Cytogenetics of Triatominae: III - A study on male sterility induced through hybridization of Triatoma sórdida and Triatoma pseudomaculata

Males from bilateral crosses between Triatoma sórdida and Triatoma pseudomaculata were unable to give offspring, as shown by subsequent backcrosses (BC) between hybrid males and parental females. This kind of sterility indueed through interspecific hybridization seems to be due to lack of sperm migration from the bursa copulatrix to the spermateca, thus suggesting primarily failure on the part of hybrid males to produce and/or to incorporate male accessory secretions into the spermatophore bulb. Addicional proof that sterility induced in hybrid males is at the sperm level has been afforded by the spermatogenesis herein studied. The anomalous processes like; 1) prophases of spermatogonia with the chromosomes scattered in the cytoplasm, 2) first metaphases with unpaired tetrades, 3) spermatids differing in size and 4) spermatozoa of abnormal shape and generdlly of giant size, can be taken as an indicator of the degree of departure from the normal course of spermatogenesis.

Biology of triatominae (Reduviidade, Hemiptera) from north of Formosa county (Goiás - Brazil). III: length of life cycle of Psammolestes tertius Lent and Jurberg 1965

In the present work the life cycle of Psammolestes tertius was studied. The mean length, in days, fromeach stage was: 26.3 (± 1.7) (1st), 28.6 (± 1.8) (2nd), 28.4 (± 1.8) (3rd), 32.2 (± 1.9) (4th) and 33.5 (± 5.8) (5th). The mean egg incubation period was 15.7 days (± 1.7). Overall mortality was 48.9% and egg viability was 65.7%.

Esquistossomose pulmonar. III. Forma crônica extensa com hipertensão pulmonar e na vigência de hipertensão portal associada a provável coroidite e retinite esquistossomótica

Os Autores descrevem um caso grave de esquistossomose mansoni numa criança de 9 anos de idade (forma hepática com hipertensão portai associada a forma pulmonar com hipertensão pulmonar e cor pulmonale) clinicamente caracterizado por episódios de insuficiência respiratória desencadeados em face de esforços físicos moderados. Sucessivos exames radiológicos de tórax revelaram comprometimento predominantemente arteriolar ao iado de uma micronodulação delicada e difusamente distribuída e configuração de cor pulmonale. Ao contrário do caso anteriormente descrito, a evolução se deu sem que se verificassem manifestações febris. Embora tenham sido afastadas várias hipóteses de associação da esquistossomose a concausas infectuosas, optou-se pelo tratamento de prova da tuberculose pulmonar. O fundo de olho também apresentava vários nódulos esbranquiçados disseminados pelo coróide e retina, caracterizando provável coroidite e retinite esquistossomótica. O tratamento antituberculoso resultou praticamente nulo. Não se procedeu ao tratamento específico da esquistossomose, considerando-se o alto risco da cardiopatia face aos esquistossomicidas disponíveis. A alta foi fornecida após treze meses de observação hospitalar. Não compareceu a ulterior controle.

Leishmaniose tegumentar alviericana na Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro: III. reservatórios silvestres e comensais

Em 203 animais silvestres e comensais examinados na Praia Vermelha, Ilha Grande, município de Angra dos fíeis, RJ, durante o estudo de um surto de Leishmaniose Tegumentar Americana, foram encontrados 2 exemplares de Proechimys dimidiatus, com lesões hipocrômicas nas extremidades das orelhas, e 1 exemplar de Rattus norvegicus norvegicus, com úlcera de dorso, cuja histopatologia revelou a presença de Leishmania sp. nos 3 exemplares.

Leishmaniose mucocutânea humana em Três Braços, Bahia - Brasil: uma área de transmissão de Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis. III. Comprometimento mucoso e evolução inicial

Numa análise de 57 pacientes o acometimento da mucosa foi mais comumente observado em homens (77%) na terceira década de vida, embora fosse grande a variação das idades e ocorrendo mesmo o acometimento de duas crianças. Com a exceção de nove pacientes (16%) todos os outros tinham sinais de leishmaniose cutânea sendo que em somente oito (14%) de lesão era ativa. O acometimento do nariz foi observado em 100% de 19 pacientes que apresentavam lesões múltiplas e em 92% de 38 pacientes apresentando uma única lesão. A faringe, palato, laringe e lábio superior foram afetados nesta experiência. 42% dos pacientes com lesões múltiplas apresentavam acometimento da laringe sendo que em dois pacientes a única lesão existente apresentava-se neste ponto. Não foi observada qualquer diferença relacionada com a idade no que se referia à existencia de lesões únicas ou múltiplas. A duração do acometimento da mucosa variou de menos de 4 até 264 meses. Somente 7% desenvolveram o acometimento da mucosa após mais de dez anos o desenvolvimento da lesão cutânea. Os pacientes usualmente responderam ao tra-tamento adequado por antimonial embora em algumas exceções fosse usada amphotericina B. Morreram três pacientes que se recusaram a colaborar no tratamento. Dois anos após o tratamento observou-se positividade de anticorpos fluorescentes em somente 18% dos pacientes entre aqueles acompanhados.

