Evolution of Plasmodium vivax and resistance patterns for infection based on Duffy genotype and phenotype.

The Duffy protein, a transmembrane molecule, acts as a receptor for various chemokines and facilitates binding between reticulocytes and the Plasmodium Duffy antigen binding protein. Duffy expression is associated with the Duffy chemokine receptor antigen genotype on chromosome 1 and exhibits variation across different geographic regions. Traditionally, the Duffy negative genotype and phenotype have been described to confer a certain level of protection against infection and symptom development. However, recent data suggest a shift in this behavior, with significantly higher prevalence observed in individuals with Duffy negative genotype or phenotype. Given that malaria is an endemic vector-borne disease in regions of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, posing a substantial global burden of disease and prioritizing public and global health, identifying evolutionary changes in infection and resistance patterns holds great importance for the design of strategies and reevaluation of conventional interventions. Hence, the aim of this review was to analyze the evolution of Plasmodium vivax and infection resistance patterns based on Duffy genotype and phenotype. The distribution of genotypes, phenotypes, and polymorphisms of P. vivax ligands and erythrocyte receptors varies geographically, notably resistance patterns of this microorganism in individuals with Duffy negative genotype and phenotype have significantly changed compared to studies conducted 30 years ago. The prevalence of vivax malaria in individuals with a Duffy negative status can reach up to 100%. Consequently, prioritizing research on this topic is essential for public health.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of spontaneous vaginal delivery vs elective cesarean delivery for maternal outcomes in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: In worldwide literature, it has been found that cesarean deliveries represent higher costs and are associated with maternal morbidity and other complications. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of elective cesarean delivery compared with spontaneous vaginal delivery in short-term maternal outcomes for low-risk obstetrical population in Colombia. STUDY DESIGN: A cost-effectiveness study using a healthcare-system perspective was performed in 2019 in Colombia. The reference population were women with full-term and low-risk pregnancy, either by spontaneous vaginal delivery or elective cesarean delivery under medical or nonmedical indications. An analytical decision model (decision tree) was designed for maternal outcomes. The time horizon was 42 days postpartum, and the health effects were measured by Quality Adjusted Life Years. A review of the literature and a validation process by a national expert committee were conducted to determine the maternal outcomes and estimate their probabilities. Costs were estimated with a top-down analysis, an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was calculated, and finally, a sensitivity analysis was performed. RESULTS: Within a 42-day time horizon, it was found that spontaneous vaginal delivery is the less-expensive and more-effective mode of delivery, it showed a reduction in costs (324 USD) and a gain in Quality Adjusted Life Years (0.03) compared with elective cesarean delivery. Our analysis suggests that spontaneous vaginal delivery is the dominant alternative compared with elective cesarean delivery. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous vaginal delivery showed to be the cost-effective mode of delivery for low-risk obstetrical population in Columbia. These results are useful not only for obstetricians but for decision makers, who should encourage nationwide health policies in favor of spontaneous vaginal delivery.

Performance of the INTERGROWTH-21st and World Health Organization fetal growth charts for the detection of small-for-gestational age neonates in Latin America.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of INTERGROWTH-21st (IG-21st ) and World Health Organization (WHO) fetal growth charts to identify small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and fetal growth restriction (FGR) neonates, as well as their specific risks for adverse neonatal outcomes. METHODS: Multicenter cross-sectional study including 67 968 live births from 10 maternity units across four Latin American countries. According to each standard, neonates were classified as SGA and FGR (birth weight <10th and less than third centiles, respectively). The relative risk (RR) and diagnostic performance for a low APGAR score and low ponderal index were calculated for each standard. RESULTS: WHO charts identified more neonates as SGA than IG-21st (13.9% vs 7%, respectively). Neonates classified as having FGR by both standards had the highest RR for a low APGAR (RR, 5.57 [95% confidence interval (CI), 3.99-7.78]), followed by those who were SGA by both curves (RR, 3.27 [95% CI, 2.52-4.24]), while neonates with SGA identified by WHO alone did not have an additional risk (RR, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.55-1.39]). Furthermore, the diagnostic odds ratio for a low APGAR was higher when IG-21st was used. CONCLUSION: In a population from Latin America, the WHO charts seem to identify more SGA neonates, but the diagnostic performance of the IG-21st charts for low APGAR score and low ponderal index is better.

Delivery route determines the presence of immune complexes on umbilical cord erythrocytes.

