Importancia del papel de Haemophilus no ducreyi en el tracto genital femenino y su relación con la clínica / Importance of the role of Haemophilus no ducreyi isolates in female genital tract and its clinical relationship

Antecedentes: Cada vez son más frecuentes los informes microbiológicos con agentes emergentes en episodios clínicos del aparato genital de sujetos con sospecha de infección, como son las especies de Haemophilus no ducreyi (HND). El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la importancia clínica del aislamiento de estas especies en el tracto genital del sexo femenino. Pacientes y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo y retrospectivo en un hospital universitario del sudeste español, donde se evalúan los aislamientos de HND en muestras de exudados genitales femeninos procedentes de atención sanitaria especializada entre 2016 y 2019. Se analizaron variables clínicas, epidemiológicas y microbiológicas de los episodios infecciosos de mujeres adultas y niñas. Resultados: Se encontraron 45 (25 mujeres y 20 niñas) aislamientos de HND, correspondiendo al 1% del total, siendo la especie más frecuente Haemophilus influenzae (64,4%). En mujeres predominaron la leucorrea y el dolor abdominal, y en el 72% hubo aislamiento polimicrobiano. En niñas se aisló frecuentemente de forma aislada, con presencia de eritema vulvovaginal, flujo patológico y prurito local. Destacó la alta tasa de resistencia de Haemophilus parainfluenzae a azitromicina (72,7%) y cotrimoxazol (18,2%) en mujeres adultas, y la resistencia a azitromicina en niñas (25%). Conclusiones: H. influenzae y H.parainfluenzae deben tenerse en cuenta como posible agente etiológico en casos de vaginitis y cervicitis en mujeres adultas, así como en sospecha de enfermedad pélvica inflamatoria. En niñas, H.influenzae representa uno de los agentes microbiológicos de las infecciones vulvovaginales. La tasa de resistencia a azitromicina de H.parainfluenzae y a cotrimoxazol de ambas especies se debe tener presente.(AU)

Background: The isolation of new pathogens in clinical samples from the genital tract of subjects with suspected infection, such as Haemophilus no ducreyi (HND) species, is becoming more frequent. The objective of this work is to analyze the pathogenic role and the clinical importance of the isolation of these species in female genital tract. Patients and methods: We carried out an observational, descriptive, and retrospective study from a Hospital in Granada (Spain). HND isolates in female genital samples between 2016 and 2019 from specialized care were studied. Clinical, epidemiological, and microbiological variables of clinical episodes of adult women and girls were analyzed. Results: Forty-five (25 women and 20 girls) isolates of HND were found, corresponding to 1%; the most frequent specie was Haemophilus influenzae (64.4%). In women, leukorrhea and abdominal pain was frequent and in 72% there was a polymicrobial isolate. In girls, it was frequently in isolation, with the presence of vulvovaginal erythema, pathological discharge, and local itching. We highlight the high rate of resistance of Haemophilus parainfluenzae to azithromycin (72.7%) and cotrimoxazole (18.2%) in adult women, in contrast to resistance to azithromycin in girls (25%). Conclusions: H. influenzae and H. parainfluenzae should be considered as a possible etiological agent in cases of vaginitis and cervicitis in adult women, as well as in suspected pelvic inflammatory disease. In girls, H.influenzae represents one of the microbiological agents within the etiologies of vulvovaginal infections. We highlight the rate of resistance to azithromycin in H.parainfluenzae and to cotrimoxazole in both species.(AU)

[Low molecular heparin for treatment of venous thrombosis in two very low-birth-weight pre-term infants with genetic risk factors]. / Niedermolekulares Heparin bei Frühgeborenen mit hereditären Risikofaktoren und venösen Thrombosen.

We describe the use of low molecular weight heparin to treat venous thrombosis in two very low-birth-weight pre-term infants (GA: 30 and 27 weeks) both with genetic and acquired prothrombotic risk factors. Initially both infants were treated with unfractionated heparin. Since in one infant no effect on the thrombus size was observed and in the other infant there was an increase in size, the anticoagulation therapy was switched to subcutaneously injected low molecular heparin (Enoxaparin). During enoxaparin therapy the anti-Xa-level was carefully monitored and dosages were adjusted accordingly. Partial resolution of the thrombosis was achieved in both infants during enoxaparin therapy. No clot extension or recurrence of thrombosis occurred. An accidental overdose of Enoxaparin (100 times the required dosage) was administered to one infant without any consequences. Our data suggest that the use of low molecular weight heparin (Enoxaparin) for treatment of venous thrombosis in our two preterm infants was practical, safe and effective.

Comparison of the amplitude/intensity function of the auditory evoked N1m and N1 components.

