Burden of lupus activity on health care resources utilization in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

OBJECTIVE: The aim is to analyze health care resource utilization (HCRU) of patients with lupus (SLE) from a health management organization (HMO) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, compared with matched controls and comparing periods of flare, low disease activity, and remission. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study including all SLE incident cases (ACR 1997/SLICC 2012 criteria) between 2000 and 2020 and 5 matched controls. Clinical data and HCRU (medical and nonmedical consultations, lab and imaging tests performed, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and drugs prescribed) were obtained from administrative databases and electronic medical records. For each patient with SLE, an activity state was determined in every month of follow-up: flare (BILAG A or 2 BILAG B); low disease activity (LLDAS); remission (DORIS definition); or intermediate activity (not fulfilling any of previous). Incidence rates for each HCRU item and incidence rate ratios between SLE and control patients were and between remission and flare periods were calculated. Multivariate negative binomial logistic regression analyses were performed for identification of variables associated with major resource use. RESULTS: A total of 62 SLE and 310 control patients were included, 88.7% were women, the median age at diagnosis was 46 years, and were followed for more than 8 years. Patients with SLE contributed with 537.2 patient-years (CI 95% 461.1-613.3) and controls with 2761.9 patient-years (CI 95% 2600.9-2922.8). HCRU in patients with SLE was significantly higher than in controls in all items, even in remission periods. Patients with SLE remained 74.4% of the time in remission, 12.1% in LLDAS, 12.2% in intermediate activity, and 1.3% in flare (there were 64 flares in 36 patients). HCRU was significantly higher during flare periods compared with remission periods. Number of flares was independently associated with emergency department consultations, lab tests and X-ray performed, number of drugs prescribed, and hospitalizations. CONCLUSION: Significantly more HCRU was observed in patients with SLE in flare compared to remission periods.

Clinical Features of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis in African American Patients in the United States: A Single-Center Medical Records Review Study.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical features at presentation of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) between African American (AA) and White patients. METHODS: This is a chart review of cases between January 2003 and December 2018. African American patients with AAV were identified and matched in a 1:2 ratio with White comparators based on the year of diagnosis (±4 years). Data on demographics, clinical, and laboratory features and outcomes at presentation were collected. Descriptive statistics were used to compare the characteristics between groups. RESULTS: Thirty-two of 56 AA patients with AAV had complete data and were included for analysis. When compared with 64 matched White patients with AAV, AA patients were younger (47.5 vs 61.0 years, p = 0.001). Compared with White patients, AA patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) (35 vs 55 years, p = 0.0006) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) (55.5 vs 65.0 years, p = 0.05) were younger. African American patients with GPA were more frequently female (p = 0.008), whereas AA patients with MPA were more frequently male (p = 0.03). No differences in disease manifestations, disease activity, and outcomes were observed between AA and White patients with AAV. CONCLUSIONS: In this single-center study, AA patients with AAV were diagnosed at a younger age than Whites; this was found in both the GPA and MPA disease phenotypes. No other significant differences were observed. Future studies are needed to confirm our findings and better describe differences of AAV in racial/ethnic minorities.

Grafting-from Synthesis of Plant-Polynorbornene Biohybrid Materials.

Plants, essential for food, oxygen, and economic stability, are under threat from human activities, biotic threats, and climate change, requiring rapid technological advancements for protection. Biohybrid systems, merging synthetic macromolecules with biological components, have provided improvement to biological systems in the past, namely, in the biomedical arena, motivating an opportunity to enhance plant well-being. Nevertheless, strategies for plant biohybrid systems remain limited. In this study, we present a method using grafting-from ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) under physiological conditions to integrate norbornene-derived polymers into live plants by spray coating. The approach involves creating biological macroinitiators on leaf surfaces, which enable subsequent polymerization of norbornene-derived monomers. Characterization techniques, including FTIR spectroscopy, SEM EDS imaging, ICP-MS, nanoindentation, and XPS, confirmed the presence and characterized the properties of the polymeric layers on leaves. The demonstrated modifiability and biocompatibility could offer the potential to maintain plant health in various applications, including the development of thermal barriers, biosensors, and crop protection layers.

