VacciMonitor: 30 años divulgando ciencia / VacciMonitor: 30 years spreading science

VacciMonitor, producto líder del sello editorial Finlay Ediciones, es una revista arbitrada dedicada a la vacunología y otras disciplinas relacionadas que se reafirma como la única con estas características en Latinoamérica. Existen otras con iguales objetivos editadas por países desarrollados, como Vaccine de la editorial Elsevier (Holanda) y Vacunas, de Doyma (España).1,2 Se fundó en 1992 con el objetivo de divulgar los logros alcanzados por Cuba en el campo de las vacunas; desde esa fecha ha contribuido a visibilizar el impacto de la vacunación en nuestro país y el desarrollo de la industria farmacéutica y biotecnológica que produce gran parte de las vacunas utilizadas en el programa nacional de inmunización.2 En sus inicios tuvo un carácter institucional. En el año 2000 trascendió nuestras fronteras y a partir de ese momento aumentaron los artículos procedentes de otros países1,2. Su frecuencia ha variado, atendiendo principalmente a la disponibilidad de artículos científicos. En los últimos años se ha estabilizado como publicación cuatrimestral.1,2,3 Del año 2005 al 2021 se han publicado 263 artículos científicos, de 31 países y 156 instituciones. El 27,8 por ciento de esta producción es externa a nuestro país y el 72,2 por ciento, interna; de esta última, el 49,4 por ciento corresponde a producción no institucional. En VacciMonitor han publicado autores cubanos y de otros países como México, Venezuela, Malasia, Reino Unido, entre otros. Las Instituciones cubanas que más contribuyen a la revista son: Instituto Finlay de Vacunas, Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología, Instituto de Medicina Tropical ¨Pedro Kourí¨, Instituto Superior Politécnico José Antonio Echeverría y Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de La Habana.4) VacciMonitor es una revista a favor de la Ciencia Abierta.5 Acepta manuscritos publicados en archivos de preprints; proporciona un acceso abierto inmediato a su contenido, basado en el principio de que ofrecer al público un acceso libre a las investigaciones ayuda a un mayor intercambio global de conocimiento; el acceso a todos los contenidos de la revista, registro y envío de artículos es totalmente gratuito. Todo el procesamiento de los artículos, su revisión, edición y publicación es libre...(AU)

Immunological and biossensory techniques for detection of Salmonella spp. in food derived from fish farming- review / Técnicas imunológicas e biossensoriais para detecção de Salmonella spp. em alimentos derivados da piscicultura ­ revisão de literatura / Técnicas inmunológicas y biosensoriales para detección de Salmonella spp. en alimentos derivados de piscicultura - revisión de literatura

Salmonellosis is the world's most common foodborne illness. In Brazil, foods contaminated by salmonella lead the statistics. Therefore, the aim of this study is, through biotechnological knowledge, to compile alternative and innovative techniques for the detection of salmonella in foods, such as fish-farming derivatives, immunological and biosensorial techniques. This is a descriptive exploratory data survey of a qualitative nature, aiming at data analysis. Research and data collection were carried out in bibliographic databases: Academic Google, Scielo, CAPES journals and institutional repositories using specific descriptors - in Portuguese and English, with words and terms separated by the Boolean operators 'AND' and 'OR'. Some innovative and alternative methods are available to identify the presence of salmonella in food. Immunological and biosensory techniques, despite being less frequent in the scientific literature than molecular methods, are techniques that present high specificity and sensitivity. These techniques have been the most developed alternative methods in fish in recent years. And, they can employ both molecular and immunological techniques in biorecognition, which is characterized as an advantage of not having a requirement for pre-enrichment of the sample. According to the literature found, the techniques covered in this study are quick to respond, which speeds up decision-making by researchers and technicians, which makes the techniques very promising for industrial application.(AU)

