Uncommon patterns of antinuclear antibodies recognizing mitotic spindle apparatus antigens and clinical associations.

Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are key biomarkers in the evaluation of rheumatic diseases. The prevalence and clinical significance of uncommon or rare patterns, particularly those directed at the mitotic spindle apparatus (MSA), are not well understood. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of anti-MSA patterns in a Colombian population.

[Health services access survey for Colombian households].

Objective: The aim of this study was to design and validate a health services access survey for households in Colombia to provide a methodological tool that allows the country to accumulate evidence of real-life access conditions experienced by the Colombian population.

Methods: A validation study with experts and a pilot study were performed. It was conducted in the municipality of Jamundi, located in the department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia.

Effect of the exposure to Fasciola hepatica (Trematoda: Digenea) on life history traits of Lymnaea cousini and Lymnaea columella (Gastropoda: Lymnaeidae).

The snails Lymnaea columella and Lymnaea cousini have both been reported as intermediate hosts of Fasciola hepatica in Colombia. The effect of the exposure to the parasite on survival, fecundity and size of these snails was evaluated by means of experimental infections and the life history traits of control and exposed groups were compared. Infection rates were 82.

[Does the lack of availability of information represent a bottleneck for research and evaluation in health policy?].

Objectives: This article describes the difficulties encountered in obtaining information about health services, sanitation and health insurance coverage supply, use and coverage regarding a sample of Colombian municipalities during 1991-2000. The availability of information is also analysed in terms of decentralisation and municipal development.

Method: This was a cross-sectional study of a random stratified sample of 495 Colombian municipalities; information regarding the variables of interest was requested at municipal and departmental level and from national sources.