Se reporta un caso humano portador de Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus. Se trata de un varón de 45 años de edad, natural de la provincia de Chota, departamento de Cajamarca, Perú; con molestias digestivas. El diagnóstico se hizo por el hallazgo de huevos de Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus en las heces. Además se encontró Trichuris trichiura, Ancylostoma duodenale, Trichostrongylus sp, Blastocystis hominis y Entamoeba coli. Esta es la primera comunicación de un caso humano de M. hirudinaceus para el Perú.

A Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus human case is reported. He is a male of 45 years old native of Chota province, department of Cajamarca (Perú), with digestive symptoms. The diagnosis was made by eggs in the faecal examination. Beside Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus, he carried Trichuris trichiura, Ancylostoma duodenale y Trichostrongylus sp, Blastocystis hominis y Entamoeba coli. This is the first human case by M. hirudinaceus reported in Perú.

Comparative surface ultrastructure of adult Onchocerca volvulus recovered from human nodules by dissection or collagenase digestion.

The surface ultrastructure of male and female adult worms of Onchocerca volvulus obtained from human nodules by the technique of collagenase digestion has been compared with that of worms excised manually without the aid of enzyme treatment. No topographical differences have been identified.

Encuestas seroepidemiologicas de la enfermedad de Chagas en Chiapas, Mexico. / Seroepidemiologic surveys for Chagas's disease in Chiapas, Mexico

Se efectuaron dos encuestas seroepidemiologicas en el estado de Chiapas, Mexico, con objeto de obtener informacion sobre la distribucion geografica de la enfermedad de Chagas. Durante la primera, que se hizo a toda la extension de dicho estado, tornaron 1.827 muestras de sangre de 29 comunidades.Se encontraron pruebas serologicas de infeccion en cinco de las comunidades, que estaban ubicadas en una zona semitropical de la region noreste de Chiapas.Fueron seropositivas 28 por ciento de las personas investigadas (80 en total) en la poblacion Agua Azul Chiquito, 14 por ciento (73 en total) de la de Leon Brindis, y 5.8 por ciento (353 en total) de las de otras tres comunidades. De los 150 ninos menores de diez anos de edad investigados en cinco comunidades, 4 por ciento fueron seropositivos, lo que indica que probablemente prosigue la transmision.En la segunda encuesta efectuada en 28 comunidades de la municipalidad de Margaritas, solamente cinco (0,3 por ciento) de las 1.476 personas investigadas fueron seropositivas

[Prevalence of complement fixation antibodies of cytomegalovirus in various Mexican communities]. / Prevalencia de anticuerpos fijadores del complemento contra citomegalo-virus en varias comunidades mexicanas.

In 1962 Weller and Hanshaw reported evidence of the teratogenic potential of CMV (cytomegalic inclusion disease virus or cytomegalovirus) for the developing human embryo. Some other investigators have also shown that CMV may be involved in different pathological conditions, that it is an ubiquous agent capable of producing a high incidence of infection, usually asymptomatic, under quite diverse ecological conditions, and that the proportion of individuals that have been in contact with the virus increases with age, which is evidenced by the frequency of seropositivity to the specific antigen. The high prevalence of CF antibodies to CMV in the studied groups from the state of Chiapas, particularly in Lacanjá where 45% of the total population (120 inhabitants) was included in the survey, indicates a wide dissemination of this virus. Lower levels of seropositivity were found among children from the Mexico City group, but they are higher than those found in serological surveys in children from Huixquilucan (state of Mexico) and from Seattle and Dallas in U.S.A. The possible implications of some seroepidemiological characteristics of CMV infection are discussed.

[Individual psychotherapy. Theoretical-practical aspect of institutional psychotherapy]. / Psicoterapia individual marco teórico-práctico de la psicoterapia institucional.

The author explains the characteristics of the psychiatric outpatient population in Hermosillo and mentions that these do not allow for the use of traditional psychotherapy. He underlines the importance of the affective ties of the patient with the institution (based on previously formed stereotypes). The author describes also several short therapy techniques, such as persuasion, suggestion, brief psychotherapy and group psychotherapy (for which special training is required). He tells of his experience using psychotherapy with psychiatric medication in an institution.