Showing papers by "Oswaldo Cruz Foundation published in 1993"
TL;DR: Thalidomide-induced alleviation of clinical symptoms of ENL was associated with a reduction of TNF alpha levels, and the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and major histocompatibility complex class II antigens on the epidermal keratinocytes was down-regulated.
Abstract: Immunologic and clinical manifestations of erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) and their response to thalidomide therapy were evaluated. Circulating tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) levels were assayed in serum obtained from lepromatous leprosy patients at diagnosis, during multidrug therapy, at the onset of ENL episodes, and during treatment with thalidomide. Patients with systemic ENL demonstrated the highest serum TNF alpha levels, which decreased significantly during thalidomide treatment. Serum TNF alpha in nonreactional patients was associated with mild flu-like symptoms and local inflammatory lesions. Serum interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) was also elevated in patients with high TNF alpha levels. Thalidomide therapy reduced not only serum TNF alpha levels and the clinical symptoms but also the dermal infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and T cells. The expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and major histocompatibility complex class II antigens on the epidermal keratinocytes was also down-regulated. These results indicate that the thalidomide-induced alleviation of clinical symptoms of ENL was associated with a reduction of TNF alpha levels.
368 citations
TL;DR: Clinical course of infection with Leishmania braziliensis in man is associated with specific local patterns of cytokine production, suggesting that the host response to infection appears to be regulated by specific patterns of local cytokineproduction.
Abstract: The host response to infection appears to be regulated by specific patterns of local cytokine production. In the mouse, resistance to many pathogens including Leishmania is associated with a THl cytokine profile, IL-2 and IFN-,y; whereas susceptibility to infection is associated with production of TH2 cytokines, IL4, IL-5, and IL-10. To determine the cytokine patterns of the local immune response to Leishmania infection in humans, we used the polymerase chain reaction to compare cytokine mRNAs in biopsy specimens of American cutaneous leishmaniasis. In localized cutaneous leishmaniasis and the Montenegro delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction, type 1 cytokine mRNAs such as IL-2, IFN-y, and lymphotoxin were relatively predominant. In the chronic and destructive mucocutaneous form of leishmaniasis, there was a mixture of type 1 and type 2 cytokines, with a striking abundance ofIL4mRNA in lesions. These results suggest that clinical course ofinfection with Leishmania braziliensis in man is associated with specific local patterns of cytokine production. (J. Clin. Invest. 1993.
366 citations
TL;DR: The likelihood of bleeding starting within 12 h of administration increased with duration of gestation and it was greater when the drug was used both orally and intravaginally, and misoprostol has an important role as an abortifacient among the women studied.
185 citations
TL;DR: The 7 patients whose mothers attempted to abort using Misoprostol in the first trimester of gestation without success presented with limb defects and in 4 of them a diagnosis of Möbius sequence was made.
Abstract: Misoprostol, a synthetic analog of prostaglandin, has been widely used in Brazil as an abortifacient. Abortion is illegal in Brazil. An uncertain number of these abortion attempts are unsuccessful and the pregnancy continues. We report on 7 patients whose mothers attempted to abort using this drug in the first trimester of gestation without success. The 7 patients presented with limb defects and in 4 of them a diagnosis of Mobius sequence was made. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
177 citations
149 citations
TL;DR: Analysis of band sharing using bands present in all strains of a given zymodeme showed ZB and ZC to be closely related and Z1 and Z2 to form distinct groups.
137 citations
TL;DR: This work summarizes data on Vg structure, synthesis, uptake by oocytes and its fate during embryogenesis, and Insect vitellogenesis is priorized although other oviparous animal groups outside insects are also treated.
Abstract: The eggs from oviparous organisms contain large amounts of vitellus, or yolk, wich are utilized by the growing embryo. Vitellogenesis is the process of vitellus accumulation and involves massive heterosynthetic synthesis of the protein vitellogenin (Vg) and its deposition in the oocyte. This work summarizes data on Vg structure, synthesis, uptake by oocytes and its fate during embryogenesis. The hormonal control of vitellogenesis and its tissue, sex and temporal regulation are also discussed. Where it is available, data on structure and expression of Vg-coding genes are reviewed. Insect vitellogenesis is priorized although other oviparous animal groups outside insects are also treated.
132 citations
TL;DR: Evidence was obtained which supported the view that chagasic patients, treated with nitroheterocyclic drugs, in whom CoML had reverted to negative, might be considered cured despite conventional serology remaining positive.
Abstract: A complement-mediated lysis test (CoML) using living trypomastigotes was compared with conventional serological methods and with haemoculture. Over a 10 years follow-up period evidence was obtained which supported the view that chagasic patients, treated with nitroheterocyclic drugs, in whom CoML had reverted to negative, might be considered cured despite conventional serology remaining positive.
