Learning induces EPO/EPOr expression in memory relevant brain areas, whereas exogenously applied EPO promotes remote memory consolidation.

Memory and learning allow animals to appropriate certain properties of nature with which they can navigate in it successfully. Memory is acquired slowly and consists of two major phases, a fragile early phase (short-term memory, <4 h) and a more robust and long-lasting late one (long-term memory, >4 h). Erythropoietin (EPO) prolongs memory from 24 to 72 h when animals are trained for 5 min in a place recognition task but not when training lasted 3 min (short-term memory). It is not known whether it promotes the formation of remote memory (≥21 days). We address whether the systemic administration of EPO can convert a short-term memory into a long-term remote memory, and the neural plasticity mechanisms involved. We evaluated the effect of training duration (3 or 5 min) on the expression of endogenous EPO and its receptor to shed light on the role of EPO in coordinating mechanisms of neural plasticity using a single-trial spatial learning test. We administered EPO 10 min post-training and evaluated memory after 24 h, 96 h, 15 days, or 21 days. We also determined the effect of EPO administered 10 min after training on the expression of arc and bdnf during retrieval at 24 h and 21 days. Data show that learning induces EPO/EPOr expression increase linked to memory extent, exogenous EPO prolongs memory up to 21 days; and prefrontal cortex bdnf expression at 24 h and in the hippocampus at 21 days, whereas arc expression increases at 21 days in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.

Amygdala stimulation ameliorates memory impairments and promotes c-Fos activity in fimbria-fornix-lesioned rats.

Recently we provided data showing that amygdala stimulation can ameliorate spatial memory impairments in rats with lesion in the fimbria-fornix (FF). The mechanisms for this improvement involve early gene expression and synthesis of BDNF, MAP-2, and GAP43 in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Now we have studied which brain structures are activated by the amygdala using c-Fos as a marker of neural activation. First, we studied neuronal activation after tetanic stimulation to the amygdala in intact rats. We then carried out a second study in FF-lesioned rats in which the amygdala was stimulated 15 min after daily spatial memory training in the water maze. Our results showed that amygdala stimulation produces widespread brain activation, that includes cortical, thalamic, and brain stem structures. Activation was particularly intense in the dentate gyrus and the prefrontal cortex. Training in the water maze increased c-Fos positive nuclei in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and in medial prefrontal cortex. Amygdala stimulation to trained FF-lesioned rats induced an increase of neural activity in the dentate gyrus and medial prefrontal cortex relative to the FF-lesioned, but not stimulated group, like the c-Fos activity seen in trained control rats. Based on these and previous results we explain the mechanisms of amygdala reinforcement of neural plasticity and the partial recovery of spatial memory deficits.

Nurr1, Pitx3, and α7 nAChRs mRNA Expression in Nigral Tissue of Rats with Pedunculopontine Neurotoxic Lesion.

Background and Objectives: The knowledge that the cholinergic neurons from pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) are vulnerable to the degeneration in early stages of the Parkinson disease progression has opened new perspectives to the development of experimental model focused in pontine lesions that could increase the risk of nigral degeneration. In this context it is known that PPN lesioned rats exhibit early changes in the gene expression of proteins responsible for dopaminergic homeostasis. At the same time, it is known that nicotinic cholinergic receptors (nAChRs) mediate the excitatory influence of pontine-nigral projection. However, the effect of PPN injury on the expression of transcription factors that modulate dopaminergic neurotransmission in the adult brain as well as the α7 nAChRs gene expression has not been studied. The main objective of the present work was the study of the effects of the unilateral neurotoxic lesion of PPN in nuclear receptor-related factor 1 (Nurr1), paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 3 (Pitx3), and α7 nAChRs mRNA expression in nigral tissue. Materials and Methods: The molecular biology studies were performed by means of RT-PCR. The following experimental groups were organized: Non-treated rats, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-lesioned rats, and Sham operated rats. Experimental subjects were sacrificed 24 h, 48 h and seven days after PPN lesion. Results: Nurr1 mRNA expression, showed a significant increase both 24 h (p < 0.001) and 48 h (p < 0.01) after PPN injury. Pitx3 mRNA expression evidenced a significant increase 24 h (p < 0.001) followed by a significant decrease 48 h and seven days after PPN lesion (p < 0.01). Finally, the α7 nAChRs nigral mRNA expression remained significantly diminished 24 h, 48 h (p < 0.001), and 7 days (p < 0.01) after PPN neurotoxic injury. Conclusion: Taking together these modifications could represent early warning signals and could be the preamble to nigral neurodegeneration events.

