Transmission of Schistosoma mansoni under experimental conditions using the bovine - Biomphalaria glabrata - bovine model

Three calves experimentally infected with Schistosoma mansoni, and passing viable eggs in feces, as well as 5 normal calves (coming from a non-endemic area for schistosomiasis) kept as controls, were maintained in an enclosure (850 m² in area). In this enclosure, a tank with water received 500 laboratory reared Biomphalaria glabrata. All the control calves were infected for a period ranging from 79 to 202 days after the beginning of the experiment, and afterwards presented viable S. mansoni eggs in feces. The mean worm recovery was 555. The snail population increased throughout the experimental period, showing a high number of B. glabrata infected with S. mansoni (42% on average). According to the present study, bovine has been suggested as having potentially a role in the maintenance of the life cycle of S. mansoni

Microbiological quality of drinking rainwater in the inland region of Pajeú, Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil

Despite all efforts to store and reduce its consumption, water is becoming less inexhaustible and its quality is falling faster. Considering that water is essential to animal life, it is necessary to adopt measures to ensure its sanitary conditions in order to be fit for consumption. The aim of this study was to analyze the microbiological quality of drinking rainwater used by rural communities of Tuparetama, a small town located in Northeast Brazil. The study covered seven rural communities, totaling 66 households. In each household two samples were collected, one from a tank and the other from a clay pot located inside the home, resulting in 132 samples (tank plus clay pot). Approximately 90% of samples were below the standard recommended by the current legislation, being considered unfit for human consumption. Part of this high microbiological contamination of drinking rainwater could be related to the lack of sanitary education and of an adequate sewerage sanitation system.

Breeding of Biomphalaria tenagophila in mass scale

An efficient method for breeding Biomphalaria tenagophila (Taim lineage/RS) was developed over a 5-year-period (2005-2010). Special facilities were provided which consisted of four cement tanks (9.4 x 0.6 x 0.22 m), with their bottom covered with a layer of sterilized red earth and calcium carbonate. Standard measures were adopted, as follows: each tank should contain an average of 3000 specimens, and would be provided with a daily ration of 35,000 mg complemented with lettuce. A green-house effect heating system was developed which constituted of movable dark canvas covers, which allowed the temperature to be controlled between 20 - 24 ºC. This system was essential, especially during the coldest months of the year. Approximately 27,000 specimens with a diameter of 12 mm or more were produced during a 14-month-period. The mortality rates of the newly-hatched and adult snails were 77% and 37%, respectively. The follow-up of the development system related to 310 specimens of B. tenagophila demonstrated that 70-day-old snails reached an average of 17.0 ± 0.9 mm diameter. The mortality rates and the development performance of B. tenagophila snails can be considered as highly satisfactory, when compared with other results in literature related to works carried out with different species of the genus Biomphalaria, under controlled laboratory conditions.

Diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi stocks and clones derived from Chagas disease patients: I-Behavioral characterization in vitro

In this study, we isolated Trypanosoma cruzi from chronic Chagas heart disease and from megaesophagus patients. The parasite stock hSLU239 (heart disease) yielded clones h1 and h2, whereas stock mSLU142 (megaesophagus) yielded clones m1, m2, m3 and m4. The parasite growth kinetics, doubling time and differentiation in axenic liquid medium showed broad behavioral diversity. It was shown that a particular pattern of behavior for a parental stock could not necessarily be assigned for subsequent clones. This study indicates that i) each Chagas disease patient is infected with several T. cruzi populations; ii) clonal lines derived from patient samples may have different biological characteristics from the original isolate; and that iii) additional behavioral and/or molecular markers are required for further characterization of Trypanosoma cruzi stocks and clones derived from Chagas disease patients in order to identify correlations with pathology.

Microbiota intestinal de indivíduos que sofreram acidente ocupacional com materiais biológicos e que realizaram profilaxia anti-retroviral

Avaliar a microbiota intestinal de indivíduos que sofreram acidente ocupacional com materiais biológicos e receberam anti-retrovirais foi o objetivo deste estudo. O grupo de estudo constou de 23 indivíduos com idade entre 18-45 anos, sendo 13 doadores de sangue e 10 que sofreram acidente ocupacional. Foram avaliados a microbiota intestinal, antropometria e exames laboratoriais pré, pós e 30 dias após o término da medicação. Zidovudina mais lamivudina foi utilizada em 70% dos indivíduos associado ao nelfinavir, 20% ao efavirenz e 10% ao ritonavir. As alterações nutricionais e dietéticas-laboratoriais e de microbiota intestinal foram analisadas em três momentos. M1: até dois dias do início da profilaxia; M2: no último dia da profilaxia e M3: 30 dias após o término da profilaxia. Náuseas, vômitos e diarréia estiveram presentes em 50% no segundo momento do estudo. Sobrepeso em 70%, desnutrição e eutrofia em 10%, dos indivíduos, não se modificaram durante o estudo. Transaminases, triglicérides, LDL-colesterol se elevaram no segundo momento e normalizaram 30 dias após término da medicação. Houve redução significativa dos Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium e Bacteróides nos três momentos. Uso de anti-retrovirais provocou impacto significativo na microbiota intestinal dos indivíduos, sem recuperação em 30 dias.

