ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Hypericum species, Hypericaceae, are recognized as a source of therapeutical agents. Purified fractions and isolated compounds have been shown antimicrobial activity. As the indiscriminate use of antifungals and the increase of infections caused by emerging species are leading to the search of new alternative treatments, the aim of this study was to continue the study with Hypericum carinatum Griseb. lipophilic fraction, rich in phloroglucinol derivatives, investigating the effect of its association with fluconazole against emerging yeasts (Candida krusei, C. famata, C. parapsilosis and Cryptococcus neoformans). The synergistic activity between H. carinatum lipophilic fraction and fluconazole was assessed by two methodologies for multiple dose–response analysis: checkerboard and isobologram. Regarding synergistic experiments, the effect of the association was higher than the effect of fluconazole alone against Candida krusei and C. famata isolates (MIC fluconazole decreased about eight and four folds, respectively), suggesting that, somehow, H. carinatum lipophilic fraction compounds are facilitating the action of this drug. On the other hand, when tested against Cryptococcus neoformans and C. parapsilosis, fluconazole showed better results than the association. Thus, against Candida krusei and C. famata, the lipophilic fraction of H. carinatum was able to reduce the MIC values of fluconazole and could be considered as a potential alternative to be used against emerging yeast species.
ABSTRACT
Introdução: o câncer cervical tem sido apontado como a segunda neoplasia mais comum entre as mulheres, sendo muitas vezes associado a agentes infecciosos (AI) relacionados a doenças sexualmente transmissíveis (DST) ou oportunistas do trato genitourinário. Objetivo: avaliar diferentes variáveis epidemiológicas, assim como a prevalência dos AI encontrados no exame citológico preventivo e correlacioná-las às alterações citológicas cervicais benignas e malignas. Métodos: análise retrospectiva dos laudos de exames citológicos emitidos entre os anos de 2004 e 2009 de pacientes atendidas em 33 Unidades Básicas de Saúde de Porto Alegre. Foram selecionados 850 laudos de diferentes pacientes e analisadas as variáveis: faixa etária, grau de instrução,AI e alterações celulares. Resultados: cerca de 70% das pacientes situam-se na faixa etária entre 14 e 45 anos, predominando o 1o grau incompleto (38,4%).O agente infeccioso que apresentou maior prevalência foi a Gardnerella vaginalis, com 15,6%, seguida de Candida sp. (2,3%) e Trichomonas vaginalis(2,2%). Dentre as alterações celulares cervicais benignas, a que apresentou maior prevalência foi o epitélio inflamatório (67%), sendo a maioria observada na faixa etária mais jovem. Obteve-se correlação estatisticamente significativa entre as alterações celulares cervicais benignas com os agentes infecciosose com a idade, sendo que dos 275 casos de inflamação, 161 (58,5%) apresentavam também algum AI. Em relação às alterações celulares malignas, poucos casos foram detectados, não sendo possível obter qualquer correlação. Conclusão: os resultados observados em nosso estudo sugerem que há correlação dealterações cérvico-vaginais benignas com casos de infecções microbianas concomitantes ou pregressas nas pacientes avaliadas neste estudo.
Introduction: cervical cancer has been considered the second most common malignancy among women, and is often associated with infectious agents (AI) related to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or opportunistic of genitourinary tract. Objective: to evaluate the epidemiological variables and correlate them with cytological benign and malignant cervical changes, as well as the prevalence of AI found in cytology preventive exam. Methods: retrospective analysis of cytological reports issued between 2004 and 2009 of patients treated in 33 Basic Health Care Units in Porto Alegre. A total of 850 reports were selected from different patients and the following variables were analyzed: age, education, AI and cellular changes. Results: approximately 70% of women are at the age between 14 and 45 years old, mainly with incomplete primary school (38.4%). The infectious agent that had the highest prevalence wasGardnerella vaginalis with 15.6% followed by Candida sp. (2.3%) and Trichomonas vaginalis (2.2%). Among the benign cervical cell changes with the highest prevalence was inflammatory epithelium (67%), mostly observed in the youngest age group. A statistically significant correlation between the benign cervical cell changes with infectious agents and with age was obtained, and of 275 cases of inflammation, 161 (58.5%) had also some AI. Regarding tomalignant cell changes, few cases were detected; it is not possible to obtain any correlation. Conclusion: the results observed in this study suggest that there is a correlation of cytological changes in cervical-vaginal benign cases with previous or concomitant microbial infections in women evaluated in this study.
