American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy International Affairs Committee: Report of the 4th Workshop on Quality as a Development Tool for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Programs at the 2023 Tandem BMT Meetings.

We provide a summary of the 4th ASTCT International Workshop with presentations from experts from Chile ("Setting Up a Transplantation Program in Chile," by Dr Pablo Ramirez), Saudi Arabia ("Developing Quality Programs in North Africa," by Dr Amal Alseraihy), and Japan ("The Japanese Transplant Registry Unified Management Program [TRUMP]: Current Issues and the Future," by Dr Yoshiko Atsuta). Workshop objectives included: (1) recognizing the benefits and importance for low- and middle-income countries of developing quality criteria and programs beyond existing accreditation programs, such as the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) and the Joint Accreditation Committee ISCT-Europe and EBMT (JACIE); (2) describing the relationships among monitoring outcomes, including mortality, improvement of care, data reporting, and associated costs; and (3) reviewing how quality structures have been implemented and are improving care worldwide.

HIV/AIDS knowledge level, awareness of public health centers and related factors: a cross-sectional study among Brazilians in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Accurate information is essential so that HIV infection can be detected in time for initiation of HIV/AIDS treatment. Immigrants are at high risk for delayed HIV testing and diagnosis, but foreign residents in Japan also seem to face barriers to accessing HIV/AIDS care. We aimed to assess their knowledge level of HIV/AIDS and awareness of public health centers in Japan (PHCs), and to explore factors related to these items. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of Brazilians, the largest group of foreigners living in Shiga, using an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire survey in Brazilian Portuguese and Japanese via the Internet and mail. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the factors related to "Knowledge of HIV/AIDS" and "Awareness of PHCs". RESULTS: A total 182 Brazilians responded. More than half of them were beginners in Japanese. Most respondents were familiar with HIV/AIDS, but only 58% knew the existence of PHCs, and only 25% knew that HIV testing is available at PHCs free of charge and anonymously. A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that PHCs were less recognized by those with intermediate (odds ratio: 5.70, 95% confidence interval: 1.53-21.23) and beginner (odds ratio: 6.81, 95% confidence interval: 1.98-23.45) Japanese proficiency than by those with advanced. CONCLUSIONS: This survey revealed the knowledge level of HIV/AIDS and awareness of PHC among Brazilians in Shiga. Their lack of awareness of PHCs due to language barriers may lead to delays in HIV testing among them. Therefore, it is important for PHCs to disseminate information about medical services related to HIV/AIDS in Portuguese and plain Japanese to facilitate their access to HIV testing. However, PHC efforts alone are not enough. Medical interpreters who are familiar with Brazilian culture and customs, and the clinics that employ them, could help the Brazilian community and PHCs to overcome the language barrier and provide efficient and appropriate medical care to Brazilians. This would be one way to eliminate delays in HIV testing for Brazilians in Shiga.

Daytime napping and risk of liver cancer: A large population-based prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Liver cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Japan and worldwide. Daytime napping is a common behavior, especially among older adults, that was related in previous research to unfavorable health conditions. Herein, we investigated the association between daytime napping and liver cancer risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, data from 51,185 participants aged 40-79 years and registered in the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study (JACC Study) were analyzed. Incident cases of liver cancer were diagnosed using cancer registries, hospital records, and death certificates. Daytime napping was assessed using the JACC baseline self-administered questionnaire. We used the Cox regression to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of incident liver cancer among participants in the age categories of the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s who reported daytime napping compared with their counterparts who did not. RESULTS: Within 669,734 person-years of follow-up, 341 participants developed liver cancer. Daytime napping was associated with a higher risk of liver cancer among participants who were in their 60s and 70s of age after adjusting for sex: HRs (95% CIs) 1.88 (1.35-2.61) and 1.96 (1.18-3.26), lifestyle and medical history: 1.76 (1.27-2.47) and 1.82 (1.07-3.09), and history of liver diseases: 1.66 (1.18-2.34) and 1.72 (1.01-2.94), respectively. No associations were detected among participants from the 40s and 50s age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Daytime napping was associated with a higher risk of liver cancer among older adults.