131 citations
TL;DR: A survey of nematode species parasizing Brazilian reptiles is presented, with data enough to provide their specific identification.
Abstract: A survey of nematode species parasizing Brazilian reptiles is presented, with data enough to provide their specific identification. The first section refers to the catalogation of the species, related to 127 superfamilies, 23 families, 55 genera and 121 species that are figured and included in measurement tables. The second section is concerned to the catalogue of host reptiles, with 16 families, and 90 species and their respective parasite nematodes. The identification of these helminths is achieved by means of keys to the superfamilies, families and genera. Specific determination is induced through the figures and tables as above mentioned.
129 citations
TL;DR: The chemotherapy of Chagas' disease remains an unsolved problem, and the search for alternative drugs continues, but only with greater knowledge of the biochemistry of the parasite will it be possible to shift the emphasis of drug research away from random screenings onto a more rational footing.
123 citations
TL;DR: The epidemic was classified as dengue fever, but severe and even fatal cases occurred in association with secondary infection, and Dengue was confirmed by virus isolation and/or IgM capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (MAC-ELISA) in 35·4%) of the cases.
Abstract: During 1990 and 1991, dengue fever was detected in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It occurred in two epidemic waves; one, from January to August 1990, caused predominantly by dengue virus type 1 (DEN-1) the other from October 1990 to May 1991 caused by type 2 virus (DEN-2). Dengue was confirmed by virus isolation and/or IgM capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (MAC-ELISA) in 2109/5964 (35.4%) of the cases. DEN-2 virus was isolated from 180 patients. HAI tests indicated that of these previous infection with DEN-1 had occurred in 130 (72%). The epidemic was classified as dengue fever, but severe and even fatal cases occurred in association with secondary infection.
TL;DR: It is argued that certain interactions between differentiating thymocytes and thymic epithelial cells are mediated by extracellular matrix proteins and that these interactions influence intrathymic migration events andThymocyte differentiation.
TL;DR: Using the method of intraperitoneal inoculation into mice, 11 (13·2%) out of 83 different samples from urban environments in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were positive for Cryptococcus neoformans.
Abstract: Using the method of intraperitoneal inoculation into mice, 11 (13·2%) out of 83 different samples from urban environments in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were positive for Cryptococcus neoformans. Isolation of C. neoformans var. neoformans from wood and plant debris within a tree hollow of Syzygium jambolana (jambolana, Java plum) and the finding of C. neoformans var. gattii in bat guano collected in an old house are discussed with reference to our current knowledge on the ecology of C. neoformans.
TL;DR: It is suggested that the ATP-diphosphohydrolase could regulate the concentration of purine nucleotides around the parasites and hence enable them to escape the host hemostasis by preventing ADP-induced platelet activation.
TL;DR: Infant survival varied among programs and depended heavily on associated malformations, and a large proportion entered the constellation sometimes called "caudal mesoderm spectrum of mal Formations": VATER, Potter, and caudal regression sequences.
TL;DR: Comparison sequence analyses of the C-terminal extensions found for Trypanosoma cruzi and TrypanOSoma brucei reveal the selective conservation of cysteine, as well as proline and glycine residues, suggesting that conservation of folding and secondary structure may be required for biological function.
TL;DR: The occurrence of the disease in women, children and individuals with no contact with forest areas as well as the presence of potential vector species in the domiciliar environment, suggests the transmission of the Disease in this environment.
Abstract: In order to characterize the epidemiology of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) in a periurban area of the municipality of Sabara in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte (MRBH), an area until then considered free of the disease, a cross sectional survey was undertaken in 1990. The survey of the population consisted of 1119 interviews and 881 clinical examinations using Montenegro's skin test (MST). A low prevalence (3.7%) of positive MST was encountered. The disease had been occuring in the area for about 20 years in the form of sporadic cases. The predominant species of sandfly both in domestic areas and nearby areas of secondary vegetation was Lutzomyia whitmani. A canine survey of delayed hypersensitivity to the antigen P10,000 identified only one dog with a positive reaction out of 113 examined. The transmission of ACL in MRBH was confirmed. The occurrence of the disease in women, children and individuals with no contact with forest areas as well as the presence of potential vector species in the domiciliar environment, suggests the transmission of the disease in this environment.
TL;DR: This study compares two methods of diagnosing Chagas' disease and several enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) with regard to specificity and sensitivity, by using human sera with known serologic and parasitologic characteristics, as well as samples with discrepant results on conventional serologic tests.
