Rare and intractable fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva shows different PBMC phenotype possibly modulated by ascorbic acid and propranolol treatment.

Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) is a rare congenital intractable disease associated with a mutation in ACVR1 gene, characterized by skeleton malformations. Ascorbic acid (AA) and propranolol (PP) in combination is reported to minimize flare-ups in patients. FOP leukocyte phenotype may possibly be modulated by AA and PP treatment. In this study, expression of 22 potential target genes was analyzed by RT-PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells culture (PBMC) from FOP patients and controls to determine effectiveness of the combination therapy. PBMC were treated with AA, PP and AA+PP combination. Basal expression of 12 of the 22 genes in FOP PBMC was statistically different from controls. ACVR1, ADCY2, ADCY9 and COL3 were downregulated while COL1 was upregulated. ADRB1, ADRB2, RUNX2, TNF-α and ACTB, were all overexpressed in FOP PBMC. In control, AA upregulated COL1, SVCT1, ACTB, AGTR2 and downregulated ADCY2. In FOP cells, AA upregulated ACVR1, BMP4, COL1, COL3, TNF-α, ADCY2, ADCY9, AGTR2 and MAS, while downregulated ADBR2, RUNX2, ADCY1, SVCT1 and ACTB. PP increased ADBR1 and decreased RUNX2, TNF-α, AGTR1, ACTB and CHRNA7 genes in treated control PBMC compared to untreated. PP upregulated ADBR1, ADBR2 and MAS, and downregulated TNF-α and ACTB in treated FOP PBMC versus untreated. AA+PP augmented ADRB1 and ADRB2 expressions in control PBMC. In FOP PBMC, AA+PP augmented ACVR1, COL1, COL3, ADBR1, AGTR2 and MAS expression and downregulated ADBR2, RUNX2, ACTB and MRGD. These data show distinct gene expression modulation in leukocytes from FOP patients when treated with AA and or PP.

Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis in blood of newborns with suspected nosocomial infection.

Enterococci are Gram-positive cocci saprophyte of the human gastrointestinal tract, diners who act as opportunistic pathogens. They can cause infections in patients hospitalized for a long time or who have received multiple antibiotic therapy. Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium are the most common species in human infections. To evaluate the possibility of rapid detection of these species and their occurrence in the blood of newborns with suspected nosocomial infection, blood samples were collected from 50 newborns with late infections, admitted to the Neonatal Care Unit of the University Hospital Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS-HU), from September 2010 to January 2011. The samples were subjected to conventional PCR and real time PCR (qPCR) to search for Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis, respectively. The PCR results were compared with respective blood cultures from 40 patients. No blood cultures were positive for Enterococci, however, eight blood samples were identified as genomic DNA of Enterococcus faecium by qPCR and 22 blood samples were detected as genomic DNA of Enterococcus faecalis by conventional PCR. These findings are important because of the clinical severity of the evaluated patients who were found positive by conventional PCR and not through routine microbiological methods.

Enterococcus faecium AND Enterococcus faecalis IN BLOOD OF NEWBORNS WITH SUSPECTED NOSOCOMIAL INFECTION / Enterococcus faecium e Enterococcus faecalis no sangue de recém-nascidos com suspeita de infecção nosocomial

Enterococci are Gram-positive cocci saprophyte of the human gastrointestinal tract, diners who act as opportunistic pathogens. They can cause infections in patients hospitalized for a long time or who have received multiple antibiotic therapy. Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium are the most common species in human infections. To evaluate the possibility of rapid detection of these species and their occurrence in the blood of newborns with suspected nosocomial infection, blood samples were collected from 50 newborns with late infections, admitted to the Neonatal Care Unit of the University Hospital Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS-HU), from September 2010 to January 2011. The samples were subjected to conventional PCR and real time PCR (qPCR) to search for Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis, respectively. The PCR results were compared with respective blood cultures from 40 patients. No blood cultures were positive for Enterococci, however, eight blood samples were identified as genomic DNA of Enterococcus faecium by qPCR and 22 blood samples were detected as genomic DNA of Enterococcus faecalis by conventional PCR. These findings are important because of the clinical severity of the evaluated patients who were found positive by conventional PCR and not through routine microbiological methods.

