Microbiological analysis of water used in hydrotherapy

Water used in hydrotherapy units of Nova Iguaçu and Nilópolis, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, was microbiologically analyzed. Thirty samples (5ml each) were weekly collected from September 2001 to June 2002 before the beginning and after the end of activities in the units. For analysis, routine techniques were used, which showed the presence of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella spp, Candida spp, Penicillium spp, Epidermophyton spp, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus spp, Cephalosporium spp, Cladosporium spp, Trichophyton rubrum, and Trichophyton spp. Results indicated a need for improving hygienic conditions, suggesting that water might be a contamination source in the evaluated units

Listeria monocytogenes in HIV-infected patients in a Hospital of Nova Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

A survey was carried out in a hospital of Nova Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in the period from July 1999 to March 2002, to determine the infection rate of Listeria monocytogenes in HIV+ patients with diarrhea symptoms; 134 samples were processed by microbiological methods. The results demonstrated 12.68% of positive samples. However, no statistical differences were observed for age or sex in the studied group, suggesting that this microorganism should be regarded in the differential diagnosis of infectious processes in HIV+ patients in the area

Snake envenomations in northwest counties of the Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

The frequency of envenoming in Northwest counties of the Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, from 1995 to 2000 was evaluated. Reports from the Municipal Secretariat of Health of these counties were used. The results demonstrated that, from 1997 to 1999, there was a shortage of notification, and 40 cases of envenomations caused by Bothrops snakes were registered. These cases were more common from February to October, and the lower limbs of male peasants were the mainly affected areas.(AU)

Trypanosoma cruzi prevalence and clinical forms in blood donor candidates in Brazil

The prevalence and clinical forms of Trypanosoma cruzi were evaluated among blood donor candidates attended at a general hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from January 1997 to April 1999. The investigation was done by means of the indirect hemagglutination test and was confirmed via ELISA. Data were collected from clinical examinations, conventional electrocardiogram, chest radiography and echocar-diography. The results showed that despite Trypanosoma cruzi prevalence of 1.17 percent (128 patients), mainly in males aged 40 years or over, 70.8 percent of these patients, mainly males aged 19 to 39 years, demonstrated abnormalities that allowed the diagnosis of cardiopathy and/or esophagopathy. This once again corroborates the importance of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in urban centers.

Caracterizacao da dose letal minima por irradiacao gama para Pnicillium citrinum / Characterization of minimum lethal dosis of gama irradiation to Penicillium citrinum

O uso das radiacoes ionizantes na destruicao de microrganismos responsaveis pela deterioracao de alimentos ou causadores de infeccoes ou toxinfeccoes alimentares, constituiu-se aplicacao da energia nuclear, para fins verdadeiramente pacificos. Penicillium citrinum e um fungo produtor de micotoxinas, responsaveis por intoxicacoes em humanos e animais que se utilizam de alimentos contaminados. Ha escassez de informacoes sobre a resistencia de P. citrinum a irradiacao gama; assim esta pesquisa objetivou determinar a dose letal por irradiacao gama para esse microrganismo....