Gathering morphological and molecular data for identifying two species of trematodes from the neotropical Vaillant's frog, Lithobates vaillanti (Amphibia: Ranidae) in the highlands of Chiapas, south-eastern Mexico.

Mexico possesses a large diversity of amphibians partly due to its complex topography and transitional position between the Nearctic and Neotropical biogeographical regions. However, its helminth parasite fauna has been relatively poorly studied. Specimens of the Vaillant's frog, Lithobates vaillanti (Brocchi) were sampled in the tropical rain forest of Nahá, in the Chiapas Highlands, and examined for parasites. Two trematode species were collected from their hosts; morphologically, specimens were allocated to the genera Langeronia Caballero and Bravo-Hollis, 1949 and Haematoloechus Looss, 1899, respectively. Individuals were sequenced for two molecular markers (the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase gene, and the ribosomal gene 28S), and processed for morphological analyses, including scanning electron microscopy. The new evidence was not enough to accomplish the identification at species level of Langeronia sp. due to the lack of sequence data from the type localities of Langeronia parva Christian, 1970 and Langeronia macrocirra Caballero and Bravo-Hollis, 1949. Likewise, the newly generated data were useful to properly identify the adult specimens of lung flukes as Haematoloechus complexus Seely, 1906.

Molecular detection of the reptile-associated Borrelia group in Amblyomma dissimile, Mexico.

Recently, the first record of Borrelia associated with reptiles in Mexico was published; however, no studies have been done to assess the role of Mexican ticks as potential vectors of this Borrelia group. Amblyomma dissimile is a hard tick mainly associated with amphibians and reptiles in this country. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of Borrelia in A. dissimile from Mexico. We collected 60 A. dissimile individuals attached to 16 Rhinella horribilis. DNA was extracted and all specimens were screened individually for Borrelia by amplification of a fragment of the 16S rDNA and an additional fragment of the flagellin gene. Five ticks were positive for Borrelia, DNA sequences corresponded to Borrelia sp. and group with sequences of the reptile-associated Borrelia group. This is the first report of Borrelia in A. dissimile and the second report of the reptile-associated Borrelia group in Mexico. This study also highlights the importance of this tick species as potential vector of this group.

Y-chromosome haplotype analysis in Antioquia (Colombia).

Allele frequencies and haplotype analysis have been performed for eight Y-chromosome STRs (DYS19, DYS385 I and II, DYS389 I and II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393). Population data was obtained from a sample of 400 unrelated individuals living in Antioquia (Colombia). A total of 270 different haplotypes were found, and the haplotype diversity was 0.989. The first and second most frequent haplotypes where shared by 8 and 6% of the individuals, respectively.

The amputation level: noninvasive methods and clinical criteria.

Before undergoing amputation of a lower limb, one hundred and forty-six patients suffering from arteriosclerosis were studied with the purpose of finding prognostic indicators of success at the most distal level. The best results were obtained when skin perfusion pressure was above 60 mmHg in diabetics and above 40 mmHg in non-diabetics. Lower limb systolic blood pressure and skin thermometry also proved to be useful. The method proposed might be helpful to the surgeon in choosing the best treatment for the patient. It is a nonivasive procedure which can be easily performed and does not require sophisticated or expensive equipment.