Expression profile of components of the ß-catenin destruction complex in oral dysplasia and oral cancer.

BACKGROUND: Oral cancer represents the sixth most common cancer in the world and is associated with 40-50% survival at 5 years. Within oral malignancies, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is commonly preceded by potentially malignant lesions, which, according to histopathological criteria, are referred to as oral dysplasia and their diagnosis are associated with higher rates of malignant transformation towards cancer. We recently reported that aberrant activation of the Wnt/ß­catenin pathway is due to overexpression of Wnt ligands in oral dysplasia. However, the expression of other regulators of this pathway, namely components of the ß-catenin destruction complex has not been explored in oral dysplasia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using immunohistochemical analyses, we evaluated nuclear expression of ß­catenin and its association with Wnt3a and Wnt5a. Likewise, components of the ß-catenin destruction complex, including Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC), Axin and Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta (GSK-3ß) were also evaluated in oral dysplasia and OSCC biopsies. RESULTS: We found that moderate and severe dysplasia samples, which harbored increased expression of nuclear ß­catenin, depicted augmented cytoplasmic expression of GSK­3ß, Axin and APC, in comparison with OSCC samples. Also, GSK-3ß was found nuclear in mild dysplasia and OSCC samples, when compared with other study samples. CONCLUSIONS: Cytoplasmic levels of components of the ß-catenin destruction complex are increased in oral dysplasia and might be responsible of augmented nuclear ß­catenin.

Psychological distress and line-of-duty head injuries in firefighters.

BACKGROUND: Head injuries are common injury in the fire service; however, very little data exist on the risks this may pose to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in this high-risk population. AIMS: Our study aimed to compare levels of PTSD and depression symptoms in firefighters with a line-of-duty head injury, non-line-of-duty head injury and no head injury. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we assessed current PTSD and depression symptoms as well as retrospective head injuries. RESULTS: Seventy-six per cent of the total sample reported at least one head injury in their lifetime. Depression symptoms were significantly more severe among firefighters with a line-of-duty head injury compared to those with no head injury, but not compared to those who sustained a non-line-of-duty head injury. Depression symptoms did not differ between firefighters with a non-line-of-duty head injury and those with no head injury. PTSD symptoms were significantly more severe among firefighters with a line-of-duty head injury compared to both firefighters with no head injury and those with a non-line-of-duty head injury. CONCLUSIONS: We found that firefighters who reported at least one line-of-duty head injury had significantly higher levels of PTSD and depression symptoms than firefighters who reported no head injuries. Our findings also suggest head injuries sustained outside of fire service could have less of an impact on the firefighter's PTSD symptom severity than head injuries that occur as a direct result of their job.

Epigenetic regulation of TLR2-mediated periapical inflammation.

AIM: To determine the methylation pattern of TLR2 gene promoter and its association with the transcriptional regulation of periapical inflammatory and angiogenic responses in symptomatic and asymptomatic forms of apical periodontitis. METHODOLOGY: In this cross-sectional study, apical lesions were obtained from volunteers with asymptomatic apical periodontitis (AAP) (n = 17) and symptomatic apical periodontitis (SAP) (n = 17) scheduled for tooth extraction, and both total RNA and DNA were extracted. DNA was bisulfite-treated, a region of CpG island within the TLR2 gene was amplified by qPCR and the products were sequenced. Additionally, the mRNA expression of TLR2, TLR4, IL-6, IL-12, TNFalpha, IL-23, IL-10, TGFbeta, VEGFA and CDH5 was analysed by qPCR. The data were analysed with chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney or unpaired t-tests, and Spearman´s correlation; variable adjustments were performed using multiple linear regression (P < 0.05). RESULTS: TLR2 depicted a hypomethylated DNA profile at the CpG island in SAP when compared with AAP, along with upregulated expression of TLR2, with pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-23, and the angiogenesis marker CDH5 (P < 0.05). TLR2 methylation percentage negatively correlated with mRNA levels of IL-23 and CDH5 in apical periodontitis. Lower methylation frequencies of single CpG dinucleotides -8 and -10 localized in close proximity to nuclear factor κB (NFκB) binding within the TLR2 promoter were identified in SAP versus AAP (P < 0.05). Finally, unmethylated -10 and -8 single sites demonstrated up-regulation of IL-23, IL-10 and CDH5 transcripts compared to their methylated counterparts (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TLR2 gene promoter hypomethylation was linked to transcriptional activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines and angiogenic markers in exacerbated periapical inflammation. Moreover, unmethylated single sites in close proximity to NFκB binding were involved in active transcription of IL-23, IL-10 and CDH5.

