Biomedical subjects

P Godoy

Publications and source records attributed to P Godoy.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

[Seroepidemiological study of brucellosis in a rural endemic area].

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the prevalence of Brucella spp. antibodies in the general population in the Health Area of Tremp (Region of Pallars Jussà, Lleida). It also identified the risk factors with the presence of these. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 346 (191 men and 155 women) were studied. Information about the sex, age, location, the personal and familiar antecedents of brucellosis, occupational risk, contact with the animals and the consumption of non-hygienic dairy products was recorded. The estimation of the seroprevalence was carried out by the ELISA IgG test. The association of independent variables with the presence of antibodies was assessed by the Coombs to Brucella and the ELISA IgG tests. It was assessed by using the calculation of the analysis variance. RESULTS: The personal antecedents, the contact with the animals and the occupational risk all showed a statistically significant relation (p < 0.05) with the Coombs and ELISA IgG tests. The familiar antecedents showed a significant relation with the ELISA IgG. The consumption of dairy products and the location showed no statistically significant relation. A seroprevalence was obtained among the researched population of 11.9%, the maximum occurred in Isona surgery (25.6%) and the minimum in Tremp (9.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The seroprevalence is high and the epidemiological profile associated with the fact of being seropositive is associated with the profession of the study subject and it coincides with de infection mechanisms present in the area.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Measles immunity and vaccination policy in Catalonia.

The prevalence of antibodies against measles in a representative sample of the school population in Catalonia was established and the results compared with previous studies. The study was carried out in 1996 using blood samples obtained from schoolchildren aged 6-7 years, 10-11 years, 13 14 years and 15-16 years. 1231 schoolchildren were studied. The global prevalence of antibodies was 96.3%, and a considerable increase was observed with respect to the prevalence in 1986 (89.4%). The level of antibodies was 94% at 6-7 years and 10-11 years, 99.7% at 13-14 years and 98.3% at 15 16 years. These data would suggest the advancement of the administration of the second dose of measles-mumps rubella vaccine to 4 6 years instead of at 11 years.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Measles epidemiology in Catalonia (Spain): implications for a regional vaccination programme.

BACKGROUND: To analyse progress in measles control it is recommended that immunization programmes be evaluated by means of specific epidemiological disease surveillance. The aim of the study was to analyse a series of measles cases in Catalonia in the light of vaccination records. METHODS: Cases were detected by means of the epidemiological surveillance system and then surveyed for information on: age, sex, clinical symptoms, laboratory confirmation, record of vaccination, place of infection and possible outbreak-related links. The relationship between 'record of vaccination' and the remaining variables was determined using the adjusted odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: The epidemiological survey confirmed that 82.2% of patients (171/208) fulfilled the case criteria. In the multivariate analysis, lack of record of vaccination was associated with age groups < 5 years (OR = 4.0; 95% CI: 1.4-11.8) and > 14 years (OR = 19.2; 95% CI: 5.1-220.5). CONCLUSIONS: Improvement in vaccination coverage at 15 months and the introduction of vaccination-status monitoring at school-entry age and among those aged > 14 years on entry into the job market, university or military service could contribute to the elimination of measles.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Measles: effect of a two-dose vaccination programme in Catalonia, Spain.

The study reports incidences of measles in Catalonia, Spain, as detected by surveillance, and analyses the specific characteristics of the outbreaks reported for the period 1986-95. Incidences per 100,000 inhabitants were calculated for the period 1971-95. The following variables were studied: year of presentation, number of cases, median age, transmission setting, cases with a record of vaccination and preventable cases. Associations between variables were determined using odds ratios (OR). The incidence of measles declined from 306.3 cases in 1971 to 30.9 in 1995. A total of 50 outbreaks were investigated. The outbreaks that occurred in the last two years of the study had a higher likelihood of having a transmission setting other than primary school (OR = 3.9); a median case age > 10 years (OR = 7.2); and fewer than 6 cases (OR = 2.3). The characteristics of recent outbreaks, marked by a rise both in transmission outside the primary-school setting and in median age, indicate the need for the introduction of a specific vaccination programme at the end of adolescence in addition to control of school-related outbreaks.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

