La producción oral del idioma inglés en los Licenciados en Enfermería que asisten a cursos de posgrado / The oral production of English language in Bachelors of Nursing that attend to postgraduate courses

Fundamento: La educación posgraduada garantiza la preparación de los egresados universitarios con el propósito de actualizar los conocimientos, habilidades y valores que se necesitan para un mejor ejercicio profesional; con particular atención en la producción oral de los Licenciados en Enfermería mediante cursos de posgrado aspecto que constituye una prioridad para el intercambio cultural, social y la superación científica e investigativa. Objetivo: Determinar el estado de la producción oral del idioma inglés como lengua extranjera en los Licenciados en Enfermería que asisten a cursos de posgrado en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Sancti Spíritus. Metodología: La investigación fue aplicada en el curso 2019-2020 en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Sancti Spíritus; en ella se utilizó un enfoque predominantemente cualitativo para comprender los hechos y fenómenos en los diferentes contextos de actuación en los que estos tuvieron lugar. Se emplearon métodos del nivel teórico como el analítico-sintético, inductivo-deductivo, de lo abstracto a lo concreto y del nivel empírico el análisis de documentos, observación participante y entrevista en profundidad. Resultados: Los Licenciados en Enfermería que asistieron a cursos de posgrado presentaron dificultades en la producción oral, las cuales se evidenciaron en errores gramaticales, escaso vocabulario para comentar sobre situaciones propias de la realidad, dificultades en la fluidez observadas estas en repeticiones innecesarias, uso de muletillas y arrancadas en falso, elementos que afectan la comunicación. Conclusiones: El estudio comprobó las dificultades de los Licenciados en Enfermería en la producción oral, aspecto que se le debe buscar solución desde el punto de vista científico e investigativo.

Background: Postgraduate education guarantees the preparation of professionals with the purpose of completing and to upgrade their knowledge, abilities and values, needed for a better professional performance. In this investigation with a particular attention to the English oral production of Bachelors of Nursing by means of postgraduate courses that constitutes a priority for the cultural and social exchange and the scientific and investigative improvement. Objective: To determine the state of the oral production of English as a foreign language in Bachelors of Nursing that attend to postgraduate courses at the Medical University of Sancti Spíritus. Methodology: The investigation was developed in 2019 - 2020 course, in Sancti Spíritus Medical University; a qualitative study was used, to reach an understanding the phenomena and facts, according to the contexts, with the application of theoretical methods like analytical-synthetic, inductive-deductive, from the abstract to the concrete and empirical methods such as, document analysis, observation and interview. Results: Bachelors of Nursing that attend to postgraduate courses exhibit difficulties in the oral production of English evidenced on: grammatical mistakes, lack of vocabulary to comment about some communicative situations and difficulties in fluency appreciable by unnecessary repetitions that affect communication. Conclusions: The study showed the Bachelors of Nursing difficulties in the oral production of English, aspect that should be strengthened and individualized and urges the necessity of looking for solution to this problem from the scientific and investigative point of view.

Public stigma profile toward mental disorders across different university degrees in the University of Valencia (Spain).

Background: A large proportion of studies carried out in recent years in different populations have shown that stigma toward mental disorders is highly prevalent. In the present study we conducted a comprehensive assessment of stigma to describe and compare stigma toward mental disorders in students enrolled in five different university degrees. Methods: Three hundred and twenty-five students from the University of Valencia (Spain), attending the second term of their first-degree courses in the faculties of medicine, psychology, teaching, economics, and data science participated in this cross-sectional study. Stigma was measured using: the Reported and Intended Behavior Scale (RIBS), the Scale of Community Attitudes toward Mental Illness (CAMI), the Attribution Questionnaire (AQ-27), and the Knowledge about Mental Illness test (KMI). Results: We found different patterns of stigma according to gender, the fact of knowing or living with a person with mental disorders and the university degree studied. Overall, women show fewer stigmatizing attitudes than men but similar stereotypes and prejudice toward people with mental disorders. However, the pattern of results across degrees is more complex. Overall, students of medicine, psychology and teaching showed fewer stigmatizing attitudes than students of economics and data science but differences between degrees were more subtle in stereotypes and prejudice toward people with mental disorders. Conclusion: Our study suggests the existence of different profiles of stigma in relation to mental disorders in university students. These profiles varied in relation with the degree being studied, gender and already knowing or living with a person with mental disorders.

