Efficacy and safety of nitazoxanide in treating SARS-CoV-2 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis of blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials.

PURPOSE: Nitazoxanide is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic that has been tested for COVID-19 due to its anti-inflammatory effects and in vitro antiviral activity. This study synthesized the best evidence on the efficacy and safety of nitazoxanide in COVID-19. METHODS: Searches for studies were performed in peer-reviewed and grey-literature from January 1, 2020 to May 23, 2022. The following elements were used to define eligibility criteria: (1) Population: individuals with COVID-19; (2) Intervention: nitazoxanide; (3) Comparison: placebo; (4) Outcomes: primary outcome was death, and secondary outcomes were viral load, positive RT-PCR status, serum biomarkers of inflammation, composite measure of disease progression (ICU admission or invasive mechanical ventilation), and any adverse events; (5) Study type: blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Treatment effects were reported as relative risk (RR) for dichotomous variables and standardized mean difference (SMD) for continuous variables with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Five blinded, placebo-controlled RCTs were included and enrolled individuals with mild or moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection. We found no difference between nitazoxanide and placebo in reducing viral load (SMD = - 0.16; 95% CI - 0.38 to 0.05) and the frequency of positive RTP-PCR results (RR = 0.92; 95% CI 0.81 to 1.06). In addition, there was no decreased risk for disease progression (RR = 0.63; 95% CI 0.38 to 1.04) and death (RR = 0.81; 95% CI 0.36 to 1.78) among patients receiving nitazoxanide. Patients with COVID-19 treated with nitazoxanide had decreased levels of white blood cells (SMD = - 0.15; 95% - 0.29 to - 0.02), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (SMD - 0.32; 95% - 0.52 to - 0.13), and D-dimer (SMD - 0.49; 95% CI - 0.68 to - 0.31) compared to placebo, but the magnitude of effect was considered small to moderate. CONCLUSION: This systematic review showed no evidence of clinical benefits of the use of nitazoxanide to treat patients with mild or moderate COVID-19. In addition, we found a reduction in WBC, LDH, and D-dimer levels among nitazoxanide-treated patients, but the effect size was considered small to moderate.

The ethanol extract of the inner bark of Caesalpinia pyramidalis (Tul.) reduces urinary bladder damage during cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis in rats.

Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is a common side effect of cyclophosphamide therapy, which deserves new therapeutic strategies, such as those based on natural products. The ethanol extract of the inner bark of Caesalpinia pyramidalis (Tul.) (EECp) possesses anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antioxidant activities as previously showed by our group. We have investigated the effect of EECp on the cyclophosphamide-induced HC. Cystitis was induced in male Wistar rats by the injection of cyclophosphamide. These animals were pretreated with EECp (100-400 mg/kg), vehicle, or mesna. Myeloperoxidase activity and malondialdehyde formation were measured in urinary bladder and other tissues. Bladder edema and histopathological alterations and serum nitric oxide metabolites concentration NOx- were also evaluated. Treatment with EECp (100-400 mg/kg) or mesna impaired the increase of myeloperoxidase activity in urinary bladder and the serum NOx- induced by cyclophosphamide but did not reduce edema in this tissue, as did mesna. Total histological score was reduced by EECp (100 mg/kg). Lung myeloperoxidase activity, which was increased by cyclophosphamide, was decreased significantly by EECp (400 mg/kg). EECp also diminished the malondialdehyde formation in bladder, lung, and spleen, although these parameters were not affected by cyclophosphamide. These results indicate that EECp reduced urinary bladder damage during cyclophosphamide-induced HC in rats.

Case for diagnosis.

Ostraceous psoriasis is a rare form of psoriasis, characterized by lesions with firmly adhered thick scales, in various colors, with surfaces resembling oysters shells. The protracted course of clinical presentation allied with peculiar lesions and histopathological examination permit the diagnosis. Lesions are usually resistant to topical medications, requiring systemic treatment. It is important that dermatologists are able to diagnose the unusual forms of psoriasis to avoid iatrogeny. We report the case of a patient with ostraceous psoriasis treated with methotrexate.

