Vaccination of C57BL/10 mice against cutaneous leishmaniasis using killed promastigotes of different strains and species of Leishmania

Antigenic extracts from five Leishmania stocks were used to vaccinate C57BL/10 mice. The Leishvacin® and PH8 monovalent vaccine yielded the highest IFN-gamma levels in the supernatants of spleen cell culture from vaccinated animals. Each single strain immunized group showed evidence of protective immunity six months after the challenge with promastigotes of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. No differences were detected between the vaccinated groups. It can be concluded that vaccines composed of single Leishmania stocks can provide protection to C57BL/10 mice against L. (L.) amazonensis infection.

Immunotherapy, immunochemotherapy and chemotherapy for American cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment

The first choice of treatment for American cutaneous leishmaniasis is the pentavalent antimonial drug. Although it has been shown that this treatment is mostly effective and indicated, some disadvantages should be taken into account such as side effects, long term treatment inconveniences and counter-indication for patients suffering from cardiopathy, nephropathy; yet, aging, pregnancy and other conditions. With the advent of the vaccine anti-American cutaneous leishmaniasis as a prophylactic measure, studies on therapy using the vaccine associated or not with other drugs have been performed by many investigators and it is currently among the alternative treatments and prevention measures for American cutaneous leishmaniasis. In conclusion, the association between antimony and vaccine (immunochemotherapy) showed the same cure rate when compared with the standard treatment (100%) and it was also able to reduce the salt volume in 17.9% and treatment length from 87 to 62 days, decreasing side effects.

Comparison among three polymerase chain reaction assays on detection of DNA from Leishmania in biological samples from patients with american cutaneous leishmaniasis

INTRODUCTION: The study analyzed positivity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on detection of DNA from Leishmania in patients' samples. METHODS: Extracted DNA was submitted to L150/L152, 13Y/13Z, and seminested PCR (snPCR). RESULTS: Results were evidenced by bands of approximately 120, 720, and 670 bp for L150/L152, 13Y/13Z, and snPCR, respectively. L150/L152, 13Y/13Z, and snPCR positivity indexes were 76.9, 56.4, and 9.2 (p>0.05), respectively, for suspected and 93.7, 68.7, and 84.4 (p<0.05), respectively, for confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results showed that these assays, mainly L150/L152 and snPCR, can detect Leishmania DNA and carry potential on laboratory diagnosis of leishmaniasis.

Cephalopoda as prey of juvenile Southern elephant seals at Isla 25 de Mayo/King George, South Shetland Islands

The aim of the present study was to enhance the knowledge of the feeding habits of the juvenile component of the population of Southern elephant seals [Mirounga leonina (Linnaeus, 1758)] from Isla 25 de Mayo, South Shetland Islands, age class whose diet information is scarce. A total of 60 individuals were stomach lavaged in the spring - summer seasons of three consecutive years (2003, 2004 and 2005) of which 53.3 % (n = 32) presented food remnants. The Antarctic glacial squid Psychroteuthis glacialis Thiele, 1921 was the dominant prey taxon in terms of frequency of occurrence (68.7%), numerical abundance (60.1%) and biomass (51.5%), contributing 84.1% to the total relative importance index. Other squid prey species of importance were Slosarczykovia circumantartica Lipinski, 2001 in terms of occurrence (37.5%) and numerical abundance (14%) and Moroteuthis knipovitchi Filippova, 1972 in terms of biomass (16%). All identified cephalopod prey taxa are distributed south of the Antarctic Polar Front, except for the squid Martialia hyadesi Rochebrune & Mabille, 1889 which has a circumpolar distribution associated to the Polar Frontal Zone. No significant differences in the sizes of P. glacialis preyed upon by elephant seals were found between sexes and years. However, significant interannual differences were found in the taxonomical composition of their diet. This would be associated with temporal changes in food availability at the foraging areas of seals, which in turn may have been influenced by changes in oceanographic conditions as a result of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon that occurred during part of the study period. Furthermore, a differential response of males and females to this temporal variation was observed, with the former being also associated to a predation on octopods. This would suggest a sexual segregation in foraging habits of this species from the early stages of its life cycle.