Os enterococos são cocos Gram-positivos saprófitas do trato gastrointestinal humano, atuam como patógenos oportunistas. Podem causar infecções em pacientes: hospitalizados por um longo tempo ou que receberam antibioticoterapia múltipla. Enterococcus faecalis e Enterococcus faecium são as espécies mais comuns em infecções humanas. Para avaliar a possibilidade de detecção rápida dessas espécies e sua ocorrência no sangue de recém-nascidos com suspeita de infecção hospitalar, foram coletadas amostras de sangue de 50 recém-nascidos, com infecção tardia, internados na Unidade de Terapia Neonatal do Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS-HU), no período de setembro de 2010 a janeiro de 2011. As amostras foram submetidas a PCR convencional e PCR em tempo real (qPCR) para pesquisa de Enterococcus faecium e Enterococcus faecalis, respectivamente. Os resultados da PCR foram comparados com culturas de sangue respectivos de 40. Nenhuma hemocultura foi positiva para enterococos, no entanto, em oito amostras de sangue foi identificado DNA genômico de Enterococcus faecium através da técnica de reação em cadeia da polimerase em tempo real, e em 22 amostras de sangue, foram detectados DNA genômico de Enterococcus faecalis, através de PCR convencional. A descoberta é importante por causa da gravidade clínica dos pacientes avaliados que foram positivos por PCR convencional e não foram detectados na rotina por métodos microbiológicos.

Molecular characterization of Candida spp. isolates from patients with bloodstream infections.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to conduct an epidemiological study comparing the genetic similarity of yeasts isolated from blood cultures. METHODS: Random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) techniques were used for the Candida samples obtained from patients at the Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul (HU/UFMS) in Campo Grande, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, from 1998-2000. RESULTS: The most frequently isolated species was Candida albicans (45.8%). DNA amplification from genomic yeast isolates indicated a genetic similarity of over 90%. CONCLUSIONS: The RAPD profiles obtained were able to differentiate between the isolated Candida species, thereby suggesting that the method might be useful in epidemiological studies.

Efeitos da inalação de beclometasona e furosemida sobre a função pulmonar e índice de oxigenação de recém-nascidos prematuros / Inhalation effects of beclomethasone and furosemide on pulmonary function and oxygenation index of preterm newborns / Efectos de la inhalación de beclometasona y furosemida sobre la función pulmonar e índice de oxigenación de recién nacidos prematuros

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a função pulmonar e o índice de oxigenação de recém-nascidos pré-termo submetidos à inalação endotraqueal de beclometasona e furosemida. Foram avaliados 30 recém-nascidos pré-termo com idade gestacional <36 semanas, sob ventilação mecânica convencional por pelo menos 12 horas. Três inalações sequenciais com as respectivas medicações foram realizadas, com intervalo de três horas entre as mesmas. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue arterial para análise dos gases sanguíneos; após aspiração endotraqueal, a mensuração das variáveis respiratórias foi realizada em dois momentos, antes e após duas horas da última inalação. A complacência dinâmica, assim como o índice de oxigenação, não apresentou diferença estatística significativa entre os momentos antes e após as medicações; no entanto, a resistência de vias aéreas demonstrou redução no grupo beclometasona entre os momentos antes e após a intervenção (p=0,03). Diante desses resultados, não podemos afirmar que a beclometasona e a furosemida inalatória exercem influência significativa na função pulmonar e oxigenação dos recém-nascidos estudados.

The objective of this study was to evaluate lung function and oxygenation index of preterm infants undergoing endotracheal inhaling of beclomethasone and furosemide. We studied 30 newborn preterms with gestational age <36 weeks, undergoing conventional mechanical ventilation for at least 12 hours. Three sequential inhalations with their medications were executed with an interval of three hours between each. We collected samples of arterial blood for gas analysis, and after endotracheal aspiration, the measurement of respiratory variables was performed in two stages, two hours before and after the last inhalation. Dynamic compliance and the oxygenation index showed no statistically significant difference between before and after the medication, however, the airway resistance group demonstrated a reduction in beclomethasone between the moments before and after the intervention (p=0.03). These results cannot imply that inhaled beclomethasone and furosemide exerted significant influence on lung function and oxygenation in the newborn infants studied.

