Validation of a zebrafish developmental defects assay as a qualified alternative test for its regulatory use following the ICH S5(R3) guideline.

Zebrafish is a popular toxicology model and provides an ethically acceptable small-scale analysis system with the complexity of a complete organism. Our goal is to further validate this model for its regulatory use for reproductive and developmental defects by testing the compounds indicated in the "Guideline on detection of reproductive and developmental toxicity for human pharmaceuticals" (ICH S5(R3) guideline.) To determine the embryotoxic and developmental risk of the 32 reference compounds listed in the ICH S5(R3) guideline, the presence of morphological alterations in zebrafish embryos was analyzed at two different stages to calculateLC50 and EC50 values for each stage. Teratogenic Indexes were established as the ratio between LC50 and EC50 critical for the proper compound classification as teratogenic when it is ≥ 2. A total of three biological replicates have been conducted to study the reproducibility of the assay. The chemicals' concentration in the medium and internally in the zebrafish embryos was evaluated. In this study, the 3 negative compounds were properly categorized while 23 compounds out of the 29 reference ones (sensitivity of 79.31%) were classified as teratogenic in zebrafish. The 6 that had false-negative results were classified 4 as inconclusive, 1 as not toxic, and 1 compound resulted toxic for zebrafish embryos under testing conditions. After the bioavailability experiments, some of the obtained inconclusive results were refined. The developmental defects assay in zebrafish gives an accuracy of 89.66%, sensitivity of 88.46%, specificity and repeatability of 100% compared to mammals; therefore, this is a well-integrated strategy using New Alternative Methods, to minimize the use of animals in developmental toxicity studies.

Pulmonary adenocarcinoma in cattle / Adenocarcinoma pulmonar en bovinos

The Macroscopic, histological and immunohistochemical aspects of lung acinar adenocarcinoma and the presence of nodules in the abdominal cavity of an adult female bovine are reported. In the necropsy analysis samples were collected from the: lung, heart, spleen, liver, pancreas, kidney, uterus, intestine, brain, and from nodules found in the lung and abdominal cavity, which were routinely processed to be stained by hematoxylin-eosin and for an immunohistochemistry exam with the antibodies: cytokeratin (dilution 1:200 µL) and vimentin (dilution 1:1000 µL). The histopathological examination revealed neoplastic epithelial cells with acini formation. The immunohistochemical examination of the tumor cells showed positive marking for cytokeratin and the absence of marking for vimentin. According to anatomical, morphological, and histopathological findings, as well as the result of the immunohistochemical examination, the tumor was characterized as lung acinar adenocarcinoma.

Se relatan los aspectos macroscópicos, histológicos e inmunohistoquímicos de un adenocarcinoma acinar pulmonar y la presencia de nódulos en la cavidad abdominal en una hembra bovina adulta. En el análisis necroscópico fueron colectados fragmentos de: pulmón, corazón, bazo, hígado, páncreas, riñón, útero, intestino, encéfalo y de los nódulos hallados en pulmón y cavidad abdominal, los cuales fueron procesados rutinariamente para ser teñidos mediante Hematoxilina-Eosina y para examen inmunohistoquímico con los anticuerpos: citoqueratina (con dilución 1:200 µL) y vimentina (dilución 1:1000 µL). El examen histopatológico reveló células epiteliales neoplásicas con formación de acinos. El examen inmunohistoquímico de las células neoplásicas demostró marcación positiva para citoqueratina y ausencia de marcación para vimentina. De acuerdo con los hallazgos anatómicos, morfológicos, histopatológico, y el resultado del examen inmunohistoquímico, se logró caracterizar el tumor como adenocarcinoma acinar pulmonar.

Percepción de bienestar social y participación política en adultos de una comunidad rural en Minga Guazú, Alto Paraná / Hope and social well-being and political participation in adults belonging to a rural community of Minga Guazú, Alto Par

El objetivo principal de esta investigación es determinar la correlación entre el Bienestar Social y la Participación Política en adultos pertenecientes a una Comunidad Rural de Minga Guazú, Alto Paraná. La muestra está conformada por 70 adultos, sin discriminación de sexo. Se aplicó un diseño descriptivo y correlacional. El análisis de datos se realizó a través del Coeficiente de Correlación Lineal R de Pearson, obteniendo una relación positiva entre las dos escalas relacionadas. Se concluye que el Bienestar Social está ligado al grado de Participación Política que presenta la Comunidad Rural participante.

