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Detection of an atypical rotavirus associated with diarrhoea in Chaco, Argentina.

Recently some unusual human and animal rotaviruses have been described which, although indistinguishable from standard rotaviruses by electron microscopy (EM), fail to react with antibody directed against the rotavirus group antigen. The genome of these viruses is composed of 11 double-stranded (ds) RNA segments; these RNA segments display different patterns when analysed by means of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The electrophoretic profile of the ds RNA segments of those human, antigenically different, viruses reported up to now appear to fit into two different patterns. Faecal samples from children with diarrhoea from different geographical areas of Argentina were evaluated for the presence of rotaviruses, using EM, ELISA and PAGE. During this survey a rotavirus-like agent was detected in the faeces of a child with diarrhoea from Chaco province, North-East Argentine. The pattern of the ds RNA segment of this virus on PAGE analysis appeared to be related to one of the atypical rotaviruses. This is the first description of such a virus strain in Argentina.

Antigens, Viral↗

Sylvatic American trypanosomiasis in Argentina. Trypanosoma cruzi infection in mammals from the Chaco forest in Santiago del Estero.

Trypanosoma cruzi infection in sylvatic mammals of the quebracho woods of the eastern part of Santiago del Estero province, Argentina, was studied from October 1984 to December 1987. 301 mammals of 20 different species were caught. T. cruzi, characterized biologically and biochemically, was isolated by xenodiagnosis from 23 of 72 (32%) Didelphis albiventris opposums, 2/36 (5.5%) Conepatus chinga skunks, and one ferret (Galictis cuja). 53 opossum refuges were located and triatomine bugs were found in 2 of them: one male Triatoma infestans, infected with T. cruzi, and 5 uninfected nymphs of T. sordida, had all fed on opossum blood. Electrophoretic zymogram patterns of the T. cruzi populations isolated from opossums and skunks were similar to isoenzyme profiles already described for populations isolated from infected humans in Argentina. The small number of triatomines found in the opossum refuges seems inadequate to account for the prevalence of T. cruzi infection recorded for these mammals, so other possible contaminative routes of infection should be investigated.

Animals↗

Trypanosoma cruzi isolates from Argentina and Chile grouped with the aid of DNA probes.

Fifty-two isolates and several clones from Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas' disease, were analyzed using cloned minicircles or total kinetoplast DNA as probes. Isolates were obtained from triatomines, guinea pigs and infected humans in the Central and Northern regions of Argentina and the North of Chile. 35% of all the randomly selected isolates could be identified with one cloned minicircle probe. This widely distributed T. cruzi group was detected on both sides of the Andes mountain range (Argentina and Chile) in Triatoma infestans as well as in human infections. Most of the other isolates could be grouped with four kinetoplast DNAs as probes, but their geographical distribution seems to be restricted as compared with the one mentioned above. These results confirm the heterogeneity of T. cruzi subspecies in nature and the usefulness of DNA probes to group them.

Animals↗

Argentina: a mature urbanization pattern.

"This article describes the historical development of Argentina's cities, pointing out the traditional dominance of the 'centre-litoral' region and...[of] Buenos Aires. Recent trends such as the population increase in the southern region are described and demographic trends are related to economic developments. The article concludes by examining Argentina's contemporary urban patterns, including the current low rate of urbanization."

Americas↗

Serological and biochemical analysis of foot-and-mouth disease virus (serotype C3) isolated in Argentina between 1981 and 1986.

The evolution in the field is described for foot-and-mouth disease viruses belonging to serotype C3 in Argentina between 1981 and 1986. During 1981 and 1982 only three isolations of this serotype took place, which showed minor serological and biochemical variations from the prototype strain C3 Resende-Brasil/55. At the beginning of 1983 an outbreak was detected in a restricted geographical region caused by strains which had important serological and biochemical differences from the prototype strain. However, revaccination of the animals with the available commercial vaccine was sufficient to control the disease. During 1984 and up to 1986, a new outbreak of the same serotype took place in an extended geographical region of Argentina. During this outbreak, two field strains were isolated, studied and later included in the vaccine. One of them, strain C84, was a serological variant of the prototype strain and its inclusion in the vaccine had only a limited effect in controlling the disease. Inclusion of the other representative strain, C85, together with virus C84 finally reduced the number of outbreaks to the usual number reported.

Animals↗

Cystic echinococcosis in Argentina: evolution of metacestode and clinical expression in various Echinococcus granulosus strains.

