Pollen content and radiocarbon ages of profile Delorett, Austria

A pollen profile from the highest known peatbog in the Alps is presented. The peatbog started to grow about 8000 years ago and over the last 5000 years. The influence of man on the vegetation is documented. Before the beginning of the bronze age pasturing started.

Results of a sediment profile and water analyses from Lake Hancza in northeastern Poland

We investigated the sedimentary record of Lake Hancza (northeastern Poland) using a multi-proxy approach, focusing on early to mid-Holocene climatic and environmental changes. AMS 14C dating of terrestrial macrofossils and sedimentation rate estimates from occasional varve thickness measurements were used to establish a chronology. The onset of the Holocene at c. 11600 cal. a BP is marked by the decline of Lateglacial shrub vegetation and a shift from clastic-detrital deposition to an autochthonous sedimentation dominated by biochemical calcite precipitation. Between 10000 and 9000 cal. a BP, a further environmental and climatic improvement is indicated by the spread of deciduous forests, an increase in lake organic matter and a 1.7% rise in the oxygen isotope ratios of both endogenic calcite and ostracod valves. Rising d18O values were probably caused by a combination of hydrological and climatic factors. The persistence of relatively cold and dry climate conditions in northeastern Poland during the first one and a half millennia of the Holocene could be related to a regional eastern European atmospheric circulation pattern. Prevailing anticyclonic circulation linked to a high-pressure cell above the retreating Scandinavian Ice Sheet might have blocked the influence of warm and moist Westerlies and attenuated the early Holocene climatic amelioration in the Lake Hancza region until the final decay of the ice sheet.

Palynology on lake sediments from the Pyrenees

A multi-proxy palaeoecological investigation including pollen, plant macrofossil, radiocarbon and sedimentological analyses, was performed on a small mountain lake in the Eastern Pyrenees. This has allowed the reconstruction of: (1) the vegetation history of the area based on five pollen diagrams and eight AMS14C dates and (2) the past lake-level changes, based on plant macrofossil, lithological and pollen analysis of two stratigraphical transects correlated by pollen analysis. The palaeolake may have appeared before the Younger Dryas; the lake-level was low and the vegetation dominated by cold steppic grasslands. The lake-level rose to its highest level during the Holocene in the Middle Atlantic (at ca. 5060±45 b.p.). Postglacial forests (Quercetum mixtum and Abieto-Fagetum) developed progressively in the lower part of the valley, while dense Pinus uncinata forests rapidly invaded the surroundings of the mire and remained the dominant local vegetation until present. The observed lowering of the lake levels during the Late Atlantic and the Subboreal (from 5060 ± B.P. to 3590±40 b.p.) was related to the overgrowth of the mire. The first obvious indications of anthropogenic disturbances of the vegetation are recorded at the Atlantic/Subboreal boundary as a reduction in the forest component, which has accelerated during the last two millennia.

