Daylight photodynamic therapy using methylene blue to treat sheep with dermatophytosis caused by Arthroderma vanbreuseghemii

Arthroderma vanbreuseghemii has been identified molecularly as the causative agent of dermatophytosis in a flock of sheep. It is necessary to explore new treatment alternatives because antifungals are not approved for use on small ruminant animals in the European Union. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) has been shown to be effective for the treatment of dermatophytosis in humans. It is based on the application of a photosensitizer such as methylene blue (MB) that is activated by visible light to generate reactive oxygen species that are cytotoxic to cells. The use of daylight to perform aPDT (aDL-PDT) avoids the requirement of specific equipment because it uses sunlight to activate the photosensitizer. The aim of our study is to determine the efficacy of aDL-PDT using a 1% MB solution to treat dermatophytosis caused by A. vanbreuseghemii in ewes. Two different topical protocols (1% MB solution spray applications once or twice a week) were assayed in two groups of five infected animals. Twenty-five infected sheep were untreated. All the sheep were exposed to sunlight every day for an approximate duration of 10 h for a total of four weeks. At the end of the study, all the animals treated with aDL-PDT showed the same clinical response to both protocols. In contrast, the animals exposed only to sunlight required an additional two to four weeks before their infections resolved. Conclusion: aDL-PDT with 1% MB solution demonstrates efficacy, safety and efficiency in the treatment of dermatophytosis in sheep

El portafolio docente. Un estudio de caso sobre su implementación en la ciudad de Córdoba: entre la autoevaluación y la rendición de cuentas

En las últimas décadas, los programas de formación docente, tanto inicial como permanente,han apuntado al desarrollo de competencias de investigación con la finalidadde que los docentes incorporen herramientas de sistematización y reflexión en y sobresus prácticas y, de esta forma, se constituyan como actores activos en la generación de conocimiento pedagógico. El portafolio docente ha sido presentado como una herramientade evaluación y formación propicia para la consecución de estos objetivos.Sin embargo, su eficiencia depende de las circunstancias en las que se implementa.En este trabajo, nos propusimos, mediante una investigación cualitativa, reconstruirla perspectiva de las maestras de una escuela primaria de la ciudad de Córdoba entorno a la construcción del portafolio docente. Los resultados muestran la ocurrenciade un proceso de dirección de las prácticas educativas de las maestras a partir del registroy análisis de los aprendizajes alcanzados por los alumnos, en el que se expresaun conflicto con la concepción de la evaluación como “rendición de cuentas”. Hastadonde sabemos, este es el primer estudio que analiza la implementación del portafoliodocente en la provincia de Córdoba

In vitro effect photodynamic therapy with differents photosensitizers on cariogenic microorganisms

Background: Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy has been proposed as an alternative to suppress subgingival species. This results from the balance among Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans in the dental biofilm. Not all the photosensitizers have the same photodynamic effect against the different microorganims. The objective of this study is to compare in vitro the photodynamic effect of methylene blue (MB), rose Bengal (RB) and curcumin (CUR) in combination with white light on the cariogenic microorganism S. mutans, S. sanguis and C. albicans. Results: Photodynamic therapy with MB, RB and CUR inhibited 6 log 10 the growth of both bacteria but at different concentrations: 0.31-0.62 µg/ml and 0.62-1.25 µg/ml RB were needed to photoinactivate S. mutans and S. sanguis, respectively//1.25-2.5 µg/ml MB for both species//whereas higher CUR concentrations (80-160 µg/ml and 160-320 µg/ml) were required to obtain the same reduction in S. mutans and S. sanguis viability respectively. The minimal fungicidal concentration of MB for 5 log10 CFU reduction (4.5 McFarland) was 80-160 µg/ml, whereas for RB it ranged between 320 and 640 µg/ml. For CUR, even the maximum studied concentration (1280 µg/ml) did not reach that inhibition. Incubation time had no effect in all experiments. Conclusions: Photodynamic therapy with RB, MB and CUR and white light is effective in killing S. mutans and S. sanguis strains, although MB and RB are more efficient than CUR. C. albicans required higher concentrations of all photosensitizers to obtain a fungicidal effect, being MB the most efficient and CUR ineffective

Unsuspected and extensive transmission of a drug-susceptible Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A large and unsuspected tuberculosis outbreak involving 18.7% of the total of the tuberculosis cases studied, was detected in a population-based molecular epidemiological study performed in Zaragoza (Spain) from 2001 to 2004.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The <it>Mycobacterium tuberculosis </it>drug-susceptible strain, named <it>MTZ </it>strain, was genetically characterized by IS<it>6110</it>-RFLP, Spoligotyping and by MIRU-VNTR typing and the genetic patterns obtained were compared with those included in international databases. The characteristics of the affected patients, in an attempt to understand why the <it>MTZ </it>strain was so highly transmitted among the population were also analyzed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The genetic profile of the <it>MTZ </it>strain was rare and not widely distributed in our area or elsewhere. The patients affected did not show any notable risk factor for TB.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The <it>M. tuberculosis </it>strain <it>MTZ</it>, might have particular transmissibility or virulence properties, and we believe that greater focus should be placed on stopping its widespread dissemination.</p

Monitorization, separation and quantification of antifungals used for invasive aspergillosis treatment by High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography

17 slides.-- Slideshow of the talk delivered in the International Symposium for High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography. HPTLC 2014, 4th-7th July, Lyon (France).Peer reviewe

Mapa de resistencias bacterianas en Atención Primaria (2010). Una herramienta esencial para el uso racional de antibióticos

Objectives:Gather and reproduce the information issued on the map of bacterial 2010 resistance for patients under the age of 15 primary care conducted by the service of Microbiology of the Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet in Zaragoza. Methods:Document establishes bacteria most frequently isolated in different organic samples (mainly stool, urine, and faringoamigdalar, otic and conjunctival exudate) as well as the percentages of resistance to antimicrobials.The results are set out in number/absolute or percentage. Results:They are offered in different tables for each germ.The most relevant data are prominent in the chapter on comments. Conclusions:Knowledge of the local resistance data facilitates the rational use of medicines.The possibility to get to know these data on an annual basis will make it possible to monitor the evolution of resistance to pathogens most prevalent in Pediatrics.Objetivos:Recopilar y reproducir la información emitida en el Mapa de Resistencias Bacterianas 2010 para pacientes menores de 15 años de Atención Primaria realizado por el Servicio de Microbiología del Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet de Zaragoza. Métodos:El documento establece los gérmenes más frecuentemente aislados en las diferentes muestras orgánicas (principalmente heces, orina, y exudados faringoamigdalar, ótico y conjuntival), así como los porcentajes de resistencias a antimicrobianos. Los resultados se exponen en números absolutos y/o porcentajes. Resultados:Son ofrecidos en tablas diferentes para cada germen. Los datos más relevantes son destacados en el capítulo de comentarios. Conclusiones:El conocimiento de los datos de resistencia locales facilita el uso racional de medicamentos. La posibilidad de ir conociendo estos datos con periodicidad anual permitirá monitorizar la evolución de las resistencias a los patógenos más prevalentes en pediatría