Serology of paracoccidioidomycosis. II. Correlation between class-specific antibodies and clinical forms of the disease

Untreated and previously treated patients with paracoccidioidomycosis were studied for: (i) serum levels of total IgG, IgM and IgA immunoglobulins, by radial immunodiffusion and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb) antibodies, by indirect immunofluorescence; (ii) correlation between their levels with the clinical forms of the disease; (iii) correlation between the serum titres obtained by tube precipitin with those of anti-Pb IgG, IgM and IgA. In the untreated group, serum IgG levels were significantly increased in patients with the more systemic forms of the disease, especially the acute progressive form. Serum IgA levels were significantly increased in all patients with no statistical difference between clinical forms. Serum IgM levels were normal in all patients. Anti-Pb IgG, IgA and IgM were detected in 97·5%, 32·5% and 45·0% of all cases, respectively. There was a sharp tendency towards higher levels of anti-Pb IgG among those with the acute progressive form (83·4%) in relation to the chronic, more localized forms, mixed form (68·0%) and isolated organic form (55·5%). In the untreated and previously treated group sera, there was positive correlation between the level of anti-Pb IgG and positivity for the tube precipitin test, suggesting that the precipitin-type antibodies are of the IgG class. Broadly, the present data demonstrate a polyclonal activation of the humoral immune system in paracoccidioidomycosis, with a positive relationship between serological results and severity of the disease. © 1984.

The effect of plant diversity on fungus garden development and foraging behavior of leaf-cutting ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The leaf-cutting ants forage a wide variety of plant species, used for symbiotic fungus cultivation. To better understand this tripartite complex interaction, 24 colonies of Acromyrmex subterraneus brunneus were conditioned for 4 months to 6 different plants (Citrus spp., Ligustrum spp., Acalypha spp., Eucalyptus spp., Alchornea triplinervia, Melia spp.), to verify the influence of conditioning on foraging behavior of workers. The effect of plants on symbiotic fungus development was studied separately, through macerated plants in Agar and culture medium A as the control. During foraging, workers presented polyphagic foraging behavior, refusing the plants to which they were conditioned. The selection of plants is not correlated with the plant substrate that promotes good development of symbiotic fungus. Such results demonstrate the importance of plant diversity for fungus garden maintenance.

Risk of peritonitis during peritoneal dialysis in carriers of Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci

The presence of Staphylococcus aureus in the nasal cavities and pericatheter skin of peritoneal dialysis patients put them at high risk of developing peritonitis. However, it is not clear whether the presence of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) in the nasal passages and skin of patients is related to subsequent occurrence of peritoneal infection. The aim of the present study was to verify the relationship between endogenous sources of S. aureus and CNS and occurrence of peritonitis in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Thirty-two patients on peritoneal hemodialysis were observed for 18 months. Staphylococcus species present in their nasal passage, pericatheter skin and peritoneal effluent were identified and compared based on drug susceptibility tests and dendrograms, which were drawn to better visualize the similarity among strains from extraperitoneal sites as well as their involvement in the causes of infection. Out of 288 Staphylococcus strains isolated, 155 (53.8%) were detected in the nasal cavity, 122 (42.4%) on the skin, and 11 (3.8%) in the peritoneal effluent of patients who developed peritonitis during the study. The most frequent Staphylococcus species were CNS (78.1%), compared with S. aureus (21.9%). Among CNS, S. epidermidis was predominant (64.4%), followed by S. warneri (15.1%), S. haemolyticus (10.7%), and other species (9.8%). Seven (64%) out of 11 cases of peritonitis analyzed presented similar strains. The same strain was isolated from different sites in two (66%) out of three S. aureus infection cases. In the six cases of S. epidermidis peritonitis, the species that caused infection was also found in the normal flora. From these, two cases (33%) presented highly similar strains and in three cases (50%), it was difficult to group strains as to similarity. Patients colonized with multidrug-resistant S. epidermidis strains were more predisposed to infection. Results demonstrated that an endogenous source of S. epidermidis could cause peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients, similarly to what has been observed with S. aureus.

Clinical and immunological parameters of Newcastle disease vaccination in juvenile ring - necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Clinical and immunological parameters of Newcastle disease vaccination in Chinese goose (Anser cygnoides)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Impact of chronic disease on quality of life among the elderly in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil: A population-based study

Objectives. To assess the impact of chronic disease and the number of diseases on the various aspects of health-related quality of life (HROOL) among the elderly in Såo Paulo, Brazil. Methods. The SF-36® Health Survey was used to assess the impact of the most prevalent chronic diseases on HRQOL. A cross-sectional and population-based study was carried out with two-stage stratified cluster sampling. Data were obtained from a multicenter health survey administered through household interviews in several municipalities in the state of São Paulo. The study evaluated seven diseases - arthritis, back-pain, depression/anxiety, diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, and stroke - and their effects on quality of life. Results. Among the 1 958 elderly individuals (60 years of age or older), 13.6% reported not having any of the illnesses, whereas 45.7% presented three or more chronic conditions. The presence of any of the seven chronic illnesses studied had a significant effect on the scores of nearly all the SF-36® scales. HROOL achieved lower scores when related to depression/ anxiety, osteoporosis, and stroke. The higher the number of diseases, the greater the negative effect on the SF-36® dimensions. The presence of three or more diseases significantly affected HROOL in all areas. The bodily pain, general health, and vitality scales were the most affected by diseases. Conclusions. The study detected a high prevalence of chronic diseases among the elderly population and found that the degree of impact on HROOL depends on the type of disease. The results highlight the importance of preventing and controlling chronic diseases in order to reduce the number of comorbidities and lessen their impact on HROOL among the elderly.

