[Determination of the antibacterial and antiviral activity of the essential oil from Minthostachys verticillata (Griseb.) Epling]. / Determinación de la actividad antibacteriana y antiviral del aceite esencial de Minthostachys verticillata (Griseb.) Epling.

The in vitro antiviral activity of the essential oil from Minthostachys verticillata was investigated against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and pseudorabies virus (PrV). The viral inhibition was assayed employing viral plaque reduction assay. The antiviral activity of the essential oil specifically affects PrV and HSV-1 multiplication, since it was found that non toxic effects on cells were observed at the concentrations assayed. The therapeutic index values were 10.0 and 9.5 for HSV-1 and PrV, respectively. The antibacterial activity was studied using a diffusion assay and the broth tube dilution method. Gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive to inhibition by plant essential oil than the gram-negative bacteria. The essential oil of M. verticillata was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) technique. Of the six components identified in the volatile oil, pulegone (44.56%) and menthone (39.51%) were the major constituents. The antimicrobial activity can be explained to some extent by the presence of pulegone. Results suggest that further investigations concerning the isolation of the substance responsible for the antimicrobial activity and an effort to define the mechanisms of action are warranted.

Determinación de la actividad antibacteriana y antiviral del aceite esencial de Minthostachys verticillata (Griseb. ) Epling / Determination of the antibacterial and antiviral activity of the essential oil from Minthostachys verticillata (Griseb. ) Epling

The in vitro antiviral activity of the essential oil from Minthostachys verticillata was investigated against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and pseudorabies virus (PrV). The viral inhibition was assayed employing viral plaque reduction assay. The antiviral activity of the essential oil specifically affects PrV and HSV-1 multiplication, since it was found that non toxic effects on cells were observed at the concentrations assayed. The therapeutic index values were 10.0 and 9.5 for HSV-1 and PrV, respectively. The antibacterial activity was studied using a diffusion assay and the broth tube dilution method. Gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive to inhibition by plant essential oil than the gram-negative bacteria. The essential oil of M. verticillata was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) technique. Of the six components identified in the volatile oil, pulegone (44.56) and menthone (39.51) were the major constituents. The antimicrobial activity can be explained to some extent by the presence of pulegone. Results suggest that further investigations concerning the isolation of the substance responsible for the antimicrobial activity and an effort to define the mechanisms of action are warranted.(AU)

Determinación de la actividad antibacteriana y antiviral del aceite esencial de Minthostachys verticillata (Griseb. ) Epling / Determination of the antibacterial and antiviral activity of the essential oil from Minthostachys verticillata (Griseb. ) Epling

The in vitro antiviral activity of the essential oil from Minthostachys verticillata was investigated against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and pseudorabies virus (PrV). The viral inhibition was assayed employing viral plaque reduction assay. The antiviral activity of the essential oil specifically affects PrV and HSV-1 multiplication, since it was found that non toxic effects on cells were observed at the concentrations assayed. The therapeutic index values were 10.0 and 9.5 for HSV-1 and PrV, respectively. The antibacterial activity was studied using a diffusion assay and the broth tube dilution method. Gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive to inhibition by plant essential oil than the gram-negative bacteria. The essential oil of M. verticillata was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) technique. Of the six components identified in the volatile oil, pulegone (44.56) and menthone (39.51) were the major constituents. The antimicrobial activity can be explained to some extent by the presence of pulegone. Results suggest that further investigations concerning the isolation of the substance responsible for the antimicrobial activity and an effort to define the mechanisms of action are warranted.

Determinación de la actividad antibacteriana y antiviral del aceite esencial de Minthostachys verticillata (Griseb.) Epling. / [Determination of the antibacterial and antiviral activity of the essential oil from Minthostachys verticillata (Griseb.) Epling]

The in vitro antiviral activity of the essential oil from Minthostachys verticillata was investigated against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and pseudorabies virus (PrV). The viral inhibition was assayed employing viral plaque reduction assay. The antiviral activity of the essential oil specifically affects PrV and HSV-1 multiplication, since it was found that non toxic effects on cells were observed at the concentrations assayed. The therapeutic index values were 10.0 and 9.5 for HSV-1 and PrV, respectively. The antibacterial activity was studied using a diffusion assay and the broth tube dilution method. Gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive to inhibition by plant essential oil than the gram-negative bacteria. The essential oil of M. verticillata was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) technique. Of the six components identified in the volatile oil, pulegone (44.56

) and menthone (39.51

) were the major constituents. The antimicrobial activity can be explained to some extent by the presence of pulegone. Results suggest that further investigations concerning the isolation of the substance responsible for the antimicrobial activity and an effort to define the mechanisms of action are warranted.

