Streptococcus pyogenes is responsible for a variety of infectious diseases and immunological complications. In this study, 91 isolates of S. pyogenes recovered from oropharynx secretions were submitted to antimicrobial susceptibility testing, emm typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis. All isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone, levofloxacin, penicillin G and vancomycin. Resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin was 15.4%, which is higher than previous reports from this area, while 20.9% of the isolates were not susceptible to tetracycline. The macrolide resistance phenotypes were cMLSB (10) and iMLSB (4). The ermB gene was predominant, followed by the ermA gene. Thirty-two emm types and subtypes were found, but five (emm1, emm4, emm12, emm22, emm81) were detected in 48% of the isolates. Three new emm subtypes were identified (emm1.74, emm58.14, emm76.7). There was a strong association between emm type and PFGE clustering. A variety of PFGE profiles as well as emm types were found among tetracycline and erythromycin-resistant isolates, demonstrating that antimicrobial resistant strains do not result from the expansion of one or a few clones. This study provides epidemiological data that contribute to the development of suitable strategies for the prevention and treatment of such infections in a poorly studied area.

The emergence of strains of Schistosoma resistant to praziquantel has drawn attention to the search for new schistosomacide drugs. Imidazolidinic derivatives have performed outstandingly against adult S. mansoni worms when evaluated in vitro. The molecular modification of imidazolidine by way of bioisosteric replacement gives rise to variations in its biological response. This study verifies the potential of substituent groups in the derivatives (Z)3-benzyl-5-(2-fluoro-benzylidene)-imidazolidine-2,4-dione NE4, 3-benzyl-5-(4-chloro-arylazo)-4-thioxo-imidazolidin -2-ona PT5, 3-benzyl-5-(3-fluoro-benzylidene)-1-methyl-2-thioxo-imidazolidin-4-one JT53; 3-benzyl-1-methyl-5-(4-methyl-benzylidene)-2-thioxo-imidazolidin-4-one JT63; 3-benzyl-1-methyl-5-(4-methoxi-benzylidene)-2-thioxo -imidazolidin-4-one JT68; 3-(4-chloro-benzyl)-1-methyl-5-(4-methoxi-benzylidene)-2-thioxo-imidazolidin-4-one JT69; 3-(4-phenyl-benzyl)-1-methyl-5-(4-methoxi-benzylidene)-2-thioxo-imidazolidin-4-one JT72 by determining the viability in vitro of adult S. mansoni worms in the presence of these derivatives. The susceptibility of the worms obtained from mice and kept in culture in the presence of different concentrations was determined by way of schistosomacide kinetic, observed every 24 h over a period of eight days. The results show that the worms were more sensitive to the PT5 derivative at a concentration of 58 µM which killed 100% of the worms after 24 h of contact, also giving rise to alterations in the tegument surface of the worms with the formation of bubbles and peeling. These observations suggest a strong electronic contribution of the arylazo grouping in the biological response.

A comparative morphometric study was performed to identify host-induced morphological alterations in Schistosoma mansoni adult worms. A wild parasite population was obtained from a naturally infected rodent (Nectomys squamipes)and then recovered from laboratory infected C3H/He mice. Furthermore, allopatric worm populations maintained for long-term under laboratory conditions in Swiss Webster mice were passed on to N. squamipes. Suckers and genital system (testicular lobes, uterine egg, and egg spine) were analyzed by a digital system for image analysis. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) showed details of the genital system (testicular lobes, vitelline glands, and ovary) and the tegument just below the ventral sucker. Significant morphological changes (p < 0.05) were detected in male worms in all experimental conditions, with no significant variability as assessed by CLSM. Significant changes (p < 0.05) were evident in females from the wild population related to their ovaries and vitelline glands, whereas allopatric females presented differences only in this last character. We conclude that S. mansoni worms present the phenotypic plasticity induced by modifications in the parasite's microenvironment, mainly during the first passage under laboratory conditions.

