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PubMed1999

Detection and genetic relationship of dengue virus sequences in seventeen-year-old paraffin-embedded samples from Cuba.

This study describes the use of the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to generate dengue 2 amplicons from paraffin-embedded autopsy tissues collected in Cuba 17 years ago. The presumptive diagnoses had been made only by clinical evolution without serologic confirmation. This study confirms once again that dengue 2 virus was directly associated with the fatal cases in children and illustrates the potential of the RT-PCR for retrospective diagnosis of dengue cases 17 years after death. A close similarity in the genomic sequences of the dengue 2 RNA detected in tissue samples from fatal cases and those dengue 2 Cuban strains that had been previously investigated confirms the appropriate genomic classification of the etiologic agent associated with the 1981 dengue hemorrhagic fever Cuban epidemic.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Determination of aflatoxin B1 in food and feedstuffs in Cuba (1990 through 1996) using an immunoenzymatic reagent kit (Aflacen).

The presence of aflatoxin B1 was analyzed in imported food and feedstuffs of national production in the period of 1990 through 1996, destined to animal and human consumption using an immunoenzymatic reagent kit (Aflacen, Ckure, la Habana, Cuba) with a detection limit of 0.3 microg/kg. It was found that the 17.04% of a total of 4,594 analyzed samples presented aflatoxin B1, and the biggest percentages were in sorghum and peanut with an 83.3 and 40.4%, respectively. The corn, oat, wheat, and soy are fundamental raw ingredients in the elaboration of concentrates. Percentages of contamination with aflatoxin B1 of 23.3, 10.7, 25, and 4.6 were found in corn, oat, wheat, and soy, respectively. Other analyzed foods like rice, beans, and peas presented percentages of contamination with aflatoxin B1 inferior to 5% of the analyzed samples. It was found that more than 455 samples surpassed the value of 10 microg/kg. Corn and peanut products present a high demand in population showing levels of contamination superior to 50 microg/kg. The 11.3% of the samples contaminated with aflatoxin B1 have values between 1 and 20 microg/kg, where peanut and concentrates show the highest percentages (21.9 and 18.7), respectively. These results show levels of aflatoxin B1 in the population that constitute a great risk for human and animal health.

Aflatoxin B1↗

PubMed1999

Two new species of coccidia (apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the bearded false chameleon Chamaeleolis barbatus (Sauria: polychridae) from cinco pesos, Pinar Del Río, Cuba.

Parasitological examination of bearded false chameleons Chamaeleolis barbatus freshly imported from Cuba revealed the presence of 2 species of coccidia that are described as new. Oocysts of Isospora chamaeleolidis n. sp. are spherical to slightly subspherical, 16.1 (13-21) x 15.6 (13-19) microm, with a brownish and bilayered wall approximately 1.0-1.5 microm thick; outer layer markedly pitted. 0.75-1.0 microm thick. One, rarely 2, globular polar granules, 1.5 in diameter are present in the sporulated oocysts. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 10.8 (10-13) x 7.8 (7-9) microm, with a smooth, colorless, and unilayered sporocyst wall. Stieda body and substieda bodies are present. A sporocyst residuum is present, consisting of small granules of irregular size scattered among the sporozoites. Oocysts of Eimeria chamaeleolidisbarbati n. sp. are broadly oval, 19.0 (17-21) x 15.7 (15-17) microm, with a bilayered, colorless oocyst wall approximately 0.75 thick; outer layer of oocyst wall is smooth, 0.5 microm thick. One or 2, rarely 4, globular, irregular polar granules, approximately 1.5 microm in diameter, are present in sporulated oocysts. Sporocysts are broadly oval, 7.4 (7-8.5) x 6.1 (5.5-7) microm, with a smooth, colorless, and unilayered sporocyst wall, composed of 2 valves joined by suture; Stieda body and substieda bodies are absent.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Clinical manifestation and molecular identification of patients with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy in a national reference center for neuro-ophthalmology in Cuba].

INTRODUCTION: Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a mitochondrial disorder, confirmed at a molecular level 10 years ago. This had permitted better understanding of the condition. Since 1998, the Instituto de Neurología y Neurocirugía has used these techniques for the study of mutations which are considered to be the origin of the disorder. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We describe the characteristics of 14 cases from 10 families with LHON and the molecular confirmation found between 1994 and 1998 in the Instituto de Neurología Neurocirugía de Cuba. We also review the few cases seen in the previous 18 years. These were from only two families. They were diagnosed on clinical grounds and in view of maternal inheritance. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In 80% of the families in which the presence of primary mutations was investigated there was A117789, and in 20% A3460G. The average age of appearance was 28 years. The ages of onset were within the limits of 11 years and 48 years. There were 43% women. Two cases were considered to be sporadic. The clinical features corresponded to those described in such cases, with severe visual defects, central scotomas, very reduced colour vision and severely altered visual evoked potentials, with normal diffuse light and pattern electroretinograms. An improvement in visual acuity of 0.2 was seen in two cases. Microangiopathy, described as characteristic of the early stages of this disorder was detected in five cases, in at least one eye. The others had different degrees of optic atrophy. Two generations of one complete family, all with mutation 3460, were studied. In several families with this mutation alterations were found in the colour vision test of Farnsworth Munsell Hue 100 and also microangiospathy of the retina.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Aedes albopictus in Cuba.

