Pulmonary transplantation represents a therapeutic option in patients with advanced pulmonary fibrosis who have a progressive course despite medical treatment, improving their survival and quality of life. It is vital that the pulmonologist knows when to refer a patient and be familiar with the requirements and contraindications. Timely referral grants the necessary time for a complete study, in addition to identifying contraindications and clinical conditions that could be modified and / or corrected before a transplant.

Resumen El trasplante pulmonar representa una opción terapéutica en pacientes con fibrosis pulmonar avanzada que presentan un curso progresivo a pesar de tratamiento médico, mejorando su sobrevida y calidad de vida. Es de vital importancia que el neumólogo conozca cuando referir a un paciente y estar familiarizado con los requisitos necesarios y contraindicaciones para enviar un paciente a un centro de trasplante. La derivación oportuna permite realizar un completo estudio, además de identificar las contraindicaciones y condiciones clínicas susceptibles de modificar y/o corregir antes de un trasplante.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive disease with a bad prognosis. This situation makes rise lung transplant as a therapeutic option among carefully selected patients. Objective: Evaluate the results and survival rates of patients with pulmonary fibrosis that were transplanted through an 8 years period of follow-up, from the beginning of our transplant program. Methods: Descriptive study of the transplanted patients diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis from august 2010 to july 2018. Results: Out of 76 transplants, 68.4% were due to pulmonary fibrosis, among these, the main diagnosis was idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (75%). The average lung allocation score (LAS) was 53 and 32% of them had urgency criteria. Patients ’ age averaged 55 years-old and 98% of them underwent a single lung transplant. Early medical complications were seen in 26 patients with infectious episodes and 6 with acute rejection. The main late complication was chronic allograft dysfunction. The main surgical complication was bronchial stenosis (7.6%). In comparison to its base line reference values FVC means pre transplant and 1 and 3 years post-transplant were 49%, 70% and 71% respectively. A 40% of patients died during follow up period. Infections were the main cause of mortality during the first year. Survival rates at 1st 3rd and 5th year were 86,2%; 65.2% and 59.8% respectively. Conclusions: Single lung transplant is a therapeutic option for patients with interstitial lung disease with a 59% survival rate in 5 years, 1/3 fulfilled urgency criteria at the transplant time. The infections were the main early complication and chronic graft dysfunction was the main late complication.

Resumen La fibrosis pulmonar es una enfermedad progresiva y de mal pronóstico por lo que el trasplante pulmonar sigue siendo una opción para pacientes bien seleccionados. Objetivo: Evaluar resultados y sobrevida de pacientes con fibrosis pulmonar trasplantados a 8 años de inicio del programa de trasplante. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de trasplantados de pulmón por fibrosis pulmonar desde agosto de 2010 a julio de 2018. Resultados: De un total de 76 trasplantes, un 68,4% han sido en pacientes con fibrosis pulmonar. La principal indicación fue fibrosis pulmonar idiopática (75%). El puntaje de priorización pulmonar (LAS) promedio fue de 53 y un 32% cumplía con criterios de urgencia. La edad promedio fue 55 años, y se usó técnica unipulmonar en un 98%. La principal complicación quirúrgica fue la estenosis bronquial (7,6%). De las complicaciones médicas precoces destacaron 26 episodios infecciosos y 6 rechazos celulares agudos. La principal complicación tardía fue la disfunción crónica de injerto. Los resultados funcionales promedio pre trasplante, a 1 y 3 años fueron: CVF de 49%, 71% y 70% del valor teórico. Un 40% ha fallecido en el período de seguimiento. La principal causa de mortalidad el primer año post trasplante fueron las infecciones. La sobrevida a 1, 3 y 5 años fue de 86,2%, 65,2% y 59,8% respectivamente. Conclusiones: En trasplante monopulmonar es una opción de tratamiento en estos pacientes, con una sobrevida de 59% a 5 años. Un tercio se trasplanta con criterios de urgencia, siendo las infecciones la principal complicación precoz y la disfunción crónica de injerto la complicación tardía más frecuente.

