Short Antimicrobial Peptide Derived from the Venom Gland Transcriptome of Pamphobeteus verdolaga Increases Gentamicin Susceptibility of Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Infectious diseases account for nine percent of annual human deaths, and the widespread emergence of antimicrobial resistances threatens to significantly increase this number in the coming decades. The prospect of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) derived from venomous animals presents an interesting alternative for developing novel active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Small, cationic and amphiphilic peptides were predicted from the venom gland transcriptome of Pamphobeteus verdolaga using a custom database of the arthropod's AMPs. Ninety-four candidates were chemically synthesized and screened against ATCC® strains of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Among them, one AMP, named PvAMP66, showed broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties with selectivity towards Gram-negative bacteria. It also exhibited activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as both an ATCC® and a clinically isolated multidrug-resistant (MDR) strain of K. pneumoniae. The scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that PvAMP66 induced morphological changes of the MDR K. pneumoniae strain suggesting a potential "carpet model" mechanism of action. The isobologram analysis showed an additive interaction between PvAMP66 and gentamicin in inhibiting the growth of MDR K. pneumoniae, leading to a ten-fold reduction in gentamicin's effective concentration. A cytotoxicity against erythrocytes or peripheral blood mononuclear cells was observed at concentrations three to thirteen-fold higher than those exhibited against the evaluated bacterial strains. This evidence suggests that PvAMP66 can serve as a template for the development of AMPs with enhanced activity and deserves further pre-clinical studies as an API in combination therapy.

Improving the Annotation of the Venom Gland Transcriptome of Pamphobeteus verdolaga, Prospecting Novel Bioactive Peptides.

Spider venoms constitute a trove of novel peptides with biotechnological interest. Paucity of next-generation-sequencing (NGS) data generation has led to a description of less than 1% of these peptides. Increasing evidence supports the underestimation of the assembled genes a single transcriptome assembler can predict. Here, the transcriptome of the venom gland of the spider Pamphobeteus verdolaga was re-assembled, using three free access algorithms, Trinity, SOAPdenovo-Trans, and SPAdes, to obtain a more complete annotation. Assembler's performance was evaluated by contig number, N50, read representation on the assembly, and BUSCO's terms retrieval against the arthropod dataset. Out of all the assembled sequences with all software, 39.26% were common between the three assemblers, and 27.88% were uniquely assembled by Trinity, while 27.65% were uniquely assembled by SPAdes. The non-redundant merging of all three assemblies' output permitted the annotation of 9232 sequences, which was 23% more when compared to each software and 28% more when compared to the previous P. verdolaga annotation; moreover, the description of 65 novel theraphotoxins was possible. In the generation of data for non-model organisms, as well as in the search for novel peptides with biotechnological interest, it is highly recommended to employ at least two different transcriptome assemblers.

Cervical cancer incidence and patient survival in Manizales, Colombia, 2008-2012. / Incidencia del cáncer de cuello uterino y sobrevida de pacientes en Manizales, Colombia, 2008-2012.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the cervical cancer incidence and survival rates by histological subtype and stage in Manizales, Colombia during 2008-2012; and to compare the survival rate to the one from the previous five years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using population-based data, incidence rates by age were standardized for each histological subtype. Active and passive follow-up was performed to determine vital status and cause of death at 60 months. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox models were adjusted to estimate overall survival by each covariant. RESULTS: A total of 217 new cases were observed; with a mean incidence of 17.8 per 100,000 woman-years. Stages III-IV were more frequently observed in patients of medium and low socioeconomic status. At 5 years, the survival rate was 68.9%; ages over 70 years were associated with lower survival rates (p<0.001). Risk of death was 90% higher in patients with undifferentiated or unknown histological samples, when compared with those with squamous cell carcinoma (HR 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1-3.3). Likewise, the risk of death was 1.7 times higher for patients aged over 70 years (HR 2.7, 95% CI 1.6-4.8); and it was also found to be 3 times higher for stage III (HR 4.3, 95% CI: 1.8-10.2) and 7 times higher for stage IV (HR 8.7, 95% CI: 3.6-20.1), when compared with stage I. CONCLUSION: The incidence rate of cervical cancer in Manizales was found to be similar to the global and continental rates and lower than those from other Colombian cities with similar characteristics. Advanced stages were more frequent in women of low socioeconomic status. Survival was associated with age, histological subtype and staging.

