Biomedica : revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud最新文献

{"title":"Implementing the CRISPR 2.1 array for genotyping enhances identification of uropathogenic Escherichia coli in Colombian pediatric patients.","authors":"Angélica Ramírez, Ricardo Aislant, Santiago Quevedo, Andrea Sarmiento, Lilian Dulcey, Laura Vargas, Mayra Machuca, José Arturo Gutiérrez-Triana","doi":"10.7705/biomedica.7743","DOIUrl":"10.7705/biomedica.7743","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The emergence of antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli has contributed to the increasing incidence and lethality of urinary tract infections.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To characterize uropathogenic E. coli isolates obtained from patients with urinary tract infections in two hospitals in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Specifically, we assessed the significance of CRISPR 2.1 locus elements as a target for genotyping.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>We combined phylotyping based on the Clermont classification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing approaches, and PCR amplification of the CRISPR 2.1 array.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We found that the variation in the CRISPR 2.1 array, along with the presence of resistance and virulence genes, phylogroups, and antibiotic sensitivity patterns provide significant and reliable data for epidemiological studies. The analysis of 72 isolates revealed considerable resistance to ampicillin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, with rates of 80% and 60%, respectively. The isolates also demonstrated the occurrence of blaCTX-M, blaTEM, and blaSHV genes in 54.55, 18.18, and 4.17% of the cases, respectively. According to the Clermont classification, groups D and B2 accounted for 65.2% of all isolates. The CRISPR 2.1 array was present in most isolates except those in group B2 and exhibited length polymorphism.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our results emphasized the utility of CRISPR 2.1 array polymorphism in reliably identifying uropathogenic E. coli and enhancing distinction, which is a noteworthy advance in regional epidemiological monitoring systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":101322,"journal":{"name":"Biomedica : revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud","volume":"46 Sp. 1","pages":"129-140"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13496219/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148407597","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Omadacycline for community-acquired infections: A systematic review and single-arm meta-analysis","authors":"Wellgner Fernandes Oliveira Amador, Cainã Araújo Saraiva, Pandora Eloá Oliveira Fonseca, Sávio Benvindo Ferreira","doi":"10.7705/biomedica.7814","DOIUrl":"10.7705/biomedica.7814","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Introduction. Community-acquired infections have a significant burden on healthcare systems and are caused by a variety of pathogens with different severities. Increasing microbial resistance complicates treatment, highlighting the need for new therapies. Omadacycline, a novel antibiotic, has broad-spectrum activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, particularly those involved in community-acquired infections.Objective. To evaluate omadacycline’s efficacy and safety for treating community-acquired infections.Materials and methods. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane for randomized and non-randomized studies about omadacycline for community-acquired infections, with no time restrictions. Primary outcomes were clinical success at the end of treatment and post-treatment evaluation. Secondary outcomes included the risk of adverse events. Statistical analysis was performed using R software. Results. We analyzed data from 10 studies involving 1666 patients, addressing infections such as pneumonia, wound infections, cellulitis, major abscesses, lower extremity ulcers, erysipelas, cystitis, and bone or joint infections. The analysis showed a 90% (1138 of 1264 patients; 95% CI: 88 - 91) clinical success rate at the end of treatment and 84% (1288 of 1534 patients; 95% CI: 82 - 86) success rate at post-treatment evaluation. Adverse events occurred in 45% (747 of 1662; 95% CI: 32 - 59), with 18% [181 of 1008; 95% CI: 13 - 24] experiencing gastrointestinal issues. The mortality rate was 0% (0,8%) (13 patients; 95% CI: 0 - 1). Conclusions. Omadacycline is a promising option for treating community-acquired infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":101322,"journal":{"name":"Biomedica : revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud","volume":"46 Sp. 1","pages":"47-59"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13496218/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148407608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Docking prediction, molecular dynamics and antibiofilm effect of linalool against Candida albicans strains from vulvovaginal secretions","authors":"Cássio Ilan Medeiros, Rawny Galdino Gouveia, Victor Targino Gomes, Gislaine Silva, Ulrich Vasconcelos Gomes, Abrahão Alves Filho, Edeltrudes De Oliveira Lima","doi":"10.7705/biomedica.7709","DOIUrl":"10.7705/biomedica.7709","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Vulvovaginal candidiasis is a prevalent fungal infection, predominantly caused by Candida albicans. Biofilm formation plays a central role in disease persistence and therapeutic failure by enhancing fungal tolerance to conventional antifungal agents.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the antibiofilm activity of linalool against C. albicans strains isolated from vulvovaginal secretions and to investigate its potential molecular interactions with 1,3-β-glucan synthase, a key enzyme involved in fungal cell wall biosynthesis.