A salmonelose é uma enfermidade de maior ocorrência no mundo veiculada por alimentos. No Brasil, alimentos contaminados por salmonelas lideram as estatísticas. Por isso, o objetivo desse estudo é através dos conhecimentos biotecnológicos compilar técnicas alternativas e inovadoras para a detecção de salmonelas em alimentos, como os derivados da piscicultura, as técnicas imunológicas e biossensoriais. Trata-se de um estudo de levantamento de dados descritivo exploratório de de caráter qualitativo, visando à análise dos dados. As pesquisas e coletas de dados foram realizadas nas bases bibliográficas: Google Acadêmico, Scielo, periódicos da CAPES e repositórios institucionais utilizando os descritores específicos - nos idiomas português e inglês, com palavras e termos separados pelos operadores booleanos 'AND' e 'OR'. São disponibilizados alguns métodos inovadores e alternativos para identificação da presença de salmonelas em alimentos. As técnicas imunológicas e biossensoriais, apesar de serem menos frequentes na literatura científica do que os métodos moleculares são técnicas que apresentaram elevada especificidade e sensibilidade. Essas técnicas têm sido os métodos alternativos mais desenvolvidos em peixes nos últimos anos. E, podem empregar tanto técnicas moleculares como imunológicas no biorreconhecimento, o que se caracteriza como vantagem de não haver requerimento de pré-enriquecimento da amostra. Conforme a literatura encontrada, as técnicas abordadas por esse estudo apresentam rapidez de resposta o que agiliza as tomadas de decisões dos pesquisadores e técnicos, o que torna as técnicas bastante promissora para aplicação industrial.(AU)

La salmonelosis es la enfermedad transmitida por alimentos más común del mundo. En Brasil, los alimentos contaminados por salmonelas lideran las estadísticas. Por tanto, el objetivo de ese estudio fue a través de conocimientos biotecnológicos recopilar técnicas alternativas e innovadoras para la detección de salmonelas en los alimentos, como los derivados de la piscicultura, las técnicas inmunológicas y biosensoriales. Se trata de una encuesta de datos exploratorio descriptivo de carácter cualitativo, cuyo objetivo es el análisis de datos. Las investigaciones y recopilaciones de datos se realizaron en bases de datos bibliográficas: Google Académico, Scielo, revistas CAPES y repositorios institucionales utilizando descriptores específicos, en portugués e inglés, con palabras y términos separados por los operadores booleanos 'AND' y 'OR'. Se encuentran disponibles algunos métodos innovadores y alternativos para identificar la presencia de salmonela en los alimentos. Las técnicas inmunológicas y biosensoriales, a pesar de ser menos frecuentes en la literatura científica que los métodos moleculares, son técnicas de alta especificidad y sensibilidad. Esas técnicas han sido los métodos alternativos más desarrollados en peces en los últimos años. Y pueden emplear técnicas tanto moleculares como inmunológicas en el biorreconocimiento, que se caracteriza por la ventaja de no tener un requisito de preenriquecimiento de la muestra. Según la literatura encontrada, las técnicas abordadas en este estudio son de rápida respuesta, lo que agiliza la toma de decisiones por parte de investigadores y técnicos, lo que hace que las técnicas sean muy prometedoras para la aplicación industrial.(AU)

São Paulo School of Advanced Sciences on Vaccines: an overview

Two years ago, we held an exciting event entitled the São Paulo School of Advanced Sciences on Vaccines (SPSASV). Sixty-eight Ph.D. students, postdoctoral fellows and independent researchers from 37 different countries met at the Mendes Plaza Hotel located in the city of Santos, SP - Brazil to discuss the challenges and the new frontiers of vaccinology. The SPSASV provided a critical and comprehensive view of vaccine research from basics to the current state-of-the-art techniques performed worldwide. For 10 days, we discussed all the aspects of vaccine development in 36 lectures, 53 oral presentations and 2 poster sessions. At the end of the course, participants were further encouraged to present a model of a grant proposal related to vaccine development against individual pathogens. Among the targeted pathogens were viruses (Chikungunya, HIV, RSV, and Influenza), bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Streptococcus pyogenes), parasites (Plasmodium falciparum or Plasmodium vivax), and the worm Strongyloides stercoralis. This report highlights some of the knowledge shared at the SPSASV.(AU)

50 años dedicados al desarrollo de la Inmunología / 50 years dedicated to the development of Immunology

