[A population-based study on seroprevalence and factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Córdoba, Argentina]. / Estudio de base poblacional de seroprevalencia y factores asociados a la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en Córdoba, Argentina.

Seroepidemiological studies help identify the indirect distribution of diseases, detecting serological markers of immunity and demonstrating undiagnosed infections in the general population. The objectives were to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Córdoba, Argentina, from December 2020 to January 2021 and to identify factors associated with the virus' contagiousness. A population-based cross-sectional observational study was performed in 3,225 individuals over two years of age living in Córdoba city, selected by multiple-stage random sampling proportional to distribution by gender, age group, and socioeconomic status in the city's population. Clinical characteristics, anthropometry, and comorbidities were collected by interview. Qualitative serological testing was performed for detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid IgG antibodies (ARCHITECT, Abbott). SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was estimated for the total population and by age group, sex, socioeconomic status, and presence of target diseases. Prevalence ratios (PR) were estimated using a log-binomial regression model. SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity was 16.68% (95%CI: 15.41-18.01). Age 2 to 18 years, living in neighborhoods with low socioeconomic status, and obesity increased the odds of seropositivity (PR = 1.50; 95%CI: 1.10-2.04, PR = 1.91; 95%CI: 1.34-2.67 and PR = 1.39; 95%CI: 1.04-1.85). The results indicate that the city of Córdoba displays differential attributes that increase the likelihood of a positive SARS-CoV-2 antibody test. This allows targeting epidemiological surveillance strategies to reduce the spread of the virus.

Los estudios seroepidemiológicos permiten conocer la distribución indirecta de las enfermedades, detectando marcadores séricos de inmunidad y demostrando infecciones no diagnosticadas en la población general. El objetivo fue estimar la seroprevalencia de anticuerpos contra el SARS-CoV-2, en Córdoba, Argentina, entre diciembre de 2020 y enero de 2021, e identificar factores asociados a la contagiosidad del virus. Se realizó un estudio observacional transversal, de base poblacional, con 3.225 individuos mayores de 2 años, residentes en Córdoba Capital, que fueron seleccionados mediante un diseño de muestreo aleatorio en múltiples etapas, proporcional a la distribución por género, franja etaria y nivel socioeconómico de la población de Córdoba. Las características clínicas, antropometría y comorbilidades se recogieron mediante entrevistas. Se realizó un test serológico cualitativo para la detección de anticuerpos IgG antinucleocápside para SARS-CoV-2 (ARCHITECT, Abbott). La seroprevalencia del SARS-CoV-2 se estimó en la población y por franja de edad, sexo, nivel socioeconómico y presencia de las patologías estudiadas. Las razones de prevalencia (RP) se estimaron usando un modelo de regresión log-binomial. La seropositividad para SARS-CoV-2 fue de 16,68% (IC95%: 15,41-18,01). Tener entre 2 y 18 años, residir en barrios con nivel socioeconómico bajo y la presencia de obesidad, aumentaron la oportunidad de seropositividad (RP = 1,50; IC95%: 1,10-2,04, RP = 1,91; IC95%: 1,34-2,67 y RP = 1,39; IC95%: 1,04-1,85). Los resultados indican que en Córdoba Capital existen atributos diferenciales que aumentan la posibilidad de ser seropositivo para SARS-CoV-2. Esto permite dirigir estrategias de vigilancia epidemiológica para reducir la propagación del virus.

