Genotyping of Giardia intestinalis from Schoolchildren in Honduras

This study aimed to identify the circulating genotypes of Giardia intestinalis in Honduran schoolchildren. Of a total of 242 fecal samples, 7.4% showed G. intestinalis cysts by microscopy. All positive samples amplified the tpi gene. Three samples amplified genotype A, four samples amplified genotype B, while 11 samples amplified both genotypes. These results suggest the presence of mixed infections or recombinant strains within the analyzed population. The sequences of the 18Sr gene confirmed for the first time in Honduras the presence of both genotypes (A and B) of Giardia intestinalis causing human infections

Genotyping of Giardia intestinalis from Schoolchildren in Honduras

This study aimed to identify the circulating genotypes of Giardia intestinalis in Honduran schoolchildren. Of a total of 242 fecal samples, 7.4% showed G. intestinalis cysts by microscopy. All positive samples amplified the tpi gene. Three samples amplified genotype A, four samples amplified genotype B, while 11 samples amplified both genotypes. These results suggest the presence of mixed infections or recombinant strains within the analyzed population. The sequences of the 18Sr gene confirmed for the first time in Honduras the presence of both genotypes (A and B) of Giardia intestinalis causing human infections

Absence of asymptomatic malaria in pregnant women of Honduras

Background: According to the World Health Organization, 219 million cases of malaria were reported in 2017 worldwide. During the last 8 years, the region of the Americas has experienced an average decrease in the incidence of malaria. Honduras has reported a reduction of 96.3% in the incidence of malaria between 2000 and 2017. Detection of submicroscopic infections is a great challenge for countries with low-endemic settings due to their relevance in the transmission of the parasite to the mosquito. Pregnant women are one of the populations most vulnerable to the complications of malaria and asymptomatic infections are considered as potential reservoirs of infection. The present study estimated the presence of Plasmodium asymptomatic infections in pregnant women and their newborns in an area of low endemicity in Honduras. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 300 asymptomatic mothers, from the umbilical cord of their newborns, and placentas. The DNA was extracted from dried blood spots using the Whatman FTA® purification reagent and the molecular diagnosis of the parasite was performed through two un-nested single tube species-specific PCR tests. Results: Nine hundred DNA samples successfully amplified the human beta globin partial sequence. None of the samples analysed revealed the presence of the parasite through this methodological approach. Conclusion: No asymptomatic malaria infections were detected among 300 pregnant women and their children in an area of low endemicity of Honduras. Implementation of more sensitive diagnostic techniques will contribute significantly on preventing transmission in order to eliminate malaria in the Central American sub region

Impacto de la deficiencia de glucosa-6-fosfato deshidrogenasa en individuos de zonas endémicas de malaria

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is a cytoplasmic enzyme that is essential for a cell’s capacity to withstand oxidant stress generated by molecules or reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human cells that could damage the integrity of cellular structures. G6PD deficiency (G6PDd) is one of the most common hereditary hemolytic disorders affecting about 400 million people worldwide. Its distribution and major frequency occurs mainly in tropical and subtropical regions of the world where malaria is or has been endemic. Several studies have demonstrated a potential protective effect against severe forms of malaria; conversely, individuals with G6PDd show complications and adverse clinical manifestations such as hemolytic anemia after treatment with antimalarial drugs such as primaquine and other 8-aminoquinolines (8AQ) drugs. Despite the evidence of the potential negative effects in developing countries endemic for malaria there is no information or a limited number of studies aimed to investigate the prevalence and frequency of G6PD deficient variants that supports treating policies in these vulnerable populations suffering of malaria.Revista Portal de Ciencias, No. 8, June 2015: 45-58La glucosa-6-fosfato deshidrogenasa (G6PD) es una enzima citoplasmática esencial para contrarrestar el estrés oxidativo generado por moléculas o especies reactivas de oxígeno (ROS) en las células humanas, las que podrían dañar su integridad. La deficiencia de glucosa-6-fosfato deshidrogenasa (G6PDd) constituye uno de los desórdenes hemolíticos hereditarios más comunes, afectando a cerca de 400 millones de personas a nivel mundial.Su distribución y mayor frecuencia ocurre principalmente en regiones tropicales y subtropicales del mundo en donde la malaria es o ha sido endémica. Diversos estudios han demostrado un potencial efecto protector de la G6PDd contra formas graves de malaria; asimismo, en estos individuos se han observado complicaciones y manifestaciones clínicas adversas como la anemia hemolítica, después de recibir tratamiento con drogas antimaláricas como la primaquina y otras drogas de la familia de las 8-aminoquinolinas (8AQ). A pesar de la evidencia de sus efectos negativos potenciales, en muchos países en vías de desarrollo endémicos de malaria existen pocos estudios o un vacío absoluto de información sobre la prevalencia y frecuencia de alelos deficientes del gen de la G6PD que apoyen los esquemas de tratamiento dirigidos a estas poblaciones vulnerables que padecen de malaria.Revista Portal de Ciencias, No. 8, junio 2015: 45-5

