Biochemical and cellular mechanisms regulating Acanthamoeba castellanii adherence to host cells.

Free-living amoebae belonging to the genus Acanthamoeba are the causative agents of infections such as amoebic keratitis (AK), granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) and cutaneous lesions. The mechanisms involved in the establishment of infection are unknown. However, it is accepted that the initial phase of pathogenesis involves adherence to the host tissue. In this work, we analysed surface molecules with an affinity for epithelial and neuronal cells from the trophozoites of Acanthamoeba castellanii. We also investigated the cellular mechanisms that govern the process of trophozoite adhesion to the host cells. We first used confocal and epifluorescence microscopy to examine the distribution of the A. castellanii actin cytoskeleton during interaction with the host cells. The use of drugs, as cytochalasin B (CB) and latrunculin B (LB), revealed the participation of cytoskeletal filaments in the adhesion process. In addition, to identify the proteins and glycoproteins on the surface of A. castellanii, the trophozoites were labelled with biotin and biotinylated lectins. The results revealed bands of surface proteins, some of which were glycoproteins with mannose and N-acetylglucosamine residues. Interaction assays of biotinylated amoebae proteins with epithelial and neuronal cells showed that some surface proteins had affinity for both cell types. The results of this study provide insight into the biochemical and cellular mechanisms of the Acanthamoeba infection process.

Entamoeba histolytica: production of nitric oxide and in situ activity of NADPH diaphorase in amebic liver abscess of hamsters.

Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites were inoculated into the liver of hamsters and serum nitrate/nitrite levels [expressed as nitric oxide (NO) production] were determined at different times during amebic liver abscess (ALA) development. We also tested the effects of NO synthase (NOS) inhibitors such as N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), aminoguanidine, and dexamethasone during ALA production. Since NOS activity has been correlated with expression of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPHd) in tissues, we performed histochemistry studies to determine the activity of the latter in livers infected with E. histolytica trophozoites. Production of NO in serum was directly proportional to the size of ALAs, and NOS inhibitors caused low levels of NO and smaller ALAs. Our data suggest that NO does not have any lytic effect on E. histolytica trophozoites and is therefore incapable of providing protection against the amebic liver infection. In addition, NADPHd activity was detected histochemically in hepatocytes and inflammatory cells associated with focal necrosis containing trophozoites. The positive reactivity observed in these parasites may be attributable to a close biochemical similarity of NADPHd to the NADPH:flavin oxidoreductase described in E. histolytica by other investigators.

Entamoeba histolytica: transferrin binding proteins.

Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites depend on iron for their growth; thus, they must use some host iron-containing molecules to fulfill this requirement. In this work we report that amoebas are able to utilize human holo-Tf as iron source and to recognize it through transferrin binding proteins. By use of an anti-human transferrin antiserum in an immunoblotting assay, two main polypeptides with apparent molecular masses of 70 and 140 kDa were found in total extract of trophozoites cultured in vitro. However, when a monoclonal anti-human transferrin receptor antibody was used, only one band with molecular mass of 140 kDa was observed. Both the human transferrin and the monoclonal antibody recognized a protein on the amoebic surface, demonstrated by confocal microscopy. Furthermore, the complex transferrin-transferrin binding protein was internalized by an endocytic process and probably dissociated inside the cell. This mechanism could be one manner in which E. histolytica acquires iron from the human host transferrin.

Interaction of antibodies with Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites from experimental amebic liver abscess: an immunocytochemical study.

Using immunocytochemical techniques, we studied the interaction of antibodies with Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites present during the development of amebic liver abscess. Hamsters were intrahepatically inoculated with HM1-IMSS axenic amebas and sacrificed at different days post-inoculation. IgG of rabbit anti-E. histolytica and IgG of rabbit anti-IgG of hamster were used, both labeled with peroxidase. With the rabbit anti-E. histolytica, all trophozoites present in hepatic lesions from 1-7 days post-inoculation were highly labeled. The IgG of rabbit anti-IgG of hamster intensively stained only those trophozoites present in lesions from 1-2 days post-inoculation. From day 3, the intensity and number of labeled trophozoites decreased progressively. The results suggest that the interaction between the amebas and the IgG of hamster is non-specific during the first 2 days. The absence of labeling in the chronic stages could be due to changes in the membrane antigens of the parasite or to alterations in the bloodstream around necrosis. Also, the anti-E. histolytica antibodies produced in the serum during the development of the hepatic disease are apparently incapable of reaching and interacting with the trophozoites present on the liver abscess. This can explain in part why antibodies do not have an important role in the defense of the host.

Entamoeba histolytica HM1:IMSS: hemoglobin-degrading neutral cysteine proteases.

Entamoeba histolytica HMI:IMSS trophozoites were able to utilize human hemoglobin but not hemin as a sole iron source to grow in vitro. Proteases from crude extracts of E. histolytica degraded human, porcine, and bovine hemoglobins at pH 7.0. These proteolytic activities were found by electrophoresis in SDS-polyacrylamide gels copolymerized with hemoglobin, with apparent molecular weights of 116, 82, and 21 kDa, the 82-kDa protein being the most active protease against this substrate. The proteases were classified in the cysteine group since the activities were inhibited by l-trans-epoxysuccinylleucylamido(4-guanidino)butane, p-hydroxymercuribenzoate, iodoacetate, and N-ethylmaleimide and activated with dithiothreitol. Other pathogenic strains of E. histolytica showed the same pattern of hemoglobinases. These hemoglobin-degrading proteases could be playing an important role in iron acquisition by E. histolytica.

[Prognosis for encopresis]. / Pronóstico de las encopresis.

Here is presented a study concerning a hundred children with encopresis, aged from three to twelve years old, controlled for eleven years, so that the period of its evolution can be determined. We have contrasted the data with that obtained by other authors referring to different parameters: pregnancy, delivery, neonatal pathology, etc. We have compared the study of the prediction concerning the time of its evolution, and we have only found two citations in the looked-up bibliography. We have concluded that this time of evolution will be the more shortened when it is a secondary encopresis, there is good scholastic performance, there aren't any disturbances in the EEG, when the dark enema is normal, because the C1 in the Goodenough test is bigger, and so is the percentage in the Raven test and when there is no feeling of guilt, jealousy or introversion.

[Cytological and bacteriological study of the vagina in newborn in a hospital environment (author's transl)]. / Estudio citobacteriológico vaginal en niñas recién nacidas en el medio hospitalario.

An attempt has been made to ascertain the percentage of bacteriological transmission in the vaginal cavity, in a series of 98 studied cases between mother and daughter. All these findings have been correlated with the hormone quantities shown in smear tests. As a result of the work carried out it has been proved that transmission does not necessary take place, from the bacteriological point of view, in spite of the fact that E. coli is the bacteria most frequently found in cultures of smears from the vagina of both mothers and their newborn daughters. Similarly it was confirmed that differences between indices and percentages of cells from the vaginal epithelium of mothers and daughters is significant and are influenced by the presence of germs, among other factors.