[Effective treatment of a patient infested with pediculus capitis by using 5% Indigofera suffruticosa Mill tincture]. / Tratamiento eficaz con tintura de añil 5% de una paciente infestada por Pediculus capitis.

INTRODUCTION: Pediculosis capitis was very frequently reported in Cuba since the end of the 90's, particularly in some groups of school children and their relatives. The latter are involved in a chain of transmission of these insects and may play an important role at present as parasite reservoirs. OBJECTIVE: to report on the efficacy of the treatment of one female patient suffering from Pediculus capitis by using 5 % Indigofera suffruticosa Mill (añil cimarrón) tincture. METHODS: a case of persistent infestation with pediculosis capitis was described in which a 55 years-old patient was firstly treated with 1% permethrin solution and later with 5 % Indigofera suffruticosa Mill tincture. RESULTS: the microscopic identification of adult parasites and pre-adult stages of the parasite confirmed the presence of pediculus capitis. The hair treatment with 1 % permethrin was not effective after two applications. As an alternative, 5 % Indigofera suffruticosa Mill tincture was used and then the population of adult ectoparasites was reduced and the infestation was eliminated after the second application, with the paramedical staff continuously taking the nits out from the patient's hair. CONCLUSION: the use of this innocuous method may become a therapeutic alternative to treat this illness.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a condition that affects women during the reproductive years in the late pregnancy period and/or early postpartum period. Although it is associated with several risk factors and various hypotheses exist of its etiology the cause of this disorder is still unknown. Standard therapy for PPCM is the same as for heart failure. Studies examining new therapeutic approaches are adding to the armamentarium available to physicians treating patients with PPCM. Despite all the current knowledge the mortality rates associated with PPCM remain relatively high. This article is a review of the current knowledge of etiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of PPCM and attempts to present areas of need of further research.

[The neuropathy epidemic in Cuba: eight years of investigation and follow-up]. / La epidemia de neuropatía en Cuba: ocho años de estudio y seguimiento.

INTRODUCTION: The authors describes the past eight years, since an epidemic started in Cuba which mainly affected the nervous system, particularly the optic nerve and the peripheral nerves. It is thought to have been the biggest epidemic involving the nervous system this century, although there may be over-diagnosis. The cause is controversial but is probably nutritional imbalance with additional toxic elements also in some cases. At the present time the continuous, low, notification of new cases means that it is endemic. DEVELOPMENT: In this paper we consider the clinical and electrophysiological aspects characteristic of the disorder, the degree of involvement, evolution, incidence and annual follow-up of cases from 1992 to date and their differential diagnosis. We describe the national programme of healthcare for control of the disease in Cuba, the measures designed to reduce the number of patients, most of the results of clinical and epidemiological studies and the possible causes. We also discuss the most likely physiopathological hypotheses.