Life history data of four populations of Triatoma mexicana (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) from Central Mexico.

Triatomine bugs are vectors for the Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas parasites, the etiological agent for Chagas disease. This study evaluated 6 epidemiologically significant behaviors (development time, number of blood meals required for molting to the next instar, mortality rate, aggressiveness, feeding duration, and defecation delay) across 4 populations of Triatoma mexicana Herrich-Schaeffer (Heteroptera: Reduviidae), a major T. cruzi vector in Central Mexico. We collected triatomines from areas characterized by high (HP), medium (MP), medium-high (MHP), and low (LP) prevalence of human T. cruzi infection. The MHP population had the shortest development time, <290 days. Both the HP and MP populations required the most blood meals to molt to the next instar, with a median of 13. Mortality rates varied across all populations, ranging from 44% to 52%. All of the tested populations showed aggressive behavior during feeding. All populations shared similar feeding durations, with most exceeding 13 min and increasing with each instar. Quick defecation, during feeding, immediately after or less than 1 min after feeding, was observed in most nymphs (78%-90%) from the MP and MHP populations and adults (74%-92%) from HP, MP, and MHP populations. Though most parameters suggest a low potential for T. mexicana to transmit T. cruzi, unique feeding and defecation behaviors in 3 populations (excluding the LP group) could elevate their epidemiological importance. These population-specific differences may contribute to the varying prevalence rates of T. cruzi infection in areas where T. mexicana is found.

Perceived Stress Is Directly Associated with Major Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages among Public University Students.

Stress is a condition that has been related to the development of risk behaviors for health such as sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) consumption. The aim of this study was to examine the link between SSBs consumption and perceived stress level in university students. This was an observational, cross-sectional and single-time-point study where the subjects were recruited as a non-probabilistic sample of first-year university students. The students reported their SSBs consumption through a validated questionnaire, as well as their perceived stress level, evaluated through the Cohen scale. Comparisons were made between the means of all variables. Factorial analysis of variance was conducted to explore the effect of the variables' interaction on the stress level. One-way analysis of variance was performed to assess differences between the sexes. Men consumed more SSBs (6101.17 ± 3772.50 mL/week) compared to women (4294.06 ± 3093.8 mL/week). However, women had higher scores of perceived stress and showed a strong association of stress with the SSBs consumption pattern (r and p-value). This study shows for the first time the association that exists between stress and SSBs consumption and indicates that it is related to sex in the young population.

Biological aspects of crosses between populations of Triatoma mexicana (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae).

We examined the degree of reproductive isolation in four populations of Triatoma mexicana Herrich-Schaeffer from Mexico along with fertility and the segregation of morphological characteristics in two generations of offspring from crosses between these populations. The percentage of couples with (fertile) offspring was high among all sets of crosses between cohorts from Peñamiller, Meztitlán, and Orizabita. It was low in crosses involving a cohort from Tierra Blanca, mainly in crosses with Meztitlán. Among sets of crosses involving Tierra Blanca specimens, whole first-generation (F1) individuals were morphologically similar to the specimens from other locations. All F1 individuals of crosses involving Peñamiller looked like Peñamiller. However, in crosses between F1 and F1 progeny of parental crosses, alleles for size, overall color, length of head, ante and post ocular distance, and humeral angle apparently had Mendelian dominant/recessive relationships. The cohorts from Peñamiller and Meztitlán seemed to be dominant with respect to Orizabita and Tierra Blanca. Results indicated that cohorts from Peñamiller, Meztitlán, and Orizabita were not reproductively isolated. In contrast, Tierra Blanca was reproductively isolated from the other three populations of T. mexicana and is apparently undergoing an early divergence process of speciation for allopatry.

Differential Gene Expression Pattern of Importin ß3 and NS5 in C6/36 Cells Acutely and Persistently Infected with Dengue Virus 2.

