Bio-Efficacy of Commercially Available Residual Insecticides for the Control of Aedes aegypti in Mexico.

Commercial aerosolized insecticides can be implemented as a community-based approach to targeted indoor residual spraying against Aedes aegypti, but their efficacy on pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes has not yet been evaluated. Two commercial aerosolized products (H24 Poder Fulminante Ultra Eficaz®, carbamate, and Baygon Ultra Verde®, pyrethroid) were sprayed on common indoor surfaces e.g., cement, plywood, and cloth, and tested for their residual efficacy on susceptible and field-derived pyrethroid-resistant Ae. aegypti strains using the WHO cone bioassays. Overall, ≥80% 24-h mortality was observed for both products for at least 4 wk regardless of the mosquito strain or surface type used. H24 Poder Fulminante Ultra Eficaz showed the highest residual potency, sustaining >80% mortality for 7-wk posttreatment regardless of mosquito strain and surface type. For Baygon Ultra Verde, the mean mortality of female Ae. aegypti remained >80% for a shorter period (4-6 wk). Nonpyrethroid commercial aerosolized formulations can provide a lasting residual effect indoors compatible with the need for rapid and lasting mosquito control during outbreaks and may be suitable for community-based targeted indoor residual spraying.

Sangre y Cirugía. EStrategia de Ahorro en cirugía cardiaca / Blood and Surgery. Strategic saving in cardiac surgery

El incremento de intervenciones quirúrgicas y su mayor complejidad y agresividad, especialmente en cirugía cardiovascular y trasplantes, junto con el envejecimiento de la población ha supuesto un considerable aumento de la demanda de transfusión sanguínea y derivados hemáticos. Los riesgos médicos inherentes al uso de sangre homóloga, el rechazo por motivaciones personales, éticas o creencias religiosas y una insuficiente disponibilidad de hemoderivados consecuencia de la escasezde donaciones, ha condicionado la necesidad del desarrollo de procesos de ahorro de sangre en cirugía y la búsqueda de técnicas alternativas a la transfusión. Problemática que alcanza su máxima expresión en cirugía cardiaca bajo circulación extracorpórea, como consecuencia del alto consumo de sangre de los enfermos cardiológicos intervenidos. Con la experiencia que aporta un promedio de quinientas cirugías anuales de corazón se realiza una revisión sobre las diferentes medidas y procedimientos asociados al ahorro de sangre en cirugía, especialmente en cirugía cardiovascular (AU)

The increase in the number of operations and their greater complexity and aggressiveness, especially in cardiovascular surgery and transplants, together with the aging of the population, has entailed an increase in the demand for transfusion and haematological derivates. The inherent medical risks of homolog blood usage, rejection for personal motivations, ethical and religious beliefs and insufficient availability of haematological derivates as a consequence of the shortage of donations, have conditioned the necessity for the development of processes for saving blood during surgery and the search for alternative techniques to transfusion. This is a problem which has its highest repercussions in cardiac surgery with cardio-pulmonary by-pass because of the high consumption of blood of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. With the experience of approximately 500 operations per year a review of the different measures and procedures associated with saving blood in surgery has been carried out, especially with regard to cardiovascular surgery (AU)

Incrimination of the mosquito, Aedes taeniorhynchus, as the primary vector of heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, in coastal Yucatan, Mexico.

Mosquito collections were carried out on microfilaraemic dogs, positive for Dirofilaria sp., for 18 consecutive nights in the coastal town of Celestún, Yucatan, southeast Mexico, during the rainy season (August) of 2007. A total of 292 female mosquitoes representing 12 species of dipteran Culicidae were collected: Anopheles albimanus (Wiedemann); Anopheles crucians (Wiedemann); Anopheles pseudopunctipennis (Theobald); Culex coronator (Dyar & Knab); Culex interrogator (Dyar & Knab); Culex nigripalpus (Theobald); Culex quinquefasciatus (Say); Culex salinarius (Coquillett); Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus); Aedes scapularis (Rondani); Aedes sollicitans (Walker), and Aedes taeniorhynchus (Wiedemann). Aedes taeniorhynchus and Cx. quinquefasciatus were the species found most commonly feeding on the dogs. Filarial nematodes were observed by microscopy in nine of the mosquito species collected; however, third-instar larvae were only observed in Ae. taeniorhynchus and An. crucians. Of 76 Ae. taeniorhynchus specimens found positive for Dirofilaria sp. by dissection, 14 were confirmed to be positive for Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The resulting infection rate for D. immitis confirmed by PCR (6.2%) is higher than any infection rate for Ae. taeniorhynchus previously reported from the Americas.

