First report of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in the North of Colombia

Aedes albopictus is considered a potential vector of arboviruses in Colombia. Females and males naturally infected with dengue, Zika and chikungunya viruses have already been found in this country. We document the first record of Ae. albopictus in the Cordoba department, in North of Colombia. The finding was carried out during Ae. aegypti collection activities in the Ayapel, Montelibano, Planeta Rica, Pueblo Nuevo and Puerto Libertador municipalities. The entomological material was collected in water containers such as cement water tanks, tanks, bottles, tires, abandoned toilets, and plastic lids with natural water located in the intradomicile, peridomicile, and extra-domicile spaces of the homes. We collected 658 Ae. albopictus samples in the larva and pupa stages, and once these reached adulthood, we determined that 389 were female and 269 were male. This is the first record of the presence of Ae. albopictus in the Cordoba department.

Phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in a sub-Andean forest from the Norte de Santander, Colombia

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

The recognition of communities of arthropods with medical importance in natural systems constitutes an important step in the prediction of possible epidemic events and/or emergence of infectious diseases in the human population. This is due to anthropogenic impact in natural areas and landscape modification, which changes the dynamics of pathogenic agents, reservoirs, and vector insects. In this study, an inventory was compiled of species of the genus Lutzomyia present in sub-Andean forest from the confluence of the Pamplonita River basin.

METHODS

CDC-light and Shannon traps were used for collecting adult phlebotomine sandflies during the month of October 2013 in a sub-Andean forest from river basin Pamplonita. All specimens were identified using morphological keys. The epidemiological relevance of each species was reported using a literature review about natural infection or vector incrimination with Leishmania species or other pathogens microorganism.

RESULTS

A total of 2755 specimens belonging to eight species of the genus Lutzomyia were collected. Out of the eight species, seven belonged to the group verrucarum (Lutzomyia sp--townsendi series, L. ovallesi, L. spinicrassa, L. serrana, L. townsendi, L. nuneztovari and L. pia), while one belonged to the subgenus Helcocyrtomyia (L. hartmanni). A new registry of L. townsendi was observed for the Norte de Santander department.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION

The appreciable diversity of the verrucarum group observed in this area suggest further investigation on the biogeography and evolution of this group, and epidemiological risk for human populations around this area, as there are reports of Leishmania natural infection and favourable conditions for domestication of phlebotomines in rural towns.

Soy isoflavones versus placebo in the treatment of climacteric vasomotor symptoms: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The incidence of vasomotor crises during the climacterium varies in women across different populations, and phytoestrogen consumption seems to play an important role in this problem. The aim of this study was to determine whether intervention with soy (dietary, extract, or concentrate), as compared with placebo, reduces the incidence of hot flashes in climacteric women.

METHODS

Only published, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials were selected, with a 12-week duration of intervention, having selected postmenopausal women affected with hot flashes attributed to the climacterium (without cancer background). The intervention to be evaluated was soy, as "soy dietary supplement," "soy extract," or "isoflavone concentrate" (genistein or daidzein). The results were expressed as the number of hot flashes, average score of vasomotor symptoms, or average percent reduction in hot flashes within a time unit (day, week, or month).

RESULTS

Nineteen studies were analyzed. The minimum heterogeneity was observed in the "isoflavone concentrate" group. In the "extract" and "dietary supplement" groups, heterogeneity reached an intermediate level, I(2) = 42% and 59.73%, respectively. The overall result showed a standardized mean difference of -0.39 (95% CI, -0.53 to -0.25) in favor of soy as well as -0.45 (95% CI, -0.64 to -0.25), -0.51 (95% CI, -0.79 to -0.22), and -0.20 (95% CI, -0.46 to -0.06) for the "concentrate," "extract," and "dietary supplement" subgroups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the overall combined results and the results by subgroups (according to the type of supplement used) showed a significant tendency in favor of soy, it is still difficult to establish conclusive results given the high heterogeneity found in the studies.

[Design and implementation of a national serum bank for the surveillance of exotic animal diseases in the Republic of Cuba]

A serum bank for the surveillance of exotic diseases was designed in accordance with the provisions of the Information and Epizootiological Surveillance System in the Republic of Cuba. Sera were collected from imported animals, from sentinel animals used for monitoring target areas at biological risk and from animals located in high animal-density areas. Methodologies were developed for the selection and characterisation of target areas at biological risk and sentinel animal points, the collection and storage of serum samples and the management of the national animal serum bank. After developing the methodologies, the serum bank was established throughout Cuba. The national animal serum bank operates using a quality management system based on the recommendations of the World Organisation for Animal Health and the International Organization for Standardization.

Class II major histocompatibility complex typing across the ethnic barrier in pemphigoid gestationis. A study in Mexicans

BACKGROUND

Pemphigoid gestationis (PG), also called herpes gestationis, is a rare autoimmune disease of pregnancy or puerperium (estimated 1 out of 50,000 pregnancies among Caucasians). A previous series has demonstrated an association of PG with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR3 or HLA-DR4 haplotypes. While these haplotypes are most commonly found in individuals of European ancestry, they have also been found in African-American patients affected with PG. PG has rarely been reported in other ethnic groups, and the HLA association in non-Europeans has not been examined.

