Technetium-99m-ubiquicidin 29-41 SPECT-CT to detect postsurgical spinal infection: A case report.

Background: Postsurgical spinal infections are a severe complication and a challenge to the neurosurgeon due to their complex management. Revision surgeries and the removal of hardware are usually necessary. Recently, advances in nuclear medicine have made it possible to employ radiotracers to identify infections. The radiolabeled antimicrobial peptide technetium-99m-ubiquicidin (99mTc-UBI) (29-41) has been demonstrated to detect bacterial infections. UBI 29-41 is a peptide sequence with selective binding to the anionic cell membrane of bacteria, which has recently been used to differentiate between infection and inflammation. Here, we describe the clinical utility of 99mTc-UBI 29-41 single-photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography (SPECT-CT) in a patient suspected of a postoperative infection. Case description: A 54-year-old male who presented with conus medullaris syndrome secondary to T12 spondylodiscitis and multiple abscess collections was initially managed with debridement, corpectomy, and minimally invasive lateral instrumentation. The patient developed postsurgical empyema near the surgical site. The image study avoided the need for a second surgery and hardware removal. Conclusion: The use of 99mTc-UBI 29-41 SPECT-CT served as a tool to avoid a second invasive procedure; instead, conservative management with antibiotics was performed with an effective outcome after two weeks. This radiotracer has utility in cases in which infection is suspected, but the location is not entirely clear, and information is needed to guide the therapeutic approach.

Seguimiento a los egresados de la Maestría en Nutrición Humana / Follow-up of the graduates of the Master´s degree in Human Nutrition

Introducción: Diferentes estudios de seguimiento de egresados hablan del valor de obtener información sobre las actividades profesionales que ejercen y determinar el impacto de la formación recibida y la percepción de la misma. Objetivos: Determinar el desempeño de los egresados de la Maestría en Nutrición Humana FCM- UNA de las promociones del 2007 al 2020. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo de diseño observacional con enfoque cuantitativo que obtuvo la participación de 83 de los 91 egresados que completaron la encuesta enviada a través del Formulario Google. Resultados: Entre los más resaltantes se tiene que las egresadas entre los encuestados sobresalen las mujeres (90,4 %). El área laboral ejercida; mayor cantidad en el área clínica (61,4 %), consultorio (24,1 %), salud pública en un 6%. El 55,4 % respondió que tuvo más oportunidades laborales; solo el 28,9 % realiza tutoría de tesis. El 79,1 % ha mejorado sus actividades docentes o asistenciales y el 55,4 % ha respondido que no desempeña actividad docente. El 71,1 % ha colaborado en trabajos de investigación siendo magister, en área clínica (47%), en Salud Pública (14,5 %), en área de alimentación, (6%), otros (3.6%); el 64,9 % no ha publicado el trabajo de investigación de la maestría realizada. El 95,2 % no ha hecho aún el Doctorado en Nutrición y al 89,2 % le gustaría hacerlo. Un 87,9 % califica la Maestría de Nutrición Humana FCM-UNA de Excelente o Muy Bueno. Conclusión: Se identifica una mayor cantidad de egresadas mujeres, en cuanto al campo laboral de desempeño, existe una mayor cantidad en el área clínica, más de la mitad de los egresados ha participado en un trabajo de investigación siendo magister en el área clínica, la tesis de maestría no ha sido publicada por la mayoría. Casi el total no ha realizado un Doctorado en Nutrición. Se presenta por primera vez, a nivel nacional, un estudio sobre el desarrollo profesional de los egresados de la Maestría en Nutrición Humana que podría ser útil para futuros trabajos de investigación y toma de decisiones en formación continua.