Experimental paracoccidioidomycosis in the mouse. III. Histopathological and immunological findings after intravenous infection in the presence or absence of previous immunization

Fifty male white Swiss mice aged 4 weeks were inoculated with 5 x 10(5) viable yeast forms of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (strain 18). Ten of these animals had been previously immunized with particulate P. brasiliensis antigenfor 4 weeks by intradermal injection. The controls consisted of 10 animals that were only immunized and 10 animals submitted to no treatment. The animals were sacrificed 2, 4, 7,11 and 16 weeks later. We studied: 1) the anti-P. brasiliensis delayed hypersensitivity response measured by the footpad test 24 hours prior to sacrifice; 2) the specific antibody production measured by double immunodiffusion in agar gel; 3) the histopathology of lungs, liver, spleen, adrenals and kidneys. We observed that: a) the immunized animals developed more intense cell-immune responses than the infected ones; b) infection reduced the cell- immune response of the immunized animals; c) intravenous infection of mice with P. brasiliensis was characterized by a systemic and progressive granulomatous inflammation. The animals infected after previous immunization showed less extensive lung inflammation, with smaller granulomas and fewer fungi. The results indicate that the present murine model mimics some findings of the human subacute form of paracoccidioidomycosis (systemic disease with depressed cellular immunity) and that the extrapulmonary immunization scheme was able to induce a certain degree of protection of the lung from infection with P. brasiliensis

Hipersensibilidade tardia a antígeno de Trypanosoma cruzi: III - sensibilidade do teste cutâneo com antígeno T12E no diagnóstico de doença de Chagas em pacientes hospitalizados

Foi feita avaliação de três métodos imunológicos para diagnóstico de doença de Chagas, em 120pacientes hospitalizados. O teste cutâneo e a imuofluorescência foram positivos em 10% dos casos. A hemaglutinação foi positiva em 14,1% dos pacientes. A co-positividade do teste cutâneo com a hemaglutinação e dessa com a imunofluorescência foi de 7,5%. Apenas 5% dos pacientes estudados tinham os três exames concordantes positivos. Todavia, 19,1% dos pacientes tinham pelo menos um dos três exames positivos. Neste estudo a especificidade do teste cutâneo foi semelhante a da imunofluorescência. A sensibilidade desses testes, entretanto, foi menor que a da hemaglutinação indireta. Estes dados mostram que o teste cutâneo com o antígeno T12E faz o diagnóstico da doença de Chagas por uma simples reação de hipersensibilidade cutânea tardia de fácil execução.

Clonal structure of Trypanosoma cruzi Colombian strain (biodeme Type III): biological, isoenzymic and histopathological analysis of seven isolated clones

The clonal structure of the Colombian strain of Trypanosoma cruzi, biodeme Type III and zymodeme 1, was analyzed in order to characterize its populations and to establish its homogeneity or heterogeneity. Seven isolated clones presented the basic characteristics of Biodeme Type III, with the same patterns of parasitemic curves, tissue tropism to skeletal muscle and myocardium, high pathogenicity with extensive necrotic-inflammatory lesions from the 20th to 30th day of infection. The parental strain and its clones C1, C3, C4 and C6, determined the higher levels of parasitemia, 20 to 30 days of infection, with high mortality rate up to 30 days (79 to 100%); clones C2, C5 and C7 presented lower levels of parasitemia, with low mortality rates (7.6 to 23%). Isoenzymic patterns, characteristic of zymodeme 1, (Z1) were similar for the parental strain and its seven clones. Results point to a phenotypic homogeneity of the clones isolated from the Colombian strain and suggest the predominance of a principal clone, responsible for the biological behavior of the parental strain and clones.

High prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with SCCmec type III in cystic fibrosis patients in southern, Brazil

INTRODUCTION: Bacterial colonization of the lungs is the main cause of morbidity in cystic fibrosis (CF). Pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus are very well adapted to the pulmonary environment and may persist for years in the same patient. Genetic determinants of these bacteria, such as the presence of SCCmec have recently emerged as a problem in this population of patients. METHODS: Staphylococcus aureus isolates obtained from different clinical materials coming from CF and non-CF patients attended at a cystic fibrosis reference hospital were compared according to SCCmec type and antibiotic susceptibility profile. RESULTS: Three hundred and sixty-four single-patient Staphylococcus aureus isolates were collected, of which 164 (45%) were from CF patients. Among the latter, 57/164 (44.5%) were MRSA, and among the non-CF patients, 89/200 (35%) were MRSA. Associated pathogens were found in 38 CF patients. All 57 MRSA from CF patients harbored the multiresistant cassette type III. In contrast, 31/89 MRSA from non-CF patients harbored SCCmec type I (35%) and 44/89 harbored type III (49%). The antibiotic susceptibility pattern was similar between CF and non-CF patients. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of multiresistant SCCmec type III among CF patients compared with non-CF patients in our institution may make it difficult to control disease progression through antibiotic therapy for promoting the survival of this kind of patient.