Hypoxia-Induced Caveolin-1 Expression Promotes Migration and Invasion of Tumor Cells.

BACKGROUND: Exacerbated proliferation of cancer cells in nascent tumors leads to the genesis of a hypoxic microenvironment, which is associated with poor patient prognosis, because these stress conditions enhance migratory, invasive and metastatic capacities of tumor cells. These changes are associated with the induction of the hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs, mainly HIF1α) and increased expression of target genes, including Caveolin-1 (CAV1). Results from our group have shown that CAV1 expression in metastatic cancer cells promotes cell migration/invasion in vitro and metastasis in vivo in a manner dependent on tyrosine-14 phosphorylation by src family kinases. Here, we evaluated whether hypoxia-induced expression of CAV1 was required for hypoxia-dependent migration and invasion in cancer cells. METHODS: B16-F10 murine melanoma and HT29(US) colon adenocarcinoma cells were exposed to hypoxia (1% O2). CAV1 expression was evaluated by western blotting. Endogenous CAV1 and HIF1α were knocked-down using different shRNA constructs. Cell migration and invasion were evaluated in Boyden Chamber and Matrigel assays, respectively. RESULTS: We observed that hypoxia increased CAV1 protein levels in a HIF1 α- dependent manner, in B16-F10 and HT29(US) cells. Importantly, hypoxia-dependent migration of both tumor cell lines was blocked upon CAV1 knock-down. Likewise, pharmacological inhibition of HIF prevented hypoxia-induced migration and invasion in B16-F10 cells. Finally, hypoxia-induced migration was also blocked by the src-family kinase inhibitor 4-amino-5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-7-(t-butyl) pyrazolo3,4-dpyrimidine (PP2), an inhibitor of CAV1 phosphorylation. CONCLUSION: Hypoxia induced migration and invasion of metastatic cancer cells require HIF1α-dependent induction of CAV1 expression and src family kinase activation.

Histatins, wound healing, and cell migration.

Wounds in the oral mucosa heal faster and more efficiently than those in the skin, although the mechanisms underlying these differences are not completely clear. In the last 10 years, a group of salivary peptides, the histatins, has gained attention on behalf of their ability to improve several phases of the wound-healing process. In addition to their roles as anti-microbial agents and in enamel maintenance, histatins elicit other biological effects, namely by promoting the migration of different cell types contained in the oral mucosa and in non-oral tissues. Histatins, and specifically histatin-1, promote cell adhesion and migration in oral keratinocytes, gingival and dermal fibroblasts, non-oral epithelial cells, and endothelial cells. This is particularly relevant, as histatin-1 promotes the re-epithelialization phase and the angiogenic responses by increasing epithelial and endothelial cell migration. Although the molecular mechanisms associated with histatin-dependent cell migration remain poorly understood, recent studies have pointed to the control of signaling endosomes and the balance of small GTPases. This review aimed to update the literature on the effects of histatins in cell migration, with a focus on wound healing. We will also discuss the consequences that this increasing field will have in disease and therapy design.

On the role of Rab5 in cell migration.