MicroRNAs play a critical role in tooth development.

MicroRNAs are known to regulate gene function in many tissues and organs, but their expression and function, if any, in tooth development are elusive. We sought to identify them by microRNA screening analyses and reveal their overall roles by inactivating Dicer1 in the dental epithelium and mesenchyme. Discrete sets of microRNAs are expressed in molars compared with incisors as well as epithelium compared with mesenchyme. Conditional knockout (cKO) of Dicer1 (mature microRNAs) in the dental epithelium of the Pitx2-Cre mouse results in multiple and branched enamel-free incisors and cuspless molars, and change in incisor patterning and in incisor and molar size and shape. Analyses of differentiating dental epithelial markers reveal a defect in ameloblast differentiation. Conversely, the cervical loop (stem cell niche) is expanded in Dicer1 cKO. These results demonstrate that tooth development is tightly controlled by microRNAs and that specific microRNAs regulate tooth epithelial stem cell differentiation.

[Pulmonary artery aneurism in a patient with Behçet disease. Report of one case]. / Aneurisma de la arteria pulmonar en Enfermedad de Behçet.

Behçet disease is a systemic disease with diverse clinical symptoms which vary according to the organs and systems involved. Typically, patients have oral and genital ulcers and episodic ocular involvement with periods of clinical improvement. We report an 18-year-old mole presenting with chest pain and hemoptysis and a history of ulcers in the oral cavity and scrotum. A chest CAT scan showed a mass located adjacent to the heart that a pulmonary arteriography defined as a left pulmonary artery aneurism. The patient was operated, excising left inferior pulmonary lobe. Due to skin and ocular involvement, the patient complied with criteria for Behçet disease. Immunosuppressive treatment with prednisone and azathioprine was started and the patient was discharged from the hospital.

The Peterborough scheme for community specialist optometrists in glaucoma: a feasibility study.

PURPOSE: This study assessed the role of specialist optometrists who were working in the community and sharing the care for glaucoma patients with, and under close supervision of, a consultant ophthalmologist working in the Hospital Eye Services (HES) to ensure high-quality standards, safety, and care. METHODS: From February 2005 onwards, the majority of all new glaucoma referrals to our eye department were diverted to our specialist optometrists in glaucoma (SOGs) in their own community practices. Selected patients in the HES setting who were already diagnosed with stable glaucoma were also transferred to the SOGs. The completed clinical finding details of the SOGs, including fundus photographs and Humphrey visual field tests, were scrutinised by the project lead. RESULTS: This study included 1184 new patients seen by specialist optometrists between February 2005 and March 2007. A total of 32% of patients were referred on to the hospital, leaving the remaining 68% patients to be seen for at least their next consultation in the community by the SOGs. The following levels of disagreement were observed between SOGs and the project lead: on cup:disc ratio (11%), visual field interpretation (7%), diagnosis (12%), treatment plan (10%), and outcome (follow-up interval and location) (17%). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that there is potential for a significant increase in the role of primary care optometry in glaucoma management. The study also confirms a need for a significant element of supervision and advice from a glaucoma specialist. The important issue of cost effectiveness is yet to be confirmed.

Aneurisma de la arteria pulmonar en Enfermedad de Behçet / Pulmonary artery aneurism in a patient with Behçet disease. Report of one case

Behçet disease is a systemic disease with diverse clinical symptoms which vary according to the organs and systems involved. Typically, patients have oral and genital ulcers and episodic ocular involvement with periods of clinical improvement. We report an 18-year-old mole presenting with chest pain and hemoptysis and a history of ulcers in the oral cavity and scrotum. A chest CAT scan showed a mass located adjacent to the heart that a pulmonary arteriography defined as a left pulmonary artery aneurism. The patient was operated, excising left inferior pulmonary lobe. Due to skin and ocular involvement, the patient complied with criteria for Behçet disease. Immunosuppressive treatment with prednisone and azathioprine was started and the patient was discharged from the hospital.

