Ultrastructural Aspects of The Intestinal Cells Surface of Angiostrongylus Cantonensis By Using of Transmission Electron Microscopy.

The rat lungworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a zoonotic parasite and the main cause of eosinophilic meningitis in the world. Its main source of nutrients originates from the degradation of host hemoglobin in blood-feeding helminths, such as A. cantonensis. The purpose of this study was to analyze the ultrastructure of the intestinal cells by using of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A. cantonensis worms obtained from Rattus norvegicus (norway rats) from endemic area were used for TEM. The ultrastructural analysis was performed using fragments cut from the middle part of the worms, and the TEM study revealed the cells with microvilli and nuclei containing areas of loose and condensed chromatin and the presence of macrovesicles and microvesicles of digestion and it was observed in this study that intestinal epithelium is look like a syncytium. The ultrastructural aspects of the intestinal cells surface of A. Cantonensis the indicate that the intestinal epithelium is a multinucleate mosaic or syncytium.

The role of intra and inter-hospital patient transfer in the dissemination of heathcare-associated multidrug-resistant pathogens.

Healthcare-associated infections cause significant patient morbidity and mortality, and contribute to growing healthcare costs, whose effects may be felt most strongly in developing countries. Active surveillance systems, hospital staff compliance, including hand hygiene, and a rational use of antimicrobials are among the important measures to mitigate the spread of healthcare-associated infection within and between hospitals. Klebsiella pneumoniae is an important human pathogen that can spread in hospital settings, with some forms exhibiting drug resistance, including resistance to the carbapenem class of antibiotics, the drugs of last resort for such infections. Focusing on the role of patient movement within and between hospitals on the transmission and incidence of enterobacteria producing the K. pneumoniae Carbapenemase (KPC, an enzyme that inactivates several antimicrobials), we developed a metapopulation model where the connections among hospitals are made using a theoretical hospital network based on Brazilian hospital sizes and locations. The pathogen reproductive number, R0 that measures the average number of new infections caused by a single infectious individual, was calculated in different scenarios defined by both the links between hospital environments (regular wards and intensive care units) and between different hospitals (patient transfer). Numerical simulation was used to illustrate the infection dynamics in this set of scenarios. The sensitivity of R0 to model input parameters, such as hospital connectivity and patient-hospital staff contact rates was also established, highlighting the differential importance of factors amenable to change on pathogen transmission and control.

Incidental germline variants in 1000 advanced cancers on a prospective somatic genomic profiling protocol.

BACKGROUND: Next-generation sequencing in cancer research may reveal germline variants of clinical significance. We report patient preferences for return of results and the prevalence of incidental pathogenic germline variants (PGVs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Targeted exome sequencing of 202 genes was carried out in 1000 advanced cancers using tumor and normal DNA in a research laboratory. Pathogenic variants in 18 genes, recommended for return by The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, as well as PALB2, were considered actionable. Patient preferences of return of incidental germline results were collected. Return of results was initiated with genetic counseling and repeat CLIA testing. RESULTS: Of the 1000 patients who underwent sequencing, 43 had likely PGVs: APC (1), BRCA1 (11), BRCA2 (10), TP53 (10), MSH2 (1), MSH6 (4), PALB2 (2), PTEN (2), TSC2 (1), and RB1 (1). Twenty (47%) of 43 variants were previously known based on clinical genetic testing. Of the 1167 patients who consented for a germline testing protocol, 1157 (99%) desired to be informed of incidental results. Twenty-three previously unrecognized mutations identified in the research environment were confirmed with an orthogonal CLIA platform. All patients approached decided to proceed with formal genetic counseling; in all cases where formal genetic testing was carried out, the germline variant of concern validated with clinical genetic testing. CONCLUSIONS: In this series, 2.3% patients had previously unrecognized pathogenic germline mutations in 19 cancer-related genes. Thus, genomic sequencing must be accompanied by a plan for return of germline results, in partnership with genetic counseling.

Pro-inflammatory caspase-1 activation during the immune response in cells from rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum 1792) challenged with pathogen-associated molecular patterns.

