An in vivo study of two synergists, that is, Triphenil phosphate -specific esterase inhibitor- and ethacrynic acid -specific gluthation transferase inhibitor- was performed to determine if these enzymes were responsible...An in vivo study of two synergists, that is, Triphenil phosphate -specific esterase inhibitor- and ethacrynic acid -specific gluthation transferase inhibitor- was performed to determine if these enzymes were responsible for pyrethroid resistance of Aedes aegypti. To this end, two insecticide resistant Aedes aegypti strains were used, one strain selected with temephos by six selection generations (SAN-F6) and the other strain with delmamethrin by 12 selection generations (SAN-F12), being both strains resistant to pyrethroid insecticices. Through the use of TPP and EA synergists, it was proved that esterase and gluthation-s-transferase (GST) enzymes were responsible for pryrethroid resistance of these strains. These results showed the existence of cross-resistance and multidrug resistance, which should be taken into account for insecticide use strategies aimed at vector control.
Bisset JA, Rodríguez M, Fernández D
… +1 more, Palomino M
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2007 · PMID 23427457
Insecticide resistance of Aedes aegypti larvae and adults from two Peruvian provinces, that is, Trujillo and Tumbes provinces, was conducted. High infestation indexes and extensive use of insecticides based on the Vector...Insecticide resistance of Aedes aegypti larvae and adults from two Peruvian provinces, that is, Trujillo and Tumbes provinces, was conducted. High infestation indexes and extensive use of insecticides based on the Vector Surveillance and Control Strategy of the Ministry of Public Health prevailed in these places. Larval bioassays revealed susceptibility to organophosphorate insecticide called malathion in TRUJILLO strain, it being moderate to fention and fenitrotion and high to chlorpyriphos and temephos;however, TUMBES strain was susceptible to the evaluated organophosphorate compounds, except for fention, with moderate resistance. In the adult state, at the recommended dose, TRUJILLO strain showed resistence to DDT organochlorate insecticide and to pyrethoids called lambdacyalotrine and cyflutrine whereas TUMBES was resistant to DDT and to all assessed pyrethoids. None of them was resistant to chlorpiriphos in adult stage. By using synergists, the results showed that esterases and monooxigenases played an important role in the detected resistence to organophosphorate in Aedes larvae from TRUJILLO province. Biochemical assays yielded that increased activity of esterases was very frequent in TRUJILLO strain as was the case of glutathion transferase(GST) and modified acetylcholinesterase (AchR). On the other hand, the polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis allowed observing the prevalence of amplified activity of esterases A4 in TRUJILLO strain but not in TUMBES strain.
Alvarez Valdés AM, Díaz Pantoja C, García Melian M
… +7 more, Piquero Valera ME, Alfonso Berrio L, Torres Rojo Y, Alonso Mariné Mde L, Cuéllar Luna L, Fuentes González OC, de la Cruz Caballero AM
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2007 · PMID 23427456
A comprehensive ecosystem approach-based surveillance system was designed and implemented for dengue prevention in Cotorro municipality at the City of Havana. Cuba, geographically situated near those countries with high...A comprehensive ecosystem approach-based surveillance system was designed and implemented for dengue prevention in Cotorro municipality at the City of Havana. Cuba, geographically situated near those countries with high dengue incidence, and having a preventive approach as a premise of its public healthcare system, has to adopt measures to prevent new dengue epidemics. The environmental, entomological and clinical/epidemiological elements of the surveillance system were integrated and combined with a social participation strategy. A number of workshops were held for the people involved in search and analysis of the collected information. An automated database with indicators and thematic map outputs made risk stratification for dengue and its vector possible. Additionally, 17 groups of neighbors were organized. The environmental surveillance was the first element to be taken into account to avoid Aedes aegypti spread. The comprehensive surveillance system for dengue developed in the project was an important tool for the decision-taking process at local level.
