Schistosomiasis haematobia in Brazilian patients: clinical and renal functional evaluation with 99mTc-DTPA

The present study was carried out at the Army Central Hospital, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from September 2000 to December 2001, employing diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid labeled with technetium-99m (99mTc-DTPA) to evaluate the renal function of nineteen symptomatic patients infected with S. haematobium during a peace mission in Mozambique. Results evidenced that the most frequent clinical manifestations were hematuria (68.4 percent) and low back pain (68.4 percent) and 73.7 percent patients had altered dynamic renal scintigraphy expressed by an increase in the excretory phase independently of the symptoms duration; furthermore, none of them had mechanical obstructive pattern. Schistosoma haematobium glomerulopathy could be considered a pathological finding without correlation with the disease clinical manifestations.(AU)

Population dynamics of calyptrate Diptera (Muscidae and Sarcophagidae) at the Rio-Zoo Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Twenty-seven species of calyptrate muscoids (Muscidae and Sarcophagidae) were collected from December 1993 to November 1994 with wind oriented traps (W.O.T.) baited with decomposing beef liver at the Rio de Janeiro Zoo. The most abundant species found were Musca domestica (57.84%), Peckia chrysostoma (28.16%), Ophyra aenescens (17.11%), Oxysarcodexia thornax (17.82%), Synthesiomyia nudiseta (13.05%), and Oxysarcodexia diana (14.52%).

Population dynamics of calyptrate diptera (Muscidae and Sarcophagidae) at the Rio-Zoo Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Twenty-seven species of calyptrate muscoids (Muscidae and Sarcophagidae) were collected from December 1993 to November 1994 with wind oriented traps (W.O.T.) baited with decomposing beef liver at the Rio de Janeiro Zoo. The most abundant species found were Musca domestica (57.84%), Peckia chrysostoma (28.16%), Ophyra aenescens (17.11%), Oxysarcodexia thornax (17.82%), Synthesiomyia nudiseta (13.05%), and Oxysarcodexia diana (14.52%).

Vinte e sete espécies de dípteros caliptrados (Muscidae e Sarcophagidae) foram capturados no período de dezembro de 1993 a novembro de 1994, com armadilhas orientadas pelo vento (W.O.T.) contendo isca de fígado em putrefação, no jardim zoológico da cidade do Rio de Janeiro. As espécies capturadas em maior abundância foram Musca domestica (57,84%), Peckia chrysostoma (28,16%), Ophyra aenescens (17,11%), Oxysarcodexia thornax (17,82%), Synthesiomyia nudiseta (13,05%) e Oxysarcodexia diana (14,52%).

Population dynamics of calyptrate diptera (Muscidae and Sarcophagidae) at the Rio-Zoo Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Twenty-seven species of calyptrate muscoids (Muscidae and Sarcophagidae) were collected from December 1993 to November 1994 with wind oriented traps (W.O.T.) baited with decomposing beef liver at the Rio de Janeiro Zoo. The most abundant species found were Musca domestica (57.84 percent), Peckia chrysostoma (28.16 percent), Ophyra aenescens (17.11 percent), Oxysarcodexia thornax (17.82 percent), Synthesiomyia nudiseta (13.05 percent), and Oxysarcodexia diana (14.52 percent)

Application of deterministic model of isothermals for population dynamics of Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Diptera, Muscidae).

The isothermal deterministic model adherence was studied to evaluate the population dynamic of Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Diptera, Muscidae). The linear form of equation obtained for the experiments in the several phases, were for Egg: 1/D = -0.18 + 0.02. T; Larva: 1/D = -0.028 + 0.01. T; Pupa: 1/D = -0.069 + 0.01. T; and Adult: 1/D = -0.4178 + 0.02. T. In function of temperature, S. nudiseta can present from 4.18 to 8.95 and from 4.91 to 8.99 generations per year, when calculated through the equations of development and through the simulations, respectively. And the higher the temperature the larger the generation number. Through variance analysis it was verified the significance for the regression equations in relation to the annual generation number (Ng/year) of S. nudiseta in function of the isothermals, for two studied situations. It was obtained a significance of 0,1%. The regression equations obtained for these situations were: Ng/year = 5.4 + 0.5. T and Ng/year = 5.1 + 0.52. T. The number of generations of S. nudiseta varies linearly with the isothermal. Besides that, the number of annual generations for each isothermal does not differ statistically when calculated through the development equations or through the simulations. Such conditions suggest the adaptation of the deterministic model adopted.