In response to pathogens, the higher vertebrate innate immune system activates pro-inflammatory caspase-1 which is responsible for the processing and secretion of several important cytokines involved in the host's defence against infection. To date, caspase-1 has been described in few teleost fish, and its activity has been demonstrated through substrate cleavage and inhibition by pharmacological agents. In this study, the detection of the active form of caspase-1 during the immune response in salmonid fish is described, where two antibodies were produced. These antibodies differentially recognize the structural epitopes of the inactive pro-caspase-1 and the processed active form of the caspase. Firstly, caspase-1 activation was demonstrated in vitro by ELISA, Western blotting and immunocytochemistry in rainbow trout macrophages exposed to different pathogen-associated molecular patterns plus the pathogen Aeromonas hydrophila. This activity was clearly abrogated by a caspase inhibitor and seems to be unrelated to IL-1ß secretion. Caspase-1 activation was then validated in vivo in gill cells from fish challenged with Aeromonas salmonicida. These results represent the first demonstration of caspase-1 activation in salmonids, and the first evidence of the putative regulatory role which this protease plays in inflammatory response in this fish group, as described for some other teleosts and mammals.

A continuously monitored colorimetric method for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in sputum.

SETTING: Mbeya, Tanzania. OBJECTIVE: To develop a new liquid culture method to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) in sputum using 2,3-diphenyl-5-thienyl-(2)-tetrazolium (STC), the nitrate reductase assay (NRA) and p-nitrobenzoic acid (PNB). DESIGN: Ninety-three sputum samples collected from 18 tuberculosis patients were decontaminated with N-acetyl-L-cysteine-sodium hydroxide using MGIT™ 960 and in STC-NRA cultures, both in the presence and in the absence of PNB, an inhibitor of MTC growth. The reduction of STC by colour change indicated mycobacterial growth; NRA was then performed to confirm MTC. RESULTS: STC-NRA culture was positive for acid-fast bacilli in 66/93 (71%) samples, of which 60/93 (64.5%) were identified as MTC-positive and 6/93 (6.5%) as indeterminate mycobacteria. MGIT indicated MTC in 59/93 (63.4%) cultures. Contamination was detected in 12/93 (13%) STC-NRA cultures vs. 29/93 (31.2%) MGIT cultures. The mean time to detection (TTD) of MTC using STC-NRA was 14 days and 7 days using MGIT. CONCLUSION: The STC-NRA method is sensitive for the detection of MTC in sputum. TTD increased with duration of anti-tuberculosis treatment, highlighting the value of this method in monitoring treatment success. The method is simple and inexpensive and, unlike MGIT, does not require technical equipment. The preliminary performance characteristics of the method should be further evaluated in larger studies.

Enfermedad de Paget mamaria: caso clínico y revisión de la literatura / Paget’s disease of the breast: clinical case and literature review

La enfermedad de Paget mamaria es una patología poco común en la mama, sin embargo, tiene gran importancia por su alta asociación a carcinoma mamario y porque requiere de un alto índice de sospecha. Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 56 años con enfermedad de Paget mamaria con focos microscópicos de invasión y compromiso linfonodal masivo. Se realiza una revisión de esta patología, con especial énfasis en la sospecha, diagnóstico, manejo, estadificación, tratamiento y pronóstico desde el punto de vista médico y quirúrgico.

Gangrena de Fournier / Fournier’s gangrene

La Gangrena de Fournier es una enfermedad infecciosa caracterizada por una fascitis necrotizante de evolución fulminante que afecta a la región perineal, genital o perianal, presentando una rápida progresión y alta letalidad, siendo la etiología identificable en un 95 por ciento de los casos. La enfermedad ha sido descrita en ambos géneros, con edad promedio de presentación de 40 años y una mayor prevalencia en hombres, con una relación 10:1. La variedad de manifestaciones clínicas dificulta el diagnóstico, el que es fundamentalmente clínico. El tratamiento debe ser oportuno y agresivo, contemplando tres pilares fundamentales: manejo hidroelectrolítico y nutricional, antiobioterapia de amplio espectro y desbridamiento quirúrgico amplio. En este artículo presentamos una revisión sistemática actualizada de la literatura acerca de esta interesante entidad patológica, con especial énfasis en la epidemiología, etiología, presentación clínica, diagnóstico y tratamiento.

