Photodynamic inactivation of foodborne bacteria by eosin Y.

AIMS: The aim of this study was evaluate the effect of photodynamic inactivation mediated by eosin Y in Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium ATCC 14028, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778. METHODS AND RESULTS: Bacteria (107 CFU per ml) were incubated with eosin Y at concentrations ranging from 0·1 to 10 µmol l-1 , irradiated by green LED (λmax 490-570 nm) for 5, 10 and 15 min and the cellular viability was determined. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was completely inactivated when treated with 10 µmol l-1 eosin Y for 10 min. Treatments reduced B. cereus and Salm. Typhimurium counts to 2·7 log CFU per ml and 1·7 log CFU per ml, respectively. Escherichia coli counts were slightly reduced. Staphylococcus aureus presented the highest sensitivity, being completely inactivated by eosin Y at 5 µmol l-1 and 5 min of illumination. The reduction of cellular viability of photoinactivated Staph. aureus was also demonstrated by flow cytometry and morphological changes were observed by scanning electron microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Eosin Y in combination with LED produced bacterial inactivation, being a potential candidate for photodynamic inactivation. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study evidenced the efficacy of photodynamic inactivation as a novel and promising alternative to bacterial control.

Effects of tamoxifen and raloxifene on body and uterine weights of rats in persistent estrus.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the change in body and uterine weights of rats in persistent estrus, a model developed to mimic polycystic ovary syndrome treated with selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) tamoxifen and raloxifene. METHODS: Sixty Wistar-Hannover rats induced by a single subcutaneous dose of 1.25 mg testosterone propionate were divided into three groups of 20 animals: Group I (placebo); Group II (tamoxifen, 250 microg/day) and Group III (raloxifene, 750 microg/day). At 90 days of life, the treatment began for 30 consecutive days, in which the animals were weighed weekly. On the 31st day, the animals were sacrificed and the uterus removed. Data were analyzed statistically by analysis of variance and by the Tukey-Kramer multiple comparisons test (p<0.05). RESULTS: Means of body and uterine weights (g) after treatment were: 227.3+/-2.20 and 0.40+/-0.01; 185.3+/-2.45 and 0.25+/-0.01; 186.4+/-2.20 and 0.27+/-0.01 in Groups I, II and III, respectively (p<0.001). There was no statistical difference between groups II and III for body and uterine weight (p=0.727 and p=0.646, respectively). CONCLUSION: The present results indicate that, at the doses and during the time of treatment used, both tamoxifen and raloxifene reduce in a similar way the body and uterine weights of rats in persistent estrus showing a possible antiestrogenic effect of SERMs under high levels of estrogens.

Vulnerabilidade para a ocorrência de fasciolose na área experimental do Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Espírito Santo, IFES, Alegre, ES

A study of vulnerability to fasciolosis was conducted in the experimental area of the Instituto Federal de Ciência e Tecnologia do Espírito Santo - Campus Alegre, Espírito Santo, Brazil. The Geographic Information System was used to build a digital elevation model based on the best interpolator for the study area. From the analysis of the best interpolation, the matrix slope image was generated which was reclassified in order to discriminate only the range representative of the matrix class of: a) flat terrain of the study area (0-4%), converted to vector polygon format. On the composition of normal color and false-color imaging of the Geoeye satellite with 50 cm resolution, photointerpreting was used to establish the vector polygon classes of: b) floodplain, c) water bodies and d) pasture. The (straight line) distance function and linear patterning function (fuzzy function) were applied on these 4 vector polygon images. After the allocation of the statistical weights of each vector polygon class, the raster calculator function was used to generate the statistical mathematical model: vulnerability of the environmental action to fasciolosis. The Topo to Raster interpolation was the most appropriate digital elevation model. The slope map made it possible to show that the collection areas studied are located in places with low rates of slope. Percentages of 25 and 31% were found in areas of highest/high risk and medium-high risk respectively.

