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PubMed2006

Prevalence and seasonality of Ascogregarina culicis (Apicomplexa: Lecudinidae) in natural populations of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) from temperate Argentina.

Ascogregarina infections from South America were recently documented in Brazil and Argentina. The aim of this study was to report our recent findings on the prevalence and seasonality of Ascogregarina culicis in Aedes aegypti adults from temperate Argentina. Between December 2003 and May 2005, 391 females of Ae. aegypti were captured in two areas of Greater Buenos Aires. Overall prevalence of A. culicis was 21.2% (83/391), and a significant difference was observed between both areas (28.4% vs. 8%). Infected Ae. aegypti were found from November to May, with highest values in March (24-37%). Parasite prevalence and host abundance showed similar seasonal patterns. Our observations suggest a widespread infestation of A. culicis among Ae. aegypti populations from temperate Argentina.

Aedes↗
PubMed2006

Differences of circulating Bordetella pertussis population in Argentina from the strain used in vaccine production.

In Argentina, as in other countries, the number of pertussis cases has been increasing, even in highly vaccinated zones. Many reports suggest that the decline of vaccine efficacy due to antigenic shifts in the circulating Bordetella pertussis might be among the factors that contribute to pertussis re-emergence in different parts of the world. To evaluate the incidence of this factor in Argentina, we decided to characterize the circulating bacteria of an important demographic area of this country in comparison with the strain used for vaccine production. From 1997 to 2003 we collected nasopharyngeal samples from pediatric patients with signs of Bordetella infection hospitalized in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires and La Plata, Argentina. From these samples we identified 28 B. pertussis, which were characterized by biochemical techniques, PCR, DNA fingerprint, prn and ptx genes sequencing, and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) pattern. BOX-PCR from B. pertussis isolates yielded one cluster containing 13 isolates and some smaller ones, being all fingerprints different from the vaccine strain. Differences between Argentinean circulating bacteria and the vaccine strain were also observed for the Prn and Ptx variants as well as for the LPS pattern. Moreover, this last pattern seemed to change over the years. In addition, we identified two B. bronchiseptica. The presence of this Bordetella species together with the observed differences between circulating B. pertussis and the strain used in vaccine production should be considered for the development of an improved vaccine.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Antigenic and molecular characterization of rabies virus in Argentina.

The nucleoprotein genes of 54 human, domestic and wild animals rabies isolates obtained in Argentina between 1995 and 2002 were characterized using monoclonal antibodies and partial gene sequence analysis. The antigenic and genetic diversities of rabies virus in samples from bat and bat-related cases were studied, leading to the identification of five distinct genetic variants. Rabies viruses isolated from vampire bat related cases were very similar to each other, showing 98.9% overall similarity. Specific antigenic variants (AgV) were detected associated with different insectivorous bats species, in samples from Tadarida brasiliensis and Eumops patagonicus bats. In contrast, isolates from Myotis sp. and Histiotus sp. bats could not be matched to any antigenic type. Additionally, bat rabies cases were also detected in southern provinces previously considered rabies-free. Finally, two independent antigenic and genetic variants co-circulating in northern Argentina were found in isolates obtained from dogs and dog-related cases, suggesting two independent cycles of virus transmission. This is the first national coordinated study of antigenic as well as molecular epidemiology of rabies in Argentina. The information presented here will improve our knowledge about rabies epidemiology and therefore, will assist preventing fatal human cases.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Preliminary validation of the Child Abuse Potential Inventory in Argentina].

OBJECTIVE: To know the ability of the CAP Inventory (Milner, 1986) to discriminate between child physical abusers and nonabusers in Argentina, and to know its reliability. To conduct an item analysis in order to know the capability of the Abuse Scale items for discrimination between both groups of subjects. METHOD: The CAP Inventory was applied to two groups of subjects: 40 child physical abusers and 40 nonabusers. Both groups were matched in gender, age, educational level, family income, martial status, number of children, and gender and age of children. RESULTS: Fifty-four items discriminated (p < .05) between both groups of subjects. The reliability coefficient of the Abuse Scale was adequate (alpha = .94). Twenty items with the best capability for discrimination were selected. More than 97% (97.4%) of subjects were correctly classified (94.4% for physical abusers and 100% for nonabusers). The Abuse Scale present similar psychometric characteristics than the American and Spanish versions. CONCLUSION: This is the first study in Argentina with the objective of CAP adaptation and validation. The discriminant and predictive capability of the Abuse Scale are promising for Argentina. However, complementary studies with different samples are needed in order to obtain reliable data and a preliminary version of the Inventory.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Cost-effectiveness of influenza vaccination in high-risk children in Argentina.

