Importância dos animais sinantrópicos no controle da endemia chagásica

Emphasis is layed upon the fact that in some areas, the routine methods used to control vectors of Chagas' disease, must be complemented by seizure activities of T. cruzi reservoirs, specially marsupials (Didelphis) and rodents (Rattus). A study was undertaken in some municipal districts of the Administrative Region of Campinas, State of S. Paulo, where the presence of reservoirs and peridomestic triatomines (Panstrongylus megistus) allow favourable conditions for the reintroduction of the domiciliary parasitic cycle. The results of the search of Trypanosoma type cruzi in these triatomines and the mentioned reservoirs are commented. Their association with the precipitin reaction in order to allow detection of the type of blood ingested by the P. megistus captured in the houses was studied.Foi salientado que, em certas áreas, os métodos de rotina no controle dos vetores da doença de Chagas necessitam ser complementados por atividades de captura de resrevatórios do T. cruzi, especialmente no caso, marsupiais (Didelphis) e roedores (Rattus). Foram citados trabalhos realizados em alguns municípios da Região Administrativa 5 - Campinas, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, onde a presença de reservatórios e triatomíneos semi-domiciliários (Panstrongylus megistus), nas moradias, propiciam condições à reintrodução do ciclo domiciliar do parasita. São comentados os resultados da pesquisa do Trypanosoma tipo cruzi, nesses triatomíneos e nos citados vertebrados, relacionando ainda os resultados com as reações de precipitina realizadas no sentido de detectar o tipo de sangue ingerido pelos P. megistus capturados

Investigação de foco, uma das atividades das campanhas de controle dos transmissores da tripanossomíase americana

A entrega à Superintendência de Controle de Endemias por um morador do Município do Espírito Santo do Pinhal, Estado de São Paulo (Brasil), de um inseto suspeito de "barbeiro", encontrado na casa (quarto), sua correta identificação e exame, P. megistus infectado por Trypanosoma tipo cruzi, desencadeou uma operação de "investigação de foco", realizada através de operações de campo e laboratório. Esses trabalhos evidenciaram a presença da enzootia chagásica naquela localidade, bem como, a possibilidade do T. cruzi chegar aos seus moradores. Tal não ocorrendo, entre outros fatores, em decorrência das atividades de controle em andamento. Foi destacado o valor da "denúncia" (notificação) feita pelo morador e relatadas atividades ligadas à investigação de foco.The delivery to the Superintendência de Controle de Endemias (SUCEN) of an insect suspected of being the "barbeiro", the transmitter of the Chagas' disease, unleashed a focal point investigation with laboratory and field operations. The insect had been found in the house of the person who had brought it in; examination showed it to be the "barbeiro", that is, P. megistus, infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Investigation proved the enzootic presence of South American Trypanosomiasis in the area and the possibility of houses being invaded by the T. cruzi. This was avoided through controls put into effect immediately, showing the importance of promptly informing the health agency responsible and thorough follow-up by health authorities

Comparação entre duas técnicas sorológicas aplicados ao estudo do sangue ingerido por triatomíneos

Comparou-se a técnica de reação de precipitina em tubos capilares com a de imunodifusão em gel de agar, em papéis contendo sangue de aves (galos) ingerido por triatomíneos. Usaram-se 360 T. infestans e 270 P. megistus, estudando-se também a mortalidade comparativa das duas espécies. Os resultados sugerem que o método capilar apresenta ligeira vantagem. Quanto à mortalidade, a resistência ao jejum do T. infestans foi uniforme durante todo o tempo de observação, enquanto que, para o P. megistus a força de mortalidade foi pequena até o 50° dia de jejum, aumentando acentuadamente a seguir.The techniques of precipitin in capilar tubes and imunodifusion in agar jelly, for human blood sucked by arthropods were compared. 360 T. infestans and 270 P. megistus were observed, and the comparative mortality of both species was also studied. The results suggest that the capilar method is slightly better. As regards mortality, the resistance to fasting by the T. infestans was uniform during the whole period of observation, while for the P. megistus mortality was low until the 50th day of fasting, increasing markedly from then onwards

