Phytophthora capsici: Recent Progress on Fundamental Biology and Disease Management 100 Years After Its Description.

Phytophthora capsici is a destructive oomycete pathogen of vegetable, ornamental, and tropical crops. First described by L.H. Leonian in 1922 as a pathogen of pepper in New Mexico, USA, P. capsici is now widespread in temperate and tropical countries alike. Phytophthora capsici is notorious for its capability to evade disease management strategies. High genetic diversity allows P. capsici populations to overcome fungicides and host resistance, the formation of oospores results in long-term persistence in soils, zoospore differentiation in the presence of water increases epidemic potential, and a broad host range maximizes economic losses and limits the effectiveness of crop rotation. The severity of disease caused by P. capsici and management challenges have led to numerous research efforts in the past 100 years. Here, we discuss recent findings regarding the biology, genetic diversity, disease management, fungicide resistance, host resistance, genomics, and effector biology of P. capsici.

Perfil de población con baja visión que asiste a la unidad de baja visión y rehabilitación visual en un hospital clínico de Chile / Low vision population assisting a unit of low vision and visual rehabilitation in a clinical hospital from Chile

El objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizar epidemiológica y sociodemográficamente a las personas atendidas en la Unidad de Baja Visión y Rehabilitación Visual del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile. El método utilizado fue un estudio descriptivo, transversal y retrospectivo de los registros clínicos de las personas atendidas en la Unidad, entre marzo de 2015 a octubre de 2016. Para el análisis se utilizó el software MS Excel, calculando las frecuencias relativas y medidas de posición central y dispersión. En los resultados se observaron un mayor número de pacientes de sexo femenino (55,5%), y adultos mayores de 60 años o más (53,3%). El 73,3% de los pacientes pertenecieron al sistema de salud público y un 35,6% poseían menos de 8 años de estudio. El 80 % de las personas atendidas se encuentra en edad laboral, de éstos un 63,9% se encontraban laboralmente inactivos. Las enfermedades oftalmológicas con mayor frecuencia correspondieron a las enfermedades genéticas del ojo (22,2%) y la degeneración macular relacionada con la edad (17,8%). Un 57,8% de los pacientes presentó alguna patología sistémica asociada a baja visión. Sólo un 6,0% recibió rehabilitación visual anteriormente. Se concluyó que la mayor prevalencia de enfermedades oculares asociadas al envejecimiento como la degeneración macular relacionada con la edad y enfermedades genéticas del ojo, sumado a las características sociodemográficas y en particular a que un 94% de los pacientes no habían tenido acceso a rehabilitación visual, constituyen un perfil que desafía al desarrollo de medidas de salud pública que resguarden la prevención, acceso y rehabilitación, siendo la formación de equipos multidisciplinarios especialistas una necesidad imperiosa.

This work aimed to do a characterization, epidemiological and socio demographical, to the people attended in a Low Vision and Rehabilitation Unit from a Clinical Hospital of the Universidad de Chile. A descriptive, transversal and retrospective method was used for the clinical registers of the people attended in the Unit, between March 2015 to October 2016. For the analysis, a MS Excel software was used, calculating the relative and measured frequencies of central position and dispersion. In the results, a greater number of feminine patients (55. 5%) were observed, and seniors of 60 years or more (53.3%). 73.3% of the patients belonging to the Public Health Care System and 35.6% had less than 8 years of studies. The 80% of attended patients were in working age, from this 63,9% were unemployed. The ophthalmological diseases with more frequency belonged to eye genetic diseases (22.2%) and macular degeneration related to age (17.8%). 57.8% of the patients presented a systematic pathology associated with low vision. Just 6.0% received previous visual rehabilitation. We concluded that the greater prevalence of ocular diseases associated to aging such as macular degeneration related to age and eye genetic diseases added to the sociodemographic features and particularly a 94% of the patients did not have access to visual rehabilitation, represent a profile that challenges the development public health care measures that safeguard the prevention, access, and rehabilitation, being an imperative need the making of specialist multidisciplinary teams.

Rapid detection of Bacillus ionophore cereulide in food products.

