Cellulose acetate microwell plates for high-throughput colorimetric assays.

Single use plasticware (SUP) in scientific, diagnostic, and academic laboratories makes a significant contribution to plastic waste generation worldwide. Polystyrene (PS) microwell plates form a part of this waste. These plates are the backbone of high throughput colorimetric measurements in academic, research, and healthcare settings for detection/quantification of wide-ranging analytes including proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and enzyme activity. Polystyrene (PS) microwell plates serve as a platform for holding samples and reagents, where mixing initiates chemical reaction(s), and the ensuing color changes are quantified using a microplate reader. However, these plates are rarely reused or recycled, contributing to the staggering amounts of plastic waste generated in scientific laboratories. Here, we are reporting the fabrication of cellulose acetate (CA) microwell plates as a greener alternative to non-biodegradable PS plates and we demonstrate their application in colorimetric assays. These easy to fabricate, lighter weight, customizable, and environmentally friendly plates were fabricated in 96- and 384-well formats and made water impermeable through chemical treatment. The plates were tested in three different colorimetric analyses: (i) bicinchoninic acid assay (BCA) for protein quantification; (ii) chymotrypsin (CT) activity assay; and (iii) alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity assay. Color intensities were quantified using a freely available smartphone application, Spotxel® Reader (Sicasys Software GmbH). To benchmark the performance of this platform, the same assays were performed in commercial PS plates too and quantified using a UV/Vis microplate reader. The two systems yielded comparable linear correlation coefficients, LOD and LOQ values, thereby validating the CA plate-cell phone based analytical method. The CA microwell plates, coupled with smart phone optical data capture, provide greener, accessible, and scalable tools for all laboratory settings and are particularly well-suited for resource- and infrastructure-limited environments.

Gallium nanoparticles as novel inhibitors of Aß40 aggregation.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been consistently related to the formation of senile amyloid plaques mainly composed of amyloid ß (Aß) peptides. The toxicity of Aß aggregates has been indicated to be responsible for AD pathology. One scenario to decrease Aß toxicity is the development of effective inhibitors against Aß amyloid formation. In this study, we investigate the effect of gallium nitride nanoparticles (GaN NPs) as inhibitors of Aß40 amyloid formation using a combination of biophysical approaches. Our results show that the lag phase of Aß40 aggregation kinetics is significantly retarded by GaN NPs in a concentration dependent manner, implying the activity of GaN NPs in interfering with the formation of the crucial nucleus during Aß aggregation. Our results also show that GaN NPs can reduce the amyloid fibril elongation rate in the course of the aggregation kinetics. It is speculated that the high polarization characteristics of GaN NPs may provoke a strong interaction between the particles and Aß40 peptide and in this way decrease self-association of the peptide monomers to form amyloids.

FasciDIG. Diagnóstico oportuno y eficaz de fasciolosis humana / FasciDIG. Timely and effective diagnosis of human fasciolosis

El diagnóstico de fasciolosis humana, enfermedad zoonótica causada por el parásito Fasciola hepatica reúne los resultados de las técnicas: concentración por sedimentación (copa-cónica), FasciDIG en heces y FasciDIG en suero, además de los criterios clínico-epidemiológicos. FasciDIG constituye un ensayo inmunoenzimático que detecta antígenos de excreción-secreción de F. hepatica a partir de muestra de suero y heces. Permite diagnosticar la infección en cada una de las formas clínicas de la enfermedad y presenta una sensibilidad diagnóstica superior a las técnicas convencionales que detectan huevos del parásito (copa-cónica), por lo que se consideró oportuno abordar algunos conceptos relacionados con esta técnica inmunodiagnóstica y analizar su aplicabilidad para el diagnóstico oportuno y eficaz de esta parasitosis(AU)

Diagnosis of human fasciolosis, a zoonotic disease caused by the parasite Fasciola hepatica, combines the results of the following techniques: conical cup, feces FasciDIG and serum FasciDIG, as well as clinical-epidemiological criteria. FasciDIG is an enzyme immunoassay that detects F. hepatica excretion / secretion antigens in serum and feces samples. It makes it possible to diagnose infection at each of the clinical stages of the disease with a higher diagnostic sensitivity than conical cup. Therefore, it was considered appropriate to address a number of concepts regarding this immunodiagnostic technique and analyze its applicability in the timely and effective diagnosis of this helminth infection(AU)

Antiprotozoal screening of the Cuban native plant Scutellaria havanensis.

