Eficácia do álcool etílico e quaternário de amônio na desinfecção de equipamentos médicos hospitalares / Efficacy of ethyl alcohol and quaternary ammonium in hospital medical equipment disinfection / Eficacia del alcohol etílico y cuaternario de amonio en la desinfección de equipos médicos hospitalarios

Justificativa e Objetivos: Os ambientes hospitalares podem albergar microrganismos patogênicos e oportunistas, sendo o processo de limpeza e desinfecção importante para o controle das Infecções relacionadas à Assistência à Saúde (IRAS). Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficácia do álcool etílico e do quaternário de amônio no processo de desinfecção de equipamentos médicos hospitalares previamente contaminados com Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Métodos: descontaminação de 10 equipamentos médicos hospitalares contaminados com uma suspensão de S. aureus ATCC 25923. A descontaminação ocorreu com álcool etílico nas concentrações de 46,2%, 70% e 99% e com o quaternário de amônio de 1ª e de 5ª geração. Após a descontaminação, foram colhidas amostras da superfície dos equipamentos para cultura bacteriana. Resultados: foi verificado crescimento bacteriano em 80% dos equipamentos descontaminados com álcool 46,2% e 99%. Não houve crescimento bacteriano na superfície dos equipamentos descontaminados com álcool 70% e quaternários de amônio. Conclusão: os processos de desinfecção com álcool 70% e quaternário de amônio de 1ª e 5ª geração foram eficazes no controle do S. aureus, comprovando a ação efetiva destes produtos na desinfecção dos equipamentos médicos hospitalares.(AU)

Background and Objectives: Hospital environments may harbor pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms, and the cleaning and disinfection process is important for the control of Health Care Related Infections (IRAS). Thus, the objective of this work to evaluate compare the efficacy of ethyl alcohol and quaternary ammonium in the disinfection of hospital medical equipment against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Methods: decontamination of 10 hospital medical equipment contaminated with a suspension of S. aureus ATCC 25923. The decontamination occurred with ethyl alcohol at concentrations of 46.2%, 70% and 99% and with the quaternary ammonium of 1st generation and 5th generation. After the decontamination, samples were harvested from the surface of the equipment for bacterial culture. Results: bacterial growth was verified in 80% of the equipment decontaminated with alcohol 46.2% and 99%. There was no bacterial growth on the surface of equipment decontaminated with alcohol 70% and quaternary ammonium. Conclusions: the disinfection processes with alcohol 70% and quaternary ammonium 1st and 5th generation were effective in the control of S. aureus, proving the effectiveness of these products in the disinfection of hospital medical equipment.(AU)

Justificación y objetivos: Los ambientes hospitalarios pueden albergar microorganismos patógenos y oportunistas, siendo el proceso de limpieza y desinfección importante para el control de las Infecciones relacionadas a la Asistencia a la Salud (IRAS). Así, el objetivo de este trabajo evaluar comparar la eficacia del alcohol etílico y del cuaternario de amonio en el proceso de desinfección de equipos médicos hospitalarios previamente contaminados con Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Métodos: la descontaminación de 10 equipos médicos hospitalarios contaminados con una suspensión de S. aureus ATCC 25923. La descontaminación ocurrió con alcohol etílico en las concentraciones de 46,2%, 70% y 99% y con el cuaternario de amonio de 1ª y de 5ª generación. Después de la descontaminación, se tomaron muestras de la superficie de los equipos para cultivo bacteriano. Resultados: se verificó crecimiento bacteriano en el 80% de los equipos descontaminados con alcohol 46,2% y 99%. No hubo crecimiento bacteriano en la superficie de los equipos descontaminados con alcohol 70% y cuaternarios de amonio. Conclusión: los procesos de desinfección con alcohol 70% y cuaternario de amonio de 1ª y 5ª generación fueron eficaces en el control del S. aureus, comprobando la acción efectiva de estos productos en la desinfección de los equipos médicos hospitalarios.(AU)

THE RELEVANCE OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS ON THE INFECTIOUS PROCESS OF BALB/C MICE INOCULATED WITH Lacazia loboi / A relevância do estado nutricional e alterações histopatológicas no processo infeccioso de camundongos BALB/c inoculados com Lacazia loboi

