Is Xenopus laevis introduction linked with Ranavirus incursion, persistence and spread in Chile?

Ranaviruses have been associated with amphibian, fish and reptile mortality events worldwide and with amphibian population declines in parts of Europe. Xenopus laevis is a widespread invasive amphibian species in Chile. Recently, Frog virus 3 (FV3), the type species of the Ranavirus genus, was detected in two wild populations of this frog near Santiago in Chile, however, the extent of ranavirus infection in this country remains unknown. To obtain more information about the origin of ranavirus in Chile, its distribution, species affected, and the role of invasive amphibians and freshwater fish in the epidemiology of ranavirus, a surveillance study comprising wild and farmed amphibians and wild fish over a large latitudinal gradient (2,500 km) was carried out in 2015–2017. In total, 1,752 amphibians and 496 fish were tested using a ranavirus-specific qPCR assay, and positive samples were analyzed for virus characterization through whole genome sequencing of viral DNA obtained from infected tissue. Ranavirus was detected at low viral loads in nine of 1,011 X. laevis from four populations in central Chile. No other amphibian or fish species tested were positive for ranavirus, suggesting ranavirus is not threatening native Chilean species yet. Phylogenetic analysis of partial ranavirus sequences showed 100% similarity with FV3. Our results show a restricted range of ranavirus infection in central Chile, coinciding with X. laevis presence, and suggest that FV3 may have entered the country through infected X. laevis, which appears to act as a competent reservoir host, and may contribute to the spread the virus locally as it invades new areas, and globally through the pet trade

Characteristics of patients with onychomycosis in rural health centers of Los Ríos province, Ecuador

Introducción: La onicomicosis es la infección producida por la invasión de hongos patógenos o saprofitos en la estructura ungueal de manos y/o pies. Sus factores asociados muestran diferencias según la región analizada, por ello el objetivo de este estudio fue caracterizar epidemiológicamente a los pacientes adultos con diagnóstico de onicomicosis de la provincia rural Los Ríos, Ecuador. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal en 384 pacientes adultos con diagnóstico de onicomicosis que acudieron a 3 dispensarios de salud de los cantones Vinces y Urdaneta de la provincia de Los Ríos, durante el periodo mayo 2016 a mayo 2017. Se les aplicó un instrumento de recolección de datos en el cual se determinaron las características sociodemográficas, clínicas y el cuestionario Índice de Calidad de Vida Dermatológico. Resultados: De los sujetos analizados, 56,8% (n=218) fueron del sexo femenino, la edad promedio de la población fue de 50,7±13,7 años. El grupo etario de 40-55 años fue el más frecuente (37,8%; n=145), la presencia de diabetes mellitus tipo 2 se observó en 21,1% de la muestra (n=81), la zona más afectada fueron las manos (50%; n=192), especialmente en las mujeres (72,9%) (p<0,01). El 76,5% de los sujetos mostraron mucha preocupación por la enfermedad, especialmente en las mujeres (84,4%) (p<0,01) y la mayoría también expresó que la onicomicosis influía mucho en sus actividades diarias (69,8%; n=268). Conclusión: la onicomicosis es una afección con una amplia variedad de factores de riesgo, que deben ser considerados para un tratamiento adecuado, incluyendo los efectos psicológicos que suelen pasar desapercibidos en la atención primaria.© 2019, Sociedad Venezolana de Farmacologia y de Farmacologia Clinica y Terapeutica. All rights reserved. Introduction: Onychomycosis is the infection caused by pathogen or saprophyte fungi in the nail structure of hands or foot. Associated factors show differences according to the analyzed region. Therefore, the purpose if this study was to determine the epidemiologic characteristics of adult patients with onychomycosis diagnoses from the rural province of Los Ríos, Ecuador. Methodology: A descriptive, transversal study was performed in 384 adult patients diagnosed with onychomycosis in 3 health centers of the Vinces and Urdaneta counties in Los Rios province from May 2016 to May 2017. The Dermatology Life Quality Index was applied in which demographic, clinical and psychological characteristics were investigated. Results: Out of the studied subjects, 56.8% (n=218) were female; the mean age was 50.7±13.7. The age group 40-55 years old was the most prevalent (37.8%, n=145). In men, prevalence rose proportionally with age. 21.1% (n=81) of the sample had diabetes, the most affected body parts were the hands (50% n=192), especially in women (72.9%) (p<0.01). 76.5% of the subjects showed worry regarding the disease, especially women (84.4%) (p<0.01), and the majority also reported that onychomycosis had great influence over their daily lives (69.8%; n=268). Conclusion: Onychomycosis is a disease with a wide variety of risk factors, which must be taken into account for appropriate treatment, including the psychological effects that are usually ignored in primary attention