This is the 1st report of the occurrence of Aedes albopictus in Cuba. It was found in late 1995 in a variety of containers in the municipalities of La Lisa and Boyeros in Havana City.

Aedes↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Werdnig-Hoffmann disease. The first prenatal diagnosis in Cuba].

INTRODUCTION: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the degeneration of cells of the spinal cord. The gene was localized on chromosome 5q13 and exists in two almost identical forms, which are distinguished by the change of base on exones 7 and 8. Mutations of the gene of survival motoreneuron (SMN) are the cause of illness. CLINICAL CASE: We report, for the first time in Cuba, the prenatal diagnosis of a type II SMA carrier, using molecular methods for direct detection of the mutation on exones 7 and 8 of the SMN gene, and haplo-identification with microsatellite markers of chromosome 5q as an indirect method. A sample of amniotic liquid was taken at 18 weeks of gestation and the DNA extracted. No deletions were detected on exones 7 and 8 of the foetal DNA, which was therefore normal. CONCLUSIONS: Detection of deletions on the SMN gene is a method which permits detection of the condition (healthy or unhealthy) of the foetus, quickly and reliably, without requiring investigation of the entire family to obtain a result. The method does not require radio-active PCR, the results are clear and precise and may be obtained within 24 hours. It may also take the place of invasive methods such as muscle biopsy and electro-myography and contribute to genetic assessment in families in which there is no DNA of the affected child.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 5↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Diagnosis of an acute respiratory infection outbreak in children under 3 years of age in Santiago de Cuba].

In November, 1996, there was an outbreak of acute respiratory infection in children under 3 in the province of Santiago de Cuba. 7 samples of nasopharyngeal exudates were received to determine the causal agent of the outbreak by indirect immunofluorescence technique (4 positive samples, 57.14%). They were inoculated in MDCK cells culture and those cases that presented positive hemadsorption (6 isolates, 85.71%) were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence techniques (6 positive samples, 100%) and immunoperoxidase (5 positive samples, 83.3%). All the positive samples were classified as influenza A (subtype H3N2) which confirms what is reported in literature in relation to the circulation of this virus during that year at the national and international level. This paper allowed to know the causal agent of the studied outbreak of acute respiratory infection and to determine the circulation of the influenza A subtype H3N2 in that province.

Acute Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Levels of insecticide resistance and its mechanisms in a strain of Aedes aegypti of Santiago de Cuba].

As a result of the most recent dengue outbreak in Santiago de Cuba province, a strain of this vector was studied to determine the levels of sensitivity and/or resistance to organophosphate and pyrethoid insecticides. The results of bioassays showed low levels of resistance to fention, malathion and deltametrine, moderate levels of resistance to temephos, metyl-pirimifos and cipermetrine and high levels of resistance to chlorpirifios. According to the results obtained from the use of S.S.S. phosphotrithiate trybutil synergist, it was shown that esterases play an important role in resistance to temephos and chlorpirifos. Piperonyl butoxide synergist disclosed that multifunction oxidases were not involved in the resistance to any of the evaluated insecticides. Biochemical techniques were applied to detect esterase-, glutathione-S-transferase- and acetylcholineaterase-mediated resistance mechanisms of Aedes aegypti. In accordance with the high frequency values observed in each of the mechanisms, it was proved that esterases and glutathione-S-transferase were involved in the insecticide resistance but acetylcholinesterases were not. However, acetylcholinesterase gen was found in Aedes aegypti for the first time though at low frequency. The polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis made it possible to observe a well-stained band with a relative mobility value of 0.779; this band was called A4 it was not observed in the reference strain and may be associated to organophosphate resistance which remains to be proved in future research.

Aedes↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[First report of Neisseria polysaccharea in Cuba].

The National Laboratory of Reference of Pathogenic Neisserias of "Pedro Kourí" Tropical Medicine Institute studied 58 strains which had been previously identified as Neisseria meningiditis and isolated from nasopharyngeal carriers from 1985-1998. They were applied the knapp detection scheme plus the glutamiltransferase production test. The latter and the polyscharide production based on 5% sacarose allowed to make a differential diagnosis between N. meningitidis and Neisseria polyccharea. It was possible to identify a N. polysaccharia strain, a species that is reported for the first time in Cuba.

