Compromiso cardiaco en distrofias musculares: a propósito de un caso / Cardiac involvement in muscular dystrophies: a clinical case

Resumen Para las distrofias musculares no miotónicas como la Distrofia de Duchenne y la Distrofia de Becker, la cardiopatía forma parte inherente de su espectro clínico. La expresión clínica de éstas se puede manifestar con insuficiencia cardíaca des- compensada, arritmias o muerte súbita; gran parte de ellos cursan asintomáticos en el transcurso del tiempo, pero cuando se manifiestan constituyen una de las principales causas de muerte en estos pacientes, por lo que su detección temprana y tratamiento óptimo influyen en gran medida en el pronóstico clínico de estos pacientes. A continuación, se presenta el caso de un paciente en quien se encontró de forma incidental el compromiso cardíaco de uno de estos desórdenes neuromusculares.

Abstract Cardiac involvement in muscular dystrophies: a clinical case For non-myotonic muscular dystrophies such as Duchenne Dystrophy and Becker Dystrophy, heart disease is an inherent part of its clinical spectrum. The clinical expression of these diseases can be manifested with decompensated heart failure, arrhythmias or sudden death; A large part of them are asymptomatic over time, but when they manifest they constitute one of the main causes of death in these patients, so their early detection and optimal treatment greatly influence the clinical prognosis of these patients. The following is the case of a patient in whom the cardiac involvement of one of these neuromuscular disorders was found incidentally.

Tricobezoar de estómago / Gastric Trichobezoar Rapunzel Syndrome

Trichobezoars are an unusual pathology that appears generally in young adolescents associated with psychiatric disorders. The clinical presentation is very varied. The diagnosis is suspected by the clinical records of teen agers with trichophagia and trichotillomania and the digestive disorders are confirmed by the results of the endoscopy, the same as with images toward the therapeutic management. Undowbtly the treatment is surgical, and continuation with the psychiatric treatment is essential to avoid a recidival of the disease. Bezoar is a concretion formed in the alimentary tract, and according to the substances forming the ball, we find trichobezoar (foodball). The Rapunzel syndrome is an unusual complication of individual bezoar. When the trichobezoar located in the stomach extends through the pylorus into the small intestine and the right colon, is known as Rapunzel syndrome, that is an extremely rare gastric condition in humans. It is a rare form of trichobezoar, occurring in psychiatric patients with the trichobezoar (hairball) located in the stomach. The syndrome is named after the long haired girl Rapunzel in the fairy tale of the brothers Grimm. Most bezoars in teen agers are trichobezoars from swallowed hair. A 28-year-old patient is presented, with abdominal pain and vomiting, on the general physical examination the patient revealed a severe weight loss. Later on, through a gastrostomy, appeared the trichobezoar, being removed with good postsurgical resullts

Identification and susceptibility of clinical isolates of Candida spp. to killer toxins / Identificação e susceptibilidade de isolados clínicos de Candida spp. para toxinas assassinas

Abstract Although invasive infections and mortality caused by Candida species are increasing among compromised patients, resistance to common antifungal agents is also an increasing problem. We analyzed 60 yeasts isolated from patients with invasive candidiasis using a PCR/RFLP strategy based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) region to identify different Candida pathogenic species. PCR analysis was performed from genomic DNA with a primer pair of the ITS2-5.8S rDNA region. PCR-positive samples were characterized by RFLP. Restriction resulted in 23 isolates identified as C. albicans using AlwI, 24 isolates as C. parapsilosis using RsaI, and 13 as C. tropicalis using XmaI. Then, a group of all isolates were evaluated for their susceptibility to a panel of previously described killer yeasts, resulting in 75% being susceptible to at least one killer yeast while the remaining were not inhibited by any strain. C. albicans was the most susceptible group while C. tropicalis had the fewest inhibitions. No species-specific pattern of inhibition was obtained with this panel of killer yeasts. Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Pichia kluyveri and Wickerhamomyces anomalus were the strains that inhibited the most isolates of Candida spp.

