Recent Submissions
Publication
Embargo
Usefulness of PCR for monitoring benznidazole response in patients with chronic Chagas’ disease: a prospective study in a non-disease-endemic country
(Oxford University Press, 2010-06-11) Murcia, Laura; Carrilero, Bartolome; Muñoz, M. Jose; Iborra, M. Asunción; Segovia, Manuel; Genética y Microbiología
Objectives: This prospective study focused on the evaluation of antiparasitic therapy in chronic Chagas’ disease,
monitored by PCR.
Patients and methods: One hundred and eighty-one patients, all seropositive for Trypanosoma cruzi infection,
underwent specific chemotherapy with benznidazole. Twelve patients were classified as young (2–19 years),
122 patients were classified as adults (20–39 years) and 47 patients were classified as seniors (≥40 years).
In total, 116 (64%) were asymptomatic and 65 (36%) were symptomatic. Patients were monitored for 90,
150 and 420 days after treatment by PCR and serology.
Results: Before treatment, 68% had a positive PCR result. PCR positivity was significantly more frequent in
patients aged 2–19 years (P¼0.0007) and in short-term immigrants (P¼0.0076). No differences in PCR sensitivity
were observed between samples of patients with chronic symptomatic or indeterminate Chagas’ disease.
All patients presented an early conversion of PCR results 90 days post-treatment. However, at the end of the
follow-up period PCR had become positive in four patients (4 out of 58 patients; 6.9%) who had strictly
adhered to the treatment and in one who did not complete the treatment. Only one patient showed an alternating
PCR during follow-up.
Conclusions: We conclude that PCR is a useful tool for the early detection of parasite susceptibility to benznidazole
and for the post-treatment parasitological follow-up of patients with chronic Chagas’ disease.
Publication
Embargo
Usefulness of Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra in Respiratory Specimens With Doubtful Auramine Staining Result and Comparison With Predecessor Test
(2024-05) Maria J. Munoz-Davila; Manuel Rodriguez Maresca; Maria T. Cabezas Fernandez; Miguel J. Martinez-Lirola; Genética y Microbiología
Publication
Embargo
Risk factors and primary prevention of congenital Chagas disease in a nonendemic country
(Oxford University Press, 2012-10-24) Murcia, Laura; Carrilero, Bartolomé; Muñoz-Dávila, M. Jose; Thomas, M. Carmen; López, Manuel C.; Segovia, Manuel; Genética y Microbiología
Background. In this longitudinal cohort study we evaluated the congenital transmission of Chagas disease
(CD) in a nonendemic area. The aim of this work was to analyze the predictive value of a Trypanosoma cruzi–
positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result in pregnant women for the diagnosis of vertical transmission and
to evaluate the use of PCR as a tool for early detection of infection.
Methods. The offspring of 59 seropositive pregnant mothers were followed up. The parasitological status of
mothers was studied by PCR in a total of 64 pregnancies; 10 of these women had received treatment before
pregnancy. Sixty-five infants (including a pair of twins) were monitored at 0, 6, 9, and 12 months of age by PCR
and serology. In cases of congenital transmission, hemoculture and parasite lineage typing were performed.
Results. Nine infants had acquired CD congenitally. This represents a transmission rate of 13.8% among seropositive
mothers (9 infected newborns of 65 total live births). All infants were infected with T. cruzi discrete typing unit V
strain. A statistically significant correlation was found between T. cruzi vertical transmission and a positive PCR result
during pregnancy (31%; 9 infected newborns in 29 live births). No infected infants were detected among 10 mothers
who were treated before they became pregnant, compared with 16.4% (9 of 55 live births) among untreated mothers.
Conclusions. PCR is a useful tool for the detection of congenital CD, and the treatment of infected women of
childbearing age seems to be useful for preventing vertical transmission.
Publication
Open Access
Selecting criteria for improving results of an immunochromatographic assay for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex identification from BacT/ALERT cultures
(Elsevier, ) Leiva Tapia, Emilio; Segura Díaz, Ignacio; Cejudo García, María Aurora; Martínez Irola, Miguel José; Muñoz-Dávila, María José; Genética y Microbiología
We describe a combined macro and microscopic criteria for rapid presumptive differentiation between Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) evaluated by two independent observers. This strategy achieved rapid MTC identification in most cases (95.8% expert observer and 91.6% novice observer) with significant savings compared to more expensive and unnecessary tests.
Publication
Open Access
UV-Fixed-Thick-Blotch preparation improves sensitivity of Auramine staining
(American Society for Microbiology, 2013) Muñoz Dávila, M.J.; Martínez-Lirola, M.J.; Cejudo-García, M.A.; Genética y Microbiología
We describe here a very simple modification of the auramine staining procedure based on preparation of a UV-fixed thick blotch
which allowed us to reach an overall sensitivity of 0.82 (592 acid-fast bacillus [AFB]-positive specimens/722 initial respiratory
specimens with positive mycobacterial culture) and sensitivities of 0.93 (526 AFB-positive specimens/564 culture-positive specimens)
for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and 0.42 (66 AFB-positive specimens/158 culture-positive specimens) for nontuberculous
mycobacteria.