Environmental Surveillance of Polioviruses in Armenia, Colombia before Trivalent Oral Polio Vaccine Cessation.

Although acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance is the "gold standard" for detecting cases of polio, environmental surveillance can provide supplementary information in the absence of paralytic poliomyelitis cases. This study aimed to detect the introduction and/or circulation of wild poliovirus or vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPV) in wastewater, covering a significant population of Armenia, Colombia, before trivalent oral polio vaccine (OPV) cessation. Between March and September 2015, 24 wastewater samples were collected from eight study sites in eight communes of Armenia, Colombia. Virus detection and characterization were performed using both cell culture (i.e., RD or L20B cells) and RT-PCR. Polioviruses were isolated in 11 (45.8%) of 24 wastewater samples. All isolates were identified as Sabin strains (type 1 = 9, type 3 = 2) by intratypic differentiation. Type 2 poliovirus was not detected in any of the samples. No wild poliovirus or VDPV was detected among the isolates. Non-polio enterovirus was identified in 8.3% (2/24) of the samples. This study revealed the excretion of Sabin poliovirus from OPV-immunized individuals, as well as the absence of VDPV and wild poliovirus in wastewaters of Armenia, Colombia. This confirms that environmental surveillance is an effective method, as an additional support to AFP surveillance, to monitor poliovirus during the OPV-to-IPV (inactivated polio vaccine) transition period.

Patrones de prescripción de broncodilatadores y corticoides inhalados en pacientes adultos de Colombia / Prescription patterns of bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids in adults of Colombia

Introducción: las enfermedades pulmonares obstructivas son frecuentes en pacientes mayores de 40 años y son causa de alta morbimortalidad a nivel mundial. En el presente estudio se describen los patrones de prescripción de medicamentos para su tratamiento en pacientes de Colombia. Material y métodos: estudio descriptivo observacional con pacientes, mayores de 40 años de ambos sexos, afiliados al Sistema General de Seguridad Social en Salud, en tratamiento continuo con broncodilatadores y/o corticoides inhalados entre septiembre y diciembre del año 2013, seleccionados a partir de una base de datos de dispensación de 6.5 millones de personas. Se recolectaron variables sociodemográficas, farmacológicas (fármacos con sus dosis diarias definidas), medicamentos concomitantes y clínicas (comorbilidades). Análisis mediante SPSS 22. Resultados: se incluyeron 6856 pacientes con una edad promedio de 73.8 ± 11.3 años, 54%fueron mujeres. Del total de pacientes 17.2% recibían monoterapia y 82.8% terapia combinada. El 74.3% de sujetos recibía β2-adrenérgicos, la mayoría (81.5%) de corta duración (BDCA), mientras que 33.3% de larga acción (BDLA). El 73.1% recibía anticolinérgicos distribuidos entre ipratropio (87.1%) y tiotropio (16.9%) y 71.7% recibía corticoides inhalados. Los medicamentos prescritos concomitantemente con mayor frecuencia fueron antihipertensivos (68.9%), antiulcerosos (56.1%) e hipolipemiantes (46.2%). Tener entre 40 y 55 o más de 80 años, recibir alguna medicación concomitante, utilizar corticoides inhalados, emplear monoterapia broncodilatadora y ser tratado en Bogotá y Cali, se asociaron de manera estadísticamente significativa con menor riesgo de recibir BDLA. Conclusiones: predomina la prescripción de BDCA, pese al limitado beneficio clínico reportado. La mayoría de broncodilatadores se emplean a dosis superiores a las recomendadas. Se considera necesario establecer estrategias educativas que mejoren los hábitos de prescripción. (Acta Med Colomb 2015; 40: 218-226).

