Revista Cubana De Medicina Tropical[JOURNAL]
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200 papers
[Is Yersinia enterocolitica an important enteropathogen in Cuba?].
Ledo Ginarte Y, Bravo Fariñas L
Rev Cubana Med Trop · 2012 · PMID 23424811
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
[Increase of analytical sensitivity of FasciDIG system for the diagnosis of Fasciola hepatica].
Marcet Sánchez R, Figueredo Pino M, Núñez Fernández CF … +2 more , Rojas Rivero CL, Sarracent Pérez CJ
Rev Cubana Med Trop · 2012 · PMID 23424810
INTRODUCTION: fasciolosis is an endemic disease in cattle in Cuba and there is an increase in the number of reported human cases in recent years. The coproparasitological diagnosis of fasciolosis has low sensitivity and...
INTRODUCTION: fasciolosis is an endemic disease in cattle in Cuba and there is an increase in the number of reported human cases in recent years. The coproparasitological diagnosis of fasciolosis has low sensitivity and is hard-working; for that reason, it is important to use immunoenzymatic methods mainly those that can detect this parasite antigens in the feces. A system for antigen detection called FasciDIG, with a reported sensitivity of 10 ng/mL has been developed in "Pedro Kouri" Institute of Tropical Medicine. OBJECTIVE: to increase the sensitivity of FasciDIG through some modifications to this diagnostic method. METHODS: two foul dilutions (concentrations of antigen 1 000 ng/mL- 1.95ng/mL in H20 Tween-20) were evaluated in a simulated system using FasciDIG and modified FasciDIG. The FasciDiG was modified using the secondary antibody obtained from rabbit against excretory-secretory antigens of Fasciola hepatica combined with biotin and then adding commercial conjugated extravidine peroxidase. Feces were collected from the rectum of 96 animals for slaughter and were evaluated by both methods, FasciDig and modified FasciDig. Kappa index was calculated between both assays. RESULTS: the detection limit for the FasciDIG was 3.9 ng/mL whereas the modified FasciDIG detected up to 1.95 ng/mL. The agreement index calculated between the two tests was 0.6238 corresponding to an index of substantive or good agreement. CONCLUSIONS: the modified method is more sensitive than FasciDIG and it can supplement the diagnosis of fasciolosis. The number of analyzed samples should be increased and the sensitivity and specificity should also be determined using the serial conic-cup sedimentation technique as the gold standard.
[K-othrine WG250 (deltamethrine)-based treatment in an area characterized by high infestation rates of Aedes aegypti].
Montada Dorta D, Diéguez Fernández L, Llambias Peláez JJ … +3 more , Bofill Feliciano LM, Codina García A, Estévez Menéndez S
Rev Cubana Med Trop · 2012 · PMID 23424809
INTRODUCTION: dengue and its lethal form, that is, dengue hemorrhagic fever, has significantly increased in Las Americas, being the Aedes aegypti the main and the only transmitting vector till now. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate...
INTRODUCTION: dengue and its lethal form, that is, dengue hemorrhagic fever, has significantly increased in Las Americas, being the Aedes aegypti the main and the only transmitting vector till now. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the effectiveness of K-Othrine WG250 (deltamethrin) in residual (perifocal) applications in rest sites and in breeding sites of Aedes aegypti. METHODS: from February to June 2011, a perifocal residual treatment was applied in San Juan de Dios people's council of "José Martí" university polyclinic in Camaguey. It was directed to rest and breeding sites of the vector, for which several areas comprising different number of non-adjacent and randomly chosen houses, with high and similar rates of infestation in the period before the treatment, were selected. The application of this treatment was based on the use of IKA-9 hand sprayers at a dose of 1 g/l of water, with fitted conical nozzle for three areas and with flat nozzles 80-02 in the other three areas to deposit 25 mg ia/m2. Focality was monitored 5 months before the applications and 3 months afterwards by means of entomological surveys conducted in the selected universe of houses. RESULTS: the number of foci was reduced to 0 in the first month after the application if compared to the existing number before the treatment and with both types of nozzles. Fifteen positive reservoirs were reported in June, mainly low water tanks located outside the house. CONCLUSIONS: this product showed high effectiveness for 3 months in the Aedes aegypti control as part of the residual (perifocal) treatment. Therefore, it should be considered as an alternative in the surveillance and control strategies aimed at this vector.
