ABSTRACT Introduction: Congenital cytomegalovirus infection in neonates weighing less than 1500 grams can be a cause of morbidity, mortality, and disability. Objective: To describe the behavior of congenital cytomegalovirus infection in a neonatal service. Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 61 neonates. Cytomegalovirus was detected in the first week of life in serum and urine, by polymerase chain reaction, to determine congenital infection. Perinatal variables were evaluated in all neonates, as well as clinical elements and results of complementary examinations in infected infants. Results: The incidence of congenital infection was 10% (6/61). 5% of the studies were positive (6/122). No urine samples were positive (0/61) and the virus genome was detected in 10% of serum samples (6/61). An association was found between nutritional assessment at birth and cytomegalovirus infection (p < 0.05). A total of 83% of infected neonates had some clinical sign, with respiratory distress syndrome being the most common (67%). In all neonates with congenital infection, brain ultrasound was normal, and retinopathy of prematurity was detected in 33% of patients with fundus retinopathy. Conclusions: The incidence of congenital cytomegalovirus infection is high in this risk group. The clinical signs found and the results of the fundus in neonates with congenital infection were related to prematurity and the nutritional assessment of hypotrophic was associated with this infection.

RESUMEN Introducción: La infección congénita por el citomegalovirus en neonatos menores de 1500 gramos puede ser causa de morbilidad, mortalidad y discapacidad. Objetivo: Describir el comportamiento de la infección congénita por citomegalovirus en un servicio de neonatología. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal con 61 neonatos. Se les realizó detección de citomegalovirus en la primera semana de vida en suero y orina, mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa, para determinar infección congénita. Se evaluaron variables perinatales en todos los neonatos, así como elementos clínicos y resultados de exámenes complementarios en los infectados. Resultados: La incidencia de infección congénita fue de un 10 % (6/61). El 5 % de los estudios fueron positivos (6/122). Ninguna muestra de orina resultó positiva (0/61) y en el 10 % de las muestras de suero (6/61) se detectó el genoma del virus. Se encontró asociación entre valoración nutricional al nacer e infección por citomegalovirus (p< 0,05). El 83 % de los neonatos infectados presentaron algún signo clínico y el síndrome de dificultad respiratoria fue el más frecuente (67 %). En todos los neonatos con infección congénita el ultrasonido cerebral fue normal y en el 33 % se detectó retinopatía de la prematuridad en el fondo de ojo. Conclusiones: La incidencia de infección congénita por citomegalovirus es alta en este grupo de riesgo. Los signos clínicos encontrados y los resultados del fondo de ojo en neonatos con infección congénita se relacionaron con la prematuridad y la valoración nutricional de hipotrófico se asoció con esta infección.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Congenital cytomegalovirus infection is a cause of hearing loss and cognitive impairments. Perinatal infection by this virus is more frequent in neonates< 1500 g and produces fewer neurological sequelae. Objective: To describe neurological evaluation in the first year of life in very low birth weight children with cytomegalovirus infection. Methods: A descriptive and longitudinal study involving 14 neonates< 1500 g, with a diagnosis of congenital or perinatal cytomegalovirus infection; to which neurodevelopmental evaluation, cranial ultrasound, auditory brain stem evoked potentials and visual potentials were performed at 40 weeks, six months and one year of corrected gestational age. In the first evaluation, electroencephalogram was also performed. Results: 43 % had congenital infection and 57 % perinatal infection. At 40 weeks, 79% of cases were fully evaluated, at six months 64% and at one year 36%. No abnormalities were observed on the cranial ultrasound or electroencephalogram. At one year of corrected age, slight alterations in neurodevelopment were detected in 33.3% of all cases (2/6) and with the same percentage in children with congenital (1/3) and perinatal (1/3) infection. In no patient evaluated, sensorineural deafness or visual nerve damage was detected. Conclusions: The neurodevelopmental alterations found at one year of corrected age may be related to prematurity or cytomegalovirus infection. Medium- and long-term follow-up is necessary to detect other late-onset neurological sequelae.

