Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors and differentiated thyroid cancer: do metabolic and inflammatory risk factors play roles?

PURPOSE: It is postulated that patients with different types of pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) may present a higher incidence of cancer. Factors underlying individuals becoming overweight, such as insulin resistance, hyperleptinemia, and low-grade inflammation, may play a role in the risk of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) in such patients. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of and obesity-related risk factors associated with DTC in patients with PitNETs. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 149 patients with nonacromegalic PitNETs (AG group), 71 patients with acromegaly (ACRO group), and 156 controls (CG group). All participants underwent insulin and blood glucose measurements with the determination of the homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, leptin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and they also underwent thyroid ultrasound. Clinically significant nodules were biopsied for subsequent cytopathological evaluation, and participants were operated on when indicated. RESULTS: Patients in the AG group had high levels of insulin resistance and significantly higher levels of leptin and hsCRP compared with those of patients in the ACRO group. There were no cases of DTC in the AG group; two findings, one incidental, of DTC occurred in the CG group, and three cases of DTC were present in the ACRO group. Acromegaly was associated with DTC after adjusted analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings in patients with nonacromegalic PitNETs do not indicate a high risk for DTC despite the presence of metabolic and inflammatory risk factors for neoplastic events. In contrast, acromegaly promotes a greater risk of DTC.

Identificação de Mycobacterium bovis em carcaças de bovinos abatidos no estado da Bahia, Brasil, por métodos bacteriológico e molecular / Identification of Mycobacterium bovis in carcasses of cattle slaughtered in Bahia state, Brazil by bacteriological and molecular methods

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi utilizar métodos bacteriológicos e moleculares para a identificação do Mycobacterium bovis em lesões observadas em carcaças de bovinos durante a inspeção post mortem de rotina em matadouros-frigoríficos com serviço de inspeção oficial. Foram acompanhados o abate e a inspeção de 825.394 bovinos, sadios, ao exame ante mortem pelo serviço de inspeção oficial em 10 matadouros-frigoríficos do estado da Bahia, entre abril de 2009 e abril de 2012. Cento e oitenta bovinos apresentaram lesões sugestivas de tuberculose e outras linfadenites, as quais foram avaliadas quanto à presença de Mycobacterium bovis por exame bacteriológico e pela PCR multiplex. A maioria das lesões estava localizada em linfonodos do trato respiratório e 71% eram provenientes de bovinos machos com até 32 meses de idade. No isolamento bacteriano, 13,9% (25/180) das amostras apresentavam colônias pequenas, de superfície granular e de coloração creme-amareladas, em meio de cultura Stonebrink-Leslie, e o crescimento médio foi de 34 dias. Todos os esfregaços dos isolados evidenciaram BAAR, e, pela PCR multiplex, 56% (14/25) dos isolados foram identificados como M. bovis. A associação entre exame post mortem, bacteriológico e PCR multiplex permitiu a identificação do agente de forma rápida e em regiões com status sanitário de baixa prevalência, demonstrando ser importante para a detecção dos focos de tuberculose bovina e o auxílio nos programas de controle e erradicação da tuberculose...

The aim of the present study was to perform bacteriological and molecular methods for identification of Mycobacterium bovis in lesions derived from bovine carcasses detected during routine post-mortem examination in officially inspected slaughterhouses. We checked the slaughter and inspection of 825,394 bovines, health upon ante-mortem examination, by the official service in 10 slaughterhouses of Bahia state from April, 2009 to April 2012. Lesions suggestive of tuberculosis were collected from 180 bovines and further evaluated by bacteriology and multiplex PCR. The majority of lesions were located in the respiratory tract lymph nodes and 71% were from male bovines up to 32 months old. 13.9% of samples presented small, granular and creamy-yellowish colonies after being cultured in Stonebrink-Leslie with an average growth time of 34 days. All smears from the isolated samples were Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) and among them 56% were identified by mPCR as M. bovis. Thus, the association between post-mortem examination, culture and multiplex PCR allowed the bacillus identification in a reduced time and in regions of low prevalence, pointing out its importance for bovine tuberculosis detection and as a supportive tool for the tuberculosis control and eradication program...