Collapse and drying stresses are currently induced during the drying of Eucalyptus nitens in solid wood products. The purpose of this study was to investigate these drying stresses by measuring hygromechanical strains during the drying of Eucalyptus nitens boards. Small samples of Eucalyptus nitens wood were oriented in the radial and tangential directions and tested to determine the hygromechanical strains during the drying process. This experimental work consisted of cantilevered bending tests conducted under variable relative humidity conditions. Tests were performed in a conditioning chamber at 30 °C with an equilibrium moisture content ranging from 22 to 12% under four levels of stress: 0, 10, 20 and 30% of the rupture load. The strains were determined using strain gauges, and the total deflection was measured with a linear variable differential transformer. The results show that in hygromechanical strains during the drying of Eucalyptus nitens, both the surface deformation and mechano-sorption strain were found to be proportional to the applied stress and reached their maximum values in the tangential direction. The total deflection increased 0,18 mm/mm with a surface deformation of 0,20 mm/mm, and the mechano-sorptive strain provides a greater contribution with a value of 0,11 mm/mm, thus corresponding to 59% of the total deformation. In attempts to improve the drying schedules of Eucalyptus nitens to develop solid wood products, mechano-sorptive behavior may be applied to relieve collapse and drying stress.

Introduction: The presence ofpulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with pulmonary fibrosis is a predictor of severity andpoor survival in patients awaiting lung transplantation. Little is known about the impact of PH on survival after lung transplantation. Objective: To evaluate the effect of PH in pulmonary fibrosis patient survival after lung transplantation. Methods: Retrospective study ofpatients diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis subjected to lung transplantation at the Instituto Nacional del Tórax during the period of August 2010 to June 2015. Thresholds of > 25 and > 35 mm Hg were chosen for mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAmean) and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAsystolic), respectively as indicators of PH. Results: Out of a total of 63 patients undergoing lung transplantation during the 2010-2015 period, 42 patients were diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. 35 of these patients had histologic diagnosis of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) and 7 of extrinsic allergic alveolitis in fibrotic stage. Of the total 25 patients with pulmonary fibrosis (60%) had PH in the pre-transplant period. A total of 15 patients died during the follow-up. There was no significant difference in survival between patients with and without PH (p = 0.74). Conclusions: Similar to international studies, we observed that the presence of PH in patients with pulmonary fibrosis did not increase risk of death in post-transplant period.

Introducción: La presencia de hipertensión pulmonar (HTP) en pacientes con fibrosis pulmonar es un predictor de gravedad y pobre sobrevida en pacientes en espera de trasplante pulmonar. Poco se sabe del impacto de la HTP en la sobrevida de los pacientes en el período post trasplante. Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto de la HTP en la sobrevida de los pacientes con fibrosis pulmonar sometidos a trasplante pulmonar. Material y Método: Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes con diagnóstico de fibrosis pulmonar sometidos a trasplante pulmonar en el Instituto Nacional de Tórax durante el período de agosto de 2010 a junio de 2015. Los criterios diagnósticos de hipertensión pulmonar fueron: presión de arteria pulmonar media mayor o igual a 25 mmHg y/o presión sistólica de arteria pulmonar mayor o igual a 35 mmHg. Resultados: De un total de 63 pacientes sometidos a trasplante pulmonar durante el período 2010-2015 en el Hospital del Tórax, 42 pacientes tenían diagnóstico de fibrosis pulmonar. De estos, 35 pacientes tenían diagnóstico histológico de neumonía intersticial usual (UIP) y 7 de alveolitis alérgica extrínseca en etapa fibrótica. Del total de pacientes con fibrosis pulmonar, 25 (60%) presentaba HTP en el período pre trasplante. Un total de 15 pacientes fallecieron durante el seguimiento. Al comparar la sobrevida post trasplante de pacientes con HTP vs sin HTP no se observó diferencia significativa (p = 0,74). Conclusiones: Al igual que en estudios internacionales, no observamos que la presencia de HTP en pacientes con fibrosis pulmonar aumente el riesgo de muerte en el período post-trasplante.

Introduction: In Chile, a number of criteria were agreed for emergency lung transplant in order to diminish the mortality of candidates on the waiting list. Objective: To evaluate short-term transplant patients in emergency condition. Methodology: Retrospective analysis of medical records of patients transplanted from January 2012 to July 2015 demographic data, underlying disease, early and late complication, and survival were recorded. Results: Out of 59 patients transplanted in this period, 18 have been in an emergency condition. Underlying pulmonary disease were: pulmonary fibrosis (n = 13), cystic fibrosis (n = 3), bronchiolitis obliterans (1) and pulmonary hypertension (1). The dependence of non invasive mechanical ventilation was the main reason for urgency (89%). 76% required intraoperative extracorporeal support. Survival at 30 days and 12 months was 94 and 87% respectively. Conclusion: Lung transplantation is a short-term emergency procedure with good results in survival.