OBJECTIVE: Umbilical cord blood offers a unique opportunity to study the basal level of immunoglobulin complexes. This study aims to determine the presence of immune complexes and complement deposition on erythrocytes from umbilical cord blood from normal, full-term pregnancies. METHODS: In vitro pre-formed IgA, IgG, and IgM complexes were used as positive control for flow cytometry detection, and for C3d deposition. Blood samples (34) of umbilical cord blood taken from vaginal and cesarean deliveries were tested for the presence of immunoglobulin complexes. RESULTS: Fourteen samples from vaginal deliveries and 20 samples from cesarean deliveries were assessed. IgG and IgM complexes were detected on erythrocytes, whereas no IgA complexes or complement deposition was observed. Interestingly, the percentage of IgG complexes was higher on erythrocytes from vaginal delivery samples compared to those from cesarean deliveries. No other associations between immune complexes and other maternal or newborn variables were found. CONCLUSIONS: IgG and IgM complexes seem to be normally present on umbilical cord erythrocytes. Erythrocytes from vaginal deliveries have a higher percentage of IgG complexes present compared to that from cesarean deliveries. Since no C3d activity was detected, these complexes are non-pathological and should be part of the newborn's initial innate immune response.

Anaesthetic and cardiorespiratory effects of a constant rate infusion of fentanyl in isoflurane-anaesthetized sheep.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the anaesthetic and cardiorespiratory effects of a constant rate infusion of fentanyl in sheep anaesthetized with isoflurane and undergoing orthopaedic surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomised, 'blinded' controlled study. ANIMALS: Twenty healthy sheep (weight mean 41.1 ± SD 4.5 kg). METHODS: Sheep were sedated with intravenous (IV) dexmedetomidine (4 µg kg(-1) ) and morphine (0.2 mg kg(-1) ). Anaesthesia was induced with propofol (1 mg kg(-1)  minute(-1) to effect IV) and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen and a continuous rate infusion (CRI) of fentanyl 10 µg kg(-1)  hour(-1) (group F) or saline (group P) for 100 minutes. The anaesthetic induction dose of propofol, isoflurane expiratory fraction (Fe'iso) required for maintenance and cardiorespiratory measurements were recorded and blood gases analyzed at predetermined intervals. The quality of recovery was assessed. Results were compared between groups using t-tests or Mann-Whitney as relevant. RESULTS: The propofol induction dose was 4.7 ± 2.4 mg kg(-1) . Fe'iso was significantly lower (by 22.6%) in group F sheep than group P (p = 0). Cardiac index (mean ± SD mL kg(-1)  minute(-1) ) was significantly (p = 0.012) lower in group F (90 ± 15) than group P (102 ± 35). Other measured cardiorespiratory parameters did not differ statistically significantly between groups. Recovery times and recovery quality were statistically similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Fentanyl reduced isoflurane requirements without clinically affecting the cardiorespiratory stability or post-operative recovery in anaesthetized sheep undergoing orthopaedic surgery.

First-trimester uterine artery Doppler velocimetry in the prediction of birth weight in a low-risk population.

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between first-trimester uterine artery (UtA) Doppler velocimetry and birth weight in an unselected, low-risk obstetric population. METHODS: This is a prospective study of 415 low-risk pregnant women who underwent a first-trimester ultrasound evaluation between 11 and 13 weeks of gestation. Blood flow velocimetry waveforms from both UtAs were obtained and the pulsatility index (PI) measured and recorded. Clinical records were reviewed for pregnancy outcomes. Birth weight was expressed as z-scores, and the Spearman correlation coefficient (ρ) was used to calculate the relationship between the mean, delta, and lowest UtA PI values and birth weight. RESULTS: There was no correlation between the mean and delta UtA PI values and birth weight. However, a significant correlation between the lowest UtA PI value and birth weight (ρ = -0.121; p = 0.013) was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found a clinically significant correlation between the lowest UtA PI value and birth weight in an unselected, low-risk pregnant population. Because fetal growth is a multifactorial process in which placentation is only one of the factors involved, the use of a single parameter such as Doppler velocimetry remote from the delivery to predict birth weight in a low-risk population seems to be less useful than in the high-risk population.

Doppler de arteria umbilical con flujo reverso intermitente en embarazo gemelar monocorial biamniótico con RCIU selectivo: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / A case report and review of the literature regarding umbilical artery Doppler with intermittent reversed flow in monochorionic biamniotic twin pregnancy with selective IUGR

Objetivo: revisar la literatura existente acerca del retardo de crecimiento intrauterino discordante en el embarazo gemelar, en cuanto a las características de doppler de la arteria umbilical, la fisiopatología del patrón que representan sus ondas y las implicaciones como factor pronóstico de bienestar fetal y manejo.Se presenta un caso clínico de paciente con estudio de doppler reverso intermitente de arteria umbilical en feto con restricción de crecimiento intrauterino (RCIU) discordante de gestación gemelar monocorial biamniótico.Discusión: la literatura revisada mostró que el embarazo gemelar monocorial tiene formas únicas de relaciones vasculares entre sus fetos, que hacen que se dibujen ondas doppler específicas para la arteria umbilical que tienen al parecer una correlación clínica directa con el desenlace de estos embarazos; sin embargo, falta evidencia suficiente que soporte estos hallazgos para poder, de manera concreta, definir patrones de doppler de la arteria umbilical y dar un pronóstico certero de cada uno.

