Characterization of Beta-Lactam Resistome of Escherichia coli Causing Nosocomial Infections.

Nosocomial infections caused by Escherichia coli pose significant therapeutic challenges due to the high expression of genes encoding antimicrobial drug resistance. In this study, we investigated the conformation of the beta-lactam resistome responsible for the specific pattern of resistance against beta-lactam antibiotics. A total of 218 Escherichia coli strains were isolated from in-hospital patients diagnosed with nosocomial infections, obtained from various sources such as urine (n = 49, 22.48%), vaginal discharge (n = 46, 21.10%), catheter tips (n = 14, 6.42%), blood (n = 13, 5.96%), feces (n = 12, 5.50%), sputum (n = 11, 5.05%), biopsies (n = 8, 3.67%), cerebrospinal fluid (n = 2, 0.92%) and other unspecified discharges (n = 63, 28.90%). To characterize the beta-lactam resistome, all strains were subjected to antibiotic dilution tests and grown in beta-lactam antibiotics supplemented with Luria culture medium. Subsequently, multiplex PCR and next-generation sequencing were conducted. The results show a multi-drug-resistance phenotype, particularly against beta-lactam drugs. The primary determinant of this resistance was the expression of the blaTEM gene family, with 209 positive strains (95.87%) expressing it as a single gene (n = 47, 21.6%) or in combination with other genes. Common combinations included blaTEM + blaCTX (n = 42, 19.3%), blaTEM + blaCTX + blaSHV (n = 13, 6%) and blaTEM + blaCTX + blaBIL (n = 12, 5.5%), among others. The beta-lactam resistome of nosocomial Escherichia coli strains isolated from inpatients at the "October first" Regional Hospital of ISSSTE was predominantly composed of members of the blaTEM gene family, expressed in various configurations along with different members of other beta-lactamase gene families.

The Beta-Lactam Resistome Expressed by Aerobic and Anaerobic Bacteria Isolated from Human Feces of Healthy Donors.

Antibiotic resistance is a major health problem worldwide, causing more deaths than diabetes and cancer. The dissemination of vertical and horizontal antibiotic resistance genes has been conducted for a selection of pan-resistant bacteria. Here, we test if the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria from human feces samples in health conditions are carriers of beta-lactamases genes. The samples were cultured in a brain-heart infusion medium and subcultured in blood agar in aerobic and anaerobic conditions for 24 h at 37 °C. The grown colonies were identified by their biochemical profiles. The DNA was extracted and purified by bacterial lysis using thermal shock and were used in the endpoint PCR and next generation sequencing to identify beta-lactamase genes expression (OXA, VIM, SHV, TEM, IMP, ROB, KPC, CMY, DHA, P, CFX, LAP, and BIL). The aerobic bacterias Aeromonas hydrophila, Citrobacter freundii, Proteus mirabilis, Providencia rettgeri, Serratia fonticola, Serratia liquefaciens, Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pantoea agglomerans, Enterococcus faecalis, and Enterobacter cloacae, the anaerobic bacteria: Capnocytophaga species, Bacteroides distasonis, Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Bacteroides ovatus, Bacteroides fragilis, Eubacterium species, Eubacterium aerofaciens, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, Fusobacterium species, Bacteroides species, and Bacteroides vulgatus were isolated and identified. The results showed 49 strains resistant to beta-lactam with the expression of blaSHV (10.2%), blaTEM (100%), blaKPC (10.2%), blaCYM (14.3%), blaP (2%), blaCFX (8.2%), and blaBIL (6.1%). These data support the idea that the human enteric microbiota constitutes an important reservoir of genes for resistance to beta-lactamases and that such genes could be transferred to pathogenic bacteria.

Bispecific anti-PD-L1/PD-1 antibodies for advanced solid tumors: a patent evaluation of US2019010232.

INTRODUCTION: PD-L1 and PD-1 are two immune checkpoints and their presence in various types of tumors is related to a poor prognosis; this makes them highly relevant targets in the development of new therapies. Patent US2019010232 describes bispecific anti-PD-L1/PD-1 antibodies made with Azymetric technology. AREAS COVERED: Three bispecific antibodies that target PD-L1/PD-1 are described in US2019010232 patent and are proposed to play a relevant role in the treatment of cancer. EXPERT OPINION: Three bispecific antibodies that target PD-L1/PD-1 in US2019010232 demonstrated anti-tumor activity in lung cancer. However, no evidence is shown of the action of the antibodies against other cancers. An advantage of the bispecific antibodies of US2019010232 over combinatorial therapy is a greater decrease in tumor volume.

