Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated during 2002-2006: serotypes and antibiotics resistance. Correlation with existing vaccines

Objetivos: Identificar los serotipos de S. pneumoniae aislados, correlacionándolos con los incluidos en las vacunas existentes y su resistencia antimicrobiana. Diseño: Estudio descriptivo, observacional y longitudinal. Lugar: Instituto de Medicina Tropical Daniel A. Carrión, Facultad de Medicina, UNMSM. Material biológico: Cepas de Streptococcus pneumoniae. Intervenciones: Cuarenta Streptococcus pneumoniae de nuestro cepario, aislados entre el 2002 y 2006, fueron serotipificados en el Instituto de Salud Carlos III en Madrid –España; 15 fueron invasivos, 11 aislados de infecciones localizadas, 6 de portadores y 8 eran multiresistentes. Principales medidas de resultados: Protección de las vacunas existentes en nuestro medio a las infecciones causadas por Streptococcus pneumoniae. Resultados: Hubo 14 serotipos diferentes y los serogrupos más identificados fueron 23, 19 y 6. El 28,6% estaba contenido en la vacuna 7–valente, 42,9% en la 9–valente, 50% en la 11–valente y el 71,4% en la 23–valente; 57,5% fue resistente a la penicilina y 30% a eritromicina. El grupo de Streptococcus invasivo resultó más sensible a los antibióticos que los otros grupos. Los serotipos asociados a multirresistencia fueron 19F y 23F. Conclusiones: Ninguna de las vacunas protege a todas las infecciones causadas por Streptococcus pneumoniae, en nuestro medio.Objectives: To identify isolated S. pneumoniae serotypes correlating them with those covered by existing vaccines and determining antimicrobial resistance. Design: Descriptive, observational and longitudinal study. Setting: Daniel A Carrion Tropical Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, UNMSM. Biologic material: Streptococcus pneumoniae stocks. Interventions: Forty Streptococcus pneumoniae stocks isolated between 2002 and 2006 were serotyped at Carlos III Health Institute in Madrid, Spain; 15 were invasive, 11 isolated from localized infections, 6 from carriers and 8 were multiresistant. Main outcome measures: Protection of local existing vaccines to Streptococcus pneumoniae infections. Results: There were 14 different serotypes and most identified groups were 23, 19 and 6, 28,6% contained in the 7–valent vaccine, 42,9% in the 9-valent, 50% in the 11-valent and 71,4% in the 23-valent; 57,5% were resistant to penicillin and 30% to erythromycin. The invasive Streptococcus group proved to be more sensitive to antibiotics than the other groups; 19F and 23F serotypes were multiresistant. Conclusions: In our environment none of the studied vaccines protected all the infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Resistance to penicillin was high

Aeromonas IN CHILDREN LESS THAN 5 YEAR-OLD WITH ACUTE DIARRHEA

OBJETIVO: Determinar la importancia de Aeromonas como agente diarreogénico en niños meno- res de 5 años, así como comparar su frecuencia con la de otros enteropatógenos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Entre 1998 y 1999, se tomó 285 muestras de heces de niños con diarrea aguda, en 5 Centros Hospitalarios, las que fueron enviadas al Instituto de Medicina Tropical Daniel A. Carrión en el medio de transporte Cary Blair, para su procesamiento e identificación de Aeromonas por el método Aerokey II. RESULTADOS: Aeromonas fue la bacteria más aislada entre los enteropatógenos, sobre todo en niños menores de 2 años y en verano, y la Aeromonas caviae fue la especie más frecuente. Aeromonas fue aislada en la mayoría de los casos del agar TCBS, por lo que empleamos discos de O/129 para diferenciarla de Vibrio cholerae. Todas las Aeromonas fueron sensibles in vitro a furazolidona y neomicina. CONCLUSIONES: Aeromonas fue el prin- cipal agente etiológico de la diarrea aguda acuosa, en niños menores de 5 años.OBJECTIVE: To determine Aeromonas importance as diarrhea agent in children less than 5 year- old and compare its frequency with other enteropathogens. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1998 and 1999 285 fecal samples were taken from children with acute diarrhea in 5 hospitals, which were then sent to Daniel A. Carrión Institute of Tropical Medicine in Cary Blairs transportation medium for processing by Aerokey II method. RESULTS: Aeromonas was the most frequent bacteria isolated among enteropathogens, mainly in children less than 2-year old and in summer, and Aeromonas caviae was the most frequent species. Aeromonas was mainly isolated in agar TCBS, employing O/129 disks to differentiate it from Vibrio cholerae. All Aeromonas were sensitive in vitro to furazolidone and neomycin. CONCLUSIONS: Aeromonas was the main etiological agent of aquous acute diarrhea in children less than 5 year-old

