title: Infectious diseases in Mexico. A survey from 1995-2000.
abstract: Data obtained at a central laboratory for emerging, re-emerging, and other infectious diseases in Mexico from 1995-2000 are presented. An outstanding increase of DEN-3 circulation was identified. Aedes aegypti, the dengue vector, is widely distributed. Leptospirosis has become the most important differential diagnosis for dengue. Identification of rabies virus variants allowed cataloging of new transmitters of rabies. Rotavirus showed a clear seasonal distribution, while different proportions of pathogenic classes of Escherichia coli under endemic and outbreak conditions were seen. Serotypes of several bacteria are reported as well as the sources of isolation and frequency of Shigella, Salmonella, and Vibrio cholerae. Rise and disappearance of cholera could be followed along the past decade. Influenza strains were identified, as were several pathogens causing sexually transmitted infections. Laboratory support was important for surveillance after Hurricane Mitch. Multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are emerging and primary resistance is very high. It is now mandatory to search for antibodies to Trypanosoma cruzi in blood banks. Triatoma barberi, a peridomestic bug, is the main vector of Chagas disease. Localized cutaneous leishmaniosis increased in regions having a guerrilla element in Chiapas. Modern immunodiagnostic techniques are used for control studies of cysticercosis and similar techniques were recently standardized for Trichinella spiralis detection. Low iodine values in children's urine were found in several Mexican states; therefore, use of iodized salt should be encouraged.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico. flisser@servidor.unam.mx
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Flisser
authors.forename: Andrés
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Velasco-Villa
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martínez-Campos
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: González-Domínguez
authors.forename: Baltasar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Briseño-García
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: García-Suárez
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caballero-Servín
authors.forename: Irma
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hernández-Monroy
authors.forename: Herlinda
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: García-Lozano
authors.forename: Lucina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez-Cogco
authors.forename: Guadalupe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Angeles
authors.forename: Irma
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: López-Martínez
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Galindo-Virgen
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vázquez-Campuzano
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Balandrano-Campos
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guzmán-Bracho
authors.forename: Angélica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Olivo-Díaz
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de la Rosa
authors.forename: Clementina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Magos
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Escobar-Gutiérrez
authors.forename: Dolores
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Correa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D011634:Public Health / Q000379:methods; D012698:Serologic Tests