[PCR for COVID in the transplant protocol]. / PCR para COVID en el protocolo de trasplante.

Background: Since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, identifying the COVID-19 pathophysiology not only has been addressed to applying diagnostic tests or preventing through vaccines, but also to the timely detection, especially of patients in risk groups such as those in transplants areas (renal, hematology, etcetera). In the case of these patients, using RT-PCR tests avoids putting them at risk by subjecting them to states of immunosuppression that could aggravate their situation if they were faced with an onset of a COVID-19 infection. Objective: To present the results of patients of a transplant unit tested for SARS-CoV-2. Material and methods: Descriptive, observational, cross-sectional, and retrolective study. Data of results of RT-PCR tests of patients who underwent transplantation from June 2021 to April 2022 in a third level hospital were collected. Results: 755 tests were done to patients who underwent transplantation. 384 (50.8%) were women. Out of all patients, only 73 (9.7%) were positive to SARS-CoV-2. Conclusions: Implementing RT-PCR tests as a transplant protocol to detect SARS-CoV-2 prevents fatal complications due to COVID infection to donors and receptors.

Introducción: desde que comenzó la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2, identificar la fisiopatología de la COVID-19 no solo se ha encaminado a aplicar pruebas diagnósticas o prevenir por medio de vacunas, sino también a la oportuna detección, sobre todo de pacientes de grupos de riesgo como los del área de trasplantes (renal, hematológico, etcétera). En el caso de estos pacientes, usar pruebas como la RT-PCR evita someterlos a estados de inmunosupresión que podrían agravar la situación en caso de que se encuentren ante un inicio de la infección por COVID-19. Objetivo: exponer los resultados de las pruebas de SARS-CoV-2 aplicadas a pacientes de una unidad de trasplantes. Material y métodos: estudio descriptivo, observacional, transversal y retrolectivo. Se recolectaron los datos de los resultados de las pruebas de RT-PCR para SARS-CoV-2 de pacientes sometidos a trasplante de junio de 2021 a abril de 2022 en un hospital de tercer nivel. Resultados: se hicieron 755 pruebas a los pacientes sometidos a trasplante; 384 (50.8%) fueron mujeres. De todos los pacientes, solo 73 (9.7%) fueron positivos a SARS-CoV-2. Conclusiones: implementar pruebas RT-PCR para detectar el SARS-CoV-2 como protocolo de trasplante previene complicaciones fatales derivadas de la infección por COVID a los donadores y a los receptores.

Evidence of the anti-Helicobacter pylori, gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities of Cuphea aequipetala infusion.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cuphea aequipetala (Lythraceae) is a medicinal plant highly appreciated in Mexico to treat stomach ailments such as pain and burning sensation, stomach infections, ulcers, diarrhea, dysentery, and different types of tumors and bruises. In this work, the infusion of aerial parts of this plant (CAI) was investigated for its polypharmacological potential. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori activity was assessed by broth dilution method. Pharmacological studies included acute toxicity in mice using Lorke´s model, anti-inflammatory activity by xylene and TPA induced ear edema assay, as well as gastroprotection with ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model. DPPH and ABTS assays were used to determine antioxidant capacity. Polyphenols and flavonoid contents were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method and AlCl3 reaction, respectively. RESULTS: CAI showed good anti-Helicobacter pylori activity with a MIC of 125µg/mL. The infusion was not toxic according to Lorke's model with a LD50 greater than 5g/kg. CAI exhibited low anti-edematogenic action in the models assayed. Oral administration of 300mg/kg CAI significantly reduced gastric lesions by 87.9%. The effect was reversed only by indomethacin and N-ethylmaleimide demonstrating the role of endogenous prostaglandins and sulfhydryl compounds in gastroprotection. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of CAI were 109.9mg GAE/g DW and 28.1mg QE/g DW, respectively, and the infusion exhibited a good antioxidant activity that is thought to play a role in its biological activity. The analysis of a preliminary fractionation of the infusion indicates that the complete extract conserves all its pharmacological activities in contrast to fractionated extracts. CONCLUSIONS: Cuphea aequipetala is a promising native herb in an integral therapy for the treatment of bacterial or non-bacterial gastric ulcer because it possesses some anti-inflammatory properties, as well as exhibits good gastroprotective and antibacterial effects. It represents an important source for the isolation of anti-Helicobacter pylori compounds. This work provides ethnopharmacological evidence that supports the traditional use of this species.