EVALUACIÓN DE LA ACTIVIDAD ANTIMICROBIANA DEL ACEITE DE PENICILINA (JUSTICIA ADHATODA L.), FRENTE A MICROORGANISMOS PATÓGENOS EN ALIMENTOS

Este proyecto busca evaluar el estudio fitoquímico y la actividad biológica de la especie Justicia adhatoda L., frente a microorganismos patógenos encontrados en los alimentos naturales de origen vegetal (no procesados).La metodología empleada, parte de una revisión bibliográfica de plantas arvenses, también denominadas malas hierbas o malezas y su potencial antimicrobiano. Posteriormente se aplicarán una serie de técnicas extractivas, de separación, purificación y análisis de los principios activos de la Penicilina por análisis espectroscópicos (CG). La obtención de los metabolitos secundarios, nos dará paso al estudio de inhibición frente a bacterias como la E. colli y a S. aureus.Buscando en el aceite Justicia adhatoda L. impacto como bioherbicida a partir de extractos polares de la Penicilina, frente agentes infecciosos que pueden provocar enfermedades del consumidor por la ingestión de alimentos no procesados y de uso continuo en la canasta familiar

In vitro activity of ten medicinal plants on ten Streptococcus pneumoniae strains

Introducción: El portador sano es el principal diseminador de las infecciones neumocócicas por la nasofaringe. Una alternativa para combatirlo son las plantas medicinales. Objetivos: Determinar la efectividad de diez plantas medicinales frente a Streptococcus pneumoniae. Diseño: Estudio experimental in vitro. Material biológico: Plantas medicinales y cepas de Streptococcus pneumoniae. Intervenciones: Los extractos de 10 plantas medicinales fueron puestos en contacto in vitro con 10 cepas de Streptococcus pneumoniae. Principales medidas de resultados: Actividad de las plantas medicinales sobre las cepas de Streptococcus pneumoniae. Resultados: almendro y Bellaco caspi fueron las únicas plantas que dieron pequeño halo de inhibición con algunas cepas; con almendro se inhibió dos cepas y con Bellaco caspi, se inhibió siete cepas y tres resultaron resistentes. Estos resultados no tuvieron relación con el serotipo de neumococo ni con los antibióticos utilizados en los antibiogramas realizados previamente. Conclusiones: El Bellaco caspi podría ser una alternativa para atacar al neumococo en la nasofaringe. Pero, por haber presentado resistencia a tres cepas de Streptococcus pneumoniae, antes de usarlo sería conveniente desarrollar un antibiograma de los neumococos contra las plantas medicinales.Introduction: The healthy carrier is the main disseminator of pneumococcal infections through nasopharynx; an alternative for treatment is a medicinal plant. Objectives: To determine the effectivity of ten medicinal plants against Streptococcus pneumoniae. Design: In vitro experimental study. Biologic materials: Medicinal plant extracts and Streptococcus pneumoniae strains. Interventions: Ten medicinal plant extracts were put in contact in vitro with 10 different Streptococcus pneumonia strains. Main outcome measures: Medicinal plant extracts activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae strains. Results: Only almendro y Bellaco caspi showed small inhibition halos with some strains; with almendro two of 10 Pneumococcus strains were inhibited and with Bellaco caspi seven strains were inhibited and three were resistant. These results had no relation either with Pneumococcus serotype or with antibiotics used according to antibiograms. Conclusions: Bellaco caspi could be an alternative for treating nasopharynx Pneumococcus, but due to resistance to three Streptococcus pneumonia strains there is no total guarantee and an antibiogram for pneumococci against medicinal plants is needed

Characterization in Clonal Selections of Citrus X latifolia Tanaka ex Q. Jiménez: Español

