Serological evidence of Rickettsia parkeri as the etiological agent of rickettsiosis in Uruguay

We report three new rickettsiosis human cases in Uruguay. The three clinical cases presented clinical manifestations similar to previous reported cases of Rickettsia parkeri in the United States; that is mild fever (< 40 ºC), malaise, headache, rash, inoculation eschar at the tick bite site, regional lymphadenopathy, and no lethality. Serological antibody-absorption tests with purified antigens of R. parkeri and Rickettsia rickettsii, associated with immunofluorescence assay indicated that the patients in two cases were infected by R. parkeri. Epidemiological and clinical evidences, coupled with our serological analysis, suggest that R. parkeri is the etiological agent of human cases of spotted fever in Uruguay, a disease that has been recognized in that country as cutaneous-ganglionar rickettsiosis.

Identification of Toxoplasma gondii antigens involved in the IgM AND IgG indirect hemagglutination tests for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis

Crude Toxoplasma gondii antigens represent raw material used to prepare reagents to be employed in different serologic tests for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis, including the IgM and IgG indirect hemagglutination (IgG-HA and IgM-HA) tests. So far, the actual antigenic molecules of the parasite involved in the interaction with agglutinating anti-T. gondii antibodies in these tests are unknown. The absorption process of serum samples from toxoplasmosis patients with the IgG-HA reagent (G-toxo-HA) demonstrated that red cells from this reagent were coated with T. gondii antigens with Mr of 39, 35, 30, 27, 22 and 14 kDa. The immune-absorption process with the IgM-HA reagent (M-toxo-HA), in turn, provided antibody eluates which recognized antigenic bands of the parasite corresponding to Mr of 54, 35 and 30 kDa, implying that these antigens are coating red cells from this reagent. The identification of most relevant antigens for each type of HA reagent seems to be useful for the inspection of the raw antigenic material, as well as of reagent batches routinely produced. Moreover the present findings can be used to modify these reagents in order to improve the performance of HA tests for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis

Serological evidence of Rickettsia parkeri as the etiological agent of rickettsiosis in Uruguay

We report three new rickettsiosis human cases in Uruguay. The three clinical cases presented clinical manifestations similar to previous reported cases of Rickettsia parkeri in the United States; that is mild fever (< 40 ºC), malaise, headache, rash, inoculation eschar at the tick bite site, regional lymphadenopathy, and no lethality. Serological antibody-absorption tests with purified antigens of R. parkeri and Rickettsia rickettsii, associated with immunofluorescence assay indicated that the patients in two cases were infected by R. parkeri. Epidemiological and clinical evidences, coupled with our serological analysis, suggest that R. parkeri is the etiological agent of human cases of spotted fever in Uruguay, a disease that has been recognized in that country as cutaneous-ganglionar rickettsiosis.

Sexually transmitted infections, bacterial vaginosis, and candidiasis in women of reproductive age in rural Northeast Brazil: a population-based study

Population-based data on sexually transmitted infections (STI), bacterial vaginosis (BV), and candidiasis reflect the epidemiological situation more accurately than studies performed in specific populations, but such data are scarce. To determine the prevalence of STI, BV, and candidiasis among women of reproductive age from a resource-poor community in Northeast Brazil, a population-based cross sectional study was undertaken. All women from seven hamlets and the centre of Pacoti municipality in the state of Ceará, aged 12 to 49 years, were invited to participate. The women were asked about socio-demographic characteristics and genital symptoms, and thereafter examined gynaecologically. Laboratory testing included polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for human papillomavirus (HPV), ligase chain reaction (LCR) for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, ELISA for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) and fluorescent treponema antibody absorption test (FTA-ABS) for syphilis, and analysis of wet mounts, gram stains and Pap smears for trichomoniasis, candidiasis, and BV. Only women who had initiated sexual life were included in the analysis (n = 592). The prevalences of STI were: HPV 11.7% (95% confidence interval: 9.3-14.7), chlamydia 4.5% (3.0-6.6), trichomoniasis 4.1% (2.7-6.1), gonorrhoea 1.2% (0.5-2.6), syphilis 0.2% (0.0-1.1), and HIV 0%. The prevalence of BV and candidiasis was 20% (16.9-23.6) and 12.5% (10.0-15.5), respectively. The most common gynaecological complaint was lower abdominal pain. STI are common in women in rural Brazil and represent an important health threat in view of the HIV pandemic.

