Dengue virus (DENV) infection is mediated by the interaction between the virus envelope protein and cellular receptors of the host cells. In this study, we designed peptides to inhibit protein-protein interaction between dengue virus and CD44 receptor, which is one of the receptors used by DENV for entry. In silico model complexes were designed between domain III of the viral envelope protein of dengue virus 2 and the domain of human CD44 receptor using ClusPro 2.0, (https://cluspro.bu.edu/login.php), and inhibition peptides were designed with Rosetta Online-Server(http://rosie.rosettacommons.org/peptiderive). We identified one linear antiviral peptide of 18 amino acids derived from the human CD44 receptor, PD1 CD44. It did not show hemolysis or toxicity in HepG2 or BHK cell lines, nor did it stimulate the release of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ, below 100 µM. It had an IC50 of 13.8 µM and maximum effective dose of 54.9 µM evaluated in BHK cells. The decrease in plaque-forming units/mL for DENV1, DENV2, DENV3, and DENV4 was 99.60%, 99.40%, 97.80%, and 70.50%, respectively, and similar results were obtained by RT-qPCR. Non-structural protein 1 release was decreased in pre- and co-treatment but not in post-treatment. Competition assays between the DN59 peptide, envelope protein, and the fragment of domain III "MDKLQLKGMSYSMCTGKF" of the viral envelope of DENV2 and PD1 CD44 showed that our peptide lost its antiviral activity. We demonstrated that our peptide decreased endosome formation, and we propose that it binds to the envelope protein of DENV, inhibiting viral invasion/fusion.

ResumenObjetivoDescribir las manifestaciones clínicas y hallazgos de laboratorio de una serie de casos febriles agudos con diagnóstico presuntivo de infección por el virus dengue. en Quindío (Colombia).Materiales y métodosSe realizó un estudio de corte transversal, en pacientes con sospecha clínica de dengue en el periodo comprendido entre enero y agosto de 2013, en algunos centros hospitalarios del departamento del Quindío. Se tomaron muestras de sangre para diagnóstico de dengue, leptospira, malaria, hepatitis B, y rickettsiosis. Como pruebas confirmatorias para dengue se realizó aislamiento viral en células C6/36HT y serotipificación para dengue por RT-PCR; pruebas de función hepática, cuadro hemático y niveles de citocinas.ResultadosSe caracterizaron 149 casos, de los cuales el 43% presentaron infección por dengue, 4% leptospira, 6,8% rickettsias, un caso de malaria y uno de hepatitis B. En 5 casos se logró el aislamiento del DENV2 y DENV3. Mediante la RT-PCR, se evidenció cocirculación de serotipos 2, 3, 4. Se encontró que las enzimas AST/ALT, el conteo de plaquetas, la erupción y el dolor abdominal fueron marcadores característicos de la infección por dengue, mientras la ictericia y el dolor lumbar se correlacionaron con la leptospirosis. Los valores de citocinas mostraron que la IL-10, TNFα variaron significativamente en casos con dengue frente a otros diagnósticos, y la IL-17α presentó diferencias significativas en individuos con dengue grave.ConclusionesEl dengue se confirmó como causa etiológica importante de síndrome febril icterohemorrágico en el departamento del Quindío, pero la leptospirosis y la rickettsiosis tienen también una participación importante. Sin embargo, en el 44% de los casos fueron catalogados como síndrome febril indeterminado.AbstractObjectiveTo characterise the clinical and laboratory findings on a series of febrile cases with a presumptive diagnosis of dengue virus infection in Quindío, Colombia.Materials and methodsThis study was conducted from January to July 2013. Blood samples were obtained from patients suspected of dengue virus infection from Quindío department hospitals. These samples were tested for dengue, leptospira, malaria, hepatitis B and rickettsiosis. To confirm dengue infection, we performed viral isolation in C6/36HT cells and dengue serotyping by RT-PCR; liver function tests, complete blood counts and cytokine levels.ResultsOf 149 cases, 43% were infected by dengue, 4% leptospira, 6.8% rickettsia, one case of malaria and one case of hepatitis b. We obtained 5 clinical isolates of DENV2 and DENV3 that evidenced co-circulation of serotypes 2, 3, and 4. We found that AST/ALT levels, platelet count, rash and abdominal pain were good markers of infection by dengue, while jaundice and lumbar pain suggested leptospirosis. Cytokine levels revealed that IL-10, TNFα varied significantly in dengue compared with other diagnostics and that IL-17α showed significant differences in individuals with severe dengue.ConclusionsDengue was confirmed as an important aetiology of acute febrile ictero-haemorrhagic syndrome in Quindío, but leptospirosis and rickettsia also play an important role. However, 44% of the cases were classified as undetermined febrile syndrome

