Laboratorio Clínico

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    DETERMINACIÓN DE UREA Y CREATININA SÉRICAS PRE Y POST HEMODIÁLISIS Y SU CORRELACIÓN CON EL ÍNDICE KT/V EN PACIENTES CON ENFERMEDAD RENAL CRÓNICA
    (2026-07-06) Unapucha Chicaiza, Kevin Alexander; Guangasig Toapanta, Víctor Hernán; Universidad Técnica de Ambato / Facultad de Ciencias de Salud / Carrera de Laboratorio Clínico
    The evaluation of dialysis effectiveness is a critical element and requires constant monitoring within the Ecuadorian healthcare system to reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease. This research assessed adequate hemodialysis by measuring serum urea and creatinine clearance and its correlation with the dialysis adequacy index (Kt/V). Methodologically, a descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 86 patients undergoing standard renal replacement therapy. Pre- and post-dialysis blood samples were collected to quantify analytes using spectrophotometry. Subsequently, the data were analyzed using Spearman's Rho coefficient in SPSS software. The results showed a statistically significant reduction in the post-dialysis mean levels of both markers. A near-perfect positive correlation was observed between the percentage reduction in urea and the Kt/V factor (r_s = 0.997; p < 0.001), while the reduction in creatinine showed a moderate association (r_s = 0.384; p < 0.001) due to its slow kinetic signature. Therefore, it was shown that isolated creatinine clearance is not a symmetric predictor of adequacy, validating the need for synchronous and independent laboratory monitoring to prevent false negatives of dialysis sufficiency.
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    ANÁLISIS INMUNOINFORMÁTICO Y DISEÑO IN SILICO DE PROTEÍNA MULTIEPITOPOS DEL VIRUS ZIKA PARA INMUNODIAGNÓSTICO DIFERENCIAL ESPECÍFICO EN ZONAS ENDÉMICAS
    (2026-07-06) Balseca Quishpe, Carmen Elena; Salazar Garcés, Luis Fabián; Universidad Técnica de Ambato / Facultad de Ciencias de Salud / Carrera de Laboratorio Clínico
    The Zika virus (ZIKV) poses a significant public health challenge due to its association with neurological and congenital complications, as well as the diagnostic difficulties arising from its co-circulation with other arboviruses such as Chikungunya (CHIKV) and Oropouche (OROV). This study, situated within the fields of immunology, biotechnology, and public health, aimed to design and validate *in silico* a multiepitope protein with potential for differential immunodiagnosis. To this end, a ZIKV nucleotide sequence (MF438286.1) was retrieved from the NCBI GenBank and translated using the BLASTx tool, yielding the corresponding amino acid sequence (ZIKA polyprotein ALL27019). Linear B-cell epitopes were predicted using ABCPred, and the construct was evaluated for antigenicity, allergenicity, toxicity, and structural quality using immunoinformatic tools. The result was a stable, 155-amino-acid multi-epitope construct that showed no toxicity or allergenicity. These findings support its potential as a scientific basis for future research aimed at developing differential immunodiagnostic methods for ZIKV.
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    CARACTERIZACIÓN DE SALMONELLA SPP. Y SHIGELLA SPP. EN TRABAJADORES DEL GOBIERNO PROVINCIAL DE TUNGURAHUA
    (2026-07-02) Escobar Espinoza, María Belén; López Acuña, Mario Daniel; Universidad Técnica de Ambato / Facultad de Ciencias de Salud / Carrera de Laboratorio Clínico
    This study, entitled “Characterization of Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. in Workers of the Provincial Government of Tungurahua,” analyzed 60 fecal samples using microbiological isolation, bacterial identification, and antibiogram with the VITEK 2 automated system. The results showed a Salmonella spp. frequency of 6.67% (4/60), while no Shigella spp. isolates were detected (0%). Analysis of associated factors revealed a statistically significant relationship between the presence of Salmonella spp. and work performance in the livestock sector, as well as with direct and frequent contact with swine and cattle. The identification of Salmonella spp. in workers with frequent contact with livestock is a finding of public health relevance, as these animals can act as natural reservoirs. Continuous exposure to animals, manure, and contaminated surfaces, along with the inadequate use of personal protective equipment, increases the risk of intestinal colonization.
