Lobomycosis in Man and Lobomycosis-like Disease in Bottlenose Dolphin, Venezuela

We report 1 case of lobomycosis caused by Lacazia loboi in a fisherman and 1 case of lobomycosis-like disease in a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) along the coast of Venezuela. These findings suggest that the marine environment is a likely habitat for L. loboi and a reservoir for infection

Snakebites mapping in municipalities of the Coffee Triangle Region in Colombia using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Objective: We sought to develop epidemiological maps using geographical information systems (GIS) for the incidence of reported venomous snakebites in the Coffee-Triangle region of Colombia, between 2007 and 2011. Methods: Surveillance cases data (2007-2011) were used to estimate annual incidence rates of snakebites (cases/100,000 pop) to develop the first maps in the 53 municipalities of this region (departments Caldas, Quindío, Risaralda). The GIS software used was Kosmo Desktop 3.0RC1®. Thirty thematic maps were developed according to municipalities and years. Results: A total of 617 cases were reported (56.08% from Caldas, 32.58% from Risaralda and 11.35% from Quindío), for a cumulated regional rate of 25. 25 cases/100,000 pop (35.43 for Caldas, 21.86 for Risaralda and 12.81% for Quindío). The highest cumulated rate was reported in the less developed and more rural municipality of one department (Pueblo Rico, Risaralda) with 265.64 cases/100,000 pop. Between 2007 and 2011, a considerable increase was seen in the rates. At Pueblo Rico, Risaralda, there was a change from 41.04 cases/100,000pop in 2007 up to 63.11 cases/100,000pop in 2011 (1.54 times higher). From Caldas, Samaná showed a high variation from 19.47 to 77.7 (3.99 times higher). Conclusions: Morbidity of snakebites is highly concentrated in one department (Caldas). Use of GIS-based epidemiological maps allows guiding decisions-taking for prevention and control of public health problems that still represents a significant issue in the region and the country, such as snakebites

Snakebites mapping in municipalities of the Coffee Triangle Region in Colombia using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Objective: We sought to develop epidemiological maps using geographical information systems (GIS) for the incidence of reported venomous snakebites in the Coffee-Triangle region of Colombia, between 2007 and 2011. Methods: Surveillance cases data (2007-2011) were used to estimate annual incidence rates of snakebites (cases/100,000 pop) to develop the first maps in the 53 municipalities of this region (departments Caldas, Quindío, Risaralda). The GIS software used was Kosmo Desktop 3.0RC1®. Thirty thematic maps were developed according to municipalities and years. Results: A total of 617 cases were reported (56.08% from Caldas, 32.58% from Risaralda and 11.35% from Quindío), for a cumulated regional rate of 25. 25 cases/100,000 pop (35.43 for Caldas, 21.86 for Risaralda and 12.81% for Quindío). The highest cumulated rate was reported in the less developed and more rural municipality of one department (Pueblo Rico, Risaralda) with 265.64 cases/100,000 pop. Between 2007 and 2011, a considerable increase was seen in the rates. At Pueblo Rico, Risaralda, there was a change from 41.04 cases/100,000pop in 2007 up to 63.11 cases/100,000pop in 2011 (1.54 times higher). From Caldas, Samaná showed a high variation from 19.47 to 77.7 (3.99 times higher). Conclusions: Morbidity of snakebites is highly concentrated in one department (Caldas). Use of GIS-based epidemiological maps allows guiding decisions-taking for prevention and control of public health problems that still represents a significant issue in the region and the country, such as snakebites

Manifestaciones cardiovasculares de la toxocariasis humana

La toxocariasis es una infección parasitaria producida por un helminto que en el ser humano no alcanza su estadio adulto. El hombre es para sus especies, Toxocara canis y Toxocara cati, un hospedador paraténico. Dicha infección puede producir el síndrome de larva migrans visceral, el síndrome de larva migrans ocular y la toxocariasis inaparente. En el síndrome de larva migrans visceral el compromiso de órganos puede incluir hígado, pulmón, piel, sistema nervioso, musculoesquelético, riñón y corazón. Sobre este último, cada vez se reconoce más la importancia que pueden tener las manifestaciones cardiovasculares de la toxocariasis y la relevancia clínica de considerarlas. En el presente artículo, haciendo una búsqueda sistemática de información, se revisan los principales aspectos clinicopatológicos de las manifestaciones cardiovasculares de la toxocariasis incluyendo su fisiopatología, hallazgos de laboratorio, diagnóstico y opciones terapéuticas, con el objeto de llamar la atención acerca de la importancia de esta zoonosis y su relevancia para la medicina cardiovascular en adultos y en niños

Human papillomavirus (HPV69/HPV73) coinfection associated with simultaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the anus and presumed lung metastasis

Background: Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) have been linked to a variety of human cancers. As the landscape of HPV-related neoplasia continues to expand, uncommon and rare HPV genotypes have also started to emerge. Host-virus interplay is recognized as a key driver in HPV carcinogenesis, with host immune status, virus genetic variants and coinfection highly influencing the dynamics of malignant transformation. Immunosuppression and tissue tropism are also known to influence HPV pathogenesis. Methods: Herein, we present a case of a patient who, in the setting of HIV positivity, developed anal squamous cell carcinoma associated with HPV69 and later developed squamous cell carcinoma in the lungs, clinically presumed to be metastatic disease, associated with HPV73. Consensus PCR screening for HPV was performed by real-time PCR amplification of the L1 gene region, amplification of the E6 regions with High-Resolution Melting Curve Analysis followed by Sanger sequencing confirmation and phylogenetic analysis. Results: Sanger sequencing of the consensus PCR amplification product determined that the anal tissue sample was positive for HPV 69, and the lung tissue sample was positive for HPV 73. Conclusions: This case underscores the importance of recognizing the emerging role of these rare 'possibly carcinogenic' HPV types in human carcinogenesis. © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Ebola Preparedness and Risk in Latin America

Until today, February 22, 2016, no confirmed Ebola cases have been diagnosed in Americas (except USA, four cases with one death). Confusion, lack of knowledge, and fear have led to quickly misclassify cases as suspected, when in fact most of them are false alarms. Nevertheless, European governments summoned to mobilize resources to attend the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. And also Latin American governments should contribute to halt this humanitarian crisis and to be prepared for the potential arrival of this deadly virus in the Caribbean, Central, and South American mainland. In this chapter, we described the experience of preparedness as well as risk assessment done in Latin America regarding the threat of Ebola for the region