Distribution of Chlamydia trachomatis genotypes in infertile patients of Cordoba, Argentina

To detect and characterize Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) genotypes in infertile patients of Córdoba, Argentina; 660 endocervical and urethral swabs and semen samples were collected from infertile patients for detection of C. trachomatis by omp A gene with Hemi Nested-PCR and cryptic plasmid-PCR. Sequencing methods of omp A gene were used to identify C. trachomatis genotypes. The sequences obtained were aligned with chlamydial sequences currently available in the GenBank, for the design of the phylogenetic tree. The prevalence of C. trachomatis was 7.27% (48/660). We did not detect C. trachomatis cryptic plasmid free strains. According to the results of nucleotide sequences, the distribution of genotypes was L1 (50 %) followed by G (25 %), E (12.5%) and D (12.5%). Patients who tested positive to genotype L1 had no symptoms of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV). This is the first study that provides information about the distribution of C. trachomatis genotypes and the circulation of cryptic plasmid negative strains of C. trachomatis among patients with infertility in Córdoba, Argentina.Fil: Monetti, Marina Soledad. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Virología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Molina, Rosa Alejandra. Laboratorio de Andrología y Reproducción; ArgentinaFil: Estofan, Patricia. Centro Integral de Ginecología, Obstericia y Reproducción; ArgentinaFil: Frutos, Maria Celia. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Virología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Kiguen, Ana Ximena. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Virología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Venezuela, Raul Fernando. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Virología; ArgentinaFil: Paglini, Maria Gabriela. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Virología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Cuffini, Cecilia Gabriela. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Virología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Knowledge of the general community in Cordoba, Argentina, on human papilloma virus infection and its prevention

Background: Most studies of human papilloma virus (HPV) are aimed at the natural history of the infection and its relation to cancer; however, there are few studies to assess knowledge of the general population. Our aim was analyze the degree of knowledge of Argentinians about HPV infection and its prevention. Materials and Methods: We conducted a voluntary, anonymous and non-binding survey with 27 multiple-choice items, in twelve private and public establishments, selected to include a broad population in terms of education, age and gender. The survey consisted of three sections: Individual characteristics of the volunteer, HPV infection basic knowledge, its prevention and the virus relationship with other cancers. Results: One thousand two hundred ninety seven volunteers aged 18 to 80 participated. The total number of correct answers was 45.1%. The correct answers for relationship HPV and cervical cancer was 62.1%. Almost 55% did not know about types of HPV that the vaccines for protection. Statistical analysis showed that women, single people, workers, the better educated, those who have had a STDs or HPV and receiving information through medical or educational establishments had greater knowledge of the topic. Only 0.2% of participants answered all questions correctly. Conclusions: Knowledge plays an important role in health care and the deficiency found in our population could influence the success of the measures taken in the fight against cervical cancer. In this regard, we believe it would be appropriate, not only to emphasize early diagnosis and vaccine implementation, but also incorporate new communication strategies, facilitating reception of accurate and precise information by all strata of society.Fil: Venezuela, Raul Fernando. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Virología Dr. J. M. Vanella; ArgentinaFil: Monetti, Marina Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Virología Dr. J. M. Vanella; ArgentinaFil: Kiguen, Ana Ximena. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Virología Dr. J. M. Vanella; ArgentinaFil: Frutos, Maria Celia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Virología Dr. J. M. Vanella; ArgentinaFil: Mosmann, Jessica Paola. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Virología Dr. J. M. Vanella; ArgentinaFil: Cuffini, Cecilia Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Virología Dr. J. M. Vanella; Argentin

Italian translation and cultural adaptation of the communication assessment tool in an outpatient surgical clinic

The aim of the study is to translate and cross-culturally adapt, for use in the Italian context, the Communication Assessment Tool (CAT) developed by Makoul and colleagues

Prevalence, risk factors and molecular characterization of Chlamydia trachomatis in pregnant women from Córdoba, Argentina: A prospective study