El estudio y trabajo independientes en la mira de la educación médica superior cubana / Independent study and homework in the spotlight of cuban medical higher education

Introducción: El estudio y trabajo independientes como unidad dialéctica en el proceso pedagógico desarrollan la actividad cognoscitiva del estudiante. Objetivo: Identificar las aproximaciones teóricas sobre el estudio y el trabajo independientes del estudiante en el contexto de las ciencias médicas en Cuba. Métodos: La gestión de información se enmarcó en la biblioteca virtual electrónica de las revistas médicas cubanas durante 2011-2018, a partir de los descriptores: estudio independiente y "trabajo independiente". El análisis de la información se realizó con los siguientes indicadores: autor, año, propósitos, muestra, medición, intervención, resultados y hallazgos. La unidad de análisis tuvo en cuenta al estudiante y al profesor en la formación inicial y continua. Para el tratamiento matemático de la información se empleó el cálculo porcentual. Resultados: Se consultaron en total 28 artículos sobre ambas categorías: el 78,5 por ciento referidos al trabajo independiente y el resto al estudio independiente. Estos se centraron en la dirección del trabajo independiente y las orientaciones metodológicas, fundamentalmente, en la carrera de medicina (31,8 por ciento). Los principales resultados se revelaron a nivel descriptivo (45,4 por ciento) y de transformación social (18,1 por ciento). Los hallazgos se enfocaron en la efectividad de ambas categorías en el rendimiento académico, la motivación, la independencia, la creatividad y responsabilidad ante las tareas docentes de carácter profesional, problematizador e integral, así como en la preparación docente para su dirección. Conclusiones: Ambas categorías mostraron limitaciones en la formación inicial y continua, lo cual significó un reto pedagógico, ante la necesidad de preparar al docente para que forme a un profesional con la calidad requerida(AU)

Introduction: Independent study and homework as a dialectical unit in the pedagogical process develop the student's cognitive activity. Objective: To identify the theoretical approaches about independent study and homework developed by the student in the context of medical sciences in Cuba. Methods: Information management was framed within the electronic virtual library of Cuban medical journals during 2011-2018, using the descriptors estudio independiente [independent study] and trabajo independiente [independent homework]. Information analysis was carried out using the following indicators: author, year, purposes, sample, measurement, intervention, results and findings. The unit of analysis took into account both the student and the professor in initial and continuing training. The mathematical processing of the information was carried out using percentage calculation. Results: A total of 28 articles on both categories were consulted: 78.5 percent referred to independent homework and the rest to independent study. These focused on the direction of independent homework and methodological orientations, mainly in the medical major (31.8 percent). The main results were observed at the descriptive level (45.4 percent) and the level of social transformation (18.1 percent). The findings focused on the effectiveness of both categories in academic performance, motivation, independence, creativity and responsibility for teaching tasks with a professional, problematizing and comprehensive character, as well as on the professor's preparation for their direction. Conclusions: Both categories showed limitations in initial and continuous training, which meant a pedagogical challenge, given the need to prepare the professor to train a professional with the required quality(AU)

Análisis de riesgo en la Medicina Nuclear Terapéutica en Cuba con enfoque integrador / Risk assessment in Therapeutic Nuclear Medicine in Cuba with an integrated approach

Introducción: El análisis de riesgo en la gestión de la calidad y seguridad permite la mejora continua de los servicios médicos en Cuba. En Medicina Nuclear Terapéutica es requisito regulador que permite la continuidad de estos servicios a la población. Objetivo: Analizar los riesgos radiológicos con enfoque integrador dirigido a causas básicas de fallo en la práctica citada. Material y métodos: Se revisó y adaptó el modelo genérico de riesgo para cada caso de estudio. Los métodos prospectivos de matriz de riesgo y análisis de modos y efectos de fallo y reactivo de aprendizaje de las lecciones de sucesos registrados fueron utilizados con el código cubano SECURE MR-FMEA versión 3.0. Se determinó el riesgo inherente, su tratamiento y el riesgo residual por práctica. Se identificaron las etapas del proceso, las medidas y las causas básicas más contribuyentes. Resultados: No se obtuvo riesgo superior al del nivel alto. La radiosinoviortesis y el tratamiento radiactivo de la policitemia vera tuvieron la mayor cantidad de modificaciones al modelo genérico. Las etapas más significativas son prescripción clínica, preparación del radiofármaco y administración. Las medidas preventivas de mayor importancia son mantener una carga de trabajo moderada para el personal, las capacitaciones de los médicos nucleares y del técnico que realiza la administración. Conclusiones: Existe una no uniformidad en el nivel de calidad y seguridad entre los servicios analizados. Para el cambio, la adopción de decisiones se ve beneficiada en su eficacia y eficiencia, al integrarse los métodos prospectivos y reactivos de análisis de riesgo(AU)