Pollen profile from Schonen, Sweden

Two new Standard pollen diagrams from the raised bog Ageröds mosse in central Scania are presented and discussed. They have been made giving extensive consideration to the NAP and spores also. The new diagrams comprise in the main only the Post-glacial and can easily be compared with the earlier published Standard diagram from the bog (T. NILSSON 1935). The development of the Post-glacial Vegetation in the surroundings is also discussed and compared with the conditions in the southernmost part of the province (Bjärsjöholmssjön, T. Nilsson 1961). One of the new diagrams has been prepared in connection with the study of a core brought up by means of a special borer in order to bring about C14 datings. The core was almost ömlong and had a diameter of 6 cm. It was divided into pieces of 2-6 cm, which were preserved. After the preparation of the pollen diagram, suitable samples were selected for C14 dating. In all 33 samples, comprising the whole Post-glacial inclusive of the youngest part of the Late-glacial, were C14-dated. With the aid of the C14 dates the growth conditions of the bog are discussed. After very slow Sedimentation of predominantly minerogenous deposits in the last part of the Late-glacial, and still slow Sedimentation of gyttjas in the oldest part of the Post-glacial, the rate of growth (primarily of the gyttja) distinctly increased in the first part of the Late Boreal. A temporary retardation of the growth of the sphagnum peat at the end of the Sub-boreal is probably entirely local. The average rate of growth of the really highly humified parts of the old sphagnum peat amounts to 42 mm per Century, that of the slightly humified young sphagnum peat 81 mm per Century or somewhat more. Based on the C14-determinations, the pollen zone boundaries have been given the following approximate dates: boundary Late-glacial/Post-glacial (DR/PB) 8300 B.C., boundary Pre-boreal/Boreal (PB/BO) 7900 B.C., boundary Early Boreal/Late Boreal (BO 1/2) 6800 B.C., boundary Boreal/Atlantic (BO/AT) 6200 B.C., boundary Early Atlantic/Late Atlantic (AT 1/2) 4600 B.C. (?), boundary Atlantic/Sub-boreal (AT/SB) 3300 B.C., boundary Early Sub-boreal/Late Sub-boreal (SB 1/2) 1700-1800 B.C., boundary Sub-boreal/Sub-atlantic (SB/ SA) 300 B.C., boundary Early Sub-atlantic/Late Sub-atlantic (SA 1/2) 650 A.D.

Pollen profiles from a Late Palaeolithic site in the community of Bad Buchau-Kappel, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany

Excavations were carried out in a Late Palaeolithic site in the community of Bad Buchau-Kappel between 2003 and 2007. Archaeological investigations covered a total of more than 200 m**2. This site is the product of what likely were multiple occupations that occurred during the Late Glacial on the Federsee shore in this location. The site is situated on a mineral ridge that projected into the former Late Glacial lake Federsee. This beach ridge consists of deposits of fine to coarse gravel and sand and was surrounded by open water, except for a connection to the solid shore on the south. A lagoon lay between the hook-shaped ridge and the shore of the Federsee. This exposed location provided optimal access to the water of the lake. In addition, the small lagoon may have served as a natural harbor for landing boats or canoes. Sedimentological and palynological investigations document the dynamic history of the location between 14,500 and 11,600 years before present (cal BP). Evidence of the deposition of sands, gravels and muds since the Bølling Interstadial is provided by stratigraphic and palynological analyses. The major occupation occurred in the second half of the Younger Dryas period. Most of the finds were located on or in the sediments of the ridge; fewer finds occurred in the surrounding mud, which was also deposited during the Younger Dryas. Direct dates on some bone fragments, however, demonstrate that intermittent sporadic occupations also took place during the two millennia of the Meiendorf, Bølling, and Allerød Interstadials. These bones were reworked during the Younger Dryas and redeposited in the mud. A 14C date from one bone of 11,600 years ago (cal BP) places the Late Palaeolithic occupation of the ridge at the very end of the Younger Dryas, which is in agreement with stratigraphic observations. Stone artifacts, numbering 3,281, comprise the majority of finds from the site. These include typical artifacts of the Late Palaeolithic, such as backed points, short scrapers, and small burins. There are no bipointes or Malaurie-Points, which is in accord with the absolute date of the occupation. A majority of the artifacts are made from a brown chert that is obtainable a few kilometers north of the site in sediments of the Graupensandrinne. Other raw materials include red and green radiolarite that occur in the fluvioglacial gravels of Oberschwaben, as well as quartzite and lydite. The only non-local material present is a few artifacts of tabular chert from the region near Kelheim in Bavaria. A unique find consists of two fragments of a double-barbed harpoon made of red deer antler, which was found in the Younger Dryas mud. It is likely, but not certain, that this find belongs to the same assemblage as the numerous stone artifacts. Although not numerous, animal bones were also found in the excavations. Most of them lay in sediments of the Younger Dryas, but several 14C dates place some of these bones in earlier periods, including the Meiendorf, Bølling, and Allerød Interstadials. These bones were reworked by water and redeposited in mud sediments during the Younger Dryas. As a result, it is difficult to attribute individual bones to particular chronological positions without exact dates. Species that could be identified include wild horse (Equus spec.), moose or elk (Alces alces), red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), aurochs or bison (Bos spec.), wild boar (Sus scrofa), as well as birds and fish, including pike (Esox Lucius).