En el presente trabajo, dedicado a los 50 años de trabajo del Instituto de Hematología e Inmunología, se describe el desarrollo de la especialidad de Inmunología, sus principales alcances y logros científicos en las líneas de desarrollo fundamentales como: la introducción de técnicas de avanzada, el estudio inmunológico de hemopatías y el diagnóstico de las inmunodeficiencias primarias y secundarias. Dentro de estos se destacan la introducción de la citometría de flujo que permitió resultados relevantes en inmunología básica, en su aplicación al estudio de hemopatías como la anemia drepanocítica y el perfeccionamiento del diagnóstico inmunológico de las leucemias agudas del país. También, la caracterización de células madre procedentes de la médula ósea, utilizadas en la terapia celular regenerativa, y el estudio inmunológico del enfermo con insuficiencia renal crónica en espera de trasplante renal en Cuba(AU)

The present work, devoted to the 50 years of work of the Institute of Hematology and Immunology, describes the development of the Immunology specialty, its main achievements and scientific results on the fundamentals development lines, such as the introduction of advanced techniques, the immunological study of hemopathies and the diagnosis of primary and secondary immunodeficiencies. Among these, we highlight the introduction of flow cytometry that allowed relevant results in basic immunology, in its application to the study of hemopathies such as sickle cell anemia and the improvement of the immunological diagnosis of acute leukemias in the country. Also, the characterization of stem cells from the bone marrow used in regenerative cell therapy and the immunological study of the patient with chronic renal failure pending renal transplantation in Cuba(AU)

The performance of serological tests for Leishmania infantum infection screening in dogs depends on the prevalence of the disease

ABSTRACT Dogs are considered the main reservoir of Leishmania infantum. This protozoan causes visceral leishmaniasis (VL), an uncontrolled urban zoonosis in Brazil. Serological tests and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on peripheral blood were performed to identify infected dogs in scenarios of higher and lower prevalence of the disease (Teresina and Vitória). One-hundred infected and 57 non-infected animals from Teresina and 100 non-infected animals from Vitória were studied. Animal selection was not dependent on previous serology. The sensitivity (Teresina) and specificity (Teresina and Vitória) were as follows: indirect antibody fluorescence (IFAT) cut-off of 1:40 (IFAT 1:40): 96%, 18%, and 76%; IFAT 1:80: 90%, 33%, and 93%; direct agglutination test (DAT): 96%, 33%, and 98%; fast agglutination screening test (FAST): 93%, 68%, and 100%; immunochromatographic assay with a recombinant rK39 antigen (rK39): 88%, 74%, and 98%; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA): 91%, 79%, and 98%; rapid dual-path platform test (TR DPP®): 98%, 60%, and 98%; and blood PCR: 29%, 93%, and 97%, respectively. In the high transmission area, none of the tests adequately discriminated L. infantum-infected from non-infected dogs. However, in the high transmission city, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of FAST, DAT, ICrK39, ELISA and TR DPP® was high.

Progress in preparation of small monoclonal antibodies of knock out technique / 中国中药杂志

With the application of monoclonal antibody technology more and more widely, its production technology is becoming more and more perfect. Small molecule monoclonal antibody technology is becoming a hot research topic for people. The application of traditional Chinese medicine small molecule monoclonal antibody technology has been more and more widely, the technology for effective Chinese medicine component knockout provide strong technical support. The preparation of monoclonal antibodies and small molecule knockout technology are reviewed in this paper. The preparation of several steps, such as: in the process of preparation of antigen, hapten carrier coupling, coupling ratio determination and identification of artificial antigen and establishment of animal immunization and hybridoma cell lines of monoclonal antibody, the large-scale preparation; small molecule monoclonal antibody on Immune in affinity chromatography column method is discussed in detail. The author believes that this technology will make the traditional Chinese medicine research on a higher level, and improve the level of internationalization of Chinese medicine research.

