ABSTRACT
Background: The prevalence of atopy in asthmatic children is widely variable around the world as demonstrated by large multicentric international studies. Aim: To determine the prevalence of atopy, defined as a positive reaction to one or more allergens in the skin prick test (SPT), in children with persistent asthma. Material and Methods: We studied 1,199 children (54% male), aged between 4 and 16 years with confirmed diagnosis of asthma and followed at a Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, between 2006 and 2011. SPT was performed according to international recommendations using standardized aeroallergens, in the forearm. A positive reaction was defined as a wheal ≥ 3 mm to one or more allergens. Results: The overall prevalence of atopy (positive SPT) was 49.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) 46.5-52.2) and there was a significant trend towards a higher prevalence with increasing age (p < 0.01). The main allergens with positive reactions were Dermatophagoides with 24.9% (95% CI 26.7-31.9), grass 24.0% (95% CI 21.6-26.5), weeds 19.0% (95% CI 16.9-21.4), cat 17.7% (95% CI 15.4-20.2), and Alternaria with 11.0% (95% CI 9.1-13.1). Sixty five percent of positive children reacted to one or more allergens. There were no adverse reactions. Conclusions: In the southern metropolitan area of Santiago de Chile, half of children with asthma are sensitized to common aeroallergens.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Animals , Cats , Child , Child, Preschool , Dogs , Female , Humans , Male , Allergens/analysis , Asthma/epidemiology , Hypersensitivity/epidemiology , Asthma/etiology , Chile/epidemiology , Hypersensitivity/etiology , Prevalence , Surveys and Questionnaires , Skin TestsABSTRACT
Human infection by Streptococcus suis is a zoonosis with a known occupational risk. Meningitis is its most frequent clinical manifestation. We present the first two cases in Chile. First case: 54-year-old female patient, pig-farmer. She presented headache, vomiting, confusion and meningismus. She presented septic shock. Second case: 48-year-old male patient, also pig farmer, presented headache, vomiting and meningismus. A Gram's staining of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed gram-positive cocci in both cases. Ceftriaxone and dexamethasone treatment was administered. The CSF cultures were positive for Streptococcus suis serotype 2. The patients experienced a good outcome, without neurological sequelae at the time of discharge. It is considerable to evaluate epidemiologic factors in order to suspect this etiological agent in cases of meningitis. These cases enhance the need of heighten awareness of potential for occupational exposure and infection by this emerging human pathogen. Educating population at risk about simple preventive measures must be considered.
La infección humana por Streptococcus suis es una zoonosis con riesgo ocupacional conocido, siendo la meningitis aguda su manifestación clínica más frecuente. Se presentan los dos primeros casos en Chile. Primer caso: Mujer de 54 años con un cuadro de cefalea y vómitos, confusión y signos meníngeos. Evolucionó con un shock séptico. Segundo caso: Varón de 48 años, refirió cefalea y vómitos. Presentó signos meníngeos al examen físico. En ambos casos en la tinción de Gram de líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) se observaron cocáceas grampositivas. Fueron tratados con ceftriaxona y dexametasona. El cultivo de LCR fue positivo en ambos casos para S. suis serotipo 2. En los dos pacientes la evolución clínica fue favorable, sin alteraciones neurológicas al alta. En ambos casos se obtuvo en forma retrospectiva el antecedente de realizar labores de crianza de ganado porcino. Se destaca la importancia de investigar los antecedentes epidemiológicos para sospechar este agente etiológico en meningitis aguda. Se debe considerar el riesgo ocupacional en una posible infección por este patógeno humano emergente y educar a la población en riesgo sobre medidas preventivas simples.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Agricultural Workers' Diseases/microbiology , Meningitis, Bacterial/microbiology , Streptococcal Infections/microbiology , Streptococcus suis/isolation & purification , Acute Disease , Agricultural Workers' Diseases/diagnosis , Chile , Meningitis, Bacterial/diagnosis , Streptococcal Infections/diagnosisABSTRACT
En un área clasificada como bosque seco del estado Zulia, Venezuela, se realizó un experimento a escala media para evaluar el efecto de tres frecuencias de suministro del substrato: una vez (100%), tres (50, 25 y 25%) y cuatro (25, 25, 25 y 25%) veces, sobre la biomasa y producción de cápsulas de lombrices. El substrato suministrado fue de 0,220m³ por compartimiento. La densidad de población inicial y la biomasa de las lombrices fueron de 1000 lombrices/m² y 234,88 ±19,93 mg/lombriz. El diseño experimental fue completamente al azar con cinco réplicas. El alimento suministrado fue un compost conformado de la mezcla 1:1 (v:v) de fibra de fruto de palma de aceite:estiércol bovino. Se registró la biomasa y número de cápsulas de las lombrices. A los 105 días hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p£0,05) entre tratamientos para la biomasa individual: 136,49 ±12,29; 147,95 ±11,92 y 172,56 ±12,46 mg/lombriz para uno, tres y cuatro suministros de alimentación, respectivamente. Se registraron diferencias significativas en la producción de cápsulas (p<0,08) con 345 ±155,37; 363,6 ±108,47 y 168 ±66,126 cápsulas para las frecuencias de alimentación de una vez, tres y cuatro veces, respectivamente, pero no así en la biomasa total (p<0,05) que tendió a ser menor a mayor frecuencia. Esto se debe a que al disminuir la alimentación la lombriz pierde peso y también su capacidad reproductiva. La ventaja de tener lombrices de mayor peso no justifica el tener que colocar alimento en los canteros con mayor frecuencia.