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la función pulmonar e índice de oxigenación de recién nacidos de pre-término sometidos a la inhalación endotraqueal de beclometasona y furosemida. Fueron evaluados 30 recién nacidos de pre-término con edad gestacional <36 semanas, bajo ventilación mecánica convencional por lo menos 12 horas. Tres inhalaciones secuenciales con las respectivas medicaciones fueron realizadas, con intervalo de tres horas entre las mismas. Fueron tomadas muestras de sangre arterial para el análisis de los gases sanguíneos y después de la aspiración endotraqueal, la medición de las vías respiratorias fue realizada en dos momentos, antes y después de dos horas de la última inhalación. La compliance dinámica así como el índice de oxigenación, no presentaron diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los momentos antes y después de las mediciones, sin embargo, la resistencia de las vías aéreas demostró reducción en el grupo beclometasona entre los momentos antes y después de la intervención (p=0,03). Mediante estos resultados no podemos afirmar que la beclometasona y la furosemida inhalatoria ejercen influencia significativa en la función pulmonar y oxigenación de los recién nacidos estudiados.

Prevalência dos exames protoparasitológicos coletados em unidades básicas de saúde / Prevalence of protoparasitologic collected in basic health units

INTRODUÇÃO: Segundo a Organização Mundial da Saúde, as infecções gastrointestinais afetam 2,1 milhões de pessoas, estas infecções são dependentes de vários fatores, dentre eles: imunidade associada à nutrição, geralmente transmitidas através do solo e da água. Entre as crianças constitui uma das principais causas de mortalidade. OBJETIVO: Analisar a frequência de parasitas em amostras de fezes de pacientes atendidos em Unidade Básica de Saúde). MÉTODOS: Foram analisados os resultados de 5.301 exames protoparasitológicos processados no laboratório municipal de Campo Grande, no período compreendido entre dezembro de 2009 a fevereiro de 2010. RESULTADOS: Dentre os 256 exames positivos, Giardia lamblia foi a mais prevalente (64,5%), seguida de Entamoeba coli (26,2%), Enterobius vermicularis (2,7%), Hymenolepis nana (2,3%), Endolimax nana (1,6%), Strongyloides stercoralis (1,6%) e Ancilostomídeos sp (0,4%). Em relação aos locais de atendimento analisados, a UBS São Francisco foi à unidade que mais atendeu pacientes infectados (10,9%). Maior positividade foi observada em pacientes do sexo masculino e a faixa etária que apresentou maior percentual de indivíduos infectados foi de 0 a 10 anos, com maior índice de giardíase. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar da baixa frequência de parasitose encontrada no município, melhorias nas condições de saneamento básico, educação sanitária, além de mudanças nos hábitos de higiene da população sempre contribuem para a redução dos índices de contaminação, espera-se que novos projetos educativos que tragam conhecimento e conscientização a população, principalmente aquelas de baixo poder econômico, sejam instituídos.

INTRODUCTION: According to the World Health Organization, gastrointestinal infections affect 2.1 million people, these infections are dependent on several factors, including: immunity associated with nutrition, usually transmitted through soil and water. Among children is a major cause of mortality. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the frequency of parasites in stool samples of patients seen at the Basic Health Unit). METHODS: We analyzed the results of 5,301 parasitological examinations processed in municipal laboratory of Campo Grande, in the period between December 2009 and February 2010. RESULTS: Among the 256 positive tests, Giardia lamblia was the most prevalent (64.5%), followed by Entamoeba coli (26.2%), Enterobius vermicularis (2.7%), (2.3%), Endolimax nana (1.6%), Strongyloides stercoralis (1.6%) and sp Hookworms (0.4%). Regarding service locations analyzed, UBS San Francisco was the unit that met most infected patients (10.9%). Higher Hymenolepis nana positivity was observed in male patients (51.2%), and the age group with the highest percentage of infected individuals was 0-10 years, with a higher rate of giardiasis. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the low frequency of parasites found in the city, improvements in basic sanitation, health education, and changes in hygiene habits of the population always contribute to the reduction of contamination levels, it is expected that new educational programs that bring knowledge and awareness of the population, especially those of low economic power, are introduced.