Evaluation of agreement between clinical and histopathological data for classifying leprosy.

BACKGROUND: The diversity of clinical manifestations of leprosy has given rise to different classification systems. However, there are important differences in the sensitivity and specificity of these classifications. The objective of this study was to evaluate the agreement between clinical and histopathological data for classifying leprosy. METHODS: A total of 1265 patient reports containing clinical and histopathological data relating to the diagnosis and classification of leprosy were included in this study. The diagnostic concordance between the clinical form (Madrid classification) and the histopathological type, as well as the initial and final classifications, was calculated by dividing the number of concordant cases by the total number of patients. RESULTS: The overall agreement between the World Health Organization operational classification and the results of direct smear examination of the lesion for acid-fast bacilli was 84.8% (1073/1265). The clinical-histopathological agreement was 58.1% (735/1265). The indeterminate and lepromatous forms were those that showed the highest percentages of agreement: 72.1% (186/258) and 71.0% (142/200), respectively. CONCLUSION: Although classifications based on clinical characteristics have an important role in the control of leprosy, they present flaws that can influence the adequacy of treatment. Therefore, a histopathological examination is important for appropriate treatment.

Fall-related traumas in urgent care centers.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the scope and the characteristics of fall-related traumas in urgent care centers in Sergipe, Brazil and to verify potential associations among the following variables: gender, age, and where the event occurred. METHOD: This descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was conducted in the urgent care centers of two public referral hospitals in the state of Sergipe, Brazil. The data collection was conducted in November 2010, after approval was obtained from the Human Research Ethics Committee, through a structured interview with a sample of 509 fall victims. RESULTS: Most of the participants were male, between 0 and 19 years old, single, with no impairments or preexisting diseases, nor regular use of medication or alcohol. The victims were brought to the hospital by ambulance and were accompanied. Most events occurred at home, were same-level falls, and most frequently resulted from slipping and tripping during recreational activities with a subsequent fracture, contusion or sprain. Most victims were discharged from the hospital after care delivery. Statistically significant associations were found between place of fall and age and gender. CONCLUSION: There is a high incidence of seeking out care in urgent care centers due to falls, which constitutes a severe public health problem that affects both genders in different age groups. The adoption of preventive measures aimed to reduce such events is urgently required.

Adenocarcinoma of the female urethra: a case report / Adenocarcinoma de uretra feminina: relato de caso

ABSTRACT The urethral adenocarcinoma is a rare malignant tumor that affects predominantly women. Its incidence is higher after the age of 50 in this group. The knowledge about this disease is limited due to its low frequency and is mainly based on case reports. Although rarely presenting distant metastasis, the clinical consequences of treating this condition may bring an important negative impact on patient's quality of life. This is mainly due to mutilating surgery and the need to use permanent urinary catheter. It is presented a case report of a patient with urethral adenocarcinoma and its therapeutic management.

RESUMO O adenocarcinoma de uretra é uma rara neoplasia maligna, que ocorre predominantemente em mulheres. Nesse grupo, sua incidência é maior a partir dos 50 anos. O conhecimento acerca da doença é limitado pela sua infrequência e baseia-se, sobretudo, em relatos de caso. Apesar de raramente apresentar metástase a distância, as consequências clínicas do tratamento dessa condição podem trazer forte impacto negativo na vida da portadora, em decorrência de cirurgias mutiladoras e da necessidade de uso de sonda vesical permanente. Apresenta-se um relato de caso de uma paciente com adenocarcinoma uretral e sua condução terapêutica.