Palynological and stratigraphic record from Löddigsee in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany

A Late Pleistocene and Holocene sediment core from the nowadays terrestrialised portion of the Löddigsee in Southern Mecklenburg, Germany was palynologically investigated. The lake is situated in the rarely investigated Young moraine area at the transition from the Weichselian to the Saalian glaciation. The high-resolution pollen diagram contributes to the establishment of the north-eastern German Late Pleistocene pollen stratigraphy. The vegetation distribution pattern after the end of the Weichselian is in good agreement with other studies from North-eastern Germany, but also has its own characteristics. The Holocene vegetation development reveals features from the north-eastern and north-western German lowlands. A special focus was laid on the environmental history of the two settlements on an island within the lake (Late Neolithic and Younger Slavic period), which were preserved under moist conditions. Both settlements were constructed during a period of low lake level. Although there is evidence of agriculture in the area during the respective periods, the two island settlements seem to have served other purposes.

Uptake and metabolism of ginsenoside Rh2 and its aglycon protopanaxadiol by Caco-2 cells

The uptake and metabolism profiles of ginsenoside Rh2 and its aglycon protopanaxadiol (ppd) were studied in the human epithelial Caco-2 cell line. High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was applied to determine Rh2 and its aglycon ppd concentration in the cells at different pH, temperature, concentration levels and in the presence or absence of inhibitors. Rh2 uptake was time and concentration dependent, and its uptake rates were reduced by metabolic inhibitors and influenced by low temperature, thus indicating that the absorption process was energy-dependent. Drug uptake was maximal when the extracellular pH was 7.0 for Rh2 and 8.0 for ppd. Rh2 kinetic analysis showed that a non-saturable component (K-d 0.17 nmol (.) h(-1) (.) mg(-1) protein) and an active transport system with a K-m of 3.95 mumol (.) l(-1) and a V-max of 4.78 nmol(.)h(-1) (.)mg(-1) protein were responsible for the drug uptake. Kinetic analysis of ppd showed a non-saturable component (K-d 0.78 nmol (.) h(-1) (.) mg(-1) protein). It was suggested that active extrusion of P-glycoprotein and drug degradation in the intestine may influence Rh2 bioavailability.

A QUALIFICAÇÃO E A INSERÇÃO NO MUNDO DO TRABALHO DA PESSOA PORTADORA DE DEFICIÊNCIA: UM ESTUDO SOBRE O IMPACTO DA EXTINÇÃO DA LEI 6.297/75

O presente estudo tem como objetivo, analisar sobre as dificuldades enfrentadas tanto pelas Empresas em cumprir a Legislação de Cotas, como também da Pessoa Portadora de Deficiência (PPDs) em ser inserida no mercado de trabalho, devido a falta de qualificação dos candidatos. Através da pesquisa literária ficou claro que nossa Legislação demonstra de forma evidente que o legislador pretendeu assegurar aos PPDs, as condições mínimas de participação influente na vida ativa da sociedade brasileira e num avanço sem precedentes, criaram-se as linhas básicas do processo de integração do deficiente à sociedade e ao mercado produtivo nacional. Verificou-se também que as empresas estão em busca de profissionais dentre o universo dos PPDs, já qualificados, o que normalmente não encontram. As Organizações do Direito Privado também já desenvolveram alguns projetos para a qualificação desses PPDs. A Lei 6.297/75 que garantia às empresas o desconto em dobro no IR dos gastos com treinamento, foi extinta em 12 de Dezembro de 1990. As empresas precisam de um incentivo financeiro para que possam tratar da qualificação desses profissionais, não mais como um peso, mas sim como um projeto social. Caso as empresas fossem beneficiadas por incentivos fiscais, assim como eram na vigência dessa Lei, teriam as empresas uma visão diferenciada por ocasião da contratação dos PPDs? A metodologia de pesquisa prevê um levantamento bibliográfico e uma pesquisa exploratória que será feita em empresas privadas, instituições que visam ajudar na inserção dos PPDs e nas Organizações do Direito Privado tais como Senai, Sesi, Força Sindical, Fiesp. Verificou-se, mediante a pesquisa, que há uma preocupação por parte de todos os envolvidos, em encontrar meios eficazes para garantir a inserção dos PPDs no mercado de trabalho, embora a falta de qualificação ainda seja o maior problema. A criação de Leis similares à Lei 6.297/75 foi apontada como uma grande ajuda às empresas, já que a elas foi imposta essa responsabilidade.(AU)

