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PubMed1992

Epidemiology and long-term consequences of hepatitis delta virus infection in the Yucpa Indians of Venezuela.

To define better the epidemiology and clinical impact of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection among hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers in less developed countries, the authors prospectively studied a cohort of 216 Yucpa Indian HBV carriers in Venezuela. HBV carriers were followed regularly between 1983 and 1988 by physical examination, laboratory testing for liver enzymes and HBV and HDV markers, and epidemiologic history. Among the cohort, 74 (34%) were initially positive for HDV infection, and 35 additional persons became infected during the study. Risk factors for new HDV infection included living in southern Yucpa villages; being young adults (15-19 years) or young children (1-9 years), and living in a household with a person with acute HDV infection. Persons with HDV infection were at high risk of developing chronic liver disease; 56% of HDV-infected persons had moderate-to-severe chronic liver disease at the end of the study compared with none of the HBV carriers without HDV infection. Mortality rates were 6.9% and 8.8% per year, respectively, among initially HDV-positive HBV carriers and those with new HDV infection, because of rapidly progressive chronic liver disease and fulminant hepatitis; mortality was significantly lower in HBV carriers without HDV infection and in non-HBV carriers. HDV superinfection is a devastating disease in HBV carriers in tropical South America. Prevention of HBV infection with hepatitis B vaccine is the best available tool to reduce the impact of this problem.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

ABO-haemolytic disease of the newborn (ABO-HDN): factors influencing its severity and incidence in Venezuela.

The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of the Haemolytic Disease of the Newborn due to ABO blood group incompatibility (ABO-HDN) in the population of Caracas attending the Maternity Hospital 'Concepción Palacios'. The relationship between A and B antigens density of cord blood erythrocytes and the cytotoxic activity of antibodies in mothers' sera with the severity of the haemolytic disease, was also studied. From a sample of 245 blood group 'O' mothers, 68 gave birth to full term 'A' or 'B' blood group infants. The evolution of serum bilirubin and the routine haematological values, were followed in all the babies during 72 h after birth, allowing the diagnosis of ABO-HDN in 21 infants. Taking into account that in Venezuela the frequency of blood group 'O' is 59 per cent, it was concluded that in the general population of newborns, 16 per cent present foeto-maternal ABO incompatibility, and the incidence of ABO-HDN was near to 5 per cent. The density of the 'A' and 'B' antigens in cord red cells was studied using an immunoenzymatic assay. No statistically significant association between antigen maturity and severity of the ABO-HDN could be shown. A positive association was found between cytotoxic capacity of mothers' sera and development of ABO-HDN (P < 0.05). Twenty ABO incompatibles children presented moderate late anaemia at 3 weeks of age.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1987

Hearing-impaired children in Venezuela: 1985.

The first Venezuelan Survey of Deaf Children during the 1984-85 school year was a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Education in Venezuela and Gaullaudet University in the U.S. Limited in its first year to the capital city of Caracas, the study used a survey methodology developed over 18 years in the U.S. Annual Survey of Hearing-Impaired Children and Youth. In its first year of operation the Venezuelan study collected information on 804 deaf students, over 90% of whom were between the ages of 3 and 14, had severe or profound hearing losses (i.e., hearing level of 71 dB or greater in the better ear), and experienced their hearing impairments before the age of 3. Significant findings of the Venezuelan Survey include a large number of children (29%) with hearing losses caused by maternal rubella. This result is important to educators because rubella-deafened children tend to have other handicaps in addition to their hearing impairment. Meningitis was the most frequently reported after-birth cause of hearing losses in Caracas. Thirty-six percent of the Venezuelan students were reported to have other handicaps in addition to their hearing impairments. Survey results also raise questions about the educational status of less severely hearing impaired children and older deaf adolescents; these two groups were not reported in any significant numbers to the survey. Implications of the Venezuelan data are discussed, and, where appropriate, comparisons with data from the U.S. 1985 survey are made.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Reactogenicity and antigenicity of rhesus rotavirus vaccine (MMU-18006) in newborn infants in Venezuela.

The reactogenicity and antigenicity of the rhesus rotavirus vaccine, strain MMU18006, developed at the Laboratory of Infectious Diseases (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health) were examined in a double blind, placebo-controlled study of 40 newborn infants in Caracas, Venezuela. The children were observed for the first few days after birth in the hospital nursery and by home visits for 10 days after vaccination to detect any adverse reactions. No reactions could be attributed to the vaccine. Serologic responses to the vaccine were evaluated in paired sera obtained at birth (cord blood) and 4 weeks after vaccination. Serologic responses to the vaccine were not observed by complement fixation, neutralization or a rhesus rotavirus VP7 epitope-specific competition assay. However, such responses were found in 9 of 14 tested infants by an immunoglobulin A-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Seventeen of the 20 vaccinees also shed rhesus rotavirus vaccine in stool during the postvaccination period.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed2001

Assessing mercury health effects in gold workers near El Callao, Venezuela.