Chlamydia trachomatis causes the most prevalent bacterial Sexual Transmitted Infection. In pregnant women, untreated chlamydial infections are associated with abortions, premature rupture of membranes, postpartum endometritis, low birth weight and transmission to the newborn. In Córdoba, Argentina, there is little knowledge about the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in women in their third trimester of pregnancy, so, the aim of this study was to evaluate Chlamydia trachomatis prevalence and genotypes present in Cordovan pregnant women with different age and socioeconomic status. Methods and findings Design: prospective study. Settings: Women population from Cordoba city, Argentina. Population: Pregnant women having 35 to 37 weeks of gestation. Methods: Five hundred and nine cervical swabs were collected. Each sample was subjected to DNA extraction and PCR for Chlamydia trachomatis using primers NRO/NLO and CTP1/CTP2. Positives samples were sequenced to determine genotype. Main outcome measures: Demographic data of the patients were collected to detect a population at risk for this infection. Results A prevalence of 6.9% (35/509) for Chlamydia trachomatis infection was detected, with 32/ 295 and 3/214 from pregnant women with low or better economic resources respectively (p = 0,0001). Results showed a significantly increased rate of 11.6% (30/258) in women under 25 years compared with 2% (5/251) in patients over that age (p = 0,00003). Genotype E was the most prevalent. Conclusions With these results, we can say that pregnant women under 25 years old and low economic resources are one of the populations in which the screening programs of Chlamydia trachomatis should focus.Fil: Kiguen, Ana Ximena. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Virología Dr. J. M. Vanella; ArgentinaFil: Marramá, Marcela. Dirección de Especialidades Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Ruiz, Susana. Laboratorios Lace Sociedad Anónima; ArgentinaFil: Estofan, Patricia. Centro Integral de Ginecología; ArgentinaFil: Venezuela, Raul Fernando. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Virología Dr. J. M. Vanella; ArgentinaFil: Mosmann, Jessica Paola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Virología Dr. J. M. Vanella; Argentina. Instituto Universitario de Ciencias Biomédicas de Córdoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Monetti, Marina Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Virología Dr. J. M. Vanella; ArgentinaFil: Rivero, Virginia Elena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Cuffini, Cecilia Gabriela. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Virología Dr. J. M. Vanella; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Chlamydia pneumoniae en nuevos animales de compañía (NAC) no convencionales de la Provincia de Córdoba, Argentina

1 p.El objetivo de este trabajo fue detectar y caracterizar genéticamente la presencia de especies Chlamydiales en nuevos animales de compañi (NAC) de la provincia de Córdoba, Argentina.Fil: Monetti, Marina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Venezuela, Raul Fernando. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Kiguen, Ana Ximena. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Re, Viviana. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Cuffini, Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Frutos, María Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Bioquímica y Biología Molecular (ídem 3.1.10

Estudio del virus papiloma humano en lesiones potencialmente malignas de la cavidad oral

Al Virus Papiloma Humano (VPH) se lo conoce como el agente etiológico del cáncer cervical, no obstante su papel como agente etiológico del cáncer oral es controversial y debe ser estudiado con mayor profundidad. Es difícil comprender el rol del VPH en la carcinogénesis oral debido a las diferentes frecuencias de la infección en lesiones potencialmente malignas (LPM) y en cáncer oral. La leucoplasia verrugosa, líquen queratótico, queratoacantoma, candidiasis crónica y líquen atrófico se definen como LPM. En muchas ocasiones estas lesiones son clínicamente indistinguibles de un carcinoma. El objetivo del trabajo fue determinar la asociación de la presencia del VPH en LPM de la cavidad oral.Fil: Mosmann, Jessica Paola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina.Fil: Mosmann, Jessica Paola. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Virología Dr. José María Vanella; ArgentinaFil: Talavera, Angel Daniel. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Cátedra de Estomatología A; Argentina.Fil: Frutos, María Celia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina.Fil: Frutos, María Celia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Virología Dr. José María Vanella; ArgentinaFil: Monetti, Marina Soledad. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina.Fil: Monetti, Marina Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Virología Dr. José María Vanella; ArgentinaFil: Kiguen, Ana Ximena. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina.Fil: Venezuela, Raul Fernando. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina.Fil: Ferreyra de Prato, Ruth. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Cátedra de Anatomía Patológica A; Argentina.Fil: Cuffini, Cecilia Gabriela . Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina.Fil: Cuffini, Cecilia Gabriela . Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Virología Dr. José María Vanella; Argentina.Salud Pública y Medioambienta

