The Amazonian Tropical Bites Research Initiative, a hope for resolving zoonotic neglected tropical diseases in the One Health era.

BACKGROUND: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) disproportionately affect populations living in resource-limited settings. In the Amazon basin, substantial numbers of NTDs are zoonotic, transmitted by vertebrate (dogs, bats, snakes) and invertebrate species (sand flies and triatomine insects). However, no dedicated consortia exist to find commonalities in the risk factors for or mitigations against bite-associated NTDs such as rabies, snake envenoming, Chagas disease and leishmaniasis in the region. The rapid expansion of COVID-19 has further reduced resources for NTDs, exacerbated health inequality and reiterated the need to raise awareness of NTDs related to bites. METHODS: The nine countries that make up the Amazon basin have been considered (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Surinam and Venezuela) in the formation of a new network. RESULTS: The Amazonian Tropical Bites Research Initiative (ATBRI) has been created, with the aim of creating transdisciplinary solutions to the problem of animal bites leading to disease in Amazonian communities. The ATBRI seeks to unify the currently disjointed approach to the control of bite-related neglected zoonoses across Latin America. CONCLUSIONS: The coordination of different sectors and inclusion of all stakeholders will advance this field and generate evidence for policy-making, promoting governance and linkage across a One Health arena.

The Amazonian tropical bites research initiative, a hope for resolving zoonotic neglected tropical diseases in the one health era

Background Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) disproportionately affect populations living in resource-limited settings. In the Amazon basin, substantial numbers of NTDs are zoonotic, transmitted by vertebrate (dogs, bats, snakes) and invertebrate species (sand flies and triatomine insects). However, no dedicated consortia exist to find commonalities in the risk factors for or mitigations against bite-associated NTDs such as rabies, snake envenoming, Chagas disease and leishmaniasis in the region. The rapid expansion of COVID-19 has further reduced resources for NTDs, exacerbated health inequality and reiterated the need to raise awareness of NTDs related to bites. Methods The nine countries that make up the Amazon basin have been considered (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Surinam and Venezuela) in the formation of a new network. Results The Amazonian Tropical Bites Research Initiative (ATBRI) has been created, with the aim of creating transdisciplinary solutions to the problem of animal bites leading to disease in Amazonian communities. The ATBRI seeks to unify the currently disjointed approach to the control of bite-related neglected zoonoses across Latin America. Conclusions The coordination of different sectors and inclusion of all stakeholders will advance this field and generate evidence for policy-making, promoting governance and linkage across a One Health arena.

PCR performance for the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania viannia complex using biopsy samples, compared with exudate samples from skin lesions on filter paper.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is generally diagnosed by molecular methods, including PCR, using biopsy samples, skin scrapings and clinical exudates. In this study, we assessed the PCR performance for diagnosis of CL using skin of biopsy samples vs PCR of skin lesion exudate samples on filter paper and compared the diagnostic concordance of PCR using both sampling methods. METHODS: We assessed the PCR performance using 80 skin biopsy samples and 80 filter paper samples containing exudates from skin lesions obtained from 74 patients with clinical suspicion of CL in Cusco, Peru. RESULTS: : PCR using skin biopsy samples had superior diagnostic accuracy compared with filter paper PCR (62.5% [50/80] vs 38.7% [31/80], respectively; p˂0.005) and the diagnostic concordance between both sampling methods was 'moderate' (kappa coefficient=0.50, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.0). CONCLUSIONS: PCR using biopsy samples remains the standard for diagnosis of CL.

[Seroprevalence of viral hepatitis B in university students in Abancay, Peru]. / Seroprevalencia de hepatitis viral B en estudiantes universitarios en Abancay, Perú.

To determine the prevalence of serological markers of viral hepatitis B in university students of the city of Abancay, we performed a cross-sectional study on 240 students from three universities, from January to October 2010. Informed consent was requested to every student, an epidemiological record was filled, and a venous blood sample was drawn to determine the presence of HBsAg, total anti - HBcAg, anti - HBe, HBeAg and IgM Anti - HBc by ELISA. A prevalence of 2.5% (six positive samples) was found for HBsAg and of 28.3% (68 positive samples) for anti - HbcAg antibodies. The male sex was associated with the presence of anti - HBcAg (OR = 2.0, 95% CI, 1.2 to 3.6). We did not found HBeAg or IgM anti - HBc, however, the 6 HBsAg carriers were anti - HBe positive. In conclusion hepatitis B infection is still a public health problem in Abancay, with a significant prevalence in university students.