Sistema de salud en Japón y su énfasis en la protección de la salud oral: una comparación con Chile / Oral health system in Japan: a comparation with Chile

Japón está compuesto por 126 millones de habitantes y corresponde a la tercera potencia económica mundial. El sistema de salud se basa en un único seguro obligatorio universal, con cobertura médica y odontológica. En las últimas décadas, el envejecimiento poblacional ha sido un punto importante a considerar en la planificación de políticas públicas sanitarias. La eficiencia de este sistema ha sido punto de comparación con distintos países, no así con Chile. Por ello, el objetivo de esta revisión narrativa es comparar el sistema de salud oral chileno y japonés. Se realizó una revisión narrativa utilizando los repositorios de revistas científicas Science Direct, y PubMed, así como publicaciones disponibles en páginas gubernamentales de Japón y Chile.El seguro japonés prioriza la promoción de salud y prevención de enfermedades, enfatizando en la población más vulnerable. Al contrario, en Chile el sistema de salud tiene énfasis en la curación y rehabilitación. Japón ha adoptado un seguro debido a la transición demográfica y epidemiológica, para garantizar la sustentabilidad del sistema en el tiempo, modelo que podría ser aplicado en Chile; considerando el envejecimiento poblacional y la carga de enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles. Ambos países tienen ventajas y limitaciones en los atributos de sus sistemas de salud. Chile tiene una Red integrada de servicios de salud y ha implementado políticas como GES. Japón tiene un sistema universal, más eficiente y equitativo. Las fortalezas del sistema japonés podrían implementarse en Chile, a través de nuevas políticas públicas que fortalezcan la salud del país, incluyendo la odontología.

Japan has a population of 126 million, and it is the third national economy in the world. The health system is on a single universal mandatory insurance, with medical and dental coverage. In the last decades, Japan has faced the ageing of its population, and this has been a relevant matter in the planning of public health policies. The efficiency of the health system has been a point of comparison in different countries, but not in Chile. Thus, the objective of this narrative review is to compare the Chilean oral-health system with the Japanese.A non-systematic review was made using Science Direct, PubMed repositories of journals and official Japanese and Chilean government pages. The Japanese healthcare insurance prioritizes health promotion and disease prevention, emphasizing the most vulnerable population. Conversely, Chile has a health system that focalizes on healing and rehabilitation. Japan has adopted insurance because of the demographic transition to guarantee the system's sustainability. Considering the increased ageing population and the non-communicable disease load, this insurance model could be applied in Chile.Both Chile and Japan have advantages and limitations regarding the attributes of their health systems. Japan has a universal, more efficient, and equitable system. Chile should study the strengths of the Japanese system for its implementation of new public policies that strengthen the country's health, including dentistry.

Hansen's disease (leprosy) in Japan, 1947-2020: an epidemiologic study during the declining phase to elimination.

OBJECTIVES: Leprosy, or Hansen's disease was a major public health problem in Japan in the early 20th century. Today, the number of new cases has decreased significantly. We aimed to investigate the trends of leprosy in Japan over the past 73 years and the challenges faced in recent years. METHODS: We assessed the data on newly registered cases of leprosy from 1947 to 2020. RESULTS: A total of 10,796 newly registered cases of leprosy were reported during the study period, of which 7573 were registered in mainland Japan, 2962 in Okinawa, and 250 were of foreign origin. Most autochthonous cases were born before 1950 in mainland Japan and before 1975 in Okinawa. The number of nonautochthonous cases surpassed that of autochthonous cases in 1992. Nonautochthonous cases originated from 26 countries, particularly Brazil and the Philippines. Three cases of antimicrobial resistance have been detected among nonautochthonous cases since 2004. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that ongoing transmission of leprosy likely ceased in the 1940s in mainland Japan and in the 1970s in Okinawa. With the recent rise of nonautochthonous cases with globalization, continuous surveillance and efforts to maintain leprosy services within the country are necessary even after reaching the state of elimination.

