Increased serum levels of interleukin-6 in erythema nodosum leprosum suggest its use as a biomarker.

BACKGROUND: Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is a frequent complication of multibacillary leprosy that can result in significant morbidity, including peripheral nerve damage and physical disability. The identification of possible serum markers could be a valuable tool for the early detection of ENL. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate selected serum mediators involved in the innate and adaptive immune responses to identify possible immunomarkers for ENL. METHODS: The levels of interleukin-2, interleukin-4, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, interleukin-17, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor, nitric oxide and anti-phenolic glycolipid-I antibodies were measured in the sera of leprosy patients with ENL [at the beginning of reaction (M0) and 1 month later (M1)], and then compared with the levels of the same markers in patients with untreated multibacillary leprosy without ENL (controls with leprosy: CTRL) and healthy individuals (healthy controls: CTRH). RESULTS: Significantly higher levels of serum interleukin-6 were observed in M0 than in CTRL. In addition, pairwise comparisons showed higher levels of interleukin-6 in M0 compared to M1. Levels of tumor necrosis factor were higher in M0 than in CTRL, with no significant difference between M0 and M1. There were no differences in the levels of interleukin-2, interleukin-4, interleukin-10, interleukin-17 or interferon-γ between groups. The CTRL group had higher levels of nitric oxide compared to M0 and M1. High levels of anti-phenolic glycolipid-I were observed in M0, M1 and CTRL than in CTRH. LIMITATIONS: Three patients were not assessed at M1, decreasing the number of evaluated patients from 14 to 11. CONCLUSION: High-serum levels of interleukin-6 were observed during ENL, primarily in patients with more severe reactions; levels decreased after specific therapy, suggesting a role for this cytokine in pathogenesis and its utility as an ENL biomarker. Further studies should explore whether interleukin-6 could also be used as a predictive marker for ENL or as a specific target for its treatment.

Increased serum levels of interleukin-6 in erythema nodosum leprosum suggest its use as a biomarker

Background: Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is a frequent complication of multibacillary leprosy that can result in significant morbidity, including peripheral nerve damage and physical disability. The identification of possible serum markers could be a valuable tool for the early detection of ENL. Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate selected serum mediators involved in the innate and adaptive immune responses to identify possible immunomarkers for ENL.Methods: The levels of interleukin-2, interleukin-4, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, interleukin-17, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor, nitric oxide and anti-phenolic glycolipid-I antibodies were measured in the sera of leprosy patients with ENL [at the beginning of reaction (M0) and 1 month later (M1)], and then compared with the levels of the same markers in patients with untreated multibacillary leprosy without ENL (controls with leprosy: CTRL) and healthy individuals (healthy controls: CTRH).Results: Significantly higher levels of serum interleukin­6 were observed in M0 than in CTRL. In addition, pairwise comparisons showed higher levels of interleukin-6 in M0 compared to M1. Levels of tumor necrosis factor were higher in M0 than in CTRL, with no significant difference between M0 and M1. There were no differences in the levels of interleukin-2, interleukin-4, interleukin-10, interleukin-17 or interferon-γ between groups. The CTRL group had higher levels of nitric oxide compared to M0 and M1. High levels of anti-phenolic glycolipid-I were observed in M0, M1 and CTRL than in CTRH.Limitations: Three patients were not assessed at M1, decreasing the number of evaluated patients from 14 to 11. Conclusion: High-serum levels of interleukin-6 were observed during ENL, primarily in patients with more severe reactions; levels decreased after specific therapy, suggesting a role for this cytokine in pathogenesis and its utility as an ENL biomarker. Further studies should explore whether interleukin-6 could also be used as a predictive marker for ENL or as a specific target for its treatment.