[Susceptibility of Aedes aegypti (L.) strains from Havana to a Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis].
Menéndez Díaz Z, Rodríguez Rodríguez J, Gato Armas R … +3 more , Companioni Ibañez A, Díaz Pérez M, Bruzón Aguila RY
Rev Cubana Med Trop · 2012 · PMID 23424808
INTRODUCTION: the integration of chemical and biological methods is one of the strategies for the vector control, due to the existing environmental problems and the concerns of the community as a result of the synthetic...
INTRODUCTION: the integration of chemical and biological methods is one of the strategies for the vector control, due to the existing environmental problems and the concerns of the community as a result of the synthetic organic insecticide actions. The bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis in liquid formulation has been widely used in the vector control programs in several countries and has shown high efficacy at lab in Cuba. OBJECTIVE: to determine the susceptibility of Aedes aegypti collected in the municipalities of La Habana province to Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis. METHODS: fifteen Aedes aegypti strains, one from each municipality, were used including larvae and pupas collected in 2010 and one reference strain known as Rockefeller. The aqueous formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bactivec, Labiofam, Cuba) was used. The bioassays complied with the World Health Organization guidelines for use of bacterial larvicides in the public health sector. The larval mortality was read after 24 hours and the results were processed by the statistical system SPSS (11.0) through Probit analysis. RESULTS: the evaluated mosquito strains showed high susceptibility to biolarvicide, there were no significant differences in LC50 values of Ae. aegypti strains, neither in the comparison of these values with those of the reference strain. CONCLUSIONS: the presented results indicate that the use of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis continues to be a choice for the control of Aedes aegypti larval populations in La Habana province.
[Predatory capacity of Macrobrachium tenellum on Aedes aegypti larvae in lab conditions].
Rojas-Sahagún CC, Hernández-Sánchez JM, Vargas-Ceballos MA … +4 more , Ruiz-González LE, Espinosa-Chaurand LD, Nolasco-Soria H, Vega-Villasante F
Rev Cubana Med Trop · 2012 · PMID 23424807
INTRODUCTION: in the last few years, a lot of importance has been given to natural predators against Aedes aegypti. Several organisms have been studied both in lab and in the field so as to find out their capacity to dev...
INTRODUCTION: in the last few years, a lot of importance has been given to natural predators against Aedes aegypti. Several organisms have been studied both in lab and in the field so as to find out their capacity to devour mosquito larvae. High densities of Macrobrachium tenellum are found in natural conditions, it is not aggressive and may stand wide ranges of temperature, rates of salinity and oxygen concentrations. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the predatory capacity of Macrobrachium tenellum on Aedes aegypti larvae in lab conditions. METHODS: very young Macrobrachium tenellum prawns measuring A(3.0-3.5cm) and B (4.5-5 cm) were used. The mosquito larvae were obtained after hatching of egss from adult females kept in entomological cages. Five, ten, fifteen and twenty Aedes aegypti larvae were placed per treatment per rank, whereas the second bioassays adjusted the number of larvae to 30, 40, 50 and 80 larvae per treatment per rank. RESULTS: Macrobrachium tenellum showed high rate of larval consumption for the two ranks and treatments. In the highest density (80 larvae), the consumption was 95% of larvae at 24 hours for rank A and 100% for rank B. CONCLUSIONS: Macrobrachium tenellum may be considered as a potential biological control agent, due to its abundant presence in natural conditions, its resistance to different environmental conditions and to its voraciousness seen in this study.
[Impact of an educational intervention carried out in anti-vector campaign workers].
Hernández Contreras N, Noguerol Oliva J, Cantelar de Francisco CN … +3 more , Sánchez Valdés CL, Hernández Alvarez CH, Cabrera Cantelar N
Rev Cubana Med Trop · 2012 · PMID 23424806
INTRODUCTION: Aedes aegypti is a common vector in Cuba, which damages human health. Santiago de Cuba is one of the provinces with high number of mosquito foci in a sustained way. Therefore, it is very important, from the...
