Publications by authors named "Silvia A Repetto"
Hookworm infection is endemic in many countries throughout the world; however, the information about the prevalence of each species, Necatoramericanus and Ancylostomaduodenale, is inaccurate in many South American countries. We aimed to determine the prevalence of human hookworm species by combining the results of both microscopy and PCR among endemic populations in Argentina, represented by natives and immigrants. A total of 140 serial fecal specimens were obtained from natives in the province of Misiones and an immigrant community living in the province of Buenos Aires.
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- The study investigated the genetic variability of Strongyloides stercoralis based on a specific region of the cox1 gene from Latin-American samples, focusing on clinical outcomes following treatment with ivermectin.
- A total of 41 patients were evaluated, revealing 10 genetic haplotypes organized into two clusters; the presence of haplotypes from cluster 1 significantly increased the risk of disease reactivation post-treatment, while cluster 2 showed a substantially lower reactivation probability.
- This research is the first to analyze S. stercoralis genetic diversity in a clinical setting, highlighting the potential to enhance follow-up strategies by considering genetic information during diagnosis.
Article Synopsis
- A new coprological LAMP method called Copro-LAMPAc was developed to detect a zoonotic nematode affecting humans and animals, focusing on DNA extraction and primer design.
- This method demonstrated an impressive analytical sensitivity of 100 fg and a specificity of 100% when tested against DNA from hosts and other pathogens.
- When evaluated with canine fecal samples, Copro-LAMPAc proved to be more sensitive than traditional optical microscopy, positioning it as a promising tool for epidemiological studies in areas where the nematode is endemic.
Article Synopsis
- Toxocariasis is a disease primarily caused by Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, making accurate diagnosis in dogs and cats crucial for controlling its spread.
- A new, cost-effective LAMP assay has been developed to simultaneously detect these parasites through analysis of specific mitochondrial DNA, with tests showing high sensitivity and specificity.
- This assay can be performed in basic labs and significantly reduces costs by about 80%, enabling better identification and management of toxocariasis in areas where it is common.
American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) in solid organ transplantation.
Transpl Infect Dis
December 2020
This review addresses relevant aspects of Chagas disease in the solid organ transplantation setting. This trypanosomiasis was geographically restricted to America, but migration has turned Chagas disease into a global public health concern. Parasite persistence in chronically infected individuals entails the potential of transmission with organ donation and the potential for reactivation under immunosuppression.
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- Strongyloides stercoralis is a parasite affecting 30-100 million people globally, typically treated with ivermectin, but long-term efficacy studies are lacking.
- A study in Buenos Aires followed 21 patients over several years to assess treatment response using various detection methods for the parasite and its DNA.
- Results revealed that larvae reappeared in many patients within 30 days of treatment, with persistent DNA detection in stool samples, indicating ivermectin may not completely eradicate the infection and suggesting it should be viewed as a chronic condition.
Underdiagnosis of chronic infection with the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis may lead to severe disease in the immunosuppressed. Thus, we have set-up a specific and highly sensitive molecular diagnosis in stool samples. Here, we compared the accuracy of our polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method with that of conventional diagnostic methods for chronic infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHuman behavior plays a key role in the dynamics of dengue transmission. However, research on the relationship between human movement and dengue transmission within endemic countries is limited. From January 2008 to December 2011, the authors of this study conducted a retrospective analysis of imported dengue infections in Bogotá, Colombia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStrongyloides stercoralis chronic infections are usually asymptomatic and underestimated. We used direct fresh stool examination, Ritchie's method, and agar plate culture for diagnosis in patients with eosinophilia and previous residence in endemic areas. The frequency of strongyloidosis detected among these patients was high: 21 of 42 were positive.
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