Cássia Rejane Brito Leal

Foco emergente de leishmaniose visceral em Mato Grosso do Sul

This study, realized from October 2000 to January 2003 describes the clinical epidemiological characteristics of visceral leishmaniasis in Tres Lagoas, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. A total of 149 cases were confirmed, with a predominance of the male gender (71.1%). The principal age group was aged 0 to 4 years old (42%). The clinical picture included fever (97.3%), esplenomegaly (85.9%) and anemia (75.8%). Associated infections were seen in 32 patients (21.5%), pneumonia being most common. Changes registered in the laboratory included a median hemoglobin level of 8mg/dl and 3,100 leucocytes/mm3. Bone marrow smears were positive in 90.6% of patients. Of the 97.9% patients treated, 78.2% used pentavalent antimony. Mortalities occurred in 8% of cases, half of these with associated infection. Taken together, these data suggest changes in the physiographical occurrence of visceral leishmaniasis in this locality, with expansion and urbanization of the disease, requiring greater attention for early diagnosis and treatment.

Evidence that lipopolisaccharide may contribute to the cytokine storm and cellular activation in patients with visceral leishmaniasis.

Background Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is characterized by parasite-specific immunosuppression besides an intense pro-inflammatory response. Lipopolisaccharide (LPS) has been implicated in the immune activation of T-cell deficient diseases such as HIV/AIDS and idiopathic lymphocytopenia. The source of LPS is gram-negative bacteria that enter the circulation because of immunological mucosal barrier breakdown. As gut parasitization also occurs in VL, it was hypothesized that LPS may be elevated in leishmaniasis, contributing to cell activation. Methodology/Principal Findings Flow cytometry analysis and immunoassays (ELISA and luminex micro-beads system) were used to quantify T-cells and soluble factors. Higher LPS and soluble CD14 levels were observed in active VL in comparison to healthy subjects, indicating that LPS was bioactive; there was a positive correlation between these molecules (r = 0.61;p<0.05). Interestingly, LPS was negatively correlated with CD4+ (r = −0.71;p<0.01) and CD8+ T-cells (r = −0.65;p<0.05). Moreover, higher levels of activation-associated molecules (HLA-DR, CD38, CD25) were seen on T lymphocytes, which were positively associated with LPS levels. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) were also augmented in VL patients. Consistent with the higher immune activation status, LPS levels were positively correlated with the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 (r = 0.63;p<0.05), IL-8 (r = 0.89;p<0.05), and MIF (r = 0.64;p<0.05). Also, higher plasma intestinal fatty acid binding protein (IFABP) levels were observed in VL patients, which correlated with LPS levels (r = 0.57;p<0.05). Conclusions/Significance Elevated levels of LPS in VL, in correlation with T-cell activation and elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines and MIF indicate that this bacterial product may contribute to the impairment in immune effector function. The cytokine storm and chronic immune hyperactivation status may contribute to the observed T-cell depletion. LPS probably originates from microbial translocation as suggested by IFABP levels and, along with Leishmania antigen-mediated immune suppression, may play a role in the immunopathogenesis of VL. These findings point to possible benefits of antimicrobial prophylaxis in conjunction with anti-Leishmania therapy.

Asymptomatic infection in family contacts of patients with human visceral leishmaniasis in Três Lagoas, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil

The Brazilian city of Três Lagoas, Mato Grosso do Sul State, has experienced an urban outbreak of visceral leishmaniasis since 2000. In 2002, due to the increase in the number of cases, 46 families with cases of visceral leishmaniasis were studied to verify the prevalence of asymptomatic infection in household contacts. Indirect immunofluorescence and ELISA showed a 36.4% positive infection rate. There were no cases of symptomatic disease among these contacts. There was no statistically significant difference in gender or age. Median age was 21 years, and the 10-19-year age bracket was the most heavily affected (23%). As for family characteristics, no differences were observed in schooling or family income; most families (58.7%) owned their homes, which were built of masonry (97.8%) and had adequate infrastructure. All the families reported what were probably phlebotomine sand flies in the peridomicile. In conclusion, asymptomatic visceral leishmaniasis infection is frequent and occurs in both males and females, regardless of age.

