Image analysis of nucleomegalic cells in Chagas' disease placentitis.

Villous stroma nucleomegalic cells harbouring intracytoplasmic parasites are an unusual finding which appears to be restricted to Chagas' disease placentitis. Ploidy analysis of these cells in two cases (twelve nuclei in Case 1 and 26 in Case 2) showed these nuclei to contain quantitatively abnormal DNA. Only a few were diploid, the rest proving to be tetraploid, hypertetraploid and even aneuploid. Little is known about the pathogenesis of these macronuclei. However, since these cells contain large numbers of parasites it is possible that a parasite-induced derangement of the cell cycle at G2 phase may be operative.

Liver reserves of iron, copper, and vitamin B12 in Brazilian fetuses and infants of different socioeconomic status.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the stage of fetal development and of maternal socioeconomic status on liver concentrations and total liver reserves of iron, copper, and vitamin B12 in Brazilian fetuses and infants. Eighty fetuses and infants ranging from 19 to 42 wk of gestational age were studied. Liver concentrations of nutrients did not vary significantly with the stage of fetal development. Therefore, increases in total liver reserves during development were caused mainly by increases in liver weight. There were significant correlations between total liver reserves of vitamin B12 and iron (r = 0.742, p < 0.001), vitamin B12 and copper (r = 0.444, p < 0.001), and iron and copper (r = 0.431, p < 0.001). Maternal socioeconomic status did not affect liver nutrient concentrations or total hepatic levels at any stage of fetal development.

Zinc and vitamin A in liver of foetuses and infants.

The association of zinc and vitamin A levels was studied in liver of foetuses and infants which were stillborn or died of various causes between the age of 26 weeks of gestation up to 16 weeks post-partum. No correlation between zinc and vitamin A was observed (r = 0.07). Although smaller infants had more hepatic vitamin A than larger infants no significant difference was observed between these groups for liver zinc values.

Concentration of copper and zinc in liver of fetuses and infants.

Hepatic concentrations of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were studied in 38 fetuses and infants, who died of various causes, from 26 weeks of gestation up to 16 weeks post-natally. The six fetuses of 28-32 weeks gestation had median and mean hepatic Cu concentrations micrograms/g fresh tissue) comparable to those found in the 21 born at term, but the range of values was much narrower: all of the Cu values for those born prematurely were at or below 40 micrograms/g. Values at 10 micrograms/g and below were found in five infants at term and five who died at 1-4 months of age. There was a comparable range of Zn values for both pre-term and term babies (10 to 300 micrograms/g fresh tissue). The value of 10 micrograms/g was found only in one 4-month-old infant. The accumulation of both Cu and Zn occurs independently in the fetuses. The socioeconomic status did not influence significantly the concentration of liver Cu or Zn in babies born at term. However, size of babies as measured by liver weight showed that larger babies had significantly higher mean Cu concentration (37 +/- 24 micrograms/g) than smaller babies (21 +/- 14 micrograms/g. The same trend, but without significant difference, was observed for hepatic Zn between larger (104 +/- 78 micrograms/g) and smaller (74 +/- 59 micrograms/g babies.

Pneumonitis in congenital Chagas' disease. A study of ten cases.

Ten cases of pneumonitis in congenital Chagas' disease are described. Amastigotes were found in the lungs in seven cases, and in two of these cases parasitized cells were seen in the alveolar lumen. In five cases parasites were found both in the lungs and in the amniotic epithelium of the extraplacental membranes and umbilical cord. The authors conclude that infection of the amniotic epithelium originated in the lungs and was carried by the amniotic fluid, and emphasize the epidemiological importance of infection of the amniotic fluid as a probable means of transmission of Chagas' disease among professionals working in the area of obstetrics.