Larvicidal activity of the skin secretion of Rhinella marina and Rhaebo guttatus (Anura: Bufonidae) against the Brazilian malaria vector, Anopheles darlingi (Diptera: Culicidae)

@#Malaria, a mosquito-borne disease, is caused by protozoa of the genus Plasmodium and constitutes a serious public health problem. Because current insecticides used to control malaria face resistance due to continuous use, new alternatives are prompted. Considering this context, and the insecticidal potential of vertebrate venoms/secretions, crude and methanolic extracts from two frog species were tested as larvicides against Anopheles darlingi. Skin secretions of Rhinella marina and Rhaebo guttatus were obtained by manual stimulation. Then, methanol was added to obtain steroidal fractions from both venoms. Mosquitos were captured in suburban areas of Porto Velho and An. darlingi females were later fed with blood and stimulated to oviposit. The larvae were fed with fish food until the 3rd and 4th instars. For the larvicidal assays, crude secretions and methanolic fractions of both frog species were evaluated, and larvae mortality was recorded after 48 hours. Crude extracts and steroidal fractions from both species had larvicidal effects, with an LC50 of 127.5 and 133 ppm for the crude extract and steroidal fraction of R. marina, and an LC50 of 37.5 and 35.8 ppm for the crude extract and steroidal secretion of R. guttatus, respectively. The present work reports for the first time the larvicidal effects of the skin secretions from bufonid species occurring in the western Amazon region. Further studies should be carried out to investigate the purified components responsible for the observed activity.

Evaluation of attractive toxic sugar baits (ATSB) against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in laboratory

@#Toxic baits, widely used against insect pests, are being successfully used to control mosquito vectors. In the present study, basic aspects for Attractive Toxic Sugar Baits (ATSBs) use as a control tool against Aedes aegypti including insecticide dosage, bait composition and plant application under laboratory conditions were evaluated. The Lethal Concentrations (LC 50 and 90) of boric acid (insecticide) Ae. aegypti engorgement and mortality were determined using ATSBs prepared using fruits (guava, mango and cupuaçu) and offered to mosquitoes on cotton discs and also sprayed on a Kalanchoe blossfeldiana plant. LCs of Ae. aegypti males and females did not differ significantly and varied from 0.53 to 2.46%, decreasing from 24 to 48 hours. No significant difference in the proportion of engorged male mosquitoes in ATSB (0.60) and Attractive Sugar Bait (ASB) (0.65) was found, but females engorged more on ASB (control bait) (0.80) compared to ATSBs (0.67). General mortality rate of mosquitoes in ATSB and ASB were 0.81 and 0.10 for males, respectively; 0.61 and 0.12 for females, respectively. Fruit composition affected neither engorgement nor mortality. ATSB applied on plants caused the mortality of males and females ranging from 0.75-0.87 while mortality on ASB sprayed plants varied from 0.07-0.14. Different common fruit juices and a low toxic oral insecticide are readily accepted, engorged and causes a high mortality both males and females Ae. aegypti using ATSBs. Moreover, the use of a common indoor plant in the region sprayed with ATSB under laboratory conditions leads to significant mosquito mortality.

O papel terapêutico do Programa Farmácia Viva e das plantas medicinais / The therapeutic role of the Program Farmacia Viva and the medicinal plants in the center-south of Piauí

RESUMOEste trabalho realizou um levantamento sobre o uso de plantas medicinais na cidade de Picos-PI, identificou as plantas cultivadas no horto pertencente ao Laboratório Fitoterápico de Picos (LAFIPI), e analisou o uso de fitoterápicos dispensados pelo Programa Farmácia Viva no triênio 2008-2010. Do total dos 750 entrevistados, 37,6% foram homens e 62,4 % mulheres, dentre os quais a maioria não concluiu o segundo grau (69,2%) e 77,2% possuíam renda mensal de até dois salários mínimos. Com relação ao consumo de plantas medicinais, 76,3% afirmaram utilizá-las para tratar doenças, principalmente por considerá-las mais saudáveis (84,8%). A indicação do uso foi orientada, sobretudo, por familiares (82,2%), embora a maioria adquira as plantas em feiras livres (32,8%). Das 127 plantas relatadas, as mais citadas foram erva-cidreira, boldo e hortelã, sendo as folhas a parte mais utilizada (42,3%), predominantemente por infusão (39,4%). As aplicações mais lembradas foram para tratar dores em geral (17%), distúrbios respiratórios (16,5%) e digestivos (16%). As espécies mais cultivadas no horto são chambá (Justicia pectoralis), alecrim pimenta (Lippia sidoides), malva santa (Plectranthus barbatus) e erva cidreira (Lippia alba). O lambedor de chambá foi o fitoterápico mais procurado pela população entre 2008 e 2010. Esse estudo descreveu, pela primeira vez, o uso tradicional de plantas medicinais no município de Picos e demonstrou, também de forma inédita, a relevância de investimentos do Programa Farmácia Viva no município de Picos e sua inclusão no Programa Saúde da Família como forma de disponibilizar à população de baixa renda fitoterápicos produzidos localmente a custos reduzidos.