Uncontrolled endosome trafficking is a common feature of certain cancer cells, which has been acknowledged during the last decade. Migration and invasiveness of metastatic tumor cells are both regulated by components of the endocytic machinery, including Rab proteins. Rab GTPases are essential in processes of endosome fusion, as well as targeting, tethering and transport along the cytoskeleton. In addition to this canonical role, some Rabs depict other functions, such as controlling cell proliferation, apoptosis, adhesion and motility. Here, we review our current knowledge on the role of Rab5, a key regulator of early endosome dynamics, in migration of normal and tumor cells. Rab5 promotes cell migration in vitro and in vivo by mechanisms described at different levels. One such mechanism is by controlling the rates of integrin internalization and recycling, thereby affecting its activation and availability at the cell surface. On the other hand, Rab5 promotes focal adhesion disassembly and modulates downstream pathways of integrin signaling, involving proteins such as Ras and Rho family GTPases. In this context, identification of upstream regulators and downstream effectors of Rab5, and their study represents a big challenge in order to understand how cancer cells depend on endosome control, in order to acquire more aggressive traits that lead to metastatic disease.

Molecular characterization of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 among children in Lima, Peru.

In Peru, there is a lack of information on molecular analysis in pediatric human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. At present, the mother-to-child transmission rate is estimated at approximately 2-4%. The objective of this study was to assess the molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 in infected children. Children with suspected or confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis were evaluated at two public hospitals between 2002 and 2007. Whole blood samples were obtained from 90 HIV-positive children, who were confirmed to be positive by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot. The specimens were subjected to envelope heteroduplex mobility assay (env HMA) followed by gag and pol gene region sequence analysis. Subtype B was found in 88 (98%) of 90 children and 2 (2%) children were subtype BF recombinants. This is the first report of recombinant HIV strains in HIV-infected children in Peru. Understanding the origin, diversity, and spread of HIV strains worldwide will be necessary for the development of an effective vaccine that targets pediatric populations throughout the world.

Epidemiological and transmissibility analysis of influenza A(H1N1)v in a southern hemisphere setting: Peru.

We present a preliminary analysis of 1,771 confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1)v reported in Peru by 17 July including the frequency of the clinical characteristics, the spatial and age distribution of the cases and the estimate of the transmission potential. Age-specific frequency of cases was highest among school age children and young adults, with the lowest frequency of cases among seniors, a pattern that is consistent with reports from other countries. Estimates of the reproduction number lie in the range of 1.2 to 1.7, which is broadly consistent with previous estimates for this pandemic in other regions. Validation of these estimates will be possible as additional data become available.

Paclitaxel promotes a caspase 8-mediated apoptosis through death effector domain association with microtubules.

Microtubule-perturbing drugs have become front-line chemotherapeutics, inducing cell-cycle crisis as a major mechanism of action. However, these agents show pleiotropic effects on cells and can induce apoptosis through other means. Paclitaxel, a microtubule-stabilizing agent, induces a caspase-dependent apoptosis, although the precise mechanism(s) remain unclear. Here, we used genetic approaches to evaluate the role of caspase 8 in paclitaxel-mediated apoptosis. We observed that caspase 8-expressing cells are more sensitive to paclitaxel than caspase 8-deficient cells. Mechanistically, caspase 8 was found associated with microtubules, and this interaction increased after paclitaxel treatment. The prodomains death effector domains (DEDs) of caspase 8 were sufficient for interaction with microtubules, but the caspase 8 holoprotein was required for apoptosis. DED-only forms of caspase 8 were found in both primary and tumor cell lines, associating with perinuclear microtubules and the centrosome. Microtubule association, and paclitaxel sensitivity, depends on a critical lysine (K156) within a microtubule-binding motif (KLD) in DED-b of caspase 8. The results show an unexpected pathway of apoptosis mediated by caspase 8.

Casein kinase 2 (CK2) increases survivin expression via enhanced beta-catenin-T cell factor/lymphoid enhancer binding factor-dependent transcription.