Características del hábito tabáquico y tratamiento en fumadores de edad avanzada / Characteristics of smoking in adult smokers

Objetivo: Analizar las características del hábito de fumar enlos pacientes con edad mayor o igual de 60 años atendidosen una consulta de tabaquismo y valorar sus diferencias conrespecto al resto de los pacientes de menor edad.Población y métodos: Se valoraron 62 pacientes mayoresde 59 años vistos en la consulta de tabaquismo de nuestrohospital. Se analizó el sexo, edad, número de cigarrillosconsumidos al día, intentos previos de abandono, mediciónde monóxido de carbono, test de Fagerström, test de Richmond,motivación para dejar de fumar y tratamiento. Estasvariables se compararon con los 384 pacientes menores de60 años que se atendieron en la consulta en el mismo periodode tiempo.Resultados: Se incluyeron 446 pacientes con una edad mediaglobal de 46,57 años (SD 10,7) de los cuales 243 eranhombres (54,5%) y 203 mujeres (45,5%). De los pacientesincluidos, 62 tenían una edad igual o mayor de 60 años, loque representa un 13,45% del total. Se encontraron diferenciassigni cativas en el porcentaje de pacientes que fumabanmenos de 10 cigarrillos al día con una p = 0.006, un 5% enlos < 60 años con un IC 95% del 3% al 7%, mientras queen los mayores de 59 años era del 16,4% con un IC 95%de 7,4% a 25,4%. También se encontraron diferencias en lamedición del CO, siendo más elevada en el grupo de menoresde 60 años. La media de CO en menores de 60 años erade 18,48 con un IC del 95% de 17,5 a 19,46. En los mayoresde 59 años era de 14,69 con un IC del 95% de 12,77 a 16,61(p=0.012). En cuanto a los motivos para querer dejar defumar, en el grupo de mayores el 50% referían padecer síntomasrelacionados con el consumo de tabaco y el 38,7% lohacían por temor a sufrir enfermedades en el futuro. En elgrupo de menores de 60 años, el 40, 6% el motivo era sufrirsíntomas relacionados con el tabaco y el 43% por preservarsu salud futura. Más del 50% de los pacientes mayores tuvocomo tratamiento algún sustitutivo de nicotina (AU)

Objective: To analise the smoking characteristics ofsmokers over 60 years old who attend to a smokers´clinicand to study the differences with younger smokers.Subjects and methods: We studied 62 smokers over59 years old who atended the smokers´clinic. We studied gender, age, number of cigarettes smoked daily, previousattempt to quit, measurement of CO in expired air, FTNquestionnaire, Richmond Questionnaire, motivation to quitand treatmen. These topics were compared with 384 youngersmokers who atended the clinic during the same periodof time.Results: 446 smokers were included, mean age 46,57 (SD10,7), 243 were male (54,5%) and 203 women (45,5%). 62smokers were 60 or more years old (13,45%). 5% (95% IC3%-7%) of smokers less than 60 years old smoked less than10 cigarettes per day, while 16,4% (IC 95% 12,77%-16,61%)of those over 60 years, p = 0.006. Measuremnt of CO was18,48 (95% IC 17,5- 19,46) in those less than 60 years oldwhile it was 14,69 (IC 95% 12,77 - 16,61) in those over 60years old. (p=0.012). Smokers over 60 years old referedsymptoms related to smoking as the most imprtant motivationto quit (50%) and 38,7 % expressed fear to developsmoking related disorders in the near future. Smokers lessthan 60 years old expressed fear to develop diseases in thefuture as the most important motivation to quit (43%) andsymptoms related to smoking in 40%. More than 50% ofsmokers over 60 years old were treated with nicotine replacementtherapy. (NRT)Conclusion: Smokers over 60 years old ask for help to quitdue to symptoms related to smoking. The main motivation to quit in smokers less than 60 years old is fear to developsmoking related disorders. Smokers over 60 years old smokeless than the younger ones. NRT is used more frequentely insmokers over 60 years old (AU)

Molecular studies in the GJB2 gene (Cx26) among a deaf population from Bogotá, Colombia: results of a screening program.

