Epidemiology of urban canine rabies, Santa Cruz, Bolivia, 1972-1997

We analyzed laboratory data from 1972 to 1997 from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, to determine risk factors for laboratory canine samples' testing positive for Rabies virus (RABV). Of 9,803 samples, 50.7% tested positive for RABV; the number of cases and the percentage positive has dropped significantly since 1978. A 5- to 6-year cycle in rabies incidence was clearly apparent, though no seasonality was noted. Male dogs had significantly increased odds of testing positive for RABV (odds ratio [OR]=1.14), as did 1- to 2-year-old dogs (OR=1.73); younger and older dogs were at lower risk. Samples submitted from the poorer suburbs of the city were more likely to test positive for RABV (OR=1.71). Knowledge of the distribution of endemic canine rabies in an urban area will help focus control measures in a resource-poor environment.     

Acanthamoeba keratitis,a possible dibromo propamidine isethionate resistance

PURPOSE/METHOD: To point out that acanthamoeba keratitis can show therapeutical resistance to dibrome propamidine isethionate (Brolene). We have a late diagnosis case of corneal melting on a bilateral acanthamoeba keratitis. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: We performed corneal graft in one eye and found histopathological evidence of acanthamoeba. There was relapse in the graft in spite of Brolene treatment and good results when we changed to polyhidroxy methylbigunide (PHMB). In case of therapeutical Brolene resistance, PHMB can be an adequate alternative (Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol 2002; 77: 279-282).     

Feeding during acute diarrhea as a risk factor for persistent diarrhea

Dietary intake during diarrhea in children less than three years of age was estimated from information recorded on illustrated dietary forms used by children's caretakers during the first week of illness in a prospective community-based study of diarrheal diseases in Lima, Peru. The frequency of consumption and the amount consumed of food groups and selected commonly consumed foods were analyzed by the final duration of the diarrheal episode. Cereals were less frequently consumed during the acute phase of diarrheal episodes that ultimately became persistent (>14 days'duration), apparently shortening the duration of the episode by one day (median duration of four days in children not consuming vs three days in children consuming cereals during diarrhea, p <0.02 Kaplan-Meier logrank test). Only roots and tubers (mainly potatoes) were consumed in greater quantity during episodes that became persistent. There was no evidence that consumption of breast milk or non-maternal milk was associated with an alteration in diarrheal duration. This study provides further evidence of the beneficial effects of continuing feeding during diarrhea using foods available at the home level, especially cereals, which are commonly used in the diet of young children.     

Validation of ESCAP-CD as an instrument of measure for the evaluation of the quality of life in prostatic cancer. Part 2a

In order to make a measure of quality of life related to health (QLRH) useful in the investigation, it must fulfill the psychometric properties (validity, reliability and sensibility). The selection of an instrument is a job for the clinic that must choose the most effective for each proposed objective. We set out the objectives to validate the ESCAP-CDV in a multicentric study in Andalusia. We studied 88 patients who were submitted to the instrument presented to validation and two more tests recognized already: the QLQ-C30 from EORTC gold standard in Europe in the valuation of the neoplastic patients' quality of life and the KARNOFSKY the most clinic utility index in neoplastic patients, used to correlate the items. RESULTS: Questionnaire acceptance analysis: The difficulty of understanding was greater for QLQ C30 items (6.81%) than ESCAP items (1.98%). The lapse of time needed to carry out the test was shorter in the ESCAP test (9.84 min) than in the QLQ C30 (13.13), test. Structural analysis or internal validity analysis: The homogeneity index of the items is high (alfa of Cronbach = 0.93). The dimensionality proposed is not accepted, due to the existence of some modifications pund in the factorial analysis. Finally, the established dimensions: Physical and Emotional Capacity (PEC), 5 items; General Symptoms (GS), 4 items; Pain (P), 3 items; Ligh Functional Capcity (LFC), 4 items; Serious Functional Capacity (SFC), 2 items; Economic State (ES), 3 items; Social and Family State (SFE), 5 items; Capacity Sexual (CSX), 2 items; Isolated Variables (IV), 2 items; and Specific Questionnaire (P), 6 items. The ESCAP is a scale with a normal distribution. Approach or external validity analysis: The ESCAP test is well correlated with the other two scales. Reliability test retest: The interclass correlation coefficient is 0.94 in the ESCAP, not so in the KARNOFSKY that is 0.77. CONCLUSIONS: The ESCAP-CDV is a new instrument of valuation of the QLRH composed of a general questionnaire and other specific test of prostate cancer. It has turned out to be a very homogeneous scale due to its internal consistence (alfa of Cronbach of 0.93), showing that it has a normal distribution, that correlates correctly with the scales compared and it is a valid scale to measure the prostate cancer patients' quality of life. The ESCAP-CDV has shown to be a scale with a high reliability (0.94), setting up as an instrument not only useful for investigation, but to clinical use, as well.     

The emergence and dissemination of whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses in Latin America

Summary.  The proliferation and rapid dissemination of whitefly-transmitted viruses of important food and industrial crops in Latin America, have been the consequence of drastic changes in traditional cropping systems. Some of the expanding non-traditional cash and export crops, such as soybean and several vegetables, have served as suitable reproductive hosts for the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. This insect pest has been shown to transmit at least 20 different geminiviruses that affect different commercial and basic food crops in Latin America. This review summarizes the existing knowledge on this important group of viruses and their vector in this region. Received October 23, 1998 Accepted July 5, 2000     

Immunization with a tetramer derivative of an anti-inflammatory pentapeptide produced by Entamoeba histolytica protects gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) against experimental amoebic abscess of the liver

Axenically grown Entamoeba histolytica produces a pentapeptide (Met-Gln-Cys-Asn-Ser) with several anti-inflammatory properties, including the inhibition of human monocyte locomotion (Monocyte Locomotion Inhibitory Factor (MLIF)). A construct displays the same effects as the native material. It remains to be seen if MLIF is used, or even produced in vivo by the tissue-invading parasite. If MLIF were to be relevant in invasive amoebiasis, immunizing against it could diminish this parasite advantage and prevent lesions. KLH-linked MLIF mixed with Freund's adjuvant was too aggressive an immunizing material to answer this question. However, immunization with a tetramer of MLIF (but not a scrambled version of MLIF) around a lysine core (MLIF-MAPS), that displays increased antigenicity, yet lacks excessive innate immunity activation, completely protects gerbils against amoebic abscess of the liver caused by the intraportal injection of virulent E. histolytica. Liver abscesses caused by Listeria monocytogenes were not prevented. Invasive E. histolytica may produce the parent protein of MLIF in vivo, and if appropriately cleaved, it may play a role in invasive amoebiasis. MLIF may join new vaccination strategies against amoebiasis.