The main objective of this research is to determine the correlation between Social Welfare and Political Participation in adults belonging to a Rural Community from Minga Guazu, Alto Parana. The sample consisted of 70 adults, regardless of sex. We used a descriptive and correlational design. Data analysis was performed using the linear correlation coefficient R Pearson, obtaining a positive relationship between the two scales related. We conclude that Social Welfare is linked to the grades of political participation presented by the participant Rural Community.

Depressive and anxiety disorders in chronic hepatitis C patients: reliability and validity of the Patient Health Questionnaire.

UNLABELLED: Depression and anxiety in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection influence their health-related quality of life and their adherence to antiviral treatment. OBJECTIVE: To study the psychometric properties of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) as a screening instrument for depression and anxiety in HCV patients. METHODS: Criterion validity, using the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV-Axis I (SCID-I) to diagnose depression and anxiety disorders as diagnostic standard, was evaluated for both summed and algorithm-based PHQ in 500 HCV patients. Correlations with quality of life (Short-Form-36 Health Survey; SF-36) and severity of illness (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; HADS) were calculated to assess construct validity. Test-retest reliability and patients' reaction to the PHQ were assessed in 120 HCV patients. RESULTS: Twenty-three percent of patients (N=114) had a psychiatric disorder (any depressive disorder=18.2%; major depressive disorder=6.4%; generalized anxiety disorder=7.0% and panic disorder=5.8%). The questionnaire demonstrated good test-retest reliability for any depressive disorder (k=.847), major depressive disorder (k=.784), generalized anxiety disorder (k=.787), panic disorder (k=.848), and for any psychiatric disorder (k=.847). There was good agreement between PHQ and SCID-I diagnoses (for any PHQ disorder, k=.821; overall accuracy=90.43%, sensitivity=83.84%; specificity=97.01%). Patients with any PHQ disorder had higher impairment on the SF-36 (p<.001). HADS depression and anxiety scores showed high correlations with PHQ depression (p<.001) and anxiety (p<.001) scores respectively. PHQ administration was well accepted by 97% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish version of the PHQ is a reliable, valid, and useful screening instrument to detect depression, generalized anxiety and panic disorders in HCV patients.

Identification of phosphorylase kinase as a novel therapeutic target through high-throughput screening for anti-angiogenesis compounds in zebrafish.

Angiogenesis is essential for development and tumor progression. With the aim of identifying new compound inhibitors of the angiogenesis process, we used an established enhanced green fluorescent protein-transgenic zebrafish line to develop an automated assay that enables high-throughput screening of compound libraries in a whole-organism setting. Using this system, we have identified novel kinase inhibitor compounds that show anti-angiogenic properties in both zebrafish in-vivo system and in human endothelial cell in-vitro angiogenesis models. Furthermore, we have determined the kinase target of these compounds and have identified and validated a previously uncharacterized involvement of phosphorylase kinase subunit G1 (PhKG1) in angiogenesis in vivo. In addition, we have found that PhKG1 is upregulated in human tumor samples and that aberrations in gene copy number of PhK subunits are a common feature of human tumors. Our results provide a novel insight into the angiogenesis process, as well as identify new potential targets for anti-angiogenic therapies.

Descripción de la función sexual en mujeres con alteraciones de piso pélvico en un hospital público de Santiago / Sexual function of a group of women with any pelvic floor disorder in a public hospital of Santiago, Chile

Antecedentes: Se estima que entre 25-50 por ciento de las mujeres sufrirá de alguna alteración del piso pélvico durante su vida. La función sexual es un concepto complejo y multidimensional. Se ha planteado que a mayor sintomatología de alteraciones de piso pélvico, las mujeres presentan mayores inconvenientes en su respuesta sexual. Objetivo: Describir la función sexual de un grupo de mujeres que presentan algún tipo de trastorno de piso pélvico. Método: Estudio descriptivo a 195 mujeres con diagnóstico de alteraciones de piso pélvico utilizando un cuestionario que incluía evaluación de aspectos sociodemográficos y de la función sexual con instrumento PISQ-12. Para el análisis se utilizaron medidas de tendencia central y dispersión. Resultados: 73,7 por ciento de las mujeres refieren tener algún grado de insatisfacción con su vida sexual actual afectando principalmente el área del deseo sexual. Dentro de las limitaciones en la relación sexual reportadas se encuentran: orgasmos menos frecuentes (70,5 por ciento), dispareunia (89,5 por ciento), problemas de erección (40 por ciento) y eyaculación precoz (47,4 por ciento) en sus parejas. Conclusión: Las mujeres reportan niveles de insatisfacción con su vida sexual, disminución de su deseo sexual, dolor durante la relación sexual y disminución de la intensidad del orgasmo. Es importante incorporar en la atención de este grupo de mujeres una evaluación sistemática de la función sexual, centrándose no solo en la respuesta sexual femenina, sino que también identificando aquellas limitaciones de la mujer y de la pareja que pueden estar influyendo en su satisfacción sexual.