RESUMEN Introducción: La infección congénita por citomegalovirus es causa de pérdida auditiva y alteraciones cognitivas. La infección perinatal por este virus es más frecuente en neonatos< 1500 g y produce menos secuelas neurológicas. Objetivo: Describir la evaluación neurológica en el primer año de vida en niños muy bajo peso al nacer con infección por citomegalovirus. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo y longitudinal en el que se incuyeron 14 neonatos< 1500 g, con diagnóstico de infección congénita o perinatal por citomegalovirus; a los cuales se les realizó evaluación del neurodesarrollo, ultrasonido craneal, potenciales evocados auditivos de tallo cerebral y potenciales visuales a las 40 semanas, a los seis meses y al año de edad gestacional corregida. En la primera evaluación se realizó además, electroencefalograma. Resultados: El 43 % tuvo infección congénita y 57 % infección perinatal. A las 40 semanas se evaluaron completamente 79 % de los casos, a los seis meses 64 % y al año 36 %. No se observaron anormalidades en el ultrasonido craneal, ni en el electroencefalograma. Al año de edad corregida, se detectaron alteraciones ligeras del neurodesarrolo en 33,3 % del total de casos (2/6) y con igual porcentaje en los niños con infección congénita (1/3) y perinatal (1/3). En ningún paciente evaluado se detectó sordera neurosensorial, ni daño del nervio visual. Conclusiones: Las alteraciones del neurodesarrollo encontradas al año de edad corregida pueden estar relacionadas con la prematuridad o la infección por citomegalovirus. El seguimiento a mediano y largo plazo es necesario para detectar otras secuelas neurológicas de debut tardío.

ABSTRACT Introduction: It is still controversial the biological connotation of multiple infections with high-risk human papillomaviruses (hrHPV), that belong to the genus Alphapapillomavirus, for the cervical carcinogenesis. Objective: To provide information on the circulation of hrHPV, genus Alphapapillomavirus, specie 9, and the multiple infections in Ecuadorian women with intraepithelial lesions and cervical cancer. Methods: 300 women, from the coastal region of Ecuador, were screened. Viral infection was detected in cervix samples by nested PCR with MY09/11 and GP5/GP6 generic primers. Viral genotypes were identified using the commercial kit ANYPLEX II VPH28. The prevalence ratio (PR) was used to measure the association between cytological lesions and the simple, multiple or combined genotype infections. Results: Ninety-two percent of women (276/300) tested positive for HPV. Frequency of infection for single genotypes was high, mainly those of high oncogenic risk. The most frequent hrHPV genotypes were HPV58 (18.17%), 70 (8.64%), 53 (8.34%), 35 (7.45%), 16 (7.37%), 33 (6.55%), 31 (5.58%) and 18 (4.24%). In 91.66% (253/300) of the samples, multiple infections were detected, with up to 13 types in a single patient, including various species from the genus Alphapapillomavirus. The combination HPV16/HPV58 was the most frequent on high-grade lesions (PR = 2.9; p = 0,000), and HPV16/HPV58/HPV70 triple co-infection prevailed in women with cervical cancer (PR = 3.5; p = 0.007). Conclusions: The results evidence that the combination HPV16/HPV58, genus Alphapapillomavirus, specie 9, could be a key factor in the occurrence of premalignant lesions and their evolution into cervical cancer.

