Zoonotic Trypanosomes in Rats and Fleas of Venezuelan Slums

Rattus spp. are reservoirs of many human zoonoses, but their role in domestic transmission cycles of human trypanosomiasis is underestimated. In this study, we report trypanosome-infected Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus in human dwellings in slums neighboring Maracay, a large city near Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. Blood samples of R. norvegicus and R. rattus examined by PCR and FFLB (fluorescent fragment length barcoding) revealed a prevalence of 6.3% / 31.1% for Trypanosoma lewisi (agent of rat- and flea-borne human emergent zoonosis), and 10.5% / 24.6% for Trypanosoma cruzi (agent of Chagas disease). Detection in flea guts of T. lewisi (76%) and, unexpectedly, T. cruzi (21.3%) highlighted the role of fleas as carriers and vectors of these trypanosomes. A high prevalence of rats infected with T. lewisi and T. cruzi and respective flea and triatomine vectors poses a serious risk of human trypanosomiasis in Venezuelan slums. Anthropogenic activities responsible for growing rat and triatomine populations within human dwellings drastically increased human exposure to trypanosomes. This scenario has allowed for the reemergence of Chagas disease as an urban zoonosis in Venezuela and can propitiate the emergence of atypical T. lewisi infection in humans.

[Leukocyte esterase as a diagnostic tool for an infectious disease of the knee]

BACKGROUND

Articular infection is an orthopedic challenge due to its difficult diagnosis and devastating results. Various diagnostic studies exist: culture, ESR, CRP, count of leukocytes, among others, but none is specific, they all take more than 30 minutes to complete, and require complex infrastructure. In this study, we determine the sensitivity and specificity of the leukocyte esterase for detection of an infectious process joint in Mexican population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

During November 2015 to April 2016, we obtained synovial fluid from two groups of patients: one with a diagnosis of synovial joint infection with or without implant, and the control group, without infection but with degenerative pathology of the knee. We evaluated the sample using the leukocyte esterase test COMBI-SCREEN 11SYS with colorimetric reading at two minutes; two crosses determined positive for infection; the remainder of the sample was sent for culture.

RESULTS

We performed the test in 64 samples of synovial fluid, 19 diagnosed with articular infection and 45 without it. We obtained a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 88.24%, PPV of 68.42%, and NPV of 100%; Kappa index of .753.

CONCLUSIONS

Leukocyte esterase is an effective test to detect an infectious process against an inflammatory one with a high probability of success. This study presented an index of agreement Kappa of 0.753, proving to be reproducible.

Bovine tuberculosis in domestic pigs: Genotyping and distribution of isolates in Argentina

Bovine tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium bovis and affects primarily cattle, among many other mammal species. In this study, 250 isolates of M. bovis collected from pigs slaughtered in Argentina were typed by spoligotyping. Over half of the isolates (66%) grouped into two spoligotypes. Moreover, SB0140 was the most frequent spoligotype detected in the three performed samplings. In addition, 195 isolates were typed through variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) by selecting 7 loci (MIRU 16–26– 31 and ETR A–B–C–D). The relationship among the patterns was performed using a goeBURST algorithm and the main clonal complexes grouped 110 isolates (56%). Although pigs shared genotypes with cattle (n = 21), some patterns were detected only in pigs (n=14). These findings suggest the pig as a source ofM. bovis infection to cattle.

Bright squeezed-vacuum source with 1.1 spatial mode

Bright squeezed vacuum, a macroscopic nonclassical state of light, can be obtained at the output of a strongly pumped nonseeded traveling-wave optical parametric amplifier (OPA). By constructing the OPA of two consecutive crystals separated by a large distance, we make the squeezed vacuum spatially single-mode without a significant decrease in the brightness or squeezing.

