Morphological and molecular characterization of the parasite Dipylidium caninum infecting an infant in Colombia. A case report

Background: Dipylidium caninum is the causal agent of dipylidiasis affecting mainly cats and dogs worldwide. Human cases of dipylidiasis are rare, and the diagnosis is prevalently based on morphological features of the parasite. Here we report the diagnosis of dipylidiasis through morphological and molecular characterization of D. caninum infecting an 11‐month‐old boy in Cajicá, Colombia. Methods: Fresh faecal samples were obtained from the infant, and morphological identification of the parasite was performed through faecal smears. DNA was extracted from proglottids and used in PCR analyses for amplification of a 653‐bp fragment of the nuclear ribosomal RNA (rRNA) encoding the 28S rRNA gene. A phylogeny study to better characterize the obtained DNA sequence was inferred using the maximum likelihood method and the Tamura‐Nei model. Results: After morphological and molecular analyses, D. caninum was identified as the etiological agent causing the infection in the infant. Results of phylogenetical analyses showed that the obtained sequence clusters within the feline genotype clade. After the diagnosis of the parasite, effective treatment with praziquantel was administered to the infant. Conclusions: This is the third human case of dipylidiasis reported in Colombia, and the first study in South America to provide a molecular identification of D. caninum

Auditoría comunicacional al Instituto de la Comunicación e Imagen de la Universidad de Chile

Memoria para optar al título de PeriodistaLa presente investigación comprende un diagnóstico de las comunicaciones internas del Instituto de Comunicación e Imagen (ICEI) de la Universidad de Chile, mediante la aplicación de un modelo de auditoría comunicacional diseñado con herramientas ad hoc al objeto analizado. Este estudio explora temáticas relacionadas con la forma en que las comunicaciones afectan la operatividad de la organización, así como su desempeño, ambiente laboral y las relaciones humanas. Aborda también, la importancia de conocer los flujos de comunicación interna, es decir, los caminos que toma un mensaje desde que nace hasta que es entregado efectivamente a la persona indicada. De este modo, es posible observar las redes que se generan a partir de estos flujos. Este trabajo se realizó con una muestra de 32 personas, pertenecientes a distintos niveles jerárquicos del ICEI, los que fueron agrupados en tres estamentos, según las características y responsabilidades de sus actividades, con la finalidad de realizar un mejor análisis de los resultados. Estos fueron divididos en: directivos, académicos y administrativos. La información se recolectó por medio de entrevistas semiestructuradas, las que permitieron conocer las opiniones de los miembros del ICEI respecto a cinco variables definidas por las investigadoras: estructura de la organización, flujos de comunicación, comunicación interna, relaciones informales y puntos críticos. realizaron cinco jornadas de observación etnográfica, como medio de contrastación de las opiniones recogidas en la entrevista. También se efectuó un análisis del organigrama, para conocer cuál era la situación presentada por la organización previo al estudio. Luego, con los resultados obtenidos se efectuó un análisis de redes de comunicación formal, informal y de relaciones informales, lo que se contrastó con la estructura jerárquica. Para sistematizar los resultados se creó una herramienta adecuada, tomando como referente el modelo de análisis FODA, con la finalidad de clasificar las conclusiones según cuatro conceptos definidos por las investigadoras: fortalezas, potencialidades, debilidades y peligros. De acuerdo con los resultados, se puede señalar que el contexto histórico del ICEI marca el modo en que opera actualmente. Éste es principalmente informal y oral, y con sentido de pertenencia a una comunidad. Debido a lo anterior, existen falencias en las comunicaciones formales, pues no se respetan, lo que provoca problemas en la toma de decisiones y confusión de información. También se detectaron debilidades relacionadas con la incorporación de un nuevo actor, en este caso la carrera de Cine y Televisión, que tiende a aislarse del resto de la organización. Éstas y otras falencias deberán ser resueltas para poder realizar los cambios necesarios, sin afectar el funcionamiento normal de la organización, ya que serán importantes para las decisiones que el ICEI implemente en materias de crecimiento y, especialmente, relacionadas con la meta de ser Facultad

Prevalence of intestinal parasites infecting free-ranging non-human primates in Colombia

