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PubMed1975

Ecologic studies of Venezuelan encephalitis virus in Peru during 1970-1971.

Venezuelan encephalitis (VE) virus has intermittently produced epidemics and equine epizootics on the dry Pacific coastal plain of Peru since at least the 1930's. However, evidence that the virus exists in the Amazon region of Peru to the east of the Andes mountains was not obtained until antibodies were found in human sera collected in 1965, and 10 strains of the virus were isolated in a forest near the city of Iquitos, Peru during February and March 1971. Eight strains came from mosquitoes and two from dead sentinel hamsters. Three hamsters exposed in forests near Iquitos developed VE virus antibodies suggesting that hamster-benign strains also exist there. Antibody tests of equine sera revealed no evidence that VE virus was actively cycling during the late 1950's or 1960's in southern coastal Peru, where equine epizootics had occurred in the 1930's and 1940's. In northern coastal Peru bordering Ecuador, antibodies were present in equine sera, presumably residual from the 1969 outbreak caused by subtype I virus, since neutralizing antibody titers were higher to subtype I virus than to subtypes III or IV. No VE virus was detected in this northern region during the dry season of 1970 by use of sentinel hamsters. The possibility is considered that VE epidemics and equine epizootics on the Pacific coast of Peru are caused by movements of virus in infected vertebrates traversing Andean passes or in infected vertebrates or mosquitoes carried in airplanes from the Amazon region.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Geographic variation in infant loss of maternal measles antibody and in prevalence of rubella antibody.

Maternal and cord measles and rubella antibodies were compared in 15 populations from Brazil, Ecuador, Chile, India, Jordan, Nigeria, South Africa, Taiwan, and the United States. Review of the literature concerning these countries showed that a higher proportion of children 6-12 months of age responded immunologically to measles vaccine in areas with low per capita product than in wealthier populations. The authors show that this difference reflects differences in maternal antibody titer and differences in efficiency of transport of measles immunity across the placenta. No variation in the half-life of passive measles immunity in the infant was found in comparing three geographic areas. When these biologic factors are fully evaluated, it should be possible to predict the response to be expected from vaccination at any particular age without directly testing the vaccine in children below and above generally recommended ages for vaccination. With regard to rubella, high antibody prevalence rates were found in most of the developing countries, as well as in the United States, and these countries are therefore unlikely to encounter widespread problems with congenital rubella. However, Taiwan, and all of four areas of Brazil have prevalence rates which are no higher than those which pertained in the United States prior to establishment of the rubella immunization program. The authors believe that protection of the infants in these countries is a matter of high priority, but that, if approached hastily, it could exacerbate the problem.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Genetic heterogeneity of yellow fever virus strains from Africa and the Americas.

Isolates of yellow fever (YF) virus from Africa (Senegambia, Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso) and from South America (Panama, Ecuador, Trinidad) were examined by oligonucleotide fingerprinting of the 40S genome RNA. Geographically isolated and epidemiologically unrelated viruses were very distinct. On the basis of the T1 oligonucleotide fingerprints of each isolate, four geographical variants (topotypes) of YF virus isolated within the same period of time have been established. The Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso topotypes were similar. In the Central African Republic, two variants could be found exhibiting 70 to 75% homology to one another. In South America, the three analysed strains exhibited only about 70% homology, but could be classified in the same topotype. The oligonucleotide fingerprints of the genome RNA offered a useful tool for the understanding of YF virus variability.