Increased expression of casein kinase 2 (CK2) is associated with hyperproliferation and suppression of apoptosis in cancer. Mutations in the tumor suppressor APC (adenomatous polyposis coli) are frequent in colon cancer and often augment beta-catenin-T cell factor (Tcf)/lymphoid enhancer binding factor (Lef)-dependent transcription of genes such as c-myc and cyclin-D1. CK2 has also been implicated recently in the regulation of beta-catenin stability. To identify mechanisms by which CK2 promotes survival, effects of the specific CK2 inhibitors 4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzotriazole (TBB) and 2-dimethylamino-4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1H-benzimidazole were assessed. TBB and 2-dimethylamino-4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1H-benzimidazole significantly decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis of HT29(US) colon cancer cells. RT-PCR and immunoblot analysis revealed that both inhibitors decreased survivin mRNA and protein levels in HT29(US) cells. Similar effects were observed with TBB in human DLD-1 and SW-480 colorectal cells as well as ZR-75 breast cancer cells and HEK-293T embryonic kidney cells. Expression of GFP-CK2alpha in HEK-293T cells resulted in beta-catenin-Tcf/Lef-dependent up-regulation of survivin and increased resistance to anticancer drugs. Augmented beta-catenin-Tcf/Lef-dependent transcription and resistance to apoptosis observed upon GFP-CK2alpha expression were abolished by TBB. Alternatively, HEK-293T cells expressing GFP-survivin were resistant to TBB-induced apoptosis. Finally, siRNA-mediated down-regulation of CK2alpha in HEK-293T cells coincided with reduced beta-catenin and survivin levels. Taken together, these results suggest that CK2 kinase activity promotes survival by increasing survivin expression via beta-catenin-Tcf/Lef-mediated transcription. Hence, selective CK2 inhibition or down-regulation in tumors may provide an attractive opportunity for the development of novel cancer therapies.

Molecular epidemiology of HIV type 1 in Chile: differential geographic and transmission route distribution of B and F subtypes.

We examined the genetic makeup of 221 HIV-1 strains from Chilean persons living with HIV/AIDS by HMA and DNA sequencing of the env gene: 143 cases were infected by sexual contact with an already-infected partner, 76 were infected by mother-to-child transmission, and 2 were transfusion related. We found env HIV-1 subtype B in 202 cases (91.4%) and subtype F in 19 cases (8.6%). Subtype B strains were found throughout the country whereas subtype F viruses were predominantly found in cases from the metropolitan/central to the northern regions of Chile (p < 0.01). Chilean F subtypes clustered in two different groups: viruses from the central region clustered with F subtypes from Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil, and viruses from the northern region, which independently segregated from other South American and European F strains. All of the 59 men having sex with men (MSM) were infected with B subtype strains whereas 7 (9.2%) and 12 (15.8%), respectively, of heterosexually infected females and children were infected with F subtype strains (p < 0.01). It appears that F subtype strains have been introduced into Chile by separate heterosexual transmission events from other nearby countries in the Southern Cone whereas B subtype strains have continued to persist predominantly among MSM.

Epidemiology of transfusion-transmitted infections among multi-transfused patients in seven hospitals in Peru.

BACKGROUND: Transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) constitute a major health problem worldwide where routine screening of blood or blood products is improperly done, and where non-medical injecting medications and/or drug use are prevalent. Prevalence and risk factors vary by geographic location and by the specific TTI (including HIV-1, HBV, HCV and HTLV-I). OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with TTIs among a sample of multi-transfused adult patients in Peru. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional multi-center study was conducted across seven major hospitals in Peru from February 2003 to September 2004. Self-reported behavior information (medical procedures, number of sexual partners, and drug use history) was analyzed, along with a review of exposure history from hospital medical records. Prevalences were calculated by TTI for different exposures, along with unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios for infection risk. RESULTS: Overall, 192 (54.7%) of 351 multi-transfused patients were found infected with one or more TTIs. Number of transfusion units, years of transfusion history (6 or more), and number of treatment facilities (2 or more) were associated with HCV infection. Hemodialysis history was a common risk factor associated with HBV, HCV and HTLV-I infection. HIV infection was associated only with total number of transfusion units received. CONCLUSIONS: High prevalences of HBV and HCV infection were found among Peruvian multi-transfused patients and were associated with a past history and number of blood transfusions, as well as with past hemodialysis procedures. TTIs continue to represent a significant public health problem in Peru. Continued vigilant attention to blood safety procedures, including universal screening and health care provider education, is recommended.

Seroprevalence of and risk factors for HIV-1 infection among South American men who have sex with men.

