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The novel Equine Parvovirus-Hepatitis (EqPV-H) was first identified in the serum and liver of a horse that died of equine serum hepatitis, also known as Theiler's disease. Several reports in recent years strongly suggest that EqPV-H is the etiologic agent of Theiler's disease. Brazil is the only South American country where infection with this virus has been reported. This study investigated the presence of EqPV-H DNA in horse serum pools (n=51), commercial horse serum batches (n=5) and individual serum samples from donor horses (n=175) from Argentina. All serum samples were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and samples with positive or indeterminate results were further analyzed by NS1 nested-PCR for phylogenetic studies. None of the serum pools was positive by qPCR but 9/51 pools were indeterminate (one or both test sample's Ct values were higher than the limit of detection). The NS1 nested-PCR detected the EqPV-H DNA in 8 of these indeterminate samples (15.7 % of serum pools). Three of the commercial horse serum batches (60 %) contained EqPV-H DNA, detected either by qPCR and/or nested-PCR. From the 175 individual horse serum samples, three (1.71 %) were positive for EqPV-H by both techniques. The genetic analysis of the 12 partial NS1 sequences obtained showed that the local isolates were similar to EqPV-H sequences from Germany and China. This study provides the first evidence of the presence of EqPV-H in horses and in horse sera commercially available in Argentina and emphasizes the importance of controlling the biosecurity of commercial equine sera as well as any other blood-derived biological products of equine origin. DATA AVAILABILITY: Viral sequences generated in this study were uploaded to the NCBI nucleotide database and are available with the accession numbers PP408676-PP408687.

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Introduction: The combination of gene content on the marker chromosome, chromosomal origin, level of mosaicism, origin mechanism (chromothripsis), and uniparental disomy can influence the final characterization of sSMCs. Several chromosomal aberrations, including sSMCs, have been observed in 30%-60% of patients with pigmentary mosaicism, and in more than 80%, chromosomal abnormalities are present in the mosaic state. In patients with pigmentary mosaicism the most representative chromosomes involved in sSMCs are 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 13, 15, 18, 20, and X. In this study, we included the complete clinical, cytogenetic, and molecular characterization of seven patients with pigmentary mosaicism associated with the presence of SMCs of different chromosomal origins. Methods: The patients were diagnosed by the Genetics and Dermatology Department of three different hospitals. Cytogenetic and FISH analyses were performed on peripheral blood, light skin, and dark skin. FISH analysis was performed using different probes, depending on the marker chromosome description. Different array analysis was performed. Results: To date, of the seven cases studied, the chromosomal origins of six were successfully identified by FISH or array analysis. The chromosomes involved in SMCs were 6, 9, 15, and 18, X. The most frequently found was the centric minute structure. Discussion: To date, this group of seven patients constitutes the largest clinical and cytogenetically finely described study of cases with pigmentary mosaicism associated with sSMCs. Undoubtedly, analysis of the two skin types is a fundamental part of our study, as numerical differences may occur in the cell lines found in each skin type. The knowledge generated in this study will help delineate a very heterogeneous entity more accurately, and in the future, analyzing more patients with PM will likely establish a more definite association with the presence of this genetic alteration.

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Introducción:En pacientes infértiles menores de 40 años con disminución de la reserva ovárica, los resultados de técnicas de reproducción asistida son desfavorables comparados con aquellas de la misma edad con reserva ovárica normal. Objetivo: Investigar las tasas de embarazo y nacido vivo en pacientes infértiles menores de 40 años con disminución de la reserva ovárica. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo, en el cual se revisaron fichas de pacientes menores de 40 años con valores de hormona antimulleriana (HAM) menores a 1,1 ng/dL y recuento de folículos de ≤7, que fueron sometidas a fertilización in vitro, con embriones transferidos en días 3 y 5. Se analizaron número de ovocitos recuperados, número de ovocitos M2, número de ovocitos fertilizados, tasas de embarazo clínico, y de recién nacido vivo. Resultados: Se incluyeron45 pacientes, 51% entre 35 y 39 años de edad. El promedio de HAM fue de 0,59 ng/dL, y el de recuento de folículos antrales 4,73 y de ovocitos recuperados 4,4. Las tasas de embarazo clínico y de recién nacido vivo no arrojaron diferenciassignificativas cuando se compararon con el resultado clínico, excepto cuando se compararon los embriones transferidos en día 5 (33%) con el día 3 (21,8%) (p<0,0001). Se observó una correlación significativa entre los valores de HAM y el número de folículos (p=0,0034), y número de ovocitos recuperados (p=0,0159). Conclusiones: En pacientes jóvenes infértiles con disminución de la reserva ovárica, las tasas de embarazo clínico aumentan significativamente al transferir embriones en el día 5.