Evaluating outpatient diagnostic stewardship of comprehensive polymerase chain reaction Clostridioides difficile testing in a regional health system.

Objective: We examined the use of comprehensive and targeted polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) among immunocompetent patients with and without CDI risk factors across different outpatient settings. A priori, we expected patients with higher CDI risk to be associated with targeted testing to reflect providers incorporating pretest risk factors in their choice of test assay. Design: Retrospective analysis of adult patients from clinic, emergency room, and non-medically acute inpatient settings. Setting: A tertiary academic medical center offering inpatient and outpatient medical, surgical, mental health, and rehabilitation services to Veterans across the Puget Sound region. Patients: Immunocompetent adult patients with ≥1 stool PCR assay performed between January 2016 and December 2019. Intervention: Patients were tested with either a specific tcdB PCR assay or a comprehensive gastrointestinal PCR panel that tests for 22 pathogens. Results: A total of 2,717 tests (74% targeted, 26% comprehensive) were obtained from 2,156 patients, among which 13% detected C. difficile and 7% detected other organisms. The proportion of comprehensive PCR tests increased nearly four-fold from 2016 to 2019 in clinic and emergency room settings, independent of CDI risk factors. Only two CDI risk factors (prior history of CDI and antibiotic use within three months before testing) were associated with increased targeted testing. Conclusion: The use of comprehensive GI PCR among immunocompetent adults with diarrhea is increasing in the outpatient setting. There may be an opportunity for diagnostic stewardship by nudging providers to consider all CDI risk factors at the time of test selection.

Polyhydroxy Fullerenes Enhance Antibacterial and Electrocatalytic Activity of Silver Nanoparticles.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are known and widely used for their antibacterial properties. However, the ever-increasing resistance of microorganisms compels the design of novel nanomaterials which are able to surpass their capabilities. Herein, we synthesized silver nanoparticles using, for the first time, polyhydroxy fullerene (PHF) as a reducing and capping agent, through a one-pot synthesis method. The resulting nanoparticles (PHF-AgNPs) were compared to AgNPs that were synthesized using sodium citrate (citrate-AgNPs). They were characterized using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), dynamic light scattering, and UV-visible spectroscopy. Our results showed that PHF-AgNPs have a smaller size and a narrower size distribution than citrate-AgNPs, which suggests that PHF may be a better capping agent than citrate. Antibacterial assays using E. coli showed enhanced antimicrobial activity for PHF-AgNPs compared to citrate-AgNPs. The electrocatalytic activity of nanoparticles towards oxygen evolution and reduction reaction (OER and ORR, respectively) was tested through cyclic voltammetry. Both nanoparticles are found to promote OER and ORR, but PHF-AgNPs showed a significant increase in activity with respect to citrate-AgNPs. Thus, our results demonstrate that the properties of forming nanoparticles can be tuned by choosing the appropriate reducing/capping agent. Specifically, this suggests that PHF-AgNPs can find potential applications for both catalytic and biomedical applications.

Association between duration of antimicrobial prophylaxis and postoperative outcomes after lumbar spine surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the association between duration of antimicrobial prophylaxis (AMP) and 30-day surgical site infection (SSI), 7-day acute kidney injury (AKI), 90-day Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), prolonged hospitalization, and 30-day reoperation after lumbar spine surgery for noninfectious indications, and to report adherence to current guidelines. DESIGN: Survey. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: The study cohort comprised 6,198 patients who underwent lumbar spine surgery for noninfectious indications across 137 Veterans' Health Administration surgery centers between 2016 and 2020. METHODS: Used univariate and multivariate logistic regression to determine the association between type and duration of AMP with 30-day SSI, 7-day AKI, 90-day CDI, prolonged hospitalization, and 30-day reoperation. RESULTS: Only 1,160 participants (18.7%) received the recommended duration of AMP. On multivariate analysis, the use of multiple prophylactic antimicrobials was associated with increased odds of 90-day CDI (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-28.2) and 30-day reoperation (aOR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.2-4.4). Courses of antimicrobials ≥3 days were associated with increased odds of prolonged hospitalization (aOR,1.8; 95% CI, 1.4-2.3) and 30-day reoperation (aOR, 3.5; 95% CI, 2.2-5.7). In univariate analysis, increasing days of AMP was associated with a trend toward increasing odds of 90-day CDI (cOR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.0-1.8 per additional day; P = .056). CONCLUSIONS: Longer courses of AMP after lumbar spine surgery were associated with higher odds of CDI, prolonged hospitalization, and reoperation, but not with lower odds of SSI. However, adherence to the recommended duration of AMP is very low, hinting at a wide evidence-to-practice gap that needs to be addressed by spine surgeons and antimicrobial stewardship programs.

