bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Descobrindo Genes no Século XXI: Enfoque na Área de Onco-Endocrinologia
Authors: Dahia Patricia
Published: May 2005

A área de endocrinologia genética e oncológica tem sido alvo de enorme avanço nos anos recentes. A descoberta de genes responsáveis por neoplasias hereditárias nas últimas décadas representou uma fonte importante de informações concernentes à avaliação de risco, prevenção e aconselhamento genético. Neste particular, a caracterização do gene responsável pela neoplasia endócrina múltipla tipo 2 (MEN 2) representou a "pedra angular" para o desenvolvimento do campo de oncogenética clínica. Portanto, estima-se que o estudo genético e funcional das neoplasias hereditárias será igualmente capaz de liderar o avanço para um melhor manuseio clínico e terapêutico destas doenças. Um dos grandes desafios do futuro reside em se entender o intrincado mecanismo de interação entre genes e proteínas no controle do desenvolvimento e regulação dos diferentes sistemas biológicos. Uma das conseqüências mais antecipadas deste avanço é a sua aplicação para o tratamento específico e "individualizado" de todas as doenças humanas. Esta breve revisão tratará de aspectos gerais que envolvem o processo de identificação de novos genes e sua associação com condições clínicas específicas. As técnicas clássicas de clonagem serão apresentadas ao lado de estratégias modernas de identificação e análise de genes. O papel da bioinformática no Projeto Genoma Humano e o imenso potencial que esta informação traz para acelerar o processo de caracterização de novos grupos de genes serão brevemente discutidos.
Manifestações Endócrinas das Mutações da Proteína Gsalfae do Imprinting do Gene GNAS1
Authors: Fragoso Maria Candida B. Villares
Published: May 2005

Esta revisão resume o papel da patogênese molecular das mutações do gene da proteína Gsalfa em doenças endócrinas. As proteínas G transmitem o sinal celular de receptores de membrana 7TM. Este sistema pode ser ativado por fotons de luz, odorantes e hormônios (LH, FSH, TSH, PTH, etc). Seu efetor é a adenilato-ciclase que induz a formação de AMPc. A proteína G inativa é heterotrimérica e associada ao GDT. Receptores que ativam a proteína Gsalfa dissociam o GDT para GTP, enquanto a atividade intrínseca GTPase hidrolisa o GTP, mantendo a proteína Gsalfa no estado inativo, ligado ao GDP. Mutações no gene GNAS1, que codifica a proteína Gsalfa, alteram sítios altamente conservados (Arg201 e Gln227), críticos para a atividade GTPase, levando à ativação constitutiva do sinal celular. Tais mutações são encontradas em raros tumores endócrinos, na fibrodisplasia óssea e na síndrome de McCune Albright. Ao contrário, mutações inativadoras podem levar à osteodistrofia hereditária de Albright, se transmitidas pelo alelo paterno e pseudohipoparatireoidismo tipo Ia, se transmitidas pelo alelo materno. Em ratas com knockout, o gene Gnas sofre o fenômeno de imprinting tecido específico. Em tumores de hipófise, o gene GNAS1 também sofre imprinting com expressão preferencial do alelo materno. No pseudohipoparatireoidismo tipo Ib, um defeito do imprinting na região promotora do exon 1A do gene GNAS1 parece justificar a resistência renal isolada ao PTH. Estes exemplos ilustram como defeitos da proteína Gsalfa podem ser responsáveis pela patogênese molecular de diferentes doenças endócrinas.
Transplante simultâneo de pâncreas-rim em portador de diabetes mellitus tipo 1 com insuficiência renal crônica: experiência inicial do Hospital Angelina Caron
Authors: Nicoluzzi João Eduardo , Marmanillo Carlos W. , Repka João Carlos D.
Published: May 2005

O transplante pancreático é a melhor opção para substituir a função endócrina da glândula em pacientes com diabetes do tipo 1 (DM1). Ao final de 2001, já haviam sido notificados mais de 17.000 transplantes de pâncreas ao International Pancreas Transplant Registry. Na atualidade o transplante reno-pancreático simultâneo é o melhor tratamento para pacientes com DM1 e insuficiência renal crônica. Neste estudo são apresentados os resultados do transplante simultâneo de rim-pâncreas (SRP) realizados em um centro brasileiro. MÉTODOS: De 01/2001 a 06/2002, 12 pacientes com DM1 e insuficiência renal associada foram submetidos a transplante SRP. A terapia imunossupressora consistiu de tacrolimus, micofenolato mofetil, esteróides e terapia de indução com basiliximab. RESULTADOS: No seguimento de 5,7 meses (1-18), as taxas de sucesso para pâncreas e rim foram respectivamente de 75% e 83%. A sobrevida dos pacientes foi de 83%. Ocorreram algumas complicações sérias, como trombose de 3 pâncreas (25%) e 2 rins (16%) e 2 fístulas ureterais (16%), porém nenhuma delas ocasionou óbito de qualquer paciente. Não ocorreu nenhum episódio de rejeição nos pacientes transplantados. Todos os doentes com enxertos funcionantes apresentam-se normoglicêmicos sem necessidade de insulina. CONCLUSÕES: Estes resultados demonstram que o SRP é um tratamento seguro e eficaz no manejo do doente diabético com insuficiência renal associada.
Participação do zinco na resistência à insulina
Authors: Marreiro Dilina N. , Geloneze Bruno , Tambascia Marcos A. , Lerário Antonio C. , Halpern Alfredo , Cozzolino Silvia M.F.
Published: May 2005