Primary Dengue Infection in Patients Requiring Hospitalization During an Outbreak in a Low Incidence Mexican Region.

Background: Dengue manifestations can range from subclinical to fatal. The study of factors that influence dengue's clinical severity can provide information to potentially limit or predict severe cases. Secondary infection (SI) with a different dengue serotype has been recognized as an important determinant of severity. However, severe dengue (SD) manifestations, including shock, can happen during primary infection (PI) too and the mechanisms involved are less understood. To characterize the severe manifestations associated to PI, we distinguished between primary and secondary dengue cases in hospitalized patients from a region of low and recent dengue incidence in central Mexico. This region can serve as a model for dengue's behavior as it spreads to new areas worldwide. Methods: Dengue-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG concentrations were measured in the serum of 78 hospitalized patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever, and their ratios were used to discriminate between PI and SI, as recommended by World Health Organization. Clinical and laboratory manifestations were compared between PI and SI. Results and Conclusions: PI was detected in 23% of hospitalized dengue cases, a proportion similar to that reported in high-incidence regions in Mexico. PI was more frequent in 16- to 40-year-olds, and was absent in patients older than 60 years. Only dengue with warning signs and SD were present in the studied population of hospitalized patients, and case frequency decreased with clinical severity both in PI and SI groups. No significant differences in demographics, laboratory tests, or symptoms were found between PI and SI, which illustrates that cases requiring hospitalization during outbreaks can be severe, even if they are PI. This information can help plan for sanitary contingencies in places where dengue is recently emergent and numerous PI cases are expected. The mechanisms involved in PI clinical severity need to be studied further.

Treatment of cancer with an anti-KIR antibody: a patent evaluation of US9879082 and US2018208652.

Introduction: KIR is an inhibitory receptor expressed by natural killer cells that suppress the immune response against tumor cells. There is a great need to discover and develop new therapies focused on inhibiting the action of KIR and consequently improving the immune response in the various types of cancer. Authors of US9879082 and US2018208652 patents propose a method to eradicate cancer that utilizes anti-KIR antibody.Areas covered: US9879082 and US2018208652 patents describe an anti-KIR antibody, a pharmaceutical composition that contains it, and their application for cancer treatment, particularly, multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukemia. Anti-KIR antibody is used to a dosage of 0.0003-3 mg antibody/kg patient weight, and is suspended in an isotonic solution consisting of sodium phosphate, sucrose, NaCl, and polysorbate 80.Expert opinion: The results of the clinical trials only support trials regarding the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, safety, and tolerability. In addition, these results demonstrate that treatment with the anti-KIR antibody can induce an antitumor response in cancer patients.

Association Between rs3833912/rs16944 SNPs and Risk for Cerebral Palsy in Mexican Children.

Perinatal asphyxia in the neonatal brain triggers a robust inflammatory response in which nitric oxide (NO) generation plays a hazardous role. Increased levels of NO can be maintained by the activity of inducible NO synthase (NOS2A) on its own or activated by IL-1beta (IL-1ß) gene transcription and positive back stimulation of the NOS2 (CCTTT)n microsatellite by IL-1ß, thus potentiating brain injury after ischemic perinatal asphyxia. We investigated whether the risk for cerebral palsy (CP) increases when an expansion of the - 2.5 kb (CCTTT)n microsatellite in the NOS2A gene and a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in -C511T of the IL- IL-1ß gene promoter occur in patients after perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Genomic DNA was purified from peripheral leukocytes of 48 patients with CP and of 57 healthy control children. IL-1ß SNP genotypes were established using a real-time PCR technique and fluorogenic probes and were validated by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis using the AvaI restriction enzyme. The length of the CCTTTn microsatellite in the NOS2 gene promoter was determined by automated sequencing. The 14 repeat-long allele of the CCTTTn NOS2A microsatellite was present in 27% of CP patients vs 12.3% of controls, showing an odds ratio (OR) = 2.6531 and 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.9612-7.3232 (P < 0.0469). The -511 TT genotype frequency showed an OR = 2.6325 (95% CI = 1.1348-6.1066, P = 0.0189). Interestingly, the haplotype CCTTT14/TT showed an OR = 9.561 (95%, CI = 1.1321-80.753; P = 0.0164). The haplotype (CCTTT)14/TT, formed by the expansion of the - 2.5 kb (CCTTT)n microsatellite in the NOS2A gene promoter and the -511 C➝ T SNP of the IL-1ß gene promoter, might be a useful marker to identify patients who are at high risk for developing CP after hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Characterization of Gene Families Encoding Beta-Lactamases of Gram-Negative Rods Isolated from Ready-to-Eat Vegetables in Mexico City.

