Hepatitis C Virus Diversification in Argentina: Comparative Analysis between the Large City of Buenos Aires and the Small Rural Town of O’Brien

The estimated prevalence of HCV infection in Argentina is around 2%. However, higher rates of infection have been described in population studies of small urban and rural communities. The aim of this work was to compare the origin and diversification of HCV-1b in samples from two different epidemiological scenarios: Buenos Aires, a large cosmopolitan city, and O´Brien, a small rural town with a high prevalence of HCV infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The E1/E2 and NS5B regions of the viral genome from 83 patients infected with HCV-1b were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis and Bayesian Coalescent methods were used to study the origin and diversification of HCV-1b in both patient populations. RESULTS: Samples from Buenos Aires showed a polyphyletic behavior with a tMRCA around 1887-1900 and a time of spread of infection approximately 60 years ago. In contrast, samples from ÓBrien showed a monophyletic behavior with a tMRCA around 1950-1960 and a time of spread of infection more recent than in Buenos Aires, around 20-30 years ago. CONCLUSION: Phylogenetic and coalescence analysis revealed a different behavior in the epidemiological histories of Buenos Aires and ÓBrien. HCV infection in Buenos Aires shows a polyphyletic behavior and an exponential growth in two phases, whereas that in O´Brien shows a monophyletic cluster and an exponential growth in one single step with a more recent tMRCA. The polyphyletic origin and the probability of encountering susceptible individuals in a large cosmopolitan city like Buenos Aires are in agreement with a longer period of expansion. In contrast, in less populated areas such as O´Brien, the chances of HCV transmission are strongly restricted. Furthermore, the monophyletic character and the most recent time of emergence suggest that different HCV-1b ancestors (variants) that were in expansion in Buenos Aires had the opportunity to colonize and expand in O´Brien.Fil: Golemba, Marcelo Darío. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquimica. Departamento de Microbiologia,inmunologia y Biotecnolog.;Fil: Culasso, Andrés Carlos Alberto. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquimica. Departamento de Microbiologia,inmunologia y Biotecnolog.. Cat. de Virologia;Fil: Villamil, Federico. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Alta Complejidad En Red El Cruce Dr. Nestor Carlos Kirchner Samic;Fil: Baré, Patricia. Consejo Nacional de Invest.cientif.y Tecnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental;Fil: Gadano, Adrián Carlos. Htal.italiano;Fil: Ridruejo, Ezequiel. Centro de Educaciones Medicas E Investig.clinica "norberto Quirno";Fil: Martínez, Alfredo. Centro de Educaciones Medicas E Investig.clinica "norberto Quirno";Fil: Di Lello, Federico Alejandro. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquimica. Departamento de Microbiologia,inmunologia y Biotecnolog.. Cat. de Virologia;Fil: Campos, Rodolfo Hector. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquimica. Departamento de Microbiologia,inmunologia y Biotecnolog.

El Código Electoral Colombiano. Vigencia y confianza en procesos electorales en el Departamento del Meta

Electoral processes arise from the democratic establishment and it is common to understand them as one of the most faithful samples of popular sovereignty; but the fact of having its genesis in the political participation of the people is not a guarantee that the citizenry will accept it and shelter its conformity. This article is carried out with the objective of analyzing the validity of the current electoral code in terms of electoral processes and the confidence of the electoral population of the Department of Meta on the main mission of the National Registry of Civil Status. For this, a mixed study was developed, with an analytical approach, where the survey was the main instrument for collecting informationLos procesos electorales surgen del establecimiento democrático y es común entenderlos como una de las muestras más fieles de la soberanía popular; pero el hecho de tener su génesis en la participación política del pueblo no es garantía para que la ciudadanía lo acepte y cobije a conformidad. El presente artículo se realiza con el objetivo de analizar la vigencia del actual código electoral en cuanto a los procesos electorales y la confianza de la población electoral del Departamento del Meta sobre la misión principal de la Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil. Para ello se desarrolló un estudio mixto, de enfoque analítico, donde la encuesta fue el principal instrumento de recopilación de informació