ESTUDO DA EFICÁCIA ADAPTATIVA DE MULHERES NA GESTAÇÃO E NO PUERPÉRIO

A gestação e a maternidade são períodos que promovem profundas mudanças na vida da mulher. Devido à intensidade dessas mudanças, estes períodos são considerados de grande vulnerabilidade para o desenvolvimento da Depressão Pós-Parto (DPP). Diante disso, esse estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a eficácia adaptativa de mulheres no período gestacional e puerperal, verificar a incidência de crise adaptativa e DPP, verificar a associação da eficácia adaptativa com a DPP e verificar a EDAO como instrumento para identificação da depressão pós-parto. Trata-se de um estudo longitudinal com método clínico qualitativo, exploratório e descritivo, no qual foram utilizados como instrumentos a Escala Diagnóstica Adaptativa Operacionalizada EDAO, Questionário de classificação socioeconômica da Associação Brasileira de Institutos de Pesquisa de Mercado ABIPEME e Escala de depressão pós-parto de Edimburgo EPDS. Participaram desse estudo sete gestantes atendidas no sistema público de saúde da cidade de Santo André / SP. A análise dos dados demonstrou que 42,86% das mulheres desenvolveram DPP, sendo que todas elas tiveram crise adaptativa. Das quatro mulheres que não apresentaram DPP, nenhuma demonstrou crise adaptativa e três delas obtiveram melhora adaptativa. O suporte familiar, principalmente do companheiro, foi considerado um fator externo positivo que atua como promotor de saúde. Os indicadores para desenvolvimento da DPP foram: a crise adaptativa, a ausência do companheiro e o sexo do bebê ser diferente do desejado. A EDAO mostrou-se um instrumento eficaz para discriminar fatores indicativos de DPP, o que favorece as intervenções primárias. O índice elevado de DPP e crise adaptativa diagnosticado nesse estudo revelou a urgência de desenvolver políticas públicas que atendam as mulheres no período gravídico-puerperal, uma vez que sua saúde mental fica vulnerável neste período, o que influenciará diretamente o desenvolvimento dos bebês e das famílias.

Serum α-tocopherol has a nonlinear inverse association with periodontitis among US adults