[Digestive tract microbiota in female Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) (Diptera: Psychodidae) from colonies feeding on blood meal and sucrose plus blood meal]. / Microbiota do trato digestivo de fêmeas de Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) (Diptera: Psychodidae) provenientes de colônia alimentadas com sangue e com sangue e sacarose.

There are very few reports on the microbiota of the digestive tract of sand flies, an important omission considering that blood is not the only meal ingested. Male and female sand flies obtain sugar meals from several sources, thereby increasing their chance of infection with microorganisms. Chances of contamination are higher when insects are bred in the laboratory, and this may affect the development of Leishmania spp. From the digestive tract of 300 sand fly females separated in two groups we isolated 10 species of bacteria in group 1 and 8 species in group 2. In group 1, Enterobacteriaceae of the following genera were identified: Serratia, Enterobacter, and Yokenella and the non-fermenters: Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Stenotrophomonas. In group 2, the Enterobacteriaceae Enterobacter and Serratia were identified as well as the non-fermenters Acinetobacter, Stenotrophomonas, Burkolderia, and Pseudomonas.

Application of deterministic model of isothermals for population dynamics of Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Diptera, Muscidae)

The isothermal deterministic model adherence was studied to evaluate the population dinamic of Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Diptera, Muscidae). The linear form of equation obtained for the experiments in the several phases, were for Egg: 1/D = -0.18 + 0.02 . T; Larva: 1/D = -0.028 + 0.01. T; Pupa: 1/D = -0.069 + 0.01 . T; and Adult: 1/D = -0.4178 + 0.02 . T. In function of temperature, S. nudiseta can present from 4.18 to 8.95 and from 4.91 to 8.99 generations per year, when calculated through the equations of development and through the simulations, respectively. And the higher the temperature the larger the generation number. Through variance analysis it was verified the significance for the regression equations in relation to the annual generation number (Ng/year) of S. nudiseta in function of the isothermals, for two studied situations. It was obtained a significance of 0,1 percent. The regression equations obtained for these situations were: Ng/year = 5.4 + 0.5 . T and Ng/year = 5.1 + 0.52 . T. The number of generations of S. nudiseta varies linearly with the isothermal. Besides that, the number of annual generations for each isothermal does not differ statistically when calculated through the development equations or through the simulations. Such conditions suggest the adaptation of the deterministic model adopted

Motor neuron diseases in the university hospital of Fortaleza (Northeastern Brazil): a clinico-demographic analysis of 87 cases.

In this retrospective (1980-1998) study, we have analyzed clinico-demographically, from the records of the University Hospital of Fortaleza (Brazil), a group of 87 patients showing signs and symptoms of motor neuron diseases (MNDs). Their diagnosis was determined clinically and laboratorially. The WFN criteria were used for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis. The clinico-demographic analysis of the 87 cases of MNDs showed that 4 were diagnosed as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), 5 cases as ALS subsets: 2 as progressive bulbar paralysis (PBP), 2 as progressive muscular atrophy (PMA) and 1 as monomelic amyotrophy (MA), and 78 cases of ALS. The latter comprised 51 males and 27 females, with a mean age of 42.02 years. They were sub-divided into 4 groups according to age: from 15 to 29 years (n= 17), 30 to 39 years (n= 18), 40 to 69 years (n= 39) and 70 to 78 years (n= 4). From the 78 ALS patients, 76 were of the classic sporadic form whilst only 2 were of the familial form. The analysis of the 87 patients with MNDs from the University Hospital of Fortaleza showed a predominance of ALS patients, with a high number of cases of juvenile and early onset adult sporadic ALS.

Epilepsia partialis continua (Koshevnikov): a preliminary case report.

We report on the preliminary clinical and electrophysiological aspects of an in-patient possibly presenting epilepsia partialis continua (Koshevnikov). We discuss the different etiologies and emphasize on the possible idiopathic form in this case.

