The Papanicolaou test, the most readily available cytologic method for screening sexually transmitted pathogens and cellular abnormalities in most developing countries, is inadequate for the diagnosis of trichomoniasis due to its inherent limitations. However, PCR is a highly sensitive and specific test for the diagnosis of trichomoniasis.

Introdução: A qualidade de vida pode estar relacionada com o estado clínico do paciente, com o nível de infecção e com o microorganismo que o infecta. Objetivo: Analisar o perfil bacteriológico do escarro de pacientes com bronquiectasia e avaliar seu efeito no transporte in vitro e na qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Métodos: Pacientes com bronquiectasia foram avaliados por questionários de qualidade de vida, cultura bacteriana e transporte in vitro do escarro. Resultados: Foram incluídos 19 pacientes com bronquiectasia, com média de idade de 38,6 ± 16 anos. O grupo de portadores de bactérias potencialmente patogênicas, com 10 pacientes (grupo I), foi comparado ao grupo de portadores de bactérias não patogênicas, com 9 pacientes (grupo II). O grupo I teve menor velocidade relativa e maior deslocamento por tosse que o grupo II (p < 0,05). Pelo questionário do Hospital Saint George, na doença respiratória, o grupo I apresentou pior qualidade de vida (domínio impacto) (p < 0,05). Pelo World Health Organization Quality of Life-abreviado, o grupo I também apresentou pior qualidade de vida (domínio físico). Em relação à cor do escarro, quanto mais escuro, menor a velocidade relativa de transporte ciliar (r =-0,646; p = 0,007) e maior o deslocamento por tosse (r = 0,756; p = 0,001). Conclusão: Pacientes com bronquiectasia portadores de bactérias potencialmente patogênicas no escarro apresentam pior qualidade de vida e pior transporte ciliar no palato de rã, porém têm melhor deslocamento do escarro na máquina de tosse quando comparados àqueles sem bactérias potencialmente patogênicas.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito do método Reequilíbrio Toracoabdominal na força dos músculos respiratórios de pacientes com fibrose cística, acompanhados no Ambulatório de Fibrose Cística da Universidade Católica de Brasília. MÉTODOS: A amostra, constituída de 29 fibrocísticos, foi caracterizada com base em dados antropométricos, genéticos e de colonização bacteriana. Espirometria, manovacuometria e antropometria foram realizadas antes e depois do tratamento fisioterapêutico, no qual se utilizou o método Reequilíbrio Toracoabdominal, duas vezes por semana, durante quatro meses. RESULTADOS: Houve aumento da pressão inspiratória máxima e da pressão expiratória máxima após o tratamento fisioterapêutico em todos os pacientes, naqueles sem distúrbio ventilatório obstrutivo e naqueles com distúrbio ventilatório obstrutivo leve (p < 0,05). Foi encontrada correlação positiva entre a idade e a pressão expiratória máxima para a maioria dos grupos. A pressão inspiratória máxima só apresentou correlação positiva com a idade no grupo com distúrbio ventilatório obstrutivo leve (p = 0,012; r = 0,817). Para o sexo feminino e para o grupo sem distúrbio ventilatório obstrutivo houve correlação negativa entre a pressão expiratória máxima e a colonização por Pseudomonas aeruginosa (p = 0,036; r = -0,585). CONCLUSÃO: Para os fibrocísticos avaliados, o método Reequilíbrio Toracoabdominal aumentou a força dos músculos respiratórios, o que reafirma a importância do tratamento fisioterapêutico para estes pacientes.

The notification of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) is a prime component of well-designed public health policy. However, peculiar aspects of STD must be taken into account for the correct management of surveillance activities. Here, we describe the distribution of the most common sexually transmitted diseases among patients attended by the gynecological clinics of the principal public hospitals of Brasilia and the Federal District, Brazilian capital, during six years. A total of 142,158 patients had their cervicovaginal samples collected for Papanicolaou preparations and eventual biopsies. Diagnosis was made according to cytological and histological alterations, distinguishing among vaginal infections, and pre-cancerous and cancerous cervical lesions. We also looked at the annual prevalence of the various types of infections and alterations. There was a high prevalence of bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis and candidiasis, with suggestive changes over the years. Pre-cancerous and cancerous lesions increased 2.2 fold during the six years. A large proportion of the cases involved late stages of cervical cancer, indicating the necessity of prompt attendance of the population in a routine gynecological prevention program

SUMMARYStaphylococcal protein A is a cell wall-attached polypeptide that acts as a B-lymphocyte superantigen. This activation correlates with specific V H gene segment usage in the B-cell receptor. B-cell receptor assembled from members of the V H 3 family in humans, or S107 family in mice, has an intrinsic aÃnity for protein A. Human V H 3-derived antibodies bind to domain D of protein A. We have characterized a mouse IgM monoclonal antibody that binds protein A. The sequencing of the variable region suggests an almost germline-encoded V H derived from S107 family and a Vk8-derived V L . The binding specificity of the monoclonal antibody was tested with various recombinant constructions derived from protein A. We show that, unlike human V H 3-derived antibody, mouse S107-derived immunoglobulin binds to the B domain of the bacterial superantigen. INTRODUCTIONvariable region derives from the V H 3 family in humans,2,4 and from S107 or J606 families in mice.5 Superantigens (SAg) are classically defined as proteins that 1H12 is a mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb) raised bind, outside the major histocompatibility complex (MHC ) against a 52 000 MW laminin receptor present on the surface groove, to specific regions of the V segment of the T-cell of S. aureus. This mAb blocks the binding of Wood 46 strain receptor (TCR), inducing stimulation of the cognate T lymof S aureus (a strain that does not display membrane-associated phocyte. Conventional antigens usually stimulate fewer than protein A) to laminin coated plates.6 1% of T cells, while these newly recognized types of immunostiIn this paper we report the complete nucleotide sequences mulatory molecules are capable of activating as many as 20% of the variable region from light and heavy chains of 1H12. of T lymphocytes.1The light chain is encoded by a new member of the Vk8 family Recently, a parallel concept of T-cell SAg in the B-cell which underwent somatic mutations. The heavy-chain V gene compartment has been proposed.2,3 Indeed, a variety of comes from an S107 family member that codes for a polypepmicrobial products may directly bind to specific domains of tide in its germline configuration Several features of the heavythe heavy-chain variable region of immunoglobulins. These chain variable region characterize it as a typical protein domains are homologous to regions of the TCR involved in A-binding segment but unlike human-derived V H 3 antibodies, SAg binding, and thereby function as B-cell superantigens.2 1H12 binds to a distinct site on the protein A molecule The Staphylococcus aureus surface membrane molecule, protein A (SpA), is one of them. SpA has been demonstrated to MATERIALS AND METHODS interact with Fab fragments of a large proportion of serum immunoglobulins. Approximately 40% of all human polyclonal Hybridoma RNA preparation IgM binds to protein A.3 This Fab-SpA interaction is mediated Total RNA was isolated from 1H12 hybridoma, as described via an 'alternative binding site' for SpA in the immunopreviously.7 Briefly, 106 hybridoma cells were washed...

Hyaline tracheobronchial sputum can be stored in room temperature for 24 h without presenting alterations in ciliary transport or contact angle. However, purulent sputum should not be stored at room temperature for many hours, since ciliary transport and contact angle might be altered as a result.

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