Differentiation of Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis and Leishmania (V.) guyanensis using BccI for hsp70 PCR-RFLP.

Leishmania panamensis and Leishmania guyanensis are two species of the subgenus Viannia that are genetically very similar. Both parasites are usually associated with cutaneous leishmaniasis, but also have the potential to cause the mucocutaneous form of the disease. In addition, the study of foci and consequently the identification of vectors and probable reservoirs involved in transmission require a correct differentiation between both species, which is important at epidemiological level.

[Antiamebic effect of metronidazole proved in a study conducted in Cienfuegos province].

Three studies were conducted in Cienfuegos province to prove that intestinal amebiasis in Cuba could be an overestimated health problem. The first two studies showed two components of this overestimation: microscopical overdiagnosis and lack of knowledge about Entamoeba dispar, a non-pathogenic species, in most cases in which microscopical examination was correct. This paper reported the third study that showed the third component: the wrong belief that Entamoeba histolytica is resistant to metronidazole.

[Knowledge, believes and practices of physicians from Cienfuegos in relation to intestinal amebiasis: results of an intervention].

In a study conducted in the province of Cienfuegos, it was proved by using immunological and biomolecular tools that intestina amebiasis in that province was an overdimensioned health problem. A survey on knowledge, perceptions and practices applied to those physicians related to the diagnosis, treatment and control of this parasitosis showed that the overdimensioning may be associated with an inadequate perception of the problem and with a marked lack of knowledge about important aspects of this entity. To contribute to the solution of the ovedimensioning and of its consequences, a set of actions were taken in that province.

[Immunization with Leishmania amazonensis subgenomic libraries protects BALB/c mice against the challenge].

A genomic library of Leishmania amazonensis in expression vector of eukaryote cells (pEF1HisA, pEF1HisB, pEF1HisC) was prepared. Also two subgenomic libraries having each 500 clones approximately were created and BALB/c mice were immunized with 50 mg/0,1 mL of DNA from each. Two immunizations were administered intramuscularly at 15-day interval.