Genomic-wide analysis approach revealed genomic similarity for environmental Mexican S. Oranienburg genomes.

As the human population grows, an increase in food trade is needed. This elevates the risk of epidemiological outbreaks. One of the prevalent pathogens associated with food production in Mexico has been Salmonella Oranienburg. Effective surveillance systems require microbial genetic knowledge. The objective of this work is to describe the genetic composition of Mexican S. Oranienburg genomes. For that, 53 strains from different environmental sources were isolated and sequenced. Additionally, 109 S. Oranienburg genomes were downloaded. Bioinformatic analyses were used to explore the clonal complex and genomic relatedness. A major clonal group formed by ST23 was identified comprising four STs. 202 SNPs were found the maximum difference among isolates. Virulence genes for host invasion and colonization as rpoS, fimbria type 1, and, T3SS were found common for all isolates. This study suggests that Mexican S. Oranienburg strains are potential pathogens circulating continuously in the region between host and non-host environments.

Bacteriophage applications for fresh produce food safety.

Foodborne illnesses, mainly bacteria, are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Pathogenic bacteria are involved in almost every step within the fresh produce chain compromising the companies' food safety programs and generating an ascending number of foodborne outbreaks in various regions of the world. Recently, bacteriophages return to the status of biocontrol agents. These bacteria-killing viruses are able to reduce or eliminate pathogenic bacterial load from raw and ready to eat foods. Phages are efficient, strain specific, easy to isolate and manipulate, and for that reasons, they have been used in pre and post harvest processes alone or mixed with antimicrobial agents for biocontrolling pathogenic bacteria. In this review, we focused on the feasibility of using lytic bacteriophage on fresh fruits and vegetables industry, considering challenges and perspectives mainly at industrial production level (packinghouses, supermarkets), where high volume of phage preparations and consequently high costs may be required.

Biomechanical response of the CNS is associated with frailty in NPH-suspected patients.

Frailty is known to predict dementia. However, its link with neurodegenerative alterations of the central nervous system (CNS) is not well understood at present. We investigated the association between the biomechanical response of the CNS and frailty in older adults suspected of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) presenting with markers of multiple co-existing pathologies. The biomechanical response of the CNS was characterized by the CNS elastance coefficient inferred from phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging and intracranial pressure monitoring during a lumbar infusion test. Frailty was assessed with an index of health deficit accumulation. We found a significant association between the CNS elastance coefficient and frailty, with an effect size comparable to that between frailty and age, the latter being the strongest known risk factor for frailty. Results were independent of CSF dynamics, showing that they are not specific to the NPH neuropathological condition. The CNS biomechanical characterization may help to understand how frailty is related to neurodegeneration and detect the shift from normal to pathological brain ageing.

Irrigation water quality and the benefits of implementing good agricultural practices during tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) production.

The implementation of good agricultural practices (GAP) from irrigation water to the tomato packaging process enhances the safety of fresh produce and its value throughout the food chain. The aim of the present study was to show that fresh produce farms that apply and enforce GAP could reduce the presence of Salmonella in finished produce. Samples were collected biweekly from six packing houses from the central region of Sinaloa, México, for the isolation of Salmonella spp by the ISO 6579:2002 method, and the isolated strains were serotyped and genotyped by the Kauffmman-White scheme and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), respectively. Salmonella strains were detected in 13 (36.1 %) irrigation water samples, while only two tomato samples were positive (5.5 %). Eight different serotypes were identified in irrigation water, and Salmonella Oranienburg (34 %) was the most prevalent; however, only Salmonella Agona and Salmonella Weltevreden were present on tomatoes. Salmonella Oranienburg was the most widely dispersed and variable serotype, with 10 different PFGE profiles. Salmonella Weltevreden was isolated from both types of samples, albeit with distinct genetic profiles, implying that the sources of contamination differ. These results confirm the utility of implementing good agricultural practices to reduce Salmonella contamination in irrigation water and the packaging process.

Detection of pathogenic micro-organisms on children's hands and toys during play.

