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C Gallardo

Publications and source records attributed to C Gallardo.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Health care provision for illegal migrants: may health policy make a difference?

Illegal migrants in Europe are, generally, only entitled to emergency care and services for children and pregnant women. In 2002 legal changes in Spain made accessible medical cards and free medical care for illegal migrants in similar terms than the legal migrants or the Spanish population. We interviewed 380 migrants to assess whether there were differences on health services utilization by legal status. We did not find differences in the utilization of health services when ill between legal and illegal migrants. However, a significantly lower utilization of health services was associated with less education (RP = 0.4; 95% CI: 0.2-0.9).

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Molecular epidemiology of African swine fever virus studied by analysis of four variable genome regions.

Variable regions of the African swine fever virus genome, which contain arrays of tandem repeats, were compared in the genomes of isolates obtained over a 40-year period. Comparison of the size of products generated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from four different genome regions, within the B602L and KP86R genes and intergenic regions J286L and BtSj, placed 43 closely related isolated from Europe, the Caribbean, West and Central Africa into 17 different virus sub-groups. Sequence analysis of the most variable fragment, within the B602L gene, from 81 different isolates distinguished 31 sub-groups of virus isolates which varied in sequence and number of a tandem repeat encoding 4 amino acids. Thus, each of these analysis methods enabled isolates, which were previously grouped together by sequencing of a more conserved genome region, to be separated into multiple sub-groups. This provided additional information about strains of viruses circulating in different countries. The methods could be used in future to study the epidemiology and evolution of virus isolates and to trace the sources of disease outbreaks.

Africa↗
PubMed2006

Optimization and validation of recombinant serological tests for African Swine Fever diagnosis based on detection of the p30 protein produced in Trichoplusia ni larvae.

We describe the validation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and confirmatory immunoblotting assays based on a recombinant p30 protein (p30r) produced in insect larvae using a baculovirus vector. Such validation included the following: (i) the scaling up and standardization of p30r production and the associated immunoassays, (ii) a broad immunological analysis using a large number of samples (a total of 672) from Spain and different African locations, and (iii) the detection of the ASF virus (ASFV)-antibody responses at different times after experimental infection. Yields of p30r reached up to 15% of the total protein recovered from the infected larvae at 3 days postinfection. Serological analysis of samples collected in Spain revealed that the p30r-based ELISA presented similar sensitivity to and higher specificity than the conventional Office International des Epizooties-approved ASFV ELISA. Moreover, the p30r ELISA was more sensitive than the conventional ELISA test in detecting ASFV-specific antibodies in experimentally infected animals at early times postinfection. Both the recombinant and conventional ELISAs presented variable rates of sensitivity and specificity with African samples, apparently related to their geographical origin. Comparative analyses performed on the sequences, predicted structures, and antigenicities of p30 proteins from different Spanish and African isolates suggested that variability among isolates might correlate with changes in antigenicity, thus affecting detection by the p30r ELISA. Our estimations indicate that more than 40,000 ELISA determinations and 2,000 confirmatory immunoblotting tests can be performed with the p30r protein obtained from a single infected larva, making this a feasible and inexpensive strategy for production of serological tests with application in developing countries.

Africa↗
PubMed2006

Seroprevalence of and risk factors for HIV-1 infection among female commercial sex workers in South America.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of HIV prevalence and associated risk behaviours among female commercial sex workers (FCSW) across major cities in South America. METHODS: Seroepidemiological, cross sectional studies of 13 600 FCSW were conducted in nine countries of South America during the years 1999-2002. Participants were recruited in brothels, massage parlours, hotels, and streets where anonymous questionnaires and blood samples were collected. HIV infection was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) screening and western blot confirmatory tests. RESULTS: The overall HIV seroprevalence was 1.2% (range 0.0%-4.5%). The highest HIV seroprevalences were reported in Argentina (4.5%) and Paraguay (2.6%); no HIV infected FCSW were detected in Venezuela and Chile. Consistent predictors of HIV seropositivity were: (1) a previous history of sexually transmitted infections (STI, AORs = 3.8-8.3), and (2) 10 years or more in commercial sex work (AORs = 2.2-24.8). In addition, multiple (> or =3) sexual contacts (AOR = 5.0), sex with foreigners (AOR = 6.9), use of illegal drugs (AOR = 3.2), and marijuana use (AOR = 8.2) were associated with HIV seropositivity in Southern Cone countries. CONCLUSIONS: Consistently low HIV seroprevalences were detected among FCSW in South America, particularly in the Andean region. Predictors of HIV infection across the continent were STI and length of commercial sex work; however, use of illegal drugs, especially marijuana, and sexual contacts with foreigners were also found to be associated risk factors in the Southern Cone region. Interventions for the control of HIV and other STI need to be region and country specific; drug use appears to have an ever increasing role in the spread of HIV among heterosexually active populations.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Transdermal nitroglycerin versus corticosteroid infiltration for rotator cuff tendinitis].

