Genetic and Morphological Identification of Spirometra decipiens in Snakes and Domestic Dog Found in Cuba.

Spirometra (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea) affects humans and some species of domestic and wild animals which eventually interact with humans. In this article, we report three new cases of Spirometra decipiens (Diesing, 1850) infection observed in two intermediate hosts and one definitive host, in Cuba. Genetic and morphological identification of S. decipiens in two snakes and a domestic dog were carried out by molecular means and routine histological study using hematoxylin-eosin staining, respectively. Taken together, the anatomical location, the host species infected with the specimens and their morphological and genetic features, all the samples were identified as S. decipiens. In each of the three cases, PCR assays using specific primers amplified bands that corresponded to S. decipiens species. To our knowledge, this paper is the first report of S. decipiens in species of Cuban endemic fauna and in the Caribbean islands. These species constitute a real or potential risk of transmission of Spirometra to humans in Cuba.

A case-control study of infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae producing New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1: Predictors and outcomes.

Introduction: Infections caused by antimicrobial-resistant bacteria are a significant cause of death worldwide, and carbapenemase-producing bacteria are the principal agents. New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1 producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP-NDM-1) is an extensively drug-resistant bacterium that has been previously reported in Mexico. Our aim was to conduct a case-control study to describe the risk factors associated with nosocomial infections caused by K. pneumoniae producing NDM-1 in a tertiary-care hospital in Mexico. Methods: A retrospective case-control study with patients hospitalized from January 2012 to February 2018 at the Hospital Civil de Guadalajara "Fray Antonio Alcalde" was designed. During this period, 139 patients with a culture that was positive for K. pneumoniae NDM-1 (cases) and 486 patients hospitalized in the same department and on the same date as the cases (controls) were included. Data were analyzed using SPSS v. 24, and logistic regression analysis was conducted to calculate the risk factors for KP-NDM-1 infection. Results: One hundred and thirty-nine case patients with a KP-NDM-1 isolate and 486 control patients were analyzed. In the case group, acute renal failure was a significant comorbidity, hospitalization days were extended, and significantly more deaths occurred. In a multivariate analysis of risk factors, the independent variables included the previous use of antibiotics (odds ratio, OR = 12.252), the use of a urinary catheter (OR = 5.985), the use of a central venous catheter (OR = 5.518), the use of mechanical ventilation (OR = 3.459), and the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay (OR = 2.334) as predictors of infection with NDM-1 K. pneumoniae. Conclusion: In this study, the previous use of antibiotics, the use of a urinary catheter, the use of a central venous catheter, the use of mechanical ventilation, and ICU stay were shown to be predictors of infection with NDM-1 K. pneumoniae and were independent risk factors for infection with NDM-1 K. pneumoniae.

The utility of the Edmonton Obesity Staging System for the prediction of COVID-19 outcomes: a multi-centre study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with obesity have an increased risk for adverse COVID-19 outcomes. Body mass index (BMI) does not acknowledge the health burden associated this disease. The performance of the Edmonton Obesity Staging System (EOSS), a clinical classification tool that assesses obesity-related comorbidity, is compared with BMI, with respect to adverse COVID-19 outcomes. METHODS: 1071 patients were evaluated in 11 COVID-19 hospitals in Mexico. Patients were classified into EOSS stages. Adjusted risk factors for COVID-19 outcomes were calculated and survival analysis for mechanical ventilation and death was carried out according to EOSS stage and BMI category. RESULTS: The risk for intubation was higher in patients with EOSS stages 2 and 4 (HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.02-1.97 and 2.78, 95% CI 1.83-4.24), and in patients with BMI classes II and III (HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.06-2.74, and 2.62, 95% CI 1.65-4.17). Mortality rates were significantly lower in patients with EOSS stages 0 and 1 (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.42-0.92) and higher in patients with BMI class III (HR 1.58, 95% CI 1.03-2.42). In patients with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, the risk for intubation increased with progressive EOSS stages. Only individuals in BMI class III showed an increased risk for intubation (HR 2.24, 95% CI 1.50-3.34). Mortality risk was increased in EOSS stages 2 and 4 compared to EOSS 0 and 1, and in patients with BMI class II and III, compared to patients with overweight. CONCLUSIONS: EOSS was associated with adverse COVID-19 outcomes, and it distinguished risks beyond BMI. Patients with overweight and obesity in EOSS stages 0 and 1 had a lower risk than patients with normal weight. BMI does not adequately reflect adipose tissue-associated disease, it is not ideal for guiding chronic-disease management.

