Spatiotemporal Changes in Plasmodium vivax msp142 Haplotypes in Southern Mexico: From the Control to the Pre-Elimination Phase.

For 20 years, Plasmodium vivax has been the only prevalent malaria species in Mexico, and cases have declined significantly and continuously. Spatiotemporal genetic studies can be helpful for understanding parasite dynamics and developing strategies to weaken malaria transmission, thus facilitating the elimination of the parasite. The aim of the current contribution was to analyze P. vivax-infected blood samples from patients in southern Mexico during the control (1993-2007) and pre-elimination phases (2008-2011). Nucleotide and haplotype changes in the pvmsp142 fragment were evaluated over time. The majority of multiple genotype infections occurred in the 1990s, when the 198 single nucleotide sequences exhibited 57 segregating sites, 64 mutations, and 17 haplotypes. Nucleotide and genetic diversity parameters showed subtle fluctuations from across time, in contrast to the reduced haplotype diversity and the increase in the R2 index and Tajima's D value from 2008 to 2011. The haplotype network consisted of four haplogroups, the geographical distribution of which varied slightly over time. Haplogroup-specific B-cell epitopes were predicted. Since only high-frequency and divergent haplotypes persisted, there was a contraction of the parasite population. Given that 84% of haplotypes were exclusive to Mesoamerica, P. vivax flow is likely circumscribed to this region, representing important information for parasite surveillance.

Cultural adaptation of birthing services in rural Ayacucho, Peru.

PROBLEM: Maternal mortality is particularly high among poor, indigenous women in rural Peru, and the use of facility care is low, partly due to cultural insensitivities of the health care system. APPROACH: A culturally appropriate delivery care model was developed in poor and isolated rural communities, and implemented between 1999 and 2001 in cooperation with the Quechua indigenous communities and health professionals. Data on birth location and attendance in one health centre have been collected up to 2007. LOCAL SETTING: The international nongovernmental organization, Health Unlimited, and its Peruvian partner organization, Salud Sín Límites Perú, conducted the project in Santillana district in Ayacucho. RELEVANT CHANGES: The model involves features such as a rope and bench for vertical delivery position, inclusion of family and traditional birth attendants in the delivery process and use of the Quechua language. The proportion of births delivered in the health facility increased from 6% in 1999 to 83% in 2007 with high satisfaction levels. LESSONS LEARNED: Implementing a model of skilled delivery attendance that integrates modern medical and traditional Andean elements is feasible and sustainable. Indigenous women with little formal education do use delivery services if their needs are met. This contradicts common victim-blaming attitudes that ascribe high levels of home births to 'cultural preferences' or 'ignorance'.

Umbilical cord disruption sequence caused by long cord in two unrelated infants with amyoplasia.

Encirclement of a fetal body part by the umbilical cord with or without vascular obstruction in either the umbilical cord or the encircled fetal part is considered an umbilical cord loop (UCL). Significant disruption of the encircled fetal parts is recognized as the umbilical cord disruption sequence (UCDS). UCL around fetal parts is an occasional anomaly in infants with amyoplasia. We report on 2 patients with amyoplasia and damage to the fetal limbs caused by UCDS and a long umbilical cord. Patient 1 showed two deep constrictions on the left lower limb caused by UCL with an intact skin and a mild mark of constriction on the left wrist. The umbilical cord in patient 2 produced 5 entanglements around the left thigh which resulted in a deep groove extending down to the femur and also showed an exposed fracture and gangrene of the entire lower limb with an unusual congenital paraumbilical "stoma" that corresponded to the afferent loops of a jejunal atresia. The UCDS in infants with amyoplasia has been associated with short umbilical cords, whereas in patients without congenital contractures, the UCDS or UCL has been related to long umbilical cords. Our observations of UCDS in patients with amyoplasia but with long umbilical cords suggest the influence of both pathogenic factors or the existence of additional mechanisms. Evidence in patient 2 may support a vascular pathogenesis.