Resumo Introdução: A nefropatia induzida por contraste (NIC) é uma das principais causas iatrogênicas de lesão renal aguda. Estudos experimentais têm demonstrado que a injeção intravascular do agente de contraste provoca vacuolização intensa nas células dos túbulos renais proximais, que precede o aumento da creatinina sérica, e que a fêmea podem estar em maior risco de CIN. Objetivo: Estudar as primeiras mudanças histomorfométricas renais na nefropatia induzida por contraste de acordo com o gênero. Métodos: Vinte ratos Wistar anteriormente uninefrectomizados foram divididos em 4 grupos (n = 5): machos de controle; fêmeas de controle; machos expostos ao contraste e fêmeas expostas ao contraste. Os animais foram sacrificados imediatamente após a administração de contraste e amostras de tecido de rim foram coletadas para análise histomorfométrica. O projeto de pesquisa foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal Fluminense. Resultados: Houve presença mais intensa de microvacuolização em túbulos proximais nos ratos expostos ao contraste do que nos grupos de controle. Tal vacuolização tubular proximal foi mais intensa nos ratos do sexo feminino p = 0,001). Conclusão: Vacuolização do tpubulo proximal é uma mudança precoce na CIN e é mais intensa em ratos fêmeas do que em ratos machos.

Abstract Introduction: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a major iatrogenic cause of acute kidney injury. Experimental studies have shown that intravascular injection causes intense vacuolization of the contrast agent in the proximal renal tubules cells, preceding the increase in serum creatinine, and that the female may be at a higher risk for CIN. Objective: To study the early kidney histomorphometric changes in contrast-induced nephropathy according to the gender. Methods: Twenty previously uninephrectomized Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 5): control males; control females; contrast exposed males; and contrast exposed females. The animals were sacrificed immediately after contrast administration and kidney tissue samples were collected for histomorphometric analysis. The research project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the School of Medicine of Universidade Federal Fluminense. Results: There was a more intense presence of microvacuoles in proximal tubules in the rats exposed to contrast than in the control groups. Such proximal tubular vacuolation was more intensive in the female rats (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Proximal tubular vacuolation is a very early change in CIN and is more intensive in female than in male rats.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Although dermatophytes are considered the major cause of onychomycosis, many reports have incriminated non-dermatophyte moulds and yeasts in the disease’s etiology. Successive Trichosporon isolation from onychomycosis has led to the genus being suspected as a nail primary pathogen. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of Trichosporon isolation in onychomycosis patients who attended a mycology diagnostic service in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between January 2003 and December 2006. The study also includes a worldwide review on Trichosporon isolation prevalence in ungueal disease, emphasizing T. ovoides. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted with the support of staff from the Mycology Laboratory at the Dermatological Service of Rio de Janeiro’s Santa Casa da Misericórdia (MLDS). RESULTS: Mycological analysis provided positive results equaling 47/5036 (0.93%) for Trichosporon spp.; obtained mainly as a single agent (72.35%), and from mixed cultures (27.65%; X2= 6.397; p= 0.018). The great majority belongs to the T. ovoides species (91.5%; n=43), obtained as a single isolate (74.41%; n= 32/43; X2 = 7.023; p= 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Although T. ovoides is classically associated as an etiologic agent of white piedra, this study highlights its potential as a human nail disease pathogen. Our study opens doors for future epidemiologic and virulence factors aimed at determining whether T. ovoides is an important causative agent of onychomycosis in Brazil.

Introduction: This study evaluated the frequency of intestinal parasites, emphasizing the identification and differentiation of Entamoeba spp. Methods: Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), coproantigen tests and morphometric analysis were performed for Entamoeba spp. differentiation. Results: The overall frequency of intestinal parasites was 65%. Entamoeba histolytica was detected by the coproantigen test, and the PCR showed that Entamoeba dispar predominated in the population. In contrast, morphometric analysis was important for identifying Entamoeba hartmanni. Conclusions: It is possible to identify the causative agent of amoebiasis and to differentiate this agent from other species by combining techniques.

OBJETIVO: A nefropatia por contraste é a terceira causa de insuficiência renal aguda em pacientes hospitalizados. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a ação da n-acetilcisteína e do alopurinol na proteção renal em ratos de ambos os sexos que receberam diatrizoato. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Ratos Wistar adultos jovens, uninefrectomizados e submetidos a restrição hídrica, receberam solução salina (grupo 1: machos; grupo 2: fêmeas), diatrizoato (grupo 3: machos; grupo 4: fêmeas), diatrizoato e n-acetilcisteína (grupo 5: machos), diatrizoato e alopurinol (grupo 6: machos) e diatrizoato e n-acetilcisteína + alopurinol (grupo 7: machos). A filtração glomerular foi avaliada pela creatinina. O teste t de Student e o teste do sinal foram utilizados para análises estatísticas. RESULTADOS: Ratos que receberam diatrizoato apresentaram elevação estatisticamente significante da creatinina sérica, quando comparados aos controles, porém não houve diferença entre os sexos. Os animais que receberam alopurinol não mostraram aumento significante da creatinina, enquanto a administração de n-acetilcisteína não impediu a elevação da creatinina. CONCLUSÃO: O alopurinol mostrou-se mais efetivo que a n-acetilcisteína na proteção funcional renal ao dano induzido pelo diatrizoato de sódio. Não houve diferença entre os sexos na intensidade do dano renal pelo diatrizoato de sódio.