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the protein-calorie malnutrition in BALB/c isogenic mice infected with Lacazia loboi, employing nutritional and histopathological parameters. Four groups were composed: G1: inoculated with restricted diet, G2: not inoculated with restricted diet, G3: inoculated with regular diet, G4: not inoculated with regular diet. Once malnutrition had been imposed, the animals were inoculated intradermally in the footpad and after four months, were sacrificed for the excision of the footpad, liver and spleen. The infection did not exert great influence on the body weight of the mice. The weight of the liver and spleen showed reduction in the undernourished groups when compared to the nourished groups. The macroscopic lesions, viability index and total number of fungi found in the footpads of the infected mice were increased in G3 when compared to G1. Regarding the histopathological analysis of the footpad, a global cellularity increase in the composition of the granuloma was observed in G3 when compared to G1, with large numbers of macrophages and multinucleated giant cells, discrete numbers of lymphocytes were present in G3 and an increase was observed in G1. The results suggest that there is considerable interaction between Jorge Lobo's disease and nutrition.

RESUMO O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da desnutrição protéico-calórica em camundongos isogênicos da linhagem BALB/c inoculados com Lacazia loboi, empregando parâmetros nutricionais e histopatológicos. Foram constituídos quatro grupos: G1- inoculados com restrição dietética; G2- não inoculados com restrição dietética; G3- inoculados sem restrição dietética; G4- não inoculados sem restrição dietética. Após instalada a desnutrição, os animais foram inoculados via intradérmica no coxim plantar e após quatro meses foram sacrificados para remoção do coxim plantar, fígado e baço. A infecção não exerceu grande influência no peso corporal dos camundongos. O peso do fígado e baço apresentou redução nos grupos desnutridos em comparação aos grupos nutridos. A lesão macroscópica, a viabilidade e o número total de fungos dos coxins plantares dos camundongos inoculados revelaram aumento no G3 quando comparado com o G1. Em relação à análise histopatológica dos coxins plantares observou-se aumento da celularidade global na composição do granuloma no G3 em relação ao G1, com grande número de macrófagos e células gigantes multinucleadas, discretos números de linfócitos estavam presentes em G3 e aumentados no G1. Os resultados sugerem que existe grande interação entre nutrição e doença de Jorge Lobo.

Activation and cytokine profile of monocyte derived dendritic cells in leprosy: in vitro stimulation by sonicated Mycobacterium leprae induces decreased level of IL-12p70 in lepromatous leprosy

Dendritic cells (DCs) play a pivotal role in the connection of innate and adaptive immunity of hosts to mycobacterial infection. Studies on the interaction of monocyte-derived DCs (MO-DCs) using Mycobacterium leprae in leprosy patients are rare. The present study demonstrated that the differentiation of MOs to DCs was similar in all forms of leprosy compared to normal healthy individuals. In vitro stimulation of immature MO-DCs with sonicated M. leprae induced variable degrees of DC maturation as determined by the increased expression of HLA-DR, CD40, CD80 and CD86, but not CD83, in all studied groups. The production of different cytokines by the MO-DCs appeared similar in all of the studied groups under similar conditions. However, the production of interleukin (IL)-12p70 by MO-DCs from lepromatous (LL) leprosy patients after in vitro stimulation with M. lepraewas lower than tuberculoid leprosy patients and healthy individuals, even after CD40 ligation with CD40 ligand-transfected cells. The present cumulative findings suggest that the MO-DCs of LL patients are generally a weak producer of IL-12p70 despite the moderate activating properties ofM. leprae. These results may explain the poor M. leprae-specific cell-mediated immunity in the LL type of leprosy.

