Epidemiological study of paracoccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis in a suburb of San Félix city, Bolívar state, Venezuela.

Epidemiologic studies of deep mycosis have been scarce in Bolivar state, where paracoccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis are considered as endemic diseases. The aim of this study was to determine paracoccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis prevalences in people from a suburb of San Féix, Bolívar state, Venezuela. Three-hundred volunteers agreed to participate in this study and they were inoculated with paracoccidioidine and histoplasmine. Identification and epidemiologic data were registered. Reading of skin tests after 24 hours was performed in 275 persons. Paracoccidioidine test was positive in 10.2% (n=28). A higher percentage of positive reactions in the age group of 40-50 years old (n=10; 35.7%) was observed. Bricklayers, farmers and miners were positive in 27.3% (3 out of 11), a higher percentage than in people with other occupations. Histoplasmine test was positive in 7.6% of cases (n=21). The higher percentage of reactivity was observed in the age group of 40-50 years old (n=9; 42.9%). There was a direct proportional relationship between staying time in the locality and H. capsulatum infection mainly in persons staying in the area for more than 30 years (p < 0.05). These results showed low prevalences of P. brasiliensis and H. capsulatum infection in this area.

Epidemiological study of paracoccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis in a suburb of San Félix city Bolívar state Venezuela

Epidemiologic studies of deep mycosis have been scarce in Bolívar state, where paracoccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis are considered as endemic diseases. The aim of this study was to determine paracoccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis prevalences in people from a suburb of San Félix, Bolívar state, Venezuela. Three-hundred volunteers agreed to participate in this study and they were inoculated with paracoccidioidine and histoplasmine. Identification and epidemiologic data were registered. Reading of skin tests after 24 hours was performed in 275 persons. Paracoccidioidine test was positive in 10.2% (n=28). A higher percentage of positive reactions in the age group of 40-50 years old (n=10; 35.7%) was observed. Bricklayers, farmers and miners were positive in 27.3% (3 out of 11), a higher percentage than in people with other occupations. Histoplasmine test was positive in 7.6 percent of cases (n= 21). The higher percentage of reactivity was observed in the age group of 40-50 years old (n=9; 42.9%). There was a direct proportional relationship between staying time in the locality and H. capsulatum infection mainly in persons staying in the area for more than 30 years (p<0.05). These results showed low prevalences of P. brasiliensis and H. capsulatum infection in this area.

El estudio epidemiológico de las micosis profundas ha sido escaso en el estado Bolívar donde la paracoccidioidomicosis e histoplasmosis son endémicas. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la prevalencia de infecciones por Paracoccidioides brasiliensis e Histoplasma capsulatum en individuos residenciados en una población suburbana de San Félix, estado Bolívar, Venezuela. Se administró paracoccidioidina e histoplasmina a 300 personas voluntarias. Se realizó lectura de las pruebas a las 24 horas. La paracoccidioidina fue positiva en el 10,2% (n=28). Se observó mayor porcentaje de positividad en el grupo de 40-50 años (n=10; 35,7%). Las ocupaciones de riesgo: albañiles, agricultores y mineros, presentaron un porcentaje de positividad de 27,3% (3 de 11), mayor que el de los individuos sin riesgo aparente: mecánicos, oficios del hogar y estudiantes (25 de 264; 9,5 %) (p=0,04). La histoplasmina fue positiva en el 7,6% (n=21). El mayor porcentaje de intradermorreacción positiva se observó entre los 40-50 años (n=9; 42,9%). Hubo relación significativa entre el tiempo de residencia en la localidad y la infección por H. capsulatum, demostrándose en los individuos con más de 30 años en esa localidad (p<0,05). Estos resultados muestran una prevalencia relativamente baja de infecciones por P. brasiliensis y de H. capsulatum en el área estudiada.

Modifications in rat testicular morphology and increases in IFN-gamma serum levels by the oral administration of subtoxic doses of mercuric chloride.

