Frequency of CCR5 D 32 Mutation in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-seropositive and HIV-exposed Seronegative Individuals and in General Population of Medellin, Colombia

Repeated exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) does not always result in seroconversion. Modifications in coreceptors for HIV entrance to target cells are one of the factors that block the infection. We studied the frequency of Delta 32 mutation in ccr5 gene in Medellin, Colombia. Two hundred and eighteen individuals distributed in three different groups were analyzed for Delta 32 mutation in ccr5 gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR): 29 HIV seropositive (SP), 39 exposed seronegative (ESN) and 150 individuals as a general population sample (GPS). The frequency of the Delta 32 mutant allele was 3.8% for ESN, 2.7% for GPS and 1.7% for SP. Only one homozygous mutant genotype (Delta 32/Delta 32) was found among the ESN (2.6%). The heterozygous genotype (ccr5/Delta 32) was found in eight GPS (5.3%), in one SP (3.4%) and in one ESN (2.6%). The differences in the allelic and genotypic frequencies among the three groups were not statistically significant. A comparison between the expected and the observed genotypic frequencies showed that these frequencies were significantly different for the ESN group, which indirectly suggests a protective effect of the mutant genotype (delta 32/Delta 32). Since this mutant genotype explained the resistance of infection in only one of our ESN persons, different mechanisms of protection must be playing a more important role in this population

UHPLC-ESI-ORBITRAP-MS analysis of the native Mapuche medicinal plant palo negro (Leptocarpha rivularis DC. – Asteraceae) and evaluation of its antioxidant and cholinesterase inhibitory properties

UHPLC/ESI/MS identification of organic compounds is the first step in the majority of screening techniques for the characterization of biologically active metabolites in natural sources. This paper describes a method for the fast identification and characterisation of secondary metabolites in Leptocarpha rivularis DC. (Palo negro) extracts by HPLC/UV (DAD)–Mass Spectrometry (HPLC/MS). The plant is used for the treatment of several diseases since pre-hispanic Mapuche times. Thirty-seven compounds were detected in the aqueous edible extract for the first time including 4 sesquiterpenes, 10 flavonoids, 9 oxylipins, 2 organic acids, and 11 phenolic acids. In addition, phenolic content antioxidant and cholinesterase inhibitory activities were measured for the first time using the edible infusion. The total polyphenol content of the infusion was 230.76 ± 2.5 mmol GAE/kg dry weight, while the antioxidant activity was 176.51 ± 28.84; 195.28 ± 4.83; and 223.92 ± 2.95 mmol TE/kg dry weight, for the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays, respectively. The cholinesterase inhibitory activity was 7.38 ± 0.03 and 5.74 ± 0.06 mmol GALAE/kg, for the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase AChE and BChE, respectively, showing that this plant is a candidate for the isolation of compounds that can be useful for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, this plant could serve also as a raw material for the production of dietary supplements, due to its content of polyphenolic compounds

Efectividad de la profilaxis para enfermedad tuberculosa en pacientes infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana, Medellín, 2002-2005

Introduction. Prophylaxis against tuberculosis has been recognized as important for preventing clinical forms of tuberculosis, mainly in HIV positive patients. However, in countries with high tuberculosis prevalence, prophylaxis application and effectiveness remains controversial.Objective. Effectiveness was established for two prophylaxis regimens -isoniazid treatment for nine months and pirazinamid/rifampin for 60 days.Materials and methods. Two cohort groups of patients diagnosed with HIV/AIDS were compared. One consisted of 131 volunteer patients, who received one of the two prophylactic regimens - pirazinamid/rifampin or isoniazid. The tuberculosis treatment drugs were self-administered andindependent of tuberculin response tests. The second group consisted of 200 patients selected from the records of a HIV/AIDS control program. Follow up for both groups was conducted over a two-year period through clinical records.Results. The 2 groups were similar with respect to clinical and demographic variables. A higher proportion of patients in the control group had CD4 counts <200/ml and viral load>100,000 copies. In the prophylactic group, 8% of patients reported adverse effects due to the drug, and one person had tuberculosis in that group (0.8%). Ten persons in the control group contracted tuberculosis (5%) [RR=0.15, 95%CI 0.02-1.18, p=0.07]. The prophylaxis protective level was calculated to be 80%, after taking into account CD4, viral load, and effective antiretroviral therapy.Conclusion. The prophylaxis against tuberculosis was effective in HIV positive patients, independently of the immune status, viral load, and highly effective antiretroviral therapy.Introducción. La profilaxis para tuberculosis ha sido aceptada mundialmente para prevenir lasformas activas de la enfermedad, especialmente, en pacientes positivos para VIH; pero en los países de alta prevalencia es aún controvertida su efectividad y sus indicaciones. Objetivo. Establecer en pacientes positivos para VIH el nivel de efectividad de dos esquemas de profilaxis contra la tuberculosis: con isoniacida durante nueve meses o pirazinamida/rifampicina durante 60 días, suministrados en forma autoadministrada, independientemente de la respuesta a la prueba de tuberculina.Materiales y métodos. Estudio observacional de cohorte. Se conformaron dos grupos, uno con 131 pacientes, quienes voluntariamente aceptaron recibir uno de los dos esquemasprofilácticos, si el de pirazinamida/rifampicina no estaba contraindicado. El grupo control estuvo conformado por 200 pacientes seleccionados retrospectivamente, a partir de los registros de un programa de control de pacientes con VIH/sida. El seguimiento para ambos grupos se realizó durante dos años, mediante revisión de la historia clínica.Resultados. Los grupos no presentaron diferencias estadísticas significativas cuando se compararon sus características clínicas, ni demográficas. Una mayor proporción de pacientes del grupo control tuvieron recuento de CD4<200/ml y carga viral>100.000. En el grupo con profilaxis, 8% manifestó efectos adversos, una persona presentó tuberculosis (0,8%) y en el grupo control 10 (5%) [RR=0,15, IC95% 0,02-1,18, p=0,07], la protección de la profilaxis fue del 80%, independiente de CD4, carga viral y terapia antirretroviral recibida.Conclusión. La profilaxis para tuberculosis mostró ser efectiva en pacientes positivos para VIH, independientemente del estado inmune, virológico y el tratamiento antirretroviral recibido