Introduction:Results of assisted reproductive techniques are unfavorable in infertile patients under 40 years of age with decreased ovarian reserve, as compared to those of the same age with normal ovarian reserve. Aim.To investigate the pregnancy and live birth rates in infertile young patients with diminished ovarian reserve. Materials & methods.Retrospective and descriptive study of women less than 40 years old, undergoing in vitrofertilization, with embryos transferred on days 3 and 5, with anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) values of less than 1,1 ng/ml) and antral follicle count (AFC) of 7 or less. Results.A total of 45 patients were included, 51% between 35 to 39 years old. The mean AMH value was 0.59 ng/dL, the mean AFC was 4.73 folliclesand oocyte retrieval, a mean of 4.4. Theclinical pregnancy rate and live birth rates did not yield statistically significant results when compared to each clinical outcome, except when compared embryos transferred on day 3 with day 5 (p<0.0001). A significant correlation was found between levels of AMH and number of follicles (p=0.0034) as well as number of retrieved oocytes (p=0.0159). Conclusions.In young patients with diminished ovarian reserve undergoing in vitro fertilization cycles, clinical pregnancy rates significantly increase when embryos are transferred on day 5.

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Introducción: El bosque seco tropical (Bs-T) es uno de los ecosistemas más amenazados, en Colombia, presenta la mayor extensión en la región Caribe, está sometido a continua transformación, que ha ocasionado la disminución de su cobertura. Objetivo: Caracterizar la diversidad florística en términos de composición y estructura en seis fragmentos de Bs-T en las subregiones bajo y medio Sinú del Departamento de Córdoba. Métodología: Se siguió la metodología de Parcelas de Muestreo Rápido de Vegetación - RAP modificada. Se determinó la riqueza y abundancia, el Índice de valor de Importancia por especie y por familia,se construyeron clases diamétricas y altimétricas y se calculó el Índice de Diversidad α de Fisher e Índice de Similaridad de Sørensen. Resultados: Se registraron 1 336 individuos, agrupados en 68 familias, 161 géneros y 273 especies en el medio Sinú y 2 178 individuos (226 especies/151 géneros/59 familias) en el bajo Sinú. Las familias más importantes por riqueza de especies fueron: Fabaceae, Rubiaceae y Bignoniaceae, los mayores valores de abundancia se presentaron en Fabaceae, Capparaceae y en las especies: Astronium graveolens Jacq.y Capparidastrum frondosum (Jacq.) Cornejo & Iltis. La distribución por clases diamétricas y altimétricas presentó un comportamiento de J invertida. Los arbustos representaron el hábito de crecimiento dominante. Attalea butyracea (Mutis ex L.f.) Wess.Boer, Cavanillesia platanifolia (Humb. & Bonpl.) y Sterculia apetala Sterculia apetala (Jacq.) H.Karst. registraron los mayores valores de importancia. Conclusiones: Los bosques estudiados presentaron la composición florística que caracteriza el Bs-T en Colombia. La información obtenida contribuye a la gestión integral del bosque seco en Córdoba.

Introduction: The Tropical Dry Forest (TDF) is one of the most threatened ecosystems, in Colombia it has the greater extension in the Caribbean region, undergoing continuous transformation, causing the reduction of its coverage. Objective: To characterize the floristic diversity in terms of composition and structure in six TDF fragments in the lower and middle Sinú subregions of the Department of Córdoba. Methods: The methodology of Rapid Vegetation Sampling Plots - modified RAP was followed. Wealth and abundance were determined, The Importance Value Index by species and family, diametric and altimetric classes were constructed and the Fisher's α Diversity Index and Sørensen´s Similarity Index were calculated. Results: 1 336 individuals were registered, grouped into 68 families, 161 genera and 273 species in the middle Sinú and 2 178 individuals (226 species / 151 genera / 59families) in the lower Sinú. The most important families by species richness were Fabaceae, Rubiaceae and Bignoniaceae, the highest abundance values were found in Fabaceae, Capparaceae and in the species Astronium graveolens Jacq. and Capparidastrum frondosum (Jacq.) Cornejo & Iltis. The distribution by diametric and altimetric classes presented an inverted J behavior. The bushes represented the dominant growth habit. Attalea butyracea (Mutis ex L.f.) Wess.Boer, Cavanillesia platanifolia (Humb. & Bonpl.) Kunth and Sterculia apetala (Jacq.) H.Karst. recorded the highest values of importance. Conclusions: The forests studied presented the floristic composition that characterizes the TDF in Colombia. The information obtained contributes to the integral management of the Tropical Dry Forest in Córdoba.

