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Background: The neurological symptoms of Long COVID (LC) and the impact of neuropsychological manifestations on people's daily lives have been extensively described. Although a large body of literature describes symptoms, validating this with objective measures is important. This study aims to identify and describe the effects of Long COVID on cognition, balance, and the retinal fundus, and determine whether the duration of symptoms influences cognitive impairment. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved LC volunteers with cognitive complaint from public health centers in northern Barcelona who participated between January 2022 and March 2023. This study collected sociodemographic characteristics, information on substance use, comorbidities, and clinical data related to COVID-19. We measured five cognitive domains using a battery of neuropsychological tests. Balance was assessed through posturography and retinal vascular involvement by retinography. Results: A total of 166 people with LC and cognitive complaints participated, 80.72% were women and mean age was 49.28 ± 8.39 years. The most common self-reported symptoms were concentration and memory deficit (98.80%), brain fog (82.53%) and insomnia (71.17%). The 68.67% presented cognitive deficit in at least one domain, with executive functions being the most frequent (43.98%). The 51.52% of the participants exhibited a dysfunctional pattern in balance, and 9.2% showed some alteration in the retina. There were no statistically significant differences between cognitive impairment and symptom duration. Conclusion: Our findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the pathology associated with Long COVID. They highlight the diversity of self-reported symptoms, the presence of abnormal balance patterns, and some cognitive impairment. These findings underscore the necessity of addressing the clinical management of this condition in primary care through follow-up and the pursuit of multidisciplinary and comprehensive treatment.
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IMPORTANCE: Assessment of praxis skills is an essential aspect of understanding autistic children's development of play and playfulness. OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship and influence of ideational praxis skills on play skills and playfulness among autistic children. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTINGS: Homes, schools, and early care centers across Spain. PARTICIPANTS: Children ages 4 yr 6 mo to 6 yr 11 mo (45 typically developing [TP] and 45 with autism spectrum disorder [ASD]). OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Student's t tests were used to compare means between the two groups. Pearson's correlation and multiple linear regression were used to determine possible effects of ideational skills on play and playfulness. RESULTS: Scores for the TP group were significantly higher than those of the ASD group on all play dimensions-space management, t(88) = 4.58; material management, t(88) = 5.86; pretense-symbolism, t(88) = 8.12; and participation, t(88) = 7.31-and on the Test of Playfulness (ToP), t(88) = 10.18, and Test of Ideational Praxis (TIP), t(88) = 4.38 (all ps < .001). Multiple linear regression revealed a statistically significant effect of TIP dimensions-space management, F(3, 41) = 4.83, p < .042; material management, F(3.41) = 8.49. p < .001; pretense-symbolism, F(3, 41) = 5.66. p < .002; and participation, F(3.41) = 7.81. p < .001-and on the ToP, F(3, 41) = 5.96. p < .002. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Ideational praxis skills combined with diagnostic information significantly predicted play skills and playfulness, highlighting the influence of ideation on play. Plain-Language Summary: This article provides data supporting the influence of ideational praxis skills on the play skills and playfulness of autistic children. Understanding how ideational praxis skills affect the ability to recognize and act on object affordances might promote greater possibilities for play interactions among autistic children.
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Transtorno do Espectro Autista , Jogos e Brinquedos , Humanos , Estudos Transversais , Masculino , Feminino , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Transtorno do Espectro Autista/reabilitação , Espanha , Transtorno Autístico/reabilitaçãoRESUMO
Skin and soft tissue infections are a common reason for patients seeking inpatient and outpatient medical care. Surgery is an essential part of managing in many episodes. Careful evaluation of antibiotic therapy could help clinicians in early identification to patients with treatment failure and to consider an alternative approach or a new surgical revision in "focus control". With the arrival of new drugs, there is a need to refine the appropriate drug's decision-making. Drugs with a long half-life (long-acting lipoglycopeptides such as dalbavancin or oritavancin), which allows weekly administration (or even greater), can reduce hospital admission and length of stay with fewer healthcare resources through outpatient management (home hospitalization or day hospitals). New anionic fluoroquinolones (e.g. delafloxacin), highly active in an acidic medium and with the possibility of switch from the intravenous to the oral route, will also make it possible to achieve these new healthcare goals and promote continuity of care. Therefore, management should rely on a collaborative multidisciplinary group with experience in this infectious syndrome.