Cereulide is a toxic cyclic depsipeptide produced by certain strains of Bacillus cereus found in soil and food products. While some harmless strains of Bacillus are used as probiotic, others can cause nausea and vomiting, and represent an important food safety concern. Current detection methods are time consuming and do not necessarily detect toxic cereulide. Here, we developed a rapid protocol using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry that detects the toxin originating from a colony smear of B. cereus. The distinct molecular feature of the toxin peak at m/z 1,191 was clearly identified from bacterial extracts with a limit of detection (LOD) of 30 ng/mL. Final optimisation of the sample preparation was based on cereulide chelating cations to produce the alkali adduct [M + K]+ without the use of a MALDI matrix, and provided a 1,000-fold improvement of LOD with 30 pg/mL of cereulide. We evaluated the application of this method for the detection of cereulide in rice, milk, and different ready-to-eat meals. The proposed protocol is quick, easy and provides an improvement over conventional methods for the detection of B. cereus toxin.

Health-related quality of life after general surgical intensive care.

BACKGROUND: Impaired mental and physical health are common complications after intensive care that could influence the patient's health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Earlier research has mainly focused on HRQoL in mixed surgical and medical ICU populations. This study aimed to describe and analyze factors associated with HROoL after discharge from a general surgical ICU. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted in a general surgical ICU in Sweden between 2005 and 2012. Adult patients (≥18 years) with an ICU length of stay ≥96 hours were included. HRQoL was measured at 3, 6, and 12 months after discharge from the ICU using a questionnaire (SF-36). A linear mixed model was used to analyze changes over time and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Tests were used to compare the 12-months results to an age and gender matched reference population in Sweden. Linear regression analyses were performed to explore the impact on HRQoL from background variables. RESULTS: Of 447 patients eligible for the study, 276 patients (62%) answered SF-36 at least once at 3, 6 or 12 months after ICU care and were included in the study. HRQoL improved over time but was still significantly lower at 12 months compared to the reference population. Female gender, age <75 years, living single, and ICU-stay of more than 14 days were associated with lower HRQoL. CONCLUSION: General surgical ICU patients reports low HRQoL 1 year after ICU stay. The impaired HRQoL could be a long-lasting problem with major consequences for the individual, family, and society.

Effects of ractopamine hydrochloride on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and physiological response to different handling techniques.

Feedlot cattle ( = 128; BW = 549 ± 60 kg) were used to evaluate the effects of ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) on growth performance, physiological response to handling, and mobility during shipment for slaughter in a study utilizing a split-plot design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: 1) diet (CON [no ß-adrenergic agonist] vs. RAC [400 mg·animal·d ractopamine hydrochloride for 28 d]) and 2) handling intensity (HI; low-stress handling [LSH; cattle moved at a walking pace with no electric prod use] vs. high-stress handling [HSH; cattle moved at a minimum of a trot and an electric prod applied while in the alley for posthandling restraint and during loading for shipment to the abattoir]). Cattle fed RAC tended to have greater ADG and G:F ( = 0.06), and had greater HCW and LM area ( = 0.04). The HI treatments were applied on the day after the 28-d growth performance period. Blood samples were collected before HI treatment (baseline), after HI treatments (POSTHAND), after transport to the abattoir (POSTTRANS), and during exsanguination at slaughter. A diet × HI interaction ( = 0.01) was observed in the change in cortisol from baseline to POSTTRANS, and there tended ( ≤ 0.07) to be diet × HI interactions for the change in epinephrine from baseline to POSTHAND and for the change in creatine kinase (CK) from baseline to POSTTRANS. Feeding RAC and HSH both increased the change from baseline to POSTHAND in norepinephrine and pH ( ≤ 0.05). The HSH cattle also had greater changes from baseline to POSTHAND in blood HCO, base excess, partial pressure of CO, lactate, cortisol, and glucose ( ≤ 0.01). Ractopamine and HSH both produced greater increases in CK concentrations from baseline to slaughter ( < 0.01). Mobility was not affected by RAC at the feedlot or following an average 6-h lairage ( ≥ 0.43). This study confirms RAC improves growth performance and suggests metabolic acidosis, a precursor to fatigued cattle syndrome, develops in cattle allowed to trot without the use of a lead rider regardless of RAC administration. Cattle fed RAC displayed altered hormonal responses to handling and transport stress, and the overall proportion of cattle with compromised mobility appears to increase later in the marketing channel. These findings warrant additional research aimed at better understanding the physiological response to stress and protect the welfare of cattle during shipment for slaughter.