Prevalencia de Fasciola hepatica en humanos y bovinos en el departamento del Quindío-Colombia 2012-2013 / Prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in humans and cattle in the departmentof Quindio-Colombia 2012-2013

Introducción: La fasciolosis es una parasitosis causada por Fasciola hepatica (F. hepatica). En el departamento del Quindío se desconoce su prevalencia tanto en humanos como en bovinos. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de F. hepatica en heces de trabajadores del sector ganadero y bovinos en el departamento del Quindío entre los meses de septiembre de 2012 y marzo de 2013. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, mediante análisis parasitológico en heces de empleados del sector ganadero y en bovinos en los 12 municipios del departamento del Quindío, usando la técnica directa de Lugol, concentración de Kato-Katz y Ritchie; se realizó la determinación de antígenos de F. hepatica en heces mediante la prueba inmunológica Fascidig®. Se realizó una encuesta epidemiológica a los empleados y propietarios, en la que se consignaron la presencia de sintomatología y los factores de riesgo implicados en la adquisición de esta parasitosis. Resultados: La prevalencia de F. hepatica en bovinos fue 3,74%, por microscopia óptica y 3,01% mediante Fascidig®, y 0% en humanos. Los animales recibieron antiparasitarios en los meses previos a la toma de las muestras, sin embargo, se determinó presencia de huevos de Fasciola en las heces de los bovinos. Los municipios donde se encontraron resultados positivos fueron: Salento, Génova, Quimbaya, Montenegro y Circasia. Conclusión: Demostramos la presencia del parásito F. hepatica en los bovinos en pie de 4 municipios del departamento del Quindío. © 2014 ACIN. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. Todos los derechos reservados.

Introduction: Fascioliasis is a parasitic disease caused by Fasciola hepatica (F. hepatica) . Theprevalence of this infection in the region of Quindío in humans and in cattle is unknown. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of F. hepatica in feces of cattle workers and cattle inthe region of Quindío from September 2012 to March 2013. Materials and methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed by parasitologicalanalysis of feces of cattle workers and cattle in 12 municipalities of department of Quindíousing the Lugol direct technique, Kato-Katz and Ritchie concentrations. The determination of Fasciola hepatic antigens in feces was performed by the Fascidig® immunological technique.In addition, an epidemiological survey concerning the symptomatology of the disease and therisk factors involved in the acquisition of this parasite was carried out. Results: The F. hepatica prevalence in cattle was 3,74%, by optical microscopy and 3,01% withFascidig® and 0% in humans. The animals received antiparasitics in the months prior to thetaking of samples; however the presence of F. hepatica eggs in cattle feces was determined.The cities where positive results were found include: Salento, Génova, Quimbaya, Montenegroy Circasia. Conclusion: We have demonstrated the presence of the parasite F. hepatica in cattle in 4 citiesin the region of Quindío.

Immunolocalization of heme oxygenase-1 in periodontal diseases.

Context: Chronic periodontitis is an inflammatory condition of supporting tissues initiated by organisms in dental plaque. The reactive oxygen species and free radicals mediate connective tissue destruction in periodontitis. In order to counteract the free radical mediated tissue damage, numerous antioxidant mechanisms exist within the host. One such system is heme oxygenase enzymes. Heme oxygenase is the key enzyme involved in catabolism of heme. It cleaves the heme molecule to yield equimolar amounts of biliverdin, carbon monoxide, and iron. These end products act as important scavengers of reactive oxygen metabolites. Increased heme oxygenase expression has been identified in inflammatory condition, such as pancreatitis, diabetes, nephritis, and atherosclerosis. Since chronic periodontitis is one such inflammatory condition, we assessed the expression of heme oxygenase-1, in smokers and periodontitis group using immunohistochemistry technique. Aims: The aim of this study is to compare the expression of heme oxygenase-1 in patients with healthy periodontium, periodontitis and smokers. Materials and Methods: Gingival tissue samples were taken from 30 patients, who were divided into three groups healthy controls (n = 10), chronic periodontitis (n = 10), and smokers with chronic periodontitis (n = 10). All the samples were subjected to immunohistochemical staining using the antiheme oxygenase-1 antibody and were tested for efficiency by staining a positive control (prostate cancer tissue sections) and a negative control. The results were tabulated and analyzed. Results: Our results showed increased expression of heme oxygenase-1 in the gingival tissue samples taken from smokers compared with periodontitis and healthy tissue. Conclusion: The results of our study is an increasing evidence of involvement of antioxidant enzymes like heme oxygenase-1 in periodontal inflammation and their implication for treatment of chronic periodontitis.