The Incidence of Diabetes Among 2,777,768 Veterans With and Without Recent SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

OBJECTIVE: To examine associations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection/coronavirus disease 2019 with incident diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using Veterans Health Administration data. We defined all patients without preexisting diabetes with one or more nasal swabs positive for SARS-CoV-2 (1 March 2020-10 March 2021; n = 126,710) as exposed and those with no positive swab and one or more laboratory tests (1 March 2020-31 March 2021; n = 2,651,058) as unexposed. The index date for patients exposed was the date of first positive swab and for patients unexposed a random date during the month of the qualifying laboratory test. We fit sex-stratified logistic regression models examining associations of SARS-CoV-2 with incident diabetes within 120 days and all follow-up time through 1 June 2021. A subgroup analysis was performed among hospitalized subjects only to help equalize laboratory surveillance. RESULTS: SARS-CoV-2 was associated with higher risk of incident diabetes, compared with no positive tests, among men (120 days, odds ratio [OR] 2.56 [95% CI 2.32-2.83]; all time, 1.95 [1.80-2.12]) but not women (120 days, 1.21 [0.88-1.68]; all time, 1.04 [0.82-1.31]). Among hospitalized participants, SARS-CoV-2 was associated with higher risk of diabetes at 120 days and at the end of follow-up in men (OR 1.42 [95% CI 1.22-1.65] and 1.32 [1.16-1.50], respectively) but not women (0.72 [0.34-1.52] and 0.80 [0.44-1.45]). Sex ∗ SARS-CoV-2 interaction P values were all <0.1. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 is associated with higher risk of incident diabetes in men but not in women even after greater surveillance related to hospitalization is accounted for.

Associations of statin use with 30-day adverse outcomes among 4 801 406 US Veterans with and without SARS-CoV-2: an observational cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate associations of statin use with hospitalisation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality at 30 days among individuals with and without a positive test for SARS-CoV-2. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: US Veterans Health Administration (VHA). PARTICIPANTS: All veterans receiving VHA healthcare with ≥1 positive nasal swab for SARS-CoV-2 between 1 March 2020 and 10 March 2021 (cases; n=231 154) and a comparator group of controls comprising all veterans who did not have a positive nasal swab for SARS-CoV-2 but who did have ≥1 clinical lab test performed during the same time period (n=4 570 252). MAIN OUTCOMES: Associations of: (1) any statin use, (2) use of specific statins or (3) low-intensity/moderate-intensity versus high-intensity statin use at the time of positive nasal swab for SARS-CoV-2 (cases) or result of clinical lab test (controls) assessed from pharmacy records with hospitalisation, ICU admission and death at 30 days. We also examined whether associations differed between individuals with and without a positive test for SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS: Among individuals who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, statin use was associated with lower odds of death at 30 days (OR 0.81 (95% CI 0.77 to 0.85)) but not with hospitalisation or ICU admission. Associations were similar comparing use of each specific statin to no statin. Compared with low-/moderate intensity statin use, high-intensity statin use was not associated with lower odds of ICU admission or death. Over the same period, associations of statin use with 30-day outcomes were significantly stronger among individuals without a positive test for SARS-CoV-2: hospitalisation OR 0.79 (95% CI 0.77 to 0.80), ICU admission OR 0.86 (95% CI 0.81 to 0.90) and death 0.60 (95% CI 0.58 to 0.62; p for interaction all <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Associations of statin use with lower adverse 30-day outcomes are weaker among individuals who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 compared with individuals without a positive test, indicating that statins do not exert SARS-CoV-2 specific effects.