cagE as a biomarker of the pathogenicity of Helicobacter pylori

IntroductionHelicobacter pylori infection is associated with gastro-duodenal diseases. Genes related to pathogenicity have been described for H. pylori and some of them appear to be associated with more severe clinical outcomes of the infection. The present study investigates the role of cagE as a pathogenicity biomarker of H. pylori compare it to cagA, vacA, iceA and babA2 genes and correlate with endoscopic diagnoses.MethodsWere collected biopsy samples of 144 dyspeptic patients at the Hospital of the Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. After collection, the samples were sent for histological examination, DNA extraction and detection of all putative pathogenicity genes by PCR.ResultsOf the 144 patients undergoing endoscopy, 57 (39.6%) presented H. pylori by histological examination and PCR by detection of the ureA gene. Based on the endoscopic diagnoses, 45.6% (26/57) of the patients had erosive gastritis, while 54.4% (31/57) had enanthematous gastritis. The genes cagA, cagE, vacAs1/m1, vacAs1/m2 and iceA1 were related to erosive gastritis, while the genes vacAs2/m2, iceA2 and babA2 were associated to enanthematous gastritis. We found a statistically significant association between the presence of cagE and the endoscopic diagnosis. However, we detect no statistically significant association between the endoscopic diagnosis and the presence of cagA, vacA, iceA and babA2, although a biological association has been suggested.ConclusionsThus, cagE could be a risk biomarker for gastric lesions and may contribute to a better evaluation of the H. pylori pathogenic potential and to the prognosis of infection evolution in the gastric mucosa.

The influence of the area of the Serra da Mesa Hydroelectric Plant, State of Goiás, on the frequency and diversity of anophelines (Diptera: Culicidae): a study on the effect of a reservoir

INTRODUCTION: Bioecological aspects of anophelines (Diptera: Culicidae) near areas under the direct influence of the hydroelectric plant reservoir of Serra da Mesa in Goiás, Brazil, were analyzed. METHODS: Samples were collected at the surrounding dam area during the phases before and after reservoir impoundment. The influence of climatic and environmental factors on the occurrence of Anopheles darlingi, Anopheles albitarsis, Anopheles triannulatus, Anopheles oswaldoi and Anopheles evansae was assessed using Pearson's correlations with indicators for richness and diversity as well as the index of species abundance (ISA) and the standardized index of species abundance (SISA). RESULTS: The highest anopheline density occurred during the phase after filling the tank; however, no direct correlation with the climatic factors was observed during this stage. The reservoir formation determined the incidence of the anopheline species. An. darlingi was the predominant species (SISA = 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: The significant difference (p < 0.05) observed between the species incidence during the different reservoir phases demonstrates the environmental effect of the reservoir on anophelines.

Helicobacter pylori genotyping from positive clotests in patients with duodenal ulcer

Even though the seroprevalence of H. pylori may be high in the normal population, a minority develops peptic ulcer. Colonization of the gastric mucosa by more pathogenic vacA strains of H. pylori seems to be associated with enhanced gastric inflammation and duodenal ulcer. H. pylori genotyping from positive CLOtests was developed to determine the vacA genotypes and cagA status in 40 duodenal ulcer patients and for routine use. The pathogenic s1b/ m1/ cagA genotype was the most frequently occurring strain (17/42.5%); only two (5%) patients presented the s2/ m2 genotype, the less virulent strain. Multiple strains were also detected in 17 (42.5%) patients. Multiple strains of H. pylori colonizing the human stomach have been underestimated, because genotyping has been performed from cultures of H. pylori. We concluded that genotyping of H. pylori from a positive CLOtest had the advantages of reducing the number of biopsies taken during endoscopy, eliminating the step of culturing H. pylori, and assuring the presence of H. pylori in the specimen being processed.