Cáncer de piel no melanoma e inmunosupresión / Non-melanoma skin cancer and inmunosuppressive therapy

El cáncer de piel no melanoma es la neoplasia más frecuente en el ser humano, sin embargo su incidencia es aún mayor en individuos trasplantados usuarios de inmunosupresión prolongada, representado en ellos el 95 por ciento de los cánceres de piel, con un comportamiento más agresivo y mayor probabilidad de recidiva. A diferencia de la población general, en la cual el cáncer basocelular es el más común, en estos pacientes el carcinoma de células escamosas es el más habitual. El papel del tratamiento inmunosupresor en la génesis del cáncer de piel no melanoma es vastamente reconocido. Los cánceres de piel resultan tanto de una disminución de la actividad inmunológica, como de los efectos oncogénicos directos vinculados a algunos inmunosupresores. La carga tumoral específica parece estar vinculada con el tipo, dosis y duración de la inmunosupresión. En este artículo presentamos una revisión sistemática actualizada de la literatura acerca de esta interesante entidad patológica, con especial énfasis en la epidemiología, factores de riesgo, patogénesis y terapia.

MMP-dependent migration of extrapulmonary myofibroblast progenitors contributing to posttransplant airway fibrosis in the lung.

Myofibroblasts play a central role in fibroproliferative airway remodeling in obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) after lung transplantation. The purpose of the study is to elucidate the mechanisms whereby matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) contribute to myofibroblast-mediated allograft airway fibrosis. In an intrapulmonary tracheal transplant model of OB, broad-spectrum MMP inhibitors, SC080 and MMI270 reduced the number of myofibroblasts at day 28 without changing differentiation, proliferation or apoptosis of myofibroblasts or fibroblasts. Next, myofibroblasts in allograft airway fibrosis were demonstrated to be almost exclusively of extrapulmonary origin by analyzing RT1A(n) positive myofibroblasts in an animal model combining orthotopic lung transplantation (from Lewis (RT1A(l)) to F1 (Brown-Norway (RT1A(n)) x Lewis)) and intrapulmonary tracheal transplantation (from a Wister-Furth rat (RT1A(u)) into the transplanted Lewis-derived lung). Using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) that can differentiate into alpha-SMA positive myofibroblasts in vitro, we demonstrated their contribution to the myofibroblast population of allograft airway fibrosis in vivo using a fluorescence-labeling cell tracking system. Moreover, PBMC-derived fibroblast-like cells expressed high levels of MMP-9 and MMP-12 and their migration was inhibited by MMP inhibitors in a wound healing assay. In conclusion, MMP-dependent migration of PBMC-derived myofibroblast precursors is an important contributing mechanism to the development of allograft airway fibrosis.

Pólipos Colorrectales Diagnosticados por Endoscopia y sus Resultados Anatomopatológicos. Instituto Gastroenterológico Boliviano-Japonés, Cochabamba, Bolivia. / Colorectal Polyps Diagnosed by Endoscopy and its Pathological Results Gastroenterological Institute Bolivian Japanesse, Cochabamba, Bolivia

