Social representations of malaria in the Guna indigenous population of Comarca Guna de Madungandi, Panama.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to recognize the social representation of the Guna indigenous population by identifying cultural elements related to malaria, in order to create an intercultural approach to any health intervention to control and prevent the disease. METHODS: This qualitative study has an anthropological focus that used participant observation, informal conversations, focus groups, interviews, in-depth interviews with key actors. Analyses included review, classification and categorization of interviews. RESULTS: Malaria within the Guna culture is in harmony with several cultural factors, such as magic, religion, beliefs, myths, and nature. The health system must include these factors in its intercultural approach to ensure the sustainability of anti-malarial intervention measures. Until this is not properly addressed, the Guna population of Madungandi will remain a permanent source of risk for malaria transmission in this region and for the rest of the country. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study contribute new variables that can facilitate an intercultural approach to improve the perception of malaria in the indigenous population of Comarca Guna de Madungandi, Panama.

Pre- and post-surgical evaluation of the inflammatory response in patients with aortic stenosis treated with different types of prosthesis.

BACKGROUND: The inflammatory process in aortic valvular stenosis persists after surgery to replace the valve in almost half of the patients. No association has been found to its persistence. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the inflammatory response in patients with aortic stenosis through the determination of several biomarkers in plasma measured before and after the valvular replacement and to seek an association with the type of prosthesis used. METHODS: This is an observational study with a follow up of 6 months in subjects with severe aortic stenosis. Seric concentrations of TNFa, IL-1, IL-6 and ICAM and echocardiographic variables were quantified previous to the surgery and a week and 6 months after it. A group of control subjects paired by age and gender was included. RESULTS: Seventy-nine subjects were studied of which 57% were male; the average age was of 59 (± 11.4) years. Previous to surgery, the concentration of cytokines was higher in patients than in control subjects. A biological prosthesis was implanted in 48 patients and a mechanical prosthesis in 31. Both, types of prosthesis have components made of titanium. The echocardiograms 1 week and 6 months after the surgery showed a decrease in the mean aortic gradient and an increase in the valvular area (p = 0.001). Half of the patients still showed high proinflammatory cytokine levels. There were no differences according to the type of prosthesis implanted after adjustments for demographic variables, comorbidities and echocardiographic data. CONCLUSIONS: The inflammatory response caused by both types of valvular prothesis at 6 months after implantation were similar. Both types of prosthesis are recommended, they had similarities in hemodynamic profiles registered with Doppler echocardiography. Age of the patient or the suitability use of anticoagulants determines the type of prosthesis to be used.

Immunologic Responses in Biological and Mechanical Valve Prostheses: Inflammation and Functionality Are Not Always Related.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the inflammatory response in patients with aortic and/or mitral prostheses, and to correlate the level of inflammatory markers with prosthesis functionality. METHODS: A total of 48 patients with biological or mechanical prostheses was included in the study, in which levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), interleukin (IL)-1, -4, and -6, interferon-gamma (IFNγ), osteopontin (OPN), intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM), endothelin-1 and C-reactive protein were analyzed. Functionality of the prosthesis was evaluated using transthoracic echocardiography at three years after surgery. RESULTS: The mean period from the date of surgery was seven years. High levels of IL-1 were found in patients with mechanical prostheses compared to those with bioprostheses (p = 0.04). Patients with aortic bioprostheses and stenosis had higher levels of OPN and endothelin-1, those with aortic mechanical prostheses with stenosis had increased levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, OPN and ICAM, and those with aortic mechanical leakage had increased levels of MMP-1 and endothelin-1. In mitral bioprostheses with leakage of endothelin-1, ICAM and MMP-9 levels were increased, while in mechanical prostheses with leakage there were increases of ICAM and endothelin-1. Tricuspid bioprostheses with double lesions had increased levels of OPN and endothelin-1. CONCLUSIONS: Valvular dysfunction was similar across the types of prosthesis material. IL-1 was increased in subjects with mechanical prostheses independently of dysfunction, while in biological prostheses there were increases in OPN and endothelin-1, and these were related to valvular dysfunction. Given that in the analysis of durability and functionality there were no significant differences between biological and mechanical prostheses, biological prostheses may represent the first treatment option in patients with low economic resources, the elderly, and even young patients.