Aedes↗
PubMed1995

Long-term effects of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I treatment on serum IGFs and IGF binding proteins in adolescent patients with growth hormone receptor deficiency.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this investigation was to study the effect of relatively high dose IGF-I therapy given for several months, on serum levels of IGF-I, IGF-II and IGFBP-3, and on IGF-I pharmacokinetics in patients with growth hormone insensitivity due to GH receptor dysfunction. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Two adolescent subjects from Ecuador were treated with recombinant IGF-I at a dosage of 120 micrograms/kg s.c. twice daily, in combination with a GnRH analogue for 8 months. MEASUREMENTS: Serum was sampled at baseline and at 3-8 months, for determination of IGF-I, IGF-II and IGFBP-3 by radioimmunoassay, and for evaluation of IGFBPs and IGFBP-3 protease activity by Western ligand blot and protease assay, respectively. RESULTS: Peak serum IGF-I levels ranged from 272 to 492 micrograms/l. Mean serum IGF-II levels were decreased concurrently with the increase in IGF-I. Serum IGFBP-3 levels failed to rise with prolonged IGF-I treatment. There was no apparent change in the half-life of IGF-I during the treatment period. CONCLUSIONS: IGF-I administration does not increase serum levels of IGFBP-3 or significantly alter IGF-I pharmacokinetics.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Salivary apyrase in New World blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) and its relationship to onchocerciasis vector status.

Salivary gland apyrase is believed to be critical to blood-feeding in arthropod vectors. This enzyme was measured in six New World blackflies representing three taxonomic pairs of non-vectors and vectors of Onchocerca volvulus. In Simulium (Psilopelmia) ochraceum, a highly anthropophilic vector in Mexico and Guatemala, apyrase exhibited maximum activity between pH 8.0 and 9.0, mean 39.8 +/- 4.7 milliUnits/pair of gland equivalents (mU), and was enhanced when ATP was used as a substrate. In the zoophilic non-vector Simulium (Psilopelmia) bivittatum maximum activity was significantly less (5.1 +/- 0.7 mU) under all conditions examined. Preference for ADP or ATP as substrate was a function of the pH of the reaction for this species. Apyrase activity in Simulium (Simulium) metallicum Bellardi (29.5 +/- 11.5 mU), a zoophilic secondary vector in Mexico and Guatemala, resembled that of S. (Ps.) ochraceum (24.8 +/- 13.7 mU at pH 8.5) with ADP as substrate, but showed reduced activity with ATP. Both these Central American vectors had higher apyrase activity than found in Simulium (Notolepria) exiguum, a vector of O. volvulus in Ecuador and Colombia. However, maximum apyrase activity, measured at pH 8.0 with ADP as substrate, was greater in S. (N.) exiguum (10.9 +/- 0.6 mU) than in Simulium (Notolepria) gonzalezi (5.9 +/- 1.9 mU), a non-vector species widespread in Central America. Therefore, for the consubgeneric species pairs examined, a positive association was detected between higher concentrations of apyrase activity and their vector status for O.volvulus.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1993

Genetic differentiation of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) populations revealed by RAPD analysis.

In order to preserve and exploit the valuable genetic resources of tropical forest trees, such as cocoa, a systematic assessment of the available genetic variability is necessary. The approach we have used is based on a simple mini-prep DNA extraction procedure together with a polymerase-chain-reaction- (PCR)-based polymorphic assay procedure (RAPD). Twenty-five cocoa accessions: IMCs and PAs collected from Peru and LCTEENs collected from Ecuador, which are difficult to distinguish using morphological or biochemical descriptors, were uniquely fingerprinted using a minimum of three oligonucleotide primers. Analysis of the variability detected using RAPDs clearly discriminated between the geographical origin of the three cocoa populations. Partitioning of variability into within and between population components revealed that most variation was detected within a population. The potential of RAPD analysis to facilitate the rationalization of field gene banks and provide accurate estimates of diversity to allow optimization of collecting strategies is discussed.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Use of recombinant Onchocerca volvulus antigens for diagnosis and surveillance of human onchocerciasis.