Introduction: obstructive lung diseases are common in patients older than 40 years and cause high morbidity and mortality worldwide. The patterns of drugs prescription for its treatment in Colombian patients are described in this study. Methods: descriptive observational study with patients over 40 years of both sexes, members of the General System of Social Security in Health, in continuous treatment with bronchodilators and / or inhaled steroids between September and December 2013, selected from a dispensing database of 6.5 million people. Sociodemographic and pharmacological variables (drugs with defined daily doses), concomitant medications and co-morbidities were collected. Analysis using SPSS 22. Results: A total of 6856 patients were included with a mean age of 73.8±11.3 years, 54% were women. Of the total of patients, 17.2% received monotherapy and 82.8% combined therapy. 74.3% of subjects received β2-adrenergics, most (81.5%) short-acting bronchodilators, while33.3% long acting bronchodilators. 73.1% received anticholinergics distributed between ipratropium (87.1%) and tiotropium (16.9%) and 71.7% received inhaled steroids. The medications that were most often concomitantly prescribed, were antihypertensive (68.9%), antiulcerants (56.1%) and lipid lowering drugs (46.2%). To be between 40 and 55 or over 80 years, receive any concomitant medication, inhaled corticosteroid use, bronchodilator monotherapy use and being treated in Bogota and Cali, was statistically significantly associated with lower risk of receiving long-acting bronchodilators. Conclusions: the prescription of short-acting bronchodilators predominate despite the limited clinical benefit reported. Most bronchodilators are used at higher than recommended doses. It is necessary to establish educational strategies to improve prescribing habits. (Acta Med Colomb 2015; 40: 218-226).

Relación entre el polimorfismo Hind III de la lipoproteinlipasa y lípidos sanguíneos en un grupo de pacientes colombianos con enfermedad obstructiva coronaria / Relationship between Lipoprotein Lipase HindIII Polymorphism and Lipids in a Group of Colombian Patients with Obstructive Coronary Disease / Relação entre o polimorfismo Hind III da lipoprnoteína lipase e lipídios sanguíneos em um grupo de pacientes colombianos com doença obstrutiva coronária

El polimorfismo Hind III es la variante más común en el gen de la lipoproteinlipasa; sin embargo, su asociación con enfermedad cardiovascular es controversial. Objetivo: Establecer la frecuencia del polimorfismo Hind III y su relación con el perfil lipídico y la enfermedad obstructiva coronaria (EOC) en pacientes colombianos. Materiales y métodos: La muestra la constituyeron pacientes que asistieron a un centro de hemodinamia del Quindío, por necesidad de una angiografía coronaria. El polimorismo Hind III fue evaluado por la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa y restricción enzimática. Resultados: 389 pacientes fueron divididos en individuos con EOC>50%, (60,4%) e individuos con EOC<50%, (39,6%). El colesterol en las lipoproteínas de baja densidad (c-LDL), fue normal en ambos grupos, pero significativamente mayor en EOC≥50%. El colesterol en las lipoproteínas de alta densidad (c-HDL) fue bajo en ambos grupos. La frecuencia del genotipo Hind+/+ y el alelo Hind+ fue 55% y 76%, respectivamente, para los genotipos Hind+/- y Hind-/- y el alelo Hind- fue 41,1%, 3,85% y 24%, respectivamente sin diferencias significativas entre los grupos. En EOC≥50%, el colesterol total y c-LDL fueron mayores en el alelo Hind-, mientras que el c-HDL fue más bajo en el alelo Hind+, con diferencias significativas con respecto a EOC<50% y los mismos alelos. Se encontraron diferencias claras en triglicéridos y colesterol en lipoproteínas de muy baja densidad (c-VLDL) entre los genotipos del grupo EOC<50%. Conclusión: Este trabajo muestra que aun con valores normales de perfil lipídico, se presenta EOC significativa, que no parece estar asociada a las bajas concentraciones de c-HDL, ni al polimorfismo Hind III de la LPL por sí solo, pero podría estar relacionada a la influencia de estos sobre los lípidos.

HindIII polymorphism is the most common variant in the lipoprotein lipase gene, however, its association with cardiovascular disease is controversial. Objective: To establish the frequency of the HindIII polymorphism and its relationship with lipid profile and coronary arterial disease (CAD) in Colombian patients. Materials and Methods: The sample comprised patients attending a central hemodynamics of Quindío, by necessity of coronary angiography. HindIII polymorphism was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction and enzyme restriction. Results: 389 patients were divided into individuals with CAD ≥ 50% (60.4%) and individuals with EOC <50% (39.6%). Low density lipoproteins cholesterol (LDL-C) was normal, but significantly higher in CAD > 50%. High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was low in both groups. Hind+/+ genotype and Hind+ allele frequency were 55% and 76%, respectively; for Hind+/- genotype was 41.1%, and for Hind-/- genotype and Hind- allele was 3.85% and 24%, respectively, without significant differences between groups. In CAD ≥ 50%, total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-C were higher in allele Hind-, while HDL-C was lower in the Hind+ allele, with significant differences regarding cad <50% and the same alleles. There were significant differences in triglyceride and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol) (VLDL-C) between genotypes in CAD < 50% group. Conclusion: This work shows that even with a normal lipid profile, this population presents coronary obstructive disease, which does not seem to be associated with low levels of HDL-C or the LPL HindIII polymorphism alone, but may be related to the influence of these on lipids.