OBJETIVO: Estimar la incidencia de cáncer de cuello uterino y sobrevida de pacientes con esta enfermedad según subtipo histológico y estadios en Manizales, Colombia para el periodo 2008-2012, y comparar cambios en la sobrevida con el quinquenio anterior. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: A partir de datos poblacionales, se estandarizaron las tasas de incidencia según la edad para cada subtipo histológico. Se realizó un seguimiento activo y pasivo para determinar el estado vital y la causa de muerte a 60 meses. Se ajustaron funciones de Kaplan-Meier y modelos de Cox para estimar la sobrevida global y según covariables. RESULTADOS: Se presentaron 217 casos nuevos para una incidencia media de 17,8 por 100 000 mujeres-año. Hubo mayor frecuencia de estadios III-IV en pacientes de nivel socioeconómico medio y bajo. La sobrevida a cinco años fue de 68,9%; la edad (>70 años) se asoció con menor sobrevida (p < 0,001). El riesgo de fallecer fue 90% mayor en pacientes con muestra histológicas no diferenciadas o desconocidas comparado con el carcinoma escamocelular (hazard ratio [HR] 1,9; IC 95%: 1,1-3,3); 1,7 veces mayor para personas mayores de 70 años (HR 2,7; IC 95%: 1,6-4,8); y tres veces mayor para estadio III (HR 4,3; IC 95%: 1,8-10,2) y siete veces mayor para estadio IV (HR 8,7; IC 95%: 3,6-20,1) en comparación con el estadio I. CONCLUSIÓN: La incidencia de cáncer del cuello uterino en Manizales es similar a la global y a la continental, y fue más baja que otras ciudades colombianas con características similares. Hubo mayor frecuencia de estadios avanzados en mujeres de bajo nivel socioeconómico. La sobrevida se asoció con la edad, el subtipo histológico y la estadificación.

Incidencia del cáncer de cuello uterino y sobrevida de pacientes en Manizales, Colombia, 2008-2012 / Cervical cancer incidence and patient survival in Manizales, Colombia, 2008-2012

RESUMEN Objetivo: Estimar la incidencia de cáncer de cuello uterino y sobrevida de pacientes con esta enfermedad según subtipo histológico y estadios en Manizales, Colombia para el periodo 2008-2012, y comparar cambios en la sobrevida con el quinquenio anterior. Materiales y métodos: A partir de datos poblacionales, se estandarizaron las tasas de incidencia según la edad para cada subtipo histológico. Se realizó un seguimiento activo y pasivo para determinar el estado vital y la causa de muerte a 60 meses. Se ajustaron funciones de Kaplan-Meier y modelos de Cox para estimar la sobrevida global y según covariables. Resultados: Se presentaron 217 casos nuevos para una incidencia media de 17,8 por 100000 mujeres-año. Hubo mayor frecuencia de estadios III-IV en pacientes de nivel socioeconómico medio y bajo. La sobrevida a cinco años fue de 68,9%; la edad (>70 años) se asoció con menor sobrevida (p<0,001). El riesgo de fallecer fue 90% mayor en pacientes con muestra histológicas no diferenciadas o desconocidas comparado con el carcinoma escamocelular (hazard ratio [HR] 1,9; IC 95%: 1,1-3,3); 1,7 veces mayor para personas mayores de 70 años (HR 2,7; IC 95%: 1,6-4,8); y tres veces mayor para estadio III (HR 4,3; IC 95%: 1,8-10,2) y siete veces mayor para estadio IV (HR 8,7; IC 95%: 3,6-20,1) en comparación con el estadio I. Conclusión: La incidencia de cáncer del cuello uterino en Manizales es similar a la global y a la continental, y fue más baja que otras ciudades colombianas con características similares. Hubo mayor frecuencia de estadios avanzados en mujeres de bajo nivel socioeconómico. La sobrevida se asoció con la edad, el subtipo histológico y la estadificación.