Essa revisão relata os aspectos etiológicos da resistência à insulina, bem como a participação do zinco nesse processo. O zinco participa de vias metabólicas que envolvem a síntese de proteínas, metabolismo de carboidratos, de lipídeos e de ácidos nucléicos. Esse mineral tem sido relacionado com a interação entre hormônios e seus receptores, e com melhoras no estímulo pós-receptor. Estudos in vitro apontam que a insulina pode se ligar com o zinco, melhorando a solubilidade deste hormônio nas células beta do pâncreas, e, ainda, pode aumentar a capacidade de ligação da insulina ao seu receptor. Na obesidade e resistência à insulina, têm sido detectadas alterações na concentração e na distribuição de zinco nos tecidos, bem como melhora da sensibilidade à insulina após a suplementação com esse mineral. Portanto, o papel metabólico do zinco na síndrome de resistência insulínica deve ser mais pesquisado, tendo em vista que esse mineral pode contribuir no controle das alterações metabólicas comumente presentes em pacientes obesos.
Definição de valores normais de tiroxina livre durante a gravidez
Authors: Vieira José Gilberto H. , Kanashiro Ina , Tachibana Teresinha T. , Ghiringhello Maria Teresa , Hauache Omar M. , Maciel Rui M.B.
Published: May 2005

A gravidez é acompanhada por uma série de modificações fisiológicas que incluem uma elevação significativa da globulina ligadora de tiroxina (Thyroxine-Binding Globulin, TBG). Tal elevação interfere nos níveis séricos totais da tiroxina (T4) e corrobora a utilização da medida de tiroxina livre (T4L), em conjunto com a dosagem de TSH, como métodos de primeira linha para a avaliação de função tiroidiana na gravidez. Uma definição cuidadosa dos valores normais de T4L durante a gestação é fundamental para o estudo de alterações da função tiroidiana, desde que disfunções mínimas podem resultar em anormalidades fetais significativas. Estudamos 132 grávidas normais, entre 6 e 38 semanas de gestação, e os resultados da medida de T4L por método indireto em duas etapas (valores normais de 0,7 a 1,5ng/dL em não grávidas, n= 797) mostraram valores entre 0,5 e 1,3ng/dL, com média±DP de 0,78±0,16ng/dL, significativamente mais baixos que os observados em não grávidas (0,98±0,14ng/dL, P<0,0001). Estes valores tendem a cair progressivamente ao longo da gestação, observando-se uma correlação negativa significativa com os níveis de TBG (rs= -0,51, P<0,0001), e com a idade gestacional (rs= -0,649, P<0,0001). Os níveis de TSH não mostraram correlação com a idade gestacional. Nossos dados comprovam a necessidade de definição mais rigorosa dos valores normais para T4L em mulheres grávidas, objetivando uma avaliação laboratorial mais precisa no diagnóstico e acompanhamento de disfunções tiroidianas nesse grupo de pacientes.
Estudo clínico-epidemiológico de pacientes com epilepsia mioclônica juvenil em Santa Catarina
Authors: FIGUEREDO ROBERTO , TREVISOL-BITTENCOURT PAULO CÉSAR , FERRO JULIANO BALSINI DE MOURA
Published: May 2005

Realizamos estudo retrospectivo em 26 pacientes com epilepsia mioclônica juvenil (EMJ) no intuito de traçar seu perfil clínico e estabelecer a prevalência da síndrome entre pacientes com epilepsias diversas. Critérios de inclusão no estudo foram: a) abalos mioclônicos, preferentemente matinais; b) início dos sintomas entre 8 e 26 anos; c) laudo eletrencefalográfico típico; e d) boa resposta ao valproato de sódio (VPA). A prevalência de EMJ, entre 939 pacientes com epilepsias diversas, foi de 2,8%. Observou-se nítido predomínio do sexo feminino (73,1%). A idade de início dos sintomas variou de 7 a 18, média de 13 anos. Crises tônico-clônicas e de ausência eram apresentadas concomitantemente por, respectivamente, 92,3 e 19,2% da amostra. Além disso 92.3% deles apresentavam atividade epileptiforme típica em seus eletrencefalogramas e 76,9% evidenciaram boa resposta ao VPA com dose diária variando de 500mg a 1500mg.
Professor Antonio Austregésilo: o pioneiro da neurologia e do estudo dos distúrbios do movimento no Brasil
Authors: TEIVE HÉLIO A G. , SÁ DANIEL , SILVEIRA NETO OCTAVIO , SILVEIRA OCTAVIO A. DA , WERNECK LINEU CESAR
Published: May 2005

O Professor Antonio Austregésilo foi o pioneiro da neurologia brasileira, criando a primeira escola neurológica no Rio de Janeiro em 1912. Ele foi também o primeiro a estudar os distúrbios do movimento no Brasil, tendo publicado vários artigos nesta área, particularmente nas consagradas revistas "Revue Neurologique" e "L'Encephale", incluindo a descrição de um sinal sucedâneo de Babinski e a primeira descrição mundial de distonia pós-traumática.
Análise acústica da prosódia em mulheres com doença de Parkinson: comparação com controles normais
Authors: Azevedo Luciana L. , Cardoso Francisco , Reis César
Published: May 2005

