Sequence analysis of SWEET transporters from trypanosomatids and evaluation of its expression in Trypanosoma cruzi.

Trypanosoma cruzi is an obligate parasite that uses glucose as one of the main resources to maintain its survival and proliferation. In eukaryotic cells glucose transport across membranes is mediated by facilitated transport through a variety of transporters. Herein, genes from the recently described SWEET family of carbohydrate transporters were identified in trypanosomatid parasites, including the medically important species T. cruzi and Leishmania spp. The identified genes have sequences with the typical attributes of known SWEET transporters. The expression of TcSWEET, the gene for the SWEET transporter found in the T. cruzi genome, was evidenced by immunohistochemistry using a polyclonal serum raised against peptides selected from the deduced TcSWEET protein sequence. In Western blot analysis, this α-TcSWEET serum detected proteins within the theoretical molecular mass for TcSWEET (25.8 kDa) in total epimastigote lysates, suggesting its expression at this parasite stage. Additionally, this serum stained epimastigotes at localizations consistent with the cell body and the flagellum. Together, these data suggests that SWEET transporters may contribute to glucose transport in trypanosomatid parasites.

Endofuga tipo IB, complicación tardía de prótesis endovascular / Type IB endoleak: a late complication of endovascular prosthetic repair

Objetivo: describir las endofugas como complicación tardía de las prótesis por reparación endovascular de aneurisma de aorta abdominal, a través del reporte de caso presentado en el Hospital Universitario del Quindío San Juan de Dios Colombia. Diseño del estudio: reporte de caso. Presentación: hombre de 77 años, con antecedente de implante de endoprótesis en la aorta abdominal infrarrenal y en las arterias iliacas derecha e izquierda. Siete años después ingresó al servicio de urgencias por hipotensión, diaforesis y dolor abdominal de inicio súbito. Se realizó intervención quirúrgica de urgencia evidenciando ruptura de aneurisma y endofuga tipo IB a nivel de la endoprotesis de aorta abdominal. Conclusión: la reparación endovascular, técnica de gran importancia para el manejo del aneurisma de aorta abdominal (AAA), tiene el riesgo de complicación por exclusión incompleta de flujo sanguíneo al saco aneurismático, con tasas de reintervención por complicación de 30% y conversión a manejo quirúrgico de 5%, aumentando la mortalidad.

Objective: to describe endoleaks as a late complication of endovascular prosthetic repair (EVAR) of abdominal aorta aneurysm (AAA), through a case report presented at Hospital Universitario del Quindío San Juan de Dios Colombia. Study Design: case report. Case presentation: a 77-year-old man with past medical history of undergoing an EVAR of the left and right common iliac arteries for infra-renal AAA. Seven years later he was admitted to the emergency department with a sudden episode of hypotension, diaphoresis and abdominal pain. He underwent an emergency surgical intervention evidencing an AAA sac rupture secondary to a type IB peri-prosthetic endoleak. Conclusion: EVAR, a very important procedure for the management of AAA has the disadvantage of post-procedural complications due to failure to completely exclude blood flow perfusing the aneurysm sac, requiring a re-intervention in 30% and the need for open surgery in 5% associated with increased mortality rates.

Effects of Colombian oregano essential oil (Lippia origanoides Kunth) and Eimeria species on broiler production and cecal microbiota.

The gut microbiota has an important effect on poultry health and production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Colombian oregano (COO), Lippia origanoides Kunth, essential oil supplementation on broiler chicken performance and their cecal bacterial microbiome by 16S-based sequencing. Essential oil was extracted by steam distillation and analyzed by Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Two COO levels in feed, 0 ppm control (C) and 100 ppm (O), were evaluated in 2 groups of broilers either unchallenged (U) or challenged (E) with a viable attenuated Eimeria (coccidia) oocyte vaccine. Four treatments, UC, UO, EC, and EO, were distributed among 720 one-day-old male Ross broilers randomly placed in 24 pens. Cecal contents DNA was extracted and pyrosequencing was performed following a standard procedure. Pyrosequencing data were processed, and sequence reads were phylogenetically classified. Similarity of membership and structure in the communities were calculated. At the end of the study, the greatest COO effect was found in coccidia-challenged broilers, with an OE body weight of 1,889 ± 52.4 g with respect to 1,799 ± 36.2 g for CE (P < 0.01). Broiler cecal samples were consistent in that phylum Firmicutes and class Clostridia were highly prevalent; COO had no effect on these taxa levels between the 4 treatments (P > 0.05). A positive correlation (P < 0.01) was observed between the Firmicutes:Bacteriodetes phyla ratio against body weight at 35 D of age. This study provided both positive and negative correlations between broiler body weight against some bacterial groups identified, offering perspectives regarding bacterial groups and their impact on host health and metabolism. Lippia origanoides Kunth high thymol content showed a beneficial effect on body weight and the feed conversion ratio in broilers under coccidia challenge.