Perfil dos pacientes com gangrena de Fournier utilizando a oxigenoterapia hiperbárica como tratamento adjuvante / Profile of Fournier gangrene patients using hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an adjuvant treatment

RESUMO: Objetivo: Avaliar os resultados obtidos da oxigenoterapia hiperbárica (OHB) como tratamento adjuvante na Gangrena de Fournier (GF). Casuística e Método: Estudo transversal, retrospectivo e descritivo baseado na análise de prontuários físicos de pacientes portadores de GF submetidos a oxigenoterapia hiperbárica, através da câmara hiperbárica no período de fevereiro de 2008 a maio de 2018, atendidos em uma clínica de oxigenoterapia hiperbárica na cidade de Bauru, SP. Os dados coletados foram: idade, sexo, etiologia, comorbidades, localização e extensão da lesão, número total de sessão e mortalidade. Resultado: Trinta e oito pacientes foram analisados, sendo 76% do sexo masculino, com média de idade de 55,6 anos. Entre os pacientes, 17 (44,7%) obtiveram alta médica, 18 (47,4%) interromperam o tratamento antes do término e ocorreram três (8,21%) óbitos. A principal etiologia foi o abcesso e os principais comorbidades predisponentes foram a diabetes mellitus e a hipertensão arterial. A localização e extensão com áreas mais afetadas foram na região escrotal, seguida pela região perineal. Conclusão: Os resultados deste estudo demostraram que o efeito da OHB como tratamento adjuvante oferece vantagem no tratamento da GF, resultando em considerável alta médica dos pacientes e baixa mortalidade. (AU)

ABSTRACT: Objective: Evaluating the results obtained from hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as an adjuvant treatment in Fournier's Gangrene (GF). Casuistic and Method: Cross-sectional, retrospective, and descriptive study based on the analysis of physical records of patients with GF submitted to hyperbaric oxygen therapy through the hyperbaric chamber from February 2008 to May 2018, assisted at the hyperbaric oxygen therapy clinic, in Bauru, SP. The data collected were age, gender, etiology, comorbidities, lesion location and extension, total session number, and mortality. Result: It totaled 38 patients, 76% male, with a mean age of 55.6 years. Among the patients, 17 (44.7%) were discharged, 18 (47.4%) discontinued treatment before termination, and three (8.21%) deaths occurred. The main etiology was an abscess and the main predisposing comorbidities were diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The location and extension lesion with the most affected areas were in the scrotal region, followed by the perineal region. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that the effect of HBOT as an adjuvant treatment has an advantage in the treatment of GF resulting in considerable patient medical discharge and low mortality. (AU)

Myelination key factor krox-20 is downregulated in Schwann cells and murine sciatic nerves infected by Mycobacterium leprae.

Schwann cells (SCs) critically maintain the plasticity of the peripheral nervous system. Peripheral nerve injuries and infections stimulate SCs in order to retrieve homeostasis in neural tissues. Previous studies indicate that Mycobacterium leprae (ML) regulates the expression of key factors related to SC identity, suggesting that alterations in cell phenotype may be involved in the pathogenesis of neural damage in leprosy. To better understand whether ML restricts the plasticity of peripheral nerves, the present study sought to determine the expression of Krox-20, Sox-10, c-Jun and p75NTR in SC culture and mice sciatic nerves, both infected by ML Thai-53 strain. Primary SC cultures were stimulated with two different multiplicities of infection (MOI 100:1; MOI 50:1) and assessed after 7 and 14 days. Sciatic nerves of nude mice (NU-Foxn1nu ) infected with ML were evaluated after 6 and 9 months. In vitro results demonstrate downregulation of Krox-20 and Sox-10 along with the increase in p75NTR-immunolabelled cells. Concurrently, sciatic nerves of infected mice showed a significant decrease in Krox-20 and increase in p75NTR. Our results corroborate previous findings on the interference of ML in the expression of factors involved in cell maturation, favouring the maintenance of a non-myelinating phenotype in SCs, with possible implications for the repair of adult peripheral nerves.

Murine experimental leprosy: Evaluation of immune response by analysis of peritoneal lavage cells and footpad histopathology.