INTRODUCTION. Neotropical non-human primates (NHP) have been found infected with a diversity of intestinal zoonotic protozoan and metazoan parasites of public health concern (Solórzano-García and Pérez-Ponce de León, 2018 Int J Primatol. 39: 155-82). Ecosystem transformation increases contact between humans and NHP (Trejo-Macías et al., 2007 Int J Primatol. 28: 931-45), leading to zoonotic parasite transmission. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasites in free-ranging NHP, living in five forest fragments in Colombia and to perform parasite identification to the lowest possible taxonomic level. MATERIALS AND METHODS. In 2019 and 2020, fecal samples were collected from NHP immediately after defecation, and stored in 10% formalin solution and 96% ethanol. Faecal smears with 1% iodine solution and 0.85% saline solution were performed (Botero and Restrepo, 2012 Parasitosis humanas. Quinta edición). In this study, samples microscopically classified as positive for Ascarididae and Blastocystis sp. were processed for molecular characterization (Cavallero et al., 2013 PLosNegl Trop Dis. 7: e2170; Mattiucci et al., 2016 Epidemiol Infect. 144: 635-46). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS. Overall, 160 fecal samples were collected from individuals from six platyrrhine genera: Alouatta seniculus (n=46), Ateles hybridus (n=13), Aotus griseimembra (n=5), Cebus versicolor (n=20), Saimiri cassiquiarensis (n=73), and Sapajus sp. (n=3). Around 90% of the samples were positive for intestinal parasites. Protozoans (Blastocystis sp., Balantiididae, Dientamoeba sp., Entamoebidae, Giardia sp.), cestodes (Hymenolepis sp.), trematodes (Controrchis sp.), nematodes (Ascarididae, Trichuridae, Strongyloides sp., Trypanoxyuris sp., Ancylostomatidae), and acanthocephalans were observed. Ascaris lumbricoides and Blastocystis hominis (ST8) were identified using molecular biology techniques. The finding of parasites with zoonotic potential suggests epidemiological implications in NHP conservation and human health, particularly in highly transformed ecosystems

Parasites of Free‐Ranging and Captive American Primates: A Systematic Review

The diversity, spread, and evolution of parasites in non-human primates (NHPs) is a relevant issue for human public health as well as for NHPs conservation. Although previous reviews have recorded information on parasites in NHPs (Platyrrhines) in the Americas, the increasing number of recent studies has made these inventories far from complete. Here, we summarize information about parasites recently reported in Platyrrhines, attempting to build on earlier reviews and identify information gaps. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), and following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Ninety-three studies were included after the screening process. Records for 20 genera of NHPs, including 90 species were found. Most of the studies were conducted on captive individuals (54.1%), and morphological approaches were the most used for parasite identification. The most commonly collected biological samples were blood and stool, and Protozoa was the most frequent parasite group found. There is still scarce (if any) information on the parasites associated to several Platyrrhine species, especially for free-ranging populations. The use of molecular identification methods can provide important contributions to the field of NHPs parasitology in the near future. Finally, the identification of parasites in NHPs populations will continue to provide relevant information in the context of pervasive habitat loss and fragmentation that should influence both human public health and wildlife conservation strategies

Molecular identification of bot flies (Cuterebra baeri) infesting grey-legged night monkeys (Aotus griseimembra) and howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus) in Colombia

Myiasis is a neglected parasitosis caused by infection with the larval stages of some fly species. In neotropical non- human primates (NHP) three bot fly species causing cutaneous myiasis have been reported: Cuterebra baeri in Alouatta belzebul, Aotus trivirgatus, Alouatta seniculus, and Alouatta palliata (Guimarães, 1971; De Thoisy et al. 2001; Cristobal- Azkarate et al. 2012), Cochliomyia hominivorax in A. seniculus and Pithecia pithecia (Vie & Richard-Hansen, 1997), and Dermatobia hominis in A. palliata and Saguinus mystax (Smith, 1977; Herrera & Heyman, 1998), along with Dermatobia sp. parasitizing Aotus sp. (Tantalean et al. 1990). Studies on myiasis in NHP are scarce and mainly based on larval morphological identification, while molecular approaches have been barely used. In Colombia, Cuterebra sp. has been morphologically identified in Aotus vociferans and Aotus nancymaae, in the Amazon region (Roncancio et al. 2018). This study aimed to molecularly identify bot flies parasitizing two free-ranging primate species living sympatrically in central Colombia. Sampling was conducted in a lowland rainforest fragment in Santander, Colombia. Four bot fly larvae were collected from two grey-legged night monkeys (Aotus griseimembra) and one from a howler monkey (Alouatta seniculus). Larvae were measured and photographed, and subsequent DNA extraction and PCR amplification of a partial cox1 mitochondrial region were performed (Cavallero et al. 2017). All PCR products were visualized on an agarose gel and good quality amplicons were sequenced. Sequences were manually edited and used for BLAST search and alignment. All specimens were identified as Cuterebra baeri, according to the best match in BLAST showing 98% of identity (accession number AF497777 corresponding to specimens characterized in monkeys from Panama, Otranto et al. 2003). This is the first molecular identification of bot flies infesting NHP in Colombia, and the first record at the species level for A. seniculus and A. griseimembra in the country

