IgG subclasses and DNA detection of HHV-6 and HHV-7 in healthy individuals.

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and 7 (HHV-7) are common opportunistic agents in immunocompromised hosts, although infection with HHV-6 and HHV-7 can also be observed in immunocompetent hosts. Despite similar biology and epidemiology, this study evaluated differences in the IgG subclass distribution associated with HHV-6 and HHV-7 in seropositive, healthy persons. The identified subclasses were also compared with the detection of HHV-6 and HHV-7 DNA. For these assays, sera, plasma, and saliva samples were obtained from 40 healthy blood donors in Argentina who were seropositive for both HHV-6 and HHV-7. HHV-6 and HHV-7 DNA were detected in saliva and plasma samples using nested PCR, and specific IgG subclasses were determined using immunofluorescent assays of sera samples. HHV-7 DNA was detected in 90% of all plasma samples and in 100% of saliva samples. In contrast, HHV-6 DNA was not detected in any of the plasma samples, and it was detected in only 6 of 40 saliva samples. Determination of IgG subclass distributions showed that HHV-6 was restricted to IgG1, whereas HHV-7 IgG subclasses included two groups, one restricted only to IgG1 and the other to IgG1 and IgG3. These results demonstrate the differences between HHV-6 and HHV-7 DNA range detection in saliva and plasma samples, as well as the IgG subclass patterns for each virus type, in healthy persons in Argentina.

[Carbapenems resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa during a 10-year period at Rawson Hospital]. / Resistencia a carbapenemes en Pseudomonas aeruginosa en un periodo de 10 años en el Hospital Rawson.

BACKGROUNDS: Pae is a non-fermenting, Gram-negative bacillus that is associated with nosocomial infections and can easily be transmitted through the hands of health staff from patient to patient. Pae has a wide variety of natural resistance mechanisms and a great capacity to acquire new resistance mechanisms or to increase the expression of their natural resistance. Carbapenems resistance may be offered by impermeability mechanisms, increase in the efflux or enzymatic pump (production of carbapenemases). PURPOSE: To determine prevailing carbapenems resistance mechanisms in Pae and their evolution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 372 Pae strains were collected during a ten-year period. The strains were identified through biochemical tests and performed a sensitivity test through diffusion and microbiological method. RESULTS: carbapenems resistance mechanisms for efflux in the year 2000 were , 50%; 2001 16.6%, 2002 6.3%, 2003 23.9%, 2004 18%, 2005 8.8%, 2006 17.8%, 2007 31.8%, 2008 2.5%, 2009 5.2%. As regards impermeability: 2000 33%, 2001 21.4%, 2002 8.5%, 2003 30.4%, 2004 14.7%, 2005 28.8%, 2006 23.5%, 2007 13.6%, 2008 2.5%, 2009 5.2%. The microbiological test was negative for all studied strains. CONCLUSION: carbapenems resistance during this period was offered by impermeability and an increase in the expression of the efflux mechanism, not by enzymatic mechanism in our hospital. This is a very important issue from an epidemiological point of view because of the rapid horizontal transmission of the strains with this resistance mechanism.

Detección y caracterización de Betalactamasa de espectro extendido en enterobacterias / Detection and characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases in Enterobacteriaceae

El incremento y la diseminación de la resistencia antimicrobiana en baterias que son patógenas para el hombre se ha constituido en un importante problema de Salud Pública cualquier uso de drogas antimicrobianas en humanos, plantas o animales pueden conducir a las resistencia bacteriana. El género enterobacterias es uno de los grupos bacterianos que más ha sido sometido a la presión selección por el uso indiscriminado de drogas antimicrobianas y por la gran variedad de especies capaces de producir patología en el hombre. La particularidad del comportamiento de estos agentes, dependiendo del medio donde surge como patógenos ha llegado a numerosso grupos de trabajo a realizar estudios de monitoreos locales de resistencia. El principal mecanismo de aparición de la resistencia es la producción de enzimas inactivantes de las betalactamasas de espectro extendido (BLEE)...

Argentinean collaborative multicenter study on the in vitro comparative activity of piperacillin-tazobactam against selected bacterial isolates recovered from hospitalized patients.