ABSTRACTThis study performed a research about the use of medicinal plants in Picos city, identifying the plants grown in the garden belonging to the Laboratory of Phytotherapics in Picos (LAFIPI) and analying the use of phytotherapics distributed by the Farmácia Viva Project between 2008-2010. From the total of 750 interviewed participants, 37.6% were men and 62.4 % women. Most of them do not have secondary education (69.2%) and 77.2% had an income of up until two minimum wages. Regarding consumption of medicinal plants, 76.3 % used them to treat diseases, mainly because they considered them to be healthier (84.8%). The indication of use of the plants was mainly suggested by relatives (82.2%), even though the majority of the participants acquires plants in open markets (32.8%). From the 127 plants mentioned, the most cited ones were balm, boldo and mint, and leaves were the most utilized parts (42.3%), predominantly by infusion (39.4%). The most common reasons for the usewere to treat pain in general (17%), and respiratory (16.5%) and digestive disorders (16%). The most cultivated species in the garden were chambá (Justicia pectoralis), alecrim pimenta (Lippia sidoides), malva santa (Plectranthus barbatus) and erva cidreira (Lippia alba). The "chambá licker" was the most herbal medicine searched by the population between 2008 and 2010. This investigation described, for the first time, the traditional use of medicinal plants in Picos and demonstrated,alsounprecedentedly, the relevance of investments in the Farmácia Viva Project in Picos city and its inclusion in the Family Health Program as a strategyin order to provide locally producedphytotherapics for low-income population at low costs.

Óxido nítrico, GSTP-1 e p53: qual o papel desses biomarcadores nas lesões prostáticas do cão? / Nitric oxide, GSTP-1 and p53: what's the role of these biomarkers in dog´s prostate lesions?

Confeccionou-se um microarranjo de tecido (TMA) com 146 amostras de lesões prostáticas caninas. Este continha 17,2 por cento de hiperplasia prostática benigna (HPB), 32,4 por cento de atrofia inflamatória proliferativa (PIA), 2,6 por cento de prostatite, 8,6 por cento de focos de neoplasia intraepitelial prostática (PIN), 29,1 por cento de carcinomas e 9,3 por cento de próstatas normais. Cortes histológicos sequenciais foram feitos e utilizados para reação de imunoistoquímica com os anticorpos primários anti-p-53, anti-NOS-2 e anti-GSTP. Avaliou-se de cada core o escore de células marcadas para cada anticorpo utilizado. Os resultados foram tabulados por grupo diagnóstico e submetidos ao teste Tuckey. Os carcinomas prostáticos do cão e a PIA apresentaram maior número de amostras (41) com mais de 75 por cento das células positivas para NOS-2, demonstrando a influência do estresse oxidativo no desenvolvimento dessas lesões. As próstatas normais e as afecções desta glândula, HPB, PIA, PIN, prostatite e carcinoma, expressaram a proteína GSTP-1, o que conferiu proteção ao tecido prostático canino a danos oxidativos. A proteína p53 estava presente em todas as amostras estudadas, incluindo o tecido prostático normal, porém as lesões prostáticas apresentaram maior número de amostras com escores mais elevados de marcação (escores três e quatro), presente em 95 por cento dos focos de PIA e carcinoma. Concluiu-se que o aumento de expressão de óxido nítrico nas lesões prostáticas no cão e a expressão de GSTP-1 podem ter protegido o tecido prostático canino e que a expressão de p53 foi positiva e uniforme nas próstatas normais e com lesões hiperplásicas e displásicas.

A tissue microarray (TMA) with 149 samples of canine prostatic lesions contained 17.2 percent benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), 32.4 percent proliferative inflammatory atrophy (PIA), 2.6 percent prostatitis, 8.6 percent foci prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), 29.1 percent carcinomas and 9.3 percent normal prostates. Sequential histological sections were made and used for immunohistochemistry reaction with primary antibodies anti p-53, anti-NOS-2 and anti-GSTP. The score for each antibody employed was evaluated. The results were tabulated by diagnostic group and subjected to Tuckey test. Prostatic carcinomas and PIA had a higher number of samples (41) with over 75 percent of cells positive for NOS-2, demonstrating the influence of oxidative stress in the development of these lesions. The prostates of normal dogs, as well as the disorders of this gland (BPH, PIA, PIN, prostatitis and carcinoma), expressed GSTP-1 protein, which gives protection to the canine prostate tissue against oxidative damage. The p53 protein was present in all samples studied, including normal prostate tissue, but the prostatic lesions had a higher number of samples with higher scores (more than 50 percent of positive cells), in 95 percent of foci of PIA and carcinoma. It was found that an increased expression of NO in prostatic lesions of dogs and that the expression of GSTP-1 can protect the canine prostate tissue, which would contribute to the low frequency of prostate adenocarcinoma in this species. The expression of p53 was positive in all lesions as well as the in normal prostate.

Uso de células mononucleares da medula óssea no tratamento de tendinites induzidas experimentalmente em equinos / The use of mononuclear cells from bone marrow on the treatment of experimentally induced tendinitis in horses

Foram induzidas lesões no tendão flexor digital superficial (TFDS) de ambos os membros anteriores de seis equinos, seguidas de implante autólogo de células da fração mononuclear de medula óssea em apenas um membro de cada animal. Os animais foram avaliados por parâmetros clínicos, ultrassonográficos, histopatológico e imunoistoquímico. Paralelamente, realizou-se o cultivo de novas amostras para a caracterização das células utilizando-se marcadores CD34 e CD45 por meio da citometria de fluxo, confirmando a presença de células mesenquimais na fração mononuclear. A caracterização das fibras colágenas tipo I e tipo III no tecido neoformado mostrou melhora na qualidade da cicatrização tendínea dos membros tratados. A terapia com implante autólogo das células da fração mononuclear melhorou a organização tecidual e a sua qualidade, apresentando maior expressão significativa para colágeno tipo I.

The present study was developed inducing a lesion in the SDFT of both thoracic limbs of six horses followed by autologous implantation of mononuclear cells from bone marrow in only one affected limb of each horse. The horses were evaluated through clinical and ultrasonography exams, and through histopathology and immunohistochemistry patterns. Concomitantly, new samples were cultivated and characterized using CD34 and CD45 markers, proving the presence of mesenchymal cells in the mononuclear fraction. The characterization of collagen fibers type I and type III in the new tissue has showed an improvement in tendon healing in treated limbs. The therapy with autologous implant of the mononuclear fraction has improved tissue organization and its quality, having a significanlyt higher expression of collagen type I.

Detecção imunoistoquímica de receptores de estrógeno e progesterona no endométrio de vacas Nelore (Bos taurus indicus) durante o anestro pós-parto / Immunohistochemical detection of receptors for estrogen and progesterone in endometrial glands and stroma during the pospartum anestrus in Nelore (Bos taurus indicus) cows

Foram utilizadas 24 vacas Nelore P.O., em anestro pós-parto, diagnosticado pelo histórico reprodutivo, por avaliações ultrassonográficas transretais e por dosagem de progesterona plasmática, que foram submetidas à colheita de fragmento uterino via transcervical. Os animais foram divididos em dois grupos conforme o máximo diâmetro folicular: grupo 1: folículos <6mm (n=12); grupo 2: folículos >6mm (n=12). Para avaliar receptor de estrógeno e receptor de progesterona no epitélio glandular e no estroma, foi utilizada a técnica de imunoistoquímica. Altas contagens relativas e alta intensidade de marcação para receptor de estrógeno e progesterona no epitélio glandular e no estroma foram observadas nos dois grupos. No entanto, a intensidade de marcação para o receptor de progesterona no epitélio glandular foi mais alta no grupo 2 comparado ao grupo 1. Quando o epitélio glandular e o estroma foram comparados, o número relativo de receptor de estrógeno no grupo 1 foi mais alto no epitélio glandular comparado ao estroma, e a intensidade de marcação para o receptor de progesterona no grupo 2 foi mais alta no epitélio glandular comparado ao estroma. Os resultados sugerem que os mecanismos que controlam a expressão de receptores no anestro são semelhantes aos observados durante o ciclo estral.

Twenty-four postpartum anestrous Nelore purebred cows were used in the study. Anestrous was determined based on the reproductive history which was confirmed in each cow based on plasma progesterone concentration and by transrectal ultrasonography. Endometrial biopsies were collected. The animals were separated into two groups according to maximum follicular diameter- Group 1: follicles <6mm (n=12) and Group 2: follicles >-6mm follicles (n=12). The immunohistochemistry technique was employed to evaluate the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors in the uterine glandular epithelium and stroma. High counts of positive nuclei and high intensity of immunostain for estrogen and progesterone receptors in the glandular epithelium and stroma were observed in the two groups. However, the immunostain intensity of progesterone receptors in the glandular epithelium was higher in Group 2 compared to Group 1. When glandular epithelium and stroma were compared within each group, the relative number of estrogen receptors in the Group 1 was higher in the glandular epithelium compared to stroma and the immunostain intensity for the progesterone receptor in Group 2 was higher in the glandular epithelium compared to stroma. The results suggest that the mechanisms that control the expression of endomerial receptors in the anestrus are similar to the ones observed during the estrus cycle.

Lavado traqueobrônquico por via nasotraqueal como metodologia de colheita de células do trato respiratório de ovinos sadios e portadores de afecções pulmonares / Tracheobronchial lavage by nasotracheal via to collect cells of respiratory tract of health and broncopneumonic ovines

Os estudos das secreções traqueobrônquicas são amplamente utilizados nas pesquisas de doenças pulmonares nas diversas espécies animais, inclusive no homem. Os objetivos desta pesquisa foram a viabilização da técnica de colheita de lavado traqueobrônquico na espécie ovina e o estudo da relação clínico-citológica do lavado de ovinos portadores de broncopneumonia e sadios. Foram utilizados 33 ovinos, 18 sadios e 15 portadores de enfermidade respiratória com sinais clínicos de envolvimento das vias aéreas, divididos nos respectivos grupos, GS e GD. Após o exame físico foi realizado o lavado traqueobrônquico por via nasotraqueal. A colheita do lavado foi feita com a inoculação e aspiração de solução fisiológica estéril. As amostras foram processadas citologicamente através de citocentrifugação e coradas pelos métodos Wright-Giemsa e Shorr. Tanto a contagem total de células epiteliais quanto o número de hemácias por mililitro foi maior no grupo de animais com broncopneumonia. Nos animais sadios notou-se predomínio de macrófagos, seguido por células epiteliais cilíndricas, neutrófilos e linfócitos. No grupo de animais doentes havia menor número de macrófagos, e predomínio da população de neutrófilos. Por ser de fácil realização, pouco dispendiosa e pela obtenção representativa de material, a técnica estudada mostrou-se eficaz na obtenção de fluidos traqueobrônquicos e, portanto um bom método de colheita de células para uso nas pesquisas de vias aéreas.

Exams of tracheobronchial secretions are widely used in research of lung diseases in several animal species, including men. The objective of this paper was to investigate feasibility of the technique for harvesting trachea-bronchial lavage in sheep and to verify its clinic-cytological relationship in healthy sheep and others suffering from pneumonia. In this study 33 sheep were used, 18 healthy and 15 sheep with clinical signs of respiratory disease, divided into groups GS and GD. Clinic examination was performed by obtaining tracheobronchial lavage through the nasal route. The crop was washed with the addition and aspiration of sterile saline. The samples were processed by cytospin and staining with Wright-Giemsa and Shorr. The total cell count and the number of red blood cells per milliliter was higher in the group of sheep with bronchopneumonia. In healthy animals predominance of macrophages was noted, followed by the number of epithelial cells, neutrophils and lymphocytes. In the group of sick animals fewer macrophages and predominance of the neutrophil population were noted. Because of its easy performance to obtain representative material, the technique studied was considered effective to obtain tracheobronchial fluid and therefore is a good method to harvest cells for research of the airways.

Plasma concentrations and placental immunostaining of interleukin-10 and tumornecrosis factor-α as predictors of alterations in the embryo-fetal organism and the placental development of diabetic rats

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) appears to be the key cytokine for the maintenance of pregnancy and inhibits the secretion of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). However, there are no studies evaluating the profile of these cytokines in diabetic rat models. Thus, our aim was to analyze IL-10 and TNF-α immunostaining in placental tissue and their respective concentrations in maternal plasma during pregnancy in diabetic rats in order to determine whether these cytokines can be used as predictors of alterations in the embryo-fetal organism and in placental development. These parameters were evaluated in non-diabetic (control; N = 15) and Wistar rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes (N = 15). At term, the dams (100 days of life) were killed under anesthesia and plasma and placental samples were collected for IL-10 and TNF-α determinations by ELISA and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The reproductive performance was analyzed. Plasma IL-10 concentrations were reduced in STZ rats compared to controls (7.6 ± 4.5 vs 20.9 ± 8.1 pg/mL). The placental scores of immunostaining intensity did not differ between groups (P > 0.05). Prevalence analysis showed that the IL-10 expression followed TNF-α expression, showing a balance between them. STZ rats also presented impaired reproductive performance and reduced plasma IL-10 levels related to damage during early embryonic development. However, the increased placental IL-10 as a compensatory mechanism for the deficit of maternal regulation permitted embryo development. Therefore, the data suggest that IL-10 can be used as a predictor of changes in the embryo-fetal organism and in placental development in pregnant diabetic rats.

Immunodominance: a new hypothesis to explain parasite escape and host/parasite equilibrium leading to the chronic phase of Chagas' disease?

Intense immune responses are observed during human or experimental infection with the digenetic protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The reasons why such immune responses are unable to completely eliminate the parasites are unknown. The survival of the parasite leads to a parasite-host equilibrium found during the chronic phase of chagasic infection in most individuals. Parasite persistence is recognized as the most likely cause of the chagasic chronic pathologies. Therefore, a key question in Chagas' disease is to understand how this equilibrium is established and maintained for a long period. Understanding the basis for this equilibrium may lead to new approaches to interventions that could help millions of individuals at risk for infection or who are already infected with T. cruzi. Here, we propose that the phenomenon of immunodominance may be significant in terms of regulating the host-parasite equilibrium observed in Chagas' disease. T. cruzi infection restricts the repertoire of specific T cells generating, in some cases, an intense immunodominant phenotype and in others causing a dramatic interference in the response to distinct epitopes. This immune response is sufficiently strong to maintain the host alive during the acute phase carrying them to the chronic phase where transmission usually occurs. At the same time, immunodominance interferes with the development of a higher and broader immune response that could be able to completely eliminate the parasite. Based on this, we discuss how we can interfere with or take advantage of immunodominance in order to provide an immunotherapeutic alternative for chagasic individuals.

The non-palindromic adaptor-PCR method for the identification of the T-cell receptor genes of an interferon-gamma-secreting T-cell hybridomaspecific for trans-sialidase, an immunodominant Trypanosoma cruzi antigen

Cloning of the T-cell receptor genes is a critical step when generating T-cell receptor transgenic mice. Because T-cell receptor molecules are clonotypical, isolation of their genes requires reverse transcriptase-assisted PCR using primers specific for each different Valpha or Vß genes or by the screening of cDNA libraries generated from RNA obtained from each individual T-cell clone. Although feasible, these approaches are laborious and costly. The aim of the present study was to test the application of the non-palindromic adaptor-PCR method as an alternative to isolate the genes encoding the T-cell receptor of an antigen-specific T-cell hybridoma. For this purpose, we established hybridomas specific for trans-sialidase, an immunodominant Trypanosoma cruzi antigen. These T-cell hybridomas were characterized with regard to their ability to secrete interferon-gamma, IL-4, and IL-10 after stimulation with the antigen. A CD3+, CD4+, CD8- interferon-gamma-producing hybridoma was selected for the identification of the variable regions of the T-cell receptor by the non-palindromic adaptor-PCR method. Using this methodology, we were able to rapidly and efficiently determine the variable regions of both T-cell receptor chains. The results obtained by the non-palindromic adaptor-PCR method were confirmed by the isolation and sequencing of the complete cDNA genes and by the recognition with a specific antibody against the T-cell receptor variable ß chain. We conclude that the non-palindromic adaptor-PCR method can be a valuable tool for the identification of the T-cell receptor transcripts of T-cell hybridomas and may facilitate the generation of T-cell receptor transgenic mice.

Trans-sialidase delivered as a naked DNA vaccine elicits an immunological response similar to a Trypanosoma cruzi infection

Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan parasite that causes Chagas' disease, does not synthesize sialic acid, but expresses a trans-sialidase (TS) that catalyzes the transfer of sialic acid from host glycoconjugates to the parasite surface. Here, we review studies that characterize the immune response to the catalytic domain of the enzyme in humans during Chagas' disease or in mice following immunization with the TS gene. In both cases, there are antibodies that strongly inhibit the enzymatic activity and generation of interferon-g-producing T cells

Incidência do vírus influenza A e B na populaçäo de Maceió-AL, Brasil / Incidence of influenza A and B viruses among the population of Maceió-AL, Brazil

Vírus respiratórios säo responsáveis por uma grande percentagem das doenças na populaçäo humana. Um estudo soro-epidemiológico foi feito para determinar a prevalência de anticorpos para as cepas do subtipo A: A/ Taiwan/1/86 (H1N1), A/Shangdong/9/93 (H3N2), A/Shanghai/11/87 (H3N2) e A/Wuhan/359/95 (H3N2) foi 189, 223,230 e 103 amostras, respectivamente. E para o subtipo B: B/Panamá/45/20, B/Guangdong/8/93 e B/Beijing/184/93 foi 191, 126 e 103 amostras, respectivamente. Os soros foram obtidos no período de 1996/1997, de pacientes internos e externos do Hospital Universitário (HU) da Universidade Federal de Alagoas de diferentes faixas etárias e de ambos os sexos. A técnica utilizada para pesquisar anticorpos específicos foi a de Inibiçäo da Hemaglutinaçäo (HI). A prevalência de anticorpos para A/Taiwan/1/86 (H1N1), A/Shaigdong/9/93 (H3N2), A/Shangai/11/87 (H3N2) e A/Wuhan/359/95 (H3N2) foi 94 porcento, 93 porcento, 81 porcento e 78 porcento respectivamente e o B/Panamá/45/20, B/Guangdong/8/93 e B/Beijing/184/93 foi 52 porcento, 23 porcento e 53 porcento respectivamente. A presença de marcadores sorológicos do Vírus Influenza A e B em nossa populaçäo evidenciada pela primeira vez e mostrou ser em índices elevados, indicando uma ampla disseminaçäo desses subtipos

Malaria vaccine: roadblocks and possible solutions

Malaria remains the most prevalent and devastating parasitic disease worldwide. Vaccination is considered to be an approach that will complement other strategies for prevention and control of the disease in the future. In the last 10 years, intense studies aimed at the development of a malaria vaccine have provided important knowledge of the nature of the host immunological mechanisms of protection and their respective target antigens. It became well established that protective immune responses can be generated against the distinct stages of Plasmodium. However, in general, protective immune responses are directed at stage-specific antigens. The elucidation of the primary structure of these antigens made possible the generation of synthetic and recombinant proteins that are being extensively used in experimental immunizations against the infection. Today, several epitopes of limited polymorphism have been described and protective immunity can be generated by immunization with them. These epitopes are being tested as primary candidates for a subunit vaccine against malaria. Here we critically review the major roadblocks for the development of a malaria vaccine and provide some insight on how these problems are being solved.

Deteccion de errores congenitos del metabolismo en San Pablo, Brasil. / Detection on of intorn errors of metabolism in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Los autores describen la experiencia adquirida en la seleccion de programas para la poblacion general, en al deteccion de hiperfenilalaninemias, hipotiroidismo congenito, aminoacidopatias, errores congenitos del metabolismo de los hidratos de carbono, mucopolisacaridosis y neurolipidosis, en especial la GM2-gangliosidosis o enfermedad de TaySachs. Se subraya la importancia de la realizacion de estos programas en la poblacion general, teniendose en cuenta el alto costo del mantenimeinto de deficiencias mentales; en estos casos, si son detectados precozmente, las consecuencias podran evitarse o reducirs