Relação entre o apoio social e as complicações agudas da diabetes tipo 2: um estudo de corte transversal

Objetivo: evaluar la relación entre apoyo social y la frecuencia de pacientes con complicaciones agudas de la diabetes tipo 2. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio de corte transversal en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 que ingresaron a una clínica de tercer nivel entre 2014 y 2015. Se midió la percepción de apoyo social (media, ic 95%) con el cuestionario del estudio de desenlaces médicos de apoyo social (MOS, por su sigla en inglés) en los pacientes con y sin complicaciones agudas de la diabetes; se aplicó un modelo de regresión logística para identificar variables predictoras de complicaciones agudas. Resultados: se incluyeron 205 pacientes, de edad media 66 años, 51,2% mujeres, 56,6% de los pacientes eran casados, 50,7% con complicaciones agudas, la mayoría con apoyo social (83,6%; ic 95%, 76,1%-91,2%); la media de apoyo social global en pacientes sin complicaciones agudas fue 78,9 (76,8-88,1), con complicaciones 70,8 (68,3-73,2) para una diferencia entre grupos de 8,2 (ic 95%, 4,9-11,4). La falta de apoyo social (β:3,581), el intervalo de glucometrías entre 177 y 309 al ingreso (β:2,930), estar casado (β:1,845) o en tratamiento con insulina (β:1,672) fueron predictores de las complicaciones agudas de la diabetes. Conclusión: los pacientes con complicaciones agudas presentaron puntajes más bajos de apoyo social. La falta de apoyo social se relacionó con otras variables sociodemográficas y clínicas para predecir el riesgo de complicaciones agudas. Debe explorarse al apoyo social como una opción para mejorar las estrategias de tratamiento en los pacientes diabéticos.Objective: To evaluate the relationship between social support and the frequency of patients with acute complications of type 2diabetes. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on type 2 diabetic patients who consulted a level III hospital, between 2014 and 2015; the perception of social support (ci 95%) was measured with the questionnaire for medical outcomes studies on social support (MOS) in patients with and without acute complications of diabetes. A logistic regression model was applied to identify predictive variables for acute complications. Results: 205 patients were selected, average age 66 years old, 51,2% female, 56,6% married, 50,7% with acute complications, the majority with social support (83,6%; ci 95%, 76,1-91,2%); the average global social support in patients without acute complications was 78,9 (76,8-88,1), with complications 70,8 (68,3-73,2) for a group difference of 8,2; (ci 95%, 4,9-11,4). The lack of social support (β:3,581), the glucometry interval range between 177-309 (β:2,930), being married (β:1,845) and insulin treatment (β:1,672) predicted acute diabetes complications. Conclusion: Patients with acute complications had lower social support scores, and the interaction between the lack of social support and sociodemographic variables predicted a risk of acute complications. Social support should be explored in diabetic patients to improve treatment strategies.Objetivo: avaliar a relação entre apoio social e a frequência de pacientes com complicações agudas da diabetes tipo 2. Materiais e metodos. Se realizou um estudo de corte transversal em pacien- tes com Diabetes mellitus tipo 2 que ingressaram a uma clínica de III nível entre 2014 e 2015. Mediu-se a percepção de apoio social (média, IC95%) com o Questionário do Estudo de Desen- laces Médicos de Apoio Social (MOS) nos pacientes com e sem complicações agudas da diabetes; aplicou-se um modelo de regressão logística para identi car variáveis preditoras de complicações agudas. Resultados: incluíram-se 205 pacientes, idade mediana (p25-p75) 66 anos (56-76), 51,2% mulheres, 56,6% casados, 50,7% com complicações agudas, a maioria com apoio social (83,6%; IC95%, 76,1%-91,2%); a média de apoio social global em pacientes sem complicações agudas foi 78,9 (76,8-88,1), com complicações 70,8 (68,3-73,2) para uma diferença entre grupos de 8,2 (IC95%, 4,9-11,4). A falta de apoio social (β:3,581), o intervalo de concentração de glicose entre 177-309 ao ingresso (β:2,930), estar casado (β:1,845) ou em tratamento com insulina (β:1,672), foram preditores das complicações agudas da diabetes. Conclusão: os pacientes com complicações agudas apresentaram pontuações mais baixos de apoio social e a falta de apoio social se relacionou com outras variáveis sociodemográ cas/clínicas para predizer o risco de complicações agudas. Deve explorar-se ao apoio social como uma opção para melhorar as estratégias de tratamento nos pacientes diabéticos