Comparação de métodos de determinação da densidade básica em Madeira

O presente trabalho visou o estudo comparativo de 6 métodos propostos para a determinação da densidade básica em madeira e ainda, o efeito de 3 dimensões dos corpos de prova nos métodos. Para tal empregou-se distintamente cerne e alburno da espécie Hymenaea cobaril L. (jatobá) em corpos de provas nas dimensões 2 x 2 x 1 com (D1), 2 x 2 x 3 com (D2) e 2 x 2 x 5 cm (D3). Os métodos analisados foram: a) método de imersão-baseado na variação do peso do líquido (M1); b) o método de medição direta do volume por paquímetro (M2); c) método de imersão-baseado na variação do peso da amostra (M3); d) método de medição direta do volume por cilindro graduado-corpo de prova imerso em areia (M4); e) método de máximo teor de umidade (M5) e f) método de medição direta do volume for cilindro graduado-corpo de prova imperso em água (M6). Os métodos M1, M3 e M5 foram os mais precisos, de melhores repetibilidades, iguais estatisticamente e que não sofreram influência das dimensões influenciaram significativamente os métodos M2, M4 e M6, que foram os menos precisos.

Preliminary observations on the effect of sudden changes of temperature on survival of young Matrinxã (Brycon cephalus) under laboratory conditions

Matrinxã is a very promising amazonian fish for fish culture in Brazil. This study is aimed at determining the approximate tolerated temperature range in this species. Groups of ten young matrinxã specimens (15.1±0.8 cm average length and 58.3±10.3 g average weight) were subjected to 9 different temperatures for 24 hours without previous acclimation. Fish were transferred from an initial temperature of 27ºC to those ranging from 12 to 39ºC at 3ºC intervals. Both 12ºC and 39ºC temperatures were lethal for this species with 100% mortality rate. Following 2 minutes of exposure to 39ºC fish changed behavior, showing an increase in opercular movements and erratic swimming; mortality reached 100% after 18 minutes. At 12ºC, fish lost equilibrium immediately after exposure and started swimming erratically; after only 4 minutes fish became lethargic and remained immobile on the bottom of the tank. Total mortality was only evident following 24 hours. At 15ºC matrinxã lost equilibrium after 5 to 6 minutes of exposure but mortality was only 20% after 24 hours. Fish tolerated well temperatures ranging from 18 to 36ºC with 100% survival after 24 hours. This preliminary study suggests that temperatures between 18 and 36ºC are the approximate range normally tolerated by this species, although survival at other temperatures may be increased by gradually acclimating fish to the more severe increases or decreases in temperature. In addition, it indicates that matrinxã may be cultivated over a wide geographical area.

Physiological stress responses in the warm-water fish matrinxã (Brycon amazonicus ) subjected to a sudden cold shock

The present work evaluated several aspects of the generalized stress response [endocrine (cortisol), metabolic (glucose), hematologic (hematocrit and hemoglobin) and cellular (HSP70)] in the Amazonian warm-water fish matrinxã (Brycon amazonicus ) subjected to an acute cold shock. This species farming has been done in South America, and growth and feed conversion rates have been interesting. However, in subtropical areas of Brazil, where the water temperature can rapidly change, high rates of matrinxã mortality have been associated with abrupt decrease in the water temperature. Thus, we subjected matrinxã to a sudden cold shock by transferring the fish directly to tanks in which the water temperature was 10ºC below the initial conditions (cold shock from 28ºC to 18ºC). After 1h the fish were returned to the original tanks (28ºC). The handling associated with tank transfer was also imposed on control groups (not exposed to cold shock). While exposure to cold shock did not alter the measured physiological conditions within 1h, fish returned to the ambient condition (water at 28º C) significantly increased plasma cortisol and glucose levels. Exposure to cold shock and return to the warm water did not affect HSP70 levels. The increased plasma cortisol and glucose levels after returning the fish to warm water suggest that matrinxã requires cortisol and glucose for adaptation to increased temperature.

Análise de custos e rendimentos de diferentes métodos de corte de cipós para produção de madeira na floresta nacional do Tapajós

Esta pesquisa foi realizada na Floresta Nacional do Tapajós, Pará, e foram avaliados os custos e rendimentos de quatro diferentes Métodos de corte de cipós na condução do manejo florestal, visando à produção de madeira em toras. Cada método foi conduzido numa área de 96 ha e a metodologia consistiu em cortar os cipós em torno de todas as árvores comerciais e potencialmente comerciais (Método M1-Individual), apenas na área de ocorrência de árvores comerciais e potencialmente comerciais (Método M2-Zoneado), em torno de todas as árvores comerciais e potencialmente comerciais e na direção de queda (Método M3-direção de queda) e apenas em torno das árvores comerciais destinadas à primeira colheita (Método M4). Em todas as variáveis analisadas os métodos utilizados diferiram estatisticamente. O método M4, com o menor custo (6,35 US$) e maior rendimento (2,07 ha/hora) é considerado o melhor desta pesquisa. Neste método, a população de cipós é parcialmente preservada, mantendo, assim, sua importante função ecológica na floresta.