Mercury exposure and health status were examined in 40 gold workers in the area surrounding El Callao, Venezuela. Concentrations of mercury in workplace air were measured on 3 successive days, and spot urine and hair samples were also taken for analysis. Subjects underwent a physical examination and completed a questionnaire regarding employment history, work activities involving mercury exposure, use of protective clothing and equipment, and frequency of 37 symptoms associated with mercury toxicity. A complete set of health data was collected for 29 of the subjects. Use of protective equipment was limited, and 17.9%, 24.1%, and 48.3% of subjects had mercury concentrations in air, hair, and urine, respectively, above contemporary occupational exposure guidelines. Physical examination found the workers to be generally healthy and without overt symptoms of mercury toxicity. The frequency of psychoneurological, gastrointestinal, cardio-respiratory, and dermal symptoms was unrelated to any of the measures of mercury exposure. Two subjects had modestly elevated urinary levels of N-acetyl beta-D-glucosaminidase. Despite substantial occupational exposure to mercury among a number of the subjects, few adverse health effects were observed that were plausibly related to mercury.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Nutrient content of earthworms consumed by Ye'Kuana Amerindians of the Alto Orinoco of Venezuela.

For the Makiritare (Ye'Kuana) native people of the Alto Orinoco (Venezuela), earthworms (Anellida: Glossoscolecidae) are an important component of the diet. Two species in particular are widely consumed: 'kuru' (Andiorrhinus kuru n. sp.) and 'motto' (Andiorrhinus motto). We analysed eviscerated kuru body proper, and whole and smoked preparations of motto for their content of protein and amino acids, fatty acids and 20 minerals and trace elements. The samples contained large amounts of protein (64.5-72.9% of dry weight), essential amino acids, calcium and iron together with notable quantities of other important elements, indicating that these earthworms contain potentially useful quantities of many nutrients that are critical to the health of the humans who consume them.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed2001

Characterization of hepatitis B virus genotypes among Yucpa Indians in Venezuela.

The complete genome sequences of hepatitis B virus (HBV) from 12 HBV-infected Yucpa Indians of Venezuela, a group with highly endemic HBV, were amplified and sequenced. The 12 isolates were closely related to each other, with 98.6-100% nucleotide identity. A phylogenetic tree based on the complete genome indicated clearly that they were genotype F. Three individuals had evidence of infection with two different HBV deletion mutants. In two individuals, a three amino acid deletion was identified just prior to the 'a' determinant loop of the S region. A third individual was infected with virus that contained a complete core reading frame and a population that contained a deletion in the middle of the core region. These results indicate that genotype F HBV is present in the Venezuelan Yucpa Amerindians and the complete genome sequence allowed the identification of two unique deletion mutants in a limited set of samples.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Characterization of hepatitis D virus genotype III among Yucpa Indians in Venezuela.

The complete genome sequences of hepatitis D virus (HDV) strains isolated from three Yucpa Amerindians in Venezuela were determined and found to be genotype III. Comparison of these three genotype III sequences demonstrated the presence of a hypervariable region containing numerous substitutions, insertions/deletions and a highly conserved region containing the self-cleavage domains, which have been reported previously for genotypes I and II. Amino acid changes within the first 90 amino acids of the hepatitis D antigen (HDAg) were found in the genotype III sequences, while the remainder of the HDAg-coding sequence was conserved. The secondary structure for the RNA-editing site differed between genotypes I and III. It was concluded that the serious delta hepatitis outbreaks characterized epidemiologically in the Yucpa Amerindians were caused by HDV genotype III isolates that were related to HDV genotype III isolates from other regions of South America.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Biting and resting behaviour of anophelines in western Venezuela and implications for control of malaria transmission.

