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Antimicrobial susceptibility of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from bovine mastitis in Argentina.

A total of 123 isolates of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from bovine clinical and subclinical mastitis in Argentina from March 1998 to March 2000 was investigated for in vitro susceptibility to several antimicrobial agents. Minimum inhibitory concentrations that inhibit 90% of the isolates tested (reported in micrograms per milliliter) were: 4.40, 0.38, 4.00, 0.75, 0.75, 3.60, and 2.00 for penicillin, oxacillin, cephalothin, gentamicin, erythromycin, clindamycin, and ampicillin-sulbactam, respectively. Resistance was detected in 34 (27.6%), 4 (3.2%), 7 (5.7%), and 6 (4.8%) isolates for penicillin, oxacillin, erythromycin, and pirlimycin, respectively. No resistance was detected for gentamicin, cephalothin, or ampicillin-sulbactam. Results indicated that coagulase-negative staphylococci isolates in Argentina exhibited the highest degree of resistance to penicillin of all antimicrobial agents tested.

Ampicillin↗

Dengue reemergence in Argentina.

Aedes aegypti, eradicated from Argentina in 1963, has now reinfested the country as far south as Buenos Aires. In 1997, four persons with travel histories to Brazil, Ecuador, or Venezuela had confirmed dengue, and surveillance for indigenous transmission allowed the detection of 19 dengue cases in Salta Province. These cases of dengue are the first in Argentina since 1916 and represent a new southern extension of dengue virus.

Aedes↗

Laboratory surveillance of dengue in Argentina, 1995-2001.

Local transmission of dengue fever virus in Argentina is increased by the presence of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and dengue outbreaks in neighboring countries. From 1995 to 2001, a laboratory-based active surveillance program detected 922 dengue cases. Indigenous transmission involving dengue-1 and -2 serotypes was confirmed only in subtropical areas in northern Argentina.

Adolescent↗

Hantavirus infection in humans and rodents, northwestern Argentina.

We initiated a study to elucidate the ecology and epidemiology of hantavirus infections in northern Argentina. The northwestern hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS)-endemic area of Argentina comprises Salta and Jujuy Provinces. Between 1997 and 2000, 30 HPS cases were diagnosed in Jujuy Province (population 512,329). Most patients had a mild clinical course, and the death rate (13.3%) was low. We performed a serologic and epidemiologic survey in residents of the area, in conjunction with a serologic study in rodents. The prevalence of hantavirus antibodies in the general human population was 6.5%, one of the highest reported in the literature. No evidence of interhuman transmission was found, and the high prevalence of hantavirus antibody seemed to be associated with the high infestation of rodents detected in domestic and peridomestic habitats.

Adolescent↗

Chytrid fungus parasitizing the wild amphibian Leptodactylus ocellatus (Anura: Leptodactylidae) in Argentina.

The present contribution is the first report of parasitosis by a chytrid fungus in wild anuran amphibians in Argentina, as well as the first case of amphibian mortality documented to date in Argentina. We report the presence of the chytrid fungus in dead adult Leptodactylus ocellatus. It has been suggested that chytridiomycosis is the main cause of death in several amphibian populations worldwide. Our study demonstrates that chytridiomycosis afflicts L. ocellatus, a common widespread amphibian species, and is the first report of chytridiomycosis in the Argentinian lowlands. The occurrence at this latitude would indicate an extended distribution of this fungus in wildlife populations. It is also the first report of amphibian mortality due to chytrid fungus in our country. It is noteworthy that the site of collection is situated very close to sea level in a temperate climate zone and that this represents the southern most record for South American wild amphibians.