METHODS

We have characterized eight patients of Mexican ancestry who have PG by clinical, histologic, and immunofluorescence criteria. Class I and class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens were studied by standard microlymphocytotoxicity assays. Class II MHC antigens were further studied by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of HLA-DRB1, DQA, and DQB genes and allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization. For comparison purposes, we used results obtained from a group of 100 ethnically matched healthy individuals.

RESULTS

We found that all eight patients had the HLA-DR3/DR4 phenotype; all HLA-DR3 haplotypes were HLA-DRB1*0301, DQA1*0501, and DQB1*0201, whereas half of the HLA-DR4 haplotypes were from the DRB1*0401 subtype and the other half were DRB1 *0407.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that, in Mexicans, the genetic susceptibility for the development of PG is strongly influenced by the genetic admixture of Caucasian origin, and the role of class II MHC antigens in the pathophysiology of this disease is confirmed.

[Analysis of the 50g glucose test at the National Institute of Perinatology]

Gestational diabetes (GD), is a common illness in our country, that is associated with high perinatal morbi-mortality. The objective of this study is to assess the utility of the 50 g glucose screen test (GST) to know the frequency of GD at the National Institute of Perinatology, for preventing the neonatal risks associated with this pathology. For that reason, we performed a one year prospective study including 144 pregnant patients between 24-28 weeks of gestation. All of the patients undergo the 50g GST, and those with results or = to 140 mg/dl were followed by the glucose tolerance test (GTT). This GTT was performed with 100g of glucose and then blood samples were taken at fasting time, later at 60-120-180 minutes respectively. Of the total of 144 patients, 33 (23%), resulted with a positive GST. The GTT confirms the GD in 10.7% of the patients, and an equal proportion of gestational alterations to the GTT was observed. It is concluded that the 50 g GST is the best screening test to identify alterations of the carbohydrate metabolism during pregnancy.

[Spermatogonia types in tepezcuintle (Cuniculus paca). Ultrastructural study]

Ultrastructural studies of different types of spermatogonia by thin section techniques and transmission electron microscopy showed that Cuniculus paca has two types of Type A spermatogonia (A-O and A-1). Samples were taken at different stages of the cycle in the seminiferous tubule epithelium presented a similar pattern as those of other rodents. Type B spermatogonia are similar to those of the rat, the difference being that the heterochromatic zones are larger and more numerous. Both characteristics differentiate them from preleptotenic spermatocytes.

Morphological evidence by scanning electron microscopy of excretion of metacyclic forms of Trypanosoma cruzi in vector's urine

Comparison by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of Trypanosoma cruzi flagellates attached to the cuticle of the rectal gland of infected Dipetalogaster maxima nymphs, showed marked differences before and after feeding. Before feeding numerous metacyclic trypomastigotes were observed among the abundant epimastigotes that formed the carpet of flagellates. On the other hand, in insects that were allowed to urinate for 24 hours after a meal, the metacyclics were scarce, indicating that they had been detached by the urine flow. An asymmetric type of cell division, probably originating both an epi- and a trypomastigote, was occasionally observed. The occurrence of swellings at different levels of the flagella of epimastigotes suggests that secondary sites of attachment may be common.

[Alterations in the coagulation mechanisms of patients bitten by Bothrops asper (Terciopelo)]

Blood from eighteen patients bitten by B. asper were studied for effects on coagulation. All showed alterations in the levels of fibrinogen and of factors II, V, VIII, IX, X and XI, as well as in anti-thrombin-III and plasminogen. The number of platelets and the concentrations of factors VII and XII did not show significant variations in comparison with the controls. The biological assay of fibrinogen, the quantitation of fibrinogen degradation products and of factor II and the general coagulation tests, such as prothrombin and partial thromboplastin times, showed a good correlation with the severity of the envenomation. In snakebites by B. asper there is a severe hypofibrinogenemia, with fibrin degradation by activation in the fibrinolytic system and with activation and consumption of factor II. Intramuscular emergency treatment with small quantities of antivenom did not prevent the above noted alterations in coagulation.

Scanning electron microscopy of the final phase of the life cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi in the insect vector

Scanning electron micrographs showed that both epimastigotes and metacyclic trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi are attached by the flagellum to the epithelium of the rectal gland of Triatoma dimidiata. The flagellates tended to cover the surface of the gland and there was a marked predominance of epimastigotes with a round posterior end. Reproduction and metacyclogenesis seem to take place in situ, the latter apparently by twisting and elongation of the epimastigotes. Metatrypomastigotes remain attached for some time, probably by a weaker mechanism which easily allows them to loosen, facilitating expulsion with the urine or feces.

[Biomedical aspects of 4 cases of snake bites by Lachesis muta (Ophidia: Viperidae) in Costa Rica]

Three out of four cases of snake bite by Lachesis muta stenophrys (Bushmaster) in Costa Rica were fatal and one recovered after a long period of hospitalization. Initial symptoms were similar to those of bothropic envenomation: intense pain, nausea, vomiting, sweating, and excitability, but differing in the magnitude of a tremendous edema and in the absence of intensive bleeding and phlyctenae. We found important alterations in arterial blood pressure and in the activity and concentration of coagulation factors. All patients showed infections, and necrosis was found in at least three of them.

