Immunogenicity and safety of a new Vero cell rabies vaccine produced using serum-free medium.

The immunogenicity and safety of a new human rabies vaccine, produced in Vero cells by a process that does not require supplementation with human or animal derived components in production, were assessed. Thus, the objective is to produce a safer vaccine at a lower cost. A total of 296 volunteers was divided into two groups: Group 1, which received the study vaccine, and Group 2, which received the Vero cells vaccine produced by Sanofi Pasteur. Five doses were given on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 28. Blood samples for determination of rabies virus neutralizing antibodies were collected on days 0, 14, 38 and 90. The geometric mean titers (GMT) were much higher than 0.5 IU/ml in both groups on days 14, 38 and 90, indicating seroconversion according to the World Health Organization. In Group 1, however, the GMTs were higher than in Group 2, the difference being statistically significant in the two last samples. There was no statistical difference between the groups in the ratio of individuals with titers > or =0.5 IU/ml in each sample. Pain at the injection site was the most common adverse reaction and occurred most often in Group 1 (p < 0.001). All cases had a favorable evolution. There were no severe adverse reactions. It was concluded that the new vaccine is safe and immunogenic.

Data on sand fly fauna (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) in Itatiaia National Park, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.

The sand fly fauna in Itatiaia National Park, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was investigated in different habitats ranging from sylvatic areas to those altered by human activity related to ecotourism, specifically identifying species that have been suggested as potential leishmaniasis vectors. Sand flies were captured from June 2002 to March 2004, using CDC light traps and Shannon traps. A total of 1,256 sand fly specimens were captured, from species belonging to genera Lutzomyia and Brumptomyia: Brumptomyia guimaraesi, B. troglodytes, Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) amarali, L. lanei, L. migonei, L. sallesi, L. edwardsi, L. tupynambai, L. (Pintomyia) pessoai, L. (P.) bianchigalatie, L. rupicola, L. (Psathyromyia) shannoni, L. pascalei, L. (Psychodopygus) matosi, L. (P.) davisi, L. (P.) hirsuta hirsuta, L. (P.) ayrozai, L. peresi, L. monticola, and L. misionensis. Worthy of special attention were four species that are considered potential vectors for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil: L. ayrozai, L. hirsuta hirsuta, L. migonei, and L. davisi, representing 19.19% of the specimens captured in this study.

Data on sand fly fauna (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) in Itatiaia National Park, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

The sand fly fauna in Itatiaia National Park, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was investigated in different habitats ranging from sylvatic areas to those altered by human activity related to ecotourism, specifically identifying species that have been suggested as potential leishmaniasis vectors. Sand flies were captured from June 2002 to March 2004, using CDC light traps and Shannon traps. A total of 1,256 sand fly specimens were captured, from species belonging to genera Lutzomyia and Brumptomyia: Brumptomyia guimaraesi, B. troglodytes, Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) amarali, L. lanei, L. migonei, L. sallesi, L. edwardsi, L. tupynambai, L. (Pintomyia) pessoai, L. (P.) bianchigalatie, L. rupicola, L. (Psathyromyia) shannoni, L. pascalei, L. (Psychodopygus) matosi, L. (P.) davisi, L. (P.) hirsuta hirsuta, L. (P.) ayrozai, L. peresi, L. monticola, and L. misionensis. Worthy of special attention were four species that are considered potential vectors for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil: L. ayrozai, L. hirsuta hirsuta, L. migonei, and L. davisi, representing 19.19 percent of the specimens captured in this study.

A fauna flebotomínica do Parque Nacional de Itatiaia, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, foi investigada, em diferentes ambientes, envolvendo áreas silvestres e os ambientes ecologicamente alterados, principalmente por atividades ligadas ao ecoturismo, identificando espécies potencialmente vetoras de leishmanioses. As coletas de flebotomíneos foram realizadas no referido parque, no período de junho de 2002 a março de 2004, com armadilhas luminosas do tipo CDC e armadilha de Shannon. Foram coletados 1.256 flebotomíneos, correspondendo às seguintes espécies: Brumptomyia guimaraesi, B. troglodytes, Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) amarali, L. lanei, L. migonei, L. sallesi, L. edwardsi, L. tupynambai, L. (Pintomyia) pessoai, L. (P.) bianchigalatie, L. rupicola, L. (Psathyromyia) shannoni, L. pascalei, L. (Psychodopygus) matosi, L. (P.) davisi, L. (P.) hirsuta hirsuta, L. (P.) ayrozai, L. peresi, L. monticola e L. misionensis. Merecem especial atenção por sua importância epidemiológica L.ayrozai, L. hirsuta hirsuta, L. migonei e L. davisi, representando 19,19 por cento dos exemplares capturados.