ABSTRACT Objective: To estimate the cervical cancer incidence and survival rates by histological subtype and stage in Manizales, Colombia during 2008-2012; and to compare the survival rate to the one from the previous five years. Materials and methods: Using population-based data, incidence rates by age were standardized for each histological subtype. Active and passive follow-up was performed to determine vital status and cause of death at 60 months. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox models were adjusted to estimate overall survival by each covariant. Results: A total of 217 new cases were observed; with a mean incidence of 17.8 per 100,000 woman-years. Stages III-IV were more frequently observed in patients of medium and low socioeconomic status. At 5 years, the survival rate was 68.9%; ages over 70 years were associated with lower survival rates (p<0.001). Risk of death was 90% higher in patients with undifferentiated or unknown histological samples, when compared with those with squamous cell carcinoma (HR 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1-3.3). Likewise, the risk of death was 1.7 times higher for patients aged over 70 years (HR 2.7, 95% CI 1.6-4.8); and it was also found to be 3 times higher for stage III (HR 4.3, 95% CI: 1.8-10.2) and 7 times higher for stage IV (HR 8.7, 95% CI: 3.6-20.1), when compared with stage I. Conclusion: The incidence rate of cervical cancer in Manizales was found to be similar to the global and continental rates and lower than those from other Colombian cities with similar characteristics. Advanced stages were more frequent in women of low socioeconomic status. Survival was associated with age, histological subtype and staging.

[Profiles of intestinal polyparasitism in a community of the Colombian Amazon region].

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal parasite infections and polyparasitism are highly prevalent in the most vulnerable populations of developing countries due to environmental, biological and social determinants common in the transmission of parasites. Children between 1 and 15 years of age are the most affected population. OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence and profiles of intestinal polyparasitism in 1 to 15 year-old children from native communities in the Colombian Amazon region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used a non-probability sampling of 300 children between 1 and 15 years of age from several rural settlements and the main urban area of Puerto Nariño, Amazonas, Colombia, who participated voluntarily in the study. We obtained fecal samples that were analyzed by the direct method (0.85% saline solution-lugol) and the Kato-Katz technique. The most prevalent polyparasitism profiles were identified using Cohen's kappa coefficient with a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: The prevalence of polyparasitism, defined as the presence of at least two intestinal pathogenic parasites, was 84% (95 % CI: 79.35-87.96). Polyparasitism by two or three of the following parasites: Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Blastocystis sp., Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus from the Ancylostomatidae family, and Entamoeba histolytica, E. dispar and E. moshkovskii of the Entamoeba complex, had the highest prevalence. CONCLUSION: Several intestinal polyparasitism profiles were found, although in most cases fewer than six parasites were involved. Better prevalence estimations and identification of determinant factors will allow to priorize and direct resources to control these infections.

Perfiles de poliparasitismo intestinal en una comunidad de la Amazonia colombiana / Profiles of intestinal polyparasitism in a community of the Colombian Amazon region

Resumen Introducción. Las infecciones parasitarias y el poliparasitismo intestinal son muy prevalentes en las poblaciones más vulnerables de los países en desarrollo debido a la existencia de factores ambientales, biológicos y sociales determinantes en la transmisión de parásitos. La población entre uno y 15 años de edad es la más afectada por dicha situación. Objetivo. Describir las prevalencias y los perfiles del poliparasitismo intestinal en la población de uno a 15 años de edad de comunidades indígenas de la Amazonia colombiana. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un muestreo no probabilístico de 300 niños entre uno y 15 años de edad, procedentes de varios asentamientos rurales y de la cabecera urbana de Puerto Nariño, Amazonas, quienes participaron voluntariamente en el estudio. Las muestras de materia fecal se analizaron mediante el método directo (solución salina al 0,85 % y lugol) y la técnica de Kato-Katz. Se determinaron los perfiles más prevalentes de poliparasitismo intestinal con el coeficiente kappa de Cohen y un intervalo de confianza de 95 %. Resultados. La prevalencia de poliparasitismo, definida como la presencia de, por lo menos, dos parásitos intestinales patógenos, fue de 84 % (IC95 %: 79,35-87,96). Los casos con presencia de dos o tres agentes incluyeron los parásitos Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Blastocystis sp., los ancilostomídeos Ancylostoma duodenale yNecator americanus, así como Entamoeba histolytica,E. dispar y E. moshkovskii del complejo Entamoeba, y fueron los de mayor prevalencia. Conclusión. Se encontraron varios perfiles de poliparasitismo intestinal, aunque la mayoría de los casos involucraron menos de seis especies. Una mejor estimación de la prevalencia y los factores determinantes del poliparasitismo intestinal permitirían priorizar y orientar los recursos para su control.