Expanded description of the female of Lernaeenicus longiventris Wilson, 1917, (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida, Pennellidae) based on specimens from Mugil platanus Günter, 1880 (Perciformes, Mugilidae) of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The description of Lernaeenicus longiventris is expanded and revised, based on specimens collected from the skin and fins of mullets, Mugil platanus Gunther, 1880, from 21 locations in coastal waters of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Ciclo biológico e predação de três espécies de coccinelídeos (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) sobre o pulgão-gigante-do-pinus Cinara atlantica (Wilson) (Hemiptera, Aphididae)

Afídeos do gênero Cinara Curtis são importantes pragas de coníferas em vários países. No Brasil Cinara atlantica (Wilson, 1919) tem causado danos em plantações comerciais de Pinus spp. e o controle biológico com predadores pode ser uma opção melhor que o controle químico. Este trabalho teve por objetivo estudar a biologia e a capacidade de predação dos coccinelídeos Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville, 1842, Cycloneda sanguinea (Linnaeus, 1763) e Eriopis connexa (German, 1824) (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) sobre ninfas de C. atlantica. O estudo foi conduzido sob condições controladas (temperatura: 23 ± 1ºC, UR: 70 ± 10% e fotofase: 14 h.). Foi verificado que ninfas de C. atlantica são adequadas como alimento para as três espécies de coccinelídeos, assegurando seu desenvolvimento e reprodução. H. convergens e C. sanguinea apresentaram maior longevidade e capacidade de reprodução e também maior capacidade de predação (3832 e 3633 ninfas de C. atlantica em comparação a 2735 ninfas consumidas por E. connexa durante o ciclo completo, respectivamente para as espécies). Estas espécies de predadores podem contribuir para a redução da população de Cinara no campo.

Colonization by mites of glacier-free areas in King George Island, Antarctica

This work aimed to investigate the ratio of colonization by terrestrial mites on ice-free areas created by the ongoing climate-induced melting of Antarctic glaciers. Glacier retreat opens new ice-free areas for the colonization by vegetation and animals. The study was undertaken on the Antarctic Specially Protected Area no. 128 (West Coast of the Admiralty Bay, King George Island, South Shetlands Islands). Transects marked between the Ecology, Baranowski and Windy Glaciers, and a sea shore were used to collect soil samples. Oribatid mites were found only on near-shore areas, on patches of vegetation of more than 30 years of age. The colonization by mite communities is strongly determined by the presence of plants.

O médico George Thomson e os primeiros desenvolvimentos do conceito de gás

The word gas was coined by the "chemical philosopher" Joan Baptista Van Helmont (1579 -- 1644) to name a very broad concept in his chemico-medical system. Eventually, some physicians who followed Helmontian ideas adopted the concept. The present paper aims to analyze the reception of the original idea of gas by an English Helmontian physician, George Thomson (1619 -- 1677). Thomson wrote that the "material cause" of the plague was a gas, and compared it to the "Gas of sulphur". He also related the human archeus to a gas, and explained some observations in the laboratory in terms of production of gases. We observe, however, that Thomson was not as interested as Van Helmont in discussing details about the structure of the matter. Thus, gas did not have the same relevance in Thomson's work as it had in Van Helmont's.

Doença de Wilson e Gravidez: Relato de Caso

A doença de Wilson (degeneração hepatolenticular) é distúrbio autossômico recessivo raro que usualmente ocorre entre a primeira e terceira décadas de vida. Caracteriza-se por depósito excessivo de cobre no fígado e cérebro e é fatal se não diagnosticada e tratada precocemente. Os autores descrevem um caso de gravidez e doença de Wilson, mostrando a evolução satisfatória de uma paciente que fez uso da D-penicilamina até a sétima semana de gestação, quando a suspendeu por conta própria, e após a vigésima semana gestacional. A mãe evoluiu sem sinais de descompensação clínica ou obstétrica. O recém-nascido não apresentou nenhuma intercorrência e encontrava-se bem no final do primeiro ano de vida.

Eimerid coccidia from capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) in southern Bahia, Brazil

Two eimerid coccidia are reported in a capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) population kept in captivity in the south of Bahia, northeastern Brazil (14º 47' 57.89"S and 39º 10' 10.58" W). Oocysts of Eimeria ichiloensis are subspheroidal to ellipsoidal, 26.2 x 21.7mm with bi-layered wall, the outer yellow and sculptured and the inner, dark and smooth. Residuum is absent, but usually 2-3 polar granules are present. Sporocysts are ovoid, 12.0 x 7.6mm. Stieda body and sporocyst residuum are present. Oocysts of Eimeria trinidadensis are subspheroidal to ellipsoidal, 22.2 x 19.6mm with bi-layered wall, the outer yellow and smooth, and the inner dark and smooth. Residuum is absent, but one polar granule is present. Sporocysts are ovoid, 11.0 x 6.9mm. Stieda body and sporocyst residuum are present. Based on these descriptions and previous ones it can be concluded that these coccidea species are widely dispersed in capybaras in South America.