Predictores del comportamiento de automanejo en personas con enfermedades crónicas de Tamaulipas / Self-management behavior predictors among persons with chronic diseases in Tamaulipas / Preditores do comportamento de automanejo em pessoas com doenças crônicas de Tamaulipas

Resumen Introducción: Dado el carácter prioritario de atención a las enfermedades no transmisibles, la Organización Mundial de la Salud propuso el Modelo de Cuidados Crónicos. En este modelo incluye el automanejo como un elemento principal en el combate de dichas enfermedades. Objetivo: Identificar las variables predictoras del comportamiento de automanejo en usuarios con Diabetes Mellitus, Hipertensión Arterial y Obesidad. Métodos: La muestra no probabilística e intencional fue de 386 usuarios de la Secretaría de Salud de Tamaulipas (Ciudad Victoria y Tampico). El diseño de estudio fue no experimental, transversal. Resultados: casi la mitad (42.2%) de los participantes con ECNT refieren síntomas de trastorno depresivo en el continuo de leve a grave, la categoría que obtuvo mayor porcentaje de IMC fue sobrepeso con 33.2% y más de un tercio de la población (36.8%) percibe algún grado de disfunción familiar. Así también se aplicó un análisis de Regresión Lineal Múltiple con el método de pasos, el modelo indica que fueron siete predictores del comportamiento de Automanejo (varianza explicada R2=.325); la variable autoeficacia fue el más importante (β=38) y el apoyo social percibido el predictor con carga más baja (β=.10). Conclusiones: estos predictores representan elementos importantes para ampliar el conocimiento y entender el comportamiento del automanejo, área que es promovida en el modelo de atención a crónicos de la Organización Mundial de la Salud y en la actualidad es liderada por el área de enfermería.

Abstract Introduction: Considering the priority regarding the attention of non transmissible diseases, the World Health Organization proposed the Chronic Care Model which, by encompassing self-management as one main element, is intended to address these diseases. Objective: To identify predictor variables related to behavior on self-management among patients with Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, and Obesity. Methods: The intentional and non probabilistic simple included 386 patients from the Health Secretariat in Tamaulipas, Mexico (Ciudad Victoria and Tampico). The study design was non experimental and transversal. Results: About half (42.2%) of the participants with Chronic Non Transmissible diseases referred having depressive disorder ranging from mild to severe. Regarding the BMI, 33.2% showed overweight. Moreover, 36.8% perceived some degree of family dysfunction. A Multiple Linear Regression was calculated. The model indicated that there were seven predictors of the behavior on self-management (explained variance R2 =.325); being self-efficacy the most important (β=38), and perceived social support the lowest in load (β=.10). Conclusions: These predictors represent important elements to consider when building on the knowledge and understanding the behavior related to self-management, an area which is highlighted in the Chronic Care Model of the World Health Organization, particularly within nursing.

Resumo Introdução: Dado o caráter prioritário de atenção às doenças não transferíveis, a Organização Mundial da Saúde propôs o Modelo de Cuidados Crônicos. Neste modelo inclui-se o automanejo como um elemento principal no combate de tais doenças. Objetivo: identificar as variáveis preditoras do comportamento de automanejo em usuários com Diabetes Mellitus, Hipertensão Arterial e Obesidade. Métodos: A amostra não probabilística e intencional foi de 386 usuários da Secretaría de Salud de Tamaulipas (Ciudad Victoria e Tampico). O desenho de estudo foi não experimental, transversal. Resultados: quase a metade (42.2%) dos participantes com ECNT referem sintomas de transtorno depressivo no continuo de leve a grave, a categoria que obteve maior porcentagem de IMC foi sobrepeso com 33.2% e mais de um terço da população (36.8%) percebe algum grau de disfunção familiar. Assim também se aplicou uma análise de Regressão Linear Múltipla com o método de passos, o modelo indica que foram sete preditores do comportamento de Automanejo (variância explicada R 2 =.325); a variável autoeficácia foi a mais importante (β=38) no apoio social percebido e o preditor com carga mais baixa (β=.10). Conclusões: estes preditores representam elementos importantes para ampliar o conhecimento e entender o comportamento de automanejo, área que é promovida no modelo de atenção a crônicos da Organização Mundial da Saúde e na atualidade é liderada pela área de enfermagem.