Some unfavourable effects of malnutrition of the host on Schistosoma mansoni worm biology and structure have been reported based upon brigthfield microscopy. This paper aims to study by morphometric techniques, some morphological parameters in male and female adult worms recovered from undernourished albino mice in comparison with parasites recovered from well-fed infected mice. Undernourished animals were fed a multideficient and essentially low protein diet (RBD diet) and compared to well-fed control mice fed with the commercial diet NUVILAB. Seventy-five days post-infection with 80 cercarie (BL strain) animals were sacrificed. All adult worms were fixed in 10% formalin and stained with carmine chloride. One hundred male and 60 female specimens from each group (undernourished and control) were examined using an image system analysis Leica Quantimet 500C and the Sigma Scan Measurement System. The following morphometrical parameters were studied: body length and width, oral and ventral suckers, number and area of testicular lobes, length and width of ovary and uterine egg. For statistical analysis, the Student's t test for unpaired samples was applied. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were detected in body length and width, in parameters of suckers, uterine egg width, ovary length and area of testicular lobes, with lower values for specimens from undernourished mice. The nutritional status of the host has negative influence on S. mansoni adult worms, probably through unavailability of essential nutrients to the parasites.

A computer software for image analysis (IMAGE PRO PLUS, MEDIA CYBERNETICS) was utilized in male and females adult worms, aiming the morphological characterization of Schistosoma mansoni samples isolated from a slyvatic rodent, Nectomys squamipes, and humans in Sumidouro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and recovered from Mus musculus C3H/He. The following characters for males's testicular lobes were analyzed: number, area, density, larger and smaller diameter, longer and shorter axis and perimeter and extension; for females: area, longer and shorter axis, larger and smaller diameter and perimeter of the eggs and spine; oral and ventral suckers area and distance between them in both sex were determined. By the analysis of variance (one way ANOVA) significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in all studied characters, except for the density of testicular lobes. Significant differences (p<0.05) were detected for all characters in the female worms. Data ratify that sympatric isolates present phenotypic differences and the adult female characters are useful for the proper identification of S. mansoni isolates.

The potential of an immunofluorescence test for detection of IgM antibodies against Schistosoma mansoni gut-associated antigens (IgM-IFT) was evaluated as a tool for studying aspects related to the schistosomiasis transmission in Ribeirão Pires, in the metropolitan area of the capital of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Children from a school with about 400 students, 6 to 18 years, were followed-up for two years. In the five surveys, carried out at 6-month intervals, from October 92 to October 94, serological (IgM-IFT) prevalence indices of 5.3%, 5.8%, 6.2%, 2.9% and 3.3% were obtained. These indices were 7 to 10 times higher than the parasitological prevalence indices of 0.5%, 0.5%, 0.7%, 0.4% and 0% determined by the Kato-Katz method. Seroconversion from IFT negative to positive was indicating possible newly acquired S. mansoni infection in three children. But confirmation of infection by fecal examination was possible in only one child. The IgM-IFT can constitute a valuable tool for the improvement of the vigilance program in low endemic areas for schistosomiasis, better characterizing the S. mansoni transmission in such areas.

Foram feitos testes de imunofluorescência (IF) para toxoplasmose em 608 escolares do 1º grau, sendo 166 de Bonsucesso (área urbana do Rio de Janeiro) e 442 da baixa de Jacarepaguá (área com características rurais). Todas as IF-IgM foram não-reagentes, enquanto que 416 escolares (68,4%) foram soro-reagentes na IF-IgG (maior ou igual a 1:16). As percentagens de soro-reagentes em Jacarepaguá foram significantemente superiores às de Bonsucesso, tanto em relação ao número total de escolares, como quando subdivididos segundo as faixas etárias de 6 a 8 anos ou de 12 a 14 anos. Tanto em Jacarepaguá quanto em Bonsucesso, a prevalência de reagentes no grupo etário de 12 a 14 anos foi significantemente maior do que no grupo de 6 a 8 anos de idade. Em Jacarepaguá encontraram-se prevalências significantemente maiores de soro-reagentes entre os escolares que referiam a ingestão de carne crua ou mal cozida, assim como entre o que possuiam gato; isto ocorreu tanto no grupo etário de 6 a 8 anos como no de 12 a 14 anos. Em Bonsucesso só houve diferença significante entre as crianças de 6 a 8 anos que possuiam gatos no domicílio. Verificou-se assim que em área com característica rural o risco de infecção era maior e mais precoce do que em área urbana.