This study compared the intensity dependence of the auditory evoked N1 and N1m components in 10 healthy subjects. The evoked responses were recorded simultaneously at 33 channels for the auditory evoked potentials (AEP) and with a 37-channel magnetometer for the auditory evoked fields (AEF). They were satisfactorily modeled by a tangential and a radial dipole per hemisphere for the N1 component and a tangential dipole in the left hemisphere for the N1m component. The tangential dipoles showed different dipole characteristics. The amplitude of the AEP rose significantly with increasing stimulus intensity whereas the amplitudes of the AEF tended to plateau between the highest intensities. The magnetic dipole shifted to the surface of the skull with higher stimulus intensity whereas the electric tangential dipole moved to the center of the skull. The latencies decreased with increasing stimulus intensity.

Preliminary characterization of a reovirus isolated from golden ide Leuciscus idus melanotus.

Some characteristics of a reovirus recently isolated from golden ide Leuciscus idus melanotus and tentatively designated as golden ide reovirus (GIRV) were determined. Spherical non-enveloped particles with an outer capsid of about 70 nm and an inner capsid of about 50 nm were observed by electron microscopy. The density of the virus determined in CsCl gradients was 1.36 g ml-1. The genome contained 11 segments of dsRNA. GIRV differed from other aquareoviruses by a slight reduction of infectivity after treatment with chloroform and by the absence of forming syncytia in cell monolayers.

[Legal and animal welfare aspects of the killing of fish]. / Uber rechtliche und tierschutzrelevante Aspekte bei der Tötung von Fischen.

The selection of methods for killing fish is determined by the number of fish to be killed, their utilization and the existing laws. No regulations exist for killing non-food fish. The methods for killing food-fish, however, are stipulated in a regulation from 1936. Mechanical or electrical stunning is obligatory except for flatfish and eel. Single fish should be stunned by a blow on the head, followed immediately by slaughtering or bleeding to be sure that the fish is really dead. When larger numbers of fish should be killed for food production only electrical methods are allowed as alternative. Chemicals can be used for killing non-food fish, the non-pollutant destruction of dead fish and chemical-contaminated water, however, has to be guaranteed. The methods are discussed with respect to practicability and animal welfare.

Some aspects of virus shedding by rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri Rich.) after waterborne infection with viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) virus.

VHS virus shedding after experimental waterborne infection of rainbow trout was quantified by measuring virus infectivity in blood, faeces, and urine of catheterised fish. Virus shedding by urine with relatively high yields of infectious virus could be demonstrated during acute VHS until death, but not by faeces. Trout, which were vaccinated against VHS or had survived the disease but showed no detectable humoral antibodies, may excrete infectious virus via urine for more than 30 days and without any signs of VHS after a secondary challenge infection. These results reveal the development of a carrier status of rainbow trout after VHS exposure.

[Aerosol vaccination of mice with inactivated influenza virus (author's transl)]. / Aerosolimpfung von Mäusen mit inaktiviertem Influenzavirus.

NMRI mice were vaccinated by the aerosol technique, using the ethylethylenimine inactivated and polyethylenglycol concentrated virus strain A/PR/8/34 (HO/N1) with or without addition of Bordetella pertussis extract (BPE) as an adjuvant. The immune response of the vaccinated animals was controlled by challenge infection via aerosol technique and by examination of HAI antibodies in the serum and in the washings of lungs. After a single aerosol vaccination a weak protection was observed only, if the vaccines contained BPE. But a second immunization with a vaccine containing BPE induced a high degree of immunity, even if a reduced amount of antigen was used for booster vaccination. After three aerosol vaccine doses in two-weeks intervals, however, we were unable to infect the immunized animals even with largest amounts of challenge virus (approximately 50 000 LD50). The addition of BPE as an adjuvant induced a significantly better protection and resulted in much higher titres of HAI antibodies in the serum and in the respiratory tract compared to mice vaccinated by the same procedure but without BPE.

[Comparative studies on the vaccination of mice with inactivated influenza virus administered by the aerosol technique, by the intranasal or intramuscular route (author's transl)]. / Vergleichende Impfung der weissen Maus mit inaktiviertem Influenza-Virus per Aerosol, intranasal und intramuskulär.

NMRI mice were immunized intramuscular, intranasal or by Aerosol, using the ethylethylenimine inactivated and polyethylenglycolconcentrated influenza virus strain A/PR/8/34 (HO/N1). Differences in the immune response resulted from all three routes. Intranasal and intramuscular vaccination were superior to aerosol application. A possible explanation for this could be the fact that relatively small amounts of the inhaled virus antigen developed antigenic activity on the mucous membrane. A single vaccination by the aerosol technique gave significant protection only, if the challenge virus was applied by the same procedure. However no protection was found after intranasal challenge. Intranasal challenge on the third day post vaccination revealed that intramuscular immunization had a significant better protective effect than intranasal immunization. However from the 5th to the 10th day post vaccination this effect reversed and intranasal vaccination became superior. This immunity persisted for the whole period of observation and it was accompained by a higher titer of local antibodies. Similar results were obtained in experiments with aerosol challenge. Here only the intranasal vaccinated mice were completely protected after the 10th day post vaccinationem while intramuscular vaccinated animals were less protected. Sera of intramuscular immunized mice revealed a higher content in antibodies of the Ig M type and less of the Ig G type compared to mice vaccinated by the intranasal route.