The establishment of persistent dengue virus infection within the cells of the mosquito vector is an essential requirement for viral transmission to a new human host. The mechanisms involved in the establishment and maintenance of persistent infection are not well understood, but it has been suggested that both viral and cellular factors might play an important role. In the present work, we evaluated differential gene expression in Aedes albopictus cells acutely (C6/36-HT) and persistently infected (C6-L) with Dengue virus 2 by cDNA-AFLP. We observed that importin ß3 was upregulated in noninfected cells compared with C6-L cells. Using RT-qPCR and plaque assays, we observed that Dengue virus levels in C6-L cells essentially do not vary over time, and peak viral titers in acutely infected cells are observed at 72 and 120 h postinfection. The expression level of importin ß3 was higher in acutely infected cells than in persistently infected cells; this correlates with higher levels of NS5 in the nucleus of the cell. The differential pattern of importin ß3 expression between acute and persistent infection with Dengue virus 2 could be a mechanism to maintain viral infection over time, reducing the antiviral response of the cell and the viral replicative rate.

Vitamin D status, proinflammatory cytokines and bone mineral density in Mexican people with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D (VD) has been classically associated with calcium homeostasis and bone mineral density since it has a key role on mineralization and resorption. Immunomodulatory effects have been attributable to VD; low concentrations of VD have been associated with elevation of inflammatory markers. Inflammatory autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic neurodegenerative suffering, whose etiology is still unknown, is directly related to an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 17 and interleukin 1ß who play an important role in this physiopathology. Nowadays, even though additional studies have linked MS's clinical signs with low VD concentration, there is scarce information of this association in people from regions with sufficient sun exposure. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum VD and cytokine concentrations, and bone density, in Mexican people with MS. METHODS: Vitamin D (25OHD), interleukin 1ß, interleukin 6 and interleukin 17 concentrations of twenty-five volunteers with MS were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Bone mineral density and body composition assessment was performed by dual energy X-Ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: A mean concentration of 17.3 ± 4.6 ng/ml of 25OHD was obtained, in a range of 5.15 to 25.71 ng/ml; when international advisory bodies thresholds were applied 76% of the participants exhibited some degree of VD inadequacy. Pro-inflammatory markers were detectable among the participants: interleukin 1ß in 100%, interleukin 6 in 64%, whereas interleukin 17 was found in 24% of the volunteers. Bone mineral density below the expected for the age was found in 8% of the participants, with lumbar spine as the most affected anatomic region. Non-significant correlations were found between VD and bone mineral density (Z-score) or pro-inflammatory markers. CONCLUSION: Although non-significant correlations were found between VD and bone mineral density or cytokines, it is important to highlight that an important percentage of our participants exhibited some degree of VD inadequacy, an unknown fact for them, since these are not included in routine clinical evaluations. The low concentrations of VD among this sample regardless of annual UVB sun exposure may suggest the involvement of endogenous and not environmental factors. Further works are needed in order to deepen the physiological causes and effects of VD deficiency in people with MS.

Crisis febril como manifestación inicial de COVID-19 / Febrile crisis as initial manifestation of COVID-19

Introducción: La COVID-19 es una enfermedad que ha mostrado una baja morbilidad y mortalidad en pediatría. Las crisis febriles constituyen una de las causas más frecuentes de admisión en los servicios de urgencia y de interconsultas con el neuropediatra. Objetivo: Interpretar la presencia de crisis febril simple en pacientes admitidos en servicios de urgencia pediátricos como manifestación inicial de COVID-19. Presentación del caso: Paciente femenina de un año de edad, con antecedentes de salud anterior que acude al cuerpo de guardia con fiebre de 38 ℃; y crisis motora, de inicio generalizada, tónico-clónica, que cedió con medidas antitérmicas. Por protocolo se realiza punción lumbar la cual resulta negativa. Se ingresa, 24 horas después comienza con manifestaciones catarrales, se hace otoscopia y se diagnostica una otitis media aguda, por lo que se inicia tratamiento antibiótico. Se realiza la prueba de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa para la COVID-19 con resultado positivo, por lo que se remite para el Hospital Pediátrico San Miguel del Padrón. Conclusiones: Se debe sospechar la presencia de COVID-19 ante paciente que acude a servicio de urgencias por una crisis febril, como único problema de salud. LA COVID-19 es una enfermedad que ha demostrado que se puede presentar de diversas formas(AU)