Novelty exposure overcomes foot shock-induced spatial-memory impairment by processes of synaptic-tagging in rats.

Novelty processing can transform short-term into long-term memory. We propose that this memory-reinforcing effect of novelty could be explained by mechanisms outlined in the "synaptic tagging hypothesis." Initial short-term memory is sustained by a transient plasticity change at activated synapses and sets synaptic tags. These tags are later able to capture and process the plasticity-related proteins (PRPs), which are required to transform a short-term synaptic change into a long-term one. Novelty is involved in inducing the synthesis of PRPs [Moncada D, et al. (2011) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 108:12937-12936], which are then captured by the tagged synapses, consolidating memory. In contrast to novelty, stress can impair learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity. Here, we address questions as to whether novelty-induced PRPs are able to prevent the loss of memory caused by stress and if the latter would not interact with the tag-setting process. We used water-maze (WM) training as a spatial learning paradigm to test our hypothesis. Stress was induced by a strong foot shock (FS; 5 × 1 mA, 2 s) applied 5 min after WM training. Our data show that FS reduced long-term but not short-term memory in the WM paradigm. This negative effect on memory consolidation was time- and training-dependent. Interestingly, novelty exposure prevented the stress-induced memory loss of the spatial task and increased BDNF and Arc expression. This rescuing effect was blocked by anisomycin, suggesting that WM-tagged synapses were not reset by FS and were thus able to capture the novelty-induced PRPs, re-establishing FS-impaired long-term memory.

Motor Coordination Disorders Evaluated through the Grid Test and Changes in the Nigral Nrf2 mRNA Expression in Rats with Pedunculopontine Lesion.

Neurotoxic lesion of the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) is known to cause subtle motor dysfunctions. However, motor coordination during advance on a discontinuous and elevated surface has not been studied. It is also not known whether there are changes in the mRNA expression of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) in nigral tissue. METHODS: The effects of the unilateral neurotoxic lesion of the PPN in motor coordination evaluated through grid test and Nrf2 mRNA expression in nigral tissue were evaluated. Two experimental designs (ED) were organized: ED#1 behavioral study (7 and 30 days after PPN lesion) and ED#2 molecular biology study (24 h, 48 h and 7 days) after PPN lesion. RESULTS: ED#1-The number of faults made with left limbs, were significant higher in the lesioned groups (p < 0.01) both 7 and 30 days post-lesion. The number of failures made by the right limbs, was also significantly higher (p < 0.05) vs. control groups. ED#2-Nrf2 mRNA expression showed an increase 24 h after PPN injury (p < 0.01), followed by a peak of expression 48 h post injury (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Disorders of motor coordination associated with PPN injury are bilateral. The increased Nrf2 mRNA expression could represent an adaptive response to oxidative stress in the nigral tissue following pontine injury.

Autologous bone marrow stem cell neurotransplantation in stroke patients. An open study.

PURPOSE: Bone marrow stem cells (BMSC) were transplanted into the perilesional area in five patients bearing sequels of stroke, to evaluate the safety of the procedure and tolerance to the transplanted cells. METHODS: Cells were obtained from bone marrow samples taken from the same patient and stereotactically implanted into the targets, determined using a combination of images, and trans-operative recording of multiunit activity. The cells were implanted in several points along tracts in the perilesional region. RESULTS: No important adverse events derived from surgery or transplant were observed during the one year follow-up period, or detected using a combination of tests and functional measurements applied pre- and post-surgically. In contrast, some improvements were observed regarding the neurological condition of the patients, but the small number of patients in the study does not allow any conclusive statement. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that BMSC can be safely transplanted into the brain of patients, with excellent tolerance and without complications, using the methods described here.