Abstract Introduction: Intestinal parasite infections and polyparasitism are highly prevalent in the most vulnerable populations of developing countries due to environmental, biological and social determinants common in the transmission of parasites. Children between 1 and 15 years of age are the most affected population. Objective: To describe the prevalence and profiles of intestinal polyparasitism in 1 to 15 year-old children from native communities in the Colombian Amazon region. Materials and methods: We used a non-probability sampling of 300 children between 1 and 15 years of age from several rural settlements and the main urban area of Puerto Nariño, Amazonas, Colombia, who participated voluntarily in the study. We obtained fecal samples that were analyzed by the direct method (0.85% saline solution-lugol) and the Kato-Katz technique. The most prevalent polyparasitism profiles were identified using Cohen's kappa coefficient with a 95% confidence interval. Results: The prevalence of polyparasitism, defined as the presence of at least two intestinal pathogenic parasites, was 84% (95 % CI: 79.35-87.96). Polyparasitism by two or three of the following parasites: Ascaris lumbricoides,Trichuris trichiura, Blastocystis sp., Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus from the Ancylostomatidae family, and Entamoeba histolytica,E. dispar and E. moshkovskii of the Entamoeba complex, had the highest prevalence. Conclusion: Several intestinal polyparasitism profiles were found, although in most cases fewer than six parasites were involved. Better prevalence estimations and identification of determinant factors will allow to priorize and direct resources to control these infections.

Preservación de huevos de Necator americanus con acetato de sodio-ácido acético-formalina (SAF). Estudio de caso / Preservation of Necator americanus eggs with sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin(SAF). Case study

Resumen Introducción. La técnica de Kato Katz es el método recomendado para realizar el recuento de huevos en materia fecal y determinar la intensidad parasitaria por helmintos. La calidad de los resultados se ve afectada por la tardanza en el procesamiento de la muestra, por lo que se requiere de preservantes que faciliten la lectura posterior a las 24 horas de recolección de la muestra. Objetivo. Demostrar validez de la solución con acetato de sodio-ácido acético-formalina (SAF) como preservante de huevos de Necator americanus por medio del estudio de un caso clinico. Materiales y métodos. Descripción de caso clínico con diagnóstico de parásitos intestinales por coprológico, intensidad de la infección por la técnica de Kato Katz, evaluación de la presencia de huevos N. americanus por la técnica de Kato Katz durante 10 meses en muestra preservada en SAF y determinación de especie de Uncinaria sp. por qPCR. Resultados. Los huevos de N. americanus se conservan de manera adecuada en morfología durante los primeros cinco meses. Conclusiones. A fin de ejecutar la técnica de Kato Katz, la fijación con SAF demostró ser adecuada para el mantenimiento de la intensidad parasitaria y morfología de los huevos de N. americanus en un período de hasta cinco meses.

Abstract Introduction: The Kato Katz technique is the recommended method for fecal egg counts and determining the intensity of parasitic helminths. The quality of the results is affected by the delay in the analysis of the sample. Therefore, fixatives are necessary to make the reading easier 24 hours after sample collection. Objective: To prove the usefulness of sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin (SAF) solution as a fixative for Necator americanus eggs by means of a clinical case study. Materials and methods: Clinical case description and intestinal parasites diagnosis by direct stool microscopic analysis and parasite infection intensity by means of the Kato Katz technique. N. americanus eggs were detected by Kato Katz method for 10 months on a SAF-fixed stool sample. Identification of Uncinaria sp. by qPCR. Results: N. americanus eggs are adequately preserved in SAF during the first five months. Conclusions: SAF fixative is suitable for Kato Katz method and proved to be capable of maintaining parasite intensity and N. americanus egg morphology over a period of up to five months.

Molecular Epidemiology of Giardia, Blastocystis and Cryptosporidium among Indigenous Children from the Colombian Amazon Basin.