ResumenIntroducciónLa fasciolosis es una parasitosis causada por Fasciola hepatica (F. hepatica). En el departamento del Quindío se desconoce su prevalencia tanto en humanos como en bovinos.ObjetivoDeterminar la prevalencia de F. hepatica en heces de trabajadores del sector ganadero y bovinos en el departamento del Quindío entre los meses de septiembre de 2012 y marzo de 2013.Materiales y métodosSe realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, mediante análisis parasitológico en heces de empleados del sector ganadero y en bovinos en los 12 municipios del departamento del Quindío, usando la técnica directa de Lugol, concentración de Kato-Katz y Ritchie; se realizó la determinación de antígenos de F. hepatica en heces mediante la prueba inmunológica Fascidig®. Se realizó una encuesta epidemiológica a los empleados y propietarios, en la que se consignaron la presencia de sintomatología y los factores de riesgo implicados en la adquisición de esta parasitosis.ResultadosLa prevalencia de F. hepatica en bovinos fue 3,74%, por microscopia óptica y 3,01% mediante Fascidig®, y 0% en humanos. Los animales recibieron antiparasitarios en los meses previos a la toma de las muestras, sin embargo, se determinó presencia de huevos de Fasciola en las heces de los bovinos. Los municipios donde se encontraron resultados positivos fueron: Salento, Génova, Quimbaya, Montenegro y Circasia.ConclusiónDemostramos la presencia del parásito F. hepatica en los bovinos en pie de 4 municipios del departamento del Quindío.AbstractIntroductionFascioliasis is a parasitic disease caused by Fasciola hepatica (F. hepatica). The prevalence of this infection in the region of Quindío in humans and in cattle is unknown.ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence of F. hepatica in feces of cattle workers and cattle in the region of Quindío from September 2012 to March 2013.Materials and methodsA descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed by parasitological analysis of feces of cattle workers and cattle in 12 municipalities of department of Quindío using the Lugol direct technique, Kato-Katz and Ritchie concentrations. The determination of Fasciola hepatic antigens in feces was performed by the Fascidig® immunological technique. In addition, an epidemiological survey concerning the symptomatology of the disease and the risk factors involved in the acquisition of this parasite was carried out.ResultsThe F. hepatica prevalence in cattle was 3,74%, by optical microscopy and 3,01% with Fascidig® and 0% in humans. The animals received antiparasitics in the months prior to the taking of samples; however the presence of F. hepatica eggs in cattle feces was determined. The cities where positive results were found include: Salento, Génova, Quimbaya, Montenegro y Circasia.ConclusionWe have demonstrated the presence of the parasite F. hepatica in cattle in 4 cities in the region of Quindío

