Immunopathology of American cutaneous leishmaniasis

American mucocutaneous leishmaniasis is a granulomatous disease clinically characterized by ulcerated skin lesions that can regress spontaneously. A small percentage of the affected individuals can however develop a severe destruction of the nasal, oral, pharyngeal and/or laryngeal mucous membranes many years after the healing of the primary lesion. The human immune response to the infection and the possible mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of the disease, determining either the self-healing or the development of chronic and destructive mucosal lesions, are discussed.

IS6110 fingerprinting of sensitive and resistant strains (1991-1992) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Colombia

The standardized method to study the polymorphism of IS 6110 was used to characterize 53 isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis obtained during 1991-1992 from 14 regions in Colombia. In Valle region cluster rate was 25% (4/16). The mean number of IS6110 band was 10 ± 3. Similarity between strains was of 60% in 81% of strains and this tended to be correlated with geographic origin. For the first time M. tuberculosis without IS6110 bands in restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was found in Colombia. Additional studies are necessaries in order to best characterize the situation in relation to human immunodeficiency virus epidemic and recent changes in tuberculosis control program.

Ciclo biológico de Calacarus heveae Feres, 1992 (Acari, Eriophyidae)

Calacarus heveae Feres, 1992 is an Eriophyidae mite described from rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) in the northwest region of the State of São Paulo. This mite prefers the adaxial face of the folioles and it can reduce the brightness of the leaves, turning them progressively yellow and brownish, and consequently premature fall. The aim of this work was to study the biology of C. heveae in laboratory, on detached rubber tree folioles. The study was conducted at 28±1 ºC in the photophase (12h), 25±1 ºC in the dark phase (12h), and 90±5% relative humidity. The study was initiated with a total of 59 eggs. The average duration of egg, larva and nymph stages was 5.8, 2.0 and 1.4 days, respectively. The period from egg to adult lasted 9.3 days, and the average periods of pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition, 1.8, 6.1 and 1.2 days, respectively. The average longevity of the adult male was ca. 4.0 days, while the longevity adult female was about 8.4 days. The average daily oviposition rate was 2.3 egg per female while the average fecundity was 16.2 eggs per female.