The diagnostic value of ELISAs based on recombinant Onchocerca volvulus antigens OC 3.6 and OC 9.3 was evaluated with sera from endemic areas in West Africa, Guatemala and Ecuador. IgG assays were slightly more sensitive than those that detected IgG4, and the antigen combination was significantly more sensitive than either antigen alone (OC 3.6, 93%; OC 9.3, 84%, combined 98%). These assays were also evaluated with sera from 2 villages in the Onchocerciasis Control Programme area of West Africa including one village (Pendie) with recent recrudescence of infection and one (Niarba) where transmission had been interrupted for 15 years by vector control. The OC 3.6 IgG antibody assay was sensitive for new infections and exposure in Pendie; 24/24 (100%) of people with positive skin snips and 15/74 (20%) of sera from MF negative people had IgG antibodies to this antigen. In addition, antibodies to OC 3.6 often preceded the onset of skin snip positivity in Pendie. In contrast, IgG antibodies to OC 3.6 and OC 9.3 were rarely seen in children born during the 15 years since transmission was interrupted by vector control in Niarba. These encouraging results suggest that antibody assays based on OC 3.6 and OC 9.3 may be valuable tools for surveillance of onchocerciasis and also for monitoring the efficacy of control programmes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Prevalence of migraine in Latin America.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the 1-year point prevalence of migraine among residents > or =15 years old in 12 Latin American urban communities, and record medical consultation preferences of the identified migraineurs. BACKGROUND: Prevalence of migraine with or without aura in Latin American urban communities has not been established by large-scale population studies. METHODS: A validated face-to-face interview questionnaire based on International Headache Society criteria was completed for all headache sufferers within selected households, in a cross-sectional study. The randomly selected populations were representative of urban communities from the six participating Latin American countries. The questionnaire used was identical in each of the six participating countries. RESULTS: Of the 8618 people available for screening, 62% reported headache and 2637 completed interview questionnaires. Age-adjusted 1-year prevalence of migraine with or without aura for each country was (female/male, %): Argentina 6.1/3.8, Brazil 17.4/7.8, Colombia 13.8/4.8, Ecuador 13.5/2.9, Mexico 12.1/3.9, and Venezuela 12.2/4.7. Migraine prevalence was highest in women aged 30 to 50 years. In the year prior to the study, 42% of individuals interviewed and identified with migraine reported consulting a health professional about their headaches, most frequently (14%) a general practitioner. No previous diagnosis of migraine was reported by 65% of individuals with headache. CONCLUSIONS: In agreement with previous epidemiologic reports, migraine is also a common disorder in Latin American urban communities and predominantly affects women aged 30 to 50 years. Consultation preferences are also similar to those of previous reports.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Epilepsy in developing countries.

On June 6th and 7th, 1996, an international workshop on specific aspects of epilepsy in the developing world was organized in Geneva by the chairman of the ILAE Commission of Epilepsy in Developing Countries, P. Jallon, involving members of the ILAE, the World Health Organization (WHO), and a network of people who work with epilepsy patients in developing countries. Those taking part included all the members of the ILAE Commission on Epilepsy in Developing Countries, the chairmen of the ILAE Commissions on Tropical Diseases, Epidemiology, Education, Economics, and Drugs, as well as the president, treasurer, and past president of the ILAE; and the president of the IBE, Hanneke de Boer. There were representatives from Eastern European countries (Russia, Slovenia, Turkey), South America (Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, Ecuador, Venezuela), Africa (Ethiopia, Senegal, South Africa, Togo, Tunisia), and Asia (India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, The Philippines and China). Representatives from WHO joined the meeting on the last day (Drs. L. Prilipko, A. Janca, and C. L. Bolis). Three major topics were considered--epidemiology, medical assessment, and therapeutic aspects as well as some economic and social aspects of the disease. A second mission of this meeting was to work with WHO representatives to develop a program for action to care for people with epilepsy in these countries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Progressive gastrointestinal histoplasmosis leading to colonic obstruction two years after initial presentation.

A 37-yr-old man from Ecuador presented with abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. Endoscopy revealed duodenal histoplasmosis. The patient improved with antifungal therapy but was readmitted 2 yr later with diarrhea and fever. Colonoscopy revealed histoplasmosis lesions, including a constricting transverse colon lesion. The patient refused surgery and died of colonic perforation. We discuss the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal histoplasmosis in this report.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

HLA class II alleles in Amerindian populations: implications for the evolution of HLA polymorphism and the colonization of the Americas.