Introduction: COVID-19 is a disease that has shown low morbidity and mortality in pediatrics. Febrile crises are one of the most common causes of admission to emergency services and consultations with the neuropediatrician. Objective: Interpret the presence of simple febrile crisis in patients admitted to pediatric emergency services as an initial manifestation of COVID-19. Case presentation: One-year-old female patient, with a previous health history, who is attended in the emergency service with a fever of 38 ℃; and motor crisis, of widespread onset, with tonic-clonic seizures, which yielded with antypiretic measures. By protocol, lumbar puncture is performed which is negative. She was admitted, and 24 hours later there is an onset of catarrhal manifestations; an otoscopy is performed and acute otitis media is diagnosed, so antibiotic treatment is initiated. The polymerase chain reaction test for COVID-19 (PCR) is performed with a positive result, so, the patient is referred to the San Miguel del Padrón Pediatric Hospital. Conclusions: COVID-19 should be suspected in patients who attend to the emergency services due to a febrile crisis as the only health problem. COVID-19 is a disease that has been shown to occur in a variety of ways(AU)

Timbe (Acaciella angustissima) Pods Extracts Reduce the Levels of Glucose, Insulin and Improved Physiological Parameters, Hypolipidemic Effect, Oxidative Stress and Renal Damage in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

In Mexico one in 14 deaths are caused by diabetes mellitus (DM) or by the macro and microvascular disorders derived from it. A continuous hyperglycemic state is characteristic of DM, resulting from a sustained state of insulin resistance and/or a dysfunction of ß-pancreatic cells. Acaciella angustissima is a little studied species showing a significant antioxidant activity that can be used as treatment of this disease or preventive against the complications. The objective of this study was to explore the effect of oral administration of A. angustissima methanol extract on physiological parameters of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The results indicated a significant reduction in blood glucose levels, an increase in serum insulin concentration, a decrease in lipid levels and an improvement in the parameters of kidney damage by applying a concentration of 100 mg/Kg B.W. However, glucose uptake activity was not observed in the adipocyte assay. Moreover, the extract of A. angustissima displayed potential for the complementary treatment of diabetes and its complications likely due to the presence of bioactive compounds such as protocatechuic acid. This study demonstrated that methanol extract of Acacciella angustissima has an antidiabetic effect by reducing the levels of glucose, insulin and improved physiological parameters, hypolipidemic effect, oxidative stress and renal damage in diabetic rats.

Caracterización de la neumonía intersticial adquirida en la comunidad / Characterization of community-acquired interstitial pneumonia

Introducción: la neumonía constituye un motivo frecuente de consulta pediátrica y una de sus principales causas de hospitalización; en brotes epidémicos hasta el 50 por ciento corresponden a neumonías intersticiales, y en un tercio de los pacientes son causadas por Mycoplasma pneumoniae.Objetivo: caracterizar la neumonía intersticial adquirida en la comunidad en el servicio de Neumología.Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, prospectivo, longitudinal y aplicado, con los pacientes hospitalizados con neumonía intersticial en el servicio de Neumología, en el período 2012 a 2014. Se incluyeron 74 pacientes que fueron seguidos por consulta externa al egreso. Se procesaron los datos utilizando la prueba de chi cuadrado.Resultados: de los 74 pacientes analizados, el grupo de edad más afectado fue el de los niños de 1 a 5 años, con 63,5 por ciento, y predominó el sexo masculino (56,8 por ciento); los factores de riesgo más frecuentes fueron el hacinamiento (50 por ciento), seguido de la exposición al humo de cigarro (41,9 por ciento) y la lactancia materna no adecuada (40,5 por ciento). Con respecto a la etiología, en 42,3 por ciento de los casos se identificaron virus, con mayor frecuencia virus sincitial respiratorio A y rinovirus. En el 23,0 por ciento se identificó Mycoplasma pneumoniae.Conclusiones: la neumonía intersticial se presenta con mayor frecuencia en los niños entre 1 y 5 años de edad. Los factores de riesgo más frecuentes son susceptibles de modificar. El Mycoplasma pneumoniae está presente en los niños menores de 5 años. El tratamiento de elección para la neumonía intersticial son los macrólidos(AU)