Risk factors for adverse outcomes among 35 879 veterans with and without diabetes after diagnosis with COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: Risk factors and mediators of associations of diabetes with COVID-19 outcomes are unclear. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We identified all veterans receiving Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare with ≥1 positive nasal swab for SARS-CoV-2 (28 February-31 July 2020; n=35 879). We assessed associations of diabetes (with and without insulin use) with hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, or death at 30 days, and with hazard of death until the censoring date. Among participants with diabetes (n=13 863), we examined associations of hemoglobin A1c and antihyperglycemic medication use with COVID-19 outcomes. We estimated mediation between diabetes and outcomes by comorbidities (cardiovascular disease, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease), statin or ACE inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) use, and cardiac biomarkers (brain natriuretic peptide and troponin). RESULTS: Diabetes with and without insulin use was associated with greater odds of hospitalization, ICU admission, and death at 30 days, and with greater hazard of death compared with no diabetes (OR 1.73, 1.76 and 1.63, and HR 1.61; and OR 1.39, 1.49 and 1.33, and HR 1.37, respectively, all p<0.0001). Prior sulfonylurea use was associated with greater odds of hospitalization and prior insulin use with hospitalization and death among patients with diabetes; among all participants, statin use was associated with lower mortality and ARB use with lower odds of hospitalization. Cardiovascular disease-related factors mediated <20% of associations between diabetes and outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes is independently associated with adverse outcomes from COVID-19. Associations are only partially mediated by common comorbidities.

Prior Glucose-Lowering Medication Use and 30-Day Outcomes Among 64,892 Veterans With Diabetes and COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To identify preinfection risk factors for adverse outcomes among veterans with diabetes and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We identified all Veterans Health Administration patients with diabetes and one or more positive nasal swab(s) for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (1 March 2020-10 March 2021) (n = 64,892). We examined associations of HbA1c and glucose-lowering medication use with hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and mortality at 30 days using logistic regression models and during 4.4 months of follow-up (range <1-13.1) using proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Compared with HbA1c <7.0%, HbA1c ≥9.0% was associated with higher odds of hospitalization, ICU admission, and death at 30 days (odds ratio [OR] 1.27 [95% CI 1.19-1.35], 1.28 [95% CI 1.15-1.42], 1.30 [95% CI 1.17-1.44], respectively) as well as higher risk of death over 4.4 months (hazard ratio [HR] 1.22 [95% CI 1.12-1.32]). Insulin use was associated with higher odds of hospitalization, ICU admission, and death (OR 1.12 [95% CI 1.07-1.18], 1.12 [95% CI 1.04-1.22], and 1.18 [95% CI 1.09-1.27], respectively) and higher risk of death (HR 1.12 [95% CI 1.07-1.18]). Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP1-RA), or angiotensin receptor blocker use were associated with lower odds of hospitalization (OR 0.92 [95% CI 0.85-0.99], 0.88 [95% CI 0.81-0.96], and 0.94 [95% CI 0.89-0.99], respectively). Metformin and SGLT2i use were associated with lower odds (OR 0.84 [95% CI 0.78-0.91], 0.82 [95% CI 0.72-0.94], respectively) and risk of death (HR 0.84 [95% CI 0.79-0.89], 0.82 [95% CI 0.74-0.92], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Among veterans with diabetes and COVID-19, higher HbA1c and insulin use were directly associated with adverse outcomes, while use of a GLP1-RA, metformin, and SGLT2i was inversely associated.

High frequency and prognostic value of MYD88 L265P mutation in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with R-CHOP treatment.

The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence and prognostic value of myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MYD88) L265P in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients treated with rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP). We assessed the MYD88 L265P mutation using an allele-specific semi-nested polymerase chain reaction method in 53 DLBCL patients treated with R-CHOP. The MYD88 L265P mutation was detected in 16 of 53 DLBCL (30.19%) samples from patients treated with R-CHOP. Age and location were statistically significantly associated with MYD88 L265P (P=0.025, 0.033, respectively), while treatment response and tumor recurrence were not. Univariate analysis showed that B symptoms (P=0.004) and Ki-67 (P=0.03) were significantly associated with progression-free survival (PFS), while MYD88 L265P showed no significant association with overall survival and PFS. Multivariate analysis showed that B symptoms were significantly associated with PFS. Our study suggests that the prognostic value of MYD88 L265P in DLBCL patients with R-CHOP requires further research.