Animals↗

Factors associated with H. pylori epidemiology in symptomatic children in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

AIM: To determine prevalence of H pylori infection in symptomatic children in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and to investigate factors associated with H pylori positivity. METHODS: A total of 395 children with upper gastrointestinal symptoms referred to the Gastroenterology Unit of the Children Hospital "Sor Maria Ludovica" were evaluated for the presence of H pylori by the (13)C-Urea Breath Test ((13)C-UBT). A questionnaire was applied to the recruited population. RESULTS: Prevalence of H pylori infection was 40.0% in this population (mean age 9.97 +/- 3.1 years). The factors associated with H pylori positivity were number of siblings (P < 0.001), presence of pet cats (P = 0.03) and birds (P = 0.04) in the household, and antecedents of gastritis among family members (P = 0.01). After multivariate analysis, number of siblings [Odds ratio (OR) = 1.39; 95% CI, 1.20-1.61] and contact with pet cats (OR = 1.76; 95% CI, 1.00-3.09) remained as variables associated with H pylori infection. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of H pylori infection in children with upper gastrointestinal symptoms in Argentina was similar to that reported in developed countries. Children from families with a higher crowding index and presence of pet cats have a higher risk of being colonized with H pylori.

Adolescent↗

Viruses isolated from Aedeomyia squamipennis mosquitoes collected in Panama, Ecuador, and Argentina: establishment of the Gamboa serogroup.

Twenty-four virus strains were isolated from Aedeomyia squamipennis mosquitoes collected in Ecuador. One additional strain each was isolated from this species from Panama and ARgentina. All 26 isolates were shown to be related serologically to prototype Gamboa virus, originally isolated from Ad. squamipennis mosquitoes collected in Panama. Antigenic comparisons of eight strains, including prototype Gamboa virus, indicated the existence of four distinct viruses. Neutralization tests with sera from a variety of mammalian and avian species from Argentina provided further evidence that Gamboa serogroup viruses are transmitted between Ad. squamipennis and birds.

Animals↗

Evidence of rickettsial spotted fever and ehrlichial infections in a subtropical territory of Jujuy, Argentina.

Between November 1993 and March 1994, a cluster 6 pediatric patients with acute febrile illnesses associated with rashes was identified in Jujuy Province, Argentina. Immunohistochemical staining of tissues confirmed spotted fever group rickettsial infection in a patient with fatal disease, and testing of serum of a patient convalescing from the illness by using an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) demonstrated antibodies reactive with spotted fever group rickettsiae. A serosurvey was conducted among 16 households in proximity to the index case. Of 105 healthy subjects evaluated by IFA, 19 (18%) demonstrated antibodies reactive with rickettsiae or ehrlichiae: 4 had antibodies reactive with Rickettsia rickettsii, 15 with Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and 1 with R. typhi. Amblyomma cajennense, a known vector of R. rickettsii in South America, was collected from pets and horses in the area. These results are the first to document rickettsial spotted fever and ehrlichial infections in Argentina.

Adolescent↗

Isolation and characterization of Escherichia coli O157:H7 from retail meats in Argentina.

Between February and May 2000, 279 meat samples were collected from 136 retail stores in Gualeguaychú City, Argentina. Samples were assayed for Escherichia coli O157:H7 by selective enrichment in modified EC broth containing novobiocin, followed by immunomagnetic separation (IMS) and plating onto both sorbitol MacConkey agar supplemented with cefixime and potassium tellurite and a chromogenic medium. Eleven E. coli O157:H7 isolates were detected in 6 (3.8%) of 160 ground beef samples, in 4 (4.8%) of 83 fresh sausages, and in 1 (3.3%) of 30 dry sausages. E. coli O157:H7 was not isolated from five hamburger patties or one barbecue-type fresh sausage assayed. The isolates were tested for virulence-related genes. Ten additional Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O157:H7 isolates of food origin, recovered from different locations in Argentina, were included for comparison purposes. All 21 isolates harbored both eae and EHEC-hlyA genes, and 12 (57.1%) encoded stx2/stx2vh-a. The isolates were of phage types 87 (seven strains), 14 (four strains), 4 (three strains), and 26 (one strain). Six strains were nontypable by phage typing. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) revealed 19 XbaI-PFGE profiles. Fifteen (71%) strains were grouped in four clusters, which shared more than 80% of DNA restriction fragments. The enrichment culture method with IMS was a sensitive procedure to detect E. coli O157:H7 strains in retail meats. Some of the isolates from different stores presented a high clonal relatedness, as determined by XhaI-PFGE and phage typing, and harbored the virulence factors associated with human illness.

