Capsid and polymerase (RdRp) genes of 13 norovirus outbreak strains from Chile were compared. The genes sequences were discordant for five strains, and recombination was confirmed for two of them by amplification of a 1,360-bp gene segment containing a fragment of both genes. These strains belonged to a novel genogroup by RdRp sequence and to genogroup GII/3 by capsid sequence. Determining the clinical and epidemiological impact of human calicivirus recombination will require future studies.
Human caliciviruses caused 45% of 55 gastroenteritis outbreaks occurring in Santiago, Chile, during 2000–2003. Outbreaks affected ≤99 persons, occurred most commonly in the home, and were associated with seafood consumption. Thirteen outbreak strains sequenced were noroviruses, including 8 GII, 2 GI, and 3 belonging to a novel genogroup.
Objectives: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the primary cause of gastric cancer and eradication in healthy adults has proven effective in decreasing cancer incidence.H. pylori is acquired largely in early childhood, however, the benefits of eradication in children are controversial. We aimed to determine the effect of H. pylori eradication on clinical and laboratory markers associated with gastric damage in apparently healthy school-aged children.
Methods:This was a pilot non-blinded trial including 61 children persistently infected with H. pylori who were randomized to eradication/no treatment and followed for at least 12 months, evaluating clinical and blood markers (Pepsinogen I (PGI) and II (PGII) determined by ELISA) associated with gastric damage. The treatment consisted of a sequential scheme including 7 days of omeprazole + amoxicillin followed by 7 days of omeprazole + clarithromycin + metronidazole; adherence and tolerance were surveyed. Eradication rates were assessed by stool antigen detection or urea breath test 1 month following treatment every 4 months thereafter to detect reinfection.Results: Eradication occurred in 30/31 treated children (median age: 8.8, range: 7.9-10.8) and in 0/30 non-treated controls (median age: 8.6, range: 7.9-11) (p < .001).Treatment was associated with mild transient symptoms (altered taste, nocturnal upper abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea). Baseline frequency of symptoms was low and eradication did not change symptoms compared to controls. PGI, PGII, and anti-H. pylori seropositivity were similar in both groups at baseline and significantly decreased only in eradicated patients; PGI (92.5 vs. 74.4, p < .001), PGII (15.2 vs. 8.9, p < .001) levels, and frequency of anti-H. pylori seropositivity (100 vs. 68%, p < .001) respectively. Four eradicated children (13%) were reinfected during follow-up.Conclusions: H. pylori eradication therapy in apparently asymptomatic school-aged children was well tolerated and associated with decreased serum PGI and PGII levels.Future studies should expand on the middle-long-term effect of early H. pylori eradication, especially on preventing gastric cancer.
Orofacial granulomatosis is a nonspecific term that contains a wide variety of
granulomatous entities, which share a clinical and histopathological
presentation. It manifests as persistent or recurrent orofacial swelling,
amongst other findings. Idiopathic orofacial granulomatosis, characterized by an
absence of systemic granulomatous disease, is a diagnosis of exclusion. The main
differential diagnosis is Crohn's disease. Its pathogenesis is unknown, however,
it seems to be immune-mediated. Patch-test sensitivity to multiple allergens is
well documented. Currently, therapeutic options consider restrictive diets,
topical, intralesional, and systemic agents. First-line therapy is currently a
matter of debate. We present a review of the value of diet therapy in this
syndrome, along with two illustrative cases.
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