Introduction: Different graduate follow -up studies speak of the value of obtaining information about the professional activities they exercise and determining the impact of the training received and the perception of the same. Objectives: Determine the performance of graduates of the Master in Human Nutrition FCM One of the promotions from 2007 to 2020. Materials and methods: Descriptive study with observational design and quantitative approach that obtained the participation of 83 of the 91 graduates who completed the survey sent through the Google form. Results: Graduates women (90.4 %). The work area exercised; greater amount in the clinical area (61.4 %), office (24.1 %), public health at 6 %. 55.4 % replied that they had more work chances, only 28.9 % perform thesis tutoring. 79.1 % have improved their teaching or care activities and 55.4 % have responded that they do not perform teaching activity. 71.1%have collaborated in research papers being Master, in clinical area (47%), in public health (14.5%), in food area, (6%), others (3.6%); 64.9 % have not published the research work of the master's degree. 95.2 % have not yet done the doctorate in nutrition and at 89.2 % they would like to do it. 87.9 % describe the mastery of human nutrition FCM an excellent or very good one. Conclusion: A greater number of women graduates is identified, in terms of the performance field, there is a greater amount in the clinical area, more than half of the graduates have participated in a research work being a magister in the clinical area, the work of Master's research has not been published by the majority. Almost the total has not done a doctorate in nutrition. It is presented for the first time, at the national level, a study on the professional development of graduates of the Master in Human Nutrition that could be useful for future research works.

Quality improvement collaborative to optimize heart failure care in patients from a network of clinics in Argentina during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Heart failure (HF) is a major clinical and public health problem associated with significant mortality, morbidity, and health-care costs. Despite the existence of evidence-based guidelines for the optimal treatment of HF, the quality of care remains suboptimal. Our aim was to increase the use a care bundle in 50% of enrolled subjects during their hospitalization and discharge and to reduce their readmission for HF causes by 10%. We conducted an uncontrolled before-after study in eight hospitals in Argentina to evaluate the effect of a quality improvement intervention on the use of an HF care bundle in patients with HF New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II-III. The HF bundle of care included medication, continuum of care, lifestyle habits, and predischarge examinations. Training and follow-up of multidisciplinary teams in each center were performed through learning sessions and plan-do-study-act improvement cycles. Data collectors reviewed bundle compliance in the health records of recruited patients after their hospital discharge and verified readmissions through phone calls to patients within 30-40 days after discharge. We recruited 200 patients (83 before and 127 during the intervention phase), and bundle compliance increased from 9.6% to 28.3% [odds ratio 3.71, 95% confidence interval (8.46; 1.63); P = .002]. Despite a slow improvement during the first months, bundle compliance gained momentum near the end of the intervention surpassing 80%. We observed a non-significant decreased readmission rate within 30 days of discharge due to HF in the postintervention period [8.4% vs. 5.5%, odds ratio 0.63, 95% CI (1.88; 0.21); P = .410]. Qualitative analysis showed that members of the intervention teams acknowledged the improvement of work organization and standardization of care, teamwork, shared mental model, and health record completeness as well as the utility of training fellows. Despite the challenges related to the pandemic, better care of patients with HF NYHA Class II-III was possible through simple interventions and collaborative work. Graphical abstract.

Manejo ambulatorio de pacientes con amiloidosis cardiaca por cadenas livianas / Outpatient management of patients with cardiac light chain amyloidosis

Resumen La amiloidosis primaria o de cadenas livianas (AL) es la forma más común de amiloidosis y se caracteriza por presentar una población clonal de células plasmáticas que producen una cadena ligera monoclonal de tipo lambda o kappa. En algunos sujetos, dicha cadena se deposita en forma de amiloide en los órganos y tejidos, dando lugar a manifestaciones clínicas, como proteinuria o síndrome nefrótico, miocardiopatía restrictiva y hepatomegalia. Aunque se considera una enfermedad rara, datos recientes sugieren que la amiloidosis cardíaca se subestima como una causa de enfermedades o síndromes cardíacos comunes. En la amiloidosis AL, tanto la respuesta hematológica como la de los órganos después del tratamiento son importantes para mejorar el resultado clínico, especialmente, si mejora la función cardíaca que es uno de los aspectos clave en el pronóstico de la amiloidosis AL. Se presenta el caso y la revisión de un paciente de sexo femenino, de 67 años de edad, que en la pesquisa diagnóstica de anemia e insuficiencia cardiaca (IC) se concluye en el diagnóstico de mieloma múltiple y amiloidosis cardiaca (AC) por depósito de cadenas livianas.

