Whole-genome sequencing for surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in Ecuador: present and future implications

Whole-genome sequencing is becoming the gold standard for pathogen characterization and offers considerable advantages for understanding the evolution and dissemination of new determinants of antimicrobial resistance. Despite the benefits of whole-genome sequencing for pathogen characterization, implementation costs and lack of expertise may limit its use by public health laboratories. This article reviews the advantages of whole-genome sequencing for pathogen characterization and the current status of the use of whole-genome sequencing for antimicrobial resistance surveillance in Ecuador.

Antibiotic consumption in secondary and tertiary hospitals in Colombia: national surveillance from 2018–2020

Objective

To assess the compliance in secondary and tertiary level hospitals with monthly reporting of antibiotic consumption to the Colombian National Public Health Surveillance System (SIVIGILA-INS), and to describe reported antibiotic consumption during 2018–2020.

Responding to the sexual and reproductive health needs of Venezuelan migrant women in Lima

Objective

To present and analyze the Peruvian health system's response to the sexual and reproductive health needs of Venezuelan women living in the city of Lima, Peru, and to identify some of the reasons underlying this response.

Methods

Information was collected through semi-structured, in-depth telephone interviews with 30 Venezuelan women, 10 healthcare workers, and two Ministry of Health officials.

Mortality and disability-adjusted life years in motorcyclists in Latin America and the Caribbean during the first decade of action for road safety

Objective

To identify the temporal trend in mortality and years of life lost to death or disability (DALY) due to motorcycle accidents in males from Latin America and the Caribbean from 2010 to 2019, using estimates produced by the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study.

Method

In this ecological study, the time series was analyzed using a piecewise linear regression model (joinpoint) to estimate and test the annual percent change and the average annual percent change with a 95% confidence interval.

Regulation of pesticide residues in food in the MERCOSUR: a much needed discussion for health surveillance

The objective of this descriptive and exploratory study with a qualitative basis was to identify MERCOSUR resolutions on pesticide residues in food issued between 1991 and 2022, analyzing the regional harmonization processes of these milestones and their incorporation into the regulatory framework of MERCOSUR founding Member States (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay).

Validation of COVID-19 vaccines administered abroad: experience and challenges of implementation in Chile

The objective of this article is to describe the experience in Chile, during 2021 and 2022, with the validation of COVID-19 vaccines administered abroad and the main obstacles during the implementation of this process. This validation is given throughout South America and, in the case of Chile, it has been a successful undertaking with the validation of more than two million vaccines from different countries.

Influenza A(H3N2) infection followed by separate COVID-19 infection

This study describes the case of a health professional infected first by influenza virus A(H3N2) and then by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) 11 days later. Respiratory samples and clinical data were collected from the patient and from close contacts. RNA was extracted from samples and reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to investigate the viruses.

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