Resumo Embora as infecções invasivas e a mortalidade causada por espécies de Candida estejam aumentando entre pacientes comprometidos, a resistência a agentes antifúngicos comuns também é um problema crescente. Analisamos 60 leveduras isoladas de pacientes com candidíase invasiva utilizando como estratégia PCR/RFLP baseada na região espaçadora transcrita interna (ITS2) para identificar diferentes espécies patogênicas de Candida. A análise por PCR foi realizada a partir de ADN genómico com um par de iniciadores da região ITS2-5.8S rDNA. As amostras PCR-positivas foram caracterizadas por RFLP. A restrição resultou em 23 isolados identificados como C. albicans usando AlwI, 24 isolados como C. parapsilosis usando RsaI e 13 como C. tropicalis usando XmaI. Em seguida, avaliou-se o grupo de todos os isolados quanto à sua susceptibilidade a um painel de leveduras killer previamente descritas, resultando em 75% sendo suscetíveis a pelo menos uma levedura killer, enquanto que as restantes não foram inibidas por qualquer cepa. C. albicans foi o grupo mais suscetível enquanto C. tropicalis teve o menor número de inibições. Não se obteve um padrão de inibição específico da espécie com este painel de leveduras killer. Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Pichia kluyveri e Wickerhamomyces anomalus foram as cepas que inibiram a maioria dos isolados de Candida spp.

Identification and susceptibility of clinical isolates of Candida spp. to killer toxins

Abstract Although invasive infections and mortality caused by Candida species are increasing among compromised patients, resistance to common antifungal agents is also an increasing problem. We analyzed 60 yeasts isolated from patients with invasive candidiasis using a PCR/RFLP strategy based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) region to identify different Candida pathogenic species. PCR analysis was performed from genomic DNA with a primer pair of the ITS2-5.8S rDNA region. PCR-positive samples were characterized by RFLP. Restriction resulted in 23 isolates identified as C. albicans using AlwI, 24 isolates as C. parapsilosis using RsaI, and 13 as C. tropicalis using XmaI. Then, a group of all isolates were evaluated for their susceptibility to a panel of previously described killer yeasts, resulting in 75% being susceptible to at least one killer yeast while the remaining were not inhibited by any strain. C. albicans was the most susceptible group while C. tropicalis had the fewest inhibitions. No species-specific pattern of inhibition was obtained with this panel of killer yeasts. Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Pichia kluyveri and Wickerhamomyces anomalus were the strains that inhibited the most isolates of Candida spp.

Resumo Embora as infecções invasivas e a mortalidade causada por espécies de Candida estejam aumentando entre pacientes comprometidos, a resistência a agentes antifúngicos comuns também é um problema crescente. Analisamos 60 leveduras isoladas de pacientes com candidíase invasiva utilizando como estratégia PCR/RFLP baseada na região espaçadora transcrita interna (ITS2) para identificar diferentes espécies patogênicas de Candida. A análise por PCR foi realizada a partir de ADN genómico com um par de iniciadores da região ITS2-5.8S rDNA. As amostras PCR-positivas foram caracterizadas por RFLP. A restrição resultou em 23 isolados identificados como C. albicans usando AlwI, 24 isolados como C. parapsilosis usando RsaI e 13 como C. tropicalis usando XmaI. Em seguida, avaliou-se o grupo de todos os isolados quanto à sua susceptibilidade a um painel de leveduras killer previamente descritas, resultando em 75% sendo suscetíveis a pelo menos uma levedura killer, enquanto que as restantes não foram inibidas por qualquer cepa. C. albicans foi o grupo mais suscetível enquanto C. tropicalis teve o menor número de inibições. Não se obteve um padrão de inibição específico da espécie com este painel de leveduras killer. Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Pichia kluyveri e Wickerhamomyces anomalus foram as cepas que inibiram a maioria dos isolados de Candida spp.

Identification and susceptibility of clinical isolates of Candida spp. to killer toxins

Abstract Although invasive infections and mortality caused by Candida species are increasing among compromised patients, resistance to common antifungal agents is also an increasing problem. We analyzed 60 yeasts isolated from patients with invasive candidiasis using a PCR/RFLP strategy based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) region to identify different Candida pathogenic species. PCR analysis was performed from genomic DNA with a primer pair of the ITS2-5.8S rDNA region. PCR-positive samples were characterized by RFLP. Restriction resulted in 23 isolates identified as C. albicans using AlwI, 24 isolates as C. parapsilosis using RsaI, and 13 as C. tropicalis using XmaI. Then, a group of all isolates were evaluated for their susceptibility to a panel of previously described killer yeasts, resulting in 75% being susceptible to at least one killer yeast while the remaining were not inhibited by any strain. C. albicans was the most susceptible group while C. tropicalis had the fewest inhibitions. No species-specific pattern of inhibition was obtained with this panel of killer yeasts. Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Pichia kluyveri and Wickerhamomyces anomalus were the strains that inhibited the most isolates of Candida spp.