Argentina↗

Cuterebrid parasitism (Rogenhofera bonaerensis) on the shrubland mouse (Akodon molinae), in Argentina.

We evaluated the influence of temperature, rainfall, and host relative abundance on Rogenhofera bonaerensis (Diptera, Cuterebridae) parasitism prevalence in shrubland mouse (Akodon molinae) populations in central Argentina, from February 1983 to December 1987. Parasitism did not vary significantly with host age: juvenile-subadults (32%), adults (26%), and old adults (29%). Females were more frequently parasitized (36%) than were males (20%). There was no correlation between parasitism and reproductive activity. Infested hosts were recorded most commonly in summer (January to March, 19%), and in fall (April to June, 30%). During the dry season, July through November, cuterebrid parasitism averaged only 3%. The monthly prevalence of parasitism throughout the year was not associated either with monthly precipitation nor with mean monthly temperature at the time of sampling. But a 2 to 3 month time-lag effect of both climatic variables on parasitism was recorded. Bot fly prevalence was correlated to an index of host density. We propose climate and host availability as important factors affecting bot fly parasitism in the semiarid shrubland of central Argentina.

Animals↗

Estimated incidence of inflammatory bowel disease in Argentina and Panama (1987-1993).

AIM: to estimate the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in two areas from Panama and Argentina. METHOD: during a 7-year period from 1987 to 1993 we surveyed IBD in two well-defined communities from Panama (District of Colón) and Argentina (Partido General Pueyrredón). The mean annual incidence of IBD was estimated from hospital-based registries. Records from the General Records Department and the endoscopy, radiology and pathology services were reviewed at the Hospital MA Guerrero in Colón and at two other hospitals in Partido General Pueyrredón to identify suspected cases of IBD. Cases were confirmed using standard criteria, and disease incidence rates were calculated by dividing the number of cases in which a positive diagnosis could be established by the population served by each hospital. RESULTS: mean annual incidence of ulcerative colitis in Panama was 1.2/100 000 inhabitants/year, and no cases of Crohn's disease (CD) could be diagnosed. Mean annual incidence of IBD in Partido General Pueyrredón was 2.2/100 000 inhabitants/year, with only a single case of CD being identified. We argue that such figures could represent a good estimate of the incidence of IBD in each area, given the wide coverage of the population by the hospitals surveyed in each region. CONCLUSION: according to these results, the incidence rates of IBD seem to be much lower than those published for other "Hispanic" communities outside Latin America. Factors such as population structure, environment or genetic determinants might account for these differences.

Adult↗

[Distribution of the genotypes of hepatitis C virus in intravenous drug addicts in Argentina].

Intravenous drug addiction (IVD) is an unfrequent risk factor in Argentina, representing less than 10% of patients (pts) with chronic HCV infection seen in our Unit. In order to study the genotypes (Gt) in IVD and compare them with a non drug addicted control population, 68 pts with a history of IVD were enrolled in this study and compared with 68 non drug addict (NDA) pts with chronic HCV, with similar age and gender distribution. In all pts a liver biopsy was performed. Genotyping was done by INNO LiPA (Innogenetics, Belgium). Mean age in both groups was 35 +/- 7.8 years and 50 were males. No difference was observed between both groups in the prevalence of Gt1a, Gt2a/c and in those with mixed infections. The prevalence of Gt1b in IVD was 19.1% and in NDA 38.2% (p = 0.0228). A highly significant difference was also observed in the prevalence of Gt3a, of 42.6% in IVD and only 11.8% in NDA (p = 0.0001). Gt1a was the second most frequent genotype in IVD pts (26.5%). Simultaneous HIV infection was present in 8 IVD pts (11.8%) and in none of NDA group. Liver biopsies showed a higher prevalence of mild chronic hepatitis in NDA (57.3%) than in IVD (32.4%) (p = 0.0058). Severe chronic hepatitis with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis was more frequent in the Gt3 of the group with IVD when compared with Gt3 of the NDA group. It can be concluded that in accordance with other geographical areas, Gt3a is far more prevalent in intravenous drugs addicts than in the general population in Argentina where Gt1b is more frequent. Mild forms of chronic hepatitis are less frequent in IVD. In spite of the relatively small group with HCV co-infection with HIV, it seems important to note that 2/8 (25%) showed severe hepatitis C or cirrhosis.

