Cytokine profile associated with chronic and acute human schistosomiasis mansoni

The production and regulation of interleukin (IL) IL-13, IL-4 and interferon-gamma (IFN-³) was evaluated in 43 schistosomiasis patients with different clinical forms. Whole-blood cultures cytokine production in response to soluble egg antigen (SEA), soluble worm adult preparation (SWAP), mitogens, neutralizing antibodies or recombinant IL-13 were measured by ELISA. After SWAP stimulation, chronic patients, particularly hepatointestinals, produced higher levels of IL-4 in comparison with acute patients, suggesting the presence of a type 2 cytokine profile in these patients. Following SEA and SWAP stimulation, hepatosplenic (HS) patients showed increased levels of IFN-³ when compared with acute patients, indicating that HS disease in humans is associated with a type 1 cytokine response. The mechanisms of immune regulation are apparently different between the clinical stages of the disease, some of which are antigen-specific

Atendimento pré-hospitalar móvel em Fortaleza, Ceará: a visão dos profissionais envolvidos Mobile pre-hospital care in Fortaleza, Ceará: the vision of professionals involved

Com o objetivo de descrever variáveis sociodemográficas, profissionais e operacionais das diferentes categorias envolvidas no Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência, bem como a percepção destas quanto à adequação do serviço oferecido às diretrizes da Política Nacional de Atenção às Urgências, foi realizado um estudo transversal, mediante um questionário autoaplicável, em 2007/2008. Os 89 pesquisados apontaram comprometimento da estrutura física (60,7%); escassez de materiais (82,0%); incipiência de recursos humanos (37,1%); mau estado de conservação e número insuficiente de ambulâncias (67,4%). 98,9% admitiram que há integração com outros serviços, com diferença estatística entre as categorias profissionais (p = 0,037). A terceirização predominou entre 71,4% dos médicos e 84,2% dos enfermeiros (p < 0,001). A capacitação específica foi confirmada por 79,8% e a atualização por 88,8% dos profissionais. A média de tempo de resposta total foi de 29 minutos (dp ± 14,8) e 65,2% afirmaram conhecer a política. Este estudo evidenciou que o pré-hospitalar é um serviço com problemas estruturais e de planejamento, nos quais se destacaram a precariedade das condições de trabalho e a fragilidade dos vínculos.<br>A cross-sectional study based on a self-administered questionnaire was performed in 2007/2008, with the objective of describing sociodemographic, professional, and operating variables of the various professional categories involved in the Mobile Emergency Care Service, and the perception of the compliance of the service offered with the guidelines of the National Emergency Care Policy. All 89 participants indicated deficient physical structure (60.7%); shortage of materials (82.0%); unskilled human resources (37.1%); poor conservation conditions and insufficient number of ambulances (67.4%); 98.9% admitted the existence of integration with other services, with some statistical differences among professional categories (p = 0.037). Outsourcing prevailed among 71.4% of physicians and 84.2% of nurses (p < 0.001). Specific capacity building was confirmed by 79.8%, and update by 88.8% of professionals. Total average response time was 29 minutes (SD ± 14.8), and 65.2% acknowledged knowing the policy. This study showed that pre-hospital care services have structural and planning problems, among which poor working conditions and fragile ties stand out

The effect of Zymomonas mobilis culture on experimental Schistosoma mansoni infection O efeito da cultura de Zymomonas mobilis na infecção experimental por Schistosoma mansoni

C57Bl/10 male mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni were distributed into mixed, prophylactic and curative groups. A culture of Zymomonas mobilis was orally administered to mice. A 61% protection from the infection was observed in the curative group (p <0.05). Histopathological study of the livers and intestines showed similar results.<br>Camundongos C57Bl/10 do sexo masculino, infectados com Schistosoma mansoni foram distribuídos nos grupos misto, profilático e curativo. Cultura de Zymomonas mobilis foi administrada oralmente aos camundongos. Uma proteção de 61% foi observada no grupo curativo (p<0,05). Os estudos histopatológicos dos fígados e intestinos mostraram resultados similares