Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis among young women in low-income populations of coastal Peru.

The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) in Peruvian women from socioeconomically deprived populations and to determine the association between BV and risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Women were administered an epidemiologic survey to determine sexual risk behaviour and they provided biological samples to test for BV and STDs. The prevalence of BV was high (27%) and was significantly associated with having a bacterial STD or trichomoniasis. Age, marital status, and a history of sex work, but not of sexual experience, frequency of intercourse, and unprotected intercourse, were associated with BV. As BV may be a marker for STDs, screening for STDs should be performed in individuals with BV to promote early detection and treatment of co-infecting sexually transmitted pathogens.

Natural history of infection with Bartonella bacilliformis in a nonendemic population.

An investigation was performed after an outbreak of bartonellosis in a region of Peru nonendemic for this disorder. Symptoms of acute and chronic bartonellosis were recorded. Serological analysis was performed on 55% of the affected population (554 individuals), 77.5% of whom demonstrated previous infection with Bartonella bacilliformis. The attack rate of Oroya fever was 13.8% (123 cases); the case-fatality rate was 0.7%. The attack rate of verruga peruana was 17.6%. A new specific immunostain was developed and used to confirm the presence of B. bacilliformis in the biopsied skin lesions. Most seropositive individuals (56%) were asymptomatic. The symptoms that were associated with prior infection, as determined by Western blot, included fever (37.2% of the seropositive vs. 17.2% of the seronegative population; P<.001), bone and joint pain (27% vs. 9%; P<.001), headache (27% vs. 12.3%; P <.001), and skin lesions described as verruga peruana (26.8% vs. 4.9%; P<.001). Our findings suggest that infection with B. bacilliformis causes a broad spectrum of disease that is significantly milder in severity than that frequently reported.

Gallstone disease in Peruvian coastal natives and highland migrants.

BACKGROUND: In a previous study, we found that gallstones were a common occurrence in the high altitude villages of the Peruvian Andes. AIMS: To determine if high altitude (> or = 1500 m) is a contributing risk factor for gallstone disease. METHODS: We conducted a cross sectional study in a periurban community in Lima, Peru, and compared the prevalence of gallstone disease between coastal natives, highland (Sierra) natives and Sierra natives who had migrated to the coast. We also compared the prevalence rates from this study with those from a previous study conducted at high altitude. We examined 1534 subjects >15 years of age for gallstone disease. Subjects were interviewed for the presence or absence of risk factors. RESULTS: Gallstone disease was more common in females (16.1 cases per 100, 95% CI 13.8-18.2) than in males (10.7 per 100, 95% CI 8.0-13.4). Females had a greater risk of gallstone disease, especially if they had used oral contraception and/or had four or more children. The age adjusted prevalence was not significantly different between coastal natives, Sierra migrants, and Andean villagers. The prevalence of gallstone disease was not associated with time since migration or with having native Sierra parents. After adjusting for other risk factors, Sierra natives who migrated to the coast had a lower prevalence of gallstone disease than coastal natives (odds ratio 0.74, 95% CI 0.58-0.94). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that high altitude is not a positive risk factor for gallstone disease and confirms that this disease is common in Peruvians, which may be attributable to Peruvian-Indian ethnicity.

A placebo-controlled trial of Lactobacillus GG to prevent diarrhea in undernourished Peruvian children.

OBJECTIVE: Lactobacillus GG (L-GG), an acid- and bile-resistant strain that colonizes the intestinal mucosa, has been used to manage diarrhea in children. Our objective was to evaluate the prophylactic use of L-GG to prevent diarrhea in children at high risk from a developing country in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. STUDY DESIGN: Two hundred four undernourished children 6 to 24 months old from an indigent peri-urban Peruvian town received either L-GG or placebo in flavored gelatin once daily, 6 days a week, for 15 months. Episodes of diarrhea were documented by daily home visits, and diagnostic studies were done in a subset of cases. Recovery of L-GG in stool from subjects and from family contacts was examined. RESULTS: Subjects in the L-GG group had significantly fewer episodes of diarrhea (5.21 episodes diarrhea/child/year ['ecy'] L-GG group, 6. 02 ecy placebo group; P =.028). The decreased incidence of diarrhea in the L-GG group was greatest in the 18- to 29-month age group (P =. 004) and was largely limited to nonbreastfed children (Breastfed: 6. 59 ecy L-GG, 6.32 ecy placebo, P =.7; Nonbreastfed: 4.69 ecy L-GG, 5. 86 ecy placebo, P =.005). The duration of diarrhea episodes and the causes of diarrhea were similar in both groups, except adenovirus was more common in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: L-GG supplementation may be useful as a prophylactic measure to control diarrhea in undernourished children at increased risk, especially nonbreastfed children in the toddler age group.

PIP: This article features a placebo-controlled trial of Lactobacillus GG (L-GG) for diarrhea prevention in undernourished children in Peru. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the use of L-GG as prophylactic treatment for diarrhea. The study population included 204 undernourished children aged 6-24 months, 99 of which were on L-GG and 105 on placebo. Subjects were followed by daily home visits to document diarrhea episodes and diagnostic studies were conducted. Results revealed that children receiving L-GG experienced fewer episodes of diarrhea, which were more pronounced among 18-29 month old children and largely limited to non-breast-fed children. Moreover, the duration of diarrhea episodes and its causes were similar in both groups, except that adenovirus was detected more frequently in the placebo group. In conclusion, L-GG supplementation would decrease diarrhea incidence in high-risk children.