Introduction: Risk assessment in quality and safety management allows the continuous improvement of the medical services in Cuba. In Therapeutic Nuclear Medicine, it is a regulatory requirement which allows the continuity of these services to the population. Objective: To assess radiological risks with an integrated approach focused on underlying causes of failure in the mentioned practice. Material and Methods: The generic risk model was reviewed and adapted for each case study. The prospective methods of risk assessment matrix of failure modes and effects and incident learning lessons from the events registered were used applying the Cuban code SECURE MR-FMEA version 3.0. The inherent risk, treatment, and residual risk in the practice were determined. The stages of the process, measurements, and the main contributing causes were identified. Results: There was no risk higher than the high level. Radiosynoviorthesis and the radioactive treatment of the Polycythemia Vera had the greatest amount of modifications to the generic model. The most significant stages are clinical prescription, preparation of the radiopharmaceutical formulation and administration. The most important preventive measures are to maintain a moderate workload for the personnel, and the training of the nuclear physicians and the technician who performs the administration. Conclusions: There is a non-uniformity in the level of quality and safety among the NTM services in Cuba. For change, decision-making is benefited in terms of effectiveness and efficiency by integrating prospective and reactive risk assessment methods(AU)

Effects of Parenting Styles on Self-Regulated Learning and Academic Stress in Spanish Adolescents.

Research has repeatedly highlighted the important influence of parental socialization styles on children's psychosocial adjustment. However, previous studies about their effects on school adjustment have traditionally addressed a limited set of indicators, such as academic achievement or self-concept, which should be broadened in order to increase our level of knowledge about this topic. Thus, the aim of the present study was to analyze the relationships between parenting styles and other relevant school adjustment criteria (self-regulated learning and academic stress) in adolescence. The study participants were 437 Spanish adolescents (44.7% men) from 12 to 18 years old (M = 14.55, SD = 1.80) who were enrolled in high school. A multivariate factorial design (parenting × sex × educational level) was used for each set of criteria. The results are consistent with previous research, showing that the indulgent style was related to better school adjustment during adolescence, evaluated through self-regulated learning and academic stress, thus increasing the available evidence about the influence of parenting styles in this setting. Additionally, this relationship remains invariant with regard to sex and the educational level of the participants in the study. Therefore, this study highlights the importance of parenting practices related to high acceptance/involvement for the adequate school adjustment of Spanish adolescents.

Development and Validation of the Questionnaire of Academic Stress in Secondary Education: Structure, Reliability and Nomological Validity.

This study presents the validation process of the Questionnaire on Academic Stress in Secondary Education (QASSE) designed to assess the wide variety of school sources and situations related to academic stress in adolescence, and their relationship with students' physical and psychological well-being. The participants were 860 Spanish high school students (52.9% girls) with an average age of 14.62 years (SD = 1.8). Through a cross-validation process, results supported the QASSE multifactorial structure with four first-order factors-academic overload, interaction with classmates, family pressure, and future-oriented perspective-and a second-order factor of academic stress, showing a significant and intense relationship with adolescents' psychological and physical well-being. Results also highlight the effects of the gender and educational level interaction on the students' stress, with girls showing higher levels of stress in the transition courses between educational phases (sophomore and junior years). The QASSE demonstrates good validity and reliability, showing potential for both research and educational application. The results show the high impact of the QASSE dimensions on psychological and physical well-being in adolescence, highlighting its special usefulness for designing and adjusting educational prevention and intervention actions in this area to the students' specific characteristics and needs.