O Sistema de Saúde japonês e seus mecanismos de enfrentamento à COVID-19 / The Japanese Health System and its coping mechanisms against COVID-19

Introdução: apesar de ser o país de maior média de idade no mundo, o Japão tem se destacado no combate à pandemia da COVID-19 (do inglês Coronavirus Disease 2019) ao apresentar reduzidas taxas de contaminação pelo vírus e de mortalidade. Objetivo: discutir acerca das estratégias em saúde adotadas pelo Japão diante da pandemia da doença da COVID-19, bem como avaliar os dados sobre contaminação e mortalidade japoneses em comparação com os outros quatro países com maior média de idade do mundo (Itália, Alemanha, Portugal e Espanha) e o Brasil. Metodologia: para avaliação das estratégias em saúde japonesas foi realizada busca nas bases de dados: PubMed, Cochrane e Scielo, utilizando-se combinação dos termos "Japão", "covid", "coronavirus" e "sistemas de saúde", nos idiomas Inglês, Espanhol e Português. Os dados de infecção da COVID-19 foram extraídos do site Our World in Data, correspondendo ao período de 25 de janeiro de 2020 a 30 de julho de 2020. Resultados: dentre as medidas adotadas pelo país no enfrentamento à pandemia, destacam-se o diagnóstico e resposta precoces à infecção, o rastreamento de contatos, o diagnóstico precoce e disponibilidade de cuidados intensivos para pacientes graves e estímulo a medidas comportamentais de distanciamento. Dentre os países analisados, o Japão apresenta as menores taxas de contaminação e mortalidade em termos absolutos pela COVID-19. Conclusões: medidas de distanciamento social, diagnóstico e tratamento precoces parecem ter contribuído para o sucesso no combate à COVID-19 no Japão. No período estudado, em milhão de habitantes, o Japão teve 6,13 casos de Covid, enquanto o Brasil apresentou 218,26 casos. Já no número de mortes confirmadas pela doença, o primeiro teve uma taxa de 0,23 enquanto o segundo de 5,16 casos por milhão de habitantes. É possível, a partir do conhecimento dessas medidas, buscar mecanismos semelhantes ao traçar políticas de saúde no enfrentamento de pandemias em outros países (AU)

Introduction: despite being the country with the highest average age globally, Japan has stood out in the fight against the COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) pandemic by presenting low contamination rates by the virus and mortality. Objective: we aim to discuss the health strategies adopted by Japan in the face of the COVID-19 disease pandemic, as well as to evaluate data on Japanese contamination and mortality compared to the other four countries with the highest average age in the world (Italy, Germany, Portugal and Spain) and Brazil. Methodology: the search was carried out to evaluate Japanese health strategies by using the following databases: PubMed, Cochrane, and Scielo using a combination of the terms "Japan", "covid", "coronavirus" and "health systems" in English, Spanish and Portuguese. The COVID-19 infection data was extracted from the Our World in Data website, from January 25, 2020, to July 30, 2020. Results: Among the measures adopted by the country to face the pandemic, the early diagnosis and response to infection, contact tracing, early diagnosis and availability of intensive care for critically ill patients, and encouraging behavioral distancing measures stand out. Among the countries analyzed, Japan has the lowest rates of contamination and mortality in absolute terms by COVID-19. Conclusions: social distancing measures, early diagnosis, and treatment seem to have contributed to the success in combating COVID-19 in Japan. In the studied period, in a million inhabitants, Japan had 6.13 cases of covid while Brazil had 218.26 cases. As for the number of deaths confirmed by the disease, the first had a rate of 0.23 while the second had 5.16 cases per million inhabitants. Based on the knowledge of these measures, it is possible to seek similar mechanisms when designing health policies to face pandemics in other countries (AU)

Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W135 in a traveler visiting Japan from Argentina, 2019.