MOTIVO DO ESTUDO: Alterações da voz, denominadas disartria hipocinética, têm sido bem caracterizadas em doença de Parkinson (DP), ocorrendo em 90% dos pacientes. No entanto, estudos da fala em DP, sobretudo em falantes nativos de outros idiomas que não o inglês são escassos. Nosso objetivo é comparar as características da prosódia de mulheres com DP com controles pareadas por idade, utilizando-se análise acústica. MÉTODO: Nós estudamos 8 mulheres com DP (68,4 ± 6,4 anos) e 8 mulheres controles (63,5 ± 6,8 anos). As pacientes (estágio H-Y 2, uma; estágio 2,5, quatro; estágio 3, três), embora tratadas com l-dopa, foram examinadas quando off. A frequência fundamental (Fo), intensidade e duração da fala foram analisadas com o programa WinPitch 1.8 (Philippe Martin®). Os parâmetros Fo analisados foram: Fo usual (Fo us), Fo máxima (Fo max), Fo mínima (Fo min), Fo max da tônica prénuclear (Fo max PNT), Fo min da tônica prénuclear (Fo min PNT), Fo max da tônica nuclear (Fo max NT), Fo min da tônica nuclear (Fo min TN), velocidade da variação melódica da PNT (VPNT), velocidade da variação melódica da NT (VNT), amplitude da variação melódica da PNT (APNT), e amplitude da variação melódica da NT (ANT). Duração da sentença (D), duração da PNT (DPNT), duração da NT (DNT) e número de sílabas por segundo (NSS) foram os parâmetros de duração investigados. Foram estudadas as seguintes variáveis da intensidade: intensidade média (MI), intensidade máxima (I max), intensidade mínima (I min), intensidade da PNT (IPNT) e intensidade da NT (INT). Diferenças foram estatisticamente significativas se p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Pacientes tiveram resultados significativamente diferentes dos controles quanto às seguintes variáveis- Fo max mais baixa (232,1 ± 32,9 Hz), Fo max PNT mais baixa (168,5 ± 83,5 Hz), Fo max NT mais baixa (18, 1 ± 29,5 Hz), VNT mais baixa (0,2 ± 0,1 Hz), APNT menor (20,4 ± 12,1 Hz), ANT menos (26 ± 12,6 Hz), NSS (4,8 ± 0,1) menor, IM mais alta (32,7 ± 5,6 dB), I max mais alta (37,1 ± 2,9 dB), I min mais alta (23,2 ± 6,1 dB) e IPNT mais alta (35,4 ± 2,9 dB). Nas controles estas variáveis tiveram os seguintes valores- 248,7 ± 23,9 Hz, 216,4 ± 25,6 Hz, 197,5 ± 35,8 Hz, 0,3 ± 0,2 Hz, 22,7 ± 15,9 Hz, 36,3 ± 21,8 Hz, 5,3 ± 0,8, 30,4 ± 6,1 dB, 20,2 ± 6,6 dB, 33,1 ± 2,9 dB e 30,9 ± 4,3 dB. CONCLUSÃO: Em comparação com controles, brasileiras com DP têm uma fala caracterizada por pequena variação de Fo (o que possivelmente explica sua tessitura vocal pobre), mais lenta e de maior intensidade que controles. Este último achado é compatível com esforço para compensar pobre tessitura vocal.
Aspectos clínicos e terapêuticos de prolactinomas em homens
Authors: Braucks Gisele Rieffel , Naliato Erika Cesar de Oliveira , Tabet Ana Lúcia Osorio , Gadelha Monica Roberto , Violante Alice Helena Dutra
Published: May 2005

Em homens, macroprolactinomas predominam em relação aos microprolactinomas e têm maior invasividade que nas mulheres. O tratamento clínico é a primeira opção tanto em macro como em microadenomas, independente do sexo. Comparamos apresentação clínica, níveis de prolactina, invasividade neurorradiológica e resposta da prolactinemia em 42 homens com prolactinomas, 23 com terapia clínica (grupo 1) e 19 que também utilizaram tratamento cirúrgico e/ou radioterápico (grupo 2). Os dados obtidos foram submetidos a análise estatística utilizando-se os testes de qui-quadrado ou exato de Fisher para comparações de proporções. Para comparar médias foi aplicado o teste t de Student ou, na ausência de distribuição normal ou com número pequeno de eventos, o não paramétrico de Mann-Whitney. O nível de significância adotado foi de 5% (p<0,05). Os grupos foram similares para idade (p=0,23), período entre primeiro sintoma e diagnóstico (p=0,82), níveis de prolactina pré tratamento (p=0,41) e proporção de macroadenomas invasivos (p=0,096). Ocorreu percentual significativamente maior de cefaléia (p=0,009), deficit visual (p=0,025), tempo de terapia (p=0,007) e período de acompanhamento (p=0,0005) no grupo 2. Variações dos níveis de prolactina antes e após terapia não apresentaram diferença significativa nos grupos (p=0,49), nem o percentual de normalização da prolactina após tratamento (p=0,20). Concluímos, enfatizando a importância do diagnóstico precoce do prolactinoma em homens, tendo em vista a morbidade demonstrada, e reforçamos a necessidade do uso do agonista dopaminérgico como opção terapêutica inicial independente do tamanho do adenoma.
Endarterectomia de carótida sob anestesia local: evolução de 104 pacientes
Authors: Raso Jair , Lopes Francilon , Serrano Paulo , Locarno Alexandre , Frota Elizabeth Comini , Cariri Gustavo Agra
Published: May 2005

A estenose carotídea cervical é uma das causas mais freqüentes de acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico. A endarterectomia de carótida é um tratamento eficaz para lesões estenóticas moderadas e graves, tanto sintomáticas quanto assintomáticas. A endarterectomia realizada sob anestesia local permite a monitorização neurológica do paciente durante o ato cirúrgico. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as complicações cirúrgicas e acompanhar a evolução dos pacientes submetidos a endarterectomia sob anestesia local em nossa instituição, comparando os resultados com outras publicações. 104 pacientes foram submetidos a 110 procedimentos no período de abril de 1996 a maio de 2002. 64 pacientes eram sintomáticos (61,54%) e 40 assintomáticos (38,46%). Todos possuíam grau de estenose carotídea igual ou superior a 70%. Os pacientes foram avaliados retrospectivamente. O tempo de evolução variou de um a 72 meses (média: 29,5). Três pacientes apresentaram hematoma cervical necessitando drenagem cirúrgica. Dois pacientes (1,92%) tiveram acidente vascular cerebral do mesmo lado da endarterectomia no pós-operatório e outros dois durante o seguimento. Dois pacientes faleceram em decorrência da cirurgia (1,92%). Os resultados desta série, comparados com a literatura, permitem concluir que a endarterectomia é uma forma segura de tratamento para as estenoses carotídeas moderadas e graves.
Immune responses induced by a Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis recombinant antigen in mice and lymphocytes from vaccinated subjects
Authors: FERNANDES Ana Paula , Cortez HERRERA Elizabeth , MAYRINK Wilson , T. GAZZINELLI Ricardo , LIU Wen Yu , COSTA Carlos Alberto da , TAVARES Carlos Alberto Pereira , MELO Maria Norma , MICHALICK Marilene Susan Marques , GENTZ Reiner , NASCIMENTO Evaldo
Published: May 2005

