Microbiological analysis of conjunctival secretion in anophthalmic cavity, contralateral eye and ocular prosthesis of patients with maxillofacial abnormalities.

The purpose of this study was to identify and analyse the micro-organisms present in the conjunctival secretion in anophthalmic cavities of wearers of ocular prostheses, as well as on the prostheses used by them, correlating them with the microbiota of the contralateral eye. Nine patients with maxillofacial abnormalities, wearers of an acrylic resin ocular prosthesis participated in the study. Collections of conjunctival secretions and biofilm were performed on the prosthesis, anophthalmic cavity and contralateral eye for the mycological and bacterial analyses. The data were submitted to statistical analysis, performing a Kendall correlation test to identify the correlation between the collection site and the identified micro-organism (P < 0·05). It was verified that the most prevalent micro-organisms were the Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, independent of the collection site, and that negative cultures for fungi were encountered in 85·2% of collections, independent of the region. It was not possible to establish a correlation among the types of micro-organisms and the collection sites. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Some evidence suggests that the surface roughness of ocular prostheses can influence interactions with micro-organisms, with greater prejudicial consequences, such as the establishment of biofilms, which could lead to infections. Thus, it becomes extremely important to identify the micro-organisms present on the acrylic surfaces of ocular prostheses, as well as the microbiota of the anophthalmic cavity and contralateral eye of wearers of the same, so that subsequent control measures promote the homeostatic maintenance of the ocular region.

Antiviral evaluation of plants from Brazilian Atlantic Tropical Forest.

The antiviral activity of six medicinal plants from Brazilian Atlantic Tropical Forest was investigated against two viruses: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and poliovirus type 2 (PV-2). Cuphea carthagenensis and Tillandsia usneoides extracts showed the best antiherpes activity. T. usneoides dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts, and Lippia alba n-butanol extract showed inhibition of HSV-1, strain 29R/acyclovir resistant. In addition, only L. alba ethyl acetate extract showed antipoliovirus activity. These results corroborate that medicinal plants can be a rich source of potential antiviral compounds.

Clinical and epidemiological findings during a measles outbreak occurring in a population with a high vaccination coverage.

From March 1991 to April 1992, 250 measles suspected cases were studied in the Municipality of Niterói, State of Rio de Janeiro. The median age found was 11 years and 76.0% of the cases were in school age children. Exposure histories were present in 149 patients and schools were the most frequent sites of transmission (45.0%). Vaccination status was known for 127 studied cases and 76.4% of them had received measles vaccine before their first birthday. One or more complications were reported for 68 cases and in 8.9% of the studied cases hospitalization was required. Frequency of complications varied according to each age group studied and were more commonly encountered among children < 1 year of age (55.6%). The history of previous vaccination did not diminish the number of complications of the cases studied. The results of this work show changes in age distribution of measles leading to sizeable outbreaks among teenagers and young adults.

Antimeasles antibodies in children submitted to different vaccination schedules.

In order to study the measles antibody behavior of three vaccination schedules, 684 children were divided into 4 Groups: Group A (341 vaccinated children under the age of one); Group B (101 children at the age of one); Group C (74 children under the age of one and one at the age of one); Group D (163 unvaccinated children with a history of measles in the past-Group control). Children of Group A presented lower rates and 25.9% of the age group under two did not show any measles antibodies. In Group B, all the children presented antibodies. In Group C only 4.0% did not. In all age groups, the geometric mean HI antibody titers of Group A were lower than the values found in the other groups. The age at vaccination was the factor of greater influence on the results of this study.

[Effects of colchicine and of emetine on capillary permeability]. / Les effets de la colchicine et de l'émétine sur la perméabilité capillaire

Colchicine and emetine administered locally in the hind paw of the rats increased markedly the capillar permeability. The action may be strongly inhibited by methysergide (0.2 mug). Mepyramine (0.5 mug) is not so active and indomethacine (1 mg/kg per os), even less. As some prostaglandines release serotonine and histamine (8) it is possible that some liberation of these mediators may be attribuable to a previous release of prostaglandines, but the experiments suggest also the possibility of a direct and concomitant release of those two mediators by the alkaloids assayed.