BackgroundVenezuela is an endemic area for human and canine leishmaniosis due to Leishmania infantum and parasites of the Leishmania braziliensis and L. mexicana complexes. Limited data are available on feline leishmaniosis (FeL) in this region. The aim of this study was to describe clinical and diagnostic aspects of FeL in Venezuela.ResultsThirty-one domestic cats from urban areas of Lara State in Venezuela were enrolled. Twenty-five were healthy. Six other cats had solitary or multiple nodular lesions, which were located on the nose, ears, tail and lower limbs. Cutaneous lesions were characterized by diffuse pyogranulomatous infiltrate in all sick cats with numerous intracellular and extracellular amastigotes, and immunohistochemistry was positive for Leishmania in five sick cats. All healthy cats were seronegative for L. infantum and L. braziliensis antigens by ELISA. Two out of five sick cats yielded a positive ELISA result to both Leishmania antigens with higher antibody levels to L. braziliensis compared to L. infantum. Significantly higher antibody levels by ELISA as well as a higher number of bands by Western blot (WB) were found for L. braziliensis when compared to L. infantum antigens in all sera from Venezuelan sick and healthy cats. All healthy cats were blood Leishmania spp. qPCR negative while three out of six sick cats were blood qPCR positive. All paraffin-embedded skin biopsies (n = 4) as well as cutaneous cytology (n = 3) were positive by Leishmania spp. qPCR in sick cats. Leishmania speciation was obtained only from the cutaneous lesion samples from cytological preparations of two out of three sick cats which were identified as infected with L. mexicana or a closely related specie.ConclusionsFeline leishmaniosis should be included in the differential diagnosis list of nodular-ulcerative lesions. The most reliable diagnostic technique in sick cats is cytological or histopathological examination along with immunohistochemistry, since blood PCR and serology by ELISA might be negative. WB appears to be more sensitive in detecting infection. Cats with leishmaniosis from Venezuela are most likely infected with species of L. mexicana or a closely related species or the L. braziliensis species complex and not with L. infantum.

Venezuela is a country where human and canine leishmaniosis due to Leishmania infantum, Leishmania braziliensis and other Leishmania spp. is endemic. However, only limited data is available on canine Leishmania infection in Venezuela. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the prevalence of Leishmania infection in dogs (n = 152) from the states of Lara (n = 91) and Yaracuy (n = 61) in Venezuela by means of serological and molecular methods. Physical examination was performed and blood samples were collected from all dogs. Serology for antibodies reactive with L. infantum and L. braziliensis antigens was assessed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and detection of Leishmania DNA from blood samples was evaluated by kinetoplast Leishmania real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In addition, Leishmania internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) RT-PCR was performed on the samples positive by kinetoplast RT-PCR. The prevalence of Leishmania infection based on serological and/or molecular techniques was 11.8%. The seroprevalence for L. infantum and L. braziliensis antigens were 2.1% (3/144) and 8.3% (12/144), respectively. All dogs from the state of Yaracuy were serologically negative to L. infantum while 4.6% (4/86) of the dogs were reactive to L. braziliensis antigen. Fourteen percent (8/58) of the dogs from the state of Lara were positive to L. infantum and 5.2% (3/58) to L. braziliensis antigen. Three dogs were positive to both Leishmania spp. antigens. By RT-PCR, 6.5% (4/61) and 4.4% (4/91) of the dogs were positive for infection in the states of Lara and Yaracuy, respectively. The RT-PCR product of one dog from the state of Yaracuy was sequenced revealing a 100% identity with L. infantum. However, all RT-PCR positive dogs were seronegative to both Leishmania spp. antigens. In conclusion, the positivity for Leishmania spp. infections observed indicates that dogs are frequently infected by L. infantum, L. braziliensis or related Leishmania spp. in Venezuela.