A study was conducted in three villages in western Venezuela between February 1988 and October 1989 to determine the biting and resting activity of anophelines in relation to human habits, rainfall and fenitrothion spraying of houses. Mosquitoes were collected landing on humans inside and outside experimental huts throughout the night. Only three mosquitoes were found resting in the huts in the morning, but 2470 were collected resting on vegetation in the early morning. The collections yielded eleven species of anopheline, the most abundant being Anopheles nuneztovari, comprising over 75% of the total anophelines collected, followed by An.triannulatus, An.albitarsis s.l. and An.oswaldoi. The four most abundant species showed different diel patterns of biting. For An.nuneztovari the peak of activity was close to midnight indoors and outdoors, for An.triannulatus between 19.00 and 20.00 hours outdoors, for An.albitarsis mainly before midnight indoors and outdoors and for An.oswaldoi outdoors at 19.00 hours, with an additional smaller peak indoors at midnight. Most of the human population use bednets, go to bed before 22.00 hours and are therefore most exposed to mosquitoes that bite outdoors early in the night. Fenitrothion house-spraying failed to prevent large mosquito populations developing in the wet season, presumably because of their exophilic resting habits. The possible advantages of impregnation of existing bednets with pyrethroids, and provision of nets for people who do not have them, are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Host choice of anopheline mosquitoes in a malaria endemic area of western Venezuela.

Bloodmeals of exophilic anopheline mosquitoes collected resting on vegetation in a malaria endemic area in western Venezuela were identified by ELISA. Using a TMB peroxidase substrate in the ELISA, human bloodmeals were readily identified up to 40 h after ingestion in all laboratory-fed mosquitoes tested. Assay sensitivity declined to 75% identifiable 44 h post-feeding. The Human Blood Index and the Feeding Index of each species differed between the three villages studied. An.triannulatus was generally more anthropophilic than An.nuneztovari and An.oswaldoi. These contrasting results emphasize the difficulties of interpreting host choice data.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Simulium metallicum cytospecies E larval habitat characterization in the Altamira focus of onchocerciasis, northern Venezuela.

Simulium metallicum sibling species E was identified cytotaxonomically from an onchocerciasis focus at Altamira in northern Venezuela. S. metallicum E larvae were sampled monthly from two small mountain streams over a 15-month period (July 1990 to September 1991) and eleven habitat variables were measured at two altitudes. One stream consistently harboured much higher densities of S. metallicum E larvae than the other, with three annual peaks of abundance: during the dry season and at the beginning and end of the rainy season. These peak densities were correlated with high rainfall 4 months previously. Larvae were most abundant on submerged rocks and fallen leaves, in small shallow areas characterized by slow water current, high conductivity and sparse terrestrial vegetation cover. Stream variables which best explained the temporal changes in abundance were water discharge and conductivity. The population dynamics of S. metallicum E appeared to be influenced primarily by interactions between stream discharge and substrate stability. Relevance of these results to vector control with larvicides is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Histoplasmine and paracoccidiodine epidemiological study in Upata, Bolívar state, Venezuela.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of histoplasmosis and paracoccidiomycosis in Upata, a city in Bolivar state, Venezuela. METHODS: Cutaneous tests on 397 volunteers, 204 with histoplasmine and 193 with paracoccidioidine. Epidemiological data were collected in a protocol sheet. Readings were performed at 24 and 48 h post-injection, by the same observer, and a positive reaction was defined as hardened papule of 5 mm or more. RESULTS: Histoplasmine tests were positive in 19.6% and 34.0% at 24 and 48 h after antigens injection with a significant increase of reactivity (P=0.0019). Paracoccidiodine tests were positive in 11.3% and 19.7% at 24 and 48 h respectively and this difference was also significant (P=0.004). Risk factors which could explain these levels of reactivity could not be clearly identified. Cultures and animal inoculation from soil samples for fungus isolation were negative. CONCLUSIONS: Paracoccidioidomycoses and histoplasmosis are endemic in Upata.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

The burden of the Leishmania chagasi/infantum infection in a closed rural focus of visceral leishmaniasis in Lara state, west-central Venezuela.

A prospective study was conducted in El Brazilar, Curarigua, Lara State, Venezuela, a small rural focus of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) to investigate the burden and the evolution of Leishmania infection in the human and canine population. The incidence of the disease from February 1998 to February 2002 was recorded and two cross-sectional surveys using the leishmanin skin test (LST) and immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) were carried out. The dipstick test with recombinant r-K39 antigen was also applied in 2002. The incidence of the disease per year among the population (n=118) during the period of study was 0.004. The rate of new infections per year was 0.07 [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.15-1.09]. The overall prevalence of infection measured by LST was not significantly higher in 2002 (43.2%) than in 1998 (28.3%), but it was with IFAT [16.3%vs. 4.6%; odds ratio (OR): 4.01; 95% CI: 1.03-22.78; P=0.022] which would indicate an increasing transmission. The dipstick test only detected infection in children up to 10 years (19.4%). Prevalence in dogs was not significantly different in 2002 (57%) vs. 1998 (33%). The parasite was isolated from dogs and identified by a polymerase chain reaction based on telomeric sequences as Leishmania chagasi/infantum.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

The Buen Pastor cemetery in Trujillo, Venezuela: measuring dengue vector output from a public area.