Road traffic pollution and childhood leukemia: a nationwide case-control study in Italy

Background The association of childhood leukemia with traffic pollution was considered in a number of studies from 1989 onwards, with results not entirely consistent and little information regarding subtypes. Aim of the study We used the data of the Italian SETIL case-control on childhood leukemia to explore the risk by leukemia subtypes associated to exposure to vehicular traffic. Methods We included in the analyses 648 cases of childhood leukemia (565 Acute lymphoblastic–ALL and 80 Acute non lymphoblastic-AnLL) and 980 controls. Information on traffic exposure was collected from questionnaire interviews and from the geocoding of house addresses, for all periods of life of the children. Results We observed an increase in risk for AnLL, and at a lower extent for ALL, with indicators of exposure to traffic pollutants. In particular, the risk was associated to the report of closeness of the house to traffic lights and to the passage of trucks (OR: 1.76; 95% CI 1.03–3.01 for ALL and 6.35; 95% CI 2.59–15.6 for AnLL). The association was shown also in the analyses limited to AML and in the stratified analyses and in respect to the house in different period of life. Conclusions Results from the SETIL study provide some support to the association of traffic related exposure and risk for AnLL, but at a lesser extent for ALL. Our conclusion highlights the need for leukemia type specific analyses in future studies. Results support the need of controlling exposure from traffic pollution, even if knowledge is not complete