Virus serotypes 2, 3 and 4 that had circulated in Santander District, Colombia in the period 1998-2004 were analyzed. Identifying the subtype of a dengue virus serotype is a useful tool for surveillance of severe risk fa...Virus serotypes 2, 3 and 4 that had circulated in Santander District, Colombia in the period 1998-2004 were analyzed. Identifying the subtype of a dengue virus serotype is a useful tool for surveillance of severe risk factors because the strain potential to cause hemorrhagic dengue makes the difference among them. Simultaneous sequence amplification technique known as restriction site specific-polymerase chain reaction (RSS-PCR) was used to determine the subtype by comparing the electrophoretic pattern of the local isolate to the reference virus. Virus serotype 2 corresponded to subtype A similar to the one isolated in Thailand (1996) and to the other isolated in Porto Rico (1986); virus serotypes 3 were of subtype C like the virus found in Sri Lanka (1990), Honduras (1995) and Porto Rico (2000); virus serotypes 4 were a variant of subtype B similar to a virus from Porto Rico (1987) and to another virus from Tahiti (1985). The study confirmed the presence in Colombia of dengue virus subtypes circulating now in the Americas.
Dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever in the Americas have been on the rise throughout the 1990s, with the highest number -over one million cases- reported in 2002. This paper analyzed the situation of dengue in the region...Dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever in the Americas have been on the rise throughout the 1990s, with the highest number -over one million cases- reported in 2002. This paper analyzed the situation of dengue in the region and discussed the determining factors that account for the rise of the disease, making emphasis on socioeconomic factors, such as poverty, inequality, migrations and the lack of access to basic services, which are the most influential in perpetuating this disease in most countries. Considering that a safe and accessible vaccine is now unavailable, basic principles of vector control combined with political willingness, inter-sectoral involvement, active community participation and the tightening of health legislation were also examined as the only viable solution at present.
Paneque Rodríguez I, Valdivia J, Aguiar Agramante A
… +3 more, Castillo Castillo I, Martínez Arroyo M, Delgado Almora E
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2007 · PMID 23427453
This article presented the case of a 64 years-old renal transplant recipient, who was a poultry farm worker and had suffered meningoencephalitis six months after receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Rapid diagnosis was b...This article presented the case of a 64 years-old renal transplant recipient, who was a poultry farm worker and had suffered meningoencephalitis six months after receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Rapid diagnosis was based on a cerebrospinal fluid sample analyzed with latex particles for Cryptococcus spp antigen detection. Culture of the clinical sample in agar-Sabouraund-chloramphenicol medium confirmed the initial diagnosis whereas biochemical identification was made with the API 20C AUX system. Amphotericin B treatment was immediately applied to the patient and later fluconazole until microbiological tests yielded negative results. After 5 months, the patient relapsed and restarted the specific treatment. He was followed up on outpatient service and two year after the organ transplantation, his recovery was favourable.
Marquetti Mdel C, Rojas L, Mohd Birniwa M
… +2 more, Sulaiman HU, Adamu HH
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2007 · PMID 23427452
A study was conducted in the state of Jigawa, Republic of Nigeria, from November to December in the dry season, where malaria is one of the main morbidity and mortality causes particularly in under 5 years-old children a...A study was conducted in the state of Jigawa, Republic of Nigeria, from November to December in the dry season, where malaria is one of the main morbidity and mortality causes particularly in under 5 years-old children and pregnant women. This state had two climate seasons: dry from October to May and rainy from June to September. A total of 112 water bodies were sampled and just 18 in nine local governments were positive to mosquitoes. Breeding sites for Anopheles were rice fields, small holes in land, animal footsteps, small ponds, flooded pasture fields and water treatment dam, among others, to amount to 10 sites. Contrary to what has always been reported about the presence of Anopheles in clean waters, they were also breeding in highly polluted waters containing human faeces and garbage and located in open sewers.
Díaz PC, Alvarez Gavilán Y, de Armas Rodríguez Y
… +1 more, Bisset Lazcano JA
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2007 · PMID 23427451
In this paper, the level of resistance to four insecticides of 3 Blatella germanica strains collected from various places in the City of Havana province was evaluated. These strains were resistant to two pyrethroids (cyp...In this paper, the level of resistance to four insecticides of 3 Blatella germanica strains collected from various places in the City of Havana province was evaluated. These strains were resistant to two pyrethroids (cypermethrin and lambda-cyalothrine) and to organophosphorate malathion but susceptible to carbamate propoxur. The values of alpha and beta esterases, acetylcholinesterase and gluthatione-S-transferase were estimated in three strains involved in the study. The results of the study showed high esterase activity in all the strains, mainly beta esterases and two of the three strains presented with high gluthation-S-transferase enzyme. No changes in acetylcholinesterase were demonstrated in relation to the reference strain. The association of levels of resistance to insecticides, the possible resistance mechanisms in each strain and the results of the enzymatic activity were also analyzed.