Echinococcus granulosus hydatid cysts were examined in 41 patients from Neuquén and Tucumán provinces in Argentina. Sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) revealed in 19 patients common sheep strain (G1), in 6 patients Tasmania sheep strain (G2), in 1 patient cattle strain (G5), and in 15 patients camel strain (G6). In Argentina the only known is the domestic cycle that affects dogs and herbivorous, including ovine, swine, cattle and goats. These strains produced a total of 58.6% of primary liver infections, 29.2% primary in lung, 2.4% primary in spleen and 9.8% were multiorgan abdominal infections. The metacestode was classified using the evolutive stages proposed by WHO-IWGE (from CE1 to CE5). We estimated that CE1 cyst has a duration of about 22 years, CE2 of 14 years, CE3 of 10 years, CE4 of 19 years and CE5 was not determined. The active types CE1 and CE2 reached 75% of all cases from all strains. In 36 patients with cysts from G1, G5 and G6 strain, there were only two asymptomatic cases. The strains of the E. granulosus complex do not present important clinical differences; only G6 seems to have higher growth rate.

Adolescent↗

Natural infection of Lutzomyia neivai with Leishmania spp. in northwestern Argentina.

The natural infection of Lutzomyia neivai with Leishmania in the endemic area of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) in northwestern Argentina was analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-hybridization technique. Phlebotominae sand flies were captured in the provinces of Tucumán and Salta between 1999 and 2003. From a sample of 440 Lu. neivai females analysed for the detection of the Leishmania (Viannia) and Leishmania (Leishmania) subgenera, 9.1% of the samples resulted infected with a parasite of the subgenus Viannia and none with the Leishmania. This is the first report of naturally infected sand flies in Argentina besides the first report of infected Lu. neivai sensu strictu. Our results contributed to further incrimination of this specie as vector of leishmaniasis in the area and the identification of the main circulating parasite as belonging to the Leishmania (Viannia) subgenera.

Animals↗

Exposure to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs among older adult patients hospitalized for peptic ulcer disease in Argentina: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the association between exposure to nonselective NSAIDs and hospitalization for peptic ulcer disease (PUD) among older adults in Argentina. METHODS: This was a case-control study based on the medical records of 5 hospitals in Buenos Aires. Cases were patients aged > or =50 years and hospitalized with PUD between 1997 and 2002 who were identified by mode of presentation (acute abdominal pain, vomiting, hematemesis, melena, shock, and asymptomatic anemia, or admission for an unknown reason and a discharge diagnosis related to upper gastrointestinal complications). Controls were hospitalized patients without PUD and were matched to cases (1:1) by age, sex, and admission date. NSAID exposure was defined as the use of NSAIDs during the year before admission. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between exposure to nonselective NSAIDs and hospitalizations for PUD, after adjusting for predictors. Subgroup analyses were conducted on patients with severe PUD, moderate PUD, and those whose PUD was confirmed by endoscopy. RESULTS: The study included 324 cases and 324 matched controls. The mean patient age was 74 years. The discharge diagnoses indicated severe PUD in 46.3% (150/324), moderate PUD in 49.4% (160/324), and mild PUD in 4.3% (14/324) of cases. NSAID exposure was associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for PUD (odds ratio [OR], 5.20; 95% CI, 3.31-8.15). Risk was also increased for severe PUD (OR, 4.24; 95% CI, 2.29-7.87) and moderate PUD (OR, 6.08; 95% CI, 3.09-11.96). A history of upper gastrointestinal complications was independently associated with hospitalization for PUD (OR, 14.62; 95% CI, 6.70-31.91). CONCLUSIONS: Use of nonselective NSAIDs is a significant risk factor for PUD-related hospitalizations among older adults in Argentina. The magnitude of the risk ratio resembles that reported for developed countries.

Age Factors↗

Assessment of insecticide contamination in runoff and stream water of small agricultural streams in the main soybean area of Argentina.

The first- and second-order streams, Brown and Horqueta, respectively, which are located in the main area of soybean production in Argentina were examined for insecticide contamination caused by runoff from nearby soybean fields. The insecticides most widely used in Argentina (chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin and endosulfan) were detected in sediments, suspended particles and water. Highest concentrations in suspended particles were 318 microg/kg for endosulfan in the stream Horqueta, while 226 microg/kg chlorpyrifos and 13.2 microg/kg cypermethrin were measured in the stream Brown. In the Horqueta stream 150 and 53 microg/kg chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin were detected in runoff sediments, respectively. Whereas cypermethrin concentrations in the suspended particles were relatively low, levels in the floodwater of Brown reached 0.7 microg/l. The highest chlorpyrifos concentration in floodwater was 0.45 microg/l in Brown. However, endosulfan was not detected in the water phase. In runoff water the highest concentrations measured were 0.3 microg/l for chlorpyrifos in Horqueta and 0.49 microg/l for cypermethrin in the Brown stream. On five sampling dates during the pesticide application period in Brown stream (2002/2003) the concentration of chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin in runoff and/or floodwater exceeded the water quality criteria for freshwater mentioned in this study. In three cases this insecticide concentration was measured in stream water, indicating an acute risk to aquatic life. The acute toxicity-exposure-ratio (TER) for chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin also shows an acute risk for aquatic invertebrates in the Brown stream. In the Horqueta chlorpyrifos concentrations in the runoff exceeded the safety levels three times during the application period (2001/2002), potentially endangering the aquatic fauna. Effects on aquatic macroinvertebrates after insecticide contamination were reported in earlier studies in Horqueta stream.