Adult↗

[Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in Argentina and in other countries].

Medical decisions concerning the end of a patient's life have been widely practiced for centuries and there are strong arguments for and against. Advocates typically adduced that terminally ill patients have the right to impose, with physicians' help, their self-determination to avoid extreme suffering and a painful death. Opponents argued that legalizing those practices would not be ethical because it is against the principles of society and the medical profession. During the last years, debates about medical decisions concerning the end of a patient's life have increased in many regions of the planet after these became legal in several countries. In Argentina, those practices are illegal; however, there is evidence that they are frequently practiced. Nevertheless, public discussion on the subject is limited in Argentina. A profound debate on the position of society and physicians concerning terminally ill patients must be initiated.

Argentina↗

Development of the first black fly (Diptera: Simuliidae) management program in Argentina and comparison with other programs.

In response to increasing pest populations of black flies, the government of Argentina initiated a pilot program to evaluate the effectiveness of larval control in the irrigation system of the Negro River Valley, an 18,240-km2 area in Patagonia. The extensive system of irrigation canals, drainage ditches, and natural waterways not only provides water for agriculture and general habitation but also affords habitat for immature black flies. Three species (Simulium bonaerense, Simulium wolffhuegeli, and Simulium nigristrigatum) are primary pests of humans and animals in this area. Trials were conducted using Vectobac AS in representative irrigation canals, a drainage ditch, and a medium-sized river. Most trials resulted in effective larval mortality and insecticide carry. Based on a comparison with 11 black fly suppression programs throughout the world, a suppression program for the Negro River Valley has a projected cost of approximately $1,623,360/year. This study represents the initial steps in development of the 1st areawide black fly suppression program in Argentina.

Animals↗

[Molecular genetics of the thalassemias in Argentina].

PURPOSE: Was to establish the molecular genetics of thalassemias in Argentina. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Genomic DNA was amplified by PCR and six point mutations in the beta-globin gene were investigated by Dot Blot hybridization using oligonucleotide probes. The most frequent alpha-thalassemia deletions were studied by Southern Blotting. Patients were distributed in 4 groups: a) 109 beta-thalassemic carriers; b) 15 thalassemia major patients; c) 2 thalassemia intermedia patients and d) 14 probable alpha-thalassemic carriers. RESULTS: The distribution of mutated alleles in the group a) was: IVS-1 nt 1: 13.76%, IVS-1 nt 6: 7.34%, IVS-1 nt 110: 23.85%, codon 39: 39.45%, IVS-2 nt 1: 3.68% e IVS-2 nt 745: 1.83%, 10.01% could not be determined with the probes used; in the group b) the allelic distribution was similar and the compound genetic genotype were predominant related to homocygous ones; in the group c): we confirmed the presence of one beta-thalassemia mutation and a alpha gene triplication (alpha alpha alpha) in the 2 patients studied. The alpha-thalassemia character was confirmed in 8 patients of the group d) (6 had -alpha 3,7/alpha alpha genotype and 2,-alpha 3,7/-alpha 3,7 genotype). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that the analysis of 6 mutations in the beta-globin gene and the alpha-globin gene deletions are an effective strategy to identify thalassemias in Argentina.

Alleles↗

[Nematodes parasitizing fishes from Termas de Rio Hondo Pond, Santiago del Estero, Argentina].