DNA damage in BALB/c mice infected with Lacazia loboi and its relation to nutritional status

Background Jorge Lobo's disease, also known as lacaziosis, is a cutaneous-subcutaneous mycosis with chronic evolution. It is caused by the fungus Lacazia loboi. Herein we report a study that relates the genotoxicity caused by L. loboi in isogenic mice with nutritional status, through a normal or restricted diet.Methods DNA damage was assessed in the peripheral blood by the comet assay (tail intensity).Results The results for leukocytes showed increases in the mean tail intensity in mice under dietary restriction, in infected mice under dietary restriction and in infected mice ingesting a normal diet.Conclusion These results indicate that dietary restriction and L. loboi infection may increase DNA damage levels in mice, as detected by the comet assay.(AU)

DNA damage in BALB/c mice infected with Lacazia loboi and its relation to nutritional status

AbstractBackground Jorge Lobos disease, also known as lacaziosis, is a cutaneous-subcutaneous mycosis with chronic evolution. It is caused by the fungus Lacazia loboi. Herein we report a study that relates the genotoxicity caused by L. loboi in isogenic mice with nutritional status, through a normal or restricted diet.Methods DNA damage was assessed in the peripheral blood by the comet assay (tail intensity).Results The results for leukocytes showed increases in the mean tail intensity in mice under dietary restriction, in infected mice under dietary restriction and in infected mice ingesting a normal diet.Conclusion These results indicate that dietary restriction and L. loboi infection may increase DNA damage levels in mice, as detected by the comet assay.

Seroreactivity to new Mycobacterium leprae protein antigens in different leprosy-endemic regions in Brazil

New Mycobacterium leprae protein antigens can contribute to improved serologic tests for leprosy diagnosis/classification and multidrug therapy (MDT) monitoring. This study describes seroreactivity to M. leprae proteins among participants from three highly endemic leprosy areas in Brazil: central-western Goiânia/Goiás (GO) (n = 225), Rondonópolis/Mato Grosso (MT) (n = 764) and northern Prata Village/Pará (PA) (n = 93). ELISA was performed to detect IgG to proteins (92f, 46f, leprosy IDRI diagnostic-1, ML0405, ML1213) and IgM to phenolic glycolipid-I (PGL-I). Multibacillary (MB) leprosy had positive rates for PGL-I that were similar to those for proteins; however, some anti-PGL-I-negative subjects were positive for proteins, suggesting that adding protein antigen to PGL-I can enhance the sensitivity of MB leprosy detection. In MT, different degrees of seroreactivity were observed and ranked for MB, former patients after MDT, paucibacillary (PB) leprosy, household contact (HHC) and endemic control (EC) groups. The seroreactivity of PB patients was low in GO and MT. HHCs from different endemic sites had similar IgG antibody responses to proteins. 46f and 92f were not recognised by most tuberculosis patients, ECs or HHCs within GO, an area with high BCG vaccination coverage. Low positivity in EC and HHC was observed in PA and MT. Our results provide evidence for the development of an improved serologic test that could be widely applicable for MB leprosy testing in Brazil

Implante de queratinócitos autólogos em úlceras de membros inferiores de pacientes com sequelas de hanseníase / Keratinocytes autologous implantation in lower limb ulcers of patients with leprosy sequelae

Na hanseníase as úlceras podem surgir, principalmente,pelo fato de existirem áreas anestésicas, que com facilidade podem ser traumatizadas, queimadas e secundariamente infectadas. Este estudo teve por objetivo tratar as úlceras de membro inferior de pacientes com seqüelas de hanseníase por meio do implante de queratinócitos autólogos. Participaram 14 pacientes,sendo seis com uma única úlcera, quatro com mais de uma úlcera no mesmo membro inferior e quatro com úlceras nos dois membros, totalizando 31 úlceras...

The occurrence of ulcers in leprosy is mainly due to the existence of numb areas that can easily undergo trauma and burns and there after become secondarily infected. This study aimed to treat ulcers in lower limbs of patients with leprosy sequelae through the implantation of autologous keratinocytes. The study consisted offourteen patients (six with a single ulcer, four with more than one ulcer in the same limb and four with ulcers in both limbs) with a total of 31 ulcers...