Characterization of a recent malaria outbreak in the autonomous indigenous region of Guna Yala, Panama.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to describe the epidemiological and entomological factors associated with a recent malaria outbreak that occurred in 2012 in a socially marginalized population from Guna Yala Comarca in Panama. METHODS: A descriptive and observational study was conducted by analysing demographic and epidemiological data from all malaria cases registered during 2012 in the Comarca Guna Yala, Panama. Malaria intensity indicators were calculated during the study period. Entomological evaluations were performed monthly, from October to December 2012, in the three communities that presented the most intense malaria transmission during the first semester of 2012. Anopheles breeding habitats were also characterized. RESULTS: During the studied period, 6754 blood smears were examined (17.8 % of the total population), and 143 were confirmed as positive for Plasmodium vivax. A significant increase of malaria transmission risk indicators (API: 3.8/1000, SPR: 2.1 %) was observed in Guna Yula, when compared with previous years, and also in comparison with estimates from the whole country. Anopheles albimanus was the most abundant and widespread (877; 72.0 %) vector species found in the three localities, followed by Anopheles punctimacula (231; 19.0 %) and Anopheles aquasalis (110; 9.0 %). Three An. albimanus pools were positive for P. vivax, showing an overall pooled prevalence estimate of 0.014. CONCLUSIONS: Data analysis confirmed that during 2012 a malaria epidemic occurred in Guna Yala. Panama. This study provides baseline data on the local epidemiology of malaria in this vulnerable region of Panamá. This information will be useful for targeting control strategies by the National Malaria Control Programme.

Leishmania panamensis infection and antimonial drugs modulate expression of macrophage drug transporters and metabolizing enzymes: impact on intracellular parasite survival.

OBJECTIVES: Treatment failure is multifactorial. Despite the importance of host cell drug transporters and metabolizing enzymes in the accumulation, distribution and metabolism of drugs targeting intracellular pathogens, their impact on the efficacy of antileishmanials is unknown. We examined the contribution of pharmacologically relevant determinants in human macrophages in the antimony-mediated killing of intracellular Leishmania panamensis and its relationship with the outcome of treatment with meglumine antimoniate. METHODS: Patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis who failed (n = 8) or responded (n =8) to treatment were recruited. Gene expression profiling of pharmacological determinants in primary macrophages was evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR and correlated to the drug-mediated intracellular parasite killing. Functional validation was conducted through short hairpin RNA gene knockdown. RESULTS: Survival of L. panamensis after exposure to antimonials was significantly higher in macrophages from patients who failed treatment. Sixteen macrophage drug-response genes were modulated by infection and exposure to meglumine antimoniate. Correlation analyses of gene expression and intracellular parasite survival revealed the involvement of host cell metallothionein-2A and ABCB6 in the survival of Leishmania during exposure to antimonials. ABCB6 was functionally validated as a transporter of antimonial compounds localized in both the cell and phagolysosomal membranes of macrophages, revealing a novel mechanism of host cell-mediated regulation of intracellular drug exposure and parasite survival within phagocytes. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide insight into host cell mechanisms regulating the intracellular exposure of Leishmania to antimonials and variations among individuals that impact parasite survival. Understanding of host cell determinants of intracellular pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics opens new avenues to improved drug efficacy for intracellular pathogens.

Sensitive diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis by lesion swab sampling coupled to qPCR.