Re-emergence of leishmaniasis in Spain: community outbreak in Madrid, Spain, 2009 to 2012

Since July 2009, there has been a community outbreak of leishmaniasis in the south-west area of the Madrid autonomous community, Spain, affecting residents from four towns that are geographically close together and share extensive park areas. As of December 2012, 446 cases were reported (6 in 2009, 97 in 2010, 196 in 2011 and 147 in 2012), a mean incidence rate of 22.2 per 100,000 inhabitants during July 2009 and December 2012. The mean age was 44 years (range: 2 months to 95 years); 61.0% were male. A total of 68 (15.2%) had immunosuppressive conditions; 160 (35.9%) had visceral leishmaniasis and 286 (64.1%) cutaneous. A total of 421 (94.4%) cases were confirmed. Leishmania infantum was identified as the agent. Monitoring revealed high densities of the vector Phlebotomus perniciosus. The surveillance system for canine leishmaniasis did not detect any increase in prevalence during the period. Environmental control measures have been taken, such as improvements in sanitation and disinsection in the risk areas and control of the overpopulation of Leporidae, as xenodiagnosis studies have shown that hares play a role as active reservoirs. This is the largest reported community outbreak of leishmaniasis in Europe. The discovery of the new reservoir stands out in the multifactorial aetiology of the outbreak. Epidemiological research and environmental intervention measures are continuing.

Superbunched bright squeezed vacuum state

In this Letter, we experimentally study the statistical properties of a bright squeezed vacuum state containing up to 10(13) photons per mode (10 μJ per pulse), produced via high-gain parametric down conversion (PDC). The effects of bunching and superbunching of photons were observed for a single-mode PDC radiation by second-order intensity correlation function measurements with analog detectors.

Multipactor radiation analysis within a waveguide region based on a frequency-domain representation of the dynamics of charged particles

A technique for the accurate computation of the electromagnetic fields radiated by a charged particle moving within a parallel-plate waveguide is presented. Based on a transformation of the time-varying current density of the particle into a time-harmonic current density, this technique allows the evaluation of the radiated electromagnetic fields both in the frequency and time domains, as well as in the near- and far-field regions. For this purpose, several accelerated versions of the parallel-plate Green's function in the frequency domain have been considered. The theory has been successfully applied to the multipactor discharge occurring within a two metal-plates region. The proposed formulation has been tested with a particle-in-cell code based on the finite-difference time-domain method, obtaining good agreement.

Assessment of short-term survival after liver transplant by the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease

The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score has demonstrated the ability to predict mortality among patients with chronic liver disease on the liver waiting list. The aim of this study was to assess the capability of the MELD score to correctly predict posttransplantation survival in Spain and to determine specific thresholds of MELD above which liver transplantation should be discouraged and the patient removed from the waiting list.

METHODS

In this study, we retrospectively applied the MELD score to 168 patients at time of transplantation to estimate 1-month and 3-month posttransplant survivals by stratifying them into four groups: group A, MELD score < 10; group B, MELD score 10-18; group C, MELD score 19-24; group D, MELD score > 24.

RESULTS

One-, 2-, and 3-month survivals were 84.3%, 80% and 79.5%, respectively. One-, 2-, and 3-month survivals in group A (18 patients) were identical (77.8%). In group B (80 patients), 1-month survival was 84.8%, and 2- and 3-month survivals were 78.4%. In group C (42 patients) 1-month survival was 90.5% and 2- and 3-month survivals were 88%. One-, 2-, and 3-month survivals in group D (28 patients) were 77.9%, 74%, and 70%, respectively. We defined a new group (group E) formed by patients with MELD score < or =24. When we compared 1-, 2-, and 3-month survival rates in group E (85.6%, 81.25%, and 81.25%, respectively) with survival rates in group D, the difference was not significant (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Although overall outcomes of patients whose MELD scores were high at the time of liver transplantation were inferior to those of patients whose MELD scores were lower, there was no significant difference for specific thresholds of MELD above which liver transplantation should be discouraged and the patient removed from the waiting list.

