Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

INTRODUCTION: This article briefly presents the story about the discovery of the mechanism of nephrogenic arterial hypertension, made in the early 1940s by a team of researchers led by Braun Menéndez. Fasciolo, Muñoz, Leloir and Taquini participated in it under the supervision of Houssay. The discoveries were summarized in a book published in 1943. The dispute over the discovery between the Argentine group and another one from the Unted States is described, including a review of the biographies of the mentioned researchers.

INTRODUCTION: Rickettsiosis, ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis are caused by obligate intracellular gram-negative bacteria and transmitted by arthropods emerging vector borne diseases. The aim of this work was to determine the species of ticks present in canines of the city of Pergamino and to detect the presence of pathogens from the genera Ehrlichia, Anaplasma and Rickettsia. METHODS: A total of 21 Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l ticks were studied, obtained from canines from different environments of the city of Pergamino. The samples were analyzed by PCR for Rickettsia spp. (gene gltA) and for the genera Ehrlichia/Anaplasma (gene 16sRNA). RESULTS: Positivity was detected for Rickettsia spp. in 4.76% of the ticks, being identified by sequencing as Rickettsia massiliae. For the Anaplasmataceae family, positivity was detected for Ehrlichia canis (23.8%) and Anaplasma platys (19.04%). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report on pathogens of zoonotic/veterinary interest belonging to the genera Ehrlichia, Anaplasma and Rickettsia, on Rh. sanguineus s.l ticks in the north of the province of Buenos Aires

On December 2, 2019, the National Public Health Research Agenda was released at the Argentina Ministry of Health. The establishment of priorities in a National Agenda for Research in Public Health is the result of a systematic, participatory and reflective process, which allows to guide the research towards relevant, prevalent and emerging problems of the population, orient resources towards priority topics, strengthen and create groups, centers and research networks for public health, improve capacities for the development of quality research and increase local evidence for decision-making in order to improve the health of the population and health systems within the framework of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The Delphi Method modified by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) was chosen as the methodology for preparing the Agenda. The Department of Health Research (DIS) of the National Ministry of Health participated in the development of this tool through the Ministerial Network for Health Research (REMINSA) and the PAHO. Throughout the whole elaboration process it was essential to achieve a broad participation of actors from the provincial and national levels, both from public and private sectors. The National Public Health Research Agenda will allow to generate national and regional scientific research, and to implement policies and recommendations that impact the health of population

INTRODUCTION: The monitoring of epidemiological indicators is a key element in strengthening the response to HIV. OBJECTIVE: This article presents an epidemiological analysis of the trends in selected indicators based on reports of infection notified to the Sexual Health, AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases Coordination under the Buenos Aires City Ministry of Health, between 2003 and 2017. METHODS: This analysis includes data on the distribution by sex and masculinity index, access to HIV diagnosis, the distribution by age at the time of diagnosis, health coverage, routes of transmission, the death rate due to AIDS, surveillance of MTC transmission of HIV and the situation of children and adolescents with HIV. RESULTS: The information presented reflects a metropolitan profile in which sexual transmission predominates in both women and men and highlights some situations that require a specific approach. The data support the importance of implementing differentiated prevention strategies according to the needs of each population group. DISCUSSION: The way in which the information is presented shows a clear intention to foster the interaction between epidemiology and decision making, knowing that this information constitutes a fundamental tool for the definition and implementation of public health policies

INTRODUCTION: Diarrhea is one of the most common childhood diseases, and acute bloody diarrhea (ABD) one of the individual notification events of highest incidence in the Catchment Area under study. OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of DAS cases in a public hospital of Buenos Aires city. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed, considering the epidemiological characteristics of ABD in young people aged under 18 notified by Hospital Piñero and its centers of primary care during 2017. Sources of information were the National System of Health Surveillance and the database of the hospital laboratory, including Whonet system. RESULTS: A total of 119 cases were recorded, and the median age was 3 years. Stool cultures were taken from 53 patients (45%), 22 of them were positive for enteropathogens. The fresh examination with inflammatory characteristics was not associated with a positive stool culture (p=0.4). The isolated germs were Shigella flexneri (n=15), Shigella sonnei (n=3), Salmonella Typhimurium (n=1), Salmonella enterica sp. not Typhi (n=1) and Campylobacter coli (n=2). From the isolated bacteria, 40% were resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. There was not resistance to furazolidone or extended-spectrum beta-lactamase carrying strains. CONCLUSIONS: The number of stool cultures taken was low, furazolidone may be a therapeutic option in this population, and there was not any further development of hemolytic uremic syndrome