This study evaluated the immune response of nude and BALB/c mice inoculated in the footpads (FP) with Mycobacterium leprae after 3, 5 and 8 months. At each timepoint peritoneal cells, peripheral blood, FP and popliteal lymph nodes (PLN) were collected. Peritoneal cell cultures were performed to measure the H2 O2 , O2- , NO, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-γ and TNF levels. Serum levels of anti-PGL-I antibodies were also quantified. The results showed that the infection was progressive in nude mice with bacterial multiplication, development of macroscopic lesions in the FP and presence of bacilli in the PLN at 8 months. In BALB/c mice, the infection reached a plateau of bacillary multiplication at 5 months and regressed at 8 months. Histopathological analysis of FP revealed a mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate with a large number of neutrophils at 5 months, with a higher number in nude mice. At 8 months, the number of neutrophils decreased and the infiltrate was predominantly mononuclear in both mouse strains. There was no H2 O2, O2- , IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-γ production in the course of infection in nude mice; however, in BALB/c, O2- and IL-12 production was higher at 5 months and NO, IFN-γ and TNF production was higher at 8 months when there was a decrease in the number of bacilli. The level of anti-PGL-I antibodies was higher in BALB/c mice. Thus, nude and BALB/c mice can be used as experimental models for the study of various aspects of leprosy.

Myelination key factor krox­20 is downregulated in Schwann cells and murine sciatic nerves infected by Mycobacterium leprae

Schwann cells (SCs) critically maintain the plasticity of the peripheral nervous system. Peripheral nerve injuries and infections stimulate SCs in order to retrieve homeostasis in neural tissues. Previous studies indicate that Mycobacterium leprae (ML) regulates the expression of key factors related to SC identity, suggesting that alterations in cell phenotype may be involved in the pathogenesis of neural damage in leprosy. To better understand whether ML restricts the plasticity of peripheral nerves, the present study sought to determine the expression of Krox­20, Sox­10, c­Jun and p75NTR in SC culture and mice sciatic nerves, both infected by ML Thai­53 strain. Primary SC cultures were stimulated with two different multiplicities of infection (MOI 100:1; MOI 50:1) and assessed after 7 and 14 days. Sciatic nerves of nude mice (NU­Foxn1nu) infected with ML were evaluated after 6 and 9 months. In vitro results demonstrate downregulation of Krox­20 and Sox­10 along with the increase in p75NTR­immunolabelled cells. Concurrently, sciatic nerves of infected mice showed a significant decrease in Krox­20 and increase in p75NTR. Our results corroborate previous findings on the interference of ML in the expression of factors involved in cell maturation, favouring the maintenance of a non­myelinating phenotype in SCs, with possible implications for the repair of adult peripheral nerves(AU).

Murine experimental leprosy: evaluation of immune response by analysis of peritoneal lavage cells and footpad histopathology

This study evaluated the immune response of nude and BALB/c mice inoculated in the footpads (FP) with Mycobacterium leprae after 3, 5 and 8 months. At each timepoint peritoneal cells, peripheral blood, FP and popliteal lymph nodes (PLN) were collected. Peritoneal cell cultures were performed to measure the H2O2, O2−, NO, IL­2, IL­4, IL­10, IL­12, IFN­Î³ and TNF levels. Serum levels of anti­PGL­I antibodies were also quantified. The results showed that the infection was progressive in nude mice with bacterial multiplication, development of macroscopic lesions in the FP and presence of bacilli in the PLN at 8 months. In BALB/c mice, the infection reached a plateau of bacillary multiplication at 5 months and regressed at 8 months. Histopathological analysis of FP revealed a mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate with a large number of neutrophils at 5 months, with a higher number in nude mice. At 8 months, the number of neutrophils decreased and the infiltrate was predominantly mononuclear in both mouse strains. There was no H2O2, O2−, IL­2, IL­4, IL­10 and IFN­Î³ production in the course of infection in nude mice; however, in BALB/c, O2− and IL­12 production was higher at 5 months and NO, IFN­Î³ and TNF production was higher at 8 months when there was a decrease in the number of bacilli. The level of anti­PGL­I antibodies was higher in BALB/c mice. Thus, nude and BALB/c mice can be used as experimental models for the study of various aspects of leprosy(AU).