Estructura factorial y propiedades psicométricas de la Time Management Behavior Scale (TMBS) en población universitaria colombiana / Factorial Structure and Psychometric Properties of the Time Management Behavior Scale (TMBS) in Colombian College Students

RESUMEN Se investigó la estructura factorial de la Time Management Behavior Scale (TMBS) en universitarios colombianos. La gestión del tiempo es un importante predictor del logro estudiantil y clave para la disminución de la deserción universitaria. Participaron 494 estudiantes de primer año de nueve programas en dos universidades de la ciudad de Bogotá. Se comprueba una estructura multidimensional de cuatro subescalas que explicaron el 42.68 % de la varianza total. Se obtuvieron índices de consistencia interna por encima de 0.7 en tres factores y una fiabilidad global de 0.84. Coincidiendo con investigaciones previas, frente a los hombres, las mujeres obtienen puntuaciones superiores en dos de las subescalas, y los estudiantes de las carreras de educación presentan mejores puntuaciones en Percepción del Control del Tiempo que los estudiantes de ingeniería. Se comparan los resultados en Colombia con la prueba norteamericana y la española.

ABSTRACT The factorial structure of the Time Management Behavior Scale (TMBS) was investigated in Colombian college students. Time management is an important predictor of the academic achievements and is key in reducing college desertion. 494 first year students from nine different programs and two universities in Bogotá city participated. A multidimensional structure of four sub scales that explain 42.68% of the variance was verified. Indexes of internal consistency above 0.7 in three factors and a global reliability of 0.84 were obtained. In accordance with previous research, women obtain higher scores against men in two of the obtained sub scales, and the students of Education programs score better in "Perception of time control" than engineering students. The results obtained in Colombia are compared with the North American and Spanish test.

Spanish version of the Time Management Behavior Questionnaire for university students.

The main objective of the study is to analyze the psychometric properties and predictive capacity on academic performance in university contexts of a Spanish adaptation of the Time Management Behavior Questionnaire. The scale was applied to 462 students newly admitted at the Universitat de València in the 2006-2007 school year. The analyses performed made it possible to reproduce the factorial structure of the original version of the questionnaire with slight modifications in the ascription of various items. The underlying factorial structure includes four interrelated dimensions (Establishing objectives and priorities, Time management tools, Perception of time control and Preference for disorganization), which present satisfactory levels of reliability and an adequate convergent validity with the Time management subscale of the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire. The scores on the dimensions of time management show significant levels of association with academic performance in the first year of university studies, especially highlighting the predictive capacity of the subscale dealing with the Establishment of objectives and priorities. These results show the reliability and validity of this adaptation of the scale for evaluating how the students manage their academic time, and predicting their performance in the year they initiate the degree program, thus aiding in the development of intervention proposals directed towards improving these skills.

Spanish version of the time management behavior questionnaire for university students

The main objective of the study is to analyze the psychometric properties and predictive capacity on academic performance in university contexts of a Spanish adaptation of the Time Management Behavior Questionnaire. The scale was applied to 462 students newly admitted at the Universitat de València in the 2006-2007 school year. The analyses performed made it possible to reproduce the factorial structure of the original version of the questionnaire with slight modifications in the ascription of various ítems. The underlying factorial structure includes four interrelated dimensions (Establishing objectives and priorities, Time management tools, Perception of time control and Preference for disorganization), which present satisfactory levels of reliability and an adequate convergent validity with the Time management subscale of the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire. The scores on the dimensions of time management show significant levels of association with academic performance in the first year of university studies, especially highlighting the predictive capacity of the subscale dealing with the Establishment of objectives and priorities. These results show the reliability and validity of this adaptation of the scale for evaluating how the students manage their academic time, and predicting their performance in the year they initiate the degree program, thus aiding in the development of intervention proposals directed towards improving these skills (AU)

El objetivo del estudio es analizar las características psicométricas y la capacidad predictiva sobre el rendimiento académico en contextos universitarios de una adaptación española del Time Management Behavior Questionnaire. La escala fue aplicada a 462 estudiantes de nuevo acceso a la Universitat de València en el curso 2006-2007. Los análisis permiten reproducir la estructura factorial de la versión original del cuestionario con ajustes en la adscripción de diversos ítems, integrando cuatro dimensiones interrelacionadas (Establecimiento de objetivos y prioridades, Herramientas para la gestión del tiempo, Percepción del control del tiempo y Preferencias por la desorganización), que presentan niveles satisfactorios de fiabilidad y validez convergente. Las dimensiones de gestión del tiempo muestran niveles de asociación significativos con el rendimiento en el año de acceso a los estudios universitarios, destacando especialmente la capacidad predictiva de Establecimiento de objetivos y prioridades. Estos resultados constatan la fiabilidad y validez de la adaptación efectuada, así como su capacidad de pronóstico sobre el rendimiento en el año de incorporación a la universidad, facilitando el desarrollo de propuestas de intervención dirigidas a la mejora de las habilidades de gestión del tiempo (AU)