The analysis of HLA allele frequencies in various Amerindian populations may shed light on the history of human migrations in the Americas; the overall reduction in the number of alleles relative to non-Amerindian populations and the observation that the same alleles and allelic lineages are "missing" in all Amerindian groups suggests an "Into America" population bottleneck. The identification of previously unreported (and presumably newly arisen) HLA-DRB1 alleles among isolated Amerindian groups, (DRB*0417 in Argentina, *08042 in Ecuador, DRB1*0807 in Brazil, and *0811 in Canada) suggests that these alleles may have been generated since the colonization of the Americas (about 20-30,000 years ago). These observations are difficult to reconcile with the notion, based on the analysis of exon-2 sequences, that most of the human DRB1 alleles are "ancient", that is, predate the divergence of the hominoids (4-7 myr). Recent analyses of DRB1 intron sequences, however, indicate that, although most of the allelic lineages are ancient, the alleles within a lineage (> 90% of the DRB1 alleles) have arisen relatively recently. For DRB1*0807, presumably generated by an Asp to Val change (GAT to GTT) at codon 57, strong selective pressures appear to be in operation, based on the high frequency (23%), and linkage disequilibrium patterns of this allele. The analysis of a complex microsatellite in the second intron in the Ticuna is consistent with the notion that the new Amerindian DR8 alleles arose from DRB1*0802, the only DR8 allele observed in most Amerindian populations.

Alleles↗
PubMed1999

Natural history of growth hormone receptor deficiency.

This review discusses the natural history of growth hormone receptor deficiency (GHRD) in relation to epidemiology, mortality, growth, certain aspects of body composition, and intellectual development. The majority of affected individuals are of Semitic origin and 90% come from the Indian peninsula, the Middle East, or elsewhere in the Mediterranean. There is a twofold increased mortality before the age of 7 years for children with GHRD. Affected adults may have increased cardiovascular risk resulting from increased total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, unrelated to adiposity or insulin resistance. Intrauterine growth is affected minimally, if at all. Within a genetically homogeneous population in Ecuador, postnatal growth effects are as variable as in a large genetically heterogeneous population. There is no influence of parental heights. Areal bone mineral density is reduced in adults with GHRD, but estimated volumetric bone density (bone mineral apparent density) is normal. Intellectual development is unaffected by GHRD.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

International approach to eradication and surveillance for foot-and-mouth disease in the Americas.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was introduced into the Americas in 1870. At that time the disease was described simultaneously in the North coast of the United States of North America, the Province of Buenos Aires in Argentina, the central region of Chile, Uruguay, and South Brazil. At the beginning of the twentieth century the disease spread to the rest of Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Perú. In 1950 the disease was introduced into Venezuela, and in the same year to Colombia, and from there to Ecuador. The United States of America eradicated an outbreak of FMD in 1929. Outbreaks of FMD were also eradicated from Mexico in 1947 and from Canada in 1952. The last outbreak that occurred in Mexico in 1954 was also eradicated. In 1951 the Americas Animal Health Authorities decided to establish a Pan-American Foot-and-Mouth Disease Center (PANAFTOSA), initially as a special program within the American States Organization (OAS). The center was later transferred to the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO). In the early 1970s PANAFTOSA developed a proposal for a continental surveillance system for vesicular diseases, which was approved by Agriculture Ministers at an International Meeting for FMD and Zoonoses (RICAZ). Since then, PANAFTOSA dedicated all efforts to collaborate with each country in the implementation of the system and to receive, analyze, and distribute a weekly report of vesicular diseases. The model was elaborated using coordinate grid maps, one for the South American Continent, others for each country in the region. The reports from each country consist of the grid location for any suspicious outbreak of vesicular disease. Using the information gathered during visits to the countries, as well as weekly reports, and by studying the most frequent animal movements within the region, PANAFTOSA developed a proposal for FMD eradication. This plan was approved by the Government of South America and implemented in cooperation with PANAFTOSA. The hemispheric plan for FMD eradication (PHEFA), has been implemented and today Chile and Uruguay are FMD free without vaccination; Argentina, Paraguay, and the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina in Brazil are also recognized by the OIE to be FMD Free, with vaccination. The use of the continental surveillance system is the main strategy for achieving the eradication of FMD in South America. At this time PANAFTOSA is working to improve the system, and to add other diseases indicated by the governments of the Americas.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The novel cuticular collagen Ovcol-1 of Onchocerca volvulus is preferentially recognized by immunoglobulin G3 from putatively immune individuals.