Variation in clinical accuracy of molecular diagnostic methods for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is commonly observed depending on the sample source, the method of DNA recovery and the molecular test. Few attempts have been made to compare these variables. Two swab and aspirate samples from lesions of patients with suspected CL (n = 105) were evaluated alongside standard diagnosis by microscopic detection of amastigotes or culture of parasites from lesion material. Three DNA extraction methods were compared: Qiagen on swab and aspirate specimens, Isohelix on swabs and Boil/Spin of lesion aspirates. Recovery of Leishmania DNA was evaluated for each sample type by real-time polymerase chain reaction detection of parasitic 18S rDNA, and the diagnostic accuracy of the molecular method determined. Swab sampling combined with Qiagen DNA extraction was the most efficient recovery method for Leishmania DNA, and was the most sensitive (98%; 95% CI: 91-100%) and specific (84%; 95% CI: 64-95%) approach. Aspirated material was less sensitive at 80% (95% CI: 70-88%) and 61% (95% CI: 50-72%) when coupled to Qiagen or Boil-Spin DNA extraction, respectively. Swab sampling of lesions was painless, simple to perform and coupled with standardized DNA extraction enhances the feasibility of molecular diagnosis of CL.

Pentalinon andrieuxii root extract is effective in the topical treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania mexicana.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) manifests as localized skin lesions, which lead to significant tissue destruction and disfigurement. In the Yucatan Peninsula, Mayan traditional healers use Pentalinon andrieuxii Muell.-Arg. (Apocynaceae) roots for the topical treatment of CL. Here, we studied the effect of P. andrieuxii root hexane extract (PARE) on the parasites and host cells in vitro and examined its efficacy in the topical treatment of CL caused by Leishmania mexicana. PARE exhibited potent antiparasitic activity in vitro against promastigotes as well as amastigotes residing in macrophages. Electron microscopy of PARE-treated parasites revealed direct membrane damage. PARE also activated nuclear factor kappaB and enhanced interferon-γ receptor and MHC class II expression and TNF-α production in macrophages. In addition, PARE induced production of the Th1 promoting cytokine IL-12 in dendritic cells as well as enhanced expression of the co-stimulatory molecules CD40, CD80, and CD86. In vivo studies showed that L. mexicana-infected mice treated by topical application of PARE resulted in the significant reduction in lesion size and parasite burden compared to controls. These findings indicate that PARE could be used as an alternative therapy for the topical treatment of CL.

(2,2'-Bi-pyridine-κ(2) N,N')di-chloridopalladium(II) 1,4-dioxane hemisolvate.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [PdCl2(C10H8N2)]·0.5C4H8O2, consists of one Pd(II) complex mol-ecule and a half-mol-ecule of 1,4-dioxane, the complete mol-ecule being generated by inversion symmetry. The Pd(II) atom has an almost square-planar coordination formed by the 2,2'-bi-pyridine ligand and two chloride ligands. Two intra-molecular C-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds occur. In the crystal, the Pd(II) complex and 1,4-dioxane mol-ecules are connected by C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a layer parallel to (10-1). Within the layer, weak π-π inter-actions [centroid-centroid distance = 3.817 (4) Å] are observed between the pyridine rings.

Di-chlorido-(4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bi-pyridine-κ(2) N,N')palladium(II) dimethyl sulfoxide monosolvate monohydrate.

The title compound, [PdCl2(C18H24N2)]·(CH3)2SO·H2O, the Pd(II) ion is in a distorted square-planar geometry. The Pd-N bond distances are 2.022 (2) and 2.027 (2) Å, the Pd-Cl bond distances are 2.2880 (7) and 2.2833 (7) Å, and the ligand bite angle is 80.07 (9)°. The dimethyl sulfoxide and water mol-ecules form linear chains along [100] by O-H⋯O and O-H⋯S hydrogen bonds, generating eight- and 12-membered rings. C-H⋯Cl inter-actions link the chains, forming a three-dimensional arrangement. In addition, the 4,4-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bi-pyridine ligand exhibits π-π stacking inter-actions [centroid-centroid distances = 3.8741 (15) and 3.8353 (15) Å]. The DMSO solvent is disordered and was refined with an occupancy ratio of 0.866 (3):0.134 (3).