O polimorfismo Hind III é a variante mais comum no gene da lipoproteína lípase; no entanto, sua associação com doença cardiovascular é controversa. Objetivo: estabelecer a frequência do polimorfismo Hind III e sua relação com o perfil lipídico e a doença obstrutiva coronária (EOC) em pacientes colombianos. Materiais e métodos: a amostra a constituíram pacientes que assistiram a um centro de hemodinâmica de Quindío, por necessidade de uma angiograia coronária. O polimorismo Hind III foi avaliado pela reação em cadeia da polimerase e restrição enzimática. Resultados: 389 pacientes foram divididos em indivíduos com EOC≥50%, (60,4%) e indivíduos com EOC>50%, (39,6%). O colesterol nas lipoproteínas de baixa densidade (c-LDL) foi normal em ambos os grupos, mais significativamente maior em EOC≥50%. O colesterol nas lipoproteínas de alta densidade (c-HDL) foi baixo em ambos os grupos. A frequência do genótipo Hind+/+ e o alelo Hind+ foi 55% e 76%, respectivamente, para o genótipo Hind+/- foi 41,1%, e para genótipo Hind-/- e o alelo Hind- foi 3,85% y 24%, respectivamente, sem diferenças significativas entre os grupos. Em EOC≥50%, o colesterol total e c-LDL foram maiores no alelo Hind-, enquanto que o c-HDL foi mais baixo no alelo Hind+, com diferenças significativas com respeito a EOC<50% e os mesmos alelos. Encontraram-se diferenças significativas em triglicerídeos e colesterol em lipoproteínas de muita baixa densidade (c-VLDL) entre os genótipos do grupo EOC<50%. Conclusões: Este trabalho mostra que ainda com valores normais de perfil lipídico, se apresenta EOC significativa, que não parece estar associada às baixas concentrações de c-HDL, nem ao polimorfismo Hind III da LPL por si só, más poderia estar relacionada à influência destes sobre os lipídios.

[Absence of poliovirus circulation in Colombian departments with vaccination coverage below 80%]. / Ausencia de circulación de poliovirus en departamentos colombianos con coberturas vacunales inferiores a 80%

This study aims to explore a possible silent circulation of wild and vaccine-derived polioviruses in departments of Colombia with polio vaccination coverage of below 80%. The study collected 52 samples of wastewater concentrated as a result of precipitation with polyethylene glycol and sodium chloride. The viral detection was carried out through isolation and the identification through neutralization of the cytopathic effect, as well as through a conventional polymerase chain reaction following reverse transcription. The isolated polioviruses were characterized by the VP1 gene sequence. In two of the 52 samples, there was a presence of the Sabin type 2 poliovirus with more than 99% sequence similarity with the Sabin type 2 strain polio. Circulation of the nonpolio enterovirus was detected in 17.3% of the samples. The serotypes identified corresponded to coxsackievirus B1, echovirus 30, and echovirus 11. No evidence of the spread of either vaccine-derived poliovirus or wild poliovirus was detected in the departments of Colombia with polio coverage lower than 80%.

