ABSTRACT
Abstract: Virus-based biopesticides are effective biocontrol agents of crop insect pests. Development of suitable formulations and production processes are necessary to obtain high-quality products easily adopted by farmers. A detailed unit operation study was carried out for the production process of a Phthorimaea operculella granulovirus-based biopesticide to control the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta, one of the most important pests affecting this crop. Physicochemical, microbiological, and insecticidal parameters were implemented in the process and applied to the finished product, and a scaling strategy was developed. A Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (Q-PCR) technique was implemented to quantify viral concentrations in the active ingredient (5.34 ± 1.44 x109 Occlusion Bodies mL-1) and in the finished product (>1.6x109 OB mL-1), without contaminant interferences. The Q-PCR methodology was also useful to select the appropriate solid mixing time following Lacey´s mixing index (8 min). Factors and similarity principles influencing the liquid mixing process were identified in the scaling evaluation. Furthermore, the drying kinetics analysis enabled identifying a drying temperature of 35 °C, with an efficacy under controlled conditions higher than 97%. Contaminant concentration was lower than 1%, indicating controlled and aseptic formulation process conditions. A simple statistical method was used to estimate the reproducibility and repeatability of the parameters assessed in the finished product. These results enable to establish and extrapolate important parameters in the standardization, scale-up, and quality control for the granulovirus-based biopesticide.
ABSTRACT
Objetivo. Analizar el comportamiento de la oportunidad diagnóstica evaluando Retrasos Diagnósticos (RD) y diagnós-ticos con Presentación en Etapa Avanzada (PEA) en casos VIH/SIDA. Materiales y metodos. Estudio descriptivo retrospecti-vo de diagnósticos de la infección por el virus del VIH en insti-tuciones de atención en salud. Se incluyeron los casos nuevos o incidentes diagnosticados entre el 1 enero 2011 a 31 de diciembre de 2016. Se rotuló como Retraso Diagnóstico (RD) aquellos que obtuvieron CD4 menor de 350, Presentación con Enfermedad Avanzada (PEA) por CD4 menor de 200, y una categoría adicional de CD4 menor de 500 utilizada como patrón de referencia. Resultados. Se ingresaron 188 inciden-tes todos con resultados de recuento de linfocitos CD4; la me-diana de edad fue de 30 (Rango Intercuartil 23-40), mediana de CD4 de 230. En cuanto a la interpretación de los retrasos 43.6% de los casos presentó PEA, 68.6% clasificó para RD. La proporción de RD y PEA fue mayor entre los hombres y en los grupos etarios de mayor edad; según el modo de transmisión predominó el sexual, siendo el RD y PEA más frecuente entre Hombres que tienen Sexo con Hombres (HSH) contrastando con lo observado en otros estudios, situación que denota difi-cultades de focalización de los sujetos en riesgo. Conclusión. Los casos que están siendo diagnosticados en la fase final corresponden a individuos de mayor edad, de sexo masculino con antecedentes de prácticas de HSH; los hallazgos permi-ten identificar factores que influyen en la falta de oportunidad para el diagnóstico, falencias la gestión en salud pública en lo relacionado con la prevención y control del VIH en pobla-ciones claves.
Objective. To analyze the behavior of the diagnostic opportunity by evaluating Diagnostic Delays (RD) and diagnoses with Advanced Stage Presentation (PEA) in HIV / AIDS cases. Materials and methods. Retrospective descriptive study of diagnoses of infection by the HIV virus in health care institutions. New cases or incidents diagnosed between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2016 were included. Diagnostic delay (RD) was labeled as those that obtained CD4 less than 350, Presentation with Advanced Disease (PEA) by CD4 less than 200, and an additional category of CD4 less than 500 used as reference standard. Results. 188 incidents were entered all with results of CD4 lymphocyte count; the median age was 30 (Interquartile range 23-40), median CD4 of 230. Regarding the interpretation of the delays 43.6% of the cases presented PEA, 68.6% classified for RD. The proportion of RD and PEA was higher among men and in the older age groups; according to the mode of transmission, sexuality predominated, with the RD and PEA being more frequent among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), in contrast to what has been observed in other studies, a situation that denotes difficulties in targeting subjects at risk. Conclusion. The cases that are being diagnosed in the final phase correspond to older individuals, male with a history of MSM practices; the findings allow to identify factors that influence the lack of opportunity for diagnosis, failures in public health management in relation to the prevention and control of HIV in key populations
Subject(s)
Humans , HIV , Delayed Diagnosis , Catastrophic IllnessABSTRACT
A Colombian Spodoptera frugiperda nucleopolyhedrovirus NPV003 with high potential for the development of an efficient biopesticide was microencapsulated by spray drying with a pH dependent polymer (Eudragit® S100). Conditions for microparticles production were standardized and microencapsulation process was validated. Physical properties, insecticide activity and photo-stability of microencapsulated virus were determined. The microparticles were spherical and irregular shaped, with sizes between 17.64 and 19.47 µm. Moisture content was 10.38 ± 0.87%; encapsulation efficiency 84.61± 13.09% and process yield was 91.20 ± 6.40%. Microencapsulation process did not affect viral insecticidal activity and provided efficient protection against UVB radiation. Results demonstrated technological feasibility of spray drying process to be used in formulating a biopesticide based on NPV003.