Total intravenous anesthesia for aortic aneurysm replacement surgery in a patient with limb-girdle dystrophy / Anestesia total intravenosa para sustitución de aorta ascendente por aneurisma en paciente con distrofia muscular de cinturas

We report the anesthetic management with total intravenous anesthesia of a 61-year-old male diagnosed with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy admitted for replacement of ascending aorta due to an aortic aneurysm. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy belongs to a genetically heterogeneous group of muscular dystrophies involving shoulder and hip girdles. Although the risk of malignant hyperthermia does not seem to be increased in these patients compared with the general population, the exposure to inhaled anesthetics and succinylcholine should probably be avoided because these patients have a predisposition to hyperkalemia and rhabdomyolysis. We chose to use total intravenous anesthesia with propofol, remifentanil and muscle relaxants to reduce oxygen consumption, and later to reduce the doses of propofol and remifentanil. The combination of a carefully planned anesthetic strategy, anesthetic depth, and neuromuscular blockade monitoring is explained (AU)

Presentamos el tratamiento anestésico con anestesia total intravenosa de un varón de 61 años diagnosticado de distrofia muscular de cinturas para sustitución de aorta ascendente por aneurisma aórtico. La distrofia muscular de cinturas es un grupo genéticamente heterogéneo de distrofias musculares que afecta predominantemente la cintura escapular y pélvica. Aunque el riesgo de hipertermia maligna no parece estar aumentado en estos pacientes en comparación con la población general, la exposición a anestésicos inhalatorios y succinilcolina probablemente deba evitarse ya que existe una predisposición a la hiperpotasemia y rabdomiólisis. Utilizamos anestesia intravenosa total con propofol y remifentanilo, además de bloqueanttes musculares durante el procedimiento quirúrgico, para reducir el consumo de oxígeno y minimizar las dosis de propofol y remifentanilo. La combinación de una estrategia anestésica cuidadosa, monitorización de bloqueo neuromuscular y profundidad anestésica se describen a continuación (AU)

[Iliac aneurysm rupture during preconditioning with levosimendan for coronary artery bypass graft]. / Rotura de aneurisma ilíaco durante el precondicionamiento con levosimendán previo a cirugía de revascularización coronaria.

We present the case of a 77 year-old patient scheduled for coronary artery bypass. During the infusion of levosimendan as preconditioning for surgery, a rupture of right common iliac artery occurred. Surgery was delayed and an urgent aorto-bifemoral bypass was performed. We believe that the rupture of the artery was triggered by an increase in transmural pressure due to the inotropic effects of levosimendan in a dilated diseased vessel. To our knowledge, there are no cases of aneurysm rupture as a complication during levosimendan infusion, but the coincidence of events in time strongly suggests some kind of causal relationship.

Total intravenous anesthesia for aortic aneurysm replacement surgery in a patient with limb-girdle dystrophy.

We report the anesthetic management with total intravenous anesthesia of a 61-year-old male diagnosed with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy admitted for replacement of ascending aorta due to an aortic aneurysm. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy belongs to a genetically heterogeneous group of muscular dystrophies involving shoulder and hip girdles. Although the risk of malignant hyperthermia does not seem to be increased in these patients compared with the general population, the exposure to inhaled anesthetics and succinylcholine should probably be avoided because these patients have a predisposition to hyperkalemia and rhabdomyolysis. We chose to use total intravenous anesthesia with propofol, remifentanil and muscle relaxants to reduce oxygen consumption, and later to reduce the doses of propofol and remifentanil. The combination of a carefully planned anesthetic strategy, anesthetic depth, and neuromuscular blockade monitoring is explained.

Características mecánicas dinámicas del fémur aislado de perro, sometido a prueba de impacto / Dynamic mechanical characteristics of the isolated dog femur, subjected to impact test

El presente trabajo tiene el propósito de brindar información acerca del comportamiento biomecánico del fémur de perro sometido a cargas dinámicas. El objetivo es evaluar la resistencia del fémur frente al impacto, mediante el Método de Ensayo Charpy, relacionando dicha resistencia con las áreas: total, cortical y cavidad medular del hueso, comparándola entre edad y sexo diferentes. Se utilizaron fémur de perro en condiciones aisladas, extraídos postmortem de 30 animales mestizos adultos, provenientes del servicio de zoonosis de la ciudad de Río Cuarto. Se determinó en los fémures derecho e izquierdo: peso y longitud total del hueso, diámetro cráneo-caudal y latero-medial en la mitad de la diáfisis. El fémur izquierdo fue osteotomizado transversalmente en la mitad de su diáfisis. En la superficie de sección se medió espesor de la cortical y diámetro medular. Se obtuvo el área de sección total, cortical y medular. El fémur del miembro pélvico derecho fue sometido al Método de Ensayo Charpy. Los resultados obtenidos fueron analizados estadísticamente encontrándose que el área cortical depende linealmente de la longitud del hueso (r=0,62, p= 0,00025); la resistencia del hueso depende de las áreas cortical (r=0,71, p= 0,000012) y área total (global) (r=0,63, p= 0,00021) y no del área medular (r=0,29, p= 0,12). El análisis exploratorio muestra que no existirían diferencias acerca de la influencia de la edad y el sexo sobre la resistencia del fémur. Tras estos resultados se puede inferir que a medida que aumenta el área cortical aumenta la energía de impacto absorbida.