Tyrosine Hydroxylase, Vesicular Monoamine Transporter and Dopamine Transporter mRNA Expression in Nigrostriatal Tissue of Rats with Pedunculopontine Neurotoxic Lesion.

BACKGROUND: The degeneration of the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) precedes the degeneration of the nigral cells in the pre-symptomatic stages of Parkinson's disease (PD). Although the literature recognizes that a lesion of the PPN increases the vulnerability of dopaminergic cells, it is unknown if this risk is associated with the loss of capability of handling the dopaminergic function. METHODS: In this paper, the effects of a unilateral neurotoxic lesion of the PPN in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) and dopamine transporter (DAT) mRNA expression in nigrostriatal tissue were evaluated. Three experimental groups were organized: non-treated rats, NMDA-lesioned rats and Sham-operated rats. RESULTS: Seven days after the PPN lesion, in nigral tissue, TH mRNA expression was higher in comparison with control groups (p < 0.05); in contrast, VMAT2 mRNA expression showed a significant decrease (p < 0.01). DAT mRNA expression showed a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in the striatal tissue. Comparing nigral neuronal density of injured and control rats revealed no significant difference seven days post-PPN injury. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that the PPN lesion modifies the mRNA expression of the proteins associated with dopaminergic homeostasis at nigrostriatal level. It could represent vulnerability signals for nigral dopaminergic cells and further increase the risk of degeneration of these cells.

Rotating and Neurochemical Activity of Rats Lesioned with Quinolinic Acid and Transplanted with Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells.

Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited, neurodegenerative disorder that results from the degeneration of striatal neurons, mainly GABAergic neurons. The study of neurochemical activity has provided reliable markers to explain motor disorders. To treat neurodegenerative diseases, stem cell transplants with bone marrow (BM) have been performed for several decades. In this work we determine the effect of mononuclear bone marrow cell (mBMC) transplantation on the rotational behavior and neurochemical activity in a model of Huntington's disease in rats. Four experimental groups were organized: Group I: Control animals (n = 5); Group II: Lesion with quinolinic acid (QA) in the striatum (n = 5); Group III: Lesion with QA and transplant with mBMC (n = 5); Group IV: Lesion with QA and transplant with culture medium (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) injection) (n = 5). The rotational activity induced by D-amphetamine was evaluated and the concentration of the neurotransmitter amino acids (glutamate and GABA) was studied. The striatal cell transplantation decreases the rotations induced by D-amphetamine (p < 0.04, Wilcoxon matched pairs test) and improves the changes produced in the levels of neurotransmitters studied. This work suggests that the loss of GABAergic neurons in the brain of rats lesioned with AQ produces behavioral and neurochemical alterations that can be reversed with the use of bone marrow mononuclear cell transplants.

Motor dysfunction and alterations in glutathione concentration, cholinesterase activity, and BDNF expression in substantia nigra pars compacta in rats with pedunculopontine lesion.

Pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) has been considered a critically important region in the regulation of some of the physiological functions that fail during the progression of Parkinson's disease (PD). In this paper, the effects of unilateral neurotoxic lesion of the PPN [through the injection of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) solution (concentration: 0.1M; volume: 0.5µL)] in motor execution and gait disorders and the changes in cellular and molecular indicators in rat nigral tissue were evaluated. The motor execution was assessed using the beam test (BT) and the gait disorders by footprint test. Glutathione (GSH) concentrations, acetyl cholinesterase enzymatic activity (AChE EA), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA expression in nigral tissue were analyzed. NMDA-lesioned rats showed fine motor dysfunction with a significant increase in the slow (p≤0.01) and fast movement (p≤0.01) time and in path deviation (p≤0.01) on the smaller diameter beams. Moreover, NMDA-lesioned rats exhibited an imprecise path with moments of advances and setbacks, alternating with left and right deviations, suspensions, and inverted positions. Footprint test revealed slight gait disorders, which were manifested by a reduction in the left and right stride lengths, the intra-step distance, and the support area (p≤0.01). Biochemical studies showed that 48h after the PPN neurotoxic injury, the GSH concentrations and BDNF expression were significantly increased (p≤0.01). These variables returned to normal values 7days after the PPN lesion; the AChE EA showed a significant increase at this time. These functional changes in nigral tissue could be a plastic responses associated with early PD.

