Search

Chagas disease, considered a neglected disease, was initially confined to rural localities in endemic areas; however, in recent years through the process of urbanization and migration of infected people, the disease is gaining importance in urban environments. The presence of the vector in urban areas in most cases is due to the passive transport of vectors, but recently, its presence seems to be linked to vector adaptation processes associated with climate change. This paper reports the occurrence of an infected triatomine in the peridomicile of a house in an urban area of Córdoba, Veracruz, Mexico, where the species found is described, the molecular characteristics and resistance to BZN and NFX of the Trypanosoma cruzi isolate obtained, as well as serological data of the dwelling inhabitants. These urban disease scenarios make it possible to generate new scientific knowledge and enable the creation of new control strategies for Chagas disease vectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJETIVO: Determinar la prevalencia de anticuerpos contra Trypanosoma cruzi en donadores del Hospital General Regional del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) en la ciudad de Orizaba, Veracruz. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se examinaron muestras de donadores del banco de sangre del Hospital General Regional (HGRO) del IMSS para la búsqueda de antiT. cruzi por ELISA, Western blot e IFI, utilizando una proteína recombinante (MBP::Hsp70) y un extracto crudo de epimastigotes. Las muestras fueron obtenidas entre los meses de octubre de 2001 a enero de 2002. RESULTADOS: Los 420 donadores de sangre analizados fueron seronegativos para HBV, HCV, BrA, VDRL y HIV. Después del tamizaje de los 420 donadores, se identificaron dos individuos seropositivos por las pruebas de ELISA, Western blot e IFI, con una seroprevalencia de 0.48%. CONCLUSIONES: En este estudio se muestran evidencias de seropositividad para T. cruzi en donadores de sangre del HGRO, lo que sugiere la existencia de riesgo de contaminación por transfusión sanguínea. Por tal motivo, es necesario aplicar programas para el tamizaje serológico a través de técnicas inmunológicas con alta sensibilidad y especificidad.

Until recently, the State of Puebla, Mexico had no official reported chronic cases of Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas. The State has conditions of social and ecological marginalization for transmission of infectious agents to be effective. Entomological indices and triatomines at the municipality of Xayacatlán de Bravo, Puebla were analyzed, as well as the DTU of circulating T. cruzi. In total, 117 triatomines were collected. The isolated strains of T. cruzi were molecularly characterized using the 24Sa rRNA and miniexon markers. Results indicated Meccus pallidipennis Stål and Triatoma bassolsae are at the municipality of Xayacatlán de Bravo. We found natural infection rate of 33.3%, and the circulating DTU was TcI. Data indicated the need to study biological and bionomic aspects associated with triatomines that are adapting to human dwelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibacterial activity of methanol: chloroform extracts from fifteen phytopathogenic fungi strains was evaluated against bacterial strains of Staphylococcus aureus β-hemolytic, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus epidermis coagulase (+), Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antibacterial activity was determined by the disk diffusion method, with 1.5x108 CFU/mL of bacterial concentration. After 24 h of incubation, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Colletotrichum musae extracts showed specific inhibition halos for Escherichia coli (70 μg/mL; 17.6 ± 0.20 and 15.6 ± 0.26 respectively, P<0.0001) and the extract of Idriella lunata showed inhibition on the growth of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus β-hemolytic and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (70 μg/mL; 9.8 ± 0.15, 9.2 ± 0.15 and 10.2 ± 0.20 respectively, P<0.0001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Se evaluó la actividad antibacteriana de 15 extractos metanol:cloroformo de hongos fitopatógenos contra las cepas bacterianas Staphylococcus aureus β-hemolítico, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus epidermis coagulasa (+), Escherichia coli y Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Dicha actividad se determinó por la técnica de difusión en disco, con una concentración de 1.5x108 UFC/mL. Después de 24 h de incubación, los extractos de Colletotrichum gloeosporioides y Colletotrichum musae mostraron halos de inhibición específicos para Escherichia coli (70 μg/mL; 17.6 ± 0.20 y 15.6 ± 0.26, respectivamente, P<0.0001) y el extracto de Idriella lunata mostró inhibición sobre el crecimiento de Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus β-hemolítico y Pseudomonas aeruginosa (70 μg/mL; 9.8 ± 0.15, 9.2 ± 0.15 y 10.2 ± 0.20 respectivamente, P<0.0001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural infection of wild mammals by protozoa parasites is quite common in nature. For Neotropical Primates different infections of parasites that are etiological agent of disease in human have been identified. In particular, infections by Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania sp., have been reported for some New World primate species, but there are no reports of infection with these parasites in any primate species in Mexico. A serological study was conducted on two howler monkey species ( Alouatta pigra and A. palliata) from the Mexican states of Campeche and Tabasco. A total of 55 serum samples (20 samples from A. pigra, 20 samples from A. palliata, and 15 samples from semifree ranging A. palliata of Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz as negative controls) were analyzed for the detection of immunoglobulin G antibodies against T. cruzi and Leishmania mexicana through enzyme linked immunosorbent assay test, indirect immunofluorescence assay and Western blot. The overall prevalence of antibodies in howler monkeys was 17.5% for T. cruzi and 30% for L. mexicana. Our results also indicate that A. pigra is more susceptible to develop leishmaniasis than A. palliata. Finally, the finding of positive serology in these primates should be given serious consideration for public health, given the potential role of these primate species as wild reservoirs for these diseases and the increasing contact of monkeys with human populations due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Am. J. Primatol. 75:161-169, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]