In the search for Leishmania recombinant antigens that can be used as a vaccine against American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, we identified a Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis recombinant protein of 33 kD (Larp33) which is recognized by antibodies and peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) from subjects vaccinated with Leishvacin ®, Larp33 was expressed in Escherichia coli after cloning of a 2,2 kb Sau3A digested genomic fragment of L. (L.) amazonensis into the pDS56-6 His vector. Immunoblotting analysis indicated that Larp33 corresponds to an approximately 40-kD native protein expressed in promastigotes of L.(L.) amazonensis and L. (Viannia) braziliensis. Northern blots of total RNA also demonstrated that the gene coding for this protein is expressed in promastigotes of the major lineages of Leishmania causing American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Larp33 induced partial protection in susceptible mouse strains (BALB/c and C57BL/10) against L. (L.) amazonensis after vaccination using Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) as adjuvant. In vitro stimulation of splenocytes from BALB/c protected mice with Larp33 elicited the secretion of IL-2 and IFN-g, suggesting that a Th1 cell-mediated protective response is associated with the resistance observed in these mice. As revealed by its immunogenic and antigenic properties, this novel recombinant antigen is a suitable candidate to compose a vaccine against cutaneous leishmaniasis
In vivo and in vitro Plasmodium falciparum Resistance to Chloroquine, Amodiaquine and Quinine in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: SEGURADO Aluisio Augusto Cotrim , SANTI Silvia Maria DI , SHIROMA Mario
Published: May 2005

In order to study the chemoresistance of Plasmodium falciparum to commonly used antimalarial drugs in Brazil the authors have studied ten patients with falciparum malaria, acquired in the Brazilian Amazon region. Patients were submitted to in vivo study of drug sensitivity, after chemotherapy with either 4-aminoquinolines (chloroquine or amodiaquine) or quinine. Adequate drug absorption was confirmed by standard urine excretion tests for antimalarials. Eight patients could be followed up to 28 days. Among these in vivo resistance (R I and R II responses) was seen in all patients who received 4-amino-quinolines. One patient treated with quinine exhibited a R III response. Peripheral blood samples of the same patients were submitted to in vitro microtests for sensitivity to antimalarials. Out of nine successful tests, resistance to chloroquine and amodiaquine was found in 100% and resistance to quinine in 11.11% of isolates. Probit analysis of log dose-response was used to determine effective concentrations EC50, EC90 and EC99 to the studied drugs. Good correlation between in vivo and in vitro results was seen in six patients. The results emphasize high levels of P. falciparum resistance to 4- aminoquinolines and suggest an increase in resistance to quinine in the Brazilian Amazon region, reinforcing the need for continuous monitoring of drug sensitivity to adequate chemotherapy according to the most efficacious drug regimens
Evaluation of the schistosomicidal efficacy of liposome - Entrapped Oxamniquine
Authors: Frézard Frédéric , Melo Alan Lane de
Published: May 2005

Oxamniquine (OXA) was sucessfully encapsulated in small unilamellar vesicles using a pH gradient method. This procedure led to a high drug encapsulation efficiency (> 85%) at a drug to lipid molar ratio of 1/10. Moreover, these liposomes were found to retain encapsulated OXA efficciently under dialysis conditions at 37º C. Liposome-entrapped OXA (LOXA), OXA, and empty liposomes were tested against Schistosoma mansoni in a murine model. LOXA produced a significant reduction of the worm burden compared to the other preparations, when inoculated by subcutaneous route (s.c.) with 10 mg OXA/kg animal one day before the infection, and 3, 7, and 14 days after. However, LOXA was not effective when given 7 days before, or 35 days after infections. OXA, in the free form, was effective in relation to the untreated group, only when administered 3 days after the infection. Maximum effect of LOXA, with 97% reduction of the parasite number, was observed when the preparation was given s.c.one day before the infection. On the other hand, LOXA inoculated intraperitoneally one day before the infection didn’t show any reduction of the parasite count. It can be concluded that LOXA is more effective than OXA for the treatment of experimental schistosomiasis, particularly when administered subcutaneously at a time close to the infection
RESISTANCE TO OXAMNIQUINE OF A Schistosoma mansoni STRAIN ISOLATED FROM PATIENT SUBMITTED TO REPEATED TREATMENTS
Authors: COELHO M.Z. , LIMA E SILVA F.C. , NOGUEIRA-MACHADO J.A.
Published: May 2005

A strain of Schistosoma mansoni (R1) was isolated from patient previously submitted to four treatments with oxamniquine, and to another one with praziquantel. The results obtained with chemotherapeutic test, by using oxamniquine in mice infected with the strains R1 and LE (standard), showed an evident resistance to the drug in worms of the strain R1. Thus, at the dose of 250 mg/kg oxamniquine, all mice (17) infected with the LE strain did not show surviving worms, whereas 12 out of 17 mice infected with the R1 strain presented surviving worms. At the dose of 200 mg/kg, the LE strain showed recovery rates of 1.06% and 20.58%, whereas the R1 strain presented 18.57% and 61.14%, for male and female worms, respectively. At the dose of 100 mg/kg, the recovery of male worms was 2.6% for the LE strain, and 29.9% for the R1 strain. At the same dose, the recovery of females did not show statistically significant differences between the two strains (LE = 76.38%, R1 = 79.12%). Praziquantel showed similar antischistosomal activity against both studied strains, when administered at the dose of 500 mg/kg
Effect of b-Propiolactone treatment on the complement activation mediated by equine antisera
Authors: GUIDOLIN Rosalvo , MORAIS Josefina Farina , STEPHANO Marco Antonio , MARCELINO José Roberto , YAMAGUCHI Ivone Kazuko , HIGASHI Hisako Gondo
Published: May 2005

