Characterization of cyclic alternating pattern in infants with laryngomalacia.

Objective: Cyclic alternanting pattern (CAP) has been considered a marker of sleep instability in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the CAP in infants with laryngomalacia. Material and Methods: CAP were quantified in 15 infants with laryngomalacia (mean age 167.2±97.21 days) and 10 controls (mean age of 158.5±116.2 days) using polysomnography. Results: The distribution of the A2 subtypes across NREM stages in infants with laryngomalacia showed a decrease, as well as in the mean duration of CAP sequences. The A3 CAP and arousals increased in infants with laryngomalacia. Our data showed a stronger correlation between the mean duration of A1 CAP and the age in healthy controls than in infants with laryngomalacia. In accordance to previous reports infants with laryngomalacia exhibited an increase in total awake time, apnea-hypopnea index, and a decrease in N3 stage compared to controls. Discussion: Our findings add to a growing body of literature of CAP as an indicator of brain maturation.

SARS-CoV-2 variants in Paraguay: Detection and surveillance with a readily modifiable, multiplex real-time RT-PCR

ObjectivesThe objective of the current study was to develop a lower-cost and scalable protocol to identify and monitor SARS-CoV-2 variants in Paraguay by pairing real-time RT-PCR detection of spike mutations with amplicon Sanger sequencing and whole-genome Nanopore sequencing. Methods201 acute-phase nasopharyngeal samples from SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals were tested with two rRT-PCRs: 1) N2RP assay to confirm SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection (CDC N2 target), and 2) the Spike SNP assay to detect mutations in the spike receptor binding domain. The assay was performed with probes to identify mutations associated with the following variants: alpha (501Y), beta/gamma (417variant/484K/501Y), delta (452R/478K), and lambda (452Q/490S). ResultsAll samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 in the N2RP assay (mean Ct, 20.8; SD 5.6); 198/201 (98.5%) tested positive in the Spike SNP assay. The most common genotype was 417variant/484K/501Y, detected in 102/198 samples (51.5%) and most consistent with P.1 lineage (gamma variant) in Paraguay. No mutations (K417 only) were found in 64/198 (32.3%); and K417/484K was identified in 22/198 (11.1%), consistent with P.2 (zeta). Seven samples (3.5%) tested positive for 452R without 478K, and one sample with genotype K417/501Y was confirmed as B.1.1.7 (alpha). Results were confirmed by Sanger sequencing in 181/181 samples (100%) with high-quality amplicon sequences, and variant calls were consistent with Nanopore sequencing in 29/29 samples. ConclusionsThe Spike SNP assay provides accurate detection of mutations associated with SARS-CoV-2 variants. This can be implemented in laboratories performing rRT-PCR to improve population-level surveillance for these mutations and inform the judicious use of scarce sequencing resources.

Multi-site clinical validation of Isothermal Amplification based SARS-COV-2 detection assays using different sampling strategies

BackgroundIsothermal amplification-based tests were developed as rapid, low-cost, and simple alternatives to real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests for SARS-COV-2 detection. MethodsClinical performance of two isothermal amplification-based tests (Atila Biosystems iAMP COVID-19 detection test and OptiGene COVID-19 Direct Plus RT-LAMP test) was compared to clinical RT-PCR assays using different sampling strategies. A total of 1378 participants were tested across four study sites. ResultsCompared to standard of care RT-PCR testing, the overall sensitivity and specificity of the Atila iAMP test for detection of SARS-CoV-2 were 76.2% and 94.9%, respectively, and increased to 88.8% and 89.5%, respectively, after exclusion of an outlier study site. Sensitivity varied based on the anatomic collected site. Sensitivity for nasopharyngeal was 65.4% (range across study sites:52.8%-79.8%), mid-turbinate 88.2%, saliva 55.1% (range across study sites:42.9%-77.8%) and anterior nares 66.7% (range across study sites:63.6%-76.5%). The specificity for these anatomic collection sites ranged from 96.7% to 100%. Sensitivity improved in symptomatic patients (overall 82.7%) and those with a higher viral load (overall 92.4% for ct[≤]25). Sensitivity and specificity of the OptiGene Direct Plus RT-LAMP test, conducted at a single study-site, were 25.5% and 100%, respectively. ConclusionsThe Atila iAMP COVID test with mid-turbinate sampling is a rapid, low-cost assay for detecting SARS-COV-2, especially in symptomatic patients and those with a high viral load, and could be used to reduce the risk of SARS-COV-2 transmission in clinical settings. Variation of performance between study sites highlights the need for site-specific clinical validation of these assays before clinical adoption.