[Validity of the notifications of red measles based on clinical diagnosis in Cataluna, Spain].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the characteristics of clinical cases of measles with confirmed cases of measles registered in Cataluña during a period of four months. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An epidemiological survey was carried out on 171 cases of measles detected by a specific system of surveillance. The survey included data on age, sex, clinical symptoms, laboratory confirmation, immunization status and probable site of transmission. The relationship between the variable case (with or without laboratory confirmation) and the rest of variables was determined by the adjusted odds ratio, using a model of logistic regression. RESULTS: The epidemiological survey showed that 30.4% (52/171) had laboratory confirmation, 12.9% (22/171) had epidemiological confirmation and the rest, 56.7% (97/171) only complied with the clinical definition. The rash had a longer duration in confirmed cases (5.9 days) than in non confirmed cases (5.2 days). The lack of laboratory confirmation was associated with age younger than 5 years (ORa = 0.1; 95% CI 0.1-0.8), but there were no differences in sex, immunization status or others clinical symptoms. CONCLUSION: In clinical cases of measles the duration of the rash was lower than confirmed cases. The proportion of cases with laboratory confirmation was low (30.4%) and should be increased in the future. History of previous immunization ought not to rule out diagnosis of measles.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

[Incidence and risk factors of the association of AIDS and tuberculosis in Spain].

BACKGROUND: Incidence of tuberculosis in persons coinfected with HIV is very high. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for tuberculosis in AIDS patients in Spain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A study was carried into AIDS cases (1993 European AIDS case definition) over 12 years old, diagnosed in Spain in 1994. A comparison was run between cases with tuberculosis and the remaining reported AIDS cases on the register, by sex, age, transmission category and prison record. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the independent effect of each variable, with the adjusted odds ratio (ORa) and their 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Annual incidence of AIDS and tuberculosis comorbidity was 8.9 per 100,000 inhabitants. Multivariate analysis revealed that tuberculosis in AIDS patients appeared with higher frequency in: males (ORa = 1.4; CI 95%, 1.3-1.6); the 13-29 age group (ORa = 1.3; CI 95%, 1.1-1.5) and the 30-39 year old group (ORa = 1.1; CI 95%, 1.0-1.3), injecting drug users (IDU) (ORa = 1.4; CI 95%, 1.2-1.6), and those patients with a prison record (ORa = 2.1; CI 95%, 1.9-2.4). CONCLUSIONS: In Spain, male AIDS patients, under age 40 years with a prison record and IDU have a higher risk of tuberculosis. Control measures for tuberculosis should therefore be intensified among these patients.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1998

Efflux pumps involved in toluene tolerance in Pseudomonas putida DOT-T1E.

The basic mechanisms underlying solvent tolerance in Pseudomonas putida DOT-T1E are efflux pumps that remove the solvent from bacterial cell membranes. The solvent-tolerant P. putida DOT-T1E grows in the presence of high concentrations (e.g., 1% [vol/vol]) of toluene and octanol. Growth of P. putida DOT-T1E cells in LB in the presence of toluene supplied via the gas phase has a clear effect on cell survival: the sudden addition of 0.3% (vol/vol) toluene to P. putida DOT-T1E pregrown with toluene in the gas phase resulted in survival of almost 100% of the initial cell number, whereas only 0.01% of cells pregrown in the absence of toluene tolerated exposure to this aromatic hydrocarbon. One class of toluene-sensitive octanol-tolerant mutant was isolated after Tn5-'phoA mutagenesis of wild-type P. putida DOT-T1E cells. The mutant, called P. putida DOT-T1E-18, was extremely sensitive to 0.3% (vol/vol) toluene added when cells were pregrown in the absence of toluene, whereas pregrowth on toluene supplied via the gas phase resulted in survival of about 0.0001% of the initial number. Solvent exclusion was tested with 1,2,4-[14C]trichlorobenzene. The levels of radiochemical accumulated in wild-type cells grown in the absence and in the presence of toluene were not significantly different. In contrast, the mutant was unable to remove 1,2,4-[14C]trichlorobenzene from the cell membranes when grown on Luria-Bertani (LB) medium but was able to remove the aromatic compound when pregrown on LB medium with toluene supplied via the gas phase. The amount of 14C-labeled substrate in whole cells increased in competition assays in which toluene-and xylenes were the unlabeled competitors, whereas this was not the case when benzene was the competitor. This finding suggests that the exclusion system works specifically with certain aromatic substrates. The mutation in P. putida DOT-T1E-18 was cloned, and the knockedout gene was sequenced and found to be homologous to the drug exclusion gene mexB, which belongs to the efflux pump family of the resistant nodulator division type.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

[Tuberculosis outbreak: significance of exposure time versus proximity to infection source].