Os estudos soroepidemiológicos permitem conhecer a distribuição indireta das doenças, detectando marcadores séricos de imunidade e demonstrando infecções não diagnosticadas na população geral. O objetivo foi estimar a soroprevalência de anticorpos contra o SARS-CoV-2, em Córdoba, Argentina, entre dezembro de 2020 e janeiro de 2021, e identificar fatores associados à contagiosidade do vírus. Um estudo observacional transversal foi realizado, de base populacional, com 3.225 indivíduos maiores de 2 anos, residentes em Córdoba Capital, que foram selecionados por meio de um delineamento de amostragem aleatória em múltiplos estágios, proporcional à distribuição de gênero, a faixa etária e o nível socioeconômico da população de Córdoba. As características clínicas, antropometria e comorbidades foram coletadas por meio de entrevistas. Um teste sorológico qualitativo foi realizado para a detecção de anticorpos IgG anti-nucleocapsídeo para SARS-CoV-2 (ARCHITECT, Abbott). A soroprevalência do SARS-CoV-2 foi estimada na população e por faixa etária, sexo, nível socioeconômico e presença das patologias estudadas. Razões de prevalência (RP) foram estimadas usando um modelo de regressão log-binomial. A soropositividade para SARS-CoV-2 foi de 16,68% (IC95%: 15,41-18,01). Ter entre 2 e 18 años, residir em bairros com nível socioeconômico baixo e a presença de obesidade aumentaram a chance de soropositividade (RP = 1,50; IC95%: 1,10-2,04, RP = 1,91; IC95%: 1,34-2,67 e RP = 1,39; IC95%: 1,04-1,85). Os resultados indicam que em Córdoba Capital existem atributos diferenciais que aumentam a possibilidade de ser soropositivo para SARS-CoV-2. Isso permite direcionar estratégias de vigilância epidemiológica para reduzir a propagação do vírus.

Estudio piloto de los factores de riesgo en la preeclampsia / Pilot study of risk factors in pre-eclampsia

La preeclampsia es una patología que surge de forma desconocida comprometiendo el estado de salud del binomio materno ­ neonatal, provocando daño multiorgánico. La característica principal es la relación con múltiples factores de riesgo tales como la hipertensión en familiares de primer grado, obesidad, alimentación, falta de controles obstétricos durante la gestación, entre otros; Objetivo: Validar el cuestionario diseñado para evaluar los factores que influyen en preclamsia, Determinar los factores de riesgo que influyen en su incidencia. Materiales y métodos: Se aplico una metodología cuanti cualitativa, corte transversal, exploratorio; la validación se efectuó a través del juicio de expertos, utilizando dos tipos de instrumentos uno para cada tipo de investigación, se valoran por separado, en el plan piloto se utiliza parte de la muestra seleccionada para la investigación macro. En el caso de la cualitativa se utiliza una técnica de entrevista a saturación, con una investigación de tipo fenomenológica, organizada por categorías. Resultados: El instrumento cuantitativo obtiene un puntaje 93% de confiabilidad, con un alfa de crombach de 0,7, el instrumento cualitativo 95%, dentro de los factores de riesgo se distingue los trastornos hipertensivos del embarazo, se asocia con un espectro de gravedad que va desde la hipertensión leve inducida por el embarazo hasta la eclampsia. Conclusión: Durante el estudio piloto se obtiene los datos con rapidez y efectividad, no existen conflictos en su comprensión, su confiabilidad garantiza el trabajo científico, la validación de instrumentos justifica el proceso, de inicio resultó conflictivo por la ausencia de instrumentos para medir los factores que influyen en esta patología, se encuentran los valores causales y en especial en las vivencias de cada uno de los actores e involucrados, La preeclampsia es un fenómeno frecuente cuya patología conlleva graves complicaciones para la madre y el feto con este tipos de estudio se aporta a su control y erradicación(AU)

Preeclampsia is a pathology that arises in an unknown way, compromising the health status of the maternal-neonatal binomial, causing multi-organ damage. The main characteristic is the relationship with multiple risk factors such as hypertension in first degree relatives, obesity, diet, lack of obstetric controls during pregnancy, among others; Objective: to validate the questionnaire designed to evaluate the factors that influence preeclampsia, to determine the risk factors that influence its incidence. Materials and methods: A quantitative, qualitative, cross-sectional, exploratory methodology was applied; The validation was carried out through the judgment of experts, using two types of instruments, one for each type of research, they are valued separately, in the pilot plan part of the selected sample is used for the macro research. In the case of qualitative, a saturation interview technique is used, with a phenomenological type investigation, organized by categories. Results: The quantitative instrument obtains a 93% reliability score, with a crombach alpha of 0.7, the qualitative instrument 95%, within the risk factors distinguishes hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, it is associated with a spectrum of severity ranging from mild pregnancy-induced hypertension to eclampsia. Conclusion: During the pilot study the data is obtained quickly and effectively, there are no conflicts in its understanding, its reliability guarantees scientific work, the validation of instruments justifies the process, initially it was conflictive due to the absence of instruments to measure the factors that influence this pathology, are the causal values ​​and especially in the experiences of each of the actors and involved, Preeclampsia is a frequent phenomenon whose pathology entails serious complications for the mother and the fetus with this type of study is provided to its control and eradication(AU)

