RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Exanthematic diseases are a group of syndromes mainly caused by acute viral infections. AIM: To obtain information about the viruses that cause exanthematic diseases in our region. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During 1998, 267 serum samples from patients with an acute rash or patients presenting a febrile syndrome accompanied by enlarged lymph nodes, headache and other symptoms, were collected. Specific antibody of the IgM class (anti-IgM) against Rubella, Measles, Dengue types 1-4 and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) were measured by immunoenzymatic assay (EIA). Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibodies were measured by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: An etiologic agent was detected in 208 cases (77.9%). Cases due to Dengue (40.6%) and Rubella (21%) viruses predominated, but the frequency of other agents was also high in specific age groups. The agreement between the clinical suspicion and the laboratory findings varied broadly, from a 100% for suspected Dengue to just a 14.8% for cases of suspected CMV infection. CONCLUSIONS: Dengue was the most common viral exanthematic disease in the Zulia State during 1998.
Assuntos
Exantema/virologia , Febre/virologia , Imunoglobulina M/sangue , Dengue Grave/sangue , Doença Aguda , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Distribuição de Qui-Quadrado , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Infecções por Citomegalovirus/sangue , Infecções por Citomegalovirus/complicações , Humanos , Lactente , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Rubéola (Sarampo Alemão)/sangue , Rubéola (Sarampo Alemão)/complicações , Dengue Grave/complicações , Síndrome , VenezuelaRESUMO
The immunoregulatory roles of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-10, gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), the soluble form of the IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R), and the soluble form of CD30 (sCD30) were evaluated in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Two groups of subjects were studied: 15 healthy individuals without hepatitis antecedents and 15 patients with HBV infection. Blood samples were taken during the acute and convalescent phases. The analysis of the samples was done by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha levels decreased in the convalescent phase. IL-10, IL-2, and sIL-2R levels increased in the acute and convalescent phases, while sCD30 levels increased during the acute phase. The IL-4 concentrations decreased in both phases. During the acute phase, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha induced increases in IL-2, sIL-2R, IL-10, and sCD30 levels in serum, which allowed the development of immunity characterized by the nonreactivity of the HBV surface antigen, the onset of antibodies to the HBV surface antigen (anti-HBs), and normal alanine aminotransferase levels during the convalescent phase. Increased IL-2 levels during the acute phase would stimulate the activities of NK cells and CD8(+) lymphocytes, which are responsible for viral clearing. The raised sIL-2R levels reveal activation of T lymphocytes and control of the IL-2-dependent immune response. The sCD30 increment during the acute phase reflects the greater activation of the Th2 cellular phenotype. Its decrease in the convalescent phase points out the decrease in the level of HBV replication. The increase in IL-10 levels could result in a decrease in IL-4 levels and modulate IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha levels during both phases of disease, allowing the maintenance of anti-HBs concentrations.
Assuntos
Citocinas/sangue , Hepatite B/imunologia , Antígeno Ki-1/sangue , Receptores de Interleucina-2/sangue , Adulto , Hepatite B/sangue , Humanos , Interferon gama/sangue , Interleucina-10/sangue , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/análiseRESUMO
Background: The release of CD30 molecule in the soluble form (sCD30) is considered a feature of Th2 activation and proliferation of the cellular phenotype Th2. Aim: To analyze the immunoregulatory role of sCD30 in the evolution of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Patients and methods: Three study groups were formed: 15 patients with acute infection by HBV who remitted toward the resolution of the infection; 15 patients who evolved to the carrier state and 15 subjects without clinical history of infection by this or other viruses. The determination of serological markers for the HBV was done by the Microparticles Enzymatic Immunoanalysis techniques (MEIA). The method of double antibody by ELISA was used For sCD30 determination. Results: A significant sCD30 increase (p < 0.05) was observed in patients with acute infection, during the acute phase (135.7 ñ 36.7). These values decreased to 16.2 ñ 2.5 during the convalescent phase. Patients that evolved to the carrier state, did not experience a rise in sCD30 values (40.2 ñ 6.7, 38 ñ 9.2 and 36.1 ñ 8.3 during the acute phase, at 120 and 240 days respectively). The value in the control group was 34.8 ñ 6.7. Conclusions: The group that evolved towards remission experienced a higher activation of the Th2 cellular phenotype, promoting humoral immune response. An inactivity of sCD30 values was observed in the group that evolved to the carrier state
Assuntos
Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Adolescente , Adulto , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Hepatite B , /sangue , Anticorpos Anti-Hepatite B , Antígenos da Hepatite B/sangue , Técnicas Imunoenzimáticas/métodosRESUMO
Background: Yukpa aborigines start early in life their sexual activity and promiscuity with native and foreign individuals is common among women. This behavior allows the installation and propagation of Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Aim: To determine the presence of antibodies to HSV-2 in a Yukpa Amerindian community at Zulia State, Venezuela. Subjects and methods : We studied 96 natives, between 13 and 49 years old (62.3 percent of the whole population, 100 percent of individuals in fertile age). Control population consisted of 76 individuals, with similar sex and age range distribution, of the urban population from Maracaibo, Zulia State, Venezuela. HSV-2 serologic status was determined by an indirect fluorescent antibody test. Results: Antibodies to HSV-2 were detected in 53.1 percent of Yukpa population and 21.1percent of urban population. Aboriginal women aged 21 to 40 years old had a prevalence of antibodies against HSV-2 of 66.7 percent. Among pregnant native women, the prevalence of antibodies against HSV-2 was 54.6 percent. Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of antibodies against HSV-2 among Yukpa natives in Venezuela