This paper is intended to provide information about biomechanical behavior femur at impact using the Charpy test method relating the resistance in the following areas: total, cortical and medullary bone cavity, comparing these between different ages and sexes. Dog femors were used in isolated conditions, removed postmortem from 30 adult animals, defined raceless, from the zoonoses service of the city of Rio Cuarto. Weight, total bone length, cranio-caudal diameter and lateral medial half of the diaphysis, were determined in the left and right femur. The left femur was osteotomized transversely in the middle of the diaphysis. In the sectional area thickness of the cortical and medullary diameters were measured. We obtained the total sectional area, cortical and medullary. The femur of the right lower limb was subjected to the Charpy test method. Results were statistically analyzed and found that cortical area depends linearly on the length of the bone (r=0.62, p=0.00025), bone strength depends on the cortical areas (r=0.71, p=0.00012) and total (global) areas (r=0.63, p=0.00021) and not of the medullary area (r=0.29, p=0.12). Exploratory analysis showed that no difference existed regarding age and sex influence on the strength of the femur. Following these results we can infer that as cortical area increases, the impact energy absorbed also increases.

[Evaluation of 2 invasive techniques for treating myofascial pain]. / Evaluación de dos técnicas invasivas en el tratamiento del dolor miofascial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of 2 invasive techniques for treating myofascial pain: trigger point acupuncture and 1% lidocaine infiltration of trigger points. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomized to 2 groups for evaluation at our pain clinic over a period of 7 months. Each patient had 4 treatment sessions. Response was evaluated on a visual analog scale (VAS) and by means of the Lattinen test. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were enrolled. Eleven underwent acupuncture and 10 received lidocaine infiltrations. When post-treatment pain was assessed, the mean (SD) VAS scores fell from 5.50 (2.08) to 2.45 (2.05) in the acupuncture group and from 4.8 (2.03) to 2.2 (1.91) in the lidocaine group. Lattinen test scores also fell, from 10.63 (2.69) to 8.54 (3.14) in the acupuncture group and from 10.9 (1.59) to 8.60 (2.63) in the lidocaine group. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Both acupuncture and lidocaine infiltration of trigger points were effective in reducing pain intensity after treatment and in improving quality of life. One method could not be shown to be better than the other for treating myofascial pain.

Evaluación de dos técnicas invasivas en el tratamiento del dolor miofascial / Evaluation of 2 invasive techniques for treating myofascial pain

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la eficacia de dos técnicas invasivasen el tratamiento del dolor miofascial: punción depuntos gatillo con aguja de acupuntura e infiltración delos mismos con lidocaína al 1%.MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se distribuyó a los pacientesaleatoriamente en ambos grupos, de los evaluados duranteun periodo de 7 meses en la Unidad del Dolor y quecumplían los criterios de inclusión. Se practicaron cuatrosesiones por paciente, evaluando la respuesta mediante laEscala Visual Analógica (EVA) y el test de Lattinen.RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 21 pacientes. Once fueronpinchados con aguja de acupuntura y 10 se infiltraroncon lidocaína. Se objetivó una disminución en la puntuaciónen la EVA al final de ambos tratamientos. Los valoresfueron 5,50 ± 2,08 disminuyendo a 2,45 ± 2,05 en elgrupo acupuntura, y 4,8 ± 2,03 disminuyendo a 2,20 ±1,91 en el grupo lidocaína. También se redujo la puntuaciónen el test de Lattinen de 10,63 ± 2,69 a 8,54 ± 3,14con aguja de acupuntura y de 10,9 ± 1,59 a 8,60 ± 2,63con lidocaína. No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativaen ambas escalas (visual analógica y test deLattinen) entre ambas técnicas.CONCLUSIÓN: Tanto la punción con aguja de acupunturacomo la infiltración con lidocaína demostraron sereficaces en la disminución de la intensidad del dolor alfinal del tratamiento, así como en su influencia en lacalidad de vida, no pudiendo determinar en este grupode pacientes que un método sea superior a otro en el tratamientodel dolor miofascial(AU)

