Fernández Andreu CM, Martínez Machín G, Perurena Lancha MR
… +2 more, Illnait Zaragozí MT, Valdés Hernández I
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2005 · PMID 17969277
A review was made on the collection of fungi cultures of "Pedro Kourí" Institute of Tropical Medicine" that was created in 1980 to give an answer to the increasing needs of the newly established laboratory of Mycology of...A review was made on the collection of fungi cultures of "Pedro Kourí" Institute of Tropical Medicine" that was created in 1980 to give an answer to the increasing needs of the newly established laboratory of Mycology of that institution at that time. The collections of microbial cultures are more important every day as a way for the ex situ conservation of the microbial biodiversity. They are in charge of collecting, saving, identifying and preserving those strains of interest for biomedical research, teaching, industry, agriculture, etc. At present, the collection of the institute has a total of 262 strains from 81 species of fungi, actinomycetes and algae, all of them of interest for Medical Mycology. The main methods for the maintenance of the cultures have been the conservation in distilled water and freeze-drying, in additions to the periodical mincing in agar media, refrigeration and freezing. The service of reference and control of quality, the identification of strains, teaching, the taxonomic studies, and the safeguard, among others, are some of the main functions developed by this collection. Nowadays, the collections of fungus cultures must face the challenges represented by the emerging pathogenic fungi, as well as the incorporation of molecular techniques confirming the quality of the strain preservation methods. These collections should play an important strategic role in the preservation of the biodiversity, taking into account legal and biosafety aspects, too.
Bello Corredor M, Rodríguez Lay Lde L, Gutiérrez Moreno A
… +3 more, Sariego Frómeta S, Montalvo Villalba MC, Sánchez Sol A
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2005 · PMID 17969276
A marked association exists among the hepatitis B virus (HBV), the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the type 1 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), since the transmission route and the risk groups are very similar. The objecti...A marked association exists among the hepatitis B virus (HBV), the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the type 1 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), since the transmission route and the risk groups are very similar. The objective of this paper was to know the coinfection among HBV, HCV and HIV in the studied period. 2 994 serum samples from HIV (+) patients were received at the National Reference Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis (IPK) during 2000-2004 to investigate hepatitis B surface antigen (HRsAg) and anti HCV antibodies, both by the UMELISA technique (Immunoassay Center, CIE, Cuba). Epi Info program (Version 6.04) was used for statistical analysis. Positivity to HbsAg was found in 10.3%. 10.4% had anti-HCV antibodies, and there was HBV, HCV and HIV coinfection in 1.7% of the patients. We confirmed what is stated in literature on HBV, HCV and HIV coinfections.
Suárez Delgado S, Rodríguez Rodríguez J, Menéndez Díaz Z
… +3 more, Montada Dorta D, García Avila I, Marquetti Fernández Mdel C
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2005 · PMID 17969275
The cyclopoid copepod Macrocyclops albidus was evaluated as a biological control agent of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae, culicides that frequently live in containers of domestic use in urban zones. The...The cyclopoid copepod Macrocyclops albidus was evaluated as a biological control agent of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae, culicides that frequently live in containers of domestic use in urban zones. The experiments were made under controlled laboratory conditions. Plastic containers with 5 L of dechlorinated water and 3 g of dry leaves were used. 2 densities of copepods and 3 combinations of larvae densities were added. 5 replicas were made. The count of the suviving larvae and the recovered copepods was made 6 days after the beginning of the experiment. It was observed a marked reduction of the larval population of mosquitoes in all the treatments with copepods. It was stressed their preference for the Ae. aegypti larvae that was not affected by the presence of Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae. The copepods showed a high survival in all the assayed variants. It was over 100% when they were added in the lowest density.