Infecção sistêmica por Mycobacterium avium em cão: relato de caso / Systemic Mycobacterium avium infection in a dog: case report

Infecções sistêmicas causadas pelo complexo Mycobacterium avium em cães são consideradas raras. Em cães e gatos, a infecção resulta da ingestão de carne ou do contato com solo ou fômites contaminados. As manifestações clínicas de cães infectados por M. avium tendem a ser vagas ou ausentes, logo o diagnóstico in vivo torna-se difícil. A suspeita de infecção sistêmica por micobacteriose ocorreu, neste relato, após a identificação de bacilos álcool-ácido resistentes na amostra de medula óssea, os quais foram identificados como Mycobacterium avium pelo método molecular de reação em cadeia da polimerase com análise de restrição (PCR-PRA). Este animal apresentava uma aplasia de medula óssea em decorrência de Erhlichia canis, corroborando a maioria dos relatos na literatura em que se associa essa infecção a pacientes imunossuprimidos.

Systemic infections caused by Mycobacterium avium complex are considered rare in dogs. In dogs and cats, the infection comes from eating meat or being in contact with contaminated soil or fomites. Clinical manifestations of dogs infected with M. avium tend to be vague or absent, so the diagnosis "in vivo" becomes difficult. Systemic mycobacterial infection was suspected in this report, after the identification of acid-alcohol resistant bacilli in a bone marrow sample which was identified as Mycobacterium avium by the molecular method Polymerase Chain Reaction - PCR Restriction Analysis (PCR-PRA). This animal had a bone marrow aplasia due to Erhlichia canis corroborating with most reports in the literature that associate this infection with immunosuppressed patients.

Evaluation of four DNA extraction protocols for Brucella abortus detection by PCR in tissues from experimentally infected cows with the 2308 strain.

This study compared 4 protocols for DNA extraction from homogenates of 6 different organs of cows infected with the Brucella abortus 2308 strain. The extraction protocols compared were as follows: GT (guanidine isothiocyanate lysis), Boom (GT lysis with the carrying suspension diatomaceous earth), PK (proteinase K lysis), and Santos (lysis by boiling and freezing with liquid nitrogen). Positive and negative gold standard reference groups were generated by classical bacteriological methods. All samples were processed with the 4 DNA extraction protocols and amplified with the B4 and B5 primers. The number of positive samples in the placental cotyledons was higher than that in the other organs. The cumulated results showed that the Santos protocol was more sensitive than the Boom (p=0.003) and GT (p=0.0506) methods and was similar to the PK method (p=0.2969). All of the DNA extraction protocols resulted in false-negative results for PCR. In conclusion, despite the disadvantages of classical bacteriological methods, the best approach for direct diagnosis of B. abortus in organs of infected cows includes the isolation associated with PCR of DNA extracted from the cotyledon by the Santos or PK methods.

Tuberculosis determined by Mycobacterium bovis in captive waterbucks (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) in São Paulo, Brazil

Two waterbucks from São Paulo Zoo Foundation exhibited respiratory symptoms in July 2004. After euthanasia, granulommas in lungs and mediastinic lymph nodes were observed. Acid-fast bacilli isolated were identified as Mycobacterium bovis spoligotype SB0121 by PRA and spoligotyping. They were born and kept in the same enclosure with the same group, without any contact to other species housed in the zoo. This is the first detailed description of M. bovis infection in Kobus ellipsiprymnus.

Brucelose bovina no estado da Paraíba: estudo retrospectivo / Bovine brucelosis in the state of Paraíba: a retrospective survey

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar a frequência de propriedades positivas (focos) e de animais soropositivos para a brucelose bovina no Estado da Paraíba. Foram utilizados dados da Agência de Defesa Agropecuária do Estado, coletados de suas 23 microrregiões, durante o período de janeiro de 2008 a julho de 2009. Durante esse período, foram examinadas 11.149 propriedades, e 55.691 soros de bovinos foram submetidos ao diagnóstico de brucelose. Para o diagnóstico sorológico, foi utilizado o teste do antígeno acidificado tamponado (AAT). Uma propriedade foi considerada foco quando apresentou pelo menos um animal soropositivo. Das propriedades investigadas, 104 (0,93%) apresentaram pelo menos um animal soropositivo e, dos animais analisados, 199 (0,36%) foram soropositivos. Houve diferença significativa (p < 0,001) na proporção de fêmeas (0,47%) e machos (0,04%) soropositivos.