[Pathological findings in pigs affected by the postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome in Argentina]

Postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome was first described in Canada in 1991 and at present an increasing number of cases has been diagnosed worldwide. In Argentina the first cases of PMWS were reported recently. Forty eight 5 to 12 week old pigs with signs characteristic of PMWS from 19 farms were studied. Although the real distribution of the virus in our country is not known it was observed an increasing number of farms with PMWS distributed in the major producing provinces. The histopathology was an important tool in diagnosis of suspicious cases of PMWS with the observation of different degrees of lesion. In the studied animals, the secondary infections, either by opportunistic pathogens or secondary bacteria could be important.

[Peripheral arteriopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus]

OBJECTIVES

To find the prevalence of peripheral arteriopathy (PA) in type 2 diabetics registered at a Health Centre, to detect their main risk factors and examine the usefulness of the portable Doppler in Primary Care consultations.

DESIGN

A crossover descriptive study.

SETTING

Urban Health Centre.

PATIENTS

All the type 2 diabetics registered.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Anamnesis, physical examination, analysis and base ECG were performed. A portable Doppler determined systolic blood pressure in the lower extremities (foot and posterior tibial arteries) and brachial arteries in order to calculate the ankle/arm index (AAI). PA well recorded in the clinical history and AAI < or = 0.90 were considered criteria of PA. Diabetics with AAI > or = 1.25 were analysed separately. 289 patients with an average age of 65.3 (+/- 10.8 SD) were studied. 45.7% were men and 67% had Diabetes Mellitus for less than 10 years. 37.4% followed a dietary treatment and 21.1% were treated with insulin. Multivariate analysis showed that risk factors were: tobacco dependency, age, Hypertension and the type of treatment for the DM.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of PA found (21.4%) was very much higher than what had been previously diagnosed (6.9%). Identified risk factors were tobacco dependency, age, Hypertension and the type of DM treatment. A portable Doppler is easy to handle and allows peripheral arteriopathy to be diagnosed at an early stage.

A polytene chromosome study of four populations of Anopheles aquasalis from Venezuela

Polytene chromosome studies were undertaken to elucidate taxonomic relationships among populations of Anopheles aquasalis and A. emilianus in Venezuela. Four collection sites were chosen: two in Sucre state (Santa Fe and Guayana) where A. aquasalis (considered to be A. emilianus by Gabaldón and Escalante) is presumed to be the major regional vector of Plasmodium vivax; and two in areas where no malaria transmission occurs (Caño Rico, Aragua state, and Puerto Cabello, Carabobo state). The chromosome banding pattern of the four populations was identical and conformed to the standard chromosome map of A. aquasalis from Brazil. These results suggest that the population from Santa Fe and Guayana, considered to be A. emilianus, is conspecific with A. aquasalis. However, its status as a distinct species with a homosequential polytene chromosome banding pattern cannot be ruled out.

Effects of perinatal hypothyroidism in the carbohydrate composition of cochlear tectorial membrane

The presence of carbohydrates in the cochlear tectorial membrane (TM) of normal and hypothyroid rats was analyzed using fluorescent lectin probes. SBA and WGA lectins exhibited a similar reactivity in both normal and hypothyroid TMs. DBA, RCA1, UEA1 and Con A lectins were also reactive, although they showed a different distribution pattern between normal and hypothyroid TMs. Lastly, one of the lectins, PNA, was only labeled in hypothyroid TMs. These findings suggest that carbohydrate chains containing residues of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (GalNAc) and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, are similarly distributed in normal and hypothyroid TMs. Other carbohydrate residues as GalNAc alpha 1,3 GalNAc, D-galactose (Gal), L-fucose and D-mannose, are present, but are abnormally distributed in hypothyroid TMs. The Gal beta 1,3GalNAc residues, recognized by PNA, could be present only in the hypothyroid TMs. Alterations in glycosylation of the glycoproteins in the hypothyroid TM could be responsible for the abnormal distribution pattern of carbohydrate residues here described, and for the distorted shape of the hypothyroid TM.