[The Peru balsam. 4. Products of the Peru balsam tree: Peru balsam, the balsam of the husks, the wood].
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Two isolates (SL1 and SL6) of Peru tomato virus (PTV, genus Potyvirus) were obtained from cocona plants (Solanum sessiliflorum) growing in Tingo María, the jungle of the Amazon basin in Peru. One PTV isolate (TM) was isolated from a tomato plant (Lycopersicon esculentum) growing in Huaral at the Peruvian coast. The three PTV isolates were readily transmissible by Myzus persicae. Isolate SL1, but not SL6, caused chlorotic lesions in inoculated leaves of Chenopodium amaranticolor and C. quinoa. Isolate TM differed from SL1 and SL6 in causing more severe mosaic symptoms in tomato, and vein necrosis in the leaves of cocona. Pepper cv. Avelar (Capsicum annuum) showed resistance to the PTV isolates SL1 and SL6 but not TM. The 5'- and 3'-proximal sequences of the three PTV isolates were cloned, sequenced and compared to the corresponding sequences of four PTV isolates from pepper, the only host from which PTV isolates have been previously characterised at the molecular level. Phylogenetic analyses on the P1 protein and coat protein amino acid sequences indicated, in accordance with the phenotypic data from indicator hosts, that the PTV isolates from cocona represented a distinguishable strain. In contrast, the PTV isolates from tomato and pepper were not grouped according to the host. Inclusion of the sequence data from the three PTV isolates of this study in a phylogenetic analysis with other PTV isolates and other potyviruses strengthen the membership of PTV in the so-called "PVY subgroup" of Potyvirus. This subgroup of closely related potyvirus species was also distinguishable from other potyviruses by their more uniform sizes of the protein-encoding regions within the polyprotein.
In countries where cysticercosis is endemic, the proportion of epilepsy due to cysticercosis is not well documented. To investigate the association between cysticercosis and epilepsy, we used the enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) assay to detect serum antibodies to Taenia solium in 498 consecutive outpatients at a neurology clinic in Lima, Peru. Every patient was classified as epileptic (n = 189) or non-epileptic (n = 309) after neurological, and where possible electroencephalographic, examination. A substantially higher proportion of epileptic than non-epileptic patients was seropositive in the EITB (22 [12%] vs 8 [3%], p < 0.001). 19% of epileptic patients born outside Lima, 20% of those with late-onset epilepsy, and 29% of patients with both these characteristics were seropositive. Thus, in Peru, cysticercosis is an important aetiological factor for epilepsy.
In Peru pork supplied through regulated slaughterhouses is primarily restricted to the large cities on the coast. Approximately 65% of the pork consumed in the country is obtained through informal channels that are not inspected or supervised. The pathways via which pigs are commercialized were studied in Huancayo, a city in the Peruvian Sierra where cysticercosis is endemic. Official purchase, slaughter, and market records were reviewed. Also, direct surveys and participant observation were carried out at two local live pig markets and at two informal meat markets. Pigs were not processed in local slaughterhouses; instead, they were butchered informally. The proportion of cysticercotic pigs detected by tongue examination ranged from 14% to 25% of the total sold. Since cysticercotic pigs and pork are sold through informal markets, surveys of abattoirs and meat markets are not a reliable way to monitor the prevalence of porcine cysticercosis in Peru. We estimate that 48% of the pork traded informally and 23% of the total pork consumed in Huancayo is derived from pigs that are infected with cysticercosis.
A serological survey was performed using the enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot assay (EITB) in a village in the highlands of Peru where there are three distinct but close neighborhoods, to determine if there is a direct relationship between human and porcine Taenia solium infection. One hundred and eight out of 365 individuals were sampled, and 14 were seropositive (human seroprevalence 13%). Most seropositive individuals were neurologically asymptomatic. Thirty-eight out of 89 sampled pigs (43%) were seropositive. There was a clear geographical clustering of cases, and positive correlation between human and porcine seroprevalence found when comparing the three neighborhoods. Cysticercosis is an important cause of neurological morbidity in most developing countries, and control/eradication trials are now being increasingly applied. Porcine serology provides an appropriate indicator of T. solium environmental contamination and should be used to estimate the risk of infection when evaluating control measures.