Expert consensus post-marketing evaluation scheme to detect immunotoxicity of Chinese medicine in clinical populations (draft version for comments) / 中国中药杂志

Through consensus, establish a post-marketing scheme and the technical processes to evaluate Chinese medicine's immunotoxicity on a population, as well as its beneficial influences on the immune system. Provide regulations on the collection, storage and transportation of serum samples. This article applies to the post-marketing scientific evaluation of the immunotoxicity of parenterally administered, and for other ways of taking Chinese medicine.

Single B cell monoclonal antibody technologies and applications / 生物工程学报

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) contribute a lot to the development of numerous fields in life science as a pivotal tool in modern biological research. Development of the PCR methods and maturation of antibody production have made it possible to generate mAbs from single human B cells by single cell RT-PCR with successional cloning and expression in vitro. Compared to traditional monoclonal antibody technologies, single B cell technologies require relatively fewer cells, which are highly efficient in obtaining specific mAbs in a rapid way with preservation of the natural heavy and light chain pairing. With so many advantages, single B cell technologies have been proved to be an attractive approach for retrieval of naive and antigen-experienced antibody repertoires generated in vivo, design of rationale structure-based vaccine, evaluation and development of basic B cell biology concepts in health and autoimmunity, and prevention of infectious diseases by passive immunization and therapy for disorders. Accordingly, this review introduced recent progresses in the single B cell technologies for generating monoclonal antibodies and applications.

Comparação de técnicas imunológicas in-house empregadas na rotina diagnóstica de cisticercose humana / Comparative analysis on in-house immunologic assays used for performing the routine laboratorial diagnosis of human cysticercosis

Neste estudo foram analisados os resultados obtidos do diagnóstico de cisticercose no Centro de Imunologia do Instituto Adolfo Lutz (IAL), no período de março/2007 a julho/2010. A detecção de anticorpos específicos em 522 amostras de soro e líquido cefalorraquidiano (LCR)foi realizada pelas técnicas de imunofluorescência indireta (IFI) e hemaglutinação indireta (HAI). A frequência de amostras reagentes foi de 11,0% no LCR e 8,2% no soro. Em 50% das amostras não houve informações sobre suspeita clínica de neurocisticercose dos pacientes, sendo disponíveis nos18,3% e 16,4%, em amostras, respectivamente, de LCR e soro. Nas amostras de paciente com suspeita de neurocisticercose, a positividade foi de 22,6% (LCR) e de 18,4% (soro). Houve associação entre a suspeita clínica e a positividade dos testes (p>0.05). A maioria das amostras testadas foi proveniente do Estado de São Paulo, e 16,9% de amostras de LCR e 35,9% de amostras séricas foram enviados de outros Estados do país. Os ensaios de IFI e HAI apresentaram teste de concordância Kappa de 86%. Pela indisponibilidade de kits de reagentes diagnósticos de cisticercose em amostras de LCR no mercado, os testes in-house produzidos no IAL têm sido de grande relevância para os serviços de saúde pública.

Experiencia en el desarrollo y la aplicación de la inmunología en los últimos 10 años / Experience in development and application of Immunology in the past 10 years

Se presentan los resultados alcanzados en las investigaciones inmunológicas realizadas en el Instituto de Hematología e Inmunología en los últimos 10 años. Se describen las investigaciones básicas fundamentales relacionadas con el estudio de las moléculas de adhesión en condiciones fisiológicas y patológicas, como el síndrome coronario agudo y la anemia drepanocítica (AD). Se refieren los trabajos relacionados con el diagnóstico inmunológico de los síndromes linfoproliferativos que aportaron datos a la inmunoepidemiología de las hemopatías malignas, especialmente en sus características fenotípicas; los aspectos de mayor interés en el estudio de la AD, como la disminución de los niveles de los anticuerpos naturales anti-banda 3 en los enfermos con crisis vasooclusivas y su posible participación en el fenómeno de vasooclusión, así como la importancia de las moléculas de adhesión en su etiopatogenia. Se describen los resultados del estudio de detección de anticuerpos contra la proteína de fusión PML/RARa en la leucemia promielocítica y su posible utilidad como marcador de diferenciación celular a partir de la presencia o ausencia de la proteína de fusión en la célula leucémica. Los resultados obtenidos han contribuido notablemente al desarrollo de la Inmunología en Cuba y servirán de pauta para el desarrollo futuro de la especialidad