Child↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Adverse reaction surveillance system for vaccination in the Republic of Cuba].

We briefly sets forth the design of a surveillance system of adverse events as a part of the Vaccination Program in Cuba since it has had a world impact and thus, the real scope of such events can be known in the country. On the other hand, this system may be useful for Cuban vaccine-producing industries to prove innocousness of their products after these being licensed. Family physician and nurse program which covers 98% of the Cuban population will make the active-passive surveillance of all those persons who had been vaccinated in a territory possible. This surveillance system will be able to measure risks of adverse events by vaccine, age, number of doses, province and municipalities and by batch and manufacturer so that the causes leading to those events can be known. For this reason, it will contribute to improve the quality of services, protect the vaccination quality and upgrade the Cuban surveillance system.

Cuba↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Circulating Haemophilus influenzae in Cuba. Characterization of strains isolated from meningitis].

Haemophilus influenzae B(Hib) is often associated with serious systemic infections in children under 5 years of age. Since 1993, it is the most frequent agent isolated in meningoencephalitis. All the strains isolated in the country have been characterized in the National Reference Laboratory at the "Pedro Kourí" Tropical Medicine Institute. Results revealed that 97% of strains isolated from bacterial meningoencephalitis in Cuba during the period 1993-1995 corresponded to serotype B, 0.6% to serotype A and 2.4 not belong to any serotype. The classification of serotype B-strains into biotypes proved that 76% was biotype I and 21% biotype II, 8 to biotype III and 1.2% was biotype V. This study found the following resistance to ampicillin 40%, to chloranphenicol 43.3%, sulpha metoxazol 36%, trimetroprim 37.3% and tetracycline 31%.

Cuba↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Eosinophilic meningoencephalitis in Villa Clara (Cuba). A study of 17 patients].

INTRODUCTION: Infection by Angiostrongylus cantonensis is caused by eating snails and slugs or contaminated vegetables, and is the commonest cause of eosinophilic meningoencephalitis throughout the world. OBJECTIVES: To make a further study of this condition, analyze the clinical behaviour and evaluate the cerebrospinal fluid findings and response to treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We made a retrospective, descriptive study by reviewing the clinical histories of a series of 17 adult patients attended in two university hospitals in the province of Villa Clara (Cuba), between December 1991 and January 2000. We recorded the characteristics of the clinical picture, results of the complementary investigations, treatment given and clinical course and the necropsy findings of the three patients who died. The data was collected from questionnaires. RESULTS: Headache was a constant symptom. Twelve patients had high temperatures and seven had stiff necks. Motor deficit and coma were seen in the three patients who died. In two patients the cranial nerves were involved. Spinal fluid pleocytosis varied between 48 and 2570 cells/mm3. Initially there was lymphocyte predominance in 10 patients and subsequently eosinophil conversion. The peripheral eosinophilia, seen in all patients, varied between 7% and 61%. Of the 14 patients cured, eight received symptomatic treatment and six antihelminth drugs. Steroids were given to only one patient. Of the three patients who died, two had received antihelminth drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Motor deficit and coma worsen the prognosis, which is generally good. There is no relation between cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis and raised protein levels in the cerebrospinal fluid, nor between blood eosinophilia and prognosis. The most difficult differential diagnosis in our patients was with leptospirosis. No differences were seen in clinical evolution in relation to the treatment given.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Prevalence of Parkinson disease in an urban area of the Ciudad de La Habana province, Cuba. Door-to-door population study].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of Parkinson's disease in an urban area of Havana City province, Cuba. BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease is one of the most frequent chronic neurodegenerative diseases in the elderly. Prevalence varies widely between different geographic areas and type of studies. To the author's knowledge, there are not epidemiological data on Parkinson's disease in Cuban population that allows a real estimation of the true magnitude of the disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A "door-to-door" population study was carried out between November and December 1997. The area total population aged 15 years and over (n = 17.784) was interviewed and examined during the first phase of the study. This phase was performed by the 33 family doctors practicing in that area. An experienced neurologist previously trained the family doctors on making Parkinson's disease diagnosis. Diagnosis was based on the Brain Bank Society criteria. In order to make a definitive diagnosis of Parkinson's disease every subject that received such a diagnosis during the first phase was re-evaluated by two experienced neurologists. Those subjects with final diagnosis of Parkinson's disease were asked about family history of the disease. Prevalence rates were calculated according to sex, age group, color of the skin and smoking status. RESULTS: A total of 24 subjects received the final diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, yielding a population prevalence rate of 135 x 100,000 inhabitants. Eight subjects (33.3%) received a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease for the first time (de novo cases). Subjects with white color of the skin and non-smoking subjects showed a statistically significant higher prevalence of Parkinson's disease than subjects with non-white color of the skin and non-smokers respectively. Only 3 (12.5%) subjects reported a family history of Parkinson's disease. CONCLUSION: The population of this area has a low prevalence rate of Parkinson's disease compared to that reported in other populations. The observed low frequency of family history of the disease suggests that the main determinants of Parkinson's disease are environmental factors yet to be identified.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints and disability in Cuba. A community-based study using the COPCORD core questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatic diseases are prevalent conditions around the world, but precise information is not easily obtainable in developing countries. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints in the community in Cuba using the ILAR/COPCORD core questionnaire and published methodologies. METHODS: The ILAR/COPCORD core questionnaire was administered in the form of a home survey to 300 adult subjects. Cases, defined as those with present pain and no trauma, underwent a physical examination and selected laboratory or X ray evaluations. RESULTS: The questionnaire was filled out in a mean time of 8 minutes. Ninety-one subjects had present musculoskeletal pain not related to trauma and 83 had had pain in the past. The most frequently affected regions were the lower back (14%); cervical spine (14%); knee (11.5%) and shoulders (10%). Osteoarthritis was the most common diagnosis (19.6%). A total of 166 subjects sought professional help; 56 were treated by a rheumatologist. Most subjects were satisfied with the results of their medical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Musculoskeletal symptoms were prevalent in this community. A larger study will be necessary to obtain a better estimate of diagnoses with a low prevalence.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

