Dermatophyte susceptibilities to antifungal azole agents tested in vitro by broth macro and microdilution methods

The in vitro susceptibility of dermatophytes to the azole antifungals itraconazole, fluconazole and ketoconazole was evaluated by broth macro and microdilution methods, according to recommendations of the CLSI, with some adaptations. Twenty nail and skin clinical isolates, four of Trichophyton mentagrophytes and 16 of T. rubrum were selected for the tests. Itraconazole minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) varied from < 0.03 to 0.25 µg/mL in the macrodilution and from < 0.03 to 0.5 µg/mL in the microdilution methods; for fluconazole, MICs were in the ranges of 0.5 to 64 µg/mL and 0.125 to 16 µg/mL by the macro and microdilution methods, respectively, and from < 0.03 to 0.5 µg/mL by both methods for ketoconazole. Levels of agreement between the two methods (± one dilution) were 70% for itraconazole, 45% for fluconazole and 85% for ketoconazole. It is concluded that the strains selected were inhibited by relatively low concentrations of the antifungals tested and that the two methodologies are in good agreement especially for itraconazole and ketoconazole.

Comparison of direct immunofluorescence, conventional cell culture and polymerase chain reaction techniques for detecting respiratory syncytial virus in nasopharyngeal aspirates from infants

A total of 316 samples of nasopharyngeal aspirate from infants up to two years of age with acute respiratory-tract illnesses were processed for detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) using three different techniques: viral isolation, direct immunofluorescence, and PCR. Of the samples, 36 (11.4%) were positive for RSV, considering the three techniques. PCR was the most sensitive technique, providing positive findings in 35/316 (11.1%) of the samples, followed by direct immunofluorescence (25/316, 7.9%) and viral isolation (20/315, 6.3%) (p < 0.001). A sample was positive by immunofluorescence and negative by PCR, and 11 (31.4%) were positive only by RT-PCR. We conclude that RT-PCR is more sensitive than IF and viral isolation to detect RSV in nasopharyngeal aspirate specimens in newborn and infants.

Factors associated to infection by Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women attended in Basic Health Units in the city of Rolândia, Paraná, Brazil

The aim of the present work was to determine the prevalence of IgG and IgM anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and the factors associated to the infection in pregnant women attended in Basic Health Units in Rolândia, Paraná, Brazil. The sample was divided in two groups: group I (320 pregnant women who were analyzed from July 2007 to February 2008) and group II (287 pregnant women who were analyzed from March to October 2008). In group I, it was found 53.1% of pregnant women with IgG reactive and IgM non-reactive, 1.9% with IgG and IgM reactive, 0.3% with IgG non-reactive and IgM reactive and 44.7% with IgG and IgM non-reactive. In group II, it was found 55.1% with IgG reactive and IgM non-reactive and 44.9% with IgG and IgM non-reactive. The variables associated to the presence of IgG antibodies were: residence in rural areas, pregnant women between 35-40 years old, low educational level, low family income, more than one pregnancy, drinking water which does not originate from the public water supply system and the habit of handling soil or sand. Guidance on primary prevention measures and the quarterly serological monitoring of the pregnant women in the risk group are important measures to prevent congenital toxoplasmosis.

ENTEROPATHOGENS DETECTED IN A DAYCARE CENTER, SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL: BACTERIA, VIRUS, AND PARASITE RESEARCH

Introduction: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and etiological profile of enteropathogens in children from a daycare center. Methods: From October 2010 to February 2011 stool samples from 100 children enrolled in a government daycare center in the municipality of São José do Rio Preto, in the state of São Paulo, were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 246 bacteria were isolated in 99% of the fecal samples; 129 were in the diarrheal group and 117 in the non-diarrheal group. Seventy-three strains of Escherichia coli were isolated, 19 of Enterobacter, one of Alcaligenes and one of Proteus. There were 14 cases of mixed colonization with Enterobacter and E. coli. Norovirus and Astrovirus were detected in children with clinical signs suggestive of diarrhea. These viruses were detected exclusively among children residing in urban areas. All fecal samples were negative for the presence of the rotavirus species A and C. The presence of Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba coli, Endolimax nana and hookworm was observed. A significant association was found between food consumption outside home and daycare center and the presence of intestinal parasites. Conclusions: For children of this daycare center, intestinal infection due to pathogens does not seem to have contributed to the occurrence of diarrhea or other intestinal symptoms. The observed differences may be due to the wide diversity of geographical, social and economic characteristics and the climate of Brazil, all of which have been reported as critical factors in the modulation of the frequency of different enteropathogens.