Abnormal hemoglobin phenotypes in carriers of mild anemia in Latin America.

We looked for abnormal hemoglobins in blood samples sent for diagnosis of anemia. Identification of the hemoglobins was made using electrophoretic, chromatographic and molecular procedures. The 2020 blood samples were of patients from various regions of Brazil and from some other Latin American countries. Among the abnormal hemoglobins that we found, 3.5% are known to be rare, while 51% had an electrophoretic profile similar to that of Hb S at alkaline pH. Differentiation was possible only by combining electrophoretic and chromatographic methods. Hb Hasharon, an alpha globin chain mutant, was the most frequently found variant hemoglobin; it accounted for 14.3% of the abnormal DNA samples. The other abnormal hemoglobin phenotypes displayed distinct electrophoretic profiles; most of them migrated faster than Hb A. The frequencies of the different abnormal hemoglobin profiles that we found reflect the miscegenation of the Latin American population and indicate the importance of hemoglobin studies using various methods in combination for accurate diagnosis and appropriate counseling of carriers and their families.

Immunological and clinical parameters of newcastle disease vaccination in bronze Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Occurrence of plant-parasitic nematodes in ornamental and flowering plants at UNESP/FCAV, campus of jaboticabal, são paulo state, brazil

The plant-parasitic nematodes are responsible for serious injuries in roots and shoots of ornamental plants, reducing its beauty and consequently its economic value. This study aimed to ascertain the occurrence and distribution of plantparasitic nematodes through the analysis of the roots of ornamental and flowering plants at UNESP FCAV's landscape. The roots were collected from fifteen different species as follows: Anthurium andreannum, Rhododendron simsii, Impatiens walleriana, Calathea stromata, Cordyline terminalis, Dieffenbachia picta, Dracaena marginata, Ficus benjamina, Spathiphyllum ortgiesii 'Sensation', Spathiphyllum wallisi 'American Beauty' and 'Mini', Odontonema strictum, Portulaca grandiflora, Strelitzia reginae, Tradescantia zebrina and Tradescantia pallida. Samples of roots were processed. The plant-parasitic nematodes identified in the samples were: Meloidogyne sp. (Anthurium andreannum, Calathea stromata, Dieffenbachia picta, Ficus benjamina, Impatiens walleriana, Odontonema strictum, Portulaca grandiflora, Spathiphyllum ortgiesii 'Sensation'), Helicotylenchus dihystera (Calathea stromata, Dracaena marginata, Portulaca grandiflora, Spathiphyllum ortgiessi 'Sensation', Tradescantia pallida, Tradescantia zebrina), Tylenchus sp. (Anthurium andreannum, Calathea stromata, Cordyline terminalis, Dieffenbachia picta, Ficus benjamina, Rhododendron simsii), Aphelenchoides sp. (Dieffenbachia picta, Spathiphyllum ortgiesii 'Sensation', S. wallisi 'American Beauty'), Rotylenchulus reniformis (Cordyline terminalis, Dracaena marginata, Odontonema strictum), Pratylenchus sp. (Spathiphyllum ortgiesii 'Sensation', Spathiphyllum wallisi 'Mini'), Ditylenchus sp. (Spathiphyllum wallisi 'Mini'), Pratylenchus brachyurus (Tradescantia zebrina). The plant-parasitic nematodes weren't found in the roots of Strelitzia reginae.

Clinical and immunological aspects of newcastle disease vaccination in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effect of plant density on Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni water consumption

Stevia rebaudiana is a traditional crop of Latin America, now rising to international interest thanks to its specific glycosides that are very sweet and still poor of calories making its potential interesting for dietary recommendations. Its short growing cycle makes this species possible as an annual crop also in non tropical areas, including the Mediterranean Basin and parts of Italy, where rainfall or irrigation is available during late spring and summer. One of the main concerns is the quantity of water necessary for the crop and the ideal number of plants per hectare in order to maximize water use efficiency. The present research was carried out in central Italy to compare yields and water consumption in plots with three plant densities (50, 25, 16 plants per square metre). The results show that the most dense plots can give the best results in the area of the trial.