The cDNA sequence encoding an Onchocerca volvulus collagen, Ovcol-1, has been isolated and the corresponding native antigen has been identified. The cDNA encodes an open reading frame of 96 amino acid residues containing an uninterrupted 66-residue Gly-X-Y repeat triple-helical (TH) domain (where X and Y may be any amino acids) flanked by a 26-residue amino non-TH domain and a 4-residue carboxyl non-TH domain. The size (9.7 kDa) and structure of the deduced molecule are unique among previously identified collagen chains. This novel collagen type has been designated "mini-chain collagen." Native Ovcol-1 is aqueous soluble and resolves by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at 14.2 kDa under reducing conditions. Immunoelectron microscopy of adult female O. volvulus localized Ovcol-1 to the cuticles of both the adult worm and uterine microfilaria. A group of individuals from an area in Ecuador where O. volvulus is hyperendemic have been classified as putatively immune (PI) to O. volvulus infection. Analysis of the humoral immune responses to Ovcol-1 demonstrated that immunoglobulin G3 (IgG3) of PI individuals preferentially recognized this antigen in comparison to IgG3 of infected individuals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

Comparison of the susceptibilities of Candida spp. to fluconazole and voriconazole in a 4-year global evaluation using disk diffusion.

From June 1997 to December 2001, results of in vitro susceptibility tests of yeast isolates from 35 countries were collected. For 2001 alone, fluconazole results were reported for 22,111 yeast isolates from 77 institutions in 30 countries. Of these isolates, 18,569 were also tested for susceptibility to voriconazole. All study sites tested clinical yeast isolates by recently endorsed NCCLS disk diffusion method M44-P. Disk test plates were automatically read and results were recorded with the BIOMIC Image Analysis System. Species, drug, zone diameter, susceptibility category, MIC, and quality control results were electronically submitted by e-mail quarterly for analysis. Duplicate test results (same patient and same species with same sensitivity-resistance profile and biotype results during any 7-day period) and uncontrolled test results were eliminated from this analysis. The proportion of Candida albicans isolates decreased from 69.7% in 1997 to 1998 to 63.0% in 2001, and this decrease was accompanied by a concomitant increase in C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis. The susceptibility (susceptible [S]or susceptible-dose dependent [S-DD]) of C. albicans isolates to fluconazole was virtually unchanged, from 99.2% in 1997 to 99% in 2001; the C. glabrata response to fluconazole was unchanged, from 81.5% S or S-DD in 1997 to 81.7% in 2001, although the percentage of resistant isolates from blood and upper respiratory tract samples appeared to increase over the study period; the percentage of S C. parapsilosis isolates decreased slightly, from 98% S or S-DD in 1997 to 96% in 2001; and the percentage of S isolates of C. tropicalis increased slightly, from 95.7% in 1997 to 96.9% in 2001. The highest rate of resistance to fluconazole among C. albicans isolates was noted in Ecuador (7.6%, n = 250). Results from this investigation indicate that the susceptibility of yeast isolates to fluconazole has changed minimally worldwide over the 4.5-year study period and that voriconazole demonstrated 10- to 100-fold greater in vitro activity than fluconazole against most yeast species.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed1994

Evolution of alphaviruses in the eastern equine encephalomyelitis complex.