Immunofluorescence tests (IF) for toxoplasmosis were performed on a total of 608 schoolchildren in elementary and junior high grades. 166 being in the Bonsucesso district (an urban region of Rio de Janeiro) and 442 children from locations within the lowlands of Jacarepaguá (with rural characteristics). All the IF-IgM were nonreactive, whilst 416 schoolchildren (68.4%) were IF-IgG serum-reactive ([greater than or equal to] 1:16). The percentages of serum-reactives in Jacarepaguá were significantly higher than in Bonsucesso, both as regards the total number of schoolchildren (p < 0.001), as also when subdivided according to the age-grades from six to eight years (p < 0.001) or from twelve to fourteen (p < 0.05). Both in Jacarepaguá and in Bonsucesso, the prevalence of reactions in the 12 to 14 year age-grade was significantly greater than in the 6 to 8 year age-grade (p < 0.001 in both cases). Expressively larger prevalences of serum reactions were found in Jacarepaguá among schoolchildren who preferred eating raw or undercooked meat, as well as among those having cats as pets; this occurred equally in the 6 to 8 year and in the 12 to 14 year age-grades. In Bonsucesso, the only significant difference was in the 6 to 8 year age-grades that had cats as pets. Thus, it has been verified that the risk of infection is greater and more precocious in localities with rural characteristics than in urban regions.

A variedade de algodoeiro IAC 13-1 foi desenvolvida a partir da linhagem norte-americana Acala 5675, conhecida como uma "Acala Oriental", a qual foi selecionada de material primitivo colhido no México. Dadas as boas qualidades da sua fibra, essa linhagem foi objeto de estudos, na Seção de Algodão do Instituto Agronômico, desde a sua introdução. Após nove anos de aclimatação e seleção individual, foi isolada a linhagem IAG 61/60 como material promissor. Desenvolveu-se a IAC 13-1 a partir dessa linhagem por seleção genealógica, no período de 1961 a 1970. A sua semente foi entregue em 1968, pela primeira vez, para multiplicação em campo básico. A IAC 13-1 substitui a IAC 12-2, na lavoura, a partir de 1970, tendo maior produtividade, melhor capulho, maior semente, melhor fibra e maior produção em terrenos infestados porFusarium oxysporumf.vasiniectum(Atk) Snyder e Hansen.

The origin and breending of the São Paulo cotton variety IAC 13-1, as well as the involved proceedings and numerical results are reported. The "eastern Acala" Acala 5675, selected at Knoxville, Tenn., from a Mexican cotton was introduced to São Paulo in 1950. It showed very good fiber qualities in the new environment. After nine years of acclimation and individual selection it yielded a promising line named IAG 61/60. IAC 13-1 was developped from this line by the general pedegree selection process adopted in breeding for final genetic balance by the Cotton Section of the Instituto Agronômico. The first stock of genetic seed was released for further increase in 1968. IAC 13-1 substituted the commercial variety IAC 12-2. This substitution signified an improvement in yield, type and size of bolls, size of seeds, fiber qualities and behaviour in areas contaminated by Fusarium oxysporum f. vasinfectum (Atk.) Snyder et Hansen.