Abstract Primary or light chain (AL) amyloidosis is the most common form of amyloidosis and is characterized by a clonal population of plasma cells that produce a monoclonal lambda or kappa-type light chain, which in some subjects this chain is deposited as amyloid in the organs and tissues, giving rise to clinical manifestations such as proteinuria or nephrotic syndrome, restrictive cardiomyopathy and hepatomegaly. Although considered a rare disease, recent data suggest cardiac amyloidosis is underestimated as cause of common heart diseases or syndromes. In AL amyloidosis, both the hematologic and organ response after treatment, are important to improve clinical outcome. Especially if it improves cardiac function is one of the key aspects in the prognosis of AL amyloidosis. We present the case and review of a 67-year-old female patient, who in the investigation diagnoses anemia and heart failure concludes in the diagnosis of multiple myeloma and cardiac amyloidosis due to light chain deposition.

The Heat Shock Protein 60 and Pap1 Participate in the Sporothrixschenckii-Host Interaction.

Sporothrixschenckii is one of the etiological agents of sporotrichosis, a worldwide-distributed subcutaneous mycosis. Its cell wall contains a glycoconjugate composed of rhamnose, mannose, glucuronic acid, and proteins, named peptidorhamnomannan, which harbors important Sporothrix-specific immunogenic epitopes. Although the peptidorhamnomannan carbohydrate moiety has been extensively studied, thus far, little is known about the protein core. Here, using LC-MS/MS, we analyzed the S.schenckii peptidorhamnomannan peptide fraction and generated mass signals of 325 proteins, most of them likely to be moonlighting proteins. Among the identified proteins, chaperonin GroEL/Hsp60 and the uncharacterized protein Pap1 were selected for further analysis. Both proteins were heterologously expressed in bacteria, and they showed adhesive properties to the extracellular matrix proteins laminin, elastin, fibrinogen, and fibronectin, although Pap1 also was bound to type-I and type-II collagen. The inoculation of concentrations higher than 40 µg of these proteins, separately, increased immune effectors in the hemolymph of Galleriamellonella larvae and protected animals from an S.schenckii lethal challenge. These observations were confirmed when yeast-like cells, pre-incubated with anti-rHsp60 or anti-rPap1 antibodies were used to inoculate larvae. The animals inoculated with pretreated cells showed increased survival rates when compared to the control groups. In conclusion, we report that Hsp60 and Pap1 are part of the cell wall peptidorhamnomannan, can bind extracellular matrix components, and contribute to the S.schenckii virulence. To our knowledge, this is the first report about moonlighting protein in the S.schenckii cell wall with an important role during the pathogen-host interaction.

Comparison of Cell Wall Polysaccharide Composition and Structure Between Strains of Sporothrix schenckii and Sporothrix brasiliensis.

Sporothrix schenckii, Sporothrix brasiliensis, and Sporothrix globosa are the main causative agents of sporotrichosis, a human subcutaneous mycosis. Differences in virulence patterns are associated with each species but remain largely uncharacterized. The S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis cell wall composition and virulence are influenced by the culturing media, with little or no influence on S. globosa. By keeping constant the culturing media, we compared the cell wall composition of three S. schenckii and two S. brasiliensis strains, previously described as presenting different virulence levels on a murine model of infection. The cell wall composition of the five Sporothrix spp. strains correlated with the biochemical composition of the cell wall previously reported for the species. However, the rhamnose-to-ß-glucan ratio exhibits differences among strains, with an increase in cell wall rhamnose-to-ß-glucan ratio as their virulence increased. This relationship can be expressed mathematically, which could be an important tool for the determination of virulence in Sporothrix spp. Also, structural differences in rhamnomannan were found, with longer side chains present in strains with lower virulence reported for both species here studied, adding insight to the importance of this polysaccharide in the pathogenic process of these fungi.

A pandemic recap: lessons we have learned.

On January 2020, the WHO Director General declared that the outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The world has faced a worldwide spread crisis and is still dealing with it. The present paper represents a white paper concerning the tough lessons we have learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, an international and heterogenous multidisciplinary panel of very differentiated people would like to share global experiences and lessons with all interested and especially those responsible for future healthcare decision making. With the present paper, international and heterogenous multidisciplinary panel of very differentiated people would like to share global experiences and lessons with all interested and especially those responsible for future healthcare decision making.