OBJECTIVE: We conducted a pilot screening program to define the prevalence of non-syndromic deafness and establish the frequency of mutations in the GJB2 gene (Cx26) in a population of children with congenital deafness in Bogotá, Colombia. METHOD: From a cohort of 731 children in 8 institutions for the deaf, we identified 322 (44%) with presumed non-syndromic deafness. These were invited to a more detailed evaluation, but 46 chose not to participate. The remaining 276 individuals received a complete ophthalmological evaluation that was normal in 205 (74.3%) and showed salt and pepper retinopathy in 55 (19.9%) and other ocular abnormalities in 16 (5.8%). A comprehensive medical history, and a detailed physical examination were performed in the 205 children with normal ocular exam. Of these, 93 were found to have acquired deafness and/or associated anomalies and 112 (15.3% of the initial 731 children), non-syndromic deafness. The GJB2 gene was sequenced in these 112 individuals. RESULTS: Based on family history, 59.8% (67/112) of these cases had autosomal recessive non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss and the remaining 40.2% (45/112) were sporadic, without apparent known cause. We identified three mutations in the GJB2 gene: 35delG, S199F, and 167delT, all of which have been previously reported in the literature, the variant M34T, and the polymorphism V27I. S199F was the most frequent mutation (17.9%), followed by 35delG (17.0%) and 167delT (0.4%). The mutations in the GJB2 gene were present in 50.7% of the autosomal recessive group and in 33.3% of the sporadic cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our pilot study showed that 15.3% of institutionalized deaf children in Bogotá have non-syndromic deafness and among them, the frequency of the S199F mutation was higher than reported in previous studies, whereas the frequency of the 35delG is similar to Caucasian populations. The fact that the S199F mutation was the most frequent allele in our study confirms the fact that the prevalence of GJB2 mutations depends on the ethnic origin. We emphasize the need to follow a strict protocol to identify bona fide cases of non-syndromic deafness among individuals with congenital hearing loss in order to identify the molecular basis of this condition.

The inflammatory response to colloids and crystalloids used for pump priming during cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND: Systemic inflammatory response frequently occurs after coronary artery bypass surgery and is strongly correlated with the risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality. This study tests the hypothesis that the priming of the extracorporeal circuit with colloid solutions results in less inflammation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery than priming with crystalloid solutions. METHODS: A prospective, randomized study was designed. Forty-four patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly allocated to one of two groups: 22 patients primed with Ringer's lactate (RL) solution and 22 patients primed with gelatin-containing solution during the surgery. Plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, C-reactive protein (CRP) and, complement 4 were measured during the surgical intervention and over the following 48 postoperative hours. Cytokine levels were measured by enzyme-linked assays from plasma samples obtained at specific time points pre- and post-operatively. RESULTS: In both groups the serum levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha), CRP, complement 4, and leukocytes increased significantly over the baseline, although no significant differences were observed between the two groups. The operation time, blood loss, need for inotropic support, extubation time, and length of intensive care unit stay did not differ significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Priming with gelatin vs. RL produces no significant differences in the inflammatory response in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass.

La arteria gastroepiplóica como injerto en cirugía coronaria / Gastroepiploic artery graft for coronary artery bypass

INTRODUCCIÓN. La revascularización quirúrgica del miocardio ha demostrado ser una de las terapias más eficaces y duraderas en el tratamiento de la cardiopatía isquémica. En un intento de conseguir la revascularización completa del árbol coronario, se cuestiona constantemente en términos de permeabilidad el papel que pudieran jugar los distintos injertos, siendo el patrón de oro con el que comparar la arteria mamaria interna. CASO CLÍNICO. Varón de 68 años reintervenido por estenosis aórtica severa en el que se objetiva la permeabilidad de un bypasscon arteria gastroepiploica derecha a coronaria derecha al cabo de quince años. CONCLUSIÓN. Tras una revisión extensa de las series publicadas, valoramos positivamente el papel de la arteria gastroepiploicaderecha en la revascularización del territorio de la coronaria derecha ante los resultados óptimos presentados en términosde permeabilidad y morbimortalidad (AU)