OBJETIVE: To assess the efficacy of 2 invasivetechniques for treating myofascial pain: trigger pointacupuncture and 1% lidocaine infiltration of triggerpoints.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients who met theinclusion criteria were randomized to 2 groups forevaluation at our pain clinic over a period of 7 months.Each patient had 4 treatment sessions. Response wasevaluated on a visual analog scale (VAS) and by meansof the Lattinen test.RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were enrolled. Elevenunderwent acupuncture and 10 received lidocaineinfiltrations. When post-treatment pain was assessed,the mean (SD) VAS scores fell from 5.50 (2.08) to 2.45(2.05) in the acupuncture group and from 4.8 (2.03) to2.2 (1.91) in the lidocaine group. Lattinen test scoresalso fell, from 10.63 (2.69) to 8.54 (3.14) in theacupuncture group and from 10.9 (1.59) to 8.60 (2.63) inthe lidocaine group. There were no statisticallysignificant differences between the 2 treatment groups.CONCLUSION: Both acupuncture and lidocaineinfiltration of trigger points were effective in reducingpain intensity after treatment and in improving qualityof life. One method could not be shown to be better thanthe other for treating myofascial pain(AU)

Endocarditis precoz sobre catéter endovenoso central / No disponible

No disponible

Análisis multivariado aplicado a la etapa de deshidratación en la técnica de plastinación del riñón de caballo / Multivaried analysis applied at the stage of dehydration in the plastination technique in horse´s kidney

La Plastinación es la técnica más moderna para la conservación de piezas anatómicas y especímenes. Esta técnica consta de cuatro etapas: fijación, deshidratación, impregnación forzada y curado. Este trabajo pretende mejorar la eficiencia en la producción de órganos plastinados mediante la técnica de Plastinación estándar denominada S 10. Se utilizaron riñones de equinos mestizos criollos provenientes del Frigorífico Aimar S/A, ubicado en la zona rural de Río Cuarto. Luego de realizar la fijación del órgano con formalina se procedió a deshidratarlo. La deshidratación se llevó a cabo en tres sub-etapas donde en cada una de ellas se trabajó a la misma temperatura y se utilizó como solvente una solución de acetona en diferentes concentraciones. Las mediciones se realizaron con acetómetro registrándose el tiempo insumido para lograr la deshidratación. Los datos se analizaron estadísticamente por medio de: análisis de la varianza multivariada y análisis de correlación simple utilizando el paquete estadístico InfoStat. Los resultados muestran que los tiempos de deshidratación se ven influenciados por la edad del animal pero no por la posición ni por el peso del órgano.

Plastination is the most modern technique for the preservation of anatomical pieces and specimens. This technique consists of four stages: fixation, dehydration, forced impregnation, and cured. This research aims at improving the efficiency of production plastinated organs through the standard technique known as S10. Kidneys of criole mestizo equines from Frigorifico Aimar S.A placed in the rural area of Rio IV were used. After binding the organ with formalin, it was dehydrated. The dehydration was carried out in three sub-stages working at the same temperature, and a solvent composed of solution of acetone of different concentrations was used. The measurements were analysed with acetometer, keeping register of the time consumption to reach dehydration. The resulting data was statistically analysed using Infostat program. Results showed that the time consumed to reach dehydration was influenced by the horses age but not by the kidney's weight, there were no significant differences between right and left kidneys neither.

Mycobiota from Cyclamen persicum and its interaction with Botrytis cinerea.

Sixty-six fungi isolated from cyclamen phylloplanes were identified and assessed in vitro for antagonism to B. cinerea on leaves, petals, petioles and peduncles. The estimation of pathogen conidial production was used as indicator of biocontrol ability of each of the strains. They were classified by cluster analysis resulting in four categories according to their behavior in the different organs. The most promising category included 34 isolates that significantly reduced pathogen inoculum in all the organs. Correspondence analysis showed association among leaf isolations, strains of Clonostachys rosea and Penicillium spp. and the best biocontrol performance. The statistical analysis was successful in dealing with this complex set of experimental data. Leaf fungal diversity was higher than those of petals and petiols, with Shannon values of 2.7, 0.9 and 0.5 respectively. Evidence for antibiosis and hyperparasitism was found for C. rosea.

Nigrospora sphaerica Causing Leaf Spot and Twig and Shoot Blight on Blueberry: A New Host of the Pathogen.

Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) have recently become an important alternative crop in different ecological regions of Argentina. In surveys, a new disease characterized by leaf spots and twig and shoot blight has been observed on plants cultivated in Arrecifes, Mercedes, and San Pedro (provinces of Buenos Aires) and Concordia (province of Entre Ríos) since July 2004. Spots initially appear brown, circular, 1 to 2 mm in diameter, and irregularly distributed on the leaves and they eventually coalesce. Fruiting twig and shoot blight developed from the tips toward the base. Affected plants of cvs. O'Neal and Reveille were distributed randomly in the field and with a low incidence (average of 2%). The objective of this work was to identify the causal agent of this disease. Symptomatic plant material was surface disinfested with 0.2% NaOCl for 1 min and 70% ethanol for 1 min, washed once with sterile distilled water, blotted dry with paper towels, and plated on potato dextrose agar. Colonies were initially white, becoming light to dark gray with the onset of sporulation with black, sphaerical to subsphaerical conidia that measured 14 to 19 × 12 to 16 µm. These characteristics agree with published descriptions of Nigrospora sphaerica (Sacc.) Mason (1,4). To evaluate pathogenicity, all leaves, petioles, and stems of seven healthy potted plants of cv. O'Neal were punctured with flamed needles and sprayed with a suspension of 1 × 108 spores of the fungus per milliliter of sterile distilled water. Another seven nonwounded plants were sprayed with the spore suspension. Seven plants similarly injured and seven nonwounded plants were sprayed with sterile distilled water and served as controls. Each plant was covered with a water-sprayed polyethylene bag and maintained in a controlled environment chamber at 20°C with a 12-h photoperiod. The bags were removed after 3 days. All wounded inoculated plants began to show disease symptoms similar to those observed in the field 20 days after inoculation. Controls and nonwounded inoculated plants remained symptomless. The pathogen was reisolated from diseased tissues fulfilling Koch's postulates. N. sphaerica is a well-known saprophyte on many plant species but has been mentioned as pathogen on many hosts (2,3). To our knowledge, this is the first reference of N. sphaerica as a wound pathogen of blueberry. In the field, the fungus would have gained access to the plant through wounds caused by insects or frost after a long-term wetness duration. References: (1) M. B. Ellis. Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. CMI, Kew, Surrey, UK, 1971. (2) D. F. Farr et al. Fungi on Plants and Plant Products in the United States. American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 1989. (3) D. F. Farr et al. Fungal Databases. Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory. Online publication. ARS, USDA. 2007. (4) E. W. Mason. Trans. Brit. Mycol. Soc. 12:152, 1927.

Occurrence of Blight Caused by Sclerotium rolfsii on Lolium perenne in Argentina.

A perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) lawn located at Castelar (Buenos Aires Province) showed disease symptoms during the summer of 2003. Chlorotic patches as much as 15 cm in diameter appeared on the lawn. Later, dead plants with white mycelia developing on the crown and surrounding soil occurred at the periphery of the rings. Plants showed leaf chlorosis and crown and root rot. No sclerotia developed on plant organs. Diseased plants were collected, washed with running tap water for 4 h, and disinfested in 5% NaOCl for 2 min. Pieces, 3 to 5 mm long from symptomatic leaves, crowns, and roots, were incubated on 2% potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 22 to 25°C with a 12-h light/dark cycle. Mycelia growing on the soil surface was transferred to PDA and incubated under the same conditions. After 3 to 4 days, white, conspicuous mycelia that produced sclerotia grew from diseased tissue pieces and soil mycelial samples. Sclerotia were nearly spherical, 1 to 2 mm in diameter, white but turning brown with age, and produced in large numbers over the entire colony surface. Primary hyphae showed clamp connections at the septa. A pathogenicity test was performed with 20 1-month-old plants of L. perenne grown in a 1:1 (v/v) mixture of sand and soil contained in 24- × 17- × 4-cm plastic trays. Seven-day-old fungal cultures grown on PDA were cut into 1- cm2 pieces and placed among the plants on the substrate. Each tray was inoculated with seven inoculum pieces. Five trays of plants were inoculated with the fungus, and plants in five trays that served as controls had only sterile pieces of PDA placed on the substrate. All plants were maintained at 25°C and watered frequently. First symptoms, consisting of chlorosis, were observed 4 days after inoculation. Of the plants, 34, 59, 60, 65, and 70% developed symptoms 6, 9, 14, 17, and 21 days after inoculation, respectively. Control plants remained healthy. The fungus was reisolated from diseased plants and identified as Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. (teleomorph Athelia rolfsii (Curzi) C.C. Tu & Kimbr.) on the basis of morphological and cultural characteristics (3,4). The disease has been observed causing stalk rot on perennial ryegrass in the United States (1) and Australia (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. rolfsii causing disease on L. perenne in Argentina. References: (1) D. F. Farr et al. Fungi on Plants and Plant Products in the United States. The American Phytopathological Society. St. Paul, MN. 1989. (2) D. F. Farr et al. Fungal Databases. Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory. Online publication. ARS, USDA, 2007. (3) J. E. M. Mordue. No. 410 in: Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi and Bacteria. CMI, Kew, UK, 1974. (4) Z. K. Punja and A. Damiani. Mycologia 88:694, 1996.