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) can occur in travelers returning from mass-gathering events or endemic regions. We present a 60-year-old Argentine traveler to Tokyo who developed IMD by Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup W135 during her stay in Japan. N. meningitidis serogroup W135 infection has become common in Argentina, whereas IMD less commonly occurs in Japan. Considering the prevalence, the patient most likely acquired the infection in Argentina, and it developed in Japan. Air travel enables passengers to reach the four corners of the world within a few days. IMD should be considered in travelers due to its potential to induce rapid clinical deterioration and transmission.

O Sistema de Saúde japonês e seus mecanismos de enfrentamento à COVID-19 / The Japanese Health System and its coping mechanisms against COVID-19

RESUMO: Introdução: apesar de ser o país de maior média de idade no mundo, o Japão tem se destacado no combate à pandemia da COVID-19 (do inglês Coronavirus Disease 2019) ao apresentar reduzidas taxas de contaminação pelo vírus e de mortalidade. Objetivo: discutir acerca das estratégias em saúde adotadas pelo Japão diante da pandemia da doença da COVID-19, bem como avaliar os dados sobre contaminação e mortalidade japoneses em comparação com os outros quatro países com maior média de idade do mundo (Itália, Alemanha, Portugal e Espanha) e o Brasil. Metodologia: para avaliação das estratégias em saúde japonesas foi realizada busca nas bases de dados: PubMed, Cochrane e Scielo, utilizando-se combinação dos termos "Japão", "covid", "coronavirus" e "sistemas de saúde", nos idiomas Inglês, Espanhol e Português. Os dados de infecção da COVID-19 foram extraídos do site Our World in Data, correspondendo ao período de 25 de janeiro de 2020 a 30 de julho de 2020. Resultados: dentre as medidas adotadas pelo país no enfrentamento à pandemia, destacam-se o diagnóstico e resposta precoces à infecção, o rastreamento de contatos, o diagnóstico precoce e disponibilidade de cuidados intensivos para pacientes graves e estímulo a medidas comportamentais de distanciamento. Dentre os países analisados, o Japão apresenta as menores taxas de contaminação e mortalidade em termos absolutos pela COVID-19. Conclusões: medidas de distanciamento social, diagnóstico e tratamento precoces parecem ter contribuído para o sucesso no combate à COVID-19 no Japão. No período estudado, em milhão de habitantes, o Japão teve 6,13 casos de Covid, enquanto o Brasil apresentou 218,26 casos. Já no número de mortes confirmadas pela doença, o primeiro teve uma taxa de 0,23 enquanto o segundo de 5,16 casos por milhão de habitantes. É possível, a partir do conhecimento dessas medidas, buscar mecanismos semelhantes ao traçar políticas de saúde no enfrentamento de pandemias em outros países. (AU)

ABSTRAC: Introduction: despite being the country with the highest average age globally, Japan has stood out in the fight against the COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) pandemic by presenting low contamination rates by the virus and mortality. Objective: we aim to discuss the health strategies adopted by Japan in the face of the COVID-19 disease pandemic, as well as to evaluate data on Japanese contamination and mortality compared to the other four countries with the highest average age in the world (Italy, Germany, Portugal and Spain) and Brazil. Methodology: the search was carried out to evaluate Japanese health strategies by using the following databases: PubMed, Cochrane, and Scielo using a combination of the terms "Japan", "covid", "coronavirus" and "health systems" in English, Spanish and Portuguese. The COVID-19 infection data was extracted from the Our World in Data website, from January 25, 2020, to July 30, 2020. Results: Among the measures adopted by the country to face the pandemic, the early diagnosis and response to infection, contact tracing, early diagnosis and availability of intensive care for critically ill patients, and encouraging behavioral distancing measures stand out. Among the countries analyzed, Japan has the lowest rates of contamination and mortality in absolute terms by COVID-19. Conclusions: social distancing measures, early diagnosis, and treatment seem to have contributed to the success in combating COVID-19 in Japan. In the studied period, in a million inhabitants, Japan had 6.13 cases of covid while Brazil had 218.26 cases. As for the number of deaths confirmed by the disease, the first had a rate of 0.23 while the second had 5.16 cases per million inhabitants. Based on the knowledge of these measures, it is possible to seek similar mechanisms when designing health policies to face pandemics in other countries.(AU)

