Assessment of Prevalence of Otitis Media with Effusion and Correlation Between Otoscopic Findings with Jerger's Diagnostic Tympanograms Among Pupils in Calabar Municipality.

Background: OME is an accumulation of serous or mucoid fluid in the middle ear cavity with an intact tympanic membrane and without any sign of acute infection.

Aims: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of otitis media with effusion among preschool and school-age children aged 1-10 years in private and public schools in Calabar municipality and the correlations between otoscopic findings and Jerger's diagnostic criteria among study participants.

Methods: This school-based descriptive cross-sectional study used a multistage sampling technique to recruit participants.

Risk Factors for Otitis Media with Effusion in Preschool and School Children in Calabar Municipality.

Background: Predisposing factors for otitis media with effusion are multifactorial, ranging from genetic and anatomical abnormalities to environmental factors and inflammation of the nose and adjacent structures.

Aim: The study determined the risk factors for otitis media with effusion (OME) among children in Calabar Municipality.

Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional, community-based study including children aged 1-10 years randomly selected from government and privately owned daycares, nurseries (preschool), and primary schools.

The effect of limited healthcare access on poor outcomes among hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Honduras: A single center cohort study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on the Latin American subcontinent, particularly in areas with limited hospital resources and a restricted Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capacity. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive description of the clinical characteristics, outcomes, and factors associated with survival of COVID-19 hospitalized patients in Honduras.

Research Question: What were the characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients in a large referral center in Honduras?

Study Design And Methods: This study employed a retrospective cohort design conducted in a single center in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, between October 2020 to March 2021.

Type IV pili facilitated natural competence in Fusobacterium nucleatum.

Objectives: Many bacterial species naturally take up DNA from their surroundings and recombine it into their chromosome through homologous gene transfer (HGT) to aid in survival and gain advantageous functions. Herein we present the first characterization of Type IV pili facilitated natural competence in Fusobacterium nucleatum, which is a Gram-negative, anaerobic bacterium that participates in a range of infections and diseases including periodontitis, preterm birth, and cancer.

Methods: Here we used bioinformatics on multiple Fusobacterium species, as well as molecular genetics to characterize natural competence in strain F.

Clinical features, coagulation and inflammatory biomarkers associated with poor in-hospital outcomes in a Honduran population with RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19.

Background: SARS-COV-2, in most cases, only generates a mild acute respiratory disease. However, patients with severe disease show an exaggerated response of the immune system, creating a pro-inflammatory state, which could cause abnormalities in the coagulation system that increases mortality. Latin American countries, specially those with limited resources, have few studies about clinical features, coagulation and inflammatory biomarkers that could be useful at admission to assess poor outcomes.