The Role of Inflammatory, Anti-Inflammatory, and Regulatory Cytokines in Patients Infected with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Amazonas State, Brazil

The authors discuss in this paper the role of inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and regulatory cytokines in patients infected with different species of Leishmania in Amazonas State, Brazil. A comparative analysis was made of serum concentrations of these cytokines in the peripheral blood of 33 patients infected with cutaneous leishmaniasis. The isolates were identified as Leishmania guyanensis, L. naiffi, and L. amazonensis. Most (64%) of the patients were male ranging in age from 18 to 58 years. Protein expression profiles of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17 cytokines were shown to vary significantly between infected and noninfected (control group) individuals and according to the Leishmania species. Infection caused by L. guyanensis accounted for 73% of the cases and patients with this parasite also showed higher concentrations of IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17 when compared to infection by L. amazonensis. Patients with infection caused by L. naiffi showed higher concentration of the cytokines analyzed when compared to uninfected patients; however, there was no statistically significant difference with the other species analyzed

The Role of Inflammatory, Anti-Inflammatory, and Regulatory Cytokines in Patients Infected with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Amazonas State, Brazil

The authors discuss in this paper the role of inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and regulatory cytokines in patients infected with different species of Leishmania in Amazonas State, Brazil. A comparative analysis was made of serum concentrations of these cytokines in the peripheral blood of 33 patients infected with cutaneous leishmaniasis. The isolates were identified as Leishmania guyanensis, L. naiffi, and L. amazonensis. Most (64%) of the patients were male ranging in age from 18 to 58 years. Protein expression profiles of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17 cytokines were shown to vary significantly between infected and noninfected (control group) individuals and according to the Leishmania species. Infection caused by L. guyanensis accounted for 73% of the cases and patients with this parasite also showed higher concentrations of IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17 when compared to infection by L. amazonensis. Patients with infection caused by L. naiffi showed higher concentration of the cytokines analyzed when compared to uninfected patients; however, there was no statistically significant difference with the other species analyzed. © 2014 Thaís Tibery Espir et al

The Role of Inflammatory, Anti-Inflammatory, and Regulatory Cytokines in Patients Infected with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Amazonas State, Brazil

The authors discuss in this paper the role of inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and regulatory cytokines in patients infected with different species of Leishmania in Amazonas State, Brazil. A comparative analysis was made of serum concentrations of these cytokines in the peripheral blood of 33 patients infected with cutaneous leishmaniasis. The isolates were identified as Leishmania guyanensis, L. naiffi, and L. amazonensis. Most (64%) of the patients were male ranging in age from 18 to 58 years. Protein expression profiles of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-, TNF-, and IL-17 cytokines were shown to vary significantly between infected and noninfected (control group) individuals and according to the Leishmania species. Infection caused by L. guyanensis accounted for 73% of the cases and patients with this parasite also showed higher concentrations of IL-2, IFN-, IL-4, and IL-17 when compared to infection by L. amazonensis. Patients with infection caused by L. naiffi showed higher concentration of the cytokines analyzed when compared to uninfected patients; however, there was no statistically significant difference with the other species analyzed

Evaluation of different diagnostic methods of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the Brazilian Amazon

