Abstract: Objective: To determine the Trypanosoma cruzi infection prevalence in 1125 pregnant women and the transmission frequency to their children from Tapachula and Palenque, Chiapas. Materials and methods: We determined the prevalence by serology tests and the transmission frequency by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and T. cruzi reactivity capacity after 12 months. Results: Total maternal infection prevalence were 23/1 125 (2.04%), 9/600 (1.5%) were from Tapachula and 14/525 (2.6%) from Palenque. The seropositive women were between 20 and 35 years old, 31.8% have Premature Rapture of Membrane and 9.1% have history of perinatal death. The total percentage of positive newborns by PCR was 9/23 (39.13%), out of those 2/9 (22.2%) are from Tapachula and 7/14 (50%) from Palenque. The Maternal Fetal transmission frequency was. 2/9 (22.2%) in Tapachula and 1/14 (7.14%) in Palenque, all positive infants were asynthomatic. Conclusion: The maternal-fetal transmission rate in Chiapas State is variable; the reason could be the maternal immunological status and T. cruzi strain.

Resumen: Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de infección de Trypanosoma cruzi en 1 125 mujeres embarazadas y la frecuencia con que éstas la transmiten a sus hijos en Tapachula y Palenque, Chiapas. Material y métodos: Se determinó la prevalencia materna por serología, la frecuencia de transmisión por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) y la capacidad reactiva a T. cruzi a los 12 meses de edad del niño. Resultados: La prevalencia materna total fue 23/1 125 (2.04%); 9/600 (1.5%) en Tapachula y 14/525 (2.6%) en Palenque. Las mujeres seropositivas tenían entre 20 y 35 años; 31.8% tuvo ruptura prematura de membrana (RPM) y 9.1% tuvo antecedentes de muerte perinatal. La frecuencia de transmisión materno-fetal en Tapachula fue de 2/9(22.2%) y en Palenque de 1/14(7.14%); todos los niños positivos eran asintomáticos. Conclusión: La tasa de transmisión materno-fetal en el estado de Chiapas es variable; la razón podría ser el estado inmunológico de la madre o la cepa de T. cruzi.

Abstract: Objective: To determine the Trypanosoma cruzi infection prevalence in 1125 pregnant women and the transmission frequency to their children from Tapachula and Palenque, Chiapas. Materials and methods: We determined the prevalence by serology tests and the transmission frequency by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and T. cruzi reactivity capacity after 12 months. Results: Total maternal infection prevalence were 23/1 125 (2.04%), 9/600 (1.5%) were from Tapachula and 14/525 (2.6%) from Palenque. The seropositive women were between 20 and 35 years old, 31.8% have Premature Rapture of Membrane and 9.1% have history of perinatal death. The total percentage of positive newborns by PCR was 9/23 (39.13%), out of those 2/9 (22.2%) are from Tapachula and 7/14 (50%) from Palenque. The Maternal Fetal transmission frequency was. 2/9 (22.2%) in Tapachula and 1/14 (7.14%) in Palenque, all positive infants were asynthomatic. Conclusion: The maternal-fetal transmission rate in Chiapas State is variable; the reason could be the maternal immunological status and T. cruzi strain.

Resumen: Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de infección de Trypanosoma cruzi en 1 125 mujeres embarazadas y la frecuencia con que éstas la transmiten a sus hijos en Tapachula y Palenque, Chiapas. Material y métodos: Se determinó la prevalencia materna por serología, la frecuencia de transmisión por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) y la capacidad reactiva a T. cruzi a los 12 meses de edad del niño. Resultados: La prevalencia materna total fue 23/1 125 (2.04%); 9/600 (1.5%) en Tapachula y 14/525 (2.6%) en Palenque. Las mujeres seropositivas tenían entre 20 y 35 años; 31.8% tuvo ruptura prematura de membrana (RPM) y 9.1% tuvo antecedentes de muerte perinatal. La frecuencia de transmisión materno-fetal en Tapachula fue de 2/9(22.2%) y en Palenque de 1/14(7.14%); todos los niños positivos eran asintomáticos. Conclusión: La tasa de transmisión materno-fetal en el estado de Chiapas es variable; la razón podría ser el estado inmunológico de la madre o la cepa de T. cruzi.