RESUMEN Introducción: El significado biológico de las infecciones múltiples con virus del papiloma humano de alto riesgo oncogénico (VPH-AR), pertenecientes a la familia Alphapapillomavirus, en la carcinogénesis cervical aún es controversial. Objetivo: Proporcionar información sobre la circulación del VPH-AR del género Alphapapillomavirus-especie 9, e infecciones múltiples en mujeres ecuatorianas con lesiones intraepiteliales y cáncer cervicouterino (CaCU). Métodos: Se estudiaron 300 mujeres, residentes en la región Litoral del Ecuador. Se detectó la infección viral en muestras cervicales, mediante PCR anidada con cebadores genéricos MY09/11 y GP5/GP6. Los genotipos virales fueron identificados con el sistema comercial ANYPLEX II VPH28. La razón de prevalencia (RP) fue utilizada como medida de asociación entre las lesiones citológicas y las infecciones simples, múltiples o combinaciones de genotipos. Resultados: Se detectó VPH en el 92,00 % (276/300) de las mujeres, con frecuencias altas de infección por genotipos individuales, principalmente de alto riesgo oncogénico. Los VPH-AR más frecuentes fueron VPH58 (18,17 %), 70 (8,64 %), 53 (8,34 %), 35 (7,45 %), 16 (7,37 %), 33 (6,55 %), 31 (5,58 %) y 18 (4,24 %). En el 91,66 % (253/276) de las muestras se detectaron infecciones múltiples, hasta con 13 tipos en una misma paciente, incluyendo varias especies del género Alphapapillomavirus. La combinación VPH16/VPH58 fue la más frecuente en lesiones de alto grado (RP = 2,9; p = 0,000), y la coinfección triple VPH16/VPH58/VPH70 predominó en las mujeres con CaCU (RP = 3,5; p = 0,007). Conclusión: Los resultados demuestran que la combinación VPH16/VPH58 del género Alphapapillomavirus, especie 9, podría ser un factor clave en la aparición de lesiones premalignas y su progresión hacia el CaCU.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The use of molecular techniques for the diagnosis of high oncogenic risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) is crucial for the early detection of cervical cancer. Objective: To evaluate the analytical performance of two real-time PCR kits, commercialized by the Cuban Immunoassay Center, to detect hrHPV. Methods: Two DNA panels from cervical samples were used: one with 150 samples to validate the SUMASIGNAL HPV 16/18 kit, the DNA extraction process and its usefulness as a quantitative test; and another with 163 samples to evaluate the HPV 13+2 kit. The clinical utility of the HPV 13+2 kit was determined in 55 self-collected cervicovaginal samples. The analytical performance indicators of both kits were calculated with respect to reference tests. Results: Performance indicators for SUMASIGNAL HPV 16/18 were excellent (>95%), concordance 96%, kappa index=0.93 [0.85-1.01]. DNA extraction showed 100% clinical and analytical specificity and 95% analytical sensitivity. Good correlation was obtained with the quantitative reference test (r = + 0.688). The HPV 13+2 kit had 100% clinical specificity and sensitivity, analytical specificity was 84% due to cross-reactivity with other hrHPVs. Its clinical application revealed a high frequency of infection (41.8%): 23.6% with hrHPV, particularly in young women (50%). The self-collected sample was viable (100%). Conclusion: The assays evaluated showed high quality standards, which would allow their use with national coverage in a technological platform available for the whole country.

RESUMEN Introducción: El empleo de técnicas moleculares para el diagnóstico de virus del papiloma humano de alto riesgo oncogénico (VPH-AR) es crucial para la detección precoz del cáncer cervicouterino. Objetivo: Evaluar el desempeño analítico de dos estuches de PCR-tiempo real, comercializados por el Centro de Inmunoensayo de Cuba, para detectar VPH-AR. Métodos: Se utilizaron dos paneles de ADN de muestras cervicouterinas: uno con 150 muestras, para validar el estuche SUMASIGNAL HPV 16/18, el proceso de extracción de ADN y su utilidad como prueba cuantitativa, y otro con 163 muestras para evaluar el estuche HPV 13+2. Se determinó la utilidad clínica del estuche HPV 13+2 en 55 muestras cervicovaginales autocolectadas. Se calcularon los indicadores de desempeño analítico de ambos estuches con respecto a pruebas de referencia. Resultados: Los indicadores de desempeño para SUMASIGNAL HPV 16/18 fueron excelentes (> 95 %), concordancia 96 %, índice kappa=0,93 [0,85-1,01]. La extracción de ADN mostró 100 % de especificidad clínica y analítica y 95 % de sensibilidad analítica. Se obtuvo buena correlación con la prueba de referencia cuantitativa (r = + 0,688). El estuche HPV 13+2 tuvo especificidad y sensibilidad clínicas del 100 %, la especificidad analítica fue del 84 % debido a reactividad cruzada con otros VPH-AR. Su aplicación clínica reveló alta frecuencia de infección (41,8 %): 23,6 % con VPH-AR, particularmente en mujeres jóvenes (50 %). La muestra autocolectada resultó útil (100 %). Conclusión: Los ensayos evaluados mostraron altos estándares de calidad, lo que permitiría su uso con una cobertura nacional en una plataforma tecnológica disponible para todo el país.