Authors showed the results achieved in immunological researches in the Institute of Hematology and Immunology during past 10 years. The main basic researches are described in relation to the study of adhesion molecules under physiological and pathological conditions like in the case of the acute coronary syndrome and the drepanocythemia (D). The papers related to the immunological diagnosis of lymphoproliferative syndromes are refered which provide data to the immunoepidemiology of malignant hemopathies, specially in its phenotypic characteristics; the features of more interest in the study of the D, e.g. the decrease of levels of anti-band 3 natural antibodies in patients with vaso-occlusive crisis and its possible participation in the phenomenon of vaso-occlusion, as well as the significance of adhesion molecules in its etiopathogenesis. The results from the study of antibodies detection to PML/RARa fusion protein in the promyelocyte leukemia and its possible usefulness as marker of cellular differentiation from the presence or absence of fusion protein in the leukemic cell are described. The results achieved have contributing very much to development of Immunology in Cuba and will become standard for the future development of the specialty

Diagnostic accuracy of immunological methods in patients with tuberculous pleural effusion from Venezuela / Precisión diagnóstica de métodos inmunológicos en pacientes con tuberculosis pleural de Venezuela

In recent years, better diagnostics for tuberculosis (TB) has received increasing attention, especially the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion, which is difficult and at present the main tool in TPE diagnostic is pleural effusion smear and culture, but unfortunately, sensitivities are low, therefore better TPE diagnostic tools are needed. The aim of this study was to find a diagnostic algorithm to assess the progress in TPE diagnostic at the Hospital Vargas de Caracas, that permits identification of the majority of patients, at a satisfactory cost-benefit ratio, evaluating the levels of IFN-g and IL-12p40 in pleural effusion and serum, as well as the antibody reactivity in order to compare it with microbiological tests. A total of 60 individuals with pleural effusion were studied; 20 patients with tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) formed the patient group and 40 patients with non-tuberculous pleural effusion (NTPE) formed the control group. The levels of IFN-g and IL-12p40 in effusion and serum and class and subclasses of IgG reactivity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens were measured by ELISA. The utility of these methods for diagnosis of TPE was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The results of the 11 immunological methods evaluated showed that the anti-PPD IgG2 method was able to reach the highest specificity of 95% (CI: 88.3-101.8), positive predictive value (PPV)=75 (at 30% sensitivity); while that the overall sensitivity of methods was between 95% and 30%, of these, two methods reached higher sensitivities; increased levels of pleural IFN-g, with a sensitivity of 95% (CI: 85.5-104.5) with the highest negative predictive value (NPV)=97, (at 82.5% specificity), followed by decreased levels of serum IL-12p40 with a sensitivity of 95% (CI: 85.5-104.5), NPV=95.2 (at 50% specificity). In contrast, microbiological methods showed that smear had a sensitivity of only 20%, while smear plus ...

Recientemente existe un gran interés hacia un mejor y más rápido diagnóstico de tuberculosis (TB), especialmente de tuberculosis pleural, el cual es difícil. Al presente las principales herramientas diagnósticas son la baciloscopia y el cultivo de líquido pleural; desafortunadamente, las sensibilidades de estos métodos son bajas, por lo que el desarrollo de nuevas herramientas diagnósticas es necesario. El objetivo del presente estudio consistió en encontrar un algoritmo que permita la rápida identificación de la mayoría de los pacientes con TB pleural que ingresan en el Hospital Vargas de Caracas a un buen costo-beneficio. Para esto se evaluaron los niveles de las citocinas Interferón-gamma (IFN-g) y la Interleucina 12p40 (IL-12p40) en líquido pleural y suero, así como la reactividad de anticuerpos contra antígenos de Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Se estudiaron 60 individuos con derrame pleural; 20 individuos con líquido pleural tuberculoso (LPT) conformaron el grupo de pacientes y 40 individuos con líquido pleural no tuberculoso (LPNT) el grupo de controles. La técnica de inmunoensayo de ELISA fue utilizada para medir los niveles de IFN-g y IL-12p40; así como las reactividades de los diversos isotipos y subclases de inmunoglobulina G (IgG) frente a antígenos del bacilo. La utilidad de los métodos fue evaluada utilizando el análisis de las curvas ROC (receiver operating characteristic). Los resultados de los 11 métodos inmunológicos evaluados mostraron que el método IgG2 anti-PPD alcanzó la mayor especificidad de 95%, (CI: 88,3-101,8) con un valor predictivo positivo (VPP) de 75. La sensibilidad de los métodos estuvo entre 30% y 95%; dos métodos alcanzaron altas sensibilidades: los altos niveles de IFN-g en líquido pleural, con sensibilidad de 95% (CI: 85,5-104,5), con un valor predictivo negativo (VPN) de 97, seguido de los bajos niveles de IL-12p40 en suero, con una sensibilidad de 95% (CI: 85,5-104,5) con un VPN de 95,2. En contraste, ...