OBJETIVO: Encontrar um efeito biológico através da detecção do perfil da tireoide dos profissionais de investigação, e um efeito físico através da detecção de radiação com placas tipo Durr. MÉTODOS: Cinco médicos residentes (quatro de primeiro ano e um de segundo) foram submetidos ao estudo do perfil tireoidiano basal, e anualmente após um ano de exposição à radiação. Em dois deles, foram colocadas cinco placas de Durr por cirurgia, em diferentes partes do corpo e em 20 cirurgias distintas, utilizando-se fluoroscopia, perfazendo um total de 200 placas expostas. RESULTADOS: Três residentes tiveram diminuição do hormônio estimulador da tireoide e dois, um aumento significativo. Foram expostas 91 placas, cuja maioria corresponde ao pescoço (tireoide). CONCLUSÃO: Foram verificadas mudanças biológicas e físicas que nos impulsionam à conscientização e implementação de medidas de proteção contra a radiação, pelo menos no pescoço, uma vez que a tireoide é suscetível à radiação.

OBJECTIVE: To find a biological effect by means of detection of the thyroid profile in research personnel, and a physical effect through radiation detection plates type Durr. METHODS: Five medical residents (four of first year and one of second) were submitted to the study of the basal thyroid profile, and annually after a year of radiation exposure. In two of them five plates of Durr type were placed by surgery at different body parts and 20 separate surgeries, using fluoroscopy, a total of 200 plates exposed. RESULTS: Three residents had decreased thyroid-stimulating hormone and two had a significant increase. Ninety-one plates were exposed, most of which corresponds to the neck (thyroid). CONCLUSION: Biological and physical changes were observed that require us to realize and implement protective measures against radiation, at least in the neck, because the thyroid is susceptible to radiation.

OBJETIVO: Encontrar un efecto biológico mediante detección de perfil tiroideo al personal investigador, y un efecto físico mediante detección de radiación con placas tipo Durr. MÉTODOS: Fueron sometidos al estudio, cinco médicos residentes, (cuatro de primer año y uno de segundo) para el perfil tiroideo basal, y anual después de un año de radiación. A dos de ellos les fueron colocadas cinco placas de Durr por cirugía, distribuidas en diferentes partes del cuerpo en 20 cirugías distintas con la utilización de fluoroscopio, dando un total de 200 placas expuestas. RESULTADOS: En tres de los residentes hubo una disminución de la hormona tiroidea estimulante y en dos un aumento significativo. Se expusieron 91 placas siendo la mayoría de estas correspondientes al cuello (tiroides). CONCLUSIÓN: Se encontraron cambios biológicos y físicos que nos impelen a tomar conciencia y medidas necesarias de radioprotección por lo menos a nivel del cuello, ya que la tiroides es susceptible a las radiaciones

A prospective study was conducted in four tertiary hospitals in Argentina and Mexico in order to describe the occurrence of Clostridium difficileinfection (CDI) in these settings. The objective was to evaluate the incidence of CDI in at-risk populations in Argentina (one center) and Mexico (three centers) and to further explore potential study sites for vaccine development in this region. A prospective, descriptive, CDI surveillance study was conducted among hospitalized patients aged ≥40 years who had received ≥48 h of antibiotic treatment. Stool samples were collected from those with diarrhea within 30 days after starting antibiotics and analyzed for toxins A and B by ELISA, and positive samples were further tested by toxinogenic culture and restriction endonuclease analysis type assay. Overall, 466 patients were enrolled (193 in Argentina and 273 in Mexico) of whom 414 completed the follow-up. Of these, 15/414 (3.6%) experienced CDI episodes occurring on average 18.1 days after admission to hospital and 15.9 days after the end of antibiotics treatment. The incidence rate of CDI was 3.1 (95% CI 1.7-5.2) per 1000 patient-days during hospitalization, and 1.1 (95% CI 0.6-1.8) per 1000 patient-days during the 30-day follow-up period. This study highlighted the need for further evaluation of the burden of CDI in both countries, including the cases occurring after discharge from hospital.