Autoimmune diseases (AD) are classified into organ-specific, systemic, and mixed; all forms of AD share a high risk for cancer development. In AD a destructive immune response induced by autoreactive lymphocytes is started and continues with the production of autoantibodies against different targets; furthermore apoptosis failure and loss of balance in oxidative stress as a consequence of local or systemic inflammation are common features seen in AD as well. Micronucleus (MN) assay can be performed in order to evaluate loss of genetic material in a clear, accurate, fast, simple, and minimally invasive test. The MN formation in the cytoplasm of cells that have undergone proliferation is a consequence of DNA fragmentation during mitosis and the appearance of small additional nuclei during interphase. The MN test, widely accepted for in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity research, provides a sensitive marker of genomic damage associated to diverse conditions. In here, we present a review of our work and other published papers concerning genotoxic effect in AD, identified by means of the MN assay, with the aim of proposing this tool as a possible early biomarker for genotoxic damage, which is a consequence of disease progression. Additionally this biomarker could be used for follow-up, to asses genome damage associated to therapies.
Background: In our country, the prevalence of latex allergy in health personnel has rarely been studied. Objective: To determine the prevalence and associated factors to self-reported latex allergy in health care workers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,292 health care workers of a second level hospital. All workers were included and they were required to answer a structured questionnaire aimed at identifying latex allergy, atopic personal and family history, exposure to latex gloves and surgical background. Odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) were estimated using regression logistic to investigate factors associated to latex allergy. Results: The female to male ratio was 2.4:1. The men age 38.4 ± 11.6 years. The prevalence of latex allergy auto-reported was 9.7 %, with a confidence interval of 95 % (95 % CI) 8.1 %-11.3 %. There was no statistical difference by workplace (p = 0.508). Factors associated with latex allergy included female gender (OR = 1.68; 95 % CI: 1.03-2.73, p = 0.037), personal history of atopy (OR = 4.82;, p < 0.0001), family history of atopic dermatitis (OR = 4.33, 95 % CI: 1.20-4.41) and history of allergy to fruits (OR = 4.33; 95 % CI: 2.62-7.14, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Up to 10 out to 100 health workers may have latex allergy. The main factors associated with latex allergy in this study were: being a female, personal or familiar atopy and allergy to fruits.
Background: Prevalence of latex allergy in medical students is not known. Objective: To determine the prevalence of self-reported latex allergy and associated factors in medical students. Methods: Cross-sectional, analytical study of students with or without self-reported latex allergy. By means of a structured questionnaire, past personal and family history of allergic disease, time and frequency of exposure to latex gloves and symptoms after exposure to products or foods associated with latex allergy were inquired. Logistic regression models were carried out. Results: Out of 854 subjects, 431 (50.5%) were females. Median age was 21 years. Overall prevalence of latex allergy was 4.3% (95% CI = 3.1 to 5.9). Associated risk factors were age (OR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.05 to 1.79), personal history of atopic dermatitis (OR = 7.32; 95% CI = 3.14 to 17.08), use of gloves ≥ 15/week (OR = 2.59; 95% CI = 1.17 to 5.76), use of latex products (OR = 5.76; 95% CI = 2.15 to 15.49) and fruit allergy (OR = 3.24; 95% CI = 1.27 to 8.27). Conclusion: Four out of a hundred students reported latex allergy. Age, personal history of atopic dermatitis, higher frequency of exposure to latex gloves and history of fruit allergy were risk factors for self-report latex allergy.
Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a major public health problem worldwide. In Latin America, most UTIs are treated without bacteriological identification. Our aim was to examine resistance rates to commonly prescribed antibiotics, focusing on cases from Jalisco, Mexico; and additionally to conduct a review of the literature to search for resistance patterns in other countries of Latin America. Methods: Results:We obtained 1.206 consecutive samples from outpatient and inpatient facilities, including adult and pediatric subjects. The most frequent isolate in all groups was ESBL-producing E. coli with high resistance rates for ampicillin, TMP-SMX, and ciprofloxacin. In the literature review we found 15 papers related to resistance rates of commonly prescribed antibiotics. Conclusions:The information summarized in this article supports the finding that resistance rates to commonly prescribed antimicrobial agents are increasing worldwide. As such, this study challenges the rationale behind empiric use of antibiotics, emphasizing the need, whenever possible, to perform urine cultures before initiating antimicrobial treatment.
Purpose: Retinal pigment epithelial cells exhibit a propensity for apoptosis in Stargardt macular dystrophy (STGD). Previously, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene have been related to apoptosis and inflammatory response. Therefore, this study was undertaken to investigate whether TLR4 SNPs are associated with STGD in a family-based study. Methods: Four blood-related Mexican patients with a clinical diagnosis of STGD (4 women) and 12 of their unaffected relatives were included in the study. A total of 109 subjects (40 men and 69 women; age, 63.28 ± 7.93 years) without macular affections, family history, or inherited macular dystrophies were used as controls. SNPs rs4986790, rs1927911, rs12377632, rs2149356, and rs11536889 of the TLR4 gene were genotyped using a Taqman â Allelic Discrimination Assay. Results: The frequency of the minor allele of rs4986790 (G) was significantly higher in STGD patients compared to control subjects (25% vs. 1%, p = 0.0012). The genotype carrying the minor allele of rs4986790 (AG) was more frequent in STGD patients (50%) compared with their relatives and unrelated control subjects (8 and 2.75%, respectively), with statistical significance (p = 0.0048). The allele and genotype frequencies of the remaining SNPs were not significant between STGD patients and control subjects (p > 0.5). Unaffected relatives of STGD patients showed allele and genotype frequencies similar to those observed in control subjects. Conclusion: Minor alleles of the SNPs rs4986790 (G) and genotypes carrying it (AG) were related to clinical STGD in one family. Interestingly, rs4986790 has been described as a promoter of apoptosis. Therefore, this TLR4 gene polymorphism should be considered as a marker in future studies.
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