Um estudo de vulnerabilidade para fasciolose foi conduzido na área experimental do Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Espírito Santo, IFES - Campus de Alegre, Espírito Santo. O Sistema de Informação Geográfica (SIG) foi utilizado para a geração de um Modelo Digital de Elevação (MDE) a partir do melhor interpolador para a área do estudo. A partir da análise do melhor interpolador, foi gerada a imagem matricial de declividade que foi reclassificada com o objetivo de discriminar apenas o intervalo representativo da classe matricial de: a) relevo plano da área de estudo (0 a 4%), convertida do formato matricial para o formato vetorial de polígono. Sobre a composição colorida normal e falsa-cor da imagem do satélite Geoeye com resolução espacial de 50 cm, foram fotointerpretadas as classes vetoriais poligonais de: b) várzea, c) corpos d'água e d) pastagem. Sobre essas 4 imagens vetoriais poligonais foi aplicada a função distância em linha reta (straight line) e a padronização linear (função Fuzzy). Após a atribuição dos pesos estatísticos de cada classe vetorial poligonal, foi utilizada a função denominada calculadora matricial (raster calculator) para geração do modelo matemático estatístico: vulnerabilidade da ação ambiental à fasciolose. O interpolador Topo to Raster foi o mais adequado neste estudo para geração do MDE. O mapa de declividade permitiu demonstrar que as áreas de coletas estudadas estão inseridas em locais que apresentaram índices baixos de declividade. Percentuais de 25 e 31% foram encontrados em áreas de altíssimo-alto risco e de alto-médio risco, respectivamente.

Vulnerabilidade para a ocorrência de fasciolose na área experimental do Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Espírito Santo, IFES, Alegre, ES

A study of vulnerability to fasciolosis was conducted in the experimental area of the Instituto Federal de Ciência e Tecnologia do Espírito Santo - Campus Alegre, Espírito Santo, Brazil. The Geographic Information System was used to build a digital elevation model based on the best interpolator for the study area. From the analysis of the best interpolation, the matrix slope image was generated which was reclassified in order to discriminate only the range representative of the matrix class of: a) flat terrain of the study area (0-4%), converted to vector polygon format. On the composition of normal color and false-color imaging of the Geoeye satellite with 50 cm resolution, photointerpreting was used to establish the vector polygon classes of: b) floodplain, c) water bodies and d) pasture. The (straight line) distance function and linear patterning function (fuzzy function) were applied on these 4 vector polygon images. After the allocation of the statistical weights of each vector polygon class, the raster calculator function was used to generate the statistical mathematical model: vulnerability of the environmental action to fasciolosis. The Topo to Raster interpolation was the most appropriate digital elevation model. The slope map made it possible to show that the collection areas studied are located in places with low rates of slope. Percentages of 25 and 31% were found in areas of highest/high risk and medium-high risk respectively.

Um estudo de vulnerabilidade para fasciolose foi conduzido na área experimental do Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Espírito Santo, IFES - Campus de Alegre, Espírito Santo. O Sistema de Informação Geográfica (SIG) foi utilizado para a geração de um Modelo Digital de Elevação (MDE) a partir do melhor interpolador para a área do estudo. A partir da análise do melhor interpolador, foi gerada a imagem matricial de declividade que foi reclassificada com o objetivo de discriminar apenas o intervalo representativo da classe matricial de: a) relevo plano da área de estudo (0 a 4%), convertida do formato matricial para o formato vetorial de polígono. Sobre a composição colorida normal e falsa-cor da imagem do satélite Geoeye com resolução espacial de 50 cm, foram fotointerpretadas as classes vetoriais poligonais de: b) várzea, c) corpos d'água e d) pastagem. Sobre essas 4 imagens vetoriais poligonais foi aplicada a função distância em linha reta (straight line) e a padronização linear (função Fuzzy). Após a atribuição dos pesos estatísticos de cada classe vetorial poligonal, foi utilizada a função denominada calculadora matricial (raster calculator) para geração do modelo matemático estatístico: vulnerabilidade da ação ambiental à fasciolose. O interpolador Topo to Raster foi o mais adequado neste estudo para geração do MDE. O mapa de declividade permitiu demonstrar que as áreas de coletas estudadas estão inseridas em locais que apresentaram índices baixos de declividade. Percentuais de 25 e 31% foram encontrados em áreas de altíssimo-alto risco e de alto-médio risco, respectivamente.