Prevalencia de enterovirus en recién nacidos y lactantes que consultaron a un centro de atención de primer nivel, Armenia, Colombia, 2009 / Prevalence of enterovirus infection in infants in Armenia, Colombia, 2009

Introducción. Los enterovirus están distribuidos por todo el mundo; sin embargo, existe escasa información sobre su circulación en Colombia. Objetivo. Estimar la prevalencia de circulación de enterovirus en niños menores de un año que asistieron a un centro de atención de primer nivel en Armenia, Colombia, en el 2009, e identificar los principales serotipos de enterovirus circulantes. Materiales y métodos. Se tomaron 320 muestras de heces de niños menores de un año de edad. La presencia de enterovirus se determinó mediante transcripción inversa y la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa anidada (RT-N-PCR), empleando iniciadores genéricos de enterovirus. Las muestras que resultaron positivas en la RT-N-PCR, se inocularon en cultivos celulares apropiados para enterovirus. Los aislamientos obtenidos se identificaron por neutralización con la mezcla de sueros de Lim-Benyesh-Melnick. Resultados. Se detectaron enterovirus en 43 de las 320 (13,3 %) muestras de heces mediante RTN-PCR (IC95%: 9,7 a 17,1). Se obtuvo aislamiento viral en 26 de las 43 (60,4 %) muestras de heces positivas por RT-N-PCR. De los 26 aislamientos obtenidos, en 15 se identificó Coxsackie virus B (ocho CVB1, dos CVB2 y cinco CVB5) y 11 echovirus (seis E6 y cinco E30). Conclusiones. La circulación de enterovirus en la población infantil estudiada fue de 13,3 % y los serotipos de enterovirus aislados corresponden con los serotipos de mayor prevalencia global. Los resultados obtenidos indican la factibilidad de emplear la RT-N-PCR como herramienta para vigilar la circulación de enterovirus en muestras de heces.

Introduction. Despite world wide circulation of enteroviruses, little information has accumulated on the circulation of enteroviruses in Colombia. Objective. The prevalence of enterovirus circulation was examined in children under 1 year to identify the most common enterovirus serotypes. Materials and methods. Fecal samples were collected from 320 children under 1 year of age who attended a first-level health center in the city of Armenia, Colombia, in 2009. Enterovirus detection was performed by reverse transcription reaction and nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-N-PCR) using generic enterovirus primers. Samples testing positive in the RT-N-PCR were inoculated into cell cultures susceptible to enterovirus. All isolates were typed by seroneutralization with Lim-Benyesh-Melnick antiserum pools. Results. Overall, enteroviral RNA was detected in 43 of 320 (13.3%; 95% CI: 9.7 to 17.1) fecal samples by RT-N-PCR. Viral isolation was possible in 26 of 43 (60.4%) of the positive samples. Of these, 15 were Coxsackievirus B (eight CVB1, two CVB2, five CVB5) and 11 Echovirus (six E6 and five E30). Conclusions. The enteroviral circulation in a population on newly bornes up to 1 year old was 13.3%;the most frequent enterovirus was the same as those serotypes most commonly isolated in other parts of the world. The use of RT-N-PCR was demonstrably feasible as a tool to monitor the presence of enterovirus in stool samples.

Relación entre la enzima convertidora de angiotensina, polimorfismo I/D, y obstrucción coronaria en una población del Quindío, Colombia / Relação entre enzima conversora de angiotensina, polimorfismo I/D e obstrução coronária numa população de Quindío, Colômbia / Relationship between angiotensin-converting enzyme, I/D polymorphism, and coronary obstruction in a population of Quindío, Colombia

En varios estudios la actividad de enzima convertidora de angiotensina (ECA) en suero y el polimorfismo inserción/deleción (I/D) se han relacionado con enfermedad cardiovascular. Objetivo. Relacionar la actividad de la ECA y el polimorfismo I/D del gen de la enzima en pacientes con obstrucción coronaria documentada por angiografía. Materiales y métodos. La muestra la constituyeron pacientes que asistieron a un centro de hemodinámia del Quindío, por necesidad de una angiografía coronaria. La actividad de la enzima fue medida por espectrofotometría y el genotipo I/D por medio de la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa. Resultados. 542 pacientes fueron divididos en dos grupos: individuos con obstrucción coronaria ≥50%, (OC≥50) e individuos con obstrucción coronaria menor al 50%, (OC<50%). La actividad de ECA en suero en la población general fue más alta en los individuos con polimorfismo DD, seguido por ID e II con diferencias significativas. Para los dos grupos de estudio el patrón fue similar, pero sin diferencias significativas, aunque la actividad de la enzima siempre fue más alta en los individuos con OC≥50% comparados con los pacientes con OC<50%. El genotipo ID fue el genotipo más frecuente en los dos grupos. No se encontraron diferencias en las frecuencias alélicas y genotípicas en los grupos de estudio. Conclusiones. Se encontraron diferencias significativas en la actividad de la ECA de acuerdo al genotipo. Este estudio, no encontró relación entre actividad de la enzima, los polimorfismos y la obstrucción coronaria...