INTRODUCTION: Aedes aegypti is a common vector in Cuba, which damages human health. Santiago de Cuba is one of the provinces with high number of mosquito foci in a sustained way. Therefore, it is very important, from the social viewpoint, to carry out educational interventions with anti-vector campaign workers in Mella municipality in this province. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the impact of an educational intervention on dengue, Aedes aegypti and monitoring actions with anti-vector program workers from Mella municipality in Santiago de Cuba. METHODS: a quasi-experimental research was conducted before and after the educational intervention from November to December, 2010. Lectures and workshops were given in each of the three health areas of the municipality. The sample was made up of 64 workers. The addressed topics were dengue, Aedes aegypti and actions to control them. An Excel database was created. Wilconxon's sign tests were applied to check changes in knowledge. SPSS statistical processor was used (11.5 version). RESULTS: before the educational interveption, the knowledge on dengue was broader than those on the rest of the addressed topics. After the intervention, except for the responses about the disease, the rest of the topics increased their initial assessment values. The topic Aedes aegypti had the highest number of satisfactory answers (100 %), followed by actions to control the vector (90 %). CONCLUSIONS: the educational strategy was effective, since it achieved high impact on the increase of knowledge of the anti-vector campaign workers in Mella municipality, Santiago de Cuba province.
[Real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for hepatitis B virus DNA quantification].
Rodríguez Lay Lde L, Montalvo Villalba MC, Sariego Frómeta S … +6 more , Bello Corredor M, Mora Laguna E, Kourí Cardellá V, Martínez Rodríguez PA, Sánchez Wong M, Marrero B
Rev Cubana Med Trop · 2012 · PMID 23424805
INTRODUCTION: viral DNA levels in serum samples are a useful marker to monitor the disease progression and the treatment response in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Commercial kits for this purpose are available, but...
INTRODUCTION: viral DNA levels in serum samples are a useful marker to monitor the disease progression and the treatment response in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Commercial kits for this purpose are available, but they are considerably expensive. OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the analytical performance of a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for Hepatitis B virus DNA quantification. METHODS: specific primers to the gene C and TaqMan chemistry in a LightCycler 1.5 equipment was used. A standard curve was made and evaluated. Two hundred and seventy-two serum samples were used to assess the clinical and analytical specificity, the genotypic accuracy and specificity, the intra-assay and interassay coefficients of variation and the comparison with a commercial assay and with the qualitative PCR. RESULTS: the standard curve showed a strong linear correlation (r= -1) and low error values in the tested target DNA concentration. Analytical and clinical specificities were 100 %. Genotype accuracy and specificity showed that the differences between the results obtained by RT-PCR assay and those of the reference assay were less than 0.5 Log10. The 95% HBV DNA detection end-point assessed by Probit analysis was 16.41 IU/microL with a dynamic range of quantification of 10(8) IU/mL. Intra-assay and interassay coefficients of variation ranged from 0.16 to 1.45 % and 0.9 to 2.62 % respectively. The RT-PCR assay correlated well with those from a commercial assay (r= 0.964 and r2= 0.929) and with the HBV qualitative PCR, thus confirming its better sensitivity and advantages. CONCLUSIONS: the RT-PCR assay is well suited to monitoring HBV DNA levels showing to be sensitive, specific and reproducible. Its application in the clinical practice ensures a better diagnosis and management of patients with chronic hepatitis B in Cuba.
[In vitro interferon gamma production in mice vaccinated with 'Mycobacterium habana' against Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens].
Valdés Hernández I, Montoro Cardoso CE, Hernández-Pando R
Rev Cubana Med Trop · 2012 · PMID 23424804
INTRODUCTION: development of new antituberculosis vaccines requires the characterization of the cell-mediated immune responses induced by mycobacterial antigens. OBJECTIVE: to determine the immunogenic potential of 'Myco...
INTRODUCTION: development of new antituberculosis vaccines requires the characterization of the cell-mediated immune responses induced by mycobacterial antigens. OBJECTIVE: to determine the immunogenic potential of 'Mycobacterium habana' TMC-5135 when using subcutaneous vaccine in Balb/c mice. METHODS: in this study, Balb/c mice were inoculated subcutaneously with live 'Mycobacterium habana' TMC-5135. The production of IFN gamma in cell suspensions obtained from the lungs, the spleen and the lymph nodes after stimulation with mycobacterial antigens Ag85b or culture filtrate antigens (CFA) was recorded. RESULTS: the production of IFN gamma after stimulation with CFA and Ag85b was higher in mice vaccinated with 'M. habana' than in animals immunized with BCG. CONCLUSIONS: these results encourage new research on 'M. habana' as vaccinal candidate against tuberculosis.
[Knowledge and perception about tuberculosis in Habana Vieja municipality].