Agriculture↗

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in healthy young beef steers from Argentina: prevalence and virulence properties.

Between July 1999 and December 2000, the prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) was established in 200 Argentine healthy young beef steers (14-16 months old) grown under local production systems with a feed grain period of 3-4 months, and the STEC strains isolated were examined in regard to their phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. Stool samples (n = 70) and rectal swabs (n = 130) were taken at the slaughterhouse level. By polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Shiga toxin (stx) gene sequences were detected in 69% of the samples. Eighty-six STEC strains were isolated from 39% of the animals. Serogroups identified, in order of frequency, were: O8 (16 strains), O113 (14), O103 (5), O91 (4), O171 (3), O174 (3), O25 (2), O112 (2), O145 (2), O2, O11, O104, O121, O128, O143, O146, O157. The most frequent serotype isolated was O8:H19 (12.9%). A total of 17 serotypes, including E. coli O157:H7 found in one animal (0.5%), have been previously associated with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), bloody and non-bloody diarrhea in different countries, including Argentina. The prevalent genotype isolated was stx2 (51 of 86, 59.3%). Subtyping of stx2 variants showed the prevalence of stx2vh-b (25.6%) and stx2vh-a types (24.4%), and revealed the presence of an atypical stx2-v. Only 7.0% of STEC strains carried eae, and 33.7% harbored EHEC-hlyA gene. The full virulent genotype (stx/eae/EHEC-hlyA) was found to be present in 4 of the 86 (4.7%) STEC strains isolated. This research indicates that young steers from the main beef-producing area of Argentina are an important reservoir of STEC strains; however, its importance as agents of human diseases in our country has still to be established.

Abattoirs↗

Human papillomavirus type 16 molecular variants in Guarani Indian women from Misiones, Argentina.

OBJECTIVE: To identify human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) E6 and L1 molecular variants infecting Guarani Indian women settled in Misiones, Argentina, a region with a high prevalence of cervical cancer. Some intratypic molecular variants of HPV16 have been associated with greater oncogenic risk, but their implication in the etiology of cervical cancer is still uncertain. METHODS: Seventy HPV16 positive cervical samples from Guarani Indian women settled in two different areas of Misiones, Argentina, (34 from the northern area and 36 from the central area), were analyzed. Thirty-seven had normal cytology, 18 had a low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LGSIL), and 15 a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HGSIL). HPV16 E6 and L1 molecular variants were identified by PCR, followed by dot blot hybridization with 23 and 12 biotinylated oligonucleotide probes, respectively. RESULTS: The frequency of HPV16 variants over the Guarani population was 51% EP (European prototype), 32% E-350G, 9% Af1-a (African 1), 4% E-6862C, 3% Af2-a, and 1% AA-a (Asian-American). The distribution of variants was not homogeneous in the two areas under analysis, with the northern area being more diverse showing 74% of European variants, while the central area presented exclusively E variants. No statistically significant association was found between any particular variant and grade of cervical lesion. CONCLUSION: This study reports for the first time HPV16 E6 and L1 molecular variants infecting women from an aboriginal community inhabiting a rainforest region of South America. The presence of E class variants could be attributed primarily to contacts with the Spanish conquerors, and Af variants from African slaves introduced later in the South American continent.

Adolescent↗

Detection of Citrus psorosis virus in the northwestern citrus production area of Argentina by using an improved TAS-ELISA.