Ecology of sand flies (Diptera: psychodidae: phlebotominae) in the north of the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Peixoto de Azevedo is located in the north of State of Mato Grosso, where environmental alterations led to an outbreak of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in the 80s. The parasite from patients was characterized as Leishmania (V.) braziliensis. The aim of this study is to contribute to the sand fly ecology of Central-West Brazil. Captures were carried out monthly using CDC light traps. Twenty-six species of sand fly were characterized; among which Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) spathotrichia, L. runoides and L. (Psychodopygus) llanosmartinsi were recorded in the State of Mato Grosso for the first time. L. (Nyssomyia) whitmani, L. (N.) antunesi, L. (L.) spathotrichia, L. (P.) c. carrerai, L. (P.) complexa, L. (P.) lainsoni and L. (N.) umbratilis constituted 92.4% of the local fauna, among which L. (N.) whitmani and L. (N.) antunesi, accounting for about 53% of the fauna at the stations of capture. On the vertical distribution of sand flies on the Beira-Rio Farm, L. (N.) whitmani and L. (N.) antunesi prevailed at ground level and in the canopy, respectively, whereas on the BR-080, L. (P.) llanosmartinsi was prevalent on the ground and L. (P.) c. carrerai, in the canopy. It is suggested that L. (N.) umbratilis is the local vector.

Ecology of Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in the North of the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil

Peixoto de Azevedo is located in the north of State of Mato Grosso, where environmental alterations led to an outbreak of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in the 80s. The parasite from patients was characterized as Leishmania (V.) braziliensis. The aim of this study is to contribute to the sand fly ecology of Central-West Brazil. Captures were carried out monthly using CDC light traps. Twenty-six species of sand fly were characterized; among which Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) spathotrichia, L. runoides and L. (Psychodopygus) llanosmartinsi were recorded in the State of Mato Grosso for the first time. L. (Nyssomyia) whitmani, L. (N.) antunesi, L. (L.) spathotrichia, L. (P.) c. carrerai, L. (P.) complexa, L. (P.) lainsoni and L. (N.) umbratilis constituted 92.4 percent of the local fauna, among which L. (N.) whitmani and L. (N.) antunesi, accounting for about 53 percent of the fauna at the stations of capture. On the vertical distribution of sand flies on the Beira-Rio Farm, L. (N.) whitmani and L. (N.) antunesi prevailed at ground level and in the canopy, respectively, whereas on the BR-080, L. (P.) llanosmartinsi was prevalent on the ground and L. (P.) c. carrerai, in the canopy. It is suggested that L. (N.) umbratilis is the local vector

Vacinas contra a doença meningocócica / Vaccines against meningococcal disease

A doença meningocócica continua sendo fonte de preocupaçöes em todo mundo. Epidemias säo periodicamente registradas em países desenvolvidos ou näo. Os meningococos de maior incidência säo os pertencentes aos sorogrupos A, B e C. Desde a década de 40, investe-se no desenvolvimento de vacinas eficazes contra a doença. Atualmente, säo disponíveis vacinas contra os meningococos dos sorogrupos A, C, Y e W-135. Estas vacinas tem limitaçöes tanto em relaçäo à faixa etária em que conferem proteçäo, como ao tempo de duraçäo da proteçäo conferida. Por isso näo säo produtos eficientes para a erradicaçäo ou mesmo para o controle eficaz da doença. Näo säo utilizadas de rotina em programas de vacinaçäo. Säo indicadas apenas em situaçöes de risco, o que exige vigilância epedemiológica rígida da doença. Näo há vacinas comprovadamente eficazes contra os meningococos do sorogrupo B, embora, nas últimas décadas, várias tenham sido testadas. Há perspectivas de grandes avanços nesta área, principalmente com o desenvolvimento de vacinas conjugadas, à semelhança da vacina contra o Haemophilus influezae do tipo b. A quimioprofilaxia dos comunicantes íntimos de um caso é a principal arma para evitar a ocorrência de casos secundários .

Infecçao por Entamoeba histolytica em creches mantidas pela Prefeitura Municipal de Sao Paulo,SP,Brasil,1982-1983 / Entamoeba histolytica infection inday nurseries supported by Municipal Prefecture of Sao Paulo (Brazil),1982-1983

No periodo compreendido entre 1982 e 1983,efetuaram-se exames parasitologicos de fezes de 3.076 crianças de 0 a 6 anos,matriculadas em52 creches mantidas pela Prefeitura do Municipio de Sao Paulo, e em 50 manipuladores de alimentos, empregados em 18 dessas creches. Encontrou-se frequencia de infecçao por Entamoeba histolytica de 5,92% entre crianças e de 2,0% entre os adultos.Nao se evidenciou associaçao significante entre o sexo das crianças e frequencia de infecçao por E. histolytica.Durante 1982, a infecçao por este protozoario foi mais comum no inverno e na primavera; no ano seguinte, as frequencias mais elevadas foram assinaladas na primavera e verao. Nao se encontrou, por outro lado, diferença significativa entre frequencias de infecçao po E.histolytica nasquatro regioes em que dividiu-se o Municipio de Sao Paulo.Considerou-se pouco expressivo o papel de manipuladores de alimentos na transmissao de E.histolytica, nas condiçoes prevalentes nas 18 creches onde essa variavel foi estudada, face a ausencia de associaçao entre presença de amebiase nesse grupo de individuos e maiores indices de infecçao nas crianças examinadas.