AIMS: This study aimed to determine if the children's leisure activities impact the presence of pathogens on their hands and toys. METHODS & RESULTS: To assess the microbiological hazard in playground areas, a pilot study that included 12 children was conducted. We then conducted an intervention study; children's hands and toys were washed before playing. Faecal coliforms, pathogenic bacteria and Giardia lamblia were quantified by membrane filtration, selective media and flotation techniques, respectively; rotavirus, hepatitis A and rhinovirus by RT-PCR. Pilot study results revealed faecal contamination on children's hands and toys after playing on sidewalks and in public parks. Pathogenic bacteria, hepatitis A and G. lamblia on children's hands were also found. In the intervention study, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae were found on children's hands at concentrations up to 2·5 × 10(4) and 1 × 10(4) CFU hands(-1), respectively. E. coli and Kl. pneumoniae were detected on toys (2·4 × 10(3) and 2·7 × 10(4) CFU toy(-1), respectively). Salmonella spp, Serratia spp and G. lamblia cysts were also present on toys. CONCLUSION: Children's play activities influence microbial presence on hands and toys; the transfer seems to occur in both ways. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Control strategy needs to be implemented to protect children from infectious diseases.

Impact of prescribed cleaning and disinfectant use on microbial contamination in the home.

AIMS: To identify and quantify the presence of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, hepatitis A and norovirus in households and to assess the effect of chlorine and quaternary ammonium-based disinfectants following a prescribed use. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eleven sites distributed in kitchen, bathroom, pet and children's areas of two groups of 30 homes each: (i) a nonprescribed disinfectant user group and (ii) a disinfectant protocol user group. During the 6-week study, samples were collected once a week except for week one when sample collection occurred immediately before and after disinfectant application to evaluate the disinfectant protocol. The concentration and occurrence of bacteria were less in the households with prescribed use of disinfectants. The greatest reductions were for E. coli (99%) and Staph. aureus (99·9999%), respectively. Only two samples were positive for HAV, while norovirus was absent. Disinfection protocols resulted in a significant (P < 0·05) microbial reduction in all areas of the homes tested compared to homes not using a prescribed protocol. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that disinfectant product application under specific protocol is necessary to achieve greater microbial reductions. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Prescribed protocols constitute an important tool to reduce the occurrence of potential disease-causing micro-organisms in households.

Comportameinto de la disección aórtica / Evolution of aortic dissection

Las manifestaciones clínicas de la disección aórtica aguda dependen de las variaciones del flujo sanguíneo en el canal sanguíneo y la extensión de la oclusión periférica o central de la arteria. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal empleando como universo a todos los pacientes egresados con el diagnóstico de disección aórtica del Hospital Provincial “Saturnino Lora” de Santiago de Cuba en el periodo de enero del 2000 a octubre del 2005 con el objetivo de conocer el comportamiento de esta entidad hallando como resultado que la disección aórtica predominó en pacientes de 58 años, del sexo masculino y la raza negra ; la estadía promedio para esta enfermedad fue de 21 días, el antecedente personal de hipertensión arterial fue encontrado en un gran porcentaje de los casos; los síntomas y signos predominantes fueron el dolor torácico, y los propios de la hipertensión arterial y la insuficiencia aórtica, los métodos diagnósticos mas empleados fueron el ecocardiograma transtorácico, el ultrasonido abdominal, la aortografía y la tomografía axial computarizada, las disecciones aórticas más frecuentes fueron agudas y los tipo I y II que comienzan en la aorta ascendente (AU)

The clinical manifestations of the acute aortic dissection depend on the variations of the sanguineous flow in the sanguineous channel and the extension of the peripheral or central occlusion of the artery. A cross-sectional descriptive study was made using like universe to all the patients withdrawn with the diagnosis of aortic dissection of Dark-brown the Provincial Hospital “ Saturnine ” of Santiago of Cuba in the period of January of the 2000 to October of the 2005 with the objective to know the behavior this organization finding like result that the aortic dissection predominated in patients of 58 years, masculine sex and the black race; the average for this disease was of 21 days, the personal antecedent of arterial hypertension was found in a great percentage of the cases; the predominant symptoms and signs were the thoracic pain, and own of the arterial hypertension and the aortic insufficiency, the methods diagnoses but used were transesophageal echocardiography, the abdominal ultrasound, the aortography and the computed tomography, the more frequent aortic dissections were acute and the type I and II that begins in the ascending aorta (AU)

Diagnóstico y manejo perinatal del linfangioma gigante de cuello / Perinatal diagnosis and treatment of giant lymphangioma of the neck

Con el avance de la ecografía prenatal, se diagnostican muchas anomalías congénitas, lo que permite planificar un tratamiento temprano. Las linfagiomas son la lesión cogénita benigna más común de todas las malformaciones encontradas por ecografía prenatal, en algunas ocasiones asociadas a otras malformaciones y/o con cariotipo anormal. La gravedad de los linfangiomas se basa en el tipo, la localización, la extensión y la infiltración a otras estructuras. El tratamiento quirúrgico es el más aceptado, con el objetivo principal de lograr la resección completa, sin causar daño a las estructuras anexas y, aunque hay otras alternativas de tratamiento, creemos que se debe individualizar la mejor opción según la localización e infiltración del linfangioma a otras estructuras, motivo de nuestra revisión