Basal Rot of Hylocereus undatus Caused by Fusarium oxysporum in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Night-blooming cereus (Hylocereus undatus A. Berger) is generally used as rootstock of ornamental cactus because of its rapid growth and tolerance to humid substrates. Since 2002, in Gran Buenos Aires, a new disease has been observed in grafted crops in all production stages. Incidence was as much as 30% in many greenhouses. Symptoms consisted of soft rot that started near the soil line and developed upward until it affected all the rootstock. The scion was not rotten, but died as a consequence of rootstock infection. All the roots were symptomless. For pathogen isolation, symptomatic tissues were surface disinfected by a 1-min immersion in 0.2% NaOCl, placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA), and incubated at 22 ± 2°C. Only a Fusarium spp. was consistently isolated in pure culture. Twenty healthy potted night-blooming cereus plants, 10 of them previously injured with needles on the rootstock near the soil line, were gently removed from the substrate and inoculated by a 1-min immersion of their base in a suspension of 1.4 × 106 conidia per ml of sterile distilled water, prepared from 15-day-old cultures. Ten control plants, five of them previously injured, were immersed in sterile distilled water. Inoculated and noninoculated plants were replanted in the original substrate, placed in a climatic chamber at 22 ± 2°C, and monitored for disease expression. Basal rot was observed on all injured inoculated plants 12 days after inoculation. Symptoms on undamaged plants appeared 22 days after inoculation. After 72 days of incubation, all inoculated plants were totally rotten. Control plants remained symptomless. The same pathogen was reisolated to fulfill Koch's postulates. For species identification, single-spore cultures were grown on PDA and carnation leaf agar in a climatic chamber at 23 ± 2°C with a 12-h darkness/near ultraviolet light regimen. The micromorphology and culture features, mainly conidial ontogeny, were consistent with descriptions of Fusarium oxysporum Schlechtend.:Fr. (1). The pathogen was able to penetrate undamaged tissues. Needle injuries accelerated infection. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Fusarium oxysporum on H. undatus in Gran Buenos Aires, Argentina. A culture of the pathogen was deposited at the fungal collection of PRHIDEB-CONICET (University of Buenos Aires) as BAFCult 3158. Reference: (1) P. E. Nelson et al. Fusarium species. An Illustrated Manual for Identification. The Pennsylvania State University Press, University Park, PA, 1983.

First Report of Botrytis Gray Mold on Common Calla Lily in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Common calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica (L.) Spreng., family Araceae) is an evergreen herbaceous South African ornamental plant that forms a tuft of fleshy-stalked, glossy, dark green leaves. At bloom during the summertime, large, funnel-shaped, waxy-white spaths that surround a bright yellow spadix form at the end of high stalks. In August 2003, large, irregular brown spots with a 3- to 4-mm yellow halo were observed on leaves of 10 plants growing near Japanese quince shrubs (Chaenomeles lagenaria (Loisel.) Koidz.) in Escobar, Buenos Aires. Debris of Japanese quince petals were attached to the center of the lesions with profuse sporulation of Botrytis cinerea Pers. (1). Pathogen spores were disposed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 22°C. Mycelium was initially whitish and turned gray with age. Black conidiophores bore botryose heads of hyaline, ellipsoid, unicellular conidia, gray in mass, 7.5 to 10.5 µm × 6.8 to 7.5 (average 9.2 to 7 µm). Black, irregular sclerotia formed at random in culture. Inoculum was prepared from 7-day-old cultures on PDA. Six flowering common calla lilies planted in 5-liter plastic pots were inoculated by spraying a suspension of 2.5 × 106 conidia per ml of sterile distilled water. Six healthy plants were sprayed with sterile distilled water. Each plant was covered with a transparent polyethylene bag for 3 days and kept at 21°C under a 12-h photoperiod. After a 12-day incubation period, leaves showed elliptic to irregular brown spots surrounded by yellow halos. Tiny round to irregular brown spots developed on flower spaths that finally blighted. Water-treated plants remained symptomless. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by pathogen reisolation from diseased organs. To our knowledge, this is the first report of B. cinerea on Z. aethiopica in Argentina. Infection efficiency of B. cinerea increases when inoculated petals are positioned on leaves (2), which has epidemiological importance in landscapes with association of plant species that are potential hosts of this pathogen. Reference: (1) M. V. Ellis and J. M. Waller. No. 431 in: Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi and Bacteria. CMI, Kew, Surrey, UK, 1974. (2) C. Sirjusingh et al. Plant Dis. 80:154, 1996.