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Infecções dos Tecidos Moles , Humanos , Infecções dos Tecidos Moles/tratamento farmacológico , Infecções dos Tecidos Moles/cirurgia , Antibacterianos , Falha de Tratamento , Continuidade da Assistência ao PacienteRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: To explore the impact of the lockdown and social distancing measures, applied for one year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic on Activities of Daily Living in patients with Parkinson's disease, as well as to determine the association between daily performance and tasks requiring more manipulative dexterity. METHODS: Data collection was carried out between 18 January and 22 March 2021 through telephone interviews. Patients were recruited from associations of patients with Parkinson's disease in Spain. A questionnaire was designed including items from standardized tools of the Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire to measure the level of independence and from the Dexterity Questionnaire for manipulative dexterity. RESULTS: There were 126 participants aged 36-89 years, 58% of whom were male. The results of our study reveal a significant decline in almost all the ADLs assessed. There is a moderate correlation between the degree of dependence in ADLs and the difficulty in performing activities requiring manipulative dexterity. CONCLUSIONS: Social isolation related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences may have contributed to an increase in the deterioration of manipulative ability, leading to a loss of ability to perform ADLs. These results show specific needs to be considered in the rehabilitation treatment of these patients.
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BACKGROUND: Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS) is caused by the loss (deletion) of a small portion of chromosome 22 in a region designated q13.3 (22q13.3 deletion). PMS is one of the most common genetic forms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in which sensory reactivity difficulties have been described on limited occasions. METHODS: The objective of this study is to identify whether changes in sensory reactivity skills occur after one year of follow-up in a group of 44 participants diagnosed with PMS. All participants completed the Short Sensory Profile (SSP). Two-factor ANOVA tests were performed with repeated measures for the study of the evolution of the scores. RESULTS: Participants with PMS showed significant changes after one year of follow-up in sensory reactivity skills associated with tactile hyperreactivity (p = 0.003). The rest of the study variables did not show significant differences compared to the baseline assessment, showing definite differences associated with patterns of hypo-responsiveness and sensory seeking, low/weak energy, and difficulties in auditory filtering. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the evolution of sensory reactivity skills can facilitate the adjustment to behavioral changes in people with PMS and design-targeted interventions to address sensory reactivity challenges.
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A portable potentiometric electronic tongue (PE-tongue) was developed and applied to evaluate the quality of milk with different fat content (skimmed, semi-skimmed, and whole) and with different nutritional content (classic, calcium-enriched, lactose-free, folic acid-enriched, and enriched in sterols of vegetal origin). The system consisted of a simplified array of five sensors based on PVC membranes, coupled to a data logger. The five sensors were selected from a larger set of 20 sensors by applying the genetic algorithm (GA) to the responses to compounds usually found in milk including salts (KCl, CaCl2, and NaCl), sugars (lactose, glucose, and galactose), and organic acids (citric acid and lactic acid). Principal component analysis (PCA) and support vector machine (SVM) results indicated that the PE-tongue consisting of a five-electrode array could successfully discriminate and classify milk samples according to their nutritional content. The PE-tongue provided similar discrimination capability to that of a more complex system formed by a 20-sensor array. SVM regression models were used to predict the physicochemical parameters classically used in milk quality control (acidity, density, %proteins, %lactose, and %fat). The prediction results were excellent and similar to those obtained with a much more complex array consisting of 20 sensors. Moreover, the SVM method confirmed that spoilage of unsealed milk could be correctly identified with the simplified system and the increase in acidity could be accurately predicted. The results obtained demonstrate the possibility of using the simplified PE-tongue to predict milk quality and provide information on the chemical composition of milk using a simple and portable system.
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No disponible
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Humanos , Adulto , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , Doadores de Tecidos/estatística & dados numéricos , Anticorpos Anti-HTLV-I/análise , Anticorpos Anti-HTLV-II/análise , Infecções por HTLV-I/epidemiologia , Infecções por HTLV-II/epidemiologia , Anticorpos Anti-HTLV-I/imunologia , Anticorpos Anti-HTLV-II/imunologia , Vírus Linfotrópico T Tipo 1 Humano/imunologia , Vírus Linfotrópico T Tipo 2 Humano/imunologiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to describe the results of a systematic serological screening programme for strongyloidiasis. METHODS: A prospective serological screening programme for strongyloidiasis was performed between 2009 and 2014 for all immigrant patients attending the Tropical Medicine Unit. Three formalin-ether concentrated stool samples and an ELISA for anti-Strongyloides stercoralis antibodies were used as screening tools. RESULTS: Of 659 patients screened, 79 (12%) were positive for S. stercoralis regardless of the diagnostic method used. The prevalence of infection was 42.9% in East African patients, 16.3% in Central African patients, 10.9% in those from South America, and 10% in the case of West Africa. Univariate analysis showed that infection by S. stercoralis was significantly more frequent in patients from Central Africa (p=0.026; OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.03-2.85) and East Africa (p<0.001; OR 5.88, 95% CI 1.75-19.32). Taking West Africa as the reference (as the area of lowest prevalence among the positive prevalence areas), the statistical analysis showed that the risk of infection was higher in East Africa (p=0.001; OR 6.750, 95% CI 2.127-21.423) and Central Africa (p=0.065; OR 1.747, 95% CI 0.965-3.163). CONCLUSIONS: Due to the potential complications of strongyloidiasis infection, we recommend that immigrant patients from developing countries be routinely screened for S. stercoralis, especially those from East Africa. A serological test is a highly appropriate screening tool.