In vivo and in vitro effects of RAD001 on bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of Everolimus (RAD001) on chemically induced urothelial lesions in mice and its influence on in vitro human bladder cancer cell lines. METHODS: ICR male mice were given N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine in drinking water for a period of 12 weeks. Subsequently, RAD001 was administered via oral gavage, for 6 weeks. At the end of the experiment, all the animals were sacrificed and tumor development was determined by means of histopathologic evaluation; mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) expressivity was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Three human bladder cancer cell lines (T24, HT1376, and 5637) were treated using a range of RAD001 concentrations. MTT assay, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), and flow cytometry were used to assess cell proliferation, apoptosis index, and cell cycle analysis, respectively. Immunoblotting analysis of 3 cell line extracts using mTOR and Akt antibodies was performed in order to study the expression of Akt and mTOR proteins and their phosphorylated forms. RESULTS: The incidence of urothelial lesions in animals treated with RAD001 was similar to those animals not treated. RAD001 did not block T24 and HT1376 cell proliferation or induce apoptosis. A reduction in cell proliferation rate and therefore G0/G1 phase arrest, as well as a statistically significant induction of apoptosis (P = 0.001), was only observed in the 5637 cell line. CONCLUSION: RAD001 seems not to have a significant effect on chemically induced murine bladder tumors. The effect of RAD001 on tumor proliferation and apoptosis was achieved only in superficial derived bladder cancer cell line, no effect was observed in invasive cell lines.

Tratamiento de la queratitis sicca severa e inflamación ocular con ciclosporina A tópica / Treatment of the severe queratitis sicca and ocular inflammation with topical cyclosporine A

OBJETIVO: Determinar la eficacia y la seguridad del tratamiento de la queratitis o queratoconjuntivitis sicca severa (QSS) e inflamación ocular con la solución tópica de ciclosporina A al 0.1 por ciento. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, serie de casos. Se revisó 24 historias clínicas de pacientes evaluados en el Servicio de Oftalmología del Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza de Lima de noviembre del 2006 a agosto del 2007; 16 portadores de QSS (Síndrome de Sjogren primario), cinco con síndromes de Sjogren secundario (tres con AR, uno con AR más LES, uno con AR más Nevi de Ota), dos con amilodosis conjuntival y corneal; y un paciente con oftalmoplejía del III nervio derecho postraumática y pseudofaquia en el ojo derecho con inflamación ocular. Todos recibieron ciclosporina A al 0.1 por ciento tópica, dos veces al día, por no haber respondido al tratamiento lubricante ocular, AINE, corticoides e inmunosupresores sistémicos. Los controles fueron realizados a la semana, 14 días y luego mensual, reevaluándose los síntomas y determinándose la diferencia de la evaluación corneal, conjuntiva interpalpebral, test de Schirmer y tear BUT (tiempo de ruptura de la película lagrimal). Se realizó un examen oftalmológico compleot, hemograma completo, glicemia basal, creatinina sérica y transaminasas. RESULTADOS: Se evaluaron 24 pacientes, 22 mujeres y 2 varones, con edades entre 32 y 74 años. Los 16 pacientes portadores de QSS sin enfermedad sistémica u ocular asociada, evolucionaron favorablemente, remitiendo en promedio, la queratoconjuntivitis, en dos meses y mejorando los síntomas y la agudeza visual en dos semanas. En los pacientes con enfermedad sistémica u ocular asociada, los síntomas mejoraron en un promedio de 30 días y la queratitis remitió en un promedio de cuatro meses. El test de Schirmer fue en promedio de 2 mm al inicio del tratamiento y de 4 mm al mes...