[Neutralization of local effects of Bothrops asper venom by polyvalent antivenin]

Neutralization of lethality, myonecrosis, hemorrhage and edema induced by Bothrops asper venom in mice was studied using the polyvalent antivenom produced in the Instituto Clodomiro Picado. The neutralizing effect (ED50) on each of these toxic activities varied; the neutralization of lethal and hemorrhagic effects being more effective than the neutralization of myonecrosis and edema. With independent inoculation of venom and antivenom, antivenom was not effective in neutralizing edema-forming activity. The myonecrotic effect was only partially neutralized when serum was given i.v. immediately after envenomation; however, antivenin effectively neutralized the hemorrhagic activity. The ineffectiveness of antivenom in neutralizing edema and myonecrosis could be partially explained by the rapid development of these effects. Hence, the time interval between envenomation and antivenom administration and the route of serum administration both play an important role in the neutralization of local effects.

[Comparative study of venoms of newborn and adult specimens of Bothrops asper]

This paper is a comparative study of venoms of newborn and adult specimens of Bothrops asper from two Costa Rican populations: San Carlos, in the Atlantic versant and Puriscal in the Pacific. Comparison was on a basis of determination of the following effects: hemorrhage, myonecrosis, edema, proteolysis, hemolysis, and lethality, as well as neutralization of the lethal effect by polyvalent antivenom. Biochemical and immunochemical comparisons were done by means of electrophoresis, immunoelectrophoresis, and immunodiffusion. There are marked differences between newborn and adult venoms from both regions in electrophoretic and immunoelectrophoretic patterns, although the immunodiffusion plates showed an almost identical pattern. Venoms from newborn specimens are more proteolytic, hemorrhagic, edema-forming and lethal, whereas those of adult specimens are more hemolytic and induce a stronger myonecrotic action, characterized by a myolitic type of necrosis. Antivenom neutralizes the lethality of all venoms with similar ED50. Venoms of adult specimens from both regions showed a slight variation in the immunoelectrophoretic pattern, but a complete identity in immunodiffusion plates. Adult venoms from San Carlos are more hemorrhagic, and myonecrotic, whereas those of Puriscal are more proteolytic, having similar lethality, edema-forming activity, and hemolytic effect. The same differences were observed when venoms from newborn specimens from both populations were compared.

Plasmodium pessoai sp. n. from two Costa Rican snakes

A unique malaria parasite species was found in 1/1 Spilotes pullatus (Colubridae) and 1/70 Lachesis muta (Crotalidae) from the moist Atlantic lowland forests of eastern Costa Rica. It is distinguished by small, sausage-shaped gametocytes (x 10.4 by 4.6 mu), growing schizonts that often contain a noticeable digestive vacuole with the contents partially visible, and striking spherical or bouquet-shaped segmenters whose precise merozoite numbers are difficult to discern (about 22-32) because of an intensely staining magenta or rose-colored substance in the matrix of the surrounding vacuole.

[Carbohydrates of the venoms of Bothrops asper of Costa Rica. Quantitative study]

The venom of the Central American Bothrops asper, previously classified as B. atrox, is very rich in carbohydrates, both in the free state and forming a part of glycoproteins. It also contains neutral sugars (hexoses), methylpentoses, hexosamines and sialic acid. There is a significant difference in the quantity of carbohydrates in the venom of B. asper as compared to that of the South American B. atrox, thus further documenting the different taxonomic position of these two species.

[Description of an economic and simple methods for the study of karyotyping in serpents]

We describe a method for the preparation of snake chromosomes in metaphase, based on the in vivo stimulation of leucocytes with crude phytohemagglutinin from Phaseolus lunatus and the in vitro blocking of mitosis with colchicine. It has the advantage of preserving the specimen alive without the complications of cell culture, and can be performed under field conditions.

Isolation and characterization of the K1 (L) antigen of Escherichia coli

Bolaños, Roger (Tulane University, New Orleans, La.), and Charles W. DeWitt. Isolation and characterization of the K1 (L) antigen of Escherichia coli. J. Bacteriol. 91:987-996. 1966.-An acidic polysaccharide with the serological properties of the K1 (L) antigen has been isolated from Escherichia coli O2:K1:H4 by means of phenol-water extraction, fractionation with hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (Cetavlon), filtration through Sephadex G-200, and chromatography on anion-exchange cellulose columns. Nucleic acid and protein content were reduced to a nondetectable level. There is no contamination with O antigen. The active material appears in two different positions in the Cetavlon fractionation, each with a slightly different serological specificity, as followed by the inhibition of passive hemagglutination. By paper chromatography, the polysaccharide moiety of the O antigenic fraction is composed of glucose, galactose, hexosamine and rhamnose. The absence of colanic acid in either K1 fraction was not proven, although its participation in our assay system, as well as the participation of the common or cross-reacting antigen, was ruled out by serological means.