In vitro and in situ activation of the complement system by the fungus Lacazia loboi

Since there are no studies evaluating the participation of the complement system (CS) in Jorge Lobo's disease and its activity on the fungus Lacazia loboi, we carried out the present investigation. Fungal cells with a viability index of 48 percent were obtained from the footpads of BALB/c mice and incubated with a pool of inactivated serum from patients with the mycosis or with sterile saline for 30 min at 37 °C. Next, the tubes were incubated for 2 h with a pool of noninactivated AB+ serum, inactivated serum, serum diluted in EGTA-MgCl2, and serum diluted in EDTA. The viability of L. loboi was evaluated and the fungal suspension was cytocentrifuged. The slides were submitted to immunofluorescence staining using human anti-C3 antibody. The results revealed that 98 percent of the fungi activated the CS by the alternative pathway and no significant difference in L. loboi viability was observed after CS activation. In parallel, frozen histological sections from 11 patients were analyzed regarding the presence of C3 and IgG by immunofluorescence staining. C3 and IgG deposits were observed in the fungal wall of 100 percent and 91 percent of the lesions evaluated, respectively. The results suggest that the CS and immunoglobulins may contribute to the defense mechanisms of the host against L. loboi.

Considerando que não existe nenhum estudo avaliando a participação do sistema complemento (SC) na doença de Jorge Lobo e sua atividade sobre o fungo Lacazia loboi, realizamos o presente trabalho. Os fungos foram obtidos dos coxins plantares de camundongos BALB/c com índice de viabilidade de 48 por cento e, em seguida, foram incubados com pool de soro inativado de pacientes ou com solução salina estéril (SSE) por 30 min, a 37 °C. Os tubos foram incubados, por 2 h, com pool de soro AB+ sem inativar, inativado, diluído em EGTA-MgCl2 e EDTA. A viabilidade do L. loboi foi avaliada e a suspensão fúngica foi citocentrifugada. As lâminas foram submetidas à técnica de imunofluorescência empregando o anticorpo anti-C3 humano. Os resultados revelaram que 98 por cento dos fungos ativaram o SC pela via alternativa e que não houve diferença significante na viabilidade do L. loboi após ativação do SC. Em paralelo, cortes histológicos congelados de 11 pacientes foram avaliados quanto à presença de C3 e IgG, pela técnica de imunofluorescência. Foram encontrados depósitos de C3 e de IgG na parede dos fungos em 100 por cento e 91 por cento das lesões avaliadas, respectivamente. Os resultados sugerem que o SC e as imunoglobulinas poderiam contribuir nos mecanismos de defesa do hospedeiro contra o L. loboi.

Evaluation of the phagocytic activity of peripheral blood monocytes of patients with Jorge Lobo's disease

Os estudos envolvendo a interação hospedeiro-parasita na doença de Jorge Lobo são escassos; até o momento, não existe nenhum trabalho abordando a fagocitose do fungo Lacazia loboi pelas células mononucleares fagocitárias. Assim, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a atividade fagocítica dos monócitos sangüíneos frente ao L. loboi tanto em pacientes portadores da doença como em indivíduos sadios (grupo controle), utilizando 3 e 24 horas de incubação. A análise estatística dos resultados revelou que não houve diferença significante entre o percentual de fagocitose do fungo pelos monócitos de pacientes e do grupo controle, porém em relação aos tempos de incubação, houve diferença significante, isto é, às 3 horas o percentual de fagocitose foi maior que o obtido às 24 horas (p<0,01). Estes resultados sugerem que monócitos de pacientes portadores da micose são hábeis em fagocitar o fungo, à semelhança do que foi visto em indivíduos do grupo controle.

Evaluation of the phagocytic activity of peripheral blood monocytes of patients with Jorge Lobo's disease / Avaliação da atividade fagocítica dos monócitos do sangue periférico de pacientes com doença de Jorge Lobo

Studies on host-parasite interaction in Jorge Lobo's disease are scarce, with no report in the literature on the phagocytosis of Lacazia loboi by phagocytic mononuclear cells. Thus, the objective of the present study was to assess the phagocytic activity of blood monocytes in the presence of L. loboi in patients with the disease and in healthy subjects (controls) over 3 and 24 hours of incubation. Statistical analyses of the results showed no significant difference in percent phagocytosis of the fungus between patient and control monocytes. With respect to incubation time, however, there was a significant difference, in that percent phagocytosis was higher at 3 hours than at 24 hours (p <0.01). These results suggest that monocytes from patients with the mycosis are able to phagocyte the fungus, as also observed in control individuals

