Abstract The amniotic membrane, located on the inner side of the fetal placenta, has been the subject of multiple investigations to try to elucidate its embryological role and its therapeutic cellular potential. Currently, the limitations of the study in human fetuses mean that part of its functioning is unknown, however, some clinical and basic studies shed light on its role in modern medicine. A bibliographic review of the literature was carried out from 1960 to 2022, using databases such as PubMed, SciELO and Scopus, including a total of 50 articles and two embryology texts. The objective of this narrative review was to synthesize information on angiogenesis and its clinical importance. The information collected made it possible to show that the healing properties of the fetal skin are due to intrinsic factors of the fetus, and that human amniotic epithelial cells have a differentiation similar to embryonic stem cells, with the differentiation capacity similar to that of mesenchymal cells, highlighting their clinical importance due to their regenerative characteristics. In conclusion, human embryonic development remains relatively inexplicable, but its knowledge has allowed great advances, which could be useful in regeneration therapies, repair of injured tissues and organs.

Resumen La membrana amniótica (MA), ubicada en el lado interno de la placenta fetal, ha sido objeto de múltiples investigaciones para intentar dilucidar su papel embriológico y su potencial celular terapéutico. Actualmente las limitaciones del estudio en fetos humanos hacen que parte de su funcionamiento sea una incógnita, sin embargo algunos estudios clínicos y básicos nos dan luz sobre su papel en la médica moderna. Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de la literatura desde 1960 hasta 2022, empleando bases de datos como PubMed, SciELO y Scopus, siendo incluidos un total de 50 artículos y dos textos de embriología. El objetivo de esta revisión narrativa fue sintetizar la información sobre la angiogénesis y su importancia clínica. La información recopilada permitió evidenciar que las propiedades de curación de la piel del feto se deben a factores intrínsecos del feto, y a que las células epiteliales amnióticas humanas poseen una diferenciación similar a las células madre embrionarias, con la capacidad de diferenciación similar al de las células mesenquimales, resaltando su importancia clínica por sus características regenerativas. En conclusión, el desarrollo embrionario humano sigue siendo relativamente inexplicable, pero su conocimiento ha permitido grandes avances, que podrían ser útiles en terapias de regeneración, reparación de tejidos y órganos lesionados.

Resumen Introducción: La anisakidosis es una enfermedad zoonótica causada por el consumo de pescado o crustáceos crudos o poco cocinados parasitados por las larvas de nematodos de la familia Anisakidae. En este estudio, se identificó la presencia de larvas de anisakidos en especies de peces de consumo de la costa del Pacífico en Ecuador y Colombia. Métodos: Obtuvimos 438 muestras agrupadas en veinte especies de peces capturados en los puertos pesqueros de Manta, Santa Rosa, Buenaventura y Tumaco. La identificación morfológica de las larvas se realizó por taxonomía y se calculó el porcentaje de infección. Para la identificación de las especies, se llevó a cabo una PCR múltiplex. Resultados: La revisión taxonómica identificó ocho especies de peces como huéspedes de los géneros Anisakis y Pseudoterranova. Las larvas se aislaron principalmente del intestino con un porcentaje de infección entre 18 y 100%. El porcentaje de infección e identificación de anisakidos en estos peces ayudará a prevenir y controlar la anisakiasis como una posible enfermedad emergente en esta área del Pacífico. Con la PCR múltiplex, se identifico A. pegreffii, A. physeteris y P. decipiens. Conclusión: La identificación de estas especies se informa por primera vez en esta área geográfica, proporcionando la base para futuras investigaciones sobre la familia Anisakidae.

Abstract Introduction: Anisakidosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the consumption of raw or undercooked fish or crustaceans parasitized by nematode larvae of the Anisakidae family. In this study, the presence of anisakid larvae was identified in fish species of consumer of the Pacific coast in Ecuador and Colombia. Methods: We obtained 438 samples grouped into twenty species of fish caught in the fishing ports of Manta, Santa Rosa, Buenaventura and Tumaco. The morphological identification of the larvae was made by taxonomy and the percentage of infection, were calculated. For the identification of species, a multiplex PCR was carried. Results: The taxonomic review identified eight species of fish as hosts of the genders Anisakis and Pseudoterranova. The larvae were isolated mainly from the intestine with a percentage of infection between 18 and 100%. The percentage of infection and identification of anisakids in these fish will aid in the prevention and control of anisakiasis as a possible emerging disease for this area of the Pacific. With the multiplex PCR, A. pegreffii, A. physeteris, and P. decipiens were identified. Conclusion: The identification of these species is reported for the first time in this geographical area, providing the basis for future research into the Anisakidae family.

Resumen Objetivos: Los nematodos de la familia Anisakidae son parásitos de organismos acuáticos. La falta de estudios en anisakidosis y anisakidos en Colombia ha resultado en el desconocimiento de esta infección por parte del personal de salud y un posible subregistro de la enfermedad. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar nematodos anisakidos en el pez róbalo (Centropomus armatus), obtenido por pesca artesanal y comercializado en la localidad de Buenaventura. Materiales y métodos: La identificación morfológica se realizó usando claves taxonómicas para estos gusanos complementada con estudio microscópico mediante técnica histoquímica de Hematoxilina-Eosina. Resultados: Se encontraron nemátodos del género Anisakis en 42% y una abundancia promedio de 2.8 en el hospedero C. armatus. Conclusiones: Los hallazgos confirman la presencia de Anisakis sp. en peces de consumo humano de Buenaventura, principal puerto pesquero en la región Pacífica colombiana, lo cual abre el camino en la investigación de una posible enfermedad emergente en este país.

Abstract Objective: Nematodes of the Anisakidae family are parasites found in aquatic organisms. The lack of studies on anisakidosis and Anisakis in Colombia has meant this type of parasitosis is not widely known by health personnel and underreporting of the disease is highly likely. The objective of this study was to identify anisakid nematodes in the armed snook fish (Centropomus armatus) obtained by artisanal fishing and sold commercially in the coastal port city of Buenaventura. Material and methods: Morphological identification of these worms was performed using taxonomic keys and supplemented with microscopic study using the histochemical Hematoxylin-Eosin technique. Results: Nematodes of the genus Anisakis were found in 42% and the mean abundance was 2.8 in the C. armatus. Conclusions: The findings confirm the presence of Anisakis sp. in fish for human consumption in Buenaventura, the main fishing port in the Colombian Pacific region. This finding in itself warrants further investigation into the possibility of an emerging disease in Colombia.

Malaria is a vector-borne disease that is considered to be one of the most serious public health problems due to its high global mortality and morbidity rates. Although multiple strategies for controlling malaria have been used, many have had limited impact due to the appearance and rapid dissemination of mosquito resistance to insecticides, parasite resistance to multiple antimalarial drug, and the lack of sustainability. Individuals in endemic areas that have been permanently exposed to the parasite develop specific immune responses capable of diminishing parasite burden and the clinical manifestations of the disease, including blocking of parasite transmission to the mosquito vector. This is referred to as transmission blocking (TB) immunity (TBI) and is mediated by specific antibodies and other factors ingested during the blood meal that inhibit parasite development in the mosquito. These antibodies recognize proteins expressed on either gametocytes or parasite stages that develop in the mosquito midgut and are considered to be potential malaria vaccine candidates. Although these candidates, collectively called TB vaccines (TBV), would not directly stop malaria from infecting individuals, but would stop transmission from infected person to non-infected person. Here, we review the progress that has been achieved in TBI studies and the development of TBV and we highlight their potential usefulness in areas of low endemicity such as Latin America.