Arroyo Rojas L, Sánchez Valdés CL, Bonne Carcassés MA … +2 more , Pérez Pérez HR, Armas Pérez L
Rev Cubana Med Trop · 2012 · PMID 23424803
INTRODUCTION: the studies on population's knowledge and perceptions of infectious diseases contribute to develop more effective communication processes. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the knowledge and the perception of the resi...
INTRODUCTION: the studies on population's knowledge and perceptions of infectious diseases contribute to develop more effective communication processes. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the knowledge and the perception of the residents in Habana Vieja municipality about tuberculosis, and to identify the ways for obtaining information about aspects of this disease. METHODS: a cross-sectional study was carried out. A questionnaire was applied on a sample of 86 persons from five health areas of the municipality. A descriptive analysis was made. Odds ratios were calculated to determine association between ways for obtaining information and knowledge on the existence of the disease, symptoms and transmission forms. RESULTS: the respondents know about tuberculosis as a disease, its symptoms, and its presence in Cuba, but the percentages corresponding to the truly significant symptoms are low, including incorrect identifications of towel, comb and mosquitoes as transmission ways of the disease. Television, radio and friends were the most mentioned sources of information. CONCLUSIONS: the population from Habana Vieja municipality knows about the existence of TB. However, specific knowledge about symptoms of the disease and ways of transmissions are insufficient. Changing this situation requires the strengthening of the role of the mass media role and the development of local communication strategies suited to local characteristics.
[Partial characterization of esterase activity in a temephos-resistant Aedes aegypti strain].
Rodríguez CM, Bisset CJ, Hernández CH … +4 more , Ricardo Y, French L, Pérez O, Fuentes I
Rev Cubana Med Trop · 2012 · PMID 23424802
INTRODUCTION: the esterase enzymes have been defined as the mechanism of resistance to temephos in Aeges aegypti in Cuba, which is the most used larvacide worldwide. OBJECTIVE: to partially characterize the activity of e...
INTRODUCTION: the esterase enzymes have been defined as the mechanism of resistance to temephos in Aeges aegypti in Cuba, which is the most used larvacide worldwide. OBJECTIVE: to partially characterize the activity of esterases in exposed and nonexposed larvae at sublethal doses of temephos in an Aedes aegypti strain that is resistant to this product. METHODS: a susceptible reference Aedes aegypti strain (Rockefeller) and another temephos-resistant strain (SANtemFII) were used. The larvae from SANtemF11 strain were exposed to lethal concentration 90 (LC90) of temephos (1 ppm); 10 % of the surviving larvae after 24 hours (SANtem[24 h] was moved to clean water, with no exposure to insecticide for 24 hours (SANtem [48 h]). The activity of esterases was partially characterized in these larvae through biochemical assays and gel-polyacrylamide electrophoresis. The molecular weight of esterase A 4 (ESt. A4) was estimated with the support of sodium duodecyl sulophate (SDS-PAGE). RESULTS: the activity of esterases in SANtemF11 was significantly higher than in Rockefeller strain. Significant reduction of the activity of esterases in surviving larvae was observed (SANtemF11 [24 h], but it increased 24 h later without exposure to temephos. The zymogram showed that 10% of larvae that survived from temephos action, just the esterase A4 band increased if compared with those of SAntemF11. The estimated molecular weight of esterase A4 was 58 kDa. CONCLUSIONS: the presence of a specific band of esterase (58 kDa) in surviving larvae confirmed the role of these enzymes in insecticidal resistance. The diagnosis of the function of the esterases in resistance to temephos through biochemical tests should not be made in larvae exposed to sublethal doses of this insecticide, in order to avoid false negatives.
[In vivo antiplasmodial activity of Mycale laxissima and Clathria echinata sponges].
Mendiola Martínez J, Regalado Veloz CE, Fernández-Calienes Valdés A … +3 more , Acuña Rodríguez D, Rojas Rivero CL, Valdés Iglesias O
Rev Cubana Med Trop · 2012 · PMID 23424801
INTRODUCTION: the search of new antimalarial compounds comprises, among its challenges, the development of therapeutic alternatives for cerebral malaria; due to the high mortality and neurological deficiencies that persi...