Japanese imperial psychiatry in Tokyo: two Korean immigrants in a psychiatric hospital, 1920-1945 / Psiquiatria imperial japonesa em Tóquio: dois imigrantes coreanos em um hospital psiquiátrico, 1920-1945

Abstract During the first half of the twentieth century, Western psychiatry was quickly absorbed in Japan, particularly the versions from Germany and Austria. By 1940, over 130 psychiatric hospitals were caring for approximately thirty thousand patients in cities, while in rural areas about sixty thousand people still depended on family members for care. Japan's empire expanded during this same period, and many immigrants came to the country. Growth in immigration from Korea was particularly important. Korean immigrants encountered Japanese psychiatric hospitals during the second quarter of the twentieth century, and this paper examines the complex nature of their hospital stays.

Resumo Ao longo da primeira metade do século XX, a psiquiatria ocidental foi rapidamente absorvida no Japão, particularmente as versões advindas da Alemanha e da Áustria. Em 1940, mais de 130 hospitais psiquiátricos cuidavam de cerca de trinta mil pacientes nas cidades, enquanto nas áreas rurais cerca de sessenta mil pessoas ainda dependiam dos cuidados de familiares. No mesmo período, o império japonês expandiu-se, e muitos imigrantes vieram para o país. Particularmente importante foi o crescimento da imigração coreana. Hospitais psiquiátricos japoneses e imigrantes coreanos se encontraram no segundo quartel do século XX. O artigo examina a complexidade dessas estadas hospitalares.

Pulmonary histoplasmosis diagnosed in a Japanese woman after traveling to central and South America: A case report.

Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, and Japan is considered a non-endemic area for histoplasmosis. Most patients diagnosed with histoplasmosis in the past usually have exposure to caves and bat guano with travel history to endemic areas. Therefore, travel history and risk activities should be comprehensively assessed when suspecting histoplasmosis because this important information may be overlooked. Although few, possibilities of indigenous cases have also been suggested. Moreover, it is assumed that the number of travelers and endemic mycoses has decreased with the recent coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic. However, clinicians should carefully consider the differential diagnosis of histoplasmosis for travelers traveling to endemic areas. In this case report, we describe an immunocompetent Japanese woman who developed histoplasmosis due to a history of travel to an endemic country. Our case report suggests that clinicians should not exclude histoplasmosis from the differential diagnosis even in the absence of risk features such as activities or immunodeficiencies during travel.

Genetic characterization of Neospora caninum from aborted bovine fetuses in Hokkaido, Japan.

Neospora caninum is one of the main causes of bovine abortions worldwide, including Japan. Nothing is known about the N. caninum population substructures in Japan, and only one isolate from a pregnant sheep has been studied to date. This study describes, for the first time, the genetic characterization of isolates of N. caninum implicated in cattle abortions in Japan. Brains from five aborted fetuses were successfully genotyped based on multilocus microsatellite markers. Assigned genotypes showed high frequencies of mixed alleles in the sequenced markers MS7 and MS10, raising concerns about the subpopulation structures of N. caninum infecting animals in Japan. Clustering analysis of the genotypes, together with those from a previous dataset, showed that five of the six genotypes were distinct from other clusters. Meanwhile, the remaining genotype, together with the sheep isolate from Japan, was grouped with those from Mexico and Spain. These preliminary data may indicate a complex transmission pattern of N. caninum in Japan via clonal spreading by vertical and horizontal transmission and geographically related population substructuring.

Highlights of Current Dietary Guidelines in Five Continents.

