Tuberculin skin test and interferon-gamma release assay values are associated with antimicrobial peptides expression in polymorphonuclear cells during latent tuberculous infection

It has been reported that patients with progressive tuberculosis (TB) express abundant amounts of the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) cathelicidin (LL-37) and human neutrophil peptide-1 (HNP-1) in circulating cells, whereas latent TB infected donors showed no differences when compared with purified protein derivative (PPD) and QuantiFERON®-TB Gold (QFT)-healthy individuals. The aim of this study was to determine whether LL-37 and HNP-1 production correlates with higher tuberculin skin test (TST) and QFT values in TB household contacts. Twenty-six TB household contact individuals between 26-58 years old TST and QFT positive with at last two years of latent TB infection were recruited. AMPs production by polymorphonuclear cells was determined by flow cytometry and correlation between TST and QFT values was analysed. Our results showed that there is a positive correlation between levels of HNP-1 and LL-37 production with reactivity to TST and/or QFT levels. This preliminary study suggests the potential use of the expression levels of these peptides as biomarkers for progression in latent infected individuals.

Hematología y citoquímica de las células sanguíneas de Rhinella fernandezae (Anura: Bufonidae) en Espinal y Delta-Islas del río Paraná, Argentina

Hematology and blood cell cytochemistry of Rhinella fernandezae (Amphibia: Anura) from Espinal and Delta-Islands of Paraná River, Argentina. The description of amphibian hematology is scarce and most of these studies have been done in species from North America, Asia and Europe. With the purpose to obtain basic hematological information of Rhinella fernandezae, 23 blood samples from Santa Fe and Entre Ríos natural reserves were studied. Blood of each individual was extracted by cardiac puncture and hemograms were carried out. Morphological and cytochemical description of blood cells were analyzed in slides and were inspected for extra and intra cellular parasites. Five leucocytes types were observed, being lymphocytes the predominant ones followed by basophiles. Heterophils and eosinophils were positive to PAS, Sudan B and peroxidase. The erythrocytes and its precursors were negative for cytochemical reactions. Micronuclei and nuclear alterations frequencies were scarce. No significant differences (p>0.05) were observed between sexes neither in hemograms nor in blood cells morphology. Microfilarias were the only hemoparasites found with a relative low prevalence and infection intensity. The hematological characteristics studied were similar to those reported for other amphibians, suggesting that R. fernandezae individuals present optimal nutritional and immunological status. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (1): 17-28. Epub 2011 March 01.

La descripción de la hematología de los anfibios anuros es escasa, habiéndose realizado la mayoría de los trabajos en especies de Norteamérica, Asia y Europa. Con el propósito de obtener datos hematológicos para Rhinella fernandezae, fueron estudiados 23 especímenes provenientes de zonas protegidas de las provincias de Santa Fe y Entre Ríos. Se les extrajo sangre por punción cardíaca y se realizaron hemogramas. En los extendidos sanguíneos, se efectuaron la descripción morfológica y citoquímica de las células sanguíneas y búsqueda de parásitos. Se observaron cinco tipos de leucocitos, donde predominaron los linfocitos pequeños. Heterófilos y eosinófilos resultaron positivos para PAS, Sudan B y peroxidasa; contrariamente, los eritrocitos y sus precursores fueron negativos. Los puntajes de las reacciones citoquímicas fueron variables para basófilos, linfocitos, monocitos y trombocitos. Las frecuencias de micronúcleos y de alteraciones nucleares fueron escasas. No se observaron diferencias significativas (p>0.05) entre sexos en el hemograma ni en la morfología sanguínea. Los únicos hemoparásitos encontrados fueron microfilarias (Nematoda: Filaroidea), cuya prevalencia e intensidad de infección fueron bajas. Las características hematológicas estudiadas fueron semejantes a los valores reportados para otros anfibios, pudiendo inferir que los individuos de R. fernandezae estudiados se encuentran en un buen estado nutricional e inmunológico.

Proliferative indices, cytogenetics, immunophenotye and other prognostic parameters in myelodysplastic syndromes.