Resumo Embora as infecções invasivas e a mortalidade causada por espécies de Candida estejam aumentando entre pacientes comprometidos, a resistência a agentes antifúngicos comuns também é um problema crescente. Analisamos 60 leveduras isoladas de pacientes com candidíase invasiva utilizando como estratégia PCR/RFLP baseada na região espaçadora transcrita interna (ITS2) para identificar diferentes espécies patogênicas de Candida. A análise por PCR foi realizada a partir de ADN genómico com um par de iniciadores da região ITS2-5.8S rDNA. As amostras PCR-positivas foram caracterizadas por RFLP. A restrição resultou em 23 isolados identificados como C. albicans usando AlwI, 24 isolados como C. parapsilosis usando RsaI e 13 como C. tropicalis usando XmaI. Em seguida, avaliou-se o grupo de todos os isolados quanto à sua susceptibilidade a um painel de leveduras killer previamente descritas, resultando em 75% sendo suscetíveis a pelo menos uma levedura killer, enquanto que as restantes não foram inibidas por qualquer cepa. C. albicans foi o grupo mais suscetível enquanto C. tropicalis teve o menor número de inibições. Não se obteve um padrão de inibição específico da espécie com este painel de leveduras killer. Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Pichia kluyveri e Wickerhamomyces anomalus foram as cepas que inibiram a maioria dos isolados de Candida spp.

Lesiones y variantes normales de la rodilla pediátrica / Injuries and normal variants of paediatric knee

Abstract. Knee pathology is a reason for consultation and prevalent condition in children, making it important to know the normal variants as well as the most frequent pathologies. This review includes a brief description of the main pathologies and normal variants that affect the knee in children, with their main clinical features, as well as the findings described in the various, most-used, imaging techniques (X-ray, ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance (MR).

Resumen. La patología de rodilla es un motivo de consulta y una entidad prevalente en la edad pediátrica, razón por la cual es importante conocer tanto las variantes normales como las patologías más frecuentes. En esta revisión se realiza una breve descripción de las principales patologías y variantes normales que afectan a la rodilla en la edad pediátrica, tanto de sus características clínicas principales como de los hallazgos descritos en las distintas modalidades de imagen más utilizadas (radiografía, ecografía, tomografía computarizada y resonancia magnética (RM).

Antimicrobial and Antiinflammatory Potential of the Swedish Herbs Extract.

Oral conditions that produce the greatest damage on individuals are cavities and periodontal disease, hence non-expensive and effective solutions are immediately required, particularly for communities with no access to dental services. The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory potential of the Swedish bitter herbal extract was evaluated, using pure microbial cultures and clinical samples of 29 patients. It was observed that the extract caused significant (p<0.05) in vitro growth inhibition of up to 29%, 17%, 15%, and 50% against Prevotella intermedia, Bacteroides forsythus, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Streptococcus intermedius, respectively. In addition, the extract significantly (p<0.05) inhibited oral flora growth in patient samples showing MICs of < 7.8 μg/ml in 21% of the patients, 15.6μg/ml in 17% of the patients, 31.2 μg/ml in 10% of the patients, 62.5 μg/ml in 17% of the patients, 125 μg/ml in 3% of the patients, and 250 μg/ml in 7% of the patients, and induced a maximum of 75% growth inhibition, as measured by the MTT reduction assay. The extract was also observed to significantly suppress production of the inflammatory marker nitric oxide by LPS-treated murine peritoneal macrophages. The Swedish herbal extract may be considered in the clinics to prevent or treat bacterial oral infections and at the same time reducing inflammation.