RESUMENSe realizó un estudio tipo proyecto factible, apoyado en una investigación de campo, con el propósito de elaborar una propuesta de un modelo de capacitación docente para entornos virtuales, dirigido a los miembros de SEDUCLA-Cs de la Salud. En la fase diagnóstica se determinó la necesidad de crear el modelo, para ello se recolectó información mediante un cuestionario tipo escala de Lickert con tres opciones: Necesario (N), Muy Necesario (MN), Innecesario (INN); al cual se le aplicó la validez de contenido a través de juicios de expertos. Los resultados de esta fase indicaron que los encuestados estuvieron de acuerdo con la creación del modelo. La fase de factibilidad también reveló la posibilidad de la creación del modelo. En la tercera fase, tomando en cuenta los resultados de la fase diagnóstica y factibilidad, se diseñó el modelo en el marco de los postulados pedagógicos que sustentan la educación en entornos virtuales de aprendizaje.Palabras clave: modelo, capacitación, entornos virtuales de aprendizaje. ABSTRACTA feasibility study based on a field research was carried out with the aim of elaborating a proposal for an online teacher training model for members of SEDUCLA-Cs (in the field of Health). During the diagnostic phase, it was observed that there was a need to create the training model. In order to do this, data was collated by means of a Likert Questionnaire, which consisted of three different options: Necessary (N), Very Necessary (VN), and Unnecessary (UN). In addition, the validity of the content was assessed by expert judges. The results obtained from this phase indicated that respondents agreed with establishing the evaluation model. The feasibility phase also indicated that the model was necessary. During stage three, i.e. following the results from the diagnostic and feasibility phases, the model was designed. This was done within the framework of the pedagogical principles that underpin education in virtual learning environments.Keywords: model, training, virtual learning environments.La denominada sociedad del conocimiento es sinónimo de cambios acelerados y constantes, se caracteriza por el desarrollo y divulgación de la información, y muy especialmente, por la producción y comercialización del conocimiento; convirtiéndose este último en la base del modo de producción, y por tanto, en el capital que mueve al mundo actual. Otro rasgo distintivo de esta era, es el uso casi imprescindible de las Tecnologías de Información y Comunicación (TIC); como nunca antes, los acontecimientos y su divulgación se generan en paralelo gracias a las herramientas de comunicación y, cada día se vive en un mundo más pequeño, ya que las distancias y los tiempos se acortan. En otras palabras, la ciencia y la tecnología han impregnado los distintos ámbitos que comprenden la vida, transformando los modos de pensar, sentir y actuar, influenciados cada día más por el creciente uso tecnológico. Por ello, para vivir y trabajar con éxito en una sociedad cada vez más compleja, rica en información y basada en el con...

La capacitación de las personas con discapacidad facilita su inserción en la sociedad y además es muy importante para su desarrollo personal y laboral. Igualmente, aumenta su calidad de vida, permitiéndoles mejorar la integración familiar y social. El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo proponer un Programa de capacitación para el mejoramiento de la integración familiar y social, en personas con discapacidad que acuden a la Unidad de Medicina Física y Rehabilitación del Ambulatorio Dr. Daniel Camejo Acosta, de Barquisimeto, Estado Lara, Venezuela. La metodología utilizada fue investigación cuantitativa aplicada y transversal, de tipo pedagógica y descriptiva, para el diseño de un programa de capacitación, teniendo en cuenta los resultados de los diagnósticos y la situación problemática presentada por la población de estudio. Como resultado se propuso un programa de capacitación para mejorar la integración familiar y social de las personas, basado en la búsqueda de información científica, conformado por dos módulos, con carácter presencial y con una duración de 28 horas. Se presentaron los módulos por objetivos, instrucciones, contenidos y estrategias de enseñanza. Como conclusión en el diseño del programa de capacitación se utilizaron contenidos relacionados con la Integración Familiar, Integración Educativa, Integración Social, Integración Laboral y la Ley para las personas con discapacidad.