Reduction of complement activation through an alteration of the Fc fragment of immunoglobulins by b-propiolactone treatment was carried out in equine antisera raised against rabies virus, Bothrops venoms and diphtherial toxin. Results were evaluated by means of an anaphylactic test performed on guinea-pigs, and compared to the ones obtained with the same sera purified by saline precipitation (ammonium sulfate), followed or not by enzymatic digestion with pepsin. Protein purity levels for antibothropic serum were 184.5 mg/g and 488.5 mg/g in b-propiolactone treated and pepsin-digested sera, respectively. The recovery of specific activity was 100% and 62.5% when using antibothropic serum treated by b-propiolactone and pepsin digestion, respectively. The antidiphtherial and anti-rabies sera treated with b-propiolactone and pepsin presented protein purity levels of 5,698 and 7,179 Lf/g, 16,233 and 6,784 IU/g, respectively. The recovery of specific activity for these antisera were 88.8%, 77.7%, 100% and 36,5%, respectively. b-propiolactone treatment induced a reduction in complement activation, tested "in vivo", without significant loss of biological activity. This treatment can be used in the preparation of heterologous immunoglobulins for human use.
BERTIELLOSIS IN MAN: A REVIEW OF CASES
Authors: DENEGRI Guillermo M. , PEREZ-SERRANO Jorge
Published: May 2005

The presence of Bertiella mucronata and Bertiella studeri (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae) in humans is reviewed, and international infection rates and a bibliography included. Taxonomic, biological, epidemiological, pathological, diagnostic, control, prevention and therapeutic aspects of the zoonosis are analyzed, and the increase in zoonotic potentiality of the parasitosis is discussed
Evaluation of the allergenicity of spore and mycelia extracts of Pisolithus tinctorius
Authors: CHAVASCO Jorge Kleber , GAMBALE Walderez , SIQUEIRA Antônio Martins de , FIORINI João Evangelista , PORTOCARRERO Miguel Croce , MENDES JUNIOR Luis Gonçalves , NASCIMENTO Luiz Carlos do
Published: May 2005

The antigenic and allergenic chemical analysis of spore and mycelia extracts of Pisolithus tinctorius was carried out. The spores were collected from basidiocarps in plantations of Eucalyptus spp and the mycelia from culture in MNM medium. With basis on the fungus growth curve, the mycelia masses were obtained after 10, 20, 30, and 40 days of incubation, which correspond, respectively, to the beginning, middle and end of the log phase, and beginning of the decline phase. The mycelia masses, together with the spores, were submitted to the action of three extractors (Coca, Tris-HCl, and ammonium bicarbonate). The contents of carbohydrates and proteins were determined. The SDS-PAGE electrophoretical analysis revealed separate fractions in these extracts, besides common fractions, in function of cultivation time and extraction methods. The selected extracts for the allergic tests were the ones with the highest number of fractions. The prick-tests were conducted in 374 patients – rural workers, eucalyptus plantation works and college students. The positivity to the "prick test" with the antigenic extract of P. tinctorius was, respectively, 3.78%, 28.20% and 6.40%. Most prick-test positive patients (82.75%) also presented symptoms of respiratory allergy (asthma and rhinitis). There was no reactivity difference when the spore and mycelia extracts were employed. The analysis of the positive patients’ sera revealed the presence of IgE specific to the P. tinctorius antigens. Since Pisolithus tinctorius is found as mycorrhyza of Eucalyptus spp, and this plant is used in reforestation in most countries, the importance of that fungus should be regarded as a possible cause of respiratory allergies, especially in occupationally exposed workers
Cross-Reactions between Toxocara canis and Ascaris suum in the diagnosis of visceral larva migrans by western blotting technique
Authors: NUNES Cáris Maroni , TUNDISI Regina Nardini , GARCIA José Fernando , HEINEMANN Marcos Brayan , OGASSAWARA Saemi , RICHTZENHAIN Leonardo José
Published: May 2005

Visceral larva migrans (VLM) is a clinical syndrome caused by infection of man by Toxocara spp, the common roundworm of dogs and cats. Tissue migration of larval stages causes illness specially in children. Because larvae are difficult to detect in tissues, diagnosis is mostly based on serology. After the introduction of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using the larval excretory-secretory antigen of T. canis (TES), the diagnosis specificity was greatly improved although cross-reactivity with other helminths are still being reported. In Brazil, diagnosis is routinely made after absorption of serum samples with Ascaris suum antigens, a nematode antigenicaly related with Ascaris lumbricoides which is a common intestinal nematode of children. In order to identify T. canis antigens that cross react to A. suum antigens we analyzed TES antigen by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting techniques. When we used serum samples from patients suspected of VLM and positive result by ELISA as well as a reference serum sample numerous bands were seen (molecular weight of 210-200 kDa, 116-97 kDa, 55-50 kDa and 35-29 kDa). Among these there is at least one band with molecular weight around 55-66 kDa that seem to be responsible for the cross-reactivity between T. canis e A. suum once it disappears when previous absorption of serum samples with A. suum antigens is performed
Histoplasmin reaction. Comparison of a polysaccharide antigen to the filtrate antigen
Authors: FAVA Sérgio Di Camilo , RIVITTI Evandro A. , CUCÉ Luiz Carlos , WEISS Simone , RIGONE Gianine , FAVA-NETTO Celeste
Published: May 2005

This work was planned by taking into account all the knowledge accumulated from the immunological study of paracoccidioidomycosis. It aimed at comparing a polysaccharide antigen from Histoplasma capsulatum to a classic histoplasmin with the help of intradermal tests of delayed type of hypersensitivity. Tests were applied to 115 individuals in Santo Amaro, a town in the state of São Paulo. Positive results using classic histoplasmin were obtained in 46.0% cases whereas positive results using the polysaccharide antigen at its hightest concentration were obtained in 51.30% cases. The major conclusion in this investigation is that it is possible to use the polysaccharide antigen as histoplasmin instead of the filtrate antigen
Serological follow-up of patients with paracoccidioidomycosis treated with itraconazole using Dot-blot, ELISA and Western-blot
Authors: MARTINS Rosana , MARQUES Sílvio , ALVES Marino , FECCHIO Denise , FRANCO Marcello F. de
Published: May 2005