APLICAÇÃO DE TÉCNICAS DE GEOPROCESSAMENTO PARA ELABORAÇÃO DO MAPA DE USO DO SOLO DO MUNICÍPIO DE MORRO DO CHAPÉU-BAHIA

The county of Morro do Chapéu, located in the North of Chapada Diamantina, in Bahia, Brazil, is a privileged area considering its high-altitude climate and its innumerable springs, being considered a priority for preservation. This work, using techniques of Geoprocessing, produced a land use map in this area, qualifying and quantifying the human occupation, based on satellite imagery, digital land use models and preexisting physical maps. This base was also conjugated with social data and field works that had composed a Geographic Information System, aiming to characterize and to analyze the land use. Key words: Land use. Geoprocessing. Satellite imagery. Morro do Chapéu-BAO município de Morro do Chapéu, situado ao norte da Chapada Diamantina na Bahia, é uma área privilegiada por seu clima de altitude e suas inúmeras nascentes, sendo considerada prioritária para preservação. Este trabalho, usando técnicas de geoprocessamento, objetivou o mapeamento do uso do solo nesta região, quantificando e qualificando a antropização, com base em imagens de satélites, modelos digitais de terreno e mapas físicos pré-existentes. Esta base também foi conjugada com dados sociais e trabalhos de campo que compuseram um Sistema de Informações Geográficas, visando caracterizar e analisar o uso do solo. Palavras-chave: Uso do solo. Processamento de imagens de satélite. Morro do Chapéu-BA

Protective Effect of Prolactin against Methylmercury-Induced Mutagenicity and Cytotoxicity on Human Lymphocytes

Mercury exhibits cytotoxic and mutagenic properties as a result of its effect on tubulin. This toxicity mechanism is related to the production of free radicals that can cause DNA damage. Methylmercury (MeHg) is one of the most toxic of the mercury compounds. It accumulates in the aquatic food chain, eventually reaching the human diet. Several studies have demonstrated that prolactin (PRL) may be differently affected by inorganic and organic mercury based on interference with various neurotransmitters involved in the regulation of PRL secretion. This study evaluated the cytoprotective effect of PRL on human lymphocytes exposed to MeHg in vitro, including observation of the kinetics of HL-60 cells (an acute myeloid leukemia lineage) treated with MeHg and PRL at different concentrations, with both treatments with the individual compounds and combined treatments. All treatments with MeHg produced a significant increase in the frequency of chromatid gaps, however, no significant difference was observed in the chromosomal breaks with any treatment. A dose-dependent increase in the mitotic index was observed for treatments with PRL, which also acts as a co-mitogenic factor, regulating proliferation by modulating the expression of genes that are essential for cell cycle progression and cytoskeleton organization. These properties contribute to the protective action of PRL against the cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of MeHg.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)IFPA Itaituba, Fed Inst Educ Sci & Technol Para, BR-68180000 Campinas, Para, BrazilFed Univ Para, Inst Biol Sci, BR-66075110 Belem, Para, BrazilIFPA, Educ Fed Inst Sci & Technol Para, BR-66645240 Belem, Para, BrazilUniv Para, Ctr Biol & Hlth Sci, BR-66050540 Belem, Para, BrazilFed Univ Western Para, UFOPA, BR-68040470 Santarem, Para, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Morphol & Genet, BR-04021001 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Morphol & Genet, BR-04021001 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Essential oil of the leaves of Eugenia sulcata preserve myocardial contractility and does not present immunotoxicity