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Emigrantes e Imigrantes/estatística & dados numéricos , Strongyloides/imunologia , Estrongiloidíase/diagnóstico , Adulto , África , América , Animais , Ásia , Estudos Transversais , Fezes/parasitologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Programas de Rastreamento , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Prospectivos , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , Espanha/epidemiologia , Strongyloides/isolamento & purificação , Estrongiloidíase/epidemiologia , Estrongiloidíase/parasitologia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: gamification is a potentially attractive option for improving balance and reducing falls. OBJECTIVES: to assess the effect of balance training using the NintendoTM Wii game console on balance (primary outcome), falls and fear of falling. DESIGN: quasi-randomised, open-label, controlled clinical trial in parallel groups, carried out on community-dwelling patients over 70 years, able to walk independently. Participants were assigned 1:1 to the intervention or control group. Balance training was conducted using the Nintendo WiiFitTM twice a week for 3 months. Balance was assessed using the Tinetti balance test (primary outcome), the unipedal stance and the Wii balance tests at baseline, 3 months and 1 year. Falls were recorded and Fear of falling was assessed by the Falls Efficacy Scale (Short-FES-I). RESULTS: 1,016 subjects were recruited (508 in both the intervention and the control group; of whom 274 and 356 respectively completed the 3-month assessment). There was no between-group difference in the Tinetti balance test score, with a baseline mean of 14.7 (SD 1.8) in both groups, and 15.2 (1.3) at 3 months in the intervention group compared to 15.3 (1.7) in controls; the between-group difference was 0.06 (95% CI 0.30-0.41). No differences were seen in any of the other balance tests, or in incident falls. There was a reduction in the fear of falling at 3 months, but no effect at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: the study found no effect of balance training using the NintendoTM Wii on balance or falls in older community-dwelling patients.The study protocol is available at clinicaltrials.gov under the code NCT02570178.
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Acidentes por Quedas/prevenção & controle , Equilíbrio Postural , Jogos de Vídeo , Acidentes por Quedas/estatística & dados numéricos , Idoso , Terapia por Exercício/métodos , Feminino , Humanos , Vida Independente , MasculinoRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To analyze mortality in Spain and the United States before and after these countries implemented divergent policies in response to the financial crisis of 2008. METHODS: We examined mortality statistics in both countries in the years 2000 to 2015. Spain started austerity policies in 2010. We compared differences in mortality ratios, on the basis of trends and effect size analysis. RESULTS: During 2000 to 2010, overall mortality rates (r = 0.98; P < .001; Cohen's d = -0.228) decreased in both countries. In 2011, this trend changed abruptly in Spain, where observed mortality surpassed expected mortality by 29% in 2011 and by 41% in 2015. By contrast, observed mortality surpassed expected mortality in the United States by only 8% in 2015. As the mortality statistics diverged, the effect size greatly increased (d = 7.531). During this 5-year period, there were 505 559 more deaths in Spain than the expected number, while in the United States the difference was 431 501 more deaths despite the 7-fold larger population in the United States compared with Spain. CONCLUSIONS: The marked excess mortality in 2011 to 2015 in Spain is attributable to austerity policies.
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BACKGROUND: Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies describe shorter telomeres in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared to matched non-COPD controls, but the relationship is confounded by tobacco consumption. We hypothesized that telomere shortening would be similar between non-smoking and smoking individuals with airflow limitation and shorter than non-obstructed controls. METHODS: Telomere length (T/S) was measured by qPCR in blood leukocytes of 80 non-smoking patients and 80 age-matched smokers with airflow limitation. Forty non-smoker healthy individuals served as controls. Anthropometrics, lung function, previous and current comorbidities were recorded in all individuals. Relationship between telomere length and clinical and functional variables were explored in the three groups. RESULTS: Telomeres length was similar in non-smokers and smoker individuals with airflow limitation (T/Sâ¯=â¯0.61⯱â¯0.19 vs. 0.60⯱â¯0.23, pâ¯>â¯0.05) respectively. Telomere length was significantly shorter in both groups compared to healthy controls (T/S 0.79⯱â¯0.40; pâ¯=â¯0.01) independent from age and sex. No significant association was found between the telomere length and clinical or lung function parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Telomere shortening is associated with airflow limitation independent of smoking status. Weather premature ageing or biologically determined shorter telomeres are responsible for this finding remain to be determined.