Multilocus Genotyping of Pneumocystis jirovecii from Deceased Cuban AIDS Patients Using Formalin-Fixed and Paraffin-Embedded Tissues.

The results of the genotypic characterization of Pneumocystis jirovecii are described in lung tissue samples from 41 Cubans who died of AIDS with pneumocystosis between 1995 and 2008. Histological sections of the lung preserved as formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue were examined. PCR amplification and nucleotide sequencing of the two mitochondrial genes (large and small) of the pathogen allowed verification of a predominance of genotype 3 (85T/248C) of the large mitochondrial gene and genotype 3 (160A/196T) of the small mitochondrial gene over a period of 14 years (1995-2008). These results suggest that the 85T/248C//160A/196T genotype circulates with the highest frequency (81.3%) among AIDS patients in Cuba. Multilocus analysis indicates a limited circulation of pathogen genotypes on the island with the existence of a clonal genotype with an epidemic structure. Furthermore, it appears that circulating strains of P. jirovecii have not developed mutations related to sulfonamide resistance. Taken together, the data in this study revealed important elements about pneumocystosis in Cuban patients dying of AIDS and the usefulness of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded samples to carry out molecular epidemiology studies of P. jirovecii.

Utilidad de la prueba de la lactato deshidrogenasa en fallecidos cubanos con sida y neumonía por Pneumocystis jirovecii

RESUMEN Introducción: La neumonía por Pneumocystis jirovecii es una de las enfermedades de mayor impacto negativo en los pacientes con sida. La imposibilidad de cultivar el agente que la provoca, así como su cuadro clínico inespecífico y el alto costo de los métodos diagnósticos moleculares, señalan la necesidad de otras alternativas para su diagnóstico. La prueba de la lactato deshidrogenasa representa una opción a considerar. Objetivo: Demostrar la utilidad de la prueba de la lactato deshidrogenasa como diagnóstico de la Pneumocystis jirovecii en fallecidos cubanos por sida. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio de casos y controles (25 casos [Pneumocystis jirovecii] y 30 controles [compuestos por tres grupos: tuberculosis, linfoma y neumonía bacteriana, respectivamente]) en fallecidos cubanos a los que se realizó la autopsia desde enero de 1996 a diciembre de 2016. Se utilizaron cinco rangos de corte para buscar el valor óptimo de la prueba. Resultados: En el presente estudio existen diferencias altamente significativas entre los pacientes analizados (casos y controles) y entre los restantes individuos que componen los controles con respecto al del linfoma. El rango de corte óptimo para la prueba de la lactato deshidrogenasa fue (550-<800 U/I) con sensibilidad de 80 % y especificidad de 63 %. La razón de disparidad (OR) demostró que existe 6,91 veces más probabilidades que los pacientes por Pneumocystis jirovecii tengan las cifras de LDH mayor que los pacientes controles. Conclusiones: Este trabajo aporta evidencias científicas del rol de la prueba de la lactato deshidrogenasa como herramienta complementaria para el diagnóstico de la Pneumocystis jirovecii.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia is one of the diseases causing the greatest negative impact on AIDS patients. The impossibility of culturing its causative agent, its unspecific clinical presentation and the high cost of molecular diagnostic methods, make it necessary to find other diagnostic alternatives. The lactate dehydrogenase test is an option to be considered. Objective: Demonstrate the usefulness of the lactate dehydrogenase test to diagnose Pneumocystis jirovecii in Cuban patients deceased with AIDS. Methods: A case-control study was conducted (25 cases [Pneumocystis jirovecii] and 30 controls [distributed into three groups: tuberculosis, lymphoma and bacterial pneumonia, respectively]) of Cuban deceased patients undergoing post-mortem examination from January 1996 to December 2016. Five cutoff ranges were used to find the optimal value of the test. Results: Highly significant differences were found between the patients analyzed (cases and controls) and between the remaining individuals making up the controls with respect to the one with lymphoma. The optimal cutoff range for the lactate dehydrogenase test was 550-<800 U/I, with 80% sensitivity and 63% specificity. The odds ratio (OR) showed that probabilities are 6.91 times greater that Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia patients have higher LDH figures than control patients. Conclusions: Scientific evidence is contributed of the role of the lactate dehydrogenase test as a complementary tool in the diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii.