Os estudos envolvendo a interação hospedeiro-parasita na doença de Jorge Lobo são escassos; até o momento, não existe nenhum trabalho abordando a fagocitose do fungo Lacazia loboi pelas células mononucleares fagocitárias. Assim, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a atividade fagocítica dos monócitos sangüíneos frente ao L. loboi tanto em pacientes portadores da doença como em indivíduos sadios (grupo controle), utilizando 3 e 24 horas de incubação. A análise estatística dos resultados revelou que não houve diferença significante entre o percentual de fagocitose do fungo pelos monócitos de pacientes e do grupo controle, porém em relação aos tempos de incubação, houve diferença significante, isto é, às 3 horas o percentual de fagocitose foi maior que o obtido às 24 horas (p<0,01). Estes resultados sugerem que monócitos de pacientes portadores da micose são hábeis em fagocitar o fungo, à semelhança do que foi visto em indivíduos do grupo controle

Experimental murine mycobacteriosis: evaluation of the functional activity of alveolar macrophages in thalidomide- treated mice

Thalidomide is a selective inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), a cytokine involved in mycobacterial death mechanisms. We investigated the role of this drug in the functional activity of alveolar macrophages in the presence of infection induced by intranasal inoculation of Mycobacterium avium in thalidomide-treated and untreated adult Swiss mice. Sixty animals were inoculated with 5 x 106 M. avium by the respiratory route. Thirty animals received daily thalidomide (30 mg/kg mouse) and 30 received water by gavage up to sacrifice. Ten non-inoculated mice were used as a control group. Lots of animals from each group were evaluated until 6 weeks after inoculation. Infection resulted in an increased total number of inflammatory cells as well as increased activity of pulmonary macrophages. Histologically, intranasal inoculation of bacilli resulted in small mononuclear infiltrates located at the periphery of the organ. Culture of lung fragments revealed the presence of bacilli only at the beginning and at the end of the experimental period. Thalidomide administration did not affect the microbiological or histological features of the infection. Thalidomide-treated and untreated animals showed the same amount of M. avium colonies 3 weeks after infection. Although it did not affect bacillary clearance, thalidomide administration resulted in a decreased percent of spread cells and release of hydrogen peroxide, suggesting that factors other than TNF-a play a role in the killing of mycobacteria by alveolar macrophages. Thalidomide administration also reduced the number of spread cells among resident macrophages, suggesting a direct effect of the drug on this phenomenon

Pesquisa de imunoglobulinas e complemento no granuloma da doença de Jorge Lobo / Immunoglobulin and complement research in the granuloma of Jorge Lobo's disease

A doença de Jorge Lobo é micose cutânea-subcutânea de evolução crônica causada pelo fungo Lacazia loboi. Esta micose é predominante na região Amazônica e afeta, principalmente, trabalhadores rurais que vivem em contato constante com a vegetação e o solo, como é o caso dos seringueiros dessa região. Os estudos abordando os aspectos imunopatológicos desta micose são ainda muito escassos, possivelmente devido ao não cultivo do seu agente etiológico. Considerando que existem estudos demonstrando a participação da resposta imune humoral na doença de Jorge Lobo, onde os pacientes exibem níveis séricos elevados de imunoglobulinas e complemento, e alterações no perfil de citocinas representadas por um predomínio do perfil Th2, o presente estudo foi realizado com a finalidade de avaliar a presença de anticorpos e components do sistema complemento no granuloma induzido pelo L.loboi. Participaram destte estudo 11 pacientes portadores da micose, provenientes do estado do Acre, dos quais foram coletados fragmentos de pele das lesões. O material foi avaliado quanto à presença de imunoglobulinas e complemento, através da técnica de imunofluorescência e submetido à coloração pela hematoxilina-eosina para serem avaliados histopatologicamente. Os resultados obtidos revelaram depósitos dessas proteínas envolvendo a parede celular dos fungos em todos os pacientes avaliados e presença de um infiltrado inflamatório constituído predominantemente por histiócitos, células gigantes multinucleadas e numerosos fungos. Os linfócitos estavam presentes em número discreto a moderado e os plasmócitos, embora em número inferior, sempre estiveram presentes. Os resultados obtidos neste estudo revelam a presença de anticorpos e complemento no granuloma da doença de Jorge Lobo e sugerem a participação dessas proteínas nos mecanismos de defesa contra o fungo L. loboi.