Identification, Characterization, Immunolocalization, and Biological Activity of Lucilin Peptide.

Maggots from the Lucilia sp. genus are used for debridement of infected and necrotic wounds. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity has been described in the excretion/secretions (ES1) of these larvae. This study identifies the genetic sequence of a cecropin-like antimicrobial peptide from Lucilia eximia. Total RNA was extracted and used for PCR-RACE amplification of a cecropin, the native peptide was immunolocalized in the tissues and secretions of the larvae, and a synthetic analog was used to explore its antimicrobial, cytotoxic, LPS neutralizing and wound-healing activities in vitro. The genetic cDNA sequence of a cecropin-like antimicrobial peptide in L. eximia called "Lucilin" was amplified, corresponding to 63 aa completed protein and 40 aa mature peptide; the structure of the mature peptide was predicted as an α-helix. The peptide was immunolocalized in the salivary glands, fat body, the ES, and hemolymph of the maggots. Lucilin synthetic peptide analog was active against E. coli DH10B with a MIC2 of 7.8 µg/mL, E. coli extended spectrum b-lactamase (ESBL) (MIC: 15.6 µg/mL), and Enterobacter cloacae (MIC: 125 µg/mL), but it was not active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus epidermidis; and had no cytotoxic or hemolytic activity. It showed immunomodulatory activity against human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with LPS, reducing the TNF-α production when treated at 17 µg/mL and induces cell migration of Hacat at 5 and 50 µg/mL. Lucilin is a cecropin-like peptide from L. eximia with antimicrobial activity against Gram negative bacteria and immunomodulatory activities, decreasing the TNF-α production in PBMCs and inducing cellular migration in human keratinocytes.

Effect of Origanum chemotypes on broiler intestinal bacteria.

Essential oils have been proposed as alternatives to antibiotic use in food animal production. This study evaluated 3 chemotypes of the Origanum genus, containing varying amounts of secondary metabolites carvacrol, thymol, and sabinene, in the broiler chicken diet. Aerial parts of Origanum vulgare L. (OL), O. vulgare L. ssp. hirtum (OH), and O. majorana (OM) were collected from a greenhouse located in the high altitude Sabana de Bogotá (Savanna of Bogotá) and O. vulgare L. ssp. hirtum (OG) produced and ground in Greece. Oregano essential oils (OEO) from these plants were obtained by steam distillation and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer. Six treatments were evaluated: 200 mg/kg of OEO from OH, OL, and OM, 50 mg/kg of OEO from OG, 500 mg/kg of chlortetracycline, and without additives. Broiler chicks were maintained at 2,600 m above sea level, placed in brooder cages under a completely randomized design. Template DNA was isolated from duodenal, jejunal, ileal, and cecal contents in each group and bacterial 16S rDNA patterns were analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Dendrograms of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis band patterns revealed 2 main clusters, OEO-treated chicks and nontreated control chicks, in each intestinal segment. Band patterns from different gut compartments revealed major bacterial population shifts in the foregut (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) compared with the hindgut (cecum and colon) at all ages evaluated (P < 0.05). The OEO groups showed less shift (62.7% similarity coefficient) between these 2 compartments versus the control groups (53.7% similarity coefficient). A reduction of 59% in mortality from ascites was seen in additive-supplemented groups compared with the control group. This study represents the first work to evaluate the effects of the 3 main chemotypes of Origanum genus in broilers.

Expression and purification of an active cecropin-like recombinant protein against multidrug resistance Escherichia coli.