Beta-lactam resistant bacteria, which are commonly resident in tertiary hospitals, have emerged as a worldwide health problem because of ready-to-eat vegetable intake. We aimed to characterize the genes that provide resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics in Enterobacteriaceae, isolated from five commercial salad brands for human consumption in Mexico City. In total, twenty-five samples were collected, grown in blood agar plates, and the bacteria were biochemistry identified and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done. The carried family genes were identified by endpoint PCR and the specific genes were confirmed with whole genome sequencing (WGS) by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). Twelve positive cultures were identified and their microbiological distribution was as follows: 8.3% for Enterobacter aerogene (n = 1), 8.3% for Serratia fonticola (n = 1), 16.7% for Serratia marcesens (n = 2), 16.7% for Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 2), and 50% (n = 6) for Enterobacter cloacae. The endpoint PCR results showed 11 colonies positive for blaBIL (91.7%), 11 for blaSHV (91.7%), 11 for blaCTX (97.7%), 12 for blaDHA (100%), four for blaVIM (33.3%), two for blaOXA (16.7%), two for blaIMP (16.7%), one for blaKPC (8.3%), and one for blaTEM (8.3%) gen; all samples were negative for blaROB, blaCMY, blaP, blaCFX and blaLAP gene. The sequencing analysis revealed a specific genotype for Enterobacter cloacae (blaSHV-12, blaCTX-M-15, blaDHA-1, blaKPC-2); Serratia marcescens (blaSHV-1, blaCTX-M-3, blaDHA-1, blaVIM-2); Klebsiella pneumoniae (blaSHV-12, blaCTX-M-15, blaDHA-1); Serratia fonticola (blaSHV-12, blaVIM-1, blaDHA-1); and, Enterobacter aerogene (blaSHV-1, blaCTX-M-1, blaDHA-1, blaVIM-2, blaOXA-9). Our results indicate that beta-lactam-resistant bacteria have acquired integrons with a different number of genes that provide pan-resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics, including penicillins, oxacillins, cefalosporins, monobactams, carbapenems, and imipenems.

Expression of Cytokines Interleukin-2, Interleukin-4, Interleukin-10 and Transforming Growth Factor ß in Gastric Adenocarcinoma Biopsies Obtained from Mexican Patients

Objective: In this study, expression of Interleukin-2, Interleukin-4, Interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor beta in diffuse and intestinal type gastric cancers from Mexican patients was assessed for use as markers of malignancy. Methods: A total of 30 biopsies from gastric adenocarcinomas, 60% diffuse, 20% intestinal and 20% mixed in type, were studied by immunohistochemistry. Results: Regarding expression of cytokines, 23% were positive for IL-2, 26.7% for IL-4, 16.6% for IL-10 and none for TGF-ß. There were found Significant statistically stage differences were noted.For example, for stages I-II 100% were IL-2 positive (p = 0.009), 87.5% were IL-4 positive (p = 0.005) and 100.0% IL-10 positive (p = 0.009). Young women were more likely to suffer gastric adenocarcinoma. In biopsies of male patients with gastric cancer, there was an increased expression of IL-2 and in biopsies from female patients in IL4. There was significantly greater detection of IL-4 and IL-10 expression in stages I and II than in stages III and IV. It was also found that IL-4, IL-10 had a higher positive expression in patients biopsies with low-level differentiations than patients with well differentiated gastric cancer in which cases were undetected. Conclusions: These results suggest that positive expression of IL-4 and IL-10 may be useful as a molecular marker to distinguish stage I and II diffuse gastric cancers which can be more readily controlled.