OBJECTIVES: our study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of influenza vaccination in high-risk children in Argentina. METHODS: a decision analysis model was performed, using data from published and unpublished sources, to compare two strategies--to vaccinate or not to vaccinate. We simulated the expected consequences of vaccination on direct medical costs, related to disease management and indirect costs, related to lost parental working days (absenteeism). RESULTS: Using base-case assumptions vaccination of high-risk children aged 6 months to 15 years old, in Argentina (estimated cohort of 1184748) would prevent 207331 cases of influenza, resulting in a reduction of 58052 days of hospitalization and 207331 outpatient visits. Vaccination would lead to net savings of US$ 11894870 per vaccinated cohort (US$ 10.04 per vaccinated child). CONCLUSION: our economic analysis shows that in Argentina, routine vaccination of high-risk children against influenza would be cost saving for society.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Seroprevalence of bovine leukemia virus in dairy cattle in Argentina: comparison of sensitivity and specificity of different detection methods.

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is a retrovirus that induces a chronic infection in cattle, which develop in three possible pathological forms: asymptomatic course, persistent lymphocytosis (PL) and lymphosarcoma. Once infected, cattle remain virus carriers for life and start to show a serological reaction within a few weeks after infection. Eradication and control of the disease is based on early diagnostic and segregation of the carriers. The agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test has been the serological test of choice for routine diagnosis of serum samples. Nevertheless, in more recent years, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has replaced the AGID for large scale testing. Although Argentina has over 60 million cattle population, no nationwide studies have been conducted yet to determine the prevalence of the infection. To estimate the rate of BLV infection in dairy cattle in Argentina, a survey for specific antibodies in >10,000 serum samples from animals over 18 months old, belonging to 363 different herds from the largest dairy production areas of the country, was carried out in our laboratory, along 1999. For this purpose, we developed an ELISA to detect serum antibodies against the BLV virus. The cut-off of the ELISA was established over 339 serum samples, using polymerase chain reaction and southern blot (PCR-SB) as confirmatory test. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA was of 97.2 and 97.5%, respectively, while the local official AGID test showed a sensitivity of 79.7% and specificity of 99.0%. To know the seroprevalence of BLV on dairy herds, and also the incidence of the infection within the herd, the serological survey was based on individual serum samples. The results show that the prevalence of infected individuals is of 32.85%, while the percentage of infected herds, harboring one or more infected animals, is of 84%. These results indicate a medium level of seropositive animals when taken individually, but a high prevalence of infected farms, which has been notoriously increased in the last 15 years as shown when compared with previous data from particular geographic areas, indicating that BLV constitutes a serious sanitary problem for dairy producers in Argentina. They also indicate the poor sensitivity of the official AGID test used in the country.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Serotypes and Shiga toxin genotypes among Escherichia coli isolated from animals and food in Argentina and Brazil.

Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains isolated from animals and food in Argentina (n=44) and Brazil (n=20) were examined and compared in regard to their phenotypic and genotypic characteristics to evaluate their pathogenic potential. The clonal relatedness of STEC O157 isolates (n=22) was established by phage typing (PT) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). All O157 strains studied carried eae and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC)-hly sequences. In Argentina, these strains occurred both in cattle and meat, and 50% of them carried stx2/stx2vh-a genes, whereas in Brazil the O157 strains were isolated from animals, and most harbored the stx2vh-a sequence. At least 13 different O:H serotypes were identified among the non-O157 strains studied, with serotype O113:H21 being found in both countries. All but one non-O157 strains did not carry eae gene, but EHEC-hlyA gene was found in 85.7% of them, and the stx2 genotype was also more prevalent in Argentina than in Brazil (P<0.01), where stx1 alone or in association was most common (68.8%). One STEC strain isolated from a calf in Brazil harbored the new variant referred to as stx2-NV206. PFGE analysis showed that STEC O157 strains were grouped in four clusters. One Brazilian strain was considered possibly related (> or =80%) to Argentinean strains of cluster I. Differences in the pathogenic potential, especially in regard to serotypes and stx genotypes, were observed among the STEC strains recovered from animals and food in both countries.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗
PubMed2003

Provirus variants of bovine leukemia virus in naturally infected cattle from Argentina and Japan.

