ABSTRACT Objective To further characterize chikungunya virus infection and its associated clinical manifestations, using a sample of university professors and staff in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic. Methods A cross-sectional study with quota sampling by department was performed to obtain a convenience sample of professors (n = 736) and staff (n = 499) at the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo. Surveys were used to collect demographic and infection data during the fall term of 2014. Univariate and bivariate analyses were carried out to quantify infection and clinical manifestation prevalence and to assess relationships of these outcomes with age, sex, and acute phase duration. Results Of 1 236 participants, 49% reported infection (professors = 41%; staff = 61%). Of these, 53% also reported the presence of chronic effects, largely arthralgia (48%). Significant relationships were observed between reported infection and sex (P = 0.023), age (P < 0.001), and occupation (P < 0.001). More headache (P = 0.008) and edema (P < 0.001) in females, more headache (P = 0.005) in younger subjects, and more myalgia (P = 0.006) in those with longer acute symptoms were found. Additionally, more chronic arthralgia (P < 0.001; P = 0.003) and chronic edema (P < 0.001; P = 0.001) in females and older subjects, and more chronic myalgia (P = 0.041) and chronic edema (P = 0.037) in those with longer acute symptoms were observed. Conclusions To the authors knowledge, this is the first population-based chikungunya prevalence study in the Dominican Republic, and the first to explore clinical manifestations in a university setting. The findings reflect results from studies following the 2005 – 2006 Reunion Island outbreak: prevalence of infection and chronic arthralgia, as well as associations with sex, age, and acute intensity. Longitudinal research can provide further insight into these effects.

RESUMEN Objetivo Caracterizar de manera más detallada la infección por el virus del chikungunya y sus manifestaciones clínicas, a partir de una muestra de profesores y personal universitario de Santo Domingo (República Dominicana). Métodos Se realizó un estudio transversal con muestreo por cuotas según los departamentos, a fin de obtener una muestra de conveniencia de profesores (n = 736) y otro personal (n = 499) de la Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo. Se recopilaron mediante encuestas los datos demográficos y la información sobre las infecciones durante el semestre de otoño del 2014. Se realizaron análisis univariante y bivariante para cuantificar la prevalencia de las infecciones y de las manifestaciones clínicas, así como para evaluar la relación entre estos resultados y la edad, el sexo y la duración de la fase aguda. Resultados El 49% de los 1 236 participantes indicaron haber padecido la infección (profesores, 41%; otro personal, 61%), de los cuales el 53% también refirieron la presencia de efectos crónicos, principalmente artralgias (48%). Se observaron relaciones significativas entre la infección y el sexo (P = 0,023), la edad (P < 0,001) y la ocupación (P < 0,001). Las mujeres refirieron más cefaleas (P = 0,008) y edemas (P < 0,001); los jóvenes refirieron más cefaleas (P = 0,005); y los sujetos con síntomas agudos de mayor duración refirieron más mialgias (P = 0,006). Además, las mujeres y los sujetos de mayor edad refirieron más artralgias crónicas (P < 0,001; P = 0,003) y edemas crónicos (P < 0,001; P = 0,001), en tanto que los sujetos con síntomas agudos de mayor duración refirieron más mialgias crónicas (P = 0,041) y edemas crónicos (P = 0,037). Conclusiones Hasta donde saben los autores, este es el primer estudio poblacional sobre la prevalencia del chikungunya en la República Dominicana y el primero en el que se exploran las manifestaciones clínicas en un entorno universitario. Los resultados reflejan lo observado en los estudios posteriores al brote del 2005 y el 2006 en la isla Reunión: prevalencia de la infección y artralgias crónicas, así como asociaciones con el sexo, la edad y la intensidad de la fase aguda. Con investigaciones longitudinales se podría arrojar más luz sobre estos efectos.

Intracanal medication in pulpectomy therapy is used between appointments with the objective of reducing pain and inflammatory processes in pulp and periapical tissues. Propolis has been known as a natural antibiotic and has been subject of medical and dental research due to its therapeutic properties such as antibiotic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to carry out an in vivo evaluation of the periapical tissue response to propolis paste when used as an intracanal medication in the teeth of dogs after pulpectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 72 dog's incisors were selected for the experiment. After biomechanical preparation the root canal was filled with a corticosteroid-antibiotic preparation, experimental propolis paste, non-medicament (negative control) or non-pulpectomy at all (positive control). The medications were left inside the root canal for 7, 14 or 28 days. At the end of the experimental period histological sections were prepared and all laboratories processes for Harris hematoxylin and eosin staining was proceeded followed by the analysis using an optical microscope. Sections were classified according to a score representing the inflammatory events observed: the presence of polymorphonuclear neutrophils, polymorphonuclear eosinophils, lymphocytes and plasma cells, macrophages and/or giant cells, fibrous condensation and abscesses. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between the tissue reactions caused by the two substances being tested, after different experimental periods, with the periapical tissue that was in contact with propolis paste exhibiting fewer inflammatory reactions in comparison to corticosteroid-antibiotic preparation. CONCLUSIONS: The low tissue responses from propolis paste suggest that this material could be considered as an option for root canal medication after pulpectomy.

O deflazacorte (DFZ) é um fármaco glicocorticóide usado como antiinflamatório e imunossupressor. Métodos oficiais não estão disponíveis para a determinação de DFZ em formas farmacêuticas. Este estudo teve como objetivo desenvolver, validar e comparar métodos por espectrofotometria (UV e colorimetria) e cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE), na determinação quantitativa de DFZ em comprimidos e suspensão oral. O método por UV utilizou etanol como solvente, com detecção em 244 nm. O método colorimétrico foi baseado na reação de redução com azul de tetrazólio em meio alcalino, com detecção em 524 nm. O método por CLAE utilizou coluna C18; fase móvel constituída de acetonitrila:água (80:20, v/v), com fluxo de 1,0 mL min-1 e detecção em 244 nm. Os métodos foram lineares (r > 0,999); precisos (RSD < 5 %), e exatos (recuperação > 97%). As análises estatísticas dos resultados obtidos indicaram que os métodos por UV e por CLAE foram estatisticamente equivalentes, enquanto os valores obtidos para o método colorimétrico diferiram significativamente dos demais métodos.

Deflazacort (DFZ) is a glucocorticoid used as an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant drug. No official methods are available for DFZ determination in pharmaceutical formulations. The objective of this study was to develop, validate and compare spectrophotometric (UV and colorimetric) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods, for the quantitative determination of DFZ in tablets and oral suspension. For the UV method, ethanol was used as the solvent, with detection at 244 nm. The colorimetric method was based on the redox reaction with blue tetrazolium in alkaline medium, with detection at 524 nm. The method by HPLC was carried out using a C18 column, mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile:water (80:20, v/v) with a flow rate of 1.0 mL min-1 and detection at 244 nm. The methods proved linear (r > 0.999), precise (RSD < 5%) and accurate (recovery > 97%). Statistical analysis of the results indicated that the UV and HPLC methods were statistically equivalent, while the values obtained for the colorimetric method differed significantly from the other methods.