[Sporotrichosis in patients attending a reference center in Abancay, Peru]. / Esporotricosis en pacientes que acuden a un centro médico de referencia, en Abancay, Perú.

A descriptive study was conducted between the months of May and August 2008 in Santa Teresa Medical Center, Abancay. Of 33 patients clinically suspected with Sporotrichosis: 20 patients were identified with Sporothrix schenckii. 11 (55%) of patients were males. Children between 0 and 14 years were most affected. 60% of the lesions were fixed cutaneous being more frequent in the head and neck (40%). 55% had lessions for less than one month. In pediatric population with involvement of head and neck, Sporotrichosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of skin lesions of patients from endemic areas.

Esporotricosis en pacientes que acuden a un centro médico de referencia, en Abancay, Perú / Sporotrichosis in patients attending a reference center in Abancay, Perú

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo entre mayo y agosto de 2008 en el Centro Médico Santa Teresa de la ciudad de Abancay, departamento de Apurimac, Perú. Se incluyó a 33 pacientes con sospecha clínica de esporotricosis; se identificó por cultivo la presencia del Sporothrix schenckii en 20 pacientes. Once casos (55 por ciento) fueron de sexo masculino, mientras que el grupo más afectado fue el de niños de 0 a 14 años. El 60 por ciento de las lesiones fueron cutánea fijas ubicadas con mayor frecuencia en la cabeza y cuello (40 por ciento). El 55 por ciento tuvo un tiempo de evolución menor o igual a un mes. La presentación de esporotricosis en población pediátrica, con compromiso de cabeza y cuello, debe considerarse en el diagnóstico diferencial de lesiones cutáneas de pacientes provenientes de zonas endémicas.

A descriptive study was conducted between the months of May and August 2008 in Santa Teresa Medical Center, Abancay. Of 33 patients clinically suspected with Sporotrichosis: 20 patients were identified with Sporothrix schenckii. 11 (55 percent) of patients were males. Children between 0 and 14 years were most affected. 60 percent of the lesions were fixed cutaneous being more frequent in the head and neck (40 percent). 55 percent had lessions for less than one month. In pediatric population with involvement of head and neck, Sporotrichosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of skin lesions of patients from endemic areas.

Seroprevalencia de hepatitis viral B en estudiantes universitarios en Abancay, Perú / Seroprevalence of viral hepatitis B in university students in Abancay, Perú

Para determinar la prevalencia de marcadores serológicos de hepatitis viral B en estudiantes universitarios de la ciudad de Abancay, realizamos un estudio transversal en 240 estudiantes de tres universidades, entre enero a octubre de 2010. Previo consentimiento informado, se llenó, por cada estudiante, una ficha epidemiológica y se tomó una muestra sanguínea para determinar la presencia de HBsAg, anti-HBcAg total, anti-HBe, HBeAg e IgM anti-HBc por el método de ELISA. Se encontró una prevalencia de 2,5 por ciento (seis seropositivos) para el HBsAg y 28,3 por ciento (68 seropositivos) para los anticuerpos Anti-HBcAg. El sexo masculino estuvo asociado con la presencia del anti-HBcAg (OR = 2,0; IC 95 por ciento, 1,2- 3,6). No se encontró la presencia del HBeAg e IgM anti-HBc; los seis portadores del HBsAg fueron anti-HBe positivos. En conclusión, la infección por hepatitis B sigue siendo un problema de salud pública en Abancay, con una prevalencia importante en estudiantes universitarios.

To determine the prevalence of serological markers of viral hepatitis B in university students of the city of Abancay, we performed a cross-sectional study on 240 students from three universities, from January to October 2010. Informed consent was requested to every student, an epidemiological record was filled, and a venous blood sample was drawn to determine the presence of HBsAg, total anti - HBcAg, anti - HBe, HBeAg and IgM Anti - HBc by ELISA. A prevalence of 2.5 percent (six positive samples) was found for HBsAg and of 28.3 percent (68 positive samples) for anti - HbcAg antibodies. The male sex was associated with the presence of anti - HBcAg (OR = 2.0, 95 percent CI, 1.2 to 3.6). We did not found HBeAg or IgM anti - HBc, however, the 6 HBsAg carriers were anti - HBe positive. In conclusion hepatitis B infection is still a public health problem in Abancay, with a significant prevalence in university students.