Peripheral polyneuropathy associated with Chikungunya virus infection.

The Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arbovirus transmitted to humans through mosquito bites and can cause a series of symptoms ranging from a benign febrile illness to severe neurological conditions. We report the identification of CHIKV in a serum sample from an elderly woman with febrile illness and severe arthralgia in Brazil. The occurrence was found of peripheral polyneuropathy affecting the upper and lower limbs evidenced by electroneuromyographic findings. The patient was treated with a corticoid associated with methotrexate, suggesting that the pathophysiological basis of the case in question may be related to an immune-mediated response by T cells and inflammatory cytokines. This finding reinforces the need to be aware of the emergence of neuroinfections related to CHIKV and effective diagnoses for the early detection of neurological alterations, favoring the clinical management of these patients.

Biochemical Profile, Biological Activities, and Toxic Effects of Proteins in the Rhinella schneideri Parotoid Gland Secretion.

Parotoid glands of amphibians are known for the production of several biologically active compounds having pharmacological and toxic effects in mammals. In the present work, a protein fraction obtained from Rhinella schneideri parotoid gland (RsPP) was characterized to study its biological and toxic effects. Rhinella schneideri parotoid secretion is composed of up to 30% (w/w) of soluble proteins. Tandem mass spectrometric analysis of the RsPP identified 104 proteins, including actin, beta-actin, ribosomal proteins, catalase, galectin, and uncharacterized proteins; however, no peptidases were found, and this result was reinforced by the absence of proteolytic activity. In addition, RsPP did not exhibit pro-coagulant or antibacterial effects. However, pretreatment of mice with different doses of RsPP intraperitoneally inhibited carrageenan-induced paw edema and increased tissue myeloperoxidase activity. RsPP also reduced interleukin 1ß levels in the peritoneal cavities and cell migration in the peritoneal cavities of an animal model of carrageenan-induced peritonitis. Subchronic treatment of animals with RsPP for 7 consecutive days did not alter the serum biochemical, renal, or liver parameters. However, a significant reduction in blood leukocyte count was observed. Our results showed that R. schneideri parotoid secretion contains proteins with anti-inflammatory and slight toxic effects.

Laticifer proteins from Plumeria pudica inhibit the inflammatory and nociceptive responses by decreasing the action of inflammatory mediators and pro-inflammatory cytokines

AbstractSome publications have described the pharmacological properties of latices proteins. Thus, in the present study proteins from Plumeria pudica Jacq., Apocynaceae, latex were evaluated for anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. Obtained data showed that an intraperitoneal administration of different doses of latex was able to reduce the paw edema induced by carrageenan in a dose-dependent manner (better dose 40 mg/kg; 72.7% inhibition at 3rd and 78.7% at 4th hour) and the edema induced by dextran (40 mg/kg; 51.5% inhibition at 30 min and 93.0% at 1st hour). Inhibition of edema induced by carrageenan was accompanied by a reduction of myeloperoxidase activity. Pre-treating animals with latex (40 mg/kg) also inhibited the paw edema induced by histamine, serotonin, bradykinin, prostaglandin E2, compound 48/80. Additionally, the latex (40 mg/kg) reduced the leukocyte peritoneal migration induced by carrageenan and this event was followed by reduction of IL-1β and TNF-α in peritoneal fluid. The latex-treatment (40 mg/kg) reduced the animal abdominal constrictions induced by acetic acid and the first phase on paw licking model induced by formalin. When latex was treated with heat (at 100 °C for 30 min), anti-edematogenic and myeloperoxidase activities were significantly reduced, indicating the involvement of heat-sensitive proteins on anti-inflammatory effect. Our results evidence that latex fluids are a source of proteins with pharmacological properties.

Intracerebral infection with dengue-3 virus induces meningoencephalitis and behavioral changes that precede lethality in mice.