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Adolescent , Adult , Sexually Transmitted Diseases , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms , Public Health , Trichomonas vaginalis , Candida , Gardnerella vaginalisABSTRACT
El objetivo principal de este estudio fue evaluar la presencia de Ocratoxina-A (OTA) en los granos del trigo y harina del trigo realizadas por un nuevo método de determinación que usa la cromatografía líquida de alta resolución (CLAR) acoplada al descubridor delfluorimetrio. El experimento usó seis muestras de grano de trigo del lugar del almacenamiento diferente a la industria local de Chapeco (SC), Brasil Sur, en agosto, 2008. El extracto de OTA era llevado a cabo usando el acetonitrila: agua (120:80 vlv) como solventes. Después el suprenadante fue filtrado, y aplicado en la columna del inmunoafinidad específica a OTA. Además, la columna se lavó con agua y la toxina era el eluido con el metanol. La determinación del OTA se realizó por detección de fluorescencia acoplado al aparato de HPLC. Los volúmenes de OTA en los granos del trigo y harina del trigo eran entonces los determínate y los resultados mostraron una concentración de OTA menor que los límites exigidos por la legislación internacional.
The main objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of Ochratoxin A (OTA) in wheat grains and wheat flour samples using a new high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The experiment used six wheat grain samples from different industry storage place from Chapeco (SC), South Brazil, on August 2008. The OTA extraction was carried out using acetonitrile: water (120:80 v/v) as solvent. Thereafter, the supernatant was filtered, and applied on OTA-specific immunoafinity column to HPLC Furthermore, the column was washed with water and the toxin was eluted with methanol. The OTA wheat grains and wheat flour concentration were analyzed by a fluorescence detector coupled to the HPLC apparatus. The results showed a smaller OTA concentration than the limits set by international legislation.
Subject(s)
Food Contamination/analysis , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods , Ochratoxins/analysis , Triticum/chemistry , Fluorescence , Food MicrobiologyABSTRACT
Objetive: This work describes demographic and clinical characteristics of individuals with accidental tetanus in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Materials and Methods: 291 cases of accidental tetanus reported from 1998 to 2008 were analyzed retrospectively through a cross-sectional, descriptive andcorrelated study based on percentage and numeric frequency as well as on number and incidence rate (i.r.) found in compulsory notification forms. Results: Most cases (73,54%) occurred among men residing in Vale do Itajaí (30,24%). The age group with the highest incidence was within the 35 to 49 range(32,30%). Complete immunization history was reported in seven cases (2,40%), the perforating injury being the most observed and the lower limbs the most affected ones. Among the reported cases, 87,62% were confirmed; 114 (39,17%) patients died.Conclusions: Accidental tetanus in SantaCatarina affects the population in asignificant way despite the fact that it is an immune preventable disease. The authorities and administrators must plan strategies to address changes in public policies related to immunization coverage of the susceptible population, mainly adults. Above all, it is important to warn society that the success of immunization programs depends on theapplication of three doses at set intervals, application of booster doses and compliance with the vaccination schedule.
Objetivo: El presente trabajo describe las características demográficas y clínicas de los individuos con tétanos accidental en Santa Catarina, Brasil. Materiales y métodos: se analizaron 291 casos de tétanos accidental reportadosdesde el año 1998 hasta 2008, a través de un estudio descriptivo tipo corte transversal. Con base en el porcentajey frecuencia numérica, así como enla tasa de incidencia registrada según los formularios de notificación obligatoria. Resultados: La mayoría de los casos (73,54%) ocurrieron en los hombres que residen en Vale do Itajaí (30,24%). El grupo con mayor incidencia fue en el rango de edad de 35 a 49 años (32,30%). La historia completa de inmunización se informó ensiete casos (2,40%), la lesión erforantefue la más observada, las extremidadesinferiores fueron las más afectadas. Entre los casos reportados 87(62%) fueron confirmados; 114 (39,17%) pacientes murieron. Conclusiones: el tétanos accidental en Santa Catarina afecta a la población de manerasignificativa a pesar del hecho de que esuna enfermedad prevenible. Las autoridades y los administradores deben planear estrategias para generar cambios en las políticas públicas relacionadas con la cobertura deinmunización de la población susceptible, sobre todo los adultos. Es importante advertir a la sociedad que el éxito de los programas de inmunización depende de la aplicación de tres dosis a intervalos establecidos, la aplicación de las dosis de refuerzo y el cumplimiento del calendario de vacunación.