The incidence and prevalence of intestinal parasites in children is most likely due to lack of natural or acquired resistance and differences in behavior and habits closely related to environmental and socioeconomic determinants. The most important protozoa that parasitize humans are Giardia, Entamoeba, Blastocystis, and Cryptosporidium. These parasites present wide intraspecific genetic diversity and subsequently classified into assemblages and subtypes. The Amazon basin is the largest in the world and is the fifth freshwater reserve on the planet. Contradictorily, people living in these areas (Indigenous populations) have poor quality of life, which favors the infection of diseases of fecal-oral transmission. The aim of this work was to unravel the molecular epidemiology of Giardia, Blastocystis and Cryptosporidium across four communities (Puerto Nariño, San Juan del Soco, Villa Andrea and Nuevo Paraíso). We obtained 284 fecal samples from children under 15 years old that were analyzed by direct microscopy (261 samples) and Real Time PCR (qPCR) (284 samples). The positive samples for these protozoa were further characterized by several molecular markers to depict assemblages and subtypes. We observed a frequency of Giardia infection by microscopy of 23.7% (62 samples) and by qPCR of 64.8% (184 samples); for Blastocystis by microscopy of 35.2% (92 samples) and by qPCR of 88.7% (252 samples) and for Cryptosporidium only 1.9% (5 samples) were positive by microscopy and qPCR 1.8% (5 samples). Regarding the Giardia assemblages, using the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) marker we observed AI, BIII and BIV assemblages and when using triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) we observed assemblages AI, AII, BIII and BIV. In contrast, Blastocystis STs detected were 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. Lastly, the species C. viatorum, C. hominis (with the subtypes IdA19 and IaA12R8) and C. parvum (with the subtype IIcA5G3c) were identified. We observed a high profile of zoonotic transmission regarding the Giardia assemblages and Blastocystis STs/alleles. Also, we highlight the elevated frequency of infection by these two protozoans suggesting an active transmission in the area. Our findings reinforces the need to deploy better epidemiological surveillance systems for enteric pathogens in the area.

Encuesta sobre conocimientos y uso de terapias alternas a la hormonal en mujeres menopáusicas de Medellín (Colombia) 2009 / A survey about knowledge and use of alternative therapies to that of traditional hormone replacement in menopausal women in Medellín (Colombia) 2009

Objetivo: describir el conocimiento y uso de las terapias alternativas a la hormonal en mujeres menopáusicas. Materiales y métodos: durante 2009, se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal en mujeres menopáusicas de la ciudad de Medellín, Colombia.Los criterios de inclusión fueron edad ≥40 años, haber finalizado sus ciclos menstruales al menos un ano antes y no tener antecedente de histerectomía. Resultados: un total de 274 mujeres fueron haber finalizado sus ciclos menstruales al menos un encuestadas. Un 10,6% de las mujeres utilizaban año antes y no tener antecedente de histerectomía. hormonas naturales y un 46,0% emplea productos a base de soya. Con respecto a las terapias médicas alternativas y complementarias para la sintomatología de la menopausia, diferentes a las hormonas naturales, el 32,8% de las mujeres manifestó haber oído hablar de alguna de ellas, siendo más conocidas la homeopatía (18,6%), el yoga (16,8%) y la terapia de relajación (12,0%). Conclusión: un alto porcentaje de mujeres menopáusicas conocen y utilizan terapias alternas a la hormonal para el manejo de la sintomatología asociada a la menopausia, especialmente la de consumo de fitoestrógenos y productos a base de soya.

Objective: describing knowledge about and the use of alternative therapies to traditional hormone replacement in menopausal women. Materials and methods: a cross-sectional, descriptive study of menopausal women was carried out in the city of Medellín, Colombia, during 2009. Inclusion criteria were: being aged ≥40, having finished their menstrual cycles at least one year beforehand and having no background of hysterectomy. Women who agreed to participate in the study answered a questionnaire requiring that they give anonymous information about socio-demographic variables, the date of their last menstruation, symptomatology during the menopause and the use and characteristics of alternative therapies and hormone replacement therapy during menopause. Results: 274 women were surveyed; 10.6% of them were using natural hormones and 46.0% used soy-based products. Regarding alternative and complementary medical therapies for menopausal symptomatology different to natural hormones, 32.8% of the women stated that they had heard of some of them, the most well-known being homeopathy (18.6%), yoga (16.8%) and relaxation therapy (12.0%). Conclusion: a high percentage of menopausal women in the survey knew about and used alternative therapies to that of traditional hormone replacement for managing menopauseassociated symptomatology, especially consuming phytoestrogens and soy-based products.

Perfil clínico y epidemiológico de los pacientes con diagnóstico de nefropatía por inmunoglobulina A: EPS Susalud, 2004 – 2007 / Clinical and epidemiological characterization of patients with a diagnosis of immunoglobulin A nephropathy: health promoting company Susalud, 2004-2007