The in vitro activity of piperacillin-tazobactam and several antibacterial drugs commonly used in Argentinean hospitals for the treatment of severe infections was determined against selected but consecutively isolated strains from clinical specimens recovered from hospitalized patients at 17 different hospitals from 9 Argentinean cities from different geographic areas during the period November 2001-March 2002. Out of 418 Enterobacteriaceae included in the Study 84% were susceptible to piperacillin-tazobactam. ESBLs putative producers were isolated at an extremely high rate since among those isolates obtained from patients with hospital acquired infections 56% of Klebsiella pneumoniae, 32% of Proteus mirabilis and 25% Escherichia coli were phenotypically considered as ESBLs producers Notably P.mirabilis is not considered by for screening for ESBL producers. ESBLs producers were 100% susceptible to imipenem and 70% were susceptible to piperacillin-tazobactam whereas more than 50% were resistant to levofloxacin. The isolates considered as amp C beta lactamase putative producers showed 99% susceptibility to carbapenems while 26.7% were resistant to piperacillin-tazobactam and 38.4% to levofloxacin. Noteworthy only 4% of the Enterobacteriaceae isolates were resistant to amikacin. Piperacillin-tazobactam was the most active agent against Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates (MIC(90): 128 microg/ml; 78% susceptibility) but showed poor activity against Acinetobacter spp (MIC(90):>256 microg/ml; 21.7% susceptibility). Only 41.7% Acinetobacter spp isolates were susceptible to ampicillin-sulbactam. Piperacillin-tazobactam inhibited 100% of Haemophilus influenzae isolates (MIC(90) < 0.25 microg/ml) but only 16.6% of them were ampicillin resistant. The activity of piperacillin-tazobactam against oxacillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus or coagulase negative staphylococci was excellent (MIC(90) 2 microg/ml; 100% susceptibility). Out of 150 enterococci 12 isolates (8%) were identified as E.faecium and only three isolates (2%), 2 E.faecium and 1 E.faecalis were vancomycin resistant. All the enterococci isolates were susceptible to linezolid. Piperacillin-tazobactam showed excellent activity (MIC(90) 2 microg/ml; 92% susceptibility). Regarding pneumococci all the isolates showed MICs of 16 microg/ml for piperacillin-tazobactam. Among 34 viridans group streptococci only 67% were penicillin susceptible and 85.2% ceftriaxone susceptible whereas piperacillin-tazobactam was very active (MIC(90) 4 microg/ml).Piperacillin-tazobactam is therefore a very interesting antibacterial drug to be used, preferably in combination (IE: amikacin-vancomycin) for the empiric treatment of severe infections occurring in hospitalized patients in Argentina. Caution must be taken for infections due to ESBL producers considering that the inoculum effect MICs can affect MIC values.

[Pelvic inflammatory disease associated with Neisseria meningitis bacteremia]. / Enfermedad Inflamatoria Pelviana asociada a bacteriemia por Neisseria meningitidis.

The Pelvic Inflammatory disease (PID) caused by Neisseria meningitidis (Nm), as an extraneurological manifestation considered as a case study with few precedents. It is so far known that the occasional transposition of ecological niches occurs. There are several bibliographical reports that show an increase in the colonization of the genitourinary tract due to Nm. These may or may not cause disease in individuals during colonization. In adults, the symptoms and any complications which may arise are similar to those caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng). It is highly necessary to correctly identify the agents of Neisseria gender which are obtained from the genital tract. This permits an accurate diagnosis to be made and results in a better understanding of the epidemiology. Morbimortality arising from Nm infection is worth studying to produce a better knowledge of the pathogenia of the infection caused by this microorganism.

Enfermedad Inflamatoria Pelviana asociada a bacteriemia por Neisseria meningitidis / Pelvic inflammatory disease associated with Neisseria meningitis bacteremia

The Pelvic Inflammatory disease (PID) caused by Neisseria meningitidis (Nm), as an extraneurological manifestation considered as a case study with few precedents. It is so far known that the occasional transposition of ecological niches occurs. There are several bibliographical reports that show an increase in the colonization of the genitourinary tract due to Nm. These may or may not cause disease in individuals during colonization. In adults, the symptoms and any complications which may arise are similar to those caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng). It is highly necessary to correctly identify the agents of Neisseria gender which are obtained from the genital tract. This permits an accurate diagnosis to be made and results in a better understanding of the epidemiology. Morbimortality arising from Nm infection is worth studying to produce a better knowledge of the pathogenia of the infection caused by this microorganism.

Enfermedad Inflamatoria Pelviana asociada a bacteriemia por Neisseria meningitidis. / [Pelvic inflammatory disease associated with Neisseria meningitis bacteremia]

The Pelvic Inflammatory disease (PID) caused by Neisseria meningitidis (Nm), as an extraneurological manifestation considered as a case study with few precedents. It is so far known that the occasional transposition of ecological niches occurs. There are several bibliographical reports that show an increase in the colonization of the genitourinary tract due to Nm. These may or may not cause disease in individuals during colonization. In adults, the symptoms and any complications which may arise are similar to those caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng). It is highly necessary to correctly identify the agents of Neisseria gender which are obtained from the genital tract. This permits an accurate diagnosis to be made and results in a better understanding of the epidemiology. Morbimortality arising from Nm infection is worth studying to produce a better knowledge of the pathogenia of the infection caused by this microorganism.