Caracterização e correlação do fenômeno pró-zona com títulos de sororeatividade do VDRL e reação de imuno- fluorescência indireta em soros de pacientes com sífilis

AZEVEDO, Luciana Karla Araújo de, et al. Caracterização e correlação do fenômeno pró-zona com títulos de sororeatividade do VDRL e reação de imuno-fluorescência indireta em soros de pacientes com sífilis. Revista Brasileira de Análises Clínicas, Rio de Janeiro, v. 38, n. 2, p. 183-187, 2006.

Sífilis congênita: incidência em recém-nascidos

A sífilis congênita (SC) vem ocupando um lugar de destaque no mundo todo, desde que se observou um aumento no número de casos a partir dos meados de 1980. Apesar do fato de ser uma doença perfeitamente prevenível, a SC permanece como um importante problema de saúde pública. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a incidência de SC em neonatos. A pesquisa foi realizada na Maternidade da Fundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará (FSCMPA), no período de maio a setembro de 1996. Foram entrevistadas 361 mães e realizado o exame físico de seus recém-nascidos (RN). Os soros das puérperas e neonatos foram testados através de 3 métodos: um não treponêmico, Veneral Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) e dois treponêmicos, Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption (FTA-Abs) e Enzime-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Imunoglobina M (IgM). Foi dado o diagnóstico de SC em 9,1% dos conceptos; no que diz respeito a outros fatores relacionados com a doença, encontrou-se que 39,4% dos recém natos com sífilis apresentaram algum sinal sugestivo da infecção; 36,4% das puérperas com sífilis não realizaram o pré-natal; 12,1% dessas puérperas confessaram consumir drogas e a maioria tinha história pregressa de natimortalidade e aborto; a bissexualidade paterna foi significativamente maior no que diz respeito aos recém natos com sífilis em comparação aos sem a moléstia. Investigações mais amplas devem ser realizadas para melhor compreensão das características epidemiológicas da infecção na região amazônica, e para adoção de medidas adequadas para controle e erradicação.

Oral syphilis: report of three cases and characterization of the inflammatory cells

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infectious disease caused by Treponema pallidum. This study reports 3 cases of syphilis and highlights the importance of identifying oral lesions for its final diagnosis. Case 1: a 48-year-old male patient presented with a bleeding ulcer in the lower lip. Overall clinical examination revealed patchy alopecia and skin target lesions. Case 2: a 61-year-old male patient presented with white spots on the lateral tongue and nodules on the dorsum of the tongue. Overall clinical examination showed erythematous target lesions on the abdomen, forearm, palms of the hand, and soles of the feet. Case 3: a 17-year-old male patient presented with an ulcerated lesion on the tongue and lymph node involvement. The following serologic tests were requested: Venereal Disease Research Laboratory, fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption, anti-HIV-1 and anti-HIV-2, and anti-hepatitis C virus. An incisional biopsy revealed epithelial hyperplasia associated with intense and diffuse mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration consisting mainly of plasma cells, in a perivascular and perineural distribution. The final diagnosis in the 3 patients was syphilis. Treatment consisted of 1 weekly dose of penicillin (2.4 million units, intramuscular) for 2 or 3 weeks. Immunohistochemical reactions for XIIIa, CD3, CD20, CD68, CD163, S100, CD1a, CD11c, CD83, CD138, and CD208 were performed. Clinicians should be familiarized with oral syphilis lesions in order to be able to diagnose this emerging infectious disease of variable clinical presentation.