Hepatitis C virus infection in Argentina: Burden of chronic disease

AIM: To estimate the progression of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic and measure the burden of HCVrelated morbidity and mortality. METHODS: Age- and gender-defined cohorts were used to follow the viremic population in Argentina and estimate HCV incidence, prevalence, hepatic complications, and mortality. The relative impact of two scenarios on HCV-related outcomes was assessed: (1) increased sustained virologic response (SVR); and (2) increased SVR and treatment. RESULTS: Under scenario 1, SVR raised to 85%-95% in 2016. Compared to the base case scenario, there was a 0.3% reduction in prevalent cases and liverrelated deaths by 2030. Given low treatment rates, cases of hepatocellular carcinoma and decompensated cirrhosis decreased < 1%, in contrast to the base case in 2030. Under scenario 2, the same increases in SVR were modeled, with gradual increases in the annual diagnosed and treated populations. This scenario decreased prevalent infections 45%, liver-related deaths 55%, liver cancer cases 60%, and decompensated cirrhosis 55%, as compared to the base case by 2030. CONCLUSION: In Argentina, cases of end stage liver disease and liver-related deaths due to HCV are still growing, while its prevalence is decreasing. Increasing in SVR rates is not enough, and increasing in the number of patients diagnosed and candidates for treatment is needed to reduce the HCV disease burden. Based on this scenario, strategies to increase diagnosis and treatment uptake must be developed to reduce HCV burden in Argentina.Fil: Ridruejo, Ezequiel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Austral. Hospital Universitario Austral.; Argentina. Centro de Educaciones Médicas e Investigación Clínica "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Bessone, Fernando. Universidad Nacional de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Daruich, Jorge R.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Estes, Chris. Center For Disease Analysis; Estados UnidosFil: Gadano, Adrián Carlos. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Razavi, Homie. Center For Disease Analysis; Estados UnidosFil: Villamil, Federico. Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Silva, Marcelo Oscar. Universidad Austral. Hospital Universitario Austral.; Argentin

The Argentine experience with human immune deficiency virus positive patients in the waiting list for liver transplantation: preliminary analysis