Enfermedad Inflamatoria Pelviana asociada a bacteriemia por Neisseria meningitidis / Pelvic inflammatory disease associated with Neisseria meningitis bacteremia

The Pelvic Inflammatory disease (PID) caused by Neisseria meningitidis (Nm), as an extraneurological manifestation considered as a case study with few precedents. It is so far known that the occasional transposition of ecological niches occurs. There are several bibliographical reports that show an increase in the colonization of the genitourinary tract due to Nm. These may or may not cause disease in individuals during colonization. In adults, the symptoms and any complications which may arise are similar to those caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng). It is highly necessary to correctly identify the agents of Neisseria gender which are obtained from the genital tract. This permits an accurate diagnosis to be made and results in a better understanding of the epidemiology. Morbimortality arising from Nm infection is worth studying to produce a better knowledge of the pathogenia of the infection caused by this microorganism. (AU)

Análise de una propuesta para el cambio de paradgma educacional en bacteriologia y virología médicas, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba / Analysis of a proposal for the change of the educational paradgm in bacteriology and virology, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba

El carácter del pensamiento científico señala un camino metodológico que incluye la exigencia del trabajo del estudiante sobre la información, y no su mera recepción y reproducción. Es imprescindible otorgar a los estudiantes la oportunidad de descubrir los procesos cognitivos utilizados en la producción del conocimiento científico. En este trabajo se presenta el resultado de la puesta en marcha de una dinámica de taller en una asignatura básica, la respuesta de los alumnos, y el análisis de la misma. En la Cátedra de Bacteriología y Virología Médicas de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, cursaron durante el año 1997 un total de 1700 alumnos. La asignatura se desarrolló con dos actividades que trabajaron los mismos contenidos desde dos concepciones diferentes de aprendizaje: (I) actividad de taller, no obligatoria, constructiva, y (II) actividad teórico-práctica, obligatoria y transmisiva. Se realizaron dos encuestas de opinión voluntarias y anónimas respecto a la valoración que otorgó el educando a estas dos actividades y sus fundamentos, una en la mitad y la otra al final del ciclo. El 90,55 por ciento calificó la actividad tradicional como positiva, y el 9,45 por ciento como negativa. Respecto a la actividad de taller el 60,5 por ciento la calificó como positiva y el 39,5 por ciento como negativa. El mismo contenido desarrollado con dos actividades hizo posible el análisis del impacto que dos metodologías diferentes produjeron en los alumnos. La respuesta de los alumnos a la actividad tradicional fue mejor que la observada a la actividad de taller (p <0.001). Las diferencias en la aceptación por parte de los alumnos entre las dos propuestas revelaron la mayor dificultad de una estrategia metodológica alternativa en el modelo educacional actual

Análise de una propuesta para el cambio de paradgma educacional en bacteriologia y virología médicas, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba / Analysis of a proposal for the change of the educational paradgm in bacteriology and virology, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba

El carácter del pensamiento científico señala un camino metodológico que incluye la exigencia del trabajo del estudiante sobre la información, y no su mera recepción y reproducción. Es imprescindible otorgar a los estudiantes la oportunidad de descubrir los procesos cognitivos utilizados en la producción del conocimiento científico. En este trabajo se presenta el resultado de la puesta en marcha de una dinámica de taller en una asignatura básica, la respuesta de los alumnos, y el análisis de la misma. En la Cátedra de Bacteriología y Virología Médicas de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, cursaron durante el año 1997 un total de 1700 alumnos. La asignatura se desarrolló con dos actividades que trabajaron los mismos contenidos desde dos concepciones diferentes de aprendizaje: (I) actividad de taller, no obligatoria, constructiva, y (II) actividad teórico-práctica, obligatoria y transmisiva. Se realizaron dos encuestas de opinión voluntarias y anónimas respecto a la valoración que otorgó el educando a estas dos actividades y sus fundamentos, una en la mitad y la otra al final del ciclo. El 90,55 por ciento calificó la actividad tradicional como positiva, y el 9,45 por ciento como negativa. Respecto a la actividad de taller el 60,5 por ciento la calificó como positiva y el 39,5 por ciento como negativa. El mismo contenido desarrollado con dos actividades hizo posible el análisis del impacto que dos metodologías diferentes produjeron en los alumnos. La respuesta de los alumnos a la actividad tradicional fue mejor que la observada a la actividad de taller (p <0.001). Las diferencias en la aceptación por parte de los alumnos entre las dos propuestas revelaron la mayor dificultad de una estrategia metodológica alternativa en el modelo educacional actual (AU)