Introducción: En Chile se consensuaron una serie de criterios de urgencia para trasplante pulmonar con el fin de disminuir la mortalidad de candidatos en lista de espera. Objetivo: Evaluar la sobrevida a corto plazo de pacientes trasplantados en condición de urgencia. Metodología: Análisis retrospectivo de fichas clínicas de pacientes trasplantados desde enero del 2012 a julio del 2015. Se consignó datos demográficos, enfermedad de base, complicaciones precoces, tardías y sobrevida. Resultados: De 59 pacientes trasplantados en este período 18 han sido en urgencia. Enfermedad de base: fibrosis pulmonar (n = 13), fibrosis quística (n = 3), bronquiolitis obliterante (n = 1), hipertensión pulmonar (n = 1). La dependencia de ventilación mecánica no invasiva fue el principal motivo de urgencia (89%). Un 76% requirió de soporte extracorpóreo intraoperatorio. La sobrevida a 30 días y a 12 meses fue de 94 y 87% respectivamente. Conclusión: El trasplante pulmonar en situación de urgencia es un procedimiento con buenos resultados en sobrevida a corto plazo.

The presence of a respiratory disease at an advanced course causes a poor quality of life and a low survival, so that lung transplantation is an option for a group of patients. The progression of the disease is variable and specific criteria should be considered for selecting transplant candidates according the underlying disease. The decision to enter a patient into a waiting list is complex and involves an addition of several clinical variables, psychological and social assessments, so referring a patient to a transplant center not always makes sure the possibility of reaching a transplant. The timing of referral and the admission to listing are different and it is important to have time for analysis, because of the limited supply of donors. The process for selecting a candidate must assess the condition of underlying disease and the likelihood of surviving the transplant procedure.

La presencia de una patología respiratoria avanzada provoca una deficiente calidad de vida y escasa sobrevida, por lo que el trasplante pulmonar es una opción para un grupo de pacientes. La progresión de la enfermedad es variable y existen diferentes criterios a considerar para la selección de candidatos a trasplante según la patología de base. La decisión de ingresar a lista de espera es compleja e involucra además de variables clínicas de la enfermedad, las evaluaciones psicológicas y sociales, por lo que la derivación a un centro no constituye siempre la posibilidad de alcanzar un trasplante. El momento de la derivación y el momento del ingreso a la lista son diferentes y es importante contar con un tiempo de análisis, ante la escasa oferta de donantes. El proceso de selección de un candidato debe evaluar las condiciones de la patología de base y la probabilidad de sobrevivir al procedimiento del trasplante.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive disease. Lung transplantation is the only effective therapy for a group of patients. Objective: To evaluate results of lung transplantation for fibrosis up to a 5 years of follow up. Methodology: Retrospective review of clinical records of patients subjected to lung transplantation from Clínica Las Condes and Instituto Nacional del Tórax. Demographic data, type of transplant, baseline and post-transplant spirometry and 6 min walked distance (6MWT), early and late complications and long-term survival rate were analyzed. Results: From 1999 to 2015, 87patients with pulmonary fibrosis were transplanted, in average they were 56 years old, 56% were male, 89% of patients were subjected to a single lung transplant. 16% of them were in urgency. Baseline and 1-3-5 years for FVC were 49-73-83 and 78% of the reference values and for 6MWT were 280, 485, 531 and 468 meters respectively. Predominant complications < 1 year post-transplant were: acute rejection (30%) and infections (42%). Complications after 1 year of transplantation were chronic graft dysfunction (DCI) 57% and neoplasms (15%). The main causes of mortality > 1 year were DCI (45%) and neoplasms (11%). The estimated 1, 3 and 5 year survival rate were 84, 71 and 58% respectively. Conclusions: Lung transplantation in patients with pulmonary fibrosis improves their quality of life and survival rate. The monopulmonary technique is efficient in the long term. Acute rejection and infection were the most common early complications and chronic graft dysfunction was the prevalent long-term complication.