Effect of handling intensity at the time of transport for slaughter on physiological response and carcass characteristics in beef cattle fed ractopamine hydrochloride.

The effects of handling intensity on the physiological response and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle fed ractopamine hydrochloride were evaluated at the time of transport to slaughter. Eighty steers (BW = 668 ± 36 kg) representing 10 lots of similar breed, frame size, and degree of finish were blocked by lot, stratified by weight, and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 handling intensities (HI) over a 1,600 m dirt alley course: 1) low-stress handling (LSH) or 2) high-stress handling (HSH). For the LSH treatment, 4 penmates were kept at a walk with the use of a lead rider. For the HSH treatment, 4 penmates were kept at a minimum of a trot and received 2 applications of an electric prod (approximately 1 s per impulse) at 2 separate instances: first in the alley before post-handling sampling, and again during loading for transportation to the abattoir. Behavioral observations and physical indicators of stress were recorded a minimum of 1 h before handling (baseline), immediately after handling (POSTHAND), and while in lairage after a 200 km transport to the abattoir. Vital parameters were recorded at baseline and POSTHAND. Venous blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture at baseline and POSTHAND, and mixed arterial and venous blood samples were collected during exsanguination at slaughter. Muscle tremors tended to be more prevalent in HSH cattle at POSTHAND ( = 0.10). The HSH cattle tended to have greater POSTHAND heart rate ( = 0.08); however, there was no effect of HI on POSTHAND respiration rate or rectal temperature ( 0.34). The HSH cattle had greater lactate, epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, and glucose concentrations at POSTHAND ( ≤ 0.02). Additionally, HSH cattle had lower POSTHAND blood pH, bicarbonate, base excess, and partial pressure carbon dioxide ( < 0.0001). Bicarbonate concentrations were greater in HSH cattle at slaughter ( = 0.05); however, there were no differences between HI treatments for the remaining blood variables ( 0.11). Concentrations of stress hormones and CK were significantly greater at slaughter relative to baseline and POSTHAND for both LSH and HSH cattle ( < 0.001). These findings suggest cattle trotted without a lead rider develop metabolic acidosis, and illustrate the importance of low-stress handling at the time of transport for slaughter. Further research is warranted to develop strategies to mitigate stress at the time of transport and ensure the welfare of beef cattle presented to abattoirs.

High prevalence of peripheral arterial disease in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea.

INTRODUCTION: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) merits increasing attention as cardiovascular risk factor. Whereas carotid and coronary artery disease have been associated with OSA, occurrence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in OSA remains undefined. METHODS: We screened 100 patients with suspected OSA for PAD. After polysomnography, each patient underwent standardized angiological testing including ankle-brachial index (ABI), central pulse wave velocity, pulse wave index and duplex sonography. RESULTS: Among total study population, PAD prevalence accounted for 88%, of those 68% had asymptomatic plaques and 20% were symptomatic Fontaine ≥ IIa. In confirmed OSA, prevalence raised up to 98%. Except for smoking habits, distribution of established risk factors did not differ between OSA groups (patients without, mild, intermediate and severe OSA). Presence of plaque, Fontaine PAD stages and intermittent claudication exhibited significant gain with increasing AHI. A logistic regression model revealed that age (OR = 1.199, 95% CI [1.066; 1.348]) and the logarithmically transformed AHI (OR = 5.426, 95% CI [1.068; 27.567]) had the strongest influence on plaque presence. Central pulse wave velocity as marker of arterial stiffness was positively correlated with AHI. CONCLUSION: OSA is associated with a high prevalence of PAD. This implies substantial diseasés under-recognition and a presumable atherogenic role of OSA in the pathogenesis of PAD. However, vasoprotective impact of OSA treatment remains to be determined.

Dog ownership, abundance and potential for bat-borne rabies spillover in Chile.