Virulence Plasmids of Rhodococcus equi Isolates From Cuban Patients With AIDS.

Rhodococcus equi is an animal pathogen and zoonotic human opportunistic pathogen associated with immunosuppressive conditions. The pathogenicity of R. equi is linked to three animal host-associated virulence plasmids encoding a family of "Virulence Associated Proteins" (VAPs). Here, the PCR-based TRAVAP molecular typing system for the R. equi virulence plasmids was applied to 26 R. equi strains isolated between 2010 and 2016 at the Institute of Tropical Medicine "Pedro Kourí," Cuba, from individuals living with HIV/AIDS. TRAVAP detects 4 gene markers, traA common to the three virulence plasmids, and vapA, vapB, and vapN specific to each of the host-associated plasmid types (equine pVAPA, porcine pVAPB, and ruminant pVAPN). Of the 26 isolates, six were positive to the vapB (porcine-type) marker, 4 (15.4%) to the vapA (equine-type) marker, and 1 (3.8%) to the vapN (ruminant-type) marker. Most of the isolates 14 (53.8%) were negative to all TRAVAP markers, suggesting they lacked a virulence plasmid. To our knowledge, this work is the first to report the molecular characterization of R. equi isolates from Cuba. Our findings provide insight into the zoonotic origin of R. equi infections in people and the potential dispensability of the virulence plasmid in immunosuppressed patients.

Chronic kidney disease of unknown cause in Mexico: The case of Poncitlan, Jalisco.

Chronic kidney disease of unknown cause (CKDu) is relatively common in low- and middle-income countries. A high prevalence of CKDu has been reported among the inhabitants of Poncitlan, Mexico. We did a cross-sectional study to compare the characteristics of residents in Poncitlan, a very poor municipality, with those from other municipalities in Jalisco state. We also estimated the prevalence of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in this region. We assessed 51,789 individuals in Jalisco: 16,351 (32.1%) were men, mean age 51.8 ± 15.3 years; 650 (1.3%) were aged < 18 years. Overall the prevalence of CKD (10.5%) and proteinuria (11.5%), were similar to the overall Mexican population. There were 283 adult and 144 child participants who resided in Poncitlan: adults were more likely to be female (78.0 vs. 67.9%, p = 0.000) but were of similar age as compared to those from other municipalities; children were younger (8.78 ± 3.97 vs. 15.03 ± 2.57 years, p = 0.000) but had a similar proportion of females compared to children from other municipalities. In Poncitlan, the prevalence of CKD and proteinuria were both higher in adults compared to those from other municipalities (CKD: 20.1 vs. 10.4%, p = 0.002; proteinuria: 36.1 vs. 11.0%, p = 0.000), and the prevalence of proteinuria in children was also higher (44.4 vs. 4.8%, p = 0.000). However, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and obesity were lower in Poncitlan than elsewhere. The prevalence of RRT in Poncitlan was 2,228 pmp, twice as high as the prevalence for Jalisco state as a whole. In conclusion, CKD and proteinuria were detected frequently in residents of the Poncitlan community. Future studies should consider the possibility that CKDu is due to multifactorial causes, especially in poor communities.
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Clinical predictors of drug-resistant tuberculosis in Mexico.