Citrus Psorosis in Argentina is a serious disease. Citrus is produced in two regions located in the northeast (NE) and northwest (NW) area of the country. These two areas have different climates and soil types, and therefore different citrus species and varieties are cultivated. In the NE region, Psorosis is epidemic, and in the NW region, the disease was described on several occasions since 1938, but it is not observed commonly in the orchards. Recently, trees with symptoms of Psorosis were observed in the Tucumán and Salta Provinces located in the NW region. Epidemiological studies in Argentina and Texas suggested that the disease is spread naturally by an unknown vector. The causal agent of the disease is the Citrus psorosis virus (CPsV), which can be detected by TAS-ELISA, RT-PCR and indicator plants. A new more rapid TAS-ELISA-HRP (horseradish peroxidase) is described which is more reliable, faster and more sensitive than the currently used for this virus, the TAS-ELISA-AP (alkaline phosphatase). Psorosis was detected by this improved method in few trees in the orchards of the Tucumán Province, in the NW citrus region, although natural spread does not seem to occur.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from humans, bovine subclinical mastitis and food samples in Argentina.

The aim of the present study was to characterize genotypically 45 Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from humans, bovine subclinical mastitis and food samples in Argentina by rep-PCR and PCR amplification of virulence genes. Resistances to various antibiotics could be observed for the human S. aureus, less pronounced for the bovine strains, but not for the eight S. aureus isolated from food samples. The strains could be classified genotypically by rep-PCR and by amplification of the genes encoding protein A, coagulase, clumping factor, the collagen adhesin domains A and B, capsular polysaccharide 5 and 8, the accessory gene regulator agr classes I to III, and the S. aureus gene regulator sae. rep-PCR analyses and the different gene patterns revealed that the strains could be divided into seven groups mostly matching with the origin of the isolates. The present study describes genotypic variations of S. aureus strains isolated from different origins in Argentina. The study provides a valuable insight into molecular specificities of this important pathogen.

Animals↗

Trichostrongylina (Nematoda) parasitic in Phyllotis sp. (Rodentia: Sigmodontinae) from Argentina, with description of three new species.

The Trichostrongylina parasitic in the leaf-eared mouse Phyllotis sp. (Sigmodontinae) from the Province of Catamarca, Argentina are studied. Three new species of Stilestrongylus Freitas, Lent and Almeida, 1937 (Heligmosomoidea: Heligmonellidae: Nippostrongylinae) are described. Stilestrongylus andalgala n. sp. is distinguished from the most closely related species S. moreli Diaw, 1976 parasitic in Auliscomys boliviensis from Bolivia, by the absence of a common trunk of right rays 2 and 3, by left ray 4 shorter than ray 5, and by the shape of the female tail, without a mucron. Stilestrongylus catamarca n. sp. is distinguished from all the other species in the genus by hypertrophied rays 2, larger than rays 3, and from the closely related species Stilestrongylus barusi Durette-Desset, 1971, parasitic in Sigmodontomys alfari from Colombia, by right ray 4 longer than ray 5 and left ray 4 shorter than ray 5, by a larger spicule length/body length ratio (22.6% vs. 7.2%), and by the presence of a mucron on the female tail. Stilestrongylus gracielae n. sp. most closely resembles Stilestrongylus azarai Durette-Desset and Sutton, 1985, parasitic in Akodon azarae and in Graomys griseoflavus, and Stilestrongylus franciscanus Digiani and Durette-Desset, 2003, also parasitic in G. griseoflavus, both from Argentina. These latter differ from the new species by the right lobe of the caudal bursa: in S. azarai rays 4, 5 and 6 arise at same level from their common trunk and in S. franciscanus right rays 4 and 5 diverge at their distal extremity. Lamanema chavezi Becklund, 1963 (Molineoidea: Molineinae), a parasite of South American camelids, is reported in rodents for the second time.

Animals↗

Asthma mortality, inhaled steroids, and changing asthma therapy in Argentina (1990-1999).

BACKGROUND: The asthma managing strategy has evolved and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are now the cornerstone of asthma treatment. Their effect on symptoms and exacerbations are well ascertained, whereas their effects on asthma mortality are still matter of debate. This ecological study evaluated asthma mortality rates and drug sales in the decade 1990-1999 in Argentina. METHODS: Mortality (overall and adjusted for 5-34 years) was obtained from the Argentinean Epidemiological Institute, and data on the sales of antiasthma drugs were provided by the International Marketing Survey. RESULTS: There was a significant change in drug sales in the spanned period: ICS +479%, inhaled beta2 agonists +32%, theophylline -63%. The crude and adjusted mortality rates were 3.38 and 0.72 in the 1980-1989 decade, and 2.58 (P<0.05) and 0.38 (P<0.01) in the subsequent one. There was inverse correlation between inhaled corticosteroid sale and age-adjusted (5-34) asthma mortality (r=-0.84; P=0.003), and the same with global mortality rates (r=-0.81; P=0.005). A positive correlation was also seen between theophylline sales and mortality. CONCLUSION: The increased sale of ICS and possibly the decrease of theophylline use seem to be the more relevant factors associated with decreased asthma mortality in Argentina.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Wildlife forensic DNA evidence links a suspected vehicle to a fatal lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) collision in Misiones, Argentina.