Abstract Objective: To physically and chemically characterize clonal selections with Persian lemon potential. Design/methodology/approximation: A core component analysis was used, using a mixed data factor analysis model. The distribution of genotypes was plotted by major components through the K-medoid method, while cluster analysis it was determined by a Gower dissimilarity matrix. A dendogram was performed by Ward's method with a minimum variance grouping criteria. In the morphological characterization of the fruits which were considered trees of Citrus volkameriana, Citrus macrophylla, Citrus paradisi X Poncirus trifoliata, X Citroncirus spp., Citrus X aurantium. The diameter, length, weight, color and shape of the fruit was analyzed. Other variables to evaluate were the shape of the base, apex shape, surface texture, albedo adhesion, number of seeds, maturation rate, juice weight, juice yield, pH, Brix and tidable acidity. Data analysis was performed with R software and the factoextra and FactoMineR packages. Results: The physical and chemical characteristics of Persian lemon fruits varies due to the correlation between the different types of rootstock grown in the citrus area studied. Study limitations/implications: Producers are unaware of the clone or type of plant material they propagate, making selections of clones that show outstanding morphoagronomic characteristics. Findings/conclusions: The morphological diversity and quality fruit is closely related to the type of rootstock used for its spread. The internal and external characteristics in Citrus macrophylla stand out as the fruit.Objective: To physically and chemically characterize clonal selections of Persian lime(Citrus x latifolia Tanaka ex Q. Jiménez).Design/Methodology/Approach: The principal components analysis was employed,using a mixed data factorial analysis model. Genotype distribution was graphed usingprincipal components with the k-medoids method, while a Gower’s dissimilarity matrixwas determined for the conglomerate analysis and a dendrogram was developed usingWard’s minimum variance cluster method. For the morphological characterization of thefruits, the study considered the following trees: Citrus volkameriana, Citrus macrophylla,Citrus paradisi X Poncirus trifoliata, X Citroncirus spp., and Citrus X aurantium. Thefruit’s diameter, length, weight, color, and shape were analyzed, in addition to its baseshape, tip shape, surface texture, albedo adherence, number of seeds, ripening rate,juice weight, juice yield, pH, °Brix, and titratable acidity. Data were analyzed using Rsoftware and the factoextra and FactoMineR packages.Results: The physical and chemical traits of Persian lime fruit vary due to thecorrelations between the types of rootstock that are cultivated in the citrus zone studied. Study Limitations/Implications: Farmers do not know which clone or type of plantmaterial they propagate; they simply select clones that show outstanding morpho-agronomical traits.Findings/Conclusions: The morphological diversity and quality of the fruit is related tothe type of rootstock used in its propagation, in addition to internal and external traits inCitrus macrophylla standing out in fruit quality

Identificación de especies de Malassezia aisladas de piel sana en pobladores de Lima, Perú

Objective: To identify Malassezia species in healthy skin seborrhea areas in Lima inhabitants. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Daniel Alcides Carrion Tropical Medicine Institute, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru. Participants: Asymptomatic persons. Interventions: Skin samples were collected from 129 asymptomatic residents of several districts of Lima city using Mariat and Adan-Campos’ technique. Malassezia isolation was performed in modified Dixon medium and incubated at 32° C for 7 days. Colonies were identified by macro and micro morphological characteristics and typing was determined by biochemical and physiological properties using Guillot’s technique. Main outcome measures: Malassezia species, participants’ gender, age and anatomical region. Results: Malassezia spp was isolated in 43.4% of the residents, 49.2% in men and 37.5% in women. From various body regions 68 cultures were positive: scalp 31 (45.6%), back 36 (52.9%) and frontal region 1 (1.5%). Isolates most common age group (47.2%) was that of adolescents-young (14-25 year-old). M. slooffiae was found in 83.8% and M. obtusa in 16.2% of cases. Conclusions: Malassezia spp. was present in healthy human skin. M. slooffiae was the predominant species in positive cases (83.8%) followed by M. obtusa (16.2%).Objetivo: Identificar las especies de Malassezia en zonas seborreicas de piel sana en población limeña. Diseño: Estudio descriptivo transversal. Lugar: Instituto de Medicina Tropical ‘Daniel Alcides Carrión’, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú. Participantes: Pobladores asintomáticos. Intervenciones: Empleando la técnica de Mariat y Adan-Campos, se recolectó muestras de piel de 129 pobladores asintomáticos de diversos distritos de la ciudad de Lima. El aislamiento de Malassezia se realizó en medio Dixon modificado e incubado a 32ºC por 7 días, la identificación de las colonias por sus características macro y micromorfológicas, y la tipificación mediante el estudio de las propiedades bioquímicas y fisiológicas según la técnica de Guillot y col. Principales medidas de resultados: Especie de Malassezia, sexo, edad y región anatómica. Resultados: Se aisló Malassezia spp en 43,4% de los pobladores, obteniéndose 49,2% en varones y 37,5% en mujeres. De las diferentes regiones corporales, 68 cultivos fueron positivos: cuero cabelludo 31 (45,6%), espalda 36 (52,9%) y región frontal 1 (1,5%). El grupo etario con mayor frecuencia de aislamientos (47,2%) fue el de 14 a 25 años (adolescentes jóvenes). M. slooffiae fue encontrado en 83,8% y M. obtusa en 16,2% de los casos. Conclusiones: Se encontró Malassezia spp. en la piel humana sana. M. slooffiae fue la especie predominante de los casos positivos (83,8%) seguido de M. obtusa (16,2%)