Twenty-seven mycologically proven cases of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) were treated with itraconazole (100-200 mg/day in month 1 and 100 mg/day until month 6-8) and evaluated clinically and serologically, up to 3.5 years post-therapy, using Dot-blot and ELISA for measuring the titers of IgG, IgA and IgM anti-P. brasiliensis antibodies and Western-blot for determining IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies against the antigen components of the fungus. Before treatment, 81.5% (Dot-blot) and 84% (ELISA) of the patients presented elevated IgG anti-P. brasiliensis antibody titers which dropped slightly with treatment. On the other hand, the percentages of pre-treatment high-titered sera for IgA and IgM anti-P.brasiliensis were lower (5l.9% and 5l.8%: Dot-blot; 16.5 and 36%: ELISA, respectively) but the titers tended to become negative more frequently with treatment. Prior to treatment, the percentages of positivity for IgG, IgA and IgM anti-P.brasiliensis antibodies in Western-blot were 96%, 20.8% and 41.6%, respectively. Antigens with molecular weights varying from 16-78 kDa, from 21-76 kDa and from 27-78 kDa were reactive for IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies, respectively. The most frequently reactive antigenic components had molecular weights of 27, 33 and 43 kDa for IgG, and 70 for IgA and IgM antibodies. During the period of study, the patients responded well to treatment. The present data confirm the diversity and complexity of the humoral response in PCM, and the importance of utilizing different serological tests to detect IgG, IgA and IgM anti-P. brasiliensis antibodies
Synanthropic rodent reservoirs of Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) cruzi in the valley of Caracas, Venezuela
Authors: HERRERA Leidi , URDANETA-MORALES Servio
Published: May 2005

Direct blood examination and xenodiagnosis of 47 synanthropic rodents (Rattus rattus, R. norvegicus, Mus musculus) captured in the valley of Caracas, Venezuela, revealed trypanosomal infections in 12 R. rattus, 10 with T. lewisi and 2 with T. cruzi. Of the latter the course of parasitemia, the pleomorphism of the bloodstream trypomastigotes, tissue tropism in naturally and experimentally infected rats and mice, host mortality, morphology of fecal parasites in Rhodnius prolixus used for xenodiagnosis, and infectivity of the bug feces for NMRI mice, were all characteristic of Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) cruzi. One rat, with a patent parasitemia, had numerous nests of amastigotes in cardiac muscle and moderate parasitism of the smooth muscle of the duodenum and of skeletal muscle. Mice inoculated with fecal flagellates from the bugs had moderate tissue tropism in the same organs and also in the colon and pancreas. The possible role of R. rattus in the establishment of foci of Chagas’ disease in Caracas is discussed
Trypanosoma cruzi: chemotherapy with benznidazole in mice inoculated with strains from Paraná State and from different endemic areas of Brazil
Authors: TOLEDO Max Jean de Ornelas , GUILHERME Ana Lúcia Falavigna , SILVA José Carlos da , GASPERI Marco Venício de , MENDES Andréa Pereira , GOMES Mônica Lúcia , ARAÚJO Silvana Marques de
Published: May 2005

Strains of Trypanosoma cruzi from different geographical areas have shown different levels of susceptibility to trypanocidal drugs. The susceptibility in vivo to benznidazole was investigated in eighteen strains of T. cruzi. Twelve were isolated from chronic chagasic patients from different Chagas’ disease endemic areas. The other six strains were isolated from the northwestern region of Paraná state; two of them from patients three from triatomines (Triatoma sordida) and one from wild reservoir (Didelphis sp.). To test drug the infected mice were divided into two groups of twenty. One group was treated with benznidazole for twenty consecutive days and the other group was used as untreated control. The treatment began after detection of the infection by direct blood examination or haemoculture. The control of cure was done through haemoculture and indirect immunofluorescence test. The drug eliminated the inflammatory lesions of the skeletal muscle of mice considered cured and from the heart of most of them. Moreover, the inflammatory lesions were reduced in treated but not cured animals. The T. cruzi strains studied showed a gradient of drug susceptibility that varied from 0% to 100%. Ten strains were considered sensitive to the treatment (61 to 100% of cure), one strain was partially sensitive (50% of cure) and seven strains were considered resistant to the treatment (0 to 40% of cure). This variation was observed both in strains of T. cruzi isolated from domestic and sylvatic cycles
Nickel Contact Dermatitis in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil: 1993-1994
Authors: DIÓGENES Maria José N. , MORAIS Raquel Maia de , CARVALHO Fernando F. , VERAS Océlia B. , MEIRELES Tereza Elizabeth
Published: May 2005

This work consists in an evaluation of the occurrence of nickel contact dermatitis, its distribution between sexes and in which parts of the body the dermatitis usually occurs. It was accomplished a two year (1994-1995) retrospective study of 404 patch-tested patients which had previous clinical diagnosis of contact dermatitis. The occurrence of nickel sensitisation was 19,8%. 88,8% of these 19,8% were women and the rest, 11,2%, were men. The lesions were present predominantly on hands, forearms, earlobes and feet. The authors comment about possible variations of occurrence of nickel contact dermatitis in rural areas and/or tropical countries
Chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis in Brazil: report of two cases with cavitation diagnosed by transthoracic needle biopsy
Authors: SEVERO Luiz Carlos , RIZZON Carlos Fernando Carvalho , ROESCH Eliane Wurdig , OLIVEIRA Flávio de Mattos , PORTO Nelson da Silva
Published: May 2005

Two cases of Chronic Pulmonary Histoplasmosis are reported and other eleven cases, collected from Brazilian literature, are commented. After being clinically cured, one of our patients presented an Aspergillus fungus ball inside a cavitation in the wall of which H. capsulatum was disclosed. Comments are also done on the diagnosis of the mycosis
Coccidioidomycosis in Brazil. A case report
Authors: MARTINS Marilena dos Anjos , ARAÚJO Evangelina da Motta Pacheco Alves de , KUWAKINO Marcelo Hisato , HEINS-VACCARI Elisabeth Maria , DEL NEGRO Gilda Maria Bárbaro , VOZZA JÚNIOR João Antonio , LACAZ Carlos da Silva
Published: May 2005

