Hydroxyurea therapy in sickle cell anemia patients aids to maintain oral fungal colonization balance

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of Candida species and presence of lesions in the oral cavity of patients with sickle cell anemia (SS). Methods: The study included 30 patients diagnosed with sickle cell anemia and taking hydroxyurea for at least 90 days (SS/HU+); and 39 patients with sickle cell anemia and without hydroxyurea therapy (SS/HU-). Two control groups were constituted by healthy individuals matched to the test groups in age, gender, and oral conditions (C/HU+ for SS/HU+ and C/HU- for SS/HU-). Oral clinical examination and anamnesis were performed. Yeasts were collected by oral rinses and identified by API system. Antifungal susceptibility evaluation was performed according to the CLSI methodology. Data obtained for microorganisms counts were compared by Student's t test (SS/HU+ vs. C/HU+ and SS/HU- vs. C/HU-) using MINITAB for Windows 1.4. Significance level was set at 5%. Results: No oral candidosis lesions were detected. Significant differences in yeasts counts were observed between SS/HU- group and the respective control, but there were no differences between SS/HU+ and C/HU+. Candida albicans was the most prevalent species in all groups. Candida famata was observed both in SS and control groups. Candida dubliniensis, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis, Candida pelliculosa, and Candida parapsilosis were observed only in SS groups. Most strains were susceptible to all antifungal agents. Conclusion: Hydroxyurea therapy seems to decrease candidal counts and resistance rate in sickle cell anemia patients. However, further studies should be conducted in the future to confirm this finding. Hydroxyurea therapy in sickle cell anemia patients maintains fungal species balance in oral cavity. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Epidemiological Survey of Equine Pythiosis in the Brazilian Pantanal and Nearby Areas: Results of 76 Cases

A clinical epidemiological study was conducted among 34 rural properties located within the Brazilian Pantanal region and nearby areas between 2007 and 2010. The diagnosis of equine pythiosis was based on antibody detection (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), polymerase chain reaction, histopathological analysis, and cultures positive for Pythium insidiosum. The majority of the affected animals (85%) were in the Pantanal biome, which had a higher disease prevalence (0.9%-66.7%) than that of the Cerrado (2.7%-33.3%). The disease was more prevalent in the rainy season (January-March), with an abrupt fall in the number of cases during the drought period (April-September; correlation of R 2 = 0.77; P < .01). Generally, the average prevalence of equine pythiosis in both regions was 5%, with mortality and lethality rates of 1.3% and 23.1%, respectively, in the Pantanal and 2.3% and 45.5%, respectively, in the Cerrado. However, the treatment with immunotherapy may have underestimated these numbers, especially in the Pantanal. Animals older than 1 year were 8.09 times more affected by the disease than younger animals in the same environment (P < .05). A correlation between the anatomical area of the lesion and the type of skin color was also observed. Approximately 73% of the lesions were found in dark-pigmented areas, and animals with a dark coat color were affected more frequently. These findings highlight the importance of hematophagous insects in the epidemiology of pythiosis because these areas are preferred for blood feeding. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Equine Perineal and Vulvar Conformation Correction Using a Modification of Pouret's Technique

An incompetent vulvar seal leads to reproductive failure, and a surgical intervention might be required. The present paper describes modifications to Pouret's surgery. We suggest the use of a simple interrupted vertical mattress suture, which avoids seroma. Eighteen Brazilian Jumping Horse mares, older than 20 years and barren for 3-5 consecutive years, underwent modified Pouret's surgery. A horizontal skin incision of 3-4 cm was made half way between the anus and upper commissure of the vulva. The submucosal and connective tissue were dissected, and the rectovaginal shelf was split horizontally by sectioning the muscular and ligamentous connections between the anus, vulva, caudal portion of the rectum, and vagina until the vulva was oriented vertically. The wound was changed from a horizontal plane to a vertical plane by placing the suture vertically using approximately eight interrupted U sutures distributed in two layers with polyamide thread. The modified Pouret's surgical technique provided a perfect coaptation of the vulvar lips and a correct perineal position. Those mares that presented with horizontally tipped vulvar lips due to advanced age and stretching of the pelvic tissues by multiple foaling had their vulvas replaced. Also, the surgical procedure was easy to perform. As to fertility, of the 18 initial mares, 14 were inseminated, and all became pregnant. Thus, it was possible to conclude that the anatomical changes performed throughout the surgical procedure predisposed to a better vulvar coaptation, correcting the pneumovagina. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Avaliação do risco de cárie e microbiota fúngica em pacientes pediátricos com anemia falciforme

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação da função cardíaca em cães com anemia normovolência aguda experimental

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Eritrograma glutationa reduzida e superóxido dismutase eritrocitários e metahemoglobina em equinos da raça Árabe submetidos a exercício em esteira: efeito da suplementação com vitamina E (dl-alfa-tocoferol)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Polimorfismos nos genes TGFB e TNFA e sua relação com crises vaso-oclusivas e disfunção endotelial em pacientes com anemia falciforme

Pós-graduação em Genética - IBILCE

Modulação pelo haplótipo Bantu da resposta ao uso de hidroxiureia em anemia falciforme

Pós-graduação em Genética - IBILCE

Avaliação das complicações hematológicas e renais e do risco tromboembólico de cães com AHIM

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Presença de microrganismos potencialmente superinfactantes na cavidade bucal de pacientes com anemia falciforme em uso de hidroxiuréia

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Anemia ferropriva no lactente em relação ao tipo de aleitamento e suplementação de ferro

Pós-graduação em Saúde Coletiva - FMB

Análise ultraestrutural do nervo óptico de ratos Wistar hígidos ou com anemia ferropriva neonatal

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Estresse oxidativo e lipoperoxidação devido à anemia induzida por perda aguda de sangue em ovinos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Síntese e avaliação farmacológica de protótipos candidatos à fármacos para o tratamento dos sintomas da anemia falciforme

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Associação entre doença renal e anemia em idosos atendidos em um centro se atenção integrada a melhor idade de Manaus (AM)

Pós-graduação em Fisiopatologia em Clínica Médica - FMB