Cruz Pineda CA, Montero Lago G, Navarro Ortega A
… +1 more, Morejón Martín PL
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2005 · PMID 17969274
An ecological evaluation of retrospective and descriptive temporary trend was conducted from 1999 to 2000 .in 8 water bodies of Fomento, province of Sancti Spiritus. To evaluate the effectiveness and permanence of the bi...An ecological evaluation of retrospective and descriptive temporary trend was conducted from 1999 to 2000 .in 8 water bodies of Fomento, province of Sancti Spiritus. To evaluate the effectiveness and permanence of the biolarvicide, there were used data of systematic samplings and of control actions of the provincial surveillance and antivectorial fight programs taken from the records of each breeding place in the Municipal Unit of Higiene and Epidemiology of the locality. Doses of 10 ml of active ingredient per square meter were administered. It was attained the reduction and stabilization of the larval and adult indices in human primer of important species which are vectors of malaria, phyliriasis, and Western Nile's fever. The extension of the larval recovery range up to 3 weeks was proved.
The content of the digestive tract of 4 authoctonous species of fishes that presented characteristics of larvivorous fishes was analyzed. It was found that 28% of the caught specimens of Aequidens pulcher presented in th...The content of the digestive tract of 4 authoctonous species of fishes that presented characteristics of larvivorous fishes was analyzed. It was found that 28% of the caught specimens of Aequidens pulcher presented in their gastrointestinal content residues of larvae and pupae of mosquitoes combined with other food, and that 26 5 has only larvae and pupae. In Aequidens coeruleopunctatus, 6 % of their content was larvae and pupae with other food, whereas 10% had only larvae and pupae. 56% of the Poecilia caucana specimens had larvae and pupae with other food, and 34% only larvae and pupae. Poecilia reticulata contained larvae and pupae with other food in 62% and 33% only had larvae and pupae. These results show an effective bioregulator activity in these fishes identified as larvivorous under natural conditions.
Mendiola Martínez J, Hernández H, Acuña D
… +3 more, Esquivel M, Scull Lizama R, Abreu Payrol J
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2005 · PMID 17969272
Several terpenoids have been identified in the genus Laurencia showing antimalarial activity; however it is a genus of great chemical complexity worldwide. The majority of these substances have been extracted from collec...Several terpenoids have been identified in the genus Laurencia showing antimalarial activity; however it is a genus of great chemical complexity worldwide. The majority of these substances have been extracted from collections made in Philippines and Brazil. In order to know the presence of antimalarial activity in organisms of this genus from the North West Coast of Cuba, we prepared extracts in ethanol with the whole plant of specimens of L. obtusa and L. corallopsis and evaluated the inhibition produced by them against growth of Plasmodium falciparum, strain F32. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations against P. falciparum determined for Laurencia extracts were in the range of 44 and 162 microg/ml, and values of median inhibitory concentrations were between 14.82 and 51.3 microg/mL. The results are similar to those obtained for extracts from medicinal plants. The extracts did not improve chloroquine results. L. obtusa extracts gave strong reactions to the assays for terpenoids and for lactonic/coumarine compounds, but we also detected the presence of alkaloids, free reducing sugars, saponins and flavonoids. Several molecules could contribute to the observed antiplasmodial activity of the extracts, so research is in progress for the isolation and purification of new active principles.
Toraño Peraza G, Hernández Vadell I, Baly A
… +1 more, Toledo Romaní ME
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2005 · PMID 17969271
The validation study of an ELISA assay -internationally accepted for this purpose- was conducted aimed at having a method for the quantification of antibodies against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) capsular polysacc...The validation study of an ELISA assay -internationally accepted for this purpose- was conducted aimed at having a method for the quantification of antibodies against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) capsular polysaccharide in the clinical trials used to prove the immunogenicity of a new conjugated vaccine composed of a synthetic antigen. The validation was carried out in the National Haemophilus Reference Laboratory, in "Pedro Kouri" Institute of Tropical Medicine, Havana, Cuba. A protocol was designed, in which the determination of accuracy, exactness, linearity and limit of the detection of the assay were considered. The Hib Batch 1983 international reference serum was used in the preparation of the standard pattern curve. Dispersion indexes lower than 10 and 20% were observed for the repeatability and reproducibility of the system, respectively. The limit of detection was 3.6 ng/m and the recovery and linearity trials showed the high accuracy of the method. It was concluded that during the clinical evaluation of the candidate vaccine obtained by chemical synthesis, the quantification of antibodies against Hib capsular polysaccharide may be faced with an appropriate precision and exactness by using the proposed method.
