Vivencias académicas y salud mental en tres cohortes universitarias bajo emergencia covid-19 / Academic experiences and mental health in three university cohorts under COVID-19 emergency

(analítico) La inesperada irrupción del covid-19 tuvo profundas consecuencias para los/las estudiantes universitarios, quienes se vieron forzados/as a desarrollar sus carreras remotamente. Particularmente en Chile, las cohortes de ingreso 2019, 2020 y 2021 conformaron un caso único debido a las diferentes condiciones bajo las cuales se produjo su incorporación. Esta investigación tuvo por fin determinar las diferencias y la relación entre las variables personales y las vivencias académicas en una muestra de 331 estudiantes ad-hoc. Los resultados obtenidos estadísticamente mediante una estrategia asociativa e inferencial permiten concluir que no existen diferencias entre cohortes respecto a su salud mental, salvo en la vivencia con la carrera entre 2020 y 2021. Se presentan sugerencias para su abordaje personal y académico, así como para el desarrollo de estrategias focalizadas en la salud mental universitaria.

(analytical) The unexpected irruption of COVID-19 had profound consequences for university students, who were forced to develop their careers remotely. Particularly in Chile, the 2019, 2020 and 2021 entry cohorts formed a unique case due to the different conditions under which their incorporation took place. This research aimed to determine the differences and the relationship between personal variables and academic experiences in a sample of 331 ad-hoc students. The results obtained statistically through an associative and inferential strategy, allow us to conclude that there are no differences between cohorts with respect to their mental health, except in the experience with the career between 2020 and 2021. Suggestions are presented for their personal and academic approach, as well as for the development of strategies focused on university mental health.

(analítico) A inesperada irrupção do Covid-19 teve consequências profundas para os estudantes universitários, que foram forçados a desenvolver as suas carreiras remotamente. Particularmente no Chile, as coortes de entrada de 2019, 2020 e 2021 foram únicas devido às diferentes condições sob as quais entra-ram. Esta investigação visava determinar as diferenças e a relação entre as variáveis pessoais e as experiências académicas numa amostra de 331 estudantes ad-hoc. Os resultados obtidos estatisticamente através de uma estratégia associativa e inferencial, permitemnos concluir que não existem diferenças entre os coortes no que respeita à sua saúde mental, excepto na experiência com a carreira entre 2020 e 2021. São apresentadas sugestões para abordagens pessoais e académicas, bem como para o desenvolvimento de estratégias centradas na saúde mental universitária.

Gerencia de diagnóstico y vigilancia epidemiológica del Instituto Nacional de Higiene "Rafael Rangel": Una década de avances y logros / Diagnostic and epidemiological surveillance management The National Institute of Hygiene "Rafael Rangel": A decade of advances and achievements

Buscando en los registros de las principales actividades de la Gerencia de Diagnóstico y Vigilancia Epidemiológica ha sido difícil elegir entre tantas vivencias, aquellos elementos que marcaron pauta durante la década 2008 ­ 2018. No obstante, es de resaltar que los desafíos afrontados ante la aparición de brotes, epidemias y la primera pandemia del siglo XXI, trajeron consigo un cúmulo de experiencias que se presentan en este artículo. Como centro nacional de referencia en las áreas de Bacteriología, Micología y Virología, continuamos aportando soluciones a la salud pública nacional mediante la actualización profesional de nuestro personal y la formación de la generación de relevo, en la que participan profesionales de excelencia, altamente especializados y sensibilizados con la problemática y los requerimientos de nuestra población. Asimismo, a través de la coordinación, supervisión y evaluación de la Red de laboratorios de salud pública, se contribuye con el fortalecimiento del diagnóstico de enfermedades transmisibles y vigilancia epidemiológica en el país. El trabajo realizado en estos diez años ha sido excelente, crucial y prioritario para enfrentar las emergencias. Debemos seguir trabajando en dos aspectos claves: 1. Mayor integración del laboratorio con el componente epidemiológico y clínico del país para ser más útiles al sistema de salud, y 2. Consolidar la creación del edificio sede del Centro de Diagnóstico de Enfermedades Transmisibles del Instituto Nacional de Higiene "Rafael Rangel" (INHRR), proyecto en el que estamos trabajando con la asesoría de la OPS/OMS.

Looking at the records of the main activities of the Diagnostic and Epidemiological Surveillance Management, it has been difficult to choose between many experiences, those elements that set the standard during the 2008 ­ 2018 decade. However, it is noteworthy that the challenges faced with the emergence of outbreaks, epidemics and the first pandemic of the 21st century, brought with it a wealth of experiences that are presented in this article. As a national reference center in Bacteriology, Mycology and Virology areas, we continue to provide solutions to public health through the professional updating of our staff and formation of the relief generation, in which participate professionals of excellence, highly specialized and sensitized with the problems and requirements of our population. Likewise, through the coordination, supervision and evaluation of the public health laboratories network, it contributes to the strengthening of the communicable diseases diagnosis and epidemiological surveillance in the country. The work done in these ten years has been excellent, crucial and priority to face emergencies. We must continue working on two key aspects: 1. Greater laboratory integration with the epidemiological and clinical component of the country to be more useful to the health system, and 2. Consolidate headquarters building creation of the National Institute of Hygiene "Rafael Rangel" (INHRR) Diagnostic Center for Communicable Diseases, project in which we are working with the PAHO / WHO advice.

