UV-C irradiation is able to inactivate pathogens found in commercially collected porcine plasma as demonstrated by swine bioassay.

Liquid porcine plasma is an animal origin raw material for the manufacturing process of spray-dried porcine plasma that is used in pig nutrition worldwide. In previous studies we found that the application of ultraviolet light C (UV-C) in liquid plasma that was inoculated with a variety of bacteria or viruses of importance in the swine industry can be considered as redundant safety steps because in general achieve around 4 logs reduction for most of these pathogens. However, the final validation of the UV-C light as safety feature should be conducted with commercial liquid plasma and using the pig bioassay model. As a first objective, the potential infectivity of a raw liquid plasma product collected from an abattoir was tested by means of a swine bioassay. We used Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV-2), a ubiquitous virus that has been systematically detected by PCR in porcine plasma at abattoirs as selection criteria for commercial liquid plasma lot. As a second aim of the study, the effects of different doses of UV-C irradiation on the selected raw liquid plasma were assayed in the animal bioassay. Moreover, other swine infecting agents, including Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), were also determined in the original plasma and monitored in the inoculated animals. Pigs negative for PCV-2 and PRRSV genome and antibodies were allotted to one of five groups (6 to 8 pigs/ group) and injected intra-peritoneally with 10 mL of their assigned inoculum at 50 d of age. Negative control pigs (group 1) were injected with PBS. Positive control pigs (group 5) were injected with a PCV-2 inoculum. Groups 2, 3 and 4 were injected with liquid porcine plasma that had been subjected to 0 (raw plasma), 3000 or 9000 J/L UV-C irradiation, respectively. Group 2 pigs (0 J/L UV-C) got infection by PRRSV but no PCV-2 infection or seroconversion. However, one pig from group 2 seroconverted to Rotavirus A (RVA) and Hepatitis E virus (HEV) and three group 2 pigs seroconverted to Porcine parvovirus (PPV). Groups 1, 3 and 4 pigs showed no evidence of infection or seroconversion associated with the tested viruses or any other pathogens found in the liquid plasma before UV-C irradiation. Group 5 pigs developed PCV-2 infectivity as expected. UV-C irradiation of liquid plasma at 3000 and 9000 J/L was effective in preventing PRRSV and other pathogens transmission. Moreover, raw liquid plasma was non-infectious for PCV-2 in naïve pigs.

A robust PCR for the differentiation of potential virulent strains of Haemophilus parasuis.

BACKGROUND: Haemophilus parasuis is the etiological agent of Glässer's disease in swine. H. parasuis comprises strains with heterogeneous virulence capacity, from non-virulent to highly virulent. Determination of the pathogenic potential of the strains is important for diagnosis and disease control. The virulence-associated trimeric autotransporters (vtaA) genes have been used to predict H. parasuis virulence by PCR amplification of their translocator domains. Here, we report a new and improved PCR designed to detect a different domain of the vtaA genes, the leader sequence (LS) as a diagnostic tool to predict virulence. METHODS: A collection of 360 H. parasuis strains was tested by PCR with LS specific primers. Results of the PCR were compared with the clinical origin of the strains and, for a subset of strains, with their phagocytosis and serum resistance using a Chi-square test. RESULTS: LS-PCR was specific to H. parasuis, and allowed the differential detection of the leader sequences found in clinical and non-clinical isolates. Significant correlation was observed between the results of the LS-PCR and the clinical origin (organ of isolation) of the strains, as well as with their phagocytosis and serum susceptibility, indicating that this PCR is a good predictor of the virulence of the strains. In addition, this new PCR showed a full correlation with the previously validated PCR based on the translocator domain. LS-PCR could be performed in a wide range of annealing temperatures without losing specificity. CONCLUSION: This newly described PCR based on the leader sequence of the vtaA genes, LS-PCR, is a robust test for the prediction of the virulence potential of H. parasuis strains.

Distribution and genetic characterization of Enterovirus G and Sapelovirus A in six Spanish swine herds.