Edad y crecimiento del híbrido de tilapia Oreochromis niloticus x Oreochromis aureus (Perciformes: Cichlidae) en la represa “Zimapán” Hidalgo, México

Age and growth of the hybrid tilapia Oreochromis niloticus x Oreochromis aureus (Perciformes: Cichlidae) in the dam “Zimapan” Mexico. Studies on age and growth in fishes are essential to establish models on population dynamics. The previos issues were determined in this study by scale growth analyses. Between September 2003 and May 2004, 382 organisms were captured using gill and atarraya nets. Eight samples were developed every month a long this study. Standard length in centimeters (Le), total weight in grams (Pt), scale length in centimeters (Lesc) and growth rings were determined. The size and weight ranged from 38 to 232mm (Le) and 8.7 to 311.9g (Pt), respectively. The growth rings analyses reveal four age groups, being the sec-ond group the most representative with 34.3% of the total sampled. The scale ring analyses showed two growth rings, one develops between November-January and the other between April-May, in good correlation with low temperature and gonad development, respectively. The growth parameters were established as: L∞=281.1mm, W∞=877.1g, K=0.33 and T0=0.88year -1. The growth curves based on length and weight were described by using the von Bertalanffy model: Le =28.11[1-e-0.33(t+0.88)] and Pt =877.17[1-e-0.33(t+0.88)]³. Finally, it is concluded that commercial catches in this dam are between a year and year and half-old when exploited. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (2): 761-770. Epub 2011 June 01.

La edad y crecimiento de la tilapia Oreochromis niloticus x Oreochromis aureus fueron determinados por medio de la lectura de escamas. Un total de 382 individuos fueron capturados mediante el uso de redes agalleras y atarrayas. Ocho recolectas mensuales se llevaron a cabo entre septiembre 2003-mayo 2004; se registraron los datos de longitud estándar en cm. (Le), el peso total en g (Pt) y se obtuvieron muestras de escamas para registrar el largo de la escama en mm. (Lesc) y el número de anillos de crecimiento formados. Las tallas y pesos de recolecta variaron entre 38 a 232mm (Le) y de 8.7 a 311.9g de peso total (Pt) respectivamente. El recuento de los anillos anuales en escamas, permitió establecer cuatro grupos de edad, siendo el grupo de edad 2 el más representativo, con un 34.3% de la población muestreada. El cálculo de los incrementos marginales del crecimiento mensual de las escamas, sugirió la formación de dos anillos, uno de ellos se forma en los meses de noviembre-enero y otro en los meses de abril-mayo, los cuales coinciden con la época de bajas temperaturas y de madurez gonádica respectivamente. Los parámetros de crecimiento quedaron establecidos en: L∞=281.1mm, W∞=877.1g, K=0.33 y T0=0.88/año. Las curvas de crecimiento en longitud y peso se describieron mediante las ecuaciones de von Bertalanffy: Le=28.11 [1- e-0.33(t+0.88)] y Pt=877.17 [1-e-0.33(t+0.88)]³. Finalmente, se concluyó que los peces que se explotan en la represa mediante captura comercial presentan entre un año y año y medio de edad.

Oral colonization by Streptococcus mutans and its association with the severity of periodontal disease in adults

Background: Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is associated with the onset of caries. Since root exposure in patients affected by periodontitis leads to higher caries rates, progressively more severe forms of periodontal disease might associate with elevated counts of S. mutans. Aim: To determine whether increasingly destructive forms of periodontal disease are associated with higher counts of S. mutans in untreated patients. Methods: 206 subjects aged 20-75 were classified into three groups according to the severity of periodontal disease: 1) gingivitis, 2) chronic slight periodontitis and 3) chronic moderate or chronic severe periodontitis. S. mutans counts (cfu/mL) were obtained by direct counting on selective agar plates from saliva samples. A cumulative proportional logistic regression model was adjusted for S. mutans counts. Results: The model failed to show differences by gender, but periodontal diagnosis had a significant effect on S. mutans counts depending on age. While in the group with moderate and severe periodontitis the probability of having high counts of S. mutans significantly increased with age, the probability remained unchanged in individuals with chronic slight periodontitis or gingivitis. Conclusion: High S. mutans levels appear directly co-associated with increased severity of periodontal disease at older ages in untreated patients.