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    CARACTERIZACIÓN DE ANTÍGENOS DEL SISTEMA RHESUS Y KELL EN CONCENTRADOS DE GLÓBULOS ROJOS DE LA HEMOTECA DEL HOSPITAL GENERAL AMBATO
    (2026-07-02) Chicaiza Tello, Daniela Alejandra; Pérez Laborde, Elena Johanna; Universidad Técnica de Ambato / Facultad de Ciencias de Salud / Carrera de Laboratorio Clínico
    Erythrocyte compatibility is a fundamental aspect of transfusion medicine. Exposure to foreign blood antigens can trigger clinically significant immunological responses When incompatibility exists between donor and recipient. The Rhesus (Rh) and Kell blood systems have greater clinical relevance after the ABO system due to the high immunogenic capacity of their antigens. The C, c, E, e antigens and the Kell antigen (K) are implicated in alloimmunization processes, post-transfusion hemolytic reactions, and hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. This investigation aimed to evaluate the frequency of the Rhesus (C, c, E and €) and Kell (K) system antigens in leukoreduced red blood cell concentrates stored in the blood bank of Hospital General Ambato IESS. An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional design with a quantitative approach was used. A total of 125 blood components were analyzed using the gel microcolumn hemagglutination technique. The results were processed using descriptive statistics. The analysis showed a predominance ofblood group O, followed by groups A and B; within the Rh system, antigens D and e recorded the highest frequencies. Seven phenotypic profiles were identified, of which DCcEe, DCe and DCce were the most frequent, with greater representation in blood groups O and A, while antigen K showed a low frequency among the analyzed units. These findings allowed the evaluation of the antigenic and phenotypic frequency of the Rh and Kell systems in the studied population, reinforcing the importance of extended erythrocyte phenotyping for the selection of compatible blood components for patients with a higher risk of alloimmunization.
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    PREVALENCIA Y FACTORES DE RIESGO ASOCIADOS A COCCIDIOS INTESTINALES EN UNA COMUNIDAD RURAL DE LA PROVINCIA DE COTOPAXI
    (2026-07-02) Bastidas Acosta, Alexander Israel; De la Torre Fiallos, Ana Verónica; Universidad Técnica de Ambato / Facultad de Ciencias de Salud / Carrera de Laboratorio Clínico
    This quantitative and cross-sectional research determined the prevalence of intestinal coccidia and associated risk factors in 83 adults from the rural community of Salache Barbapamba (Cotopaxi) through coproparasitological analyses including fresh stool exams, the Faust method, and Kinyoun staining. The results showed an overall enteroparasite prevalence of 99%, with a strong predominance of polyparasitism/ polyparasitosis in 80% of the cases. Specifically, a 23.2% prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was identified, an infection that showed a statistically significant relationship with the male sex (p=0.005) and the cleanliness of the dwelling (p=0.025), while age and water source showed no significant association. These findings demonstrate a high circulation of parasites exacerbated by poor socioenvironmental conditions, emphasizing the urgent need to strengthen epidemiological surveillance and public health prevention measures to improve parasitic control in the studied population.
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    EVALUACIÓN ANTIFÚNGICA Y ANTI BIOFILM DE ACEITES ESENCIALES EN CANDIDA ALBICANS ATCC 10231
    (2026-07-02) Acosta Acosta, Lissette Estefania; Proaño Pérez, María Elizabeth; Universidad Técnica de Ambato / Facultad de Ciencias de Salud / Carrera de Laboratorio Clínico
    Candida albicans is considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be a critical priority pathogen, associated with high rates of in-hospital mortality, especially in immunocompromised patients. Its ability to form biofilms increases resistance to conventional antifungals by 100 to 1000 times, and the expression of genes such as HWP1 and SAP3 facilitate the adhesion, degradation, and maturation of these structures, severely limiting available therapeutic options. The objective was to evaluate the antifungal and antibiofilm activity of cinnamon and lemon verbena essential oils against Candida albicans ATCC 10231. A quantitative and experimental approach was used, employing well diffusion, MIC, MFC, crystal violet staining, and RT-PCR. Cinnamon showed an MIC of 1.56 mg/mL and lemon verbena of 3.12 mg/mL. The strain exhibited weak biofilm formation (OD=0.585). Lemon verbena inhibited up to 99.87% of the biofilm, and cinnamon reached 92.81%. Both oils completely suppressed HWP1 gene expression at 50 mg/mL. It is concluded that the evaluated essential oils possess antifungal and antibiofilm potential, constituting a natural alternative against Candida albicans infections.