OBJECTIVES: Sex among men constitutes an important route of transmission for HIV type 1 (HIV-1) in Latin America. Seeking better understanding of risk behaviours in this region, we determined the seroprevalence, potential risk factors, and geographic distribution of HIV-1 among groups of men who have sex with men (MSM). METHODS: Seroepidemiological, cross sectional studies of 13,847 MSM were conducted in seven countries of South America during the years 1999-2002. Volunteers were recruited in city venues and streets where anonymous questionnaires and blood samples were obtained. HIV-1 infection was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) screening and western blot (WB) confirmatory tests. RESULTS: HIV-1 seroprevalence varied widely (overall 12.3%, range 11.0%-20.6%). The highest HIV-1 seroprevalence was noted in Bolivia (20.6%) and the lowest in Peru (11.0%). Predictors of HIV-1 infection varied among countries; however, a history of previous sexually transmitted disease (STD) was associated with a consistent increased risk (ORs=1.9-2.9, AORs=1.8-2.7). Multiple weekly sexual contacts was found to represent a secondary risk factor in Ecuador, Peru, and Argentina (ORs=1.6-2.9, AORs=1.6-3.1), whereas use of drugs such as cocaine was found to increase risk in Bolivia, Uruguay, and Paraguay (ORs=2.5-6.5, AORs=2.6-6.1). CONCLUSION: The results of this study illustrate an elevated HIV-1 seroprevalence among MSM participants from Andean countries. A previous STD history and multiple partners predicted HIV-1 infection in the seven countries of South America. In Southern Cone countries, HIV-1 infection was also associated with use of illegal drugs such as cocaine.

The fluidity of the serum phospholipids of Fulani pastoralists consuming a high-fat diet.

The semi-nomadic cattle Fulani of northern Nigeria consume a diet rich in saturated fatty acids. Since the quality of an individual's dietary fat can influence the fatty acid composition of their membrane phospholipids (PL), we investigated the effect consumption of relatively large amounts of saturated fat might have on the fatty acid composition and fluidity of the serum PL of the Fulani. We obtained blood serum from 112 Fulani pastoralists (38 males, 74 females) 15-77 years of age and determined the serum fatty acid composition of the total PL fraction of each specimen. Our results indicate that the PL of the Fulani were enriched for saturated fatty acids. The unsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio was 1.02 for the Fulani PL compared to 1.22-2.08 for seven other reference groups drawn from published reports. In addition, the mean melting point (MMP) of the fatty acyl chains of the serum PL of the Fulani was considerably higher than that of the reference populations (MMP, 30.6 degrees C versus 21.3-26.1 degrees C, respectively). The double bond index (DBI) of the serum PL of the Fulani was much lower than that of the PL of the groups against which comparisons were made (DBI, 0.98 versus 1.24-1.43, respectively). Since serum PL and tissue PL are in dynamic equilibrium, these findings suggest that the tissue PL of the Fulani we studied has considerably less fluid character than those of other populations. Since a variety of membrane functions depend on the fluid property of the acyl chains of their constituent PL, it is conceivable that certain critical membrane-dependent systems, including receptor-ligand interactions, solute transport, enzyme activity and lateral movement of macromolecules, are affected in the Fulani.

[Outbreak of bubonic plague in Jacocha, Huancabamba, Perú ]. / Surto de peste bubônica na localidade de Jacocha, Huancabamba, Perú

Climatic alterations arising in the north of Perú as a result of the El Niño phenomenon (ENSO) have caused variations in the crop volume, changes in the direction of rivers and probably an increase in the rodent population. In February 1999, in a native community in Jacocha, Huancabamba, Piura's mountains, Perú, an outbreak of bubonic plague appeared with five human cases, one of which lead to death. The diagnosis was confirmed by serology (passive hemaglutination). The presence of antibodies in dogs of localities close to Jacocha has confirmed the circulation of Yersinia pestis in the region. The outbreak was controlled by the local sanitary authorities' prompt action. This episode, after an epidemiological silence for more than four years, showed the necessity of intensifying the plague epidemiological surveillance system in this area.