[Percutaneous intervention in the correction of congenital heart deffects (DCC): experience in as UMAE]. / El intervencionismo percutáneo en la corrección de defectos cardíacos congénitos (DCC): experiencia en una UMAE.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital heart defects are common in infants and adults, affecting quality of life if not corrected. Unlike open surgery, percutaneous intervention allows correction with a high success rate and speedy recovery. In Mexico, there are not enough studies to describe their efficacy and safety. METHODS: A cohort study was conducted in the Hospital "Manuel Avila Camacho", in Puebla, Mexico, including 149 patients with congenital heart defects repaired by percutaneous intervention, recording data from clinical records. The following were documented: post-guided fluoroscopy, hemodynamic changes, cardiac catheterization drilling anatomical changes, and complications six months later such as infection or bleeding at the puncture site, device migration, endocarditis, or death. SPSS was used, using descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: The patients' congenital heart defects treated were ductus arteriosus, atrial septal defect, and aortic coarctation, with ductus arteriosus being recorded as the most frequent congenital heart defect. Primary angioplasties were performed in 75% and stenting in the rest. Anatomical corrections of congenital defects were successful in 96.4% of patients (p < 0.01), with minimal adverse effects (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that our hospital has good efficacy and safety in percutaneous intervention, comparable to published reports.

Hepatitis B surface antibodies in medical students from a public university in Puebla, Mexico.

Although preventable with vaccination, Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health concern, with ∼400 million people at risk of developing the chronic form of the disease worldwide. The anti-HBV vaccine consists of a recombinant HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), which induces specific anti-HBs antibodies and confers 95% protection for >20 y. The aim of the present study was to analyze the response to HBV vaccination by measuring anti-HBs antibodies in serum samples from medical students of a public university in Puebla, Mexico. HBV infection markers HBsAg and anti-HBs, were also determined. A total of 201 students were included and vaccination coverage was found at 54%. Overall seropositivity for HBsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HBs determined by ELISA was 0.5%, 1.0% and 47%, respectively. Protective levels of anti-HBs >10 mIU/mL were found in 93.2% of subjects vaccinated with 2 or 3 doses and in 40% of those vaccinated with a single dose; while only 4.8% of unvaccinated subjects were anti-HBs positive. The response to the HBV vaccine was different in each participant, despite similar vaccination scheme. A history of blood transfusion/organ transplant or more than 2 sexual partners was significantly associated with anti-HBc positivity, OR = 399 (p = 0.010) and OR = 19.9 (p = 0.044), respectively. HBV immunization coverage was low in our sample compared with reports from countries with similar HBV prevalence, but anti-HBs in vaccinated individuals were in the expected range. It is important to promote HBV vaccination and awareness among medical students, due to their exposure risk.

Detection of beta-tubulin in the cytoplasm of the interphasic Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites.

It is known that the microtubules (MT) of Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites form an intranuclear mitotic spindle. However, electron microscopy studies and the employment of anti-beta-tubulin (ß-tubulin) antibodies have not exhibited these cytoskeletal structures in the cytoplasm of these parasites. The purpose of this work was to detect ß-tubulin in the cytoplasm of interphasic E. histolytica trophozoites. Activated or non-activated HMI-IMSS-strain E. histolytica trophozoites were used and cultured for 72 h at 37 °C in TYI-S-33 medium, and then these were incubated with the anti-ß-tubulin antibody of E. histolytica. The anti-ß-tubulin antibody reacted with the intranuclear mitotic spindle of E. histolytica-activated trophozoites as control. In contrast, in non-activated interphasic parasites, anti-ß-tubulin antibody reacted with diverse puntiform structures in the cytoplasm and with ring-shaped structures localized in the cytoplasm, cellular membrane and endocytic stomas. In this work, for the first time, the presence of ß-tubulin is shown in the cytoplasm of E. histolytica trophozoites.

[Use of collagen-polyvinylpirrolidone in the treatment of Parry-Romberg syndrome.] / Colágeno-polivinilpirrolidona para tratar el síndrome de Parry-Romberg.

Background: Parry-Romberg syndrome is characterized by the presence of progressive hemifacial atrophy that affects the growth and development of structures on one side of the face. Our objective was to introduce collagen-polyvinylpirrolidone as a new therapeutic option for Parry-Romberg syndrome in two clinical cases. Clinical cases: two women, aging 56 and 28 years old, with facial hypocrhomic lesions, and right and left fronto-malar sunken area respectively, treated with topic steroids + penicilamina, fat grafts and silicone implants without improvement. We used collagen-polyvinylpirrolidone and they showed improvement: after six months there were not clinical or esthetical complications. Conclusions: collagen-polivinilpirrolidone could be a new therapeutic option for Parry-Romberg syndrome with good clinical and esthetical results. It is easy to apply and it has few side effects and without complications.