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BACKGROUND: Pigmentary mosaicism constitutes a heterogeneous group of skin pigmentation alterations associated with multisystem involvement. The aim of this study was to establish a complete cytogenetic and molecular characterization of PM patients, emphasizing on searching for possible low chromosomal mosaicism and on establishing an accurate genotype-phenotype correlation. RESULTS: A total of 73 patients were included (3 months to 18 years of age), 52% male and 48% female. Observed in 69 (95%) patients, the most frequent pattern of pigmentation was fine and whorled BL, which was associated with disseminated skin extent in 41 (59%) patients. Central nervous system (84%) alterations were the most frequent observed in the group of patients, followed by the musculoskeletal (53%) and ophthalmologic (27%) alterations. Considering the pattern of pigmentation, no significant differences in association with skin extent or extracutaneous manifestations were detected. Following a strict cytogenetic analysis strategy, screening metaphases from three different tissues (peripheral blood, hyperpigmented and hypopigmented skin) we found that 23/73 patients had chromosomal abnormalities classified as follows: 1) Mosaic with 2 or more different cell lines with structural alterations n = 19; 2) Polyploidy (mosaic) n = 1 and 3) Alterations in all cells in three different tissues n = 3. SNP array, array CGH and FISH were useful for the complete characterization of the chromosomal aberrations, for the detection of microdeletions in patients with normal karyotype but with strong clinical suspicious of chromosomal alteration, and for a better establishment of genotype-phenotype correlation. In 2 patients we found genes associated with some of the extracutaneous manifestations (SHH, MNX1, PPP2R2C). CONCLUSIONS: This group of 73 patients finely described is the largest series of patients with pigmentary mosaicism reported worldwide. As we showed in this study, the followed analysis strategy allowed the detection of cytogenetic and molecular abnormalities, and made possible the establishment of genotype-phenotype associations in some patients. An important limitation of our study was the analysis of fibroblasts cultures instead of melanocytes and keratinocytes. In some cases the direct molecular DNA analysis of skin biopsy could be another choice.

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INTRODUCTION: Liver disease is currently one of the leading causes of death in older adults and the only option deemed curative is liver transplantation. However, it is uncertain whether the successful results obtained in older adults that receive a liver transplant in developed countries can be replicated in developing countries. AIM: To determine if there are differences in the survival time between older (≥60years) and younger adults that underwent liver transplantation at a university-affiliated tertiary care center in Mexico City. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 2-year longitudinal study was conducted. It included 244 participants that were divided into 2groups according to age at the time of transplantation: older adults (≥60years) and younger adults (18-59years). Survival time was defined as the number of days that elapsed between transplantation and death. Survival was expressed as Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: Median age in the older adults (n=52) was 63.0 (IQR=60-69) and 23 participants were females (44.2%). In the younger adults (n=196) median age was 47.0 (IQR=16-59) and 104 were females (52%). The leading indication for transplant was hepatitisC virus. After the follow-up, fifteen participants died (12 younger adults and 3 older adults). No significant differences were observed between older and younger participants in postoperative complications, the number of re-admissions, or mean post-transplantation survival time. CONCLUSIONS: There were no statistically significant differences in relation to survival times between older and younger adults that received a liver transplant. Older patients in developing countries should not be excluded from the selection process due only to age.