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of positive herds (foci) and seropositive animals for bovine brucellosis in the state of Paraíba, Northeast region of Brazil. Data from the Agency of Agricultural Protection in the state, collected from its 23 microregions, during the period from January 2008 to July 2009, were used. During this period, 11,149 herds were examined, and 55,691 cattle sera were submitted to the diagnosis of brucellosis. For serological diagnosis the rose bengal test was used. A herd was considered a focus when it presented at least one seropositive animal. Of the herds investigated, 104 (0.93%) had at least one seropositive animal, and of the animals examined, 199 (0.36%) were seropositive. There was a significant difference (p < 0.001) in the proportion of seropositivity for females (0.47%) and males (0.04%).

Sucralose sweetener in vivo effects on blood constituents radiolabeling, red blood cell morphology and radiopharmaceutical biodistribution in rats.

Effects of sucralose sweetener on blood constituents labelled with technetium-99m ((99m)Tc) on red blood cell (RBC) morphology, sodium pertechnetate (Na(99m)TcO(4)) and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid labeled with (99m)Tc ((99m)Tc-DTPA) biodistribution in rats were evaluated. Radiolabeling on blood constituents from Wistar rats was undertaken for determining the activity percentage (%ATI) on blood constituents. RBC morphology was also evaluated. Na(99m)TcO(4) and (99m)Tc-DTPA biodistribution was used to determine %ATI/g in organs. There was no alteration on RBC blood constituents and morphology %ATI. Sucralose sweetener was capable of altering %ATI/g of the radiopharmaceuticals in different organs. These findings are associated to the sucralose sweetener in specific organs.

Tuberculosis determined by Mycobacterium bovis in captive waterbucks (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) in SÃo paulo, Brazil.

Two waterbucks from São Paulo Zoo Foundation exhibited respiratory symptoms in July 2004. After euthanasia, granulommas in lungs and mediastinic lymph nodes were observed. Acid-fast bacilli isolated were identified as Mycobacterium bovis spoligotype SB0121 by PRA and spoligotyping. They were born and kept in the same enclosure with the same group, without any contact to other species housed in the zoo. This is the first detailed description of M. bovis infection in Kobus ellipsiprymnus.

Tuberculose bovina no estado da Paraíba: estudo retrospectivo / Bovine tuberculosis in the state of Paraíba: retrospective survey

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar a frequência de propriedades positivas (focos) e de animais positivos para a tuberculose bovina no Estado da Paraíba. Foram utilizados dados da Agência de Defesa Agropecuária do Estado, coletados de suas 23 microrregiões, durante o período de janeiro de 2008 a julho de 2009. Durante esse período, foram examinadas 10.963 propriedades e 54.472 bovinos foram submetidos ao teste de tuberculinização. Para o diagnóstico foi utilizada, como prova de triagem, a tuberculinização cervical simples para gado de leite e a tuberculinização na prega caudal para gado de corte; como prova confirmatória foi utilizada a tuberculinização cervical comparativa. Uma propriedade foi considerada foco quando apresentou pelo menos um animal soropositivo. Das propriedades investigadas, 62 (0,57 por cento) apresentaram pelo menos um animal positivo e dos animais analisados, 136 (0,25 por cento) foram positivos. Houve diferença significativa (p<0,001) na proporção de fêmeas (0,32 por cento) e machos (0,04 por cento) positivos. A despeito da baixa frequência de focos de brucelose e de animais soropositivos, é necessária a condução de medidas que incluem a conscientização dos produtores, fiscalização nas barreiras sanitárias e levantamentos periódicos da situação epidemiológica desta doença, principalmente nas microrregiões com maior frequência da infecção, com o objetivo de evitar, ou pelo menos minimizar, a disseminação do agente.

