Dirofilaria immitis in pet dogs from the metropolitan area of the Colombian Caribbean.

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the frequency and factors associated with Dirofilaria immitis infection in pet dogs in the metropolitan area of the Colombian Caribbean (northern Colombia). A total of 173 dogs were analyzed by a commercial rapid immunochromatographic test (RIT) and a nested PCR of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene, in parallel. Ninety-two (53.2%) of the dogs showed positive results to the RIT, while 59 (34.1%) animals had D. immitis DNA by PCR. Positivity to one or both diagnostic techniques was detected in 104 (60.1%; CI95%: 53.8-67.4) of the sampled dogs. In PCR-positive dogs, phylogenetic analyses evidenced high nucleotide identity (100%) with sequences previously obtained from mosquitoes, dogs and other mammals in different countries. Exercise intolerance (p = 0.002; OR: 2.33; CI95%: 1.37-3.96) and thrombocytopenia (p = < 0.001; OR: 1.95; CI95%: 1.11-3.43) were the main factors associated with D. immitis infection in dogs. The high frequency of D. immitis in dogs indicates a wide distribution of this parasite in the metropolitan area of the Colombian Caribbean, which can be of animal and public health concern. Our results highlight the need to combine different methods to increase the diagnostic accuracy of D. immitis.

Comportamientos sexuales riesgosos y factores asociados entre estudiantes universitarios en Barranquilla, Colombia, 2019 / Risky sexual behaviors and associated factors among university students in Barranquilla, Colombia, 2019

INTRODUCCIÓN: Adolescentes y adultos jóvenes participan frecuentemente en comportamientos sexuales riesgosos (relaciones sexuales sin protección, sexo con parejas casuales, promiscuidad, iniciación sexual temprana, etc.), trayendo consigo embarazos no planeados, Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual, suicidios, abortos, afectaciones académicas y laborales. El objetivo del estudio, fue identificar los comportamientos sexuales riesgosos y factores asociados en estudiantes de una universidad en Barranquilla, 2019. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio de tipo descriptivo-correlacional de corte transversal, se utilizó la Encuesta de Riesgo Sexual, que evaluó comportamientos sexuales riesgosos en universitarios de Barranquilla, en los últimos seis meses, se generaron los coeficientes de correlación Chi cuadrado de Pearson (nivel de confianza 95%; p≤0.05) para medir la asociación entre los puntajes de riesgo sexual y factores sociodemográficos y académicos. RESULTADOS: El 63% de los participantes inició actividad sexual antes de los 18 años. 87% han participado una o más veces en comportamientos sexuales de riesgo: sexo vaginal sin condón (73%), fellatio sin condón (60.3%), número de parejas con quién tienen comportamientos sexuales (66.2%) y experiencias sexuales inesperadas (54.4%). Los hombres y estudiantes de Derecho tenían puntajes de riesgo sexual más altos que las mujeres y los estudiantes de Enfermería. CONCLUSIÓN: Los universitarios están en riesgo y participando en comportamientos sexuales riesgosos, que podrían afectar su salud y proyecto de vida. Los factores de mayor riesgo fueron; sexo temprano, género, edad >20 años, prácticas sexuales arriesgadas como el sexo vaginal, oral y anal sin protección y conductas sexuales impulsivas y no planificadas

INTRODUCTION: Adolescents and young adults are frequently involved in risky sexual behavior (unprotected sex, sex with casual partners, promiscuity, early sexual initiation, etc.) bringing with them, unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, suicides, abortions, academic and labor affectations. The objective of the study was to identify risky sexual behaviors and associated factors in students at a university in Barranquilla, 2019. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study descriptive-correlational cross-sectional, the sexual risk survey was used, which evaluated risky sexual behavior in university students of Barranquilla in the last six months, were generated correlation coefficients Chi-square Pearson (95% confidence level; p≤0.05) to measure the association between sexual risk scores and sociodemographic and academic factors. RESULTS: 63% of participants initiated sexual activity before the age of 18. The 87% have participated one or more times in risky sexual behaviors: vaginal sex without a condom (73%), fellatio without a condom (60.3%), number of partners with whom they have sexual behaviors (66.2%) and unexpected sexual experiences (54.4%). Men and law students had higher sexual risk scores than women and nursing students. CONCLUSION: The university students are at risk and participating in risky sexual behavior, which could affect their health and life Project. The major risk factors were; early sex, gender, age >20 years, risky sexual practices such as vaginal, oral, and anal unprotected sex and impulsive and unplanned sexual behaviors

