RESUMO Introdução: Candida albicans é o principal agente etiológico das vaginites fúngicas. Essas leveduras produzem aspartil proteases secretórias que são codificadas por uma família de 10 genes (SAP1-10). Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a presença dos genes SAP1-7 em linhagens vulvovaginais de C. albicans. Materiais e método: O estudo incluiu 26 isolados vaginais de C. albicans. Os genes de aspartil proteases (SAP1-7) foram detectados por reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR). Resultados: O gene mais frequente em C. albicans isolado de colonização foi SAP6 (93,33%), e de infecção, SAP7 (100%). Foi observada diferença estatística (p = 0,049) na frequência do gene SAP1 entre isolados oriundos de colonização e infecção vulvovaginal. Conclusão: Constatou-se alta frequência dos genes SAP em linhagens vaginais de C. albicans. Os resultados sugerem uma participação de SAP1 no processo infeccioso da candidíase vulvovaginal.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Candida albicans is the most common etiologic agent of fungal vaginitis. These yeasts produce secreted aspartyl proteinases encoded by a family of 10 genes (SAP1-10). Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the presence of genes SAP1-7 in vulvovaginal C. albicans. Materials and method: The study included 26 C. albicans vaginal isolates. Detection of aspartyl proteases genes (SAP1-7) was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: The most frequent gene in C. albicans isolated from colonization was SAP6 (93.33%), and from infection, SAP7 (100%). We observed a statistical difference (p = 0.049) in SAP1 gene frequency between isolates from vulvovaginal colonization and infection. Conclusion: High frequency of SAP genes was observed in vulvovaginal C. albicans. The results suggest SAP1 participation in vulvovaginal candidiasis infection.

RESUMO INTRODUÇÃO: A candidíase vulvovaginal é uma prevalente infeccção mucosa oportunista, causada predominantemente por Candida albicans. As espéceis de Candida variam de acordo com a suscetibilidade aos agentes antifúngicos, assim os testes de sensibilidade têm importância clínica para uma adequada escolha terapêutica. OBJETIVO: Investigar a distribuição de leveduras vulvovaginais e o padrão de suscetibilidade a antifúngicos azólicos em isolados do sul de Mato Grosso. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Foram obtidas amostras clínicas de 166 pacientes, independentemente de sinais e sintomas para candidíase vulvovaginal. Swabs vaginais foram coletados, semeados em placas contendo ágar Sabouraud e incubados a 35ºC. Uma amostra das colônias que cresceram em cada placa foi subcultivada em meio CHROMagar Candida. Partindo de uma cultura pura, as leveduras foram identificadas por métodos fenotípicos clássicos. Os testes de suscetibilidade aos antifúngicos cetoconazol e fluconazol foram realizados, usando o método de microdiluição de acordo com o protocolo de referência M27A3 do Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). RESULTADOS: A frequência de Candida spp. na população em estudo foi de 30%, sendo 28% no grupo de mulheres assintomáticas e 35% entre as sintomáticas. As espécies isoladas foram C. albicans (50%), C. glabrata (33%) e C. tropicalis (17%). A concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) para o fluconazol variou de 0,5 μg/ml a 16 μg/ml e para o cetoconazol, de 0,03 μg/ml a 4 μg/ml. A frequência de resistência ao fluconazol foi de 1,7% e ao cetoconazol, de 3,4%. CONCLUSÃO: C. albicans foi a espécie predominante. Observamos elevada sensibilidade de Candida spp. aos antifúngicos fluconazol e cetoconazol.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Vulvovaginal candidiasis is a prevalent opportunistic mucosal infection, caused predominantly by Candida albicans. Candida species vary in their susceptibility to the antifungal agents, thus, the susceptibility tests have clinical significance in determining the appropriate therapeutic choice. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of vulvovaginal yeasts and the susceptibility pattern to azoles antifungal isolated in southern Mato Grosso State, Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical samples from 166 patients were obtained regardless signs and symptoms of vulvovaginal candidiasis. Vaginal swabs were collected, seeded onto plates containing Sabouraud Dextrose agar and incubated at 35ºC, for five days. A pool of colonies that grown on each plate was subcultured in CHROMagar Candida medium. On the basis of a pure culture, the yeasts were identified using traditional phenotypic identification methods. Susceptibility tests for antifungal fluconazole and ketoconazole were performed using the broth microdilution method according to the reference protocol M27A3 of the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). RESULTS: The frequency of Candida spp. in the study population was 30%, of which 28% were in the group of asymptomatic women and 35% among symptomatic. Among the isolated strains were C. albicans (50%), C. glabrata (33%) and C. tropicalis (17%). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for fluconazole ranged from 0.5 μg/ml to 16 μg/ml and for ketoconazole from 0.03 μg/ml to 4 μg/ml. The resistance rates were 1.7% for fluconazole and 3.4% for ketoconazole. CONCLUSION: C. albicans was the predominant species. We observed a high susceptibility of Candida spp. to fluconazole and ketoconazole antifungal.