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>The antibiofilm effect of linalool was assessed in vitro using the crystal violet assay against a clinical isolate (C. albicans LM 129) and a reference strain (C. albicans ATCC 76485). Nystatin was included as a comparator antifungal. In parallel, molecular docking analyses were performed using AutoDock 4.2, followed by molecular dynamics simulations conducted in GROMACS 2022.3 to evaluate the stability of the linalool-enzyme complex.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Linalool significantly reduced biofilm formation in both C. albicans strains, with an average inhibition of 74.65%, whereas nystatin exhibited limited antibiofilm activity. Docking studies revealed that linalool interacts with the active site of 1,3-β-glucan synthase, presenting a binding free energy (ΔG) of -6.0 kcal/mol, comparable to the control ligand castanospermine (-7.0 kcal/mol). Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated structural\u0000stability of the linalool-enzyme complex over a 30 ns trajectory, supporting the persistence of these interactions under dynamic conditions.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Linalool exhibits relevant antibiofilm activity against C. albicans and shows stable interactions with 1,3-β-glucan synthase, suggesting a plausible inhibitory mechanism. These findings support the potential of linalool as a natural scaffold for the development of alternative therapeutic strategies for vulvovaginal candidiasis.</p>","PeriodicalId":101322,"journal":{"name":"Biomedica : revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud","volume":"46 Sp. 1","pages":"74-87"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13496222/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148407664","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Respiratory infectious diseases in intensive care units’ patients during 2024, in two hospitals in Guayaquil, Ecuador","authors":"Francisco Sánchez-Amador, Miguel Merejildo, Luis Solórzano, César Bedoya, Fred Luzuriaga, Joselyne Alvarado, Marcela Miranda, Xavier Alvarado","doi":"10.7705/biomedica.8220","DOIUrl":"10.7705/biomedica.8220","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Introduction. Viral, bacterial, and fungal infections represent a major health concern, contributing significantly to increased morbidity and mortality in respiratory diseases.\u0000Objective. To characterize respiratory infections and their etiological agents in patients admitted to intensive care units during the first six months of 2024.\u0000Materials and methods. An observational, cross-sectional, prospective study was conducted in two hospitals between January 1st. and June 30th., 2024. Clinical and microbiological data were collected (dates, age, sex, type of sample, results, and diagnoses) and analyzed using IBM SPSS™ Statistics 27.0.\u0000Results. Of the 56 patients admitted, 35 presented respiratory infections, predominantly in females, with a mean age of 49 years. The following agents were identified: rhinovirus/enterovirus, influenza A, coronavirus, parainfluenza, and respiratory syncytial virus. Among the most frequent bacteria found were: Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Haemophilus influenzae, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Proteus spp., Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Serratia marcescens, Streptococcus agalactiae and S. pneumoniae. Bacterial resistance genes such as CTX-M, KPC, mecA/mecC, and MREJ, NDM, Oxa48-like, and VIM were also detected. In the case of fungal infections, Candida albicans and Candida glabrata were isolated. Most patients with respiratory illness progressed to hospital-acquired pneumonia.\u0000Conclusion. During the study period, respiratory infections in the intensive care units were mainly associated with bacterial pathogens, with a high frequency of hospital-acquired pneumonia and the detection of antimicrobial resistance genes.</p>","PeriodicalId":101322,"journal":{"name":"Biomedica : revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud","volume":"46 Sp. 1","pages":"118-128"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13456538/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148407620","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Histoplasma antigen detection: A laboratory-based retrospective review of routine testing from 2021 to 2023.","authors":"Juan Carlos Gómez, Diego H Cáceres","doi":"10.7705/biomedica.7866","DOIUrl":"10.7705/biomedica.7866","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Progressive disseminated histoplasmosis is associated with high mortality in people with advanced HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) disease or severe immunosuppression. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends antigen testing for progressive disseminated histoplasmosis diagnosis.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To assess the positivity of the Histoplasma antigen test in urine specimens referred to SYNLAB.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A retrospective analysis of SYNLAB's database included specimens referred from February 2021 to August 2023. Specimens were tested using the Clarus Histoplasma GM Enzyme Immunoassay™.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 2442 urine samples were tested, of which 282 (12%) were positive, with a higher positivity rate in adults older than 18 years (12%), compared to patients younger than 18 years (4%). The median Histoplasma antigen concentration was 9.25 EIA (Enzyme Immuno-Assay) units, significantly higher in adult patients (9.6 EIA units) than in patients younger than 18 years (1.45 EIA units). Testing rates increased over time, peaking in the first quarter of 2023 with 358 tests done, including 25 specimens that tested positive (7%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Overall, we found that one in four patients tested positive. Higher positivity and antigen concentration were observed in adults. These findings highlight the importance of antigen testing in diagnosing progressive disseminated histoplasmosis, particularly in high-risk populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":101322,"journal":{"name":"Biomedica : revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud","volume":"46 Sp. 1","pages":"141-151"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13496220/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148407599","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Associated factors of microorganisms causing lower respiratory tract infections in children hospitalized between 2019 and 2022 in a private hospital in Lima, Perú","authors":"Alexander J De Mello Dutra, Gabriele Oliveira, Anderson N Soriano-Moreno, Jorge Quinto, Fernando Bobadilla, Nelson Díaz, Jorge Alave","doi":"10.7705/biomedica.7502","DOIUrl":"10.7705/biomedica.7502","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Lower respiratory tract infection is the leading cause of childhood death wordwide. Etiological agents showed seasonal, geographic, and pandemic-related variation.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine the clinical manifestations of respiratory pathogens in children hospitalized due to lower respiratory tract infection before, during, and after the pandemic in a private hospital in Lima, Perú.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This is a retrospective cohort study of patients under 13 years of age hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infection. Two multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, CLART Fast PneumoVir™ and PneumoCLART Bacteria®, were used to identify pathogens. We identified factors associated with prolonged hospitalization based on general characteristics and the presence of pathogens.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 612 patient records were analyzed. The average age was 2.89 years. Respiratory syncytial virus was identified in 33.66% (206/612) of cases, influenza A in 26.31% (161/612), and Haemophilus sp. in 19.28% (118/612). Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 48.9% of patients had a viral etiologic agent, and 87.78% (115/131) had one after the pandemic. During the pre-pandemic period, 17.34% (77/444) of patients had more than one microorganism, with frequent coinfections of respiratory syncytial virus with Haemophilus sp. (10.78%) (66/612) and respiratory syncytial virus with influenza A virus (8.82%) (54/612). Additionally, the identification of respiratory syncytial virus was associated with prolonged hospital stays of more than 6 days (p = 0.005).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study found that viral etiologic agents were predominant before and after the pandemic. Furthermore, coinfections between bacteria and viruses were frequent. The respiratory syncytial virus was the most common and was associated with coinfections and prolonged hospital stays.</p>","PeriodicalId":101322,"journal":{"name":"Biomedica : revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud","volume":"46 Sp. 1","pages":"31-46"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13496223/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148407627","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Obtention of conditional media from Wharton’s gelatin mesenchymal stromal cells in a dynamic culture system","authors":"Juan David Caicedo, Luisa Fernanda Martínez, Elga Johana Vargas, Ítali Linero, Orlando Chaparro","doi":"10.7705/biomedica.7485","DOIUrl":"10.7705/biomedica.7485","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Mesenchymal stem cells have great therapeutic potential due to their antiinflammatory, anti-apoptotic and pro-angiogenic effects through their secretome. Wharton’s gelatin is one of the best sources of mesenchymal stromal stem cells; their secretome is rich in bioactive molecules with the ability to maintain cellular and tissue homeostasis for the treatment of pathologies such as inflammation, skin wounds, neurodegenerative disorders, and diabetes.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To describe a protocol for obtaining conditioned media from mesenchymal stromal stem cells isolated from Wharton’s jelly through dynamic cell cultures, considering that 3D systems offers advantages over 2D by better replicating the conditions of the cellular microenvironment in vivo.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>The mesenchymal stromal stem cells obtained were characterized in vitro: their immunophenotype by flow cytometry and their multipotency by induction of differentiation to mesenchymal lineages. The stem cells were grown in 2D monolayer cultures and 3D cultures, in a 3L Applikon Biotechnology bioreactor using plastic microbeads as microcarriers. Obtention of the conditioned media was standardized and 43 angiogenic factors were detected, using an antibody microarray system for human angiogenesis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Isolated cells showed typical characteristics of mesenchymal stromal stem cells. 3D cultures facilitated scalability and improved secretion of angiogenic factors compared to 2D cultures.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The secretome was obtained with 2D and 3D cultures. Significantly larger volumes of conditioned medium with a potentially increased angiogenic capacity were obtained with 3D cultures.</p>","PeriodicalId":101322,"journal":{"name":"Biomedica : revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud","volume":"46 1","pages":"109-120"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13441452/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147518161","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the challenges: main contraindications in organ donation in Colombia","authors":"Andrea Gómez-Montero, Andrea García-López, William Cruz-Mususú, Luisa Vargas, Ximena Escobar, Milena Orellano-Salas, Santiago Cabas, Fernando Girón-Luque","doi":"10.7705/biomedica.7730","DOIUrl":"10.7705/biomedica.7730","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Introduction. Organ transplantation is crucial for improving the quality of life of patients with organ failure, but the shortage of donors is a global challenge. In Colombia, the demand exceeds the supply, increasing mortality rates on waiting lists.