La Fibrosis pulmonar es una enfermedad progresiva y el trasplante constituye una terapia efectiva para un grupo de pacientes. Objetivo: Evaluar los resultados del trasplante pulmonar por fibrosis a 5 años. Metodología: Revisión retrospectiva de registros de trasplante pulmonar de la Clínica Las Condes e Instituto Nacional del Tórax. Se analizaron datos demográficos, tipo de trasplante, función pulmonar basal y post-trasplante, complicaciones precoces y tardías y sobrevida a largo plazo. Resultados: Entre 1999 y 2015 ambos centros trasplantaron 87 pacientes por fibrosis pulmonar. Los pacientes tenían una edad promedio de 56 años, 56% eran del género masculino y se usó técnica monopulmonar en 89% de ellos. 16% de los pacientes se encontraba en urgencia. Los resultados espirométricos y la distancia caminada en 6 minutos (T6 min) basales y a 1- 3 - 5 años fueron: CVF 49- 73- 83 y 78% del valor teórico y T6 min fue 280, 485, 531 y 468 metros respectivamente. Complicaciones predominantes < 1 año fueron: rechazo agudo 30% e infecciones 42%. Complicaciones > 1 año fueron: disfunción crónica del injerto (DCI) 57% y neoplasias 15%. Las causas de mortalidad > 1 año fueron DCI 45% y neoplasias 11%. La sobrevida estimada a uno, 3 y 5 años fue 84, 71 y 58% respectivamente. Conclusiones: El trasplante en pacientes con fibrosis pulmonar, permite mejorar la calidad de vida y sobrevida de estos pacientes. La técnica monopulmonar es eficiente a largo plazo. En las complicaciones precoces predominaron el rechazo agudo e infecciones y a largo plazo la DCI.

Resumen El uso de dispositivos móviles computacionales entre las personas ha ganado gran aceptación, al punto de convertirse en un sector con gran representación a nivel mundial; es por esto que el sector académico debe prestar atención a este fenómeno con el ánimo de formalizar los procesos, procedimientos y actividades técnicas necesarias para la producción de aplicaciones con calidad, ya sea en ambientes académicos o industriales. En este sentido, el grupo de investigación GRID de la Universidad del Quindío está realizando el proyecto denominado "Especificación de un marco de referencia metodológico para un laboratorio dedicado al desarrollo de aplicaciones para dispositivos móviles". Hasta el momento se han alcanzado algunas etapas en las cuales se ha identificado información que se pretende compartir con la comunidad académica a través del presente documento.

Abstract The use of mobile devices among people has gained wide acceptance, to the point of becoming a sector with great global representation; that's why academy should pay attention to this phenomenon with the aim of formalizing the process, procedures and technical activities necessary in production of quality applications, either in academic or industrial sectors. In this sense, the research group GRID at Universidad del Quindío is conducting a project called "Specifying a methodological framework for a laboratory dedicated to developing applications for mobile devices." So far there have been some stages in which information that is intended to share with the academic community through this document has been identified.

Marine algae (seaweeds) have been consumed in Asia since ancient times, while in Western countries the main use of seaweeds has been as sources of gelling and colloidal agents for food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. Seaweed is a rich source of nutrients such as proteins, vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Seaweed dietary fibers are particularly rich in the soluble fractions. Compared to the terrestrial vegetables, seaweed is rich in some health-promoting molecules and materials such as w-3 fatty acids and bioactive molecules. The secondary metabolites synthesized by seaweeds have shown antioxidant, antiinflam-matory, anticancer and antidiabetic activity. Therefore, seaweeds can be considered as very interesting natural sources containing new compounds with numerous biological activities that could be used as functional ingredients in many industrial applications such as functional food.

Las algas marinas se han consumido en Asia desde tiempos remotos, mientras que en países occidentales su principal aplicación ha sido como agente gelificante y coloide para la industria de alimentos, farmacéutica y cosmética. Las algas son buena fuente de nutrientes como proteínas, vitaminas, minerales y fibra dietética, al respecto, la fibra dietética de algas es particularmente rica en fracción soluble. Si se comparan las algas con vegetales terrestres, se encuentran más componentes beneficiosos para la salud, como ácidos grasos a>-3 y moléculas bioactivas. Las algas sintetizan diversos metabolitos secundarios que presentan actividad antioxidante, antiinflamatoria, anticancerígena y antidiabética. Por lo tanto, las algas se pueden considerar una fuente natural de gran interés ya que contienen compuestos con numerosas actividades biológicas y pueden ser usadas como ingrediente funcional en muchas aplicaciones industriales como en alimentos funcionales.