As vector control of dengue typically targets individual households to eliminate breeding sites or control adult mosquitoes during epidemics, public spaces are frequently neglected. To investigate the importance of such places as sources of dengue vectors, a study of Aedes aegypti productivity in a cemetery in northern Venezuela, using standard entomological indices for assessing dengue vector infestations, was carried out in the wet season in May 2003. Containers were found on 72.8% of graves; 44% of the containers held water and in 46.9% of these we found A. aegypti larvae and/or pupae. The average density of Aedes-infested containers was 39 per hectare. There were no significant differences in infestation rates between container types (vases, planters or others) or materials (cement, plastic, glass, etc.). Containers with 1-5 l of water held the greatest proportion of the pupae found in the cemetery (46.7%); containers with <100 ml of water contained no pupae. The mean number of pupae produced in the cemetery was estimated at 4185 pupae/ha per 48 h and the daily output of potential vector mosquitoes from the entire cemetery was calculated at approximately 3000 females per day. These mosquitoes presumably left the cemetery to feed in the nearby communities, thus thwarting the environmental management and health education programmes that had reduced household dengue vector infestations. The study shows the importance of public places as sources of dengue vectors in urban areas, and the need to include such areas in vector control programmes.

Aedes↗
PubMed2006

Could the Chagas disease elimination programme in Venezuela be compromised by reinvasion of houses by sylvatic Rhodnius prolixus bug populations?

The Andean Pact Initiative (1997) committed Andean countries to eliminate vectorial transmission of Chagas disease by 2010 via widespread residual insecticide spraying. In Venezuela, this aim could be compromised by reinvasion of houses by palm tree populations of the major vector Rhodnius prolixus. To test this hypothesis, a multivariate logistic regression was undertaken of risk factors for triatomine infestation and colonization in 552 houses and 1068 peri-domestic outbuildings in Barinas State. After adjusting for other risk factors, including palm roofs, R. prolixus infestation and colonization of outbuildings (and, to some extent, houses) was significantly associated with proximity to high densities of Attalea butyracea palm trees. House infestation and/or colonization was also positively associated with bug density in peri-domestic outbuildings, the presence of pigsties and nests. Hence, R. prolixus populations in ineffectively sprayed outbuildings could also provide an important source of house re-infestations. The secondary vector Triatoma maculata was mainly found associated with the presence of hens nesting both indoors and outdoors.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

The distribution of HLA antigens in the Motilones Indians of Venezuela.

The HLA antigen profile of the Bari and Yupa Indians who live in the Motilones Valley on the border between Venezuela and Colombia was studied. Both groups showed very limited polymorphism. HLA--A1, A3, A11, Aw23, A25, A26, A29, Aw30, Aw32, and Aw33, and HLA--B7, B8, B12, B13, B14, B17, B18, Bw22, and B27 were not observed in either population.

Gene Frequency↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Endemic pemphigus foliaceus in Venezuela: report of two children.

Two native Yanomami children from the Venezuelan Amazonia with erythroderma were hospitalized on our service. Clinical, histologic, and immunofluorescence studies diagnosed endemic pemphigus foliaceous. Human leukocyte antigen class II showed DRB1*04 subtype *0411, which has not been previously associated with this disease. However, it shares a common epitope with all the human leukocyte antigen DRB1 alleles that have been involved in this disease among Brazilian populations. Although this condition is endemic in Brazil, our patients are the first two reported in Venezuela.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

The attitudes toward psychiatry of physicians and medical students in Venezuela.

Attitudes toward psychiatry were assessed in 490 medical students and 362 physicians from two universities in Venezuela: Universidad de Los Andes (ULA) and Universidad Centro-Occidental Lisandro Alvarado (UCLA). A modified version of the Attitude Toward Psychiatry-30 scale was used. The attitude toward psychiatry of all the students and physicians was moderately positive. Students from ULA displayed a more positive attitude than UCLA students, whereas physicians from UCLA displayed a more positive attitude than ULA physicians. The most negative attitude toward psychiatry was observed in students planning to select obstetrics and gynecology (ULA + UCLA), in physicians working in Surgery, obstetrics and gynecology (ULA + UCLA) and in basic sciences (ULA). Female students tended to display a more positive attitude than male students. The attitude toward psychiatry was similar in students with low and high academic achievement in the courses in psychiatry. A large number of years in the profession did not modify the attitude of the physicians. It is recommended to improve teaching and communication with the students and physicians that displayed the most negative attitudes toward psychiatry.

Adult↗