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Mepraia spinolai, (Porter) 1934, is a diurnal triatomine endemic to Chile and a wild vector of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, (Chagas) 1909, which causes Chagas disease. Behavioral changes in M. spinolai induced by this parasite have been reported previously, which include detection of a potential host, defecation latency, and some life history traits. In this study we assessed changes in locomotor and daily activity due to infection with T. cruzi. No difference was detected in distance traveled between infected and uninfected individuals. However, the groups differed in their daily activity patterns; infected individuals showed significant reduction of movements during the light phase and concentrated their activity in the dark phase. Uninfected individuals showed no differences in locomotor activity between the phases. The results suggest that T. cruzi induces a displacement in the activity of M. spinolai toward the dark phase of the circadian cycle, which may improve its vector competence.

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American trypanosomiasis is a chronic disease transmitted mainly by vectors. The hematophagous triatomine vectors transmit Trypanosoma cruzi to a wide variety of mammals, which usually are their food source. This study determined the feeding profile of Mepraia spinolai, a sylvatic triatomine vector, present in endemic areas of Chile. Vectors were captured in the north-central area of Chile. Samples of intestinal contents were analyzed by an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that identifies and discriminates the presence of serum antigens from Homo sapiens and nine animal species (Canis familiaris, Felis catus, Capra hircus, Mus musculus, Gallus gallus, Octodon degus, Thylamys elegans, Phyllotis darwini and Oryctolagus cuniculus). Our data indicate the most frequent feeding source in this area was P. darwini, followed by O. degus, O. cuniculus, M. musculus, G. gallus, T. elegans, C. familiaris, F. catus and C. hircus. Mixed food sources were also identified.

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Las parasitosis intestinales, enfermedades tropicales desasistidas, contribuyen con el ciclo de la pobreza en poblaciones rurales, con acceso limitado a la atención médica, malas condiciones higiénicas, con consumo de agua y alimentos contaminados. El propósito de este estudio de prevalencia, muestra no aleatoria de 69 niños, fue evaluar los factores de riesgo higiénico-sanitarios mediante inspección, las normas de disposición de residuos sólidos y manipulación de alimentos en la Unidad Educativa de Panaquire-Miranda, ejecutar encuesta sobre las condiciones de vida, examinar muestras de heces mediante el método Formol-Tritón-Éter y asociar las condiciones higiénico-sanitarias de la vivienda con la presencia de parasitosis. La disposición de residuos y manipulación de alimentos fue insatisfactoria según los parámetros validados por los inspectores de salud a nivel nacional. Diecinueve por ciento de los encuestados sin acceso al agua peridomiciliaria, 17% viven en ranchos y 10% disponen sus excretas a cielo abierto. Casi 60% de las muestras fueron positivas para mono o poliparasitosis. Las infecciones por helmintos con alta prevalencia (73,5%), mmás frecuente la Trichuris trichiura (34,4%). Se encontró una asociación causal entre la defecación a campo abierto y la infección por Áscaris lumbricoides (Odds Ratio OR=8; IC 95%:1,27–50; p=0,03) y Trichuris trichiura (OR=14; IC 95%:1,51–133,4; p=0,01). Los hallazgos refuerzan la necesidad de políticas de salud para mejorar las condiciones higiénico-sanitarias en las comunidades rurales y proteger la salud pública.

Intestinal parasites, neglected tropical diseases, contribute to the cycle of poverty in rural populations with limited access to medical care and unhygienic conditions, coupled with the consumption of contaminated food and water. Prevalence study which involved 69 children, to evaluate through inspection, standards for solid waste disposal and food handling in the Panaquire-Miranda school unit, sanitation and hygiene life conditions obtained by the participant survey, examine fecal samples of participants using the method formaldehyde-Triton-ether and associate sanitary conditions of housing with the presence of parasites. Waste, water and food management handling were unsatisfactory according to official parameters validated by health inspectors. Nineteen percent of participants do not have access to water, 17% live on poor housing and 10% have their excreta in the open field. Nearly 60% of stool samples were positive for mono or poliparasitosis. Helminthes infections were highly prevalent (73.5%) and Trichuris trichiura (34.4%) most frequent. The results showed a positive correlation between open field defecation and infection with Ascaris lumbricoides (Odds Ratio OR=8; 95%CI=1.27-50, p=0.03) and Trichuris trichiura(OR=14 95%CI=1.51-133.4, p=0.01). These findings reinforce the need for political action to improve sanitary conditions in rural communities and protect public health.