Geographical distribution and ecological niche modeling of the etiological agents of human sporotrichosis in Venezuela.

The geographical distribution and ecological niche of the two circulating species of the Sporothrix genus in Venezuela was established. For this, 68 isolates of Sporothrix spp. from patients of different regions of the country were analyzed. A molecular taxonomy analysis was conducted using a fragment of the calmodulin gene (CAL), and ITS regions, confirming the presence of S. schenckii (62%) and S. globosa (38%). Computational models of ecological niche for each species were obtained by the maximum entropy method using the MaxEnt software, which predicted the best environmental conditions for the presence of the two species. These models predict that the main variables influencing the presence of S. schenckii were altitude and annual mean temperature, while for S. globosa, the more influent variable was the land use, with 82% of S. globosa located at urban areas vs 56% for S. schenckii. The results here presented could contribute to understand the specific environmental factors that might modulate the occurrence of Sporothrix spp. as well as its transmission. To our knowledge, our analyses show for the first time Sporothrix spp.-specific ecological niche data, a valuable tool to promote evidence-based public health policymaking within endemic areas of sporotrichosis.

Influences of the Culturing Media in the Virulence and Cell Wall of Sporothrix schenckii, Sporothrix brasiliensis, and Sporothrix globosa.

Sporothrix schenckii, Sporothrix brasiliensis, and Sporothrix globosa are etiological agents of sporotrichosis, a human subcutaneous mycosis. Although the protocols to evaluate Sporothrix virulence in animal models are well described, the cell preparation before inoculation is not standardized, and several culturing media are used to grow yeast-like cells. Here, we found that carbon or nitrogen limitation during fungal cell preparation negatively impacted the ability of S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis to kill Galleria mellonella larvae, but not S. globosa. The fungal growth conditions associated with the short median survival of animals were accompanied by increased hemocyte countings, phenoloxidase activity, and cytotoxicity. The fungal growth under carbon or nitrogen limitation also affected the cell wall composition of both S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis and showed increased exposure of ß-1,3-glucan at the cell surface, while those growing conditions had a minimal impact on the S.globosa wall, which had higher levels of this polysaccharide exposed on the wall regardless of the culture condition. This polysaccharide exposure was linked to the increased ability of insect hemocytes to uptake fungal cells, suggesting that this is one of the mechanisms behind the lower virulence of S.globosa or cells from the other species grown in carbon or nitrogen limitation.

Loss of Kex2 Affects the Candida albicans Cell Wall and Interaction with Innate Immune Cells.

The secretory pathway in Candida albicans involves the protein translocation into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum and transport to the Golgi complex, where proteins undergo posttranslational modifications, including glycosylation and proteolysis. The Golgi-resident Kex2 protease is involved in such processing and disruption of its encoding gene affected virulence and dimorphism. These previous studies were performed using cells without URA3 or with URA3 ectopically placed into the KEX2 locus. Since these conditions are known to affect the cellular fitness and the host-fungus interaction, here we generated a kex2Δ null mutant strain with URA3 placed into the neutral locus RPS1. The characterization of this strain showed defects in the cell wall composition, with a reduction in the N-linked mannan content, and the increment in the levels of O-linked mannans, chitin, and ß-glucans. The defects in the mannan content are likely linked to changes in Golgi-resident enzymes, as the α-1,2-mannosyltransferase and α-1,6-mannosyltransferase activities were incremented and reduced, respectively. The mutant cells also showed reduced ability to stimulate cytokine production and phagocytosis by human mononuclear cells and macrophages, respectively. Collectively, these data showed that loss of Kex2 affected the cell wall composition, the protein glycosylation pathways, and interaction with innate immune cells.

Genomic diversity of the human pathogen Paracoccidioides across the South American continent.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a life-threatening systemic mycosis widely reported in the Gran Chaco ecosystem. The disease is caused by different species from the genus Paracoccidioides, which are all endemic to South and Central America. Here, we sequenced and analyzed 31 isolates of Paracoccidioides across South America, with particular focus on isolates from Argentina and Paraguay. The de novo sequenced isolates were compared with publicly available genomes. Phylogenetics and population genomics revealed that PCM in Argentina and Paraguay is caused by three distinct Paracoccidioides genotypes, P. brasiliensis (S1a and S1b) and P. restrepiensis (PS3). P. brasiliensis S1a isolates from Argentina are frequently associated with chronic forms of the disease. Our results suggest the existence of extensive molecular polymorphism among Paracoccidioides species, and provide a framework to begin to dissect the connection between genotypic differences in the pathogen and the clinical outcomes of the disease.