Introducción: el síndrome de Parry-Romberg está caracterizado por la presencia de atrofia hemifacial progresiva, afección del crecimiento y desarrollo de las estructuras de un lado de la cara. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir nuestra experiencia con el colágeno polivinilpirrolidona para tratar el síndrome de Parry-Romberg. Casos clínicos: dos mujeres de 56 y 28 años de edad, con manchas hiperpigmentadas y hundimiento frontomalar derecho e izquierdo, respectivamente, manejadas con esteroides tópicos más penicilamina, injertos grasos e implantes de silicón, sin mejoría. Se decidió iniciar tratamiento con colágeno-polivinilpirrolidona, con lo que se logró una mejoría clínica y estética sin complicaciones después de seis meses de seguimiento. Conclusiones: el colágeno polivinilpirrolidona es una opción terapéutica para el síndrome de Parry-Romberg que ofrece buenos resultados clínicos y estéticos, es de fácil administración, sin complicaciones y mínimos efectos secundarios.

[In vitro effect of the S3Pvac vaccine against cysticercosis in human mononucleate cells]. / Efecto in vitro de la vacuna S3Pvac contra cisticercosis en celulas mononucleares humanas.

INTRODUCTION: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a parasitic infection caused by the establishment of Taenia solium cysticerci in the central nervous system. The larval stage of the parasite also affects the pig, which is the essential intermediate host for transmission. For this reason, many researchers have focused on identifying protective antigens to prevent swine cysticercosis and interrupt the transmission. These include S3Pvac vaccine antigens. Vaccine is constituted by three protective synthetic peptides: KETc1, KETc12 and GK1. AIM. To evaluate the effect of the vaccine peptides KETc1, KETc12 and GK1 in mononuclear cells of patients with neuro-cysticercosis and healthy individuals. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Comparative, prospective, transverse study. We studied the proliferation and cytokine profile induced by the three peptides in mononuclear cells from three patients with active NCC, 16 patients by calcified NCC and 16 healthy subjects. RESULTS: KETc1 induces low levels of proliferation in cells from patients with active and controlled NCC, both in lymphocytes and in monocytes. KETc12 and GK-1 induce positive proliferation levels of monocytes in healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS: KETc1 peptide could be used as an adjuvant in the treatment of patients with active NCC, as induced a Th2 response also GK1 peptide as stimulator of monocyte/macrophage in immunizations with other proteins.

TITLE: Efecto in vitro de la vacuna S3Pvac contra cisticercosis en celulas mononucleares humanas.Introduccion. La neurocisticercosis (NCC) es una infeccion parasitaria generada por el establecimiento de cisticercos de Taenia solium en el sistema nervioso central. La fase larvaria del parasito tambien afecta al cerdo, que es el huesped intermediario indispensable para la transmision. Por tal motivo, muchos investigadores se han enfocado en identificar antigenos protectores para prevenir la cisticercosis porcina e interrumpir la transmision. Entre ellos figuran los antigenos de la vacuna S3Pvac, constituida por tres peptidos protectores: KETc1, KETc12 y GK1. Objetivo. Evaluar el efecto de los peptidos vacunales KETc1, KETc12 y GK1 en celulas mononucleares de pacientes con NCC e individuos sanos. Sujetos y metodos. Estudio comparativo, prospectivo y transversal. Se analizo la proliferacion y el perfil de citocinas inducidos por los tres peptidos en celulas mononucleares de tres pacientes con NCC activa, 16 pacientes con NCC calcificada y 16 sujetos sanos. Resultados. KETc1 induce bajos niveles de proliferacion en las celulas de los pacientes con NCC activa y controlada, tanto en linfocitos como en monocitos. KETc12 y GK-1 inducen niveles positivos de proliferacion de monocitos en sujetos sanos. Conclusiones. El peptido KETc1 podria usarse como coadyuvante en el tratamiento de los pacientes con NCC activa, ya que indujo una respuesta Th2; y el peptido GK1, como estimulador del monocito/macrofago en inmunizaciones con otras proteinas.

