ABSTRACT
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a major vectorborne disease in Panama. In this study, the diagnostic performance and usefulness of two DNA extraction procedures from skin scraping samples collected on FTA filter paper for subsequent PCR diagnosis of CL was evaluated. A positive CL laboratory diagnosis was based on a positive parasitological test (Giemsa-stained smears or in vitro culture) and/or positive PCR test performed from skin scrapings collected in TE buffer (PCR-TE). Of 100 patients with skin lesions suggestive of CL, 82 (82%) were confirmed as CL positive. The sensitivity was calculated for each of the PCR approaches from samples collected on filter paper. The highest sensitivity was achieved by PCR-FTA processed by Chelex 100 (PCR-Chelex) (0.94). PCR-FTA extracted using the FTA purification reagent presented a lower sensitivity (0.60). Good concordance between routine PCR-TE and PCR-Chelex was observed (percent agreement=0.88, κ index=0.65). In conclusion, use of FTA filter paper for skin scraping collection combined with PCR is a reliable and convenient method for CL diagnosis in Panama, with comparable performance to the routine PCR method and with improved sensitivity compared with those of conventional parasitological methods.
Subject(s)
Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/diagnosis , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Skin/pathology , DNA/analysis , Female , Filtration , Humans , Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/epidemiology , Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/genetics , Male , Panama/epidemiology , Paper , Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Sensitivity and Specificity , Skin/parasitology , Species Specificity , Specimen Handling/methodsABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of acute third ventricle injections of two different 5-HT(4) receptor antagonists, GR 113808 and SB 204070, on water intake in different situations. Injections of 80 nmol/rat of both GR 113808 and SB 204070 were unable to modify water intake in normohydrated rats. Pretreatment with GR 113808 (40 and 80 nmol/rat) and SB 204070 (80 and 160 nmol/rat) blunted water intake after third ventricle injections of angiotensin II (9.6 pmol/rat) compared to saline-pretreated controls. Pretreatment with 80 nmol/rat of both antagonists potentiated drinking induced by third ventricle injections of carbachol (11.0 nmol/rat) compared to saline-pretreated control. In all doses employed, none of the compounds was able to modify water intake in dehydrated rats. A separate control test using one-bottle taste aversion paradigm indicated that the reduction in water intake observed in some of the present experiments could not be attributed to a drug-induced malaise. It is suggested that central 5-HT(4) receptors exert a dualistic role on the control of water intake potentiating angiotensin II-induced drinking and inhibiting thirst induced by central cholinergic activation
Subject(s)
Drinking Behavior/physiology , Receptors, Serotonin/physiology , Animals , Dioxanes/administration & dosage , Drinking/drug effects , Drinking/physiology , Drinking Behavior/drug effects , Indoles/administration & dosage , Injections, Intraventricular , Male , Piperidines/administration & dosage , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT4 , Serotonin Antagonists/administration & dosage , Sulfonamides/administration & dosage , Thirst/drug effects , Thirst/physiology , Water Deprivation/physiologyABSTRACT
A case of a single-stage reconstruction of the left hand of a 32-year-old right-handed construction worker with a shotgun wound by means of a composite osteoarthrotenocutaneous free flap from the foot is presented. The tissue loss caused by the injury included the cutaneous coverage of the dorsum of the left hand, extensor tendons of the second, third, fourth and fifth digits, metacarpals of the same fingers, and the second and third metacarpophalangeal joints. After 8 years of evolution, we have been able to verify a valuable degree of functional capability of the reconstructed hand.
Subject(s)
Hand Injuries/surgery , Surgical Flaps/methods , Tendon Injuries/surgery , Wounds, Gunshot/surgery , Adult , Debridement , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
A one year study was performed in patients hospitalized by gastroenteritis. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of gastroenteritis by rotavirus, as well as which subgroups and electropherotypes are the prevailing ones. Electrophoresis technique in polyacrylamide gel was used to detect ribonucleic acid of rotavirus directly obtained from feces. Results indicated that rotavirus was the cause of gastroenteritis in 28.8% of the patients studied; prevailing subgroup II. Four electropherotypes of 34 virus isolated were detected, unlike other countries where have been isolated 19 virus.