Biologic and genetics aspects of chagas disease at endemic areas

The etiologic agent of Chagas Disease is the Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted through blood-sucking insect vectors of the Triatominae subfamily, representing one of the most serious public health concerns in Latin America. There are geographic variations in the prevalence of clinical forms and morbidity of Chagas disease, likely due to genetic variation of the T. cruzi and the host genetic and environmental features. Increasing evidence has supported that inflammatory cytokines and chemokines are responsible for the generation of the inflammatory infiltrate and tissue damage. Moreover, genetic polymorphisms, protein expression levels, and genomic imbalances are associated with disease progression. This paper discusses these key aspects. Large surveys were carried out in Brazil and served as baseline for definition of the control measures adopted. However, Chagas disease is still active, and aspects such as host-parasite interactions, genetic mechanisms of cellular interaction, genetic variability, and tropism need further investigations in the attempt to eradicate the disease. Copyright 2012 Marilanda Ferreira Bellini et al.

Relevance of Chinese goose (Anser cygnoides) in experimental epidemiology of Newcastle disease

This study aimed to characterize the true epidemiological role played by the Chinese goose (Anser cygnoides) as a potential source of infection by the Newcastle disease virus (NDV). For this, Specific-Pathogen-Free chicks (SPF) were used and were housed with Chinese geese that had been inoculated with a pathogenic strain (velogenic viscerotropic, strain São João do Meriti) of NDV (DIE50=108.15/0.1 mL) pathogenic to chickens, by the ocular-nasal route. Each group was composed of 6 SPF Leghorn chicks and 3 geese. At 6 days (Group I) and 14 days (Group II) after inoculation of the Chinese geese with NDV, SPF chicks were put into direct contact with each goose group. Cloacal swabs were collected from both species (Chinese geese and SPF chicks) 6, 10 and 20 days after challenge to genome viral excretion by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Chinese geese did not demonstrate any clinical signs of Newcastle disease (ND). They were refractory to the clinical disease with the NDV. However, NDV genome was detected 20 days after challenge. Therefore, NDV carrier status was demonstrated by Chinese geese. Moreover, 100% of SPF chicks housed with the infected Chinese geese had died by 6 (Group I) and 14 days (Group II) after challenge. Thus, the transmission of the pathogenic virus from the Chinese geese to cohabiting SPF chicks was evident within 20 days of the experimental infection. This reveals the epidemiological importance of Chinese geese as a potential transmitter of NDV infection to other commercial birds that could be raised in close proximity.

Use of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in molecular screening of Newcastle disease virus in poultry and free-living bird populations

The aim of this study was to evaluate a simple molecular method of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to differentiate Newcastle disease virus strains according to their pathogenicity, in order to use it in molecular screening of Newcastle disease virus in poultry and free-living bird populations. Specific primers were developed to differentiate LaSota-LS-(vaccine strain) and Sao Joao do Meriti-SJM-strain (highly pathogenic strain). Chickens and pigeons were experimentally vaccinated/infected for an in vivo study to determine virus shedding in feces. Validation of sensitivity and specificity of the primers (SJM and LS) by experimental models used in the present study and results obtained in the molecular analysis of the primers by BLAST made it possible to generalize results. The development of primers that differentiate the level of pathogenicity of NDV stains is very important, mainly in countries where real-time RT-PCR is still not used as a routine test. These primers were able to determine the presence of the agent and to differentiate it according to its pathogenicity. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

Desiccation tolerance in seeds of Annona emarginata (Schldtl.) H. Rainer and action of plant growth regulators on germination

Annona emarginata (Schldtl.) H. Rainer (araticum-de-terra-fria) is used as a rootstock for several species of Annonaceae. It is suggested that these seeds should be sown immediately after extraction and, therefore, they could be intolerant to desiccation. There are several mechanisms involved with desiccation tolerance. Soluble sugars, for example, can accumulate and act as osmoprotectants for the membrane system during desiccation. The aim of this study is to assess desiccation tolerance in A. emarginata seeds. In addition, we examined the soluble sugars involved in desiccation tolerance. Finally, we determined the effect of gibberellic acid (GA4+7) and N-(phenylmethyl)-aminopurine in promoting the germination of seeds with different water contents. The experiment consisted of a randomized 4×5 factorial design (desiccation levels × concentration of growth regulators). After drying, seeds containing 31 (control), 19, 12 and 5% water were incubated in different concentrations of GA4+7 N-(phenylmethyl)-aminopurine (0, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mg L-1) for 60 hours. The experiment was conducted in a germination chamber with alternating temperature and photoperiod of 20oC for 18 hours of darkness and 30oC for 6 hours of light. We analyzed electrical conductivity, germination rate, mean germination time, germination speed, frequency and uniformity of germination, percentage of dormant seeds and soluble sugar profile in intact seeds through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The data were subjected to analysis of variance, and the means were compared using Tukey's test at a threshold of p<0.05. The results showed that seeds of A. emarginata appears to be desiccation tolerant and, also, that sucrose increases when seed water content is reduced to values as low as 12%, exogenous GA4+7+N-(phenylmethyl)-aminopurine improves its germinability.