CONTEXT: Scutellaria havanensis Jacq. (Lamiaceae) is a native medicinal herb with a history of use in Cuba. OBJECTIVE: This study screens the antiprotozoal activity of S. havanensis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chloroform and methanol extracts from leaves and stems were evaluated in vitro at doses between 0.015 and 200 µg/mL against protozoan parasites: Plasmodium berghei, Trichomonas vaginalis and Leishmania amazonensis. Chloroform and methanol extracts were characterized by GC/MS. Cytotoxicity against mouse peritoneal macrophages was tested in parallel. RESULTS: Scutellaria havanensis extracts exhibited IC50 values between 7.7 and 32.2 µg/mL against trophozoites of P. berghei and T. vaginalis; while the extracts were inactive against L. amazonensis promastigotes. Trichomonicidal activity of methanol extract exhibited the best selectivity but chloroform extract showed the highest antiplasmodial, trichomonicidal and cytotoxic activity. The majority of compounds in the chloroform extract were hydroxy and/or methoxyflavones (77.96%), in particular, wogonin (48.27%). In methanol extract, wogonin (5.89%) was detected. Trichomonicidal effect of wogonin was moderate (IC50 = 56 µM) and unspecific with respect to macrophages (SI = 2). On the contrary, antiplasmodial activity of wogonin were particularly active (IC50 = 15 µM) demonstrating a higher selectivity index (SI = 7.4). CONCLUSIONS: Wogonin is an active principle compound of the chloroform extract of S. havanensis against P. berghei and T. vaginalis trophozoites, whereas the methanol extract of S. havanensis should be investigated more deeply as a trichomonicide. Our findings suggest that wogonin is potentially useful for the development of antimalarial alternative treatments.

Actividad toxocaricida de plantas cubanas / Anti-Toxocara activity of Cuban plants

Introducción: solo unos pocos medicamentos son efectivos contra los nematodos que migran por los tejidos, como es el caso de Toxocara canis, por lo que se hace necesario que se desarrollen nuevas opciones terapéuticas. Objetivo: determinar el efecto in vitro de extractos de plantas medicinales cubanas contra larvas de T. canis. Métodos: se prepararon extractos hidroalcohólicos de cinco especies de plantas y un extracto enriquecido en alcaloides, de Carica papaya. Todas las especies se han reportado en la medicina tradicional como antiparasitarias. La actividad antihelmíntica se determinó en placas de 96 pozos, mediante el cálculo de la movilidad relativa de las larvas, en tres intervalos de 24 h. Se incluyeron como referencia principios activos de medicamentos usados para el tratamiento de la toxocariasis. Se determinó la actividad citotóxica sobre células MRC-5 de los extractos activos contra las larvas; se usó un ensayo con bromuro de 3-(4,5-dimetiltiazol-2-il)-2,5-difeniltetrazolio. Resultados: el extracto hidroalcohólico de Argemone mexicana y el de C. papaya enriquecido en alcaloides, provocaron movilidades relativas por debajo del 80 por ciento a las 72 h. Se utilizó como dosis 100 µg/mL, por lo que se consideraron activos contra el parásito. Ambos extractos no provocaron citotoxicidad sobre células MRC-5. Los extractos de Aloe vera, Artemisia vulgaris, Centrosema virginianum y Chenopodium ambrosioides no mostraron actividad contra el parásito. Conclusión: se demostró la actividad potencial de los extractos de A. mexicana y C. papaya contra el parásito, lo que apoya la continuidad de los estudios fitoquímicos y farmacológicos(AU)

Introduction: only a few drugs are effective against nematodes moving through tissues like Toxocara canis, a fact that makes it necessary to develop new therapeutic options. Objective: to determine the in vitro effect of Cuban medicinal plants extracts against Toxocara canis larvae.Methods: hydroalcoholic extracts of five plant species and a Carica papaya alkaloid-enriched extract were prepared. All species have been informed by traditional medicine as antiparasitic. The anthelmintic activity was determined in 96 ponds, by calculating the larvae relative mobility, in three 24-hour intervals. Action principles of drugs used for treating toxocariasis were included as reference. They were included as reference used for the treatment of drug toxocariasis. The cytotoxic activity on MRC-5 cells was determined of the extracts active against the larvae. An assay with bromide 3-(4.5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2.5-diphenyltetrazolium was used.Results: the Argemone mexicana and Carica papaya alkaloid-enriched hydroalcoholic extracts provoked relative mobilities less than 80 percent after 72 hours. The dose used was of 100µg/ml, so they were considered active against the parasite. Neither of the extracts caused any cytotoxicity on MRC-5 cells. Aloe vera, Artemisia vulgaris, Centrosema virginianum and Chenopodium ambrosioides extracts did not show any activity against the parasite. Conclusion: the potential activity of Argemone mexicana and Carica papaya extracts against the parasite was demonstrated, supporting the continuity of the phytochemical and pharmacological studies(AU)