FREQUENCY OF Candida SPECIES IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN TRIANGULO MINEIRO, MINAS GERAIS STATE, BRAZIL

Infections by Candida species are a high-impact problem in public health due to their wide incidence in hospitalized patients. The goal of this study was to evaluate frequency, susceptibility to antifungals, and genetic polymorphism of Candida species isolated from clinical specimens of hospitalized patients. The Candida isolates included in this study were obtained from blood cultures, abdominal fluids, and central venous catheters (CVC) of hospitalized patients at the Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Uberlândia during the period of July 2010 - June 2011. Susceptibility tests were conducted by the broth microdilution method. The RAPD-PCR tests used employed initiator oligonucleotides OPA09, OPB11, and OPE06. Of the 63 Candida isolates, 18 (28.5%) were C. albicans, 20 (31.7%) were C. parapsilosis complex species, 14 (22.2%) C. tropicalis, four (6.4%) C. glabrata, four (6.4%) C. krusei, two (3.3%) C. kefyr, and one (1.6%) C. lusitaniae. In vitro resistance to amphotericin B was observed in 12.7% of isolates. In vitroresistance to azoles was not detected, except for C. krusei. The two primers, OPA09 and OPB11, were able to distinguish different species. Isolates of C. albicans and C. parapsilosis complex species presented six and five clusters, respectively, with the OPA09 marker by RAPD-PCR, showing the genetic variability of the isolates of those species. It was concluded that members of the C. parapsilosis complex were the most frequent species found, and most isolates were susceptible to the antifungals amphotericin B, flucozanole, and itraconazole. High genetic polymorphisms were observed for isolates of C. albicans and C. parapsilosis complex species, mainly with the OPA09 marker.

THE RELEVANCE OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS ON THE INFECTIOUS PROCESS OF BALB/C MICE INOCULATED WITH Lacazia loboi

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the protein-calorie malnutrition in BALB/c isogenic mice infected with Lacazia loboi, employing nutritional and histopathological parameters. Four groups were composed: G1: inoculated with restricted diet, G2: not inoculated with restricted diet, G3: inoculated with regular diet, G4: not inoculated with regular diet. Once malnutrition had been imposed, the animals were inoculated intradermally in the footpad and after four months, were sacrificed for the excision of the footpad, liver and spleen. The infection did not exert great influence on the body weight of the mice. The weight of the liver and spleen showed reduction in the undernourished groups when compared to the nourished groups. The macroscopic lesions, viability index and total number of fungi found in the footpads of the infected mice were increased in G3 when compared to G1. Regarding the histopathological analysis of the footpad, a global cellularity increase in the composition of the granuloma was observed in G3 when compared to G1, with large numbers of macrophages and multinucleated giant cells, discrete numbers of lymphocytes were present in G3 and an increase was observed in G1. The results suggest that there is considerable interaction between Jorge Lobo's disease and nutrition.

Candida albicans PROTEIN PROFILE CHANGES IN RESPONSE TO THE BUTANOLIC EXTRACT OF Sapindus saponariaL.

Candida albicans is an opportunistic human pathogen that is capable of causing superficial and systemic infections in immunocompromised patients. Extracts of Sapindus saponaria have been used as antimicrobial agents against various organisms. In the present study, we used a combination of two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) to identify the changes in protein abundance of C. albicans after exposure to the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and sub-minimal inhibitory concentration (sub-MIC) of the butanolic extract (BUTE) of S. saponaria and also to fluconazole. A total of six different proteins with greater than 1.5 fold induction or repression relative to the untreated control cells were identified among the three treatments. In general, proteins/enzymes involved with the glycolysis (GPM1, ENO1, FBA1), amino acid metabolism (ILV5, PDC11) and protein synthesis (ASC1) pathways were detected. In conclusion, our findings reveal antifungal-induced changes in protein abundance of C. albicans. By using the previously identified components of the BUTE of S. saponaria(e.g., saponins and sesquiterpene oligoglycosides), it will be possible to compare the behavior of compounds with unknown mechanisms of action, and this knowledge will help to focus the subsequent biochemical work aimed at defining the effects of these compounds.

Larva migrans visceral: relato de três casos

São relatados três casos de crianças com larva migrans visceral confirmados através do teste imunoenzimático ELISA, em Goiânia. Quadro pulmonar com infiltrado intersticial, tosse seca e eosinojilia sangüínea caracterizaram o primeiro caso. No segundo, os sinais clínicos presentes foram quadro respiratório com tosse seca, infiltrado pulmonar, além de eosinojilia sangüínea e hipergamaglobulinemia. Uma eosinofilia persistente, entre 1987-1989, sem qualquer outro sinal aparente, foi o que induziu à suspeita e confirmação, da parasitose no terceiro caso.