Evolución nutricional de niños y niñas menores de 5 años usuarios de un Programa Alimentario Nutricional Integral en Paraguay

Introducción: La desnutrición es un desafío pendiente que influye nocivamente en el desarrollo de los niños/as y de una nación. Objetivo: Evaluar la evolución del estado nutricional de niños/as <5 años ingresados a un programa alimentario durante el año 2012. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio longitudinal (cohorte), descriptivo, analítico de beneficiarios del Programa Alimentario Nutricional Integral (PANI) en el 2012.Variables sociodemográficas fueron consideradas, el diagnóstico nutricional según criterios OMS según puntaje zPeso/Edad (zP/E), Índice de Masa Corporal/Edad (zIMC/E), Talla/Edad (zT/E). Resultados: Fueron procesados datos de 4946 niños/as <5años. Edad media 17,5m (0,03-59 m), 50,3% varones; 51,4% del área rural. Al ingreso, tuvieron media zP/E-1,71±0,7DE, zIMC/Edad -1,31±1,12DE y zT/E -1,34±1,30 DE. El zP/E en controles sucesivos aumentó a -0,36 DE en el 12vo. control, el zIMC/E a 0,26DE,zT/E a -0,91 de manera significativa (ANOVA p<0,0001). 22,6% presentaban Desnutrición Global-DG y 77,4% de riesgo de desnutrir al ingreso, estas prevalencias fueron de 3,4% y 21% respectivamente con 75,6% de niños/as sin desnutrición al último control ((2,p<0,0001). 21,9% tuvieron desnutrición por IMC, y 38,5%% de riesgo de desnutrir, estas prevalencias fueron de 3,1% y 10,7% al 12vo. control. Del 26% de Desnutrición Crónica-DC, se pasó a 16% al final de la intervención. Conclusiones: La desnutrición infantil disminuye significativamente con el apoyo de un programa alimentario.

Introduction: Malnutrition is a pending challenge which has a harmful influence on children's development of and for a nation. Objective: To evaluate the evolution of nutritional status of children <5 years admitted to an Integrated Nutritional Food Program (PANI) during the year 2012. Materials and Methods: Longitudinal (cohort), descriptive and analytical study of beneficiaries of the Integrated Nutritional Food Program (PANI) in 2012. Sociodemographic variables were considered, nutritional diagnosis was according to WHO criteria with zscore Weigth/Age (z(W/A), Body Mass Indesx/Age (zBMI/A) and Heigth/Age (zH/A). Results: Data were processed from 4946 children <5 years old. Mean age 17.5m (0.03-59 m), 50.3% males; 51.4% of the rural area. At entry, they had mean zW/A -1.71 ± 0.7DE, zBMI/A -1.31 ± 1.12 DE and zH/A -1.34 ± 1.30DE. The zW/A in successive controls increased to -0.36DE in the 12th control, zBMI/A at 0.26DE, zH/A at -0.91 significantly (ANOVA p <0.0001). 22.6% presented Global Malnutrition-DG and 77.4% risk of malnutrition at admission, these prevalences were 3.4% and 21%, respectively, with 75.6% of children without malnutrition at the last control ((2, p<0.0001). 21.9% had malnutrition due to BMI, and 38.5% had a risk of malnutrition, these prevalences were 3.1% and 10.7% at the 12th control. Of the 26% of Chronic Malnutrition-DC, it was changed to 16% at the end of the intervention. Conclusions: Child undernutrition decreases significantly with the support of a food program.

Detection of high risk human papillomavirus cervical infections by the hybrid capture in Asunción, Paraguay

Cervical cancer is the most frequent malignant tumour of women in Latin America being human papillomavirus (HPV) the main cause. The aim of this study was to increase the knowledge about the cervical infections with oncogenic HPV types (HR-HPV) in Asuncion, Paraguay. Two hundred and seventy-two cervical samples were analyzed using hybrid capture II assay (HCA II) for HR-HPV. The frequency of HR-HPV in the study group was 44 percent. HR-HPV was detected in 25 percent of the women negative for squamous intraepithelial lesions (NSIL), 72 percent with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), 68 percent with low SIL and 78 percent with high SIL. A moderate concordance was observed between HCA II assay and cytology (kappa: 0.43 IC95 percent 0.3 - 0.5). It was detected a high frequency of HR-HPV in women from 11 to 30 years old and in those over 60 years old. The data obtained in this study showed a high frequency of HR-HPV in woman with NSIL and ASCUS, which corroborate that the use of cytology together with HCA II assay for HR-HPV could improve remarkably the efficiency of screening programs of cervical cancer in Paraguay. Furthermore, these findings point out the need for the periodical follow-up of HR-HPV infections in older women.

Detection of high risk human papillomavirus cervical infections by the hybrid capture in Asunción, Paraguay.

Cervical cancer is the most frequent malignant tumour of women in Latin America being human papillomavirus (HPV) the main cause. The aim of this study was to increase the knowledge about the cervical infections with oncogenic HPV types (HR-HPV) in Asuncion, Paraguay. Two hundred and seventy-two cervical samples were analyzed using hybrid capture II assay (HCA II) for HR-HPV. The frequency of HR-HPV in the study group was 44%. HR-HPV was detected in 25% of the women negative for squamous intraepithelial lesions (NSIL), 72% with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), 68% with low SIL and 78% with high SIL. A moderate concordance was observed between HCA II assay and cytology (kappa: 0.43 IC(95% 0.3-0.5)). It was detected a high frequency of HR-HPV in women from 11 to 30 years old and in those over 60 years old. The data obtained in this study showed a high frequency of HR-HPV in woman with NSIL and ASCUS, which corroborate that the use of cytology together with HCA II assay for HR-HPV could improve remarkably the efficiency of screening programs of cervical cancer in Paraguay. Furthermore, these findings point out the need for the periodical follow-up of HR-HPV infections in older women.