TL;DR: It is shown that the association of Ketoconazole plus Lovastatin (an inhibitor of sterol synthesis), which has an antiproliferative effect against T. cruzi in vitro, failed to enhance the suppressive effect of Ketconazole displayed when administered alone to infected mice.
Abstract: Ketoconazole, an azole antifungic drug wich is already in the market has also been demonstrated to be active against Trypanosoma Cruzi experimental infections. In this paper we confirmed the drug effect and investigated its range of activity different T.cruzi strains naturally resistant or susceptible to both standard drugs Nifurtimox and Benznidazole plus Lovastatin (an inhibitor of sterol synthesis), wich has an antiproliferative effect against T. cruzi in vitro, failed to enhance the suppressive of Ketoconazole displayed when administered alone to infected mice. Finally, administration in chronic chagasic patients of Ketoconazole at doses used in the treatment of deep mycosis also failed to induce cure as demonstrated by parasitological and serological tests. The strategy of identify and test drugs wich are already in the market and fortuitously are active against T.cruzi has been discussed.
TL;DR: The F2 glycoconjugate can be used in the diagnosis of active Chagas infection, replacing the quantitative determination of complementmediated lysis, and showed 100% sensitivity and specificity.
Abstract: Protective, lytic antibodies are believed to be correlated with active Trypanosoma cruzi infection. In patients with chronic infection, antibodies lysing trypomastigote forms recognize chiefly alpha-galactosyl structures at the parasite surface. The target molecules on cell-derived trypomastigotes that react with anti-alpha-galactosyl antibodies (anti-Gal) from patients with chronic Chagas disease were investigated. Glycoconjugates were isolated from trypomastigotes and shown to absorb purified Chagasic (Ch) anti-Gel effectively as well as lytic antibodies from Ch sera. Active fractions were F2 (74 kD and 95.6 kD) and F3 (120-200 kD). A differential reactivity with antibodies from untreated Ch patients (trypanolytic) and from treated, presumably cured, individuals (not trypanolytic) was evident using F2 and F3 antigenic fractions. No cross-reactivity with heterologous sera (other infections) was observed. The F2 glycoconjugate (mostly 74 kD) can be used in the diagnosis of active Chagas infection, replacing the quantitative determination of complement-mediated lysis. With the present sample of patients' sera and normal human sera, it showed 100% sensitivity and specificity.
TL;DR: Inquerito epidemiologico com o objetivo de estimar o uso de substâncias psicoativas and a prevalencia de alcoolismo was realizado in this paper.
Abstract: Foi realizado Inquerito epidemiologico com o objetivo de estimar o uso de substâncias psicoativas e a prevalencia de alcoolismo. Tomou-se como referencia a populacao de maiores de 13 anos de idade de regiao administrativa da cidade do Rio de Janeiro, RJ (Brasil), da qual se extraiu uma amostra aleatoria de 1.459 individuos. Os resultados referentes ao uso de bebidas alcoolicas e alcoolismo, identificados atraves do teste CAGE, mostraram: prevalencia de 51% para o consumo de alcool e de 3% para alcoolismo, sendo 4,9% em homens e 1,7% em mulheres; maior proporcao de consumidores de alcool e de alcoolistas entre homens de 30 e 49 anos; abstinencia mais frequente entre os viuvos, protestantes e individuos com niveis de renda inferiores.
TL;DR: Optimal processing of different types of clinical samples such as biopsy material, blood and lymph fluid, from multibacillary leprosy patients, was studied, finding simple freezing-boiling cycles in the presence of Triton X100, with some additional sample-specific modifications such as pre-treatment with NaOH to eliminate PCR inhibitors, was found to be sufficient to yield amplification of bacterial DNA in samples from paucibacilla patients.
Abstract: Summary. DNA of Mycobacterium leprae, obtained by a highly efficient nucleic acid extraction procedure, was used for standardisation of the amplification of an M. lepraespecific repetitive sequence by use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). With pure DNA, M. leprae-specific amplification was obtained with as low as 100 ag (1 ag = 10-l' g) of target DNA, a quantity equal to about one-tenth of the bacterial genome. Optimal processing of different types of clinical samples such as biopsy material, blood and lymph fluid, from multibacillary leprosy patients, was studied. Simple freezing-boiling cycles in the presence of Triton X 100, with some additional sample-specific modifications such as pre-treatment with NaOH to eliminate PCR inhibitors, was found to be sufficient to yield amplification of bacterial DNA in samples from paucibacillary patients. Clinical samples from 27 untreated leprosy patients, covering the various clinical forms of the disease, and with a bacterial index ranging from 5 + to 0, were collected and processed for PCR analysis. After hybridisation of the amplified material with a specific sequence, 25 of 27 patients analysed gave positive results for M. leprae in at least one of the samples. The potential of PCR for the diagnosis of leprosy is discussed.