Abstract INTRODUCTION Unlike most high-income countries where subtype B viruses predominate, the Cuban HIV-1 epidemic is characterized by a great diversity of subtypes and circulating recombinant forms. Some studies have shown that HIV variants exhibiting a preference for the CXCR4 co-receptor (X4-tropic) could have impacts on disease pathogenesis, with clinical implications for antiviral treatment plans. Determination of HIV co-receptor tropism is crucial for clinicians in deciding whether maraviroc is an appropriate antiviral. OBJECTIVE Characterize V3 sequence variability and its relation to viral tropism across different subtypes circulating in Cuba and explore how this may affect treatment success with maraviroc. METHODS We designed a cross-sectional study that included 72 plasma samples obtained at the Pedro Kourí Tropical Medicine Institute in Havana, Cuba. We sequenced the C2V3 env region and assessed subtype based both on env and pol sequences; tropism was predicted by Geno2pheno analysis. Additionally, 35 V3-loop Cuban sequences, obtained from a previous study, were incorporated into the analysis. Statistical associations among virological, clinical and epidemiological variables were assessed by a chi-square test. RESULTS Tropism prediction for 72 variants revealed that CRF19_cpx was associated with dual-tropic R5X4 viruses (p = 0.034). Moreover, when 35 sequences from a former study were added, the association was significant not only for R5X4 (p = 0.019) but also for X4-tropic variants (p = 0.044). Alignment of 107 V3-loop sequences showed wide diversity among the different HIV-1 subtypes circulating in Cuba. CONCLUSIONS In accordance with G2P, CRF19_cpx is a genetic variant with a high proportion of X4 and R5X4-tropic viruses. The results from the present study suggest that the Cuban recombinant could be a more pathogenic variant and that maraviroc may not be suitable for patients infected with CRF19_cpx.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Mycoplasma genitalium is an emerging sexually transmitted pathogen. Preliminary studies conducted in Cuba, at the National Reference Laboratory of Mycoplasma at the Pedro Kourí Institute, demonstrated the circulation of genotypes resistant to macrolides and tetracyclines in clinical isolates in Vero cells. However, this methodology is laborious and long, which makes it unhelpful for the clinical management and treatment of patients. Aims: the aim of this study was the implementation of a rapid and sensitive molecular diagnostic tool based on Real Time PCR Mycoplasma genitalium antimicrobial susceptibility to macrolides to be determined, directly in clinical samples. Methods: This study implemented a rapid and sensitive molecular diagnostic tool based on Real Time PCR, which allows the presence of M. genitalium and its antimicrobial susceptibility to macrolides to be determined, directly in clinical samples, which decreases the time between diagnosis and treatment and permits the eradication of this microorganism in positive patients. This fact helps to cut the transmission chains of STIs caused by this bacterium, having a positive impact on the STI control program in Cuba. The results of the molecular method were corroborated by phenotypic tests of antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates in cell cultures, achieving a total coincidence between the result of the qPCR in the clinical sample and the corresponding isolates. Results: A substantial increase in macrolide resistance in M. genitalium was detected from 18% in 2014 to 98% in 2019, which has allowed health authorities to implement more accurate syndromic antimicrobial treatment protocols for STIs, contributing to better use of antibiotics in our country, in line with current WHO policies for the rational use of antimicrobials.