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Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) can sometimes cause severe symptoms and lead to hospitalisation, but they often go unnoticed in the Emergency Department (ED). The aim of this study was twofold: (i) to describe the profile of patients hospitalised by TBDs; and (ii) to evaluate the data collected in the medical records from the ED in order to analyse their potential clinical consequences. A total of 84 cases that included all TBD diagnoses registered in the ED records were identified and analysed. These corresponded to all the hospitalisations by TBDs in the last 10 years (2009-2019) in two tertiary hospitals in Granada, Spain. Statistical analyses were made using RStudio. Coinciding with the absence of patient's report of exposure to ticks, 64.3% of TBDs were not suspected in the ED. Intensive care unit admission was required in 8.3% of cases, and the mortality rate was 2.4%. Non-suspected cases showed longer hospital stay (P < 0.001), treatment duration (P = 0.02) and delay in the initiation of antibiotic treatment (P < 0.001). Our findings indicate that symptoms associated with TBDs are highly non-specific. In the absence of explicit information related to potential tick exposure, TBDs are not initially suspected. As a consequence, elective treatment administration is delayed and hospitalisation time is prolonged. In conclusion, our results highlight the importance of addressing potential exposure to ticks during the ED contact with patients presenting with febrile syndrome.

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Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) share certain traits: they are parasitic infections, prevailing in tropical environments and affecting marginalized sectors of the population. Six NTDs - ascariasis, cysticercosis, echinococcosis, hookworm infection, onchocerciasis and trichuriasis - all of them endemic in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), are analysed in this work. This review aims to discuss key information on the function of excretory/secretory (E/S) proteins from these parasites in their infectivity, pathogeny and diagnosis. The modulation of the host immune system to favour the permanence and survival of the parasite is also discussed. An updated knowledge on the function of E/S molecules in endemic parasitoses in LAC may lead to new approaches for the clinical management and diagnosis of these diseases. In turn, this could allow us to optimize their treatment and make it more affordable - a relevant goal given the economic constraints that the region is facing.

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Introducción: El Staphylococcus Aureus constituye un agente etiológico frecuente de intoxicaciones alimentarias y se encuentra asociado a diversos alimentos. Objetivo: Describir la frecuencia de portación de Staphylococcus Aureus en manipuladores de alimentos de restaurantes de Asunción durante el 2017. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio observacional, prospectivo, descriptivo de corte transversal a manipuladores de alimentos de restaurantes de Asunción durante los meses de mayo a junio del 2017. Se realizaron tres hisopados nasales a cada uno de los 30 manipuladores de alimentos para determinar si la portación era intermitente, permanente u ocasional. Al mismo tiempo fueron realizadas encuestas donde se midieron variables demográficas. Resultados: La prevalencia de portación de Staphylococcus Aureus fue del 33,3 % (10), siendo el 40% (4) esporádica e intermitente y el 20% (2) permanente. En cuanto a las características demográficas de los manipuladores,el 56,66% (17) fueron del sexo masculino, eran solteros 43,33% (13) y el 50% (15) contaban con estudios secundarios completos. El promedio de edad de 29 de los manipuladores fue de 39,5 años con un rango comprendido entre 18 y 85 años. El 23,33% (7) utilizaban guantes a la hora de manipular los alimentos. Además, se pudo observar que el 26,66% (8) utilizaba gorros. Llamó la atención que el 30% (9) de los encuestados no presentaban uñas limpias durante la manipulación. Palabras clave: Staphylococcus Aureus; manipuladores; alimentos.

Introduction: Staphylococcus Aureus is a frequent etiologic agent of food poisoning and is associated with various foods. Objective : To describe the frequency of Staphylococcus Aureus in food handlers of restaurants in Asunción during 2017. Methodology: An observational, prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out on food handlers in restaurants in Asuncion during the months of May to June 2017. Three nasal swabs were made to each of the 30 food handlers to determine if the carriage was intermittent, permanent or occasional. At thesame time, surveys were carried out where demographic variables were measured. Results: The prevalence of carrying Staphylococcus Aureus was 33.3% (10), being 40% (4) sporadic and intermittent and 20% (2) permanent. Regarding the demographic characteristics of the manipulators, 56.66% (17) were male, were single 43.33% (13) and 50% (15) had complete secondary education. The average age of 29 of the manipulators was 39.5 years with ranger between 18 and 85 years. 23.33% (7) used gloves when handling food. In addition, it was observed that 26.66% (8) used caps. It was noted that 30% (9) of theres pondents did not have clean nails during handling. Keywords: Staphylococcus Aureus; manipulators; food.

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