Comparison of 4 laboratory tests for the detection of bovine rabies viral infection in Paraguay: fluorescent antibody test, rapid detection test, histologic lesions, and RT-PCR.

Rabies virus (RABV; ) is a neurotropic virus that can be transmitted to mammals by the hematophagous bat . An accurate, accessible method for the detection of RABV in cattle is necessary in Paraguay; thus, we evaluated the detection of RABV using 4 techniques: fluorescent antibody test (FAT), immunochromatography rapid detection test (RDT; Anigen Rapid Rabies Ag test kit; Bionote), a reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR) assay, and histologic lesions in different portions of the CNS of 49 Paraguayan cattle to determine the most sensitive and specific technique. By FAT and RDT, 15 of 49 (31%) samples were positive.

Clinical evolution and mortality of critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia treated with remdesivir in an adult intensive care unit of Paraguay.

Background: The health crisis due to Covid-19 led to the search for therapeutics that could improve the evolution of the disease. Remdesivir, an antiviral that interferes with viral replication, was one of the first to be used for the treatment of this pathology.

Objective: To determine clinical course and mortality of patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia treated with remdesivir, in comparison of those who didn't receive the medication.

Serotypes and antimicrobial resistance of in children under 5 years of age pre- and post-pneumococcal conjugate vaccine introduction in Paraguay.

remains a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide in children <5 years of age, even with advances in vaccination programmes. Reviewing and reporting trends in the distribution of pneumococcal serotypes and antimicrobial resistance in Paraguay will be useful for decision-making in public health..

[COVID 19 infection: age-stratified population-based cohort seroepidemiological study in Asunción and Central].

Background: COVID-19, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome virus type-2 (SARS-CoV-2), was declared a pandemic in March 2020. Seroprevalence studies are useful to estimate the proportion of the population previously infected, quantify the magnitude of transmission, estimate the fatality rate, evaluate the effect of interventions, and estimate the degree of immunity of the population.

Aim: To determine the extension of the infection and the cumulative incidence of age-specific infection, determined by seropositivity in the population of the sanitary regions of Asunción and the Central Department of Paraguay.

Analysis of antibiotic resistance and genetic profile of conjunctival bacteria flora before and after cataract surgery.

Purpose: To analyze antibiotic resistance and genetic profile of conjunctival bacteria flora before and after cataract surgery with the focus on coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) during cataract surgery and discuss the implications of this colonization as a potential risk of acquiring endophthalmitis.

Methods: After approval of the institutional review board and informed consent from patients had been obtained, conjunctival swabs for culture from 59 patients undergoing cataract surgery were taken of the fellow eye at baseline (C0) and from the eye to be operated before (T0) and after (T1) irrigation with povine-iodine 5%, and at the end of surgery (T2). Genes responsible for virulence (mecA, ica and atlE) and antibiotic profile were determined; strain clonality of persistent colonizing Staphylococcus epidermidis strains was established by the Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST).

[Delay in diagnosis as a prognostic factor for disability in patients with leprosy in Paraguay. Case and control study].

Background: Leprosy, a chronic infectious disease, is one of the major causes of preventable disability. Early treatment prevents neurological damage and disability.

Aim: To identify prognostic factors of disability in individuals with multibacillary and paucibacillary leprosy who completed a drug treatment between 2011 and 2017 in Paraguay.

[Malassezia species causative of pityriasis versicolor in Paraguay].

Background: Pityriasis versicolor is a frequent pathology in Paraguay; however, its epidemiology is unknown.

Aim: To determine the frequency of Malassezia species causing pityriasis versicolor and the epidemiological characteristics of the population.

Methods: Samples from patients with a presumptive diagnosis of pityriasis versicolor were collected.

[Prevalence and intensity of geohelminths infection characterizing the socio-cultural and environmental factors that affect the infection of school children, Paraguay, 2015].

Introduction: Currently, Paraguay has no data on the prevalence of soil-transmitted geohelminth infection in schoolchildren aged 6 to 12 years.

Aim: To determine the prevalence and intensity of infection by Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworms and the socio-cultural-environmental characteristics of the affected population.

Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study, in three semi-tropical climatic zones: continental, semi steppe and humid.

Effect of antibiotic prophylaxis on Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus virulence factor profiles in patients undergoing cataract surgery.

Purpose: In this prospective study, multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify genes encoding virulence factors (ica, atlE and mecA) in Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS) isolates from the ocular microbiota of patients undergoing cataract surgery and to investigate possible changes in the CNS profile due to antibiotic prophylaxis.

Methods: Between 09/2011 and 08/2013, patients undergoing cataract surgery were recruited at the Department of Ophthalmology, National University of Asuncion, Paraguay. In the eye to be operated on, patients received moxifloxacin 0.

Methicillin resistance and biofilm production of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates from infectious and normal flora conjunctiva.

Purpose: Coagulase-negative staphylococci have been reported to be the most frequent cause of bacterial postoperative endophthalmitis. Biofilm formation is the major virulence factor of Staphylococcus epidermidis and is often associated with methicillin resistance. This study aims at evaluating the presence of biofilm-producing and methicillin resistance genes (mecA) in S.

[Clinical and epidemiological aspects of toxoplasmosis in patients with vision problems].

Introduction: Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide disease; it can cause decreased vision or even blindness. The route of transmission in humans may vary according to the habits of the region; probably the ingestion of raw or undercooked meat is the main source of infection.

Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in an eye clinic, the frequency of ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) and risk habits for acquiring the infection.

[Seroprevalence of leptospirosis and associated factors in workers of the urban cleaning service of the Municipality of Asuncion, Paraguay].

Introduction: Leptospirosis is a serious infectious disease that has been linked to occupational activities such as farmers, sewer workers, garbage collectors, butchers and veterinarians. It is acquired through contact with major reservoirs like rodents, pets, or the environment contaminated by their urine. In Paraguay, there are no published reports on the seroprevalence of leptospirosis related to work activity.

[Seroprevalence of dengue infection in a district of the Paraguayan Chaco: Population based study].

Background: Dengue is an infection of great global importance with different clinical presentations.

Objective: To establish the seroprevalence of infection by the dengue virus in a district of the Paraguayan Chaco.

Material And Methods: Cross-sectional study in 418 inhabitants of three villages in the district of Villa Hayes, Paraguay, using a probabilistic household sampling, a questionnaire and blood sampling.

[Estimate of the incidence of HIV in the adult population of Paraguay using the MoT mathematical model].

Objective: To estimate the incidence of HIV in the adult population of Paraguay for 2014 and analyze its distribution and associated uncertainty according to risk behavior. METHODS The UNAIDS model was applied according to modes of transmission (MoT). Data were obtained from a detailed review of documents prepared between 1996 and 2013.

[Demodex spp in chronic blepharitis patients].

Background: Blepharitis is a very common disease in the ophthalmologic practice generally taking a chronic course with intermittent exacerbations. Several studies have linked the presence of Demodex folliculorum with chronic blepharitis, since the mite has the capacity to perpetuate the follicular inflammatory process. The prevalence of infection by Demodex spp.

[Keratitis by Lasiodiplodia theobromae: a case report and literature review].

We report a case of mycotic keratitis caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae in a 60-year-old man with a history of ocular trauma with vegetable matter. Ophthalmological assessment with slit-lamp and microbiological evaluation of the corneal ulcer by conventional microbiological techniques were performed. Mycology study of the corneal scraping showed the presence of fungal filaments and the isolate was identified as Lasiodiplodia theobromae.

Late diagnosis and surgical treatment of patients diagnosed with unilateral congenital cataract at Fundación Visión, in Asuncion, Paraguay.

Purpose: Providing data on the late diagnosis and surgical treatment of patients who underwent surgery for total unilateral congenital cataract. Methods: Systematic retrospective review of the medical record of all patients between 0 and 16 years old with total unilateral congenital cataract who underwent surgery at Fundación Vision between January 2010 and July 2012. Results: Medical records of 37 patients (51 % females) were studied, age was 7.

Is the cost the primary barrier for cataract surgery in Paraguay?

Purpose: To determine if the cost was the main barrier to undergo cataract surgery in Paraguay.

Methods: We conducted a cohort study with patients screened in the 2011 Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) who had reported that the cost was the main barrier to undergo cataract surgery in Paraguay. All patients with operable cataract from the RAAB study and with registered telephone numbers were interviewed by telephone and were offered free surgery services.

[Implementation of a community tele-epidemiological surveillance system using information and communication technologies in Paraguay].

Objective: Report preliminary results of the application of the BONIS system in community tele-epidemiological surveillance in Paraguay.

Methods: A study of viability and implementation carried out in the Family Health Unit located in Bañado Sur in the city of Asunción by the Paraguay River. The system automatically records personal data and symptoms of individuals who make telephone reports, and suspected cases of dengue are classified and prioritized.

[Clinically significant coagulase-negative staphylococci: most frequent species and virulence factors].

Background: Coagulase-negative staphylococci have emerged as responsible for a large number of infections. However, it is often difficult to assess its pathogenic role or to discard it as a contaminant.

Aim: The goal of this study was to identify clinically significant coagulase-negative staphylococci to the species level and their virulence factors.

Prevalence and causes of blindness in an urban area of Paraguay.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence and causes of blindness in Piribebuy, Paraguay.

Methods: A population based study was conducted from September to November 2007 in Piribebuy, Paraguay. Based on the city map, seven clusters were randomly selected, containing 22 to 36 squares (423 to 578 houses) each, where all subjects > 40 years old who agreed to participate were included in the study.

A prospective study demonstrating the effect of 5% povidone-iodine application for anterior segment intraocular surgery in Paraguay.

Purpose: To determine the conjunctival bacterial flora in cataract surgery patients and the effect of presurgical irrigation with 5% povidone-iodine solution.

Methods: Three samples from the inferior conjunctival fornix of the eye to be operated were obtained at baseline before washing (T0) with 10 ml 5% povidone-iodine solution, immediately after washing (T1), and upon completion of surgery (T2). Bacteria from the samples were inoculated in blood agar, chocolate agar, and thioglycolate broth.

Characteristics of the corneal endothelium and pseudoexfoliation syndrome in patients with senile cataract.

Background: The characteristics of the corneal endothelium in patients with/without pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) with senile cataract in Paraguay are unknown.

Methods: Endothelial density, mean coefficient of variation (%) in cell size and mean cell hexagonality (%) were measured using automated specular microscopy. Multivariate general linear model analysis was used to determine the effect of age, gender and PEX on endothelial characteristics.

[Antimicrobial susceptibility of H pylori strains obtained from Paraguayan patients].

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is one of the main obstacles for an effective eradication of H. pylori infection.

Aim: To determine the susceptibility of H.