A serologic subgroup of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) has not been identified, whereas genetic diversity among BLVs has been reported by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). To investigate the distribution of BLV provirus variants, 42 isolates from Argentina and Japan were examined by nested PCR for a segment of the env gene, followed by DNA sequencing. The nucleotide sequences were compared with other previously characterized BLV variants from different geographical areas (Belgium, France, Italy, North America, Australia, Japan and Argentina). The majority of analyzed segments had a tendency for nucleotide substitution without changing the amino acid. The constructed phylogenetic tree showed the relations and differences between proviruses and within each one. Most of the samples in Argentina formed one cluster. The samples in Japan, except one, also formed one cluster and some of them showed high homology with the isolates from Australia and the USA. Considering the sequence analysis of env PCR products of all Japanese and Argentine samples and comparing them with the other previously isolated sequences, the variation was up to 3.5% and was characterized geographically in each area.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Distribution of IS900 restriction fragment length polymorphism types among animal Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis isolates from Argentina and Europe.

Sixty-one Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis isolates from cattle and deer from the Buenos Aires province, an important livestock region in Argentina, were typed by restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) analysis based on IS900. Four different RFLP patterns (designated 'A', 'B', 'C' and 'E') were identified in BstEII digests of genomic DNA. The most frequently observed type, pattern 'A', was found in 46 isolates (75%). The second, pattern 'E', included 8 isolates (13%), while the third, pattern 'B', included 6 isolates (10%). Pattern 'C' was found for only one isolate. All of the deer isolates were classified as pattern 'A', while cattle isolates represented all four RFLP patterns. Twenty-one isolates representing the four different BstEII-RFLP patterns were digested with PstI. Twenty isolates showed identical PstI-RFLP pattern. BstEII-RFLP patterns from Argentine cattle and deer were compared with patterns found in cattle, goat, deer, rabbit, and human isolates from Europe. The most common pattern in Argentina, pattern 'A', was identical to a less frequently occurring pattern R9 (C17) from Europe. The other Argentine patterns 'B', 'C' and 'E', were not found in the Europe. These results indicate that the distribution of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis genotypes in the Buenos Aires province of Argentina is different from that found in Europe.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Prevalence of hospital malnutrition in Argentina: preliminary results of a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the prevalence of malnutrition in a sample of hospitalized patients in Argentina. METHODS: A random population-based sample of 1000 inpatients in 38 hospitals in 17 cities of Argentina was selected and studied with the Subjective Global Assessment (physical examination plus questionnaire). RESULTS: Forty-seven percent of the participants were identified as having some degree of malnourishment, one-fourth of which was considered severe. Older males, especially those with cancer or infections, were at highest risk. Nutritional information was incorporated into the patients' charts in only 38.8% of cases, and fewer than 15% had records of usual or current weight and height. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that malnutrition among hospital inpatients in Argentina is common and that the patients' nutrition status is largely unrecognized and neglected in their hospital charts.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Antibodies to Trypanosoma cruzi among blood donors in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was to study the prevalence of anti-Trypanosoma cruzi in the blood donor population in Buenos Aires, to compare the relative sensitivity and specificity of the two screening tests used and to confirm the results with a third assay. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between May 1995 and July 1999, 64,887 blood donor consecutive samples were screened with the following commercial tests: indirect hemagglutination (IHA) (Polychaco, Buenos Aires, Argentina) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (40,222 with Chagatek, Organon Teknika, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and 24,665 with Chagas EIA, Abbott, São Paulo, Brazil). Repeatedly reactive samples in one or both tests were analyzed with a third method: dot blot (Bio Chagas, Gador, Buenos Aires, Argentina) or particle agglutination (Serodia, Fujirebio, Tokyo, Japan). Sera that reacted in at least two tests were considered positive. RESULTS: The seroprevalence was 2.66% (1744 samples were reactive for one or both screening tests), and 1.46% (949 samples) were confirmed positive. The ELISAs proved to be more sensitive (relative sensitivity: 99.67-99.71%) whereas 192 samples (0.47%) were IHA false-negatives (relative sensitivity: 79.77%). Relative specificity for EIA was 98.47--99.23% and for IHA 99.85%. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest the need of performing two screening tests for Chagas disease in blood banks from endemic areas and the importance of a third confirmatory assay to avoid unnecessary medical counseling.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Paediatric oncology in Argentina: medical and ethical issues.