Diet and medication in the treatment of hyperuricemia in hypertensive patients

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of diet and medication, either isolated or associated, on serum levels of uric acid in patients with hyperuricemia. METHODS: We studied patients from the Hypertension Unit of the University of Goias who had hyperuricemia (men > or = 8.5mg/dL and women > or = 7.5mg/dL). We divided the patients into three groups: G1 (low purine diet), G2 (low purine diet + medication), and G3 (medication only). Patients received allopurinol, 150mg/day titrated up to 300mg/dL when necessary. Patients were evaluated with regards to their lifestyles (diet, smoking, physical, activity, alcohol consumption), uric acid, blood pressure, use of medication, body mass index, cholesterol, and triglyceride. Follow-up took place in weeks 0 (M1), 6 (M2), 12 (M3) during the intervention and in week 36(M4) after the study was completed. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients participated in the study, 31 women, mean age 54.4±10.6 years, body mass index 28.6±3.9kg/m². A similar reduction (p<0.001) in uric acid levels occurred in the three intervention groups. In week 36 (M4), after 24 weeks without intervention, a tendency toward elevation of uricemia was noted in G2 and G3, and a continuous drop in uricemia was noted in G1. No significant modifications were observed in the other variables analyzed. CONCLUSION: Considering the cost x benefit relationship, a diet low in purine should be the 1st therapeutic option for controlling hyperuricemia in patients with similar characteristic to the ones presented in this study.

Hypertensive diabetic patients: guidelines for conduct and their difficulties

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of blood pressure (BP) control and other cardiovascular risk factors in patients with diabetes mellitus in a referral service for the treatment of hypertension. METHODS: A retrospective study where diabetic patients (at least 2 fasting glucose levels above 126 mg/dL, use of hypoglycemic agents or insulin, or both of these) were included. They were evaluated at the first appointment (M1) and at the last appointment (M2), regarding blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), use of hypertensive drugs, glycemia, total cholesterol (TC), creatinine, and potassium. RESULTS: Of 1,032 patients studied, 146 patients with a mean age of 61.6 years had diabetes, and 27 were men (18.5%). Mean follow-up was 5.5 years. BP values were 161.6 x 99.9 mmHg in M1 and 146.3 x 89.5 mmHg in M2. In M1, 10.4% of the patients did not use medications, 50.6% used just 1 drug, 30.8% used 2 drugs, and 8.2% used 3 or more drugs. In M2, these values were 10.9%, 39%, 39.7%, and 10.4%, respectively. Diuretics were the most commonly used medication, whereas angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) were those drugs which presented greater increase when comparing M1 to M2 (24.6% and 41.7%, respectively). Only 17,1% reached the recommended goal (BP<130x85 mmhg). The other cardiovascular risk factors did not change significantly. CONCLUSION: Our data reinforce the necessity of a more aggressive approach in the treatment of these patients, despite the social and economic difficulties in adhering to treatment.

Clonidina na cineangiocoronariografia: efeitos sedativos sobre a pressão arterial e freqüência cardíaca

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos da clonidina sobre a freqüência cardíaca (FC), pressão arterial (PA) e sedação de pacientes submetidos à cineangiocoronariografia. MÉTODOS: Um ensaio clínico prospectivo, duplo cego, randomizado, controlado, foi realizado com 62 pacientes submetidos a cineangiocoronariografias eletivas, divididos em dois grupos: grupo clonidina que utilizou 0,8 µg/kg desta droga, e o grupo controle que utilizou solução fisiológica a 0,9%. A sedação foi avaliada com base na escala de Ramsay e o consumo de meperidina 0,04 mg/kg que foi utilizada nos pacientes que apresentaram agitação ou ansiedade durante o procedimento. A PA invasiva, a FC e o escore de sedação, de acordo com a escala de Ramsay, foram analisados a cada 5 minutos e quatro diferentes momentos foram considerados para avaliação: M1- inicio do exame; M2- 5 minutos após o início do exame; M3- mediana do tempo do exame e M4 - final do exame. RESULTADOS: O grupo clonidina apresentou maior estabilidade da PA e FC e eficácia na sedação, enquanto o grupo controle apresentou um maior consumo de meperidina (p<0,05). Na análise estatística, para inferência das variáveis contínuas foi utilizado o teste T ou Mann-Whitney e chi2 ou Teste Exato de Fisher para as variáveis categóricas. CONCLUSÃO: Este trabalho mostrou que, nos pacientes submetidos à cineangiocoronariografia, a utilização da clonidina foi eficaz tanto no controle da PA e FC quanto em proporcionar uma sedação consciente.