Development and Evaluation of a Set of Spike and Receptor Binding Domain-Based Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays for SARS-CoV-2 Serological Testing.

The implementation and validation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG serological assays are reported in this paper. S1 and RBD proteins were used to coat ELISA plates, and several secondary antibodies served as reporters. The assays were initially validated with 50 RT-PCR positive COVID-19 sera, which showed high IgG titers of mainly IgG1 isotype, followed by IgG3. Low or no IgG2 and IgG4 titers were detected. Then, the RBD/IgG assay was further validated with 887 serum samples from RT-PCR positive COVID-19 individuals collected at different times, including 7, 14, 21, and 40 days after the onset of symptoms. Most of the sera were IgG positive at day 40, with seroconversion happening after 14-21 days. A third party conducted an additional performance test of the RBD/IgG assay with 406 sera, including 149 RT-PCR positive COVID-19 samples, 229 RT-PCR negative COVID-19 individuals, and 28 sera from individuals with other viral infections not related to SARS-CoV-2. The sensitivity of the assay was 99.33%, with a specificity of 97.82%. All the sera collected from individuals with infectious diseases other than COVID-19 were negative. Given the robustness of this RBD/IgG assay, it received approval from the sanitary authority in Mexico (COFEPRIS) for production and commercialization under the name UDISTEST-V2G®.

Recomendaciones para prevención y control de infecciones por SARS-CoV-2 en odontología / Recommendations for the prevention and control of SARS-CoV-2 infections in dentistry / Recomendações para a prevenção e controle de infecções por SARS-CoV-2 em odontologia

Según la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), la nueva pandemia de neumonía por coronavirus CO-VID-19 o SARS-CoV-2, en un corto período de tiempo, se ha extendido a todas las regiones del mundo donde el número de casos confirmados y muertes sigue aumentando. Junto con el coronavirus del Síndrome Res-piratorio Agudo Severo (SARS) y el coronavirus del Síndrome Respiratorio del Medio Oriente (MERS), este es el tercer coronavirus humano altamente patógeno que ha surgido en las últimas dos décadas. Frente a esta emergencia de Salud Pública, se ha intentado controlar la propagación global, sin embargo, en la gran mayo-ría de países se ha visto desbordada la capacidad de sus sistemas de salud. Se ha observado que medidas adecuadas pueden reducir el riesgo de infección y prevenir efectivamente la propagación de la epidemia. En odontología, debido a la naturaleza especial de sus procedimientos, el riesgo de infección cruzada es alto y las medidas estrictas de prevención y control son importantes, particularmente por la posible atención a pa-cientes asintomáticos capaces de transmitir el virus. Ante la urgente necesidad de establecer protocolos de control de infecciones estrictos y efectivos, se realizó una revisión de la evidencia científica para analizar las características epidemiológicas e infecciosas de SARS-CoV-2 y recomendar medidas de prevención y control en relación a los profesionales y estudiantes de la odontología a fin de bloquear las rutas de transmisión de persona a persona en clínicas y hospitales dentales.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the new pandemic of coronavirus pneumonia COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2, in a short period of time, has spread to all regions of the world where the number of confirmed cases and deaths continues to rise. Along with the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS), this is the third highly pathogenic human coronavirus that has emerged in the past two decades. Faced with this Public Health emergency, attempts have been made to control the global spread; however, in the vast majority of countries the capacity of their health systems has been overwhelmed. Appropriate measures have been found to reduce the risk of infection and effectively prevent the spread of the epidemic. In dentistry, due to the special nature of its procedures, the risk of cross infection is high and strict prevention and control measures are important, particularly due to possible care for asymptomatic patients capable of transmitting the virus. Given the urgent need to establish strict and effective infection control protocols, a review of the scientific evidence was carried out to analyze the epidemiological and infectious characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and to recommend prevention and control measures in relation to professionals and students of dentistry to block person-to-person transmission routes in dental clinics and hospitals.