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) remains a major global health problem. Early treatment of TB is critical; in the absence of rapid- susceptibility testing, the empiric selection of drugs should be guided by clinical data. This study aimed to determine the clinical predictors of DR-TB. From September 2010 to August 2017, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were collected from 144 patients with tuberculosis at the Hospital Civil de Guadalajara, Mexico. Isolates were subjected to drug-susceptibility testing. Clinical predictors of DR-TB were determined using univariate and multivariate analysis. Any drug, isoniazid, and rifampin resistance rates were 47.7, 23.0, and 11.6%, respectively. The visualization of cavities and nodules through either chest radiography or computed tomography were independent predictors of DR-TB. In conclusion, early detection of DR-TB in this population could be based on multiple cavities being observed using chest imaging. This study's results can be applied to future patients with TB in our community to optimize the DR-TB diagnostic process.

Hypertensive thalamic hemorrhage: analysis of short-term outcome.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is the main cause of intracerebral hemorrhage with a thalamic location frequency that varies from 6% to 26.5%. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify clinical and radiological features that could impact the short-term prognosis in patients with hypertensive thalamic hemorrhage (HTH). METHODS: Consecutive patients presenting to a tertiary referral hospital with HTH were analyzed from 2010 to 2014. Clinical features at emergency department and a 30-day outcome using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were obtained. RESULTS: A total of 104 patients were studied (53 women, mean age 68.2 years, range 27-91 years), 91 (87.5%) of them with hypertension history. Mean hemorrhage volume was 12.2 mL (range 2-45 mL), without significant differences according to gender or age group. Irruption into the ventricular system occurred in 79 (76%) cases. Thirty-day mortality was 38.5% and occurred with a higher frequency in men, in patients with GCS <8, intraventricular irruption, ventriculostomy, and intracerebral hemorrhage volumes >15 mL. CONCLUSIONS: Although HTH is associated with relatively small hemorrhage volume, it had a higher frequency of ventricular irruption and bad prognosis at short-term.

Clostridium difficile infection in patients with chronic kidney disease in Mexico
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BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a leading cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea worldwide. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are especially vulnerable, as they are exposed to CDI risk factors including frequent antibiotics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to identify the risk factors for CDI in CKD patients, a 33-month long case-control study was carried out at a tertiary-care hospital in Mexico. CDI was confirmed at the genetic level, and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the association between risk factors, biomarkers, and outcome options (survival, relapse, death). RESULTS: Among the 1,198 patients with healthcare-associated diarrhea, 354 (29.5%) were CDI cases. 105 (29.6%) CDI cases and 192 (22.7%) controls had CKD. 84 (80%) CKD+CDI cases had a favorable outcome, 10 (9.5%) relapsed, and the 3-month mortality rate included 11 (10.4%) patients. Compared with controls, CDI cases had more previous hospitalizations (63.8 vs. 46.9%, p = 0.005), abdominal distension (46.7 vs. 36.5%, p = 0.056), abdominal pain (60.0 vs. 41.1%, p = 0.002), and polymorphonuclear leukocyte in stools (71.4 vs. 40.5%, p = 0.001) as well as poorer outcomes at 3 months. The patients in the 027-strain group were older, and most of the patients had CKD stage 5 (88.5% vs. 71.1%, p = 0.007), while CKD stage-4 patients were more frequently infected with non-027 strains. In the multivariate analysis of risk factors for CDI, only previous antibiotic exposure (odds ratio = 2.01, 95% confidence interval: 1.05 - 3.84; p = 0.034) was independently associated with CDI in patients with CKD stage 5. CONCLUSION: Mexican patients with CKD are at risk for CDI. This susceptible group should be protected by promoting appropriate guidelines.
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Clostridium difficile outbreak caused by NAP1/BI/027 strain and non-027 strains in a Mexican hospital