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    DISEÑO IN SILICO DE PROTEÍNA MULTIEPITOPOS ESPECÍFICA DE OROPOUCHE PARA INMUNODIAGNÓSTICO DIFERENCIAL EN ZONAS ENDÉMICAS
    (2026-07-02) Pilla Barroso, Annette Margarita; Salazar Garcés, Luis Fabián; Universidad Técnica de Ambato / Facultad de Ciencias de Salud / Carrera de Laboratorio Clínico
    Oropouche virus (OROV) is an emerging arbovirus of increasing public health concern in the Americas due to its geographic expansion, reemergence in several South American countries, and recent detection in Ecuador. Its clinical manifestations closely resemble those of other arboviral infections, including dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya, making differential diagnosis challenging and contributing to underreporting, particularly in endemic regions with limited access to specific diagnostic tools. In this context, the present study was conducted within the research field of biotechnology and immunoinformatics applied to infectious disease diagnosis. The objective of this study was to design and validate in silico a multiepitope protein specific to Oropouche virus with potential application in differential immunodiagnosis. A quantitative in silico experimental approach was employed using bioinformatics and immunoinformatics tools. The amino acid sequence of the OROV M-segment polyprotein (accession number UYI36405) was retrieved from the NCBI Protein database. Linear B-cell epitopes were predicted using ABCPred and subsequently filtered according to antigenicity, allergenicity, and toxicity criteria through VaxiJen v2.0, AllerTOP v2.1, and ToxinPred. The selected epitopes were assembled into a multiepitope construct, followed by structural modeling, computational validation, and codon optimization for heterologous expression in Escherichia coli. The resulting construct contained six selected epitopes and exhibited favorable antigenicity, structural stability, non-toxic properties, and low similarity to other cocirculating arboviruses. The scientific novelty of this research lies in the proposal of a computationally designed OROV-specific multiepitope protein as a potential antigenic candidate for the future development of differential immunoassays, contributing to improved diagnosis and epidemiological surveillance of this emerging arboviral disease.
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    RELACIÓN TSH-FT4 COMO HERRAMIENTA DIAGNÓSTICA PARA DETECCIÓN TEMPRANA DE ALTERACIONES TIROIDEAS EN NIÑOS CON DESNUTRICIÓN CRÓNICA DEL CS. GUANO.
    (2026-07-02) Pilco Colcha, Brithney Valeria; Ron Mora, Álvaro Sebastián; Universidad Técnica de Ambato / Facultad de Ciencias de Salud / Carrera de Laboratorio Clínico
    The most important public health problem continues to be chronic childhood malnutrition, due to its consequences on growth, neurological development, and metabolic function. Thyroid hormones are essential for the regulation of growth and energy homeostasis, and in this sense nutritional changes can significantly affect the functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. The objective of this research was to analyze the relationship between nutritional status and thyroid function in children with chronic malnutrition at the Guano Type B Health Center. A quantitative study was carried out, with a non-experimental, cross-sectional and correlational design. The population was made up of children diagnosed with chronic malnutrition, in whom anthropometric variables were evaluated using the Z-score, and the corresponding hormonal parameters of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3). For statistical analysis, non-parametric tests were used, specifically the Spearman correlation test and the Mann-Whitney U test. The results showed that 50.7% of the participants showed some type of alteration in thyroid function. The most frequent finding was a biochemical profile compatible with overt hypothyroidism, with a prevalence of 33.3%. It was found that the Z-score was negatively correlated with TSH (p=-0.372; p=0.002) and positively with FT4 (p=0.364; p=0.002) and FT3 (p=0.337; p=0.005), suggesting that as nutritional status worsens, TSH Tises and free thyroid hormones decrease. Severely malnourished children also had significantly higher TSH concentrations and significantly lower FT4 and FT3 levels compared to moderately malnourished children (p<0.05). It is concluded that in children with chronic malnutrition there is a significant association between nutritional status and thyroid function. Worsening malnutrition is associated with progressive alterations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis that are evidenced by a compensatory increase in TSH and a decrease in FT4 and FT3. These findings highlight the importance of integrating endocrine evaluation into the comprehensive management ofchildren with chronic malnutrition, particularly in those with severe forms ofnutritional compromise.