Cardiac abnormalities in Trypanosoma cruzi seropositive patients in the State of Querétaro, México / Alteraciones cardiacas en una población seropositiva a Trypanosoma cruzi en Querétaro, México

Abstract: Background: Chagas disease is an endemic illness in the Americas and therefore constitutes a public health problem. An estimated 8 million people are infected and over 20 million live in areas at risk. In Mexico, the problem is under reported and no epidemiological data by the different States indicating true prevalence for this infection is available. During the chronic phase, 30% of infected patients may develop chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCM), characterized by different types of alterations of cardiac function. Objective: To describe cardiac abnormalities in Trypanosoma cruzi seropositive subjects in the endemic areas. Material and methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study with non-random sampling. In our project the endemic area was considered for Trypanosoma cruzi using the Epi Info statistical program (Stat Calc) to calculate the number of subjects to study by means of a sample of 1 033 subjects aged 2-90 years. Prior informed consent or parental consent, implementation of a survey, a 5 mL of blood sample free from anticoagulant was taken from the cubital vein to detect anti-Trypanosoma cruzi by ELISA, recombinant ELISA, hemagglutination indirect (HAI), indirect immunofluorescence (IFI) and Western blot (using the enzyme superoxide dismutase iron as antigen). Those subjects who were positive in two or more tests were chosen for electrocardiogram (EKG) and an echocardiogram (ECO) with portable devices. Results: Of the 1 033 participants, 84 between 6 and 88 years tested positive for Trypanosoma cruzi. In the analysis of data with echocardiograms and electrocardiograms, 47 subjects over 26 years (56%), presented right bundle branch block or left bundle block (RBBB/LBBB), changes in the diameters of the right ventricle or left ejection fraction accounting of 70%. In subjects under 26 years there were electrocardiographic changes (RBBB/LBBB). Conclusion: 8.13% were seropositive for Trypanosoma cruzi with ventricular conduction system and morphological alterations.

Resumen: Antecedentes: La enfermedad de Chagas es una patología endémica en las Américas, donde representa un problema de salud pública. Se estima que aproximadamente 8 millones de personas están infectadas y 20 millones viven en áreas de riesgo de infectarse. En México el problema está subestimado y se carece de datos epidemiológicos por estado del país que indiquen una prevalencia real de este padecimiento. Durante la fase crónica, el 30% de los pacientes infectados pueden desarrollar miocardiopatía chagásica (MCC), que se caracteriza por presentar diferentes alteraciones de la función cardiaca. Objetivo: Describir las alteraciones cardiacas en sujetos seropositivos para Trypanosoma cruzi de áreas endémicas. Material y métodos: Es un estudio con diseño transversal descriptivo, con muestra no probabilística. En nuestro proyecto, se consideró una zona endémica a Trypanosoma cruzi, mediante el programa estadístico Epi Info (Stat Calc), para estimar el número de sujetos a estudiar, obteniéndose una muestra de 1 033 sujetos de edades entre 2 a 90 años. Previo consentimiento informado, y aplicación de una encuesta, se puncionó la vena cubital, obteniéndose una muestra sanguínea de 5 mL, sin anticoagulante, para buscar anticuerpos anti-Trypanosoma cruzi mediante, ELISA, ELISA recombinante, hemaglutinación indirecta (HAI), inmunofluorescencia indirecta (IFI) y Western-Blot (usando la enzima superóxido dismutasa de hierro como antígeno). Los sujetos reactivos a dos o más pruebas fueron seleccionados para la realización de un electrocardiograma (EKG) y un ecocardiograma (ECO) con equipos portátiles Resultados: De los 1 033 participantes, 84 entre 6 a 88 años resultaron positivos para Trypanosoma cruzi. En el análisis de los hallazgos ecocardiográficos y electrocardiográficos en los 47 sujetos mayores de 26 años (56%) presentaron bloqueo de rama derecha o izquierda del haz de His (BRDHH/BRIHH). Conclusión: El 8.13% fueron seropositivos para Trypanosoma cruzi con cambios morfológicos ventriculares y del sistema de conducción del haz de His.