[Neonatal candidemia in a public hospital in Mato Grosso do Sul]. / Candidemia neonatal, em hospital público do Mato Grosso do Sul.

The aim of our study was to perform molecular typing on 25 clinical samples of Candida spp that were isolated from children with candidemia who were hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit of a university hospital between 1998 and 2006. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from the medical records to ascertain the clinical and epidemiological characteristics. Yeast identification was done using conventional methods and susceptibility to antifungals was assessed using a microdilution method. The genetic profile was determined using the RAPD-PCR technique. Candida albicans (11; 44%) and Candida parapsilosis (10; 40%) were the species most frequently isolated. Seventeen (68%) of the newborns weighed less than 1,500 g. Prematurity (92%) and use of a central venous catheter (100%) were the risk conditions with greatest association. Nineteen patients (76%) died. Only one strain of Candida parapsilosis showed dose-dependent sensitivity to fluconazole. Molecular analysis showed 11 distinct genetic patterns. An epidemiological relationship was seen in only two cases, thus suggesting the same source of infection.

Candida bloodstream infection: data from a teaching hospital in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

The incidence of Candida bloodstream infection has increased over the past years. In the Center-West region of Brazil, data on candidemia are scarce. This paper reports a retrospective analysis of 96 cases of Candida bloodstream infection at a Brazilian tertiary-care teaching hospital in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, from January 1998 to December 2006. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected from medical records and from the hospital's laboratory database. Patients' ages ranged from three days to 92 years, with 53 (55.2%) adults and 43 (44.8%) children. Of the latter, 25 (58.1%) were newborns. The risk conditions most often found were: long period of hospitalization, utilization of venous central catheter, and previous use of antibiotics. Fifty-eight (60.4%) patients died during the hospitalization period and eight (13.7%) of them died 30 days after the diagnosis of candidemia. Candida albicans (45.8%) was the most prevalent species, followed by C. parapsilosis (34.4%), C. tropicalis (14.6%) and C. glabrata (5.2%). This is the first report of Candida bloodstream infection in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul and it highlights the importance of considering the possibility of invasive Candida infection in patients exposed to risk factors, particularly among neonates and the elderly.

Candida bloodstream infection: data from a teaching hospital in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil / Infecção na corrente sangüínea por Candida spp. dados de um hospital universitário em Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil

The incidence of Candida bloodstream infection has increased over the past years. In the Center-West region of Brazil, data on candidemia are scarce. This paper reports a retrospective analysis of 96 cases of Candida bloodstream infection at a Brazilian tertiary-care teaching hospital in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, from January 1998 to December 2006. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected from medical records and from the hospital's laboratory database. Patients' ages ranged from three days to 92 years, with 53 (55.2 percent) adults and 43 (44.8 percent) children. Of the latter, 25 (58.1 percent) were newborns. The risk conditions most often found were: long period of hospitalization, utilization of venous central catheter, and previous use of antibiotics. Fifty-eight (60.4 percent) patients died during the hospitalization period and eight (13.7 percent) of them died 30 days after the diagnosis of candidemia. Candida albicans (45.8 percent) was the most prevalent species, followed by C. parapsilosis (34.4 percent), C. tropicalis (14.6 percent) and C. glabrata (5.2 percent). This is the first report of Candida bloodstream infection in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul and it highlights the importance of considering the possibility of invasive Candida infection in patients exposed to risk factors, particularly among neonates and the elderly.