Epidemiological studies have been conducted to better understand the dynamics of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) in the Amazon region where distinct species of Leishmania circulate. In endemic areas, the optimal diagnosis must be made in the earlier clinical presentation to avoid the complications of chronic disease. The scarcity of financial support, laboratory infrastructure and trained persons are the major obstacles in this reality. This paper describes the result of performing different diagnostic methods for ACL in Amazonas State between the years 2010 and 2011. The tests used were the intradermal skin test (Montenegro's skin test), ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay), direct examination, culture isolation and identification of Leishmania species. A total of 38 suspected human cases of ACL were diagnosed by different methods, of which 71.0% (n = 27) were positive by direct examination, 75.6% (n = 28) had positivity in the culture isolates and, of these, 54.0% (n = 19) had infection with Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis. The positivity of the intradermal skin test with the leishmanin solution was observed in 77.0% of cases analyzed and the serology with detection of IgG and IgM showed the presence of antibodies in 100% of exams realized results, showing variation in the titles of antibodies. The success of Leishmaniasis treatment depends on an effective and early diagnosis. Parasitological diagnosis is highly specific, but sensitivity is subject to variation because the tissue distribution of parasites generally is not homogeneous and depends on the specie of parasite. Moreover, parasitological tests require invasive procedures and depend on restrictive conditions for the collection of biological sample, which limit their use in large-scale for epidemiological studies. ELISA has been the most widely used serological method for the diagnosis of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) as it is easy to perform and has a low cost. However, flaws in specificity are observed in the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Actually the diagnosis needs to be done as an associated methods depending on the question to be solved. © 2016 Elsevier Inc

Avaliação da linfoproliferação de células mononucleares de pacientes com leishmaniose cutânea frente a Libidibia ferrea

American integumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) is a neglected disease that mostly affects vulnerable populations. Its broad spectrum of clinical manifestations is related to the type of immune response produced by the host and the species of Leishmania involved. In recent years, the use of medicinal plants has become a therapeutic alternative in the treatment of infectious parasitic diseases. This research aimed to evaluate the lymphoproliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) before and after treatment, and healthy individuals. The lymphoproliferative response was evaluated in cell culture using stimuli of the dichloromethane fraction (DCM) obtained from Libidibia ferrea, Glucantime® and phytohemagglutinin - PHA using a BrdU Cell Proliferation after 72 h of incubation. In cultures treated with the DCM fraction, intense induction of lymphoproliferation was observed (p<0.0001), as was also observed in response to the PHA mitogen, and there was a significant difference when compared with the conventional treatment (p<0.0135). In the post-treatment and healthy groups, although the compound induced lymphoproliferation, there was no statistical difference. These results suggest that the organic compound played an important inducing role in lymphoproliferation, which highlights the importance of continuity involving new studies in order to evaluate its immunomodulatory activity.A leishmaniose tegumentar americana (LTA) é uma doença negligenciada que acomete majoritariamente populações vulneráveis. Seu amplo espectro de manifestações clínicas é relacionado ao tipo de resposta imunológica produzida pelo hospedeiro e a espécie de Leishmania envolvida. Nos últimos anos, o uso de plantas medicinais vem sendo uma alternativa terapêutica no tratamento de doenças infectoparasitárias. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar as respostas linfoproliferativas de células mononucleares do sangue periférico (PBMCs) de pacientes com leishmaniose cutânea (LC) antes e após tratamento e de indivíduos sadios. A resposta linfoproliferativa foi avaliada em cultura de células frente a estímulos da fração diclorometânica (DCM) obtida de Libidibia ferrea, Glucantime® e phytohemagglutinin - PHA utilizando BrdU Cell Proliferation após 72h de incubação. Nas culturas tratadas com a fração DCM foi observada em todos os grupos intensa indução da linfoproliferação (p<0,0001), apresentando diferença significativa ao comparar com o tratamento convencional no grupo de pacientes pós-tratamento (p<0,0135). Estes resultados sugerem que o composto orgânico desempenhou importante ação indutora na linfoproliferação ressaltando a importância da continuidade com novos estudos a fim de avaliar sua atividade imunomodulatória

Avaliação in vitro da atividade imunomoduladora do complexo de cobre(I) e Libidibia ferrea na leishmaniose cutânea