Surto de peste bubônica na localidade de Jacocha, Huancabamba, Perú / Outbreak of bubonic plague in Jacocha, Huancabamba, Perú

Climatic alterations arising in the north of Perú as a result of the El Niño phenomenon (ENSO) have caused variations in the crop volume, changes in the direction of rivers and probably an increase in the rodent population. In February 1999, in a native community in Jacocha, Huancabamba, Piura's mountains, Perú, an outbreak of bubonic plague appeared with five human cases, one of which lead to death. The diagnosis was confirmed by serology (passive hemaglutination). The presence of antibodies in dogs of localities close to Jacocha has confirmed the circulation of Yersinia pestis in the region. The outbreak was controlled by the local sanitary authorities' prompt action. This episode, after an epidemiological silence for more than four years, showed the necessity of intensifying the plague epidemiological surveillance system in this area.

As alterações climáticas produzidas no norte do Perú devidas ao Fenômeno El Niño (ENSO), ocasionaram variações no volume das safras, redistribuição do curso dos rios e provavelmente aumento da população de roedores. Em fevereiro de 1999, em uma comunidade indígena em Jacocha, Huancabamba, na serra de Piura, Perú, surgiu um surto de peste com cinco casos humanos, um dos quais faleceu. O diagnóstico foi confirmado pela sorologia (hemaglutinação passiva). A presença de anticorpos em cães de localidades próximas de Jacocha confirmaram a circulação da Yersinia pestis na área. O surto foi debelado pela rápida atuação das autoridades sanitárias locais. O episódio após silêncio epidemiológico por mais de quatro anos, mostrou a necessidade de reforçar o sistema de vigilância epidemiológica de peste nesta área.

[Clinical and laboratory renal alterations in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in relation to anatomopathological findings]. / Alterações renais clínico-laboratoriais em pacientes com a síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida em relação aos achados anatomopatológicos.

Clinical as well as renal anatomopathological data of 119 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome from the Hospital of the Faculty of Medicine of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil, were studied. Mean age was 33 +/- 10.4 years (range 18 to 67 years). White (59%) and male (80%) individuals predominated. Ninety percent of patients came from Uberaba or neighborhood. There were 59 (50%) heterosexual, 25 (21%) homosexual, 17 (14%) bisexual and 18 (15%) unknown. Forty three percent were drug abusers. Fourteen (12.2%) of patients had serum creatinine higher than 3mg/dl, ten days before death, 64% of them showed acute tubular necrosis. Seventy one (61%) patients presented hyponatremia and 8 (7%) had hypernatremia. Hypokalemia was detected in 28 (24%) and hyperkalemia in 8 (7%) patients. Twenty four hours urinary protein was detected in 12 patients, 7 of them presenting more than 1g/24h. Two patients showed segmentar focal glomerulosclerosis, one of them with 24h urinary protein level of 5.5 g and serum creatinine 1.5 mg/dl and no edema. The most (56%) patients had tubulointerstitial nephritis. Clinical, laboratory and types of renal disorders in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome are variable. The glomerular diseases were relatively scarce however, tubulointerstitial lesions are quite frequent, mainly interstitial nephritis and acute tubular necrosis. Not always an anatomoclinical correlation could be observed, because many times the electrolyte disorders were frequently observed only functionally.

[Mefloquine in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in an endemic area of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis]. / Mefloquina no tratamento da leishmaniose cutânea em uma área endêmica de Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of mefloquine in the treatment of skin leishmaniasis in patients infected with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis at an endemic region. Mefloquine is an oral drug effective against malaria with a prolonged half-life, less toxicity and easier administration than pentavalent antimonials. At Corte de Pedra in the Southern litoral of Bahia State, two randomized groups of ten patients with leishmaniasis were treated. The first group was treated with oral mefloquine, 250 mg per day in a single dose for six days and repeated three weeks later. The second group received meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime), 20 mg/kg daily administered intravenously for 20 days. Only one patient in the group treated with mefloquine showed evidence of clinical success. During treatment, one patient with four lesions developed a new lesion. The other three patients with clinical leismaniasis did not show evidence of clinical success after nine weeks of treatment. The group treated with Glucantime showed evident clinical improvement of the skin lesions.