Epidemiological aspects of dengue in Aracaju, State of Sergipe, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: The dengue fever remains to be a disease of serious public health concern, and its incidence has increased in the past decades. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiological incidence of dengue in the period 2001-2010. METHODS: This is an epidemiological study of dengue in the municipality of Aracaju, state of Sergipe, in the period between 2001 and 2010, whose data were obtained from the Information System of Diseases Notifications. A descriptive analysis of the number of confirmed cases of dengue, according to year, semester, sanitary district, age, and sex, was performed. RESULTS: There were 16,462 confirmed cases, especially in 2008, which obtained the highest incidence of the disease, with 10,485 confirmed cases. The first semester obtained the highest registration of cases during the years of research; this was predominated by females between 15 and 49 years old. With regard to the territorial distribution, the second district of the municipality obtained the highest number of cases. CONCLUSIONS: In 2008, in the City of Aracaju, SE, a significant increase in the proportion of dengue cases compared with other years was verified. However, a fast decline in the other years was observed, possibly because of the intensification of preventive actions to combat the mosquito that transmits the dengue virus.

[Mesenteric cyst--clinical and pathological aspects]. / Cisto mesentérico--aspectos clínicos e anátomopatológicos.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate epidemiologic, clinical, pathologic and therapeutic characteristics of the mesenteric cysts in hospitals of Sergipe, Brazil. METHODS: Mesenteric cysts were assessed by a non-interventional cross-sectional study from the archives of the Pathology Laboratory of Federal University of Sergipe between 1995 and 2007. The charts of the patients were reviewed in order to find out: gender, age, clinical findings, complementary exams and therapeutic approach. RESULTS: Eighteen cases of mesenteric cysts were found. Females were more affected (72.2%). Mean of age of the patients was 30.46. More frequent symptoms were pain and abdominal mass. Ultrasonography of abdomen, performed in all patients, was not conclusive in half of the cases. CTscan of abdomen with contrast was performed in six cases, being cystic tumor well identified in all of them. Regarding histopathology, 6 lymphangiomas, 8 mesotheliomas, 1 hemorrhagic cyst in organization and 1 mucinous cyst were found. Surgical treatment was performed in all cases. Intracystic bleeding was the main complication in 3 cases. CONCLUSION: The mesenteric cysts presented clinically with unspecific symptoms. CTscan was more effective than ultrasonography for the diagnosis. Lymphangiomas and mesothelioma had been found in equal ratios. The complete resection of the cyst was the treatment of election. There were no deaths in postoperative period.

Case for diagnosis

Ostraceous psoriasis is a rare form of psoriasis, characterized by lesions with firmly adhered thick scales, in various colors, with surfaces resembling oysters shells. The protracted course of clinical presentation allied with peculiar lesions and histopathological examination permit the diagnosis. Lesions are usually resistant to topical medications, requiring systemic treatment. It is important that dermatologists are able to diagnose the unusual forms of psoriasis to avoid iatrogeny. We report the case of a patient with ostraceous psoriasis treated with methotrexate.

Aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index for fibrosis and cirrhosis prediction in chronic hepatitis C patients.

In chronic hepatitis C (CHC), liver biopsy is the gold standard method for assessing liver histology, however it is invasive and can have complications. Non-invasive markers have been proposed and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) has been shown as an easy and inexpensive marker of liver fibrosis. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of APRI for significant fibrosis and cirrhosis prediction in CHC patients. This study included treatment-naive CHC patients who had undergone liver biopsy from January 2000 to August 2006. All histological slides were reviewed according to the METAVIR system. APRI was calculated based on laboratory results performed within four months from the biopsy. Twenty-eight (56%) patients had significant fibrosis (F2-F4) and 13 (26%) had cirrhosis (F4). The area under ROC curves of APRI for predicting significant fibrosis and cirrhosis were 0.92 (0.83-1.00) and 0.92 (0.85-1.00), respectively. Using cut-off values recommended by prior studies, significant fibrosis could be identified, in accordance with liver biopsy, in 44% and cirrhosis in 66% of patients. APRI could identify significant fibrosis and cirrhosis at a high degree of accuracy in studied patients.

Ectopic schistosomiasis: description of five cases involving skin, one ovarian case and one adrenal case.