RESUMEN Introducción: Mycoplasma genitalium constituye un patógeno de transmisión sexual emergente. En estudios preliminares realizados en Cuba, en el Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia de Micoplasma en el Instituto Pedro Kourí, se demuestra la circulación de genotipos resistentes a macrólidos y a tetraciclinas en aislados clínicos en células Vero. Sin embargo, esta metodología es laboriosa y larga, lo cual lo hace poco útil para el manejo clínico y tratamiento de los pacientes. Objetivos: implementar una herramienta de diagnóstico molecular rápido y sensible basada en PCR en tiempo real, para determinar la susceptibilidad antimicrobiana a los macrólidos de M. genitalium, directamente en las muestras clínicas. Métodos: Se implementó una PCR en tiempo real que permite determinar la presencia de M. genitalium y su susceptibilidad antimicrobiana a los macrólidos, directamente en las muestras clínicas, lo que disminuye el tiempo entre el diagnóstico y el tratamiento y erradicación de este microorganismo en los pacientes positivos. Este hecho contribuye a cortar las cadenas de trasmisión de las ITS causadas por esta bacteria, incidiendo de forma positiva en el programa de control de las ITS en Cuba. Los resultados del método molecular fueron corroborados mediante el aislamiento en cultivos celulares y ensayos fenotípicos de susceptibilidad antimicrobiana, logrando una total coincidencia entre el resultado de la qPCR en la muestra clínicas y los aislados correspondientes. Resultados: Se detectó un incremento sustancial de la resistencia a macrólidos en M. genitalium desde un 18 % en 2014 hasta un 98 % en 2019, lo que han permitido a las autoridades sanitarias implementar protocolos de tratamiento sindrómicos antimicrobiano para las ITS más exactos, contribuyendo a un mejor uso de los antibióticos en nuestro país, en consonancias a las políticas actuales de la OMS para el uso racional de los antimicrobianos.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Clinical manifestations of the infection by SARS-CoV-2 are less frequent and severe in children than in adults; however, recent publications suggest the possibility of a severe clinical scenario secondary to the infection by this coronavirus called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). This syndrome has a post-infection nature and its physiopathology is probably the result of an abnormally organized activation of the immune system in a genetic context of predispostion, and actived by the particular biology of SARS-CoV-2. Objective: To describe the first Cuban case with criterion of multisystemic syndrome associated to COVID-19. Case presentation: 2 years old male patient, previously healthy, with clinical and laboratory evidences of microangiopathic anemia, systemic hyperinflammation and organs and systems´ multiple dysfunction, associated with serologic evidences of previous infection by SARS-CoV-2. Conclusions: The proper approach to cases as the above mentioned in this work requires to keep a high level of clinical alert, with a clear definition of suspicious cases, multidisciplinary participation and the early establishment of and adequate therapeutic strategy that will be significant in the reduction of systems and organs damage´s extension; as well as increasing the chance to improve the dysfunction.

RESUMEN Introducción: Las manifestaciones clínicas de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 son menos frecuentes y graves en el niño que en el adulto, sin embargo, recientes publicaciones sugieren la posibilidad de un cuadro clínico severo secundario a la infección por este coronavirus, denominado síndrome inflamatorio multisistémico en el niño. Este síndrome tiene un carácter posinfeccioso y su fisiopatología probablemente resulte de una activación anormalmente organizada del sistema inmune, en un contexto genético de predisposición y activada por la peculiar biología del SARS-CoV-2. Objetivo: Describir el primer caso cubano con criterios de síndrome multisistémico asociado a COVID 19. Presentación del caso: Paciente masculino de 2 años de edad, previamente sano, con evidencias clínicas y de laboratorio de anemia microangiopática, hiperinflamación sistémica y disfunción múltiple de órganos y sistemas, asociado con evidencias serológicas de infección previa por SARS-CoV-2. Conclusiones: El correcto abordaje de casos como el notificado en este trabajo, requiere mantener un alto nivel de alerta clínica, con una definición clara de los casos sospechosos, la participación multidisciplinaria y la instauración temprana de una estrategia terapéutica adecuada que resultaría trascendental en la reducción de la extensión del daño de órganos y sistemas, así como incrementar la posibilidad de revertir la disfunción establecida.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION By the end of 2017, there were more than 28,000 individuals living with HIV in Cuba, over 80% receiving antiretroviral therapy, which dramatically reduces viral replication, improves immune status and decreases risk of transmission. These results could be jeopardized by emergence of HIV-1 drug resistance. In 2009, a test for HIV-1 genotypic resistance was introduced in routine clinical practice in Cuba. OBJECTIVE Investigate antiretroviral resistance and its relation to subtype distribution in HIV-1 treatment-naïve and previously treated patients in Cuba. METHODS Resistance and HIV-1 subtype distribution were determined in 342 antiretroviral treatment-naïve patients and 584 previously treated for HIV-1 whose blood specimens were sent to the Pedro Kourí Tropical Medicine Institute during 2009–2014. Transmitted drug resistance was determined using the Calibrated Population Resistance Tool v.6. Drug resistance analysis was conducted using the algorithm Rega v9.1.0. RESULTS Prevalence of transmitted drug resistance was 11.4%, and 41% of mutated viruses exhibited dual-class resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. Overall, 84.9% of patients had ≥1 resistance mutation, 80% had ≥1 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor mutation, 71.4% had ≥1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor mutation and 31.7% had ≥1 protease inhibitor mutation. K65R and K101E mutations were significantly more frequent in subtype C, L210W in CRF19_cpx, and M47V/I in CRF BGs (20, 23, 24). Full class resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors and multidrug resistance were detected in 21.2%, 32.4%, 8% and 4.1% of patients, respectively. Average percentage resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, protease inhibitor, full class resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, protease inhibitor and multidrug resistance increased in patients failing two or more regimens. Nevertheless, after 2011, a declining trend was observed in the frequency of multidrug resistance and full class resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS Detected levels of transmitted drug resistance highlight the need for a national surveillance study in treatment-naïve patients. Resistance prevalence is high in previously treated patients but appears to be decreasing over time. The frequency of resistance mutations in recombinant forms of HIV in Cuba needs further study.