Thirty-five adult myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients were included in this study: 11 refractory anemia (RA), 4 RA with ring sideroblasts (RARS), 9 RA with excess of blasts (RAEB), 10 RAEB in transformation (RAEB-T) and 1 chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). The ranges of survival were 4-51 months, 40-59 months, 7-38 months, 5-24 months and 5 days, respectively. Three patients died and 3 showed disease progression during the course of the study. A composite analysis of proliferative indices, cytogenetics, immunophenotype and other conventional/novel prognostic parameters in the context of Indian MDS patients was performed. The proliferative indices (AgNOR and Ki 67 positivity), immunophenotypic markers, serum LDH and ferritin levels revealed wide variations and great overlap among different FAB subtypes. The scoring systems (Bournemouth, Dusseldorf and Goasguen) did not correlate with the prognosis and survival (p > 0.05). Clonal cytogenetic abnormalities were detected in 24/35 (68.57%) patients, +8, -5 and -7 being observed commonly. Cytogenetic abnormalities were more frequent in RAEB (88.8%), RAEB-T (80.0%) and RA (63.6%) subtypes of MDS. By Using Mufti's prognostic system and International prognostic scoring system (IPSS), a good positive correlation was found between low risk category and RARS with better survival as compared to other risk categories/FAB subtypes (p < 0.01). However, rest of the FAB subtypes were assigned into high, intermediate and low risk categories without any correlation with the survival and/or leukemic transformation. RARS subtype revealed itself as the better prognostic category according to the cytogenetic findings as well as Mufti's grading system. This was possible due to the longer follow up available for these patients (40-59 months).

Blood parasites, total plasma protein and packed cell volume of small wild mammals trapped in three mountain ranges of the Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil

A study of blood parasites in small wild non-flying mammals was undertaken in three areas of the Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil: Serra de Itatiaia, RJ, Serra da Bocaina, SP and Serra da Fartura, SP, from June 1999 to May 2001. A total of 450 animals (15 species) were captured in traps and it was observed in 15.5 percent of the blood smears the presence of Haemobartonella sp. and Babesia sp. in red blood cells. There was no statistically significant difference between parasited and non-parasited specimens regarding total plasma protein, packed cell volume and body weight, which strongly suggests that these specimens might be parasite reservoirs.

A presença de hemoparasitos em pequenos mamíferos silvestres não voadores foi pesquisada em animais de três áreas serranas do Sudeste brasileiro, pertencentes ao complexo da Serra do Mar e da Serra da Mantiqueira, nos Estados de São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro e Minas Gerais. Foram capturados 420 animais de 15 espécies, durante dois anos, dos quais, 15,5 por cento apresentaram Haemobartonella sp. e Babesia sp., observadas em lâmina de esfregaço sangüíneo no interior de suas hemácias. Os níveis de proteína total plasmática e de volume globular não apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os indivíduos parasitados e não parasitados, assim como o peso corporal, o que sugere fortemente que esses animais possam ser reservatórios desses parasitos.

Comparison of Two New Plastic Tubes (Sekisui INSEPACK and Green Cross Green Vac-Tube) with BD Vacutainer Tubes for 49 Analytes / 대한진단검사의학회지

BACKGROUND: Becton Dickinson (BD) Vacutainer tubes are the most widely used vacuum system for collection of blood in clinical laboratories. We compared the performance of two new tubes, Sekisui INSEPACK tube and Green Cross Green Vac-Tube, with the existing BD Vacutainer tubes for 49 common analytes. METHODS: A total of 20 apparently healthy volunteers were recruited for this study. For rountine chemistry and thyroid function tests, we compared the results of two new vacutainer tubes and BD Vacutainer tubes with those of BD glass tubes at t =0 hr by student paired t test. Hematology and coagulation test results of the two new vacutainer tubes were compared with those of BD Vacutainer tubes at t =0 hr. To study the stability of each analyte, results at t =24 +/- 2 hr, t =72 +/- 2 hr, and t =168 +/- 2 hr were compared with those at t =0 hr for each tube. RESULTS: Although paired t test analysis revealed statistically significant differences between two tested tubes and existing BD Vacutainer tube in several tests (total protein, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, glucose, uric acid, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, direct bilirubin, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine), these differences were not considered clinically significant. Stability of two new vacuum tubes for each analyte was similar to that of the BD Vacutainer tube. CONCLUSIONS: Sekisui INSEPACK tube and Green Cross Green-Vac Tube showed a satisfactory analytical performance compared with existing BD Vacutainer tubes. We conclude that these two new plastic vacutainer tubes are acceptable for the commonly ordered laboratory tests.