Background: Previous experimental models suggest that vitamin E may ameliorate periodontitis. However, epidemiologic studies show inconsistent evidence in supporting this plausible association. Objective: We aimed to investigate the association between serum α-tocopherol (αT) and γ-tocopherol (γT) and periodontitis in a large cross-sectional US population. Methods: This study included 4708 participants in the 1999–2001 NHANES. Serum tocopherols were measured by HPLC and values were adjusted by total cholesterol (TC). Periodontal status was assessed by mean clinical attachment loss (CAL) and probing pocket depth (PPD). Total periodontitis (TPD) was defined as the sum of mild, moderate, and severe periodontitis. All measurements were performed by NHANES. Results: Means ± SDs of serum αT:TC ratio from low to high quartiles were 4.0 ± 0.4, 4.8 ± 0.2, 5.7 ± 0.4, and 9.1 ± 2.7 μmol/mmol. In multivariate regression models, αT:TC quartiles were inversely associated with mean CAL (P-trend = 0.06), mean PPD (P-trend < 0.001), and TPD (P-trend < 0.001) overall. Adjusted mean differences (95% CIs) between the first and fourth quartile of αT:TC were 0.12 mm (0.03, 0.20; P-difference = 0.005) for mean CAL and 0.12 mm (0.06, 0.17; P < 0.001) for mean PPD, whereas corresponding OR for TPD was 1.65 (95% CI: 1.26, 2.16; P-difference = 0.001). In a dose-response analysis, a clear inverse association between αT:TC and mean CAL, mean PPD, and TPD was observed among participants with relatively low αT:TC. No differences were seen in participants with higher αT:TC ratios. Participants with γT:TC ratio in the interquartile range showed a significantly lower mean PPD than those in the highest quartile. Conclusions: A nonlinear inverse association was observed between serum αT and severity of periodontitis, which was restricted to adults with normal but relatively low αT status. These findings warrant further confirmation in longitudinal or intervention settings.

Serum α-tocopherol has a nonlinear inverse association with periodontitis among US adults

Previous experimental models suggest that vitamin E may ameliorate periodontitis. However, epidemiologic studies show inconsistent evidence in supporting this plausible association. We aimed to investigate the association between serum α-tocopherol (αT) and γ-tocopherol (γT) and periodontitis in a large cross-sectional US population. This study included 4708 participants in the 1999–2001 NHANES. Serum tocopherols were measured by HPLC and values were adjusted by total cholesterol (TC). Periodontal status was assessed by mean clinical attachment loss (CAL) and probing pocket depth (PPD). Total periodontitis (TPD) was defined as the sum of mild, moderate, and severe periodontitis. All measurements were performed by NHANES. Means ± SDs of serum αT:TC ratio from low to high quartiles were 4.0 ± 0.4, 4.8 ± 0.2, 5.7 ± 0.4, and 9.1 ± 2.7 μmol/mmol. In multivariate regression models, αT:TC quartiles were inversely associated with mean CAL (P-trend = 0.06), mean PPD (P-trend < 0.001), and TPD (P-trend < 0.001) overall. Adjusted mean differences (95% CIs) between the first and fourth quartile of αT:TC were 0.12 mm (0.03, 0.20; P-difference = 0.005) for mean CAL and 0.12 mm (0.06, 0.17; P < 0.001) for mean PPD, whereas corresponding OR for TPD was 1.65 (95% CI: 1.26, 2.16; P-difference = 0.001). In a dose-response analysis, a clear inverse association between αT:TC and mean CAL, mean PPD, and TPD was observed among participants with relatively low αT:TC. No differences were seen in participants with higher αT:TC ratios. Participants with γT:TC ratio in the interquartile range showed a significantly lower mean PPD than those in the highest quartile. A nonlinear inverse association was observed between serum αT and severity of periodontitis, which was restricted to adults with normal but relatively low αT status. These findings warrant further confirmation in longitudinal or intervention settings.

Pollen and spores of sites GeoB8331 and GeoB8323, Namaqualand Mudbelt, Holocene South Africa

To better understand Holocene vegetation and hydrological changes in South Africa, we analyzed pollen and microcharcoal records of two marine sites GeoB8331 and GeoB8323 from the Namaqualand mudbelt offshore the west coast of South Africa covering the last 9900 and 2200 years, respectively. Our data corroborate findings from literature that climate developments apparently contrast between the summer rainfall zone (SRZ) and winter rainfall zone (WRZ) over the last 9900 years, especially during the early and middle Holocene. During the early Holocene (9900-7800 cal.yr BP), a minimum of grass pollen suggests low summer rainfall in the SRZ, and the initial presence of Renosterveld vegetation indicates relatively wet conditions in the WRZ. Towards the middle Holocene (7800-2400 cal. yr BP), a rather moist savanna/grassland rich in grasses suggests higher summer rainfall in the SRZ resulting from increased austral summer insolation and a decline of fynbos vegetation accompanied by an increasing Succulent Karoo vegetation in the WRZ possibly suggests a southward shift of the Southern Hemisphere westerlies. During the last 2200 years, a trend towards higher aridity was observed for the SRZ, while the climate in the WRZ remained relatively stable. The Little Ice Age (ca. 700-200 cal. yr BP) was rather cool in both rainfall zones and drier in the SRZ while wetter in the WRZ.