Lucilin is a 36 residue cecropin antimicrobial peptide identified as a partial genetic sequence in Lucilia sericata maggots. The antimicrobial spectrum and toxicity profile of Lucilin is unknown. We first report the expression of Lucilin as an active recombinant fusion protein with a cysteine protease domain (CPD) tag. The fusion protein, GWLK-Lucilin-CPD-His8, showed maximum overexpression in Escherichia coli BL21 cells after 12h induction with 0.5mM IPTG (isopropyl beta-d-thiogalactoside) and growth conditions were 37 °C and 150 rpm shaking. The fusion protein was expressed as a soluble form and was purified by Ni-IMAC. The purified protein was active against E. coli ATCC 35218 with a MIC of 0.68 µM, and a clinical isolate of E. coli with extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) with a MIC of 0.8 µM. The recombinant GWLK-Lucilin-CPD-His8 was not toxic against human erythrocytes or Vero cells with a therapeutic index >63. The results suggest that GWLK-Lucilin-CPD-His8 represents a potential candidate for therapy against multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacteria.

Larvaterapia aplicada a heridas con poca carga de tejido necrótico y caracterización enzimática de la excreción, secreción y hemolinfa de larvas / Effect of maggot therapy on minimally necrotic tissues: characterization of larval enzymatic excretion/secretion

Introducción. Las úlceras crónicas son una afección con un impacto negativo importante en la calidad de vida de los pacientes y en el sistema de salud; la aparición de infecciones y su difícil manejo, así como la presencia de tejido necrótico, afectan el pronóstico de curación. La larvaterapia se presenta como una opción para el desbridamiento y el manejo de infecciones de úlceras crónicas. Objetivo. Evaluar la larvaterapia en heridas con poca carga de tejido necrótico y evaluar las excreciones, secreciones y la hemolinfa de las larvas, respecto a su contenido enzimático. Materiales y métodos. Se reporta una serie de tres casos clínicos con úlceras crónicas y poca carga de tejido necrótico, tratados con larvaterapia, y se evalúa su evolución por los índices PUSH (Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing) y Wound Bed Score, así como el patrón electroforético y contenido enzimático por zimograma de las excreciones y secreciones, y de la hemolinfa de las larvas. Resultados. Con solo una aplicación de la larvaterapia se evidenció una mejoría del aspecto de la herida y en los puntajes evaluados; en el PUSH hubo una disminución de 2,3 puntos, en promedio, y con el Wound Bed Score, un incremento de 2,7, lo que demuestra una mejoría en ambas escalas. Conclusión. Se encontró una actividad enzimática diversa en su contenido de excreciones y secreciones, con predominio de actividad de la proteasa de tipo serina.

Introduction. Chronic leg ulcers are a burden for the health system and impact quality of life. The infections, the necrotic tissue and the difficult treatment affects the prognosis and healing time. Maggot therapy is presented as an acceptable alternative for the debridement and treatment of this pathology. Objective. The larval therapy was assessed on chronic leg ulcers with little necrotic tissue. Larval excretion and secretion (E/S) was characterized with respect to hemolymph (HL) enzymatic content. Materials and methods. Three patients with chronic leg ulcers and low necrotic tissue were treated with larval therapy and were assessed with the PUSH (pressure ulcer scale for healing) and Wound Bed Score. E/S and HL content was evaluated by SDS PAGE and zymogram. Results. The clinical aspect of the wounds showed improvement, and the scores demonstrated an average decrease of 2.3 for the PUSH and an average increase of 2.7 for the Wound Bed Score. A wide diversity of enzymatic activity in the E/S was demontrated with major activity belonging to serine protease family. Conclusions. Maggot therapy proved an effective treatment in cases with minimal tissue necrosis and can be considered a viable treatment option.

[Effect of maggot therapy on minimally necrotic tissues: characterization of larval enzymatic excretion/secretion]. / Larvaterapia aplicada a heridas con poca carga de tejido necrótico y caracterización enzimática de la excreción, secreción y hemolinfa de larvas.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic leg ulcers are a burden for the health system and impact quality of life. The infections, the necrotic tissue and the difficult treatment affects the prognosis and healing time. Maggot therapy is presented as an acceptable alternative for the debridement and treatment of this pathology. OBJECTIVE: The larval therapy was assessed on chronic leg ulcers with little necrotic tissue. Larval excretion and secretion (E/S) was characterized with respect to hemolymph (HL) enzymatic content. Materials and methods. Three patients with chronic leg ulcers and low necrotic tissue were treated with larval therapy and were assessed with the PUSH (pressure ulcer scale for healing) and Wound Bed Score. E/S and HL content was evaluated by SDS PAGE and zymogram. RESULTS: The clinical aspect of the wounds showed improvement, and the scores demonstrated an average decrease of 2.3 for the PUSH and an average increase of 2.7 for the Wound Bed Score. A wide diversity of enzymatic activity in the E/S was demonstrated with major activity belonging to serine protease family. CONCLUSIONS: Maggot therapy proved an effective treatment in cases with minimal tissue necrosis and can be considered a viable treatment option.