Ocorrência de rota vírus e adeno vírus em crianças de até 11 anos de idade sem sintomatologia de diarréia em Goiânia - GO

Trezentas e oitenta e cinco amostras fecais provenientes de crianças na faixa etária de até 11 anos, sem sintomatologia de diarréia, foram estudadas objetivando-se a detecção de rotavirus. Desta amostragem, 268foram obtidas de crianças habitantes de creches e 117 de crianças atendidas no ambulatório do Hospital Lúcio Rebelo de Goiânia-Goiás. Todas as amostrasforam analisadas através da técnica de eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida (EGPA- SDS), e 89 foram também analisadas pelo ensaio imunoenzimático adaptado para rotavirus e adenovirus (E1ARA). Rotavirus e adenovirus só foram detectados nas crianças atendidas no ambulatório, num percentual de 1,7% e 1,6% respectivamente, não havendo nenhuma positividade nas crianças de creches. Ambos os vírus ocorrerarh na faixa etária de 1 a 2 anos.

Rastreamento sorológico para hepatite B em profissionais de saúde na cidade de Goiânia - Goiás

Pesquisou-se marcadores para o vírus da hepatite B em profissionais de saúde, ligados a três instituições na cidade de Goiânia-Goiás. A prevalência da infecção virai encontrada foi de 23,4% em relação aos diferentes marcadores (AgHBs, anti-HBs e anti-HBc). Entre os indivíduos positivos, 2,3% eram portadores do vírus e 21,1% demonstraram infecção prévia. Destes, 9,8% apresentaram como marcador, apenas o anti- HBs e 32,6% o anti-HBc. Dezenove indivíduos relataram vacinação ao vírus, sendo que 8 soroconverteram para o anti-HBs e 6 apresentaram também o anti-HBc, e os demais não apresentaram qualquer marcador virai. A maior prevalência foi a partir dos 30 anos de idade (p< 0,05). O sexo masculino mostrou percentual superior ao feminino, 29,5% e 21,1% respectivamente (p< 0,05). Quando considerada a prevalência virai em relação a contatos com sangue e/ou pacientes, o percentual de positividade para contactantesfoi 25,9% (p < 0,05), e a maior prevalência do vírus ocorreu a partir de 10 anos de trabalho (p < 0,05). A hemodiálise mostrou-se como setor de maior risco cujo percentual foi de 77,0% (p<0,05).

Bibliografia de heráldica medieval portuguesa

Bibliografia crítica da produção historiográfica respeitante à heráldica portuguesa nos séculos XX e XXI.

Seasonal variation of Lutzomyia longipalpis in Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais

Between October, 1997 and September, 1999 in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais a study of seasonal variation of Lutzomyia longipalpis was carried out in three distinct areas of the municipality. Sand flies were sampled at 15-day intervals in three residences, in each of which two CDC light traps were installed, one indoors and the other in the peridomicile. A total of 397 sand flies were captured in the three areas, with 65%, 30% and 1% of specimens collected in the eastern, northeast and Barreiro districts, respectively. The overall proportions of sand flies collected inside and around the houses were similar (57% vs 43%) and this pattern was seen for both Lutzomyia longipalpis and Lutzomyia whitmani . The highest population levels during the two years of the study were from October to March. From October onwards, numbers increased constantly until February. A gradual fall was seen from April onwards until the lowest levels were reached in the months of June, July and August.

Ocorrência de dermatófitos em amostras de unhas, pés e mãos coletadas de estudantes universitários

Este trabalho teve como objetivo, avaliar a presença de dermatófitos, especificamente em unhas, pés e mãos de estudantes universitários com e sem lesões sugestivas de dermatofitose. Foram coletadas 280 amostras dessas regiões, das quais 31 (11,1%) apresentaram positividade apenas pelo exame direto, e 20 (7,1%) tiveram, além do exame direto positivo, crescimento de dermatófito, mediante cultivo da amostra biológica. T. rubrum foi o dermatófito isolado com maior freqüência (80%), seguido por T. mentagrophytes (20%). Considerando os sítios analisados neste trabalho, a ocorrência de dermatófitos foi observada em 10,4% nas unhas dos pés, 5% nas escamas de pés, 2,5% nas unhas das mãos e apenas 0,4% nas escamas das mãos.