Occurrence of Sclerotinia Stem Rot of Osteospermum sp., Felicia amelloides, and Ranunculus asiaticus in Argentina.

Three ornamental species, Osteospermum sp. (L.), Felicia amelloides (L.) Voss, and Ranunculus asiaticus L., cultivated in greenhouses on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, showed sudden wilt and death during October 2002. These species are new ornamentals in Argentina. The diseased plants were cultivated in plastic containers filled with commercial potting mix. Soft rot was observed at the base of the plants. Stem lesions became covered with whitish mycelium that produced large, black sclerotia (5 to 7 mm in diameter) characteristic of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary (1). The fungus was consistently recovered from infected stem pieces that were disinfested for 1 min in 0.2% NaOCl and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA), pH 7. Pathogenicity of the three isolates obtained from infected plants was confirmed by inoculating 10 3-month-old healthy plants of each species in 14-cm-diameter plastic pots. Each isolate was inoculated on the host from which it had been isolated. Inoculum consisted of three mycelial plugs from 7-day-old PDA cultures that were placed on the substrate at the base of the plants. Control plants were treated with sterile agar plugs. Inoculated and noninoculated plants were covered with transparent plastic bags for 2 days and incubated in a growth chamber at 20 to 24°C with a 12-h photoperiod. All inoculated plants developed symptoms of leaf yellowing and wilt. Soft and watery tissues were observed at the base of the plants, soon followed by the appearance of white mycelium. Disease symptoms were similar to those observed on the original infected plants and appeared 6, 5, and 3 days after inoculation on Osteospermum sp., F. amelloides, and R. asiaticus, respectively. All inoculated plants died within 3 weeks, and control plants remained healthy. S. sclerotiorum was reisolated from inoculated plants of each species, fulfilling Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence of Sclerotinia stem rot on these three plant species in Argentina. Reference: (1) J. E. M. Mordue and P. Holliday. No. 513 in: Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi and Bacteria. CMI, Kew, Surrey, UK. 1976.

Alternaria Leaf Spot, Twig Blight, and Fruit Rot of Highbush Blueberry in Argentina.

Disease symptoms have been observed since October 1997 on highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) cvs. Georgia Gem, O'Neal, and Sharpblue cultivated in Buenos Aires. Lesions were observed on recently planted, as well as mature plants, in commercial fields. Circular-to-irregular, light brown-to-gray leaf spots with brownish red borders, initially 3 to 7 mm in diameter, enlarged and coalesced. Blight developed on twigs. Reddish circular spots appeared on stems, developing small cankers. Dark sunken lesions were observed on attached ripening berries. During December 2002, postharvest fruit rot was noted. Small pieces of diseased leaves, twigs, stems, and fruits were surface sterilized with 0.2% NaOCl, plated on 2% potato dextrose agar (pH 7), and incubated at 20 ± 3°C. Symptomatic fruits were placed in plastic trays in humid chambers. In all cases, olive mycelium developed after 3 days with septate hyphae and abundant ovoid and obclavate muriformly septate conidia. The isolate obtained from diseased leaves of cv. O'Neal was used to test pathogenicity on micropropagated potted plants of 20-cm height and ripe fruits contained in plastic trays. Both plants and fruits belonged to cv. O'Neal. A suspension of 2 × 105 conidia per ml was sprayed on needle-punctured young stems, fully expanded leaves, and mature fruits. Plants and trays were covered with polyethylene bags and kept at 24 ± 3°C under fluorescent light (12-hr photoperiod). The bags were removed after 72 hr. Symptoms appeared after 3 days on fruits and 8 days on leaves and stems. Controls remained symptomless. The inoculated pathogen was recovered from diseased organs and identified as Alternaria tenuissima (Kunze:Fr.) Wiltshire (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report on the presence of A. tenuissima affecting blueberry crops in Argentina. Reference: (1) E. G. Simmons. Mycotaxon 70:325, 1999.