The dietary guidelines as well as the organizations that establish the recommendations are not homogeneous across regions of the world. Each country utilizes specific icons to better describe to the public easy ways to follow specific recommendations, including the use of pyramids, plates, and other forms of presenting key information. All dietary guidelines are updated within certain periods to ensure that new findings or specific changes are communicated to the public. The purpose of this commentary is to describe the most updated information as well as some history on how these symbols are utilized in different countries or areas of the world. The updated Mediterranean pyramid as well as MyPlate and the Pyramids utilized in South Africa, Japan, and Argentina are discussed in this commentary.

Novel SARS-CoV-2 Variant in Travelers from Brazil to Japan.

Multiple severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants with higher transmission potential have been emerging globally, including SARS-CoV-2 variants from the United Kingdom and South Africa. We report 4 travelers from Brazil to Japan in January 2021 infected with a novel SARS-CoV-2 variant with an additional set of mutations.

Demographic and clinical characteristics of foreign nationals accessing psychiatric services in Japan: a multicentre study in a metropolitan area.

BACKGROUND: International immigration to Japan, where homogeneous ethnicity is a population characteristic, has been growing. Although immigration is recognised as a risk factor for multiple mental-health related issues, there are few regional reports on foreign nationals accessing the psychiatric services in Japan. We aimed to reveal their current status and provide information to develop an optimal service system. METHODS: A multicentre retrospective document review research was conducted. The subjects were foreign nationals who resided in Japan and presented at the psychiatry departments in three core regional hospitals in the Keihin region, which faces Tokyo Bay and is well known to include the largest traditional industrial zone in Japan, over a period of 3 years. We investigated the patients' demographic and clinical information including country/region of origin, spoken language, use of a medical interpreter, pathway to hospitals and outcome. RESULTS: The percentage of foreign patients among all patients (1.4%) was quite low. Their age distribution (45.8 years on average) was dissociated from the age distribution of foreign nationals who resided in Japan. Regarding the country/region of origin, China (35.1%) was the most common country, followed by the Philippines, Korea and Brazil. Several subjects (22.9%) could not speak Japanese; therefore, interpretation was required by family members/friends (17.1%) or a professional interpreter (5.4%). Neurotic and stress-related disorders were the most common diagnosis (24.4%). The proportion of psychoactive substance use was higher than that for Japanese national data as immigrants are known to be at risk for it. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that foreign nationals who reside in Japan are less likely to contact appropriate services for mental illness, especially young people at relatively high risk of mental illness do not access services. Furthermore, lack of medical interpreters may impede the mental health conditions of foreign nationals. The development of a community-based integrated care system accessible to foreign nationals seems to be indispensable.

"Peruvian balsam": an example of transoceanic transfer of medicinal knowledge.

BACKGROUND: Connections between China and the new Spanish colonies in America are known for an exchange of silver for silks and porcelains. That also medicinal drugs and medicinal knowledge crossed the Pacific Ocean is hardly known or discussed. Myroxylon balsamum (L.) Harms var. pereirae (Royle) Harms ("New World" or "Peruvian balsam") is a botanical balsam that has a long history of medicinal use, particularly as antiseptic and for wound healing. Except for a Chinese article discussing the reception of balsam in China and Japan, no scientific studies on its impact in China and Japan and the channels of transfer from the Americas to Asia exist. METHODS: Description: (1) This section provides a general introduction into Commiphora gileadensis ("Old World" balsam) as a medicinal category and discusses the specific medicinal properties of Myroxylon balsamum (L.) Harms var. pereirae (Royle) Harms. The section "Historical research and uses" provides a brief survey on some historical analyses of balsam. Aim, design, setting: (2) Applying a comparative textual and archaeological analysis the article critically examines Chinese and Japanese sources (texts, maps) to show (i) what Chinese and Japanese scholars knew about balsam, (ii) where and how it was used, and (iii) to identify reasons why the "digestion" of knowledge on balsam as a medicinal developed so differently in China and Japan. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: This chapter discusses the introduction of "Peruvian balsam" into, its uses as a medicinal as well as its scholarly reception in early modern China and Japan and introduces the channels of transmission from Spanish America to Asia. It is shown that Myroxylon balsamum (L.) Harms var. pereirae (Royle) Harms was partly a highly valued substance imported from the Americas into China and Japan. But the history of the reception of medicinal knowledge on Peruvian balsam was significantly different in China and Japan. CONCLUSIONS: In Japan, the knowledge on Myroxylon balsamum was continuously updated, especially through mediation of Dutch physicians; Japanese scholars, doctors and pharmacists possessed a solid knowledge on this balsam, its origin and its medicinal uses. In China, on the contrary, there was no further "digestion" or development of the knowledge on either Myroxylon balsamum (L.) Harms var. pereirae (Royle) Harms or Commiphora gileadensis. By the late nineteenth century, related medicinal and even geographic knowledge had mostly been lost. The interest in "balsam" in late Qing scholarship was pure encyclopaedic and philosophic.