Introducción: la Nefropatía por inmunoglobulina A (IgA) es considerada la primera causa de glomerulonefritis primaria en el mundo. Dicha enfermedad es causada por el depósito de complejos inmunes tipo inmunoglobulina A, que llevan a una glomerulopatía mesangial y proliferativa. Objetivo: Describir el perfil clínico y epidemiológico de los pacientes con diagnóstico de Nefropatía por inmunoglobulina A de la EPS Susalud, durante el periodo 2004-2007. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio de una serie clínica de pacientes mayores de 14 años, a quienes se les confirmó, por biopsia renal, el diagnóstico de Nefropatía por inmunoglobulina A y que estuvieran adscritos a la EPS Susalud de la ciudad de Medellín durante los años 2004 a 2007. La información de las variables fue extraída de las historias clínicas de los pacientes y, posteriormente, procesada en una base de datos en el paquete estadístico SPSS 11.0, con el que también se realizó el análisis de la información. Resultados: En este estudio de 75 pacientes con IRC, se encontró que el grupo es de predominio femenino (60%), la hipertensión arterial coexistió con la Nefropatía por IgA en tres de cada cinco pacientes. Se observó que uno de cada dos pacientes tuvo proteinuria de 1 gramo y más, y al 28% de los pacientes de la serie se le diagnosticó síndrome nefrótico. Conclusión: El estudio permiteestablecer que en este grupo de pacientes con Nefropatía por IgA existen características clínicas diferentes a las encontradas en otros estudios en el ámbito mundial, lo que justificaría la realización de estudios posteriores.

Introduction: IgA nephropathy is a mesangial proliferative glomerular disease, mediated by immune complexes, due to the deposition of type A globulin; it is regarded as the first cause of primary glomerulonephritis in the world. Objective: To describethe clinical and epidemiological profile of patients with a diagnosis of immunoglobulin nephropathy in the Heatlh Promoting Company SUSALUD, during the period of 2004-2007 Methods: A study of a clinical series was carried out in patients older than 14 years who had a diagnosis of Inmunoglobulin A Nephropathy confirmed by renal biopsy and who belonged to the Heatlh Promoting Company Susalud in the city of Medellin during the years 2004 to 2007; the information about the variables wasextracted from the medical histories of the patients and thereafter processed in a database in the statistical package SPSS 11.0, with which the analysis of information was also performed. Results: In this study of 75 patients with Chronic Kidney Disease,the investigation group found that female gender was predominant (60%), arterial hypertension coexisted with Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy in three out of every five patients. Investigation group observed that one in every two patients had proteinuriaof 1 gram and more, and 28% of patients in this series were diagnosed with the nephrotic syndrome. Conclusion: This study allows establishing that in this group of patients with IgA nephropathy some clinical characteristics are different to those found in other studies worldwide.

Nefropatía por IgA: la principal glomerulonefritis primaria del mundo / IgA nephropathy: the main primary glomerulonephritis in the world

La Nefropatía por IgA es una patología glomerular proliferativa mesangial, mediada por complejos inmunes, generada por el depósito de globulina tipo A; se considera la primera causa de glomérulonefritis primaria en el mundo. Se calcula que afecta al 1.3 por ciento de la población. Su incidencia es variable, pues se estima así: en Asia 29 por ciento, en Australia 12 por ciento, en Europa 10 por ciento y en Estados Unidos 10-15 por ciento. Es más frecuente en hombres que en mujeres con relación 6:1 a 10:1 y se presenta, principalmente, entre los 16 a los 40 años. Es una glomerulopatía que tiene curso clínico variable y que puede conducir a Insuficiencia Renal Terminal, con la consecuencia social y económica que ello implica. Actualmente, se tiene mayor conocimiento sobre su evolución, factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de falla renal terminal y nuevas alternativas terapéuticas. Por ellos, es importante establecer en este tipo de pacientes sus características clínicas e histopatológicas para determinar el comportamiento de la población con este diagnóstico y definir el manejo más adecuado, tanto en forma individual como colectiva.

IgA nephropathy is a mesangial proliferative glomerular disease, mediated by immune complexes, due to the deposition of type A globulin; it is regarded as the first cause of primary glomerulonephritis in the world. It is estimated that it affects 1.3% of the population. Its incidence is variable, being estimated in Asia in 29%, in Australia 12%, in Europe 10% and in the United States 10-15%. It is more frequent in men than in women in a relation of 6:1 to 10:1 and it occurs mainly between 16 to 40 years of age. It is a glomerulopathy which has a variable clinical course and which can lead to end stage renal disease, with the social and financial consequences that it brings. Nowadays, there is more knowledge about the evolution, risk factors for the development of end stage renal insufficiency and new therapeutic alternatives; that is why it is important to establish this patients’ clinical and histopathological characteristics to determine the behavior of the population with this disease and define the most appropriatetreatment, individually and collectively.