The review article presents some of the history of how paleoparasitology started in Brazil, making highlight the great responsible Dr. Luiz Fernando Ferreira and Dr. Adauto Araújo, the trajectory of paleoparasitology in Brazil since 1978 and its performance in science to the present day. In sequence, it is made a presentation of parasitological findings on human remains found in archaeological sites in South America, highlighting Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Peru, where major discoveries have occurred. Many of the parasites found in archaeological material and mentioned in this review went out of Africa with the peopling of Europe and from there they dispersed around the world, where climatic conditions allow the transmission. However, humans have acquired other parasites of animals, since humans invaded new habitats or creating new habits adopting new technologies, thus expanding its range of influence on the environment. Thus, this review article is finalized with information that explain the importance of these findings in the interaction between parasites, human host, and ambient.
Africa ; Animals ; Argentina ; Brazil* ; Chile ; Ecosystem ; Europe ; Humans* ; Parasites ; Peru ; South America*

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: In Argentina, obesity prevalence rose from 14.6% in 2005 to 20.8% in 2013. Although the number of studies on noncommunicable diseases and dietary patterns as a unique dietary exposure measure has increased, information on this topic remains scarce in developing countries. This is the first population-based study investigating the association between diet and obesity using a dietary pattern approach in Argentina. We aimed (a) to identify current dietary patterns of the population of Córdoba city, (b) to investigate its association with obesity prevalence, and (c) to identify and describe dietary patterns from the subgroup of people with obesity. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The Córdoba Obesity and Diet Study (CODIES) was conducted in Córdoba city by using a random sample of n = 4,327 subjects between 2005 and 2012. Empirically derived dietary patterns were identified through principal component factor analysis. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association of dietary patterns with obesity. RESULTS: Four dietary patterns were identified, called “Starchy-Sugar”, “Prudent”, “Western”, and “Sugary drinks”. High scores for the “Western” pattern (with strongest factor loading on meats/eggs, processed meats, and alcohol) showed a positive association with obesity (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.06-1.67, for third versus first tertile of factor score). “Meats/Cheeses” and “Snacks/Alcohol” patterns emerged in people with obesity. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that high adherence to the “Western” pattern promoted obesity in this urban population. In addition, people with obesity showed characteristic dietary patterns that differ from those identified in the overall population.
Argentina* ; Cross-Sectional Studies* ; Developing Countries ; Diet ; Epidemiology ; Logistic Models ; Meat ; Obesity ; Prevalence* ; Urban Population*

Argentina ; Developing Countries ; Education, Medical, Undergraduate ; methods ; Educational Measurement ; methods ; Humans ; Problem-Based Learning

Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) represents the most common tropically acquired dermatosis. CLM is caused by infection with hookworm larvae in tropical and sub-tropical areas, and people who have a history of foreign travel and of walking barefoot on sandy soil or beaches are at a high risk of getting infected with it. The diagnosis is usually made on the basis of the typical appearance of the lesion, intense itching and history of foreign travel. CLM is a common parasitic skin disease that can be easily prevented by wearing 'protective' footwear. A case of CLM is described in this article.
Adult ; Albendazole ; therapeutic use ; Antinematodal Agents ; therapeutic use ; Argentina ; Brazil ; Female ; Humans ; Larva Migrans ; Travel

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The number of disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) available for treating relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis is increasing. Numerous drugs have been approved since 2010 in South America, which has increased the complexity of the treatment algorithm. The aim of this study was to determine the changes in multiple sclerosis treatments relative to the underlying causes and the availability of new DMDs in Argentina. METHODS: A descriptive retrospective study was carried out on a group of 59 patients diagnosed with RRMS who use more than one DMD. RESULTS: The first treatment switch occurred before 2010 in 27% of the patients and after 2010 in the other 73%. Efficacy was the main reason for switching during both periods. A second treatment switch was required in 25% of the patients, with this occurring after 2010 in 86.6% of them. Interferon was the most-used drug before 2010 and fingolimod was the most-used drug thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified that the tendency for treatment changes has increased following the arrival of new drugs. Efficacy has been the main cause of these changes.
Argentina ; Drug Therapy ; Fingolimod Hydrochloride ; Humans ; Interferons ; Multiple Sclerosis* ; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting ; Retrospective Studies ; South America

The aim of this study was to evaluate different methods for Trichomonas vaginalis diagnosis during pregnancy in order to prevent maternal and perinatal complications. A total of 386 vaginal exudates from pregnant women were analyzed. T. vaginalis was investigated by 3 types of microscopic examinations direct wet mount with physiologic saline solution, prolonged May-Grunwald Giemsa (MGG) staining, and wet mount with sodium-acetate-formalin (SAF)/methylene blue method. PCR for 18S rRNA gene as well as culture in liquid medium were performed. The sensitivity and specificity of the microscopic examinations were evaluated considering the culture media positivity or the PCR techniques as gold standard. The frequency of T. vaginalis infection was 6.2% by culture and/or PCR, 5.2% by PCR, 4.7% by culture, 3.1% by SAF/methylene blue method and 2.8% by direct wet smear and prolonged MGG staining. The sensitivities were 83.3%, 75.0%, 50.0%, and 45.8% for PCR, culture, SAF/methylene blue method, and direct wet smear-prolonged MGG staining, respectively. The specificity was 100% for all the assessed methods. Microscopic examinations showed low sensitivity, mainly in asymptomatic pregnant patients. It is necessary to improve the detection of T. vaginalis using combined methods providing higher sensitivity, such as culture and PCR, mainly in asymptomatic pregnant patients, in order to prevent maternal and perinatal complications.
Argentina* ; Culture Media ; Diagnosis* ; Exudates and Transudates ; Female ; Genes, rRNA ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sodium Chloride ; Trichomonas vaginalis* ; Trichomonas*