The process of globalisation is affecting health and health care in Argentina, as it is in many other countries. The full extent of this effect is still unclear, but winners and losers in the world economy are emerging--not only different countries, but also sectors or populations within those countries. There are serious inequalities in health-care provision in Argentina, so that not all children with cancer receive the best possible therapy. What happens to those children who don't? How do staff feel when they have to turn away new patients? Only by asking these questions and examining and understanding the answers can we begin the process of improving the status of paediatric oncology in Argentina.

Argentina↗
PubMed2005

Arsenic concentration in water and bovine milk in Cordoba, Argentina. Preliminary results.

The Chaco Pampean Plain of central Argentina constitutes one of the largest regions of high arsenic (As) groundwaters known, covering around 1 x 10(6) km2 (Smedley & Kinniburg, 2002; Farías et al. 2004). The high-As groundwaters are from Quaternary deposits of loess (mainly silt) with intermixed rhyolitic or dacitic volcanic ash (Nicolli et al. 1989, Smedley et al. 1998,2002). Early in the last century an endemic disease due to contamination of drinking water with arsenic was recognised. This disease is called HACRE (Hidroarsenicismo Crónico Regional Endémico, Chronic Endemic Regional Hydroarsenism) and is connected with a particular type of skin cancer (Astolfi et al. 1981). One of the most affected region is the province of Cordoba, where Nicolli et al. (1989) reported As concentrations that exceed the maximun level permitted for drinking water of 50 microg/l for 82% of the groundwater samples (n=60) of a study area comprising approximately 10000 km2. The southeast of Cordoba is an important milk production zone in Argentina, where dairy product consumption is up to 192 equivalent milk l/inhabitant/year. As a secretion of the mammary gland, milk can carry numerous xenobiotic substances, which constitute a technological risk factor for dairy products and above all for the health of the consumer (Licata et al. 2004). Nevertheless no studies on the incidence of high-As livestock drinking water in livestock health and its transfer to milk have been performed in Argentina. The aim of the present study was the determination of arsenic content in livestock drinking water and milk from dairy farms located in an area of high-As groundwaters, to analyse the relation between As uptake through water and its transfer to milk.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Terrorism in Argentina.

Major terrorist attacks in Argentina since 1990 have been limited to two bombings in Buenos Aires, which together caused 115 deaths and left at least 555 injured. Following these attacks, national, regional, and local institutions responsible for emergency response in Argentina sought to improve their planning and preparedness for terrorism-related events. In 1996, the national government enacted legislation, which launched the Sistema Federal de Emergencias (SIFEM) or Federal Emergency System under the direction of the president. Since 1997, several of Argentina's major cities have developed emergency plans for terrorism-related events, including intentional biological and chemical releases. Institutional participants in emergency preparedness for terrorism-related events include Emergency Medical Services, hospitals, and the public health system. Remaining challenges include: (1) Improving intra-agency coordination; (2) Improving intra-agency communication; and (3) Improving and expanding emergency response training programs for responders and the general population.

Argentina↗
PubMed1999

Composition of different bean varieties (Phaseolus vulgaris) of Northwestern Argentina (Region NOA): cultivation zone influence.

There have been prior investigations concerning the environmental effects and especially soil conditions upon the proximate analysis and mineral content of grains. However, the studies are not complete and have not involved beans grown in the northwestern regions of Argentina. For this reason, this study was initiated to determine the concentration of protein, moisture, ash, fat, and minerals of various bean samples grown in northwestern Argentina. Six varieties of beans were taken from seven different regions. AOAC standard methods were used for chemical analysis. The elements analyzed for all bean samples show that moisture varies from 12 to 14%, proteins from 18 to 22%, fat from 0.7 to 1.20%, copper from 0.8 to 1.20 mg/100 g, iron from 9 to 18 mg/100 g, zinc from 2.5 to 4 mg/100 g, and phosphorus from 295 to 542 mg/100 g. No arsenic was detected in the bean samples. Different analyzed bean varieties were significantly different for proximate composition and mineral content, and each variety from different regions of northwestern Argentina present significant differences.

