Assessment of biochemical and hematological parameters in rats injected with Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the hematological changes induced by Tityus serrulatus venom (TsV). Blood of Wistar rats was collected 0.5, 2, 6 and 24 h after i.p. injection of TsV (0.5 mg/kg) or saline (controls). Two additional groups were injected with 0.67 mg/kg and 0.25 mg/kg of TsV and the blood was collected after 0.5 and 2 h, respectively. The results showed an increase on hematocrit (Ht), red blood cells (RBC) count, hemoglobin concentration (Hb), albumin and total protein, mainly 2-6 h after envenoming. Increase in serum activities of amylase, creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase were also observed, indicating tecidual damages. Hyperglycemia was observed at all times analyzed, as a consequence of catecholamine release. No significant changes were detected in the urea, [Na(+)] and [Ca(2+)], but an increase of [Mg(2+)], [K(+)] and conductivity was observed. TsV induced a reduction of erythrocytes osmotic fragility as consequence of dehydration and increase in plasma electrolytes concentration, as evidenced by its higher conductivity. This study demonstrated that TsV is able to induce severe hematological changes, that appear within the first hours after envenoming, justifying the seeking of medical attention as soon as possible to avoid worsening of clinical symptoms.

Acute myocardial infarction in a 34-year-old HIV-positive female patient while undergoing active antiretroviral therapy containing a protease inhibitor

We describe the case of a young HIV-positive patient undergoing three-drug antiretroviral therapy that included a protease inhibitor for 9 months, who was admitted to the hospital with an acute myocardial infarction. A coronary angiogram revealed occlusion caused by a thrombus in the proximal third of the anterior descending artery. Complete recanalization was obtainedafter an angioplasty was performed. At the time of the infarction, only the triglyceride levels were found to be high. Metabolic alterations associated with the prolonged use of protease inhibitors have been described such as an increase in the triglyceride and the cholesterol serum levels, diabetes, resistence to insulin, lipodystrophy, and pancreatitis. The consequences of chronic hyperlipidemia are well known in the medical literature, especially premature coronary artery disease. No family history of coronary disease was identified in this patient. Whether the genesis of this localized thrombosis was due to a change in the metablism of the vascular endothelium caused by the protease inhibitors, or by related dyslipidemia, is still to be determined. In this case, the data suggest a strong link between coronary insufficiency and prolonged use of the protese inhibitor.

Actividad de antisépticos en malassezia pachydermatis aislada de oído externo en perros y gatos / Antiseptics activity on malassezia pachydermatis isolated from external ear in dogs and cats

Se estudiaron en agar sabouraud dextrosado, muestras obtenidas del conducto auditivo externo de 80 perros y 22 gatos aparentemente sanos. El examen micológico directo y las características morfofisiológicas y bioquímicas, permitieron determinar la presencia de malassezia pachydermatis en el 61,3 porciento de las muestras provenientes de perros y en el 13,6 porciento de los gatos. La susceptibilidad de esta levadura se determinó en medios sólidos, por el método de dilución in vitro frente a soluciones de yodo, timerosal y violeta de genciana. Todas las cepas fueron inhibidas en las siguientes concentraciones: yodo 1,0 g/l; timerosal 0,0125 g/l y violeta de genciana a 0,0078 g/l, lo que representa su dilución comercial diluída 641 veces