Seven cases of patients with ectopic schistosomiasis from the State of Sergipe, Brazil, are presented (five involving skin, one ovarian and one adrenal). Data were collected from surveying the clinical records and anatomopathological reports in the files of the dermatology and pathology clinics of the University Hospital of the Federal University of Sergipe, from 1995 to 2005. The patients' mean age at diagnosis was 21.1 years. In the dermatological cases, full cures were achieved after treatment with oxamniquine. In the ovarian case, there was an association with embryonic carcinoma: this patient underwent surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy and praziquantel treatment, with satisfactory evolution. The adrenal case was associated with adenoma.

Brain metastasis as initial presentation of papillary adenocarcinoma of the lung: case report / Metástase cerebral como apresentação inicial de adenocarcinoma papilífero de pulmão: relato de caso

The authors describe the case of a 33-year-old patient with history of seizures alone without any previous symptom, being diagnosed with brain metastases from primary papillary adenocarcinoma of the lung. Emphasis is given to the diagnostic investigation for brain metastasis and prognostic evaluation of papillary adenocarcinoma of the lung, and a brief literature review on such diseases is performed.

Os autores descrevem um caso de paciente de 33 anos de idade com história de crises convulsivas isoladas sem qualquer antecedente, sendo diagnosticadas metástases cerebrais tendo como sítio primário um adenocarcinoma papilífero de pulmão. É enfatizada a investigação diagnóstica para metástase cerebral e avaliação prognóstica do adenocarcinoma papilífero de pulmão, além de realizar breve revisão sobre essas doenças.

Fall-related traumas in urgent care centers

OBJECTIVE: To identify the scope and the characteristics of fall-related traumas in urgent care centers in Sergipe, Brazil and to verify potential associations among the following variables: gender, age, and where the event occurred. METHOD: This descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was conducted in the urgent care centers of two public referral hospitals in the state of Sergipe, Brazil. The data collection was conducted in November 2010, after approval was obtained from the Human Research Ethics Committee, through a structured interview with a sample of 509 fall victims. RESULTS: Most of the participants were male, between 0 and 19 years old, single, with no impairments or preexisting diseases, nor regular use of medication or alcohol. The victims were brought to the hospital by ambulance and were accompanied. Most events occurred at home, were same-level falls, and most frequently resulted from slipping and tripping during recreational activities with a subsequent fracture, contusion or sprain. Most victims were discharged from the hospital after care delivery. Statistically significant associations were found between place of fall and age and gender. CONCLUSION: There is a high incidence of seeking out care in urgent care centers due to falls, which constitutes a severe public health problem that affects both genders in different age groups. The adoption of preventive measures aimed to reduce such events is urgently required.

Câncer de mama feminino: aspectos clínicos e patológicos dos casos cadastrados de 2005 a 2008 num serviço público de oncologia de Sergipe / Female breast cancer: clinical and pathological aspects of cases registered between 2005 and 2008 at a public oncology service in the Brazilian State of Sergipe

Conhecer os aspectos clínicos e patológicos dos casos de câncer de mama feminino cadastrados num serviço público de oncologia de Sergipe. MÉTODOS: procurou-se fazer uma associação do estadiamento com as características presentes nos tumores. A coleta de dados foi realizada em 165 prontuários de mulheres cadastradas no período de 2005 a 2008 no ambulatório de oncologia do Hospital Cirurgia, localizado em Aracaju-Sergipe, por meio de formulário de coleta de dados, em 2009. RESULTADOS: identificou-se o carcinoma ductal invasivo como o tipo de neoplasia mamária mais frequente com 80,8 por cento dos casos; 76 (46,1 por cento) neoplasias foram diagnosticadas em estádio avançado (IIB, III e IV) e a mastectomia prevaleceu como tipo de cirurgia utilizado no tratamento independente do estadiamento. Quanto aos receptores hormonais todos apresentaram associação com o grau do estádio e, ainda, notou-se que a positividade do estrogênio e progesterona é fator de proteção para um pior prognóstico. CONCLUSÃO: é notável que os casos de câncer de mama estudados apresentam maior agressividade biológica, cursando com pior prognóstico, considerando o estádio clínico. Fazem-se necessárias ações de detecção precoce voltadas ao câncer de mama na atenção básica de Sergipe para redução da morbi-mortalidade, melhora da sobrevida e qualidade de vida entre as mulheres acometidas por essa neoplasia...