Erythropoietin Promotes Neural Plasticity and Spatial Memory Recovery in Fimbria-Fornix-Lesioned Rats.

BACKGROUND: Erythropoietin (EPO) upregulates the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, a central signaling pathway in cellular plastic mechanisms, and is critical for normal brain development. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that EPO could modulate the plasticity mechanisms supporting spatial memory recovery in fimbria-fornix-transected animals. METHODS: Fimbria-fornix was transected in 3 groups of rats. Seven days later, EPO was injected daily for 4 consecutive days within 10 minutes after training on a water maze task. RESULTS: Our results show that EPO injections 10 minutes after training produced a substantial spatial memory recovery in fimbria-fornix-lesioned animals. In contrast, an EPO injection shortly after fimbria-fornix lesion surgery does not promote spatial-memory recovery. Neither does daily EPO injection 5 hours after the water maze performance. EPO, on the other hand, induced the expression of plasticity-related genes like arc and bdnf, but this effect was independent of training or lesion. CONCLUSIONS: This finding supports our working hypothesis that EPO can modulate transient neuroplastic mechanisms triggered by training in lesioned animals. Consequently, we propose that EPO administration can be a useful trophic factor to promote neural restoration when given in combination with training.

Establecimiento de las condiciones para el trasplante de células de médula ósea en un modelo de enfermedad de Huntington y su efecto funcional a través de la conducta motora / Establishment of the conditions for the bone marrow cells transplants in a model of Huntington´s disease and functional effect on the motor behavior

La enfermedad de Huntington (EH) es un trastorno degenerativo hereditario que afecta a personas con predisposición genética. No existe hasta hoy un tratamiento efectivo; la enfermedad avanza lentamente y el paciente termina en incapacidad o muerte después de 15 o 20 años. Los estudios relacionados con el tratamiento de las manifestaciones clínicas que aparecen en la enfermedad, incluyen tratamientos medicamentosos y el uso de trasplante de células. En la actualidad se conoce que es posible reproducir algunas características de la enfermedad en modelos experimentales para ensayar posibles terapéuticas (ej. el modelo de lesión estriatal por inyección de ácido quinolínico; [AQ]). No se conoce el efecto restaurativo de las células de médula ósea (CMO) en este modelo. Objetivos: 1) Caracterizar morfológicamente la lesión por inyección intraestriatal de AQ. 2) Caracterizar inmunocitoquímicamente las CMO. 3) Evaluar la concentración óptima de CMO para el trasplante en el modelo y 4) Evaluar el estado funcional del trasplante de CMO, a través de la conducta motora.

Huntington Disease (HD) is a heritable neurodegenerative disease that affects people with genetic history. Until today, an effective treatment doesn't exist; the illness advances slowly and the patient finishes in inability or death after 15 or 20 years. The studies related with the treatment of the clinical manifestations, include treatments with medications and the use of cells transplant. At the present time it is known that it is possible to reproduce, some characteristics of the disease in experimental models for to use possible therapies [example: estriatal lesion of quinolínico acid; (QA)]. the restorative effect of the bone marrow cells (BMC) is not known in this model. Objectives. 1) characterizationmorphofological of the estriatal lesion whith QA. 2) to characterization immunochemical of BMC. 3) to evaluate the BMC concentration for the transplant and 4) to evaluate the functional state of BMC transplant, through the motor behavior.