Rabies is a viral infectious disease that affects all mammals, including humans. Factors associated with the incidence of rabies include the presence and density of susceptible hosts and potential reservoirs. Currently, Chile is declared free of canine-related rabies, but there is an overpopulation of dogs within the country and an emergence of rabies in bats. Our objectives are to determine potential areas for bat-borne rabies spillover into dog populations expressed as a risk map, and to explore some key features of dog ownership, abundance, and management in Chile. For the risk map, our variables included a dog density surface (dog/km(2)) and a distribution model of bat-borne rabies presence. From literature review, we obtained dog data from 112 municipalities, which represent 33% of the total municipalities (339). At country level, based on previous studies the median human per dog ratio was 4.8, with 64% of houses containing at least one dog, and a median of 0.9 dog per house. We estimate a national median of 5.3 dog/km(2), and a median of 3680 dogs by municipality, from which we estimate a total population of 3.5×10(6) owned dogs. The antirabies vaccination presented a median of 21% of dogs by municipality, and 29% are unrestricted to some degree. Human per dog ratio have a significant (but weak) negative association with human density. Unrestricted dogs have a negative association with human density and income, and a positive association with the number of dogs per house. Considering dog density by municipality, and areas of potential bat-borne rabies occurrence, we found that 163 (∼48%) of Chilean municipalities are at risk of rabies spillover from bats to dogs. Risk areas are concentrated in urban settlements, including Santiago, Chile's capital. To validate the risk map, we included cases of rabies in dogs from the last 27 years; all fell within high-risk areas of our map, confirming the assertive risk prediction. Our results suggest that the use of dog population parameters may be informative to determine risk areas for bat-rabies spillover events. In addition, we confirm that dog abundance is a neglected and emerging public health concern in Chile, particularly within urban areas, which deserves prompt intervention.

Spatial and temporal trends of bat-borne rabies in Chile.

In Chile, while dog rabies has decreased markedly over the last 30 years, bat rabies is still reported frequently. In order to shed new light on the spatiotemporal trends of these reports, we analysed active and passive data from years 1985 and 2012, which included 61 076 samples from 289 counties of Chile. We found that from 1994 to 2012, more than 15 000 bat samples were submitted for diagnostics through passive surveillance, 9·5% of which tested positive for rabies. By contrast, the prevalence of infection was only ~0·4% among the nearly 12 000 bat samples submitted through active surveillance. We found that the prevalence of dog rabies dropped steadily over the same period, with just a single confirmed case since 1998. None of the 928 samples from wild animals, other than bats, were positive for rabies. Although there has been only one confirmed case of human rabies in Chile since 1985, and a single confirmed case in a dog since 1998, bats remain a reservoir for rabies viruses. While active surveillance indicates that rabies prevalence is low in bat colonies, the high proportion of positive bats submitted through passive surveillance is a concern. To prevent human rabies, local public health agencies should increase research on the basic ecology of bats and the role of stray dogs and cats as potential rabies amplifiers.

A calcium prerinse required to form calcium fluoride in plaque from a sodium fluoride rinse.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a calcium (Ca) prerinse used before a 228 µg/g (ppm) fluoride (F) rinse would induce the formation of 'calcium fluoride-like' (CaF2-like) deposits in human dental plaque. Sixty minutes after the use of the Ca prerinse/F rinse, plaque samples were collected from 10 volunteers, homogenized, and split into 2 aliquots. The plaque mass from one aliquot was then extracted with a 'plaque-like' solution that extracted all the CaF2-like deposits. The total F in both aliquots was then determined and compared. The results demonstrated that, as in previous studies, the Ca prerinse induced large increases in plaque fluid and total plaque F. However, unlike previous results without the Ca prerinse, 30% of the plaque F deposits were CaF2 or CaF2-like. Given that maintaining an elevated F concentration in the vicinity of a developing lesion may play an important role in the cariostatic effect of this ion, and the potential advantages of CaF2-like deposits as an F source, these results suggest that a Ca prerinse may increase the cariostatic effect of topical agents.

Protection from articular damage by passive or active anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α immunotherapy in human TNF-α transgenic mice depends on anti-TNF-α antibody levels.