Leishmaniasis cutánea americana en Venezuela: un análisis clínico epidemiológico a nivel nacional y por entidad federal, 1988-2007 / American cutaneous leishmaniasis in Venezuela: a clinical and epidemiological analysis at a national level and by federal entity, 1988-2007

Se describen las características epidemiológicas generales, junto a algunos aspectos clínico-inmunológicos, de las diferentes formas clínicas de leishmaniasis cutánea en Venezuela. Esto se logró a través de un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de la base de datos del registro nacional de leishmaniasis en el Instituto de Biomedicina. La información fue analizada con EpiInfo 3.5.1, SPSS 11.0 y Excel. 47.762 casos de las diferentes formas clínicas de leishmaniasis cutánea fueron diagnosticados en el periodo 1988-2007, esto es 2.388 casos por año, con una tasa promedio anual de 10,5 por 100.000 habitantes. Predomina en sexo masculino con una razón de masculinidad que oscila entre 1,2 y 1,8. Casos en todas las edades, con predominio en el grupo de 15 a 24 años, edad promedio de 28 años. En cuanto a la ocupación 24,58 % corresponde a personas del sector agropecuario, seguido de estudiantes (21,40%) y Oficios del Hogar (18,47%). Se han registrado casos en todas las entidades federales, observándose regiones como los estados andinos (Trujillo y Mérida) con tasas superiores a 30 por 100.000 habitantes. La distribución según forma clínica fue: 97,94% (46.778) leishmaniasis cutánea localizada; 0,72% (346) leishmaniasis cutánea intermedia; 1,11% (531) leishmaniasis cutánea mucosa y 0,22% (107) leishmaniasis cutánea difusa. Las características clínicas e inmunológicas estudiadas variaron de acuerdo con las diferentes formas clínicas descritas. En conclusión, se hace una descripción clínico-epidemiológica de la leishmaniasis cutánea americana en Venezuela en base a los datos del registro de casos del Programa Nacional de Control de la Leishmaniasis. Esto sirve de apoyo al desarrollo de futuras investigaciones y para la mejora del propio registro con los consecuentes beneficios que ello puede traer al programa de control.

The general epidemiological characteristics are described, together with some clinical and immunological aspects of the different clinical forms of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Venezuela. This was accomplished through a descriptive retrospective study of the leishmaniasis national registry database of the Institute of Biomedicine. The information was analyzed with EpiInfo 3.5.1, SPSS 11.0 and Excel. 47,762 cases of different clinical forms of cutaneous leishmaniasis were diagnosed during the period 1988-2007, i.e. 2,388 cases per year, with an average annual rate of 10.5 per 100,000 inhabitants. It is predominant in males, with a sex ratio of between 1.2 and 1.8. There are cases in all ages, with predominance in the 15 to 24 years group, average age 28 years. In terms of occupation, 24.58% are people of the agricultural sector, followed by students (21.40%) and housewives (18.47%). Cases have been registered in all the federal entities, observing regions such as the Andean States (Trujillo and Merida) with rates above 30 per 100,000 inhabitants. Distribution according to clinical form was: 97.94% (46,778) localized cutaneous leishmaniasis; 0.72% (346) intermediate cutaneous leishmaniasis, 1.11% (531) mucocutaneous leishmaniasis and 0.22% (107) diffused cutaneous leishmaniasis. The clinical and immunological characteristics examined varied according to the different clinical forms described. In conclusion, a clinical and epidemiological description is made of the American cutaneous leishmaniasis in Venezuela, based on the data of the register of cases of the Leishmaniasis Control National Program. This serves to support the development of future research and improve the register with the consequent benefits is can bring to the control program.