Brief Version of the Ryff Psychological Well-Being Scales for Children and Adolescents: Evidence of Validity.

BACKGROUND: Well-being has become a core concept in the study of positive child health, however, previous instruments for well-being evaluation have been centered mainly on the hedonic component. Therefore, the objective of this study was to adapt the Psychological Well-being Scales for assessing eudaimonic well-being in children and adolescents using a single-item per dimension approach. METHOD: A total of 312 participants (52.9% girls; ages 10-18) from Spain completed the Psychological Well-Being Scales Short Form, the WHO-5 Well-Being Index, and their psychological well-being was evaluated via a semi-structured interview by a developmental psychologist who was an expert in positive psychology. RESULTS: Parallel analysis and exploratory factor analysis suggested a unidimensional structure that showed an excellent fit to the data. The new measure also demonstrated scalar invariance across gender and age. Moreover, the new scale significantly correlated with both WHO-5 and the expert´s ratings of psychological well-being, indicating adequate criterion validity. CONCLUSIONS: The Psychological Well-Being Scales Short Form is a useful, brief measuring instrument that reduces children cognitive fatigue during evaluation.

Presence of the point mutations Val1016Gly in the voltage-gated sodium channel detected in a single mosquito from Panama.

BACKGROUND: In Panama, arboviroses such as dengue fever, and more recently chikungunya fever and Zika disease, are transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Their control is based on the elimination of breeding sites and fogging with pyrethroid insecticides. However, one of the significant issues derived from the prolonged use of pyrethroid insecticide is the development of resistance mechanisms, such as knockdown resistance or kdr. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of kdr mutations in a partial region of the VGSC gene in samples of wild-caught Aedes mosquitoes from different locations of the Metropolitan Region of Panama. RESULTS: Based on the analysis of 194 sequences of the VGSC gene, two kdr mutations (Ile1011Met and Val1016Gly) were detected in a specimen of Ae. aegypti. The frequency of kdr mutations in the evaluated samples of Ae. aegypti was 0.01. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence for a low frequency of kdr mutations in Ae. aegypti populations in Panama. It is possible that these changes have no impact on vector control interventions. To our knowledge, we report, for the first time in America the Val1016Gly mutation documented in Asia. In general terms, this result is highly relevant to the Aedes Control Programme in Panama since it constitutes a feasible approach for the timely detection of resistance as well as for the development of strategies.

The Evaluation of Flow-Mediated Vasodilation in the Brachial Artery Correlates With Endothelial Dysfunction Evaluated by Nitric Oxide Synthase Metabolites in Marfan Syndrome Patients.

Marfan syndrome (MS) is of the most common connective tissue disorders. Although most patients have mutations in the fibrillin-1 gene (FBN1) and more than 1,700 mutations have been described, there are no mutations in less than 10% of patients. Aortic dilation is the most important complication; it involves chronic inflammatory processes and endothelial dysfunction. Prospective study from March 2015 to January 2017, in a cohort of 32 patients of MS confirmed by Ghent criteria and 35 controls of both genders, with a median age of 26 years (18-56). Patients had no comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and/or neoplasms. They were not being treated with statin, NSAIDs, calcium antagonists, oral nitrates, and/or beta-blockers during 7 days prior to the study and patients with smoking history in the last 4 years. Controls were matched by age and gender. We analyzed endothelial dysfunction by flow-mediated vasodilation in the brachial artery, determining the maximum peak flow in the reactive hyperemia phase with a Philips Envisor device with Doppler capability. Its correlation with serum levels of biological markers that could participate in endothelial dysfunction pathways such as NO3-/NO2- ratio, NO2- , citrulline, TNFα, IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, IL-8, osteopontin, ICAM, VCAM, and NO3-/NO2- was determined. Endothelial dysfunction was found in 21 MS patients (65%). The aortic annulus (AAo) was of 27 mm (22-40) and 24 mm (22-30) (p = 0.04) in MS patients with and without dysfunction. The level of NO3-/NO2- ratio, was of 108.95 ± 12.05 nM/ml in controls vs. 170.04 ± 18.76 nM/ml in MS (p = 0.002), NO2- was of 33.78 ± 3.41 vs. 43.95 ± 2.59 nM/ml (p = 0.03), citrulline 62.65 ± 3.46 vs. 72.81 ± 4.35 µMol/ml (p = 0.06). VCAM median was 39 pg/ml (0-86) vs. 32 pg/ml (11-66) (p = 0.03), respectively. The correlation of VCAM with triglycerides (TG) was of 0.62 (p = 0.005). There were no differences in TNFα, IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and osteopontin. MS endothelial dysfunction is related to aortic diameters, and increased levels of VCAM, L-citrulline and NO3-/NO2- ratio, NO2- . VCAM-1 has a significant correlation with TG and could play a significant role in endothelial dysfunction.

