OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence and factors associated with cervical human papillomavirus infection in women with systemic lupus erythematosus METHODS: This cross-sectional study collected traditional and systemic lupus erythematosus-related disease risk factors, including conventional and biologic therapies. A gynecological evaluation and cervical cytology screen were performed. Human papillomavirus detection and genotyping were undertaken by PCR and linear array assay. RESULTS: A total of 148 patients were included, with a mean age and disease duration of 42.5±11.8 years and 9.7±5.3 years, respectively. The prevalence of squamous intraepithelial lesions was 6.8%. The prevalence of human papillomavirus infection was 29%, with human papillomavirus subtype 59 being the most frequent. Patients with human papillomavirus were younger than those without the infection (38.2±11.2 vs. 44.2±11.5 years, respectively; p = 0.05), and patients with the virus had higher daily prednisone doses (12.8±6.8 vs. 9.7±6.7 mg, respectively; p = 0.01) and cumulative glucocorticoid doses (14.2±9.8 vs. 9.7±7.3 g, respectively; p = 0.005) compared with patients without. Patients with human papillomavirus infection more frequently received rituximab than those without (20.9% vs. 8.5%, respectively; p = 0.03). In the multivariate analysis, only the cumulative glucocorticoid dose was associated with human papillomavirus infection. CONCLUSIONS: The cumulative glucocorticoid dose may increase the risk of human papillomavirus infection. Although rituximab administration was more frequent in patients with human papillomavirus infection, no association was found. Screening for human papillomavirus infection is recommended in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

In the Southeast of Mexico, there are marketable plantations of different species of Eucalyptus where canker has been reported. The objective of this study was to provide the morphological and molecular identification of the species of eucalyptus canker causal agent in these plantations. Samples of infected bark, branches and new shoots were obtained from different parental sources growing in Oaxaca and Chiapas. The samples were incubated under the right temperature and humidity for the development of reproductive bodies. The pathogen agent was isolated and purified from in vitro cultures of mycelium colonies developed in the canker. The aspect, color, size and morphological characteristics of the reproductive structures were similar to those of Chrysoporthe cubensis. Nevertheless two types of reproductive structures were found in the field and laboratory samples, and it was necessary to verify if both belonged one kind of morphia. To precisely define to which species belonged the morphia, it was carried out a molecular analysis of the reproductive structures. The comparison of nucleotide sequences in the intergenic region of ribosomal genes of these structures, showed a similarity over 97% and when compared to the correspondent genes reported in the gene bank NCBI, pointed out that is only one pathogenic agent whose identity is Ch. cubensis. This pathogen presents dimorphism in this region, such characteristic could make the fungus more aggressive.

En las plantaciones comerciales de diversas especies de eucalipto que se desarrollan en el sureste mexicano, tanto los científicos como los propietarios han informado sobre ataque del cancro en 70% de los árboles. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar la especie de su agente causal. Se tomaron muestras de corteza, ramas, tallos y rebrotes infectados de diferentes procedencias de plantaciones experimentales, ubicadas en los estados de Chiapas y Oaxaca. Las muestras se sometieron a temperatura y humedad apropiadas para el desarrollo de esporomas. El agente patógeno se aisló y se purificó mediante cultivos in vitro iniciados del micelio desarrollado por el cancro. El aspecto, color, tamaño y características de la mayoría de las estructuras reproductoras de las colonias miceliares, fueron similares a las de Chrysoporthe cubensis. Sin embargo, se encontraron dos tipos de estructuras reproductoras diferentes, tanto en las muestras de campo como en las de laboratorio, por lo que fue necesario verificar si las dos morfías pertenecían a una sola especie de Chrysoporthe, lo cual se realizó mediante un análisis molecular. La comparación de las secuencias de nucleótidos de la región intergénica de los genes ribosomales de estas estructuras sugiere una similitud mayor de 97%, y al compararlas con los genes correspondientes reportados en el banco de genes del NCBI, indicaron que se trata de un solo agente patógeno, cuya identidad correspondió a Ch. cubensis. En esta región, el hongo presentó dismorfia, característica que puede conferir al hongo una mayor agresividad.