Prevalencia de Mammomonogamus laryngeus (Strongylida: Syngamidae) en ganado bovino de la central de beneficio del municipio de La Tebaida, Quindío, Colombia / Prevalence of Mammomonogamus laryngeus (Strongylida: Syngamidae) nematodes in a bovine slaughterhouse

Introducción. Mammomonogamus laryngeus es un parásito nematodo que suele encontrarse en la laringe de mamíferos del trópico, especialmente en bovinos, ovejas y gatos. Objetivo. Determinar la prevalencia de M. laryngeus en bovinos de la central de beneficios del municipio de La Tebaida, Quindío, Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Para determinar la presencia de infestación por M. laryngeus, se examinó la tráquea y el árbol pulmonar de los animales bovinos sacrificados en la central de sacrificio de La Tebaida, entre diciembre de 2008 y febrero de 2009.Resultados. Se examinaron 500 bovinos. La prevalencia de infestación por M. laryngeus fue de 14,8 % (74); las formas adultas del parásito se localizaron con mayor frecuencia en el repliegue ariteno-epiglótico y en ningún caso en la tráquea o bronquios. Los departamentos del país de donde provenían los animales con mayor prevalencia, fueron: Valle del Cauca (10 %), Quindío (3,6 %) y Caquetá (1,2 %).Conclusiones. El reporte de esta parasitosis en animales bovinos procedentes de otros departamentos, indica la circulación del parásito en Colombia. Por ende, se hace necesario hacer un estudio para definir la prevalencia actual de esta parasitosis en ganado para consumo humano.

Introduction. Mammomonogamus laryngeus is a nematode parasite that is usually found in the larynx of mammals in the tropics, especially in cattle, sheep and cats. Objective. The prevalence of M. laryngeus was determined in cattle brought to an abattoir as an indicator of its prevalence in the general population.Materials and methods. The present study was undertaken in the municipality of La Tebaida, Quindio, Colombia, to determine the presence of M. laryngeus infection in cattle brought to a local abattoir between December and February 2009. The tracheae and lungs of 500 slaughtered cattle were examined. Results. Parasite prevalence was 14.8% (n=74). The majority of worms were located on aryteno-epiglottic folds, but never in the tracheae or bronchi. The infection rate was highest (47%) in 2 to 2.5 year old animals. In infected animals, an average of 6.4 parasite pairs was found, with higher numbers in older animals. The prevalence of infection in cattle was greater than seen in the provinces of Valle del Cauca (10.0%), uindío(3,0%) pr Caquetá (1.2%). Conclusions. Reports of this parasite in cattle indicate its circulation throughout Colombia and recommend surveillance studies where cattle are raised and prepared for human consumption.

[Prevalence of Mammomonogamus laryngeus(Strongylida:Syngamidae) nematodes in a bovine slaughterhouse]. / Prevalencia de Mammomonogamus laryngeus (Strongylida: Syngamidae) en ganado bovino de la central de beneficio del municipio de La Tebaida, Quindío, Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Mammomonogamus laryngeus is a nematode parasite that is usually found in the larynx of mammals in the tropics, especially in cattle, sheep and cats. OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of M. laryngeus was determined in cattle brought to an abattoir as an indicator of its prevalence in the general population. Materials and methods. The present study was undertaken in the municipality of La Tebaida, Quindio, Colombia, to determine the presence of M. laryngeus infection in cattle brought to a local abattoir between December and February 2009. The tracheae and lungs of 500 slaughtered cattle were examined. RESULTS: Parasite prevalence was 14.8% (n=74). The majority of worms were located on aryteno-epiglottic folds, but never in the tracheae or bronchi. The infection rate was highest (47%) in 2 to 2.5 year old animals. In infected animals, an average of 6.4 parasite pairs was found, with higher numbers in older animals. The prevalence of infection in cattle was greater than seen in the provinces of Valle del Cauca (10.0%), Quindío(3,0%) pr Caquetá (1.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Reports of this parasite in cattle indicate its circulation throughout Colombia and recommend surveillance studies where cattle are raised and prepared for human consumption.