Enzootic mosquito vector species at equine encephalitis transmission foci in the República de Panamá.

The identification of mosquito vector species present at arboviral enzootic transmission foci is important to understand transmission eco-epidemiology and to propose and implement prevention and control strategies that reduce vector-borne equine encephalitis transmission. The goal of this study was to identify mosquito species potentially involved in the transmission of enzootic equine encephalitis, in relation to their abundance and diversity at three endemic regions in the República de Panamá. We sampled adult mosquitoes during the dry and rainy season of Panamá. We employed CDC light traps with octanol, EV traps with CO2 and Trinidad 17 traps baited with live hamsters. Traps were deployed in the peridomicile and extradomicile of houses from 18:00 to 6:00 h. We estimated the abundance and diversity of sampled species. We collected a total of 4868 mosquitoes, belonging to 45 species and 11 genera, over 216 sampling nights. Culex (Melanoconion) pedroi, a major Venezuelan equine encephalitis vector was relatively rare (< 2.0% of all sampled mosquitoes). We also found Cx. (Mel) adamesi, Cx. (Mel) crybda, Cx. (Mel) ocossa, Cx. (Mel) spissipes, Cx. (Mel) taeniopus, Cx. (Mel) vomerifer, Aedes scapularis, Ae. angustivittatus, Coquillettidia venezuelensis, Cx. nigripalpus, Cx. declarator, Mansonia titillans, M. pseudotitillans and Psorophora ferox all species known to be vectorially competent for the transmission of arboviruses. Abundance and diversity of mosquitoes in the sampled locations was high, when compared with similar surveys in temperate areas. Information from previous reports about vectorial competence / capacity of the sampled mosquito species suggest that sampled locations have all the elements to support enzootic outbreaks of Venezuelan and Eastern equine encephalitides.

Brief Version of the Ryff Psychological Well-Being Scales for Childrenand Adolescents: Evidence of Validity / Versión Reducida de las Escalas de Bienestar Psicológico de Ryff ParaNiños y Adolescentes: Evidencias de Validez

Background: Well-being has become a core concept in the study of positivechild health, however, previous instruments for well-being evaluation havebeen centered mainly on the hedonic component. Therefore, the objectiveof this study was to adapt the Psychological Well-being Scales for assessingeudaimonic well-being in children and adolescents using a single-item perdimension approach. Method: A total of 312 participants (52.9% girls;ages 10-18) from Spain completed the Psychological Well-Being ScalesShort Form, the WHO-5 Well-Being Index, and their psychological well-being was evaluated via a semi-structured interview by a developmentalpsychologist who was an expert in positive psychology. Results: Parallelanalysis and exploratory factor analysis suggested a unidimensionalstructure that showed an excellent fit to the data. The new measure alsodemonstrated scalar invariance across gender and age. Moreover, thenew scale significantly correlated with both WHO-5 and the expert’sratings of psychological well-being, indicating adequate criterion validity.Conclusions: The Psychological Well-Being Scales Short Form is a useful,brief measuring instrument that reduces children cognitive fatigue duringevaluation.