[Renal anatomopathological changes in patients with acquired immunodeficiency deficiency syndrome]. / Alterações anatomopatológicas renais em indivíduos com a síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida.

Renal anatomopathological lesions were studied among 119 AIDS patients from Faculdade de Medicina do Triângulo Mineiro's University Hospital (Uberaba, MG, Brazil). From formalin-fixed blocks, slides were obtained and studied by light microscopy. Of 119 patients, 67 presented tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN), 18 inespecific, 2 xantogranulomatous and infections agents were found in 48 as follows: mycosis in 28 (16 Cryptococcus sp; 9 Histoplasma sp, 1 Candida sp e 2 Paracoccidioides brasiliensis); bacteria in 18 (9 Mycobacterium sp), virus in 6 (Cytomegalovirus). Acute tubular necrosis was found in 43 cases (36.1%). Other diagnosis were: nefrocalcinosis (15.1%), arteriolar hyalinosis (22.7%), two cases of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (1.7%) and one case of diffuse mesangial hyperplasia (0.8%). We conclude that the renal involvement in patients with AIDS, presents a wide spectrum of pathologies, secondary to complications related to opportunistic infections, therapeutic and diagnostic management, and the nephropathies associated to HIV.

Alteraçoes anatomopatológicas renais em indivíduos com a síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida / Renal anatomopathological changes in patients with acquired immunodeficiency deficiency syndrome

Renal anatomopathological lesions were studied among 119 AIDS patients from Faculdade de Medicina do Triângulo Mineiro's University Hospital (Uberaba, MG, Brazil). From formalin-fixed blocks, slides were obtained and studied by light microscopy. Of 119 patients, 67 presented tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN), 18 inespecific, 2 xantogranulomatous and infections agents were found in 48 as follows: mycosis in 28 (16 Cryptococcus sp; 9 Histoplasma sp, 1 Candida sp e 2 Paracoccidioides brasiliensis); bacteria in 18 (9 Mycobacterium sp), virus in 6 (Cytomegalovirus). Acute tubular necrosis was found in 43 cases (36.1%). Other diagnosis were: nefrocalcinosis (15.1%), arteriolar hyalinosis (22.7%), two cases of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (1.7%) and one case of diffuse mesangial hyperplasia (0.8%). We conclude that the renal involvement in patients with AIDS, presents a wide spectrum of pathologies, secondary to complications related to opportunistic infections, therapeutic and diagnostic management, and the nephropathies associated to HIV.

As alterações anatomopatológicas renais foram estudadas em 119 casos de indivíduos com a síndrome da imunodeficiência humana adquirida (SIDA) no Hospital Escola da Faculdade de Medicina do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba MG. A partir das amostras de rim fixadas em formol, foram confeccionadas lâminas e analisadas ao microscópio de luz. Dos 119 casos estudados, 67 tiveram diagnóstico de nefrite túbulo intersticial (NTI), sendo 18 inespecíficas, 2 xantogranulomatosas e encontrou-se agente infeccioso em 48: fungos em 28 (16 Cryptococcus sp, 9 Histoplasma sp, 1 Candida sp e 2 Paracoccidioides brasiliensis); bactérias em 18 (9 Mycobacterium sp); vírus em 6, Citomegalovírus. Em 43 havia necrose tubular aguda (NTA). Outros diagnósticos foram: nefrocalcinose (15,1%) e hialinose arteriolar (22,7%). Encontrou-se também 2 casos com glomeruloesclerose segmentar focal (GESF) e um caso de hiperplasia mesangial difusa. Houve predomínio da NTI, que pode ser devido às infecções oportunistas, predominando as fúngicas; a toxicidade por drogas ou ainda devido a possível ação direta do próprio vírus. A necrose tubular aguda (NTA), foi a segunda causa em freqüência, de acometimento renal da amostra. Concluiu-se que o envolvimento renal nos pacientes com SIDA apresenta um espectro variado de processos patológicos, principalmente relacionados com infecções oportunistas, o tratamento e os procedimentos para diagnósticos, e ainda as nefropatias associadas ao vírus da imunodeficiência humana (VIH).