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N Rodriguez

Publications and source records attributed to N Rodriguez.

58 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Molecular approaches applied to the epidemiology of leishmaniasis in Venezuela.

Leishmaniasis is on the increase in Venezuela (ca 30,000 new cases per year) due to deterioration in health management, increased risk groups among inmunosuppressed individuals and increased human penetration into the ecological habitats of sandfly vectors. An STD2-funded project (1989-1992) focused on the Andean state of Táchira, which showed the highest annual index of new cases (ca 200-250). The project aimed at contributing to vector/parasite identification through a combination of molecular and well established field techniques: Newly developed molecular methods distinguished among Lu. spinicrassa, Lu. youngi and Lu. townsendi. These three species of the Verrucarum group are sympatric in the Northeast of the state and could be successfully identified by CHA, DNA probes and RAPD. A Le. braziliensis specific KDNA probe used with squash blots indicated that Lu. spinicrassa is the main vector and that Le. braziliensis is the main parasite species in Táchira state, Venezuela. PCR and the Le. brasiliensis specific DNA probe, schizodemes, isoenzymes and polyclonal antibodies agreed as taxonomic criteria for classification of Leishmania isolated from parasitologically confirmed cases in Tachira. Considerable degree of antigen heterogeneity in Venezuelan Le. braziliensis complex and Le. mexicana complex isolates from Tachira suggests multiple candidate antigens for improving the specificity of immunological diagnosis. The methods developed and tested in Táchira state should be valuable in order to help solving other outstanding epidemiological problems such as following of the epidemiological impact of intervention and vector control measures in highly endemic areas. Future work (STD3 funded, 1993-1996) aims to apply these molecular techniques to a vector control pilot study in Lara state, an area showing the highest incidence of new cases in the country.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Ultramicro ELISA to the detection of IgM antibodies in Mycobacterium leprae using dry blood samples].

In this work the adequate conditions for the detection of IgM antibodies to PGL-I in eluates from dried blood spots using the UMELISA HANSEN and the SUMA technology are established. A total of 300 blood donors and 58 leprosy patients samples were studied. For both populations, in the previously established conditions, we compared the results of the eluates from dried blood spots with the serum samples, and was obtained a correlation of 0.919 in blood donors, 0.969 in patients, and 0.954 for the total of both populations. It was also obtained a level of agreement of 98% in patients and 96% in blood donors. In the patients population was found a sensitivity of 93% and an specificity of 100% for the eluates of dried blood spots evaluated by the UMELISA HANSEN in the comparison with the serum samples analized by the same assay.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