[Phagocytes rate and cellular viability of the monocytes in patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni who underwent splenectomy and auto-implantation of spleen tissue]. / Fagocitose e viabilidade monocitária de pacientes com esquistossomose mansônica na forma hepatoesplênica submetidos à esplenectomia e ao auto-implante esplênico.

Mansonic schistosomiasis remains a medical-social issue in Northeastern Brazil. In children, surgical treatment includes splenectomy and spleen autoimplantation. This procedure reduces post-splenectomy sepsis. The aim of this study was to analyze the phagocyte rate and the cellular viability of monocytes in patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis, who underwent splenectomy and spleen autoimplantation from 1991 to 2001. Of the 22 individuals analyzed, 11 were patients who underwent splenectomy and spleen autoimplantation (Study group) and 11 were healthy individuals from the same region (Control group). Both groups presented similar mean age. No difference was found in the phagocyte rate between the control group (36.1%+/-4.9%) and study group (33.5%+/-5.7%). However, phagocyte viability after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide was higher (94%) in control group, when compared to the study group (65%), p<0.001. It is possible to hypothesize that monocytes from the study group patients presented a reduced response to the microorganism challenge, in the face of a harmful and long-lasting stimulus.

Differential effects on somatic and reflex development by chronic clomipramine treatment.

The developmental effect of altered 5-HT and NE levels is a subject that requires more attention, especially when considering the increased demand for antidepressive dual reuptake inhibitors. Serotonin and norepinephrine are bioamines that differentially influence the nervous tissue growth. This study investigated the somatic maturation and the ontogeny of reflexes in neonate rats treated from the 1st to the 21st postnatal day (PND) with clomipramine (20 mg/kg sc, daily), a potent monoamine reuptake inhibitor. Indicators of both general body growth (body weight, axis of the head and body lengths) and physical maturation (ear unfolding, auditory conduit opening, eruption of the lower incisors and eye opening) were appraised. Ontogeny of motor and sensory reflexes (righting, free-fall righting--acceleration, negative geotaxis, cliff avoidance, auditory startle response and vibrissa placing) was also observed. The results demonstrated that chronic neonatal treatment with clomipramine alters the somatic growth. However, it did not interfere with the onset time of many physical features and reflexes. These results provide insights into the consequences of dual transmitter during early development.