Los pólipos son una de las afecciones más comunes que afectan al colon y recto y se encuentran en una proporción importante entre la población adulta. Aunque la mayoría de los pólipos son benignos, se halla bien fundada la idea de que existe una relación entre ciertos pólipos y el cáncer, es por ese motivo que surge como objetivo general, determinar la incidencia de pólipos colorectales diagnosticados endoscopicamente y sus resultados de anatomía patológica de los pacientes atendidos en el Instituto Gastroenterológico Boliviano Japonés, durante el periodo de tiempo abarcado entre el 15 de julio 2006 y 15 de julio 2008. Este estudio es de tipo descriptivo transversal, con una muestra de 1 19 pacientes diagnosticados y registrados con pólipos intestinales en el lugar y período de tiempo anteriormente mencionados; del cual obtuvimos los siguientes resultados: 73 pacientes (61%) correspondieron al sexo femenino, el intervalo de edad más afectado fue 45-65 años con 41 pacientes (34%), 55 pacientes ( 46%) presentaron pólipos en recto, 95 pacientes (80%) presentaron un solo pólipo; la colonoscopia fue el método diagnóstico de mayor uso en 80 pacientes (67%), 54 pacientes (45%) de los casos presentaron pólipos Yamada I; la polipectomía endoscópica fue la conducta realizada en 92 pacientes (77%), 77 pacientes (65%) resultaron con pólipos adenomatosos, y de estos 62 pacientes (81%) fueron adenomatosos tubulares, 42 pacientes (35%) presentaron displasia, 68 pacientes (57%) de los anteriores correspondieron a displasia leve; y 1 paciente (1%) de los casos fueron diagnosticados con adenocarcinoma.

Polyps are one of the most common conditions affecting the colon and rectum and are found in a significant proportion of the adult population.Although most polyps are benign, is well-founded the idea that exists a relationship between sme polyps and cancer, that's why our general objective is to determine the incidence of endoscopically diagnosed colorectal polyps and anatomical results pathology of patients treated in Bolivian Japanesse Gastroenterological Institute during the period comprised between 15 July 2006 and 15 July 2008. This study is a descriptive, cross-sectional, using a sample of 119 patients diagnosed and registered with intestinal polyps in the place and time mentioned above, which we obtained the following results: 73 patients (61%) were females, the interval of most affected age was 45-65 years with 41 patients (34%), 55 patients (46%) had polyps in the rectum, 95 patients (80%) of patients had one polyp, colonoscopy was the most widely used diagnostic method in 80 patients (67%), 54 patients (45%) cases Yamada I polyps, endoscopic polypectomy was the conduct performed in 92 patients (77%), 77 patients (65%) were adenomatous polyps, and these 62 patients (81 %) were adenomatous tubular, 42 patients (35%) had dysplasia, 68 patients (57%) of the above are small dysplasia and 1 patient (1 %) cases were diagnosed with cancer.

Urban transmission of Chagas disease in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

Chagas disease is a major public health problem in Bolivia. In the city of Cochabamba, 58% of the population lives in peripheral urban districts ("popular zones") where the infection prevalence is extremely high. From 1995 to 1999, we studied the demographics of Chagas infections in children from five to 13 years old (n = 2218) from the South zone (SZ) and North zone (NZ) districts, which differ in social, environmental, and agricultural conditions. Information gathered from these districts demonstrates qualitative and quantitative evidence for the active transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in urban Cochabamba. Seropositivity was high in both zones (25% in SZ and 19% in NZ). We observed a high risk of infection in children from five to nine years old in SZ, but in NZ, a higher risk occurred in children aged 10-13, with odds ratio for infection three times higher in NZ than in SZ. This difference was not due to triatomine density, since more than 1,000 Triatoma infestans were captured in both zones, but was possibly secondary to the vector infection rate (79% in SZ and 37% in NZ). Electrocardiogram abnormalities were found to be prevalent in children and pre-adolescents (SZ = 40%, NZ = 17%), indicating that under continuous exposure to infection and re-infection, a severe form of the disease may develop early in life. This work demonstrates that T. cruzi infection should also be considered an urban health problem and is not restricted to the rural areas and small villages of Bolivia.

Urban transmission of Chagas disease in Cochabamba, Bolivia

Chagas disease is a major public health problem in Bolivia. In the city of Cochabamba, 58 percent of the population lives in peripheral urban districts ("popular zones") where the infection prevalence is extremely high. From 1995 to 1999, we studied the demographics of Chagas infections in children from five to 13 years old (n = 2218) from the South zone (SZ) and North zone (NZ) districts, which differ in social, environmental, and agricultural conditions. Information gathered from these districts demonstrates qualitative and quantitative evidence for the active transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in urban Cochabamba. Seropositivity was high in both zones (25 percent in SZ and 19 percent in NZ). We observed a high risk of infection in children from five to nine years old in SZ, but in NZ, a higher risk occurred in children aged 10-13, with odds ratio for infection three times higher in NZ than in SZ. This difference was not due to triatomine density, since more than 1,000 Triatoma infestans were captured in both zones, but was possibly secondary to the vector infection rate (79 percent in SZ and 37 percent in NZ). Electrocardiogram abnormalities were found to be prevalent in children and pre-adolescents (SZ = 40 percent, NZ = 17 percent), indicating that under continuous exposure to infection and re-infection, a severe form of the disease may develop early in life. This work demonstrates that T. cruzi infection should also be considered an urban health problem and is not restricted to the rural areas and small villages of Bolivia.

