Monocytes subpopulations pattern in the acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus infection and after long COVID-19.

INTRODUTION AND OBJECTIVE: The present study sought to characterize the pattern of monocyte subpopulations in patients during the course of the infections caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus or who presented long COVID-19 syndrome compared to monocytes from patients with zika virus (Zika) or chikungunya virus (CHIKV). CASUISTRY: Study with 89 peripheral blood samples from patients, who underwent hemogram and serology (IgG and IgM) for detection of Zika (Control Group 1, n = 18) or CHIKV (Control Group 2, n = 9), and from patients who underwent hemogram and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for detection of SARS-CoV-2 at the acute phase of the disease (Group 3, n = 19); and of patients who presented long COVID-19 syndrome (Group 4, n = 43). The monocyte and subpopulations counts were performed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed in the total number of monocytes between the groups. The classical (CD14++CD16-) and intermediate (CD14+CD16+) monocytes counts were increased in patients with acute infection or with long COVID-19 syndrome. The monocytes subpopulations counts were lower in patients with infection Zika or CHIKV. CONCLUSION: Increase in the monocyte subpopulations in patients with acute infection or with long COVID-19 syndrome may be an important finding of differentiated from the infection Zika or CHIKV.

Evaluation of the immunological cellular response of Cebus apella exposed to the carcinogen N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and treated with CANOVA®.

The immune response modifier Canova® is a homeopathic remedy indicated for patients with depressed immune system, since this drug appears to increase adaptive immunity and induce an immune response against multiple and severe pathological conditions, including cancer. We evaluated the pattern of immune cellular response in non-human primates of the species Cebus apella exposed to N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) with and without Canova®. Twelve animals were divided into four groups, with three animals each: negative control and three experimental groups, MNU-alone (35 days); MNU (35 days)-plus-Canova® (3 days) and Canova®-alone (3 days). The animals received MNU orally and Canova® by three intravenous injections. Evaluation of the cellular immune response was performed by immunophenotyping of T-lymphocytes (CD4(+), CD8(+)), B-lymphocytes and natural killer cells. Analysis was also performed of the cell cycle. Our results suggest an increase of T-lymphocytes (CD4(+)CD3(+)) only in the Canova® group, while in the MNU-plus-Canova® group only B-lymphocytes increased.

Frequency of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria in patients attended in Belém, Pará, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria is a hematological disease with complex physiopathology. It is genetically characterized by a somatic mutation in the PIG-A gene (phosphatidylinositol glycan anchor biosynthesis, class A), in which the best known antigens are DAF (decay accelerating factor or CD55) and MIRL (membrane inhibitor of reactive lysis or CD59). OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria in patients attended at the HEMOPA foundation from November 2008 to July 2009. METHOD: Thirty patients, with ages ranging from two to 79 years old and suspected of having paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria were examined. All patients were immunophenotyped by flow cytometry for the CD5, CD59, CD16 and CD45 antigens. RESULTS: Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria was identified in nine of the thirty patients investigated. Another 3 cases had inconclusive results with CD59-negative labeling only for neutrophils. The highest frequency of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria patients (7/9) and inconclusive cases (2/3) were between 19 years old and 48 years old, with a median of 28 years. CONCLUSION: These results show the importance of flow cytometry to identify cases in which patients are deficient in only one antigen (CD59).

Macroscopic and histological effects of magnetic field exposition in the process of tissue reparation in Wistar rats.

Exposing body tissue, in vivo, to a magnetic field promotes metabolic alterations in the cell membrane's permeability and in the apoptosis phenomenon. This aim of the study was to investigate magnetic field interactions in the process of tissue repair in rats. Twenty-four male Wistar rats, weighing 200-350 g, were assigned to one of the three different groups: Control (without exposure to the magnetic field), South Pole (with exposure to the South magnetic field), and North Pole (with exposure to the north magnetic field). The intensity of the magnetic field used was 1,600 G. All the animals were anesthetized and immobilized on a surgical board in order to receive circular wounds. The size of the wounds was measured by a milimetric paquimeter. For the histological study, the tissues were fixed in paraffin and colored with hematoxylin and eosin. Wound size data were submitted to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and to the test of Student-Newman-Keuls when appropriated. The results of day 5 (F (2,23):F (3,84); P < 0.05), day 10 (F (2,23):F (8,89); P < 0.05), and day 15 (F (2,23):F (7,88); P < 0.05) revealed a significant reduction between the size of the wounds of both North and South groups when compared to Control group. Our data suggest that chronic exposure to a magnetic field of 1,600 G can accelerate the speed of tissue repair in rats.