To discover the clinical and pathologic aspects of cases of female breast cancer registered at a public oncology service in Sergipe. METHODS: an attempt was made to associate the stage with the characteristics of the tumors. Data was gathered from 165 medical records taken between 2005 and 2008 at the oncology outpatients clinic of the Hospital Cirurgia, in the city of Aracaju, Sergipe, using a data collection form in 2009. RESULTS: ductal invasive carcinoma was identified as the most frequent kind of neoplasia, accounting for 80.8 percent of cases. Seventy-six (46.1 percent) of neoplasias were identified at an advanced stage (IIB, III and IV) and mastectomy was the main kind of surgery used, irrespective of the stage of the cancer. All the hormone receptors were associated with the stage and it was noted that positive estrogen and progesterone levels were associated with a more positive prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: it is worth noting that the cases of breast cancer studied were those that are more biologically aggressive with a less promising prognosis in terms of clinical stage. Action to ensure early detection of breast cancer needs to be taken in the course of basic care in Sergipe in order to reduce morbidity and mortality and to improve the survival rates and quality of life of women afflicted with this kind of neoplasia...

Epidemiological aspects of dengue in Aracaju, State of Sergipe, Brazil / Aspectos epidemiológicos da dengue em Aracaju, Estado de Sergipe, Brasil

INTRODUCTION: The dengue fever remains to be a disease of serious public health concern, and its incidence has increased in the past decades. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiological incidence of dengue in the period 2001-2010. METHODS: This is an epidemiological study of dengue in the municipality of Aracaju, state of Sergipe, in the period between 2001 and 2010, whose data were obtained from the Information System of Diseases Notifications. A descriptive analysis of the number of confirmed cases of dengue, according to year, semester, sanitary district, age, and sex, was performed. RESULTS: There were 16,462 confirmed cases, especially in 2008, which obtained the highest incidence of the disease, with 10,485 confirmed cases. The first semester obtained the highest registration of cases during the years of research; this was predominated by females between 15 and 49 years old. With regard to the territorial distribution, the second district of the municipality obtained the highest number of cases. CONCLUSIONS: In 2008, in the City of Aracaju, SE, a significant increase in the proportion of dengue cases compared with other years was verified. However, a fast decline in the other years was observed, possibly because of the intensification of preventive actions to combat the mosquito that transmits the dengue virus.

INTRODUÇÃO: A dengue permanece como uma doença de elevada significância para a saúde pública e sua incidência tem aumentado nas últimas décadas. Este estudo objetivou caracterizar a incidência epidemiológica da dengue no período de 2001-2010. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo epidemiológico da dengue no município de Aracaju, Sergipe, no período de 2001 a 2010, cujos dados foram obtidos do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificações. Foi realizada a análise descritiva do número de casos confirmados de dengue segundo ano, semestre, distrito sanitário, faixa etária e sexo. RESULTADOS: Foram confirmados 16.462 casos, com destaque para o ano de 2008, o qual obteve maior incidência da doença, com 10.485 casos confirmados. O primeiro semestre obteve maior registro dos casos em todos os anos da pesquisa, com predomínio do sexo feminino e da faixa etária de 15-49 anos. Com relação à distribuição territorial, destaque para o segundo distrito do município que apresentou maior número de casos. CONCLUSÕES: Verificou-se que no ano de 2008, na Cidade de Aracaju, SE, houve aumento significativo da proporção de casos de dengue em relação aos demais anos. No entanto, nota-se um declínio vertiginoso nos anos posteriores, possivelmente devido à intensificação de ações de prevenção e combate ao mosquito transmissor do vírus da dengue.