A incidência de infecções na corrente sangüínea causada por Candida spp. tem aumentado nos últimos anos. Na região Centro-Oeste do Brasil, os dados sobre candidemia são escassos. Realizamos uma análise retrospectiva de casos de infecção na corrente sangüínea por Candida em um hospital terciário de ensino de Mato Grosso do Sul. Noventa e seis episódios diagnosticados de janeiro de 1998 a dezembro de 2006 foram incluídos no estudo. Os dados demográficos e clínicos foram obtidos de prontuários; os dados laboratoriais provieram de registros do laboratório hospitalar. Dos pacientes, 43 (44,8 por cento) eram crianças e 53 (55,2 por cento) adultos, com idades variando de três dias a 92 anos. Das crianças, 25 (58,1 por cento) eram recém-nascidas. As condições de risco mais encontradas foram: prolongado tempo de internação, uso de cateter venoso central e uso prévio de antibióticos. Cinqüenta e oito (60,4 por cento) pacientes foram a óbito durante a hospitalização e oito (13,7 por cento) deles foram a óbito 30 dias após o diagnóstico de candidemia. Candida albicans (45,8 por cento) foi a espécie mais prevalente seguida por C. parapsilosis (34,4 por cento), C. tropicalis (14,6 por cento) e C. glabrata (5,2 por cento). Esta é a primeira descrição de infecção na corrente sangüínea por espécies de Candida em Mato Grosso do Sul, confirmando a importância da suspeita clínica de infecções invasivas por tais microrganismos na evolução de pacientes expostos a fatores de risco, principalmente no caso de idosos e neonatos.

Candidemia neonatal, em hospital público do Mato Grosso do Sul / Neonatal candidemia in a public hospital in Mato Grosso do Sul

O objetivo de nosso estudo foi realizar tipagem molecular de 25 amostras clínicas de Candida spp, isoladas de crianças com candidemia, internadas na unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal de um Hospital Universitário entre 1998 a 2006. Dados demográficos e clínicos foram obtidos de prontuários para conhecimento dos aspectos clínicos e epidemiológicos. Identificação das leveduras foi feita por método convencional e a susceptibilidade antifúngica por método de microdiluição. O perfil genético foi determinado pela técnica de RAPD-PCR. Candida albicans (11; 44 por cento) e Candida parapsilosis (10; 40 por cento) foram as mais isoladas. Dezessete (68 por cento) dos recém-nascidos tinham peso inferior a 1.500g. Prematuridade (92 por cento), uso de cateter venoso central (100 por cento), foram as condições de risco mais associados. Dezenove (76 por cento) pacientes foram a óbito. Apenas uma cepa de Candida parapsilosis, mostrou ser sensível dose dependente ao fluconazol. Na análise molecular, foram observados 11 padrões genéticos distintos. Somente em dois casos foi observada relação epidemiológica, sugerindo mesma fonte de infecção.

The aim of our study was to perform molecular typing on 25 clinical samples of Candida spp that were isolated from children with candidemia who were hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit of a university hospital between 1998 and 2006. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from the medical records to ascertain the clinical and epidemiological characteristics. Yeast identification was done using conventional methods and susceptibility to antifungals was assessed using a microdilution method. The genetic profile was determined using the RAPD-PCR technique. Candida albicans (11; 44 percent) and Candida parapsilosis (10; 40 percent) were the species most frequently isolated. Seventeen (68 percent) of the newborns weighed less than 1,500g. Prematurity (92 percent) and use of a central venous catheter (100 percent) were the risk conditions with greatest association. Nineteen patients (76 percent) died. Only one strain of Candida parapsilosis showed dose-dependent sensitivity to fluconazole. Molecular analysis showed 11 distinct genetic patterns. An epidemiological relationship was seen in only two cases, thus suggesting the same source of infection.

Levantamento de contaminação fúngica em ambiente hospitalar e avaliação de eficiência do desinfetante à base de derivado de amônia quaternária / Survey on the Fungal Infection in the Hospital Environment and Assessment of the Efficiency of Quaternary-Ammonia-Based Disinfectants

Em plena era diante de transplantes e do advento da AIDS, nenhum microrganismo pode ser considerado "não-patogêncio", levando em conta em especial o centro cirúrgico onde pacientes ficam expostos aos microrganismos do ambiente, é de suma importância a minha presença, ou a absoluta ausência, de microrganismos para a não-contaminação de tecidos lesados durante a cirurgia. Para tanto a limpeza do ambiente é muito importante, acreditando que determinados desinfetantes possam auxiliar na diminuição da presença dos patógenos. Foram isolados quatro fungos, antes e após o uso do desinfetante. Discute-se o uso de desinfetante em concentrações padronizadas.