Abstract Background Clostridium difficile infections caused by the NAP1/B1/027 strain are more severe, difficult to treat, and frequently associated with relapses. Methods A case–control study was designed to examine a C. difficileinfection (CDI) outbreak over a 12-month period in a Mexican hospital. The diagnosis of toxigenic CDI was confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction, PCR (Cepheid Xpert C. difficile/Epi). Results During the study period, 288 adult patients were evaluated and 79 (27.4%) patients had confirmed CDI (PCR positive). C. difficilestrain NAP1/B1/027 was identified in 31 (39%) of the patients with confirmed CDI (240 controls were included). Significant risk factors for CDI included any underlying disease (p < 0.001), prior hospitalization (p < 0.001), and antibiotic (p < 0.050) or steroid (p < 0.001) use. Laboratory abnormalities included leukocytosis (p < 0.001) and low serum albumin levels (p < 0.002). Attributable mortality was 5%. Relapses occurred in 10% of patients. Risk factors for C. difficileNAP1/B1/027 strain infections included prior use of quinolones (p < 0.03). Risk factors for CDI caused by non-027 strains included chronic cardiac disease (p < 0.05), chronic renal disease (p < 0.009), and elevated serum creatinine levels (p < 0.003). Deaths and relapses were most frequent in the 027 group (10% and 19%, respectively). Conclusions C. difficile NAP1/BI/027 strain and non-027 strains are established pathogens in our hospital. Accordingly, surveillance ofC. difficile infections is now part of our nosocomial prevention program.

Clostridium difficile outbreak caused by NAP1/BI/027 strain and non-027 strains in a Mexican hospital.

BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile infections caused by the NAP1/B1/027 strain are more severe, difficult to treat, and frequently associated with relapses. METHODS: A case-control study was designed to examine a C. difficile infection (CDI) outbreak over a 12-month period in a Mexican hospital. The diagnosis of toxigenic CDI was confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction, PCR (Cepheid Xpert C. difficile/Epi). RESULTS: During the study period, 288 adult patients were evaluated and 79 (27.4%) patients had confirmed CDI (PCR positive). C. difficile strain NAP1/B1/027 was identified in 31 (39%) of the patients with confirmed CDI (240 controls were included). Significant risk factors for CDI included any underlying disease (p<0.001), prior hospitalization (p<0.001), and antibiotic (p<0.050) or steroid (p<0.001) use. Laboratory abnormalities included leukocytosis (p<0.001) and low serum albumin levels (p<0.002). Attributable mortality was 5%. Relapses occurred in 10% of patients. Risk factors for C. difficile NAP1/B1/027 strain infections included prior use of quinolones (p<0.03). Risk factors for CDI caused by non-027 strains included chronic cardiac disease (p<0.05), chronic renal disease (p<0.009), and elevated serum creatinine levels (p<0.003). Deaths and relapses were most frequent in the 027 group (10% and 19%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: C. difficile NAP1/BI/027 strain and non-027 strains are established pathogens in our hospital. Accordingly, surveillance of C. difficile infections is now part of our nosocomial prevention program.

Genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from Guadalajara, Mexico and identification of a rare multidrug resistant Beijing genotype.

Determining the genetic diversity of M. tuberculosis strains allows identification of the distinct Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotypes responsible for tuberculosis in different regions. Several studies have reported the genetic diversity of M. tuberculosis strains in Mexico, but little information is available from the state of Jalisco. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates from Western Mexico. Sixty-eight M. tuberculosis isolates were tested for susceptibility to first-line drugs using manual Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube method and genotyped using spoligotyping and IS6110-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) pattern analyses. Forty-seven (69.1%) isolates were grouped into 10 clusters and 21 isolates displayed single patterns by spoligotyping. Three of the 21 single patterns corresponded to orphan patterns in the SITVITWEB database, and 1 new type that contained 2 isolates was created. The most prevalent lineages were T (38.2%), Haarlem (17.7%), LAM (17.7%), X (7.4%), S (5.9%), EAI (1.5%) and Beijing (1.5%). Six (12.8%) of the clustered isolates were MDR, and type 406 of the Beijing family was among the MDR isolates. Seventeen (26.2%) isolates were grouped into 8 clusters and 48 isolates displayed single patterns by IS6110-RFLP. Combination of IS6110-RFLP and spoligotyping reduced the clustering rate to 20.0%. The results show that T, Haarlem, and LAM are predominant lineages among clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis in Guadalajara, Mexico. Clustering rates indicated low transmission of MDR strains. We detected a rare Beijing genotype, SIT406, which was a highly resistant strain. This is the first report of this Beijing genotype in Latin America.

