Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in two southern Wooly spider monkeys (Brachyteles arachnoides-Geoffroy, 1806) from the Rio de Janeiro primate center, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasmosis led to the death of two Brachyteles arachnoides, an endangered atelid. METHODS: The diagnosis was established by necropsy, histopathological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural changes. RESULTS: The analysis confirms the presence of Toxoplasma gondii. CONCLUSIONS: This report contributes to the development of protocols for health surveillance on maintenance and conservation of southern muriquis.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) pneumonia in a southern muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides).

BACKGROUND: An adult male Brachyteles arachanoides, kept in captivity since 1990, was found dead without apparent clinical evidence. METHODS: Necropsy report, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and ultrastructural examination were conducted. RESULTS: Pulmonary syncytial cells were positive for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and ultrastructural examination revealed viral particles inside macrophages compatible with the Paramyxoviridae family. CONCLUSIONS: Muriquis are susceptible to RSV pneumonia followed by respiratory distress syndrome and death.

Lung lesions in human leptospirosis: microscopic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural features related to thrombocytopenia.

Lung fragments from 12 patients were collected immediately after death and studied by light and electron microscopy and by immunohistochemistry to describe the main morphologic and ultrastructural aspects of the lung and platelets in leptospirosis (Weil's syndrome), to search for the possibility of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and to assess the relationship between endothelial lesions and local platelet aggregation and the leptospiral antigen distribution, as well as its relationship with the intensity of the lesions. The immunohistochemical results for fibrin aggregates were positive in the lumen and/or on the vascular endothelium in nine cases and on the alveolar surface in seven cases, leading to the diagnosis of the adult respiratory distress syndrome in these seven cases. Test results for leptospiral antigen by immunohistochemistry were positive in eight cases with no direct relationship between antigen deposits in the pulmonary vascular endothelium and intensity of the lesions. The ultrastructural findings were uniform and constant. Capillary lesions were characterized by swelling of endothelial cells, an increase in pinocytotic vesicles, and giant dense bodies in the cytoplasm of these cells. No necrosis, rupture, nor exposed subendothelial collagen was observed outside the hemorrhagic areas, and the intercellular junctions were preserved. The lung involvement in severe human leptospirosis presents as hemorrhagic pneumopathy with septal capillary lesions that are the usual cause of death. The thrombocytopenia that was verified in 11 of 12 patients in our study seems to bear no relationship to DIC and seems to be determined by activation, adhesion, and aggregation of platelets to the stimulated vascular endothelium, with an amorphous electron-dense substance between the endothelial cells and the adherent platelets in places where the subendothelial collagen was not exposed.

A fast method for processing biologic material for electron microscopic diagnosis in infectious disease.

A fast method for processing biologic material for electron microscopy for precise and specific diagnosis of infectious agents is an increasing necessity. After different, reportedly fast methods were tested, a useful and quick technique was developed that provides well-preserved cellular structures, enabling the etiologic diagnosis of infectious agents even in necrotic tissue or other biologic material such as sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, and the like. This procedure takes less than 3 hours.

Morphometric study of fat cell size in the fascia areolaris and fascia lamellaris of the inguinal region in men, women and pregnant women.

The fat cells of the fascia areolaris and fascia lamellaris of men, women, and pregnant women (aged between 20 and 35a) were morphometrically studied. The cell volumes showed the following average values: 4.423 X 10(5) micron3 and 2.004 X 10(5) micron3 for the fasciae areolaris and lamellaris respectively, in men; 6.236 X 10(5) micron3 and 3.964 X 10(5) micron3 in women, and 10.114 X 10(5) micron3 and 4.635 X 10(5) micron3 in the pregnant women. The analysis of variance showed significant differences between both sexes, and fasciae areolaris and lamellaris. The differences between women and pregnant women as far as the cell volume is concerned, in both fasciae, were not significant. As to the fascia areolaris, not the lamellaris, the difference between the sexes was significant.

Ultrastructural and morphometric study on fat cells of the so called subcutaneous "fascia areolaris" and "fascia lamelaris" in the human inguinal region.

The fat cells of the so called fascia areolaris and fascia lamelaris (Velpeau 1834; Sterzi 1910) of men and women (aged from 20 to 35 years) were ultrastructural and morphometrically (cell volume) studied. No noteworthy submicroscopic difference was observed between fascias. The cell volumes obtained from planimetric measures showed the following values: 3.770 X 10(5) microns and 2.497 X 10(5) microns in the fascia aerolaris and lamelaris of men, respectively. For the women the values were: 7.222 X 10(5) microns and 5.025 X 10(5) microns (Fig. 3). The analysis of variance shows significant differences between the sexes and between fascia areolaris and lamelaris. The difference between the fascias supports the Sterzi's (1910) description on the tela subcutanea as being formed by those two distinct layers.