Background: It is estimated that between 25- 50 percent of women will suffer from a pelvic floor disorder during their lifetime. Sexual function is a complex and multidimensional concept. It has been suggested that to greater symptoms of pelvic floor disorders, women have major problems in sexual response. Objective: To describe the sexual function of a group of women with any pelvic floor disorder in a public hospital of Santiago, Chile. Method: A descriptive study of 195 women diagnosed with pelvic floor disorders using a questionnaire that included assessment of sociodemographic and sexual function instrument PISQ-12. For the analysis used measures of central tendency and dispersion. Results: 73.7 percent of referred women have some degree of dissatisfaction with their current sex life mainly affecting the area of sexual desire. Within the limitations in sexual intercourse reported are: less intense orgasms (70.5 percent), dyspareunia (89.5 percent), erectile dysfunction (40 percent) and premature ejaculation (47.4 percent) in their partners. Conclusion: Women report levels of dissatisfaction with their sex life, decreased sexual desire, pain during intercourse and decreased intensity of orgasm. It is important to incorporate in the care of these women a systematic assessment of sexual function focusing not only on the female sexual response, but also identifying those limitations of women and couples that may be influencing women's sexual satisfaction.

Intolerancia a la lactosa / Lactose intolerance

La lactosa es un disacárido de amplia distribución en la dieta y productos farmacéuticos, es el hidrato de carbono de la leche de los mamíferos. La intolerancia a la lactosa puede presentarse como congénita, hipolactasia del desarrollo, primaria y secundaria. Frente a la sospecha de ésta patología la clínica es lo principal, pudiendo investigarla a través de la prueba contraprueba, la prueba de hidrógeno espirado, la biopsia y por estudio de polimorfismos a través biología molecular (aún en estudio). Su tratamiento consiste en la disminución o exclusión de lactosa, uso de suplementos lácteos, sin olvidar la ingesta mínima requerida de calcio y vitamina D importantes en el desarrollo óseo.

A novel g.-1258G>A mutation in a conserved putative regulatory element of PAX9 is associated with autosomal dominant molar hypodontia.

Mutations in the transcription factor PAX9 which plays a critical role in the switching of odontogenic potential from the epithelium to the mesenchyme during tooth development cause autosomal dominant non-syndromic hypodontia primarily affecting molars. Linkage analysis on a family segregating autosomal dominant molar hypodontia with markers flanking and within PAX9 yielded a maximum multipoint LOD score of 3.6. No sequence variants were detected in the coding or 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions (UTRs) of PAX9. However, we identified a novel g.-1258G>A sequence variant in all affected individuals of the family but not in the unaffected family members or in 3088 control chromosomes. This mutation is within a putative 5'-regulatory sequence upstream of PAX9 highly conserved in primates, somewhat conserved in ungulates and carnivores but not conserved in rodents. Bioinformatics analysis of the sequence determined that there was no abolition or creation of a putative binding site for known transcription factors. Based on our previous findings that haploinsufficiency for PAX9 leads to hypodontia, we postulate that the g.-1258G>A variant reduces the expression of PAX9 which underlies the hypodontia phenotype in this family.