Background The international recommendations of antiretroviral treatment include resistance tests to guide the treatment regimen in each patient, which is not available on a regular basis in Ecuador. Aim To describe mutations that confer resistance to antiretrovirals in a population of Ecuadorian patients. Methods Plasma samples from 101 HIV-1 patients with failure to antiretroviral therapy, divided into 15 children and 86 adults, were studied with the GS Junior (Roche) and the sequences were analyzed with the DeepChek program. Results The most frequent mutations were M184V/I, K101E/P/H, K103N/S, D30N, M46L/I, I54L/M, V82T/F/A/S/L and L90M in adults and F77L, K103N/S, M46L/I, V82T/F/A/S/L and L90M in children. High resistance to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors in minority viral populations of adults and children (34.9% and 70%) was detected; in children both viral populations (majority and minority viral populations) (> 45%) were protease inhibitor resistant. Patients who had a greater number of therapeutic regimens had higher levels of resistance to antiretrovirals. Most of the samples were subtype B in the TR and protease region, and CRF25_cpx in integrase. Conclusions Mutations and resistance to antiretrovirals are shown in a population of Ecuadorian patients with HIV-1. These results will make it possible to issue a warning to health authorities about the need for resistance studies.

Resumen Introducción Las recomendaciones internacionales de tratamiento anti-retroviral incluyen pruebas de resistencia para orientar el régimen de tratamiento en cada paciente, lo que no está disponible de forma estable en Ecuador. Objetivo Describir las mutaciones que confieren resistencia a anti-retrovirales en una población de pacientes ecuatorianos. Metodología A partir de muestras de plasma de 101 pacientes con VIH-1 con fallo a la terapia anti-retroviral, 15 niños y 86 adultos, se realizó pirosecuenciación con el GS Junior (Roche) y se analizaron las secuencias con el programa DeepChek. Resultados Las mutaciones más frecuentes fueron M184V/I, K101E/P/H, K103N/S, D30N, M46L/I, I54L/M, V82T/F/A/S/L y L90M en adultos, y F77L, K103N/S, M46L/I, V82T/F/A/S/L y L90M en niños. Se encontró una elevada resistencia a los inhibidores de la transcriptasa reversa (TR) no análogos de nucleósidos en poblaciones minoritarias virales de adultos y niños (34,9 y 70%, respectivamente), en los niños, tanto las poblaciones virales mayoritarias como minoritarias, fueron resistente a inhibidores de proteasa (> 45%). Los pacientes que tuvieron un mayor número de esquemas terapéuticos presentaron mayores niveles de resistencia a los anti-retrovirales. La mayoría de las muestras fueron del subtipo B en la región de la TR y proteasa, y CRF25_cpx en integrasa. Conclusiones Se muestran las mutaciones y la resistencia a antiretrovirales en una población de pacientes ecuatorianos con infección por VIH-1, que permitirán realizar un llamado de alerta a las autoridades de salud sobre la necesidad de realizar estudios de resistencia.