Evolution of viruses in the eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) complex was studied by analyzing RNA sequences and oligonucleotide fingerprints from isolates representing the North and South American antigenic varieties. By using homologous sequences of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus as an outgroup, phylogenetic trees revealed three main EEE virus monophyletic groups. A North American variety group included all isolates from North America and the Caribbean. One South American variety group included isolates from the Amazon basin in Brazil and Peru, while the other included strains from Argentina, Guyana, Ecuador, Panama, Trinidad, and Venezuela. No evidence of heterologous recombination was obtained when three separate regions of the EEE virus genome were analyzed independently. Estimates of the overall rate of EEE virus evolution (nucleotide substitution) were 1.6 x 10(-4) substitution per nucleotide per year for the North American group and 4.3 x 10(-4) for the Argentina-Panama South American group. Evolutionary rate estimates for the North American group increased over 10-fold (from about 2 x 10(-5) to 4 x 10(-4)) concurrent with divergence of two monophyletic groups during the early 1970s. The North and South American antigenic varieties diverged roughly 1,000 years ago, while the two main South American groups diverged about 450 years ago. Analysis of multiple strains isolated from an upstate New York transmission focus during the same years suggested that, in certain locations, EEE virus may be relatively isolated for short time periods.

Antigens, Viral↗
PubMed1997

Repeated emergence of epidemic/epizootic Venezuelan equine encephalitis from a single genotype of enzootic subtype ID virus.

Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) epidemics and equine epizootics occurred periodically in the Americas from the 1920s until the early 1970s, when the causative viruses, subtypes IAB and IC, were postulated to have become extinct. Recent outbreaks in Columbia and Venezuela have renewed interest in the source of epidemic/epizootic viruses and their mechanism of interepizootic maintenance. We performed phylogenetic analyses of VEE virus isolates spanning the entire temporal and geographic range of strains available, using 857-nucleotide reverse transcription-PCR products including the E3 and E2 genes. Analyses indicated that epidemic/epizootic viruses are closely related to four distinct, enzootic subtype ID-like lineages. One of these lineages, which occurs in Columbia, Peru, and Venezuela, also included all of the epidemic/epizootic isolates; the remaining three ID-like lineages, which occur in Panama, Peru, Florida, coastal Ecuador, and southwestern Columbia, were apparently not associated with epizootic VEE emergence. Within the Columbia/Peru/Venezuela lineage, three distinct monophyletic groups of epidemic/epizootic viruses were delineated, indicating that VEE emergence has occurred independently at least three times (convergent evolution). Representative, complete E2 amino acid sequences were compared to identify potential determinants of equine virulence and epizootic emergence. Amino acids implicated previously in laboratory mouse attenuation generally did not vary among the natural isolates that we examined, indicating that they probably are not involved in equine virulence changes associated with VEE emergence. Most informative amino acids correlated with phylogenetic relationships rather than phenotypic characteristics, suggesting that VEE emergence has resulted from several distinct combinations of mutations that generate viruses with similar antigenic and equine virulence phenotypes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

Is there a familial link between Down's syndrome and neural tube defects? Population and familial survey.

OBJECTIVE: To verify whether Down's syndrome and neural tube defects arise more often in the same family than expected by chance. DESIGN: Population and familial survey. SETTING: Network of maternity hospitals in the Latin American collaborative study of congenital malformations (ECLAMC) in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela between 1982 and 2000. PROBANDS: 2421 cases of neural tube defects, 952 of hydrocephalus, and 3095 of Down's syndrome registered from a total of 1 583 838 live births and stillbirths. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Observed number of cases of Down's syndrome among siblings of probands with a neural tube defect or hydrocephalus and number expected on the basis of maternal age; observed number of cases of neural tube defects or hydrocephalus among siblings of probands with Down's syndrome and number expected according to the prevalence in the same population. RESULTS: Five cases of Down's syndrome occurred among 5404 pregnancies previous to a case of neural tube defect or hydrocephalus, compared with 5.13 expected after adjustment by maternal age. Twelve cases of neural tube defect or hydrocephalus occurred among 8066 pregnancies previous to a case of Down's syndrome, compared with 17.18 expected on the basis of the birth prevalence for neural tube defects plus hydrocephalus in the same population. CONCLUSION: No association occurred between families at risk of neural tube defects and those at risk of Down's syndrome.

Down Syndrome↗