BACKGROUND: Dengue, one of the most important arboviral diseases of humans, may cause severe systemic disease. Although dengue virus (DENV) has been considered to be a non-neurotropic virus, dengue infection has been associated recently with a series of neurological syndromes, including encephalitis. In this work, we evaluated behavioral changes and inflammatory parameters in C57BL/6 mice infected with non-adapted dengue virus 3 (DENV-3) genotype I. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice received 4×10(3) PFU of DENV-3 by an intracranial route. We evaluated the trafficking of leukocytes in brain microvasculature using intravital microscopy, and evaluated chemokine and cytokine profiling by an ELISA test at 3 and 6 days post infection (p.i.). Furthermore, we determined myeloperoxidase activity and immune cell populations, and also performed histopathological analysis and immunostaining for the virus in brain tissue. RESULTS: All animals developed signs of encephalitis and died by day 8 p.i. Motor behavior and muscle tone and strength parameters declined at day 7 p.i. We observed increased leukocyte rolling and adhesion in brain microvasculature of infected mice at days 3 and 6 p.i. The infection was followed by significant increases in IFN-γ, TNF-α, CCL2, CCL5, CXCL1, and CXCL2. Histological analysis showed evidence of meningoencephalitis and reactive gliosis. Increased numbers of neutrophils, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were detected in brain of infected animals, notably at day 6 p.i. Cells immunoreactive for anti-NS-3 were visualized throughout the brain. CONCLUSION: Intracerebral infection with non-adapted DENV-3 induces encephalitis and behavioral changes that precede lethality in mice.

Dengue virus 3 clinical isolates show different patterns of virulence in experimental mice infection.

Dengue virus (DENV) may cause symptomatic infection with mild, undifferentiated febrile illness called classical dengue fever (DF) or a more severe disease, potentially fatal, known as dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) or dengue shock syndrome. The pathogenesis of DHF is based on the virulence of the infecting DENV and depends on the infecting serotypes and genotypes; it is also based on the immunopathogenesis that is mediated by host immune responses, including dengue virus-cross-reactive antibodies that augment the severity of infections. Involvement of central nervous system (CNS) is extensively described. The present study describes the virulence of DENV-3 isolates in a mouse model by intracranial (i.c.) inoculation with genotypes I and III. Our data suggest that, in this experimental model, DENV-3 genotype I may have the propensity to cause neurological disease in mice, whereas the genotype III is associated with asymptomatic infection in mice. Additionally, the symptomatic mice show a decrease of white blood cell count, infectious DENV in the brains and alterations in levels of IFN-gamma, IL-6 and MCP-1. The results confirm the mouse model as a way to study the biology of DENV-3 isolates and to improve the knowledge about the neurovirulence of the different genotypes of DENV.

Paraglanglima de corpo carotídeo: apresentação de caso e revisão da bibliográfica / Carotid body tumor: a case report and literature review

Os paragangliomas são tumores que se desenvolvem a partir dos paragânglios. São raros, têm predominância familiar e malignizam-se em poucos casos. O mais comum é o de corpo carotídeo (0,012% de todos os tumores de cabeça e pescoço). A manifestação clínica mais comum é a presença de massa cervical lateral. Angiografia é o exame de escolha para o diagnóstico do tumor. O tratamento é cirúrgico. Apresentamos o caso de uma paciente com 67 anos de idade, com massa cervical bilateral, assintomática. São descritos a abordagem diagnóstica, os detalhes cirúrgicos e o resultado pós-operatório.

Paraganglioma are tumors that arise from paraganglia. They are rare, there is inheritability and malignancy is also rare. The most common one is carotid body paraganglioma (0,012% of all head and neck tumors). The most common feature is lateral cervical mass. Angiography is gold-standard for diagnoses. Surgical treatment is emphasised. We report the case of a 67 year-old woman with asimptomatic bilateral neck mass. Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches as outcome are described.

Lipomas da laringe: relato de caso e revisäo de literatura / Lipoma of the larynx: a case report and literature review

Os lipomas da laringe constituem um grupo de patologias raras, representando aproximadamente 0,6 por cento dos tumores benignos da laringe. Atualmente, existem menos de 90 casos descritos na literatura mundial. Os autores apresentam um caso de lipoma laríngeo localizado na regiäo supraglótica em um paciente do sexo masculino, queixando-se de dispnéia de decúbito, engasgos e sensaçäo de corpo estranho na garganta. Enfatizam os métodos diagnósticos e o tratamento microcirúrgico realizado