Antecedentes: el bienestarse ha convertido en un concepto central para el estudio de la salud infantil,aunque los instrumentos previos para su evaluación se han centrado en sucomponente hedónico. Por ello, nuestro objetivo fue adaptar las Escalasde Bienestar Psicológico para su uso con niños y adolescentes utilizandoun enfoque de un único ítem por dimensión. Método: un total de 312participantes (52,9% mujeres; edades 10-18) españoles completaron lanueva versión reducida de las escalas de bienestar psicológico, el índicede bienestar de la OMS-5, y su bienestar fue evaluado mediante unaentrevista semiestructurada. Resultados: el análisis paralelo y el análisisfactorial exploratorio sugirieron una estructura unidimensional quemostró un ajuste excelente a los datos. Además, la nueva medida presentóinvariancia escalar para el género y la edad. La nueva escala correlacionósignificativamente con la escala de OMS-5, así como con la evaluacióndel experto externo sobre la satisfacción con la vida global, indicando unaadecuada validez de criterio. Conclusiones: la versión reducida de lasEscalas de Bienestar Psicológico para jóvenes ha mostrado unas excelentespropiedades psicométricas, siendo un instrumento de medición breve quereduce la fatiga cognitiva de los jóvenes durante la evaluación.

Geostatistical characterization of the soil of Aguascalientes, México, by using spatial estimation techniques.

Four spatial estimation techniques available in commercial computational packages are evaluated and compared, namely: regularized splines interpolation, tension splines interpolation, inverse distance weighted interpolation, and ordinary Kriging estimation, in order to establish the best representation for the shallow stratigraphic configuration in the city of Aguascalientes, in Central Mexico. Data from 478 sample points along with the software ArcGIS (Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI), ArcGIS, ver. 9.3, Redlands, California 2008) to calculate the spatial estimates. Each technique was evaluated based on the root mean square error, calculated from a validation between the generated estimates and measured data from 64 sample points which were not used in the spatial estimation process. The present study shows that, for the estimation of the hard-soil layer, ordinary Kriging offered the best performance among the evaluated techniques.

Short-term suppression of Aedes aegypti using genetic control does not facilitate Aedes albopictus.

BACKGROUND: Under permit from the National Biosafety Commission for the use of genetically modified organisms, releases of a genetically engineered self-limiting strain of Aedes aegypti (OX513A) were used to suppress urban pest Ae. aegypti in West Panama. Experimental goals were to assess the effects on a coexisting population of Ae. albopictus and examine operational parameters with relevance to environmental impact. RESULTS: Ae. albopictus populations were shown to be increasing year upon year at each of three study sites, potentially reflecting a broader-scale incursion into the area. Ae. albopictus abundance was unaffected by a sustained reduction in Ae. aegypti by up to 93% through repeated releases of OX513A. Males accounted for 99.99% of released OX513A, resulting in a sustained mating fraction of 75%. Mean mating competitiveness of OX513A was 0.14. The proportion of OX513A in the local environment decreased by 95% within 25 days of the final release. CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence for species replacement of Ae. aegypti by Ae. albopictus over the course of this study. No unintentional environmental impacts or elevated operational risks were observed. The potential for this emerging technology to mitigate against disease outbreaks before they become established is discussed.