Eficácia do álcool etílico e quaternário de amônio na desinfecção de equipamentos médicos hospitalares / Efficacy of ethyl alcohol and quaternary ammonium in hospital medical equipment disinfection / Eficacia del alcohol etílico y cuaternario de amonio en la desinfección de equipos médicos hospitalarios

Justificativa e Objetivos: Os ambientes hospitalares podem albergar microrganismos patogênicos e oportunistas, sendo o processo de limpeza e desinfecção importante para o controle das Infecções relacionadas à Assistência à Saúde (IRAS). Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficácia do álcool etílico e do quaternário de amônio no processo de desinfecção de equipamentos médicos hospitalares previamente contaminados com Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Métodos: descontaminação de 10 equipamentos médicos hospitalares contaminados com uma suspensão de S. aureus ATCC 25923. A descontaminação ocorreu com álcool etílico nas concentrações de 46,2%, 70% e 99% e com o quaternário de amônio de 1ª e de 5ª geração. Após a descontaminação, foram colhidas amostras da superfície dos equipamentos para cultura bacteriana. Resultados: foi verificado crescimento bacteriano em 80% dos equipamentos descontaminados com álcool 46,2% e 99%. Não houve crescimento bacteriano na superfície dos equipamentos descontaminados com álcool 70% e quaternários de amônio. Conclusão: os processos de desinfecção com álcool 70% e quaternário de amônio de 1ª e 5ª geração foram eficazes no controle do S. aureus, comprovando a ação efetiva destes produtos na desinfecção dos equipamentos médicos hospitalares.(AU)

Background and Objectives: Hospital environments may harbor pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms, and the cleaning and disinfection process is important for the control of Health Care Related Infections (IRAS). Thus, the objective of this work to evaluate compare the efficacy of ethyl alcohol and quaternary ammonium in the disinfection of hospital medical equipment against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Methods: decontamination of 10 hospital medical equipment contaminated with a suspension of S. aureus ATCC 25923. The decontamination occurred with ethyl alcohol at concentrations of 46.2%, 70% and 99% and with the quaternary ammonium of 1st generation and 5th generation. After the decontamination, samples were harvested from the surface of the equipment for bacterial culture. Results: bacterial growth was verified in 80% of the equipment decontaminated with alcohol 46.2% and 99%. There was no bacterial growth on the surface of equipment decontaminated with alcohol 70% and quaternary ammonium. Conclusions: the disinfection processes with alcohol 70% and quaternary ammonium 1st and 5th generation were effective in the control of S. aureus, proving the effectiveness of these products in the disinfection of hospital medical equipment.(AU)

Justificación y objetivos: Los ambientes hospitalarios pueden albergar microorganismos patógenos y oportunistas, siendo el proceso de limpieza y desinfección importante para el control de las Infecciones relacionadas a la Asistencia a la Salud (IRAS). Así, el objetivo de este trabajo evaluar comparar la eficacia del alcohol etílico y del cuaternario de amonio en el proceso de desinfección de equipos médicos hospitalarios previamente contaminados con Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Métodos: la descontaminación de 10 equipos médicos hospitalarios contaminados con una suspensión de S. aureus ATCC 25923. La descontaminación ocurrió con alcohol etílico en las concentraciones de 46,2%, 70% y 99% y con el cuaternario de amonio de 1ª y de 5ª generación. Después de la descontaminación, se tomaron muestras de la superficie de los equipos para cultivo bacteriano. Resultados: se verificó crecimiento bacteriano en el 80% de los equipos descontaminados con alcohol 46,2% y 99%. No hubo crecimiento bacteriano en la superficie de los equipos descontaminados con alcohol 70% y cuaternarios de amonio. Conclusión: los procesos de desinfección con alcohol 70% y cuaternario de amonio de 1ª y 5ª generación fueron eficaces en el control del S. aureus, comprobando la acción efectiva de estos productos en la desinfección de los equipos médicos hospitalarios.(AU)

Subnotificação de acidente ocupacional com materiais biológicos entre profissionais de enfermagem em um hospital público / Underreporting of occupational accidents with biological materials involving nursing professionals in a public hospital