First Report of Dollar Spot Caused by Sclerotinia homoeocarpa on Agrostis stolonifera in Argentina.

During the summer of 2000, circular, yellow-to-brown, blighted, 2- to 4-cm-diameter patches were observed on creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) putting greens (cv. Pennlinks) maintained at a 4- to 5-mm height on a golf course in Pilar (Buenos Aires, Argentina). Symptomatic leaves had transverse chlorotic bands that sometimes extended to the tip with brown lesions inside the bands. A fungus was isolated from symptomatic tissue after surface sterilization with 2% bleach for 1 min and plating on 2% potato dextrose agar (PDA). The mycelium was fluffy and white. The culture turned olive to brown and developed black stromata on the lower side of the plate base after 2 weeks. Pathogenicity tests were performed on 2-month-old healthy plants of A. stolonifera (cv. Crenshaw) grown in sterilized sand. Recently cut, 14-mm-diameter plugs of A. stolonifera were placed in 22- × 17-cm plastic trays filled with a sterilized mixture of 50:50 soil/sand (vol/vol). Plants were maintained at a 7-mm height. Two sources of inoculum were prepared; one was cultured on PDA at 22 to 25°C for 10 days and the other was prepared by incubating in sterilized soil at room temperature for 14 days. Twenty pieces of 1-cm-diameter agar blocks containing mycelium were placed in each plug at the base of the plants. In the infested soil inoculation, 25 g of soil were distributed among the plants on the substrate surface. Control plants were treated with either sterile PDA pieces or noninfested soil. The trays were irrigated with sterilized distilled water, covered with polyethylene bags, and kept in a controlled environment chamber at 25°C with 12 h per day of fluorescent light for 30 days. Leaf chlorosis appeared 7 and 10 days after inoculation for the agar-plug and infested-soil methods, respectively. Leaf necrosis was observed at day 23. Controls remained asymptomatic. The inoculated fungus was reisolated from symptomatic leaf tissue. The pathogen was identified as Sclerotinia homoeocarpa (1,2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of Sclerotinia homoeocarpa causing dollar spot disease on Agrostis stolonifera in Argentina and the first report of a disease on golf courses in our country. References: (1) J. E. M. Mordue. Sclerotinia homoeocarpa. No. 618 in: Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi and Bacteria. CMI, Kew, Surrey, UK, 1979. (2) R. W. Smiley. Dollar Spot. Pages 14-16 in: Compendium of Turfgrass Diseases. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 1983.

Hydrangea macrophylla Flower Spot Caused by Botrytis cinerea in Buenos Aires.

During the spring of 2003, flower spots were observed on French hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) DC) in CETEFFHO-INTA-JICA experimental greenhouses in Castelar, Argentina. Brown, irregular spots randomly distributed on petals were detected on an old, whiteflowering variety of unknown origin, cultivated by growers. Small pieces of diseased tissue were surface disinfested with 2% NaOCl, plated on 2% potato dextrose agar (PDA) with pH 7, and incubated at 22 to 24°C. Dense, whitish mycelium developed within 48 h and turned gray after 72 h. Conidia were ellipsoid, hyaline, nonseptate, and formed in botryose heads. Spores from 10-day-old colonies that were developed on PDA in test tubes were removed with 4 ml of sterile water per tube. Prior to inoculation, inflorescences were detached and placed in water-filled glass vases. To test pathogenicity, eight healthy inflorescences were sprayed with a 5-ml suspension (2 × 104 conidia per ml of sterile distilled water). Another eight healthy inflorescences were sprayed with sterile distilled water. The inflorescences were maintained at 21°C and covered with polyethylene bags that were removed after 3 days. Brown, circular-to-irregular spots appeared on petals 5 days after inoculation, became coalescent, and covered 50 to 60% of each inflorescence in 8 days. Gray mold consisting of black conidiophores and gray-in-mass conidia was observed 3 days after the development of the symptoms. Controls remained symptomless. The same pathogen was recovered from inoculated flowers and was identified as Botrytis cinerea Pers.:Fr. (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of this fungus on Hydrangea macrophylla in Argentina. Reference: (1) M. V. Ellis and J. M. Waller. Sclerotinia fuckeliana (condial state: Botrytis cinerea).No. 431 in: Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi and Bacteria, CMI, Kew, Surrey, UK, 1974.