Relationship between angiotensin-converting enzyme, I/D polymorphism, and coronary obstruction in a population of Quindío, Colombia. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity in serum and insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism have been associated to cardiovascular disease in several studies. Objective. To find a relationship between ACE activity and I/D polymorphism in the enzyme gene in patients with coronary obstruction revealed by angiography. Materials and methods. Sample comprised patients attending a hemodynamics center in Quindío in need of a coronary angiography. ACE activity was measured by spectrophotometry and the I/D genotype determined by polymerase chain reaction. Results. 542 patients were divided into two groups: individuals with coronary obstruction higher than or equal to 50% (OC≥50) and individuals with coronary obstruction less than 50% (CO<50%). Serum ACE activity in the global population was higher in individuals with DD polymorphism, followed by ID and II with significant differences. A similar pattern was shown in both study groups but without significant differences, although enzyme activity was always higher in individuals with OC≥50% compared with patients with OC<50%. ID genotype was the most frequent in both groups. No differences were found in allele and genotype frequencies in the study groups. Conclusions. Significant differences in ACE activity were found according to genotype. Our study did not find any relationship between ACE activity, I/D polymorphisms and coronary obstruction...

Relação entre enzima conversora de angiotensina, polimorfismo I/D e obstrução coronária numa população de Quindío, Colômbia. Em vários estudos a atividade da enzima conversora de angiotensina (ECA) no soro e o polimorfismo inserção/deleção (I/D) têm sido associados com doença cardiovascular. Objetivo. Relacionar a atividade da ECA e o polimorfismo I/D do gene da enzima em pacientes com obstrução coronariana documentada por angiograma. Materiais e métodos. A amostra foi composta por pacientes queassistiram num centro de hemodinâmica do Quindío, por necessidade de um angiograma coronario. A atividade da enzima foi medida por espectrofotometria e o genótipo I/D através da reação em cadeia da polimerase. Resultados. 542 pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: indivíduos com obstrução coronária ≥50% (OC≥50) e indivíduos com obstrução coronariana inferior a 50% (OC<50%). A actividade de ECA no soro na população em geral foi maior em indivíduos com polimorfismo DD, seguido pelo ID e II com diferenças significativas. Para ambos os grupos de estudo o padrão foi semelhante, mas sem diferenças significativas, embora a atividade da enzima foi sempre maior em indivíduos com OC≥50% em comparação com pacientes com OC<50%. O genótipo ID foi o genótipo mais freqüente nos dois grupos. Não houve diferenças nas freqüências alélicas e genotípicas nos grupos de estudo. Conclusões. Houve diferenças significativas na atividade da ECA segundo o genótipo. Este estudo não encontrou relação entre a atividade da enzima, os polimorfismos e a obstrução coronariana...

[Prevalence of enterovirus infection in infants in Armenia, Colombia, 2009]. / Prevalencia de enterovirus en recién nacidos y lactantes que consultaron a un centro de atención de primer nivel, Armenia, Colombia, 2009.

INTRODUCTION: Despite world wide circulation of enteroviruses, little information has accumulated on the circulation of enteroviruses in Colombia. OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of enterovirus circulation was examined in children under 1 year to identify the most common enterovirus serotypes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fecal samples were collected from 320 children under 1 year of age who attended a first-level health center in the city of Armenia, Colombia, in 2009. Enterovirus detection was performed by reverse transcription reaction and nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-N-PCR) using generic enterovirus primers. Samples testing positive in the RT-N-PCR were inoculated into cell cultures susceptible to enterovirus. All isolates were typed by seroneutralization with Lim-Benyesh-Melnick antiserum pools. RESULTS: Overall, enteroviral RNA was detected in 43 of 320 (13.3%; 95% CI: 9.7 to 17.1) fecal samples by RT-N-PCR. Viral isolation was possible in 26 of 43 (60.4%) of the positive samples. Of these, 15 were Coxsackievirus B (eight CVB1, two CVB2, five CVB5) and 11 Echovirus (six E6 and five E30). CONCLUSIONS: The enteroviral circulation in a population on newly bornes up to 1 year old was 13.3%;the most frequent enterovirus was the same as those serotypes most commonly isolated in other parts of the world. The use of RT-N-PCR was demonstrably feasible as a tool to monitor the presence of enterovirus in stool samples.