The association between colorectal cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is still unproven. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) DNA in colorectal tissues from Cuban patients. A total of 63 colorectal formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues were studied (24 adenocarcinoma, 18 adenoma, and 21 colorectal tissues classified as benign colitis). DNA from colorectal samples was analysed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to detect the most clinically relevant high HR-HPV types (HPV-16, -18, -31, -33, -45, -52, and -58). Associations between histologic findings and other risk factors were also analysed. Overall, HPV DNA was detected in 23.8% (15/63) of the samples studied. Viral infections were detected in 41.7% of adenocarcinoma (10/24) and 27.7% of adenoma cases (5/18). HPV DNA was not found in any of the negative cases. An association between histological diagnosis of adenocarcinoma and HPV infection was observed (odd ratio = 4.85, 95% confidence interval = 1.40-16.80, p = 0.009). The only genotypes identified were HPV 16 and 33. Viral loads were higher in adenocarcinoma, and these cases were associated with HPV 16. This study provides molecular evidence of HR-HPV infection in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues from Cuban patients.

There is a group of infections, which can cause serious birth defects when acquired during pregnancy. They affect infant morbidity and mortality, especially if the infection occurs before 20 weekspregnant. These include those caused by cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus that are often associated with congenital infection and damage to the newborn.Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)is globally distributed among human populations from developed countries to Aboriginal communities. In developing and low socioeconomic strata of the developed countries, the prevalence is higher (over 90 %) and the virus is acquired in earlier stages of life. It is the most common congenital viral infection. It occurs 0.3 to 2 % of births and 40 % transmission is vertical. The distribution of herpes simplex virus is broad and seroprevalence in adults is between 60 and 75 % for herpes simplex 1 virus and 11-30 % for herpes simplex virus -2. The aim of this review is to describe these two entities in addressing the most common features of these conditions as epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical and therapeutic. A profound knowledge is necessary for the attending physician to the proper handling of them.

Existe un grupo de infecciones que pueden producir defectos congénitos graves cuando se adquieren durante la gestación. Estas inciden en la morbilidad y mortalidad infantil, especialmente si la infección ocurre antes de las 20 semanas de embarazo. Entre ellas se encuentran las producidas por el citomegalovirus y el virus del herpes simple que con frecuencia se asocian con infección congénita y daño al recién nacido. El citomegalovirus humano está mundialmente distribuido entre las poblaciones humanas, desde los países desarrollados hasta las comunidades aborígenes. En países en vías de desarrollo y en los estratos socioeconómicos bajos de los países desarrollados, la prevalencia es mayor (más de 90 %) y el virus se adquiere en edades más tempranas de la vida. Es la infección viral congénita más frecuente, ocurre de 0,3 a 2 % de los nacimientos y en el 40 % la transmisión es vertical. La distribución del virus del herpes simple es amplia y la seroprevalencia en el adulto es entre 60 y 75 % para virus del herpes simple -1 y de 11-30 % para virus del herpes simple -2. El objetivo de la presente revisión es describir estas dos entidades al abordar las características más comunes de estas afecciones, la epidemiología, el diagnóstico, la clínica y la terapéutica. Es necesario que el médico de asistencia las conozca a profundidad para realizar un correcto manejo de estas.

INTRODUCTION Cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus are associated with congenital or perinatal infection, causing potential damage to the newborn. OBJECTIVES Determine the prevalence of active or latent infection by cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus in a population of mothers, congenital infection by these agents in their infants, and association between prevalence of virus infection in mothers and in their newborns. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to September 2012 in a population of 95 pregnant women admitted to the Dr Ramón González Coro University Maternity Hospital during the third trimester of pregnancy, and their infants (98). Patients were tested for antibodies specific to these viruses; vaginal swabs and urine from the women and serum and urine from the newborns were tested for viral genome. The Fisher exact test with 95% confidence interval was used for comparisons. RESULTS Of the women studied, 89.5% tested positive for cytomegalovirus and 83.2% for herpes simplex. Active infection from cytomegalovirus was detected in 16.7%, and from herpes simplex in 3.2%. Congenital cytomegalovirus infection was detected in 4.1% of newborns; no herpes simplex virus infection was found in this group. Two newborns of women with active cytomegalovirus infection were congenitally infected. CONCLUSIONS Serology demonstrated that most of the women were immune to both viruses. Active cytomegalovirus infections are common in this population, and newborns of women with active cytomegalovirus infection during pregnancy are at increased risk of congenital infection.

