The influence of gender and temephos exposure on community participation in dengue prevention: a compartmental mathematical model.

BACKGROUND: The use of temephos, the most common intervention for the chemical control of Aedes aegypti over the last half century, has disappointing results in control of the infection. The footprint of Aedes and the diseases it carries have spread relentlessly despite massive volumes of temephos. Recent advances in community participation show this might be more effective and sustainable for the control of the dengue vector. METHODS: Using data from the Camino Verde cluster randomized controlled trial, a compartmental mathematical model examines the dynamics of dengue infection with different levels of community participation, taking account of gender of respondent and exposure to temephos. RESULTS: Simulation of dengue endemicity showed community participation affected the basic reproductive number of infected people. The greatest short-term effect, in terms of people infected with the virus, was the combination of temephos intervention and community participation. There was no evidence of a protective effect of temephos 220 days after the onset of the spread of dengue. CONCLUSIONS: Male responses about community participation did not significantly affect modelled numbers of infected people and infectious mosquitoes. Our model suggests that, in the long term, community participation alone may have the best results. Adding temephos to community participation does not improve the effect of community participation alone.

Combined Inhibition of Indolamine-2,3-Dioxygenase 1 and C-X-C Chemokine Receptor Type 2 Exerts Antitumor Effects in a Preclinical Model of Cervical Cancer.

Cervical cancer is a public health problem diagnosed in advanced stages, and its main risk factor is persistent high-risk human papillomavirus infection. Today, it is necessary to study new treatment strategies, such as immunotherapy, that use different targets of the tumor microenvironment. In this study, the K14E7E2 mouse was used as a cervical cancer model to evaluate the inhibition of indolamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO-1) and C-X-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CXCR-2) as potential anti-tumor targets. DL-1MT and SB225002 were administered for 30 days in two regimens (R1 and R2) based on combination and single therapy approaches to inhibit IDO-1 and CXCR-2, respectively. Subsequently, the reproductive tracts were resected and analyzed to determine the tumor areas, and IHCs were performed to assess proliferation, apoptosis, and CD8 cellular infiltration. Our results revealed that combined inhibition of IDO-1 and CXCR-2 significantly reduces the areas of cervical tumors (from 196.0 mm2 to 58.24 mm2 in R1 and 149.6 mm2 to 52.65 mm2 in R2), accompanied by regions of moderate dysplasia, decreased papillae, and reduced inflammation. Furthermore, the proliferation diminished, and apoptosis and intra-tumoral CD8 T cells increased. In conclusion, the combined inhibition of IDO-1 and CXCR-2 is helpful in the antitumor response against preclinical cervical cancer.

Helicobacter pylori Virulence Factors and Clarithromycin Resistance-Associated Mutations in Mexican Patients.

Persistent infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is an important factor in gastric diseases. The vacA and cagA virulence factors of H. pylori contribute to the development of these diseases. Triple therapy containing clarithromycin has been used to eradicate this infection. Unfortunately, resistance to this antibiotic is the primary cause of treatment failure. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of clarithromycin resistance-associated mutations and to assess the relationship between virulence factors and Mexican patients infected with H. pylori. The cagA and vacA genotypes were determined by multiplex PCR. Furthermore, a qPCR was used to identify mutations of the 23S rRNA gene. This study reported a prevalence of 84.3% of H. pylori among patients with gastric diseases, and the vacA s1m1/cagA+ genotype was the most frequent (44.8%) in antrum and corpus. Analysis of the 23S rRNA gene revealed a 19.8% prevalence of clarithromycin resistance-associated mutations. The most prevalent mutations were A2143G (56%) and A2142C (25%). A significant association (p < 0.05) between the A2142G and the vacA s1m1/cagA+ genotype was detected. In conclusion, we report a high prevalence (>15%) of clarithromycin resistance-associated mutations, and we found an association between the genotypes of virulence factors and a mutation in the 23S rRNA gene.

Utility of a Pulmonary Oedema Score for Predicting the Need for Mechanical Ventilation in COVID-19 Patients in a General Hospital.

BACKGROUND: The Radiographic Assessment of Lung Edema (RALE) score has been used to estimate the extent of pulmonary damage in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and might be useful in patients with COVID-19. AIM OF THE STUDY: To examine factors associated with the need for mechanical ventilation in hospitalized patients with a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19, and to estimate the predictive value of the RALE score. METHODS: In a series of patients admitted between April 14 and August 28, 2020, with a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19, we assessed lung involvement on the chest radiograph using the RALE score. We examined factors associated with the need for mechanical ventilation in bivariate and multivariate analysis. The area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) indicated the predictive value of the RALE score for need for mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: Among 189 patients, 90 (48%) were judged to need mechanical ventilation, although only 60 were placed on a ventilator. The factors associated with the need for mechanical ventilation were a RALE score >6 points, age >50 years, and presence of chronic kidney disease. The AUC for the RALE score was 60.9% (95% CI 52.9-68.9), indicating it was an acceptable predictor of needing mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: A score for extent of pulmonary oedema on the plain chest radiograph was a useful predictor of the need for mechanical ventilation of hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Utility of entomological indices for predicting transmission of dengue virus: secondary analysis of data from the Camino Verde trial in Mexico and Nicaragua.

