Biopsies from human localized cutaneous lesions (LCL n = 7) or disseminated lesions (DL n = 8) cases were characterized according to cellular infiltration, frequency of cytokine (IFN-γ, TNF-α) Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a worldwide disease with severe deformating potential in new world. It affects preferentially young economically active patients representing a large burden to the public health system in developing countries. Protection against all forms of leishmaniasis is dependent on cell-mediated immunity (CMI), but the contribution of some cells and cytokines in human disease deserves further scrutiny.CD8 + T cells have been implicated in protection (Muller et al. 1991) being high IFN-γ producers in a murine model of leishmaniasis (Chan 1993). Their role seems to be more in the secondary than in the primary immune response (Muller et al. 1993(Muller et al. , 1994. On the other hand, the course of leishmaniasis in mice lacking beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m) gene did not differ from their wild-type counterparts (Overath & Harbecke 1993, Wang et al. 1993, Huber et al. 1998) lessening a role of antigen presentation by major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) molecules. In man, a higher percentage of CD8 + over CD4 + T cells was found in mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) lesions (Castes & Tapia 1998), compared to localized cutaneous lesions (LCL), although similar distributions of CD4 + and CD8 + in LCL have been reported (Barral et al. 1987, Esterre et al. 1992, Lima et al. 1994. The presence of cytotoxic CD8 + T cells has been reported in peripheral blood of MCL but not in LCL patients (Brodskyn et al. 1997). Expansion of CD8 + T cells occurs in the peripheral blood of individuals vaccinated against leishmaniasis (Mendonça et al. 1995, Gurunathan et al. 2000. Especially, the percentage of activated CD8 + T cells was higher in fast responding than in slow responding volunteers to vaccination (Pompeu et al. 2001).The role of B cells in leishmaniasis is also not clear. High antibody levels are present in the more severe clinical form of the cutaneous disease, namely diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL) (Schurr et al. 1986, Mengistu et al. 1990), but B cell depletion does not alter the susceptibility or resistance pattern to Leishmania infection in mice (Babai et al. 1999, Brown & Reiner 1999. It seems that B cells are important to induce anti-Leishmania CD4 + Th1 cells and DTH reaction, in the resistant mouse strain, and take part in the humoral response development in susceptible animals (Scott & Farrell 1982, Scott et al. 1986).Predominance of Th1 cytokines like IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-2 and TNF-α over Th2 cytokines, IL-4, IL-5 IL-10 and TGF-β, is correlated in mice to the resistance profile against Leishmania infection (Belosevic et al. 1989, Chatelain et al. 1992, Lezama-Davila et al. 1992, Barral et al. 1993. Imunological studies in humans demonstrated a combination of Th1 and Th2 cytokines with predominance of Th1 in MCL, Th2 predominate in DCL and predominance of Th1 profile in LCL patients , Castes et...

From 2012 to 2013 were surveyed gastrointestinal parasites from pig farms located in different municpaliyies in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Fecal samples from 790 pigs were collected from the rectum on 88 family farms and 702 farms with industrial production. The samples were subjected to Faust et al., Sheather, Ritchie, Lutz and direct examination faecal techniques. The estimated parasite prevalence was 93.1% in family farms and 59.1% in industrial farms. Balantidium coli, coccidia and Entamoeba sp. were the parasites with the highest frequencies, and the male and female reproductive categories and fatteners pigs the most infected (p<0.05). Trophozoites of B. coli were most evident in stool samples from semi-solid followed by solid and diarrheal consistencies. Strongyles eggs and Trichuris suis have been detected exclusively in family farms. Ascaris suum eggs and Strongyloides ransomi showed low frequency. The high degree of parasitism, especially protozoa, indicates the need to reassess the management of pigs in both types of production.

The osteogenic behavior of three-dimensional collagenic and anionic matrices (M3DGA) implanted in critical bone defects of 8 mm diameter was morphologically assessed. The defects were performed in the calvaria of 48 adult male (Wistar) rats, and observed at days 15, 30, and 60. The animals were distributed in four groups of equal number: GA1 (M3DGA with 60 min of cross-linking in glutaraldehyde [GA]); GA2 (M3DGA with 30 min of cross-linking in GA); GA3 (M3DGA with 15 min of cross-linking in GA); and G4 (control group, without any implanted biomaterial). The M3DGAs were biocompatible, with mild and regressive chronic granulomatous inflammation, associated with the degradation of their fibers. Furthermore, tissue neovascularization and neomineralization was noted, with statistically significant differences in these amounts among the groups (GA1, GA2, and GA3) and G4. In G4 neoformation was limited to the edges of the defect as well as interstitial fibrosis. Under the experimental conditions and for the parameters analyzed, the M3DGAs had osteogenic behavior, which was more evident in M3DGA 15 min.