Fat mass obesity-associated (FTO) (rs9939609) and melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) (rs17782313) SNP are positively associated with obesity and blood pressure in Mexican school-aged children.

Childhood overweight and obesity are worldwide public health problems and risk factors for chronic diseases. The presence of SNP in several genes has been associated with the presence of obesity. A total of 580 children (8-13 years old) from Queretaro, Mexico, participated in this cross-sectional study, which evaluated the associations of rs9939609 (fat mass obesity-associated (FTO)), rs17782313 (melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R)) and rs6548238 (transmembrane protein 18 (TMEM18)) SNP with obesity and metabolic risk factors. Overweight and obesity prevalence was 19·8 and 19·1 %, respectively. FTO, MC4R and TMEM18 risk allele frequency was 17, 9·8 and 89·5 %, respectively. A significant association between FTO homozygous and MC4R heterozygous risk alleles and obesity was found (OR 3·9; 95 % CI 1·46, 10·22, and OR 2·1; 95 % CI 1·22, 3·71; respectively). The FTO heterozygous subjects showed higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures, compared with the homozygous for the ancestral allele subjects. These results remain significant after considering adiposity as a covariate. The FTO and MC4R genotypes were not significantly associated with total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and insulin concentration. No association was found between TMEM18 risk allele and obesity and/or metabolic alterations. Our results show that, in addition to a higher BMI, there is also an association of the risk genotype with blood pressure in the presence of the FTO risk genotype. The possible presence of a risk genotype in obese children must be considered to offer a more comprehensive therapeutic approach in order to delay and/or prevent the development of chronic diseases.

Presence of trypanosomatid antibodies in gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) and domestic and feral dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) in Queretaro, Mexico.

Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. are vector-borne parasitic protozoa, the causative agents of Chagas and Leishmaniasis diseases, respectively. Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. have been reported in a wide variety of mammals, including canids, which play an important role in the transmission of these parasites between urban and natural environments. Currently, no studies have been conducted on trypanosomatids in wild canids in Mexico. Using a partially purified fraction of excreted Iron Superoxide dismutase (FeSODe) of T. cruzi, L. mexicana, and L. infantum as antigen for the ELISA and Western blot tests, we detected the presence of antibodies against these parasites in gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus Schreber, 1775), domestic and feral dogs (Canis lupus familiaris L.) from Queretaro. Our study provides new information regarding the potential of these carnivores as reservoirs of T. cruzi, Leishmania mexicana, and L. infantum for Latin America.

Purification of a Fe-SOD excreted by Leishmania braziliensis for specific antibodies detection in Mexican human sera: Cutting-edge the knowledge.

