O consultório de Alergologia em tempos de pandemia / The allergology practice in times of pandemic

A humanidade está experimentando a pandemia global da COVID- 19 causada por um vírus altamente infecioso, o SARS-CoV-2. Medidas para frear a sua propagação mudaram repentinamente a vida de milhões de pessoas no mundo e nós, médicos alergologistas, tivemos que nos adaptar a este novo cenário. Manterse atualizado, continuar atendendo os pacientes, orientar os mesmos e seus familiares e, ao mesmo tempo, adotar medidas para prevenir um eventual contágio durante o atendimento, são grandes desafios. Graças aos meios de informação confiáveis, às organizações de saúde e às sociedades médicas especializadas, como a ASBAI, estamos enfrentando esta crise de saúde pública com bom senso, criatividade e conhecimento.

Humanity is experiencing a global pandemic of COVID-19 caused by a highly infectious virus, SARS-CoV-2. Measures to stop it from spreading have suddenly changed the lives of millions of people around the world, and we, allergists, have had to adapt to this new setting. Keeping up to date, continuing to assist patients, guiding them and their families, and, at the same time, taking measures to prevent possible contagion during care are major challenges. Thanks to reliable means of information, health organizations, and specialized medical societies, such as ASBAI, we are facing this public health crisis with judgment, creativity, and knowledge.

Professor Júlio Croce - uma vida, um legado / Professor Júlio Croce - a life, a legacy

O médico e professor Júlio Croce foi um dos principais alergistas brasileiros. Formado em 1947 pela Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), foi um dos pioneiros da especialidade de Alergia e Imunopatologia no Brasil. Foi professor da Disciplina de Imunologia Clínica e Alergia da FMUSP e Diretor do Serviço de Alergia e Imunologia do Hospital das Clínicas da USP (HC-FMUSP). Posteriormente, permaneceu como Professor de Mestrado no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Alergia e Imunopatologia na mesma Universidade. Como Diretor do Serviço de Alergia e Imunologia do HC-FMUSP teve grande influência na formação de alergistas que mais tarde se tornaram expoentes da especialidade, não só no Brasil, como em toda América Latina. Tendo formação como clínico e um grande entrosamento com as áreas básicas, dedicou parte de sua vida à pesquisa de alérgenos encontrados no Brasil, marcando a originalidade do seu trabalho. Pesquisou e publicou artigos sobre alérgenos regionais tão variados como ácaros, fungos, insetos, plantas e alimentos. Também se interessou pela relação das alergias com a poluição. Homem de mente aberta e simplicidade no trato, era um verdadeiro diplomata da Alergia. Agregou especialistas do Brasil e do mundo, tendo sido membro fundador de diversas sociedades médicas. Ao acolher residentes e estagiários vindos de todas as partes do Brasil e da América Latina, contribuiu enormemente para a divulgação e o ensino da especialidade de Alergia. Foi homenageado pelas principais sociedades de Alergologia na América Latina, Estados Unidos e Europa. Como testemunhas de uma parte de sua vida, nosso objetivo, ao relembrar sua trajetória, é a de utilizar a pedagogia do exemplo. Prof. Júlio Croce, um exemplo de alergista a ser lembrado e seguido.

Physician and professor Júlio Croce was one of the greatest Brazilian allergists. Graduated in 1947 at the University of São Paulo (USP) Medical School, he was a pioneer in the Allergy and Immunopathology specialty in Brazil. He taught the course of Clinical Immunology and Allergy and was head of the Allergy and Immunology Service at USP Hospital das Clínicas. Later he remained working as a professor at the USP Graduate Program in Allergy and Immunopathology. As head of the Allergy and Immunology Service, he had great influence on the training of allergists who later became specialists in this field not only in Brazil but all over Latin America. Having clinical training and a close relationship with primary care areas, he dedicated part of his life to research on allergens found in Brazil, which marked the originality of his work. He investigated and published articles on several regional allergens including mites, fungi, insects, plants and foods. He was also interested in the relationship between allergies and pollution. He was an open-minded, simple man and a true Allergy diplomat. He brought together experts from Brazil and the world as a founding member of several medical societies. By welcoming residents and trainees from all parts of Brazil and Latin America, he contributed greatly to the dissemination and teaching of the Allergy specialty. He was honored by the leading allergology societies in Latin America, the United States and Europe. As witnesses of part of his life, our aim, in recalling his trajectory, is to use the pedagogy of example. Professor Júlio Croce is an example of allergist to be remembered and emulated.

Proteomic view of the venom from the fire ant Solenopsis invicta Buren.

Fire ants are well-known by their aggressive stinging behavior, causing many stinging incidents of medical importance. The limited availability of fire ant venom for scientific and clinical uses has restricted, up to now, the knowledge about the biochemistry, immunology, and pharmacology of these venoms. For this study, S. invicta venom was obtained commercially and used for proteomic characterization. For this purpose, the combination of gel-based and gel-free proteomic strategies was used to assign the proteomic profile of the venom from the fire ant S. invicta. This experimental approach permitted the identification of 46 proteins, which were organized into four different groups according to their potential role in fire ant venom: true venom components, housekeeping proteins, body muscle proteins, and proteins involved in chemical communication. The active venom components that may not present toxic roles were classified into three subgroups according to their potential functions: self-venom protection, colony asepsis, and chemical communication. Meanwhile, the proteins classified as true toxins, based on their functions after being injected into the victims' bodies by the fire ants, were classified in five other subgroups: proteins influencing the homeostasis of the victims, neurotoxins, proteins that promote venom diffusion, proteins that cause tissue damage/inflammation, and allergens.

Polución ambiental y asma / Environmental pollution and asthma

Diariamente el ser humano moviliza entre 10000 y 20000 litros de aire, requiriendo una actividad permanente y eficiente de las defensas inmunológicas. La polución ambiental trastorna este proceso y se asocia a un incremento de rinoconjuntivitis, asma y bronquitis, entre otras enfermedades respiratorias. Los autores presentan una revisión de las fuentes poluidoras principales en el ambiente doméstico, incluyendo agentes biológicos y no biológicos; así como de los mecanismos patogénicos involucrados y la relación entre polución ambiental y enfermedades respiratorias, especialmente asma. Finalmente se expone los mecanismos propuestos en esta asociación.