Study on the organization of cellular elements in the granulomatous lesion caused by chromoblastomycosis.

BACKGROUND: Chromoblastomycosis is a deep fungal infection characterized by a complex cellular granuloma. The aim of this study was to analyze the arrangement of cells responsible for the granuloma configuration of this disease by semiquantification of the cellular components of chromoblastomycosis skin biopsies. METHODS: The cells of cutaneous biopsies slides from 100 patients with untreated chromoblastomycosis were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and the granuloma cells were evaluated by microscopic examination of the elements of each granuloma and semiquantified the number of cells through its expressivity in crosses and the histopathological variables. Their presence were coded in degrees of intensity and classified in two categories: low expression and high expression. The cells that constituted the granulomas were separated into three groups: A, B and C. RESULTS: The chromoblastomycotic granuloma analyzed by this semiquantification of its cellular components showed that there was high expression of the elements setting up a mixed organized mycotic granuloma. It was observed that mononuclear phagocytic system (A), polymorphonuclear phagocytic system (B) and lymphoplasmocytic infiltrate (C) were located around the fungus. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the granuloma present in the cutaneous lesion of chromoblastomycosis is a mixed organized mycotic granuloma with high expression of the cellular components.

The Quinovic Acid Glycosides Purified Fraction from Uncaria tomentosa Protects against Hemorrhagic Cystitis Induced by Cyclophosphamide in Mice.

Uncaria tomentosa is widely used in folk medicine for the treatment of numerous diseases, such as urinary tract disease. Hemorrhagic cystitis (HE) is an inflammatory condition of the bladder associated with the use of anticancer drugs such as cyclophosphamide (CYP). Sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate (Mesna) has been used to prevent the occurrence of HE, although this compound is not effective in established lesions. It has been demonstrated that the purinergic system is involved in several pathophysiological events. Among purinergic receptors, P2X7 deserves attention because it is involved in HE induced by CYP and, therefore, can be considered a therapeutic target. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential therapeutic effect of the quinovic acid glycosides purified fraction (QAPF) from U. tomentosa in the mouse model of CYP-induced HE. Pretreatment with QAPF not only had a protective effect on HE-induced urothelial damage (edema, hemorrhage and bladder wet weight) but was also able to control visceral pain, decrease IL-1ß levels and down-regulates P2X7 receptors, most likely by inhibit the neutrophils migration to the bladder. This research clearly demonstrates the promising anti-inflammatory properties of QAPF, supporting its use as complementary therapy. QAPF represents a promising therapeutic option for this pathological condition.

Ultrastructural alterations in glomerulophathy associated with hydatidosis in sheep

En el presente trabajo se investigaron las alteraciones ultraestructurales en el glomérulo renal de ovejas con hidatidosis. Utilizando microscopía electrónica de transmisión, fueron examinadas muestras renales de 39 ovejas, 34 de ellas con hidatidosis y 5 sin la parasitosis. Adicionalmente, fue realizado un estudio bioquímico a través de dosaje sérico de creatinina, úrea, proteínas totales y albumina. Las alteraciones ultraestructurales identificadas fueron la presencia de depósitos densos mesangiales, subendoteliales e intramembranosos; proliferación de células mesangiales con áreas de esclerosis segmentaria e interposición de células mesangiales con formación de neo-membrana. Durante el estudio bioquímico se observó un aumento significativo de proteínas totales séricas en el grupo experimental en relación con el de control. El estudio demostró que la glomerulonefritis asociada a hidatidosis en ovinos puede ser clasificada en 4 categorías: lesiones mínimas, glomerulonefritis mesangial, glomerulonefritis segmentaria y focal, y glomerulonefritis membranoproliferativa, siendo predominantemente proliferativa y mesangial