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Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica/genética , Encurtamento do Telômero , Adulto , Idoso , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Feminino , Volume Expiratório Forçado/fisiologia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica/fisiopatologia , Fumar/genética , Fumar/fisiopatologia , Capacidade Vital/fisiologiaRESUMO
Culex (Microculex) daumastocampa Dyar & Knab was originally described by Dyar and Knab (Proc US Nat Mus 35:53-70, 1908) from larvae collected at axils of bromeliads in Port San Felipe, Panama. Culex daumastocampa is found in Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, Suriname, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Mexico, although its presence had not been reported suggesting its northernmost distribution. In Mexico, the subgenus Microculex had included Cx. rejector Dyar and Knab, and Cx. imitator Theobald. However, after that collection specimens were re-examined along with other specimens collected during 2016 in Chiapas (all specimens are available in the Culicidae Collection of the Universidad Autonoma Agraria Antonio Narro Unidad Laguna [UAAAN-UL], Mexico). Culex daumastocampa is now reported for the first time in Mexico, Cx. rejector for Chiapas, and Cx. imitator removed from the checklist of previous reports as to be present in Mexico.
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Culex/anatomia & histologia , Culex/classificação , Animais , Bromeliaceae , Feminino , Larva , Masculino , MéxicoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine if the ETAP smoking scale, which measures accumulated exposure to tobacco, both actively and passively, is applicable and effective in the clinical practice of Primary Care for the prevention of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Location Barranco Grande Health Centre in Tenerife, Spain. DESIGN: A study of 61 cases (AMI) and 144 controls. Sampling with random start, without matching. COR-II curves were analysed, and effectiveness was estimated using sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV). A questionnaire was provided to participating family physicians on the applicability of ETAP in the clinic. RESULTS: The opinion of the participating physicians was unanimously favourable. ETAP was easy to use in the clinic, required less than 3min per patient, and was useful to reinforce the preventive intervention. The ETAP COR-II curve showed that 20years of exposure was the best cut-off point, with an area under the curve of 0.70 (95%CI: 0.62-0.78), and a combination of sensitivity (98%) and NPV (96%) for AMI. When stratifying age and gender, all groups achieved sensitivities and NPVs close to 100%, except for men aged ≥55years, in whom the NPV fell to 75%. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that ETAP is a valid tool that can be applied and be effective in the clinical practice of Primary Care for the prevention of AMI related to smoking exposure.
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Exposição Ambiental/estatística & dados numéricos , Medicina de Família e Comunidade , Infarto do Miocárdio/prevenção & controle , Fumar/epidemiologia , Poluição por Fumaça de Tabaco/estatística & dados numéricos , Adulto , Fatores Etários , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Área Sob a Curva , Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Exposição Ambiental/efeitos adversos , Feminino , Humanos , Exposição por Inalação , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Infarto do Miocárdio/etiologia , Atenção Primária à Saúde , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , Fatores Sexuais , Fumar/efeitos adversos , Inquéritos e Questionários , Fatores de Tempo , Poluição por Fumaça de Tabaco/efeitos adversos , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Fundamentos: La evaluación cuantitativa de las actuaciones para promover la lactancia materna, con material y método estandarizados, es imprescindible para conocer su impacto y permitir la comparación internacional. El objetivo fue conocer la prevalencia de la lactancia materna en un Área Sanitaria de Galicia. Métodos: Estudio observacional mediante entrevista, siguiendo metodología y cuestionario diseñados por la Iniciativa para la Humanización de la Asistencia al Nacimiento y la Lactancia. Se preguntó a la madre/cuidador principal del lactante sobre la alimentación recibida por él/ella para calcular los 5 indicadores propuestos (lactancia materna exclusiva en menores de 15 días, lactancia materna exclusiva en menores de 6 meses, lactancia materna entre 12 y 15 meses y a los dos años, combinación con otros alimentos a los 6-7 meses). Se seleccionó una muestra aleatoria de 431 lactantes entre 0 y 2 años de los centros participantes, entre 2013 y 2014. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo y bivariante. Resultados: Se observó que el 50,00% (IC 95%: 39,3-60,7) de lactantes menores de 15 días recibieron lactancia materna en exclusiva. A los 6 meses, la prevalencia fue del 50,28% (IC 95%: 43,0-57,6). La lactancia materna en lactantes de 12 a 15 meses era del 34,62% (IC 95%: 22,0-49,1). A los dos años era 26,67% (IC 95% 17,1-38,1), con diferencias significativas entre ámbito rural y urbano. Entre 6 y 8 meses la totalidad combinaban lactancia con otros alimentos. Conclusiones: En nuestro entorno se observa una tasa de inicio y una duración media menor de lo deseable (AU)