Evaluación del estrés académico en estudiantes de nueva incorporación a la universidad / Academic stress in first-year college students

En este trabajo se analizan las principales fuentes de estrés académico de los estudiantes de nueva incorporación a la universidad y se presenta la validación de un instrumento de evaluación de este constructo psicológico. Los resultados constatan que el estrés académico constituye un fenómeno generalizado en el año de acceso a la universidad y que los niveles superiores se presentan respecto a la exposición de trabajos, la sobrecarga académica, la falta de tiempo y la realización de exámenes. El cuestionario evalúa cuatro dimensiones complementarias (obligaciones académicas, expediente y perspectivas de futuro, dificultades interpersonales y expresión de ideas propias), muestra una relación significativa de reducida magnitud con el rendimiento académico y son las mujeres quienes presentan valores superiores en todas las dimensiones evaluadas. Los resultados se discuten en términos de su repercusión para el diseño de sistemas de acción tutorial y de prestación de servicios de atención y asesoramiento psicológico a los estudiantes de nuevo acceso a los estudios universitarios.

The study analyzes the main sources of academic stress for first-year university students, and presents a validation of an evaluation instrument for this psychological construct. The results show that perceived stress is a generalized phenomenon in the first year of university studies, and that the highest levels are obtained in the areas of oral presentations, academic overload, lack of time, and taking exams. The questionnaire evaluates four complimentary dimensions (academic obligations, academic record and future prospects, interpersonal difficulties, and expressing one's own ideas), with a significant relationship of reduced magnitude with academic performance, the female students presenting higher values on all of them. The results are discussed in terms of their effects on designing systems for tutorial action and offering psychological attention and counseling services to the students.

Key words: academic environment, stress, college students, psychological assessment, individual differences, counseling.

Efectos de interacción en la predicción del abandono en los estudios de Psicología / Interaction effects in the prediction of university drop-out for psychology students

Numerosos trabajos han analizado el abandono de los estudios universitarios pero es escasa la información sobre la incidencia y los determinantes de este fenómeno en la titulación de Psicología. En este estudio se analiza la capacidad predictora sobre el abandono de un conjunto de variables sociodemográficas y educativas de los estudiantes que ingresaron en esta titulación en los años 2000 y 2001 en la Universidad de Valencia (N=785). Este análisis se basó en la comparación de modelos de regresión logística anidados, en que el modelo de partida incluía los efectos de interacción de primer orden de las variables consideradas. Como resultado más novedoso respecto a estudios previos, se constata que en la predicción del abandono aparece un efecto moderador de la modalidad de bachillerato cursada, tanto sobre la nota de acceso, como sobre el orden de preferencia manifestado en la preinscripción a la universidad. Estos resultados permiten plantear algunas hipótesis acerca de las consecuencias derivadas de la adscripción de la titulación de Psicología a la rama de Ciencias de la Salud y el consiguiente cambio en el tipo de formación requerida para acceder a esta titulación (AU)

Although there have been a number of studies which have analysed university dropout, there is little information on the incidence and determinants of this phenomenon in the degree of Psychology. In this study, we analyze the capacity of a set of sociodemographic and educational variables to predict university dropout. The data came from the students admitted to this degree at the University of Valencia in 2000 and 2001 (N = 785). The analysis was based on the comparison of nested logistic regression models in which the starting model included first order interaction effects of the variables under consideration. Compared to previous studies in this area, the most innovative result in the prediction of university dropout is the moderator effect of the high school curriculum on both the students high school average, and on the order of preference stated in the university enrolment. These results allow us to raise some hypotheses about the consequences of assigning the degree of Psychology to the branch of Health Sciences and the subsequent change in the type of training required to gain access to this degree (AU)

[Differential diagnosis of imported filariasis by molecular techniques (2006-2009)]. / Diagnóstico diferencial de filariasis importada mediante técnicas moleculares (2006-2009).