Enfermedad de hnntington: modelos experimentales y perspectivas terapéuticas / Huntington'disease: Experimentals Models and Therapeutic Perspectives

La enfermedad de Huntington (EH) es un trastorno degenerativo de Weiss de origen hereditario. Hasta el momento no existe un tratamiento efectivo para la enfermedad que inexorablemente después de transcurridos 15 a 20 años, evoluciona hacia incapacidad total o muerte. En este trabajo se revisan las características clínicas y morfológicas de la EH y los modelos experimentales más utilizados para su estudio tomando como fuente, artículos indexados en la base de datos Medline publicados en los últimos 20 años. Se valoran las ventajas y desventajas de estos modelos y su perspectiva para el desarrollo de ensayos clínicos. El consenso de lo reportado plantea que de los modelos tóxicos, los inducidos por neurotoxinas tales como ácido quinolínico parecen ser los más adecuados para reproducir las características neuropatológicas, y por otro lado los modelos genéticos contribuyen con más evidencias al conocimiento del origen etiológico de la enfermedad. Numerosos tratamientos han sido aplicados en el manejo de las manifestaciones clínicas que aparecen en EH, sin poder detener o disminuir las afectaciones que derivan de la pérdida neuronal. La sintomatología clínica ha sido posible reproducirla, al menos en parte, en animales de experimentación lo que ha permitido realizar ensayos terapéuticos. Desde el punto de vista de tratamiento, lo que más promisorio parece ser, la terapia celular con células provenientes de diferentes fuentes y dentro de ellas las no neurales, que implican menor censura ética y mayor factibilidad de obtención para la aplicación en los enfermos. Por otro lado el desarrollo de la tecnología del ARN de interferencia, emerge como una herramienta terapéutica potencial para el tratamiento de EH, así como para responder interrogantes básicas relacionadas con el desarrollo de la enfermedad.

Huntington'disease (HD) is a degenerative dysfunction of hereditary origin. Up to date there is not, an effective treatment to the disease which having lapsed 15 or 20 years advances inexorably, in a slow form, toward the total inability or death. This paper reviews the clinical and morphological characteristics of Huntington's disease as well as the experimental models more commonly used t study this disease, having as source the articles indexed in Medline data base, published in the last 20 years. Advantages and disadvantages of all experimental models to reproduce the disease as well as the perspectives to therapeutic assay have been also considered. The consent of outline reported about the toxic models, those induced by neurotoxins such as quinolinic acid, appears to be the most appropiate to reproduce the neuropathologic characteristic of the disease, an genetic models contributing with more evidence to the knowledge of the disease ethiology. Numerous treatments ameliorate clinical manifestations, but none of them has been able to stop or diminish the affectations derived from neuronal loss. At present time it is possible to reproduce, at least partially, the characteristics of the disease in experimentation animals that allow therapy evaluation in HD. From the treatment view point, the more promissory seems to be transplantation of no neuronal cells, taking into account ethical issues and factibility. On the other hand the new technology of interference RNA, emerges as a potential therapeutic tool for treatment in HD, and to respond basic questions on the development of the disease.

Vacunas de ácidos nucleicos y Trypanosoma cruzi / Nucleic acid vaccines and Trypanosoma cruzi

Las vacunas de ácidos nucleicos tienen la capacidad de estimular respuestas inmunes protectoras a nivel humoral y celular; estimulando tanto poblaciones de linfocitos TCD4+ cooperadores como citotóxicos TCD8+ después de una dosis única, sin emplear adyuvantes, de una forma duradera y persistiendo por largos períodos de tiempo en el huésped sin integrarse al genoma. La aparente persistencia de la expresión de antígenos de dichas vacunas parece permitir su uso en diferentes enfermedades infecciosas entre otras. Esto hace de esta tecnología, una herramienta poderosísima en el estudio de los diferentes genes involucrados en la protección. El desarrollo de vacunas profilácticas y terapéuticas frente a los parásitos y entre ellos T. cruzi, continúa siendo un reto para los investigadores de todo el mundo; dado que aún no existe una vacuna eficaz contra este parásito. El desarrollo de candidatos vacunales contra éste, a través de la caracterización de genes que codifican antígenos que estimulan inmunidad protectora, y su transferencia a vectores establecidos no ha sido posible, pues la caracterización de genes que codifican proteínas antigénicas es una tarea aún en desarrollo