AIMS: To compare transdermal nitroglycerin (NTG) and corticosteroid infiltration in patients with rotator cuff tendinitis (RCT). DESIGN: Experimental, randomized controlled study. SETTING: Semirural basic health area in the Garraf region of Barcelona province, Spain, with a population of public health service users of 12000. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed as having RCT of less than 6 weeks' evolution who had not responded to treatment with oral nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs. The patients were distributed randomly into two groups: a) group A, local infiltration via a posterior approach with a depot corticosteroid and local anesthesia, and b) group B, treated for 3 days with a 5-mg NTC patch. MAIN MEASURES: Age, sex, pain (measured with an analog visual scale) and adverse events. In patients who showed a partial response, treatment was repeated up to 3 times at 15-day intervals. Pain was tested after 7-10 days of treatment. Complete improvement was considered a reduction in pain of more than 5 points on the analog visual scale; partial improvement was considered a reduction of 3-5 points, and treatment failure was recorded when there was no improvement in pain or when there was a decrease of less than 3 points. RESULTS: A total of 48 patients were included; 33 (69%) were women and 15 (31%) were men. Mean age was 61 years. In group A, complete improvement was seen in 19 patients and partial improvement in 3; treatment failed in 2 patients. In group B complete improvement was seen in 5 patients, partial improvement in 5, and failure of treatment in 14. The difference between groups was statistically significant. Adverse events were mild pain at the injection site in 4 patients from group A, and headache in 15 patients from group B, 8 of whom abandoned treatment for this reason. CONCLUSION: Treatment with NTG is not a clear alternative to infiltration of corticosteroids in patients with RCT, because of its lack of effectiveness and because of the greater number of patients who had adverse events that lead them to abandon treatment.

Analgesics↗
PubMed1994

Genetic Structure of Rhizobium etli biovar phaseoli Associated with Wild and Cultivated Bean Plants (Phaseolus vulgaris and Phaseolus coccineus) in Morelos, Mexico.

The genetic structure of Rhizobium etli biovar phaseoli was determined for five populations in three different locations in the state of Morelos, Mexico, by using starch gel electrophoresis for five to nine polymorphic loci. Two populations were sampled during two different years from nodules of cultivated and wild common bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris). The three other populations were associated with wild runner beans (P. coccineus) and sampled during 1988. The Rhizobium populations differ genetically both among sites and among populations within the same site in different years, as shown by differences in allelic frequencies, genetic differentiation analysis, and differences in electrotypes. The total genetic diversity for the five populations during 1988 was H = 0.487; there were also high levels of genetic variation within each population. We found the highest linkage disequilibrium in a global analysis for all the populations. At a local scale, we also found significant linkage disequilibrium in two populations, although the distribution of the D' suggest some recombination at a local scale. The other three rhizobium populations exhibit low linkage disequilibrium. A cluster analysis (UPGMA) of pairwise genetic distances showed that bacteria isolated from most wild Phaseolus spp. are grouped by population, whereas those obtained from cultivated P. vulgaris are very heterogeneous. The analysis of the genetic structure of Rhizobium strains may allow the identification of strains that are naturally well adapted to a wide range of different environments, which may be useful for agricultural purposes or as a starting point for developing improved Rhizobium strains.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1992

[Laparoscopic appendectomy: 2 cases at a regional hospital].

The surgical technique for removal of the appendix has remained unaltered for many years. Recently, laparoscopic surgery has been introduced with advantages for many patients. We report 2 patients with acute appendicitis who were operated on with laparoscopic surgery at a regional hospital in southern Chile. This technique may become routinely available to general surgeons in the near future.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Massive secondary psoriasiform dermatitis secondary to intravesical administration of mitomycin C].

We report on a patient who had been submitted to vesical diverticulectomy. Pathological examination of the surgical specimen revealed G2T1 urothelial carcinoma. Intravesical chemotherapy with mitomycin C was instituted. Following the sixth instillation, the patient developed widespread psoriasiform dermatitis and required admission to hospital. Remission was achieved with drug withdrawal and symptomatic treatment. The literature is reviewed.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[Signet ring cell adenocarcinoma of the bladder].