Active anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α immunization with the kinoid of TNF-α (TNF-K) induces polyclonal anti-TNF-α antibodies and ameliorates arthritis in human TNF-α (hTNF-α) transgenic mice (TTg). We compared the efficacy of TNF-K to that of infliximab (IFX) and of TNF-K and IFX co-administration, and evaluated whether the titres of anti-hTNF-α antibodies induced by immunization were a determinant of TNF-K efficacy. Forty-eight TTg mice received one of the following treatments: TNF-K immunization (TNF-K group); weekly IFX throughout the study duration (IFXw0-15); TNF-K plus weekly IFX for 4 weeks (TNF-K + IFX); and weekly IFX for 4 weeks (IFXw0-4); PBS. Animals were killed at week 16. Anti-hTNF-α antibody titres and clinical and histological scores were compared. All TNF-K immunized mice (TNF-K and TNF-K + IFX) produced anti-hTNF-α antibodies. Titres were higher in TNF-K versus TNF-K + IFX (P < 0·001) and correlated inversely with histological inflammation (R = -0·78; P = 0·0001) and destruction (R = -0·67; P = 0·001). TNF-K + IFX had higher histological inflammation and destruction versus TNF-K (P < 0·05). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of anti-hTNF-α antibody titres identified the criterion cut-off value to discriminate most effectively between the TNF-K and TNF-K + IFX groups. Mice with high versus low titres had less histological inflammation and destruction (P < 0·05). In a model of TNF-α-dependent arthritis, protection from articular damage by TNF-K correlates with the titres of induced anti-hTNF-α antibodies. The co-administration of TNF-K and a short course of infliximab does not result in less articular damage versus solely TNF-K, due probably to lower anti-hTNF-α antibody production. These results are relevant for future development of active anti-TNF-α immunization in human disease.

Emerging Infectious Diseases of Wildlife and Species Conservation.

There has been an increase in the emergence and reemergence of human infectious diseases on a global scale, and zoonotic diseases in which wildlife serves as the reservoir are a large contributing factor. Faced with this situation, there is a necessity to create integrated prevention strategies and predictive models to determine the sites most vulnerable to the emergence of new zoonoses. Cases have been documented in which pathogens responsible for infectious diseases in wild species have been readily transmitted between hosts and have threatened vulnerable declining populations. Habitat destruction and man-made changes in the landscape together with the introduction of alien species are significant environmental variables that affect the ecology of infectious diseases. Thus, the loss of biodiversity is illustrated to be related to both the emergence of new or the exacerbation of existing vector-borne zoonotic diseases through mechanisms such as the loss of the dilution effect and ecological release and simplification. Hence, it is important to consider this factor when assessing disease risk and disease prevention in domestic animals and humans. Diseases like leptospirosis in which water plays an important role are ecosystem health diseases; in fact, the reported higher prevalence of Leptospira spp. in river otters in southern Chile compared with species less adapted to aquatic environments and with terrestrial domestic carnivores provides evidence that man-made landscape alterations, including the introduction of alien species, has exacerbated the transmission and prevalence of leptospirosis in wildlife and thus the risk of human infection.

RF9 powerfully stimulates gonadotrophin secretion in the ewe: evidence for a seasonal threshold of sensitivity.

GPR147 and its endogenous ligands, RFRPs, are emerging as important actors in hypothalamic-pituitary axis control. The role of this system would be to inhibit gonadotrophin secretion. However, data on the subject are contradictory. The discovery of RF9 (adamantanecarbonyl-RF-2-NH(2)), a GPR147 antagonist, prompted us to use this new tool to further investigate this system in the ewe. Accordingly, we tested the effect of i.c.v. administration of RF9 on gonadotrophin secretion in the ewe during anoestrous and the breeding season. Intracerebroventricular injections of RF9 (from 50-450 nmol) caused a clear elevation in peripheral blood plasma luteinising hormone (LH) concentrations. The effect of RF9 on LH was more pronounced during the anoestrous season. Furthermore, peripheral administration of RF9 as a bolus (2.1, 6.2 and 12.4 µmol per ewe) or as a constant i.v. infusion (2.1, 6.2, 12.4 and 18.6 µmol/h per ewe) to anoestrous acyclic ewes induced a sustained increase in LH plasma concentrations. A pharmacokinetic study showed that RF9 (12.4 µmol bolus i.v.) has an effective half life of 5.5 h in the plasma. Conversely, RF9 is not detectable in the cerebrospinal fluid, suggesting that it does not cross the blood-brain barrier. The increase in LH plasma concentrations induced by RF9 was blocked by previous administration of 1.3 µmol per ewe of gondotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist Teverelix. This suggests that GnRH is involved in the stimulatory effect of RF9 on gonadotrophin secretion. Finally, no variation in LH plasma concentrations could be detected in ovariectomised ewes injected either i.c.v. or i.v. with RFRP3 (VPNLPQRF-NH(2)). The lack of effect of RFRP3 in our experimental setting suggests that the mechanisms involved in RF9 action are probably more complex than previously assumed. Our results indicate that delivery of RF9 in the ewe greatly increases gondadotrophin secretion in both the oestrus and anoestrus season, suggesting a potential new way of controlling reproduction in mammals.