A rapid test was evaluated in the diagnosis of Escherichia coli in different types of infectious samples, and a comparison with the biomedical methods of traditional identification was made. It has been reported that glu...A rapid test was evaluated in the diagnosis of Escherichia coli in different types of infectious samples, and a comparison with the biomedical methods of traditional identification was made. It has been reported that glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) is very specific (97-99%) for the identification of Escherichia coli; hovewer, its use is very limited nowadays. 461 clinical samples of different origin were analyzed in a children's hospital. In general, Escherichia coli, was more frequently isolated from urine, fecal, vaginal and urethral specimens. The diagnostic sensitivity of the method was 100%. All the enterotoxigenic and enterohemorrhagical strains of Escherichia coli isolated from feces samples were also positive to the rapid test. The diagnostic specificity was 82.8%, due to the false positive results yielded by 34 strains of shigella of the group D isolated from feces. The advantages of the application of this test compared with other conventional and commercial tests are its low cost, its celerity and its high diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, which allow to save personnel, materials and the time used in the identification.
Ramírez Bartutis R, Muné Jiménez M, Mansur M
… +2 more, Soto Brito Y, Pimentel T
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2005 · PMID 17969269
The plasmidic stability of methyltrophic yeast Pichia pastoris expressing the recombinant protein E of dengue virus 4 was analyzed. To this end, the number of generations from the growth process in petri plaque to the pr...The plasmidic stability of methyltrophic yeast Pichia pastoris expressing the recombinant protein E of dengue virus 4 was analyzed. To this end, the number of generations from the growth process in petri plaque to the propagation in zaranda was estimated, as well as the fermentation process. Besides, in the selected colonies the integration pattern was determined by Dot-Blot and neuclotide sequence of the gene E of dengue virus 4. This study allowed to prove the conservation and integrity of the aminoacid sequence of protein E, despite the genetic changes produced by molecular yeast mechanisms. On the other hand, it was also part of the control and checking of the primary bank of yeast cells that contains the gene of interest used at present in the process of expression of protein E of dengue virus 4.
Palerm Caraballo L, González Muñoz G, Savón Valdés CE
… +4 more, Valdés Ramírez O, González Baez G, Goyenechea Hernandez Ade J, Galindo Santana B
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2005 · PMID 17969268
The presence of antibodies against human parainfluenza viruses type 2 and 3 was studied in 1 793 sera from an infantile population under 14 years old. The hemagglutination inhibition technique was used for screening the...The presence of antibodies against human parainfluenza viruses type 2 and 3 was studied in 1 793 sera from an infantile population under 14 years old. The hemagglutination inhibition technique was used for screening the clinical samples. Of the total of analyzed sera, 1 382 (77.1%) were positive. The presence of antibodies against type 2 was confirmed in 320 of them (17.8%), and against type 3 in 334 (18.6%). The simultaneous seropositivity predominated in 805 (44.9%). The circulation of human parainfluenza viruses was corroborated during all the months of the year and in all the analyzed age groups. It was observed an increase in the positivity percentages with age.
Rodríguez Sánchez H, Pupo Antúnez M, Ilnait MT
… +2 more, Otero A, Martínez Machín G
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2005 · PMID 17966590
Our objective was to obtain monoclonal antibodies (Mab), by using the cell fusion technology, capable of recognizing the serotype A glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) fraction. Cryptococcus neoformans is a yeastlike fungus surrou...Our objective was to obtain monoclonal antibodies (Mab), by using the cell fusion technology, capable of recognizing the serotype A glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) fraction. Cryptococcus neoformans is a yeastlike fungus surrounded by a polysaccharide capsule and an agent of deep mycosis in men that affects particularly AIDS patients. 3 groups of Balb/c mice were immunized with GXM coupled to lamb erythrocytes at a dose of 10 microg of GXM by subcutaneous route, 50 microg of GXM by subcutaneous route and 50 microg of GXM y intraperitoneal route. There were obtained 2 secreting hybridomas of murine MAb against the capsular polyssacharide of Cryptococcus neoformans, IgG1, light chain k. The overnadants of culture were evaluated by ELISA, using the capsular polyssacharide without conjugating. These antibodies will be used in studies of protection and phagocytosis in vitro.