The essential oil of the leaves of Eugenia sulcata, in the Myrtaceae family, has a demonstrated antihypertensive effect, but its effects on heart muscle and its toxicity have not yet been elucidated. Little chemical or biological data are available for E. sulcata, whether emphasizing the beneficial effects or the pharmacological security of this species. This study aims to evaluate myocardial contractility and to analyze angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and myosin ATPase activities associated with use of this essential oil. In addition, we evaluated the immunotoxicity of E. sulcata essential oil. Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were treated daily for 30 days (10 mg/kg of oil) to evaluate the isometric force of the papillary muscle, ACE measured by fluorimetry, and myosin ATPase activities by inorganic phosphate. Lymphocyte cultures were used to evaluate cytotoxicity, DNA damage, and mutagenicity of the essential oil. The results demonstrate that the treatment did not change the cardiac contraction force and did not alter the functioning of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, extrusion of the membrane calcium, or modify the membrane calcium channels or β-adrenergic receptor activity. Tetanic contractions were potentiated in the SHR animals. Myosin ATPase activity was also increased in the SHR animals. Cardiac ACE activity was reduced in both animal strains, and the serum ACE was reduced only in the SHR animals. The essential oil did not cause cytotoxicity or mutagenicity and presented low DNA damage. Our results demonstrated that the essential oil does not change myocardial contractility and does not present relevant immunotoxicity

PIOMIOSITE TROPICAL COMPLICADA COM OSTEOMIELITE: RELATO DE CASO

RESUMO Piomiosite tropical (PT) é uma doença infecciosa dos músculos esqueléticos que apresenta dor na área envolvida e é acompanhada pela formação de abscessos. A PT geralmente é mais predominante em homens e envolve os grandes músculos da cintura pélvica e extremidades inferiores. Aqui relatamos um caso de um paciente de 16 anos de idade, do sexo masculino que apresentou-se com história de dor e edema em joelho direito de início há 12 dias. As investigações laboratoriais não são específicas e raramente são úteis no diagnóstico de piomiosite. Os exames laboratoriais revelaram leucocitose com desvio à esquerda, VHS  e PCR aumentados e cultura do sangue negativa. Várias modalidades de diagnóstico não invasivo, como USG, TC e RNM, podem ser utilizadas para avaliar pacientes com suspeita de infecção musculo-esquelética. Neste caso, foi utilizado inicialmente USG, que revelou presença de coleção purulenta em proximidade ao fêmur. Após, foi realizada RNM de joelho e coxa direitos, que revelou volumosa coleção líquida junto à superfície óssea do fêmur, associado a osteomielite extensa.Um grande volume de material purulento foi drenado após a incisão cirúrgica da região do abscesso, seguido do desbridamento do tecido muscular necrótico. As culturas do material de abscesso da coxa direita revelaram Staphylococcus aureus com perfil multi-suscetível, resistente apenas a penicilina. O tratamento com antibióticos apresentou boa resposta clínica.   Palavras-chave: Piomiosite tropical; Osteomielite; Reumatologia. ABSTRACT Tropical pyomyositis (TP) is an infectious disease of the skeletal muscles that presents pain in the involved area and is accompanied by the formation of abscesses. TP is generally more prevalent in men and involves the large muscles of the pelvic girdle and lower extremities. Here we report a case of a 16-year-old male patient who presented with a history of pain and edema in the right knee onset 12 days ago. Laboratory investigations are not specific and are rarely useful in the diagnosis of pyomyositis. Laboratory tests revealed left leukocytosis, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein, and negative blood culture. Several non-invasive diagnostic modalities, such as USG, CT and MRI, can be used to evaluate patients with suspected musculoskeletal infection. In our case, USG was initially used, which revealed presence of a purulent collection in proximity to the femur. After that, it was performed knee and thigh right MRI, which revealed a large net collection near the bone surface of the femur, associated with extensive osteomyelitis. A large volume of purulent material was drained after surgical incision of the abscess region, followed by debridement of the tissue necrotic muscle. Cultures of the right thigh abscess material revealed S. aureus with a multi-susceptible profile, resistant only to penicillin. Treatment with antibiotics showed good clinical response. Keywords: Tropical pyomyositis; Osteomyelitis; Rheumatology