Activity of Cuban propolis extracts on Leishmania amazonensis and Trichomonas vaginalis.

In this paper we analyzed the antiprotozoal effects of eighteen Cuban propolis extracts (brown, red and yellow type) collected in different geographic areas, using Leishmania amazonensis (as a model of intracellular protozoa) and Trichomonas vaginalis (as a model of extracellular protozoa). All evaluated propolis extracts caused inhibitory effect on intracellular amastigotes of L. amazonensis. However, cytotoxicity on peritoneal macrophages from BALB/c mice was observed. Only five samples decreased the viability of T. vaginalis trophozoites at concentrations lower than 10 microg/mL. No correlation between the type of propolis and antiprotozoal activity was found. Cuban propolis extracts demonstrated activity against both intracellular and extracellular protozoa model, as well as the potentialities of propolis as a natural source to obtain new antiprotozoal agents.

Estudio de la susceptibilidad al metronidazol en aislamientos cubanos de Trichomonas vaginalis / Study on metronidazole susceptibility in Cuban isolates of Trichomonas vaginalis

La trichomonosis es una infección muy frecuente a nivel mundial con importantes implicaciones médicas y sociales. El metronidazol constituye el fármaco de elección para el tratamiento de esta infección. Sin embargo, se ha demostrado la existencia de cepas del parásito resistentes a este medicamento en varios países. En el nuestro, la mayoría de los fallos de tratamiento parecen deberse al incumplimiento con la terapia indicada o a reinfecciones. No obstante, algunos quedan sin explicación aparente y pudieran estar circulando aislamientos resistentes. El objetivo es determinar la susceptibilidad al metronidazol de aislamientos cubanos de Trichomonas vaginalis. Se estudiaron 40 aislamientos del parásito, procedentes de exudados vaginales de adolescentes, atendidas en hospitales ginecoobstétricos de Ciudad de La Habana. Los aislamientos fueron sometidos a ensayos in vitro, tanto en condiciones anaeróbicas como aeróbicas, para conocer su susceptibilidad o resistencia al metronidazol. Se utilizaron diluciones dobles seriadas de metronidazol entre 400 Ág/mL y 0,2 Ág/mL y el dimetilsulfóxido como solvente. Mediante los ensayos realizados en condiciones aeróbicas se detectaron dos aislamientos resistentes al metronidazol (Tv-352, CLM: 50 Ág/mL y Tv-240, CLM: 200 Ág/mL). Este hallazgo nos alerta acerca de la necesidad de profundizar en las causas de los fallos de tratamiento para hacer una correcta evaluación e imponer el tratamiento adecuado

The trichomoniasis is a very frequent infection at world level with significant medical and social implications. The metronidazole is the choice drug to treat this infection. However, it was demonstrated the existence of parasite strains resistant to this drug in some countries. In Cuba, most of treatment failures seem to be due to the non-fulfillment of prescribed therapy or to reinfections. Nevertheless, some of them remain without an apparent explanation and could be circulating resistant isolates. The objective of the present paper is to determine the susceptibility to metronidazole of the Cuban isolates of Trichomonas vaginalis. Forty isolates of this parasite were studied, from the vaginal exudates of adolescents attended at the gynecobstetrics hospitals of Havana. The isolates underwent in vitro trials under anaerobic and aerobic conditions, to know their susceptibility or resistance to metronidazole. Serial double dilutions of metronidazole between 400 Ág/mL and 0.2 Ág/mL and the dimethylsulfoxide as solvent were used. According to the trials carried out under aerobic conditions, two resistant isolates to metronidazole (Tv-352, CLM: 50 Ág/mL and Tv-240, CLM: 200 Ág/mL) were detected. This finding alerts us about the need to deepen in causes of treatment failures to make an appropriate assessment in order to apply the suitable treatment