Propiedades matemáticas del modelo de Gompertz y su aplicación al crecimiento de los cerdos / Mathematical properties of the Gompertz model and its application to the growing pig / Propriedades matemáticas do modelo de Gompertz e sua aplicação ao crescimento de suínos

En esta investigación se utiliza el modelo de crecimiento de Gompertz para describir el crecimiento corporal, de la canal y de los componentes químicos (proteína, lípido, ceniza y agua) de cerdos en condiciones comerciales de producción. La descripción del crecimiento y los cambios en la deposición de macromoléculas se realizó en 10 edades (1, 21, 63, 99, 126, 154, 175, 210, 239 y 273 días de edad), sacrificando 39 cerdos. Se colectaron muestras de canal, vísceras rojas y vísceras blancas y se analizaron los componentes químicos. Se verificó que los parámetros del modelo tienen un significado y sensibilidad biológica, que pueden ser interpretados por la madurez al 50% y el peso adulto, los cuales sirven para estimar la influencia de factores ambientales que modifican los parámetros de crecimiento. Los hallazgos de este estudio sitúan las tasas de retención de proteína en 129 g/día, es decir un 17.3% inferior a los hallazgos con genotipos altamente seleccionados y soportan la teoría que establece que las tasas de retención de proteína están estrechamente relacionadas con los patrones de ganancia diaria de peso corporal. El grupo experimental presentó comportamientos en la deposición de los componentes químicos corporales similares a las de animales no mejorados.

In this study, the Gompertz model is used to describe the changes in chemical components (protein, lipids, ash and water) in growing pigs, as body weigh increases. Growth and changes in deposition of several molecules was evaluated at 10 different ages (1, 21, 63, 99,126,154,175, 210, 239 and 273 days of age) in 39 pigs. Carcass samples, red and white viscera were collected and submitted for chemical analysis. Our study demonstrated that the model parameters have significance and biological sensitivity, which can be interpreted through maturity at 50% and at adult weight. These traits can be used to estimate the effect of environmental factors on growth and adult weight. The 129 g/day protein retention rate found in the present study was 17.3% lower than the rate observed for highly selected genotypes, and it supports the theory that protein retention rates are highly related to daily body weight gain patterns. The studied genotype presented a similar pattern for the dynamics of chemical components as non-selected animals.

Nesta pesquisa é utilizado o modelo de crescimento de Gompertz para descrever as relações entre o peso corporal, o peso da canal e os componentes químicos (proteína, lipídeos, cinzas e água) do suíno. A descrição do crescimento e das mudanças na acumulação de macromoléculas foi realizada em 10 diferentes períodos (1, 21, 63, 99, 126, 154, 175, 210, 239 y 273 dias de idade), por meio do sacrifício de 39 suínos. Foram coletadas amostras de canal, vísceras vermelhas e brancas para analise dos componentes químicos. Foi demonstrado que os parâmetros do modelo têm um significado e uma sensibilidade biológica que pode ser interpretada pela maturidade ao 50% e o peso adulto que são úteis para estimar a influencia dos fatores ambientais que modificam o crescimento e o peso adulto. Os resultados desta pesquisa mostraram taxas de retenção de proteína de 129 g/dia, quer dizer 17.3% inferior aos encontrados com genótipos altamente escolhidos e sustenta a teoria que estabelece que as taxas de retenção de proteína estejam intimamente relacionadas com os padrões de ganho diário de peso corporal. O genótipo avaliado apresentou comportamentos na dinâmica dos componentes químicos corporais similares aos dos animais não melhorados.