Structural variants of Salmonella Typhimurium lipopolysaccharide induce less dimerization of TLR4/MD-2 and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine production in human monocytes.

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) changes the structure of its lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in response to the environment. The two main LPS variants found in S. Typhimurium correspond to LPS with a hepta-acylated lipid A (LPS 430) and LPS with modified phosphate groups on its lipid A (LPS 435). We have previously shown that these modified LPS have a lower capacity than wild type (WT) LPS to induce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in mice. Nevertheless, it is not know if LPS 430 and LPS 435 could also subvert the innate immune responses in human cells. In this study, we found that LPS 430 and LPS 435 were less efficient than WT LPS to induce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by human monocytes, in addition we found a decreased dimerization of the TLR4/MD-2 complex in response to LPS 430, suggesting that structurally modified LPS are sensed differently than WT LPS by this receptor; however, LPS 430 and 435 induced similar activation of the transcription factors NF-κB p65, IRF3, p38 and ERK1/2 than WT LPS. Microarray analysis of LPS 430- and LPS 435-activated monocytes revealed a gene transcription profile with differences only in the expression levels of microRNA genes compared to the profile induced by WT LPS, suggesting that the lipid A modifications present in LPS 430 and LPS 435 have a moderate effect on the activation of the human TLR4/MD-2 complex. Our results are relevant to understand LPS modulation of immune responses and this knowledge could be useful for the development of novel adjuvants and immunomodulators.

Conservation of the OmpC Porin Among Typhoidal and Non-Typhoidal Salmonella Serovars.

Salmonella enterica infections remain a challenging health issue, causing significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Current vaccines against typhoid fever display moderate efficacy whilst no licensed vaccines are available for paratyphoid fever or invasive non-typhoidal salmonellosis. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop high efficacy broad-spectrum vaccines that can protect against typhoidal and non-typhoidal Salmonella. The Salmonella outer membrane porins OmpC and OmpF, have been shown to be highly immunogenic antigens, efficiently eliciting protective antibody, and cellular immunity. Furthermore, enterobacterial porins, particularly the OmpC, have a high degree of homology in terms of sequence and structure, thus making them a suitable vaccine candidate. However, the degree of the amino acid conservation of OmpC among typhoidal and non-typhoidal Salmonella serovars is currently unknown. Here we used a bioinformatical analysis to classify the typhoidal and non-typhoidal Salmonella OmpC amino acid sequences into different clades independently of their serological classification. Further, our analysis determined that the porin OmpC contains various amino acid sequences that are highly conserved among both typhoidal and non-typhoidal Salmonella serovars. Critically, some of these highly conserved sequences were located in the transmembrane ß-sheet within the porin ß-barrel and have immunogenic potential for binding to MHC-II molecules, making them suitable candidates for a broad-spectrum Salmonella vaccine. Collectively, these findings suggest that these highly conserved sequences may be used for the rational design of an effective broad-spectrum vaccine against Salmonella.

Sporotrichosis between 1898 and 2017: The evolution of knowledge on a changeable disease and on emerging etiological agents.