Gas chromatography test and Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry test allowed examining the essential oil from Pimenta racemosa leaves (Mill.) J.W. Moore (Myrtales: Myrtaceae). A total of 26 volatile compounds representi...Gas chromatography test and Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry test allowed examining the essential oil from Pimenta racemosa leaves (Mill.) J.W. Moore (Myrtales: Myrtaceae). A total of 26 volatile compounds representing 99.5% of the whole composition were identified, being ternipen 4-ol and 1.8 cineol those having the largest portions. Lab bioassays were performed with 5 different oil doses on Blattella germanica. DL50, 15.55 and DL95 = 48.16% were estimated by a probit-log analysis as well as diagnostic dose of 2 microg/insect of 50% oil that is recommended for field surveillance of the use of various formulations in insect control programs.
An ecological research study was carried out in freshwater mollusk populations of medical and veterinary importance, in order to determine the biotic and abiotic factors that affect their dynamics. It was observed that t...An ecological research study was carried out in freshwater mollusk populations of medical and veterinary importance, in order to determine the biotic and abiotic factors that affect their dynamics. It was observed that the principal abiotic factors influencing abundance of mollusks were total hardness, salinity, acidity, alkalinity and CO2 concentration. Both aquatic plants and specific relations among mollusk groups were the principal biotic factors that affected the molluskan fauna. Species like Fossaria cubensis and Tarebia granifera appeared affected when the site diversity increased whereas the tiarid Melanoides tuberculata prevailed in almost all the ecosystems.
Reyes Corcho A, Mosquera Fernández MA, Bouza Jiménez Y
… +5 more, Pérez Avila J, Hernández V, Jam Morales B, Alvarez Amador G, Bouza Jiménez Y
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2007 · PMID 23427448
A longitudinal prospective study was made to evaluate the clinical, immunological and virological response of a cohort of 34 AIDS patients in Cienfuegos provinces, who had been treated with highly active antiretroviral t...A longitudinal prospective study was made to evaluate the clinical, immunological and virological response of a cohort of 34 AIDS patients in Cienfuegos provinces, who had been treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Males comprised 67.6% of the total number and average age was 32 years. Sexual infection path was identified in 91.2% of cases. The CD4+ T counting under 200 cells defined AIDS in 79.4% of individuals. Twenty six patients suffered minor opportunistic infections (76.5%) whereas 32.4% got sick due to some major opportunistic disease prior to the therapy. After this therapy, these frequencies lowered to 20.6% and 11.8% respectively. Average CD4+ counting at the starting of HAART was 196 cell/mm3 and exceeded 400 cells in the rest of further countings. From a PVC average of 15 251 copies/mL one year after therapy, this figure reduced to 8 048 copies at 2 years. Only 10 cases required hospitalization after a HAART (29.4%). Treatment adherence reached over 80% and was correlated to immunological restoration. Survival after one year was 100% and only 2 patients died in the following 4 years. The positive impact of HAART on the frequency of opportunistic infections, immunological restoration and survival was proved.
Cruz Sui O, Pérez Guevara MT, Lubián Caballero AL
… +2 more, Montano Tamayo L, Silva Cabrera E
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2007 · PMID 23427447
The objective of this report was to evaluate oral fluid and urine as optional samples for HIV-1 confirmatory test using DAVIH-BLOT system (Laboratorios DAVIH, La Habana, Cuba), for which they were compared with their cor...The objective of this report was to evaluate oral fluid and urine as optional samples for HIV-1 confirmatory test using DAVIH-BLOT system (Laboratorios DAVIH, La Habana, Cuba), for which they were compared with their corresponding serum samples in a group of 125 individuals. In band pattern analysis, predominant antibodies in positives oral fluid and urine samples against p34, p68, gp41, gp120, were no different from their corresponding sera according to the proportion comparison test (p < 0,001). Relative sensitivity and specificity of this system were 100% in oral fluid and 98, 75% and 100% in urine samples respectively. These results support optional use of oral fluid and urine that, with slight modifications in the diagnostic system, can be applied for HIV-1 antibody confirmation testing.
