Prevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection in pregnant women in Central and South America and the Caribbean: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Human T-lymphotropic viruses (HTLV)-1 infection is endemic in many countries of Central and South America and Caribbean (CSA&C). Neither screening nor surveillance programs exist for HTLV-1/2 infection among pregnant women in this region. Neither in Western nations with large migrant flows from HTLV-1/2 endemic regions. METHODS: Systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection among CSA&C pregnant women. We included studies searching EMBASE, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception to February 15, 2023. This systematic review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses reporting guidelines. RESULTS: We identified a total of 620 studies. Only 41 were finally included in the meta-analysis. Most studies (61.0%) were from Brazil and Peru (14.6%). The total number of participants was 343,707. The pooled prevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection among CSA&C pregnant women was 1.30% (95% CI: 0.96-1.69) using anti-HTLV-1/2 antibody screening tests. There was a high heterogeneity (I2 = 98.6%). Confirmatory tests gave an HTLV-1 infection rate of 1.02% (95% CI: 0.75-1.33). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection among CSA&C pregnant women is 1.3%, most cases being HTLV-1. This rate is greater than for other microbial agents regularly checked as part of antenatal screening (such as HIV, hepatitis B, or syphilis). Thus, HTLV-1/2 antenatal testing should be mandatory among CSA&C pregnant women everywhere.

Screening for Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV) in Pregnant Women in the Peruvian Amazon and Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of HTLV Infection in Peru.

Background. Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is responsible for tropical spastic paraparesis and HTLV-1-associated leukemia/lymphoma. The infection is endemic in some areas of Peru, but its prevalence in the Peruvian Amazon is not well established. We aimed to assess the seroprevalence of HTLV-1 infection in pregnant women in the Peruvian Amazon. Moreover, we performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of the seroprevalence of HTLV infection in Peru. (2) Methods. This is a prospective cross-sectional study involving pregnant women attending health centers in the city of Iquitos, Peru, in May and June 2019. The presence of antibodies against HTLV-1 was assessed using ELISA (HTLV I + II ELISA recombinant v.4.0, Wiener lab, Rosario, Argentina). Positive cases were confirmed by Western Blot and HTLV-1 proviral load. (3) Results. The study included 300 pregnant women with a mean age of 26 years (standard deviation [SD] 6.4). Five patients were diagnosed with HTLV-1 infection (prevalence 1.7%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.7% to 3.8%). Pregnant women with HTLV-1 infection were discretely younger (mean age 22.6 [SD 22.6] vs 26.8 [SD 6.3]; p = 0.128). None of the five women had been transfused, and all were asymptomatic. Two (40%) also had a positive serology for Strongyloides, but larvae were not detected in any of the parasitological stool studies. The systematic review component identified 40 studies, which showed that the prevalence of HTLV infection in the general population was 2.9% (95% CI 1.2% to 5.3%) and in women of childbearing age, 2.5% (95% CI 1.2% to 4.0%). (4) Conclusion. The prevalence of HTLV-1 in the Peruvian Amazon basin is about 1.7%, indicating an endemic presence. Screening for HTLV-1 in prenatal care is warranted.

Sepsis por Shigella flexneri / Shigella flexneri sepsis

Se presenta un caso raro de sepsis por Shigella flexneri en una paciente de 45 años de edad quien estando hospitalizada para el estudio de un tumor cerebral, requirió el uso de manitol y dosis altas de corticoides; luego de ello presenta deposiciones líquidas con moco y sangre, desarrolla síndrome de respuesta inflamatoria sistémica, luego se aísla Shigella flexneri en el hemocultivo; recibió tratamiento antibiótico con ciprofloxacina. Se describen las características del caso y se comenta de acuerdo con la revisión de literatura.

An unusual case of sepsis caused by Shigella flexneri in a 45-year old female patient is presented. While being hospitalized for diagnostic management of a brain tumor, she required mannitol and high-dose steroids; she had liquidand dysenteric stools, and soon afterwards she developed a systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Shigella flexneri was isolated in the blood culture, and she was treated with ciprofloxacin. The case features are described and comments are presented, together with a review of the literature.

Evolución de la malaria en la región Loreto / The evolution of malaria at loreto region

OBJETIVOS: Describir la evolución de la malaria en la región Loreto, tanto para malaria vivax como para falciparum, su relación con el total de casos para el Perú y los cambios de políticas en medicamentos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional, descriptivo. La fuente de información fue la Oficina General de Epidemiología del Ministerio de Salud. RESULTADOS: La incidencia de malaria en Loreto (vivax y falciparum) aumenta desde el año 2000 luego de una disminución de 40 por ciento . El año 2001 se reporta un incremento de 24 por ciento con respecto al 2000 y el 2002, de 52 por ciento respecto al 2001. Como porcentaje del total casos en Perú, Loreto aportó 29 por ciento , 31 por ciento , 44 por ciento , 47 por ciento y 57 por ciento los años 1998 al 2002, respectivamente. Loreto está en alto riesgo desde 1995. En la semana epidemiológica 46 (09 al 15 de noviembre 2003) Loreto (IPA 45) y San Martin (IPA 10) se presentan en condición de riesgo alto. En total, 60,4 por ciento de los casos totales procede de Loreto. CONCLUSIONES: La incidencia de la malaria en la región Loreto ha ido en aumento en los últimos 3 años. En los últimos años, los casos de Malaria en el Perú se concentran en la región Loreto.