The production of manganese dependent peroxidase (MnP) by Phanerochaete chrysosporium and the level of decolorization of 13 dyes were evaluated using static and agitated batch cultures and continuous cultures. A screening carried out under static conditions showed that the oxidative system has a certain affinity for azoic structures. For concentrations of 100 mg l-1 of Acid Black 1, Reactive Black 5, Reactive Orange 16 and Acid Red 27, decolorization percentages higher than 90% were obtained. In batch cultures with Acid Black 1 and Reactive Black 5 a significant increment in primary post-metabolism biomass was observed. For these last two dyes, it was possible to explore the response of the continuous system during 32 to 47 days, with concentrations between 25 to 400 mg l-1, obtaining decolorization percentages greater than 70% for 400 mg l-1.

Background: In Chile, flour is fortified with folic acid since 2000, and the incidence of neural tube defects has decreased. Cranio-encephalic congenital defects (CECD) have a wider clinical scope, includind classical neural tube defects (NTD) such as anencephalia and acrania, but also incorporating other defects. Therefore, the effects of folic acid fortification on the incidence of CECD could be different. Aim: To study the effect of folic acid fortification on the incidence of CECD. Material and methods: All prenatal diagnoses of CECD and cases registered locally in the Latin American Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations (ECLAMC) were reviewed. The obtained data were crossed with all death certificates of newborns or stillborns of more than 500 g in the Sixth Region, in Central Chile. All cases were classified again in four subtypes, according to their phenotype. The incidences of all subtypes prior (1996-2000) and after folic acid supplementation (2001-2004), were compared. Results: Between 1996 and 2004, there were 64 cases of CEDC among 109,176 infants born alive. The global rate was 8.86 per 10,000 born alive in the period prior to fortification and 3.03 per 10,000 born alive after fortification. Comparing both periods, there was a 66% reduction in all CECD and a 77 and 100% reduction in subtypes A and B of CECD, respectively (p <0.05). No significant reductions in type C and D CECD, were observed. Conclusions: After the start of flour folic acid fortification, there was a global reduction in the incidence of CECD. However, only types A and B CECD, supposedly more responsive to folic acid, were reduced

We report a clinical case of antiphospholipid syndrome with previous fetal death and extended anticoagulant treatment. At a second gestation (bichorionic twins) an early selective restriction of one fetus was developed which stopped growth on week 25. After a treated maternal thrombocytopenia we proceed with an elective premature delivery by cesarean section on week 28. Both twins (860 and 406 grams each) survived the neonatal period. We discuss the ethiopatogenic probable mechanisms and singular aspects of circulatory adaptation of twin B in a very complex case and management

Se presenta un caso clínico de síndrome antifosfolípidos con antecedente de mortinato y tratamiento anticoagulante prolongado. En la segunda gestación (gemelar bicoriónico) desarrolla una restricción fetal precoz selectiva en un gemelo, seguido de detención definitiva de su crecimiento en semana 25. Luego del tratamiento de una trombocitopenia materna intercurrente se decidió la interrupción del embarazo en semana 28 por operación cesárea. Ambos gemelos de 860 y 406 gramos sobrevivieron en buenas condiciones al período neonatal. Se discuten los mecanismos etiopatogénicos y aspectos singulares observados en la adaptación circulatoria del gemelo B

Background: Pulmonary diseases are common among HIV infected patients. The prevalence of the different diseases varies greatly. Aim: To identify the different pulmonary diseases that affect a Chilean population of HIV infected patients and to identify factors associated with in hospital mortality. Material and methods: Retrospective review of the clinical records of all HIV infected patients with lung diseases discharged from our institution during a period of 3.5 years. Collection of demographic and biomedical data. Results: One hundred seventy one patients (aged 35.7 years, 86% men) had 236 episodes of lung diseases. Only 13.5% of the patients were receiving antiretroviral therapy and 18% were on pneumocystis prophylaxis. Infectious diseases accounted for 87% of the discharges, neoplasm for 5.1%. Pneumocystis jirovecii infection was responsible for 37.7% of the episodes, community acquired pneumonia was seen in 24.1% and mycobacterial diseases in 14.4%. Two or more conditions were present in 13.6%. Death during hospital stay occurred in 19.5%. Multivariate analysis identified pneumothorax as the only significant independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with pneumocystis pneumonia, while nosocomial pneumonia was the only predictor of death among patients with non-pneumocystis pulmonary diseases. Conclusions: Infectious diseases were the main cause of hospitalization among Chilean HIV infected patients. Mortality among these patients remains high. Appropriate antiretroviral therapy and prophylaxis may alter pulmonary disease prevalence in the future. Every effort should be made to avoid the development of pneumothorax and nosocomial pneumonia

