University of Costa Rica

About: University of Costa Rica is a education organization based out in San José, Costa Rica. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Venom. The organization has 9817 authors who have published 16781 publications receiving 238208 citations. The organization is also known as: UCR & Universidad de Costa Rica.

Antivenoms for Snakebite Envenomings

Abstract: Animal-derived antivenoms constitute the mainstay in the therapy of snakebite envenoming. Antivenoms are manufactured by immunizing animals, usually horses, with venoms from a single or several medically-relevant snake species. Antivenoms are constituted by either whole IgG molecules or the immunoglobulin fragments F(ab)2 and Fab, obtained by digestion with pepsin and papain, respectively. Differences in the pharmacokinetics of these active substances have pharmacodynamic implications. Novel technological possibilities may improve the quality of antivenoms in the future, as well as their microbial safety. Antivenom administration might induce early and late adverse reactions, whose possible mechanisms are discussed. Owing to the large variety in the composition of snake venoms and to the need to demonstrate neutralization of relevant snake venoms in different countries, a meticulous preclinical and clinical assessment of antivenom efficacy and safety is required before an antivenom is introduced into clinical application. The accessibility of antivenoms in low-income tropical countries is of concern and efforts should be directed at guaranteeing the access of safe and effective antivenoms at affordable prices and their correct clinical use in these countries.

El Niño Southern Oscillation and vegetation dynamics as predictors of dengue fever cases in Costa Rica.

Abstract: Dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) are growing health concerns throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. This study focuses on Costa Rica, which experienced over 100 000 cases of DF/DHF from 2003 to 2007. We utilized data on sea-surface temperature anomalies related to the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and two vegetation indices derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) from the Terra satellite to model the influence of climate and vegetation dynamics on DF/DHF cases in Costa Rica. Cross-correlations were calculated to evaluate both positive and negative lag effects on the relationships between independent variables and DF/DHF cases. The model, which utilizes a sinusoid and non-linear least squares to fit case data, was able to explain 83% of the variance in weekly DF/DHF cases when independent variables were shifted backwards in time. When the independent variables were shifted forward in time, consistently with a forecasting approach, the model explained 64% of the variance. Importantly, when five ENSO and two vegetation indices were included, the model reproduced a major DF/DHF epidemic of 2005. The unexplained variance in the model may be due to herd immunity and vector control measures, although information regarding these aspects of the disease system are generally lacking. Our analysis suggests that the model may be used to predict DF/DHF outbreaks as early as 40 weeks in advance and may also provide valuable information on the magnitude of future epidemics. In its current form it may be used to inform national vector control programs and policies regarding control measures; it is the first climate-based dengue model developed for this country and is potentially scalable to the broader region of Latin America and the Caribbean where dramatic increases in DF/DHF incidence and spread have been observed.

Diarrheal disease as a cause of malnutrition.

Abstract: Although long associated with infectious diseases, malnutrition is recognized as a major effect of specific infections, especially those of the gastrointestinal tract. Synergistic exacerbation of infections and nutritional deficiency commonly begin with weaning, where the impact of repeated infections and possible monocyte mediator release may have an even greater effect on malnutrition of young children than that of deficient diets in many areas. Reviewed here are the detailed host alterations seen with specific enteric infections that lead to malnutrition. These include mucosal dysfunction, systemic metabolic responses, impaired intake, digestion and absorption, nutrient losses, altered immune responses, and ultimately, impaired growth, development, and nutrition. The tremendous health impact of diarrhea on both morbidity and mortality in many developing areas must be recognized and controlled along with correction of food shortages in order to improve the nutrition, growth, and survival of impoverished children.