BACKGROUND: The polymorphic length restriction fragment technique (PLRF) complements epidemiologic investigations. The aim of this study was to present an outbreak of tuberculosis in which the risk factors of infection and disease were studied. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A descriptive study was carried out in cases of tuberculosis. The isolated strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were typed by the PLRF technique. A study of the prevalence of infection was carried out among the 61 classmates of two classrooms (A and B) which the index case attended. An historical cohort study was thereafter performed among the cases with infection. The association of the dependent variable (infection or tuberculosis disease) with the remaining variables was determined by the odds ratio (OR). RESULTS: The incidence of disease was 9.8% (6/61). The strains isolated in 5 patients presented the same PLRF pattern. The prevalence study detected 28 infections (45.9%). Five cases (17.9%) were detected on the second tuberculin test. By multivariate analysis showed that the hours of exposure (1.8-3.2 hours, OR = 2.0; > 3.2 hours; OR = 10.2) were the risk factor for infection. The BCG vaccine, the intensity of the reaction to the tuberculin test and age could be associated with the risk of disease. CONCLUSIONS: The focus of the outbreak was confirmed by the PLRF technique. The importance of repeating the tuberculin test in whom the test was negative on the first test is of note. To evaluate the risk of infection the time of exposure is more important than the proximity to the index case.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Mechanisms for solvent tolerance in bacteria.

The development of tolerance in Pseudomonas putida DOT-T1 to toluene and related highly toxic compounds involves short- and long-term responses. The short-term response is based on an increase in the rigidity of the cell membrane by rapid transformation of the fatty acid cis-9,10-methylene hexadecanoic acid (C17:cyclopropane) to unsaturated 9-cis-hexadecenoic acid (C16:1,9 cis) and subsequent transformation to the trans isomer. The long-term response involves in addition to the changes in fatty acids, alterations in the level of the phospholipid polar head groups: cardiolipin increases and phosphatidylethanolamine decreases. The two alterations lead to increased cell membrane rigidity and should be regarded as physical mechanisms that prevent solvent penetrance. Biochemical mechanisms that decrease the concentration of toluene in the cell membrane also take place and involve: (i) a solvent exclusion system and (ii) metabolic removal of toluene via oxidation. Mutants unable to carry out cis --> trans isomerization of unsaturated lipids, that exhibit altered cell envelopes because of the lack of the OprL protein, or that are unable to exclude toluene from cell membranes are hypersensitive to toluene.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1991

[Tuberculous infection in schoolchildren of Les Borges Blanques].

The results of the study carried out with tuberculin skin test in primary school students from Les Borges Blanques are reported, so as to characterize the epidemiologic pattern of tuberculosis in this community. The overall prevalence of tuberculous infection was 3.6%. A 27.27% of the vaccinated and 2.32% of the nonvaccinated population, respectively, had a positive reaction. The prevalence of individuals vaccinated with BCG was 5.18%. The influence of vaccination on the PPD result was apparent. The incidence rates, excepting the 1981 cohort where it was 0, ranged from 0.61 (1976 cohort) and 1.01 (1978 cohort). The calculated RAI was 0.35%, with a yearly decline of infection of 29%. We emphasize the low yield of the investigation of contacts. Forty-three people living with 11 converters were investigated. No instance of active infection was found and only four of them were candidates to chemoprophylaxis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

[Yield of health exam in a rural school population].

The yield of the health status examination and associated factors in schoolchildren was assessed in the Primary Health Care center at Les Borges Blanques (Lérida), by means of the detection of abnormalities unknown by the parents receiving treatment. A self-administered questionnaire before the examination permitted to identify the already known abnormalities. Subsequently, a personal interview evaluated the follow-up. A total of 252 schoolchildren were evaluated, and 327 abnormalities were detected; 111 of these were unknown to the parents (33.94%); less than one half (48) presented for confirmation of the diagnosis. The diagnosis was confirmed in 44, treatment being prescribed in 36. In 33 schoolchildren (13.09%) the examination could have been useful. The observed low yield may be accounted for by the small rate of families that present for confirmation of the diagnosis. The personal communication of the diagnosis to the parents and the follow-up of cases might improve the yield.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

Glomerulonephritis in Salmonella-Schistosoma mansoni association.

In 3 patients with Salmonella-Schistosoma mansoni association and clinical evidence of renal lesions, a percutaneous renal biopsy was performed. Renal function, assessed by endogenous creatinine clearance, was abnormal in 2 cases and serum levels of complement were decreased in all cases. Immune complex glomerulonephritis, evidenced by the presence of immunoglobulin and complement in the glomeruli was demonstrated in all cases. S. dublin and S. typhimurium antigens were found in the mesangium and in the capillary walls of 2 patients. After treatment with chloramphenicol, the S. mansoni infection persisted, but the clinical, laboratory, and immunopathological alterations were resolved. These findings suggest a direct role for Salmonella in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis described in patients with associated Salmonella and S. mansoni infections.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1982