Estudio de base poblacional de seroprevalencia y factores asociados a la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en Córdoba, Argentina / A population-based study on seroprevalence and factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Córdoba, Argentina / Estudo populacional de soroprevalência e fatores associados à infecção por SARS-CoV-2 em Córdoba, Argentina

Los estudios seroepidemiológicos permiten conocer la distribución indirecta de las enfermedades, detectando marcadores séricos de inmunidad y demostrando infecciones no diagnosticadas en la población general. El objetivo fue estimar la seroprevalencia de anticuerpos contra el SARS-CoV-2, en Córdoba, Argentina, entre diciembre de 2020 y enero de 2021, e identificar factores asociados a la contagiosidad del virus. Se realizó un estudio observacional transversal, de base poblacional, con 3.225 individuos mayores de 2 años, residentes en Córdoba Capital, que fueron seleccionados mediante un diseño de muestreo aleatorio en múltiples etapas, proporcional a la distribución por género, franja etaria y nivel socioeconómico de la población de Córdoba. Las características clínicas, antropometría y comorbilidades se recogieron mediante entrevistas. Se realizó un test serológico cualitativo para la detección de anticuerpos IgG antinucleocápside para SARS-CoV-2 (ARCHITECT, Abbott). La seroprevalencia del SARS-CoV-2 se estimó en la población y por franja de edad, sexo, nivel socioeconómico y presencia de las patologías estudiadas. Las razones de prevalencia (RP) se estimaron usando un modelo de regresión log-binomial. La seropositividad para SARS-CoV-2 fue de 16,68% (IC95%: 15,41-18,01). Tener entre 2 y 18 años, residir en barrios con nivel socioeconómico bajo y la presencia de obesidad, aumentaron la oportunidad de seropositividad (RP = 1,50; IC95%: 1,10-2,04, RP = 1,91; IC95%: 1,34-2,67 y RP = 1,39; IC95%: 1,04-1,85). Los resultados indican que en Córdoba Capital existen atributos diferenciales que aumentan la posibilidad de ser seropositivo para SARS-CoV-2. Esto permite dirigir estrategias de vigilancia epidemiológica para reducir la propagación del virus.

Seroepidemiological studies help identify the indirect distribution of diseases, detecting serological markers of immunity and demonstrating undiagnosed infections in the general population. The objectives were to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Córdoba, Argentina, from December 2020 to January 2021 and to identify factors associated with the virus' contagiousness. A population-based cross-sectional observational study was performed in 3,225 individuals over two years of age living in Córdoba city, selected by multiple-stage random sampling proportional to distribution by gender, age group, and socioeconomic status in the city's population. Clinical characteristics, anthropometry, and comorbidities were collected by interview. Qualitative serological testing was performed for detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid IgG antibodies (ARCHITECT, Abbott). SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was estimated for the total population and by age group, sex, socioeconomic status, and presence of target diseases. Prevalence ratios (PR) were estimated using a log-binomial regression model. SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity was 16.68% (95%CI: 15.41-18.01). Age 2 to 18 years, living in neighborhoods with low socioeconomic status, and obesity increased the odds of seropositivity (PR = 1.50; 95%CI: 1.10-2.04, PR = 1.91; 95%CI: 1.34-2.67 and PR = 1.39; 95%CI: 1.04-1.85). The results indicate that the city of Córdoba displays differential attributes that increase the likelihood of a positive SARS-CoV-2 antibody test. This allows targeting epidemiological surveillance strategies to reduce the spread of the virus.

