Occurrence and phylogenetic characterization of a baculovirus isolated from Culex quinquefasciatus in São Paulo State, Brazil.

The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of baculovirus infections in mosquitoes and characterize them by using molecular tools. Fortnightly collections were made of mosquito larvae in the city of Caraguatatuba. Six larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus were isolated that had white cysts (nodules) in epithelia cells of the posterior midgut, indicative of infection by a baculovirus. These larvae were subjected to DNA extraction. DNA was amplified, producing a fragment of around 600 nt of the lef-8 gene and 400 nt of Pif-2 gene. The sequences were aligned, using ClustalX 2.0, with partial sequences of lef-8 genes of baculoviruses isolated from members of other insect orders taken from the GenBank database and edited, and phylogenetic analysis was performed. Phylogenetic analysis performed with the lef-8 and pif-2 genes demonstrated that the baculovirus identified in Culex quinquefasciatus in the Caraguatatuba region is most closely related to the deltabaculovirus Culex nigripalpus nucleopolyhedrovirus.

Investigation of biota associated and natural infection by sporulated bacteria in Culicidae larvae from São Paulo state, Brazil.

The aim of this study was to investigate the naturally occurring bacteria from Culicidae larvae found in São Paulo state between 2006 and 2008 from the Tiete Ecological Park in the municipality of Caraguatatuba. Bacterial strains were obtained after surface sterilization of larvae followed by thermal treatment and incubation in bacteriological media under laboratory conditions. Identification was determined using cytomorphology, biochemical and physiological tests. Strains were characterized by qualitative evaluation of biological activity against Culicidae larvae, comparing protein profiles obtained by electrophoresis of crystal protoxins, electrophoresis of Lysinibacillus sphaericus isoenzymes, detection of the L(2) fraction of Hemolytic BL enterotoxin and amplification of DNA using Multiplex-PCR to detect HBL, NHE, CytK, BceT and EntFM enterotoxins. The results obtained in this study demonstrated that the endosymbiotic bacterial diversity belonging to Bacillus and related genera associated with Culicidae larvae is limited to a number of species that does not vary throughout the seasons.

Description of microsporidia in simulids: molecular and morphological characterization of microsporidia in the larvae of Simulium pertinax Kollar (Diptera: Simuliidae).

INTRODUCTION: Microsporidia constitute the most common black fly pathogens, although the species' diversity, seasonal occurrence and transmission mechanisms remain poorly understood. Infections by this agent are often chronic and non-lethal, but they can cause reduced fecundity and decreased longevity. The objective of this study was to identify microsporidia infecting Simulium (Chirostilbia) pertinax (Kollar, 1832) larvae from Caraguatatuba, State of São Paulo, Brazil, by molecular and morphological characterization. METHODS: Larvae were collected at a single point in a stream in a rural area of the city and were kept under artificial aeration until analysis. Polydispyrenia spp. infection was characterized by the presence of at least 32 mononuclear spores measuring 6.9 ± 1.0 × 5.0 ± 0.7 µm in persistent sporophorous vesicles. Similarly, Amblyospora spp. were characterized by the presence of eight uninucleate spores measuring 4.5 × 3.5 µm in sporophorous vesicles. RESULTS: The molecular analysis confirmed the presence of microsporidian DNA in the 8 samples (prevalence of 0.51%). Six samples (Brazilian larvae) were related to Polydispyrenia simulii and Caudospora palustris reference sequences but in separate clusters. One sample was clustered with Amblyospora spp. Edhazardia aedis was the positive control taxon. CONCLUSIONS: Samples identified as Polydispyrenia spp. and Amblyospora spp. were grouped with P. simulii and Amblyospora spp., respectively, corroborating previous results. However, the 16S gene tree showed a considerable distance between the black fly-infecting Amblyospora spp. and the mosquito-infecting spp. This distance suggests that these two groups are not congeneric. Additional genomic region evaluation is necessary to obtain a coherent phylogeny for this group.