BACKGROUND: In Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, allergic reactions to balsam of Peru (BP) have now made it the third most common contact allergen. OBJECTIVE: A series of 20 single BP constituents (including resorcinol monobenzoate), established in 1995, was used for patch tests in patients with a positive reaction to BP in the standard series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1995 and 1998, 2,273 patients were tested with the standard series, including BP, fragrance mix (FM), and propolis. Patients positive for BP were requested to participate in a further test using the 19 compounds of the BP constituents and resorcin monobenzoate (BP series); 102 patients agreed and were patch tested. The results of the 72-hour reading were used for the evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 93 patients reacted to 1 or more of the BP series compounds. Positive reactions were seen, in decreasing order, to cinnamic alcohol, cinnamic acid, coniferyl benzoate, benzoic acid, cinnamyl cinnamate, eugenol, resorcinol monobenzoate, coniferyl alcohol, and benzyl alcohol. There were no positive reactions to vanillin or ferulic acid. A correlation between skin lesions and frequent consumption of sweets was found in 7 patients with major positive test reactions to coniferyl benzoate and benzyl alcohol. Most of the reactions to eugenol and isoeugenol had less to do with BP itself than with a primary sensitization to fragrances. Although resorcin monobenzoate (RMB) has up to now not been detected in BP, 16 patients reacted distinctly to this compound. Eleven were strong smokers; the remaining ones had contact with plastic materials that have been reported to contain RMB. RMB is used frequently as an antioxidant in synthetic material. When these patients stopped smoking, the skin lesions cleared. However, consumption of sweets caused recurrences. CONCLUSION: The evaluation of reactions to single constituents of BP by testing with the special BP series facilitates understanding how sensitization may be acquired. The allergen may prove to be BP itself or 1 or more of its constituents. Testing for the constituents of this series may provide patients with a more specific allergen diagnosis and may facilitate improved therapy. BP may function as an important indicator for contact allergy to RMB.
We compared results of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and an enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) assay for the diagnosis of cysticercosis in sera and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Sera from 34 patients with confirmed cysticercosis were tested by both ELISA and EITB assays. Cerebrospinal fluid from some of these patients was also tested by ELISA for the presence of antibody (AB-ELISA) (n = 21) and antigen (AG-ELISA) (n = 15). Specificity in sera was examined by testing 51 serum samples from Bangladesh, where cysticercosis is not endemic. Cross-reactivity was evaluated in sera from patients with Echinococcus granulosus (hydatid) and Hymenolepis nana infections. Sensitivity in detecting cysticercosis in sera was 94% by EITB and 65% by AB-ELISA (P less than 0.01). Sensitivities in the CSF tested by EITB, AB-ELISA, and AG-ELISA were 86%, 62%, and 67%, respectively. The specificity of the EITB was 100%, while that of AB-ELISA was 63% (P less than 0.01). Cross-reactions occurred in the AB-ELISA with 11% and 20% of sera from hydatid and H. nana patients, respectively. Our results demonstrate that the EITB is the best assay available for the diagnosis of cysticercosis in both sera and CSF.
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The baseline sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) frequency and sensitivity to the effects of the mutagens cyclophosphamide (CPP) and ethylnitrosourea (ENU) in bone-marrow cells of descendants of wild mice trapped from Rimac valley in Peru (Peru mice) were studied and compared to the same effects in laboratory mice. Baseline SCE of the Peru mice were significantly higher than those of the C57BL/6J and DBA/2 mice. The average SCE/cell of 4 Peru mice was 5.4 (range 3.8-7.6), while the average of SCE/cell of either 4 C57BL or 5 DBA mice was 3.2 (range 3.0-3.4). The variation of SCE/cell among Peru mice studied was statistically significant whereas among C57BL or DBA mice it was not. SCE frequencies of primary cultures derived from the ear tissue of 10 Peru (mean SCE/cell = 8.5) were also significantly higher than those of 6 C57BL mice (mean SCE/cell = 7.4). CPP treatment resulted in a dose-dependent increase of SCE frequencies in bone-marrow cells of all the mice. However, some of Peru mice treated with CPP had significantly higher SCE than the other Peru mice and than all of the C57BL and DBA mice treated with equivalent dose. ENU induced increased SCE frequencies in Peru and C57BL mice. Again some of Peru mice either had significantly higher SCE, greater extent induced cell-cycle delay or chromosome aberrations (CA) than other Peru mice and than of all the C57BL mice treated with equivalent dose.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
In 1991, confirmed polio cases were reported in the Americas only from Peru (1 wild-type 1 poliovirus) and Colombia (6 wild-type 1 poliovirus) [see front page of this issue]. 1 other wild-type 1 poliovirus was isolated from a case of acute flaccid paralysis in Peru with onset of paralysis in December 1990. The response to the confirmed cases in Colombia was to target more that 1 million households in the risk area for mop-up vaccination campaigns. Approximately 80% of the children under 5 years of age were vaccinated in 2 rounds of campaigns. A 3rd round is scheduled for February 1992. The last confirmed polio case in Peru (date of paralysis onset August 1991) was reported from the department of Junin. The initial immunization response was directed to essentially all the communities in the Department. Over 90% of the children of Junin were vaccinated with OPV in 2 rounds of mop-up campaigns held in 1991. However, vaccination activities have been greatly affected by civil disturbance, health strikes, and work slowdowns. The great majority of vaccine delivered in Peru in 1991 could only be delivered by way of house-to-house mop-up activities. In followup campaigns, 587,557 (96%) of the targeted children under 5 years of age were vaccinated. Of the 615,070 children targeted, 63% were also vaccinated 1 month later during the 2nd round of activities. Of the 22 million inhabitants in Peru, approximately 3 million are under 5 years of age. For 1992, the Peruvian Government has established that 66% of these children are under very high risk conditions and in critical need of special vaccination programs. The Ministry is mounting a house-to-house mop-up campaign that will be carried out from 29 February to 8 March and will include health education for cholera prevention. As of the 3rd week of 1992, the cholera epidemic continues to scourge Peru. Over 320,000 cases were reported in 1991, representing 75% of all cholera cases reported for all countries in the Americas in 1991 and 60% of the world's reported cases during 1991. The cholera epidemic in the Americas is the single largest cholera epidemic that has occurred in the world during this century. In response to the initial cases, Peru set up a cholera surveillance system patterned after the system established for acute flaccid paralysis. PAHO strongly believes that special attention to integrate mass vaccination campaigns with cholera prevention activities should help consolidated efforts toward achieving polio eradication in Peru. During the mop-up campaign that will take place--the largest ever carried out in the Americas--, approximately 2 million households will be visited in order to vaccinate the children and disseminate cholera information.