Evaluación de la autoinmunidad en ratones BALB/c inmunizados con una biblioteca genómica de expresión de Trypanosoma cruzi / Evaluation of autoimmunuty in Balb/c mice immunized with a genomic library of expression of Trypanosoma cruzi

Uno de los problemas de la seguridad para las vacunas de ADN es la inducción de fenómenos de autoinmunidad. Nosotros examinamos el efecto de la inmunización con ácidos nucleicos de Trypanosoma cruzi en la inducción de diferentes autoanticuerpos en ratones de Balb/c. Los animales fueron divididos en cinco grupos: los primeros cuatro recibieron diferentes esquemas: 25 µg de la biblioteca genómica de expresión (grupo L), 25 µg de antígenos solubles de T. cruzi (grupo T), 25 µg del plásmido pcDNA3 (grupo P), 25 µg de genómica ADN de T. cruzi (grupo G) y un grupo control de animales no inmunizados. Los anticuerpos antinucleares y anticuerpos contra músculo cardíaco fueron evaluados por immunofluorescencia indirecta y los anticuerpos anti ADN de doble, simple cadena y el anti IgG factor reumatoideo fueron determinados semanalmente por ELISA. La vacunación no provocó la inducción de anticuerpos anti ADN de doble o simple cadena, anticuerpos antinucleares ni contra músculo cardíaco. Se observó un aumento transitorio del Factor Reumatoideo IgG en los ratones inmunizados con la biblioteca genómica de expresión de T. cruzi. Nuestros hallazgos sugieren que la inducción de respuestas autoinmunes frente al ADN utilizado en la inmunización es poco probable

Prevalencia de infeccion toxoplasmica en gestantes de la provincia la Habana / Prevalence of toxoplasma infection in pregnant women in La Habana, Cuba

Se realizo um estudio seroepidemiologico de Toxoplasma gondii en cuatro Municipios de la Provincia La Habana en el periodo compreendido entre el mes de Octubre de 1990 y Abril de 1991, utilizando una tecnica de ultramicro ELISA de 10 uL. Se examinaron um total de 362 muestras de mujeres embarazadas y se obtuvo una prevalencia de infeccion de 71,0 por cento. La infeccion toxoplasmica fue mas frecuente en las embarazadas que residian en zona rural y convivian con gatos. Se estudio la relacion entre la infeccion toxoplasmica y el anteedente de abortos espontaneos sin encontrar diferencias estadisticamente significativas.

Proteasa dependiente de cisteína en Trypanosoma cruzi útil en el diagnóstico de la enfermedad de Chagas / Cysteine-dependent protease in trypanosoma cruzi useful for the diagnosis of Chagas disease

Se normalizó un sistema inmunoenzimático en fase sólida para la detección de anticuerpos IgG en suero de pacientes chagásicos crónicos, se utilizó como antígeno una proteasa de Trypanosoma cruzi (GP57/51kDa). para el cálculo de sensibilidad, especificidad y valores predictivos del procedimiento, se tomaron como referencias los resultados obtenidos por serología convencional (SC), inmunofluorescencia indirecta (IFI), hemaglutinación indirecta (HAI) y lisis mediada por complemento (LMC) para la detección de anticuerpos anti-Trypanosoma cruzi en el suero. Excepto 1, las muestras positivas por estas técnicas también lo resultaron por nuestro método. Estos resultados apoyan la utilización de GP 57/51 en el serodiagnóstico de la enfermedad de Chagas

Enzymeba, Procedimiento eficaz para estudiar la prevalencia de infección intestinal por entamoeba histolytica / ENZYMEBA: an effective method for analzing the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica intestinal infection

Por la unidad epidemiológica que tiene el desarrollo de procedimientos que permitan estudios confiables de prevalencia de amebiosis intestinal se estudió la eficacia de ENZYMEBA, ensayo inmunoenzimático para la detección en heces de Entamoeba histolytica. ENZYMEBA, mediante el empleo de una sola muestra por individuo participante en el estudio, demostró infección por E. histolytica en 27 de los 686 casos estudiados. La observación microscópica de heces sólo igualó los resultados de ENZYMEBA cuando fueron analizados los resultados de ambos procedimientos sobre 3 muestras de cada uno de los individuos en el estudio. Por su alta sensibilidad, requerir de una sola muestra por persona encuestada y ser un inmunoensayo realizable en condiciones mínimas de laboratorio, consideramos que ENZYMEBA es una herramienta muy útil para estudios de prevalencia de amebiosis intestinal