Determinación de las características clínico-epidemiológicas de la neuroinfeccción en pacientes con diagnóstico de VIH/sida en el departamento del Quindío / Determination of clinical and epidemiological features of neuroinfection in patients with diagnosis of HIV-AIDS in the department of Quindío

Objetivo general. Describir las características clínico-epidemiológicas y etiológicas de la neuroinfección de los pacientes con VIH del departamento del Quindío. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio de tipo descriptivo prospectivo de los pacientes con VIH y sospecha de neuroinfección de una Empresa Social del Estado de tercer nivel de Armenia. En el departamento del Quindío no se han reportado protocolos diagnósticos que correlacionen el costo-beneficio de los diferentes esquemas de manejo pacientes con VIH y una infección asociada del sistema nervioso central. Todos los pacientes que consultaron a la Empresa Social del Estado de tercer nivel de Armenia con dos pruebas positivas de ELISA anti-VIH o una prueba de Western blot positiva, con sospecha de enfermedad del sistema nervioso central concomitante. Se realizaron las siguientes pruebas de laboratorio en líquido cefalorraquídeo: VDRL, determinación de antígeno criptocococico mediante sistemade aglutinación de latex (Cryptococcal Antigen Latex Agglutination System (CALAS) , tinta china, coloraciónde Ziehl-Neelsen, cultivo de hongos, PCR para citomegalovirus y herpes simple, e IgG anti-Toxoplasmasérica; a todos los pacientes se les practicó tomografía cerebral simple. Resultados. De los 21 pacientes estudiados, 85,7 por ciento eran hombres; el rango de edad fue de 23 a 68 años. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron: fiebre, compromiso de la conciencia u orientación, paresias, parestesias, compromiso de pares craneanos y reflejos neurológicos alterados. El 89 por ciento de pacientes con lesión que ocupa espacio se encontró IgG anti-Toxoplasma positiva (155-887,2UI/ml.) y los valores de los pacientescon reporte de tomografía cerebral simple normal oscilaron entre 13,8 y 36 UI/ml. Discusión. La tomografía cerebral simple, los anticuerpos séricos IgG anti-Toxoplasma y la coloración con tinta china en líquido cefalorraquídeo, permitieron diagnosticar el 85 por ciento de los pacientes.

ABSTRACTObjective: To describe clinical, epidemiologicaland etiological characteristics of neuroinfection inHIV patients from Quindío department. Materialsand methods: A descriptive-prospective studywas carried out in HIV positive patients withneuroinfection suspicion from a third level ESE ofArmenia.In Quindío department have not beenreported diagnostic protocols that correlate thecost-benefit of the various schemes of handlingpatients with HIV infection associated with thecentral nervous system (CNS).All the patients that consulted the third levelESE of Armenia with two positive anti-HIV ELISAtests or positive a Western Blot test with suspicionof concomitant CNS illness.The following laboratory tests were per-formed in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF): VDRL, Chineseink, Ziehl-Nielsen stain, fungi cultures, CMV andHerpes simplex PCR, serum IgG anti-Toxoplasma,andCryptococcal Antigen Latex AgglutinationSystem (CALAS); a simple cerebral CT scan wastaken to all patients. Results: 85.7% of thepatients were men; the age rank was between23 and 68 years. The most frequently foundsymptoms were: fever, consciousness andorientation compromise, paresis, paresthesia,cranial pairs compromise, and altered neurologicalreflexes.89% of the patients with brain spaceoccupying lesionswere IgG anti-Toxoplasmapositive( values between 155 and 887.2 UI/ml) andthe antibodies values in patients without cerebrallesion in the simple cerebral CT scan oscillatedbetween 13.8 and 36 UI/ml. Discussion: Simplecerebral CT scan, serum IgG anti-Toxoplasma andstaining of CSF with Chinese ink allowed the diag-nosis of 85% of the patients