Epilepsia del lóbulo temporal y neurocisticercosis activa: dos casos representativos / Temporal lobe epilepsy and active neurocysticercosis: two representative case reports

Introducción. Existen pocas evidencias notificadas de casos de epilepsia del lóbulo temporal asociadas a cisticercosis activa en su fase quística. El objetivo es presentar la correlación entre cisticercosis activa en zonas topográficas asociadas a epilepsia del lóbulo temporal, con las manifestaciones neuropsiquiátricas y el patrón de crisis parciales secundariamente generalizadas. Casos clínicos. Dos casos de pacientes adultos con manifestaciones neuropsiquiátricas de un año de evolución, refractarios a tratamiento farmacológico antipsicótico, y en quienes posteriormente aparecen crisis convulsivas parciales secundariamente generalizadas de inicio tardío. Se identifica la presencia de cisticercosis activa en el lóbulo temporal en un paciente, y en la ínsula, en el otro. Buen control clínico posterior al tratamiento con albendazol, pero se mantiene el mismo tratamiento anticonvulsionante para considerar la pertinencia de su retirada farmacológica. Conclusiones. La neurocisticercosis activa puede ser causa de trastornos neuropsiquiátricos adquiridos y de epilepsia del lóbulo temporal de inicio tardío cuando su topografía se encuentra en el circuito mesolímbico. El diagnóstico etiológico oportuno y el tratamiento apropiado permiten el control adecuado de su sintomatología y, potencialmente, su curación definitiva (AU)

Introduction. There are limited evidences reported of temporal lobe epilepsy associated with active cysticercosis in cystic stage. The objective is to present the correlation between active cysticercosis in topographical zones associated with temporal lobe epilepsy, with neuropsychiatric manifestations and pattern of secondarily generalized partial seizures. Case reports. Two cases of adult patients with neuropsychiatric manifestations of one year evolution, refractory to antipsychotic drug treatment, and who subsequently appear late onset partial-secondarily generalized seizures. Cysticercosis active presence in the temporal lobe in one patient, and the insula in the other, is identified. A better clinical control after albendazol treatment and subsequently anticonvulsant therapy only remained to evaluate pertinence of pharmacological withdrawal criteria. Conclusions. Active neurocysticercosis, may be the cause of acquired neuropsychiatric disorders and temporal lobe epilepsy of late onset when the topography is in the mesolimbic circuit. Early etiologic diagnosis and appropriate treatment allows adequate control of their symptoms and potentially final cure (AU)

Randomized study of danoprevir/ritonavir-based therapy for HCV genotype 1 patients with prior partial or null responses to peginterferon/ribavirin.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Chronic hepatitis C treatment for prior non-responders to peginterferon (PegIFN)/ribavirin remains suboptimal. The MATTERHORN study evaluated regimens containing ritonavir-boosted danoprevir (danoprevir/r) in prior PegIFN alfa/ribavirin non-responders. METHODS: Prior partial responders (N=152) were randomized to 24 weeks of twice-daily danoprevir/r 100/100mg, mericitabine 1000 mg and ribavirin 1000/1200 mg (IFN-free); danoprevir/r plus PegIFN alfa-2a/ribavirin (triple); or danoprevir/r, mericitabine and PegIFN alfa-2a/ribavirin (Quad). Prior null responders (N=229) were randomized to 24 weeks of IFN-free therapy, or quad alone (Quad 24) or quad plus 24-weeks of PegIFN alfa-2a/ribavirin (Quad 48). The primary endpoint was sustained virological response (HCV RNA <25 IU/ml) 24 weeks after end-of-treatment (SVR24). Due to high relapse rates, genotype (G) 1a patients in IFN-free arms were offered additional PegIFN alfa-2a/ribavirin. RESULTS: Among prior partial responders, SVR24 rates were 46.2%, 51.0%, and 86.0%, in the IFN-free, Triple and Quad arms, respectively; among prior null responders, SVR24 rates were 45.5%, 80.5%, and 83.8% respectively. Relapse rates were lower and SVR24 rates higher in G1b-infected than G1a-infected patients. SVR24 rates in G1a and G1b patients randomized to Quad were 75.0% and 96.2%, respectively, in the partial Quad arm, and 68.1% and 100%, respectively, in the null Quad 24 arm. Treatment failure was associated with resistance to danoprevir, but not to mericitabine, and was more common in G1a infected patients. Treatment was well-tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Danoprevir/r, mericitabine plus PegIFN alfa-2a/ribavirin was well-tolerated and produced high overall SVR24 rates in prior partial and null responders to PegIFN alfa/ribavirin. In contrast, IFN-free regimens were associated with unacceptably high relapse rates.