Efecto in vitro de la vacuna S3Pvac contra cisticercosis en células mononucleares humanas / In vitro effect of the S3Pvac vaccine against cysticercosis in human mononucleate cells

Introducción. La neurocisticercosis (NCC) es una infección parasitaria generada por el establecimiento de cisticercos de Taenia solium en el sistema nervioso central. La fase larvaria del parásito también afecta al cerdo, que es el huéspedintermediario indispensable para la transmisión. Por tal motivo, muchos investigadores se han enfocado en identificar antígenos protectores para prevenir la cisticercosis porcina e interrumpir la transmisión. Entre ellos figuran los antígenos de la vacuna S3Pvac, constituida por tres péptidos protectores: KETc1, KETc12 y GK1. Objetivo. Evaluar el efecto de los péptidos vacunales KETc1, KETc12 y GK1 en células mononucleares de pacientes con NCC e individuos sanos. Sujetos y métodos. Estudio comparativo, prospectivo y transversal. Se analizó la proliferación y el perfil de citocinas inducidos por los tres péptidos en células mononucleares de tres pacientes con NCC activa, 16 pacientes con NCC calcificada y 16 sujetos sanos. Resultados. KETc1 induce bajos niveles de proliferaci en las células de los pacientes con NCC activa y controlada, tanto en linfocitos como en monocitos. KETc12 y GK-1 inducen niveles positivos de proliferación de monocitos en sujetos sanos. Conclusiones. El péptido KETc1 podría usarse como coadyuvante en el tratamiento de los pacientes con NCC activa, ya que indujo una respuesta Th2; y el péptido GK1, como estimulador del monocito/macrófago en inmunizaciones con otras proteínas (AU)

Introduction. Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a parasitic infection caused by the establishment of Taenia solium cysticerci in the central nervous system. The larval stage of the parasite also affects the pig, which is the essential intermediate host for transmission. For this reason, many researchers have focused on identifying protective antigens to prevent swine cysticercosis and interrupt the transmission. These include S3Pvac vaccine antigens. Vaccine is constituted by three protective synthetic peptides: KETc1, KETc12 and GK1. Aim. To evaluate the effect of the vaccine peptides KETc1, KETc12 and GK1 in mononuclear cells of patients with neurocysticercosis and healthy individuals. Subjects and methods. Comparative, prospective, transverse study. We studied the proliferation and cytokine profile induced by the three peptides in mononuclear cells from three patients with active NCC, 16 patients by calcified NCC and 16 healthy subjects. Results. KETc1 induces low levels of proliferation in cells from patients with active and controlled NCC, both in lymphocytes and in monocytes. KETc12 and GK-1 induce positive proliferation levels of monocytes in healthy subjects. Conclusions. KETc1 peptide could be used as an adjuvant in the treatment of patients with active NCC, as induced a Th2 response also GK1 peptide as stimulator of monocyte/macrophage in immunizations with other proteins (AU)

Absence of human papillomavirus sequences in epithelial breast cancer in a Mexican female population.

The role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in breast cancer is controversial. We evaluated 118 breast carcinomas and two paraffin-embedded tissues of lesions of the nipple of Mexican patients for HPV sequences. No carcinoma sample exhibited koilocytosis, in contrast to lesions of the nipple. We subjected purified DNAs to PCR employing two HPV16/E6 or GP5/6 primer set oligonucleotides. Results showed that HPV DNA sequences were absent in the breast tissues. Absence of HPV in breast carcinoma failed to support an association between HPV infection and this carcinoma.

[Collagen-polyvinylpyrrolidone: a new therapeutic option for treatment of sequelae after radical mastectomy in women with breast cancer. Preliminary study]. / Colágeno-polivinilpirrolidona, nueva opción para tratar secuelas de la mastectomía radical en mujeres con cáncer mamario. Informe preliminar.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 30% of women who undergo mastectomy without reconstructive treatment due to breast cancer present sequelae. These include paresthesias, keloid healing, hypoesthesia, lymphedema and limitation of the function of the ipsilateral upper extremity. We undertook this study to present the results using collagen-polyvinylpyrrolidone (Clg- Pvp) as treatment for posmastectomy sequelae in women with breast cancer. METHODS: We conducted a unicentric, longitudinal and prospective clinical trial between August 1, 2007 and July 31, 2008. Included variables were age, lymphedema, limitation of the function of the ipsilateral upper extremity, collapse of the wound, keloid healing, paresthesias, and appearance of the surgical area. The appearance of the surgical area (aesthetic aspect) was evaluated before and 6 months after treatment was initiated. Clg-Pvp was administered weekly for a 6-month period. RESULTS: Seven women were included with a median age of 49 years (range: 40-72 years). One patient (14.28%) presented lymphedema, two patients (28.57%) presented collapse of the wound, two patients (28.57%) had keloid healing, three patients (42.85%) experienced paresthesias, five patients (71.4%) reported pain, and five patients (71.4%) reported limitation of the function of the ipsilateral upper extremity. At the completion of the treatment, aesthetic improvement was statistically significant (p = 0.0020, Mann-Whitney U test). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical and aesthetic results are good after application of Clg-Pvp for treating sequelae in women with breast cancer who underwent mastectomy without reconstructive surgery.