Mice maintained on a low protein diet for 30 days and then infected with Schistosoma mansoni for 16 weeks completely failed to develop 'pipestem fibrosis' of the liver, whereas 50% of well nourished controls did. Usually mice with relatively mild and prolonged S. mansoni infection develop two different pathological pictures: one consisting of disseminated portal fibrosis caused by periovular granulomas concentrated at the portal spaces (pipestem fibrosis), the other represented by scattered hepatic granulomas. The reason for this dual response is poorly understood. Combined results from parasitological, histopathological, biochemical and morphometric data revealed that peri-ovular granulomas of undernourished mice were smaller, inflammation was less intense and there was minimal fibrosis in comparison with those of controls, which suggest that a vigorous host response is necessary for the pathogenesis of schistosomal portal fibrosis.

Lesions involving the sympathetic (para-vertebral ganglia)

Few publications have compared ultrasound (US) to histology in diagnosing schistosomiasis-induced liver fibrosis (LF); none has used magnetic resonance (MR). The aim of this study was to evaluate schistosomal LF using these three methods. Fourteen patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis admitted to hospital for surgical treatment of variceal bleeding were investigated. They were submitted to upper digestive endoscopy, US, MR and wedge liver biopsy. The World Health Organization protocol for US in schistosomiasis was used. Hepatic fibrosis was classified as absent, slight, moderate or intense. Histology and MR confirmed Symmers' fibrosis in all cases. US failed to detect it in one patient. Moderate agreement was found comparing US to MR; poor agreement was found when US or MR were compared to histology. Re-classifying LF as only slight or intense created moderate agreement between imaging techniques and histology. Histomorphometry did not separate slight from intense LF. Two patients with advanced hepatosplenic schistosomiasis presented slight LF. Our data suggest that the presence of the characteristic periportal fibrosis, diagnosed by US, MR or histology, associated with a sign of portal hypertension, defines the severity of the disease. We conclude that imaging techniques are reliable to define the presence of LF but fail in grading its intensity

In this work, we have developed an adhesion assay to study interactions between mononuclear phagocytes and connective tissue in vitro and show its potential use to study diseases caused by intracellular microorganisms. The assay reproduces most of the characteristics of macrophage adhesion to connective tissue in vivo, such as: preferential adhesion to inflamed connective tissue, divalent cation and integrin dependence, and up-regulation upon cell activation. The phagocyte adhesion to connective tissue was inhibited by infection with Leishmania (58+/-22%, p < 0.05) and was not affected by infection with Mycobacterium or by endocytosis of latex beads. Manganese partially reverted the loss in adherence produced by Leishmania infection, indicating that the mechanisms regulating the function of integrins are affected by cell infection with Leishmania. This assay might be a useful tool for the study of the mechanisms by which mononuclear phagocytes play a role in the immune-inflammatory response and in the development of lesions.

Background Gastrointestinal parasites may determine diarrhea, dysentery or even death in captive mammals. These animals tend to be more susceptible to parasitic infections due to confinement and stress. Purpose To increase the information about these etiological agents in captive animals in Brazil, the gastrointestinal parasites of the captive mammals of the Rio de Janeiro Zoo were investigated. Methods From 2016 to 2018, 180 fecal samples were collected from animals housed in the Rio de Janeiro Zoo: 63 from animals of the order Primates, 26 of Carnivora, 78 of Artiodactyla, 9 of Perissodactyla and 4 of the order Rheiformes. The feces were processed by direct examination and by the techniques of Faust et al., Sheather, Ritchie, Lutz, and smears were stained with safranin. Immunoenzymatic assays were also performed to investigate antigens of Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar. Results Parasite positivity was identified in 68.3% of the fecal samples, with a parasite positivity rate of 68.2% among primates, 65.3% among carnivores, 69.2% among artiodactyls, 33.3% among perissodactyls, and 100% among rheiformes. The most frequently detected parasite was Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar antigens, which showed a statistically significant positivity rate (33.3%; p = 0.000), particularly in the feces of carnivores (30.7%) and artiodactyls (53.8%). A statistically significant positivity rate of Balantioides coli (11.1%; p = 0.001) was also detected in feces from nonhuman primates, tapirs, collared peccaries and rheas. The positivity of Cryptosporidium sp. antigens in feces of the orders Carnivora, Artiodactyla and Primates was also statistically significant (7.2%, p = 0.010). Oocysts compatible with Cryptosporidium spp. were detected in 6.3% from primates. The helminths most frequently detected were thin-shelled eggs of nematodes (17.7%, p = 0.000), nematode larvae (15.5%, p = 0.000) and Trichuris trichiura eggs (6.1%, p = 0.018). ConclusionThe positivity rate for gastrointestinal parasites demonstrates the need for a sanitation management program to be implemented in the zoo, including routine diagnostic parasitology tests followed by specific treatment for each parasitosis.