Evaluación del efecto del cultivo probiótico Lactobacillus rhamnosus adicionado a yogurt natural y con probi6ticos comerciales sobre poblaciones de Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli O157: H7, Listeria monocytogenes y Salmonella enteritidis / Evaluation of the effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus probiotic culture added to yogurt over Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli O157: H7, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enteritidis populations

Se evaluó el efecto de diferentes tipos de cultivos probióticos en yogurt sobre poblaciones conocidas de Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes y Salmonella enteritidis. Los tres tipos diferentes de yogurt comercial utilizados fueron: sin probióticos adicionados, con probióticos CHR HANSEN® (Lactobacillus casei CRL_431 y L. acidophilus CRL_730) y otro con los mismos probióticos mencionados anteriormente, adicionado con cultivo de Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LR-35). Se inoculó aproximadamente 109 UFC/mL de cada bacteria potencialmente patógena en los diferentes tipos de yogurt, se mantuvo en refrigeración a 4ºC durante la vida útil de cada uno de estos alimentos (aproximadamente 30 días) y se realizó un recuento bacteriano cada cuatro días incluyendo el mismo día de la inoculación. Los resultados obtenidos demuestran que, existe diferencia en cuanto a inhibición entre los yogures sin probióticos y el yogurt comercial con probióticos, observándose un efecto inhibitorio evidente, por parte del segundo sobre las poblaciones de S. aureus, E. coli O157:H7 y L. monocytogenes. Con respecto a los yogures comerciales con probióticos más L. rhamnosus, no se observó alguna diferencia con respecto al efecto inhibitorio que poseen los yogures con probióticos L. casei y L. acidophilus . En los yogures en que se evaluó S. enteritidis se obtuvo la muerte de ésta al cabo de cuatro días. El presente estudio confirma el efecto antagónico que poseen los cultivos probióticos sobre bacterias potencialmente patógenas para el ser humano y animales que pueden estar contenidas en los alimentos.No obstante, el uso del probiótico Lactobacillus rhamnosus no ejerce un efecto inhibitorio adicional.

The effect of different types of probiotics present in yogurt over known populations of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enteritidis was evaluated. The three types of yogurt used were: without added probiotics, with added probiotics (Lactobacillus casei CRL_431 and L. acidophilus CRL_730 CHR HANSEN®) and another one with the same probiotics mentioned above and Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LR-35) culture. About 109 CFU/ mL of each potentially pathogenic bacteria was added to each type of yogurt tested, and kept in refrigeration at 4ºC during its shelf life, about 30 days. Bacterial count was done the initial day and every four days. Results obtained show that there is a difference in the inhibition between yogurts without added probiotics and the commercial yogurt with added probiotics; there is a clear inhibitory effect of the last one over S. aureus, E coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes. The yogurt with added probiotics and L. rhamnosus did not show any additional inhibitory effect over the bacteria tested when compared with the yogurt with added probiotics. S. enteritidis could not be evaluated because it was not detectable in any yogurt samples evaluated four days after its inoculation. This study confirms the antagonic effect of probiotic cultures over potentially pathogenic bacteria for human beings and animals that may be present in food. Nevertheless, the use of L. rhamnosus did not produce any additional inhibitory effect.

Impacto en salud infantil del invierno 2002: disociación entre factores ambientales y virus respiratorio sincicial, en Santiago / The influence of winter 2002 in pediatric health: dissociation between environmental factors and respiratory syncytial viruses, in Santiago

BACKGROUND: The increase in winter related health pediatric demand is associated with three factors: cold and rainy weather, air pollution and respiratory viral epidemics. During the winter of 2002 there was, successively, heavy rain, air pollution, cold weather and a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) epidemic in Santiago. AIM: To study the influence of environmental factors and RSV epidemic on pediatric health care demand. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The number of hospital admissions and outpatient consultations for acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) from April to October 2002 (Autumn to Spring in Chile), were registered in a public pediatric hospital of Santiago. A respiratory virus surveillance (RSV, adenovirus influenza and parainfluenza virus) was carried out among children admitted for ALRI. Climate conditions and air pollution (number of particles of more than 10 microns/mm3) values were provided by local environmental health services. RESULTS: As expected, a rise in winter hospital admissions and outpatient consultations was detected, that peaked in week 29. This rise coincided with the higher RSV detection week. There was heavy rain in weeks 22, 23 and 30, as well as cold weather in June-July (weeks 23, 24, 26, 27 and 30; mid Winter), that did not increase health care demand. Likewise, high air pollution, registered from weeks 24 to 26, did not increase health care demand. CONCLUSIONS: RSV epidemic is the principal factor associated to the increase in health burden during winter in Santiago.