PharmaCare 2018

[Italiano]: Il farmaco, nella sua accezione più ampia e generale, può essere ritenuto un bene sociale, la cui valenza simbolica e curativa varia in relazione alla dimensione ambientale e culturale nel quale si inserisce. In tal senso, le prescrizioni farmaceutiche rappresentano un indicatore privilegiato per la conoscenza del sistema salute di un determinato territorio, poiché costituiscono un punto di intersezione ideale tra la prospettiva medica e quella di mercato. Siffatte considerazioni hanno sollecitato l’elaborazione di questo Report che si pone, come obiettivi dichiarati, quello di essere uno strumento utile alla pianificazione di interventi di sanità pubblica, quanto quello di svolgere analisi approfondite sulle caratteristiche dei soggetti che usano i farmaci e sulle modalità di trattamento degli stessi, permettendo studi di appropriatezza prescrittiva su specifiche aree di rilevanza clinica e su specifiche coorti di soggetti. “PharmaCaRe Report 2018” è stato realizzato dal CIRFF (Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca in Farmacoeconomia e Farmacoutilizzazione) dell’Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, in collaborazione con la Direzione Generale della Tutela della Salute della Regione Campania, per delineare un quadro dettagliato circa il consumo e la prescrizione dei farmaci in Campania nel 2018. Questo Report intende infatti fornire una fotografia dettagliata dell’utilizzo che, in Campania, viene fatto dei farmaci in termini di spesa, volumi e tipologia. Le analisi dei dati prodotte offrono spunti importanti per correlare la prevalenza delle patologie nel territorio con il corrispondente utilizzo dei farmaci e suggeriscono un’interpretazione dei principali fattori che influenzano la variabilità nella prescrizione. La disponibilità di una banca dati che copre una popolazione assistibile di circa sei milioni di abitanti è d’altronde un potente strumento di ricerca per studiare gli effetti dell’utilizzo dei farmaci in condizioni di Real-World. La conoscenza delle dinamiche prescrittive, in termini qualitativi (appropriatezza d’uso), oltre che quantitativi (volumi di utilizzo) è la condizione necessaria per inquadrare in un contesto razionale la politica del farmaco, anche sotto il profilo della valutazione degli effetti degli interventi che il mercato, le normative o la cultura del farmaco sviluppano nel tempo. Per tali ragioni, “PharmaCaRe Report 2018” rappresenta un utile quanto prezioso supporto ai decisori per individuare strategie volte a ottimizzare l’allocazione delle risorse, nonché migliorare i percorsi di cura attraverso un monitoraggio costante, la promozione di più elevati standard di cura e l’uso sicuro, efficiente ed efficace dei farmaci ./[English]: In its broadest and most general sense, the drug can be considered a public resource, whose symbolic and curative value varies in relation to the environmental and cultural dimension in which it is embedded. In this sense, pharmaceutical prescriptions represent a privileged indicator for the knowledge of the health system of a given territory, since they constitute an ideal intersection point between the medical and the market perspective. Such considerations prompted the preparation of this Report. “PharmaCaRe Report 2018” has been produced by CIRFF (Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca in Farmacoeconomia e Farmacoutilizzazione) of the Federico II University of Naples, in collaboration with the Directorate-General for Health Protection of the Campania Region, to provide a detailed overview of the pharmaceutical consumption and prescriptions in Campania in 2018. This Report aims to provide a detailed picture of the use of medicines in the general population in Campania, in terms of expenditure, volumes and type. The analyses of the data produced offer important clues for correlating the prevalence of diseases in this area with the respective use of medicines and suggest an interpretation of the main factors influencing prescriptions' variability. The availability of a database covering a patient population of around six million is a powerful research tool for studying the effects of drug use in Real-World conditions. Knowledge of the dynamics of prescription, in qualitative terms (appropriateness of use), as well as quantitative (volumes of use) is the necessary condition to frame the drug policy in a rational context, also in terms of evaluating the effects of the interventions that the market, regulations or drug culture develop over time. For these reasons, “PharmaCaRe Report 2018” represents a useful and valuable tool for political decision-makers in identifying strategies aimed at optimizing the allocation of resources, as well as improving care pathways through constant monitoring, the promotion of higher standards of care and safe, efficient and effective use of drugs

Pattern of care and effectiveness of treatment for glioblastoma patients in the real world: Results from a prospective population-based registry. Could survival differ in a high-volume center?

BACKGROUND: As yet, no population-based prospective studies have been conducted to investigate the incidence and clinical outcome of glioblastoma (GBM) or the diffusion and impact of the current standard therapeutic approach in newly diagnosed patients younger than aged 70 years. METHODS: Data on all new cases of primary brain tumors observed from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2010, in adults residing within the Emilia-Romagna region were recorded in a prospective registry in the Project of Emilia Romagna on Neuro-Oncology (PERNO). Based on the data from this registry, a prospective evaluation was made of the treatment efficacy and outcome in GBM patients. RESULTS: Two hundred sixty-seven GBM patients (median age, 64 y; range, 29-84 y) were enrolled. The median overall survival (OS) was 10.7 months (95% CI, 9.2-12.4). The 139 patients 64aged 70 years who were given standard temozolomide treatment concomitant with and adjuvant to radiotherapy had a median OS of 16.4 months (95% CI, 14.0-18.5). With multivariate analysis, OS correlated significantly with KPS (HR = 0.458; 95% CI, 0.248-0.847; P = .0127), MGMT methylation status (HR = 0.612; 95% CI, 0.388-0.966; P = .0350), and treatment received in a high versus low-volume center (HR = 0.56; 95% CI, 0.328-0.986; P = .0446). CONCLUSIONS: The median OS following standard temozolomide treatment concurrent with and adjuvant to radiotherapy given to (72.8% of) patients aged 6470 years is consistent with findings reported from randomized phase III trials. The volume and expertise of the treatment center should be further investigated as a prognostic factor