Os estudos soroepidemiológicos permitem conhecer a distribuição indireta das doenças, detectando marcadores séricos de imunidade e demonstrando infecções não diagnosticadas na população geral. O objetivo foi estimar a soroprevalência de anticorpos contra o SARS-CoV-2, em Córdoba, Argentina, entre dezembro de 2020 e janeiro de 2021, e identificar fatores associados à contagiosidade do vírus. Um estudo observacional transversal foi realizado, de base populacional, com 3.225 indivíduos maiores de 2 anos, residentes em Córdoba Capital, que foram selecionados por meio de um delineamento de amostragem aleatória em múltiplos estágios, proporcional à distribuição de gênero, a faixa etária e o nível socioeconômico da população de Córdoba. As características clínicas, antropometria e comorbidades foram coletadas por meio de entrevistas. Um teste sorológico qualitativo foi realizado para a detecção de anticorpos IgG anti-nucleocapsídeo para SARS-CoV-2 (ARCHITECT, Abbott). A soroprevalência do SARS-CoV-2 foi estimada na população e por faixa etária, sexo, nível socioeconômico e presença das patologias estudadas. Razões de prevalência (RP) foram estimadas usando um modelo de regressão log-binomial. A soropositividade para SARS-CoV-2 foi de 16,68% (IC95%: 15,41-18,01). Ter entre 2 e 18 años, residir em bairros com nível socioeconômico baixo e a presença de obesidade aumentaram a chance de soropositividade (RP = 1,50; IC95%: 1,10-2,04, RP = 1,91; IC95%: 1,34-2,67 e RP = 1,39; IC95%: 1,04-1,85). Os resultados indicam que em Córdoba Capital existem atributos diferenciais que aumentam a possibilidade de ser soropositivo para SARS-CoV-2. Isso permite direcionar estratégias de vigilância epidemiológica para reduzir a propagação do vírus.

Relevance of HTLV-1 proviral load in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients living in endemic and non-endemic areas of Argentina.

HTLV-1 proviral load (pVL) in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMCs) is proposed as a marker of disease progression but its role still remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of HTLV-1 pVL in symptomatic patients and asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers. In this cross-sectional study the pVL was measured by Real Time PCR in 102 asymptomatic carriers and 22 symptomatic patients (5ATLL, 15 TSP and 2 uveitis). We observed that the HTLV-1 pVL was significantly higher in symptomatic patients (median = 4.99 log10 HTLV-1 copies /106 PBMCs) compared to asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers (median = 4.38 log10 HTLV-1 copies /106 PBMCs; p = 0.0030). A wide variation on the HTLV-1 pVL levels among asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers was observed with some pVL as high as those observed in symptomatic patients. The asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers were divided according to the place of birth and the highest levels of pVL were detected among patients from endemics areas from the North of Argentina. Our results reinforce the usefulness of the proviral load would be a prognostic marker of HTLV-1 disease progression. Moreover, host, viral or socio-environmental factors cannot be excluded as determinant of high proviral load.

Implementación del ensayo de carga viral COBAS Taqman HIV-1 Test, v1. 0, para el diagnóstico de la infección congénita por HIV-1 / Implementation of the viral load assay COBAS Taqman HIV-1 Test, v1.0, for the diagnosis of congenital HIV-1 infection

La transmisión vertical es la principal vía de contagio del HIV en la edad pediátrica. El diagnóstico de la infección congénita antes de los 18meses se realiza mediante ensayos virológicos: detección de genoma viral como ARN plasmático y ADN proviral. La sensibilidad de estos ensayos varía según la edad del niño, con valores de especificidad mayores al 95%. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el desempeño del ensayo de carga viral (CV) COBAS Taqman HIV-1 Test, v1.0 (Roche), y su concordancia con una PCR múltiple anidada in-house para la detección del ADN proviral. De 341 muestras procesadas, 15 resultaron positivas y 326 negativas por ambas metodologías. Para la metodología de CV, la sensibilidad general fue del 88,2% y la especificidad del 100%. Nuestros resultados indican que la metodología de CV evaluada puede utilizarse como técnica alternativa para el diagnóstico de infección congénita por HIV