Evaluation of Hemo Techt NS-plus C15 Automatic Analyzer for Fecal Occult Blood Test / 임상검사와정도관리

BACKGROUND: Fecal occult blood tests have been widely used for colorectal cancer screening. In recent years, many laboratories have used automated fecal occult blood test analyzers using immunologic techniques for convenience, fast reporting and quantitative handling. Hemo Techt NS-Plus C15 (NS-Plus C) (Alfresa pharma Co., Japan) is a newly-introduced automated fecal occult blood test analyzer using colloidal gold agglutination methods. We evaluated the performance of NS-Plus C. METHODS: The linearity, precision and carry-over rate of NS-Plus C were evaluated. We performed parallel test between NS-Plus C and HM-JACK (Kyowa Medix Co., Japan) using 219 stool specimens. RESULTS: The linearity was good (R2=0.998) and coefficient of variation (CVs) of within-day precision were 2.61% and 2.07% in low and high concentration, and between-day CVs for each group were 3.18% and 1.63%, respectively. Carry over rate was 0% and concordance rate between NS-Plus C and HM-JACK was 98.6%. CONCLUSIONS: NS-Plus C showed good performance for linearity, precision, carry over rate and comparison study. Therefore, this is believed to be a highly reliable measurement system for fecal occult blood test.

Quantification of natural populations of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus and Herbaspirillum spp. in sugar cane (Saccharum spp) using differente polyclonal antibodies

The species Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus, Herbaspirillum seropedicae and H. rubrisubalbicans are endophytic N2-fixing [diazotrophic] bacteria which colonise not only roots, but also the aerial tissue of sugar cane. However, the technique most commonly used to quantify the populations of these microbes in plants is by culturing serial dilutions of macerates of plant tissues in N free semi-solid media which are only semi-selective for the species/genera [the Most Probable Number (MPN) Technique] and each culture must be further subjected to several tests to identify the isolates at the species level. The use of species-specific polyclonal antibodies with the indirect ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) can be an alternative which is rapid and specific to quantify these populations of bacteria. This study was performed to investigate the viability of adapting the indirect ELISA technique to quantify individually the populations of these three species of diazotroph within the root and shoot tissues of sugarcane. The results showed that species-specific polyclonal antibodies could be obtained by purifying sera in protein-A columns which removed non-specific immuno-globulins. It was possible to quantify the three bacterial species in the Brazilian sugarcane variety SP 70-1143 in numbers above 10(5) cells per g fresh weight in roots, rhizomes and leaves. The numbers of the different bacterial species evaluated using the ELISA technique were found to be higher than when the same populations were evaluated using the MPN technique, reaching 1400 times greater for G. diazotrophicus and 225 times greater for Herbaspirillum spp. These results constitute the first quantification of Herbaspirillum using immunological techniques.

Antineoplasic activity of Agaricus brasiliensis basidiocarps on different maturation phases

The fungus Agaricus brasiliensis is a Basidiomycete studied because of its immunomodulation and/or antitumor substances. The objective of this study was to verify the Agaricus brasiliensis antineoplasic activity in vivo on different basidiocarp maturation phases on Sarcoma 180 cells implanted in mice. Sarcoma cells were implanted in mice and after seven days mice were divided in three groups. The first group was treated with saline solution, the second group was treated with closed basidiocarp extract solution and the third group was treated with opened basidiocarp extract solution. After 30 days of being daily orally treated with these three solutions all animals suffered euthanasia, and the splenic index, tumor mass and volume were determined. No significant differences of the tumor growth inhibition in function of the different basidiocarp maturation phases for the Agaricus brasiliensis strain were observed. The in vivo basidiocarp antineoplasic average activity was 89.22 percent.