50 habitats used by Aedes aegypti in the urban environment of Havana City were reported. 66% corresponded to artificial deposits, of which 57.5% were classified as unuseful by the population. 14% were receptacles of dome...50 habitats used by Aedes aegypti in the urban environment of Havana City were reported. 66% corresponded to artificial deposits, of which 57.5% were classified as unuseful by the population. 14% were receptacles of domestic use, whereas 8% were natural breeding places. It calls the attention that 12% of the habitats were represented by pits, sewers and drainages that contain the so-called black waters; a factor that should be considered in the epidemiology of dengue in Cuba and that deserves a study of the ecological factors associated with the specie that may influence on this behavior. It is encouraged the community participation as a tool in the control of this dangerous vector.
Hernández Contreras N, Fimia Duarte R, Rojas Urdaneta JE
… +1 more, García Avila GI
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2005 · PMID 17966588
Based on practical experiences, it was presented the way to assess the potential and the depredating capacity of mosquito larvae by direct observations in the laboratory, using fish. The objective is to facilitate a meth...Based on practical experiences, it was presented the way to assess the potential and the depredating capacity of mosquito larvae by direct observations in the laboratory, using fish. The objective is to facilitate a methodology that allows to know about the behavior of those vertebrates in the presence of the immature stages of the hematophagous diptera in different water bodies.
Cabrera Rodríguez LE, Monroy SP, Morier L
… +5 more, Ramírez Alvarez MM, Fernández Abreu A, Castro Escarpulli G, Longa Briceño A, Bravo Fariñas L
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2005 · PMID 17966587
A case of waterborne otitis in a patient with AIDS was reported, who got infected with Yibrio fluvialis by swimming in a pool of sea water. This is the first case reported in Cuba and as far as we know in the world. We d...A case of waterborne otitis in a patient with AIDS was reported, who got infected with Yibrio fluvialis by swimming in a pool of sea water. This is the first case reported in Cuba and as far as we know in the world. We describe the clinical features associated with this an unusual case and discuss its significance.
A case of obstructive jaundice caused by Fasciola hepatica in a 35-year-old white woman was reported. The diagnosis was made by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and corroborated by the presence of eggs of t...A case of obstructive jaundice caused by Fasciola hepatica in a 35-year-old white woman was reported. The diagnosis was made by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and corroborated by the presence of eggs of the parasite in the feces. She was treated with triclabendazol. It was observed an improvement of the clinical picture and negativization of the conical cups in the serial control analyses made on the 7Th, 30th, 60th and 90th day after treatment.
Two populations of Aedes aegypti that were collected in Santiago de Cuba during the epidemics of 1971 were separated for having different rest habits, some of them rested naturally on the walls up to 1 m high (Santiago d...Two populations of Aedes aegypti that were collected in Santiago de Cuba during the epidemics of 1971 were separated for having different rest habits, some of them rested naturally on the walls up to 1 m high (Santiago de Cuba strain) and the others were found resting in the roofs of the houses (Santiago de Cuba Techo strain). These strains did not show significant differences as regards their morphological characteristics. The mosquitoes corresponding to Santiago de Cuba Techo strain presented the same patches that those of Santiago de Cuba. The resistance to organophosphate insecticides is very similar in both populations; however, the Santiago de Cuba Techo strain shows a higher resistance to pyrethroid deltamethrin than the Santiago de Cuba strain. From the biochemical point of view and by using the DEF synergist, it was proved that esterases are associated with the high resistance to clorpirifos in both strains. It was not so with the MFO, which was demonstrated by means of the piperomyl butoxide sinergist. Nevertheless, the GST enzyme seems to be responsible for the high resistance to deltamethrin detected in the Santiago de Cuba Techo strain due to the elevated frequency value of that gene in this strain. The random amplified polymorphic DNA technique was used to observe the genetic variability between the 2 populations. The results revealed that there was genetic polymorphism between the populations under study, which could have an impact on the ecology and epidemiology of the vector.