Caracterización de los procedimientos para la realización de hemocultivos en pacientes adultos, en instituciones hospitalarias del Área Metropolitana del Valle de Aburrá

Resumen Objetivo: Caracterizar procedimientos para la toma, análisis, reporte y aseguramiento de la calidad en hemocultivos en pacientes adultos, en instituciones hospitalarias. Material Y método: Estudio descriptivo en 15 Hospitales de Medellín y alrededores. Se empleó un formulario semiestructurado para recolectarla información, se utilizó SPSS(r) para el análisis. Resultados: Todas las instituciones tienen protocolos basados en fuentes de autoridad reconocida; con diferencias importantes en procesos pre-analíticos y postanalíticos. Los Productos más empleados para la antisepsia fueron gluconato declorhexidina al 2-4%(66,7%) Y alcohol isopropílico o etílico al 70% (20,0%),Con discrepancias en los tiempos de acción. El 73,3% emplea guantes estériles y la misma proporción usa sistema abierto (jeringa) para la venopunción. En el 46,6% se toman dos botellas aerobias y una anaerobia por episodio y en 33,3% dos botellas aerobias. El 66,6% lleva un indicador de contaminación, 53,3% de positividad y 26,6% de volumen de sangre. La tasa promedio de hemocultivos contaminados durante el semestre de seguimiento fue 1,61%. Conclusión: Se observa heterogeneidad en los procedimientos, especialmente en fases pre-analítica y post-analítica. En La búsqueda de la excelencia y la seguridad del paciente son necesarios protocolos estandarizados e indicadores para medir y controlar el desempeño de los hemocultivos

UHPLC-ESI-ORBITRAP-MS analysis of the native Mapuche medicinal plant palo negro (<i>Leptocarpha rivularis</i> DC. – Asteraceae) and evaluation of its antioxidant and cholinesterase inhibitory properties

<p>UHPLC/ESI/MS identification of organic compounds is the first step in the majority of screening techniques for the characterization of biologically active metabolites in natural sources. This paper describes a method for the fast identification and characterisation of secondary metabolites in <i>Leptocarpha rivularis</i> DC. (<i>Palo negro</i>) extracts by HPLC/UV (DAD)–Mass Spectrometry (HPLC/MS). The plant is used for the treatment of several diseases since pre-hispanic Mapuche times. Thirty-seven compounds were detected in the aqueous edible extract for the first time including 4 sesquiterpenes, 10 flavonoids, 9 oxylipins, 2 organic acids, and 11 phenolic acids. In addition, phenolic content antioxidant and cholinesterase inhibitory activities were measured for the first time using the edible infusion. The total polyphenol content of the infusion was 230.76 ± 2.5 mmol GAE/kg dry weight, while the antioxidant activity was 176.51 ± 28.84; 195.28 ± 4.83; and 223.92 ± 2.95 mmol TE/kg dry weight, for the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays, respectively. The cholinesterase inhibitory activity was 7.38 ± 0.03 and 5.74 ± 0.06 mmol GALAE/kg, for the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase AChE and BChE, respectively, showing that this plant is a candidate for the isolation of compounds that can be useful for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, this plant could serve also as a raw material for the production of dietary supplements, due to its content of polyphenolic compounds.</p