[Differentiation of Entamoeba histolytica from Entamoeba dispar using Gal/GalNAc-lectin and polymerase chain reaction]. / Diferenciación del complejo Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar mediante Gal/GalNAc-lectina y PCR en aislamientos colombianos.

BACKGROUND: Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar are morphologically identical. However, the former is highly pathogenic and the latter is not. AIM: To differentiate Entamoeba histolytica from Entamoeba dispar through ELISA and PCR techniques in Colombian isolates from feces. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive study of Colombian fecal samples from 53 males and 47 women, that were positive for the complex E. histolytica/E. dispar on light microscopy. Positive samples were cultured on Robinson medium to isolate trophozoites. The presence of specific Gal/ GalNAc-lectin was determined by ELISA and polymerase chain reaction in genomic DNA, using the combination of three nucleotides that recognize a variable region of 16S small subunit ribosomal RNA, generating a 166 base pair (bp) product for E. histolytica and 752 pb product for E. dispar. RESULTS: After verification, only eight of the 100 samples were positive for the complex E. histolytica/E. dispar and were cultivated. Isolates were obtained in six cultures, one corresponded to E. histolytica and six to E. dispar. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of E. histolytica/E. dispar complex was largely overestimated with light microscopy. In the few samples where isolates were obtained, the technique described differentiated between both strains.

Diferenciación del complejo Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar mediante Gal/GalNAc-lectina y PCR en aislamientos colombianos / Differentiation of entamoeba histolytica from entamoeba dispar using Gal/GalNAc-lectin and polymerase chain reaction

Background: Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar are morphologically identical. However, the former is highly pathogenic and the latter is not. Aim: To differentiate Entamoeba histolytica from Entamoeba dispar through ELISA and PCR techniques in Colombian isolates from feces. Material and Methods: Descriptive study of Colombian fecal samples from 53 males and 47 women, that were positive for the complex E. histolytica/E. dispar on light microscopy. Positive samples were cultured on Robinson medium to isolate trophozoites. The presence of specific Gal/ GalNAc-lectin was determined by ELISA and polymerase chain reaction in genomic DNA, using the combination of three nucleotides that recognize a variable region of 16S small subunit ribosomal RNA, generating a 166 base pair (bp) product for E. histolytica and 752 pb product for E. dispar. Results: After verification, only eight of the 100 samples were positive for the complex E. histolytica/E. dispar and were cultivated. Isolates were obtained in six cultures, one corresponded to E. histolytica and six to E. dispar. Conclusions: The presence of E. histolytica/E. dispar complex was largely overestimated with light microscopy. In the few samples where isolates were obtained, the technique described differentiated between both strains.

Hemorragia cerebral en gestante a término / No disponible

No disponible

Intubación con videolaringoscopio Glidescope® en paciente despierto con espondilitis anquilosante / No disponible

No disponible

El Programa de Crecimiento y Desarrollo: otro factor de inequidad en el sistema de salud / The Growth and Development Program: another inequity agent in the health system

El Programa de Crecimiento y Desarrollo ha sido considerado como una importante acción de salud pública, impulsada por el sistema de salud desde hace más de 20 años. Este programa, como todas aquellas acciones de promoción de la salud y prevención de la enfermedad, han sufrido importantes cambios con la implantación de la Ley 100. La presente investigación, de corte cualitativo, pretendió identificar cuáles fueron estos cambios, sus causas y su impacto para la calidad de las acciones promovida por el programa y por ende, para la promoción de la salud de los niños menores de 6 años y sus familias en la ciudad de Medellín. La información se recolectó revisando fuentes secundarias y realizando entrevistas a padres y funcionarios vinculados al programa, así como con la observación de las sesiones. La investigación concluyó que se han producido importantes cambios en la forma como se administra y se ejecuta el programa, encontró especialmente una gran diferencia de la calidad del servicio entre los programas ofrecidos por el régimen contributivo y el régimen subsidiado, lo que ha generado una situación de marcada inequidad que está afectando a las familias más vulnerables, que precisamente serían las que requerirían mayores esfuerzos del sistema de salud

Effect of Solanum nudum extracts on the liver of mice infected with Plasmodium berghei.