A case of primary signet-ring cell adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder is described. The etiopathogenesis, pathological and clinical features, prognosis and treatment of this tumor type are discussed and the literature reviewed.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗
PubMed1985

[Visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis in Huesca. Epidemiologic aspects].

The authors present a study of twelve children affected with leishmaniasis, observed in the province of Huesca (Spain). Three of the patients presented visceral form and the other nine cutaneous form. The clinical, evolutive and therapeutic aspects of this disease are analyzed, with special reference to the epidemiological aspects, since the incidence has been found to be high in an area in which the disease is not considered endemic.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ecological aspects of nematode parasites of introduced salmonids from Valdivia river basin, Chile.

Between 1986 and 1987, 666 fishes distributed among the following species introduced in Chile, and from different sectors of the Valdivia river basin (39 degrees 30'-40 degrees 00'S, 73 degrees 30'-71 degrees 45'W), were examined: 348 Salmo trutta, 242 Salmo gairdneri, 24 Cyprinus carpio and 52 Gambusia affinis holbrooki. The presence of Camallanus corderoi and Contracaecum sp. in S. gairdneri and of C. corderoi in S. trutta is recorded in Chile for the first time. Cyprinus carpio and G. a. holbrooki did not present infections by nematodes. The prevalence and mean intensity of the infections by nematodes presented significant differences among some sectors of the Valdivia river basin. In general, the prevalence and intensity of the infections by C. corderoi were greater than those by Contracaecum sp. The infections in S. gairdneri were higher than in S. trutta. The sex of the hosts had no influence on the prevalence and intensity of the infections by both nematodes. The length of the hosts did have an influence, except in the case of the infections by Contracaecum sp. in S. gairdneri. The infrapopulations of both nematode species showed over-dispersion in most cases. The diet of the examined salmonids suggests that they would become infected principally through the consumption of autochthonous fishes.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Obstructive uropathy in genital prolapse].

Two cases of genitourinary prolapse are presented, with a severe high obstructive uropathy complicated with lithiasis and infectious picture. Both cases were elderly patients and had had this problem for many years. They had received no urological or gynaecological examination that could have prevented later complications. As presentation frequency of this pathology is scarce, which undoubtedly is an index of health care, we have reviewed the existing literature to confirm the few descriptions currently reported. Incidence, different etiopathogenic theories explaining this picture, distinctive radiological data and treatment are analyzed.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Retroperitoneal hematoma secondary to traumatic rupture of the psoas muscle].

Rupturing of the psoas muscle by closed injury as a result of the formation of a retroperitoneal hematoma is a very uncommon pathological entity, which may rise problems of differential diagnosis with kidney lesions. Supplementary explorations do not always clear up diagnostic doubts, and it is surgery, if indicated, that confirms the picture. We present a case of retroperitoneal hematoma of traumatic origin in a one-kidney ipsilateral patient, in whom the abdominal CAT revealed affection of the renal capsule associated with rupture of teh psoas. In the surgery carried out due to formation of an abscess in the hematoma we verified that the kidney was undamaged.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Immediate complications of radical cystectomy. Intestinal fistula: our experience in the treatment with somatostatin].

During the period of time between November 1986 and May 1988, 14 total cystectomies with one-step urinary derivations were performed in our Service. The surgical techniques utilized include: 7 Bricker, 2 Camey, 1 ileocecal segment derivation, 2 cutaneous transureterostomies and 2 cutaneous ureterostomies. Among the complications observed there were 3 intestinal fistulas which were treated at first in a conservative way with parenteral nutrition and somatostatin. An immediate response was obtained in all three cases with a decrease in the fistula deficit. Surgical treatment was required in two patients after a lack of response to conservative treatment. The fistula closed in the third patient, to open again spontaneously 15 days later. It was controlled with conservative means and closed again 45 days later.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Transverse testicular ectopy with common deferent duct].

Transverse testicular ectopia is a malfunction of which there are 65 cases described in the Western literature. The pathogeny is unknown, although in the cases in which it is associated with persistence of Mullerian residue, it is attributed to a defect in the secretion of MIF (Mullerian inhibiting factor). In the other cases the fundamental cause is considered to stem from alterations in the vascularization of the genital crest, which determines the type of testicular ectopia. We present a case of crossed testicular ectopia with common deferent duct in a three-year-old male, treated by means of descent and transposition via the interscrotal septum with modified Ombrédanne's technique.

Child, Preschool↗