The aim of this communication is to review the way of delivering twin pregnancy complicated by either Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) or acardic twin with reverse arterial perfusion. The monochorionic placentae is characterised by superficial or deep vascular anastomosis which leads to the complications mentioned above, which are associated with almost 100% mortality when they are not treated antenatally. We describe two cases of severe TTTS and acardic twin with reverse arterial perfusion both diagnosed antenatally during the first and early second trimester of pregnancy on which laser treatment either on placental vascular anastomoses or pelvic single umbilical artery were done successfully. In addition of this we discuss some clinical aspects of prevention of premature delivery, antenatal and intrapartum medical care for twin pregnancy in general and specifically for complicated monochorionic twin pregnancy. We conclude that a successful fetal therapy improves pregnancy prognosis and makes possible vaginal delivery

El propósito de la comunicación es revisar la vía del parto en embarazo gemelar complicado por Síndrome de Transfusión Gemelo-Gemelo (STGG) y por gemelo acardio con perfusión arterial reversa. La placentación del gemelar monocoriónico por sus anastomosis arteriales y venosas genera esas complicaciones que se asocian a una mortalidad cercana a 100% cuando no son tratadas en el período antenatal. Se describen dos casos de gemelar monocoriónico complicado, uno con STGG y otro, un acardio con perfusión reversa, ambos con diagnóstico ultrasónico precoz en primer trimestre y comienzo del segundo, que fueron exitosamente tratados in útero con coagulación láser sobre anastomosis vascular placentaria y sobre arteria umbilical pelviana obteniendo mejoría hemodinámica y recuperación de la funcionalidad placentaria. Se discuten aspectos generales del cuidado médico antenatal e intraparto del embarazo gemelar y específicamente del gemelar monocoriónico complicado. Se concluye que la terapia in útero fue exitosa además de mejorar el pronóstico puede favorecer la vía vaginal de parto

In general, because the areas chosen for growing them and because the way they feed, mollusks are important vectors in the transmission of several diseases to humans. Among these diseases is cholera. In this study isolation and identification of Salmonella spp.; Vibrio cholerae, and fecal coliforms were carried in 260 clams collected during a year from the northern coast of Veracruz state, Gulf of Mexico. Baseline methods included those recommended by the Bacteriological Analytic Manual (BAM-FDA). Vibrio cholerae 01 was found in 7% of the samples, Salmonella spp. in 9%, and Vibrio no 01 in 22%. Besides, fecal coliforms were detected in all samples (100%). Summer was the time with higher presence of all the microorganisms; even they existed all year around. Pathogenic bacteria in clams make their consumption risky to public health. The detection of fecal coliforms in water shows the existence of non-well planned human settlements and activities around water reservoirs in Atlantic coast of Mexico.

Los moluscos bivalvos, por su tipo de alimentación y por las zonas elegidas para su cultivo, pueden ser un vehículo de transmisión de microorganismos patógenos. Un total de 260 muestras de almejas obtenidas a lo largo de un ciclo anual, en la porción norte del Estado de Veracruz, Golfo de México, se estudiaron para determinar la presencia de Salmonella spp., Vibrio cholerae y organismos coliformes fecales. La metodología usada fue la recomendada por el Manual de Bacteriología Analítica de la Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos (BAM-FDA). Del total de las muestras analizadas, en el 7% se aisló Vibrio cholerae 01 Inaba toxigénico, Salmonella spp. en el 11%, Vibrio cholerae no 01 en el 21.5% y el 100% de las almejas presentó coliformes fecales. Durante todo el período de muestreo, fue posible aislar a los microorganismos en estudio, teniendo la mayor contaminación en los meses de verano. La presencia de organismos patógenos manifiesta la contaminación y el riesgo del consumo de estos productos. La incidencia de organismos coliformes fecales señalan por lo general asentamientos humanos mal planificados que facilitan la contaminación del agua con heces.