Evaluation of Ki-67 and Bcl-2 antigen expression in breast carcinomas of women treated with raloxifene.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of raloxifene on Ki-67 and Bcl-2 antigen expression in operable, stage II, oestrogen-receptor-positive invasive ductal breast carcinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty post-menopausal women who had taken 60 mg of raloxifene daily for 28 days prior to definitive surgery were enrolled in the investigation. Two tumour samples were obtained by incisional biopsy during the study, one at the time of confirmation of diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma and evaluation of oestrogen receptor status, and the other 29 days later, at the time of definitive surgery. Immunohistochemistry was performed on tumour samples, prior to and after raloxifene treatment, to evaluate Ki-67 and Bcl-2 expression. Friedman and McNemar tests were used for statistical analysis of the data, significance being established at 5%. RESULTS: Mean percentage of Ki-67-stained nuclei was 24.86 +/- 2.95 prior to raloxifene treatment and 13.33 +/- 1.52 after treatment (P < 0.001). Prior to raloxifene treatment, only 9/20 cases (45%) were classified as Bcl-2-positive, whereas after treatment, 17/20 (85%) were classified as Bcl-2-positive (P < 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Raloxifene treatment significantly reduced Ki-67 antigen expression and increased Bcl-2 expression in breast carcinomas of post-menopausal women.

E-cadherin expression in estrogen receptor-positive and negative breast carcinomas of postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: Preservation of E-cadherin expression is usually related to non-invasive and well differentiated breast carcinomas. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate E-cadherin immunohistochemical expression in estrogen receptor (ER) positive and negative infiltrating ductal breast carcinomas. METHODS: Twenty-three postmenopausal patients with Stage II, operable, infiltrating ductal breast carcinomas were divided into groups A (ER+; n = 13) and B (ER-; n = 10). E-cadherin immunohistochemical expression was assessed semiquantitatively according to membrane staining intensity and classified as negative (< 10% of cells with stained membranes), positive + (10-50% of cells stained) or positive ++ (> 50% of cells stained). Fisher's exact test was used to compare the distribution of staining intensity in the two groups (p < 0.05). RESULTS: In group A (ER+), E-cadherin staining was positive in all cases: + (n = 3; 23%) and ++ (n = 10; 77%) compared to three cases (30%) in group B (ER-), + (n = 2; 20%) and ++ (n = 1; 10%). This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicate that E-cadherin expression loss is significantly associated with ER-negative tumors and therefore with a more aggressive phenotype of invasive ductal breast carcinoma.

Comparison of three vascular endothelial markers in the evaluation of microvessel density in breast cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the microvessel density by comparing the performance of anti-factor VIII-related antigen, anti-CD31 and anti-CD34 monoclonal antibodies in breast cancer. METHODS: Twenty-three postmenopausal women diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer submitted to definitive surgical treatment were evaluated. The monoclonal antibodies used were anti-factor VIII, anti-CD31 and anti-CD34. Microvessels were counted in the areas of highest microvessel density in ten random fields (200 x). The data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Mean microvessel densities with anti-factor VIII, anti-CD31 and anti-CD34 were 4.16 +/- 0.38, 4.09 +/- 0.23 and 6.59 +/- 0.42, respectively. Microvessel density as assessed by anti-CD34 was significantly greater than that detected by anti-CD31 or anti-factor VIII (p < 0.0001). There was no statistically significant difference between anti-CD31 and anti-factor VIII (p = 0.4889). CONCLUSION: The density of stained microvessels was greater and staining was more intense with anti-CD34 compared to anti-CD31 and anti-factor VIII-related antigen.

Ovarian dermoid cyst with malignant transformation and rupture of the capsule associated with chemical peritonitis: a case report and literature review.