INTRODUCTION: the search of new antimalarial compounds comprises, among its challenges, the development of therapeutic alternatives for cerebral malaria; due to the high mortality and neurological deficiencies that persist after treatment with recommended drugs. OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the activity of organic fractions of Mycale laxissima and Clathria echinata in the cerebral malaria model of infection of C57BL/6 mice with Plasmodium berghei ANKA. METHODS: preparative fractions of both species were obtained by reverse-phase flash chromatography. In order to detect the presence of saponins, triterpenods/steroids and alkaloids, a qualitative chemical analysis was performed. The schyzontocidal effect of the extracts was determined by the suppression test at the beginning of the infection. Survival, neurological symptoms and body weight changes were evaluated in subsequent days. RESULTS: the organic fractions of Mycale laxissima at 200 mg/kg and Clathria echinata at 100 mg/kg showed neither substantial reductions of body weights, nor deaths of animals until day 4; but caused significant reductions of median parasitemia of 45 % and 53 % respectively. The fraction of Mycale laxissima at 200 mg/kg caused a significant increase in the median survival time up to day 20, whereas animals treated with Clathria echinata at 100 mg/kg presented a survival of 16 days. Both increases the survival time 7 days. Neurological alterations were not observed in the groups treated with organic fractions when compared to the control group. This survival extension was similar to the effect of administration of 7.5 mg/kg of chloroquine. CONCLUSIONS: the organic fractions of Mycale laxissima and Clathria echinata exhibited promising antimalarial activities in the infection model of C57BL/6 mice with Plasmodium berghei ANKA. This indicates that their active chemical constituents should be studied.
[Influence of biotic factors on the efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis var. Israelensis against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)].
Corbillón Porraspita CO, González Rizo A, Menéndez Díaz Z … +4 more , Companioni Ibañez A, Bruzón Aguila RY, Díaz Pérez M, Gato Armas R
Rev Cubana Med Trop · 2012 · PMID 23424800
INTRODUCTION: Bacillus thuringiensis H-14 has shown high efficacy on Aedes aegypti larvae. But a number of factors could affect its effectiveness. Knowing these factors is of vital importance for improving the applicatio...
INTRODUCTION: Bacillus thuringiensis H-14 has shown high efficacy on Aedes aegypti larvae. But a number of factors could affect its effectiveness. Knowing these factors is of vital importance for improving the application parameters in real conditions in order to guarantee the treatment's efficiency and to reduce environmental impact. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the influence of some biotic factors on Bacillus thuringiensis H-14 efficacy against Aedes aegypti (Rockefeller). METHODS: an experimental study was conducted following the WHO guidelines. The influence of the food availability, the larval density and the larval staging was evaluated on laboratory bioassays. A commercial Bacillus thuringiensis H-14 formulation against a reference Aedes aegypti strain was used. RESULTS: the efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis H-14 decreased in a linear manner with increasing larval density and development stage. This could be related to food intake and availability of the active principle. Competition in food intake resulted in lower efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis H-14 applications. CONCLUSIONS: the Bacillus thuringiensis H-14 efficacy was affected for the availability of food, the larval development stage and the larval density, so all this should be borne in mind when applying the biolarvicide in situ.
[Association of the morphophysiology and the ectoparasite load found in two rat populations (Rattus sp.) in La Habana province].
Companioni Ibañez A, Berovides Alvarez CV, Hernández Contreras N … +2 more , Cantillo Padrón J, de la Fuente Arbola JL
Rev Cubana Med Trop · 2012 · PMID 23424799
INTRODUCTION: some physioecological responses from rodents may be registered through the study of morphological indexes, which is an important factor for the control of rodents. OBJECTIVES: to compare the morphophysiolog...
INTRODUCTION: some physioecological responses from rodents may be registered through the study of morphological indexes, which is an important factor for the control of rodents. OBJECTIVES: to compare the morphophysiological variables in two rat populations and relate them to the ectoparasite loads. METHODS: this study was carried out from 2007 to 2008 in two sites of La Habana province. Specially prepared traps to catch rats alive were used. Four morphophysiological indexes were studied and then compared through a variance analysis for the two sites. RESULTS: one hundred four Rattus rattus (83.6 %) and Rattus norvegicus (16.4 %) were analyzed. The relative kidney index showed highly significant different between the rat populations. The morphophysiological indexes were lower in parasitized animals. The ecological importance and the implications of these indexes for the control of obtained results were discussed in this paper. CONCLUSIONS: the morphophysiological analysis proved that the necessary resources for the survival of these species are available, which favors that both rat sexes bear the ectoparasite load in a better way, and thus they represent parasite reservoirs and a permanent transmission risk.