Detection of Dientamoeba fragilis in patients with HIV/AIDS by using a simplified iron hematoxylin technique

INTRODUCTION: Studies strongly indicate Dientamoeba fragilis as one of the causes of diarrhea in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients. METHODS: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of D. fragilis associated with the causes of diarrhea in 82 HIV/ AIDS patients hospitalized at the Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas from September 2006 to November 2008. RESULTS: In total, 105 samples were collected from 82 patients. Unprotected sex was the most frequent cause of HIV infection (46.3%), followed by the use of injectable or non-injectable drugs (14.6%). Patients presented with viral loads of 49-750,000 copies/ mL (average: 73,849 ± 124,850 copies/mL) and CD4 counts ranging of 2-1,306 cells/mm³ (average: 159 ± 250 cells/mm³). On an average, the odds of obtaining a positive result by using the other techniques (Hoffman, Pons and Janer or Lutz; Ritchie) were 2.7 times higher than the chance of obtaining a positive result by using the simplified iron hematoxylin method. Significant differences were found between the methods (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The other techniques can detect a significantly greater amount of parasites than the simplified iron hematoxylin method, especially with respect to Isospora belli, Cryptosporidium sp., Schistosoma mansoni, and Strongyloides stercoralis, which were not detected using hematoxylin. Endolimax nana and D. fragilis were detected more frequently on using hematoxylin, and the only parasite not found by the other methods was D. fragilis.

Advanced megaesophagus (Group III) secondary to vector-borne Chagas disease in a 20-month-old infant

The authors report the case of a female infant with Group III (or Grade III) megaesophagus secondary to vector-borne Chagas disease, resulting in severe malnutrition that reversed after surgery (Heller technique). The infant was then treated with the antiparasitic drug benznidazole, and the infection was cured, as demonstrated serologically and parasitologically. After follow-up of several years without evidence of disease, with satisfactory weight and height development, the patient had her first child at age 23, in whom serological tests for Chagas disease yielded negative results. Thirty years after the initial examination, the patient's electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and chest radiography remained normal.

Production and diagnostic application of recombinant domain III of West Nile envelope protein in Brazil

INTRODUCTION: West Nile virus (WNV) is a flavivirus with a natural cycle involving mosquitoes and birds. Over the last 11 years, WNV has spread throughout the Americas with the imminent risk of its introduction in Brazil. METHODS: Envelope protein domain III of WNV (rDIII) was bacterially expressed and purified. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with WNV rDIII antigen was standardized against mouse immune fluids (MIAFs) of different flavivirus. RESULTS: WNV rDIII reacted strongly with St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) MIAF but not with other flaviviruses. CONCLUSIONS: This antigen may be a potentially useful tool for serologic diagnosis and may contribute in future epidemiological surveillance of WNV infections in Brazil.

Vitamin A, vitamin E, iron and zinc status in a cohort of HIV-infected mothers and their uninfected infants

Introduction We hypothesized that nutritional deficiency would be common in a cohort of postpartum, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women and their infants. Methods Weight and height, as well as blood concentrations of retinol, α-tocopherol, ferritin, hemoglobin, and zinc, were measured in mothers after delivery and in their infants at birth and at 6-12 weeks and six months of age. Retinol and α-tocopherol levels were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography, and zinc levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The maternal body mass index during pregnancy was adjusted for gestational age (adjBMI). Results Among the 97 women 19.6% were underweight. Laboratory abnormalities were most frequently observed for the hemoglobin (46.4%), zinc (41.1%), retinol (12.5%) and ferritin (6.5%) levels. Five percent of the women had mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations < 31g/dL. The most common deficiency in the infants was α-tocopherol (81%) at birth; however, only 18.5% of infants had deficient levels at six months of age. Large percentages of infants had zinc (36.8%) and retinol (29.5%) deficiencies at birth; however, these percentages decreased to 17.5% and 18.5%, respectively, by six months of age. No associations between infant micronutrient deficiencies and either the maternal adjBMI category or maternal micronutrient deficiencies were found. Conclusions Micronutrient deficiencies were common in HIV-infected women and their infants. Micronutrient deficiencies were less prevalent in the infants at six months of age. Neither underweight women nor their infants at birth were at increased risk for micronutrient deficiencies.