Presence of anisakid larvae in commercial fishes landed in the Pacific coast of Ecuador and Colombia / Presencia de larvas de anisakidos en peces comercializados y desembarcados en la costa del Pacífico de Ecuador y Colombia

Introduction: Anisakidosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the consumption of raw or undercooked fish or crustaceans parasitized by nematode larvae of the Anisakidae family. In this study, the presence of anisakid larvae was identified in fish species of consumer of the Pacific coast in Ecuador and Colombia. Methods: We obtained 438 samples grouped into twenty species of fish caught in the fishing ports of Manta, Santa Rosa, Buenaventura and Tumaco. The morphological identification of the larvae was made by taxonomy and the percentage of infection, were calculated. For the identification of species, a multiplex PCR was carried. Results: The taxonomic review identified eight species of fish as hosts of the genders Anisakis and Pseudoterranova. The larvae were isolated mainly from the intestine with a percentage of infection between 18 and 100%. The percentage of infection and identification of anisakids in these fish will aid in the prevention and control of anisakiasis as a possible emerging disease for this area of the Pacific. With the multiplex PCR, A. pegreffii, A. physeteris, and P. decipiens were identified. Conclusion: The identification of these species is reported for the first time in this geographical area, providing the basis for future research into the Anisakidae family.

Introducción: La anisakidosis es una enfermedad zoonótica causada por el consumo de pescado o crustáceos crudos o poco cocinados parasitados por las larvas de nematodos de la familia Anisakidae. En este estudio, se identificó la presencia de larvas de anisakidos en especies de peces de consumo de la costa del Pacífico en Ecuador y Colombia. Métodos: Obtuvimos 438 muestras agrupadas en veinte especies de peces capturados en los puertos pesqueros de Manta, Santa Rosa, Buenaventura y Tumaco. La identificación morfológica de las larvas se realizó por taxonomía y se calculó el porcentaje de infección. Para la identificación de las especies, se llevó a cabo una PCR múltiplex. Resultados: La revisión taxonómica identificó ocho especies de peces como huéspedes de los géneros Anisakis y Pseudoterranova. Las larvas se aislaron principalmente del intestino con un porcentaje de infección entre 18 y 100%. El porcentaje de infección e identificación de anisakidos en estos peces ayudará a prevenir y controlar la anisakiasis como una posible enfermedad emergente en esta área del Pacífico. Con la PCR múltiplex, se identifico A. pegreffii, A. physeteris y P. decipiens. Conclusión: La identificación de estas especies se informa por primera vez en esta área geográfica, proporcionando la base para futuras investigaciones sobre la familia Anisakidae.

Salud mental en Chile y Finlandia: desafíos y lecciones / Mental health in Chile and Finland: challenges and lessons

This article analyses and compares the epidemiology of mental disorders and relevant public policies in Chile and Finland. In Chile, a specific mental health law is still lacking. While both countries highlight the role of primary care, Finland places more emphasis on participation and recovery of service users. Comprehensive mental health policies from Finland, such as a successful suicide prevention program, are presented. Both countries have similar prevalence of mental disorders, high alcohol consumption and high suicide rates. In Chile, the percentage of total disease burden due to psychiatric disorders is 13% and in Finland 14%. However, the resources to address these issues are very different. Finland spends 4.5% of its health budget on mental health, while in Chile the percentage is 2.2%. This results in differences in human resources and service provision. Finland has five times more psychiatric outpatient visits, four times more psychiatrists, triple antidepressant use and twice more clinical guidelines for different psychiatric conditions. In conclusion, both countries have similar challenges but differing realities. This may help to identify gaps and potential solutions for public health challenges in Chile. Finland’s experience demonstrates the importance of political will and long-term vision in the construction of mental health policies.

Evaluación de la experiencia de participantes en estrategia de dotación de médicos generales en zonas rurales / Assessment of the Chilean rural practitioner program by its participating physicians

Background: Rural areas have scarce medical resources. Initiatives to address this situation in Latin America exist, but have been poorly evaluated. The Chilean Rural Practitioner Program, a policy of recruitment and retention of physicians in rural areas, has been stable over time. Aim: To examine how physicians who participate in this program evaluate it. Material and Methods: Nationally representative cross sectional study. Physicians were chosen to respond online or by telephone a specially designed questionnaire about the Program. Results: 202 participants answered (response rate of 60%). The overall experience was evaluated with 5.75 points (in a 1 to 7 scale). Participants gave the best scores to climatic conditions and economic income, and rated infrastructure, human resources and workload the worst. The evaluation of social relationships at the destination place was the only condition associated significantly with the overall assessment of the experience. Seventy percent of physicians would return to the destination place as a specialist. The value given to social relations and infrastructure were associated positively with this potential return. Conclusions: Overall, the experience was positively evaluated. This study provides information to improve retention policies for human resources for health care in rural areas.