In an area classified as dry forest in Zulia state, Venezuela, a medium scale experiment was performed in order to evaluate the effects of three daily frequencies of substrate supply: once (100%), thrice (50, 25 and 25%) and four times (25, 25, 25 and 25%) on earthworm biomass, total biomass/feeding frequency and cocoons production. Total substrate offered was 0.220m³/bin. Initial density and biomass were 1000 earthworms/m² and 234.88 ±19.93 mg/earthworm. Experimental design was a completely randomized one with five replicates. The provided food was compost conformed of the mixture 1:1 (v:v) of oil palm fiber and bovine manure. Total earthworm biomass and number of eggs were registered for each bin. After 105 days, statistical differences (p<0.05) were found among treatments for earthworm biomass: 136.49 ±12.29, 147.95 ±11.92 and 172.56 ±12.46 mg/earthworm for one, three and four daily feeding frequencies, respectively. Tukey media test showed differences (p<0.08) between feeding once, three or four times in cocoons production (345 ±155.37, 363.6 ±108.47 and 168 ±66.126, respectively) but not (p£0.05) in total earthworm biomass, which had a tendency to be lower at higher feeding frequencies. The fact that a higher individual biomass was registered when feed was supplied four times per day but total biomass tends to be lower could be due to the fact that upon reduction of the amount of food the worms lose weight and reproductive capacity. Benefits obtained in increasing feed frequency are not equilibrated with increasing of management task required.
En uma área classificada como bosque seco do estado Zulia, Venezuela, foi realizado um experimento em escala média para avaliar o efeito de três frequências de suministro do substrato: uma vez (100%), três (50, 25 e 25%) e quatro (25, 25, 25 e 25%) vezes por dia, sobre a biomassa e produção de cápsulas de minhocas. O substrato suministrado foi de 0,220m³ por compartimento. A densidade da população inicial e a biomassa das minhocas foram de 1000 minhocas/m² e 234,88 ±19,93 mg/minhoca. O desenho experimental foi complemente aleatório com cinco réplicas. As minhocas foram mantidas em uma mistura de precomposto 1:1 (v:v) de fibra de fruto de palma de óleo:esterco bovino. Registrou-se a biomassa e o número de ovos das minhocas. Aos 105 dias houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas (p£0,05) entre tratamentos para a biomasa individual: 136,49 ±12,29; 147,95 ±11,92 e 172,56 ±12,46 mg/minhoca para um, três e quatro suministros de alimentação, respectivamente. Registraram-se diferenças significativas na produção de cápsulas (p<0,08) com 345 ±155,37; 363,6 ±108.47 e 168 ±66,126 cápsulas para as frequências de alimentação de uma vez, três e quatro vezes, respectivamente, mas não assim na biomassa total (p<0,05) que, a maior frequência, tendeu a ser menor. Isto se deve a que, ao diminuir a alimentação, a minhoca perde peso e também sua capacidade reprodutiva. A vantagem de ter minhocas de maior peso não justifica ter que colocar com maior frequência, alimento nos canteiros.
ABSTRACT
A report of a louse sample identified as Colpocephalum cholibae Price & Beer by Oliveira et al. (2004), from the roadside hawk [Rupornis magnirostris (Gmelin)] in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, is regarded as a misidentification. A correction to the identity of the lice is given as Kurodaia (Kurodaia) fulvofasciata (Piaget). Key morphological differences between the genera Colpocephalum and Kurodaia are discussed, as well as possible reasons for the misidentification.
O relato de uma amostra do piolho identificada como Colpocephalum cholibae Price & Beer por Oliveira et al. (2004), de um gavião-carijó [Rupornis magnirostris (Gmelin)] no estado de São Paulo, é considerado uma identificação incorreta. Uma correção à identidade do piolho é dada como Kurodaia (Kurodaia) fulvofasciata (Piaget). As diferenças morfológicas entre os gêneros Colpocephalum e Kurodaia são discutidas, bem como as possíveis razões para o erro na identificação.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Hawks/parasitology , Phthiraptera/anatomy & histology , Terminology as Topic , BrazilABSTRACT
Seis especies de piojos (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae, Menoponidae) fueron colectadas sobre cuatro especies de aves marinas de la familia Laridae en la costa de Chile. Se registran: Saemundssonia sternae (Linnaeus, 1758) y Quadraceps sellatus (Burmeister, 1838) sobre el gaviotín boreal (Sterna hirundo, Linnaeus, 1758); Saemundssonia lari (O. Fabricius, 1780), Quadraceps punctatus (Burmeister, 1838) y Quadraceps ornatus (Grube, 1851) parasitando a la gaviota dominicana (Larus dominicanus Lichtenstein, 1832); Q. punctatus sobre la gaviota garuma (L. modestus Tschudi, 1843); S. lari y Actornithophilus piceus lari (Packard, 1870) sobre la gaviota de Franklin (L. pipixcan Wagler, 1831). Todas estas especies de Phthiraptera constituyen nuevos registros para Chile.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Female , Bird Diseases/parasitology , Lice Infestations/veterinary , Phthiraptera/anatomy & histology , Phthiraptera/classification , Birds , Chile , Marine FaunaABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Traumatic spinal cord injury is one of the most disabling conditions occurring in man and thus stimulates a strong interest in its histopathological, biochemical, and functional changes, primarily as we search for preventive and therapeutic methods. PURPOSE: To develop an experimental model for transplantation of cells from the fetal rat central nervous system to the site of an injured spinal cord of an adult rat in which the transplanted cells survive and become integrated. This experimental model will facilitate investigations of factors that promote regeneration and functional recovery after spinal cord trauma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifteen adult Wistar rats underwent laminectomy, and an spinal cord lesion was made with microdissection. Fetal spinal cord tissue was then transplanted to the site of the injury. The rats were monitored over a 48-hour period, and then their vertebral column was completely removed for histological analysis. RESULTS: In 60 percent of transplanted rats, the fetal tissue at the injured site remained viable in the site of the lesion