[Prevalence of microbiota in the digestive tract of wild females of Lutzomyia longipalpis Lutz & Neiva, 1912) (Diptera: Psychodidae)]. / Prevalência da microbiota no trato digestivo de fêmeas de Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) (Diptera: Psychodidae) provenientes do campo.

We dissected the digestive tract of 245 females in pools of 35 flies forming 7 groups. These flies were Lutzomyia longipalpis originating from Lapinha Cave, Lagoa Santa, Minas Gerais. Out of the 8 species of bacteria isolated there was a predominancy of Gram negative bacterias (GNB) in the group of non-fermenters of sugar belonging to the following species: Acinetobacter lwoffii, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Pseudomonas putida and Flavimonas orizihabitans. The group of GNB fermenters were: Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella ozaenae. In the Gram positive group we isolated the genera Bacillus thuringiensis and Staphylococcus spp.

[Post-embryonic development of Ophyra aenescens (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Muscidae) with different diets, under laboratory conditions]. / Desenvolvimento pós-embrionário de Ophyra aenescens (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Muscidae) em diferentes dietas, sob condições de laboratório.

The performance of various diets (bovine meat, fish-sardine, shrimp, dog faeces, and banana) in Ophyra aenescens development was evaluated. The biology was studied in an incubator (BOD) at 27 +/- 1 degrees C and 80 +/- 10% of RH. The developmental time from larvae to adult, the developmental time and viability of larvae and pupae, the weight of pupae as well as the sex ratio of the emerging adults were also determined. Beef and shrimp were the more efficient diets for rearing O. aenescens.

Behavioral changes of Wistar rats with experimentally-induced painful diabetic neuropathy.

With the purpose of studying data on spontaneous customary changes in diabetic rats, we induced diabetes in 28 Wistar rats with streptozotocin. The animals were observed for 27 weeks in an attempt to characterize spontaneous customary changes that could suggest signs of chronic pain. Morphine, as a central-acting potent analgesic and its specific antagonist naloxone, were used. Our results evidenced in the animals a clinical syndrome similar to human diabetes. Long-term customary analysis revealed a significant (p < 0.05) increase of scratching and resting/sleeping behaviors, but diminished motor, eating and grooming customs. Moreover, the thermal tests revealed hyperalgesia in 43% of the animals, what may corroborate the meaning of scratching as a sign of pain. Pharmacological tests with morphine showed a significant (p < 0.05) inhibition of scratch, with concomitant increase of motor and eating activities and diminished rest/sleep capacity. Naloxone antagonized the effects induced by morphine. Such results suggest that these animals exhibit evoked behavior of hyperalgesia and that scratch may possibly be a spontaneous manifestation of chronic pain also in Wistar rats with this experimental model of painful diabetic neuropathy.

Nichos tróficos em dípteros caliptrados, no Rio de Janeiro, RJ / Trophic niches in calyptrate Diptera in Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Foram calculadas a extensão e sobreposição de nichos tróficos de dípteros caliptrados, criados em variados ambientes do Rio de Janeiro (área rural, urbana e florestal), utilizando-se diferentes substratos de criação (banana amassada, carcaça de camundongo, peixe (sardinha), fígado bovino, camarão e fezes humanas frescas. Foram criadas 14.294 moscas, pertencentes às famílias Calliphoridae, Fanniidae, Muscidae e Sarcophagidae.

[Trophic niches in calyptrate Diptera in Rio de Janeiro, RJ]. / Nichos tróficos em dípteros caliptrados, no Rio de Janeiro, RJ.

Niche breadth and niche overlap of flies were estimated. The flies were breeding in different environments in Rio de Janerio (rural, urban and forest). It were used as a larvae substrate: banana mashed, mouse carcass, fish (sardine), bovine liver, shrimp and fresh human faeces. It were bred 14,294 flies, belonging to four families: Calliphoridae, Fanniidae, Muscidae and Sarcophagidae. The greater niche overlap values observed were: rural area: Phaenicia cuprina versus Chrysomya megacephala; urban area: Phaenicia eximia versus Sarcodexia innota and P. eximia versus Synthesiomyia nudiseta; forest area: P. eximia versus Hemilucilia flavifacies. The greater niche breadth recorded were: rural area: Peckia chrysostoma; urban area: S. nudiseta and Musca domestica; forest area: Euboettcheria collusor and P. eximia.