Introduction Arboviruses are an important public health problem in Brazil, in especially flaviviruses, including the Saint Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) and the Rocio virus (ROCV), are especially problematic. These viruses are transmitted to humans or other vertebrates through arthropod bites and may cause diseases with clinical manifestations that range from asymptomatic infection, viral hemorrhagic fever to encephalitis. Methods A serological survey of horses from various regions of Brazil using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with recombinant SLEV domain III peptides and ROCV E protein as antigens. Results Overall, 415 (55.1%) of the 753 horses that were screened were seropositive for flavivirus and, among them, monotypic reactions were observed to SLEV in 93 (12.3%) and to ROCV in 46 (6.1%). These results suggested that these viruses, or other closely related viruses, are infecting horses in Brazil. However, none of the studied horses presented central nervous system infection symptoms. Conclusions Our results suggest that SLEV and ROCV previously circulated among horses in northeast, west-central and southeast Brazil.

Since the emergence of West Nile virus (WNV) in North America in 1999, there have been several reports of WNV activity in Central and South American countries. To detect WNV in Brazil, we performed a serological survey of horses from different regions of Brazil using recombinant peptides from domain III of WNV. Positive samples were validated with the neutralisation test. Our results showed that of 79 ELISA-positive horses, nine expressed WNV-specific neutralising antibodies. Eight of the infected horses were from the state of Mato Grosso do Sul and one was from the state of Paraíba. Our results provide additional evidence for the emergence of WNV in Brazil and for its circulation in multiple regions of the country.

INTRODUCTION: West Nile virus (WNV) is a flavivirus with a natural cycle involving mosquitoes and birds. Over the last 11 years, WNV has spread throughout the Americas with the imminent risk of its introduction in Brazil. METHODS: Envelope protein domain III of WNV (rDIII) was bacterially expressed and purified. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with WNV rDIII antigen was standardized against mouse immune fluids (MIAFs) of different flavivirus. RESULTS: WNV rDIII reacted strongly with St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) MIAF but not with other flaviviruses. CONCLUSIONS: This antigen may be a potentially useful tool for serologic diagnosis and may contribute in future epidemiological surveillance of WNV infections in Brazil.

O presente trabalho tem como objetivos a definição e a fisiologia do líquido amniótico, ressaltando aspectos citológicos e principais técnicas para diagnóstico laboratorial das patologias mais freqüentes. A metodologia utilizada foi a revisão bibliográfica atualizada relacionando os aspectos citológicos com a idade gestacional e técnicas laboratoriais para diagnóstico das principais patologias em que são observadas alterações do líquido amniótico, concluindo-se que este é um importante componente do ambiente intra-uterino. Sua produção e absorção dependem de uma série de mecanismos interdependentes entre o feto, a placenta, as membranas e o organismo materno. Atualmente este fluido pode fornecer inúmeras informações sobre a saúde fetal, realizando-se diversas técnicas, entre elas a amniocentese e a dosagem de alfafetoproteína, que pode detectar defeitos do tubo neural e trissomia do cromossomo 21. A análise do líquido amniótico reforça a importância da realização adequada de um pré-natal, sendo importante relacionar os resultados laboratoriais com a clínica.

