Relationship between vitamin D deficiency and visually evoked potentials in multiple sclerosis.

Objective: To evaluate the possible relationship between serum 25-OH vitamin D levels and visually evoked potentials (VEP) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), residents in the south zone of Gran Canaria.

Material And Methods: The study included 49 patients with MS, on whom 25-OH-vitamin D was determined, along with VEP, and a neurological examination to determine incapacity. Clinical variables, such as a history of optic neuritis were recorded.

Novel type-II material system for laser applications in the near-infrared regime.

The design and experimental realization of a type-II "W"-multiple quantum well heterostructure for emission in the λ > 1.2 m range is presented. The experimental photoluminescence spectra for different excitation intensities are analyzed using microscopic quantum theory.

[Mycobacteriosis caused by Mycobacterium gordonae. First case reported in Cuba].

Since 1990, repeated samples of a positive HIV patient were studied, who had skin lesions with ulcers and scabs, dirty bottom and prominent edges; hyperergic Mantoux and very low CD levels. As a result, a slowly growing pigmented strain was isolated and classified as Mycobacterium gordonae by using standard as well as alternative bacteriological studies such as the mycobacterial mycolic acid analysis. The patient was treated with 4 antibacilar drugs and 6 weeks after the starting of the treatment, all reported skin lesions had disappeared.

[The reactogenicity and immunogenicity of the first Cuban vaccine against human leptospirosis].

A controlled double-blind trial was conducted with the participation of 80 adult volunteers of both sexes, who were randomly divided into groups of 40 individuals each one. The case-base study received the vaccine and the control group was administered placebo to know the safety, the behaviour of reactogenicity, and to star the immunogenicity studies of the first Cuban vaccine against human leptospirosis. The vaccine used in the case-base study was an inactivated and trivalent vaccine containing strains of Leptospira canicola, icterohaemorrhagiae and pomona, since they have the highest circulation in the country.

[Esophageal candidiasis in AIDS patients. A clinical and microbiological study].

18 AIDS patients who presented high gastrointestinal symptoms or lesions in the oral cavity suggestive of candidiasis were studied. Clinical data, specimen of the oral cavity, biopsies and esophageal brushing, as well as serum from all patients were obtained. Dysphagia was the main symptom observed in the esophageal candidiasis.

[Infection by Schistosoma intercalatum and probable hybridization with Schistosoma haematobium in East Africa. Report of a case].

It is reported the infection due to Schistosoma intercalatum and the probable hybridization with Schistosoma haematobium in a patient from the eastern region of Africa, where it has not been demonstrated before. The main clinical manifestations were abdominal pain and diarrhea with blood. The diagnosis was possible thanks to the finding in the microscopic examination of the characteristic eggs of Schistosoma intercalatum in faeces and urine by the modified technique of Ziehl-Neelsen.

[Progressive disseminated histoplasmosis in AIDS patients].

The clinical histories of 12 AIDS patients whose histoplasmosis diagnosis has been confirmed by histopathological studies were reviewed aimed at knowing the main clinical and microbiological aspects of the disseminated progressive histoplasmosis. In every case it appeared as a febrile and waste disease with an elevated hepatomegaly frequency and generalized adenopathies. More than 50% of the patients had anemia and an accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation.

[The minimum dosage of praziquantel in the treatment of Taenia saginata, 1986-1993].

Praziquantel was used in a therapeutic trial in 50 patients presenting with Taenia saginata in a dose of 5 mg/body weight as a single dose. The most frequent symptoms were: abdominal pain (72%), nervousness (42%), and body weight loss (32%). Tolerance to the drug was excellent.

[Use of an indirect immunofluorescence probe for early detection of latent malaria].

We followed up the values of the titres of malaria antibodies by the indirect immunofluorescence (IFI) technique in 52 patients: 27 Cubans and 25 foreigners with malaria. All the subjects had previously been in endemic zones. The diagnosis of the disease was based upon the thick drop test.

[Clinical, laparoscopic and histologic study of 60 patients with schistosomiasis mansoni].

Schistosomiasis mansoni was diagnosed to 60 patients coming from the African continent. Coproparasitologic study by Knight technique was performed to all of them, and presence of parasite eggs was demonstrated. The hematologic study showed eosinophilia and the study of the hepatic profile was normal.

[Levamisole, mebendazole, thiabendazole. Their effectiveness as helminthicides in African patients recently arrived in Cuba. From 1987 to 1988].

Ninety one passengers coming from Africa, carriers of geohelminthes, were selected and treated with helminthicides of large use in our country (levamisole, mebendazole, thiabendazole). An excellent effective response was obtained for Ascaris lumbricoides (96.5%), and a good effective response was obtained for the rest of the parasites: Trichuri trichiura (88.

[Our experience in the treatment of Taenia saginata (Goenze, 1762) with praziquantel].

This paper studies 50 Cuban patients with Taenia saginata admitted at "Pedro Kouri" Institute of Tropical Medicine from October 1982 to November 1985. There were no significant differences as far as patient sex is concerned and there was a prevalence of the age group 15-25. All cases had undergone several courses of antiparasitic treatment with niclosamide.