Introduction: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the necessary condition for the occurernce and development of cervical cancer. The high oncogenic risk genotypes are the responsible for this type of neoplasia and the most frequent is HPV 16 that affects roughly 60 % of cases. Commercial kits for HPV detection are expensive for resource-poor countries, which suggests the search for alternative throguh non-expensive simple protocoles. Objectives: to standardize an immunochemical method for the detection of HPV 16 L1 antigen in cervical samples of patients with squamous intraepithelial lesions and to determine the diagnostic coincidence between the immunochemical method and the real-time polymerase chain reaction to estimate the usefulness of this method for the detection of cervical infection with this viral genotype. Methods: three immunostaining methods (Two-Step Indirect Immunoperoxidase, Labelled Streptavidin-Biotin and Enhanced Polymer) were compared in terms of analytical sensitivity, nonspecific background staining and time of completion, for the detection of protein L1 of HPV-16 in a cell line derived from human cervical carcinoma and clinical samples from uterine cervix. The optimized protocol was applied to 82 cervical samples from women aged 30-59 years with squamous intraepithelial lesions and to 10 samples of sexually active women without previous signals of positive cytology. The presence of type 16 HPV was also detected with the aid of RT-PCR. Results: the Streptavidin-Biotin system was the most sensitive and specific. The diagnostic agreement between the immunochemical method and the real-time polymerase chain reaction reached 98.6 %, sensitivity was 98.57 % and specificity was 91.67 %, with positive and negative predictive values above 90 %. Conclusions: the validity of the immunochemical method as a confirmatory test for infection by HPV-16 has been demonstrated. The normalized immunochemical method proved to be a sensitive, simple, relatively fast method to detect HPV from clinical samples of cervical cells. Furthermore, this method provides information quickly, avoiding the use of invasive methods in patients.

Introducción: la infección por Papilomavirus Humano (PVH) es la condición necesaria para la aparición y desarrollo del cáncer cérvico-uterino. Los genotipos de alto riesgo oncogénico son los causantes de este tipo de neoplasia y dentro de ellos el más frecuente es el PVH 16, que se encuentra aproximadamente en el 60 % de los casos. Los métodos de diagnóstico comerciales resultan costosos para países con escasos recursos económicos, lo que sugiere la búsqueda de alternativas empleando protocolos sencillos y baratos. Objetivos: normalizar un método inmunoquímico para la detección del antígeno L1 de PVH tipo 16 en muestras cérvico-uterinas de pacientes con lesiones intraepiteliales escamosas y determinar la coincidencia entre el método normalizado y la Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa en Tiempo Real (RCP-TR), como técnica de referencia, para estimar la utilidad de dicho método en el diagnóstico de la infección por este genotipo viral. Métodos: se compararon tres procedimientos de inmunotinción (Indirecto de inmunoperoxidasa en dos pasos, Estreptavidina-Biotina y Amplificación por polímero) respecto a sensibilidad analítica, tinción inespecífica de fondo y tiempo de terminación, para la detección de la proteína L1 de PVH 16 en líneas celulares derivadas de carcinomas cervicales humanos y en muestras cérvico-uterinas utilizadas como controles. El protocolo normalizado se aplicó a muestras cérvico-uterinas de mujeres entre 30 y 59 años, 82 con lesiones intraepiteliales cervicales y 10 sin antecedentes de alteraciones citológicas, a las que además se les determinó PVH 16 mediante RCP-TR. Resultados: el procedimiento de Estreptavidina-Biotina resultó el más sensible y específico. La coincidencia entre el método inmunoquímico y la RCP-TR fue de un 98,6 %, la sensibilidad fue de un 98,57 % y la especificidad de un 91,67 %, con valores predictivos negativo y positivo por encima del 90 %. Conclusiones: se demostró la validez del método inmunoquímico como prueba confirmatoria de la infección por PVH 16. Dicho método probó ser sensible, sencillo y no requiere de una compleja infraestructura para detectar PVH 16 en muestras cervicales. Además, esta técnica permite obtener información rápidamente y evita el uso de métodos invasivos.