Segundo a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), a nova pandemia de pneumonia por coronavírus CO-VID-19 ou SARS-CoV-2, em um curto período de tempo, se espalhou por todas as regiões do mundo onde o número de casos confirmados e as mortes continuam a aumentar. Juntamente com o coronavírus da Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave (SARS) e o coronavírus da Síndrome Respiratória do Oriente Médio (MERS), este é o terceiro coronavírus humano altamente patogênico que surgiu nas últimas duas décadas. Diante dessa emergência de saúde pública, foram feitas tentativas para controlar a disseminação global, no entanto, na grande maioria dos países, a capacidade de seus sistemas de saúde foi sobrecarregada. Foi observado que medidas apropriadas podem reduzir o risco de infecção e impedir efetivamente a propagação da epidemia. Na odontologia, devido à natureza especial de seus procedimentos, o risco de infecção cruzada é alto e me-didas estritas de prevenção e controle são importantes, principalmente devido ao possível atendimento a pa-cientes assintomáticos capazes de transmitir o vírus. Dada a necessidade urgente de estabelecer protocolos rigorosos e eficazes no controle de infecções, foi realizada uma revisão das evidências científicas para anali-sar as características epidemiológicas e infecciosas do SARS-CoV-2 e recomendar medidas de prevenção e controle em relação a profissionais e estudantes da odontologia, tentando bloquear as rotas de transmissão em clínicas dentárias e hospitais.

Impact of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) Multidimensional Hand Hygiene Approach During 3 Years in 6 Hospitals in 3 Mexican Cities.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) multidimensional hand hygiene (HH) approach in Mexico, and analyze predictors of poor HH compliance. METHODS: From June 2002 to April 2006, we conducted a prospective, observational, before-and-after study in 8 intensive care units (ICUs) from 6 hospitals in 3 cities of Mexico. The approach included administrative support, availability of supplies, education and training, reminders in the workplace, process surveillance, and performance feedback. RESULTS: A total of 13,201 observations for HH opportunities were done in each ICU, during randomly selected 30-minute periods. Overall, HH compliance increased from 45% to 79% (95% confidence interval [CI], 69.1-86.5; P = 0.01). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that several variables were significantly associated with poor HH compliance: males versus females (61% versus 66%; 95% CI, 0.91-0.96; P = 0.0001), physicians versus nurses (62% versus 67%; 95% CI, 0.91-0.97; P = 0.0001), and adult versus neonatal ICUs (67% versus 54%; 95% CI, 0.79-0.84; P = 0.0001), among others. CONCLUSIONS: Hand hygiene programs should focus on variables found to be predictors of poor HH compliance.

Dengue Virus Coinfection in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1-Infected Patients on the West Coast of Mexico.

Dengue virus infection in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients is not well studied. Previous reports suggest a transitory inhibition of the HIV-1 viral load, as well as a benign clinical progression of dengue. The follow-up of six HIV-1-infected patients, diagnosed and hospitalized with dengue virus infection in the State of Colima, Mexico, was carried out to analyze the progression of this viral coinfection. The presence of dengue virus serotype 1 was confirmed through molecular tests. No severe complications were observed in any of the patients during dengue virus infection. Significant alteration of the HIV-1 viral loads was not observed during dengue virus infection and 6 months after coinfection. Further studies are required to understand the pathology, as well as the clinical course, of these viral coinfections.

Complete Genome Sequence of Hepatitis B Virus Genotype E, the First Molecular Characterization from an Imported Case in Mexico.

Hepatitis B virus infection is currently a global public health problem. Here, we present the first characterization and complete genome sequence of a strain belonging to genotype E in Mexico, obtained from a foreign carrier with chronic infection.

[Twelve years of experience in the diagnosis of syphilis in Mexico. Period 2001-2012]. / Doce años de experiencia en el diagnóstico de sífilis en México (periodo 2001-2012).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of syphilis in Mexico in patients suspected of having the disease or any risk factor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a descriptive, longitudinal, randomized design study from the period of January 2001 to December 2012, where 51,302 samples were analyzed for syphilis in risk groups. RESULTS: A 39.73% frequency of positive cases was calculated. The estimated average age of detection was 29.08 years. It was found that syphilis affects 47.05% of males and 52.85% of females. The most affected states were Chiapas, Tabasco, and Hidalgo. CONCLUSIONS: Syphilis, despite its decrease in frequency, is an important disease in the major risk groups, so it is vital to take preventive measures to reduce the occurrence of new cases and eliminate cases of congenital syphilis.

Acute viral hepatitis in the United States-Mexico border region: data from the Border Infectious Disease Surveillance (BIDS) Project, 2000-2009.

Little is known about the characteristics of acute viral hepatitis cases in the United States (US)-Mexico border region. We analyzed characteristics of acute viral hepatitis cases collected from the Border Infectious Disease Surveillance Project from January 2000-December 2009. Over the study period, 1,437 acute hepatitis A, 311 acute hepatitis B, and 362 acute hepatitis C cases were reported from 5 Mexico and 2 US sites. Mexican hepatitis A cases most frequently reported close personal contact with a known case, whereas, US cases most often reported cross-border travel. Injection drug use was common among Mexican and US acute hepatitis B and C cases. Cross-border travel during the incubation period was common among acute viral hepatitis cases in both countries. Assiduous adherence to vaccination and prevention guidelines in the US is needed and strategic implementation of hepatitis vaccination and prevention programs south of the border should be considered.