Péptidos antimicrobianos: [revisión] / Antimicrobial peptides: [review]

Los péptidos antimicrobianos son las moléculas efectoras del sistema inmune innato, cuyas familias se encuentran en casi todos los organismos, desde bacterias hasta mamíferos. Son una familia de sustancias polifacéticascon complejos mecanismos deacción relacionados con la interacción con el patógeno a través de su membrana, o afectando blancos internos, como la replicación del ADN y la síntesis de proteínas, e interactuando con el huésped con funciones inmunomoduladoras de la regulación delproceso inflamatorio y de la cicatrización. Aunque la generación de resistencia a los péptidos antimicrobianos es mucho menorsi se compara con la generada por losantibióticos convencionales, existen mecanismos de resistencia ya descritos, como la degradación por proteasas, la liberación de proteínas inhibidoras o los cambios en la conformación de la membrana externa del patógeno. El estudio de estas sustancias hapermitido evidenciar sus usos potenciales en el ámbito clínico para contrarrestar los inconvenientes de la resistencia a los antibióticos; sin embargo, a pesar de los grandesavances logrados en este campo, aún quedan puntos controversiales por dilucidar.

The antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are theeffectors molecules of the innate immunesystem, finding groups of this kind of substances in almost all living organisms from bacteria to mammals. They are a family of versatile substances with complexes action mechanisms in the pathogen they interact with membrane, DNA synthesis and protein synthesis and folding, and also with the hostshowing immunomodulatory functions inwound healing and inflammation process.Even though the generation of resistance to the AMP is lower compare with conventional antibiotics there are resistance mechanism already describe to this kind of substances like degradation by proteases, releasing ofinhibitory substances or conformationalchanges in the external membrane of thepathogen. Actually the study of this group of substances has make them see as potential tools for clinical use helping to coun-teract the problem of antibiotic resistance, but even great progress had been made in this field there still exist some controversial issues for future study.

[First case report of Mammomonogamus (Syngamus) laryngeus human infection in Colombia]. / Reporte del primer caso humano de infección parasitaria por Mammomonogamus laryngeus en Colombia.

First case report of Mammomonogamus (Syngamus) laryngeus human infection in Colombia Parasitic nematodes of the genus Mammomonogamus affect the respiratory tract of domestic mammals. The male and female of M. laryngeus remain in permanent copula so that the pair appears as a "Y'. To date, a few more than 100 cases of human infections by this parasite have been reported in the biomedical literature. This report describes the first infected patient in Colombia. He had a persistent and productive cough and after an episode of coughing a pair of worms were expelled in sputum with total clinical recovery. Since there is scant clinical information about this parasite, this report includes a description of the adult worms, a summary of the epidemiology and the clinical manifestations in humans. Photographs are presented to facilitate future identification by morphological characteristics.

Anticuerpos monoclonales: desarrollo físico y perspectivas terapéuticas / Monoclonal antibodies: physical development and therapeutic perspectives

Los anticuerpos monoclonales son glucoproteínas especializadas que hacen parte del sistema inmune, producidas por las células B, con la capacidad de reconocer moléculas específicas (antígenos). Los anticuerpos monoclonales son herramientas esenciales en el ámbito clínico y biotecnológico, y han probado ser útiles en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de enfermedades infecciosas, inmunológicas y neoplásicas, así como también en el estudio de las interacciones patógeno-hospedero y la marcación, detección y cuantificación de diversas moléculas. Actualmente, la incorporación de las técnicas de biología molecular e ingeniería genética y proteica han permitido ampliar el horizonte de la generación de anticuerpos monoclonales y sus usos, y se han encontrado técnicas como la hibridación, la quimerización, la humanización y la producción de anticuerpos monoclonales totalmente humanos. Es una de las áreas de mayor crecimiento en la industria biotecnológica y farmacéutica; en el mercado se encuentran cerca de 29 anticuerpos monoclonales aprobados por la Food and Drug Administration (FDA) de los Estados Unidos para uso en humanos.

Monoclonal antibodies are specialized glucoproteins that belong to the immune system, produced by the B cells which have the ability to recognize other molecules (antigens). They are important tools in clinical practice and biotechnology and have been useful in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious, inflammatory, immunological and neoplasic diseases, as well as in the study of the host/patogen interaction, and in the detection and quantification of diverse molecules. The incorporation of molecular biology, proteic and genetic engineering have extended the production and uses of monoclonal antibodies, finding techniques like hybridoma, chimerization, humanization and fully human monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies represent one of the major areas of growth on the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, and there are currenty 19 monoclonal antibodies approved by the FDA for human use.