Screening for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) among Filipino newborn infants. Philippine Newborn Screening Study Group.

From June 1996 to June 1998 a total of 62.841 newborn infants were screened for congenital hypothyroidism with thyroid stimulating hormone assay as a primary test. The method used was an immunofluorescent assay using the DELFIA TSH Kit on dried blood specimens collected by heelprick on filter paper. All infants with TSH values greater than 20 microU/ml were retested. If the results remained abnormally high, confirmatory testing was done by radioimmunoassay. All infants who were confirmed to be hypothyroid were referred to pediatric endocrinologists for initial management. The overall weighted incidence of congenital hypothyroidism obtained in this study was 0.000277 (95% CI; 0.000122 - 0.000432) or 1:3,610 which may be higher than that reported by most screening programs worldwide. The recall rate was 0.16%. The higher recall rate may be explained by early testing in a number of cases and by the possibility of iodine deficiency in some of the mothers. On the basis of the results of this study, we would recommend (1) screening on a greater number of infants to verify the incidence of CH and (2) establishing normal TSH values at different hours of life to improve our recall rate.

Screening for galactosemia: Philippines experience. Newborn Screening Study Group.

Galactosemia is an inborn error of galactose metabolism due to a deficiency of any of the galactokinase, galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase (GALT), or epimerase enzymes. The Philippines, with its pilot newborn screening project, has been screening for this disorder for 2 years now. A total of 62,841 babies have been screened using the galactose and galactose-1-phosphate spot test. Confirmatory testing is done by the newborn screening laboratory of the The New Children's Hospital in Westmead, Australia. Two cases of galactosemia: 1 classical galactosemia and 1 galactokinase deficiency have so far been confirmed. Clinical review, problems encountered, and management are described. Long-term outcome of these patients, however, is yet to be determined.

Importancia de la Lutzomia peruensis en la transmisión de la enfermedad de Carrión en el Valle Sagrado de los incas. Urubamba Cusco, Perú / Importance of Lutzomyia peruensis in the transmission of the Carrionïs disease in the Incaïs Sacred Valley. Urubamba Cusco, Peru

En el valle Sagrado de los Incas (Valle del Río Urubamba) encontramos una sola de Lutzomyia, nos referimos a la Lutzomyia suele compartir su habitat con el vector de la enfermedad de Carrión, la Lutzomyia verrucarum. Los aspectos entomológicos fueron levados a cabo, en Mayo de 1998. Las colectas entomológicas se realizaron utilizando trampas de luz CDC toda la noche y en capturas diurnas en las viviendas.Se muestra la importancia de Lutzomyia peruensis incriminándola epidemiológicamente y se detectó Bartonella bacilliformis mediante PCR y haciendo secuenciamiento de ADN. Se presenta también la estimación del riesgo entomólogico de transmisión de bartonelosis por Lutzomyia peruensis, mediante el índice de inoculación de Bartonella bacilliformis

Estandarización de la PCR para el diagnóstico del virus de la hepatitis B en el Perú / Standarization of PCR for the diagnosis of hepatitis N virus in Peru

La detección del ADN del virus de la Hepatitis B (VHB) es el marcador más sensible para determinar la replicación activa e infectividad del virus circulante. Por esta razón la Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa (PCR) fue aplicada satisfactoriamente usando primers específicos para gen del antígeno de superficie (HBsAg). Un frangmento de 260 bp fue amplificado in vitro apartir de 200 ul de sueros de pacientes aplicando PCR. La tecnología de PCR está siendo aplicada en el diagnóstico de pacientes infectados con el virus de la Hepatitis B pertenecientes a diferentes zonas geográficas

Detección de Bartonella bacilliformis usando PCR-RFLP / Detection of Bartonella bacilliformis using PCR-RFLP

Reportamos la aplicación de las técnicas moleculares PCR-RFLP para la confirmación de infecciones por Bartonella bacilliformis. El método de PCR-RFLP se basa en la amplificación in vitro de un fragmento de 380 pb correspondiente al gen citrato sintetasa a partir de sangre y cultivos in vitro. El análisis del producto de amplificación por cortes con las enzimas restricción Hinfl y Taql permite caracterizar molecularmente que el brote ocurrido en Urubamba, Cuzo fue producido por Bartonella bacilloformis. Este método es aplicado directamente a sangre y a cultivos