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic carriers of group A β-hemolytic streptococci (GAS) in children living in a rural community and to investigate the association between episodes of acute pharyngitis and carrier status. METHODS: Throat swabs were collected from September to November 2013 among children 5-13 years of age from a rural community (Maria Ignacia-Vela, Argentina). The phenotypic characterization of isolates was performed by conventional tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility was assayed for penicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, and clindamycin (disk diffusion). The minimum inhibitory concentration was determined for penicillin, cefotaxime, tetracycline, and erythromycin. RESULTS: The carriage of β-hemolytic streptococci was detected in 18.1% of participants, with Streptococcus pyogenes in 18 participants followed by S. dysgalactiae ssp. equisimilis in 5. The highest proportion of GAS was found in 8 to 10-year-old children. No significant association between the number of episodes of acute pharyngitis suffered in the last year and the carrier state was detected (p>0.05). Tetracycline resistance (55.5%) and macrolide-resistant phenotypes (11.1%) were observed. Resistance to penicillin, cefotaxime, or chloramphenicol was not expressed in any streptococcal isolate. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated significant throat carriage of GAS and the presence of group C streptococci (S. dysgalactiae ssp. equisimilis) in an Argentinian rural population. These results point out the need for continuous surveillance of GAS and non-GAS carriage as well as of antimicrobial resistance in highly susceptible populations, such as school-aged rural children. An extended surveillance program including school-aged children from different cities should be considered to estimate the prevalence of GAS carriage in Argentina.
Argentina* ; Carrier State ; Cefotaxime ; Child* ; Chloramphenicol ; Clindamycin ; Erythromycin ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Penicillins ; Pharyngitis ; Pharynx* ; Phenotype ; Prevalence ; Rural Population ; Streptococcus pyogenes* ; Streptococcus* ; Tetracycline ; Tetracycline Resistance

Coccidioidomycosis is caused by a dimorphous fungus, Coccidioides, which consists of two species, C. immitis and C. posadasii. Although these organisms are genetically distinct and do not exchange DNA, they appear identical phenotypically and the disease or immune response to the organisms is also identical. Coccidioides grows as a mycelium in the soil and is mainly found in Southwestern United States, northwestern Mexico, and Argentina. An infection usually results from inhaling the spores of the fungus in an endemic area. Patients with a localized infection and no risk factors for complications often require only a periodic reassessment to demonstrate the resolution of the self-limited process. However, patients with extensive spread of infection or high risk of complications as a result of immunosuppression or other preexisting factors require a variety of treatment strategies such as antifungal therapy, surgical debridement, or both. Korea is not endemic area of a coccidioidomycosis. We report a case of disseminated coccidioidomycosis involving the lung and skin, which was detected incidentally after sunburn in a 69 year-old Korean male with diabetes mellitus and iatrogenic Cushings syndrome, with a review of the relevant literature.
Aged ; Argentina ; Coccidioides ; Coccidioidomycosis* ; Debridement ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; DNA ; Fungi ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Inhalation ; Korea ; Lung* ; Male ; Mexico ; Mycelium ; Risk Factors ; Skin* ; Soil ; Southwestern United States ; Spores ; Sunburn

Myiasis is usually caused by flies of the Calliphoridae family, and Cochliomyia hominivorax is the etiological agent most frequently found in myiasis. The first case of myiasis in a diabetic foot of a 54-year-old male patient in Argentina is reported. The patient attended the hospital of the capital city of Tucuman Province for a consultation concerning an ulcer in his right foot, where the larval specimens were found. The identification of the immature larvae was based on their morphological characters, such as the cylindrical, segmented, white yellow-coloured body and tracheas with strong pigmentation. The larvae were removed, and the patient was treated with antibiotics. The larvae were reared until the adults were obtained. The adults were identified by the setose basal vein in the upper surface of the wing, denuded lower surface of the wing, short and reduced palps, and parafrontalia with black hairs outside the front row of setae. The main factor that favoured the development of myiasis is due to diabetes, which caused a loss of sensibility in the limb that resulted in late consultation. Moreover, the poor personal hygiene attracted the flies, and the foul-smelling discharge from the wound favoured the female's oviposition. There is a need to implement a program for prevention of myiasis, in which the population is made aware not only of the importance of good personal hygiene and home sanitation but also of the degree of implication of flies in the occurrence and development of this disease.
Animals ; Argentina ; Diabetic Foot/*complications/parasitology/pathology ; Diptera/anatomy & histology/classification/*growth & development ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myiasis/*diagnosis/*parasitology ; Ulcer/*complications/parasitology/pathology

Argentina ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Hemophilia A ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Russia ; epidemiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; United States ; epidemiology ; Urban Population