The description of cryptic species with different pathogenic potentials has changed the perspectives on sporotrichosis. Sporothrix schenckii causes a benign chronic subcutaneous mycosis, Sporothrix brasiliensis is highly virulent, and Sporothrix globosa mainly causes fixed cutaneous lesions. Furthermore, S. brasiliensis is the prevalent species related to cat-transmitted sporotrichosis. Sources of infection, transmission, and distribution patterns also differ between species, and variability differs between species because of different degrees of clonality. The present review article will cover several aspects of the biology of clinically relevant agents of sporotrichosis, including epidemiological aspects of emerging species. Genomic information of Sporothrix spp. is also discussed. The cell wall is an essential structure for cell viability, interaction with the environment, and the host immune cells and contains several macromolecules involved in virulence. Due to its importance, aspects of glycosylation and cell wall polysaccharides are reviewed. Recent genome data and bioinformatics analyses helped to identify specific enzymes of the biosynthetic glycosylation routes, with no homologs in mammalian cells, which can be putative targets for development of antifungal drugs. A diversity of molecular techniques is available for the recognition of the clinically relevant species of Sporothrix. Furthermore, antigens identified as diagnostic markers and putative vaccine candidates are described. Cell-mediated immunity plays a key role in controlling infection, but Sporothrix species differ in their interaction with the host. The adaptive branch of the immune response is essential for appropriate control of infection.

Cell walls of the dimorphic fungal pathogens Sporothrix schenckii and Sporothrix brasiliensis exhibit bilaminate structures and sloughing of extensive and intact layers.

Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycosis caused by pathogenic species of the Sporothrix genus. A new emerging species, Sporothrix brasiliensis, is related to cat-transmitted sporotrichosis and has severe clinical manifestations. The cell wall of pathogenic fungi is a unique structure and impacts directly on the host immune response. We reveal and compare the cell wall structures of Sporothrix schenckii and S. brasiliensis using high-pressure freezing electron microscopy to study the cell wall organization of both species. To analyze the components of the cell wall, we also used infrared and 13C and 1H NMR spectroscopy and the sugar composition was determined by quantitative high-performance anion-exchange chromatography. Our ultrastructural data revealed a bi-layered cell wall structure for both species, including an external microfibrillar layer and an inner electron-dense layer. The inner and outer layers of the S. brasiliensis cell wall were thicker than those of S. schenckii, correlating with an increase in the chitin and rhamnose contents. Moreover, the outer microfibrillar layer of the S. brasiliensis cell wall had longer microfibrils interconnecting yeast cells. Distinct from those of other dimorphic fungi, the cell wall of Sporothrix spp. lacked α-glucan component. Interestingly, glycogen α-particles were identified in the cytoplasm close to the cell wall and the plasma membrane. The cell wall structure as well as the presence of glycogen α-particles varied over time during cell culture. The structural differences observed in the cell wall of these Sporothrix species seemed to impact its uptake by monocyte-derived human macrophages. The data presented here show a unique cell wall structure of S. brasiliensis and S. schenckii during the yeast parasitic phase. A new cell wall model for Sporothrix spp. is therefore proposed that suggests that these fungi molt sheets of intact cell wall layers. This observation may have significant effects on localized and disseminated immunopathology.

Prevalencia de litiasis biliar en personas concurrentes al hospital de clínicas / Prevalence of gallstones in persons who are present at the hospital de clínicas

Introducción: La prevalencia de la litiasis biliar ha sido demostrada en varios países. En nuestro país es la causa principal de patologías quirúrgicas en varios servicios de cirugía, existen pocos estudios sobre el comportamiento de esta patología en el Paraguay. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de litiasis biliar en personas asintomáticas en un hospital paraguayo de referencia. Material y Métodos:En este estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal, se analizan por ecografía abdominal personas concurrentes al Hospital de Clínicas, que cumplen con los criterios de inclusión para detección de litiasis vesicular.Utilizando métodos ecográficos estudiamos 58 personas: 30 Mujeres y 28 Hombres con edades de entre 20 a 70 Años. Estimada por el análisis estadístico para estudios descriptivos de una variable dicotómica con nivel de confianza del 95% y seleccionados por conveniencia. Resultados: Se encontraron 4 casos de 58 personas estudiadas (prevalencia de 7%), todos los casos fueron en mujeres de entre 32 a 56 años, 2 personas en edad fértil y 2 personas en edad no fértil. Conclusión:La prevalencia ecográfica de litiasis vesicular en personas asintomáticas fue de 7%. Es un tema novedoso a nivel nacional y latinoamericano. Este estudio podría ser de mucho valor para investigaciones futuras relacionadas al tema.