The prevalence of Enterovirus G (EV-G) and Sapelovirus A (PSV-1) was investigated in Spanish swine herds by means of cross-sectional studies. Faecal samples from clinically healthy pigs were collected from six farms, and analysed by RT-PCR. The results indicated a high prevalence of EV-G detected in nearly all the animals older than 3 weeks of age. Otherwise, PSV-1 was only detected in 3-week-old piglets from one of the farms. Genetic analyses performed in the VP1 region of the EV-G indicated circulation of diverse strains in the same farm, related to genotypes G1, G2, G3, G4, G6, G9, G12, G13 and G14. Moreover, co-infection of several PSV-1 variants in the same animal was evident, typical of viral quasispecies. Evolutionary pressure analysis indicated that microevolution of PSV-1 seems to be driven by negative selection. This study gives further insights in the epidemiology of EV-G and PSV-1.

Percepciones sobre la discapacidad de jóvenes usuarios de Teletón Santiago y Concepción: un estudio cualitativo / Perception of disability by Teletón patients from Santiago and Concepcion: a qualitative study

To describe the perception about disability of active and passive young patients from Teletón Institutes in Santiago and Concepcion. Methods: A phenomenological qualitative study of descriptive exploratory character, with intentional sample constituted by 37 participants, corresponding to young active and passive patients from Teletón Institutes in Santiago and Concepcion. Production data was carried out through focus groups and a qualitative content analysis by Atlas. ti software Results: Disability is perceived as a condition of difference and a social phenomenon, which can be considered either positively or negatively. Participants associate disability with socio-cultural problems such as unknowingness, lack of opportunities and discrimination, limited physical accessibility, educational system's difficulties and problems related to disabled people themselves such as psychological problems. The solution to these problems involves action at different levels, with focus in social, political, and educational solutions but also, solutions coming from people with disabilities. Discussion: Disability is a multidimensional phenomenon, perceived according to the experiences and the context in which young people live; meanings related to the medical and social models of disability coexist in them. Although this condition is viewed as mainly positive, problems associated with it were identified, which hinder patient’s daily life and development, as it also affects the family members and loved ones. Solving these problems is essential to promote the participation and inclusion of people with disabilities into society...

Describir las percepciones sobre discapacidad de jóvenes usuarios activos y pasivos, de los Institutos Teletón Santiago y Concepción. Materiales y Método: Estudio cualitativo fenomenológico, de carácter exploratorio-descriptivo, con muestra intencionada constituida por 37 jóvenes usuarios activos y pasivos de los Institutos Teletón Santiago y Concepción. La producción de datos se realizó a través de grupos focales y un análisis de contenido cualitativo, mediante el software Atlas.ti. Resultados: La discapacidad es percibida como una condición de diferencia y un fenómeno social, que puede ser considerada positiva y negativamente. Los participantes asocian a la discapacidad problemas socioculturales, como el desconocimiento, la falta de oportunidades y la discriminación, problemas de accesibilidad física, problemas en el sistema educativo y aquellos relacionados con las propias personas en situación de discapacidad, problemas psicológicos, por ejemplo. La solución a estos problemas, implica acciones a distintos niveles, principalmente, en las aristas sociales, políticas, educativas y soluciones provenientes desde las propias personas en esta situación. Discusión: La discapacidad es un fenómeno multidimensional, percibido de acuerdo a las vivencias, experiencias y el contexto en que viven los jóvenes; coexistiendo en ellos significados relacionados a los modelos médico y social de la discapacidad. A pesar de que esta condición es considerada principalmente de forma positiva, se identifican problemas asociados a ellas que dificultan su vida cotidiana y su desarrollo, afectando también a sus familias y personas cercanas. Dar solución a estos problemas, resulta fundamental para favorecer la participación e inclusión de las personas en situación de discapacidad a la sociedad...

[Calcific myonecrosis of the leg]. / Mionecrosis calcificante de la pierna.

Calcific myonecrosis is a rare post-traumatic sequela almost exclusively located in the lower extremity, which can be mistaken for an aggressive primary neoplasm. This lesion, initially described by Gallei and Thompson in 1960, is characterized by the formation of a calcified mass that appears decades after trauma. The pathophysiologic mechanism is not fully understood, although the lesion most likely results from post-traumatic ischemia and it may be associated with a common peroneal nerve injury. The typical radiographic image is a fusiform soft tissue mass with linear calcifications. The treatment of choice is conservative in asymptomatic patients because the surgical treatment has a high complication rate. We report four cases of calcific myonecrosis treated surgically in our hospital. Three of the cases had an infection as a complication that required subsequent debridement and special therapies to achieve the resolution of the cases.