Diagnóstico prenatal de hepatoblastoma congénito: reporte de un caso / Prenatal diagnosis of a congenital hepatoblastoma: a case report

Presentamos un caso de diagnóstico prenatal de hepatoblastoma congénito. Se presentan los aspectos más relevantes acerca del diagnóstico ultrasonográfico de esta rara patología maligna. Se comentan aspectos relacionados con el diagnóstico diferencial, manejo obstétrico, pronóstico y seguimiento neonatal.

Aplicaciones del ultrasonido transvaginal en medicina materno-fetal: experiencia institucional / Aplications of transvaginal ultrasound in the medical maternal fetal: experience Institutional

Se revisa el ultrasonido transvaginal como técnica diagnóstica en el escenario obstétrico y de la medicina materno-fetal. Se comenta su utilidad clínica en el diagnóstico y seguimiento de pacientes con condiciones obstétricas específicas. A la luz de la evidencia científica actual, se comentan los resultados de estudios de investigación llevados a cabo en nuestro Hospital acerca del valor clínico de esta arma diagnóstica

Ultrasonido en obstetricia

Se revisa el ultrasonido como técnica diagnóstica dentro del contexto obstétrico moderno. Se enuncian aspectos de su clasificación, indicaciones, seguridad y uso rutinario. Se comenta acerca de las posibles implicaciones médico legales de la práctica sonográfica en la obstetricia actual

Correlación entre embriocardia, saco vitelino y cuerpo lúteo en embarazo menor de diez semanas para eveluar su viabilidad y evolución

Existen reportes en la literatura mundial que, considerando algunos parámetros de ecografía temprana, hacen predicciones sobre le evolución del embarazo. Se pretendió demostrar estos hallazgos reportados universalmente para su aplicabilidad a la población que consulta al Hospital Militar Central, para la cual se realizaron ecografías transvaginales a 220 pacientes con embarazos menores de 10 semanas, en la Unidad de Ecografía Ginecoobstétrica del Hospital Militar Central o en la Unidad de Diagnóstico obstétrico y Ginecológico, (Obgyn), midiendo el diámetro del saco vitelino, cuantificando la embriocardia y valorando la presencia de cuerpo lúteo. Se realizó el seguimiento de las pacientes al final del período de estudio. Fueron excluidas 56 pacientes y con las 164 restantes no fue posible corroborar lo reportado en la bibliografía. Por tal motivo no podemos hacer ninguna predicción sobre el pronóstico del embarazo basados en las mediciones de ciertos parámetros por ecografía transvaginal en embarazos tempranos

Determinación de glucosa en líquido amniótico como valor predictivo de infección intraamniótica en pacientes con trabajo de parto pretérmino

OBJETIVO: Determinar la utilidad de la concentraciónde glucosa en líquido amniótico en pacientes con trabajo de parto pretermino, como factor predictivo de infección intraamniótica. MATERIAL Y METODOS: Se practicó amniocentesis a 56 gestantes con trabajo de parto pretérmino y membranas íntegras, enviándose muestra para Gram, cultivo y concentración de glucosa. Simultáneamente se obtuvieron muestras de líquido amniótico en 62 pacientes a quienes se les indicó amniocentesis por otras patologías y que sirvieron de grupo de control. Se correlacionaron los resultados con la presencia de parto pretérmino y/o evidencia clínica de corioamnionitis utilizando métodos estadisticos de Chi cuadrado y "t" test. CONCLUSION: La determinación de glucosa en líquido amniótico es una alternativa diagnóstica rápida y certera en la identificación de infección intraamniótica en pacientes con actividad uterina pretérmino(Truncado 2500 caracteres)

Embarazo heterotópico: presentación de un caso

Se presenta el caso de una paciente con gestación heterotópica. Se revisan aspectos relacionados con la etiología, diagnóstico y manejo de esta entidad. Se hace énfasis en el aumento de la incidencia de esta patología, especialmente en pacientes sometidas a técnicas de reproducción asistida. Las estadísticas previas donde se refería a esta entidad como infrecuente deben ser revaluadas

Diagnóstico prenatal: trisomía 13 y holoprosencefalia

Se presenta un caso de diagnóstico prenatal de trisomía 13 y holoprosencefalia, durante el segundo trimestre de embarazo. Se practica una revisión de la literatura existente, incluyendo criterios de diagnóstico sonográfico y aspectos genéticos asociados. Se insiste en la importancia del diagnóstico sonográfico y genético antenatal, en la determinación de un pronóstico para el manejo ante e intraparto de estos casos