São apresentados os resultados de quatro expedições, realizadas entre 1962 e 19652, nas quais foram levantadas as formas perenes de algodoeiro existentes em regiões da bacia do rio São Francisco, dos estados nordestinos, do litoral paulista e adjacências, de Mato Grosso, sul de Goiás e Triângulo Mineiro. À maneira de S. G. Stephens, as formas em aprêço são discriminadas, conforme seu modo de ocorrência, em seis categorias: A) selvagem ou asselvajadas; B) semi-asselvajadas; C) domésticas; D) de subsistência; E) cultivares primitivos; F) tipos nativos melhorados. Consideradas em função do desenvolvimento econômico-social, essas categorias articulam-se formando um sistema que se adequa ao estudo da evolução do algodoeiro como planta cultivada. Rim-de-boi (G. barbadense r. brasiliense Hutch), Quebradinho (G. barbadense L.) e Mocó, ecótipo de G. hirsutum r. marie-galante Hutch., os três tipos principais de algodoeiros nativos, são encontrados nas formas B, C, D e E. Apenas o Mocó apresenta-se, também, como linhagens melhoradas (F) e tem real expressão na economia nacional. Vários outros tipos perenes de G. hirsutum e de G. barbadense, êstes últimos distintos dos tipos nativos, ocorrem como formas domésticas (C) e semi-asselvajadas (B). A única forma selvagem ou asselvajada (A) descoberta - "caicoense" - não parece relacionar-se, pelo menos diretamente, com nenhum dos tipos anteriores. Várias hipóteses são aventadas, principalmente sobre origem, evolução e migração dos três tipos mais difundidos, ampliando as perspectivas das investigações. É apresentado um mapa mostrando a distribuição geográfica dos vários tipos e as regiões de maior interesse a serem exploradas no prosseguimento das investigações.

Four expeditions, covering regions of Brazil, located between 5.° and 25.° south, latitude, were performed by the authors, during the period from 1962 to 1965. They were supported by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo and their aims were: (a) to determine the present geographical distribution of perennial forms of cotton plants; (b) to get samples of these forms to keep them in herbaria and in living collections, at the Instituto Agronômico, Campinas, for further studies. The working program was based on the S. G. Stephens, discrimination of perennial forms of cotton plants according to the mode of their occurrence, namely: wild, semi-feral, commensal, subsistence, primitive cultigen and improved native type. Several regions of the following states were explored in the expeditions: (1st) regions of the São Francisco river basin of the states Minas Gerais, Bahia and Pernambuco; (2nd) the northeastern region, comprising Alagoas, Pernambuco, Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará; (3rd) coastal regions of the state of São Paulo; (4th) regions of the state of Mato Grosso, southern part of Goiás and a region of the state of Minas Gerais, known as "Triângulo Mineiro". Three native types were recognized as being the most largely dispersed: (1) the "kidney" cotton (Gossypium barbadense r. brasiliense Hutch.) found in most of the studied regions. Its center of origin seems to be the northern part of the state of Mato Grosso; the "Quebradinho" (G. barbandese L.) which is found from the inner regions of the states Goiás, Minas Gerais and Bahia as far as the coastal mountains of São Paulo. Although it is admitted that this type has spread south from the state Maranhão, in the 19th century, its center of origin is not known yet; (3) the "Moco", an ecotype of G. hirsutum r. marie galante Hutch., is present in all semi-arid regions of northeastern Brazil. Of these three types, the latter is the only really important one as economic crop and presenting improved strains. Many evidences indicate the Seridó valley as its center of origin. The three cotton types were found as semi-feral, commensal, subsistence, and primitive cultigen forms. A wild cotton was traced near Caicó, Rio Grande do Norte, and named "caicoense", but it does not seem that it is related with any of the above referred types. Several perennial types of G. hirsutum, distinct from "Mocó", were collected as commensal and semi-feral forms in several regions of the northeast. Some types of G. barbadense, different from the native ones, were acknowledged in coastal regions of Alagoas, Bahia, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, and also near the border of Paraguay. They probably are remnants of ancient introductions. The results of the expeditions are shown on a map, pointing out the geographical distribution of the cotton types located.