Cisto mesentérico: aspectos clínicos e anátomopatológicos / Mesenteric cyst: clinical and pathological aspects

OBJETIVO: Discutir aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos, anátomo-patológicos e terapêuticos de cistos mesentéricos atendidos em hospitais do Estado de Sergipe. MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional, descritivo e transversal, consistindo de um levantamento de uma série de casos de cistos mesentéricos, nos arquivos do Laboratório de Patologia da Universidade Federal de Sergipe no período de 1995 a 2007. Revisaram-se os prontuários dos pacientes para coleta de dados: gênero, idade, quadro clínico, exames complementares e abordagem terapêutica. RESULTADOS: Foram encontrados 18 casos de cistos mesentéricos. O gênero predominante foi o feminino (72,2 por cento). A média de idade dos pacientes ao diagnóstico foi de 30,48 anos. Os sintomas mais freqüentes foram dor e massa abdominal. A ultra-sonografia de abdome, realizada em todos os pacientes, não foi conclusiva em metade dos casos. Tomografia computadorizada de abdome com contraste foi realizada em seis casos, sendo a tumoração cística bem evidenciada em todos estes. Quanto ao tipo histopatológico foram encontrados oito linfangiomas, oito cistos mesoteliais, um cisto hemorrágico em organização e um cisto mucinoso. O tratamento cirúrgico foi empregado em todos os casos. Hemorragia intracística foi a principal complicação apresentada, ocorrendo em três casos. CONCLUSÃO: Os cistos mesentéricos apresentaram-se clinicamente com sintomas inespecíficos e pouco sintomáticos. Quanto ao diagnóstico, a tomografia computadorizada mostrou ser mais efetiva que a ultrassonografia. Linfangiomas e mesoteliomas foram encontrados em proporções iguais. A ressecção completa do cisto foi o tratamento de eleição e não houve óbitos no pós-operatório.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate epidemiologic, clinical, pathologic and therapeutic characteristics of the mesenteric cysts in hospitals of Sergipe, Brazil. METHODS: Mesenteric cysts were assessed by a non-interventional cross-sectional study from the archives of the Pathology Laboratory of Federal University of Sergipe between 1995 and 2007. The charts of the patients were reviewed in order to find out: gender, age, clinical findings, complementary exams and therapeutic approach. RESULTS: Eighteen cases of mesenteric cysts were found. Females were more affected (72.2 percent). Mean of age of the patients was 30.46. More frequent symptoms were pain and abdominal mass. Ultrasonography of abdomen, performed in all patients, was not conclusive in half of the cases. CTscan of abdomen with contrast was performed in six cases, being cystic tumor well identified in all of them. Regarding histopathology, 6 lymphangiomas, 8 mesotheliomas, 1 hemorrhagic cyst in organization and 1 mucinous cyst were found. Surgical treatment was performed in all cases. Intracystic bleeding was the main complication in 3 cases. CONCLUSION: The mesenteric cysts presented clinically with unspecific symptoms. CTscan was more effective than ultrasonography for the diagnosis. Lymphangiomas and mesothelioma had been found in equal ratios. The complete ressection of the cyst was the treatment of election. There were no deaths in postoperative period.

Nodular leprosy of childhood and tuberculoid leprosy: a comparative, morphologic, immunopathologic and quantitative study of skin tissue reaction.