Malignant transformation of ovarian dermoid cysts is rare and spontaneous rupture provoking chemical peritonitis is even rarer. Laparotomy in a 75-year-old Brazilian woman with abdominal pain and signs of peritoneal irritation revealed a voluminous right ovarian cyst with rupture of the capsule, an abundant quantity of fatty material in the abdominal cavity, and signs of peritonitis. Total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with partial omentectomy were performed. Histopathology confirmed a dermoid cyst with a well-differentiated area of epidermoid carcinoma. The patient refused additional treatment and is currently in the seventh year of follow-up with no signs of recurrence. Rupture of a dermoid cyst of the ovary resulting in chemical peritonitis is very rare and may be associated with malignant transformation.

Effect of raloxifene on vascular endothelial growth factor expression in breast carcinomas of postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of raloxifene on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in breast carcinomas of postmenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen postmenopausal patients with operable stage II, oestrogen receptor-positive, infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma were treated with raloxifene at a dose of 60 mg/day, for a period of 28 days prior to definitive surgery. Tumour size varied from 3 to 5 cm (mean 3.7 cm) and mean age of patients was 61.8 years (range 49-72 years). Tumour samples were obtained by incisional biopsy at the time of diagnosis and again at the time of surgery. Immunohistochemical evaluation of VEGF expression was assessed semiquantitatively based on fraction of stained tumour cells and on intensity of staining. McNemar's test of symmetry was used to evaluate agreement between positive or negative classification of VEGF expression prior to and following raloxifene treatment (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Fourteen of the 16 patients (88%) were classified as positive for VEGF expression prior to raloxifene treatment, while only 5 (31%) were classified as positive following treatment (P < 0.007). CONCLUSION: Raloxifene significantly reduced VEGF expression in these oestrogen receptor-positive breast carcinomas of postmenopausal women.

Tuberculosis of the breast: analysis of 20 cases and a literature review.

Tuberculosis (TB) of the breast is a very rare pathology. The clinical presentations of this disease are manifold, often mimicking carcinoma of the breast. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 20 women with TB of the breast receiving care at the mastology clinic at Getúlio Vargas Hospital, PI, Brazil, between 1994 and 2007. The clinical presentation of the disease, the diagnosis and the response to specific treatment were analyzed. Most of the patients were of reproductive age, with the disease affecting the right breast in eleven patients (55%) and the left breast in nine patients (45%). Palpable nodules were present in five patients (25%) and fistulae in 15 (75%). The mean time between onset of symptoms and diagnosis was 7.7 months (range 3-12 months). Skin testing with purified protein derivative of tuberculin was strongly reactive in all patients, six (30%) of whom were breastfeeding. Diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology and all patients were satisfactorily treated with a combination of rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide. In the present study, TB of the breast presented predominantly as breast abscesses and fistulae and responded satisfactorily to treatment with anti-TB drugs.

Bcl-2 oncogene expression in estrogen receptor-positive and negative breast carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate Bcl-2 oncogene expression in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and negative breast carcinomas. METHODS: A study involving 72 cases of infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast in postmenopausal women divided into two groups: Group A (ER positive, n=37) and Group B (ER negative, n=35). Immunohistochemical analysis of bcl-2 expression was carried out semiquantitatively based on the percentage of stained tumoral cells and the intensity of staining. The chi-square test was used in the statistical analysis of the data and significance was established at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Bcl-2 oncogene expression was statistically greater in tumors of Group A (59.5%) compared to those of Group B (8.6%), (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Bcl-2 had a significantly greater expression in the ER-positive breast tumors compared to ER-negative tumors.

Effects of raloxifene on the urethra of adult castrated female rats.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of raloxifene on the weight and epithelial thickness of the urethra of castrated female rats. METHODS: Forty castrated female rats were randomly separated into two groups: group I (control, n = 20) received only the vehicle, and group II (raloxifene, n = 20) received 750 microg/day of raloxifene for 30 days. On the 31st day, the animals were sacrificed and the urethras were removed for the study. A model for categorical data using the weighted minimum mean square error method and Student's t test were used for the data analysis (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The mean weights of the urethras in groups I and II were 22 +/- 1.6 mg and 24 +/- 1.7 mg, respectively (p = 0.371). There was an increase in the mean epithelial thickness of the distal segments in group II compared to group I (50.7 +/- 1.9 microm vs. 45.3 +/- 1.6 microm, respectively) (p < 0.04). No statistically significant difference was found in the mean epithelial thickness of the proximal urethra between the two groups (p = 0.187). CONCLUSION: Raloxifene administered to castrated female rats for 30 days increased the distal urethral epithelial thickness and did not alter the weight of the urethra.