\u0000Objective. To evaluate the causes of contraindications in potential organ donors assessed by Fundonar across three regional centers in the country during 2022.\u0000Materials and methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted based on retrospective data from potential donors reported to the Red de Donación y Trasplantes de Colombia. A total of 1451 cases were evaluated. The causes of contraindications were categorized into medical, medico-legal, and logistical categories. Descriptive statistics were used, the normality of the variables was assessed, and contraindicated donors from each regional center were compared using ANOVA. R software, version 4.0.3, was used.\u0000Results. Of the 1451 donors evaluated, 849 had contraindications. Among these, 29.8% presented multiple organ failure, 20.8% had a comorbidity, and 15.3% did not meet the diagnostic criteria for brain death.\u0000Conclusion. Most of the medical contraindications could be reconsidered by balancing risks and benefits for the recipients. A personalized and multidisciplinary approach, with evidence-based criteria and real-time decisions tailored to Colombia, could improve organ donation approval rates.</p>","PeriodicalId":101322,"journal":{"name":"Biomedica : revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud","volume":"46 1","pages":"83-96"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13435961/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147518143","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of ivermectin on Toxocara canis larvae in vitro and in vivo at different migratory stages","authors":"Iman Fathy Abou-El-Naga, Suzanne M F El-Nassery, Mona M El-Temsahy","doi":"10.7705/biomedica.7828","DOIUrl":"10.7705/biomedica.7828","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Ivermectin has shown potent activity against various nematodes.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>Evaluation of the efficacy of ivermectin against Toxocara canis larvae.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In vitro assessment was conducted using larval migration inhibition test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In vivo, ivermectin was administered orally to mice at a single 0.2 mg/kg dose at 2 (group I), 7 (group II), or 15 days (group III) post-infection. Efficacy was evaluated through brain larval counts and histopathological examination of liver and brain.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In vitro, ivermectin at concentrations of 10 μg/ml and 100 μg/ml inhibited larval migration by 8.5% and 87%, respectively. SEM showed cuticular damage after 24 and 48 hours with 100 μg/ml ivermectin. In vivo, brain larval counts significantly decreased in groups I and II (22.67 ± 5.41 and 37.17 ± 5.98), with no significant reduction in group III (130.5 ± 9.01). Histopathology of the liver at four weeks post-infection in groups I and II revealed numerous granulomas with degenerated larvae. The brain showed a marked reduction in larval presence and inflammation in groups I and II, while group III findings were similar to those of the control group.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Ivermectin is effective against T. canis larvae during early migratory stages but shows limited efficacy against late-stage larvae.</p>","PeriodicalId":101322,"journal":{"name":"Biomedica : revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud","volume":"46 1","pages":"128-140"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13432947/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147518114","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of the quality of vaginal discharge smear analysis reporting in five clinical laboratories in the Colombian Pacific Region","authors":"Mercedes Salcedo-Cifuentes, Javier E Fonseca-Pérez","doi":"10.7705/biomedica.7551","DOIUrl":"10.7705/biomedica.7551","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Vaginal flow analysis plays a key role in clinical diagnosis and medical decision-making. Standardizing report formats remains essential to ensure diagnostic reliability.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To assess the quality of vaginal smear reporting in five clinical laboratories located in Colombia’s Pacific region.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This descriptive, retrospective study examined records from five laboratories (three public, two private) across three cities in the Colombian Pacific region. The evaluation followed the BACOVA ERIGE guidelines to assess the completeness of the analytical components. Researchers used XLSTAT Premium, version 2024, to compute means, standard deviations, proportions, and ratios. They applied the chi square test to compare reporting compliance across laboratories and used multiple correspondence analysis and discriminant analysis to identify reporting patterns and inter-city differences.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study analyzed 1260 records from women aged 18 to 60 years. Of these, 56.8% were pregnant, and 57% were affiliated to the subsidized healthcare system. Compliance with the BACOVA ERIGE guidelines was higher in Ipiales (54.44%) compared to Cali (24.21%) and Quibdó (21.35%) (c², p = 0.047). The multiple correspondence analysis and discriminant analysis identified three distinct reporting profiles by city.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The variability in vaginal smear reports underscores the need to standardize post-analytical procedures. Unifying technical criteria among laboratories would improve the diagnostic quality of vaginal flora imbalance and enhance clinical decision-making.</p>","PeriodicalId":101322,"journal":{"name":"Biomedica : revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud","volume":"46 1","pages":"97-108"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13446382/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147518069","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}