The Evolution of Mentorship Capacity Development in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Case Studies from Peru, Kenya, India, and Mozambique.

Following the Fogarty International Center-supported "Mentoring the Mentors" workshops in South America, Africa, and Asia, approaches and guidelines for mentorship at institutions within these low- and middle-income country (LMIC) contexts, appropriate for the respective regional resources and culture, were implemented. Through the presentation of case studies from these three geographic regions, this article illustrates the institutional mentorship infrastructure before the workshop and the identified gaps used to implement strategies to build mentorship capacity at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (Peru), Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kenya), Saint John's Research Institute (India), and Eduardo Mondlane University (Mozambique). These case studies illustrate three findings: first, that mentorship programs in LMICs have made uneven progress, and institutions with existing programs have exhibited greater advancement to their mentoring capacity than institutions without formal programs before the workshops. Second, mentoring needs assessments help garner the support of institutional leadership and create local ownership. Third, developing a culture of mentorship that includes group mentoring activities at LMIC institutions can help overcome the shortage of trained mentors. Regardless of the stage of mentoring programs, LMIC institutions can work toward developing sustainable, culturally effective mentorship models that further the partnership of early career scientists and global health

Amazonian Reservoir Hosts of <em>Trypanosoma cruzi</em>

The epidemiology of Trypanosoma cruzi in the wild is a particular and highly dynamic scenario that needs attention due to the increased alteration of the environment caused by different factors including anthropogenic change. This chapter is an updated summary about the known reservoir hosts of T. cruzi identified in the countries that share the Amazon rainforest. This information will provide a better understanding of the ecology of T. cruzi in sylvatic environments. This chapter will also contribute to address the potential risks of T. cruzi infection in Amazonian communities who are in contact with wild animals through hunting and wild meat consumption

Mentoring the Mentors: Implementation and Evaluation of Four Fogarty-Sponsored Mentoring Training Workshops in Low-and Middle-Income Countries.

A growing body of evidence highlights the importance of competent mentoring in academic research. We describe the development, implementation, and evaluation of four regional 2-day intensive workshops to train mid- and senior-level investigators conducting public health, clinical, and basic science research across multiple academic institutions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) on tools and techniques of effective mentoring. Sponsored by the Fogarty International Center, workshops included didactic presentations, interactive discussions, and small-group problem-based learning and were conducted in Lima, Peru; Mombasa, Kenya; Bangalore, India; and Johannesburg, South Africa, from 2013 to 2016. Mid- or senior-level faculty from multiple academic institutions within each region applied and were selected. Thirty faculty from 12 South America-based institutions, 29 faculty from eight East Africa-based institutions, 37 faculty from 14 South Asia-based institutions, and 36 faculty from 13 Africa-based institutions participated, with diverse representation across disciplines, gender, and academic rank. Discussions and evaluations revealed important comparisons and contrasts in the practice of mentoring, and specific barriers and facilitators to mentoring within each cultural and regional context. Specific regional issues related to hierarchy, the post-colonial legacy, and diversity arose as challenges to mentoring in different parts of the world. Common barriers included a lack of a culture of mentoring, time constraints, lack of formal training, and a lack of recognition for mentoring. These workshops provided valuable training, were among the first of their kind, were well-attended, rated highly, and provided concepts and a structure for the development and strengthening of formal mentoring programs across LMIC institutions

Use of multivariate analysis in the non-genetic factors assessment of Creole goats