The plant Solanum nudum has been used by the community of Tumaco (Nariño, Colombia) as a cure for malaria. Our group has confirmed the in vitro antimalarial activity against the strain of Plasmodium falciparum FCB-2. During our in vivo studies on the therapeutic effect of Solanum nudum extracts on mice infected with Plasmodium berghei, we observed yellowish tint in the palms of mice treated with the aqueous extract via i.p. at a concentration of 2.4% w/vol. This finding suggested the need to carry out a histology study of the liver. Plasmodium berghei infection produces liver changes such as the deposit of pigment in sinusoids, leucocytes infiltration, esteatosis and necrosis of hepatocytes. These changes were also observed when the mice were treated with methane and hexane extracts from Solanum nudum; however necrosis of hepatocytes in mice infected with malaria decreased 47-65% when they were administered either with aqueous extract, or tumacoside A and degraded diosgenone, compounds from methane and hexane extracts of Solanum nudum respectively.

Phlebotomus perniciosus Newstead, 1911, infection by various zymodemes of the Leishmania infantum complex in the Granada province (southern Spain).

This study presents the results of the isoenzymatic characterization of 21 strains of Leishmania of sandfly (P. perniciosus) origin from the Torvizcón area. It forms an integral part of a larger eco-epidemiological study of the Alpujarras (Granada province, Southern Spain). The strains analysed were shown to belong to the L. infantum complex based on the results of 15 enzymes. The electrophoretic profiles for the enzymes MDH, G6PD and NP1 have permitted the identification of four zymodemes: GR-1 (5 strains), GR-2 (2 strains), GR-3 (13 strains) and GR-7 (1 strain); only one of these zymodemes, GR-1, was found in the Torvizcón area in the vertebrate host (man and dog). This is the first time zymodeme GR-7 has been described.

Valor de la gamagrafía en la decisión terapéutica del reflujo gastroesofágico / Usefulness of radioisotope scintigraphy for decision making in dealing with gastroesophageal reflux

Se presentan todos los casos que durante un periodo de 5 años, fueron remitidos de la consulta del autor y de primera vez, al estudio de gamagrafia del esofago por presentar sintomas relacionados con el reflujo gastroesofagico o para su diagnostico clinico. Se describen los resultados de 527 estudios gamagráficos y los parámetros por los cuales este trabajo permite clasificar los diferentes grados de severidad del reflujo, con lo que se define tambien el establecimiento de las distintas conductas terapeuticas en cada caso. Se analizan los 140 pacientes que durante este periodo y con dicha metodologia diagnostica y de seguimiento, requirieron la correccion quirurgica del reflujo gastroesofagico patologico y se evaluan los resultados gamagráficos y clinicos de la tecnica quirurgica utilizada.

[Environmental factors and asthma in the child population of Vizcaya]. / Factores ambientales y asma en la población infantil de Vizcaya.

Authors have studied relationship of several environmental factors (climatic changes and atmospheric pollution) and occurrence of asthma in childhood population of Vizcaya. Sample studied was composed of 290 asthmatic children and the same normal controls as counterpart exposed to equal risk. They also consider data obtained of the children's Hospital of Cruces emergency room. Follow-up was for one year. They do not find any relationship between acute asthma and levels of several air contaminants (SO2, OxN, fumes) neither with wind's direction and velocity and ambient humidity. A significant relation was found between autumn epidemic days and increase in environmental temperature. No relation of asthma and viral epidemiology or respiratory infections was found. The fact that "asthma epidemics" in Vizcaya happen yearly at the end of summer and that children affected are atopic, make authors think that the determinant factors are several: September is for many children the end of summer holidays, changing their habitat and climatic conditions.

Mucoperiosteal flaps with and without removal of the pocket epithelium.

The purpose of this study was to clinically evaluate the need for elimination of the pocket epithelium during mucoperiosteal flap surgery aimed at reattachment or readaptation. A split mouth design was used in 13 patients with two bicuspids and two molars included in each quadrant. Two surgical techniques were compared. One of the quadrants received a modified Widman flap with removal of the pocket epithelium, while the contralateral side received a crevicular flap without removing the pocket epithelium. One month after the hygienic phase was completed, the following measurements were taken: Gingival Index, Plaque Index, gingival crevicular fluid flow, mobility, furcation involvement, level of attachment, pocket depth and gingival recession. In addition to these measurements, which were taken immediately prior to the surgery (baseline), 1- and 3-month postsurgical measurements were also taken. Gingival recession was recorded immediately after the flaps were replaced and sutured. All data were analyzed statistically using paired t test and sign test. The biometric results showed that without the removal of the pocket epithelium, good clinical results relative to gain in clinical attachment levels and reduction in probing depth were achieved. Greater gingival recession occurred on the crevicular flap side postsurgically when compared to the modified Widman flap. The other clinical parameters remained the same at the three time intervals. This was true within each technique and when both techniques were compared.