Mionecrosis calcificante de la pierna / Calcific myonecrosis of the leg

La mionecrosis calcificante es una rara secuela postraumática que se localiza casi exclusivamente en la extremidad inferior, y que puede ser confundida con una neoplasia primaria agresiva. Esta lesión, descrita inicialmente por Gallei y Thompson en 1960, se caracteriza por la formación de una masa calcificada que aparece varias décadas después de un traumatismo. El mecanismo fisiopatológico no es conocido, sin embargo la lesión parece que es debida a una isquemia postraumática y puede asociarse con una lesión del ciático poplíteo externo. La imagen radiográfica típica es una masa de partes blandas fusiforme con calcificaciones lineales. El tratamiento de elección es conservador en los casos asintomáticos ya que el tratamiento quirúrgico tiene un alto porcentaje de complicaciones. Presentamos 4 casos de mionecrosis calcificante tratados quirúrgicamente en nuestro hospital. Tres de los casos se infectaron por lo que precisaron sendos desbridamientos y terapias especiales para su resolución definitiva (AU)

Calcific myonecrosis is a rare post-traumatic sequela almost exclusively located in the lower extremity, which can be mistaken for an aggressive primary neoplasm. This lesion, initially described by Gallei and Thompson in 1960, is characterized by the formation of a calcified mass that appears decades after trauma. The pathophysiologic mechanism is not fully understood, although the lesion most likely results from post-traumatic ischemia and it may be associated with a common peroneal nerve injury. The typical radiographic image is a fusiform soft tissue mass with linear calcifications. The treatment of choice is conservative in asymptomatic patients because the surgical treatment has a high complication rate. We report four cases of calcific myonecrosis treated surgically in our hospital. Three of the cases had an infection as a complication that required subsequent debridement and special therapies to achieve the resolution of the cases (AU)

Pilot study of ampicillin-ceftriaxone combination for treatment of orthopedic infections due to Enterococcus faecalis.

Serious Enterococcus faecalis infections usually require combination therapy to achieve a bactericidal effect. In orthopedic infections, the prognosis of enterococcal etiology is considered poor, and the use of aminoglycosides is questioned. The ampicillin-ceftriaxone combination has recently been accepted as alternative therapy for enterococcal endocarditis. After one of our patients with endocarditis and vertebral osteomyelitis was cured with ampicillin-ceftriaxone, we started a pilot study of orthopedic infections. Patients with infections due to E. faecalis (with two or more surgical samples or blood cultures) diagnosed during 2005 to 2008 were recruited. Polymicrobial infections with ampicillin- and ceftriaxone-resistant microorganisms were excluded. Patients received ampicillin (8 to 16 g/day)-ceftriaxone (2 to 4 g/day) and were followed up prospectively. Of 31 patients with E. faecalis infections, 10 received ampicillin-ceftriaxone. Including the first patient, 11 patients were treated with ampicillin-ceftriaxone: 3 with prosthetic joint infections, 3 with instrumented spine arthrodesis device infections, 2 with osteosynthesis device infections, 1 with foot osteomyelitis, and 2 with vertebral osteomyelitis and endocarditis. Six infections (55%) were polymicrobial. All cases except the vertebral osteomyelitis ones required surgery, with retention of foreign material in six cases. Ampicillin-ceftriaxone was given for 25 days (interquartile range, 15 to 34 days), followed by amoxicillin (amoxicilline) being given to seven patients (64%). One patient with endocarditis died within 2 weeks (hemorrhagic stroke) and was not evaluable. For one patient with prosthesis retention, the infection persisted; 9/10 patients (90%) were cured, but 1 patient was superinfected. Follow-up was for 21 months (interquartile range, 14 to 36 months). Ampicillin-ceftriaxone may be a reasonable synergistic combination to treat orthopedic infections due to E. faecalis. Our experience, though limited, shows good outcomes and tolerability and may provide a basis for further well-designed comparative studies.