Oropesa González L, Sánchez Valdez L, Berdasquera Corcho D
… +3 more, Gala González A, Pérez Avila JL, Isela Lantero M
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2007 · PMID 23427446
Sixty three patients were studied using sociodemographic, behavioral, clinical-immunological and risk factor variables. The objective was to estimate the size of clinical start of AIDS in Cuba and characterize these pati...Sixty three patients were studied using sociodemographic, behavioral, clinical-immunological and risk factor variables. The objective was to estimate the size of clinical start of AIDS in Cuba and characterize these patients in terms of potentially associated factors. Clinical start represented 4.2% of the total number of AIDS patients in Cuba. The risk of suffering the disease turned to be 17 times more frequent in over 50 years-old persons. Males represented 95.2%. The risk of dying was 3 times higher in those with clinical start of AIDS. The presentation form in 25% of patients was weakening caused by AIDS. Of the total number of patients, 34.9% stated that they had suffered some sexually transmitted infection prior to HIV diagnosis and almost half had had unprotected sexual intercourse with HIV-seropositive persons. Most of them (85.2%) were occasional. It was concluded that lack of knowledge on serological situation of patient constituted a barrier to treatment and survival. It was proved that we must insist on prevention and promotion campaigns in vulnerable groups and on active screening in the health area.
Pérez Molina AD, Gala González A, Rodríguez Barreras ME
… +3 more, Capó de Paz V, Collazo Caballero S, Fernández Andreu C
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2007 · PMID 23427445
Cutaneous infection by histoplasmosis in Cuban HIV patients was researched. In a case series study, all HIV patients admitted to "Pedro Kouri" Institute from January 1st, 1992 to June 30th, 2003, who had been diagnosed w...Cutaneous infection by histoplasmosis in Cuban HIV patients was researched. In a case series study, all HIV patients admitted to "Pedro Kouri" Institute from January 1st, 1992 to June 30th, 2003, who had been diagnosed with cutaneous histoplasmosis, were included. Of 44 patients with histoplasmosis, 52% (23 cases) developed the progressive disseminated form of histoplasmosis, which behaved as a subacute weakening disease. Young adults represented 56.5% and 82.6% were males mainly Caucasian (91.3%). Most of cases came from the Western provinces. Histoplasmosis was a marker disease in 39.1% of cases. CD4+ T-lymphocyte counting under 200 cell/mm3 was present in 78.9% of patients. Histoplasmosis seems to behave as an important marker disease for AIDs in seropositive patients. Serology was not the diagnosing method of choice for this cutaneous disease in AIDS patients.
Fernández Andreu CM, Martínez Machin G, Illnait Zaragozi MT
… +3 more, Perurena Lancha MR, Aguila Sánchez A, Galloso Brito M
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2007 · PMID 23427444
In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing is really necessary at present in medical mycology laboratories. Minimal inhibitory concentration of 210 Candida yeast strains isolated from HIV/AIDS patients with oral lesions...In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing is really necessary at present in medical mycology laboratories. Minimal inhibitory concentration of 210 Candida yeast strains isolated from HIV/AIDS patients with oral lesions was determined to find out susceptibility to fluconazole and amphotericin B. A CLSI's M27A2 protocol-based dilution micromethod was used. C. albicans was predominant (62.4%)followed by C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, and C. tropicalis. Regarding amphotericin B, the mode value and MIC50 were 0.125 microg/mL, which indicated the effectiveness of this drug in vitro conditions. Only C. krusei strain showed a minimal inhibitory concentration over 1 microg/mL. 8.1% of strains were resistent to fluconazole whereas 8.1% was dose-depending susceptible. The less susceptible species were C. krusei and C. glabrata. The achieved results laid the foundations for wider studies to be made in the Cuban context and indicated the need of keeping surveillance on the behaviour of clinical yeast isolates to antifungal drugs.
Fernández Molina C, Zamora Martínez Y, Rodríguez PN
… +3 more, Rodríguez González I, Berdasquera Corcho D, Ortega González LM
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2007 · PMID 23427443
An observational descriptive study to determine the frequency of Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticum isolates in patients with bacterial vaginosis was carried out in 296 patients who had vagi...An observational descriptive study to determine the frequency of Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticum isolates in patients with bacterial vaginosis was carried out in 296 patients who had vaginal secretion and were seen at two hospitals. The diagnosis was based on Amsel's criteria. Endocervical swabs were taken from women positive to this disease for M. hominis and Ureaplasma spp. diagnosis by traditional methods. Polymerase chain reaction identified U. parvum and U. urealyticum. Bacterial vaginosis was diagnosed in 30.1% of females, and in 77.5% of them the studied urogenital mycoplasmas were present. M. hominis was the most common species (71%) whereas U. parvum and Urealyticum were detected in 23.2 % and 5.8% of cases respectively. The diagnosis of Mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas should be performed in females with bacterial vaginosis, which will allow applying adequate therapeutic control and avoiding future pathologies in the genital tract.