Nodular leprosy of childhood (NL) is a benign clinical variant of tuberculoid leprosy that affects breast-feeding infants and children that remained in a highly infected environment. The lesions resolve with complete healing and NL has been considered a manifestation of allergy and congenital immunity to Mycobacteria leprae. We studied the tissue reaction, Mycobacterial antigen frequency, and the lymphocyte subsets (CD45RO+, CD4+, CD8+, B, NK), dendritic cells (epidermal CD1a+ cells and S100+ dermal dendrocytes), and macrophages in skin lesions of a clinically well characterized NL group (N = 11). Results were compared to children (N = 23) and adults (N = 24) with classical tuberculoid leprosy. NL lesion histopathology was characterized by dense granulomatous inflammatory reaction, with a greater number of confluent tubercles when compared to the other groups. Neural compromise was seen in all biopsies. The frequency of Mycobacterium antigen was similar in all groups. The population of CD45RO+, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, natural killer cells, B lymphocytes, CD1a+ epidermal cells, and macrophages of NL lesions did not differ from the other groups. The number of S100+ dermal dendritic cells of the NL group was smaller than that of the adult group, although it did not differ from the other group of children. Except for the confluent tubercules, our data could not disclose any other difference in the tissue reaction of NL, in spite of its peculiar clinical features and evolution when compared with the classical tuberculoid leprosy. The localization of NL lesions may be the result of the intimate skin contact with lepromatous parents or relatives, in areas such as cheeks, arms, buttocks, and limbs, and the innoculation of M. leprae into skin may strongly stimulate cell mediated immunity (CMI) against the bacilli. These circumstances might explain the good CMI response leading to high resistance, stability, and auto-resolution of nodular leprosy of childhood.

Ectopic schistosomiasis: description of five cases involving skin, one ovarian case and one adrenal case / Esquistossomose ectópica: descrição de cinco casos de envolvimento da pele, um do ovário e um da glândula supra-renal

Seven cases of patients with ectopic schistosomiasis from the State of Sergipe, Brazil, are presented (five involving skin, one ovarian and one adrenal). Data were collected from surveying the clinical records and anatomopathological reports in the files of the dermatology and pathology clinics of the University Hospital of the Federal University of Sergipe, from 1995 to 2005. The patients' mean age at diagnosis was 21.1 years. In the dermatological cases, full cures were achieved after treatment with oxamniquine. In the ovarian case, there was an association with embryonic carcinoma: this patient underwent surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy and praziquantel treatment, with satisfactory evolution. The adrenal case was associated with adenoma.

São apresentados sete casos de esquistossomose ectópica (cinco de pele, um de ovário e um de supra-renal) procedentes do Estado de Sergipe, coletados a partir de pesquisa de prontuários e laudos anátomo-patológicos nos arquivos dos Serviços de Dermatologia e de Patologia do Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal de Sergipe, entre os anos de 1995 e 2005. A média de idade dos pacientes ao diagnóstico foi de 21,1 anos. Nos casos dermatológicos, houve melhora total das lesões após tratamento com oxamniquine. No caso de ovário houve associação com carcinoma embrionário; a paciente foi submetida à cirurgia com quimioterapia adjuvante e praziquantel, evoluindo satisfatoriamente. O caso de supra-renal estava associado a adenoma.

Toxicidade aguda do extrato aquoso de folhas de Erythrina velutina em animais experimentais / Acute toxicity of the aqueous extract of Erythrina velutina leaves in experimental animals

Este trabalho teve como objetivo a avaliação da toxicidade aguda do extrato aquoso de folhas de Erythrina velutina, espécie vegetal muito usada na medicina popular principalmente como tranqüilizante. O protocolo experimental utilizado seguiu o Guia para a Realização de Estudos de Toxicidade Pré-clínica de Fitoterápicos da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa, 2004). Ratos Wistar adultos foram tratados por via oral com a dose limite de 5 g/kg do extrato e observados por 14 dias consecutivos. Nenhum animal veio a óbito e nenhum sinal de toxicidade foi detectado nas observações comportamentais ou nas autópsias, indicando uma razoável atoxicidade do extrato.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the acute toxicity of the aqueous extract of Erythrina velutina leaves, which is frequently used in folk medicine as a tranquilizer. The experimental design followed the Guide for Preclinical Toxicity Studies of Herbal Medicines from the Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa, 2004). Adult Wistar rats were treated per os with the limit dose of 5g/kg of the extract and then observed for 14 consecutive days. No animals died and no signs of toxicity were detected either during the behavioral observations or at the autopsies, what indicates a reasonable lack of toxicity for the extract.