Primeiro relato de Hysterothylacium deardorffoverstreetorum (Raphidascarididae) em bijupirá de criação, Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus 1766), no Brasil / First report of Hysterothylacium deardorffoverstreetorum (Raphidascarididae) in cobia (Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus 1766) farming in Brazil

O objetivo do presente estudo foi registrar a ocorrência de larva de nematoide da família Raphidascarididae, Hysterothylacium deardorffoverstreetorum, em bijupirá Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus, 1766), criado e alimentado com ração e "trashfish" em fazendas marinhas localizadas no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, alertando para possíveis riscos zoonóticos ao se usar esse tipo de alimentação para criação de peixes. Foram necropsiados 15 animais. Os parasitas encontrados foram coletados, fixados e, posteriormente, conservados em álcool a 70°GL, clarificados e identificados. Em todos os animais necropsiados, apenas um espécime estava parasitado com uma larva de Hysterothylacium deardorffoverstreetorum na serosa do fígado do peixe e conclui-se que a presença desse parasita em bijupirá de criação alimentado por "trashfish pode estar associada à alimentação, indicando, assim, um potencial risco zoonótico.(AU)

The aim of this study was to record the occurrence of nematode larvae of the Raphidascarididae family, Hysterothylacium deardorffoverstreetorum in cobia Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus, 1766) grown and fed with trashfish in marine farms located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, warning regarding possible zoonotic risk using this type of food for fish. Fifteen animals were necropsied. Parasites found were collected, fixed and later preserved in alcohol 70°GL, clarified and identified. In all animals necropsied, only one specimen was infested with a Hysterothylacium deardorffoverstreetorum larvae in the serosa of fish liver. It is concluded that the presence of the parasite in cobia culture fed with trashfish may be associated with a potential zoonotic risk.(AU)

Comparison of pregnancy characteristics and outcomes between HIV-infected and HIV-non-infected women in Brazil.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the characteristics of pregnant women whether they are HIV infected or not and their prenatal care. It is a cross-sectional study. HIV-infected women were derived from a cohort study of all HIV-infected pregnant women followed from 1995 to 2005, at the Instituto de Puericultura e Pediatria Martagão Gesteira - Rio de Janeiro. HIV-non-infected women were derived from a random sample of all pregnant women who gave birth at Rio de Janeiro municipality between 1999 and 2001. All relevant sociodemographic, clinical, and pregnancy outcomes data were retrieved from both studies. To evaluate the prenatal care, we calculated the Kotelchuck Modified Index (KMI). The index is based on the months of initiation of prenatal care and the proportion of visits observed in each trimester, according to gestational age at birth. Comparisons were performed using Student t- and chi-square tests. Variables with p-value < 0.25 were included in an unconditional logistic regression model. There were 713 HIV-infected women and 2145 HIV-non-infected women. Variables independently associated with HIV status were: inadequate KMI (OR=4.08, 95% CI=3.17-5.24); lower educational level (OR=1.32, 95% CI=1.04-1.68); does not live with a partner (OR=3.54, 95% CI=2.66-4.64); lower family income (OR=4.71, 95% CI=3.62-6.14); tobacco use (OR=2.17, 95% CI=1.63-2.88); and hypertension (OR=1.47, 95% CI=1.01-2.17). Prematurity was not independently associated with HIV status. Although in Brazil, the HIV care is free of charge, pregnant women are still having difficulty to reach the specialized care. Better access to care must be offered to this population and studies of prematurity in the HIV-infected women must evaluate their prenatal care.

Cellular and humoral immune responses of a patient with American cutaneous leishmaniasis and AIDS.

The lymphocyte responsiveness to leishmanial antigens and its influence on the course of cutaneous leishmaniasis was studied in a patient with AIDS-associated American cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania braziliensis. The patient had cutaneous disseminated erythematous papules or nodules and mucosal lesions as well as moniliasis and weight loss. The patient had a poor delayed-type hypersensitivity to leishmanial antigens, showing 3 mm of induration. The cellular immune responses were studied in vitro by lymphocyte proliferative assays induced by leishmanial antigens and concanavalin A. The T cell phenotypes were analysed by flow cytometry. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells before proliferation showed an inversion of the CD4/CD8 ratio (0.28:1). The lymphoproliferative responses to antigen and mitogen were very low (indices < 2.5). The blast-like cell phenotypes after antigen stimulation in culture were: CD3+ 44.8%, CD4+ 7.53% and CD8+ 17.45%. In AIDS patients the decrease in the pool of CD4+ cells, and consequent diminution of the CD4/CD8 ratio, produced by HIV infection provokes a generalized immune depression. The patient's disseminated clinical picture was probably related to the inability of his T cell-mediated immune responses to control the spread of Leishmania infection.