Aguila A, Bernedo R, Llop A
… +4 more, Ramírez M, Bravo L, Fernández A, Ledo Y
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2007 · PMID 23427442
Forty strains of Escherichia coli isolated from children under 5 years of age with acute diarreas, coming from different provinces of the country , were analyzed. Four important phenotypical determinants were tested: sor...Forty strains of Escherichia coli isolated from children under 5 years of age with acute diarreas, coming from different provinces of the country , were analyzed. Four important phenotypical determinants were tested: sorbosa, sorbitol, enterohemolysin and 0157:H7 serology, in order to select those strains from enterohemorrhagic or Shiga toxin-producing category. Likewise, they were characterized by biotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility methods. The use of phenotypical tests showed six strains with presumptive characteristics, four of which were most likely to be Shiga toxin-producing strains. In antimicrobial susceptibility test, the strains showed high resistance mainly to ampicillin and trimethrophin-sulfamethoxasole. Another interesting finding were intermediate resistance and susceptibility values to augmentin, aztreonan and ceftriaxone. There were 12 antimicrobial resistance patterns of which 10 were multi-resistant.
Sarmiento Pérez L, Más Lago P, Palomera Puentes R
… +3 more, Morier Díaz L, Fonseca Quintana M, Resik Aguirre S
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2007 · PMID 23427441
Stool specimens collected from 1 515 healthy children following a mass vaccination campaign in Cuba were tested for poliovirus excretion using L20B cell lines. In spite of the selectivity of this cell line for poliovirus...Stool specimens collected from 1 515 healthy children following a mass vaccination campaign in Cuba were tested for poliovirus excretion using L20B cell lines. In spite of the selectivity of this cell line for polioviruses (117/129; 90.7%) some other nonpolio enteroviruses (12/129: 9.3%), such as coxsackie A virus types 4, 8 and 10, can grow in L20B cells.
Gala Gonzalez A, Berdasquera Corcho D, Pérez Avila J
… +6 more, Pinto Valluerca J, Suárez Valdéz J, Joanes Fiol J, Sánchez L, Aragonés López C, Díaz González M
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2007 · PMID 23427440
The adaptation of Coreil et al's communicable disease model to the dynamics of contracting HIV from the sensitive individual perspective was intended to be explained in this article. A literature review on the situation...The adaptation of Coreil et al's communicable disease model to the dynamics of contracting HIV from the sensitive individual perspective was intended to be explained in this article. A literature review on the situation of this disease in Cuba and worldwide by developing the phylosophical debate on concepts and the basis for a different risk approach was made. The applicability and usefulness of this model for the study of determinants involved in HIV infection was shown.
Feasibility of rapid and sustainable diagnostic methods that provide useful and timely results to guide the clinical control of tuberculosis patients was analyzed. However, policies guiding the insertion of new diagnosti...Feasibility of rapid and sustainable diagnostic methods that provide useful and timely results to guide the clinical control of tuberculosis patients was analyzed. However, policies guiding the insertion of new diagnostics in the laboratory services that support the tuberculosis control are lacking in developing countries. The introduction of these methods in developing countries laboratories requires rational policies guiding the application of these technologies. In the last few years, some automated systems for culture and molecular testing in laboratory services for tuberculosis diagnosis, which offered accuracy and speed, have been reported. However, their implementation is restricted because of costly resources, logistics and infrastructure. Recently, various economically feasible tests have demonstrated to be applicable in poor-resource labs. The detection of adenosine desaminase (ADA) in pleural fluid is a valuable low-cost approach to the diagnosis of tuberculosis. On the other hand, the microscopic detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using thin layer agar is a moderate cost alternative method. Drug susceptibility testing to antituberculous drugs can be expedited by the nitrate reduction assay in tuberculosis laboratories using routine procedures for tuberculosis diagnosis.