Findings of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC), Part I: Effectiveness of a multidimensional infection control approach on catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates in pediatric intensive care units of 6 developing countries.

DESIGN: A before-after prospective surveillance study to assess the impact of a multidimensional infection control approach for the reduction of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) rates. SETTING: Pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) of hospital members of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) from 10 cities of the following 6 developing countries: Colombia, El Salvador, India, Mexico, Philippines, and Turkey. PATIENTS: PICU inpatients. METHODS: We performed a prospective active surveillance to determine rates of CAUTI among 3,877 patients hospitalized in 10 PICUs for a total of 27,345 bed-days. The study was divided into a baseline period (phase 1) and an intervention period (phase 2). In phase 1, surveillance was performed without the implementation of the multidimensional approach. In phase 2, we implemented a multidimensional infection control approach that included outcome surveillance, process surveillance, feedback on CAUTI rates, feedback on performance, education, and a bundle of preventive measures. The rates of CAUTI obtained in phase 1 were compared with the rates obtained in phase 2, after interventions were implemented. RESULTS: During the study period, we recorded 8,513 urinary catheter (UC) days, including 1,513 UC-days in phase 1 and 7,000 UC-days in phase 2. In phase 1, the CAUTI rate was 5.9 cases per 1,000 UC-days, and in phase 2, after implementing the multidimensional infection control approach for CAUTI prevention, the rate of CAUTI decreased to 2.6 cases per 1,000 UC-days (relative risk, 0.43 [95% confidence interval, 0.21-1.0]), indicating a rate reduction of 57%. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrated that implementing a multidimensional infection control approach is associated with a significant reduction in the CAUTI rate of PICUs in developing countries.

Infectious diseases in Mexico. A survey from 1995-2000.

Data obtained at a central laboratory for emerging, re-emerging, and other infectious diseases in Mexico from 1995-2000 are presented. An outstanding increase of DEN-3 circulation was identified. Aedes aegypti, the dengue vector, is widely distributed. Leptospirosis has become the most important differential diagnosis for dengue. Identification of rabies virus variants allowed cataloging of new transmitters of rabies. Rotavirus showed a clear seasonal distribution, while different proportions of pathogenic classes of Escherichia coli under endemic and outbreak conditions were seen. Serotypes of several bacteria are reported as well as the sources of isolation and frequency of Shigella, Salmonella, and Vibrio cholerae. Rise and disappearance of cholera could be followed along the past decade. Influenza strains were identified, as were several pathogens causing sexually transmitted infections. Laboratory support was important for surveillance after Hurricane Mitch. Multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are emerging and primary resistance is very high. It is now mandatory to search for antibodies to Trypanosoma cruzi in blood banks. Triatoma barberi, a peridomestic bug, is the main vector of Chagas disease. Localized cutaneous leishmaniosis increased in regions having a guerrilla element in Chiapas. Modern immunodiagnostic techniques are used for control studies of cysticercosis and similar techniques were recently standardized for Trichinella spiralis detection. Low iodine values in children's urine were found in several Mexican states; therefore, use of iodized salt should be encouraged.

Cuantificación de linfocitos T CD4+ y de RNA viral en pacientes con VIH/SIDA / Quantification of CD4+ T lymphocytes and viral DNA in patients with HIV/AIDS

Se determinaron los valores de los marcadores de progresión (carga viral y cuenta de linfocitos T CD4+) de 410 pacientes que viven con VIH-SIDA, que estaban en diferentes etapas clínicas de la enfermedad y bajo diferentes esquemas terapéuticos. El objetivo fue determinar la correlación entre los valores de los marcadores de progresión y el estado clínico de los pacientes. Se utilizaron metodologías comerciales para cuantificar las subpoblaciones de linfocitos y el RNA viral circulante. Los resultados indican que existía correlación entre los valores de CD4+ bajos y la carga viral alta en pacientes que estaban bajo tratamiento antirretroviral pero no en pacientes sin tratamiento. Además el análisis de 1208 muestras procesadas durante 1999 mostró que el 46 por ciento de los pacientes tenían menos de 200 linfocitos T CD4+/mL de sangre y más de 500 copias de RNA circulante. Se discuten las implicaciones de estos resultados en la salud pública de México.