Montada Dorta D, Castex Rodríguez M, Suárez Delgado S
… +2 more, Figueredo Sánchez D, Leyva Silva M
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2005 · PMID 17966584
The level of susceptibility and/or resistance of adult mosquitoes to lambda-cyhalothrin, clorpirifos and cypermethrin insecticides was determined in a strain of Aedes aegypti (L) collected in Playa municipality, Havana C...The level of susceptibility and/or resistance of adult mosquitoes to lambda-cyhalothrin, clorpirifos and cypermethrin insecticides was determined in a strain of Aedes aegypti (L) collected in Playa municipality, Havana City. According to the results, the strain under study is not resistant to lambda-cyhalothrin and cypermethrin (FR < 5X), and it is as susceptible as the CAREC reference strain (FR=1) to chlorpyrifos.
López Abraham AM, Artiles Mde L, Fernández Massó JR
… +3 more, San Martin DG, Alonso M, Alvarez Rodríguez E
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2005 · PMID 17966583
A latex agglutination method for the detection of vaginal trichomoniasis, designed at the Parasitology Department of the National Center of Farming and Stockbreeding Health (CNSA, in Spanish), was evaluated. 240 samples...A latex agglutination method for the detection of vaginal trichomoniasis, designed at the Parasitology Department of the National Center of Farming and Stockbreeding Health (CNSA, in Spanish), was evaluated. 240 samples of vaginal exudates from women that visited the Microbiology Department of "10 de Octubre" Maternal and Children's Hospital, were analysed. This method was compared to the conventional direct examination used in the laboratories, taking the culture in Diamond medium as an accurate diagnosis. The latex method proved to be more sensitive, efficient and with higher predicting values than the direct examination. The evaluation of this technique showed a sensitivity of 97.7% and an efficiency of 97.5%. The new latex technique provides the diagnosis in approximately 3 minutes and due to its simplicity it may be carried out by the paramedical personnel at the own gynecologist's office to establish the specific treatment on the same day.
Cristina Sarmiento M, Gómez Marín JE, Castaño Osorio JC
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2005 · PMID 17966582
The IgG anti-Toxoplasma western blot technique was used in 25 HIV-cases and 8 control sera from patients without HIV infection aimed at evaluating the humoral response in these patients. They were divided into 3 groups:...The IgG anti-Toxoplasma western blot technique was used in 25 HIV-cases and 8 control sera from patients without HIV infection aimed at evaluating the humoral response in these patients. They were divided into 3 groups: 14 HIV positive cases with cerebral toxoplasmosis and IgG anti-Toxoplasma serological titers, 11 HIV positive cases without cerebral toxoplasmosis and with IgG anti-Toxoplasma titers, and 8 HIV negative patients with IgG anti-Toxoplasma titers. It was found that the higher the IgG anti-Toxoplasma serum titers are, the greater the number of bands in the western-blot is. The intensity of the bands measured by densitometry varied significantly for proteins of 66 and 31 kDa. According to the results, these proteins are of interest to evaluate their role in the reactivation of toxoplasmosis in HIV patients.
Antúnez Mde L, Acosta Renom G, Tejero Suárez Y
… +2 more, Deneb García M, Rodríguez Valdez C
Rev Cubana Med Trop
· 2005 · PMID 17966581
A comparison was made between the conjugate of national production made by "Carlos J. Finlay" Enterprise of Biological Products for diagnosing rabies by direct immunofluorescence and the viral antinucleocapsid conjugate...A comparison was made between the conjugate of national production made by "Carlos J. Finlay" Enterprise of Biological Products for diagnosing rabies by direct immunofluorescence and the viral antinucleocapsid conjugate manufactured by BIORAD that is commercialized at the international level. 150 samples of brain from different animal species were studied at the Rabies Reference Laboratory of "Pedro Kouri" Institute of Tropical Medicine from 2000 to 2002. On comparing both conjugates, there were obtained sensibility, specificity and concordance values of 100%, 94.3% and 98%, respectively. The discordant results were analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction and the biological test in mice.