Dengue vector entomological indices are widely used to monitor vector density and disease control activities. But the value of these indices as predictors of dengue infection is not established. We used data from the impact assessment of a trial of community mobilization for dengue prevention (Camino Verde) to examine the associations between vector indices and evidence of dengue infection and their value for predicting dengue infection levels. In 150 clusters in Mexico and Nicaragua, two entomological surveys, three months apart, allowed calculation of the mean Container Index, Breteau index, Pupae per Household Index, and Pupae per Container Index across the two surveys. We measured recent dengue virus infection in children, indicated by a doubling of dengue antibodies in paired saliva samples over the three-month period. We examined the associations between each of the vector indices and evidence of dengue infection at household level and at cluster level, accounting for trial intervention status. To examine the predictive value for dengue infection, we constructed receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves at household and cluster level, considering the four vector indices as continuous variables, and calculated the positive and negative likelihood ratios for different levels of the indices. None of the vector indices was associated with recent dengue infection at household level. The Breteau Index was associated with recent infection at cluster level (Odds ratio 1.36, 95% confidence interval 1.14-1.61). The ROC curve confirmed the weak predictive value for dengue infection of the Breteau Index at cluster level. Other indices showed no predictive value. Conventional vector indices were not useful in predicting dengue infection in Mexico and Nicaragua. The findings are compatible with the idea of sources of infection outside the household which were tackled by community action in the Camino Verde trial.

Caracterización clínica del dengue y variables predictoras de gravedad en pacientes pediátricos en un hospital de segundo nivel en Chilpancingo, Guerrero, México: serie de casos / Clinical profile of dengue and predictive severity variables among children at a secondary care hospital of Chilpancingo, Guerrero, Mexico: case series

Resumen: Introducción: El dengue sigue en incremento a nivel mundial y actualmente la mayor incidencia de primera infección ocurre en población pediátrica. El dengue grave es potencialmente letal en menores de edad. Este estudio caracteriza el perfil clínico de pacientes pediátricos con dengue atendidos en un hospital de segundo nivel en Chilpancingo, Guerrero, México. Métodos: Serie de casos conformada por 133 pacientes pediátricos hospitalizados con diagnóstico de dengue no grave y dengue grave, de acuerdo a criterios clínicos. Los resultados del análisis univariado de los signos y síntomas clínicos fueron expresados como promedios o porcentajes, y se consideró nivel de significancia estadística de 0.05. Mediante GLMM (Generalised Linear Mixed Models) se estimó la predicción de dengue grave con la presencia de signos y síntomas clínicos. Resultados: El 58% (77/133) de los pacientes fue clasificado como dengue grave. Hubo diferencias significativas entre los grupos de dengue en los signos y síntomas siguientes: fiebre, dolor abdominal, epistaxis y cuenta plaquetaria. El dengue grave se presentó en mayor proporción en los pacientes mayores de cuatro años de edad (p<0.05). El GLMM identificó un conjunto de cuatro signos y síntomas clínicos (fiebre ≥39 °C, mialgias, artralgias y dolor abdominal) como predictores de la gravedad del dengue. Conclusiones: Los resultados de este estudio exploratorio sugieren cambios en la frecuencia de síntomas y signos clínicos del dengue en la población pediátrica. Pacientes pediátricos con diagnóstico presuntivo de dengue que presenten fiebre ≥39 °C, mialgias, artralgias y dolor abdominal deben considerarse como potenciales casos de dengue grave.

Abstract: Background: Dengue continues to increase globally. Currently, the highest incidence of first infection occurs in paediatric population, where severe dengue fever is potentially lethal. This study characterizes the clinical profile of paediatric patients with dengue fever in the South of Mexico. Methods: We undertook a series case study of 133 paediatric inpatients who presented clinical diagnosis of non-severe dengue and severe dengue fever. We described univariate analysis as means or percentages, using 0.05 as significance level. We estimated the prediction of severe dengue considering clinical signs and symptoms only using GLMM (Generalised Linear Mixed Models). Results: 58% (77/133) patients had severe dengue. There were significant differences among the dengue groups, in the following signs and symptoms: Fever, abdominal pain, epistaxis and platelet count. Children older than four years old had a higher proportion of severe dengue (p<0.05). GLMM identified a group of four clinical signs and symptoms (fever ≥39 °C, myalgia, arthralgia and abdominal pain) as predictors of severe dengue. Conclusions: The results of this exploratory study suggest changes in the frequency of clinical signs and symptoms among paediatric inpatients. Paediatric patients with a presumptive diagnosis of dengue, showing fever of ≥39° C, myalgia, arthralgia and abdominal pain should be considered as potential cases of severe dengue.

[Clinical profile of dengue and predictive severity variables among children at a secondary care hospital of Chilpancingo, Guerrero, Mexico: case series]. / Caracterización clínica del dengue y variables predictoras de gravedad en pacientes pediátricos en un hospital de segundo nivel en Chilpancingo, Guerrero, México: serie de casos.

BACKGROUND: Dengue continues to increase globally. Currently, the highest incidence of first infection occurs in paediatric population, where severe dengue fever is potentially lethal. This study characterizes the clinical profile of paediatric patients with dengue fever in the South of Mexico. METHODS: We undertook a series case study of 133 paediatric inpatients who presented clinical diagnosis of non-severe dengue and severe dengue fever. We described univariate analysis as means or percentages, using 0.05 as significance level. We estimated the prediction of severe dengue considering clinical signs and symptoms only using GLMM (Generalised Linear Mixed Models). RESULTS: 58% (77/133) patients had severe dengue. There were significant differences among the dengue groups, in the following signs and symptoms: Fever, abdominal pain, epistaxis and platelet count. Children older than four years old had a higher proportion of severe dengue (p<0.05). GLMM identified a group of four clinical signs and symptoms (fever ≥39°C, myalgia, arthralgia and abdominal pain) as predictors of severe dengue. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this exploratory study suggest changes in the frequency of clinical signs and symptoms among paediatric inpatients. Paediatric patients with a presumptive diagnosis of dengue, showing fever of ≥39° C, myalgia, arthralgia and abdominal pain should be considered as potential cases of severe dengue.