With the advances in prenatal ultrasound, most congenital malformations can be diagnosed prior to birth, allowing for the planning of early treatment. Lymphangiomas are the most common benign congenital lesions observed with this technique. In some cases, they are associated with other malformations or chromosomal anomalies. The seriousness of a lymphangioma depends on the type, location, extension and whether or not others structures are involved. The most widespread therapeutic option is surgery, the objective of which is the complete resection of the lesion without damaging adjacent structures. Although there are other treatment options, we think that the choice of the approach depends on each patient, on the site of the lymphangioma and on the involvement of other structures. We discuss these aspects in the present review

Continence in patients who undergo posterior rectal flap anorectoplasty.

PURPOSE: The authors report the postoperative follow-up results of patients who underwent posterior rectal flap anorectoplasty (PRFA), with emphasis in fecal continence. Variables considered on each patient were sex, presence of fistula, location of the fistula, severity of the defect during the correction, sacral condition, dysraphism, and age at surgery. METHODS: Continence was rated using the Peña method and defecogram. The authors studied 20 patients (17 boys and three girls). RESULTS: Postoperatively, normal continence was found in 18 patients. Of the two remaining (boys), one had grade II spotting (sacrum agenesia and uretrobulbar fistula) and the other had grade II staining; this patient had the most severe malformation requiring an abdominoperineal approach. All of the defecograms showed complete emptying of the rectum. No recurrent fistulas occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The posterior rectal flap anorectoplasty is a new technique that takes into consideration all known factors that contribute to continence. This initial report confirms that this technique results in excellent continence for patients with imperforate anus.

Sensibilidad del canal anal de sujetos normales y pacientes tratados quirurgicamente de malformacion anorrectal: estudio mediante la tecnica de potenciales provocados. / Sensitivity of the anal canal in normal subjects and in patients surgically treated of anorectal malformation, study with evocked potentials technic

En condiciones fisioloficas la actividad motora que se lleva a cabo en el acto de defecacion depende de la informacion sensorial proveniente de la region del canal anal; sin embargo, en los estudios sobre el problema de incontinencia anal en pacientes con malformacion anorrectal tratados quirurgicamente, muy poco se ha tomado en cuenta el factor percepcion. Con el objetivo de determinar si existen diferencias en la actividad electrica de la via sensorial que se origina en los receptores del canal anal de sujetos normales y aquella de pacientes tratados quirurgicamente para correccion de malformacion anorrectal se estudiaron mediante la tecnica de potenciales, provocados 22 ninos aparentemente sanos y 11 pacientes. Nuestros resultados demuestran una actividad electrica de la via sensorial de los pacientes de menor intensidad y de conduccion ma lenta que la de los sujetos normales; inclusive en algunos pacientes no aparecio actividad Se sugiere que la alteracion sensorial podria ser en parte responsable de la incontiencia anal que pueda presentarse posteriormente en estos pacientes

[Necator americanus uncinariasis in an infant born and residing in Mexico City]. / Uncinariasis por Necator americanus en un lactante originario y residente de la ciudad de México.

A six-month-old infant is reported with the unquestionable diagnosis diagnosis of Necator americanus uncinariasis. The mother was also infected with the same hookworm. The patient was born and has always dwelt in Mexico City, where helminthiasis is considered extremely rare. The epidemiologic studies determined that the dwelling conditions were inadequate for the transmittal of the agent through the soil. The authors emphasize the importance of the presumptive diagnosis in those cases suggesting the disease and to carry out studies to confirm the existence of other infectious means

Uncinariasis por Necator americanus en un lactante originario y residente de la ciudad de Mexico. / Uncinariasis due to Necator americanus in an infant native and living in Mexico city

Se comunica el caso de un nino de seis meses de edad con diagnostico confirmado de uncinariasis por Necator americanus y cuya madre estaba infectada tambien con este parasito.El paciente nacio y residio siempre en la Ciudad de Mexico donde se considera que la helmintiasis es muy rara. El estudio epidemiologico senalo que las condiciones de la vivienda eran inadecuadas para la transmision del agente a traves del suelo. Los autores enfantizan la importancia del diagnostico presuntivo en casos que sugieran el padecimiento y en efectuar estudios que aclaren la existencia de otros mecanismos de infeccion