Peripheral blood cells of the armored catfish Hoplosternum littorale Hancock, 1828: a morphological and cytochemical study

Cytochemical studies are used to identify fish leukocytes and as a basis for studying the functions of these cells in cellular immune responses. In this work, we investigated the morphological features and cytochemical properties of the blood cells in the armored catfish (Hoplosternum littorale), a South American teleost. Reticulocytes, which accounted for 8-24.6% of the red blood cell population, stained with brilliant cresyl blue and contained a granular material similar to residual RNA. Thrombocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, heterophils and eosinophils were identified and characterized in blood smears stained with May Grünwald-Giemsa-Wright. The lymphocytes were small, round cells with a basophilic cytoplasm and contained no periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), peroxidase or non-specific esterase activity. The thrombocytes were usually fusiform, with a hyaline cytoplasm that was acidophilic when stained with alkaline toluidine blue. The monocytes were round, with a basophilic and sometimes vacuolated cytoplasm that contained non-specific esterase activity. The neutrophils were large and round, with typical neutrophilic granules that sometimes showed moderate staining. The nuclei were rod-shaped and occasionally segmented, with PAS-positive granules that gave a weak reaction for peroxidase. The heterophils were large and round with coarse eosinophilic and basophilic, PAS-positive granules. The eosinophils were round and medium-sized, with eosinophilic granules that generally gave a negative reaction in all cytochemical stainings. The marked variation in the granulocyte morphology of H. littorale meant that a standard analysis based only on the morphology of these cells was insufficient for identifying all of the cell types.

Effects of protein and vitamin B deficiency on blood parameters and myenteric neurons of the colon of rats

The aims of this work were to evaluate the effects of the deficient ingestion of protein and vitamin B on the biochemical and hematologic parameters and on the NADH- and NADPH-diaphorase positive myenteric neurons. The control animals (n=10) received commercial chow and the experimental rats (n=10) received chow with protein level reduced to 8 percent during 120 days. At the time of killing blood was collected for assessment of the blood and hematologic parameters and the ascending colon for quantitative analysis of the neurons of the myenteric plexus. It was observed that the reduction of the protein level to 8 percent coupled to the reduction of the levels of vitamin B in adult rats neither led to qualitative or quantitative changes on red or white blood cells, nor decreased globulin levels, induced the formation of edema or gave rise to clinical signs typical of protein or vitamin B deficiency. On the other hand, the experimental protocol led to less weight gain, change on the body composition with fat deposition; decrease of the values of serum total protein and albumin; reduction of the area of colon and density of nitrergic and NADH-diaphorase myenteric neurons inferior to the expected

In vitro radioautographic studies of the biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals on blood elements

In the present study evaluated the binding of the radiopharmaceuticals sodium pertechnetate (Na (99m)TcO4), methylenediphosphonic acid (99m)Tc-MDP)) and glucoheptonate acid (99m)Tc-GHA)) to blood elements using centrifugation and radioautographic techniques. Heparinized blood was incubated with the labelled compounds for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 24 h. Plasma (P) and blood cells (BC) were isolated and precipitated with 5 percent trichloroacetic acid (TCA), and soluble (SF) and isoluble fractions (IF) were separated. Blood samples were prepared (0 and 24 h) and coated with LM-1 radioautographic emulsions and percent radioactivity (percent rad) in P and BC was determined. The binding of Na (99m)TcO4 (percentrad) to P was 61.2 percent (0 h) and 46.0 percent (24 h), and radioautography showed 63.7 percent (0 h) and 43.3 percent (24 h). The binding to BC was 38.8 percent (0 h) and 54.0 percent (24 h), and radioautography showed 36.3 percent (0h) and 56.7 percent (24 h), and radioautography showed 36.3 percent (0 h) and 56.7 percent (24 h). (99m) Tc-MDP study presented 91.1 percent (0 h) to P and 87.2 percent (24 h), and radioautography showed 67.9 percent (0 h) and 67.4 percent (24 h). The binding to BC was 8.9 percent (0 h) and 12.8 percent (24 h), and radioautography showed 32.1 percent (0 h) and 32.6 percent (24 h). (99m)Tc-GHA study was 90.1 percent (0 h) to P and 79.9 percent (24 h), and radioautography showed 67.2 percent (0 h) and 60.1 percent (24 h). The binding to BC was 9.9 percent (0 h) and 20.1 percent (24 h), and radioautography showed 32.8 percent (0 h) and 39.9 percent (24 h). The comparasion of the obtained results suggests that the binding to plasma and blood cells in the two techniques used (radioautography and centrifugation) qualitatively in accordance.

Topochemistry of blood cells of the Gallus domesticus (Aves, Galliforme)

Extensöes de sangue periférico de aves (macho e fêmea), foram submetidas a um estudo topoquímico que permitiu as seguintes conclusöes: com o PAS, a presença de glicogênio nos trombócitos e alguns heterófilos; com o azul de bromofenol (proteína) positividade em todos os elementos celulares, com intensa reatividade da regiäo equatorial dos grânulos fusiformes de heterófilos; com o método da orto-toluidina-água oxigenada (mieloperoxidase), reatividade discutível nos polimorfonucleares e negativa nos demais tipos de células e com Sudan black (lipídios) uma positividade em alguns heterófilos, eosinófilos e monócitos