Previamente, la seropositividad para el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (HIV) era una contraindicación absoluta del trasplante. Sin embargo, reportes de la época posterior al tratamiento antirretroviral altamente activo (HAART) demostraron que los resultados no se diferenciarían de la población HIV negativa. Objetivo. Evaluar la experiencia en Argentina con pacientes HIV positivos incluidos en lista para trasplante hepático. Pacientes y métodos. Se incluyeron 52 pacientes HIV positivos ingresados en lista del 12 de julio de 2005 al 31 de marzo de 2010. Los resultados se compararon con 462 pacientes HIV negativos incluidos en lista durante el mismo período. Los datos se obtuvieron del SINTRA y centros intervinientes. Resultados. La etiología de hepatopatía en el grupo HIV positivo fue: hepatitis C en 40 pacientes, hepatitis B en 3, hepatitis fulminante en 3, alcohol en 2, retrasplante en 2 y otras en 2. El MELD promedio del grupo HIV positivo al ingreso en la lista fue 16,15 (menor de 19 en 40 pacientes, mayor de 19 en 8 y emergencia en 3) y el del grupo HIV negativo fue 16,64 (NS). La evolución en lista de espera para los pacientes HIV positivos y negativos fue respectivamente: muerte en lista 14 pacientes (27%) vs 61 (18,7%) (P < 0,05), trasplante con donante cadavérico 10 (13%) vs 95 (29,4%) (P < 0,01), trasplante con donante vivo 0 (0%) vs 5 (1,1%) (NS), tiempo medio desde el ingreso en lista a la muerte 270,70±298,11 días vs 267,29±266,53 días (NS), tiempo medio en la lista hasta el trasplante 70,26±74,05 vs 261±187,6 días (P < 0,01), MELD medio al fallecimiento 12,54 (13 casos menor de 15, 1 mayor de 19) vs 19,6±9,7 (P < 0,05), y MELD medio al momento del trasplante 24,33 vs 24,1±7,6 (NS). Conclusión. Los resultados del trasplante en pacientes HIV positivos son buenos. Sin embargo, presentan muy alta mortalidad en lista de espera que no correlaciona con su gravedad medida por el score de MELD. Quienes acceden al trasplante lo hacen rápidamente en el contexto de una descompensación, por hepatitis fulminante o por retrasplante.After the introduction of high active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was no longer considered a contraindication for transplantation. Yet, liver disease in this population is characterized by an accelerated course that may impact on the waiting list. Objective. To evaluate the experience in Argentina with HIV positive patients listed for liver transplantation. Patients and methods. We analyzed 52 HIV positive patients listed between July 2005 and March 2010 (Group HIV positive). Results were compared with 462 HIV negative patients included during the same period (Group HIV negative). Data were obtained from INCUCAI, the Argentinian procurement organism and from the Transplantation Centers. Results. The etiology of liver disease in the Group HIV positive was hepatitis C 40, HBV 3, fulminant hepatitis 3, alcohol 2, retrasplant 2 and others 2. The mean MELD at the time of listing was 16.15 (lower than 19 in 40 cases, higher than 19 in 8, emergency in 3) in the group HIV positive and 16.64 in the group HIV negative (NS). The outcome in the waiting list for HIV positive and negative patients respectively was: death 14 (27%) vs 61 (18.7%) (P < 0.05), cadaveric donor transplant 10 (13%) vs 95 (29.4%) (P < 0.001), living donor transplant 0 (0%) vs 5 (1.1%) (NS), mean time from listing to death 270.70 298.11 days vs 267.29 266.53 days (NS), mean time from listing to transplant 70.26 74.05 vs 261 187.6 days (P < 0.01), mean MELD at the time of death 12.54 (13 cases lower than 15, 1 higher than 19) vs 19.6 9.7 (P < 0.05), mean MELD at the time of transplantation 24.33 vs 24.1 7.6 (NS). Conclusion. HIV positive patients have high mortality in the waiting list and low access to liver transplantation. MELD score underscores the severity of liver disease in this population when compared to HIV negative patients.Fil: Villamil, Alejandra. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Bisignano, Liliana. Incucai; ArgentinaFil: Orozco, Federico. Hospital Italiano de la Plata; ArgentinaFil: Bandi, Juan Carlos. Hospital Italiano de la Plata; ArgentinaFil: Barcán, Laura. Hospital Italiano de la Plata; ArgentinaFil: McCormack, Lucas. Hospital Alemán; ArgentinaFil: Gondolesi, Gabriel Eduardo. Fundación Favaloro; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: de Santibañes, Eduardo. Hospital Italiano de la Plata; ArgentinaFil: Gadano, Adrián. Hospital Italiano de la Plata; Argentin

Jóvenes en Uruguay : demografía, educación, mercado laboral y emancipación

Esta publicación tiene por objetivo brindar una visión panorámica de la situación de la población joven del Uruguay, resaltando situaciones de desigualdad tanto dentro de este grupo como en comparación con el resto de la población. El énfasis, al igual que en otras publicaciones del Atlas, está puesto en las diferencias que se observan desde una mirada territorial, tanto sea a nivel departamental (cuando se analiza el país en su conjunto) como por barrios (cuando se analiza Montevideo). En el primer capítulo se presenta una semblanza demográfica de los jóvenes; el capítulo 2 describe y analiza la situación respecto al mercado laboral. El capítulo 3 tiene por objetivo estudiar cuáles son las características del proceso de emancipación de los jóvenes uruguayos. Finalmente, el último capítulo analiza algunos aspectos de la situación de los jóvenes respecto a la educación. Un apartado último resume los principales hallazgos de la investigación realizada.Capítulo 1: Perfil sociodemográfico de la juventud en Uruguay -- Capítulo 2: Desigualdades en el mercado laboral y autonomía económica -- Capítulo 3: Emancipación juvenil -- Capítulo 4: Educación de los jóvenes uruguayos -- Síntesis y conclusiones -- Bibliografí

Diagnosis and treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Argentine Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, year 2019

