Alkaline phosphatase expression during monocyte differentiation. Overlapping markers as a link between monocytic cells, dendritic cells, osteoclasts and osteoblasts.

Human monocytes (Mo) in culture can be differentiated into macrophages (M phi), dendritic cells (DC) and osteoclasts. In addition, we have established a Mo-derived in vitro granuloma model which here was compared with ex-vivo isolated foreign body granuloma cells. In these models overlapping phenotypes developed between monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDC), osteoclasts, M phi, and osteoblasts. In Mo cultures granulomas were induced by immobilized particulate material. AP activity (osteoblast marker) was found to be co-expressed with cytoplasmic tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) as a marker of osteoclasts. While proliferating, the number of AP+ cells decreased, being replaced by cells co-expressing the osteoclast markers vitronectin receptor (VNR) and TRAP. Coexpression of the Mo/M phi marker CD68 with AP or VNR confirmed the monocytic origin of the cells. When Mo were treated with interleukin-4 (IL-4), the number of AP+ cells markedly increased and remained stably expressed over 12 days. In explants from ex vivo granulomas obtained from endoprosthetic revisions the major cell type was the AP+ cell co-expressing CD68. The bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) as a marker of osteoblasts was detected by FACS analysis in the ex vivo granuloma cells. By RT-PCR the mRNA for osteocalcin, which is a highly specific marker for osteoblasts, was detected. From our results we conclude an ontogenetic relationship between macrophages, DC and osteoclasts. Furthermore, the data suggest a transdifferentiation between Mo and osteoblasts.

[Prevalence of fibrocystic disease of breast in patients with endometriosis]. / Prevalencia de mastopatía fibroquística en pacientes con endometriosis.

The prevalence of fibrocystic breast disease in patients with endometriosis, was determined. This was a prospective cross-sectional study. The 43 women were diagnosed as having endometriosis by laparoscopy. In these patients, during their control period, a deliberate search for clinical and ultrasonography data on fibrocystic breast disease was carried out. The average age was 28 years, ranging between 18 and 36 years. From 43 the patients with endometriosis, 37% of them were diagnosed with fibrocystic breast disease. The group of age more frequent was between 30 and 34 years in 37.5%, and 31% between 20 and 24 years of age. 43% of the patients with both diseases had antecedent of pregnancy and 25% had menstrual alterations. The prevalence of fibrocystic breast disease in patients with endometriosis was 37%, thus observing a strong evidence of association between both pathologies.

Dermatofitosis en Cusco / Dermatophytosis in Cusco

Se estudió un total de 90 casos de dermatofitosis durante 9 meses en la ciudad del Cusco (Perú) y alrededores. Los grupos de edad más comprometidos fueron de 1-10 y 11-20 años. La tiña más común fue tina capitis (13.3 por ciento) y tiña ungueal (11.1 por ciento). Se aislaron solamente 4 especies de dermatofitos: Microsporum canis (52.4 por ciento), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (35.7 por ciento), Trychophyton rubrun (9.5 por ciento) y Epidermophyton floccosum (2.4 por ciento). El clima seco, la baja temperatura y la gran altura no parecen afectar la proliferación y las reinfecciones por dermatofitos.

Vaginal yeast flora of pregnant women in the Cusco region of Peru.

A study of the vaginal yeast flora in pregnant women living in Cusco and in its region (Peru), located approximately 3000 m above sea level, is reported. We observed 300 pregnant, healthy and non-diabetic women who attended a gynaecological clinic in the Lorena, Regional or IPSS (Instituto Peruano de Seguridad Social) hospitals in Cusco. A comprehensive clinical history was obtained from each patient. It included age, work, parity, time of pregnancy, use of contraceptives or antibiotics, type of vaginal symptoms, type and amount of vaginal secretion. The yeasts were isolated from 44.3% of the cases. The positive cases were more frequently found in the following categories: 20-30 year-old patients (69.2%), ninth month of pregnancy (49.6%), first pregnancy (41.4%), no delivery (58.7%) and no abortion (66.9%). Most women complained of leukorrhea (75.9%) with mucus, scarce without odour (18.8%) or lumpy, regular, without odour (15.8%) secretion. The yeasts isolated were Candida albicans (66.2%), other Candida species (12.8%), Torulopsis glabrata (8.3%) or other Torulopsis species (2.2%), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (7.5%), Rhodotorula sp. (1.5%) and Trichosporon cutaneum (1.5%).

Dermatophytoses in Cusco (Peru).

A total of 90 cases of suspected dermatophytoses was observed over a period of 9 months in the city of Cusco (Peru) and in its environs. The age groups most commonly infected were 1-10 and 11-20 year old. The most common tineae diagnosed were tinea capitis (13.3%) and tinea unguium (11.1%). Only four species of dermatophytes were isolated: Microsporum canis (52.4%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (35.7%), Tr. rubrum (9.5%) and Epidermophyton floccosum (2.4%). Dry weather, low temperature and high altitude do not seem to affect proliferation and infections by dermatophytes.