Estudio de la susceptibilidad al metronidazol en aislamientos cubanos de Trichomonas vaginalis / Study on metronidazole susceptibility in Cuban isolates of Trichomonas vaginalis

La trichomonosis es una infección muy frecuente a nivel mundial con importantes implicaciones médicas y sociales. El metronidazol constituye el fármaco de elección para el tratamiento de esta infección. Sin embargo, se ha demostrado la existencia de cepas del parásito resistentes a este medicamento en varios países. En el nuestro, la mayoría de los fallos de tratamiento parecen deberse al incumplimiento con la terapia indicada o a reinfecciones. No obstante, algunos quedan sin explicación aparente y pudieran estar circulando aislamientos resistentes. El objetivo es determinar la susceptibilidad al metronidazol de aislamientos cubanos de Trichomonas vaginalis. Se estudiaron 40 aislamientos del parásito, procedentes de exudados vaginales de adolescentes, atendidas en hospitales ginecoobstétricos de Ciudad de La Habana. Los aislamientos fueron sometidos a ensayos in vitro, tanto en condiciones anaeróbicas como aeróbicas, para conocer su susceptibilidad o resistencia al metronidazol. Se utilizaron diluciones dobles seriadas de metronidazol entre 400 Ág/mL y 0,2 Ág/mL y el dimetilsulfóxido como solvente. Mediante los ensayos realizados en condiciones aeróbicas se detectaron dos aislamientos resistentes al metronidazol (Tv-352, CLM: 50 Ág/mL y Tv-240, CLM: 200 Ág/mL). Este hallazgo nos alerta acerca de la necesidad de profundizar en las causas de los fallos de tratamiento para hacer una correcta evaluación e imponer el tratamiento adecuado(AU)

The trichomoniasis is a very frequent infection at world level with significant medical and social implications. The metronidazole is the choice drug to treat this infection. However, it was demonstrated the existence of parasite strains resistant to this drug in some countries. In Cuba, most of treatment failures seem to be due to the non-fulfillment of prescribed therapy or to reinfections. Nevertheless, some of them remain without an apparent explanation and could be circulating resistant isolates. The objective of the present paper is to determine the susceptibility to metronidazole of the Cuban isolates of Trichomonas vaginalis. Forty isolates of this parasite were studied, from the vaginal exudates of adolescents attended at the gynecobstetrics hospitals of Havana. The isolates underwent in vitro trials under anaerobic and aerobic conditions, to know their susceptibility or resistance to metronidazole. Serial double dilutions of metronidazole between 400 Ág/mL and 0.2 Ág/mL and the dimethylsulfoxide as solvent were used. According to the trials carried out under aerobic conditions, two resistant isolates to metronidazole (Tv-352, CLM: 50 Ág/mL and Tv-240, CLM: 200 Ág/mL) were detected. This finding alerts us about the need to deepen in causes of treatment failures to make an appropriate assessment in order to apply the suitable treatment(AU)

Field effect devices and sensors based on electrospun polymer assisted tin oxide nanoribbons.

Electrospinning is presented as a facile method of preparing relatively long tin oxide (SnO2) nanofibers that are robust and stable in air. Upon heat treatment, the fibers collapse into a ribbon-like structure with surfaces that are not smooth, rather, are marked with several interconnected pathways. These nanoribbons were electrically characterized in a field effect transistor configuration in vacuum, with and without ultra violet (UV) light exposure. The resultant variable resistor device exhibits n-type behavior having an on/off ratio of approximately 6000. The devices show a direct response to UV with faster response times upon exposure to longer wavelength light. In the presence of UV, the device conductance and mobility increases, reaching a value approximately 2 cm2/-s for the 364 nm UV light source, comparable to amorphous Si.

Electrical characterization of a single electrospun porous nanostructured tin oxide ribbon.

A single nanostructured porous tin oxide ribbon, with its length, width and thickness of more than 1 mm, around 20 microm and around 20 nm, respectively, were fabricated using electrospinning, and electrically characterized in a temperature range between 300 K and 90 K, a magnetic field range from -9 to 9 T (negative sign stands for the reverse direction), and the environment of air and vacuum. The electrical conductivity (sigma) of the ribbon was found insensitive to magnetic field, but sensitive to temperature and environment. Its response time to air evacuation is 67+7 s. The strong temperature dependence of sigma in vacuum is controlled by the three-dimension variable-range hopping of localized electrons.