Background: The quantitative evaluation of actions to promote breastfeeding, with standardized material and method, is essential to understand their impact and allow international comparison. The aim was to know the prevalence of breastfeeding in Galician Health Area. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study through interviews, following methodology and questionnaire designed by the Baby-Friendly Initiative. The infant´s mother/caregiver were asked about feeding to calculate the five indicators proposed (exclusive breastfeeding under 15 days, exclusive breastfeeding under six months, continued breastfeeding at one year and two years, introduction of solid, semi-solid or soft foods). A random sample of 431 infants aged between 0 and 2 years of the participating centers, between 2013 and 2014, has been selected. Descriptive and bivariate analyses have been performed. Results: In the sample, 50.00% (95% CI 39.3 to 60.7) of infants fewer than 15 days were exclusively receiving breastfeeding. At 6 months, the prevalence was 50.28% (95% CI 43.0 to 57.6). Breastfeeding at 12 to 15 months was 34.62% (95% CI 22.0 to 49.1). At two years, it was 26.67% (95% CI 17.1 to 38.1), with significant differences between rural and urban areas. Between 6 and 8 months, all infants have breastfeeding combined with other foods. Conclusions: In our environment the starting rate and average duration are lower than desirable (AU)
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Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Recém-Nascido , Lactente , Adulto , Aleitamento Materno/métodos , Aleitamento Materno/estatística & dados numéricos , Entrevistas como Assunto , Saúde Materna/tendências , Humanização da Assistência , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Inquéritos e Questionários , Atenção Primária à Saúde/métodos , Estudos Transversais/métodos , Sistemas Nacionais de Saúde , Intervalos de Confiança , Declaração de HelsinkiRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Balance alteration is a risk factor for falls in elderly individuals that has physical, psychological and economic consequences. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the usefulness of an intervention utilizing the Nintendo™ Wii console in order to improve balance, thereby decreasing both the fear of falling as well as the number of falls, and to evaluate the correlation between balance as determined by the console and the value obtained in the Tinetti tests and the one foot stationary test. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a controlled, randomized clinical trial of individual assignment, carried out on patients over 70 years in age, from five primary care centers in the city of Mataró (Barcelona). 380 patients were necessary for the intervention group that carried out the balance board exercises in 2 sessions per week for a 3 month period, and 380 patients in the control group who carried out their usual habits. Balance was evaluated using the Tinetti test, the one foot stationary test and with the console, at the start of the study, at the end of the intervention (3 months) and one year later. Quarterly telephone follow-up was also conducted to keep track of falls and their consequences. DISCUSSION: The study aimed to connect the community with a technology that may be an easy and fun way to assist the elderly in improving their balance without the need to leave home or join rehabilitation groups, offering greater comfort for this population and decreasing healthcare costs since there is no need for specialized personnel. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Control Trial NCT02570178.
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Acidentes por Quedas/prevenção & controle , Envelhecimento , Terapia por Exercício , Idoso , Envelhecimento/fisiologia , Envelhecimento/psicologia , Terapia por Exercício/instrumentação , Terapia por Exercício/métodos , Medo , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Equilíbrio Postural/fisiologia , Atenção Primária à Saúde/métodos , Resultado do Tratamento , Jogos de VídeoRESUMO
In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of various primers for the purpose of DNA barcoding old, pinned museum specimens of blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae). We analysed 271 pinned specimens representing two genera and at least 36 species. Due to the age of our material, we targeted overlapping DNA fragments ranging in size from 94 to 407 bp. We were able to recover valid sequences from 215 specimens, of which 18% had 500- to 658-bp barcodes, 36% had 201- to 499-bp barcodes and 46% had 65- to 200-bp barcodes. Our study demonstrates the importance of choosing suitable primers when dealing with older specimens and shows that even very short sequences can be diagnostically informative provided that an appropriate gene region is used. Our study also highlights the lack of knowledge surrounding blackfly taxonomy, and we briefly discuss the need for further phylogenetic studies in this socioeconomically important family of insects.