INTRODUCTION. The myocardial revascularization surgery has proved to be one of the most effective and durable therapy inthe treatment of ischemic heart disease. In an attempt to achieve the complete tree coronary revascularization, are constantlyquestioned in terms of permeability the role they could play different grafts, being the gold standard against which to comparethe internal mammary artery (IMA). CASE REPORT. Male 68 years of age reoperated because of a severe aortic stenosis in who is observed a bypass right gastroepiploicartery (RGEA) to right coronary (RC) permeable after fifteen years. CONCLUSION. After an extensive review of the published series, we appreciate the positive role of revascularization RGEA in the territory of the RC before the optimal results presented in terms of permeability, morbidity and mortality (AU)

[Hemoglobinopathies diagnosed at the University Hospital Ntra. Sra. de Candelaria and its area of reference in Santa Cruz de Tenerife during one year]. / Hemoglobinopatías diagnosticadas en el área sanitaria del Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria de Santa Cruz de Tenerife durante un año.

OBJECTIVE: To describe number and type of hemoglobinopathies diagnosed in our area of reference during one year as well as the origin of these patients, to have a first contact with this pathology not characterized in our province until now. MATERIAL AND METHOD: All hemoglobinopathies diagnosed in one year were reviewed, either for suspected patients, after analyzing chromatogram to quantify hemoglobin (Hb) A1c or hemogram suspicious of beta-thalassemia. The screening method was high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), to identify and quantify HbA2, HbS and HbC. The other variants were diagnosed at reference laboratory. RESULTS: 198 hemoglobinopathies were diagnosed, 105 after measure HbA1c. The more frequent diagnoses were beta-thalassemia trait and heterozygote HbS. 61.1% of patients are from Canary Islands, mainly from Tenerife. CONCLUSIONS: The high number of carriers found from Canary Islands, should be the start to design prospective studies on population groups, in order to know the hemoglobinopathies prevalence and to perform control and prevention official programs in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Reinfusión de sangre procedente del drenaje mediastínico en cirugía cardiaca / Autotransfunsion of shed mediastinal blood in cardiac surgery

El considerable incremento de intervenciones quirúrgicas, el desarrollo de técnicas complejas, edad media cada vez más elevada,y la mayor comorbilidad que acompaña a los pacientes intervenidos, ha motivado un mayor consumo de sangre homóloga.La cirugía cardiaca, por varios factores, fundamentalmente el empleo de la derivación cardiopulmonar o circulaciónextracorpórea, determina una utilización importante de sangre y hemoderivados. Esta situación de creciente demanda juntocon una oferta hospitalaria insuficiente a partir de las donaciones hace difícil mantener un balance adecuado entre demanday disponibilidad. En consecuencia se plantean y desarrollan diversas estrategias de ahorro de sangre en cirugía. La autotransfusiónprocedente del drenaje mediastínico, de uso habitual en algunas unidades de cirugía cardiaca, es un procedimientoaún sometido a debate con opiniones diversas y variadas en cuanto a su capacidad de ahorrar recursos sanguíneosy garantía en cuanto a problemas derivados de su uso. En el presente trabajo nos planteamos el análisis de la reinfusión postoperatoriade sangre como alternativa a la transfusión homóloga en cirugía cardiaca con los siguientes objetivos: Verificarque se trata de un método factible y de fácil aplicación, y en segundo lugar analizar y evaluar las alteraciones de la coagulación,en el paciente y en la sangre recogida, implícitas a la aplicación de esta técnica (AU)