[Schistosomiasis in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil in the 2007-2011 period].
de Freitas AV, Ferraz RR, Pedroso SP … +3 more , Silva SC, Fornari JV, Barnabe CA
Rev Cubana Med Trop · 2012 · PMID 23424798
INTRODUCTION: schistosomiasis is kept under epidemiolotical surveillance in some areas of Brazil. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the epidemiological situation of schistosomiasis in the city of Belo Horizonte in Minas Gerais, Bra...
INTRODUCTION: schistosomiasis is kept under epidemiolotical surveillance in some areas of Brazil. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the epidemiological situation of schistosomiasis in the city of Belo Horizonte in Minas Gerais, Brazil, through epidemiological indicators. METHODS: a descriptive study was conducted by using the System of Information and Notification of Grievances (SINAN) that contains the cases occurred in the residents of Belo Horizonte in the period of January-2007 to July-2011. Four hundred ninety six lab confirmed cases of schistosomiasis(Kato-Katz technique) were recorded. RESULTS: in this period, there was a considerable increase of the number of cases in 2007 when the incidence was 1.96/100 000 habitants; the incidence was 7.29/100 000 habitants until July, 2011. CONCLUSIONS: the increasing number of recent cases points to the need of developing new strategies to control this endemic disease in our region.
[Evaluation of the performance and the competencies of the graduates from master's courses at "Pedro Kourí" Institute of Tropical Medicine].
Cantelar de Francisco CN
Rev Cubana Med Trop · 2012 · PMID 23424797
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
[Effective treatment of a patient infested with pediculus capitis by using 5% Indigofera suffruticosa Mill tincture].
García Calixto T, Rodríguez Gonzalez ME, Pinera Wiltshire Mdel C … +3 more , Martínez Monier MA, Santana Suárez Y, Hernández Contreras N
Rev Cubana Med Trop · 2011 · PMID 23444619
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...
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.
[Clinical and therapeutic behaviour of Fasciola hepatica in a series of 87 patients].
Díaz Fernández R, Garcés Martínez M, Millán Alvarez LM … +2 more , Pérez Lastre J, Millán Marcelo JC
Rev Cubana Med Trop · 2011 · PMID 23444618
INTRODUCTION: in the last few years, the Incidence rate of fascioliosis caused by Fasciola hepatica has increased worldwide. Cuba is one of the countries that have reported sporadic cases and also some outbreaks of fasci...
INTRODUCTION: in the last few years, the Incidence rate of fascioliosis caused by Fasciola hepatica has increased worldwide. Cuba is one of the countries that have reported sporadic cases and also some outbreaks of fasciolosis. OBJECTIVE: to describe clinical and therapeutic features of this trematodiasis of digestive transmission found in 87 patients, who had been admitted to "Pedro Kourí" Institute of Tropical Medicine from January 1996 to December 2005. METHODS: patients were divided into 2 groups according to the prescribed drug, that is, triclabendazole and dihydroemetine. The clinical variables were collected at the time of diagnosis and 90 days after treatment; the means and the standard deviation were estimated. RESULTS: males was slightly predominant (54) in our series of patients admitted to the institute service. Consumption of watercress (Nasturtium officinale) was found in almost half of the patients. Abdominal pain, fever and malaise were the most frequent symptoms. Both drugs were useful to treat F. hepatica. CONCLUSIONS: this study showed the usefulness of lab tests for diagnosis and follow-up of patients after treatment. The anti-parasitic drugs dihydroemetine and triclabendazole proved to be effective at the prescribed doses in this research with minor adverse effects.
[Change of erythrocyte charge with the use of Alcian blue method in Ascaris lumbricoides extracts].
Ponce de León P, Di Vita S, Racca L … +2 more , Biondi C, Valverde J
Rev Cubana Med Trop · 2011 · PMID 23444617
INTRODUCTION: the study of the host-parasite interactions is a new challenge to understanding some aspects of the parasitic metabolism and the mechanisms of invasion, immunological evasion and damage. Ascaris lumbricoide...