Argentina↗
PubMed1997

Fungi associated with sorghum grain from Argentina.

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is an important cereal produced in and exported from Argentina. The risk of contamination by mycotoxins is related to the mycoflora associated with the sorghum grain. This paper reports on the identification of internal mycoflora of sorghum grain harvested in Argentina in 1991, 1992 and 1993, years with different total rainfall levels. A mycological survey was carried out on sorghum samples, from a location at the humid Argentinian pampa, using a Fusarium/dematiaceous fungi selective medium. The relative density of the prevalent fungal genera were statistically compared. Genus Fusarium was the most prevalent component of the internal seedborne mycoflora in the three harvest seasons. Genera Alternaria, Phoma, Penicillium and Aspergillus were also isolated. The predominant Fusarium was F. moniliforme and the most frequently isolated species of Alternaria, Phoma, Penicillium and Aspergillus were Alt. alternata. Pho. sorghima, Pen. funiculosum and Asp. flavus, respectively. This is the first report of the isolation of Fusarium napiforme in sorghum grain in Argentina.

Alternaria↗
PubMed2001

Risk factors for cutaneous melanoma: a case-control study in Argentina.

BACKGROUND: Although cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) is still a relatively rare neoplasm, incidence rates are increasing in many white populations worldwide. A case-control study was performed in Argentina to estimate the risk factors for CMM. METHODS: The study group comprised 101 hospital cases with histologically verified melanoma and 246 controls, frequency matched by age, sex, and hospital. Individuals were interviewed about demographic and constitutional factors and sun exposure history. RESULTS: The following risk factors were significant in the logistic analysis: nevi on arms (odds ratio (OR) = 6.3 for 20 or more), skin phototype (OR = 4.1 for type l or ll), holidays spent at the beach (OR = 4 for more than 6 weeks lifelong), fair skin tone (OR = 3.4), light eye color (OR = 2.8), sunburn before the age of 15 years (OR = 2.4), and participation in outdoor sports (OR = 3.2 for more than 5790 h accumulated in a lifetime). Occupational sun exposure was not related to CMM risk. Educational level, hair color, and the presence of freckles were not independent risk factors for CMM. CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors found for the studied population, with nearly 90% of the individuals born in Argentina and with nearly 50% with four southern European grandparents, were consistent with those described for other countries. This investigation has resulted in findings that may be of use in preparing actions to prevent CMM in Argentina; these should be directed at those individuals who present the above mentioned risk factors. These actions should include instructions to avoid excessive sun exposure, with the aim to reduce melanoma incidence.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Two new species of Nippostrongylinae (Nematoda: Trichostrongylina: Heligmonellidae) from the grey leaf-eared mouse Graomys griseoflavus (Sigmodontinae) in Argentina.

Two new species of Nippostrongylinae, Hassalstrongylus puntanus n. sp., and Stilestrongylus franciscanus n. sp. are described from the intestine of the grey leaf-eared mouse Graomys griseoflavus (Waterhouse, 1837) (Sigmodontinae) from the Province of San Luis, Argentina. Hassalstrongylus puntanus n. sp. is distinguished from the most closely related species H. dollfusi (Díaz-Ungría, 1963), a parasite of Mus musculus from Venezuela by longer rays 2, shorter rays 4, proximal half of the dorsal ray non-enlarged and a non-retractile female tail. Stilestrongylus franciscanus n. sp. is distinguished from the most closely related species S. flavescens Sutton & Durette-Desset, 1991, a parasite of Oryzomys flavescens from Argentina, by rays 2 and 3 diverging separately from common trunk of rays 2 to 6, and by right ray 3 arising from this trunk more distally than ray 6. Stilestrongylus azarai Durette-Desset & Sutton, 1985, a parasite of Akodon azarae from Buenos Aires, Argentina, was also found parasitizing G. griseoflavus, representing new host and locality records. Some additional morphological data for this species are also provided.

Animals↗