Aggressive periodontitis embraces a cluster of promptly advancing forms of periodontal disease that appear in otherwise clinically healthy patients. The objective of this investigation was to characterize clinical and microbiologically a sample of Colombian patients with Generalized Aggressive Periodontitis (GAgP). In this cross sectional study, 40 subjects 30 years with GAgP who attended the dental clinics of the Universidad de Antioquia in Medellín, Colombia were invited to participate from February 2012 to August 2013. Microbial sampling on periodontitis patients was performed on pockets 5 mm. The deepest six pockets were selected for sampling. The samples were analyzed using microbial culture techniques. Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella spp. were both detected at high levels. In bivariate analysis a strong association between the periodontal parameters and presence of all microorganisms studied was observed (P<0.0001). Similarly, the logistic regression analysis showed a significant association among periodontopathogens. The most relevant was observed between P. gingivalis and Tanerella forsythia (OR=4.8). A high proportion of sites 6mm (869 sites; 49.95%) was observed. In conclusion, P. gingivalis was more intensely related with aggressive periodontal disease, while the occurrence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans was lower than that of P. gingivalis.

La periodontitis agresiva abarca un conjunto de variedades de la enfermedad periodontal que avanzan rápidamente en pacientes clínicamente sanos. El objetivo de esta investigación fue caracterizar clínica y microbiológicamente una muestra de pacientes colombianos con periodontitis agresiva generalizada (PAG). En este estudio transversal, la muestra se conformó con 40 sujetos mayores de 30 años con PAG, que asistieron a las clínicas dentales de la Universidad de Antioquia en Medellín, Colombia, y fueron invitados a participar del estudio desde febrero de 2012 hasta agosto de 2013. El muestreo microbiano en pacientes con periodontitis se realizó en bolsas periodontales 5 mm. Los seis bolsas periodontales más profundos fueron seleccionadas para el muestreo. Las muestras se analizaron usando técnicas de cultivo microbianos. Porphyromonas gingivalis y Prevotella spp. fueron detectadas en niveles altos. En el análisis bivariado se observó una fuerte asociación entre los parámetros periodontales y la presencia de los microorganismos estudiados (P<0,0001). Del mismo modo, el análisis de regresión logística mostró una asociación significativa entre los periodontopatógenos. La asociación más relevante se observó entre P. gingivalis y Tanerella forsythia (OR=4,8). Se observó además, una alta proporción de los sitios 6 mm (49,95%, 869 sitios). En conclusión, P. gingivalis fue más intensamente relacionada con la enfermedad periodontal agresiva, mientras que la aparición de Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans fue mucho menor que la de P. gingivalis.

Clostridium difficile es un bacilo gram positivo, anaerobio estricto, capaz de formar esporas que le permiten su supervivencia en aguas, suelos y en ambientes hospitalarios, donde puede permanecer hasta años. Inicialmente, fue descrito en 1935 como un agente normal de la microbiota intestinal de recién nacidos sanos. El presente escrito pretende revisar las generalidades del microorganismo y de la enfermedad asociada a C. difficile , enfatizando la prevalencia de ambos en nuestro medio, la problemática, el vacío del conocimiento que se presenta y los métodos de laboratorio que permiten su diagnóstico y estudio.

Clostridium difficile is a gram-positive, strictly anaerobic, bacillus capable of forming spores that enable it to survive in waters, soils, and in hospital environments, where it can remain for years. It was initially described in 1935 as a normal microorganism of the intestinal microbiota of healthy newborns. This article reviews the general features of the microorganism and the disease associated with C. difficile , emphasising the prevalence of both in our environment, the problems, the lack of knowledge on it, and the laboratory methods that help in its diagnosis and study.

Este estudo comparou os níveis séricos de IL-6, TNF-alfa e IFN-gama, em crianças menores de um ano com e sem dengue. Os soros foram coletados de um total de 41 crianças residentes no Departamento de Antioquia, Colômbia (27 pacientes com dengue e 14 controles). Os resultados mostraram níveis de citoquinas mais elevadas em crianças com dengue do que naquelas sem dengue, com diferenças estatisticamente significativas para IL-6 and IFN-gama. Não houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre formas clínicas, embora os níveis de IL-6 e IFN-gama estivessem mais elevados nos casos de febre do dengue que nos casos de febre hemorrágica do dengue. Por outro lado, os níveis de TNF-alfa estavam mais elevados na febre hemorrágica do dengue que na febre do dengue. Os níveis de IL-6 and TNF-alfa estavam mais elevados em infecções secundárias que em infecções primarias, embora os níveis de IFN-gama estivessem mais elevados em infecções primárias. Estes resultados sugerem que IL-6, TNF-alfa e IFN-gama estejam envolvidos na infecção do dengue, independentemente da forma clínica.

This study compared the serum levels of IL-6, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, in children under 1 year of age with and without dengue. Sera were collected from a total of 41 children living in the Department of Antioquia, Colombia (27 patients with dengue and 14 controls). The results showed higher cytokine levels in children with dengue than without dengue, with statistically significant differences for IL-6 and IFN-gamma. No statistically significant differences were found between clinical forms, although IL-6 and IFN-gamma levels were higher in dengue fever cases than in dengue hemorrhagic fever cases. On the other hand, TNF-alpha levels were higher in dengue hemorrhagic fever than in dengue fever. The levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were higher in secondary infection than in primary infection, although IFN-gamma levels were higher in primary infection. These results suggest that IL-6, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma are involved in dengue infection independently of the clinical form.