Mice with genetic and induced B-cell deficiency as a model for disseminated encephalitozoonosis

Encephalitozoon cuniculi, an intracellular pathogen, lives in a balanced relationship with immunocompetent individuals based on the activity of T lymphocytes. We previously highlighted the greater susceptibility of B-1 cell-deficient mice (XID mice) to encephalitozoonosis. This study aimed to develop a model of disseminated and severe encephalitozoonosis in mice with combined immunodeficiency to elucidate the role of B cells. To address this objective, cyclophosphamide (Cy)-treated BALB/c and XID mice were inoculated with E. cuniculi, followed by the evaluation of the immune response and histopathological lesions. Immunosuppressed BALB/c mice manifested no clinical signs with an increase in the populations of T lymphocytes and macrophages in the spleen. Immunosuppressed and infected XID mice revealed elevated T cells, macrophages populations, and pro-inflammatory cytokines levels (IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-6) with the presence of abdominal effusion and lesions in multiple organs. These clinical characteristics are associated with extensive and severe encephalitozoonosis. The symptoms and lesion size were reduced, whereas B-2 and CD4+ T cells populations were increased in the spleen by transferring B-2 cells adoptive to XID mice. Moreover, B-1 cells adoptive transfer upregulated the peritoneal populations of B-2 cells and macrophages but not T lymphocytes and decreased the symptoms. Herein, we speculated the consistency in the development of severe and disseminated encephalitozoonosis in mice with genetic deficiency of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk) associated with Cy immunosuppression develop with that of the models with T cell deficiency. Taken together, these data emphasized the crucial role of B cells in the protective immune response against encephalitozoonosis.

Reprocessamento de artigos críticos em unidades básicas de saúde: perfil do operador e ações envolvidas / Reprocessing critical devices in a primary health care unit: worker's profile and developed actions / Reprocesamento de artículos criticos en unidades básicas de salud: perfíl del operador y acciones desarrolladas

Estudo descritivo-exploratório que teve como objetivo conhecer o perfil e ações do operador do reprocessamento de artigos críticos nas unidades básicas de saúde de um município do Estado de São Paulo. Das 34 unidades básicas de saúde, verificou-se que 32,4 por cento destes operadores receberam treinamentos admissionais e 8,8 por cento há menos de um ano. Eles exerciam funções concomitantes ao reprocessamento como: imunização (11,7 por cento), curativos (26,4 por cento) e coletas de exames (23,5 por cento). Esses resultados podem influenciar negativamente na qualidade do processo, limitando o controle de infecção nos locais estudados.

Descriptve-exploratory study that aimed to outline the profile and the actions of workers who conduct the reprocessing of critical devices at primary health care units in a city in the State of São Paulo. Thirty-four primary health care units were surveyed. Individuals responsible for reprocessing are nursing assistants (88.2 percent), that conducted concomitantly activities related to immunization (11.7 percent), dressing (26.4 percent) collection of samples for exams (23.5 percent); 32.4 percent had received training at the beginning of their reprocessing activities, and 8,82 percent at least one year before. The lack of dully skilled individuals may influence the quality of the process and constitute a limiting factor for the control of cross infection.

Estudio descritivo-exploratório que tuvo como objetivo conocer el perfíl y las acciones del profesional que realiza reprocesamiento de artículos críticos en las unidades básicas de salud en un municipio del Estado de São Paulo. Fueron estudiados 34 ubidades, en donde los responsables por el reprocesamiento son los auxiliares de enfermería (88,2 por ciento). Ejercian simultaneamente: actividades con inmunización (11,7 por ciento), curativos (26,4 por ciento) y colectas de examenes (23,5 por ciento); 32,4 por ciento recibieron entrenamientos en la admission y 8,82 por ciento hace menos de un año. Estos resultados pueden influenciar en la calidad del proceso y ser um factor limitante para el control de infección cruzada en los locales estudiados.

[Reprocessing critical devices in a primary health care unit: worker's profile and developed actions]. / Reprocessamento de artigos críticos em unidades básicas de saúde: perfil do operador e ações envolvidas.

Descriptve-exploratory study that aimed to outline the profile and the actions of workers who conduct the reprocessing of critical devices at primary health care units in a city in the State of São Paulo. Thirty-four primary health care units were surveyed. Individuals responsible for reprocessing are nursing assistants (88.2%), that conducted concomitantly activities related to immunization (11.7%), dressing (26.4%) collection of samples for exams (23.5%); 32.4% had received training at the beginning of their reprocessing activities, and 8,82% at least one year before. The lack of dully skilled individuals may influence the quality of the process and constitute a limiting factor for the control of cross infection.