Vehicle collisions are recognized as a major driver of biodiversity loss, particularly in road-dense landscapes, exceeding the impact of invasive species and wildlife trafficking. For large-bodied, slow-reproducing, and low-abundance species, such as the lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris), this threat can have major impacts. Here, we present a wildlife forensic investigation in Misiones, Argentina, involving a tapir, a species afforded the highest level of legal protection as a Provincial Natural Monument. The fatal hit-by-vehicle (HBV) incident occurred in northern Misiones on 31 March 2019 along Provincial Route 19, in a portion that bisects Parque Provincial Urugua-&#xed;, with the driver involved in the collision leaving the scene. The suspect was later located and claimed that the damage to the vehicle resulted from a collision with a horse (Equus caballus) rather than a tapir. To legally resolve the incident, DNA (hair and blood) recovered from the suspected vehicle's bumper (evidence) was compared with tissue samples from the tapir carcass (reference). Genetic confirmation of species identity used a 110-bp region of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, and individual identity was assessed using 12 species-specific microsatellite loci. These analyses confirmed that all evidence matched the tapir carcass at both species and individual levels, strongly supporting the association between the suspected vehicle and the HBV tapir, and refuting the alternative explanation proposed by the driver. This case demonstrates the value of using wildlife forensic genetics to reconstruct wildlife-vehicle collisions, supporting environmental law enforcement, and strengthening conservation efforts in the Atlantic Forest of Misiones, Argentina.

Animals↗

Assessment of heavy metal accumulation in two species of Tillandsia in relation to atmospheric emission sources in Argentina.

The ability of Tillandsia capillaris Ruiz and Pav. f. capillaris and Tillandsia permutata A. Cast. to accumulate heavy metals was evaluated in relation to potential atmospheric emission sources in Argentina. The sampling areas (n=38) were chosen in the province of Córdoba, located in the center of Argentina, and categorized according to land use, anthropogenic activities and/or distance to potential heavy metal emission sources. In each sampling site, pools of 40-50 individuals of each species were made from plants collected along the four cardinal directions. The concentrations of V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Br of these samples were measured by Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence (TXRF) analysis with Synchrotron Radiation. Each species was submitted to a cluster analysis in order to discriminate different groups of heavy metals as tracers of natural or anthropogenic sources. A Contamination Factor (CF) was calculated using the concentrations of the elements in each sample compared to their concentrations in the control samples. Finally, the rank coefficients of correlation between the CFs and the categorical variables characteristic of each site (land use and anthropogenic load) were analyzed. A positive correlation was found for T. capillaris between the CFs of V, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn and the urban-industrial category, whereas the CF values for Zn and Pb were positively correlated with the road category. In T. permutata there was a positive correlation between the CF of Zn and the urban-industrial category and the CF of Pb with the road category. We therefore conclude that T. capillaris is a more efficient metal accumulator in passive biomonitoring studies.

Air Pollutants↗

Two-hour post-dose cyclosporine levels in renal transplantation in Argentina: a cost-effective strategy for reducing acute rejection.

UNLABELLED: Monitoring of cyclosporine (microemulsion CsA) at 2 hours post-dose (C2), a measure of absorption and exposure, appears superior to trough (C0) monitoring for prediction of rejection risk. The purpose of this study was to determine whether C2 was cost-effective compared to C0 in Argentina. METHODS: A predictive decision model was adapted to Argentina to predict costs associated with C0 and C2 measurements in the first year after transplantation. Patients were treated with microemulsion CsA, steroids and azathioprine or MMF. Parameter estimates for the C0 strategy were based on event rates observed in published clinical trials. The model was adapted to Argentinean health system through local protocols and expert opinions; costs were valued in Argentinean pesos and converted to US dollars (1 USD = 2.85 ARS). RESULTS: Incidence of acute rejection was predicted to be 25.0% at 1-year among patients monitored by C0 and 18.0% by C2. Graft survival was predicted to be 1.4% lower in the C0 group. No important differences were identified in co-morbidity, C0 and C2 monitoring costs, and in ambulatory-based adverse events between C0 and C2 cohorts. The model predicted an average cost per patient of $16,269 for C0 and $16,343 for C2 testing (year 1). Sensitivity analyses indicated that the average daily dose of microemulsion CsA was the most important parameter leading to the incremental cost per patient. CONCLUSIONS: C2 is expected to provide a potentially important reduction in the risk of acute rejection without increasing the estimated cost of care in the first year post-transplant.

Acute Disease↗