Evaluation of the accuracy of the microplate Alamar Blue assay for rapid detection of MDR-TB in Peru.

Tuberculosis control is hampered by the widespread increase in multidrug resistance. Rapid drug susceptibility testing would greatly aid in the adequate treatment of the disease. This study evaluates the usefulness of the colorimetric method using Alamar Blue for the rapid detection of resistance to rifampicin and isoniazid in 63 clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Peru. Results obtained by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and measures of gain in certainty showed greater diagnostic accuracy than with the gold standard, the proportion method on Löwenstein-Jensen medium.

Comparison of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) versus traditional textbook methods for training in abdominal examination (Japanese experience).

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the effects of computer-assisted, text-based and computer-and-text learning conditions on the performances of 3 groups of medical students in the pre-clinical years of their programme, taking into account their academic achievement to date. A fourth group of students served as a control (no-study) group. METHOD: Participants were recruited from the pre-clinical years of the training programmes in 2 medical schools in Japan, Jichi Medical School near Tokyo and Kochi Medical School near Osaka. Participants were randomly assigned to 4 learning conditions and tested before and after the study on their knowledge of and skill in performing an abdominal examination, in a multiple-choice test and an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), respectively. Information about performance in the programme was collected from school records and students were classified as average, good or excellent. Student and faculty evaluations of their experience in the study were explored by means of a short evaluation survey. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, all 3 study groups exhibited significant gains in performance on knowledge and performance measures. For the knowledge measure, the gains of the computer-assisted and computer-assisted plus text-based learning groups were significantly greater than the gains of the text-based learning group. The performances of the 3 groups did not differ on the OSCE measure. Analyses of gains by performance level revealed that high achieving students' learning was independent of study method. Lower achieving students performed better after using computer-based learning methods. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that computer-assisted learning methods will be of greater help to students who do not find the traditional methods effective. Explorations of the factors behind this are a matter for future research.

Perfil clínico de embarazadas con preeclampsia y embarazos no complicados / Clinical profile associated with preeclampsia and healthy pregnant women

Objetivo: Conocer las variables clínicas y de laboratorio de más frecuente presentación en pacientes con preeclampsia (PE) de dos hospitales de la Quinta Región. Pacientes y Métodos: Estudio prospectivo caso-control. Se estudiaron 44 mujeres con PE sin patología asociada divididas en dos grupos; uno con 25 embarazadas con PE moderada (PEM) y otro de 19 con PE severa (PES), y grupo control de 30 embarazadas normales. Resultados: El índice de masa corporal basal fue de 24,1 ± 4 para el grupo control, 25,8 ± 5 para el grupo con PEM y 26,1 ± 4 para el grupo PES, diferencias no significativas. La sintomatología clínica fue más frecuente en las pacientes con PES. Los valores de transaminasas y uricemia de ambos grupos con PE fueron mayores y los de plaquetas significativamente menores a los del grupo control. No hubo diferencia significativa en los valores de creatininemia y hematocrito. La proteinuria fue mayor en las pacientes con PES pero en la mayoría de estos se situó en rangos de 0,35 a 1,5 g/l. El Apgar de los recién nacidos fue similar en todos los grupos. Conclusiones: La sintomatología clínica es útil para la detección de PES. Valores de uricemia mayores de 4 mg/dl más cifras tensionales elevadas son altamente sugerente de PE. Un número importante de pacientes con PES presentó proteinuria inferior a 3 g/l, por lo que la ausencia de cifras mayores no debiera excluir la presencia de PES.