[Temporal lobe epilepsy and active neurocysticercosis: two representative case reports]. / Epilepsia del lobulo temporal y neurocisticercosis activa: dos casos representativos.

INTRODUCTION: There are limited evidences reported of temporal lobe epilepsy associated with active cysticercosis in cystic stage. The objective is to present the correlation between active cysticercosis in topographical zones associated with temporal lobe epilepsy, with neuropsychiatric manifestations and pattern of secondarily generalized partial seizures. CASE REPORTS: Two cases of adult patients with neuropsychiatric manifestations of one year evolution, refractory to antipsychotic drug treatment, and who subsequently appear late onset partial-secondarily generalized seizures. Cysticercosis active presence in the temporal lobe in one patient, and the insula in the other, is identified. A better clinical control after albendazol treatment and subsequently anticonvulsant therapy only remained to evaluate pertinence of pharmacological withdrawal criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Active neurocysticercosis, may be the cause of acquired neuropsychiatric disorders and temporal lobe epilepsy of late onset when the topography is in the mesolimbic circuit. Early etiologic diagnosis and appropriate treatment allows adequate control of their symptoms and potentially final cure.

TITLE: Epilepsia del lobulo temporal y neurocisticercosis activa: dos casos representativos.Introduccion. Existen pocas evidencias notificadas de casos de epilepsia del lobulo temporal asociadas a cisticercosis activa en su fase quistica. El objetivo es presentar la correlacion entre cisticercosis activa en zonas topograficas asociadas a epilepsia del lobulo temporal, con las manifestaciones neuropsiquiatricas y el patron de crisis parciales secundariamente generalizadas. Casos clinicos. Dos casos de pacientes adultos con manifestaciones neuropsiquiatricas de un año de evolucion, refractarios a tratamiento farmacologico antipsicotico, y en quienes posteriormente aparecen crisis convulsivas parciales secundariamente generalizadas de inicio tardio. Se identifica la presencia de cisticercosis activa en el lobulo temporal en un paciente, y en la insula, en el otro. Buen control clinico posterior al tratamiento con albendazol, pero se mantiene el mismo tratamiento anticonvulsionante para considerar la pertinencia de su retirada farmacologica. Conclusiones. La neurocisticercosis activa puede ser causa de trastornos neuropsiquiatricos adquiridos y de epilepsia del lobulo temporal de inicio tardio cuando su topografia se encuentra en el circuito mesolimbico. El diagnostico etiologico oportuno y el tratamiento apropiado permiten el control adecuado de su sintomatologia y, potencialmente, su curacion definitiva.

Identifying undetected cases of chronic kidney disease in Mexico. Targeting high-risk populations.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health problem in Mexico. Current guidelines recommend routine CKD testing in patients at increased risk for CKD. We undertook this study to examine the diagnostic yield of targeted screening (case-finding) for CKD in high-risk populations in rural and urban communities in Jalisco, Mexico. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, we did laboratory tests searching for CKD and its risk factors and compared the characteristics of participants with those reported by the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2006 (NHNS). Individuals who were aware that they had CKD and those <18 years of age were excluded. RESULTS: There were 9,169 participants assessed: 28.7% were men and mean age was 55.6 ± 13.7 years. They were predominantly female (71.3 vs. 55.6%, p = 0.0001) and older (55.59 ± 0.1 vs. 42.5 ± 0.3 years, p = 0.0001) than the NHNS population. Self-reported diabetes (41.9 vs. 7.3%, p = 0001) and fasting blood sugar >126 mg/dl (56.1 vs. 14.4%, p = 0.0001) were more prevalent among the participants; self-reported hypertension (41.9 vs. 7.3%, p = 0.0001), systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mm Hg (52.5 vs. 43.2%, p = 0.0001), and obesity (42.8. vs. 29.3%, p = 0.0001) were also more frequent among participants. There were 19.7% with proteinuria; CKD was more prevalent among the high risk participants in our study (31.3 vs. 8.0%, p = 0.0001) than in the general population. CONCLUSIONS: CKD was detected frequently in high-risk Mexican populations. Trials of case-finding and intervention are feasible and warranted in Mexico.