Evaluation and analysis of plasma soluble adhesion molecules in patients with coronary ectasia and atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The pathogenesis of coronary artery ectasia (CE) is poorly understood. An underlying inflammatory process is suspected; current therapy aims to prevent thrombotic events. Presently, there is no evidence to support an anti-inflammatory approach for CE patients. We undertook this study to determine the presence and levels of adhesion molecules as well as other inflammation-related markers and evaluate their invasive angiography findings to compare between patients with CE or atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: We included 23 patients with CE alone and 23 patients with CAD alone reported by diagnostic angiography. The two groups were paired according to gender and age. Clinical variables, angiographic findings (STEMI, NSTEMI, previous coronary stenting and previous CABG), serum VCAM, ICAM, C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6 and adiponectin were compared between groups. RESULTS: In patients with CE, median for serum VCAM was 1700 ng/mL with a range from 900-4050 and for serum ICAM was 550 ng/mL (370-1530); in contrast to the obstructive lesions group where we found a median for VCAM of 1150 ng/mL (650-2000) and for ICAM of 370 ng/mL (150-480). Both measurements achieved statistical significance with a p value = 0.0001. There was no important variation between patients measured at different times from diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Plasma soluble adhesion molecules in CE are elevated in comparison to CAD. The presence of high levels of these molecules, along with not uncommon multivessel and extensive coronary affection suggest the participation of subclinical inflammation, which may have an important role in the development of CE.

Estudio de casos de Leishmaniasis cutánea registrados en un hospital público en Portoviejo, Ecuador / Case studies of cutaneous Leishmaniasis registered at a public hospital in Portoviejo City, Ecuador

Laleishmaniasis cutánea (LC) es una zoonosis endémica y un problema de salud pública en el Ecuador. En los últimos años, Manabí, es la provincia más incidente de Leishmania como consecuencia de los desastres naturales ocurridos y la migración de locales a las áreas rurales.El objetivo del estudio es determinarlos aspectos clínicos yepidemiológicosde la Leishmania.El estudio de casos de datos secundarios, reclutó 4 pacientes registrados en el hospital regional de Portoviejo en Manabí, en el 2017. La determinación clínica (características de las lesiones) y epidemiológica de la leishmaniasis, así como el diagnóstico complementario de las muestras (polo benigno) con frotis directo fueron evaluados. La determinación taxonómica de Leishmaniano se prescribe en entidades públicas gubernamentales.El análisis descriptivo se realizó en M. Excel, determinándose la LC en el 100% (N=4) de las mujeres, de entre 1 a 43 años, 3 (75%) de ellas <16 años. Solo 1 (25%) paciente acudió a la consulta hospitalaria por las lesiones dérmicas mientras que el resto [n=3 (75%)], fueron determinadas como un hallazgo fortuito durante la hospitalización por otras entidades clínicas emergentes. El 25% (n=1) de ellas, recibió tratamiento hospitalario con glucantime, mientras que el 75% (n=3) de ellas fueron derivados a hospitales de segundo nivel. La necesidad urgente de capitación del equipo médico de la atención primaria es inherente para la identificación oportuna de Leishmaniasis comunitaria para mejorar la supervisión epidemiológica de la zoonosis. Aún existen reportes clínicos diagnósticos erróneos sobre las lesiones dérmicas, sin considerar los aspectos epidemiológicos y de laboratorio que pueden ayudar a determinarLC.

The cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an endemic zoonosis and a public health problem in Ecuador. In recent years, Manabí is the most incident province with Leishmania as a result of recent natural disasters and the migration of locals to rural areas. The Aim of this study is to determine the clinical and epidemiological aspects of Leishmania. The case study used secondary data cases and recruited 4 patients, registered at a tertiary hospital in Portoviejo, Manabí, in 2017. The clinical (characteristics of the lesions) and epidemiological determination of CL, as well as the complementary diagnosis of skin samples (benign pole) with direct smear were evaluated. The taxonomic determination of Leishmania is not prescribed in public health institutions. The descriptive analysis was performed in M. Excel. The CL was determined in 100% (N=4) of women between 1 to 43 years, 3 (75%) of them <16 years. Only 1 (25%) patient attended the hospital checking out for skin lesions while the rest [n=3 (75%)] were determined as a fortuitous finding during hospitalization by other emerging clinical entities. Only 25% (n=1) of them received treatment with glucantime at hospital, while 75% (n=3) of them were referred to second level hospitals. The urgent need for training of health workers at primary care level is inherent to the timely identification of community leishmaniasis, to improve epidemiological surveillance upon the zoonoses. Some mistakes in diagnosis of skin lesions, without considering the epidemiological and laboratory aspects, in order to determine cutaneous leishmaniasis, have been reported.