High prevalence of t895 and t9364 spa types of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a tertiary-care hospital in Mexico: different lineages of clonal complex 5.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of broad-spectrum infections both in the community and within healthcare settings. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a global public health issue. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical and molecular characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus isolates and to define the population structure and distribution of major MRSA clones isolated in a tertiary-care hospital in Mexico. RESULTS: From April 2017 to April 2018, 191 Staphylococcus aureus isolates were collected. The frequency of MRSA was 26.7%; these strains exhibited resistance to clindamycin (84.3%), erythromycin (86.2%), levofloxacin (80.3%), and ciprofloxacin (86.3%). The majority of MRSA strains harbored the SCCmec type II (76.4%) and t895 (56.8%) and t9364 (11.7%) were the most common spa types in both hospital-associated MRSA and community-associated MRSA isolates. ST5-MRSA-II-t895 (New York /Japan clone) and ST1011-MRSA-II-t9364 (New York /Japan-Mexican Variant clone) were the most frequently identified clones. Furthermore, different lineages of Clonal Complexes 5 (85.4%) and 8 (8.3%) were predominantly identified in this study. CONCLUSION: Our study provides valuable information about the epidemiology of MRSA in a city of the central region of Mexico, and this is the first report on the association between t895 and t9364 spa types and ST5 and ST1011 lineages, respectively. These findings support the importance of permanent surveillance of MRSA aimed to detect the evolutionary changes of the endemic clones and the emergence of new strains.

Primera centuria de la presencia de Hideyo Noguchi en el Perú / First century of Hideyo Noguchi's presence in Peru

Resumen En este año 2020 se conmemora un siglo de la presencia física de Hideyo Noguchi en el Perú. Noguchi arribó en el marco de sus investigaciones científicas acerca de la fiebre amarilla que asolaba el norte de nuestra patria. Aquella época de epidemia e incuria, de penuria y descalabro de diversos órdenes en el tejido social, fue similar a la circunstancia que ahora nos toca vivir, y por ende hoy es necesario recordar la imagen inspiradora de este médico y prohombre, no exento de complejidades ni de errores en su naturaleza humana, pero dotado de profunda convicción, espíritu de sacrificio y entrega a la humanidad doliente a través de la ciencia. La centuria de la presencia física de Hideyo Noguchi en el Perú motiva el boceto de este perfil biográfico.

Summary This year, 2020, we commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the physical presence of Hideyo Noguchi in Peru. He arrived here a century ago in the context of his scientific research about the yellow fever that ravaged the northern area of our country. Such period, very similar to the time we live in nowadays, was a time of epidemic and neglect, of hardship and misfortune of various orders in the social fabric of our country. Therefore, today it is necessary to remember the inspiring image of this physician and great man, not without complexities or errors in his human nature, but endowed with deep convictions, spirit of sacrifice and dedication to the suffering humanity through science. The century of the physical presence of Hideyo Noguchi among us, motivates the sketch of this biographical profile.