Bloqueio atrioventricular total congênito - características de 34 pacientes submetidos a implante ou troca de marcapasso definitivo / Congenital complete heart block - characteristics of 34 patients submitted to definitive pacemaker implant or replacement

Objetivos: Descrever as características de pacientes menores de 18 anos com bloqueio atrioventricular total congênito submetidos a implante ou troca de marcapasso definitivo. Métodos: Foram analisados retrospectivamente 34 pacientes que foram submetidos a implante ou troca de marcapasso entre janeiro de 2011 e maio de 2017 em um único centro. Os pacientes foram divididos em 2 grupos (grupo I: implante e grupo II: troca) e avaliados de acordo com o sexo, idade, cardiopatia congênita, indicação do implante, técnica utilizada, complicações e mortalidade. Resultados: 47,1% eram do sexo feminino. A mediana para idade no momento do implante foi de 2 anos e 6 meses e para peso foi de 17,5Kg. Cardiopatia congênita teve prevalência de 52,9% nos pacientes. As indicações para implante de marcapasso definitivo foram: frequência cardíaca menor que 70 bpm com cardiopatia ou disfunção (44,1%), frequência cardíaca menor que 55 bpm sem cardiopatia (26,5%), sinais e sintomas de baixo débito cardíaco (20,6%) e disfunção ventricular (8,8%). A técnica epicárdica foi realizada em 73,5% e a endocárdica em 26,5% dos pacientes. Foi implantado marcapasso bicameral em 53% e monocameral em 47% deles. Complicações foram observadas em 23,5% e a mortalidade foi de 8,8%. Conclusões: A criteriosa avaliação desses pacientes permite uma adequada escolha do sistema e da técnica de implante. Pouco mais da metade dos pacientes tinham cardiopatia congênita, a técnica epicárdica foi a mais realizada, a maioria recebeu marcapasso bicameral, e as complicações e a mortalidade foram semelhantes as encontradas na da literatura

Aims: Describe the characteristics of 34 patients under 18, with congenital complete heart block submitted for definitive pacemaker implant or replacement. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent pacemaker implant or replacement between January 2011 and May 2017 at a single center. The patients were divided into 2 groups (group I: implant and group II: replacement) and evaluated according to gender, age, congenital heart disease, implant indication, technique used, complications and mortality. Results: Thirty-four patients underwent definitive pacemaker implant or replacement, 47.1% of which were female. The median age at the time of implantation was 2 years and 6 months and median weight was 17.5 kg. Congenital heart disease was found in 52.9% of the patients. The indications for definitive pacemaker implant were heart rate lower than 70 bpm with heart disease or dysfunction (44.1%), heart rate less than 55 bpm without heart disease (26.5%), signs and symptoms of low cardiac output (20.6%) and ventricular dysfunction (8.8%). The epicardial technique was performed in 73.5% and the endocardial technique in 26.5% of the patients. A bicameral pacemaker was implanted in 53% and monocameral ventricular pacemaker in 47% of the patients. Complications were observed in 23.5%, with a mortality of 8.8% of the patients. Conclusions: The careful evaluation of the characteristics of these patients allows an adequate choice of the system and the implant technique. Just over half of the patients had congenital heart disease, the epicardial technique was the most performed, most received bicameral pacemaker, and complications and mortality were similar to the literature

Description of microsporidia in simulids: molecular and morphological characterization of microsporidia in the larvae of Simulium pertinax Kollar (Diptera: Simuliidae)

Introduction Microsporidia constitute the most common black fly pathogens, although the species' diversity, seasonal occurrence and transmission mechanisms remain poorly understood. Infections by this agent are often chronic and non-lethal, but they can cause reduced fecundity and decreased longevity. The objective of this study was to identify microsporidia infecting Simulium (Chirostilbia) pertinax (Kollar, 1832) larvae from Caraguatatuba, State of São Paulo, Brazil, by molecular and morphological characterization. Methods Larvae were collected at a single point in a stream in a rural area of the city and were kept under artificial aeration until analysis. Polydispyrenia spp. infection was characterized by the presence of at least 32 mononuclear spores measuring 6.9 ± 1.0 × 5.0 ± 0.7µm in persistent sporophorous vesicles. Similarly, Amblyospora spp. were characterized by the presence of eight uninucleate spores measuring 4.5 × 3.5µm in sporophorous vesicles. Results The molecular analysis confirmed the presence of microsporidian DNA in the 8 samples (prevalence of 0.51%). Six samples (Brazilian larvae) were related to Polydispyrenia simulii and Caudospora palustris reference sequences but in separate clusters. One sample was clustered with Amblyospora spp. Edhazardia aedis was the positive control taxon. Conclusions Samples identified as Polydispyrenia spp. and Amblyospora spp. were grouped with P. simulii and Amblyospora spp., respectively, corroborating previous results. However, the 16S gene tree showed a considerable distance between the black fly-infecting Amblyospora spp. and the mosquito-infecting spp. This distance suggests that these two groups are not congeneric. Additional genomic region evaluation is necessary to obtain a coherent phylogeny for this group. .