El peso al nacimiento en caprinos es un factor que siempre se pondera en los esquemas productivos por estar positivamente correlacionado con la tasa de crecimiento, con el tamaño del adulto, con el tiempo que tardan las crías en alcanzar peso de faena y con el tipo de alimentación que reciben. El peso al nacimiento varía en las distintas razas por ser determinado genéticamente. Hay productores que llegan a cambiar la raza de cabra buscando mejores pesos al nacimiento y desarrollos más precoces. Existen, sin embargo, factores no genéticos, que influyen en el peso al nacimiento y el desarrollo inicial que pueden llevar a confundir los resultados cuando se comparan diferentes razas buscando la producción de cabritos de mejores pesos al nacimiento y desarrollos más precoces. Sexo y número de camada son dos factores no genéticos relevantes en la determinación del peso al nacimiento y ya han sido demostrados en otras razas. En cabras Criollas, además de estos, se detecta que edad de la madre, número de parto de la madre, y mes de nacimiento también influyen. Se realizó un estudio de la influencia de todas estas variables en el peso al nacimiento y desarrollo inicial en un rebaño caprino de la Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero (UNSE), en el que se pesaron crías al nacimiento y en desarrollo inicial en cinco pariciones sucesivas. Se aplicó un análisis conjunto de todas las variables o multivariado, empleándose el método de componentes principales ACP, el cual detectó relaciones muy estrechas entre las variables en los tres ejes principales: 1) edad de la madre con número de parto, 2) peso con el tamaño de la camada y 3) otras relaciones, aunque débiles entre sexo y tamaño de camada. El ACP sirvió para sintetizar la información y mejorar la eficiencia en la interpretación de resultados, concentrando a los ejemplares en base a la influencia de las variables estudiadas con sus respectivos pesos al nacimiento, siendo los grupos 2 y 3 los de mayores pesos (3,18 kg y 3.4 kg respectivamente) y los bajos pesos para los grupos 1 y 4 (2,22 kg y 2,25 kg promedio, respectivamente).In goats, birth weight is a factor that is always taken into account in the production systems since it correlates positively with growth rate, with adult size, with the time required for the offspring reach slaughter weight and with the type of food they receive. Birth weight varies in different races to be genetically determined. There are breeders who change the race of goat focusing on the better birth weight and more early development. However, there are non-genetic factors that influence on the birth weight and early development that can lead to confusing results when comparing different races to looking offspring production of better birth weight and early development. Sex and number of litter are two non genetic factors relevant in determining birth weight, that in addition already it was demonstrated in other races. In Creole goats in addition to these, we found that age of mother, calving number of the mother, and birth month also have influence. A study of the influence of these variables on birth weight and initial development in a goat herd was conducted at the Na-tional University of Santiago del Estero. In this study the offspring were weighed at birth and during early developmental conducted in five successive calving. A pooled analysis of all variables or multivariate analyzes were applied, using the method of principal component ACP, which detect very close relations between the variables in the three major axis: 1) age of mother with calving number, 2) weight with the litter size and 3) other relationships, though weak between sex and litter size. This method, ACP, helped to summarize information and improving efficiency in the interpretation of results, bringing together animals based on the influence of the variables studied and their birth weight. Thus the groups 2 and 3 they presented the higher weights (3.18 kg and 3.4 kg respectively), and groups 1 and 4, lower weights (2.22 kg and 2.25 kg average respectively).Fil: David, R. N.. Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Facultad de Agronomía y Agroindustrias; ArgentinaFil: Abdala, G. C.. Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Facultad de Agronomía y Agroindustrias; ArgentinaFil: Abdala, María Eugenia. Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Facultad de Agronomía y Agroindustrias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Lescano, J. A.. Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Facultad de Agronomía y Agroindustrias; Argentin

Native rodent species are unlikely sources of infection for Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis along the Transoceanic Highway in Madre de Dios, Peru.

An estimated 2.3 million disability-adjusted life years are lost globally from leishmaniasis. In Peru's Amazon region, the department of Madre de Dios (MDD) rises above the rest of the country in terms of the annual incidence rates of human leishmaniasis. Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is the species most frequently responsible for the form of disease that results in tissue destruction of the nose and mouth. However, essentially nothing is known regarding the reservoirs of this vector-borne, zoonotic parasite in MDD. Wild rodents have been suspected, or proven, to be reservoirs of several Leishmania spp. in various ecosystems and countries. Additionally, people who live or work in forested terrain, especially those who are not regionally local and whose immune systems are thus naïve to the parasite, are at most risk for contracting L. (V.) braziliensis. Hence, the objective of this study was to collect tissues from wild rodents captured at several study sites along the Amazonian segment of the newly constructed Transoceanic Highway and to use molecular laboratory techniques to analyze samples for the presence of Leishmania parasites. Liver tissues were tested via polymerase chain reaction from a total of 217 rodents; bone marrow and skin biopsies (ear and tail) were also tested from a subset of these same animals. The most numerous rodent species captured and tested were Oligoryzomys microtis (40.7%), Hylaeamys perenensis (15.7%), and Proechimys spp. (12%). All samples were negative for Leishmania, implying that although incidental infections may occur, these abundant rodent species are unlikely to serve as primary reservoirs of L. (V.) braziliensis along the Transoceanic Highway in MDD. Therefore, although these rodent species may persist and even thrive in moderately altered landscapes, we did not find any evidence to suggest they pose a risk for L. (V.) braziliensis transmission to human inhabitants in this highly prevalent region