Estudio clínico, serológico y patológico de una cepa velogénica del virus de Newcastle en codornices (Coturnix coturnix japonica) / Clinical, srelogical and pathological study of a Newcastle velogenic virus strain in quails (Coturnix, coturnix japonica)

Se determinó la susceptibilidad, el efecto patológico, y la respuesta serológica inducida por una cepa velogénica viscerotrópica del virus de la enfermedad de Newcastle (vvENC). Para este fin, se criaron 40 codornices japónicas (Coturnix coturnix japonica) hembras, donde 20 se inocularon vía nasal y ocular con una cepa de vvENC y 20 se usaron como grupo control. Para el análisis histopatológico y recuperación viral se tomó muestras de tejidos e hisopados de cloaca de las aves inoculadas y del grupo control; y para detectar anticuerpos contra el virus de la ENC mediante la prueba de inhibición de la hemaglutinación (IH) se tomó muestras de sangre durante 5 semanas posteriores al desafío. En el 40% de las aves inoculadas se registraron signos severos, así como mortalidad del 20% de las aves inoculadas. Del mismo modo, se registraron lesiones macroscópicas y microscópicas en los animales inoculados. El grupo desafiado registró un incremento en los niveles de anticuerpos a partir de los 7 días postinoculación (PGT 6.1), alcanzando el mayor PGT a los 14 días post inoculación (PGT 29.9), mientras que en el grupo de aves control no se registró seroconversiones. La recuperación viral se logró a partir de los hisopados de cloaca de las aves afectadas por la enfermedad. El grupo control no registró signos de enfermedad ni cambios histopatológicos.

The objective of the study was to determine the susceptibility, pathological effect, and serological response induced by a velogenic viscerotropic strain of Newcastle disease virus (vvNDV). For this purpose, 40 female quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were raised. Twenty were nasal and ocular inoculated with a vvNDV strain and 20 remained as a control group. Tissue samples and cloacae swaps of all birds were collected for histopathology analysis and virus isolation. Blood samples were collected during 5 weeks after the viral challenge to detect antibodies against NC virus using the hemaglutination inhibition (HI) test. In 40% of the inoculated birds was observed severe clinical signs and 20% mortality. The inoculated group registered an increase in the antibody level after day 7 post inoculation (MGT 6.1), reaching the highest level at 14 days post inoculation (MGT 29.9), whereas the control group did not register seroconversions. The viral isolation was obtained from cloacae swabs of the affected animals. The control group did not show signs of illness or histopathologycal changes.

De novo depression and anxiety disorders and influence on adherence during peginterferon-alpha-2a and ribavirin treatment in patients with hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety have been associated with interferon treatment and low treatment adherence. AIM: To study the incidence and associated risk factors of depressive and anxiety disorders during pegylated interferon plus ribavirin and treatment adherence in a prospective cohort of 176 patients with chronic hepatitis C patients. METHODS: Patients were interviewed at baseline using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Mental Disorders and the Patient Health Questionnaire and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were completed. Both questionnaires were completed also after 4, 12 and 24 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: De novo depressive and/or anxiety disorders were diagnosed in 53 (36%) patients, in whom antidepressants and/or anxiolytics were administered. Higher baseline depression-subscale score (OR = 27.8, 95% CI = 2.82-333), primary education level (OR = 3.1, 95% CI = 1.40-7.03) and being an immigrant (OR = 3.2, 95% CI = 1.12-9.47) were predictors of psychiatric disorders during anti-viral therapy. The percentage of patients with good adherence was lower in those with depression and/or anxiety (79% vs. 90%, P < 0.04). Only one patient (1%) discontinued treatment because of a major depressive episode. Depression and/or anxiety disorders had no effect on attainment of sustained virological response. CONCLUSION: Early detection and treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders favours good adherence to anti-viral treatment in hepatitis C.

Situación actual de la hipocondría / Current situation of hypochondria

No disponible

Validation and utility of the patient health questionnaire in diagnosing mental disorders in 1003 general hospital Spanish inpatients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the Spanish version of the patient health questionnaire (PHQ) has validity and utility for diagnosing mental disorders in general hospital inpatients. METHODS: Participants in the study were 1003 general hospital inpatients, randomly selected from all admissions over an 18-month period. All of them completed the PHQ, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and measures of functional status, disability days, and health care use, including length of hospital stay. They also had a structured interview with a mental health professional. RESULTS: A total of 416 (42%) of the 1003 general hospital inpatients had a PHQ diagnosis. There was good agreement between PHQ diagnoses and those of an independent mental health professional (for the diagnosis of any PHQ disorder, kappa = 0.74; overall accuracy, 88%; sensitivity, 87%; specificity, 88%), similar to the original English version of the PHQ in primary care patients. Patients with PHQ diagnoses had more functional impairment, disability days, and health care use than did patients without PHQ diagnoses (group main effects for functional status measures and disability days, p < .001; group main effects for health care use, p < .01). The group main effect for hospital length of stay was not significant. An index of depression symptom severity calculated from the PHQ correlated significantly both with the number of depressive symptoms detected at interview and the total BDI score. PHQ administration was well accepted by patients. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish version of the PHQ has diagnostic validity in general hospital inpatients comparable to the original English version in primary care.