Myiasis in the uterine cavity of an elderly woman with a complete uterine prolapse.

Myiasis is the infestation of the tissues of vertebrate animals by the larvae of flies (maggots). As the condition generally occurs in exposed areas of the body, genital myiasis is a rare condition, and myiasis of the uterine cavity is even rarer, only one case having been previously described in the literature. The case reported here describes myiasis of the uterine cavity and ulcerated vaginal mucosa of an 89-year-old woman with a severe (third-degree) genital prolapse. This case describes an extremely rare situation, and emphasizes the need for good hygiene and surgical correction in patients with a genital prolapse.

Ectopic breast cancer in the anterior chest wall: a case report and literature review.

Ectopic breast cancer is rare and when situated in the chest wall, it is even rarer. This report describes the case of an 86-year old Brazilian woman with a palpable carcinoma, located in the right inframammary fold, and right axillary adenopathy. The patient was submitted to excision of the accessory breast and to right axillary lymphadenectomy. All 28 resected lymph nodes contained metastatic cells. Diagnosis and treatment of ectopic breast cancer should be carried out early in view of its aggressivity.

Chemical composition and analgesic activity of Calophyllum brasiliense leaves.

This paper describes a phytochemical and pharmacological study with Calophyllum brasiliense leaves, a medicinal plant employed in folk medicine for the treatment of several ailments. Based on spectroscopic evidence, five phenolic compounds were identified as hyperin (hyperoside), amentoflavone, quercetin, gallic acid, and protocatechuic acid. The fractions and some phenolic compounds exhibited significant analgesic activity against the writhing test and in relation to the second phase (inflammatory pain) of the formalin test in mice, suggesting that this plant can be useful for the treatment of dolorous processes.

Evidence for dual effects of nitric oxide in the forced swimming test and in the tail suspension test in mice.

L-Arginine (L-Arg), a substrate for nitric oxide synthase (NOS) at a dose of 250-500 mg/kg, i.p., significantly reduced the duration of immobility both in the forced swimming test (FST) and in the tail suspension test (TST), two models of depression in mice, without changing locomotion in an open field. Paradoxically, a similar effect was observed with the administration of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) (0.3-10 mg/kg, i.p.), an inhibitor of NOS. However, higher doses of L-Arg (750-1000 mg/kg) and L-NNA (30 mg/kg) did not produce any anti-immobility effect in FST and TST. The inactive isomers D-Arg (100-1000 mg/kg, i.p.) and D-NNA (0.3-30 mg/kg, i.p.) did not affect immobility duration in either the FST and TST. Preadministration of L-NNA (30 mg/kg, i.p.), but not of D-NNA completely blocked the anti-immobility effect of L-Arg (500 mg/kg, i.p.) in the FST. Similarly, L-Arg (750 mg/kg, i.p.), but not D-Arg blocked the anti-immobility effect of L-NNA (3 mg/kg, i.p.) in the FST. The results indicate that either the synthesis of NO or the inhibition of its synthesis may produce antidepressant-like effects when assessed in the FST and TST. The physiological meaning of this finding is still obscure, but it could indicate that NO has a dual role in the modulation of depression.

Cross-chest radial nerve transfer in brachial plexus injuries. Experimental and anatomical basis.