901-5 Intravenous Amiodarone Restores Sinus Rhythm in Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated with Atrial Fibrillation

The effectiveness and tolerance of intravenous (IV) amiodarone (Am) in atrialfibrillation (AF) complicated acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is not well studied. Thus, twenty patients (Pts) with AMI complicated with AF occurring within 30h (11.9 ± 10) of the onset of AMI symptoms were treated with IV administration of digitalis (d, 0.5mg and an additional 0.25mg later) followed by IV Am 300mg over 2h (starting 2h after the initial dose of d) and followed by 44mg/h for up to 3 days, if sinus rhythm (SR) was not restored. Intravenous d restored SR within 2h in 5/20pts. AF relapsed in 2 of them. Subsequent administration of Am for 2 h restored SR in the remaining 15/20pts and in the 2pts in whom AF had relapsed after the initial restoration of SR by d. Am restored SR within an average of 12.8 (range 0.5–56) h of infusion. Total dose of Am was 1922 ± 720mg in 4pts and 425 ± 241mg in the remaining 13. Am was well tolerated by all pts including 1 with cardiogenic shock assisted with the intraaortic balloon pump. In conclusion, IV Am administration ishighly effective in restoring sinusrhythm in AF complicating AMI and is well tolerated

Soil-Transmitted Helminths, Poverty, and Malnutrition in Honduran Children Living in Remote Rural Communities

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are endemic in Honduras, but their prevalence according to the levels of poverty in the population has not been examined. The present cross-sectional study is aimed to determine the role of different levels of poverty in STH prevalence and infection intensity as well as the potential associations of STH infections with malnutrition and anemia. Research participants were children attending a medical brigade serving remote communities in Northern Honduras in June 2014. Demographic data were obtained, and poverty levels were determined using the unsatisfied basic needs method. STH infections were investigated by the Kato-Katz method; hemoglobin concentrations were determined with the HemoCue system; and stunting, thinness, and underweight were determined by anthropometry. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and univariate and multivariable logistic regression models. Among 130 children who participated in this study, a high prevalence (69.2%) of parasitism was found and the poorest children were significantly more infected than those living in less poor communities (79.6% vs. 61.8%; P = 0.030). Prevalence rates of Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides, and hookworms were 69.2%, 12.3%, and 3.85%, respectively. In total, 69% of children had anemia and 30% were stunted. Households’ earthen floor and lack of latrines were associated with infection. Greater efforts should be made to reduce STH prevalence and improve overall childhood health, in particular, among the poorest children lacking the basic necessities of life

High Endemicity of Soil-Transmitted Helminths in a Population Frequently Exposed to Albendazole but No Evidence of Antiparasitic Resistance

Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are gastrointestinal parasites widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas. Mass drug administration (MDA) of benzimidazoles (BZ) is the most recommended for STH control. These drugs have demonstrated limited efficacy against Trichuris trichiura and the long-term use of single-dose BZ has raised concerns of the possible emergence of genetic resistance. The objective of this investigation was to determine whether genetic mutations associated with BZ resistance were present in STH species circulating in an endemic region of Honduras. Methods: A parasitological survey was performed as part of this study, the Kato–Katz technique was used to determine STH prevalence in children of La Hicaca, Honduras. A subgroup of children received anthelminthic treatment in order to recover adult parasite specimens that were analyzed through molecular biology techniques. Genetic regions containing codons 200, 198, and 167 of the β-tubulin gene of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura were amplified and sequenced. Results: Stool samples were collected from 106 children. The overall STH prevalence was 75.47%, whereby T. trichiura was the most prevalent helminth (56.6%), followed by A. lumbricoides (17%), and hookworms (1.9%). Eighty-five sequences were generated for adjacent regions to codons 167, 198, and 200 of the β-tubulin gene of T. trichiura and A. lumbricoides specimens. The three codons of interest were found to be monomorphic in all the specimens. Conclusion: Although the inability to find single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the small sample analyzed for the present report does not exclude the possibility of their occurrence, these results suggest that, at present, Honduras’s challenges in STH control may not be related to drug resistance but to environmental conditions and/or host factors permitting reinfections.Brock University Library Open Access Publishing Fun

Enfermedad renal oculta en pacientes con rasgo drepanocítico

Sickle cell trait is usually seen as a benign condition but has been shown to cause different pathological consequences. Within these associations, one of the most important is the increased risk of chronic kidney disease in these individuals. This study aims to determine the prevalence of occult renal disease identified in people with the condition. The study was conducted in the population of the community of Ciriboya, Colón, Honduras in January 2015. With a sample of 20 people, over 18 years, which were identified with sickle cell trait in a previous research. Validated screening tool for Occult Renal Disease (SCORED) was applied in each participant, hemoglobin levels, glucose, blood pressure and proteinuria were determined, also medical history and risk factors were recorded. Data were entered and processed in the software Epi info 7. The sample included 13 women (65%) and 7 men (35%) in the age range between 19 and 83 years with an SD of 18.4, in which the prevalence of increased risk for kidney disease was found in 45 % of the study subjects. To give a special attention to people with sickle cell trait, since it is no longer considered a harmless condition, under the circumstances of the increase in pathological complications it can cause. Tracking those identified with an increased risk of kidney disease is recommended.El rasgo drepanocítico es casi siempre visto como una condición benigna pero se ha demostrado que puede causar diferentes consecuencias patológicas. Dentro de esta asociación, una de las más importantes, es el riesgo aumentado de enfermedad renal crónica en estos individuos. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo determinar la prevalencia de enfermedad renal oculta en personas identificados con rasgo drepanocítico. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal en una muestra de la población de la comunidad de Ciriboya, del departamento de Colón, Honduras en enero del año 2015. Participaron 20 personas, mayores de 18 años, las cuales fueron identificadas con rasgo drepanocítico en una investigación previa. Para calcular el riesgo se utilizó la herramienta validada de tamizaje para Enfermedad Renal Oculta (SCORED), se determinaron los niveles de hemoglobina, glucosa en ayunas, tensión arterial y proteinuria, así mismo se registraron antecedentes patológicos y factores de riesgo de cada persona. Los datos fueron ingresados y procesados en el programa Epi info 7 y el nivel de riesgo para enfermedad renal fue calculado mediante los puntajes que este instrumento establece. La muestra estudiada fue de 13 mujeres (65%) y 7 hombres (35%) en un rango de edad entre 19 y 83 años con una SD de 18.4, se encontró una prevalencia de riesgo aumentado de enfermedad renal en el 45% de los sujetos de estudio. Las personas con rasgo drepanocítico deben de recibir un seguimiento clínico especial considerando el riesgo aumentado de padecimiento de enfermedad renal en la población estudiada