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    RASTREO DE ANTICUERPOS IRREGULARES EN PACIENTES POLITRANSFUNDIDOS DEL SERVICIO DE MEDICINA TRANSFUSIONAL DEL HOSPITAL GENERAL AMBATO
    (2026-07-01) Tirado Ortiz, Karen Michelle; Pérez Laborde, Elena Johanna; Universidad Técnica de Ambato / Facultad de Ciencias de Salud / Carrera de Laboratorio Clínico
    Erythrocyte alloimmunization is one of the main immunohematological complications associated with the transfusion ofRed Blood Cell Concentrates without a leukoplatelets layer in polytransfused patients, due to repeated exposure to non-self-erythrocyte antigens. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the frequency and distribution of irregular antibodies in polytransfused patients treated at the Transfusional Medicine Service of Hospital General Ambato, during the period from April to May 2026, to strengthen the hemovigilance system and contribute to transfusion safety. An observational cross-sectional study with a mixed approach was conducted in 30 polytransfused patients. The screening and identification of irregular antibodies was performed using the microcolumn gel hemagglutination technique, using screening cells and a commercial panel of 11 cells. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, applying the Fisher-Freeman— Halton exact test to evaluate the association between erythrocyte alloimmunization and transfusion reactions. An alloimmunization frequency of 80.0% was evidenced in the studied population, with a predominance of alloantibodies directed against antigens of the Rh system. The most frequently identified specificities were anti-E (26.7%) and anti-c (20.0%). Furthermore, a statistically significant association was observed between the presence ofirregular antibodies and transfusion reactions (p = 0.004). The findings indicate a high frequency of erythrocyte alloimmunization in polytransfused patients; therefore, the screening and identification of irregular antibodies, extended erythrocyte compatibility testing, and hemovigilance are essential to reduce immunohematological complications associated with transfusion and to ensure transfusion safety.
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    EVALUACIÓN DE LOS ÍNDICES APRI Y FIB-4 EN DAÑO HEPÁTICO INICIAL EN TRANSPORTISTAS DEL CANTÓN PUJILÍ”
    (2026-07-01) Rubio Jiménez, Kevin Gabriel; Ron Mora, Álvaro Sebastián; Universidad Técnica de Ambato / Facultad de Ciencias de Salud / Carrera de Laboratorio Clínico
    Liver diseases linked to metabolic factors represent a growing public health problem due to their high prevalence and the impact ofunhealthy lifestyles and working conditions that facilitate their development. Drivers constitute a particularly vulnerable population due to prolonged physical inactivity, poor diet, alcohol consumption, and the work-related stress to which they are exposed. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between the APRI and FIB-4 indices with liver transaminases and various metabolic and occupational factors associated with the risk of liver disorders in truck drivers in the Pujilí canton. A quantitative, observational, descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted. The population consisted of 80 truck drivers, from which a sample of 67 participants was obtained using non-probability convenience sampling. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were determined, along with the hematological parameters required for calculating the APRI and FIB-4 indices. Descriptive statistics, the Shapiro-Wilk normality test, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, and the Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis, with a significance level of p <0.05. The results showed positive and statistically significant correlations between AST and APRI (rho=0.974; p<0.001), AST and FIB-4 (tho =0.875; p <0.001), as well as between the AST ratio and the APRI (rho = 0.366; p = 0.002) and FIB-4 (tho = 0.298; p = 0.014) indices. Exercise frequency showed negative correlations with APRI (tho = -0.755) and FIB-4 (tho = -0.726), while fatty food intake, alcohol consumption, and work-related stress showed significant positive associations with both indices (p < 0.001). Risk classification showed a predominance of low and intermediate risk categories, although a group of participants with values consistent with high risk was identified. The APRI and FIB-4 indices were found to be significantly associated with liver transaminases, the AST/ALT ratio, and various metabolic and occupational factors. These results indicate that these tools could be useful for the early estimation of the risk of liver changes in truck drivers, which would allow for the implementation of occupational health surveillance and prevention strategies.