Mercury induces structural and functional damage in several organs, however the effects of subtoxic doses of the metal on the male reproductive system are not well defined. In order to analyze testicular and epididymal morphological alterations and changes in IL-4 or IFN-gamma serum levels, adult male Sprague-Dawley rats received 0.01, 0.05 or 0.1 microg/ml of mercuric chloride (HgCl(2)) in deionized water for 1 to 7 months by oral route. Controls received deionized water alone. Twenty rats, separated in four groups of five animals each, were used per time of exposure. Progressive degenerative lesions consisting of lack of germ cell cohesion and desquamation, arrest at spermatocyte stage and hypospermatogenesis were observed in seminiferous epithelium by light and electron microscopy. Leydig cells showed cytoplasmic vacuolation and nuclear signs of cell death. Loss of peritubular cell aggregation was evidenced in the epididymis. Mercury accumulation was detected in both organs by mass spectroscopy. Rats showed enhanced IFN-gamma serum levels as compared to controls but only reached significance after 7 months of mercury administration. Subtoxic doses of inorganic mercury could lead to reproductive and immunological alterations. The results demonstrate that sublethal concentrations of mercuric chloride are enough to induce morphological and ultrastructural modifications in male reproductive organs. These contribute to functional alterations of spermatogenesis with arrest at spermatocyte stage, hypospermatogenesis and possibly impaired steroidogenesis which together could affect male fertility.

Histoplasmine and paracoccidiodine epidemiological study in Upata, Bolívar state, Venezuela.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of histoplasmosis and paracoccidiomycosis in Upata, a city in Bolivar state, Venezuela. METHODS: Cutaneous tests on 397 volunteers, 204 with histoplasmine and 193 with paracoccidioidine. Epidemiological data were collected in a protocol sheet. Readings were performed at 24 and 48 h post-injection, by the same observer, and a positive reaction was defined as hardened papule of 5 mm or more. RESULTS: Histoplasmine tests were positive in 19.6% and 34.0% at 24 and 48 h after antigens injection with a significant increase of reactivity (P=0.0019). Paracoccidiodine tests were positive in 11.3% and 19.7% at 24 and 48 h respectively and this difference was also significant (P=0.004). Risk factors which could explain these levels of reactivity could not be clearly identified. Cultures and animal inoculation from soil samples for fungus isolation were negative. CONCLUSIONS: Paracoccidioidomycoses and histoplasmosis are endemic in Upata.

Epidemiological survey of histoplasmine and paracoccidioidine skin reactivity in an agricultural area in Bolívar state, Venezuela.

Paracoccidiodomycosis and histoplasmosis are endemic diseases in the south of Venezuela, representing a public health problem. Prevalence of Paracoccidiodes brasiliensis and Histoplasma capsulatum infections were estimated in Monte Ralo, a rural community area of Bolivar state using paracoccidiodine and histoplasmine skin tests. Paracoccidiodine was intradermically injected to 173 persons and readings were made at 24 and 48 h afterwards to 167 persons (97.85%). Reaction was positive in 8.5% (n = 14) at 24 h post-injection and 13.2% (n = 20) at 48 h. Farmers showed the higher percentage of positivity at 24 and 48 h. One hundred-seventy five persons were intradermically injected with histoplasmine but 167 and 157 of them attended for reading of the dermal reaction at 24 and 48 h post-injection respectively. Tests were positive in 25.7% (n = 43) at 24 h and 42.7% (n = 67) at 48 h. Further studies are needed in surrounding places to delimit the endemic area of these mycosis in the Bolivar state. However, epidemiological vigilance of PCM and H should be considered by local health authorities.

[Vulvovaginitis caused by Candida spp. and Trichomonas vaginalis in sexually active women]. / Vulvovaginitis por Candida spp. y Trichomonas vaginalis en mujeres sexualmente activas.