Detection of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) in Lima, Peru

Se reconoce que los hurones en cautiverio (Mustela putorios furo) son susceptibles a la toxoplasmosis, pero la información al respecto es escasa. Se describe el caso de un hurón hembra de 6.5 años de edad llevado a consulta a la Clínica de Animales Silvestres y Exóticos de la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (Lima, Perú), por presentar anorexia y diarrea reciente. El examen físico reveló deshidratación, bradicardia, hipotermia y letargia. El examen hematológico reveló leucocitosis, neutrofilia y trombocitopenia. El examen bioquímico sérico reveló hipoglucemia y elevación de la creatina quinasa. Se detectó IgG e IgM anti-Toxoplasma mediante la prueba de Hemaglutinación Indirecta. El hurón falleció dos días después de iniciar la terapia y no se permitió realizar el examen post mortem.It is known that domestic ferrets (Mustela putorios furo) are susceptible to toxoplasmosis; however, information is scarce. This report describes the case of a 6.5 years old female ferret received at the Wild and Exotic Animals Clinic of the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (Lima, Peru), which presented recent anorexia and diarrhoea. Physical examination revealed dehydration, bradycardia, hypothermia, and lethargy. Haematology revealed leucocytosis, neutrophilia, and thrombocytopenia. Serum biochemistry revealed hypoglycaemia and increased creatine kinase. Anti-Toxoplasma IgM and IgG were found by Indirect Hemagglutination assay. The ferret died two days after therapy was established and post mortem examination was not allowed

Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Negative Microscopic Diagnosis of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Rural Peru.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic to South America where diagnosis is most commonly conducted via microscopy. Patients with suspected leishmaniasis were referred for enrollment by the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Lima, Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado, and several rural areas of Peru. A 43-question survey requesting age, gender, occupation, characterization of the lesion(s), history of leishmaniasis, and insect-deterrent behaviors was administered. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted on lesion materials at the Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6 in Lima, and the results were compared with those obtained by the MoH using microscopy. Factors associated with negative microscopy and positive PCR results were identified using

KLEBSIELLA PNEUMONIAE INFECTION IN A WOOLLY MONKEY (LAGOTHRIX LAGOTRICHA) KEPTAS PETIN LIMA, PERU

Se reporta el caso de un mono choro (Lagothrix lagotricha) criado como mascota que llega a la consulta por presentar una tumefacción en el cuello, decaimiento e inapetencia. La tumefacción correspondió a un absceso. El examen radiográfico indicó signos radiográficos de bronconeumonía, la tinción alcohol-ácido descartó la presencia de micobacterias y en el cultivo bacteriológico se aisló Klebsiella pneumoniae. Se administró tratamiento antibiótico a base de enrofloxacina 5 mg/kg i.m. c/24 h durante 10 días, antibiótico susceptible según el antibiograma. El individuo se recuperó.A captive woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagotricha) maintained as pet was brought tothe clinic due to the presence of a swelling in the neck, loss of appetite and weakness.The swelling corresponded to an abscess. The radiographic test showed signs ofbronchopneumonia, the acid alcohol test ruled out the presence of mycobacteria and inthe bacterial culture Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated. Antibiotic therapy, based onenrofloxacin 5 mg/kg i.m. daily was administered for 10 days, as this antibiotic showedhigh susceptibility in the antibiogram. The patient fully recovered

Strengthening Mentoring in Low- and Middle-Income Countries to Advance Global Health Research: An Overview.

Mentoring is a proven path to scientific progress, but it is not a common practice in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Existing mentoring approaches and guidelines are geared toward high-income country settings, without considering in detail the differences in resources, culture, and structure of research systems of LMICs. To address this gap, we conducted five Mentoring-the-Mentor workshops in Africa, South America, and Asia, which aimed at strengthening the capacity for evidence-based, LMIC-specific institutional mentoring programs globally. The outcomes of the workshops and two follow-up working meetings are presented in this special edition of the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Seven articles offer recommendations on how to tailor mentoring to the context and culture of LMICs, and provide guidance on how to implement mentoring programs. This introductory article provides both a prelude and executive summary to the seven articles, describing the motivation, cultural context and relevant background, and presenting key findings, conclusions, and recommendations