INTRODUCTION: The last few years has seen an increase in the number of immigrants and travellers from endemic areas where filariasis are mainly caused by Loa loa (L. loa), Mansonella perstans (M. perstans) and Wuchereria bancrofti (W. bancrofti) species. These demographic changes has led to the need for better filariae species-specific molecular diagnostic tests to solve problems, as alternatives to the more time consuming classic parasitology methods. Thus, the objective of the present work was the implementation of optimised molecular protocols (nested-PCR and ITS1-RFLP) developed in our laboratory, for the differential diagnosis of filarial parasites. The results obtained were compared with those obtained using the conventional parasitological methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 523 samples (517 peripheral blood, 5 adult worms and one vitreous body) were sent to Parasitology Department of the National Microbiology Centre, Carlos II Research Institute (ISCIII), from 47 Health Centres in the Autonomous Regions of Spain, from 2006 to 2009. The samples were studied by the Knott technique, nested-PCR and ITS1-RFLP. RESULTS: The molecular techniques applied on blood samples showed to be more sensitive that Knott's concentration technique in the diagnosis of both L. loa (n=12 versus n=4) and M. perstans (n=57 versus n=25) infections. CONCLUSIONS: The nested-PCR and ITS1-RFLP are potential diagnostic tools for daily routine laboratory species-specific and sensitive detection of L. loa and M. perstans filarial species in immigrant population and travellers from endemic areas where these filarial species are co-endemic. Knott's concentration technique was less sensitive than molecular methods and should be carried out as a complementary diagnostic assay.

Diagnóstico diferencial de filariasis importada mediante técnicas moleculares (2006-2009) / Differential diagnosis of imported filariasis by molecular techniques (2006-2009)

Introducción: Durante los últimos años se ha registrado un aumento creciente de la población inmigrante y de viajeros procedentes de áreas endémicas de filariasis producidas por Loa loa (L. loa), Mansonella perstans(M. perstans) y Wuchereria bancrofti (W. bancrofti). Esta situación epidemiológica ha hecho necesario el desarrollo de técnicas específicas de diagnóstico molecular, alternativas al método parasitológico clásico.Por lo tanto, el objetivo planteado en este trabajo ha sido la utilización de las técnicas moleculares optimizadas en nuestro laboratorio, nested-PCR e ITS1-RFLP, en el diagnóstico de filariasis importadas, y la comparación de los resultados obtenidos con los derivados del diagnóstico parasitológico. Material y métodos: Se ha estudiado mediante la técnica de concentración de Knott, nested-PCR e ITS1-RFLP un total de 523 muestras (517 sangres, 5 helmintos adultos y un humor vítreo) que fueron remitidas al Servicio de Parasitología del Centro Nacional de Microbiología-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, entre los años 2006 y 2009, por 47 centros sanitarios de las comunidades autónomas. Resultados: Las técnicas moleculares utilizadas demostraron ser más sensibles que el método de concentración de Knott, tanto en el diagnóstico de L. loa (n = 12 frente a n = 4) como en el de M. perstans (n=57frente a n = 25) en el total de muestras de sangre estudiadas. Conclusión: Los métodos de PCR utilizados permiten un diagnóstico específico y más sensible de L. loay M. perstans en muestras clínicas de población inmigrante y viajeros procedentes de áreas endémicas, donde estas especies de filarias son coendémicas. El método de concentración de Knott debe emplearse como técnica complementaria siempre que sea posible (AU)

Introduction: The last few years has seen an increase in the number of immigrants and travellers from endemic areas where filariasis are mainly caused by Loa loa (L. loa), Mansonella perstans (M. perstans) and Wuchereria bancrofti (W. bancrofti) species. These demographic changes has led to the need for better filariae species-specific molecular diagnostic tests to solve problems, as alternatives to the more time consuming classic parasitology methods. Thus, the objective of the present work was the implementation of optimised molecular protocols (nested-PCR and ITS1-RFLP) developed in our laboratory, for the differential diagnosis of filarial parasites. The results obtained were compared with those obtained using the conventional parasitological methods. Material and methods: A total of 523 samples (517 peripheral blood, 5 adult worms and one vitreous body)were sent to Parasitology Department of the National Microbiology Centre, Carlos II Research Institute(ISCIII), from 47 Health Centres in the Autonomous Regions of Spain, from 2006 to 2009. The samples were studied by the Knott technique, nested-PCR and ITS1-RFLP.Results: The molecular techniques applied on blood samples showed to be more sensitive that Knott’s concentration technique in the diagnosis of both L. loa (n=12 versus n=4) and M. perstans (n=57 versusn = 25) infections (AU)