Evaluación de la toxicidad de extractos de plantas cubanas con posible acción antiparasitaria utilizando larvas de Artemia salina L. / Evaluation of toxicity of Cuban plant extracts with possible antiparasitic action based on the use of Artemia salina larvae

INTRODUCCIÓN: el ensayo de letalidad de Artemia salina es considerado una herramienta útil para la determinación preliminar de toxicidad de extractos de plantas. En nuestros laboratorios se estudian las potencialidades antiparasitarias de varias especies de plantas. OBJETIVO: evaluar la mortalidad causada por extractos etanólicos de plantas medicinales cubanas sobre larvas de A. salina. MÉTODOS: las larvas de A. salina se expusieron durante 24 h a 4 concentraciones de los 35 extractos etanólicos, pertenecientes a 34 especies de plantas. Se determinó la concentración letal media (CL50), lo cual permitió asignar cada extracto a las categorías de extremadamente tóxico, muy tóxico, moderadamente tóxico y no tóxico. RESULTADOS: del total de extractos evaluados solo 5 (Artemisia absinthium, Luffa cylindrica, Melia azedarach, Melaleuca leucadendron y Simarouba glauca) resultaron extremadamente tóxicos o muy tóxicos, 13 moderadamente tóxicos, mientras que 17 extractos (48,5 %) se clasificaron como no tóxicos al exhibir valores de CL50 superiores a 1 000 µg/mL. CONCLUSIONES: la mayoría de los extractos evaluados mostraron baja toxicidad en este modelo, lo cual resulta favorable. Los 5 extractos de mayor toxicidad no serán incluidos en estudios posteriores.

INTRODUCTION: Artemia salina lethality assay is considered a useful tool to determine preliminary toxicity of plant extracts. In our labs some plant species are studied because of their antiparasitic potentials. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate A. salina nauplii mortality caused by ethanol extracts of Cuban medicinal plants. METHODS: A. salina larvae were exposed to four concentrations of 35 ethanol extracts from 34 plant species, for 24 hours. Mean Lethal Concentration (LC50) was determined to classify each extract into the categories of extremely toxic, highly toxic, mildly toxic or non toxic. RESULTS: out of the tested extracts, only 5 (Artemisia absinthium, Luffa cylindrica, Melia azedarach, Melaleuca leucadendron and Simarouba glauca) were classified as extremely or highly toxic, 13 as mildly toxic whereas 17 extracts (48,5 %) were non toxic exhibiting LC50 values over 1 000 µg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: most of the evaluated extracts showed low toxicity, which is a positive result. The five extremely toxic extracts will not be included in further studies.

Evaluación de la toxicidad de extractos de plantas cubanas con posible acción antiparasitaria utilizando larvas de Artemia salina L / Evaluation of toxicity of Cuban plant extracts with possible antiparasitic action based on the use of Artemia salina larvae

INTRODUCCIÓN: el ensayo de letalidad de Artemia salina es considerado una herramienta útil para la determinación preliminar de toxicidad de extractos de plantas. En nuestros laboratorios se estudian las potencialidades antiparasitarias de varias especies de plantas. OBJETIVO: evaluar la mortalidad causada por extractos etanólicos de plantas medicinales cubanas sobre larvas de A. salina. MÉTODOS: las larvas de A. salina se expusieron durante 24 h a 4 concentraciones de los 35 extractos etanólicos, pertenecientes a 34 especies de plantas. Se determinó la concentración letal media (CL50), lo cual permitió asignar cada extracto a las categorías de extremadamente tóxico, muy tóxico, moderadamente tóxico y no tóxico. RESULTADOS: del total de extractos evaluados solo 5 (Artemisia absinthium, Luffa cylindrica, Melia azedarach, Melaleuca leucadendron y Simarouba glauca) resultaron extremadamente tóxicos o muy tóxicos, 13 moderadamente tóxicos, mientras que 17 extractos (48,5 por ciento) se clasificaron como no tóxicos al exhibir valores de CL50 superiores a 1 000 µg/mL. CONCLUSIONES: la mayoría de los extractos evaluados mostraron baja toxicidad en este modelo, lo cual resulta favorable. Los 5 extractos de mayor toxicidad no serán incluidos en estudios posteriores(AU)