Avaliaçäo do desenvolvimento funcional pulmonar dos recém-nascidos pretermo

Nas últimas décadas, tem-se observado uma sobrevida de recém-nascidos pretermo menores e mais imaturos. Considerando-se que as doenças pulmonares säo as maiores responsáveis pela morbi-mortalidade no período neonatal, e de grande interesse o entendimento dos mecanismos de funcionamento do sistema respiratório desses recém-nascidos pretermo. Com o objetivo de avaliar a funçäo pulmonar dos recém-nascidos pretermo e suas alteraçöes durante o desenvolvimento, relacionamos os valores de complacência pulmonar, resistência pulmonar e capacidade residual funcional com a idade e com as medidas de crescimento corporal e comparamos os dados obtidos com os recém-nascidos a termo. Estudamos dois grupos de recém-nascidos divididos de acordo com a idade gestacional ao nascimento. O primeiro grupo foi formado por treze recém-nascidos pretermo com idade gestacional entre 32-34 semanas e com peso de nascimento igual a 1772 mais ou menos 279 g. O segundo grupo foi constituído por dez recém-nascidos a termo com idade gestacional superior a 37 semanas e 1 dia e com peso de nascimento igual a 3116 mais ou menos 211 g. Concluímos que o crescimento extra-uterino näo é igual ao crescimento intrauterino do pulmäo e que o crescimento das vias aéreas é desigual em relaçäo ao parenquima pulmonar.

Avaliaçäo do desenvolvimento funcional pulmonar dos recém-nascidos pretermo / Evaluation of the pulmonary functional development of just-been born the preterm

Nas últimas décadas, tem-se observado uma sobrevida de recém-nascidos pretermo menores e mais imaturos. Considerando-se que as doenças pulmonares säo as maiores responsáveis pela morbi-mortalidade no período neonatal, e de grande interesse o entendimento dos mecanismos de funcionamento do sistema respiratório desses recém-nascidos pretermo. Com o objetivo de avaliar a funçäo pulmonar dos recém-nascidos pretermo e suas alteraçöes durante o desenvolvimento, relacionamos os valores de complacência pulmonar, resistência pulmonar e capacidade residual funcional com a idade e com as medidas de crescimento corporal e comparamos os dados obtidos com os recém-nascidos a termo. Estudamos dois grupos de recém-nascidos divididos de acordo com a idade gestacional ao nascimento. O primeiro grupo foi formado por treze recém-nascidos pretermo com idade gestacional entre 32-34 semanas e com peso de nascimento igual a 1772 mais ou menos 279 g. O segundo grupo foi constituído por dez recém-nascidos a termo com idade gestacional superior a 37 semanas e 1 dia e com peso de nascimento igual a 3116 mais ou menos 211 g. Concluímos que o crescimento extra-uterino näo é igual ao crescimento intrauterino do pulmäo e que o crescimento das vias aéreas é desigual em relaçäo ao parenquima pulmonar. (AU)

Avaliaçäo do desenvolvimento funcional pulmonar dos recém-nascidos pretermo / Evaluation of the pulmonary functional development of just-been born the preterm

Nas últimas décadas, tem-se observado uma sobrevida de recém-nascidos pretermo menores e mais imaturos. Considerando-se que as doenças pulmonares säo as maiores responsáveis pela morbi-mortalidade no período neonatal, e de grande interesse o entendimento dos mecanismos de funcionamento do sistema respiratório desses recém-nascidos pretermo. Com o objetivo de avaliar a funçäo pulmonar dos recém-nascidos pretermo e suas alteraçöes durante o desenvolvimento, relacionamos os valores de complacência pulmonar, resistência pulmonar e capacidade residual funcional com a idade e com as medidas de crescimento corporal e comparamos os dados obtidos com os recém-nascidos a termo. Estudamos dois grupos de recém-nascidos divididos de acordo com a idade gestacional ao nascimento. O primeiro grupo foi formado por treze recém-nascidos pretermo com idade gestacional entre 32-34 semanas e com peso de nascimento igual a 1772 mais ou menos 279 g. O segundo grupo foi constituído por dez recém-nascidos a termo com idade gestacional superior a 37 semanas e 1 dia e com peso de nascimento igual a 3116 mais ou menos 211 g. Concluímos que o crescimento extra-uterino näo é igual ao crescimento intrauterino do pulmäo e que o crescimento das vias aéreas é desigual em relaçäo ao parenquima pulmonar. (AU)