TL;DR: The granulomatous aspect of the lesions indicates a good immunologic reactivity and suggest that a host-parasite equilibrium does exist in the dog experimental model.
Abstract: Pathological aspects of a subclinical form of experimental canine leishmaniasis is reported here for the first time. Fifteen mongrel dogs were used in the present study. Eight dogs were infected and seven were used as control. Four of the control dogs were inoculated with spleen cells from non-infected hamsters. The eight mongrel dogs inoculated intravenously with amastigotes forms of Leishmania chagasi evolved for periods as long as 25 months without any clinical characteristic sign of classical Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL). Most of the laboratory test results were compatible to those of the seven control animals but culture of bone marrow aspirated material and serologic testing (IIF) demonstrated or provided evidence that the animals were infected. The most important and predominant histopathological lesion in infected animals were epithelioid granulomas presented in the liver, spleen, adrenal gland and lung of some animals. Channels containing erythrocytes in some granulomas of the liver suggest that these granulomas are formed inside sinusoidal capillaries. Despite the animals were proved to be infected and presented characteristic histologic lesions, they did not present external signs of disease. The granulomatous aspect of the lesions indicates a good immunologic reactivity and suggest that a host-parasite equilibrium does exist in the dog experimental model.
TL;DR: The dengue epidemic in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil had two peaks following the first virus isolation and affected the inhabitants of 17 counties and both sex and all age groups were affected.
Abstract: Laboratory studies were carried out on 3178 patients with signs and symptoms suggestive of dengue infection from April 1986 to December 1987 in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The epidemic had two peaks following the first virus isolation and affected the inhabitants of 17 counties. Both sex and all age groups were affected. Dengue virus type 1 was isolated from 1039 sera and the number of confirmed cases was increased to 1874 (59%) by MAC-ELISA. Isolation rate confirmed cases reached 80% in the specimens obtained until the 4th day after the onset of disease and viraemia ranged from 10(3.0) to 10(8.5) TCID50/ml.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Results showed that rotavirus had been detected in 13% to 20% of the specimens tested, with positive specimens appearing to peak in the May to September "winter" or dry season in Brazil's central and southern states but not in the more tropical northern areas.
Abstract: In 1984 an enzyme immunoassay for rotavirus and adenovirus developed in the Virology Department of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation was distributed to laboratories in 14 Brazilian states as part of a project to survey viral agents in fecal specimens from children with diarrhea. The ensuing surveillance continued for 3 to 5 years, and in 1991 the results obtained by all laboratories that tested 300 or more fecal specimens were reviewed at a workshop held in Belem. These results showed that rotavirus had been detected in 13% to 20% of the specimens tested, with positive specimens appearing to peak in the May to September "winter" or dry season in Brazil's central and southern states but not in the more tropical northern areas. Adenovirus, detected in 0.7% to 5.5% of the specimens tested for it, showed no seasonal variations. Many other viral agents known to cause gastroenteritis (e.g., astrovirus, small round-structured viruses, calcivirus, and group C rotavirus) were detected at centers that used electron microscopy. Picobirnavirus, a novel agent not yet associated with gastroenteritis in humans, was found by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in specimens from a number of centers using this technique. Vaccines to prevent rotavirus that are currently under development would be of great use in Brazil, where rotavirus is the most common cause of childhood diarrhea. Improved diagnostics will be required to assess the importance of the other viral agents.
TL;DR: Milliamine L, a dianthraniloyl peptide ester of ingenol, was found to be molluscicidal at 4 nM (2.5 μg 1 −1 ) in latex of Euphorbia milii var.
TL;DR: The presence of sequestered parasite antigens, probably being slowly released within the liver, appears to be a major factor in the pathogenesis of hepatic septal fibrosis observed in rats with C. hepatica infection.
Abstract: Fine, long, fibrous septa were observed as a late change developing in the acinar zone III of the liver of rats experimentally infected with the helminth Capillaria hepatica. Hepatic septal fibrosis begun 30 days after inoculation of embryonated eggs into the stomach of rats and became clearly evident from the 40th day onwards. Experimental observation was undertaken for 170 days. Septal fibrosis increased progressively with time and was most marked when the parasitic nodules formed around larvae, disintegrating worms and eggs were involving. Septal fibrosis of the liver has not been previously recognized as a manifestation of hepatic capillariasis. The presence of sequestered parasite antigens, probably being slowly released within the liver, appears to be a major factor in the pathogenesis of hepatic septal fibrosis observed in rats with C. hepatica infection.