Parasitological survey of schoolchildren from a highaltitude community from Tucumán Province, Argentina: Remarkable low detection of soil-transmitted helminths in comparison with coastal communities

The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among schoolchildren in Colalao del Valle, a high-altitude community in Tucumán province, Argentina, was investigated. The data revealed a high prevalence of parasitism (79.7%) with no significant differences in distribution by sex or age. Protozoa infections were the most common with Blastocystis hominis being the most prevalent (62.5%), followed by Giardia lamblia (29.7%), Endolimax nana (15.6%), Entamoeba coli (12.5%) and Iodamoeba bütschlii (3.1%). Interestingly, there was an absence of soil-transmitted helminths among the studied population which could be related to climate (variable temperatures, moderate rainfall) and soil type (clay).

Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection among children from a shanty town in Tucuman, Argentina

A parasitological survey was conducted in children living in a poor area next to a drainage channel, in Tucumán province, Argentina. Stool specimens from 115 children were collected and samples were analyzed by direct microscopy examination and concentration techniques. The prevalence rate of intestinal parasites infection was high (78.3%) and Blastocystis hominis was the most frequent protozoan parasite found (68.9%) followed by Giardia intestinalis (33.3%), Entamoeba coli (24.4%), Endolimax nana (12.2%), Chilomastix mesnili (5.6%) and Iodamoeba bütschlii (2.2%). Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent intestinal helminth, with an infection frequency of 38.9%, followed by Trichuris trichiura (13.3%), Strongyloides stercoralis (13.3%), Hymenolepis nana (7.8%) and Enterobius vermicularis (3.3%). Multiple parasitic infections were also high, affecting 71.1% of infected population. These results indicate that sanitary policies, including health care and sanitary education have been inadequate for the control of intestinal parasitism in this high-risk population. Implementation of sanitation programs is a basic need and a joint collaboration between public servant and health professionals should be a priority.

Inhibition of mycotoxin-producing Aspergillus nomius vsc 23 by lactic acid bacteria and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The effect of different fermenting microorganisms on growth of a mycotoxin- producing Aspergillus nomius was assayed. Two lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, all of which are widely used in fermentation and preservation of food, were assayed on their fungus inhibitory properties. Assays were carried out by simultaneous inoculation of one of the possible inhibiting microorganisms and the fungus or subsequent inoculation of one of the microorganisms followed by the fungus. All three microorganisms assayed showed growth inhibition of the mycotoxin-producing Aspergillus strain. L. rhamnosus O236, isolated from sheep milk and selected for its technological properties, showed highest fungal inhibition of the microorganisms assayed. The use of antifungal LAB with excellent technological properties rather than chemical preservatives would enable the food industry to produce organic food without addition of chemical substances.

Estudio multicéntrico de la eficacia y seguridad de amoxicilina/sulbactam en niños con otitis media aguda / Multicentric study of the amoxicillin/sulbactam effectiveness and safety in children with acute otitis media

Introducción. La otitis media aguda (OMA) es una de las principales causas de enfermedad en la infancia, y el motivo más común de visita al médico durante los primeros dos años de vida, después de las enfermedades virales de las vías respiratorias superiores. Los gérmenes causales de OMA pueden ser resistentes a los antibióticos utilizados para combatir esta enfermedad; es por ello que surge la necesidad de buscar nuevas alternativas terapéuticas. Material y métodos. Del 1 de agosto al 31 de octubre de 1999, en el Centro Médico Nacional (CMN) "20 de Noviembre" del ISSSTE, el Instituto Nacional de Pediatría (INP) de la Secretaría de Salud y el CMN "La Raza" del IMSS, de la ciudad de México, se realizó un estudio prospectivo en un grupo de 53 niños, de entre tres meses y seis años de edad, cuyo peso era menor de 25 kilogramos. En la primera visita se practicó examen clínico, otoscopia, cultivo de secreción ótica, y se les administró amoxicilina/sulbactam (Trifamox IBL 500) a dosis de 50 mg/kg/día cada 12 horas durante diez días. Posteriormente, se practicó nueva evaluación clínica en los días 1, 3, 10 y 40 después de iniciar el tratamiento para evaluar el cumplimiento, los efectos adversos y la eficacia del antibiótico. Resultados. De los 53 niños estudiados, 27 fueron del sexo femenino y 26 del masculino, con una edad promedio de 34.3 meses, un peso promedio de 14.9 kg y un error estándar de 1.1. Todos cumplieron con el tratamiento. A 30 niños se les practicó miringotomía con toma de secreción ótica, y los microorganismos aislados fueron: Streptococcus pneumoniae 36.7 por ciento (11/30), Haemophilus influenzae 33.3 por ciento (10/30), Staphylococcus aureus 3.3 por ciento (1/30), Staphylococcus epidermidis 3.3 por ciento (1/30), Klebsiella oxytoca 3.3 por ciento (1/30) y ninguno en 20.1 por ciento (6/30). Los efectos adversos fueron: ninguno en 18.9 por ciento (10/53), diarrea 13.2 por ciento (7/53), náusea 5.7 por ciento (3/53), rash 3.8 por ciento (2/53), dolor abdominal 1.9 por ciento (1/53), caída del cabello 1.9 por ciento (1/53) y dolor ocular en 1.9 por ciento (1/53). Se observó curación clínica en 98.1 por ciento de los niños.Conclusiones. La administración de amoxicilina/sulbactam como antibiótico es eficaz y segura en los niños que padecen OMA.