Brachial plexus avulsion injuries are devastating injuries to the upper limb, and nerve transfer remains the only option in reconstruction. Despite the encouraging results concerning recovery of shoulder and elbow function, no option is available for treatment of the paralytic hand. In rats, we sectioned the radial nerve in the elbow region and transferred it across the chest to reinnervate the lesioned contralateral medial cord of the brachial plexus. Rats were then evaluated for motor and sensory recovery, electrophysiologically, behaviorally and morphologically. Forepaw functional recovery was estimated to be 90%. In cadavers, the radial nerve and profunda brachii artery were dissected. It was observed that the radial nerve vascularized by the profunda brachii artery was able to reach the contralateral brachial plexus distal to the shoulder region without nerve grafts. After sectioning the radial nerve, sensory loss is minimal and motor palsy can be easily restored by tendon transfers. The results of tendon transfer for radial nerve palsy are better than for any other nerve. Cross-chest radial nerve transfer might be of clinical interest in the reconstruction of hand function in entire injury to the brachial plexus.

Effects of neurolysis during nerve regeneration: a behavioral and electrophysiologic study.

In closed injuries, nerves may be damaged by compression, stretch, or friction; the lesion may be circumscribed or extensive. Indications for exploratory surgery are very difficult to establish. However, in a number of cases, no lesions are observed during surgery and only neurolysis is performed. Neurolysis, nevertheless, may devascularize the nerves, compromising the final outcome of nerve regeneration. The goal of this reported work was to study the effects of neurolysis during the process of regeneration. Experiments were performed in the rat median nerve, and assessment was made by behavioral and electrophysiologic studies 2, 3, 6 and 12 weeks after surgery. The experiments demonstrated that exploratory microneurolysis had no deleterious effect on nerve recovery when performed during the process of nerve regeneration. Indeed, microneurolysis accelerated the rate of nerve recovery. Early exploratory surgery thus had no deleterious effects on nerve regeneration, and not only offered a better prognosis in reparable lesions, but also a potential beneficial effect of neurolysis in accelerating recovery.

Selective restoration of sensation by peripheral nerve grafts directly implanted into the contralateral C7 dorsal root ganglion: an experimental study in rat brachial plexus.

OBJECTIVE: In brachial plexus injuries, when the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) is avulsed from the spinal cord there is no possibility of direct repair. Therefore, in the present report the median nerve was connected directly to the contralateral C7 DRG, to restore forepaw sensation. METHODS: The ulnar nerve was sectioned, and a 15-mm segment of nerve was removed. The median nerve was sectioned, transposed dorsally, and repaired using a sural nerve graft directly implanted into the C7 contralateral DRG. Rats were then assessed 6 and 12 months later by behavioral, histological, and plasma extravasion techniques. RESULTS: All animals recovered sensation in the forepaw. Retrogradely labeled sensory neurons were demonstrated in the C7 DRG, and the whole forepaw was labeled after plasma extravasion induction by median nerve antidromic stimulation. Several myelinated and positively neurofilament-stained fibers were demonstrated in the grafted median nerve. CONCLUSION: The surgical strategy proposed might be a useful alternative to selective sensory repair in the emerging field of brachial plexus reconstruction by direct spinal cord surgery.

Prevalence of serotypes and antimicrobial resistance of streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated from Brazilian children with invasive infections. Pneumococcal Study Group in Brazil for the SIREVA Project. Regional System for Vaccines in Latin America.

A laboratory surveillance study was developed in Brazil in 1993 to determine capsular types and antimicrobial susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains. By studying 360 strains isolated from children with invasive infections in three different cities, 8 out of 34 types were identified as being the most prevalent and considered as the reference group for further analyses. This group comprised 77.7% of all strains studied, and includes the types 1, 5, 6A/B, 9V, 14, 19F, 19A, and 23F. The prevalence of this reference group was significantly higher among strains isolated from children with pneumonia than meningitis. Similarly, this group was more prevalent among strains isolated from children 3 to 6 years of age than from children under 2 years of age. Most strains (78.6%) were found to be susceptible to penicillin and only 1.4% showed high resistance to this antibiotic. However, intermediate resistance to penicillin was detected in 20% of the strains. This laboratory surveillance will be maintained and extended to other cities of Brazil to better define and monitor the trends of pneumococcal infections for proper control and prevention.