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis represents a challenge for public health, among other causes, due to diagnostic difficulties. Bacilloscopy and culture in solid media present technical difficulties and take time. OBJECTIVES: To carry out a complete health technology assessment, evaluating the incorporation of new in vitro diagnostic equipment for tuberculosis in the public health system of Neuquén. METHODS: A multidisciplinary and independent team analyzed the local resources, carried out a systematic search with analysis of diagnostic performance, economic, organizational and equity impact. RESULTS: Fluorescence microscopy, cultures in liquid medium and molecular biology were identified as potential additions. All three show evidence of greater sensitivity and specificity than smear microscopy. Molecular biology shortens times with minimal staff training and it has a much higher cost than other technologies. The culture in liquid medium shortens the time to diagnosis and is feasible to be incorporated. CONCLUSIONS: Tensions were observed between scenarios where efficiency maximization increases inequalities in access. The consensus methodology facilitates decision-making on the incorporation of technologies. It is recommendable to incorporate fluorescence microscopy in reference laboratories and equipment for culture in liquid medium, centralizing samples.

INTRODUCTION: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing effectiveness for cervical cancer (CC) prevention and the potential of HPV self-sampling test versions (SS-HPV) in reducing screening barriers have been recognized. One of the main challenges is to guarantee access to Papanicolaou (Pap) triage testing for women who have tested positive on the SS-HPV. The aim of this study was to measure positive SS-HPV adherence to triage, and to analyze social determinants of triage adherence in women aged 30 year or more with SSHPV+ within the public health system in the province of Jujuy. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted, analyzing data from the National Screening Information System (SITAM) and home surveys of SS-HPV+ women during 2015-2016, without recorded Pap triage results. RESULTS: The estimated rate of triage adherence ranged between 96% and 81%. These rates were lower 60 and 120 days after AT (18% y 35%, respectively). Women with social security/ private health coverage and without overcrowded housing conditions were most likely to have triage. Problems relating to result delivery were mentioned as the main reason for Pap triage non-adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Although adherence levels are high, there is a critical need for comprehensive interventions to improve delivery of results and to help address socio-structural barriers to adherence to triage

INTRODUCTION: Legionella genus includes species that are found in a variety of aquatic environments, but must be incorporated into aerosols and inhaled to produce disease. Although most cases of pneumonia are caused by L. pneumophila, of the 58 species that constitute this genus, 24 were related to human disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of Legionella species in residential reservoirs of drinking water of Resistencia, Chaco. METHODS: Forty six water samples taken from different points in the city were studied. Legionella detection in the samples was performed by culture as set out in the ISO standard 11731:1998. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays were applied to isolates obtained by culture and identified as Legionellaspp. according to the ISO standard. The target sequences used corresponded to 23S rRNA gene, for the confirmation of the genus, and mip gene specific for the species L. pneumophila. RESULTS: In 16 (34.8%) of the 46 samples studied Legionella spp. was recovered. Molecular technique confirmed the presence of Legionella pneumophila in 15 samples. In addition, 3 of these samples (6.5%) were also positive for anotherspecies of the genus Legionella. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the presence of L. pneumophila and other species in residential drinking water reservoirs in Resistencia.

INTRODUCTION: The use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs usually starts during the adolescence. In Argentina, it happens at an increasingly younger age. The purpose of the study was to explore social and personal factors that can predict the start of consumption among adolescents in this country. METHODS: In 2014, an anonymous self-administered survey was conducted among first-year secondary school students in 33 public and private schools in Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Tucumán, that was repeated in the same students the following year. The survey included sociodemographic and personal aspects and also inquired about smoking among friends and family, as well as personal use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine or paco. Multilevel logistic regression with random intercept for schools was applied to determine the association between the independent variables and the start of consumption of each substance at follow-up. RESULTS: In 2014, 3172 students completed the baseline survey and 2018 of them (64%) also completed the follow-up. In 2015, 16.4% of the students were current smokers, 49.8% were current drinkers and 10.8% were using illicit drugs. Being a woman and having a high sensation seeking index predicted both tobacco and alcohol use. Being a smoker, a drinker, having friends who use illicit drugs and older age predicted consumption of illicit drugs. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to identify students with a high sensation seeking index, as it is the common risk factor for the use of all these substances