Experimental dermatophytosis in hamsters inoculated with Trichophyton mentagrophytes in the cheek pouch

This study presents the results of T. mentagrophytes inoculation in the cheek pouch of the hamster, an immunologically privileged site. Forty two animals were used: 21 inoculated with 10(6) fungi in the cheek pouch (group 1) and 21 inoculated initially with 10(6) fungi in the foot pad and 15 days later in the cheek pouch, with the same amount of fungi (group 2). Animals were sacrificed at 20 hours, 3, 7, 14, 30, 60, and 120 days; samples from inoculated cheek pouch, and foot pads submitted to the foot pad test (FPT), were collected. Independent of group and time of evolution of infection, animals did not develop delayed hypersensitivity evaluated through the FPT. The pre-inoculation of fungi in the foot pad did not change the morphology of lesions induced in the cheek pouch. Therefore, in animals of group 1 and 2, the introduction of the fungus in the cheek pouch resulted in focal lesion composed of a sterile acute inflammatory infiltrate, with abscess formation that evolved to a macrophagic reaction, and later to resolution even in the absence of immune response detectable by FPT. Our results indicate that in spite of the important role of the immune response in the spontaneous regression of dermatophytosis, other factors are also an integral part in the defense against this fungal infection

Experimental dermatophytosis in hamsters inoculated with Trichophyton mentagrophytes in the cheek pouch

This study presents the results of T. mentagrophytes inoculation in the cheek pouch of the hamster, an immunologically privileged site. Forty two animals were used: 21 inoculated with 106 fungi in the cheek pouch (group 1) and 21 inoculated initially with 106 fungi in the foot pad and 15 days later in the cheek pouch, with the same amount of fungi (group 2). Animals were sacrificed at 20 hours, 3, 7, 14, 30, 60, and 120 days; samples from inoculated cheek pouch, and foot pads submitted to the foot pad test (FPT), were collected. Independent of group and time of evolution of infection, animals did not develop delayed hypersensitivity evaluated through the FPT. The pre-inoculation of fungi in the foot pad did not change the morphology of lesions induced in the cheek pouch. Therefore, in animals of group 1 and 2, the introduction of the fungus in the cheek pouch resulted in focal lesion composed of a sterile acute inflammatory infiltrate, with abscess formation that evolved to a macrophagic reaction, and later to resolution even in the absence of immune response detectable by FPT. Our results indicate that in spite of the important role of the immune response in the spontaneous regression of dermatophytosis, other factors are also an integral part in the defense against this fungal infection

Hanseníase experimental murina: inoculaçäo do Mycobaterium leprae via intranasal / Murine experimental hansen's disease: intranasal inoculation of the mycobacterium leprae

Considerando as vias aéreas superiores como a mais provável porta de entrada do M.leprae no organismo, no presente estudo avaliou-se o comportamento do bacilo inoculado experimentalmente via intranasal. Assim, camondongos suiços foram inoculados por instilaçäo nasal com M.leprae e sacrificados em diferentes períodos de tempo. Em cada cada sacrifício os pulmöes foram removidos e submetidos ao lavado broncoalveolar (LBA) e análise histopatológica. O LBA foi avaliado quanto ao número de bacilos recuperados e número total e diferencial de células inflamatórias; foi ainda semeado em meios de cultivo Lowenstein-Jensen e Middlebrook 7H9 e 7H11. No LBA foram encontrados bacilos até o 6§ mês de inoculaçäo, näo houve crescimento de micobactérias nas culturas. O número total de células, linfócitos e neutrófilos do LBA obtido de camundongos infectados foi maior que o do grupo controle até o 6§ mês da experimentaçäo. A análise histopatológica revelou pequenos infiltrados celulares distribuídos pelo parênquima pulmonar e ao redor dos vasos até o 6§ mês de sacrifício; näo foram observadas lesöes de disseminaçäo. Os resultados obtidos revelam que a inoculaçäo de M. leprae, via intranasal, em camundongos Suíços, näo levou ao desenvolvimento da doença nem a multiplicaçäo dos bacilos; assim estudos aidcionais envolvendo outras linhagens de camundongos poderäo ser úteis para determinar a importância da via intranasal na infecçäo hansênica