El hígado graso no alcohólico (HGNA) es la enfermedad hepática crónica más frecuente en todo el mundo, con una prevalencia aproximada de 25% a nivel global. Su prevalencia es mucho mayor en pacientes con sobrepeso, obesidad y diabetes tipo 2 y es considerada como la manifestación hepática del síndrome metabólico. El espectro de la enfermedad hepática es muy amplio, desde la esteatosis simple a la esteatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrosis y sus complicaciones, como el hepatocarcinoma. La mayoría de los pacientes afectados no progresará a la fibrosis avanzada/cirrosis. A pesar de esto, se ha descripto que la hepatopatía es la tercera causa de muerte entre los pacientes con HGNA, luego de las enfermedades cardiovasculares y las malignas. Entre la enorme cantidad de afectados, lo más importante es identificar a los que están en riesgo de evolución a la cirrosis o sus complicaciones y conocer las opciones de diagnóstico y tratamiento. En esta Guía organizada por la Asociación Argentina para el Estudio de las Enfermedades del Hígado se revisan las definiciones, los aspectos epidemiológicos, la historia natural y un enfoque práctico sobre algoritmos posibles para estimar la gravedad de la hepatopatía en cada caso, además de analizar los avances en el tratamiento y recomendaciones para el seguimiento. Es importante señalar que no se han publicado datos sobre incidencia o prevalencia de la enfermedad en población general de Argentina, y se alienta a la realización de los mismos.. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most frequent chronic liver disease worldwide, with an estimated global prevalence of approximately 25%, that is much higher in patients with overweight, obesity and type 2 diabetes. NAFLD is considered as the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. It has a wide spectrum, from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis and its complications, such as hepatocellular carcinoma. Most of the affected patients will not evolve to advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis. Despite this, it has been described that the hepatic disease is the third cause of death among patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver, after cardiovascular and malignant diseases. Among the huge number of patients affected, the main challenge is to identify those who are at risk of developing cirrhosis or its complications and to recognize the diagnostic and treatment options. In this Guideline, endorsed by the Argentine Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, the definitions, epidemiological aspects, natural history and a practical approach to possible algorithms to estimate the severity of liver disease in the individual patient are reviewed; in addition to analyzing advances in treatment and proposing recommendations for follow-up. It is important to note that no data on the incidence or prevalence of the disease have been published in the general population of Argentina, and it is encouraged to carry them out.Fil: Fassio, Eduardo. Hospital Nacional Profesor Alejandro Posadas; ArgentinaFil: Dirchwolf, Melisa. Hospital Privado de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Barreyro, Fernando Javier. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales. Departamento de Microbiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Adrover, Raúl. No especifíca;Fil: Alonso, M. Inés. No especifíca;Fil: Amante, Marcelo. No especifíca;Fil: Ameigeiras, Beatriz. No especifíca;Fil: Barreyro, Fernando J.. No especifíca;Fil: Benavides, Javier. No especifíca;Fil: Bessone, Fernando. No especifíca;Fil: Cairo, Fernando. No especifíca;Fil: Camino, Alejandra. No especifíca;Fil: Cañero Velasco, M. Cristina. No especifíca;Fil: Casciato, Paola. No especifíca;Fil: Cocozzella, Daniel. No especifíca;Fil: Daruich, Jorge. No especifíca;Fil: De Matteo, Elena. No especifíca;Fil: Dirchwolf, Melisa. No especifíca;Fil: Fassio, Eduardo. No especifíca;Fil: Fernández, José Luis. No especifíca;Fil: Fernández, Nora. No especifíca;Fil: Ferretti, Sebastián. No especifíca;Fil: Figueroa, Sebastián. No especifíca;Fil: Galoppo, Marcela. No especifíca;Fil: Godoy, Alicia. No especifíca;Fil: González Ballerga, Esteban. No especifíca;Fil: Graffigna, Mabel. No especifíca;Fil: Guma, Carlos. No especifíca;Fil: Lagues, Cecilia. No especifíca;Fil: Marino, Mónica. No especifíca;Fil: Mendizábal, Manuel. No especifíca;Fil: Mesquida, Marcelo. No especifíca;Fil: Odzak, Andrea. No especifíca;Fil: Peralta, Mirta. No especifíca;Fil: Ridruejo, Ezequiel. No especifíca;Fil: Ruffillo, Gabriela. No especifíca;Fil: Sordá, Juan A.. No especifíca;Fil: Tanno, Mario. No especifíca;Fil: Villamil, Alejandra. No especifíca;Fil: Colombato, Luis. No especifíca;Fil: Fainboim, Hugo. No especifíca;Fil: Gadano, Adrián. No especifíca;Fil: Galoppo, Cristina. No especifíca;Fil: Villamil, Federico. No especifíca