Factores modificables y riesgo de diabetes mellitus tipo 2 en adultos jóvenes: un estudio transversal / Modifiable factors and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in young adults: a cross-sectional study / Fatores modificáveis e risco de diabetes mellitus tipo 2 em adultos jovens: um estudo de corte transversal

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar el riesgo de desarrollar Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 (DM2) y sus factores asociados en estudiantes de una institución universitaria de Barranquilla-Colombia. Material y Método: Se realizó un estudio correlacionai de corte transversal, en el cual se aplicó el cuestionario Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) a 362 sujetos para calcular el riesgo de DM2. Se determinó glicemia en ayunas a aquellos que obtuvieron puntuación ≥12 (riesgo moderado a muy alto de desarrollar DM2) en el cuestionario. Resultados: El 12,4% de los participantes mostraron una puntuación ≥12. Se encontró asociación estadísticamente significativa entre esta puntuación y factores modificables como sedentarismo y sobrepeso/obesidad. Se detectó glicemia en ayunas alterada (100 -125 mg/dL) en el 26,67% de los sujetos testeados. Conclusiones: Este estudio presenta evidencias sobre el riesgo de DM2 y exposición a factores asociados en un colectivo de adultos mayoritariamente jóvenes. Los resultados sugieren adoptar medidas de prevención de DM2 en el grupo de estudio basadas en cambios de estilos de vida.

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the risk of developing Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (DM2) and its associated factors among students from a university in Barranquilla, Colombia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted, in which the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) questionnaire was applied to 362 subjects in order to calculate the risk of DM2. Fasting glycemia was determined for those participants who obtained a ≥12 score (moderate to very high risk of developing DM2) in the questionnaire. Results: 12.4% of participants showed a ≥12 score. A statistically significant association was found between this score and modifiable factors such as sedentary lifestyle and overweight/obesity. Altered fasting glycemia (100 - 125 mg/dL) was detected in 26.67% of the participants. Conclusions: This study provides evidence about the risk of DM2 and exposure to associated factors in a group of mostly young adults. The results suggest adopting measures to prevent DM2 in the study group based on lifestyle changes.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o risco de desenvolver Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 e os seus fatores associados em estudantes de uma instituição universitária em Barranquilla-Colômbia. Materiais e Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo correlacional de corte transversal, no qual o questionário Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) foi aplicado a 362 sujeitos para calcular o risco de DM2. A glicemia em jejum foi determinada para aqueles que obtiveram no questionário um escore ≥12 (risco moderado a muito alto). Resultados: 12,4% dos participantes obtiveram um escore ≥12. Foi encontrada associação estatisticamente significativa entre esse escore e fatores modificáveis, como sedentarismo e sobrepeso/obesidade. Foi detectada glicemia em jejum alterada (100 - 125 mg/dL) em 26,67% dos sujeitos testados. Conclusões: Este estudo apresenta evidências sobre o risco de DM2 e a exposição a fatores associados em um grupo de adultos, na maioria jovens. Os resultados sugerem a adoção de medidas de prevenção de DM2 no grupo de estudo com base em mudanças no estilo de vida.

Features of Dengue and Chikungunya Infections of Colombian Children under 24 Months of Age Admitted to the Emergency Department.

We aimed to assess clinical and laboratory differences between dengue and chikungunya in children <24 months of age in a comparative study. We collected retrospective clinical and laboratory data confirmed by NS1/IgM for dengue for 19 months (1 January 2013 to 17 August 2014). Prospective data for chikungunya confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction were collected for 4 months (22 September 2014-14 December 2014). Sensitivity and specificity [with 95% confidence interval (CI)] were reported for each disease diagnosis. A platelet count <150 000 cells/ml at emergency admission best characterized dengue, with a sensitivity of 67% (95% CI, 53-79) and specificity of 95% (95% CI, 82-99). The algorithm developed with classification and regression tree analysis showed a sensitivity of 93% (95% CI, 68-100) and specificity of 38% (95% CI, 9-76) to diagnose dengue. Our study provides potential differential characteristics between chikungunya and dengue in young children, especially low platelet counts.