Diversity of group A rotavirus strains circulating in Paraguay from 2002 to 2005: detection of an atypical G1 in South America.

BACKGROUND: Group A rotaviruses are the main cause of severe gastroenteritis in children worldwide. OBJECTIVES: To survey human rotavirus strains circulating in Paraguay. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred ninety-six rotavirus-positive fecal samples collected from children up to 5 years old, from 2002 to 2005, were characterized. RESULTS: The most common G genotype detected was G9 (36.2%), followed by G1 (34.2%), G2 (11.7%) and G4 (8.7%). Changes in the G genotype frequency were observed from year to year. The G4 genotype was predominant in 2002; G1 in 2003; and G9 from 2004 to 2005. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of the VP7 gene from Paraguayan G1 strains suggested that the high frequency of G1 in 2003 could be due to the introduction of an atypical sub-lineage. In addition, there were amino acid changes in the variable/antigenic regions of the VP7 gene from G4 and G9 strains detected in different years. CONCLUSIONS: This study further indicates that antigenic pressure can drive the evolution of rotaviruses, and also suggests that a vaccine that protects against the most prevalent strains and its variants, will be necessary to elicit a protective immune response against the range of rotavirus types currently circulating in Paraguay.     

History of upper extremity replantation in the Czech Republic and worldwide

Replantation surgery is a specialization in plastic surgery which, in comparison with other disciplines, has a relatively short history of only forty years. Replantation surgery developed due to experience with macrovascular anastomosis and to the evolution of the operative microscope, special micro-instruments and ultra delicate suturing material. Due to these advances, it is possible to implement anastomosis of blood vessels with a diameter smaller than 1-2 mm. Each of the three pillars of microvascular surgery has its own history. This work outlines their use and the contribution of each to the development of microsurgery. Finally, it compares the development of replantation surgery in the Czech Republic and worldwide within a specific time frame.     

Replantation of totally amputated ears

From a total of 1525 replantations or revascularizations performed at our clinic we report three replantations of totally amputated ears. In two the cause of amputation was a car accident and in the third case a dog bite. In the first case no suitable artery for anastomosis was found on the amputated part and the replantation was performed by means of arterialization of the venous system [3, 8, 12]. After 2 days the mild venous stasis subsided, and a normal blood supply to the ear was established. In the two other cases both arteries and veins were sutured without any complications. All three cases healed successfully and completely.     

Molecular characterization of calicivirus strains detected in outbreaks of gastroenteritis in Argentina

Eight outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis occurred in Argentina in 2004 were tested for the presence of Calicivirus, Rotavirus and Astrovirus as possible causative agents. Caliciviruses were found in 39 out of the 100 tested samples, followed by six Astrovirus-positive samples and two Rotavirus-positive samples. Thirty-seven out of the 39 Calicivirus-positive samples were typed as Norovirus while the remaining two were typed as Sapovirus. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses of 13 Norovirus-positive samples revealed the presence of strains from the genogroups GI, GII, and GIV. Six Norovirus strains were grouped with the GIV-1 strains, three with the GIIb strains, two with the Farmington Hill-cluster (GII-4) strains, and the remaining two with the GI strains. To our knowledge, this study constitutes the first report of molecular epidemiology of human Caliciviruses associated to gastroenteritis outbreaks in Argentina and the circulation of GIIb and GIV-1 strains in South-America.     

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