INTRODUCTION: Artemia salina lethality assay is considered a useful tool to determine preliminary toxicity of plant extracts. In our labs some plant species are studied because of their antiparasitic potentials. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate A. salina nauplii mortality caused by ethanol extracts of Cuban medicinal plants. METHODS: A. salina larvae were exposed to four concentrations of 35 ethanol extracts from 34 plant species, for 24 hours. Mean Lethal Concentration (LC50) was determined to classify each extract into the categories of extremely toxic, highly toxic, mildly toxic or non toxic. RESULTS: out of the tested extracts, only 5 (Artemisia absinthium, Luffa cylindrica, Melia azedarach, Melaleuca leucadendron and Simarouba glauca) were classified as extremely or highly toxic, 13 as mildly toxic whereas 17 extracts (48,5 percent) were non toxic exhibiting LC50 values over 1 000 µg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: most of the evaluated extracts showed low toxicity, which is a positive result. The five extremely toxic extracts will not be included in further studies(AU)

Infección humana por Trichomonas vaginalis y su relación con otros agentes patógenos / Human infection from Trichomonas vaginalis and its relation to other pathogen agent

Trichomonas vaginalis es un protozooo flagelado causante de la trichomonosis urogenital en humanos. La asociación y coexistencia de T. vaginalis con otros agentes patógenos causantes de infecciones de transmisión sexual es bastante común. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura, incluyendo las últimas publicaciones sobre las principales manifestaciones clínicas de T. vaginalis y su relación con otros agentes de transmisión sexual (AU)

Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellate protozoon causing urogenital trichomoniasis in humans. Association and co-existence of T. vaginalis with other pathogen agents causing of sexually transmitted infections is fairly common. A bibliographic review was carried out including the last publications on the main clinical manifestations from T. vaginalis, and its relation to other sexual transmission agents (AU)

Infección humana por Trichomonas vaginalis y su relación con otros agentes patógenos / Human infection from Trichomonas vaginalis and its relation to other pathogen agent

Trichomonas vaginalis es un protozooo flagelado causante de la trichomonosis urogenital en humanos. La asociación y coexistencia de T. vaginalis con otros agentes patógenos causantes de infecciones de transmisión sexual es bastante común. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura, incluyendo las últimas publicaciones sobre las principales manifestaciones clínicas de T. vaginalis y su relación con otros agentes de transmisión sexual

Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellate protozoon causing urogenital trichomoniasis in humans. Association and co-existence of T. vaginalis with other pathogen agents causing of sexually transmitted infections is fairly common. A bibliographic review was carried out including the last publications on the main clinical manifestations from T. vaginalis, and its relation to other sexual transmission agents

Propiedades antiprotozoarias de aceites esenciales extraídos de plantas cubanas / Antipreotozoan properties of essential oils extracted from Cuban plants

Se evaluó la actividad antiprotozoaria del aceite esencial extraído de Artemisia abrotanum, Chenopodium ambrosioides, Pinus caribaea, Piper aduncum y Piper auritum. Los aceites evaluados no mostraron actividad contra L. amazonensis; sin embargo, frente a Trichomonas vaginalis el aceite extraído de C. ambrosioides mostró una actividad promisoria con una concentración mínima inhibitoria de 25 mg/mL.

The antiprotozoan activity of the essential oil extracted from Artemisa abrotanum, Chenopodium ambrosioides, Pinus caribaea, Piper aduncum and Piper auritum, was evaluated. The evaluated oils did not show activity against L. amozonensis; however, the oil extracted from C. ambrosoides showed a promising activity against Trichomonas vaginalis with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 25 mg/mL.

Propiedades antiprotozoarias de aceites esenciales extraídos de plantas cubanas / Antipreotozoan properties of essential oils extracted from Cuban plants

Se evaluó la actividad antiprotozoaria del aceite esencial extraído de Artemisia abrotanum, Chenopodium ambrosioides, Pinus caribaea, Piper aduncum y Piper auritum. Los aceites evaluados no mostraron actividad contra L. amazonensis; sin embargo, frente a Trichomonas vaginalis el aceite extraído de C. ambrosioides mostró una actividad promisoria con una concentración mínima inhibitoria de 25 mg/mL(AU)