Neumonía por Mycoplasma pneumoniae en una zona básica de salud / Pneumonia due to mycoplasma pneumoniae in a primary health care district

Objetivo: Se pretende conocer las características epidemiológicas, clínicas, radiológicas y evolutivas de la neumonía atípica por Mycoplasma pneumoniae en pacientes extrahospitalarios, ya que la mayoría de los estudios realizados son revisiones de pacientes que han requerido hospitalización. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional prospectivo de 31 casos de neumonía atípica por M. pneumoniae en la población infantil de una zona básica de salud desde mayo a julio de 1996. Todos los casos tuvieron confirmación serológica de infección por M. pneumoniae mediante la reacción de fijación de complemento. Resultados: La edad de los niños afectados osciló entre los 4 y 13 años. Las manifestaciones clínicas más frecuentes fueron tos (93%), fiebre elevada (84%) y faringitis (48%). El hallazgo auscultatorio más frecuente fueron los crepitantes (93%), siendo bilaterales en 14 pacientes. Hubo disociación clinicorradiológica en el 16%; 27 pacientes (87%) tuvieron alteración radiológica, sin que se observara un patrón radiológico característico, ya que se presentaron con igual frecuencia el alveolar que el intersticial, con un predomino de afectación de bases pulmonares (67,7%).En todos los pacientes la respuesta a los macrólidos fue excelente y la fiebre cedió en 48-72 h con mejoría progresiva del resto de los síntomas. Conclusiones: La neumonía atípica por M. pneumoniae suele presentarse en la edad escolar y adolescencia sin que haya ningún síntoma, signo o patrón radiológico que oriente claramente hacia esta etiología. Por su frecuencia debe ser el primer diagnóstico de sospecha del síndrome neumónico en la edad escolar y adolescencia, siendo los macrólidos el fármaco de elección (AU)

[Pneumonia due to mycoplasma pneumoniae in a primary health care district]. / Neumonía por Mycoplasma pneumoniae en una zona básica de salud.

OBJECTIVE: Most studies of atypical pneumonia due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae have been performed in hospitalized patients. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological, clinical and radiological characteristics as well as the evolution of patients with atypical pneumonia due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae in an out-of-hospital setting. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted in 31 patients with atypical pneumonia due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae in the pediatric population of a primary health care district from May to July 1996. In all patients serological confirmation of infection by Mycoplasma pneumoniae was obtained using a complement-fixation test. RESULTS: The age of the children in the study ranged from 4-13 years. The most common clinical manifestations were cough (93 %), high fever (84 %) and pharyngitis (48 %). The most frequent auscultatory finding was crackles (93 %), which were bilateral in 14 patients. Clinical-radiological dissociation was found in 16 % of the children; 27 (87 %) showed radiological alterations. No characteristic radiological pattern was detected because alveolar and interstitial alterations were equally frequent, with a predominance of lung base involvement (67.7 %). In all patients response to macrolides was excellent, fever abated within 48-72 h and the remaining symptoms progressively improved. CONCLUSIONS: Atypical pneumonia due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae normally presents in children aged more than 5 years old or in adolescents. No signs, symptoms, or radiological patterns clearly indicate the etiology. However, because of its frequency, this disease should be suspected when school-aged children or adolescents present a pneumonia syndrome. Macrolides administration

Possible mechanisms involved in the down-regulation of translation during transient global ischaemia in the rat brain.

