Cryptosporidium muris, a Rodent Pathogen, Recovered from a Human in Perú

Cryptosporidium muris, predominantly a rodent species of Cryptosporidium, is not normally considered a human pathogen. Recently, isolated human infections have been reported from Indonesia, Thailand, France, and Kenya. We report the first case of C. muris in a human in the Western Hemisphere. This species may be an emerging zoonotic pathogen capable of infecting humans

Factors associated with cognitive impairment in Latin American older adults: A cross‐sectional observational study of COVID‐19 confinement

INTRODUCTION: The effects of COVID-19 confinement have been severe, especially in older adults. Therefore, we analyzed the factors associated with cognitive impairment (CI) in Latin America (LA). METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study with a total of 5245 older adults from 10 countries in LA. Measurement: We used the Telephone Montreal Cognitive Assessment (T-MoCA) and the Eight-item Informant Interview to Differentiate Aging and Dementia (AD8) scale. RESULTS: We found that age, depressive symptomatology, bone fractures, being widowed, having a family member with dementia, and unemployment were associated with an increased risk of CI. In contrast, higher education, hypertension with continuous treatment, quarantine, and keeping stimulating cognitive and physical activities were associated with a lower probability of CI. No significant association was found between suffering from diabetes or being retired and CI. DISCUSSION: It is essential to conduct follow-up studies on these factors, considering their relationship with CI and the duration of confinement

Efecto de la capacidad visoespacial en el rendimiento académico de estudiantes de anatomía médica

Visuospatial ability is associated with clinical skills in medical education, as it predicts the academic performance of anatomy students. Objective: To determine whether visuospatial processing generates changes in the teaching of medical anatomy and predicts academic performance in that subject. Methods: 140 students were evaluated at the beginning of the semester and before final exams with the Rey Complex Figure Test (CRFT).  Student's t-tests were performed to contrast pre- and post-test differences, Cohen's d to measure effect size, and linear regression to evaluate prediction with final grades. Results: Mean age 20.22 years (SD=1.12), mean grade point average 4.96 (SD=1.20). Seventy percent of the students passed the course. The t-test reports significant differences of TFCR (Memory recall: t=-17.383; p<0.001; Delayed recall: t=-16.547, p<0.001) with a medium effect size (d=0.59 and d=0.56), respectively. The scores obtained in the post-test on the TFCR deferred recall task explained up to 90% of the students' academic performance. Conclusions: The instrument's deferred memory predicted academic performance and anatomy learning improved students' visuospatial function performance.La capacidad visoespacial se asocia con habilidades clínicas en la educación médica, ya que predice el desempeño académico de los estudiantes de anatomía. Objetivo: Determinar si el procesamiento visoespacial genera cambios en la enseñanza de la anatomía médica y predice el desempeño académico en esa asignatura. Método: 140 estudiantes evaluados al inicio de semestre y antes de exámenes finales con el Test de la Figura Compleja de Rey.  Se realizaron análisis t de Student para contrastar las diferencias pre y pos-test, d de Cohen para medir el tamaño de efecto y regresión lineal para evaluar la predicción con las notas finales. Resultados: Edad promedio 20.22 años (DE=1.12), media de calificaciones 4.96 (DE=1.20). El 70% de los estudiantes aprobó la asignatura. La prueba t reporta diferencias significativas del TFCR (Evocación de Memoria: t=-17.383; p<0.001; Evocación diferida: t=-16.547, p<0.001) con un tamaño del efecto mediano (d=0.59 y d=0.56), respectivamente. Las puntuaciones obtenidas en el post-test en la tarea de memoria diferida del TFCR, explicaron hasta en un 90% el desempeño académico de los estudiantes. Conclusiones: La memoria diferida del instrumento predijo el rendimiento académico y el aprendizaje de anatomía mejoró el desempeño en la función visoespacial de los estudiantes

Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Health Workers During the Second Year of the Pandemic in Latin America: Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Objetivo: Estimar la prevalencia de las alteraciones psicológicas y los factores de riesgo asociados a la salud mental en el personal de salud de LA, durante el segundo ano˜ de pandemia del COVID-19. Método: Estudio transversal multicéntrico que incluyó una muestra total de 5.437 profesionales de la salud de Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador y Perú. Se utilizó el PHQ-9, el GAD-7 junto a un cuestionario demográfico breve. Se estimó la prevalencia de ansiedad y depresión a partir de los puntos de corte de los instrumentos. Se realizaron 2 regresiones logísticas multivariantes. Resultados: Se encontró una carga poblacional de ansiedad del 40,1% y de depresión del 62,2% en el personal sanitario de LA. En los profesionales de Argentina (OR = 1,374; p < 0,001), quienes trabajan en hospitales estatales (OR = 1,536; p < 0,003), de primera línea de atención de pacientes con COVID (OR = 1,848; p < 0,001), en los médicos generales (OR = 1,335; p < 0,001), especialistas (OR = 1,298; p < 0,001), se observó un mayor riesgo de sufrir trastornos mentales. A su vez, en las mujeres, el personal más joven y en los administrativos se identificó una mayor probabilidad para sufrir ansiedad y depresión. Conclusiones: La carga de trastornos mentales en el personal de salud de LA es alarmante. Es necesario servicios de apoyo psicológico, orientados a proporcionar medidas para que los profesionales desarrollen mecanismos de afrontamiento saludables que mitiguen el impacto de la pandemia en su bienestar, y faciliten el ajuste posterior a la crisis sanitaria.Introduction: The coronavirus pandemic continues to affect the mental health of healthcare personnel in Latin America (LA). Objective: To estimate the prevalence of psychological disturbances and associated risk factors for mental health in healthcare personnel in LA during the second year ofthe COVID19 pandemic. Method: This multicenter cross-sectional study included a total sample of 5437 healthcare professionals from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The PHQ-9, GAD-7, and a brief demographic questionnaire were used. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was estimated based on the cut-off points of the instruments. Two multivariate logistic regressions were performed. Results: A population burden of anxiety (40.1%) and depression (62.2%) was found in healthcare personnel in LA. Among professionals in Argentina (OR = 1.374; P<.001), those working in state hospitals (OR = 1.536; P<.003), frontline healthcare workers for COVID patients (OR = 1.848; P<.001), general practitioners (OR = 1.335; P<.001), and specialists (OR = 1.298; P<.001), a higher risk of experiencing mental disorders was observed. Among women, younger personnel, and administrative staff, a higher probability of experiencing anxiety and depression was identified. Conclusions: The burden of mental disorders on healthcare personnel in Latin America is alarming. Psychological support services are necessary, aimed at providing measures for professionals to develop healthy coping mechanisms that mitigate the impact of the pandemic on their well-being and facilitate post-crisis adjustment.Fil: Caldichoury, Nicole. Universidad de Los Lagos; ChileFil: García-Roncallo, Paola. Universidad de la Costa.; ColombiaFil: Saldías, Carol. Universidad San Sebastián; ChileFil: Zurita, Boris. Hospital de Omni; EcuadorFil: Castellanos, Cesar. Universidad de la Costa.; ColombiaFil: Herrera Pino, Jorge. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Soto Añari, Marcio. Universidad Católica San Pablo; PerúFil: Porto, María F.. Universidad de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Quispe Rodríguez, Indalecio. Universidad Nacional de San Cristóbal Huamanga; PerúFil: Florez, Yuliana. Universidad de la Costa; ColombiaFil: Castillo Tamara, Edgar. Universidad del Sinú; ColombiaFil: Díaz, Maria Cecilia. Universidad del Sinú; ColombiaFil: Coronado López, Juancarlos. Universidad Católica de Temuco; ChileFil: Gaitan Quintero, Gustavo. No especifíca;Fil: Pabón Moreno, Alexander. Universidad Industrial Santander; ColombiaFil: Ocampo Barba, Ninoska. Universidad Autónoma Gabriel René Moreno.; BoliviaFil: Martínez Pérez, Juan. Universidad Ana G. Méndez; Puerto RicoFil: Gargiulo, Pascual Angel. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Quispe Ayala, Cesar. Universidad Nacional de Huancavelica; PerúFil: Camposano Córdova, Alvaro. Universidad Nacional de Huancavelica; PerúFil: Escorcia Villarreal, Jahaira. Universidad de la Costa; ColombiaFil: Ripoll Cordoba, Daniela. Universidad de la Costa; ColombiaFil: Camargo, Loida. Universidad de Cartagena; ColombiaFil: López, Norman. Universidad de la Costa; Colombi