OBJECTIVE: Contrast medium-induced nephropathy is the third most frequent cause of iatrogenic acute renal failure involving inpatients. The present study was aimed at evaluating the protective effect of n-acetylcysteine and allopurinol in both male and female rats receiving diatrizoate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five young adult Wistar rats submitted to hydric restriction were divided into groups as follows: groups 1 and 2 (respectively male and female rats) receiving saline solution; groups 3 and 4 (respectively male and female rats) receiving diatrizoate; group 5 (male rats) receiving diatrizoate and n-acetylcysteine; group 6 (male rats) receiving diatrizoate and allopurinol; and group 7 (male rats) receiving diatrizoate and n-acetylcysteine + allopurinol. The glomerular filtration was evaluated by measurement of creatinine clearance. Student's t-test and the test of signal were utilized for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Animal models receiving allopurinol did not present a significant increase in the creatinine levels, while n-acetylcysteine did not prevent the creatinine levels increase. CONCLUSION: Allopurinol has shown to be more effective than n-acetylcysteine in the renal function protection against sodium diatrizoate-induced damages. No difference has been found between male and female groups as regards the intensity of sodium diatrizoate-induced renal damages.

Amebiasis is an infection caused by Entamoeba histolytica. However, differentiation between E. histolytica and Entamoeba dispar, which are morphologically identical species, is essential for treatment decision, precaution of the invasive disease and public health. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate a Multiplex -PCR for detection and differentiation of E. histolytica from E. dispar from fresh stool samples in comparison with the coproantigen commercial ELISA. Microscopic examination of stools using the Coprotest method, detection of stool antigen by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit and a home made Multiplex-PCR, were used for the diagnosis of amoebiasis infection. Analysis of the 127 stools samples by microscopy examination demonstrated that only 27 (21%) samples were positive for E. histolytica/E. dispar complex. Among these stool samples, 11 were positive by Multiplex-PCR, with nine presenting the diagnostic fragment characteristic of E. dispar (96 bp) and two presenting diagnostic fragment of E. histolytica (132 bp). Among negative samples detected by microscopic examination, three positive samples for E. dispar and one positive for E. histolytica by Multiplex-PCR was observed. This denotes a low sensibility of microscopic examination when a single stool sample is analyzed. Assay for detection of E. histolytica antigen was concordant with multiplex-PCR in relation to E. histolytica. Statistical analysis comparing the sensibility tests was not done because of the low number of E. histolytica cases. The results demonstrate the importance of the specific techniques use for the differentiation between E. histolytica and E. dispar.

Introdução: O diagnóstico da neurocisticercose (NCC) deve ser feito pela associação de técnicas de imagem com métodos imunológicos sensíveis e específicos. Objetivos: Avaliar os métodos Elisa e Western blot (Wb), utilizando-se como antígeno extrato bruto salino da larva da Taenia solium, o Cysticercus cellulosae e Wb, empregando-se como antígeno cisticercos da Taenia crassiceps em amostras de soro, para o diagnóstico da NCC. Materiais e métodos: Foram avaliadas amostras de soro de 43 pacientes com diagnóstico de NCC: 21 por clínica, tomografia computadorizada de crânio (TC) e presença de anticorpos anticisticerco no líquido cefalorraquiano (LCR); 22 por clínica e TC e 229 pacientes com diferentes parasitoses. Para as análises desses materiais biológicos foram empregados os métodos Elisa, usando-se como antígeno C. cellulosae, e Wb, usando-se como antígeno C. cellulosae e Cysticercus longicollis. Resultados: O método Elisa utilizando C. cellulosae como antígeno apresentou especificidade de 95% e sensibilidade de 71%. O método Wb utilizando C. cellulosae ou C. longicollis como antígeno apresentou sensibilidade de 86% e especificidade de 99%. Conclusões: Os métodos imunológicos no LCR são importantes para a definição da NCC. Entretanto o método Elisa no soro ainda não é adequado pela sua baixa sensibilidade, mas o Wb apresentou alta especificidade e boa sensibilidade, podendo auxiliar no diagnóstico da NCC, possibilitando sugerir a existência de forma transicional da doença, não demonstrada pela TC.

Background: The diagnosis of neurocysticercosis (NCC) has been made by association of neuroimaging studies and use of sensitive and specific serological assays. Objectives: Evaluating Elisa and Western blot (Wb) tests using a crude extract of Cysticercus cellulosae (Taenia solium) as antigen and a Wb test using a glycoprotein of Cysticercus longicollis (Taenia crassiceps) as antigen for the diagnosis of NCC. Methods: Serum samples from 43 patients with NCC: 21patients presenting clinical manifestations, cerebral computed tomography findings compatible with cerebral lesions and high levels of anti-cysticercus antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); 22 patients with clinical manifestations and cerebral computed tomography findings compatible with cerebral lesions and serum samples from 229 patients with other parasitic infections were tested by Elisa standardized with crude extract of C. cellulosae and Wb standardized with glicoprotein of C. cellulosae and C. longicollis. Results: The Elisa test using crude extract of C. cellulosae showed specificity of 95% and sensibility of 71%. Both tests using glycoproteins of either C. cellulosae or C. longicollis showed specificity of 99% and sensibility of 86%. Conclusions: The use of immunological techniques for antibodies detection in CSF was shown to be an important tool for NCC diagnosis. However, detection of antibodies in serum lacked sensibility when Elisa was evaluated. The Wb assay in serum samples was sensitive and specific and it can be helpful for the diagnosis of the transitional form of NCC frequently not detected by cerebral computed tomography.