Clinical diagnosis of leishmaniasis is highly complex, presenting a wide range of clinical manifestations, sometimes non-specific, and thus the epidemiological study and diagnostic need specific molecular markers for each Leishmania species. Leishmania spp. posses different Fe-SOD isoforms, one of which is excreted into the external milieu and, presenting immunogenic characteristics, is a very reliable molecular marker. Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are antioxidant metal-enzymes responsible for the dismutation of superoxide ion into hydrogen peroxide and molecular oxygen, and it is considered an important virulence factor. In this manuscript we have purified the iron(Fe)-SOD excreted by Leishmania braziliensis using ion-exchange and molecular-sieve chromatography and we have studied it as an antigen in serodiagnostic analyses in ELISA and Western blot techniques, testing 213 human sera from Mexico. Indeed, L. braziliensis Fe-SODe has been purified 123.26 times with a specific activity of about 893.66 U/mg of protein. Applying the purified enzymes in serological tests we found 17.84% sera positive. We have demonstrated that the purified enzyme is more sensitive than the non-purified ones and we also demonstrated, for the first time, the presence of antibodies against L. braziliensis, not the main species in the country, in human population from Hidalgo and Nuevo Leon States.

Comparative serology techniques for the diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in a rural population from the state of Querétaro, Mexico.

Immunological diagnostic methods for Trypanosoma cruzi depend specifically on the presence of antibodies and parasitological methods lack sensitivity during the chronic and "indeterminate" stages of the disease. This study performed a serological survey of 1,033 subjects from 52 rural communities in 12 of the 18 municipalities in the state of Querétaro, Mexico. We detected anti-T. cruzi antibodies using the following tests: indirect haemagglutination assay (IHA), indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), ELISA and recombinant ELISA (rELISA). We also performed Western blot (WB) analysis using iron superoxide dismutase (FeSOD), a detoxifying enzyme excreted by the parasite, as the antigen. Positive test results were distributed as follows: ELISA 8%, rELISA 6.2%, IFA and IHA 5.4% in both cases and FeSOD 8%. A comparative study of the five tests was undertaken. Sensitivity levels, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, concordance percentage and kappa index were considered. Living with animals, trips to other communities, gender, age, type of housing and symptomatology at the time of the survey were statistically analysed using SPSS software v.11.5. Detection of the FeSOD enzyme that was secreted by the parasite and used as an antigenic fraction in WBs showed a 100% correlation with traditional ELISA tests.

Comparative serology techniques for the diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in a rural population from the state of Querétaro, Mexico

Immunological diagnostic methods for Trypanosoma cruzi depend specifically on the presence of antibodies and parasitological methods lack sensitivity during the chronic and “indeterminate” stages of the disease. This study performed a serological survey of 1,033 subjects from 52 rural communities in 12 of the 18 municipalities in the state of Querétaro, Mexico. We detected anti-T. cruzi antibodies using the following tests: indirect haemagglutination assay (IHA), indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), ELISA and recombinant ELISA (rELISA). We also performed Western blot (WB) analysis using iron superoxide dismutase (FeSOD), a detoxifying enzyme excreted by the parasite, as the antigen. Positive test results were distributed as follows: ELISA 8%, rELISA 6.2%, IFA and IHA 5.4% in both cases and FeSOD 8%. A comparative study of the five tests was undertaken. Sensitivity levels, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, concordance percentage and kappa index were considered. Living with animals, trips to other communities, gender, age, type of housing and symptomatology at the time of the survey were statistically analysed using SPSS software v.11.5. Detection of the FeSOD enzyme that was secreted by the parasite and used as an antigenic fraction in WBs showed a 100% correlation with traditional ELISA tests.

Tratamiento ambulatorio de la neumonía no complicada adquirida en la comunidad / Ambulatory care of uncomplicated community-acquired pneumonia