Coccidioidomycosis is an endemic infection with a relatively limited geographic distribution: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Paraguai, Argentina and the southwest of the United States. In these countries, the endemic area is restricted to the semiarid desert like regions which are similar to the northeast of Brazil. Case report: The patient is a 32 year-old male, born in the state of Bahia (Northeast of Brazil) and has been living in São Paulo (Southeast) for 6 years. He was admitted at Hospital das Clínicas, at the Department of Pneumology in October 1996, with a 6 month history of progressive and productive cough, fever, malaise, chills, loss of weight, weakness and arthralgia in the small joints. Chest x-rays and computerized tomography disclosed an interstitial reticulonodular infiltrate with a cavity in the right upper lobe. The standard potassium hydroxide preparation of sputum and broncoalveolar lavage demonstrated the characteristic thickened wall spherules in various stages of development. Sabouraud dextrose agar, at 25° C and 30° C showed growth of white and cottony aerial micelium. The microscopic morphology disclosed branched hyphae characterized by thick walled, barrel shaped arthroconidia alternated with empty cells. The sorological studies with positive double immunodiffusion test, and also positive complement fixation test in 1/128 dilution confirmed the diagnosis. The patient has been treated with ketoconazole and presents a favorable clinical and radiological evolution
Immunoglobulin Fc receptors in clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus do not confer resistance to Phagocytosis in an in vitro assay
Authors: VEGA Benito , GARCIA Jorge D. , HERNÁNDEZ Francisco
Published: May 2005

Staphylococcus aureus binds Immunoglobulin G (IgG) on its external surface due to the presence of specific receptors for the Fc domain of this immunoglobulin. This mechanism represents a kind of camouflage against phagocytic cells. In order to confirm that possibility an in vitro evaluation of the phagocytic activity of leukocytes polymorpho-nuclear (PMN) against strains of Staphylococcus aureus was done, comparing 18 strains isolated from clinical samples and 16 from healthy individuals. The presence of Fc receptors was evaluated by haemagglutination (HA) with erythrocytes group A after incubation of the strains with IgG anti blood group A. Phagocytosis of S. aureus was carried out by mixing live bacteria with a suspension of human PMN and incubating at 37 °C for 1 h; survivors were counted as colony forming units by plating. The strains from clinical specimens showed higher HA than those from healthy individuals (p = 0.01); but the former were killed more efficiently than the latter (80-90% and 40%, respectively). It is may be possible that S. aureus showed different behavior in vivo, where could express other virulence factors to prevent the action of phagocytes.
A ten-year survey of onychomycosis in the Central Region of the Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Authors: LOPES Jorge O. , ALVES Sydney H. , MARI Cristine R.D. , OLIVEIRA Loiva T.O. , BRUM Liliani M. , WESTPHALEN Jorge B. , FURIAN Fábio W. , ALTERMANN Márcia J.
Published: May 2005

Onychomycosis is a common infection of the nail plate caused by fungal microrganisms, and represents approximately 50% of nails disorders and 30% of all superficial mycotic infections. We present a study of the frequency, epidemiology and clinical aspects of onychomycosis in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul during the period 1988-1997.
Detection of a Giardia lamblia coproantigen by using a commercially available immunoenzymatic assay, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Authors: ROCHA Míriam Oliveira e , MELLO Rômulo Teixeira de , GUIMARÃES Tânia Mara Pinto Dabés , TOLEDO Vicente de Paulo Coelho Peixoto de , MOREIRA Maria da Conceição Carneiro Gonçalves , COSTA Carlos Alberto da
Published: May 2005

It is known that fecal examination to detect Giardia lamblia cysts or trophozoites produces a high percentage of false-negative results. A commercially available immunoenzymatic assay (ProSpecT Giardia Microplate Assay, Alexon, Inc., BIOBRÁS) to detect G. lamblia specific coproantigen was evaluated for the first time in Brazil. A total of 90 specimens were tested. Each specimen was first tested as unpreserved stool, and then it was preserved in 10% Formalin to be tested 2 months later. The assay was able to identify all the 30 positive patients (sensitivity = 100.0%) by visual or spectrophotometric examination in the unpreserved specimens and was negative in 57 of the 60 patients without G. lamblia (specificity = 95.0%). The assay identified 27 of the 30 positive patients (sensitivity = 90.0%) and was negative in 59 of the 60 negatives (specificity = 98.3%) in the preserved stools according to both readings. A marked difference was observed in the optical densities in both groups, preserved and unpreserved stools, when the G. lamblia-positive specimens were compared to the negative or positive for other intestinal parasites than G. lamblia. The assay seems a good alternative for giardiasis diagnosis, especially when the fecal examination was repeatedly negative and the patient presents giardiasislike symptoms.
HIV-1/2 indeterminate Western blot results: follow-up of asymptomatic blood donors in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: CARNEIRO-PROIETTI A.B.F. , CUNHA I.W. , SOUZA M.M. , OLIVEIRA D.R. , MESQUITA N.M. , ANDRADE C.A. , CATALAN-SOARES B.C. , LIMA-MARTINS M.V.C. , PROIETTI F.A.
Published: May 2005

The clinical and public health importance of indeterminate results in HIV-1/2 testing is still difficult to evaluate in volunteer blood donors. At Fundação Hemominas, HIV-1/2 ELISA is used as the screening test and, if reactive, is followed by Western blot (WB). We have evaluated 84 blood donors who had repeatedly reactive ELISA tests for HIV-1/2, but indeterminate WB results. Sixteen of the 84 donors (19.0%) had history of sexually transmitted diseases; 18/84 (21.4%) informed receiving or paying for sex; 3/84 (3.6%) had homosexual contact; 2/26 women (7.6%) had past history of multiple illegal abortions and 3/84 (3.6%) had been previously transfused. Four out of 62 donors (6.5%) had positive anti-nuclear factor (Hep2), with titles up to 1:640. Parasitological examination of the stool revealed eggs of S. mansoni in 4/62 (6.4%) donors and other parasites in 8/62 (12.9%). Five (5.9%) of the subjects presented overt seroconversion for HIV-1/2, 43/84 (51.2%) had negative results on the last visit, while 36/84 (42.9%) remained WB indeterminate. Although some conditions could be found associated with the HIV-1/2 indeterminate WB results and many donors had past of risky behavior, the significance of the majority of the results remains to be determined.
Safety and immunogenicity of hepatitis B vaccine ButaNG in adults
Authors: IOSHIMOTO Luzia M. , RISSATO Maria Lúcia , BONILHA Valentina S.J. , MIYAKI Cosue , RAW Isaias , GRANOVSKI Nikolai
Published: May 2005