Vertical transmission is the main route of HIV infection in childhood. Because of the persistence of maternal HIV antibodies, virologic assays that directly detect HIV are required to diagnose HIV infection in infants younger than 18months of age. The sensitivity of HIV RNA/DNA assays increases as the child becomes older. These tests have specificity values greater than 95%. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the COBAS Taqman HIV-1 Test, v1.0 assay (Roche) and its concordance with a Multiplex Nested-PCR. Of 341 samples processed, 15 were positive and 326 negative by both methods. Sensitivity and specificity overall values for the viral load assay were 88.2% and 100%, respectively. Our results indicate that the COBAS Taqman assay evaluated could be used as an alternative method to diagnose HIV congenital infection

[Implementation of the COBAS Taqman HIV-1 Test, v1.0 for vertical transmission diagnosis]. / Implementación del ensayo de carga viral COBAS Taqman HIV-1 Test, v1.0, para el diagnóstico de la infección congénita por HIV-1.

Vertical transmission is the main route of HIV infection in childhood. Because of the persistence of maternal HIV antibodies, virologic assays that directly detect HIV are required to diagnose HIV infection in infants younger than 18 months of age. The sensitivity of HIV RNA/DNA assays increases as the child becomes older. These tests have specificity values greater than 95%. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the COBAS Taqman HIV-1 Test, v1.0 assay (Roche) and its concordance with a Multiplex Nested-PCR. Of 341 samples processed, 15 were positive and 326 negative by both methods. Sensitivity and specificity overall values for the viral load assay were 88.2% and 100%, respectively. Our results indicate that the COBAS Taqman assay evaluated could be used as an alternative method to diagnose HIV congenital infection.

Implementación del ensayo de carga viral COBAS Taqman HIV-1 Test, v1.0, para el diagnóstico de la infección congénita por HIV-1. / [Implementation of the COBAS Taqman HIV-1 Test, v1.0 for vertical transmission diagnosis].

Vertical transmission is the main route of HIV infection in childhood. Because of the persistence of maternal HIV antibodies, virologic assays that directly detect HIV are required to diagnose HIV infection in infants younger than 18months of age. The sensitivity of HIV RNA/DNA assays increases as the child becomes older. These tests have specificity values greater than 95

. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the COBAS Taqman HIV-1 Test, v1.0 assay (Roche) and its concordance with a Multiplex Nested-PCR. Of 341 samples processed, 15 were positive and 326 negative by both methods. Sensitivity and specificity overall values for the viral load assay were 88.2

and 100

, respectively. Our results indicate that the COBAS Taqman assay evaluated could be used as an alternative method to diagnose HIV congenital infection.

Relevancia del CCR5 co-receptor del HIV-1 y su ligando CCL3L1 en el tropismo viral en pediatría / Relevance of the CCR5 co-receptor of HIV-1 and its ligand CCL3L1 in viral tropism in pediatrics

