ABSTRACT
Sporotrichosis is a cutaneous fungal infection caused by Sporothrix schenckii. It is known to be mainly contained by Th1 responses. As IL-12 is crucial for Th1 response, we investigated if treatment with recombinant murine IL-12 (rmIL-12) promoted Th1 immunity and/or clinical improvement in an experimental sporotrichosis gerbil model. Gerbils were inoculated with S. schenckii in the footpad and treated with rmIL-12. Seven days post infection there was a significant increase in macrophage phagocytosis and oxidative burst, and in delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction in rmIL-12 treated gerbils, as well as a â¼10-fold increase of serum IFN-gamma and a decrease of IL-4 and IL-10. Moreover, rmIL-12 substantially decreased (â¼70%) S. schenckii burden in liver and spleen and improved the clinical outcome preventing footpad ulcer and tail nodules observed in untreated gerbils. Our study demonstrates that rmIL-12 promotes Th1 immune response against S. schenckii favouring its clearance and preventing clinical symptoms.
Subject(s)
Immunity, Innate/drug effects , Immunologic Factors/therapeutic use , Interleukin-12/therapeutic use , Macrophages, Peritoneal/drug effects , Sporothrix/immunology , Sporotrichosis/drug therapy , Th1 Cells/drug effects , Animals , Antifungal Agents/metabolism , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Cells, Cultured , Coculture Techniques , Drug Hypersensitivity/immunology , Drug Hypersensitivity/microbiology , Drug Hypersensitivity/pathology , Drug Hypersensitivity/prevention & control , Gerbillinae , Immunity, Cellular/drug effects , Immunologic Factors/genetics , Immunologic Factors/metabolism , Interleukin-12/genetics , Interleukin-12/metabolism , Liver/drug effects , Liver/immunology , Liver/microbiology , Macrophages, Peritoneal/immunology , Macrophages, Peritoneal/microbiology , Macrophages, Peritoneal/pathology , Male , Mice , Phagocytosis/drug effects , Recombinant Proteins/metabolism , Recombinant Proteins/therapeutic use , Respiratory Burst/drug effects , Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms , Spleen/drug effects , Spleen/immunology , Spleen/microbiology , Sporothrix/drug effects , Sporothrix/isolation & purification , Sporotrichosis/immunology , Sporotrichosis/microbiology , Sporotrichosis/pathology , Th1 Cells/immunology , Th1 Cells/microbiologyABSTRACT
Topical pimecrolimus is an alternative treatment of atopic dermatitis. However, rare cases of malignancy have been reported with their use. This study was performed to investigate the possible geno- or cytotoxic effect in mouse bone marrow caused by systemic absorption of pimecrolimus 1% cream. In order to determine this, induction of micronucleated erythrocytes (MNE) in mouse peripheral blood was determined after the cutaneous application of three different doses, daily for 5 consecutive days. No differences were found in frequencies of polychromatic erythrocytes, MNE, and micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in the different groups of study. In conclusion, under described conditions, no geno- or cytotoxic effects were detected after the cutaneous application of pimecrolimus.
Subject(s)
Erythrocytes/drug effects , Immunosuppressive Agents/toxicity , Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective/chemically induced , Tacrolimus/analogs & derivatives , Administration, Cutaneous , Animals , Cell Survival/drug effects , Erythrocytes/pathology , Immunosuppressive Agents/administration & dosage , Immunosuppressive Agents/pharmacokinetics , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Micronucleus Tests , Ointments , Skin/metabolism , Skin Absorption , Tacrolimus/administration & dosage , Tacrolimus/pharmacokinetics , Tacrolimus/toxicityABSTRACT
Introducción. Chlamydia trachomatis se considera el agente causal de tracoma, salpingitis, endometritis y podría estar involucrada en la ruptura prematura de membrana (PMR) y amenaza de parto prematuro (PDT). El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la presencia de antígenos de C. trachomatis y anticuerpos contra C. trachomatis en mujeres embarazadas con PMR, PDT (ambos grupos de etiología desconocida) y mujeres con embarazo normal (NP).Material y métodos. Se obtuvieron 50 muestras endocervicales por cada grupo de mujeres embarazadas, para la determinación de antígenos de C. trachomatis, por el método de inmunofluorescencia directa. Asimismo fueron tomados 5 ml de sangre venosa, para identificar la presencia de anticuerpos contra C. trachomatis por inmunofluorescencia indirecta. Resultados. Seis por ciento (3/50) de las pacientes con PMR presentaron antígenos de C. trachomatis y anticuerpos IgG anti-C. trachomatis. Dos por ciento (1/50) con PDT tuvieron antígenos de C. trachomatis y anticuerpos IgM anti-C. trachomatis. Seis por ciento (3/50) de las pacientes con NP mostraron antígenos de C. trachomatis, pero no anticuerpos anti-C. trachomatis. Sin embargo, en 10 por ciento (5/50), 10 por ciento (5/50) y 16 por ciento (8/50) con PMR, PDT o NP, respectivamente; solamente se encontraron anticuerpos IgG anti-C. trachomatis. Conclusión. El hallazgo tanto de antígenos como anticuerpos anti-C. trachomatis en los tres grupos estudiados, resalta la importancia de la oportuna identificación de la infección, para la aplicación del tratamiento adecuado, para prevenir las secuelas de la infección, tanto en las mujeres embarazadas como en sus productos.
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Pregnancy , Adult , Chlamydia trachomatis , Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture , Obstetric Labor, PrematureABSTRACT
Informamos un caso de Leiomioma del Esófago que se presentó como masa en el mediastino posterior. Se discute la frecuencia de presentación así como los signos que puedan orientar la sospecha radiológica