Jorge Lobo's disease: experimental inoculation in Swiss mice

Sixty-four isogenic Swiss mice were intradermically inoculated in both hind foot pads. The inocula, consisting of fungal suspensions from biopsies obtained from Jorge Lobo's Disease patients, had the total number of fungi and the viability index determined using a Neubauer chamber and the fluorescein diacetate-ethidium bromide technique (FD-EB), respectively. The animals were sacrificed at times ranging from ten days to eighteen months after inoculation. The cellular infiltrate, mainly consisting of macrophages containing fungi, increased progressively up to end of the study; however, no macroscopic alterations were observed in the inoculated feet. After nine months, small numbers of Langhans' giant cells started to appear in the infiltrate. A considerable number of fungi was observed at the end of the experimental period, but only a few were viable when stained by the FD-EB technique. This fact suggests that there is a multiplication of fungal cells, which are destroyed by the macrophages but remain in the tissue for a long time due perhaps to the difficulties in their elimination. These findings led us to conclude that in spite of the maintenance of the infection in these animals, Swiss mice cannot be considered an ideal model to study Jorge Lobo's Disease. However, the authors call attention to the possibility of other mouse strains being more susceptible to Paracoccidioides loboi.

Dermatophytosis: association between ABO blood groups and reactivity to the trichophytin

The authors investigated the relationship between dermatophytosis and ABO blood groups through blood typing, identification of isolated dermatophytes and specific cellular immune response of 40 individuals carriers of this mycosis. They verified that the fungus Trichophyton rubrum, isolated from 54.5 percent of the patients, was more frequent in individuals belonging to blood group A. The cellular immune response, evaluated through the trichophytin antigen, was positive in 25 percent of the studied patients; the presence of immediate reactions (30 minutes) was verified in 35 percent. The blood group distribution among patients with dermatophytosis and control groups was, respectively: 47.5 percent X 36 percent in group A, 40 percent X 50 percent in group O, 12.5 percent X 11 percent in group B. Even though the authors have found a higher number of patients belonging to blood group A infected by T. rubrum, these results suggest that there is no statistical evidence that these individuals are more susceptible to dermatophytosis

A doença de Jorge Lobo e a coloraçäo pele prata / Jorge Lobo's disease and methenamine silver staining

FUNDAMENTOS - A análise dos cortes histológicos de lesöes cutâneas corados pela prata metenamina (PM) e hematoxilina-eosina (HE) revelam diferenças na coloraçäo do P.loboi, agente causador da doença de Jorge Lobo. Nos cortes corados pela PM observa-se também depósito de uma substância granulosa, de tonalidade marrom-escura, semelhante àquela exibida pelo parasita. OBJETIVOS - Interpretar as alteraçöes da coloraçäo do P.loboi corado pela PM em cortes histológicos e suspensöes fúngicas e comparar os resultados com os obtidos por meio da coloraçäo vital pelo diacetato de fluoresceína-brometo de etídio (DF-BE). Interpretar, também, a natureza do material granuloso e argentófilo observado em algumas localizaçöes das lesöes cutâneas. PACIENTE E MÉTODOS - Biópsias da pele de cinco pacientes foram processadas em soluçäo salina 0,85 porcento e incluídas em parafina para obtençäo de cortes histológicos. A suspensäo de fungos foi corada pelo DF-BE e PM, e os cortes histológicos, pela HE e PM com a finalidade de avaliar a viabilidade dos fungos. RESULTADOS - Os percentuais de viabilidade do P.loboi em suspensäo variaram de 37 a 51 porcento e de 39 a 59 porcento com os corantes DF-BE e PM, respectivamente. Nos cortes histológicos corados pela PM, os percentuais variaram de 36 a 57 porcento. Observou-se material granuloso argentófilo em todos os cortes analisados, tanto no interior de células em que havia grande número de cápsulas vazias quanto em áreas com número de fungos reduzido. CONCLUSÖES - Os resultados obtidos sugerem que, por meio da coloraçäo dos cortes histológicos pela PM, é possível estimar o índice de viabilidade do P.loboi, embora a coloraçäo dos fungos em suspensäo pelo DF-BE seja método mais preciso. As observaçöes feitas também sugerem que a presença do material argentófilo está relacionada com a destruiçäo do P.loboi no interior dos macrófagos