Introducción: la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad es una afección frecuente en edades pediátricas, y en sus formas no complicadas puede ser tratada con penicilina o derivados de forma ambulatoria.Objetivos: caracterizar la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad según aspectos clínicos, demográficos e imaginológicos, así como su respuesta a tratamiento antibiótico con seguimiento ambulatorio desde una consulta de atención secundaria de salud.Métodos: estudio descriptivo, longitudinal y prospectivo en 160 niños con neumonía adquirida en la comunidad no complicada, procedentes del área de atención, tratados con penicilina intramuscular o antibióticos orales, y seguidos de forma ambulatoria hasta el alta.Resultados: la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad fue más frecuente en niños entre 1 y 4 años de edad, que presentaron fiebre y tos en el 100 por ciento y estertores húmedos en más del 80 porciento. Se localizaron las lesiones inflamatorias en regiones basales del pulmón con predominio del derecho en más de la mitad de los casos. El hábito de fumar en convivientes fue el factor de riesgo más identificado (62,5 por ciento). La respuesta terapéutica fue favorable en 100 por ciento de los niños, con el primer esquema de tratamiento utilizado.Conclusiones: la penicilina se mantiene como tratamiento de primera línea en niños con neumonía adquirida en la comunidad no complicada. Se enfatiza en la factibilidad del seguimiento ambulatorio en estos pacientes(AU)

Introduction: community-acquired pneumonia is a frequent illness at pediatric ages, and if uncomplicated, it can be treated with penicillin or derivatives on an ambulatory basis.Objectives: to characterize the community-acquired pneumonia according to clinical, demographic and imaging aspects, as well as the response to antibiotic therapy with outpatient follow-up in a secondary health care service.Methods: prospective, longitudinal and descriptive study of 160 children suffering uncomplicated community-acquired pneumonia, who were treated with intramuscularly administered penicillin or with oral antibiotics, and followed-up as outpatients until discharge.Results: community-acquired pneumonia was more frequent in children aged one to four years, who presented with fever and cough in 100 percent and rales in over 80 percent of cases, respectively. Inflammatory lesions were found in basal areas of the lungs, mainly in the right lung in more than half of cases. Living with smoking persons were the most identified risk factor (62.5 percent). The therapeutic response to treatment was positive in all the children, with the first treatment scheme used.Conclusions: penicillin remains the treatment of choice in children having uncomplicated community-acquired pneumonia. Emphasis is made on the feasibility of outpatient follow-up in these patients(AU)

Tratamiento ambulatorio de la neumonía no complicada adquirida en la comunidad / Ambulatory care of uncomplicated community-acquired pneumonia

Introducción: la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad es una afección frecuente en edades pediátricas, y en sus formas no complicadas puede ser tratada con penicilina o derivados de forma ambulatoria. Objetivos: caracterizar la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad según aspectos clínicos, demográficos e imaginológicos, así como su respuesta a tratamiento antibiótico con seguimiento ambulatorio desde una consulta de atención secundaria de salud. Métodos: estudio descriptivo, longitudinal y prospectivo en 160 niños con neumonía adquirida en la comunidad no complicada, procedentes del área de atención, tratados con penicilina intramuscular o antibióticos orales, y seguidos de forma ambulatoria hasta el alta. Resultados: la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad fue más frecuente en niños entre 1 y 4 años de edad, que presentaron fiebre y tos en el 100 por ciento y estertores húmedos en más del 80 por ciento . Se localizaron las lesiones inflamatorias en regiones basales del pulmón con predominio del derecho en más de la mitad de los casos. El hábito de fumar en convivientes fue el factor de riesgo más identificado (62,5 por ciento ). La respuesta terapéutica fue favorable en 100 por ciento de los niños, con el primer esquema de tratamiento utilizado. Conclusiones: la penicilina se mantiene como tratamiento de primera línea en niños con neumonía adquirida en la comunidad no complicada. Se enfatiza en la factibilidad del seguimiento ambulatorio en estos pacientes(AU)