Pollen records of five sediment cores from northern Germany

Within a larger program research work is being done on the history of settlement and landscape of the 'Siedlungskammer' Flögeln and the adjacent area. The 'Siedlungskammer' consists of an isolated pleistocene sand ground (Geest-island) surroundet by bogs. Starting from the edge of the Geest, near which large-scale archaeological excavations are carried out, three raised bog profiles were taken at 300, 500 and 4000 m off the prehistoric settlement. They were investigated by means of pollen analysis, and reflect in a decreasing way the activities of man on the Geestisland. Another pollen diagram from the nearby fen peat was worked out for comparison. At the same time it helped to date back a prehistoric sand path to the Roman period. The pollen diagrams cover the vegetational history without gaps from the early Atlantic period to modern times. The vegetation was decisively determined by the poor soils of this area. T'he pollen diagrams give evidence of the activity of settlers since the Neolithic age, with some gaps in the beginning, but later continuously from the middle of the Bronze age until the early migration period. The influence of the nearby settlement, which existed from the Birth of Christ to the 4/5th century, comes out distinctly. Among the cereals which were then cultivated here, there also was rye, at least in the 4/5th century, but most probably already during the Roman period. Besides that people cultivated barley, oats, and flax. The settlement break during the so-called dark ages between the 4/5th century and the time about 800 A.D. was confirmed by pollen analysis. During this time the area was once more covered by forests. The fluctuations of man's activities during the late Middle Ages and modern times, as they are made visible by pollen analysis, correspond to historically wellknown developments.

Crescimento e desenvolvimento de Plinia cauliflora de acordo com a intensidade luminosa em clima subtropical

The jabuticaba fruit tree from classified in the Myrtaceae family and Plinia genre. There are about nine species of this fruit tree, that include as most important, Plinia trunciflora (jabuticaba de cabinho), naturally occurring in southwestern Paraná State, Brazil, P. cauliflora (jabuticaba Paulista or Jabuticaba Açu) and P. jaboticaba (Vell) (jabuticaba sabará), with all the over species producing fruit for the industry or fresh consumption. Nevertheless, there aren‟t commercial orchards with this culture, with highest yield part from extractive. This fact can be combined with lack of technical knowledge for the plants produce in the field. As these species are found in the forest, the first point is whether they can adapt to other light intensity conditions. The aim of this work was to identify the adaptive behavior of jabuticaba fruit seedling and tree when they were put in different light intensities and what this can be considered ideal for the growth, as well as, its influence in the leaves secondary compounds production. Two experiments were conducted, with the first involved with the study of the seedlings and the second with plants in the field. The work was carried out at Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná – Câmpus Dois Vizinhos, Paraná State - Brazil. The experimental design was a completely randomized and a block design with four treatments and four replications of 10 seedlings or two plants per plot, according to nursery or orchard conditions, respectively. The treatments were base according to the light intensity. The treatments used were, 1 - full sun, similar the orchard condition, with 0% shading; 2 - side cover with shade cloth and top with transparent plastic, representing a gap forest condition; 3 - side and top cover with shade cloth, representing stage where the forest canopy is closing, focusing only indirect sunlight; 4 - side and top cover with shade cloth, simulating a closed canopy condition, with PPD (photon flux density) of 10% (90% shading); 5 - side and top cover with shade cloth, simulating a more open canopy condition with PPD 65% (35% shading). The growth and development seedling and plant characteristics were evaluated once by month, as also, during time part in the plants the secondary metabolites leaves, soil activity microbiological and the fresh and dry matter root and shoot and, root length from seedlings. For the growth and development of jabuticaba Açú Paulista seedling recommend to use of side cover with shade cloth and top with transparent plastic, representing a gap forest condition. In orchard, for the growth and development of plants jabuticaba Híbrida tree it was recommended the use of side and top cover with shade cloth of some type. For production of secondary metabolites of leaves, the plant must to be full sunlight condition orchard.

