High frequency of HPV16 European variant E350G among Mexican women from Sinaloa.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections play a crucial role in the aetiology of cervical cancer (CC), and HPV16 is the primary viral genotype associated with CC. A number of variants of the HPV16 E6 gene are involved in the progression of CC, differing in their prevalence and biological and biochemical properties. This study was designed to determine the frequency of HPV types 16/18 and to identify the presence of HPV16 E6-variants in asymptomatic Mexican women. METHODS: A total of 189 cervical Pap smears were collected from women attending public health services in three different cities in Sinaloa, Mexico. Viral DNA was identified by amplification of E6 viral gene fragments using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Identification of variants was done by sequencing a DNA fragment (321bp) of the HPV16 E6 gene. RESULTS: More than half of the women tested were HPV-positive (52.38%), with HPV16 being the most frequent genotype (21.16%), followed by HPV18 (8.99%). Sequence analysis of the E6-HPV16 PCR products showed that in all cases, the viruses corresponded to European variants. It was further observed that the E350G intra-variant was the most common (>76%). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a predominance of European lineage variants of HPV16 among asymptomatic women from Sinaloa, Mexico, predominantly with of the E350G variant. This variant has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of early development of CC. The use of molecular identification of carcinogenic HPV and Pap test screening may be a good strategy for monitoring women to prevent CC.

Fungal spore concentrations in indoor and outdoor air in university libraries, and their variations in response to changes in meteorological variables.

The fungal spore concentration (FSC) in the air poses a risk for human health. This work studied the FSC in university libraries and how it is affected by environmental factors. A total of 347 samples were obtained using a Microbio MB2(®) Aerosol Sampler. The wind speed (WS), cross wind (CW), temperature (T), relative humidity (HR), barometric pressure (BP) and dew point (DP) were recorded using a Kestrel(®) 4500 weather station. The median indoor/outdoor FSC was 360/1230 CFU m(-3). FSC correlated inversely with BP, HR and DP; and positively with WS and CW; whereas T showed negative or positive correlation with FSC, depending on the region or sampling time. Eleven fungal genera were found and the dominant isolates were identified as Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus tamarii and Aspergillus oryzae. All fungi identified are known to be allergenic. It was concluded that environmental variables can influence the air FSC in different ways.

[Social-economic and obstetric factors associated to premature rupture of membranes]. / Factores sociodemográficos y obstétricos asociados con rotura prematura de membranas.

BACKGROUND: The premature rupture of membranes is the delivery of amniotic liquid after 20 weeks of gestation and before the beginning of labour. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between premature rupture of membranes and sociodemographics and obstetrics antecedents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Unmatched case-control study carried out in patients from Hospital Civil de Culiacan, Sinaloa (Mexico), from January 2003 to December 2006. Risk factors frequency was compared in women with and without premature rupture of membranes (cases: 1,399; controls: 1,379). Most important variables were: socio-economic level, smoking, and gyneco-obstetric history (sexual partners, pregnancies, newborns, abortions, prenatal control and intergenesic interval). Odds ratio, crude and adjusted, and interval of confidence (IC 95%) were obtained by means of non-conditional logistic regression models. RESULTS: Prevalence of premature rupture of membranes was 8.9%. Socio-economic level was similar in both groups. Premature rupture of membranes was associated with smoking, beginning of sexual activity, and intergenesic interval. History of two or more cesarean sections was considered a protective factor of premature rupture of membranes. Number of sexual partners was marginally meaningful (p = 0.053). Preterm birth frequency was higher in cases group. Resolution of pregnancy was the same for both groups (p = 0.233). CONCLUSIONS: Premature rupture of membranes was significantly associated with smoking, beginning of sexual activiti, intergenesic interval and a preterm birth history. Two or more previous caesarean sections were considered as protective factor.