We describe a simple test for the evaluation of phagocytosis and provide a chart of reference values to evaluate normal phagocytosis by age. We assessed the postnatal maturation of phagocytic function of neutrophils and monocytes. Phagocytosis was evaluated in newborn children delivered vaginally or by cesarean section, infants, preschool children, schoolchildren, and adult subjects. Two drops of blood were placed on a microscope slide and incubated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts, and phagocytosis was evaluated by microscopy. Our technique showed results comparable to or better than those obtained by other usual techniques. The neutrophils of newborn children delivered by cesarean section showed a phagocytic capacity 45% higher than those of neonates delivered vaginally, whereas neutrophils from children in the latter group showed the lowest phagocytic capacity of all age groups. Phagocytosis by neutrophils reached the levels seen in adults at about the first year of life, while there were no important variations in phagocytosis by monocytes in the different age groups. The technique described is reliable and fast, uses only a few drops of blood, and allows better preservation of cell function due to the minimal manipulation to which the cells are submitted. The delayed maturation of the phagocytic function by neutrophils may account for the high levels of susceptibility of newborn and infant children to bacterial infections. This practical method of assessment of phagocytosis may allow the diagnosis of primary or secondary phagocytic deficiencies to be made more easily and may allow better monitoring and treatment of those with dysfunctions of these cells.Extracellular bacteria are the main agents of infections in neonates and infant children, and these pathogens depend on phagocytes for their elimination. Gram-negative enteric rods, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus spp. are the major causal agents of infections in newborn children, whereas Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae predominate in young infants (24,27,36). Antibodies and complement factors may act together with phagocytes in the defense against these infectious agents (4). Indeed, it has been shown that deficiencies in phagocytosis, humoral immunity, and complement factors during the first months of life increase susceptibility to infectious diseases and cause high rates of mortality in this period of life (4, 29).The evaluation of phagocytic function in children has shown conflicting results (4, 16). Some investigators have found phagocytosis to be normal, whereas others have shown deficiencies. It has been observed that phagocytosis by neonatal leukocytes is abnormal when these cells are suspended in neonatal serum but not in adult serum, suggesting a role for a deficiency of opsonin components in the serum of newborn children. However, the phagocytic function in healthy children is not completely clarified (4, 16).Although testing of phagocytic function has long been used for evaluation of the defense mechanisms of chi...

Quantifying the morphological changes in eosinophils is a feasible, easy, and reliable manner to identify the severity of an asthma exacerbation and therefore might improve the clinical management of asthmatic children.

It is still controversial whether intestinal parasitic infections can influence the nutritional status of children. The relationship between protein-energy malnutrition, vitamin A and parasitic infections was evaluated in 124 children. The food intake estimated by recall method was generally low and poor. Seventy five percent of the children were infected with intestinal parasites. The mean+/-SD weight-for-age and height-for-age Z-score were skewed one standard deviation to the left, when compared to normal standards. An association was found between protein-energy malnutrition and Giardia lamblia, but not with Ascaris lumbricoides or Hymenolepis nana infection. Only Giardia-infected children had a decreased weight-for-age and weight-for-height Z-score. Hypovitaminosis A was a major nutritional problem, but no relationship between this deficiency and parasitic infection was found. Our data indicate that low and poor food intake were the major cause of protein-energy malnutrition among the children, and except for Giardia, this was not influenced by parasitic infections.

BackgroundWe evaluated the effects of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids enriched fish oil (FO) on nutritional and immunological parameters of treatment naïve breast cancer patients.MethodsIn a randomized double blind controlled trial, the FO group (FG) patients were supplemented with 2 g/ day of FO concentrate containing 1.8 g of n-3 fatty acids during 30 days. The placebo group (PG) received 2 g/ day of mineral oil. At baseline and after the intervention, plasma levels of n-3 fatty acids, dietary intake, weight, body composition, biochemical and immunological markers were assessed.ResultsAt the end of the intervention period, no between group differences were observed regarding anthropometric parameters. There was a significant increase in the plasma phospholipid EPA (p = 0.004), DHA (p = 0.007) of the FG patients. In FG patients the percentages of peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocytes and serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were maintained while in PG patients there was a significant increase in hsCRP (p = 0.024). We also observed a significant reduction in the percentage of CD4+ T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood (p = 0.042) of PG patients. No changes in serum proinflammatory cytokine and prostaglandin E2 levels were observed.ConclusionsSupplementation of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with EPA and DHA led to a significant change in the composition of plasma fatty acids, maintained the level of CD4+ T cells and serum levels of hsCRP, suggestive of a beneficial effect on the immune system and less active inflammatory response.Trial registrationBrazilian Clinical Trials Registry (REBEC): RBR-2b2hqh. Registered 29 April 2013, retrospectively registered.

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Host-parasite interactions in diabetic patients might influence diabetes complications and intestinal parasitosis. The aim was to investigate the occurrence of enteroparasites in individuals with diabetes types 1 and 2. A descriptive study was designed to estimate frequencies of parasites and to compare them in individuals with diabetes types 1 and 2 from two Health Centers and one hospital in the Federal District of Brazil. Patients were allocated to the study by convenience. Three fecal samples of 156 diabetic individuals (120 type 1 and 36 type 2) were analyzed using two parasitological methods. Enteroparasites or commensals frequency in diabetics was 64%. Diabetics infected with up to six species of intestinal parasites or commensals were found. Frequencies of Ascaris lumbricoides and Giardia lamblia were higher in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The lower frequency of A. lumbricoides found in type 1 diabetes may be related to a strong Th2 response to parasites. Autoimmune response developed in type 1 diabetic individuals characterized by the production of Th1 cytokines could explain low frequency of G. lamblia. High frequency of parasites found in type 2 diabetes emphasizes the importance of periodic parasitological examinations in these individuals.