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of positive herds (foci) and positive animals for bovine tuberculosis in the state of Paraíba, Northeast region of Brazil. Data from the Agency of Agricultural Protection in the state, collected from its 23 microregions, during the January 2008 to July 2009 period, were used. During this period, 10,963 herds were examined and 54,472 cattle were submitted to the tuberculin test. For diagnosis the cervical and caudal-fold tuberculin tests were used as screening tests in dairy and beef cattle, respectively; as confirmatory test, comparative cervical test was used. A herd was considered focus when presented at least one positive animal. Of the herds investigated, 62 (0.57 percent) had at least one positive animal, and of the animals examined, 136 (0.25 percent) were positive. There was significant difference (p<0.001) in the proportion of positivity for females (0.32 percent) and males (0.04 percent). Despite low frequency of foci of brucellosis and seropositive animals, it is necessary to conduct measures including awareness of producers, surveillance in sanitary barriers and periodic surveys of epidemiological situation of this disease especially in the regions with highest frequency of infection, aiming to avoid, or at least minimize, the spread of the agent.

Tipificação genética, através da técnica de spoligotyping, de isolados de Mycobacterium bovis em animais abatidos na região metropolitana de Salvador, Bahia, Brasil / Use of spoligotyping for genetic typing of Mycobacterium bovis isolates from slaughtered animals in the metropolitan area of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

A tuberculose é uma enfermidade infecciosa crônica, que afeta mamíferos e aves e constitui um sério problema de saúde pública e animal. Objetivando realizar um levantamento molecular da enfermidade em bovinos abatidos em matadouros frigoríficos no Estado da Bahia, Brasil, foram analisadas as lesões pulmonares e de linfonodos mediastínicos de 43 carcaças de animais abatidos em três matadouros-frigoríficos localizados na Região Metropolitana de Salvador, Bahia. Sete isolados de Mycobacterium bovis foram identificados, através da técnica do spolygotyping, e discriminados em três diferentes espoligotipos (SB1055, SB0120 e SB0268) descritos no Brasil e em diversas áreas do mundo. Os resultados indicam que o método de diagnóstico utilizado pode contribuir para a criação de uma base de dados para o estudo epidemiológico da tuberculose bovina no Estado da Bahia.

Tuberculosis is an infectious chronic disease that affects mammals and birds and constitutes a serious problem for public and animal health. Pulmonary and mediastinic lymph node lesions of 43 animals slaughtered in 3 slaughterhouses in the metropolitan region of the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, were analyzed with the objective of obtaining a molecular survey of the disease in bovines slaughtered in slaughterhouses in the state. Seven isolates ofMycobacterium bovis were identified through the spoligotyping technique and classified into 3 different spoligotypes (SB1055, SB0120, SB0268), described in Brazil and in many areas worldwide. The results indicate that the diagnostic method utilized may contribute to the creation of a database for the epidemiologic study of bovine tuberculosis in the state of Bahia.

Evaluation of DNA extraction protocols for Brucella abortus pcr detection in aborted fetuses or calves born from cows experimentally infected with strain 2308 / Avaliação de diferentes protocolos de extração de DNA para detecção de Brucella abortus a partir de abortos ou de bezerros nascidos de vacas experimentalmente infectadas com estirpe 2308