TERIMA-2: national extension of thrombolytic treatment with recombinant streptokinase in acute myocardial infarct in Cuba.

AIM: The extension of recombinant streptokinase (rSK) use in Cuba and to evaluate its effect on in-hospital mortality of patients with acute myocardial infarct (AMI). METHODS: A phase IV clinical study was performed in 52 hospitals from the 14 Cuban provinces. Patients (any age) with ST segment elevation or bundle branch block were included if they came less than 12 h after the onset of AMI symptoms, without contraindications for thrombolytic therapy. They received 1.5 x 10(6) IU of rSK (Heberkinasa, Heberbiotec, Havana) intravenously, during one hour. Endpoints were death due to cardiac (pump failure, wall rupture, arrhythmia) or any cause and cardiovascular events at hospital release. RESULTS: The study included 2,923 patients, 22-98 years-old, 74.4% men, which represented 37.2% of the total AMI patients attended at the participating hospitals from November 1992 to May 1995. Aspirin was given to 92.5% and betablockers to 65.3%. AMI was confirmed in 93.5% of the patients. The mean symptoms--rSK infusion time interval was 5.25 h (22.3% of the patients treated within the first 3 h). 302 patients died, 80.1% of them due to cardiac causes, 12 attributed to rSK treatment, and 16 to non-cardiac causes. This 10.4% mortality represents a 4% absolute and a 28.3% relative reduction (179 lives saved per year) as compared to a survey made before rSK treatment was introduced. In a logistic regression analysis, mortality was favored by age, symptoms--infusion time. Killip class, and not having taken aspirin or betablockers. Feminine gender was close to the limit of significance. The more frequent adverse events were arrhythmias and hypotension during infusion. Major bleeding occurred in 27 patients (9 strokes). CONCLUSION: Local recombinant-DNA biotechnology can influence on a major health problem with favorable cost/ and risk/benefit balances, not possible in a developing country with an imported drug. The further extension of this treatment in the country is feasible and recommended, monitored through an appropriate pharmacosurveillance program.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[New species of Anolis (Sauria: Iguanidae) from the north region of eastern Cuba].

A new Anolis species of the Alpha section from the north region of eastern Cuba (Holguín province) is described. It differs from all Cuban species of Anolis in its green coloration with greenish gray bands on body, legs and tail, in having subtriangular mental scales as well as in other details of color and scutellation. This new species is most closely related to A. isolepis but it can be distinguished from both, A. i. isolepis and A. i. altitudinalis, by its coloration and pattern, the larger body size, the presence of smooth ventral scales (similar in size to the dorsal scales) and by the absence of enlarged postcloacal scales in the male.

Animals↗

PubMed1975

[Lambliasis in a european child in Cuba (author's transl)].

Attention is drawn to the possibility of infection with Lamblia intestinalis (Giardia lamblia). In Europe, this parasite is found in 3-26% of children; for tropical countries, higher infection rates are given. In Cuba, infection with Lamblia caused intestinal disorders in a European child.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed1975

Synanthropy of Anthomyiidae, Muscidae and Calliphoridae (Diptera) in Cuba.

The material of 22302 flies of Anthomyiidae, Muscidae and Calliphoridae collected by trap-method in Cuba 1966 was qualitatively and quantitatively analysed. Relative density, seasonal incidence and food preference were ascertained in 20 species. In potential vectors of human diseases the ecological characters and classification of synanthropy are given.

Animal Feed↗