Construcción de una biblioteca genómica de Leishmania amazonensis y su expresión en músculo de ratones BALB/c / Building of a genomic library of Leishmania amazonensis and its expression in BALB/c miceïs muscle

Se construyó una biblioteca genómica de Leishmania amazonensis mediante el vector pcDNA3, con promotor de expresión en células eucariotas, con el objetivo de contribuir a la aplicación de la tecnología de inmunización con ácidos nucleicos en la leishmaniosis. Para demostrar la expresión de la genoteca en el músculo de ratones inmunizados con esta, se realizó la técnica de inmunofluorescencia indirecta. Como anticuerpo primario se utilizó una mezcla de sueros con alto título antileishmania, de una zona donde predomina la infección con L. braziliensis. Se obtuvo una biblioteca con 80 porciento de clones recombinantes. Se demostró la expresión de determinantes antigénicos en el músculo de ratones BALB/c inmunizados, según resultados de la inmunofluorescencia

Evaluación de la respuesta inmune humoral por western blot en ratones inmunizados con una biblioteca genómica de expresión de Trypanosoma cruzi / Evaluation of the humoral immune response by Western Blot test in mice immunized with expression genomic library of Trypanosoma cruzi

Se construyó una biblioteca genómica de expresión de Trypanosoma cruzi con la utilización como vector el plásmido pcDNA3, con la cual se inmunizaron ratones de la línea isogénica BALB/c por vía intramuscular. Se empleó un grupo control positivo al que se le administraron antígenos solubles de T. cruzi y otro grupo que recibió el plásmido utilizado para la construcción de la biblioteca genómica; un grupo no recibió inmunización. A todos los animales se les extrajo sangre del plexo retrorbital 2 semanas posteriores a la tercera inmunización, para estudiar la respuesta de anticuerpos específicos contra los antígenos solubles del parásito mediante la técnica de western blot. Se obtuvo una respuesta de anticuerpos en los animales inmunizados con la biblioteca genómica de expresión y con antígenos solubles del parásito

Infección urinaria nosocomial en el paciente con vejiga neurogénica / Nosocomial urinary infection in patients with neurogenic bladder

En la clínica de atención a pacientes lesionados medulares espinales (LME), las infecciones del tractus urinario (ITU) alcanzan una alta incidencia y prevalencia como consecuencia de múltiples factores de riesgo asociados a la vejiga neurogénica. Objetivos: Este estudio tiene como objetivo describir las formas clínicas de presentación de las ITU en pacientes con LME así como el comportamiento microbiológico y epidemiológico de las mismas. Pacientes y Método: Realizamos un estudio descriptivo, de tipo retrospectivo a 28 pacientes con LME, que se encontraban hospitalizados para evaluación y tratamiento neuro-restaurativo. A los mismos se les realizaron estudios clínicos (imagenológicos, cultivo de orina, vaginal y uretral) para definir posibles factores de riesgo para la infección. Resultados: La bacteriuria sintomática recurrente fue la forma más frecuente de presentación. Los gérmenes aislados fueron: Escherichia coli en el 60% de los aislamientos, seguido por Proteus mirabilis en el 14%, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus coagulasa negativa y Enterococcus faecalis, 11%. La sensibilidad a los aminoglucósidos se mantiene alta, aunque se observa una creciente resistencia a las Sulfas (>70%) y a las quinolonas (>45%) además, de reportarse un incremento de uropatógenos multirresistentes. Conclusiones: Existen particularidades clínicas de las ITU en pacientes con vejiga neurogénica, que necesitan adecuadas estrategias para el manejo clínico, microbiológico y epidemiológico de las mismas.