Introduction: community-acquired pneumonia is a frequent illness at pediatric ages, and if uncomplicated, it can be treated with penicillin or derivatives on an ambulatory basis. Objectives: to characterize the community-acquired pneumonia according to clinical, demographic and imaging aspects, as well as the response to antibiotic therapy with outpatient follow-up in a secondary health care service. Methods: prospective, longitudinal and descriptive study of 160 children suffering uncomplicated community-acquired pneumonia, who were treated with intramuscularly administered penicillin or with oral antibiotics, and followed-up as outpatients until discharge. Results: community-acquired pneumonia was more frequent in children aged one to four years, who presented with fever and cough in 100 percent and rales in over 80 percent of cases, respectively. Inflammatory lesions were found in basal areas of the lungs, mainly in the right lung in more than half of cases. Living with smoking persons were the most identified risk factor (62.5 percent ). The therapeutic response to treatment was positive in all the children, with the first treatment scheme used. Conclusions: penicillin remains the treatment of choice in children having uncomplicated community-acquired pneumonia. Emphasis is made on the feasibility of outpatient follow-up in these patients(AU)

Tratamiento ambulatorio de la neumonía no complicada adquirida en la comunidad / Ambulatory care of uncomplicated community-acquired pneumonia

Introducción: la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad es una afección frecuente en edades pediátricas, y en sus formas no complicadas puede ser tratada con penicilina o derivados de forma ambulatoria. Objetivos: caracterizar la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad según aspectos clínicos, demográficos e imaginológicos, así como su respuesta a tratamiento antibiótico con seguimiento ambulatorio desde una consulta de atención secundaria de salud. Métodos: estudio descriptivo, longitudinal y prospectivo en 160 niños con neumonía adquirida en la comunidad no complicada, procedentes del área de atención, tratados con penicilina intramuscular o antibióticos orales, y seguidos de forma ambulatoria hasta el alta. Resultados: la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad fue más frecuente en niños entre 1 y 4 años de edad, que presentaron fiebre y tos en el 100 por ciento y estertores húmedos en más del 80 por ciento . Se localizaron las lesiones inflamatorias en regiones basales del pulmón con predominio del derecho en más de la mitad de los casos. El hábito de fumar en convivientes fue el factor de riesgo más identificado (62,5 por ciento ). La respuesta terapéutica fue favorable en 100 por ciento de los niños, con el primer esquema de tratamiento utilizado. Conclusiones: la penicilina se mantiene como tratamiento de primera línea en niños con neumonía adquirida en la comunidad no complicada. Se enfatiza en la factibilidad del seguimiento ambulatorio en estos pacientes

Introduction: community-acquired pneumonia is a frequent illness at pediatric ages, and if uncomplicated, it can be treated with penicillin or derivatives on an ambulatory basis. Objectives: to characterize the community-acquired pneumonia according to clinical, demographic and imaging aspects, as well as the response to antibiotic therapy with outpatient follow-up in a secondary health care service. Methods: prospective, longitudinal and descriptive study of 160 children suffering uncomplicated community-acquired pneumonia, who were treated with intramuscularly administered penicillin or with oral antibiotics, and followed-up as outpatients until discharge. Results: community-acquired pneumonia was more frequent in children aged one to four years, who presented with fever and cough in 100 percent and rales in over 80 percent of cases, respectively. Inflammatory lesions were found in basal areas of the lungs, mainly in the right lung in more than half of cases. Living with smoking persons were the most identified risk factor (62.5 percent ). The therapeutic response to treatment was positive in all the children, with the first treatment scheme used. Conclusions: penicillin remains the treatment of choice in children having uncomplicated community-acquired pneumonia. Emphasis is made on the feasibility of outpatient follow-up in these patients

Comparative bionomics of four populations of Meccus longipennis (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) under laboratory conditions.

The values of biological parameters related to the life cycles of four populations of Meccus longipennis (Reduviidae: Triatominae) were evaluated. Cohorts of each of the four studied populations from different geographical areas of Mexico were maintained under similar laboratory conditions and then compared. The population from El Saucito de Araujo was different from the other three studied populations, which could help explain the secondary importance of M. longipennis in the state of Chihuahua. This paper also supports the proposition that biological traits are important criteria for determining relationships between populations.