Detection of adeno- and lentiviral (HIV1) contaminations on laboratory surfaces as a tool for the surveillance of biosafety standards.

AIMS: As a biosafety laboratory, we survey the handling of adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) and HIV1-derived lentivirus in contained-use facilities in Switzerland to identify insufficiencies of the safety precautions taken by the laboratories. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the past 9 years, we took 430 swab samples from various types of surfaces in research laboratories. Samples were examined for Ad5 contaminations by real-time PCR and infectivity assay or for the presence of lentivirus (HIV1) nucleic acids by real-time (RT) PCR. Samples collected from centrifuges did not only contain Ad5 DNA more frequently but also exhibited higher numbers of Ad5 and lentiviral (HIV1) DNA copies than swabs from any other area of sampling. Five of ten samples containing infectious Ad5 particles or lentivirus (HIV1) RNA were found in samples taken from centrifuges. Ad5 contamination rates were higher in the tube holder and lower on the inner wall of the rotor chamber in centrifuges that were fitted with aerosol tight covers compared to centrifuges without covers. CONCLUSIONS: Our results allowed the comparison of hygiene standards of different laboratories and lead to the identification of centrifuges as hotspots for contaminations. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Based on our results, we propose to use the collected data as a tool for rating future swab results. Furthermore, the amount of Ad5 and HIV1-derived lentivirus DNA could serve as an indicator of the level of good laboratory practice in contained-use laboratories handling these viral vectors.

[Adenovirus keratoconjunctivitis acquired in an ophthalmology clinic]. / Queratoconjuntivitis por adenovirus generadas a partir de una consulta oftalmológica.

INTRODUCTION: Eye infection is a common cause of ophthalmologic consultation. Adenovirus keratoconjunctivitis outbreaks are common worldwide but its impact and clinical characteristic in Chilean population is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To describe a series of adenovirus keratoconjunctivitis cases. PATIENTS AND METHOD: The Index case and contacts received medical care in the Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile between April and August 2006. A complete ophthalmologic exam and microbiologic evaluation was performed. RESULTS: Nine patients presented a pattern of characteristic epidemic keratoconjunctivitis. In x cases sub-corneal epithelial infiltrates were observed for a period of more than six months. Three affected patients were ophthalmologists, staff at the Hospital. In seven patients ADV was isolated all belonging to type D genus. CONCLUSIONS: Adenovirus type D caused epidemic keratoconjunctivitis in a series of Chilean individuals. Ophthalmologist may have transmitted the virus to patients.

Contaminations of laboratory surfaces with Staphylococcus aureus are affected by the carrier status of laboratory staff.

AIM: As a biosafety laboratory, we take samples from surfaces in microbiological laboratories to survey the handling of micro-organisms. Whereas contaminations with other micro-organisms were rare, Staphylococcus aureus was found in the working environment of many laboratories. As 20-60% of the healthy population are carriers of S. aureus we wanted to asses the effect of carriers on our sampling results. METHODS AND RESULTS: Nasal swabs of staff members in nonmicrobiological laboratories and offices as well as surface samples from their personal work environment were taken and analysed for S. aureus DNA. In addition S. aureus strains were isolated using S. aureus-specific agar plates and analysed by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Our data show that contaminations with S. aureus in nonmicrobiological environments are common with 29% of the surface samples containing S. aureus DNA. In the working environment of carriers, the number of contaminations was significantly increased compared to the environment of noncarriers. CONCLUSION: The carrier status of staff members significantly affects the number of contaminations on laboratory surfaces. Therefore, even in the absence of intentional handling of S. aureus, contaminations can be detected on a substantial amount of surfaces. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Sampling procedures need to be adapted based on these results with respect to the locations where samples are taken and the threshold for significant contaminations. Because of its wide distribution, S. aureus can serve as a marker for hygienic standards in laboratories.