Invasão de Vespas assassinas? A verdadeira história das Vespas-gigantes-asiáticas / Invasion of murder hornet? The true story of the Asian giant hornets

Nativa da região Asiática, a Vespa mandarinia pode chegar a 50 mm de comprimento, sendo popularmente conhecida como ‘vespa assassina ou ‘vespa-gigante-asiática. Devido ao seu comportamento de caça em grupo, a espécie traz grande preocupação aos apicultores, já que são capazes de exterminar uma colmeia de abelhas em poucas horas. No entanto, o risco aos seres humanos é baixo e pode ser comparado a qualquer outra espécie peçonhenta. Recém chegada ao continente americano, a grande preocupação trazida, sobretudo pela mídia, é de que a espécie se torne invasora e colonize outros países. No entanto, a expansão dessa espécie é limitada pelo clima, já que sua região de origem é de clima temperado. Visto isso, dificilmente a V. mandarinia se adaptaria e se estabeleceria em regiões de clima tropical como no Brasil. É importante a cautela diante da avalanche de informações divulgadas pela mídia e redes sociais sobre a invasão da V. mandarinia. Portanto, recomenda-se a busca por informações certificadas publicadas e divulgadas por especialistas, núcleos de pesquisa e jornais especializados.(AU)

Native to the Asian region, the Vespa mandarinia can reach 50 mm in length, being popularly known as ‘murder hornet or ‘asian-giant-hornet. Due to their group hunting behavior, the species causes great concern to beekeepers, since they are able to exterminate a bee hive in a few hours. However, the risk to humans is low and can be compared to any other venomous species. Newly arrived in the American continent, a major concern raised, mainly by the media, is that the species becomes invasive and colonizes other countries. However, an expansion of this species is limited by the climate, since its region of origin is the temperate climate. In view of this, it is difficult for V. mandarinia to adapt and establish itself in tropical regions such as Brazil. It is important to be cautious in face of the avalanche of information disseminated by the media and social media regarding the invasion of V. mandarinia. It is recommended to search for certified information published and disseminated by specialists, research centers and specialized newspapers.(AU)

Invasão de Vespas assassinas? A verdadeira história das Vespas-gigantes-asiáticas / Invasion of murder hornet? The true story of the Asian giant hornets

Nativa da região Asiática, a Vespa mandarinia pode chegar a 50 mm de comprimento, sendo popularmente conhecida como ‘vespa assassina’ ou ‘vespa-gigante-asiática’. Devido ao seu comportamento de caça em grupo, a espécie traz grande preocupação aos apicultores, já que são capazes de exterminar uma colmeia de abelhas em poucas horas. No entanto, o risco aos seres humanos é baixo e pode ser comparado a qualquer outra espécie peçonhenta. Recém chegada ao continente americano, a grande preocupação trazida, sobretudo pela mídia, é de que a espécie se torne invasora e colonize outros países. No entanto, a expansão dessa espécie é limitada pelo clima, já que sua região de origem é de clima temperado. Visto isso, dificilmente a V. mandarinia se adaptaria e se estabeleceria em regiões de clima tropical como no Brasil. É importante a cautela diante da avalanche de informações divulgadas pela mídia e redes sociais sobre a invasão da V. mandarinia. Portanto, recomenda-se a busca por informações certificadas publicadas e divulgadas por especialistas, núcleos de pesquisa e jornais especializados.

Native to the Asian region, the Vespa mandarinia can reach 50 mm in length, being popularly known as ‘murder hornet’ or ‘asian-giant-hornet’. Due to their group hunting behavior, the species causes great concern to beekeepers, since they are able to exterminate a bee hive in a few hours. However, the risk to humans is low and can be compared to any other venomous species. Newly arrived in the American continent, a major concern raised, mainly by the media, is that the species becomes invasive and colonizes other countries. However, an expansion of this species is limited by the climate, since its region of origin is the temperate climate. In view of this, it is difficult for V. mandarinia to adapt and establish itself in tropical regions such as Brazil. It is important to be cautious in face of the avalanche of information disseminated by the media and social media regarding the invasion of V. mandarinia. It is recommended to search for certified information published and disseminated by specialists, research centers and specialized newspapers.