The striking correlation between neuronal vulnerability and down-regulation of translation suggests that this cellular process plays a critical part in the cascade of pathogenetic events leading to ischaemic cell death. There is compelling evidence supporting the idea that inhibition of translation is exerted at the polypeptide chain initiation step, and the present study explores the possible mechanism/s implicated. Incomplete forebrain ischaemia (30 min) was induced in rats by using the four-vessel occlusion model. Eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF)2, eIF4E and eIF4E-binding protein (4E-BP1) phosphorylation levels, eIF4F complex formation, as well as eIF2B and ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70(S6K)) activities, were determined in different subcellular fractions from the cortex and the hippocampus [the CA1-subfield and the remaining hippocampus (RH)], at several post-ischaemic times. Increased phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eIF2 (eIF2 alpha) and eIF2B inhibition paralleled the inhibition of translation in the hippocampus, but they normalized to control values, including the CA1-subfield, after 4--6 h of reperfusion. eIF4E and 4E-BP1 were significantly dephosphorylated during ischaemia and total eIF4E levels decreased during reperfusion both in the cortex and hippocampus, with values normalizing after 4 h of reperfusion only in the cortex. Conversely, p70(S6K) activity, which was inhibited in both regions during ischaemia, recovered to control values earlier in the hippocampus than in the cortex. eIF4F complex formation diminished both in the cortex and the hippocampus during ischaemia and reperfusion, and it was lower in the CA1-subfield than in the RH, roughly paralleling the observed decrease in eIF4E and eIF4G levels. Our findings are consistent with a potential role for eIF4E, 4E-BP1 and eIF4G in the down-regulation of translation during ischaemia. eIF2 alpha, eIF2B, eIF4G and p70(S6K) are positively implicated in the translational inhibition induced at early reperfusion, whereas eIF4F complex formation is likely to contribute to the persistent inhibition of translation observed at longer reperfusion times.

[Vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus]. / Transmisión vertical del virus de la hepatitis C.

OBJECTIVES: Few studies have been published on vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV), although it is the most common cause of hepatitis C in children. We aimed to determine the rate of vertical transmission of HCV in at risk neonates and to assess the effect of possible risk factors. METHODS: A prospective follow-up study was conducted in 35 children of seropositive mothers during an 18-month period (July 1997-January 1999). Testing for anti-HCV antibodies was performed with third generation enzyme linked immunoadsorbent assay. HCV-RNA was qualitatively analyzed with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and hepatic enzyme studies. RESULTS: All the 35 children studied were positive for HCV antibodies at birth. The children became HCV negative at a mean age of 6 months. HCV infection was detected in two children (5.7%). The mother of one of these children had both HCV and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Among the 35 seropositive mothers, a risk factor for percutaneous transmission of HCV (parenteral injection, drug addiction, or previous transfusions) was detected in 19(54%) and HIV coinfection was found in 9(26%). CONCLUSIONS: The present study is consistent with other studies that found a vertical HCV transmission rate of approximately 5%, with a greater risk if the mothers had HCV/HIV coinfection or parenteral risk factors. Studies with greater numbers of subjects are required to determine the prevalence of HCV in expectant mothers and the precise rate of vertical transmission. Infected children should be followed up to evaluate the repercussions of HCV infection.

Transmisión vertical del virus de la hepatitis C / Vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus infection

Los estudios sobre la transmisión vertical del virus de la hepatitis C (VHC) son escasos a pesar de ser la causa más frecuente de hepatitis C en niños. Se pretende fundamentalmente conocer la tasa de transmisión vertical del VHC en recién nacidos de riesgo y el efecto de los posibles factores de riesgo. MÉTODOS: Durante un período de 18 meses (de julio de 1997 a enero de 1999) se efectuó seguimiento prospectivo a 35 niños hijos de madres seropositivas mediante controles de anticuerpos anti VHC con ELISA de tercera generación, ARNVHC por RTPCR de forma cualitativa y enzimograma hepático. RESULTADOS: Del total de 35 niños objeto del estudio, el 100% tuvieron anticuerpos (Ac) VHC positivos al nacimiento. La edad media de negativización fue de 6 meses. En 2 niños (5,7%) se detectó infección por el virus C. Uno de ellos era hijo de una madre con coinfección VHC y VIH. De las 35 gestantes seropositivas se identificó un factor de riesgo de transmisión percutánea para el VHC (adicción a drogas por vía parenteral o transfusiones previas) en 19 (54 %) y 9 (26 %) tenían coinfección por VIH. CONCLUSIÓN: El presente estudio concuerda con otros que determinan una tasa de transmisión vertical del VHC alrededor de un 5%, con un mayor riesgo si las madres tienen coinfección VHC/VIH o factores de riesgo parenterales. Se requieren estudios extensos para determinar la prevalencia de la infección por virus de la hepatitis C en gestantes así como la tasa exacta de transmisión vertical. Es necesario el seguimiento de los niños infectados para valorar las repercusiones de la infección por VHC (AU)