Chronic kidney disease in homeless persons in Mexico.

Little is known about the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among the homeless in Mexico. The role of substance abuse, alcoholism, and homelessness in CKD has not been properly evaluated. We screened 260 homeless individuals in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, for the presence of CKD and its risk factors, and compared their characteristics with those from a separate cohort of poor Jalisco residents and with a survey of the general Mexican population. CKD was more prevalent among the homeless than among the poor Jalisco population (22% vs. 15.8%, P=0.0001); 16.5% had stage 3, 4.3% stage 4, and 1.2% stage 5. All were unaware of having CKD. Only 5.8% knew they had diabetes, but 19% had fasting blood sugar >126 mg/dl; 3.5% knew they were hypertensive but 31% had systolic blood pressure ⩾140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure ⩾90 mm Hg. Alcoholism was less common than in the poor Jalisco population (23.5% vs. 32.3%, P=0.002), but tobacco smoking (34.6% vs. 21.5%, P=0.0001) and substance abuse (18% vs. 1.1%, P=0.0001) were more prevalent among the homeless. Likewise, chronic viral infections such as HIV (4.5% vs. 0.3%, P=0.0001) and HCV (7.7% vs. 1.4%, P=0.0001) were also significantly higher among the homeless than in the general population. In conclusion, CKD and its risk factors are highly prevalent among the homeless individuals in Jalisco, Mexico. Lack of awareness of having diabetes and hypertension is highly common, as is substance abuse. Programs aiming to prevent CKD and its risk factors in Mexico should specifically target this high-risk population.

[Guideline for interpretation and report of the antibody to hepatitis C virus. Grupo de Desarrollo de la Guía ]. / Guía de interpretación y reporte del anticuerpo a hepatitis C.

Patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are detected by testing for the presence of antibodies to HCV (Anti-HCV). A positive Anti-HCV test represents a true positive result only in a variable proportion of subjects (35 to 95%). The qualitative interpretation as positive or negative Anti-HCV report is associated with a general lack of understanding regarding the interpretation of results, when more specific testing should be performed, and which tests should be considered for this purpose. Therefore, a substantial variation in supplemental testing practices exists among laboratories and physicians. This guideline was developed on the basis of the best available evidence to classify positive antibody in two (low and high) or three levels (very low, low and high) according to the signal to cutoff (S/CO) ratio: the very low level of the Anti-HCV identifies false-positive results and further diagnostic testing is not necessary. The low antibody level is frequently related with false-positive results and testing with Immunoblot is recommended; only Immunoblot-positive subjects require HCV RNA testing because of a low possibility of being viremic. The high Anti-HCV level is an accurate serological marker for predicting viremia and denotes the need of routine HCV RNA testing in order to efficiently confirm hepatitis C. Cost-effectiveness analysis, based on the Anti-HCV level, recommends the use of the two or three-levels to choose the confirmatory test of positive antibody. This approach can be implemented without increasing test costs because the S/CO ratio is automatically generated in most laboratory analyzers and would provide health care professionals with useful information for counseling and evaluating patients, to eliminate unwarranted notifications in cases of false antibody reactivity, and correctly identifying those Anti-HCV-positive patients who are infected and need antiviral treatment. The written report should include the antibody level (S/CO ratio), the type of the immunoassay applied and interpretation guideline. Anti-HCV testing is performed in multiple settings including blood banks or health department facilities; adoption of this Guideline for interpretation and report of the antibody to hepatitis C virus by laboratories and its implementation by clinicians will improve the accuracy for interpreting antibody result to determine the next step on hepatitis C diagnosis.