Comportamiento de la trichomonosis vaginal en un grupo de adolescente

Se estudió un total de 275 adolescentes en las edades comprendidas entre 10 y 19 años procedentes de la consulta infanto-juvenil, de interrupción de embarazos y de infecciones de transmisión sexual del Hospital Docente Ginecoobstérico "Ramón González Coro" y el Hospital "Eusebio Hernández", ambos de Ciudad de La Habana, en el período comprendido de agosto de 1999 a septiembre de 2000, para conocer el comportamiento de la infección por Trichomonas vaginalis en este grupo poblacional. Se reportó 18,1 % de positividad a la parasitosis. Se demostró mediante el cálculo de riesgo relativo que las adolescentes que presentaron una infección activa o pasada por Trichomonas vaginalis tenían más posibilidades de contraer una infección por Papiloma virus humano que las que no presentaban esta condición. Se pudo comprobar que 78 (28,3 %) del total de pacientes examinadas presentaron algún tipo de lesión en el cuello uterino. Se dan a conocer algunos factores de riesgo como el no uso de condón, el tener múltiples parejas sexuales así como el comienzo precoz de las relaciones sexuales; los cuales pueden facilitar la adquisición de esta parasitosis en una población tan vulnerable como son las adolescentes.

275 adolescents aged 10-19 receiving attention at the infantojuvenile department of pregnancy interruption and of sexually transmitted infections of "Ramón Gonzalez Coro" and "Eusebio Hernández" Gynecoobstetric Teaching Hospitals, both in Havana City, were studied from August, 1999, to September, 2000, aimed at knowing the behavior of the infection caused by Trichomonas vaginalis in this population group. The results yielded 18.1 % of positivity to parasitosis. It was proved by the calculation of relative risk that the adolescents that had an active or past infection due to Trichomonas vaginalis have more possibilities of getting an infection produced by human Papilomavirus than those without this condition. It was demonstrated that 78 (28.3 %) of the total of patients examined had some type of lesion in the uterine cervix Some risk factors as non using condon, having multiple sexual partners and the early beginning of sexual relations, which may facilitate the adquisition of this parasitosis in a population so vulnerable as the adolescents, were made known..

[Behavior of vaginal trichomoniasis in a group of adolescents]. / Comportamiento de la trichomonosis vaginal en un grupo de adolescentes.

275 adolescents aged 10-19 receiving attention at the infantojuvenile department of pregnancy interruption and of sexually transmitted infections of "Ramón Gonzalez Coro" and "Eusebio Hernández" Gynecoobstetric Teaching Hospitals, both in Havana City, were studied from August, 1999, to September, 2000, aimed at knowing the behavior of the infection caused by Trichomonas vaginalis in this population group. The results yielded 18.1 % of positivity to parasitosis. It was proved by the calculation of relative risk that the adolescents that had an active or past infection due to Trichomonas vaginalis have more possibilities of getting an infection produced by human Papilomavirus than those without this condition. It was demonstrated that 78 (28.3 %) of the total of patients examined had some type of lesion in the uterine cervix. Some risk factors as non using condon, having multiple sexual partners and the early beginning of sexual relations, which may facilitate the adquisition of this parasitosis in a population so vulnerable as the adolescents, were made known.

Frecuencia de infección por trichomonas vaginalis en parejas con trastornos de la fertilidad / Infection frequency for trichomonas vaginalis in even with dysfunctions of the fertility

Se estudió un total de 172 parejas que acudieron por primera vez a la consulta de infertilidad del Instituto Nacional de Endocrinología, en el período comprendido entre junio de 1999 y junio del 2000, con el objetivo de dar a conocer la frecuencia de infección por Trichomonas vaginalis en este grupo de estudio, así como determinar su interacción con diferentes variables clínica y de riesgo. Los resultados arrojaron 10,5 por ciento de positividad al parásito, el síntoma predominante fue la leucorrea en las mujeres y en los hombres 96,6 por ciento resultaron asintomáticos. Resultó ser altamente significativo (con un riesgo relativo de 4,04 y 10,54 en el sexo masculino y femenino, respectivamente) el hecho de tener antecedentes patológicos personales que pudieran estar relacionados con las causas de infertilidad y la presencia actual de T. vaginalis. Las asociaciones más frecuentes de este protozoario fueron con Candida sp. y agentes causales de vaginosis bacteriana en las mujeres y con Haemophilus influenzae en los hombres. Este protozoo parece desempeñar un importante papel como posible agente causal a tener en cuenta en los trastornos de la fertilidad(AU)