Vulvovaginitis accounts for 20 to 30% of gynecological diseases and it is observed in women from 20 to 30 years of age. It has a higher frequency in women using oral contraceptives and during the third trimester of pregnancy. The aim of this research was to assess the prevalence of Candida spp and Trichomonas vaginalis in patients with the diagnosis of vulvovaginitis from the Gynecology Service in Hospital Universitario "Ruiz y Páez" in Ciudad Bolívar and Hospital "Raúl Leoni" in San Félix (Bolívar State, Venezuela). Two hundred women with symptoms of vulvovaginitis were examined, and samples were taken from the uterocervical cul-de-sac. Each patient was asked to fill a questionnaire. The following studies were made in each sample: a) fresh wet mount examination, b) orange acridine and Giemsa stains for Trichomonas and c) culture for the identification of yeasts. The latter were identified by means of the germinal tube assay, resistance to actidione and the presence of clamidospores in rice-cream agar and sugar utilization test, using the commercial kit ID32C (BioMérieux). Only in 57 women of 200 patients with vulvovaginitis the causative agent was demonstrated; Candida spp was present in 84.2% (n = 48) and Trichomonas vaginalis in 14% (n = 8). A single case of Zygosaccharomyces spp (1.8%) was detected. The age group mainly affected was that of 25-35 years old, the 38.6% of the studied population. Candida species detected were: C. albicans in 87% of cases (n = 42), C. glabrata, in 10.42% (n = 5), and C. guillermondii, in 2.08 (n = 1). Vaginal flux, vulvar pruritus and leucorrhoea were observed in significant number of patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis. The use of antibiotics was considered predisposing factor for Trichomonas vaginalis infection. The relationship between age and the etiological agent was not statistically significant. Due to the low specificity of clinical manifestations of infections caused by Candida spp and Trichomonas vaginalis, we conclude that performing the etiologic diagnosis of vulvovaginitis is necessary in order to take the appropriate therapeutic and preventive measures, specially in those patients with a recurrent disease.

Vulvovaginitis por Candida spp. y Trichomonas vaginalis en mujeres sexualmente activas / Vulvovaginitis caused by Candida spp. and Trichomonas vaginalis in sexually active women

Vulvovaginitis accounts for 20 to 30 of gynecological diseases and it is observed in women from 20 to 30 years of age. It has a higher frequency in women using oral contraceptives and during the third trimester of pregnancy. The aim of this research was to assess the prevalence of Candida spp and Trichomonas vaginalis in patients with the diagnosis of vulvovaginitis from the Gynecology Service in Hospital Universitario "Ruiz y Pßez" in Ciudad BolÝvar and Hospital "Raúl Leoni" in San FÚlix (BolÝvar State, Venezuela). Two hundred women with symptoms of vulvovaginitis were examined, and samples were taken from the uterocervical cul-de-sac. Each patient was asked to fill a questionnaire. The following studies were made in each sample: a) fresh wet mount examination, b) orange acridine and Giemsa stains for Trichomonas and c) culture for the identification of yeasts. The latter were identified by means of the germinal tube assay, resistance to actidione and the presence of clamidospores in rice-cream agar and sugar utilization test, using the commercial kit ID32C (BioMÚrieux). Only in 57 women of 200 patients with vulvovaginitis the causative agent was demonstrated; Candida spp was present in 84.2 (n = 48) and Trichomonas vaginalis in 14 (n = 8). A single case of Zygosaccharomyces spp (1.8) was detected. The age group mainly affected was that of 25-35 years old, the 38.6 of the studied population. Candida species detected were: C. albicans in 87 of cases (n = 42), C. glabrata, in 10.42 (n = 5), and C. guillermondii, in 2.08 (n = 1). Vaginal flux, vulvar pruritus and leucorrhoea were observed in significant number of patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis. The use of antibiotics was considered predisposing factor for Trichomonas vaginalis infection. The relationship between age and the etiological agent was not statistically significant. Due to the low specificity of clinical manifestations of infections caused by Candida spp and Trichomonas vaginalis, we conclude that performing the etiologic diagnosis of vulvovaginitis is necessary in order to take the appropriate therapeutic and preventive measures, specially in those patients with a recurrent disease.