The growing number of surgical interventions, the development of high complexity techniques, the higher comorbility and theincrease in the average age of patients, has lead to a greater spent of homologous blood. By means of many factors, especiallybecause of the cardiopulmonary bypass, undergoing cardiac surgery determines the use of an important amount ofblood and other by-products. This background of an increasing demand and an insufficient offer of blood from donations,makes it very difficult to maintain an adequate balance between demand and availability. In answer to this situation, newstrategies in blood saving are being developed. The autotransfusion of mediastinal shed blood is an usual technique in manycardiac surgery units, nevertheless there is still an ongoing debate regarding to it’s safety and capability to save blood-bankresources. In this study, we carried out the analysis of mediastinal shed blood transfusion in cardiac surgery as an alternativeto homologous blood transfusion with this aims: to verify that it is a feasible and easy to carry out method, and in secondplace, to analyze and evaluate the alterations of the coagulation in patients and in the recovered blood (AU)

Efecto del purgado de la bomba de circulación extracorpórea con coloides o cristaloides sobre la concentración de las proteínas de fase aguda despué de la cirugía cardíaca / Effects of colloid or crystalloid for pump priming of cardiopulmonary bypass on acute-phase protein levels after cardiac suergery

OBJETIVO. La respuesta inflamatoria que se produce después de las intervenciones de cirugía de bypass aorto-coronario serelaciona con la morbilidad y mortalidad. En este estudio planteamos la hipótesis que el purgado del circuito de circulaciónextracorpórea con colides produce un síndrome respuesta inflamatorio sistémico (SRIS) de menor intensidad y se acompañade concentraciones sanguíneas más bajas de proteínas de fase aguda. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO. Se diseñó un estudio prospectivoen el que se incluyeron pacientes sometidos a intervenciones de cirugía electiva de pontaje aorto-coronario. Se incluyeron enel estudio 44 pacientes que fueron divididos en dos grupos: 22 pacientes con cebado de Ringer Lactato (RL; B. Braum,Melsungen, Alemania) (grupo RL) y 22 pacientes con cebado conteniendo gelatina (Gelafundina; B. Braun, Suiza) (grupoGEL) en la circulación extracorpórea (CEC). Se midieron las concentraciones plasmáticas de interleukina-6, protein C reactiva(PCR) y complement-4 (C-4) y la escala del SRIS, durante la intervención y las primeras 48 horas del postoperatorio.IL-6 se determinó por ELISA, C4 y PCR se determinaron por nefelometría. RESULTADOS. No se observaron diferencias significativasentre ambos grupos en las variables perioperatorias, en la concentración de IL- 6, C-4 y PCR, ni en las complicacionesdespués de la derivación cardiopulmonar. En ambos grupos, las concentraciones máximas de IL-6 se observaron a las6 horas después de la cirugía (p < 0.0001) y las de PCR a las 48 horas (p < 0.0001). Las concentración de C4 descendieron(p < 0.0001) al inicio de la derivación cardiopulomnar volviendo a la normalidad a las 48 horas (p > 0.05).CONCLUSIONES. El purgado del bypass cardiopulmonary con gelatin versus ringer no produce diferencias significativas en laintensidad del SRIS y en las concentraciones sanguíneas de proteínas de fase aguda (AU)

OBJETIVE. Systemic inflammatory response frequently occurs after coronary artery bypass surgery and is strongly correlatedwith the risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality. This study tests the hypothesis that the priming of the extracorporealcircuit with colloid solutions results in less inflammation and reduces the protein plasma levels in the acute phase.METHODS. A prospective study was designed. Forty four patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting wereallocated to one of two groups: 22 patients primed with Ringer’s lactate solution and 22 patients primed with gelatin-containingsolution during coronary artery bypass surgery. Plasma levels of interleukin IL-6, C-reactive protein, complement 4,and SIRS score were measured during the surgical intervention and over the following 48 postoperative hours. Interleukine-6 levels were measured by enzyme-linked, total C4 and CRP were determined by nephelometry. RESULTS. No significant differenceswere noted between the two groups with respect to the perioperatory variables, the acute-phase protein levels, or thepost-cardiopulmonary bypass complications. In both groups, compared with the initial levels, IL-6 levels peaked at 6 hrs aftersurgery and CRP at 48 hrs. Complement 4 levels decreased from the start of the cardiopulmonary bypass and returned progressivelytoward the baseline value at 48 hrs after surgery. CONCLUSIONS. Priming with gelatin versus Ringer’s lactate producesno significant differences in the inflammatory response in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting withcardiopulmonary bypass(AU)

Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus: a probable vector of Dirofilaria immitis in coastal areas of Yucatan, Mexico.