Prevalence of anti-Leishmania donovani antibody among Brazilian blood donors and multiply transfused hemodialysis patients.

The prevalence of anti-Leishmania donovani antibodies was investigated in 1,500 Brazilian blood donors and multiply transfused hemodialysis patients. Sera were tested using the fucose-mannose ligand (FML) ELISA, which was shown to have 100% sensitivity and 96% specificity for kala-azar. Among 1,194 volunteer blood donors, seroreactivity was 9%, increasing to 25% in a periurban kala-azar focus. However, higher positivity (37%) was found in multiply transfused hemodialysis patients from Natal, where kala-azar is constantly present in low numbers (endemic), with sporadic outbreaks in localized regions (endemic and epidemic). Risk factors included blood transfusion, which was significantly associated with the presence of anti-Leishmania antibodies (chi2 = 8.567, P < 0.005), but did not include potential exposure to sandfly bites (chi2 = 0.033, P > 0.1). The prevalence significantly decreased to 7% in hemodialysis patients from Rio de Janeiro, where kala-azar is only occasionally seen, and was 0% in patients undergoing continuous ambulatorial peritoneal dialysis. The prospective analysis of 27 FML-seroreactive donors from Natal revealed amastigotes of Leishmania in the bone marrow of one subject while four had clinical complaints, including splenomegaly and hepatosplenomegaly. Our results point to the need for control of blood transfusion as a possible route for transmission of kala-azar in endemic areas.

[Bionomical aspects of the Squamatoides triviattus (Diptera, Sarcophagidae) under laboratory conditions]. / Aspectos bionômicos de Squamatoides trivittatus (Diptera, Sarcophagidae) sob condições de laboratório.

Experiments with Squamatoides trivitattus were carried out in two different controlled temperatures (16 +/- 1 degree C/50-60% RH and 27 +/- 1 degree C/70-80% RH). The viability of larvae and pupae at 27 degrees C was 89.82% and 92.75% respectively. Larvae did not develop at 16 degrees C. Larval development lasted for 20 +/- 4 hr, 16 +/- 8 hr and 60 +/- 7 hr for the first, second and third instars, respectively, completing a total of 96 +/- 6 hr. The mean pupal period lasted for 15.7 +/- 1.6 days. In longevity tables for the adults, life-expectancy for 50% of the colony submitted to 16 degrees C was of 1.78 weeks for males and 2.42 for females. At 27 degrees C a life-expectancy of 1.15 weeks for males and 0.78 week for females was recorded. The average life-spans for males and females at 16 degrees C were 3.5 +/- 2.0 and 3.8 +/- 2.6 weeks, respectively, and 1.9 +/- 1.2 weeks for both sexes. At 27 degrees C, the longevity recorded was of 2.1 +/- 1.3 weeks for males and 1.7 +/- 1.1 week for females.

[Behavior of caliptrate Diptera in relation to oviposition substrates under laboratory conditions in Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil]. / Comportamento de dípteros muscóides frente a substratos de oviposição, em laboratório, no Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.

How adult females of calyptrate Diptera recognize the appropriate breeding substrate is a matter of controversy. Among holometabolic insects, the feeding opportunities of immature stages are generally determined by the adult female choice of an oviposition site. The ovipositional and larvipositional substrate preference for the synanthropic flies (Chrysomya megacephala, C. putoria, Phaenicia cuprina: Calliphoridae; Atherigona orientalis, Synthesiomyia nudiseta: Muscidae; Ravinia belforti, Parasacophaga ruficornis, Peckia chrysostoma: Sarcophagidae) is presented in this work. The substrate used for testing were the following: bovine minced meat, fish (sardine), bovine liver, shrimp, squid, human faeces and banana. Bovine minced meat was the ovipositional and larvipositional substrate preferred by seven species. Human faces were preferred by R. belforti.