Recombinant yeast-derived hepatitis B vaccine manufactured by Instituto Butantan was administered in two groups of adult volunteers (I, II) following two different schedules of immunization. In the first trial (10 mg doses and 0, 1, 3 months vaccination schedule) 106 individuals completed the full immunization program. The results of seroconversion by age group varied from 70 to 100% and the GMT from 46.5 to 124.9 mIU mL-1. In the second trial with 68 individuals (for dosage comparison and 0, 1, 6 months vaccination schedule) indicated that the vaccine formulated in 20 mg was more effective than in 10 mg. The adverse reactions observed in the vaccinees were less frequent than the ones previously found since the introduction of similar vaccines.
Atypical disseminated cutaneous histoplasmosis in an immunocompetent child, caused by an "aberrant" variant of Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum
Authors: LACAZ Carlos da Silva , DEL NEGRO Gilda Maria Barbaro , VIDAL Mônica Scarpelli Martinelli , HEINS-VACCARI Elisabeth Maria , SANTOS Roseli Freitas dos , MARTINS Marilena A. , OZAKI Marcia M. , ROMITI Ricardo , PROENÇA Ricardo , CASTRO Luiz Guilherme Martins de
Published: May 2005

A case of atypical disseminated cutaneous histoplasmosis in a five-year old, otherwise healthy child, native and resident in São Paulo metropolitan area is reported. Cutaneous lesions were clinically atypical. Histologic examination disclosed a granulomatous reaction but no fungal structures could be demonstrated by specific staining nor by immunohistochemical reaction. The fungus was isolated from biopsy material on two different occasions, confirming diagnosis of an unusual fungal infection. The fungus, originally thought to be a Sepedonium sp. due to the large sized, hyaline or brownish colored tuberculated macroconidia and to lack of dimorphism (yeast form at 37 °C) produce H and M antigens, visualized by the immunodiffusion with rabbit anti-Histoplasma capsulatum hyperimmune serum. Patient’s serum sample was non reactive with H. capsulatum antigen by immunodiffusion, counterimmunoelectrophoresis and complement fixation tests, and immunoenzymatic assay failed to detect the specific circulating antigen. This serum was tested negative by double immunodiffusion when antigen obtained from one of the isolated samples was used. Both cultures were sent to Dr. Leo Kaufman, Ph.D. (Mycoses Immunodiagnostic Laboratory, CDC-Atlanta/USA), who identified them as H. capsulatum by the exoantigen and gen-probe tests. Both clinic and mycologic characteristics of the present case were atypical, suggesting the fungus isolated is an “aberrant variant” of H. capsulatum var. capsulatum, as described by SUTTON et al. in 199719. Treatment with itraconazole 100 mg/day led to cure within 90 days
A case report of vascular catheter-associated bacteremia caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a non-immunosuppressed patient
Authors: PETRILLO Victor Flávio , AMARAL Aline Almeida , MOREIRA José da Silva , JARDIM Susana Beatriz Vianna , SEVERO Luiz Carlos
Published: May 2005

Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated from a central venous catheter in a non-immunosuppressed patient with systemic tuberculosis. This case report represents a very uncommon form of isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A total improvement was obtained after treatment.
Immunohistochemical changes in kidney glomerular and tubular proteins caused by rattlesnake (Crotalus vegrandis) venom
Authors: Girón María E. , Aguilar Irma , Rodríguez-Acosta Alexis
Published: May 2005

Renal damage is an important cause of death in patients who have survived the early effects of severe crotalid envenomation. Extracellular matrix of renal tissue is altered by Crotalus toxin activities. The aim of this study was to describe how cytoskeletal proteins and basal membrane components undergo substantial alterations under the action of Crotalus vegrandis crude venom and its hemorrhagic fraction (Uracoina-1) in mice. To detect the proteins in question, the immunoperoxidase method with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies was used. Cell types within renal lesions were characterized by phenotypic identification, by means of immunohistologic analysis of marker proteins using different primary antibodies against mesangial cells, endothelial cells, cytoskeletal proteins (intermediate filament), extracellular matrix and basal membranes. Samples for morphological study by standard procedures (biotin-streptavidin-peroxidase technique) using light microscopy were processed. Positive and negative controls for each antigen tested in the staining assay were included. After crude venom and hemorrhagic fraction inoculation of mice, the disappearance of cytoskeletal vimentin and desmin and collagen proteins in the kidney was observed. In extracellular matrix and basal membranes, collagen type IV from envenomed animals tends to disappear from 24 h to 120 h after venom injection.
Chagas disease in a community in Southeast Brazil: I. A serlogic follow-up study on a vectorcontrolled area
Authors: Montoya Roberto , Dias João Carlos Pinto , Coura José Rodrigues
Published: May 2005

The prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection was evaluated in Berilo, Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil, from January to July 1997. A serological survey using the indirect immunofluorescence test (IFT) in dried blood collected on filter-paper was performed in a sample of 2,261 individuals. The overall prevalence rate of T. cruzi infection was 18%, and reached 50% in individuals older than 30 years from rural areas. The percentage of seropositivity was 0.17% among individuals younger than 10 years old, suggesting that vectorial transmission is controlled in the area. A decrease in prevalence rates among people born after 1960 and 1970 was observed and this appears to be correlated with the beginning of control programs. A reduction in T. cruzi infection rates was observed when comparing our results with the rates estimated in a serologic study carried out in Berilo in 1983(11).