Prevalencia y características clínico-epidemiológicas de los niños con tuberculosis diagnosticados a partir de un caso índice: Uruguay 2012-2014

Introducción: la tuberculosis (TB) es considerada por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) una emergencia global en salud pública. En Uruguay se registra un aumento de casos desde el año 2011 con una tasa de incidencia actual de 25,1 por 10(5) habitantes. La investigación de contactos adultos con enfermedad pulmonar activa constituye el método más eficiente para identificar niños infectados con Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Objetivo: describir la prevalencia de pacientes menores de 15 años enfermos de tuberculosis a partir del diagnóstico de un caso índice y sus características clínico-epidemiológicas. Metodología: se realizó un estudio descriptivo entre el 1 de enero de 2012 y el 1 de enero de 2014, utilizando como fuente primaria de datos las historias clínicas de los menores de 15 años con diagnóstico de tuberculosis captados por la Comisión Honoraria de Lucha Antituberculosa a partir de un caso índice. En el niño se analizaron las siguientes variables: edad, sexo, estado nutricional, patología concomitante, escolaridad, prueba tuberculínica, estudio bacteriologico radiografía de tórax, adherencia a los controles, necesidad de hospitalización y presencia de resistencia. En el caso índice las variables fueron: parentesco o relación con el niño, edad, estudio bacteriológico, localización de la enfermedad (pulmonar o extrapulmonar), antecedente de reclusión, adicciones o enfermedades concomitantes que causen inmunodepresión, procedencia y presencia de resistencia. Se calcularon medianas como medida de tendencia central, frecuencias absolutas y porcentajes con su respectivo intervalo de confianza de 95%. Resultados: se identificaron 1672 casos de tuberculosis, 497 con contactos menores de 15 años. De ellos 49 transmitieron tuberculosis a los niños (9,9%). De los 872 contactos estudiados, 60 enfermaron (6,9%, IC 95% 5,3%-8,8%). No se pudieron captar para seguimiento 253 menores de 15 años. De los 49 casos índice, 40 presentaron un solo contacto, enfermo menor de 15 años, el resto dos o más. La mediana de edad fue 30 años y el 49% eran familiares de primer grado. La confirmación bacteriológica se obtuvo en 95% de los casos. La letalidad fue 8% y dos casos presentaron multirresistencia. Los niños enfermos tenían una mediana de edad de 4 años y el 60% tenía un adecuado estado nutricional. La mayoría de los pacientes (75%, n=45) no presentó comorbilidad. El PPD fue positivo en 32 de 51 pacientes, el 93% tuvo radiografía de tórax patológica. La confirmación bacteriológica por examen directo o cultivo se logró en 35% de los casos. La adherencia fue adecuada en el 62% (42% en usuarios del subsector público y 80% en el privado). Ingresaron 70% de los pacientes, 57% para estudio e inicio de tratamiento. Se constató multidrogorresistencia en dos casos y la letalidad fue de 1,7%. Conclusiones: la tuberculosis es un grave problema de salud, con un progresivo aumento del número de casos a nivel nacional. La prevalencia de enfermedad entre los contactos menores de 15 años en este estudio fue 6.9% pero la cifra puede estar sesgada por las dificultades en la captación de los contactos, población con mayor riesgo de enfermar. La radiografía de tórax patológica fue el pilar más importante para decidir el inicio de tratamiento en esta población; el aislamiento del germen es muy inferior al del caso índice (35% vs 95%). La adherencia al tratamiento es mala. La detección, seguimiento y estudio de los contactos son las mayores herramientas en el diagnóstico y prevención.