Queratoconjuntivitis por adenovirus generadas a partir de una consulta oftalmológica / Adenovirus keratoconjunctivitis acquired in an ophtalmology clinic

Introduction: Eye infection is a common cause of ophtalmologic consultation. Adenovirus keratoconjunctivitis outbreaks are common worldwide but its impact and clinical characteristic in Chilean population is unkown. Objective: To describe a series of adenovirus keratoconjunctivitis cases. Patients and Method: The Índex case and contacts received medical care in the Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile between April and August 2006. A complete ophthalmologic exam and microbiologic evaluation was performed. Results: Nine patients presented a pattern of characteristic epidemic keratoconjunctivitis. In x cases sub-corneal epithelial infiltrates were observed for a period of more than six months. Three affected patients were ophtalmologists, staff at the Hospital. In seven patients ADV was isolated all bellonging to type D genus. Conclusions: Adenovirus type D caused epidemic keratoconjunctivitis in a series of Chilean individuals. Ophthalmologist may have transmitted the virus to patients.

Introducción: La patología ocular infecciosa es frecuente en la consulta oftalmológica, especialmente la conjuntivitis y queratoconjuntivitis epidémica (QCE). Brotes de esta patología son causados por adenovirus (ADV) en el extranjero; en Chile se desconoce su impacto y características. Objetivos: Describir una serie de casos de queratonconjuntivitis epidémica por adenovirus. Material y Pacientes: Al caso índice y los contactos de una serie de casos de QCE por ADV que consultaron en el Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile, entre abril y agosto de 2006, se les realizó examen oftalmológico completo y estudio de ADV por aislamiento viral, detección de antígenos y de genoma viral. Se estableció el género de ADV mediante reacción de polimerasa en cadena. Resultados: Los 9 pacientes infectados presentaron QCE característica. En algunos casos se observaron infiltrados sub-epiteliales corneales que se extendieron por más de seis meses. Tres pacientes eran médicos oftalmólogos. En 7 de los 9 pacientes examinados se aisló ADV; todos del género D. Conclusiones: En Chile, la QCE puede ser causada por el subgénero tipo D. El médico oftalmólogo es un potencial vector en la transmisión de ADV en un brote de QCE, por lo que es fundamental que sea considerado en las estrategias de prevención de esta patología.

No calcium-fluoride-like deposits detected in plaque shortly after a sodium fluoride mouthrinse.

Plaque 'calcium-fluoride-like' (CaF(2)-like) and fluoride deposits held by biological/bacterial calcium fluoride (Ca-F) bonds appear to be the source of cariostatic concentrations of fluoride in plaque fluid. The aim of this study was to quantify the amounts of plaque fluoride held in these reservoirs after a sodium fluoride rinse. 30 and 60 min after a 228 microg/g fluoride rinse, plaque samples were collected from 11 volunteers. Each sample was homogenized, split into 2 aliquots (aliquots 1 and 2), centrifuged, and the recovered plaque fluid combined and analyzed using microelectrodes. The plaque mass from aliquot 1 was retained. The plaque mass from aliquot 2 was extracted several times with a solution having the same fluoride, calcium and pH as the plaque fluid in order to extract the plaque CaF(2)-like deposits. The total fluoride in both aliquots was then determined. In a second experiment, the extraction completeness was examined by applying the above procedure to in vitro precipitates containing known amounts of CaF(2)-like deposits. Nearly identical fluoride concentrations were found in both plaque aliquots. The extraction of the CaF(2)-like precipitates formed in vitro removed more than 80% of these deposits. The results suggest that either CaF(2)-like deposits were not formed in plaque or, if these deposits had been formed, they were rapidly lost. The inability to form persistent amounts of CaF(2)-like deposits in plaque may account for the relatively rapid loss of plaque fluid fluoride after the use of conventional fluoride dentifrices or rinses.