[Postsurgery meningitis by Staphylococcus aureus: comparison between methicillin-sensitive and resistant strains]. / Estudio comparativo de la meningitis posquirúrgica por Staphylococcus aureus sensible y resistente a meticilina.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In recent years, meningitis caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus has increased. This study was undertaken to compare the clinical characteristics and prognosis of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) postneurosurgical meningitis and methicillin-sensible S. aureus (MSSA) postneurosurgical meningitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five episodes of postneurosurgical meningitis due to S. aureus (13 methicillin-resistant strains) seen during a ten-year period were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Most common underlying diseases were: intracerebral hemorrhage (50% of MRSA patients and 46% of MSSA patients) and neoplasm (53% of MRSA patients and 33% of MSSA patients). Eleven patients (6 of them with MRSA infection) had received antibiotic treatment previously. Thirteen patients were carriers of intraventricular catheters (8 with MRSA infection), 5 wore a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (4 with infections by MSSA), 5 cases had a CSF leakage (4 with infections by MRSA), and one patient with infection by MSSA wore an epidural catheter. Fifteen patients were cured (7 with MRSA infection), and 8 died due to the infection (27% with MSSA infection and 38% with MRSA infection). CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of postneurosurgical meningitis by S. aureus does not depend on the presence of resistance to methicillin. Nowadays, the intravenous administration of vancomycin is the treatment of choice in MRSA meningitis.

Estudio comparativo de la meningitis posquirúrgica por staphylococcus aureus sensible y resistente a meticilina / Postsugery meningitis by Staphylococcus aureus: comparison between methicillin-sensitive and resistant strains

FUNDAMENTO Y OBJETIVO: En los últimos años se ha descrito con frecuencia creciente casos de meningitis producidas por cepas de Staphylococcus aureus resistentes ameticilina (SARM). Se estudian las características diferenciales tanto clínicas como pronósticas de los pacientes diagnosticados de meningitis posquirúrgicas debidas a SARM y las debidas a Staphylococcus aureus sensibles a meticilina (SASM). PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo, de 1992 a 2002, de 25 episodios de meningitis nosocomial posquirúrgica por Staphylococcus aureus, de los que 13 fueron por SARM. RESULTADOS: Las enfermedades subyacentes más frecuentemente diagnosticadas fueron la hemorragia cerebral (el 50% de los pacientes con SARM y el 46% de los pacientes con SASM) y las neoplasias (el 53% de los pacientes con SARM y el 33% de los pacientes con SASM). En 11 enfermos se recogía el antecedentede tratamiento antibiótico previo (6 de ellos con infección por SARM). Trece de los pacientes eran portadores de catéteres intraventriculares (8 con infecciones por SARM), 5 portaban una derivación ventrículo peritoneal (4 con infecciones por SASM), otros 5 casos presentaban una fístula de líquido cefalorraquídeo (4con infecciones por SARM) y 1 paciente con infección por SASM tenía un catéter epidural. En 15 casos se produjo la curación (7 con SARM), 1 enfermo de cada grupo recidivó y 8 fallecieron a consecuencia directa de la infección (el 27% de los pacientes con SASM yel 38% de los enfermos con SARM). CONCLUSIONES: La presencia de resistencia a la meticilina no parece empeorar el pronóstico de los pacientes con meningitis posquirúrgica por Staphylococcus aureus. Aunque la vancomicina permanece como tratamiento de elección, es posible que nuevos antibióticos de reciente aparición cambien en el futuro el tratamiento de esta entidad

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In recent years, meningitiscaused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus has increased. This study was undertaken to compare the clinical characteristics and prognosis of methicillin-resistantS. aureus (MRSA) postneuro surgical meningitis and methicillin-sensible S. aureus (MSSA) postneuro surgical meningitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five episodes of postneurosurgical meningitis due to S. aureus (13 methicillin-resistant strains) seen during a ten-year period were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Most common underlying diseases were: intracerebral hemorrhage (50% of MRSA patients and46% of MSSA patients) and neoplasm (53% of MRSA patients and 33% of MSSA patients). Eleven patients(6 of them with MRSA infection) had received antibiotic treatment previously. Thirteen patients were carriersof intraventricular catheters (8 with MRSA infection),5 wore a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (4 with infections by MSSA), 5 cases had a CSF leakage (4 with infections by MRSA), and one patient with infection by MSSA wore an epidural catheter. Fiftteen patients were cured (7 with MRSA infection), and 8 died due to the infection (27% with MSSA infection and 38% with MRSA infection). CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of postneuro surgical meningitis by S. aureus does not depend on the presence of resistance to methicillin. Nowadays, the intravenous administration of vancomycin is the treatment of choice in MRSA meningitis