INTRODUCTION: the study of the host-parasite interactions is a new challenge to understanding some aspects of the parasitic metabolism and the mechanisms of invasion, immunological evasion and damage. Ascaris lumbricoides may cause anemia and thrombosis. It was previously shown that Ascaris lumbricoides modified the superficial charge of erythrocytes, which means that the parasite can capture sialic acid from the red blood cell. OBJECTIVE: to study the effect of adult parasite extracts on the erythrocyte charge using the Alcian Blue method and to compare its sensitivity with the Polybrene method: METHODS: fifty five adult parasite extracts and Group O erythrocyte suspensions were used. The erythrocytes were treated by incubating the sediment with an equal volume of parasite extracts for one hour at 37 degrees C. The control group (erythrocytes without any contact with the parasite extracts) was incubated with pH 7.4 phosphate buffer solution. Alcian Blue method was applied and the percentage erythrocyte anionic charge was determined in the control group and in the treated red cells. The experimental coefficient of erythrocyte anionic charge was defined as the quotient between the initial and the final percentage erythrocyte anionic charge. RESULTS: it was shown that 27 out of 55 parasite extracts (49.1 %) modified the charge of the red blood cells, being their experimental coefficient of the erythrocyte anionic charge 0.75 +/- 0.1144 whereas the same coefficient amounted to 0,94 +/- 0.0445 for those which did not show any charge variation. The statistical analysis concluded that the Polybrene and Alcian Blue Methods had comparable sensitivities (p>0.20). CONCLUSIONS: A. lumbricoides is able to capture sialic acid from the erythrocyte, which would not only explain the thrombosis attributed to the parasite, but also suggest that the nematode could use this acid either in its metabolic routes or for its strategies of immunological evasion.
[Detection of Leishmania infantum in an experimentally-infected hamster using immunohistochemistry].
Fonseca Géigel L, Capó de Paz V, López MC … +1 more , Gutiérrez A
Rev Cubana Med Trop · 2011 · PMID 23444616
INTRODUCTION: visceral leishmaniasis is considered the most severe form of this disease and can be fatal if not properly treated. In Latin America, the infection is caused by Leishmania infantum (syn. Leishmania chagasi)...
INTRODUCTION: visceral leishmaniasis is considered the most severe form of this disease and can be fatal if not properly treated. In Latin America, the infection is caused by Leishmania infantum (syn. Leishmania chagasi). The unequivocal diagnosis and the selection of a suitable experimental model are required to undertake studies on this biologic agent. OBJECTIVE: to determine the advantages of immunohistochemistry in identifying Leishmania. METHODS: hamsters were inoculated with Leishmania infantum promastigotes. The body weights of every animal were monitored, and the relative weights of their spleens and livers were estimated. For identification of amastigotes, Giemsa-stained imprints and an immunohistochemistry protocol in paraffin-embedded tissues were developed. RESULTS: the infection was reproduced in the experimental model. The immunohistochemistry was positive in infected animal sections and non-reactive for the control group. When compared with the Giemsa staining, this methodology facilitated the identification, particularly in organs infected with few parasites. CONCLUSIONS: immunohistochemistry is a specific tool for detection of Leishmania since it facilitates observation and eliminates any confusion in the identification of the parasite, thus improving the quality of diagnosis.
[First molecular detection of Rhodococcus equi in a HIV/AIDS patient in Cuba].
Salazar Rodríguez D, Migdalia Reyes T, Rodríguez Delgado F … +5 more , Bandera Tirado F, Reyes Pérez A, Medina Almenares VZ, de Waard CJ, de Armas Rodríguez Y
Rev Cubana Med Trop · 2011 · PMID 23444615
INTRODUCTION: Rhodococcus equi is recognized as an emerging pathogen that causes important morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised patients. OBJECTIVE: to confirm the presence of R. equi in pleural fluid through...
INTRODUCTION: Rhodococcus equi is recognized as an emerging pathogen that causes important morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised patients. OBJECTIVE: to confirm the presence of R. equi in pleural fluid through the restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. METHODS: the pleural fluid sample from one AIDS patient with respiratory symptoms was used. Microbiologic culture, staining tests, phenotypic and biochemical tests and restriction fragment length polymorphism technique for the diagnosis of microorganism were performed. RESULTS: the staining technique along with the phenotypic and biochemical tests provided the presumptive diagnosis of R. equi infection, which was further confirmed by the molecular techniques. CONCLUSIONS: this paper reported the molecular detection of R. equi from one HIV/aids patient for the first time in Cuba. The results suggested that the molecular biology techniques could be used in the diagnosis and identification of R. equi.
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