A leishmaniose é considerada pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) uma das doenças tropicais mais negligenciadas do mundo. A resposta imune do hospedeiro é crucial para a eliminação do parasito e, embora o perfil Th1 esteja associado ao controle de infecções, se não for modulado, pode causar dano tecidual. O tratamento da leishmaniose cutânea (LC) ainda é um desafio, pois não é adaptado ao contexto dos pacientes, é longo, tóxico e invasivo. Assim, este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a linfoproliferação e a dosagem de citocinas induzidas por compostos bioativos de origem vegetal e inorgânica, com ação antileishmania, por meio de células mononucleares do sangue periférico (PBMCs) de pacientes com LC. A linfoproliferação foi avaliada contra os estímulos do extrato metanólico e fração de Libidibia ferrea, complexo de cobre e fitohemaglutinina usando um kit ELISA de proliferação celular BrdU após 72 horas de incubação. A dosagem de IL-6, IL-8 e IL-1β foi determinada usando um kit de citocina humana Th1/Th2/Th17 BD™ cytometric bead array (CBA). Nossos resultados indicam que as substâncias bioativas estimularam significativamente a linfoproliferação in vitro de PBMCs (Cu(I) p<0,000; LFME p<0,02) e os pacientes apresentaram níveis mais elevados de IL-6 e IL-8 antes do tratamento. Sugere-se, portanto, que esses compostos bioativos possam aumentar a resposta imune celular.As leishmanioses são consideradas pela Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS) uma das doenças tropicais mais negligenciadas do mundo. A resposta imunológica do hospedeiro é determinante para eliminação do parasito e apesar do perfil Th1 estar associado ao controle da infecção, se não modulado, pode ocasionar danos teciduais. O tratamento da leishmaniose cutânea (LC) ainda é um desafio pois não é adaptado ao contexto dos pacientes, são longos, tóxicos e invasivos. Desse modo, este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a linfoproliferação e dosagem de citocinas induzidas por bioativos de origem vegetal e inorgânica, com ação antileishmania, através de células mononucleares do sangue periférico (PBMC) de pacientes com LC.  A linfoproliferação foi avaliada frente a estímulos do extrato metanólico e Fração de Libidibia ferrea, complexo de cobre e Phytohemagglutinin utilizando BrdU Cell Proliferation ELISA Kit após 72h de incubação. A dosagem das citocinas IL-6, IL-8 e IL-1β foi determinada por BD™ Cytometric Bead Array (CBA) Human Th1/Th2/Th17 Cytokine Kit. Nossos resultados indicam que os bioativos estimularam significativamente a linfoproliferação in vitro de PBMC (Cu(I) p<0,000; LFME p<0,02) e pacientes apresentaram maiores níveis de IL-6 e IL-8 antes do tratamento. Sugere-se então que estes bioativos podem potencializar a resposta imune celular

New human case reports of cutaneous leishmaniasis by Leishmania (Viannia) naiffi in the Amazon region, Brazil

ABSTRACT Few cases of human cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania naiffi were described in the medical literature. The aim of this study was to report and analyze new cases of L. naiffi in the period between the years 1992 to 2011. The strains were characterized by isoenzyme analysis. All patients assisted had small lesions; ranging from 1.0x1.0 mm and 13.5x11.5 mm. The lesions observed were widely distributed: 55.5% on the lower limb, 5.5% in the abdominal area, 16.6% on upper limb and 22.2% in upper limb and back. Seventy-two percent of patients had ulcerated lesions. Clinical course of the disease varied from 1 to 10 months. According to gender, most infected individuals were men (83.3%). The patients came from Amazonas (10), Par

Digestive endoscopy a risk factor for Hepatitis C virus transmission

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-07T19:33:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license.txt: 1748 bytes, checksum: 8a4605be74aa9ea9d79846c1fba20a33 (MD5) 150.pdf: 554095 bytes, checksum: 88ee502baac237189803b794debad5cd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saúde. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.A hepatite C constitui, na atualidade, um dos maiores problemas de saúde pública. A transmissão do vírus da hepatite C pode-se dar através da transfusão de sangue, uso de drogas intravenosas, uso de cocaína intranasal, transplantes de órgãos por parte de doadores infectados, cirurgias, procedimentos odontológicos e endoscopias. A provável transmissão interpessoal da infecção pelo HCV por endoscopia aumentou a preocupação com os procedimentos endoscópicos, os estudos demonstram uma alta taxa de contaminação do endoscópio após procedimentos em pacientes HCV positivos. Determinar o risco de transmissão do HCV pela endoscopia digestiva. Estudo caso-controle em doadores de sangue. Foi aplicado um questionário padrão envolvendo diversos fatores de risco para a transmissão da hepatite C. Foram selecionados 54 doadores com sorologia positiva para o HCV (caso) e 199 doadores com sorologia negativa para o HCV (controle) de ambos os sexos com idade entre 18 e 65 e que doaram sangue até dezembro de 2002. Realizou-se também uma enquête em cinco serviços públicos de endoscopia digestiva, com o intuito de observar as diversas técnicas e materiais utilizados na limpeza e desinfecção do endoscópio. Dos 54 doadores HCV positivos, 40 (74,1 por cento) nunca fizeram endoscopia digestiva, 14 (25,9 por cento) fizeram o procedimento antes da detecção do vírus. Em relação ao grupo controle, dos 199 doadores com sorologia negativa para o HCV, 176 (88,4 por cento) nunca fizeram endoscopia e 23 (11,6 por cento) realizaram o procedimento. A associação da endoscopia digestiva e soropositividade para o HCV foi estatisticamente positiva, (OR= 2,68 e p=O,015). Dos cinco serviços públicos de endoscopia digestiva, 100 por cento utilizam água e detergente enzimático para realização da limpeza e desinfecção do endoscópio, 60 por cento realizam a esterilização em solução com glutaraldeído durante 15 minutos, 60 por cento dos funcionários possuem nível médio de escolaridade, apenas 20 por cento dos serviços possuem procedimento operacional padrão (POP) e nenhum deles recebeu vistoria da vigilância sanitária. Nossos dados mostram que a endoscopia digestiva pode ser um fator de risco para a transmissão do HCV, em especial, quando medidas adequadas de limpeza e desinfecção dos endoscópios e seus acessórios não são aplicadas corretamente.Hepatitis C represents, nowadays, one of the largest healthcare issues. The hepatitis C virus may be transmitted by blood transfusion, intravenous drug abuse, intranasal cocaine usage, organ transplantation from infected donors, surgery, odonthologic procedures and endoscopy. The likelihood of interpersonal transmission of HCV through endoscopy has raised concern with such procedure. Recent studies have shown a high chance of contamination of the endoscopes after procedures in HCV infected patients. To evaluate the risk of transmission of HCV through digestive endoscopy. Case-control study in blood donors. A standard questionnaire form was applied involving several known risk factors for hepatitis C transmission. We selected 54 blood donors whose serology for HCV was found positive (case group) and 199 blood donors with negative HCV tests (control group). Individuals included were from both sexes with ages between 18 and 65 years. Only individuals having donated blood until December, 2002 were included. We also undertook an enquire in five State digestive endoscopy services aiming to watch and evaluate different procedures and materials used for the cleaning and disinfection of the endoscope. Among 54 HCV positive donors, 40 (74,1%) had never been submitted to endoscopy and 14 (25,9%) had had endoscopy before viral detection. In the control group, from 199 HCV soronegative blood donors, 176 (88,4%)had never had endoscopy and 23 (11,6%) were submitted to the procedure. The association of digestive endoscopy and HCV seropositivity was statistically significant (OR= 2,68) e p=0,015. All visited endoscopy services used water and enzymatic detergent for cleaning and disinfecting the endoscopes, 60% would sterilize their instruments with glutaraldehyde during 15 minutes, 60% of the working staff had secondary (high-school) education, only 20% of the services had written standard operational procedures and none had ever been inspected by public health agents. Our data show that digestive endoscopy may be a risk factor for HCV transmission, in special, when the appropriate measures of cleaning and disinfection of the endoscopes and their accessories are not applied correctly