Resíduo da extração de própolis como inibidor bacteriano in vitro

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of residues extraction hydroalcoholic of propolis, green and brown, on the development of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The crude propolis was obtained from “Companhia da Abelha” in Contagem, Minas Gerais. The green propolis derived from “alecrim-do-campo” (Baccharis dracunculifolia), and the brown propolis derived from “alecrim-do-campo” (B. dracunculifolia) and “assa-peixe” (Vernonia polyanthes). We used five levels of inclusion (0; 0.625; 0.125; 0.25; 0.5g) of the residue, and control for the inoculum (CI) and six bacterial strains, two of which are Gram-positive and four Gram-negative. The method used was to count colony-forming units in petri dishes (pour plate). Among the Gram-positive bacteria, the greatest inhibitory effect was detected for Staphylococcus aureus strains, and increased susceptibility was observed for Escherichia coli among Gram-negative bacteria. There was antimicrobial effect of the residue of the propolis extract on S. aureus and S. intermedius. The residue of brown propolis extract showed greater inhibition for S. intermedius only in 0.5 and 0.25g of residue inclusion levels. There was no effect of residues extraction hydroalcoholic of propolis, green and brown on the growth of Pseudomonas. The residues of the extraction of propolis green and brown acted as inhibitors of growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus intermedius and Escherichia coli, and to a lesser extent Salmonella and Klebsiella. The residue has greater inhibitory effect on Gram-positive bacteria.

Atividade antibacteriana in vitro da própolis marrom

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of brown propolis, by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The alcoholic extract of propolis was obtained from 35g of crude propolis macerated in 65mL of cereals alcohol. Dilutions of propolis extracts used were: 75mg/mL; 56.4mg/mL; 37.5mg/mL; 18.9mg/mL; 9.3mg/mL; 4.5mg/mL, and 2.25mg/mL. Thirty-two Gram-positive bacteria isolates were used: Rhodococcus equi, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus hyicus, Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp.; and the thirty-two Gram-negative bacteria isolated were: Enterobacter agglomerans, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas sp., Salmonella sp., and Serratia rubidaea, obtained from infectious clinical processes of domestic animals, and stored in the Laboratory of Bacteriology of FAMEZ/UFMS. The brown propolis extract showed antibacterial activity with MIC ranging from 2.25 to 18.9mg/ml for Gram-positive bacteria and 4.5 to 18.9mg/ml for Gram-negative bacteria, and bacteria from cattle and dogs were more resistant. It was concluded that brown propolis has antibacterial action, but the effect depends on the species of the bacterium and its origin.

First genetic identification of Cryptosporidium parvum subtype IIaA14G2R1in beef cattle in Brazil.

The presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in a cattle herd registered with an outbreak of diarrhea was investigated and the the molecular subtyping of Cryptosporidium parvum was characterized. Fecal samples from 85 Nellore beef cattle (Bos indicus) were collected and examined with Ziehl-Neelsen modified staining method. Fifty-four cattle (63.52%) had Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in their feces. Fragments of genes encoding the 18S ribosomal RNA subunit and a 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) were amplified by nested PCR accomplished in the 11 most heavily parasitized samples, and the amplicons were sequenced. Eight of the 11 analyzed samples were positive for 18S rRNA sequences and identified monospecific infections with C. parvum. Seven samples were positive for gp60 and identified subtypes IIaA15G2R1 (6/11) and IIaA14G2R1 (1/11). This report is the first for C. parvum subtype IIaA14G2R1 in beef cattle in Brazil.

Estimativas de perdas econômicas causadas por reação granulomatosa local após uso de vacina oleosa contra febre aftosa em bovinos de Mato Grosso do Sul

Lesions caused by excessive reaction to foot and mouth vaccine were observed in 1,815 out of 5,000 cattle slaughtered in a slaughterhouse under federal meat inspection. Such lesions resulted in condemnation of the affect parts of the carcasses in accordance with the Brazilian Federal Meat Inspection Regulations. The affected cattle had been vaccinated on May 2012 and then slaughtered in September of the same year. They were allotted to two groups with 1,500 (Groups 1) and 315 cattle (Group 2). Post vaccination lesions were characterized as salient, firm variable sized nodules multifocally distributed in the musculature of the lateral neck. Pus oozed at the cut surface of these nodules. Samples of 28 cattle were submitted for histopathological examination; main findings were pyogranulomas with central variable-sized clear spaces surrounded by marked infiltrate of viable and dead neutrophils, which were surrounded by epithelioid macrophages with vacuolated cytoplasm and occasional multinucleated giant cell. This inflammatory reaction was walled by abundant connective tissue infiltrated by lymphocytes and plasma cells. Samples of the lesion of six cattle were submitted to bacteriological culture with negative results. When affected carcasses went through dressing, there was an average of 1.8 and 2.0 kg of muscle tissue cut off from the carcasses respectively of Group 1 and 2. Economic losses in the farm of origin of the affected cattle was R

Photoinactivation effect of eosin methylene blue and chlorophyllin sodium-copper against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

20,424.00, considering the price paid by kg of cattle for slaughter at the time of the occurrence. This amount at that time was enough to buy 29.17 weaned calves for fattening. If one considers theses 5,000 cattle vaccinated on the farm as the population at risk, the morbidity rate would be 0.36%. These results indicate that the losses due to vaccine reaction, even with no overt clinical signs, may cause important economic losses.