The objective of the present study was to improve the detection of B. abortus by PCR in organs of aborted fetuses from infected cows, an important mechanism to find infected herds on the eradication phase of the program. So, different DNA extraction protocols were compared, focusing the PCR detection of B. abortus in clinical samples collected from aborted fetuses or calves born from cows challenged with the 2308 B. abortus strain. Therefore, two gold standard groups were built based on classical bacteriology, formed from: 32 lungs (17 positives), 26 spleens (11 positives), 23 livers (8 positives) and 22 bronchial lymph nodes (7 positives). All samples were submitted to three DNA extraction protocols, followed by the same amplification process with the primers B4 and B5. From the accumulated results for organ, the proportion of positives for the lungs was higher than the livers (p=0.04) or bronchial lymph nodes (p=0.004) and equal to the spleens (p=0.18). From the accumulated results for DNA extraction protocol, the proportion of positives for the Boom protocol was bigger than the PK (p<0.0001) and GT (p=0.0004). There was no difference between the PK and GT protocols (p=0.5). Some positive samples from the classical bacteriology were negative to the PCR and viceversa. Therefore, the best strategy for B. abortus detection in the organs of aborted fetuses or calves born from infected cows is the use, in parallel, of isolation by classical bacteriology and the PCR, with the DNA extraction performed by the Boom protocol.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi aperfeiçoar a detecção de Brucella abortus pela PCR em homogeneizados de órgãos de fetos abortados por vacas infectadas, importante mecanismo para descobrir focos da doença na fase de erradicação. Assim, foram comparados diferentes protocolos de extração de DNA, visando à detecção de B. abortus pela PCR em amostras clínicas colhidas de abortos ou de bezerros oriundos de vacas desafiadas com a estirpe 2308 de B. abortus. Para tanto, foram construídos dois grupos padrão ouro com base na bacteriologia clássica, constituídos por: 32 pulmões (17 positivos), 26 baços (11 positivos), 23 fígados (8 positivos) e 22 linfonodos bronquiais (7 positivos). Todas essas amostras foram submetidas a três protocolos de extração de DNA, seguidos do mesmo processo de amplificação com os primers B4 e B5. Nos resultados acumulados por órgão, a proporção de positivos nos pulmões foi maior que a encontrada nos fígados (p=0,04) e nos linfonodos bronquiais (p=0,004), e igual a verificada nos baços (p=0,18). Nos resultados acumulados por método de extração de DNA, a proporção de positivos para o protocolo de Boom foi maior que a verificada para o PK (p<0,0001) e GT (p=0,0004). Não houve diferença entre os protocolos PK e GT (p=0,5). Algumas amostras positivas ao isolamento foram negativas à PCR e vice-versa. Assim, a melhor estratégia para se pesquisar B. abortus em tecidos de fetos abortados ou de bezerros nascidos de vacas infectadas é a utilização, em paralelo, do isolamento e da PCR, com extração do DNA pelo método do Boom.

Evaluation of DNA extraction protocols for Brucella abortus pcr detection in aborted fetuses or calves born from cows experimentally infected with strain 2308.

The objective of the present study was to improve the detection of B. abortus by PCR in organs of aborted fetuses from infected cows, an important mechanism to find infected herds on the eradication phase of the program. So, different DNA extraction protocols were compared, focusing the PCR detection of B. abortus in clinical samples collected from aborted fetuses or calves born from cows challenged with the 2308 B. abortus strain. Therefore, two gold standard groups were built based on classical bacteriology, formed from: 32 lungs (17 positives), 26 spleens (11 positives), 23 livers (8 positives) and 22 bronchial lymph nodes (7 positives). All samples were submitted to three DNA extraction protocols, followed by the same amplification process with the primers B4 and B5. From the accumulated results for organ, the proportion of positives for the lungs was higher than the livers (p=0.04) or bronchial lymph nodes (p=0.004) and equal to the spleens (p=0.18). From the accumulated results for DNA extraction protocol, the proportion of positives for the Boom protocol was bigger than the PK (p< 0.0001) and GT (p=0.0004). There was no difference between the PK and GT protocols (p=0.5). Some positive samples from the classical bacteriology were negative to the PCR and vice-versa. Therefore, the best strategy for B. abortus detection in the organs of aborted fetuses or calves born from infected cows is the use, in parallel, of isolation by classical bacteriology and the PCR, with the DNA extraction performed by the Boom protocol.

Cinnamomum zeylanicum extract on the radiolabelling of blood constituents and the morphometry of red blood cells: in vitro assay.

Effects of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (cinnamon) on the labelling of blood constituents with technetium-99m(99mTc) and on the morphology of red blood cells were studied. Blood samples from Wistar rats were incubated with cinnamon extract for 1 hour or with 0.9% NaCl, as control. Labelling of blood constituents with 99mTc was performed. Plasma (P) and blood cells (BC), soluble (SF-P and SF-BC) and insoluble (IF-P and IF-BC) fractions were separated. The radioactivity in each fraction was counted and the percentage of radioactivity incorporated (%ATI) was calculated. Blood smears were prepared, fixed, stained and the qualitative and quantitative morphological analysis of the red blood cells was evaluated. The data showed that the cinnamon extract decreased significantly (p<0.05) the %ATI on BC, IF-P and IF-BC. No modifications were verified on shape of red blood cells. Cinnamon extracts could alter the labelling of blood constituents with 99mTc, and although our results were obtained with animals, precaution is suggested in interpretations of nuclear medicine examinations involving the labelling of blood constituents in patients who are using cinnamon.