Treatment with Natalizumab in Relapsing–Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients Induces Changes in Inflammatory Mechanism

Natalizumab is a widely accepted drug for the relapsing–remitting subtype of multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The present longitudinal exploratory study in RRMS patients analyzes the effects of natalizumab treatment on the levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine protein levels and also the frequency and suppressor function of regulatory T cells. Flow cytometry was used to determine cytokines and regulatory T cell frequency while regulatory T cell suppressor function was assayed in vitro at different time-points after starting with natalizumab. Results showed serum levels of pro-inflammatory interferon gamma and interleukin (IL)-12p70, as well as anti-inflammatory IL-4 and IL-10, were elevated just a few hours or days after first IV infusion of natalizumab. Interestingly, other cytokines like IL-5 or IL-13 were also elevated while pro-inflammatory IL-17, IL-2, and IL-1β increased only after a long-term treatment, suggesting different immune mechanisms. In contrast, we did not observe any effect of natalizumab treatment on regulatory T cell frequency or activity. In conclusion, these results suggest natalizumab has other immunological effects beyond VLA-4 interaction and inhibition of CNS extravasation, the relevance of which is as yet unknown and warrants further investigation

Desarrollo de estrategias para el manejo sostenible de la Altillanura Colombiana

Los Llanos Orientales de Colombia cubren cerca de 26 millones de hectáreas de las cuales un 53% (14 millones) pertenecen a la Orinoquia bien drenada (terrazas aluviales Altillanura plana y Altillanura disectada) Sin embargo el gran potencial agropecuario lo constituyen cerca de 46 millones de hectáreas constituidas por las terrazas y Altillanura plana actualmente subutilizadas en una ganadería extensiva con pastos de baja calidad nutricional Los suelos de estas sabanas de la Orinoquia se caracterizan por su alta acidez baja fertilidad química baja actividad biológica y débil estructura física que los hace fuertemente susceptibles a erosión y a compactación Aun así estos ecosistemas presentan ventajas comparativas con relación a otras zonas de producción agropecuaria del País por su abundante y buena distribución de lluvias y topografía relativamente plana que facilita la utilización racional de la mecanización como practica agrícola constructora de suelos y no degradativa

Multiplicity dependence of jet-like two-particle correlations in p-Pb collisions at sNN\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 5.02 TeV

Two-particle angular correlations between unidentified charged trigger and associated particles are measured by the ALICE detector in p-Pb collisions at a nucleon-nucleon centre-of-mass energy of 5.02 TeV. The transverse-momentum range 0.7 $< p_{\rm{T}, assoc} < p_{\rm{T}, trig} <$ 5.0 GeV/$c$ is examined, to include correlations induced by jets originating from low momen\-tum-transfer scatterings (minijets). The correlations expressed as associated yield per trigger particle are obtained in the pseudorapidity range $|\eta|<0.9$. The near-side long-range pseudorapidity correlations observed in high-multiplicity p-Pb collisions are subtracted from both near-side short-range and away-side correlations in order to remove the non-jet-like components. The yields in the jet-like peaks are found to be invariant with event multiplicity with the exception of events with low multiplicity. This invariance is consistent with the particles being produced via the incoherent fragmentation of multiple parton--parton scatterings, while the yield related to the previously observed ridge structures is not jet-related. The number of uncorrelated sources of particle production is found to increase linearly with multiplicity, suggesting no saturation of the number of multi-parton interactions even in the highest multiplicity p-Pb collisions. Further, the number scales in the intermediate multiplicity region with the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions estimated with a Glauber Monte-Carlo simulation.Comment: 23 pages, 6 captioned figures, 1 table, authors from page 17, published version, figures at http://aliceinfo.cern.ch/ArtSubmission/node/161