[Chronic appendicitis. A case report]. / Apendicitis crónica. Caso clínico.

BACKGROUND: The term chronic appendicitis has been used to describe any type of chronic pain that originates in the appendix, with or without inflammation. This broad category can be divided more specifically into: chronic or recurrent appendicitis and appendiceal colic pain. CLINICAL CASE: a 41-year-old female, suffering intestinal chronic constipation, abdominal pain, nausea, hiporexia and febricula, treated with antibiotics, vermifuges, analgesics and antispasmodics, showing a slight and partial improvement. She was suffering chronic pain in lower abdomen, mostly on the right side along a year. With these symptoms, she underwent an exploratory laparotomy, that showed chronic appendicitis. Appendix had been removed. The histopathological report corresponded to chronic appendicitis. CONCLUSIONS: the histopathological characteristics and the clinical manifestations of the chronic appendicitis are different from those of acute appendicitis. Criteria for chronic appendicitis include: symptoms lasting longer than 4 weeks, confirmation of chronic swelling through histopathological examination, improvement of symptoms after appendectomy. The ultrasonic images, the barium enema and the computerized helicoidal tomography could be suggestive for its diagnosis.

Recombinant bacteriophage-based multiepitope vaccine against Taenia solium pig cysticercosis.

The aim of this study was to test the capacity of recombinant phages to deliver antigens for vaccination against porcine cysticercosis. Thus, three peptides (KETc1, KETc12, GK1) and a recombinant antigen KETc7, previously proven to induce high levels of protection against pig cysticercosis, were expressed on the surface of the M13 bacteriophage at multiple copies. The pool of these four recombinant phages induced high levels of protection against an experimental murine cysticercosis. The immunogenicity of the phage vaccine preparation was therefore, tested in pigs, the natural host of Taenia solium. Subcutaneous or oral vaccination with these phages induced antigen-specific cellular immune responses in pigs. Preliminary data also points to the protective capacity of this recombinant phage vaccine against pig cysticercosis. The immunogenicity of these recombinant phages, together with the low cost of their production, make them a realistic candidate to be tested in pigs as an anti-cysticercus phage vaccine for field trials. This is the first report describing the application of a filamentous bacteriophage as a vaccine in large animals such as pigs, the only intermediate hosts of T. solium, a parasite of major medical importance in developing countries. The potential application of phages as a modern platform for vaccines for human and animal diseases is discussed.

Th1 and Th2 indices of the immune response in pigs vaccinated against Taenia solium cysticercosis suggest various host immune strategies against the parasite.

Kinetics of the production of serum antibody levels and Th1 (IL-2, IFN-gamma) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-10) cytokines was studied in five pigs vaccinated with a synthetic tri-peptide vaccine (S3Pvac) against Taenia solium, a vaccine that has been shown protects pigs against naturally acquired infection. Healthy pigs of mixed genetic background, similar to those bred in rural villages of Mexico, were vaccinated with S3Pvac or with adjuvant alone, kept in sanitary conditions and bled at different times after vaccination to study the development of their specific immune response. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of vaccinated pigs showed a significant increment in the production of Th1 cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-gamma) but not of Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) after specific PBLs stimulation with all the individual peptides. A Th1-inclined cytokine profile leading to an exacerbated local inflammation at the early installation stage of the cysticercus may possibly interfere with their successful establishment in the serum antibodies against total cysticercus antigens and against each of the three different peptides comprising S3Pvac were detected 7-51 days after vaccination. Antibodies against GK-1 interfered with the cysticerci development into intestinal tapeworms in prednisolone-treated hamsters. The sub-lethal crippling effect of anti-GK-1 antibodies upon cysticerci indicates to a therapeutic application of S3Pvac in infected pigs having potential epidemiological consequences, as it could aid in decreasing the number of tapeworms expected to develop from the few cysticerci that survive in the vaccinated pigs.