El objetivo del trabajo fue determinar la participación del coreceptor CCR5 y su ligando CCL3L1 en relación a una de las características del fenotipo del HIV-1, el tropismo viral. Los resultados que obtuvimos así como otras investigaciones que estamos desarrollando tienen implicancias clínicas y terapéuticas en los niños HIV-1 infectados. Para lograr el objetivo hemos evaluado en forma conjunta y combinada los datos que habíamos obtenido a lo largo de casi 15 años en relación a las variantes genéticas del CCR5, en particular la mutación Δ32 y su ligando CCL3L1 en función del número de copias del gen en los niños HIV-1 infectados por transmisión vertical que son asistidos en el Hospital Garrahan, investigando la probable asociación de ellas con el tropismo viral. Hallamos que los niños en primoinfección tienen una proporción considerable de variantes HIV-1 SI que emplean como co-receptor al CXCR4 en lugar del CCR5. Otro hecho relevante fue que la presencia de las variantes SI predominaron en los niños heterocigotas para la variante genética CCR5Δ32. En este último grupo encontramos además que estaba significativamente asociado con un número de copias del CCL3L1 alto (≥2). Probablemente ambos factores participan favoreciendo la reducción en el número de moléculas del co-receptor CCR5 expresadas en la superficie celular facilitado la infección por las variantes X4. Aunque las variantes SI en la etapa crónica alcanzan a un 40% no parecieran asociadas con el genotipo CCR5Δ32 ni con el número de copias del CCL3L1. En resumen, hemos demostrado que las variantes SI X4 T-trópicas del HIV-1 pueden estar presentes en los estadios muy tempranos de la infección viral sugiriendo que puede ser transmisible verticalmente. Además, el genotipo CCR5Δ32 en el contexto de copias altas del CCL3L1 en el niño HIV-1 infectado, contribuyen a un mayor riesgo a ser infectado por variantes SI en primoinfección. Este hecho no pareciera suceder en la etapa crónica de la infección viral.

The aim of the study was to assess the role of co-receptor CCR5 and its ligand CCL3L1 in viral tropism, one of the char-acteristics of the HIV-1 phenotype. The results of this study as well as those found in our other ongoing research have clini-cal and therapeutic consequences for HIV-1 Infected children. For the aim of the study we collected and evaluated the data obtained over a period of almost 15 years on genetic variants of CCR5, specially the 32 mutation and its ligand CCL3L1 (MIP-1 P), in relation to the number of copies of the gene in HIV-1-mother-to-child infected children seen at the pediatric hospital J.P. Garrahan, to investigate a probable association with viral tropism. We found that children with a primary in-fection have a considerable number of HIV-1 SI (syncytium-inducing, i.e. cytopathic) variants that use CXCR4 instead of CCR5 as a co-receptor. Another relevant finding was that SI variants were predominant in children that were homozygous for the genetic CCR5 32 variant. In this latter group we additionally found that this was significantly associated with a high number of CCL3L1 copies ( 2). Both factors may play a favorable role in the decrease of the number of molecules of the CCR5 co-receptor expressed on the cell surface that facilitate infection through X4 variants. Although in the chronic stage SI variants reach 40%, they do not seem to be associated with either the CCR5 32 genotype or the number of CCL3L1 copies. In sum-mary, we have shown that SI X4 T-tropic variants of HIV-1 may be present in very early stages of viral infection suggesting that they may be transmitted from mother to child. In addition, the CCR5 32 genotype in the setting of a high number of CCL3L1 copies in an HIV-1 infected child contribute to a higher risk of being infected by SI variants in primary infection, however, this mechanism does not seem to occur in the chronic stage of viral infection.

Quantitation of HTLV-I proviral load by a real-time PCR assay using SYBR Green: comparison of two methods for DNA isolation.

A real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay using SYBR Green was developed to determine HTLV-I proviral load (pVL) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and its performance was evaluated with samples processed as cell lysates and DNA isolated by salting out. Primers targeting the pol region were standardized against the MT2 cell line and HTLV-I copy number was normalized to the amount of cellular DNA by quantitation of the albumin gene. The sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility of the qPCR were assessed in the two methods used for DNA processing. The assay had a limit of detection of 400 HTLV-I copies/10(6) PBMCs for both methods, with a broad range of quantitation (2.6log(10) to >5log(10)), and without cross-reactivity with HTLV-II or with HIV-1. The inter- and intra-assay coefficients of variation were less than 2.4%. HTLV-I pVL quantitation in seven blood donor samples processed as either cell lysates or isolated DNA by salting out showed a strong linear correlation and no difference in the calculated pVL (Fisher's exact test, p>0.05). The assay was found to be a low cost, robust and reproducible assay for quantifying HTLV-I pVL in samples processed as cell lysates or as isolated DNA.