Mosquito collections were done on microfilaremic dogs, positive for Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy), for 15 consecutive nights in Celestun, Yucatan, southeastern Mexico, during January 2007. In total, 275 mosquitoes (3 male and 272 female) of five species were collected: Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus (Wiedemann), Ochlerotatus sollicitans (Walker), Culex quinquefasciatus Say, Culex interrogator (Dyar & Knab), and Aedes aegypti (L.). Oc. taeniorhynchus was the species most frequently collected, and it had the highest rate of feeding success and the highest attack rates. First (L1) and third (L3) instars of Dirofilaria were observed in all mosquito species collected except for Ae. aegypti: 23 of 223 Oc. taeniorhynchus, three of 40 Cx. quinquefasciatus, and one of six Oc. sollicitans and one of one Cx. interrogator were infected with Dirofilaria (10.3% of total examined mosquitoes). This is the first report of Dirofilaria (presumably D. immitis) isolation from wild-caught mosquitoes in Mexico. Results imply that D. immitis can develop from microfilaria to infective L3s in Oc. taeniorhynchus, Cx. quinquefasciatus, and Oc. sollicitans, but L3s (infectious) were only recovered in heads of Oc. taeniorhynchus. Thus, Oc. taeniorhynchus can be considered a potential vector of dirofilariasis in Celestun, because infective L3 Dirofilaria were found in the vicinity of the mouthparts, and this mosquito has a strong association with microfilaremic dogs in this study area.

Hemoglobinopatías diagnosticadas en el área sanitaria del Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria de Santa Cruz de Tenerife durante un año / Hemoglobinopathies diagnosed at the University Hospital Ntra. Sra. de Candelaria and its area of reference in Santa Cruz de Tenerife during one year

Objetivo: Describir número y tipo de hemoglobinopatías diagnosticadas en nuestro área de referencia durante un año así como el origen de estos pacientes, para tener un primer contacto con esta patología hasta ahora no caracterizada en nuestra provincia. Material y método: Se revisaron las hemoglobinopatías diagnosticadas durante un año, bien por sospecha clínica, al realizar el cromatograma para la cuantificación de hemoglobina (Hb) A1c o por sospecha de β-talasemia en el hemograma. El método de despitaje ha sido la cromatografía líquida de alta resolución (HPLC), que identifica y cuantifica HbA2, HbS y HbC. El resto de variantes fueron diagnosticadas en el laboratorio de referencia. Resultados: Se diagnosticaron 198 hemoglobinopatías, 105 a partirde la realización de HbA1c. Los diagnósticos más frecuentes fueron β-talasemia minor y HbS en estado heterocigoto. El 61,1% de los pacientes son autóctonos de Canarias, mayoritariamente de Tenerife. Conclusiones: El alto número de pacientes autóctonos de Canarias portadores de hemoglobinopatías encontrado, nos indica que éste debe ser el punto de partida en el diseño de estudios prospectivos sobre grupos poblacionales concretos para conocer la prevalencia, y plantear el desarrollo de programas de control y prevención en la provincia de Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Objective: To describe number and type of hemoglobinopathies diagnosed in our area of reference during one year as well as the origin of these patients, to have a first contact with this pathology not characterized in our province until now. Material and method: All hemoglobinopathies diagnosed in one year were reviewed, either for suspected patients, after analyzing chromatogram to quantify hemoglobin (Hb) A1c or hemogram suspicious of β-thalassemia. The screening method was high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), to identify and quantify HbA2, HbS and HbC. The other variants were diagnosed at reference laboratory. Results: 198 hemoglobinopathies were diagnosed, 105 after measure HbA1c. The more frequent diagnoses were β-thalassemia trait and heterozygote HbS. 61.1% of patients are from Canary Islands, mainly fromTenerife. Conclusions: The high number of carriers found from Canary Islands, should be the start to design prospective studies on population groups, in order to know the hemoglobinopathies prevalence and to perform control and prevention official programs in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife