Occurrence of Eimeria spp. in Wayúu goat herds in the Municipality of Maicao, La Guajira, Colombia.

The department of La Guajira is considered the region with the largest goat population in Colombia. The disease caused by protozoa of the genus Eimeria can result in significant economic losses in goat production, threatening the region's food security. The objective of this study was to identify the occurrence of coccidiosis produced by Eimeria spp. in pools of fecal samples of young and adult goats belonging to 12 indigenous communities in the municipality of Maicao, La Guajira. The results showed the presence of eight different species of Eimeria spp. (E. alijevi, E. ninakohlyakimovae, E. hirci, E. arloingi, E. jolchijevi, E. caprovina, E. aspheronica and E. christenseni) differentiated by their morphological characteristics, in addition to the estimation of the parasite load in each fecal pool. In conclusion, this study is the first to report the occurrence of different species of Eimeria spp. in goats located in the department of La Guajira, Colombia.

Evaluación de estructuras cerebrales por resonancia magnética en personas infectadas con el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) y adherentes al tratamiento antirretroviral / Evaluation by MRI of brain structures of HIV subjects with adherence to antiretroviral therapy

Introducción: los cambios estructurales del cerebro se pueden observar en fases tempranas de la infección por VIH y acelerarse en estadios avanzados, aunque queda por profundizar con más estudios clínicos la relación que pueda existir entre la adherencia al tratamiento antirretroviral y los cambios en los volúmenes de las estructuras cerebrales. Objetivo: identificar los cambios en estructurascerebrales de personas infectadas con VIH por medio de la resonancia magnética y explorar su relación con el tratamiento antirretroviral. Materiales y métodos: se eligieron 2 grupos, cada uno con 16 individuos; el primero conformado por personas infectadas con VIH y tratamiento adherente y el segundo con individuos no infectados (grupo control). Los volúmenes de las estructuras corticales, subcorticales, las regiones superficiales de la sustancia blanca y gris fueron calculados para los dos hemisferios, en los cuales se utilizaron algoritmos automáticos de la plataforma de análisis de imágenesFreeSurfer. Los datos anatómicos de los individuos fueron adquiridos en un equipo de resonancia magnética 3T en el Instituto de Alta Tecnología Médica (IATM), Medellín, Colombia. Resultados: el análisis de las estructuras corticales y subcorticales no arrojó diferencias significativas entre las volumetríasdel grupo control y los individuos infectados con VIH/adherentes al tratamiento. Conclusión: los hallazgos muestran que el cerebro puede estar posiblemente sin alteraciones en sus estructuras corticales y subcorticales en los individuos con VIH adherentes al tratamiento, en primera o segunda línea de tratamiento antirretroviral, y, a la vez, estos resultados pueden aportar nuevas estrategias de neuroprotección ante el autocuidado frente al esquema de tratamento.

Introduction: structural brain changes can be detected in early stages of HIV infection and may be accelerated in advanced stages, however it still important to have more clinic studies for analyze the relationship between the adherence to antiretroviral therapy and changes in the volume of brain structures. Objective: To identify changes in brain structures from HIV subjects by using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and to correlate the findings with the antiretroviral treatment. Materials and methods: Two groups with 16 subjects were chosen: a HIV group of subjects with medication adherence and healthy subjects (control group). By using the automatic segmentation software for brain Freesurfer, cortical and subcortical structures volumes as well as grey and white matter surface area were calculated for both brain hemispheres. Data were acquired through 3T MRI scanner in the Instituto de Alta Tecnología Médica (IATM) from Medellin (Colombia). Results: There were not statistically significant differences in cortical and subcortical structures between control group and subjects HIV infected with adherence to treatment. Conclusion: These findings show that subjects infectedwith VIH in first or second line of antiretroviral treatment probably do not have any change on the brain cortical and subcortical structures. In addition, this allows developing new neuroprotection and self-care strategies during the current treatment plans.

[Morbidity and risk behavior regarding street-children in Medellin, Colombia, 2008]. / Morbilidad atendida y conductas de riesgo de la niñez y adolescencia en situación de calle de Medellín, 2008.

OBJECTIVES: Describing the characteristics, morbidity and risk behaviour of street children from Medellin. METHODOLOGY: This was a descriptive, retrospective study. The medical charts of children aged less than 17 who sought medical attention in five protection institutions in Medellin during 2008 were reviewed. The analysis included descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis. Age was categorised into two groups: boys/girls (0- 12 years) and adolescents (13-17 years). RESULTS: The following characteristicswere found after reviewing 483 medical charts: being male (73.1 %), adolescent (73.1 %) and living in the streets (44.7 %). The most common diagnoses were for infectious and parasite illnesses (21.8 %), factors that affected health status and contact with health services (13.7 %), respiratory diseases (11.8 %). A total of 81.0 % of all children were engaged in psychoactive substance abuse,smoking marijuana being the most common (80.0 %);84.0 % reported engaging in sexual activity. CONCLUSION: Infectious diseases, sexual activity and usingpsychoactive substances placed this population in a high vulnerability category. This situation demands that local health-policy makers guarantee thispopulation's constitutional right to health, through health-promotion programmes and sexual and reproductive health strategies to prevent disease and psychoactive substance abuse.

Morbilidad atendida y conductas de riesgo de la niñez y adolescencia en situación de calle de Medellín, 2008 / Morbidity and risk behavior regarding street-children in Medellin, Colombia, 2008

Objetivos Describir características, morbilidad atendida y conductas de riesgo para la salud de la niñez y adolescencia en situación de calle de Medellín. Metodología Estudio observacional descriptivo y retrospectivo. Se revisaron historias clínicas de niños, niñas y adolescentes que recibieron atención médica en cinco instituciones de protección entre enero y diciembre del 2008. El análisis incluyo análisis uni y bivariado con las variables de interés. La edad fue agrupada en: niños y niñas (0-12 años) y adolescentes (13-17 años). Resultados Se incluyeron 483 historias clínicas. El 73,1 por ciento de los registros del sexo masculino, 73,1 por ciento adolescentes y 44,7 por ciento residían en la calle. Los principales diagnósticos fueron: Ciertas enfermedades infecciosas y parasitarias (18,3 por ciento), factores que influyen con el estado de salud y contacto con servicios de salud (13,7 por ciento), enfermedades del sistema respiratorio (11,8 por ciento). El 81,0 por ciento consumían sustancias sicoactivas, la más consumida fue la marihuana (80,0 por ciento). El 84,0 por ciento reporta actividad sexual. Conclusión La morbilidad atendida, su actividad sexual y consumo de sicoactivos evidencian una alta vulnerabilidad en salud en este grupo poblacional. Esto exige a instancias de planificación y dirección de políticas públicas en salud la garantía de su derecho constitucional a la salud a través de la ejecución de programas de promoción de la salud y la salud sexual y reproductiva y de estrategias para la prevención de enfermedades y del consumo de sicoactivos.

Objectives Describing the characteristics, morbidity and risk behaviour of street children from Medellin. Methodology This was a descriptive, retrospective study. The medical charts of children aged less than 17 who sought medical attention in five protection institutions in Medellin during 2008 were reviewed. The analysis included descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis. Age was categorised into two groups: boys/girls (0- 12 years) and adolescents (13-17 years). Results The following characteristicswere found after reviewing 483 medical charts: being male (73.1 percent), adolescent (73.1 percent) and living in the streets (44.7 percent). The most common diagnoses were for infectious and parasite illnesses (21.8 percent), factors that affected health status and contact with health services (13.7 percent), respiratory diseases (11.8 percent). A total of 81.0 percent of all children were engaged in psychoactive substance abuse,smoking marijuana being the most common (80.0 percent);84.0 percent reported engaging in sexual activity. Conclusion Infectious diseases, sexual activity and usingpsychoactive substances placed this population in a high vulnerability category. This situation demands that local health-policy makers guarantee thispopulation's constitutional right to health, through health-promotion programmes and sexual and reproductive health strategies to prevent disease and psychoactive substance abuse.

[Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in physicians in Medellín, Colombia]. / Prevalencia de la infección por Helicobacter pylori en médicos de Medellín, Colombia.

UNLABELLED: Infection by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and its associated complications, such as gastric cancer, constitute a true public health problem due to the high morbidity and mortality rates in Colombia and Latin America, where it is highly prevalent. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the prevalence of H. pylori infection in the medical population ofMedellin, Colombia. METHODS: A transversal-cut observational epidemiological study was done, 342 physicians were included. The presence of H. pylori infection, diagnosed with carbon 13-labelled urea breath test, and its association with personal aspects, history of gastric disease and clinical manifestations was evaluated. RESULTS: The general prevalence of H. pylori infection was found to be 77.2% (CI 95%: 72.4% to 81.5%). Discriminating by gender, it represents a prevalence of 78.4% in men and 72.6% in women, without any significant association (chi-square, p = 0.37). Of the total 342 participants, 183 (53.5%) presented at least one suspected episode of gastric disease, and of these, 141 (77%) were positive and 42 (23%) were negative for H. pylori; of the 264 H. pylori positive participants, 141 (53.4%) had history of gastric disease and 123 (46.6%) were asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of H. pylori infection in the medical population in Medellin, Colombia, is 77.2% (CI 95%: 72.4% to 81.5%), in accordance to the epidemiologic profile of the region. Also, 46.6% of individuals infected by H. pylori were asymptomatic and with no history or symptoms suggestive of the presence of the bacteria, which is only possible to determine after appropriate testing of the individuals.

Prevalencia de la infección por Helicobacter pylori en médicos de Medellín, Colombia / Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in physicians in Medellín, Colombia

La infección por Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) y las omplicaciones asociadas, como el cáncer gástrico, representan un verdadero problema de salud pública porque lideran las tasas de morbilidad y mortalidad en Colombia y Latinoamérica, en donde es altamente prevalente. Objetivo: caracterizar la prevalencia de la infección por H. pylori en la población médica de Medellín, Colombia. Métodos: se realizó un estudio epidemiológico bservacional transversal donde se incluyeron 342 médicos. Se evaluó la presencia de la infección por H. pylori mediante la prueba de aliento con urea marcada con carbono 13 y su asociación con aspectos personales, antecedentes de enfermedad gástrica y manifestaciones clínicas. Resultados: se encontró una prevalencia general de infección por H. pylori de 77.2% (IC 95%: 72.4% a 81.5%), que discriminada por género epresenta una prevalencia de 78.4% en hombres y 72.6% en mujeres, sin asociación significativa (Chi- –cuadrado p= 0.37). Del total de los 342 participantes, 183 (53.5%) presentaron al menos un evento sospechoso de enfermedad gástrica y de éstos, 141 (77%) fueron positivos y 42 (23%) negativos para H. pylori; de los 264 participantes H. pylori positivos, 141 (53.4%) presentaban antecedentes de enfermedad gástrica y 123 (46.6%) fueron asintomáticos. Conclusiones: la prevalencia de la infección por H. pylori en lapoblación médica de Medellín, Colombia, es de 77.2% (IC 95%: 72.4% a 81.5%), acorde con el perfil epidemiológico de la región. Además, el 46.6% de los individuos infectados por H. pylori fueron asintomáticos y no hay antecedentes ni síntomas que permitan sospechar la presencia de la bacteria, la cual sólo es posible determinar tras el estudio apropiado de los individuos.

Infection by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and its associated complications, such as gastric cancer, constitute a true public health problem due to the high morbidity and mortality rates in Colombia and Latin America, where it is highly prevalent. Objective: To characterize the prevalence of H. pylori infection in the medical population of Medellín, Colombia. Methods: A transversal-cut observational epidemiological study was done, 342 physicians were included. The presence of H. pylori infection, diagnosed with carbon 13-labelled urea breath test, and its association with personal aspects, history of gastric disease and clinical manifestations was evaluated. Results: The general prevalence of H. pylori infection was found to be 77.2% (CI 95%: 72.4% to 81.5%). Discriminating by gender, it represents a prevalence of 78.4% in men and 72.6% in women, without any significant association (chisquare, p=0.37). Of the total 342 participants, 183 (53.5%) presented at least one suspected episode of gastric disease, and of these, 141 (77%) were positive and 42 (23%) were negative for H. pylori; of the 264 H. pylori positive participants, 141 (53.4%) had history of gastric disease and 123 (46.6%) were asymptomatic. Conclusions: Prevalence of H. pylori infection in the medical population in Medellín, Colombia, is 77.2% (CI 95%: 72.4% to 81.5%), in accordance to the epidemiologic profile of the region. Also, 46.6% of individuals infected by H. pylori were asymptomatic and with no history or symptoms suggestive of the presence of the bacteria, which is only possible to determine after appropriate testing of the individuals.

Prevalencia de la infección por Helicobacter pylori en médicos de Medellín, Colombia / Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in physicians in Medellín, Colombia

La infección por Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) y las omplicaciones asociadas, como el cáncer gástrico, representan un verdadero problema de salud pública porque lideran las tasas de morbilidad y mortalidad en Colombia y Latinoamérica, en donde es altamente prevalente. Objetivo: caracterizar la prevalencia de la infección por H. pylori en la población médica de Medellín, Colombia. Métodos: se realizó un estudio epidemiológico bservacional transversal donde se incluyeron 342 médicos. Se evaluó la presencia de la infección por H. pylori mediante la prueba de aliento con urea marcada con carbono 13 y su asociación con aspectos personales, antecedentes de enfermedad gástrica y manifestaciones clínicas. Resultados: se encontró una prevalencia general de infección por H. pylori de 77.2% (IC 95%: 72.4% a 81.5%), que discriminada por género epresenta una prevalencia de 78.4% en hombres y 72.6% en mujeres, sin asociación significativa (Chi- ¹cuadrado p= 0.37). Del total de los 342 participantes, 183 (53.5%) presentaron al menos un evento sospechoso de enfermedad gástrica y de éstos, 141 (77%) fueron positivos y 42 (23%) negativos para H. pylori; de los 264 participantes H. pylori positivos, 141 (53.4%) presentaban antecedentes de enfermedad gástrica y 123 (46.6%) fueron asintomáticos. Conclusiones: la prevalencia de la infección por H. pylori en lapoblación médica de Medellín, Colombia, es de 77.2% (IC 95%: 72.4% a 81.5%), acorde con el perfil epidemiológico de la región. Además, el 46.6% de los individuos infectados por H. pylori fueron asintomáticos y no hay antecedentes ni síntomas que permitan sospechar la presencia de la bacteria, la cual sólo es posible determinar tras el estudio apropiado de los individuos.(AU)

Infection by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and its associated complications, such as gastric cancer, constitute a true public health problem due to the high morbidity and mortality rates in Colombia and Latin America, where it is highly prevalent. Objective: To characterize the prevalence of H. pylori infection in the medical population of Medellín, Colombia. Methods: A transversal-cut observational epidemiological study was done, 342 physicians were included. The presence of H. pylori infection, diagnosed with carbon 13-labelled urea breath test, and its association with personal aspects, history of gastric disease and clinical manifestations was evaluated. Results: The general prevalence of H. pylori infection was found to be 77.2% (CI 95%: 72.4% to 81.5%). Discriminating by gender, it represents a prevalence of 78.4% in men and 72.6% in women, without any significant association (chisquare, p=0.37). Of the total 342 participants, 183 (53.5%) presented at least one suspected episode of gastric disease, and of these, 141 (77%) were positive and 42 (23%) were negative for H. pylori; of the 264 H. pylori positive participants, 141 (53.4%) had history of gastric disease and 123 (46.6%) were asymptomatic. Conclusions: Prevalence of H. pylori infection in the medical population in Medellín, Colombia, is 77.2% (CI 95%: 72.4% to 81.5%), in accordance to the epidemiologic profile of the region. Also, 46.6% of individuals infected by H. pylori were asymptomatic and with no history or symptoms suggestive of the presence of the bacteria, which is only possible to determine after appropriate testing of the individuals.(AU)