The immune response that develops in early childhood underlies the development of inflammatory diseases such as asthma and there are few data from tropical Latin America (LA). This study investigated the effects of age on the development of immunity during the first 5 years of life by comparing innate and adaptive immune responses in Ecuadorian children aged 6–9 months, 22–26 months, and 48–60 months. Percentages of naïve CD4+ T cells declined with age while those of memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells increased indicating active development of the immune system throughout the first five years. Young infants had greater innate immune responses to TLR agonists compared to older children while regulatory responses including SEB-induced IL-10 and percentages of FoxP3+ T-regulatory cells decreased with age. Enhanced innate immunity in early life may be important for host defense against pathogens but may increase the risk of immunopathology.
Our main interest is the characterization of compounds to support the development of alternatives to currently marketed drugs that are losing effectiveness due to the development of resistance. Schiff bases are promising biologically interesting compounds having a wide range of pharmaceutical properties, including anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and antimicrobial activities, among others. In this work, we have synthesized 12 Schiff base derivatives of 4-aminoantipyrine. In vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxicity properties are analyzed, as well as in silico predictive adsorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) and bioactivity scores. Results identify two potential Schiff bases: one effective against E. faecalis and the other with antioxidant activity. Both have reasonable ADME scores and provides a scaffold for developing more effective compounds in the future. Initial studies are usually limited to laboratory in vitro approaches, and following these initial studies, much research is needed before a drug can reach the clinic. Nevertheless, these laboratory approaches are mandatory and constitute a first filter to discriminate among potential drug candidates and chemical compounds that should be discarded.
(2017) Nuclear DNA replication and repair in parasites of the genus Leishmania: Exploiting differences to develop innovative therapeutic approaches, Critical Reviews in Microbiology, 43:2, 156-177,
The number of recorded phlebotomine sand fly species in Ecuador has nearly doubled during the past 20 years as a result of surveys. In 2005, a sand fly survey of two localities, Tiputini in the Amazon rain forest and Paraiso Escondido in the Pacific coastal lowland forest, resulted in the capture of 25 species. New records for Ecuador consisted of five species from the Amazonian region and one from Paraiso Escondido. The Amazonian species were Nyssomyia richardwardi (Ready and Fraiha), Psathyromyia dreisbachi (Causey and Damasceno), Psathyromyia runoides (Fairchild and Hertig), Trichophoromyia pabloi (Barretto, Burbano and Young), and Trichopygomyia witoto (Young and Morales). The Pacific coastal lowland species was Psathyromyia punctigeniculata (Floch and Abonnenc).
Leishmaniasis is an important neglected tropical disease and the cause of significant morbidity in endemic countries such as Ecuador. It is transmitted by the bite of infected sand flies (Diptera Psychodidae) and has been reported from at least 22/24 provinces in the country including the foothills of the Andean mountains. Herein, we report the detection of Leishmania parasites, using PCR assays, in skin biopsies taken from ulcers of leishmaniasis patients from Echeandía in the province of Bolívar, Ecuador. These results suggest that most of the patients were infected with parasites from the braziliensis complex that among other species, includes Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis which is the most common species that causes cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Pacific coast, and Leishmania (V.) braziliensis, the cause of mucocutaneous lesions and significant patient disfiguration. More studies are needed to further identify the parasite species present in this area and address aspects of the parasite's life cycle and transmission dynamics. Our preliminary results showed that the R174 and R798 18 S ribosomal DNA primers used in this study are effective to amplify Leishmania DNA and would be a useful tool to molecularly detect New World parasites causing tegumentary leishmaniasis.Keywords. PCR, Echeandia, leishmaniasis, skin biopsies.
ResumenLa leishmaniasis es una importante enfermedad tropical desatendida y es la causa de significativa morbilidad en países endémicos como el Ecuador. La enfermedad es transmitida por la picadura de flebótomos (Diptera:Psychodidae) infectados y ha sido reportada en al menos 22/24 provincias del Ecuador incluyendo las estribaciones de la cordillera de los Andes. En esta publicación reportamos la detección de parásitos de Leishmania mediante ensayos de PCR en biopsias de piel de pacientes con diagnóstico de leishmaniasis provenientes de la zona de Echeandía en la Provincia de Bolívar, Ecuador. Los resultados sugieren que la mayoría de los pacientes fueron infectados por parásitos pertenecientes al complejo braziliensis que incluye entre otras especies a Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis, el parásito más abundante en la costa Pacífica y causa de leishmaniasis cutánea y Leishmania (V.) braziliensis, la causa de lesiones mucocutáneas y significativa desfiguración del paciente. Más estudios son necesarios para identificar las especies del parásito que circulan en esta zona y abordar otros aspectos de los ciclos naturales de cada especie del parásito y la dinámica de transmisión. Los resultados preliminares muestran que los cebadores R174 and R798 del ADN 18 S ribosomal usados en este estudio son efectivos para amplificar ADN de Leishmania y pueden ser una herramienta útil en la detección de parásitos del Nuevo Mundo que causan leishmaniasis tegumentaria.Palabras Clave. PCR, Echeandia, Leishaniasis, biopsias de piel.
Objetivos: Determinar la calidad microbiológica de una muestra de productos naturales procesados de uso medicinal de libre comercio en Quito, Ecuador. Materiales y métodos: 83 productos se sometieron a recuentos de microorganismos aerobios, mohos y levaduras por técnicas convencionales estandarizadas, de acuerdo a la Farmacopea de los Estados Unidos (USP, por sus siglas en inglés). Se identificaron los microorganismos presentes y se determinó su sensibilidad antimicrobiana usando el método de difusión en agar. Resultados: El 17,0% de los jarabes, el 27,0% de los productos tópicos y el 43,0% de los sólidos orales excedieron los límites especificados para el recuento total de microorganismos aerobios, mientras que el 33,0% de los jarabes, el 7,0% de los productos tópicos y el 36,0% de los sólidos orales excedieron el límite para mohos y levaduras. Los productos de uso ocular no pasaron la prueba de esterilidad. El género bacteriano más frecuentemente aislado fue Bacillus, seguido por Escherichia coli, Klebsiella y Enterobacter. Salmonella ni Staphylococcus aureus se encontraron en ningún producto, pero microorganismos potencialmente patógenos como Pseudomonas se aislaron en el 40,0% de los colirios. Enterobacter y Escherichia coli mostraron resistencia a múltiples compuestos y Pseudomonas no fue resistente a ningún antibiótico. Conclusiones: La calidad microbiológica de los productos examinados no fue adecuada. Se aislaron microorganismos potencialmente patógenos y resistentes a antibióticos. Estos productos podrían no ser aptos para su distribución y consumo, aun cuando muchos de ellos cuenten con registro sanitario. El control y regulación por los entes responsables es indispensable.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.