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Biomedical subjects

Hugo Schenone

Publications and source records attributed to Hugo Schenone.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Exposure to larva migrans syndromes in squares and public parks of cities in Chile.

Between November 2001 and December 2002, 600 dog fecal samples were collected in main squares and public parks of 13 cities in Chile, from the extreme north to the extreme south of the country. The samples were processed in the laboratory by centrifugal sedimentation and the Harada-Mori methods. T. canis eggs were found in 12 cities. Detection rates ranged from 1.9 to 12.5% with an average of 5.2%. Seven percent of the samples had eggs and 9.5% had rhabditoid and/or filariform larvae of Ancylostomatidae. Strongyloides stercoralis were not found. Squares and public parks in Chile pose a potential risk of exposure to visceral, ocular, and/or cutaneous larva migrans syndromes.

Animals↗

[Toxic pictures produced spiders bites in Chile: latrodectism and loxoscelism].

Latrodectism, produced by the bite of Latrodectus spiders, is worldwide distributed, occurs in hot seasons, and affects mostly men when carrying out agricultural activities. The main symptoms are muscular pain and tremors, profuse perspiration, increased lacrimal, nasal and salival secretions, and hypertension. Symptoms last one week. Neostigmine is a very efficient drug in the treatment of this condition. Loxoscelism, caused by the bite of Loxosceles spiders, is worldwide distributed, affects individuals of all ages. It may present two clinical forms: cutaneous loxoscelism (CL) and viscerocutaneous loxoscelism (VCL). Both forms have been registered in all seasons, with a higher incidence in hot periods, and in bedrooms, when the person is sleeping or dressing. The cutaneous surface of limbs and face are most frequently affected. Local clinical manifestations are pain, edema and livedoid plaque, most of which evolve into a necrotic scar in CL, whereas hematuria, hemoglobinuria, jaundice, fever and sensorial involvement characterize VCL. If visceral involvement does not appear within 24 hours, it is probable that the diagnosis corresponds to CL, with a good prognosis. If a VCL patient survives 48 hours, the possibilities of recovery are high. The patients are successfully treated with parenteral antihistamines or corticosteroids in CL and corticosteroids in VCL.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

[Malaria in Chile: 1913-2001].

BACKGROUND: Malaria was restricted to the I Region of Chile, being Anopheles pseudopunctipennis the only vector species. In 1936 the parasitosis affected more than 50% of the population and 62.4% of military recruits, proceeding from Southern regions became infected. From 1937 to 1947, an antimalaria campaign was carried out, stressing actions on the battle against the vector and the treatment of malaria infected individuals. Since April 1945 no autochthonous cases of malaria have been detected. AIM: To update the situation of malaria in Chile. METHODS: 1) Imported malaria: Analysis of occasional publications on the subject (1945-1988) and the annual reports of the Ministry of Health Department of Epidemiology (1990-2001). Annual reports on the Anopheles specimens collected--mostly larvae--in the provinces of Arica and Iquique and examined in the Parasitology Unit of the School of Medicine, University of Chile, during the period 1980-2001. RESULTS: 1) Imported malaria. A total of 24 cases were published in the period 1945-1988. In the 1980-2001 period, the Ministry of Health recorded 66 cases with 5 (8.8%) deaths. 2) Anophelines: Only in 1984, 1985, 1998 and 2001 A. pseudopunctipennis foci were detected. Entomological surveillance was stressed and insecticides were applied on these focuses. CONCLUSIONS: Autochthonous malaria does not exist in Chile since 1945. The detection of malaria cases in countries where the parasitosis was eradicated, can be the result of tourism or migrations. In Chile, the Environmental Programs of Arica and Iquique perform periodical surveys in localities where mosquitoes exist. When A. pseudopunctipennis is found, the entomological vigilance is stressed and insecticide applications are reiterated until the situation is controlled.

Animals↗

[Current epidemiological situation of trichinosis in Chile. 1991-2000].

BACKGROUND: Human and animal trichinosis has been recorded in Chile since the late XIX century and is irregularly distributed along the country. From high rates of infection in the early 1900, the frequency of this parasitosis in man has progressively decreased. AIM: To describe and discuss the epidemiological situation of trichinosis in Chile during the decade 1991-2000. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Human infection was assessed using annual incidence and lethality reports provided by the Ministry of Health, periodic photostrichinoscopies in corpses of non selected individuals autopsied at the Medico Legal Service and periodic national serologic surveys. The advise of one of the authors in an epidemic that occurred in 1999 in the VIII Region was also used. Animal infection was assessed using the annual prevalence of infection in pigs slaughtered in abattoirs, furnished by the Ministry of Health. RESULTS: A total of 631 clinical cases with 4 deaths (0.6%) was recorded. A decline in the incidence, from 0.7 x 100,000 in 1991 to 0.2 x 100,000 in 2000 was recorded. The higher frequency of the parasitosis was observed in the Metropolitan, VI, VIII and X regions. Although human trichinosis has been observed in all seasons, its frequency increases in close relation with the higher pork consumption in cold seasons (45.8% in winter and 37.5% in spring). There has been a decrease of infection rates in pigs from 0.17@1000 in 1991 to 0.04@1000 in 1998-2000. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence and prevalence of trichinosis shows a constant decline in Chile. Considering the geographical characteristics of Chile, it is possible that an undetermined number of pigs are home reared and butchered without veterinary control, constituting an important source of human trichinosis.

Adolescent↗