Estudio comparativo de la sensibilidad entre el cultivo y la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa para la detección de bordetella pertussis a partir de muestras de hisopado nasofaríngeo / Comparative study of culture and sensitivity polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of bordetella pertussis from nasopharyngeal swab specimens

La tosferina es una enfermedad infecciosa causada por Bordetella pertussis, que se diagnostica mediante el cultivo como técnica de referencia, la cual tiene como limitante una baja sensibilidad. Es debido a esto, que el presente trabajo se centró en evaluar a la técnica de PCR a punto final amplificando las secuencias IS481 y PT, como una metodología alternativa diagnóstica a partir de 100 muestras pareadas de hisopado nasofaríngeo de pacientes provenientes de distintas regiones de Venezuela. Dichas muestras pareadas constaron de un hisopado para realizar el cultivo bacteriano y el otro para la detección de ADN específico. La identificación microbiológica de B. pertussis incluyó el aislamiento del microorganismo en agar Regan-Lowe, identificación bioquímica y la confirmación por coaglutinación. El análisis de los resultados fue realizado empleando el programa SPSS 21.0.0., usando como herramienta estadística el test de McNemar. La sensibilidad obtenida por el protocolo de PCR a punto final fue 50%, en concordancia con reportes previos. De acuerdo al valor de p=0,002 obtenido, la detección de B. pertussis mediante los dos métodos presentó una diferencia para el diagnóstico de tosferina estadísticamente significativa, por lo que no es indiferente emplear ambas técnicas diagnósticas. Sin embargo, se recomienda emplear en forma combinada ambas metodologías para incrementar la probabilidad de realizar el diagnóstico.

Whooping cough is an infectious disease caused by Bordetella pertussis, diagnosed by culture as a reference technique, which has low sensitivity as limiting. It is because of this that the present work focused on evaluating the PCR technique endpoint amplifying IS481 and PT sequences, as an alternative methodology diagnostic from 100 paired samples of nasopharyngeal swabs from patients from different regions of Venezuela. Such paired samples comprised a swab for bacterial culture and the other for detection of specific DNA. Microbiological identification of B. pertussis included the isolation of the microorganism in agar Regan-Lowe, biochemical identification and confirmation by Coagglutination. The analysis of the results was performed using the SPSS program 21.0.0., as a statistical tool using the McNemar test. The sensitivity obtained by the PCR protocol endpoint was 50%, consistent with previous reports. According to the value of p = 0.002 obtained, detection of B. pertussis by the two methods showed a difference for the diagnosis of pertussis statistically significant, so it is not indifferent both diagnostic techniques employed. However, it is recommended to use both methods in combination to increase the likelihood of diagnosis.

Electroforesis de campo eléctrico pulsado en la tipificación molecular de cepas aisladas de un brote de Salmonelosis ocasionado por consumo de queso contaminado con Salmonella Javiana / Pulse Field Gel Electrophoresis in molecular typification of strains isolated from a Salmonellosis outbreak caused by consumption of Salmonella Javiana contaminated cheese

El objetivo de este trabajo fue confirmar por Electroforesis de Campo Electrico Pulsado (PFGE) que la Salmonella aislada del alimento implicado en el brote (queso blanco) fue la responsable del evento.La muestra de queso blanco presento elevado recuento de coliformes, E. coli y S. aureus,ademas, presencia de Salmo nella spp., lo que indico condiciones sanitarias inadecuadas y posible contaminacion de origen fecal. Para la confirmacion de las cepas sospechosas de Sal monella spp, aisladas de los pacientes y del alimento, se utilizaron tecnicas bioquimicas convencionales, la serotipificacion se realizo siguiendo el esquema de White-kauffmann-LeMinor y la sensibilidad a los antimicrobianos (Ampicilina, Trimetroprim-Sulfametoxazole, Ciprofloxacina, Amoxicilina, Ac.Clavulanico, Cloranfenicol, Ceftriaxone y Tetraciclina) por la tecnica kirby-Bauer. Las cepas bacterianas de Salmonella spp aisladas fueron identificadas como Salmonella Javiana [1,9,12:l, z28:1,5] y resultaron sensibles a todos los antibioticos probados.La Tipificacion Molecular de las cepas, se realizo por PFGE, se gun protocolo estandarizado de PulseNet para Salmonella y el analisis de los patrones se estudio utilizando el programa BioNumerics, version 4.0, lo cual mostro que los aisla dos de Salmonella Javiana procedentes tanto de pacientes como del alimento tenian identico patron de restriccion, en tamano y numero de fragmentos. La ocurrencia de un patron unico de PFGE (Coeficiente de similitud 100%) entre los aislados permitio demostrar que el queso contaminado con Salmonella Javiana fue el responsable del brote familiar.