Lyophilized bovine colostrum as a source of immunoglobulins and insulin-like growth factor for newborn goat kids

The objective of this study was to evaluate lyophilized bovine colostrum as an alternative source of passive immunity and insulin like growth factor I (IGF-I) for goat kids, considering newborns consuming non-maternal colostrum. Twenty-nine male newborns received 5% of body weight of lyophilized bovine (LBC) or goat colostrum (GC), both with 55 mg/mL of IgG, at 0, 7 and 14 h of life. Blood samples were collected at 0, 7, 14, 18, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 96 h of life to determine serum IgG, total protein (TP), IGF-I and apparent efficiency of IgG absorption at 7, 14, 18 and 24 h (AEA(7hr), AEA(14hr), AEA(18hr), AEA(total), respectively). In LBC, the values of serum IgG at 14, 18,24 and 48 h (13.1, 13.4, 14.1 and 14.6 mg/mL, respectively) were higher than the values at 0 and 7 h (0.04 and 6.9 mg/mL, respectively). In GC, the serum IgG at 18 h (9.3 mg/mL) was higher than the value at 7 h (5.5 mg/mL). AEA(7hr) and AEA(14hr) in LBC were the same (19.2 and 18.5%, respectively, P>0.05) and the values of AEA(18hr) and AEA(total), 9.3 and 9.5%, respectively, were equal and smaller than AEA(7hr), and AEA(14hr). In GC, AEA(7hr), 20.8%, was higher than AEA(14hr), 16.1% (P<0.05) and AEA(18hr), and AEA(total), 9.2 and 8.0%, respectively, were equal and smaller than AEA(7hr) and AEA(14hr). The serum TP and IGF-I were not affected by colostrum feeding. Considering the variables study in the present work, lyophilized bovine colostrum constitutes a promising alternative substitute to goat colostrum in newborn goat kids, since the supply of immunoglobulins and IGF-I was suitable for the kids. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Caracterização e correlação do fenômeno pró-zona com títulos de sororeatividade do VDRL e reação de imuno- fluorescência indireta em soros de pacientes com sífilis

AZEVEDO, Luciana Karla Araújo de, et al. Caracterização e correlação do fenômeno pró-zona com títulos de sororeatividade do VDRL e reação de imuno-fluorescência indireta em soros de pacientes com sífilis. Revista Brasileira de Análises Clínicas, Rio de Janeiro, v. 38, n. 2, p. 183-187, 2006.

Caracterização e correlação do fenômeno pró-zona com títulos de sororeatividade do VDRL e reação de imuno- fluorescência indireta em soros de pacientes com sífilis

AZEVEDO, Luciana Karla Araújo de, et al. Caracterização e correlação do fenômeno pró-zona com títulos de sororeatividade do VDRL e reação de imuno-fluorescência indireta em soros de pacientes com sífilis. Revista Brasileira de Análises Clínicas, Rio de Janeiro, v. 38, n. 2, p. 183-187, 2006.

Ischemic Stroke as the Initial Manifestation of Neurosyphilis in a Young Adult Patient Positive for Human Immunodeficiency Virus

A 31-year-old man with pontine infarction was referred to our hospital for further evaluation and treatment. At admission, his neurological examination was unremarkable. No lymphadenopathy or skin lesions were found. The Treponema pallidum haemagglutination test, rapid plasma regain test and fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test of immunoglobulin G were positive in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF analysis showed lymphocytic pleocytosis. The patient had male-to-male sexual contact and was found to be HIV positive. Physicians should be aware that acute ischaemic stroke may be the first manifestation of neurosyphilis in a young adult, especially with HIV infection.

Pharmacokinetics and posterior segment biodistribution of ESBA105, an anti-TNF-alpha single-chain antibody, upon topical administration to the rabbit eye.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to characterize local distribution and systemic absorption of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitory single-chain antibody fragment (scFv) ESBA105 following topical administration to the eye in vivo. METHODS: Rabbits received ESBA105 as topical eye drops in two dosing regimens. First, pharmacokinetics after the topical route of administration was compared to the intravenous (i.v.) route by means of applying the identical cumulative daily dose of ESBA105. In a second study rabbits received five eye drops daily for six consecutive days in a lower frequency topical dosing regimen. Kinetics and biodistribution of ESBA105 in ocular tissues and fluids as well as in sera were determined in all animals. RESULTS: After topical administration to the eye, ESBA105 quickly reaches therapeutic concentrations in all ocular compartments. Systemic exposure after topical administration is 25,000-fold lower than exposure after i.v. injection of the identical cumulative daily dose. ESBA105 levels in vitreous humor and neuroretina are significantly higher on topical administration than after i.v. injection. Absolute and relative intraocular biodistribution of ESBA105 is different with topical and systemic delivery routes. Compared to its terminal half-life in circulation (7 hours), the vitreal half-life of ESBA105 is significantly enhanced (16-24 hours). CONCLUSIONS: On topical administration, ESBA105 is efficiently absorbed and distributed to all compartments of the eye, whereby systemic drug exposure is very low. Based on its unique intraocular biodistribution and pharmacokinetics and the absolute intraocular levels reached, topical ESBA105 appears highly attractive for treatment of various ophthalmological disorders.

Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytolysis of human colon carcinoma cells induced by specific antisera against carcinoembryonic antigen.

Antibody-dependent lymphocyte cytotoxicity against human colon carcinoma cells grown in vitro was demonstrated with rabbit anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) antisera and normal human lymphocytes. The same antisera produced no tumor cell lysis in a complement-dependent cytotoxicity test. The specificity of the reaction was demonstrated by the inhibition of antibody-dependent lymphocyte cytotoxicity after the addition of increasing amounts of purified CEA to the antiserum and by the fact that only tumor cell lines expressing CEA on their surface were lysed. Antibody-dependent lymphocyte cytotoxicity was also observed against two colon carcinoma cell lines that expressed Blood Group A antigen, using a human serum containing anti-Blood Group A antibodies of the immunoglobulin G class. This reaction was specifically inhibited by absorption with Blood Group A red cells, whereas the anti-CEA-dependent cytotoxicity was not inhibited by absorption with red cells of different blood groups.

Antibody Recognition Of Plasmodium Falciparum Infected Red Blood Cells By Symptomatic And Asymptomatic Individuals In The Brazilian Amazon.

In the Amazon Region, there is a virtual absence of severe malaria and few fatal cases of naturally occurring Plasmodium falciparum infections; this presents an intriguing and underexplored area of research. In addition to the rapid access of infected persons to effective treatment, one cause of this phenomenon might be the recognition of cytoadherent variant proteins on the infected red blood cell (IRBC) surface, including the var gene encoded P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1. In order to establish a link between cytoadherence, IRBC surface antibody recognition and the presence or absence of malaria symptoms, we phenotype-selected four Amazonian P. falciparum isolates and the laboratory strain 3D7 for their cytoadherence to CD36 and ICAM1 expressed on CHO cells. We then mapped the dominantly expressed var transcripts and tested whether antibodies from symptomatic or asymptomatic infections showed a differential recognition of the IRBC surface. As controls, the 3D7 lineages expressing severe disease-associated phenotypes were used. We showed that there was no profound difference between the frequency and intensity of antibody recognition of the IRBC-exposed P. falciparum proteins in symptomatic vs. asymptomatic infections. The 3D7 lineages, which expressed severe malaria-associated phenotypes, were strongly recognised by most, but not all plasmas, meaning that the recognition of these phenotypes is frequent in asymptomatic carriers, but is not necessarily a prerequisite to staying free of symptoms.

Absorption of metals and characterization of chemical elements present in three species of Gracilaria (Gracilariaceae) Greville: a genus of economical importance

Gracilaria Greville is a genus of seaweed that is economically explored by the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries. One of the biggest problems associated with growing Gracilaria is the discharge of heavy metals into the marine environment. The absorption of heavy metals was investigated with the macroalga Gracilaria tenuistipitata Zhang et Xia, cultivated in a medium containing copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd). In biological samples, EC50 concentrations of 1 ppm for cadmium and 0.95 ppm for copper were used. These concentrations were based on seaweed growth curves obtained over a period of six days in previous studies. ICP-AES was used to determine the amount of metal that seaweeds absorbed during this period. G. tenuistipitata was able to bioaccumulate both metals, about 17% of copper and 9% of cadmium. Basal natural levels of Cu were found in control seaweeds and in G. tenuistipitata exposed to Cd. In addition, the repertoire of other important chemical elements, as well as their concentrations, was determined for G. tenuistipitata and two other important seaweeds, G. birdiae Plastino & Oliveira and G. domingensis (Kützing) Sonder ex Dickie, collected in natural environments on the Brazilian shore.