Anestesis local en cirugía neonatal, el uso de la lidocaína y el diazepan, hospital materno infantil de `San Bartolomé' / Local anesthesia in neonatal surgery, the use og lidocaine and diazepan, Hospital Materno Infantil of `San Bartolomé'

The authors discuss their experiece over a period of years in the use of Lidocaine and Diazepan in Neonatar surgery. This technique was used in 175 cases with 173 exits. The advantages of this method are mentioned, the indication, dosages, the patology in wich the aplication is easily done

Hallazgos oftalmológicos en la comunidad Shipiba de Santa Teresita: tracoma, demostración citológica / Ophthalmological findings in the Shipiba community of Santa Teresita: tracoma, cytologic demonstration

En los meses de Junio y Agosto de l985, la Organización Peruana de Lucha contra la Ceguera, OPELUCE, realiza un estudio oftalmológico en la comunidad Shipiba de Santa Teresita, en Ucayali. Se examinó al 85% de la población, de los cuales el 74% padecía de conjuntivitis folicular. Se tomaron 38 muestras del tarso superior y en el 94% de ellas se hallaron Cuerpos de Inclusión de Halberstadter-Prowazek. También se encontró a la cuarta parte de la población con pterigion

Programas integrados de prevención de ceguera en el Perú: organización Peruana de lucha contra la ceguera (OPELUCE): resultados de 12 programas rurales y 19 urbano-marginales (1983-1986) / Integral programs of blindness prevention in Perú: organización Peruana de lucha contra la Ceguera (OPELUCE): results of 12 rural programs and 19 urban-marginal (1983-1986)

El Perú es un país con 18 millones de habitantes, de los cuales la tercera parte carece de atención ocular, siendo su tasa de ceguera el 0.6%, concentrándose el 82% de los Oftalmólogos en Lima Capital. No siendo eficiente la acción estatal en conducir la atención especializada a las poblaciones que la necesitan, la Organización Peruana de Lucha contra la Ceguera (OPELUCE) aborda esta problemática, y presenta su Modelo Integrado de Prevención de Ceguera que está aplicando en las zonas rurales del país desde hace 3 años, trascendiendo la agreste geografía que representa tener Costa, Sierra y Selva. Nuestro Modelo Integrado comprende: Asistencia clínica y quirúrgica, programa escolar, capacitación de maestros y personal de Salud, donación de material quirúrgico y anteojos, recopilación de datos, educación a la Comunidad y creación de un sistema de referencia de pacientes, programas de investigación, implementación de programas para los ciegos. Presentamos también los logros de nuestra Institución a través de doce (12) Programas Rurales y diecinueve (19) Programas en las zonas urbano-marginales. La problemática de la Prevención de la Ceguera en el Perú, al igual que en otros países en desarrollo, no es considerada entre las prioridades del Ministério de Salud. No existe, por consiguiente, un Programa de Salud Ocular que alcance precisamente a la población de las zonas urbano-marginales y peor aún, a los de las zonas rurales, permitiendo que los males que afectan a los ojos prosigan su libre evolución, conduciendo a la ceguera innecesaria a muchos enfermos. El Perú tiene aproximadamente 18 millones de habitantes, de los...

Seroprevalecencia de la infección por Treponema pallidum en el distrito de Ilo, junio a agosto de 1995

El presente trabajo de investigación se realizó con el objetivo de determinar la seroprevalecencia de la infección por Treponema Pallidum en el distrito de Ilo, Moquegua-Perú y conocer sus aspectos epidemiológicos. Se estudiaron aleatoriamente 650 personas de ambos sexos entre los 15 a 49 años en quienes se realizó la prueba serológica de VDRL, en los que resultaron positivos se confirmó con la prueba específica de FTA-ABS. La seroprevalecencia de la infección por Treponema Pallidum encontrada en el distrito de Ilo fue de 2.92 por ciento. La seroprevalecencia de la muestra masculina fue de 3,24 por ciento, en la muestra femenina 2,58 por ciento, comprobándose ser más frecuente en la segunda década de la vida 68,42 por ciento, en solteros 79 por ciento, en emigrantes 68,42 por ciento y los dedicados a ocupaciones artesanales 31,6 por ciento. La seroprevalencia en el grupo heterosexual fue de 54,55 por ciento y de 45,45 por ciento en el grupo homosexual y bisexual existiendo diferencia altamente significativa, siendo el grupo homo-bisexual el de mayor riesgo. El comportamiento homosexual y bisexual solo se refirió en la muestra masculina con 1,18 por ciento y 6,19 por ciento respectivamente. La presencia de serodiagnósticos positivos a la T. Pallidum en pobladores del distrito de Ilo permiten reafirmar que la sífilis sigue constituyendo un problema de salud pública