The aim of this work was confirmation through Pulse Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) that Salmonella isolated from the food implicated in the outbreak (white cheese) was responsible for the event. The white cheese sample showed a high count of Coli orms,f E. coli and S. aureus. Moreover, Salmonella was pre ent,s which indicated inadequate sanitary conditions and possible fecal contamination. The suspected Salmonella strains isolated from patients and the food sample, were confirmed using conventional biochemical techniques, serotyping according to the White-kauffmann-Le Minor scheme and antibiotics sensibility (Am picillin, Trimetroprim-Sulfametoxazole, Ciprofloxacin, Amoxicillin, Clavulanic Acid, Cloranfenicol, Ceftriaxone and tetraciclin) following kirby-Bauer’s technique. The Salmonella strains were identified as Salmonella Javiana [1,9,12:I, z28:1,5]and were sensitive to all the antibiotics tested. The molecular typing of the strains was performed using PFGE, according to the PulseNet standardized protocol for Salmonella. The pattern analysis was studied using Bionunella merics program, version 4.0, which showed that the Sal monella Javiana isolates from patients as the food sample had an identical restriction pattern in size and fragments number. The incidence of a unique pattern of PFGE (similarity coefficient 100%) between isolates demonstrated that the cheese contaminated with Salmonella Javiana was responsible for the family outbreak.

First isolation of a VIM-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae from a seven-year-old child in Venezuela.

BACKGROUND: VIM-type metallo-betalactamases (MBLs) exhibit hydrolytic activity against most betalactam antibiotics, including carbapenems. So far, VIM-type-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates had not been reported in Latin America. METHODOLOGY: In July 2005, a carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated from a urine sample collected from a 7-year-old girl hospitalized at the Hospital de Niños "J. M. de los Ríos" in Caracas, Venezuela. This strain was identified using conventional biochemical tests. The susceptibility analysis was conducted by disk diffusion, and MICs for Imipenem and Meropenem were performed by agar dilution. For the phenotypic detection of MBL we used the Imipenem-EDTA/SMA double-disk diffusion method. The hydrolytic activity against carbapenems was determined by the Masuda microbiological method. Purified protein was subjected to isoelectric focusing (IEF). Detection of antimicrobial resistance genes was performed by PCR amplification with specific VIM primers. RESULTS: The strain showed resistance to most betalactam antibiotics, quinolones and amynoglicosides, but remained susceptible to Aztreonam and Cefepime. The use of phenotypic and microbiological methods detected the presence of a metallobetalactamase. By IEF we visualized three bands at pI 5.4, 7.6 and 7.9, corresponding to reduced-spectrum betalactamases, and a band at pI 5.8 that corresponded to the metallobetalactamase. PCR screening of bla genes revealed the presence of blaVIM, with an amplicon of 261 bp. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of a MBL-mediated carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in Latin America, which constitutes a public health concern in our region since their transference to other microorganisms with multiple antibiotic resistance mechanisms will increase the antimicrobial resistance problem.

Reduced susceptibility to quinolones among Salmonella serotypes isolated from poultry at slaughter in Venezuela.

Today there are recognized global "hot spots" that are areas in which nontyphoid Salmonella serotypes have been reported to have a high prevalence of quinolone resistance. There is concern that resistant strains can be disseminated from these localized geographical areas by travelers or via commercial food products. The objective of this article is to report a high frequency of reduced susceptibility to first- and second-generation quinolones among nontyphoid Salmonella isolates from poultry at slaughter in two processing plants belonging to the largest poultry integration companies in Zulia State, Venezuela. Nearly all (74 of 77; 96.1%) of the isolated strains were resistant to nalidixic acid, and 3.7% were resistant to ciprofloxacin; most (45 of 77; 58%) exhibited reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin (15 of 77; 19.5%). In contrast, all of the isolates were susceptible to beta-lactamic antimicrobial drugs. Ninety-three percent (72 of 77) of the isolates were either Salmonella Parathyphi B or Salmonella Heidelberg, which have been reported as invasive Salmonella. The predominant serotypes in each slaughter plant showed different antimicrobial susceptibilities, only having in common their high resistance to nalidixic acid, suggesting that different clones disseminated in each commercial integration. The detection of high frequency of reduced susceptibility to first- and second-generation quinolones among nontyphoid Salmonella isolates from fresh poultry during processing is noteworthy. Resistance to quinolone drugs will not only make antimicrobial therapy more complicated if foodborne disease results, but also these quinolone-resistant strains can disseminate from this local hot spot to other geographical areas, spreading the resistance against this important antimicrobial drug.