Introduction: The prevalence of gallstones has been demonstrated in several countries. In our country is the main cause of surgical pathologies in several surgical services, there are few studies on the behavior of this pathology in Paraguay. Objetive: Show the prevalence of gallstones in asymptomatic patients in a Paraguayan referral hospital. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional, observational, descriptive study, are analyzed by abdominal ultrasonography patients attending the Hospital de Clínicas, who meet the inclusion criteria for vesicular lithiasis. Using ultrasound methods, we studied 58 people: 30 women and 28 men with ages between 20 and 70 years. Estimated by statistical analysis for descriptive studies of a dichotomous variable with 95% confidence level and selected for convenience. Results: Four cases of 58 people were studied (prevalence of 7%), all cases were in women between 32 to 56 years, 2 people of childbearing age and 2 people of nonfertile age. Conclusion: The ultrasound prevalence of vesicular lithiasis in asymptomatic individuals was 7%. It is a new topic at national and Latin American level. This study could be of great value for future research related to the subject.

Experiencia en el manejo de sx de mirizzi en la ii catedra de clínica quirúrgica del hospital de clínicas / Experience in the management of the mirizzi syndrome in the ii cátedra de clínica quirúrgica del hospital de clínicas

Introducción: Se hizo una revisión de las historias clínicas de los pacientes con síndrome de Mirizzi tratados en el Hospital de Clínicas durante el período de enero de 2006 a diciembre de 2015, y se describe su presentación y la importancia de la complejidad en su manejo. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de síndrome de Mirizzi en pacientes operados por patología biliar y manejo del mismo en la II Cátedra de Clínica Quirúrgica del Hospital de Clínicas de San Lorenzo.Pacientes y método:Estudio observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo de corte trasverso. Se describe edad, sexo, diagnóstico de colelitiasis, cuadro clínico, exámenes complementarios, manejo quirúrgico, estancia hospitalaria, morbilidad y mortalidad. Resultados:Se diagnosticaron 21 pacientes. Siendo los más prevalentes el tipo I y II. Una media de 52 años. Todos presentaron dolor abdominal, ictericia (52%). Ningún paciente fue diagnosticado antes de la cirugía. En el Tipo l, se realizaron 8 colecistectomías con distintos abordajes. Tipo II, finalizaron en su totalidad por vía convencional. Las demás clasificaciones tuvieron un tratamiento quirúrgico específico.Conclusión: El síndrome de Mirizzi es una patología compleja de difícil diagnostico pre quirúrgico. La ecografía no es específica para esta patología. Todos los casos se detectaron en el intraoperatorio.

Introduction: A review of the medical records of patients with Mirizzi syndrome treated at the Hospital de Clínicas during the period from January 2006 to December 2015 was made, describing their presentation and the importance of the complexity in their management. Objective: To determine the prevalence of Mirizzi syndrome in patients operated by biliary pathology and show their management in the II Cátedra de Clínica Quirúrgica del Hospital de Clínicas de San Lorenzo. Patients and method: Observational, descriptive, retrospective cross-sectional study. Age, sex, diagnosis of cholelithiasis, clinical picture, complementary examinations, surgical management, hospital stay, morbidity and mortality are described. Results: Twenty-one patients were diagnosed. The most prevalent being types I and II. An average of 52 years. All had abdominal pain, jaundice (52%). No patient was diagnosed prior to surgery. In Type I, eight cholecystectomies were performed with different approaches. Type II, were terminated in their entirety by conventional route. The other classifications had a specific surgical treatment. Conclusion: Mirizzi syndrome is a complex pathology that is difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Ultrasound is not specific for this pathology. All cases were detected intraoperatively.

Paracoccidioides Spp.: Virulence Factors and Immune-Evasion Strategies.

Paracoccidioides spp. are dimorphic fungal pathogens responsible for one of the most relevant systemic mycoses in Latin America, paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). Their exact ecological niche remains unknown; however, they have been isolated from soil samples and armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus), which have been proposed as animal reservoir for these fungi. Human infection occurs by inhalation of conidia or mycelia fragments and is mostly associated with immunocompetent hosts inhabiting and/or working in endemic rural areas. In this review focusing on the pathogen perspective, we will discuss some of the microbial attributes and molecular mechanisms that enable Paracoccidioides spp. to tolerate, adapt, and ultimately avoid the host immune response, establishing infection.