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Con el propósito de evaluar una alternativa eficaz, sencilla y económica en el manejo de las heridas operatorias, se diseñó un estudio prospectivo y randomizado, comparando el sistema tradicional de curación de heridas, con el uso de un apósito oclusivo que se mantuvo hasta la remoción de los puntos. Ciento cinco pacientes consecutivos, con 110 heridas operatorias limpias o limpias-contaminadas, intervenidos en el Hospital de Quilpué entre junio y septiembre de 1999, se separaron en dos grupos al azar de los cuales 52 recibieron apósito oclusivo y 58 apósito tradicional. El grupo que recibió parche oclusivo tuvo un 5,8 por ciento de complicaciones locales de la herida, mientras que el grupo tradicional tuvo un 10,3 por ciento. El costo intrahospitalario fue de $100 y $2.346 respectivamente. Se demuestra la ventaja del método propuesto en relación a efectividad, costo, tiempo y confort de los pacientes

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This paper concerns a disease affecting a group of African grey parrots, which involves intranuclear inclusion bodies composed of filamentous material. The disease was characterized by either sudden death or death within 2-3 days from onset of non-specific symptoms. At necropsy, gross lesions included enlarged liver, mild hepatic congestion and focal necrosis. Samples from five birds were fixed in 10% formol and routinely processed for light and electron microscopy. In four birds, numerous hepatocytes displayed an enlarged nucleus, with peripheral margination of chromatin; the nucleus was partially or wholly filled by a basophilic inclusion body. In the remaining bird, inclusion bodies were acidophilic and completely filled the nucleus; nuclear enlargement was less evident than in the other birds. At ultrastructural examination, and in both types of IIB, nuclei contained looped filaments but no evidence of viral structures. However, virion-like structures were observed in the cytoplasm of some hepatocytes.

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OBJECTIVES: The purposes of the study were to assess the potential impact of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on medical care in Mexico and to identify internal measures Mexico could take to increase the benefits and minimize the risks of free trade. METHODS: The dual nature of the health sector is examined; the Mexican, Canadian, and US health care systems are compared; and modes and consequences of international exchange of health services are analyzed. RESULTS: Four issues require immediate attention: accreditation of health care facilities, licensing and certification of professionals, technology assessment, and financial equity. CONCLUSIONS: NAFTA offers opportunities for positive developments in Mexico, provided risks can be anticipated and preventive measures can be taken to avoid negative impacts on the health system. Medical services, like other elements of the Mexican economy, must be modernized to respond to the demands of global competition. The Mexican National Academy of Medicine has recommended to the Mexican government (1) internal strengthening of the Mexican health care system to improve its ability to respond to the new conditions created by NAFTA and (2) a gradual process to facilitate equitable and mutually beneficial interactions among the three countries.

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International health is becoming an important field of study and practice due mainly to the increasing complexity of international relationships which imply both changes in the epidemiologic profile of the population, and transformations of health care delivery systems. At the same time, the character of health problems does not recognize the geographical boundaries of nations; instead, it may open or reinforce new areas of cooperation or conflict in the international arena. The many interactions between international relations and health impose the need to build and consolidate an academic and intellectual tradition of international health, which supports its efforts to generate knowledge and leads its practical applications. International health is experiencing important conceptual and strategic changes which have to be taken into account if educational programs, research projects, and national, binational and multinational health actions are to be comprehensive in their approach, scope, and focus. This article identifies those conceptual and strategic changes, proposes basic definitions, the universe for action, and the disciplinary base of the new international health. In short, the article proposes the transition towards a new international health concept and practice.

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The internationalization of health causes, conditions, and responses require the consolidation of a vigorous academic and pragmatic tradition of international health. The Unit for International Studies in Public Health constitutes an interinstitutional effort for the training of human resources, research, consulting and practice in health needs and actions that go beyond national borders and that affect two or more countries. The main objectives of the Unit are, on the one hand, to develop a conceptual framework and consolidate international health as a field of public health and, on the other, to foster international technical cooperation among the national institutions that conform the Unit and foreign universities, governments of developing and developed countries, and international organizations. The strategies of the Unit are: interinstitutional and intrainstitutional collaboration, consolidation of multidisciplinary teams, integration of research-teaching-service, and external resources fund-raising. The functioning of the Unit is based on an academic program and on an international technical cooperation program.

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The need for a transition towards a new concept of international health is emphasized and a paradigm for making the transition is proposed. The challenge of building a vigorous intellectual and academic tradition of international health which supports its efforts to generate knowledge and leads to its practical application is recognized and addressed. It is argued that the development of such an intellectual field is based on four elements: conceptual base, production base, reproduction base, and utilization base. The Unit for International Studies in Public Health (UISPH) of Mexico is presented as one example of efforts to consolidate an academic tradition in this field.

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