This present paper aims the definition of the amniotic fluid and its physiology standing out cytological aspects and main techniques for laboratorial diagnosis of the most frequent pathologies. The methodology was based on updated bibliographical research relating the cytological aspects with the pregnancy age and laboratorial techniques for diagnosis of the main pathologies in which alterations of the amniotic fluid are observed, concluding that this is an important component of the intrauterine environment. Its production and absorption depend on a series of interdependent mechanisms among the fetus, the placenta, the membranes and the maternal organism. Currently this fluid can supply innumerable information on the fetal health by the use of diverse techniques, among which, amniocentesis and dosage of alpha-fetoprotein, which can detect defects of the neural tube and trissomia of chromosome 21. The analysis of the amniotic fluid strengthens the importance of the adequate prenatal care, being important to relate the laboratorial results to clinical practice.

OBJETIVO: Traçar um panorama da infecção por hepatite B no Brasil, na Região Sul e no Estado de Santa Catarina para o período de 1996 a 2002, considerando aspectos epidemiológicos como faixa etária. FONTE DOS DADOS:Os dados foram obtidos a partir de levantamento bibliográfico e consulta à Secretaria de Vigilância Epidemiológica do Estado de Santa Catarina e à Fundação Nacional de Saúde (FUNASA). RESULTADOS: No Brasil, de 1996 a 2000, a hepatite B foi o segundo tipo de hepatite viral mais prevalente (25%), tendo sido a hepatite A líder em casos (43%). Em Santa Catarina houve predomínio de hepatite B em relação às outras hepatites de 1997 a 2001. O sexo mais atingido pela hepatite B foi o masculino e a maior incidência de hepatite B foi observada na faixa etária dos 20 aos 49 anos para Santa Catarina e acima dos 30 anos para o Brasil. O Sul foi a região brasileira que apresentou a maior incidência de hepatite B no período de 1997 a 1999. Em Santa Catarina, o maior número de casos entre 1996 e 2002 ocorreu na macrorregião sul, seguida das macrorregiões nordeste e extremo oeste. CONCLUSÕES: Ainda é crescente o número de casos de hepatite B no Brasil e deve-se considerar que a subnotificação pode afetar os números apresentados. Em todo o Brasil, a vacinação deve ser estendida a adolescentes em regiões de prevalência moderada a alta

OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of hepatitis B infection in Brazil overall, in the South of Brazil, and in the state of Santa Catarina (in southeastern Brazil) for the period of 1996 through 2002, taking into consideration such epidemiological aspects as age and sex. SOURCE OF DATA: Data were obtained through a literature review and by consulting with Brazil's National Health Foundation and with Santa Catarina's Department of Epidemiological Surveillance. RESULTS: In Brazil, from 1996 through 2000, hepatitis B was the second most prevalent type of viral hepatitis (25%), with hepatitis A leading in terms of the proportion of cases (43%). In Santa Catarina there was a predominance of hepatitis B in relation to other types of hepatitis from 1997 through 2001. In both Brazil and Santa Catarina there was a larger number of cases among males than among females. In terms of age, the highest incidence was found among those 20 to 49 years old in Santa Catarina and among those over 30 for Brazil overall. The South of Brazil was the country's region with the highest incidence of hepatitis B from 1997 through 1999. In Santa Catarina the largest number of cases from 1996 through 2002 occurred in the southern part of the state, followed by the northeastern and far western sections of the state. CONCLUSIONS: The number of cases of hepatitis B is still growing in Brazil, and it is important to consider that underreporting may have affected the results described in this study. Throughout Brazil, vaccination should be extended to include adolescents in regions that have a moderate to high incidence of hepatitis B.