It is time to define an organizational model for the prevention and management of infections along the surgical pathway : a worldwide cross-sectional survey

Background The objectives of the study were to investigate the organizational characteristics of acute care facilities worldwide in preventing and managing infections in surgery; assess participants' perception regarding infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, antibiotic prescribing practices, and source control; describe awareness about the global burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and IPC measures; and determine the role of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic on said awareness. Methods A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted contacting 1432 health care workers (HCWs) belonging to a mailing list provided by the Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery. The self-administered questionnaire was developed by a multidisciplinary team. The survey was open from May 22, 2021, and June 22, 2021. Three reminders were sent, after 7, 14, and 21 days. Results Three hundred four respondents from 72 countries returned a questionnaire, with an overall response rate of 21.2%. Respectively, 90.4% and 68.8% of participants stated their hospital had a multidisciplinary IPC team or a multidisciplinary antimicrobial stewardship team. Local protocols for antimicrobial therapy of surgical infections and protocols for surgical antibiotic prophylaxis were present in 76.6% and 90.8% of hospitals, respectively. In 23.4% and 24.0% of hospitals no surveillance systems for surgical site infections and no monitoring systems of used antimicrobials were implemented. Patient and family involvement in IPC management was considered to be slightly or not important in their hospital by the majority of respondents (65.1%). Awareness of the global burden of AMR among HCWs was considered very important or important by 54.6% of participants. The COVID-19 pandemic was considered by 80.3% of respondents as a very important or important factor in raising HCWs awareness of the IPC programs in their hospital. Based on the survey results, the authors developed 15 statements for several questions regarding the prevention and management of infections in surgery. The statements may be the starting point for designing future evidence-based recommendations. Conclusion Adequacy of prevention and management of infections in acute care facilities depends on HCWs behaviours and on the organizational characteristics of acute health care facilities to support best practices and promote behavioural change. Patient involvement in the implementation of IPC is still little considered. A debate on how operationalising a fundamental change to IPC, from being solely the HCWs responsibility to one that involves a collaborative relationship between HCWs and patients, should be opened.Peer reviewe

It is time to define an organizational model for the prevention and management of infections along the surgical pathway: a worldwide cross-sectional survey

Background The objectives of the study were to investigate the organizational characteristics of acute care facilities worldwide in preventing and managing infections in surgery; assess participants' perception regarding infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, antibiotic prescribing practices, and source control; describe awareness about the global burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and IPC measures; and determine the role of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic on said awareness. Methods A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted contacting 1432 health care workers (HCWs) belonging to a mailing list provided by the Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery. The self-administered questionnaire was developed by a multidisciplinary team. The survey was open from May 22, 2021, and June 22, 2021. Three reminders were sent, after 7, 14, and 21 days. Results Three hundred four respondents from 72 countries returned a questionnaire, with an overall response rate of 21.2%. Respectively, 90.4% and 68.8% of participants stated their hospital had a multidisciplinary IPC team or a multidisciplinary antimicrobial stewardship team. Local protocols for antimicrobial therapy of surgical infections and protocols for surgical antibiotic prophylaxis were present in 76.6% and 90.8% of hospitals, respectively. In 23.4% and 24.0% of hospitals no surveillance systems for surgical site infections and no monitoring systems of used antimicrobials were implemented. Patient and family involvement in IPC management was considered to be slightly or not important in their hospital by the majority of respondents (65.1%). Awareness of the global burden of AMR among HCWs was considered very important or important by 54.6% of participants. The COVID-19 pandemic was considered by 80.3% of respondents as a very important or important factor in raising HCWs awareness of the IPC programs in their hospital. Based on the survey results, the authors developed 15 statements for several questions regarding the prevention and management of infections in surgery. The statements may be the starting point for designing future evidence-based recommendations. Conclusion Adequacy of prevention and management of infections in acute care facilities depends on HCWs behaviours and on the organizational characteristics of acute health care facilities to support best practices and promote behavioural change. Patient involvement in the implementation of IPC is still little considered. A debate on how operationalising a fundamental change to IPC, from being solely the HCWs responsibility to one that involves a collaborative relationship between HCWs and patients, should be opened

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection