Development of a prototype immunochromatographic test for rapid diagnosis of respiratory adenovirus infection

Abstract Human adenoviruses comprise an important group of etiologic agents that are responsible for various diseases in adults and children, such as respiratory, ocular, gastroenteric, and urinary infections. In immunocompromised and organ-transplanted individuals, these agents can cause generalized infections. Rapid diagnostic methods for detecting these infectious agents are not widely available.The aim of this work was to produce monoclonal and polyclonal anti-adenovirus antibodies to be used in a rapid diagnostic test for respiratory infections.Adenovirus hexons were satisfactorily purified by ultracentrifugation and chromatography. After virus purification, anti-hexon monoclonal antibodies were produced and characterized, following classical methods. Antibodies were specific for adenoviruses 2, 3, 5, and 41. The proposed immunochromatographic test was standardized using colloidal gold.The standardization of the rapid test was sufficient to detect adenovirus antigens (in nasopharyngeal lavage samples) with sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 85% when compared to direct immunofluorescence.The immunochromatographic assay prototype was sufficiently sensitive to detect B (3), C (2 and 5), and F (41) adenovirus samples. Although based on preliminary data, the test demonstrated the same performance as direct immunofluorescence, but with the advantage of being a point-of-care test. Further studies are still needed to confirm its effectiveness in clinical practice.

Resistance of melanized yeast cells of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis to antimicrobial oxidants and inhibition of phagocytosis using carbohydrates and monoclonal antibody to CD18

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, a thermal dimorphic fungal pathogen, produces a melanin-like pigment in vitro and in vivo. We investigated the involvement of carbohydrates and monoclonal antibody to CD18, on phagocytosis inhibition, involving macrophage receptors and the resistance of melanized fungal cells to chemically generated nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), hypochlorite and H2O2. Our results demonstrate that melanized yeast cells were more resistant than nonmelanized yeast cells to chemically generated NO, ROS, hypochlorite and H2O2, in vitro. Phagocytosis of melanized yeast cells was virtually abolished when mannan, N-acetyl glucosamine and anti-CD18 antibody were added together in this system. Intratracheal infection of BALB/c mice, with melanized yeast cells, resulted in higher lung colony forming units, when compared to nonmelanized yeast cells. Therefore, melanin is a virulence factor of P. brasiliensis.

Anamnese homeopática ou consulta homeopática? A propósito do relato de um caso de vitiligo / Anamnesis homeopathic or consultation homeopathy? The purpose of the report of a case of vitiligo

O presente artigo apresenta o relato de caso de um paciente de 12 anos de idade do sexo masculino, portador de vitiligo. tratado no ambulatório da Associação Paulista de Homeopatia. Os dados da história clínica e, acima de tudo seu exame físico, que revelou sinais de valor individualizador, possibilitaram a prescrição de medicamento similar que o vem ajudando na evolução de sua patologia. O artigo, finalmente, discute aspectos do medicamento homeopático Calcarea silicata e o sal que o origina de acordo com a matéria médica homeopática.

This paper reports the case of a 12 year-old patient, suffering from vitiligo since 6, who was treated at the Outpatient Clinic of Associação Paulista de Homeopatia. Clinical data, especially the ones arising from physical examination, revealed highly individualizing signs that allowed us to prescribe an effective homeopathic remedy. Finally, some features of homeopathic remedy Calcarea silicata are discussed, particularly from the viewpoint of the salt from which it derives, accordingly to the homeopathic materia medica.

Symptomatic nuclei of homeopathic remedies: remedies derived from carbon as case-study / Núcleo sintomático dos medicamentos homeopáticos derivados do Carbono

Homeopathic clinical practice requires both accuracy and agility in diagnosis and prescription of treatment during real-time consultations. Several approaches have been attempted to facilitate this process including different criteria to group homeopathic remedies. This study sought to establish whether classification according to the chemical composition of substances used as basis of homeopathic remedies have correspondence in the experimental homeopathic materia medica. Methods: The homeopathic remedies derived from carbon were selected as case-study. The experimental symptoms of these remedies were compared and a nucleus of symptoms common to all could be found. This nucleus was then compared to similarly obtained nuclei of experimental symptoms of homeopathic remedies derived from sulfur and phosphor to test qualitative specificity and finally to the traditionally described clinical picture of the so-called homeopathic carbonic constitution to establish whether the latter has homeopathic experimental grounds. Results: a nucleus of experimental symptoms common to homeopathic remedies derived from carbon was found, qualitatively different from the symptomatic nuclei of homeopathic remedies derived from sulfur and phosphor; no correlation was found, however, with the clinical image of so-called carbonic constitution.

A prática homeopática exige simultaneamente, rapidez e exatidão no diagnóstico e a prescrição do tratamento nas consultas, em tempo real. Para isso, diversas estratégias tem sido implementadas para facilitar tal processo, incluindo critérios para agrupar os medicamentos homeopáticos. Este estudo se propôs a verificar se classificações baseadas na composição química das substâncias utilizadas nos medicamentos homeopáticos tem correlação com a materia médica homeopática experimental. Métodos: Como estudo de caso, foram selecionados os medicamentos homeopáticos derivados de carbono. Os sintomas experimentais destes medicamentos foram comparados de maneira a definir um núcleo de síntomas comuns ao grupo. Este núcleo foi comparado aos outros núcleos correspondentes a sintomas experimentais de medicamentos homeopáticos derivados de Enxofre e Fósforo, com o propósito de determinar a especificidade qualitativa do núcleo carbônico em estudo. Finalmente, comparamos o núcleo proposto com o quadro tradicional atribuído à chamada constituição carbônica homeopática, com o objetivo de verificar se esta tem alguma fundamentação experimental. Resultados: foi encontrado um núcleo sintomático comum aos medicamentos derivados de carbono, qualitativamente diferente dos núcleos sintomáticos dos medicamentos derivados do Enxofre e Fósforo. No entanto, não foi encontrada correlação entre este núcleo e o quadro clínico do grupo chamado de constituição carbônica.