The role of prostaglandin E2 in the immunopathogenesis of experimental pulmonary tuberculosis.

Prostaglandins (PG) are potent mediators of intercellular communication, and PGE2 at high concentration is immunosuppressive for T-cell-mediated immunity. We studied the kinetics of PGE2 production and the expression of the enzymes related to its synthesis during the course of experimental pulmonary tuberculosis. Secondly, we analysed the pathological and immunological changes produced by the pharmacological suppression of PG production. In BALB/c mice infected via the trachea with Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv there is an initial phase of partial resistance, dominated by type 1 cytokines plus tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and expression of the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), followed by a phase of progressive disease. During the early phase of the infection some activated macrophages located in the alveolar-capillary interstitium and in granulomas showed strong PGE2 immunostaining. However, PGE2 concentrations were relatively low and stable. Animals in this early phase of infection were treated with niflumic acid, a potent and specific blocker of cyclo-oxygenase 2, the rate-limiting enzyme of PG production. In comparison with control animals, the suppression of PG synthesis produced higher inflammation and expression of TNF-alpha, interleukin-1alpha and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), but almost complete disappearance of iNOS expression, which coexisted with a significant increment of bacterial load. The late progressive phase in this experimental model is characterized by progressive pneumonia, small granulomas and diminished expression of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and iNOS in coexistence with high expression of IL-4. Strong PGE2 immunostaining was seen in foamy macrophages localized in the pneumonic areas, and the PGE2 concentration was four-fold higher in this late phase of infection than during the early phase. When PG production was suppressed in animals suffering advanced phase infection, a significant reduction of pneumonia and bacillus load with striking increment of granuloma size was seen, and the expression of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and iNOS was also improved. These findings demonstrate a significant participation of PGE2 in the pathogenesis of pulmonary tuberculosis, showing that during the early phase of the infection there are low PGE2 concentrations which contribute to iNOS expression permitting the temporal control of bacillus growth, while the high PGE2 concentrations during the late phase of the disease contribute to down-regulate cell-mediated immunity, permitting disease progression.

Bases biológicas en implantología / Biologic in implantology

En la actualidad la implantología es una práctica con bases científicas por el avance de la biología de la oseointegración. El objetivo de un tratamiento implanto-protésico es el logro de una anquilosis funcional entre el tejido y el implante. Para lograrlo es necesario armonizar una serie de elementos como: las características químicas, físicas y la textura de la superficie del implante, su forma y diseño, las bacterias, el ph, así como también la solubilidad y alta reactividad de la superficie a implartar, los fluidos intercelulares y las factores biomecánicos. Es por eso la importancia de analizar la relación-tejido implante o interfase desde un punto de vista biológico mecánico, teniendo en cuenta los factores propios del implante que modifican la respuesta oseointegradora, así como la composición celular de la mucosa peri-implantaria. Esto determina la correcta selección del protocolo lpara lograr regeneración y/o reparación adecuada y una organización e hueso y tejidos blandos con una buena relación entre la fase intraósea y supracrestal con el biomateriala.

Implantology actually is a practice with scientific basic about osseo-integration biology advance. The objective for an implant-prosthetic treatment is to obtain a functional anquilosis between implant and tissue. For that is necessary to harmonize elements kike chemical and physical characterics, superficial implant form and design, bacteries, ph, solubility and high reactivity of superficies to implant, intercellular fluids adn biomechanical factors. This is the importance to analizate relationship between implant-tissue or interface about a biomechanical and and biologic point of view, having in count proper factors of implant wich modificate osseo-integration answer and cellular composition of peri-implant mucosa. This determinate the selection correct of protocol to obtain adequate regeneration and/or reparation, and organization of osseous and soft tissue with a well relation between intraosseous and supracrestal fase with biomaterial.