Relação entre o apoio social e as complicações agudas da diabetes tipo 2: um estudo de corte transversal

Objetivo: evaluar la relación entre apoyo social y la frecuencia de pacientes con complicaciones agudas de la diabetes tipo 2. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio de corte transversal en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 que ingresaron a una clínica de tercer nivel entre 2014 y 2015. Se midió la percepción de apoyo social (media, ic 95%) con el cuestionario del estudio de desenlaces médicos de apoyo social (MOS, por su sigla en inglés) en los pacientes con y sin complicaciones agudas de la diabetes; se aplicó un modelo de regresión logística para identificar variables predictoras de complicaciones agudas. Resultados: se incluyeron 205 pacientes, de edad media 66 años, 51,2% mujeres, 56,6% de los pacientes eran casados, 50,7% con complicaciones agudas, la mayoría con apoyo social (83,6%; ic 95%, 76,1%-91,2%); la media de apoyo social global en pacientes sin complicaciones agudas fue 78,9 (76,8-88,1), con complicaciones 70,8 (68,3-73,2) para una diferencia entre grupos de 8,2 (ic 95%, 4,9-11,4). La falta de apoyo social (β:3,581), el intervalo de glucometrías entre 177 y 309 al ingreso (β:2,930), estar casado (β:1,845) o en tratamiento con insulina (β:1,672) fueron predictores de las complicaciones agudas de la diabetes. Conclusión: los pacientes con complicaciones agudas presentaron puntajes más bajos de apoyo social. La falta de apoyo social se relacionó con otras variables sociodemográficas y clínicas para predecir el riesgo de complicaciones agudas. Debe explorarse al apoyo social como una opción para mejorar las estrategias de tratamiento en los pacientes diabéticos.Objetivo: avaliar a relação entre apoio social e a frequência de pacientes com complicações agudas da diabetes tipo 2. Materiais e metodos. Se realizou um estudo de corte transversal em pacien- tes com Diabetes mellitus tipo 2 que ingressaram a uma clínica de III nível entre 2014 e 2015. Mediu-se a percepção de apoio social (média, IC95%) com o Questionário do Estudo de Desen- laces Médicos de Apoio Social (MOS) nos pacientes com e sem complicações agudas da diabetes; aplicou-se um modelo de regressão logística para identi car variáveis preditoras de complicações agudas. Resultados: incluíram-se 205 pacientes, idade mediana (p25-p75) 66 anos (56-76), 51,2% mulheres, 56,6% casados, 50,7% com complicações agudas, a maioria com apoio social (83,6%; IC95%, 76,1%-91,2%); a média de apoio social global em pacientes sem complicações agudas foi 78,9 (76,8-88,1), com complicações 70,8 (68,3-73,2) para uma diferença entre grupos de 8,2 (IC95%, 4,9-11,4). A falta de apoio social (β:3,581), o intervalo de concentração de glicose entre 177-309 ao ingresso (β:2,930), estar casado (β:1,845) ou em tratamento com insulina (β:1,672), foram preditores das complicações agudas da diabetes. Conclusão: os pacientes com complicações agudas apresentaram pontuações mais baixos de apoio social e a falta de apoio social se relacionou com outras variáveis sociodemográ cas/clínicas para predizer o risco de complicações agudas. Deve explorar-se ao apoio social como uma opção para melhorar as estratégias de tratamento nos pacientes diabéticos. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between social support and the frequency of patients with acute complications of type 2diabetes. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on type 2 diabetic patients who consulted a level III hospital, between 2014 and 2015; the perception of social support (ci 95%) was measured with the questionnaire for medical outcomes studies on social support (MOS) in patients with and without acute complications of diabetes. A logistic regression model was applied to identify predictive variables for acute complications. Results: 205 patients were selected, average age 66 years old, 51,2% female, 56,6% married, 50,7% with acute complications, the majority with social support (83,6%; ci 95%, 76,1-91,2%); the average global social support in patients without acute complications was 78,9 (76,8-88,1), with complications 70,8 (68,3-73,2) for a group difference of 8,2; (ci 95%, 4,9-11,4). The lack of social support (β:3,581), the glucometry interval range between 177-309 (β:2,930), being married (β:1,845) and insulin treatment (β:1,672) predicted acute diabetes complications. Conclusion: Patients with acute complications had lower social support scores, and the interaction between the lack of social support and sociodemographic variables predicted a risk of acute complications. Social support should be explored in diabetic patients to improve treatment strategies