Cucullanus pinnai and Spinitectus jamundensis are cited parasitizing three freshwater fish species: Pimelodus albicans, Leporinus obtusidens and Prochilodus lineatus, captured in Termas de Río Hondo pond, province of Santiago del Estero, Argentina, in 1992 and 1995. The three fish species were parasited by S. jamundensis, but C. pinnai was found only in P. albicans and L. obtusidens. Morphologic and morphometric parasitological studies were carried out. The specimens described were drawned. In addition, the following parasitic infection indexes were calculated: prevalence, mean and maximum intensity. The two nematode species identified are described for the first time in Argentina and increased the host range cited for the parasite species studied in this work.

Animals↗

[Seroprevalence of helicobacter pylori infection in the republic of Argentina: influence of age, sex, socioeconomic level, geographical area, and health infrastructure. Multicenter study by the Club Argentino del Estomago y Duodeno].

Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection affects almost half of the world population, it is almost a pandemia, and has been associated to poverty in underdeveloped countries. The Club Argentino del Estómago y Duodeno decided to fulfill the lack of information upon this subject in Argentina designing a seroprevalence, multicentric, prospective study performed in voluntary adults donors in blood banks and in children seen during normal growth controls. Seven hundred and nineteen individuals were evaluated, 645 of them were included: 178 children (age 0-18 years) and 467 adults. In all cases a serological IgG Hp test (Flex-Pack Abbott) was performed and an epidemiological questionnaire was completed by a physician. General prevalence of Hp infection was 44.8% of individuals. In the paediatric population prevalence was 15.7% and in adults 55.9%. The highest prevalence was observed in the fifth decade: 64%. In concordance with other similar studies carried out in different countries, we may conclude that the risk of acquisition of Hp infection is directly related to age, area of residence, social-economical status, sanitary facilities, and educational level reached. Even though the prevalence of Hp infection in Argentina is intermediate between highly developed and underdeveloped countries, the number of people infected is very high and the incidence of Hp-associated pathologies in the future represents a formidable task for gastroenterologists and sanitary authorities.

Adolescent↗

[Control of congenital transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in Argentina].

The vertical transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi has been augmenting its relative importance as vector and transfusion-mediated transmission routes have been, and continue to be, increasingly controlled. The vertical transmission of T. cruzi cannot be prevented; but early detection and treatment of congenital infection achieve cure rates close to 100%. In Argentina, the Subprogram of Control of Pregnant Women examined 58,196 women from 13 provinces in 1997 and found a 9% seropositivity to T. cruzi. In spite of such high maternal prevalence rates of T. cruzi, only a small proportion of live newborns to infected mothers acquires the infection. The probability of vertical transmission was 1.9% (range: 0.1% to 3.5%) in surveys carried out in the '70s, and 2.5% (range: 0.7% to 10.4%) in others conducted in the '70-'80s. Other more recent studies in Argentina estimated the probability of transmission in 2.6%-6.7%, but studies from Paraguay estimated 10.5% by PCR or serodiagnosis. The microhematocrit technique is the recommended parasitologic method to detect congenital infection. Routine serodiagnosis that detects IgG against T. cruzi is only helpful after the newborn reaches 6 months of age. Detection of specific IgM using recombinant antigens and PCR constitute excellent alternatives, but their feasibility from operational and cost-effective viewpoints in affected endemic areas remains to be considered. In a longitudinal project carried out in Maternidad Nuestra Señora de la Merced in the city of Tucumán between 1992-1994, the majority of congenital cases were asymptomatic. They were diagnosed through the microhematocrit technique, but a number of cases could only be detected later as a result of the parasitological and/or serological follow-up. Of a total of 32 newborns infected with T. cruzi who were treated with nifurtimox or benznidazole, 30 had a negative microhematocrit and serodiagnosis between 6 months and 2 years post-treatment. The magnitude of congenital transmission, and its associated morbidity and mortalidad, largely justify the efforts needed to detect T. cruzi infection in the mothers and newborns. This project demonstrated that the transmission of T. cruzi can be successfully controlled at a provincial scale through a specific program inserted in the primary health care system or at the first level of attention. The congenital transmission of T. cruzi clearly represents a public health problem in areas that in the past were of active transmission, even years after being under entomologic surveillance.

Argentina↗