La venta de alimentos en la vía pública en América Latina / Street food vending in Latin America

A pesar de los ocasionales intentos de eliminarla, la venta de alimentos en la vía pública en América Latina parece estar aumentando, estimulada por las crecientes poblaciones urbanas marginales, el desempleo que crea innumerables vendedores callejeros potenciales, las grandes distancias recorridas cotidianamente entre el lugar de trabajo y el hogar, la demanda de alimentos baratos y culturalmente apropiados cerca de los lugares de trabajo y la escasez o ausencia de establecimientos permanentes que sirvan ese tipo de alimentos. Además de representar una carga oculta para los servicios públicos, la industria de los alimentos de venta callejera, por lo general no reglamentada y casi clandestina, tiende a no observar normas adecuadas de higiene y a plantear considerables problemas de salud pública. En este contexto, las epidemias de cólera en América Latina han atraído la atención hacia el potencial de transmisión de enfermedades que tienen los alimentos vendidos en la calle y han estimulado el apoyo a los intentos de resolver ese problema. En este momento, más que fútiles intentos de abolir esa venta, aparentemente se requiere un criterio nuevo y más positivo mediante el cual los países modifiquen sus reglamentaciones para permitir la adaptación constructiva y pacífica de la venta callejera de alimentos a un nuevo estilo de vida de las sociedades latinoamericanas. Esto implica una reorganización jurídica orientada a establecer estructuras para la venta de alimentos en la vía pública y permitir la aplicación de medidas -especialmente el suministro y la utilización de agua inocua- que fomenten las normas adecuadas de higiene y el consumo de alimentos no peligrosos. También implica crear programas para proporcionar adiestramiento apropiado a los inspectores y educación sanitaria tanto a los vendedores como a los consumidores de esos alimentos; esto significa que hay que promover y adoptar métodos mejores para preparar y vender alimentos. No hay motivos para suponer que estas medidas constituirán una panacea inmediata para el problema de la venta de callejera de alimentos; sin embargo, hay buenas razones para pensar que pueden mejorar notablemente la situación actual

Version revisada de un documento presentado en la Conferencia "Street Foods: Epidemiology, Management and Practical Approaches" celebrada en Beijing, China, del 19 al 21 de octubre de 1993. Se publica en inglés en el Bull. PAHO. Vol. 28(4), 1994

La fascioliasis en Jamaica: aspectos epidemiológicos y económicos de una zoonosis parasitaria transmitida por caracoles / Fascioliasis in Jamaica: epidemiological and economical aspects of a snail-borne parasitic zoonosis

Las fascioliasis es endémica en Jamaica. En este estudio se emplean datos obtenidos en encuestas y otros relacionados con la producción de ganado, para evaluar la salud animal, la salud pública veterinaria y las repercusiones económicas de la enfermedad

Street food vending in Latin America

Despite occasional attempts to repress it, street food vending in Latin America appears to be on the rise- encouraged by growing marginal urban populations, the unemployed status of innumerable potential street vendors, lengthening commutes for workers, public demand for cheap and culturally appropriate food near workplaces, and a shortage or absence of regular establishments serving such food. Besides placing a hidden burden on public services, the generally unregulated and quasi clandestine street food industry tends to observe poor hygienic practices and to pose significant public health problems. Within this context, Latin America's cholera epidemics have drawn increasing attention to street food's potential for disease transmission and have created growing support for attempts to resolve these troubles. What appears needed at this point, rather than futile attempts at abolition, is a new and more positive approach wherein countries change their regulations so as to permit peaceful and constructive adaptation of street food vending to a new style of Latin American social life. This implies legal reorganization directed at structurally developing street food vending and permitting application of measures- especially provision and use of safe water- that will foster good hygiene and safe foods. It also implies creating programs to provide appropriate training for inspectors as well as health education for both vendors and consumers of street food; and it implies promoting and adopting improved methods for preparing and selling such food. There is no reason to suppose these measures will provide and immediate panacea for the street food vending problem; but there is good reason to think they can immensely improve the situation that exists today

Revised version of a paper presented at the Conference "Street Foods: Epidemiology, Management, and Practical Approaches" help in Beijing, China on 19-21 October 1993. This article will also be published in Spanish in the BOSP. 118(3), 1995

La fasciolasis en Jamaica: aspectos epidemiológicos y económicos de una zoonosis parasitaria transmitida por caracoles / Fasciolasis in Jamaica: epidemiologic and economic aspects of a snail-borne parasitic zoonosis

La fasciolasis es endémica en Jamaica. En este estudio se emplean datos obtenidos en encuestas y otros relacionados con la producción de ganado, para evaluar la salud animal, la salud pública veterinaria y las repercusiones económicas de la enfermedad (AU)