Patch tests (PTs) with spices, such as clove, cinnamon, Jamaica pepper and vanillin sugar, and with balsam of Peru were made on 29 patients 0.8-2.9 years after an allergy to balsam of Peru had been detected. Positive reactions to balsam of Peru were seen in 17 patients, and to clove, Jamaica pepper or cinnamon in 5. Double-blind placebo-controlled peroral challenges (DBPCPCs) with balsam of Peru and spices (active substances) were performed on 22 patients. A substantial increase (30-280%) in the number of palmar vesicles after the DBPCPC with the active substances, but not with placebo, was seen in 8 patients, an increase with both the active substances and placebo in 3, and with placebo but not the active substances in 1 patient. 4 of the 8 patients with positive DBPCPCs with the active substances were negative to balsam of Peru in the 2nd PT. No other objective symptoms were seen after the DBPCPCs. Balsam of Peru and the spices were retested 3 months after the DBPCPC. Both alleviation and aggravation of the PT reactions were seen. It is concluded that ingested flavoured foods might cause systemic contact reactions in some patients with allergy to balsam of Peru, but the benefits of a flavour-avoiding diet are questionable in all of them.
Sera of an experimentally Neospora caninum infected llama and a non-infected control llama were used to establish an immunoblot, an ELISA and an IFAT to detect antibodies against N. caninum tachyzoites. Subsequently, serum samples collected from a total of 871 South American Camelids (SAC: Lama glama, Lama pacos, Lama vicugna) of two farms in Peru and from 32 SAC of a farm in central Germany were examined for antibodies against N. caninum and Toxoplasma gondii. Based on the recognition of specific bands in the immunoblot, sera of SAC from Peru were differentiated into N. caninum-positive (n = 18) and T. gondii-positive (n = 30) samples and into samples negative or inconclusive for both parasites. Using the immunoblot results as the reference, a modified version of the p38-ELISA and the IFAT were evaluated for detecting N. caninum antibodies in SAC sera. Applying a cut-off as determined by two graph-receiver operating characteristic analysis both, the ELISA and the IFAT, exhibited a sensitivity and specificity of about 95% in the SAC sera from Peru. Serological testing confirmed that SAC may become infected with N. caninum under field conditions in Peru. In addition to alpacas and llamas also 114 wild living vicunas had been examined for antibodies against N. caninum. However, only the alpacas and llamas but no vicunas were found N. caninum-positive. In contrast, T. gondii-seropositive animals were detected in all three SAC species. The lack of N. caninum-seropositive vicunas indicates that in the study area in Peru wild canids might not serve as definitive hosts of N. caninum while for T. gondii a life cycle including wild felids is likely. On the German farm no N. caninum- but only T. gondii-seropositive SAC (n = 14) were detected. The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was significantly higher in adult SAC (alpacas in Peru, llamas in Germany) than in crias (i.e. < 12 months old foals) indicating that the predominant route of infection is post natal. Since the present study was restricted to a few farms, the seroprevalences determined are not representative. However, our results confirm natural infections with N. caninum and T. gondii in SAC. Whether these infections are linked to any disease, e.g. reproductive losses, has to be clarified in further studies.
Two major domestic terrorist groups have plagued Peru over the past 20 years, the Sendero Luminoso or "Shining Path" (SL) and the Revolutionary Movement Túpac Amaru (MRTA). On 28 August 2003, the Peruvian Truth and Reconciliation Commission reported that an estimated 69,280 persons were killed in the internal conflict in Peru from 1980 to 2000. Most of the victims were farmers (56%), most attacks occurred in rural settings (79%), and the SL was responsible for most of the deaths (54%). Aggressive anti-terrorism efforts by police and military during this period, often at the expense of basic human rights, also contributed to this large burden of terrorism on Peru. During the 1990s, terrorist attacks in Peru had spread to its urban areas. On 17 December 1996, 22 members of MRTA took over the Japanese ambassador's residence in Lima, holding 72 hostages until the grounds were stormed by Peruvian special forces on 23 April 1997. Until recently, emergency planning and preparedness for terrorism-related events in Peru were largely underdeveloped. In the last five years, Peru has taken two key steps towards developing a mature emergency response system, with the establishment of the country's first emergency medicine residency training program and the construction of the first dedicated trauma center in Lima.