Amazonian fruits are a source of bioactive compounds, among which phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and carotenes stand out. These compounds play a crucial role in restoring oxidative balance, consequently reducing the proliferation of cancer cells. However, the content of these metabolites and their biological properties may vary significantly depending on the geographical location and the environmental conditions where plants grow. This research assessed the content of metabolites, free radical scavenging capacity, and hemolytic and antiproliferative effects of the hydro-methanolic extracts of the Amazonian fruits Theobroma grandiflorum and Mauritia flexuosa. The results revealed that the extracts derived from the seeds of Theobroma grandiflorum sourced from the Balcanes experimental farm and the pulp of Mauritia flexuosa harvested in Florencia exhibited higher contents compared to other analyzed sites: Total phenolic content (TPC) (619.41 ± 12.05 and 285.75 ± 10.06 mg GAE/100 g FW), Total flavonoid content (TFC) (569.09 ± 4.51 and 223.21 ± 3.92 mg CAT/100 g FW), and Total carotenoid content (TCC) (25.12 ± 0.16 and 48.00 ± 0.28 mg eq β-carotene/100 g FW), respectively. Also, these samples demonstrated superior scavenging capacities for the ABTS and DPPH radicals, while the peel of Mauritia flexuosa exhibited the highest scavenging capacity for the oxygen radical (526.23 ± 2.08 µmol Trolox.g⁻¹). The hemolytic effect shows dose-dependent responses with IC50 values of 27.73 μg/mL for the Balcanes seeds and 1.27 μg/mL for the Florencia pulp. Furthermore, it was observed that treatment with the fruit-derived extracts effectively reduced the number of viable human colorectal cancer cells, using SW480 ATCC cell line, demonstrating a non-dose-dependent behavior compared to the control cells.

Dengue virus is a ssRNA+ flavivirus, which produces the dengue disease in humans. Currently, no specific treatment exists. siRNAs regulate gene expression and have been used systematically to silence viral genomes; however, they require controlled release. Liposomes show favorable results encapsulating siRNA for gene silencing. The objective herein was to design and evaluate in vitro siRNAs bound to liposomes that inhibit DENV replication. siRNAs were designed against DENV1–4 from conserved regions using siDirect2.0 and Web-BLOCK-iT™ RNAiDesigner; the initial in vitro evaluation was carried out through transfection into HepG2 cells. siRNA with silencing capacity was encapsulated in liposomes composed of D-Lin-MC3-DMA, DSPC, Chol. Cytotoxicity, hemolysis, pro-inflammatory cytokine release and antiviral activity were evaluated using plaque assay and RT-qPCR. A working concentration of siRNA was established at 40 nM. siRNA1, siRNA2, siRNA3.1, and siRNA4 were encapsulated in liposomes, and their siRNA delivery through liposomes led to a statistically significant decrease in viral titers, yielded no cytotoxicity or hemolysis and did not stimulate release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Finally, liposomes were designed with siRNA against DENV, which proved to be safe in vitro.

Introducción: Los antibióticos son moléculas bactericidas/bacteriostáticas que controlan infecciones bacterianas, su uso incorrecto favorece multirresistencia o falla terapéutica en el caso de cepas bacterianas naturalmente resistentes, generando así un riesgo para la salud. Objetivo: Analizar el uso de antibióticos en antibiogramas de urocultivos realizados por un laboratorio clínico (región centro-occidental, Colombia). Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo-retrospectivo. Se tomaron datos de urocultivos y antibiogramas realizados entre abril de 2014 a junio de 2015 por un laboratorio clínico de la región centro-occidental de Colombia. Los datos obtenidos fueron confrontados con los protocolos descritos por el Instituto Nacional de Salud de Colombia. Resultados: Se analizaron 1815 reportes de urocultivos y antibiogramas, identificando 18 especies bacterianas. En el 22,3%(403) de casos se evaluaron y reportaron antibióticos sobre microorganismos naturalmente resistentes. Pseudomonas aeruginosa presentó mayor resistencia, el antibiótico con mayor resistencia fue ácido nalidíxico (66,7%). Conclusión: El estudio mostró que existe un problema en cuanto al manejo, reporte e interpretación de antibiogramas frente a microorganismos naturalmente resistentes, que podría favorecer el desarrollo de multirresistencia en microorganismos sensibles de la flora bacteriana. Una revisión de la bibliografía nacional e internacional, mostró reportes similares; ningún autor menciona resistencias intrínsecas, por lo que los datos de antibiótico resistencia serían sobreevaluados.