Contexto: Os acidentes de trabalho com exposição a material biológico envolvendo pro fissionais de Enfermagem têm sido fator preocupante, porque, além dos danos que causam aos pro fissionais acidentados, também geram prejuízos às instituições. Objetivo: Veri ficar a subnoti cação da ocorrência de acidentes ocupacionais com material biológico entre pro fissionais de Enfermagem. Métodos: Estudo descritivo, de corte transversal, realizado com pro fissionais de Enfermagem, de ambos os sexos e em ativo exercício pro fissional, de um hospital público do município de Bauru, São Paulo, por meio da aplicação de um questionário elaborado pelos autores. Resultados: Dos 107 pro fissionais da Enfermagem da instituição, 96 (89,8%) aceitaram participar da pesquisa, realizada no período de janeiro a março de 2015. Dos que participaram, 53 (55,2%) referiram ter sofrido acidente com material biológico. A prevalência de subnoti cação foi de 34%; há registro de indivíduos que sofreram até 7 acidentes e não noti ficaram nenhum. Quanto aos acidentes subnoti ficados, 73,9% foram percutâneos e em 67,4% o fluido sanguíneo estava envolvido. O principal motivo alegado pelos participantes para a subnoti ficação foi considerar desnecessário reportar a ocorrência, e a principal razão para o acidente foi a fatalidade. Conclusão: Torna-se evidente a necessidade de aplicação de medidas educativas visando a evitar os acidentes com materiais biológicos (um sério risco à saúde dos pro fissionais). Ressaltamos a importância da noti ficação desses acidentes para permitir o planejamento de estratégias preventivas, além de assegurar ao trabalhador o direito de receber avaliação médica, tratamento adequado e benefícios trabalhistas.

Background: Occupational accidents underwent by nursing professionals following exposure to biological materials are a cause concern, because in addition to the damage caused to the injured professionals, they are also harmful to institutions. Aims: To investigate the underreporting of occupational accidents with biological materials involving nursing professionals. Methods: Descriptive and cross-sectional study conducted with nursing professionals on active work at a public hospital in the city of Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil, through the application of a questionnaire developed by the authors. Results: From 107 nursing professionals in the institution, 96 (89.8%) agreed to participate in the survey, which was conducted from January to March 2015. From the participants, 53 (55.2%) reported having su ered an accident with biological materials. e prevalence of underreporting was 34% and there were individuals who had su ered up to seven accidents without having reported any. Regarding underreported accidents, 73.9% occurred through percutaneous routes and 67.4% involved blood. e main reason not to report accidents was that the participants did not consider it to be necessary, and the main reason for the accident, according them, was fatality. Conclusion: e results of the present study clearly point to the need to develop educational actions aiming at the prevention of accidents with biological materials, which pose a serious risk to healthcare professionals. We emphasize the revelance of reporting such accidents for the planning of preventive strategies, in addition to ensure workers their right to medical assessment, adequate treatment and enforcement of labor rights

Subnotificação de acidente ocupacional com materiais biológicos entre profissionais de enfermagem em um hospital público / Underreporting of occupational accidents with biological materials involving nursing professionals in a public hospital

CONTEXTO: Os acidentes de trabalho com exposição a material biológico envolvendo pro fissionais de Enfermagem têm sido fator preocupante, porque, além dos danos que causam aos pro fissionais acidentados, também geram prejuízos às instituições. OBJETIVO: Veri ficar a subnoti cação da ocorrência de acidentes ocupacionais com material biológico entre pro fissionais de Enfermagem. MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo, de corte transversal, realizado com pro fissionais de Enfermagem, de ambos os sexos e em ativo exercício pro fissional, de um hospital público do município de Bauru, São Paulo, por meio da aplicação de um questionário elaborado pelos autores. RESULTADOS: Dos 107 pro fissionais da Enfermagem da instituição, 96 (89,8%) aceitaram participar da pesquisa, realizada no período de janeiro a março de 2015. Dos que participaram, 53 (55,2%) referiram ter sofrido acidente com material biológico. A prevalência de subnoti cação foi de 34%; há registro de indivíduos que sofreram até 7 acidentes e não noti ficaram nenhum. Quanto aos acidentes subnoti ficados, 73,9% foram percutâneos e em 67,4% o fluido sanguíneo estava envolvido. O principal motivo alegado pelos participantes para a subnoti ficação foi considerar desnecessário reportar a ocorrência, e a principal razão para o acidente foi a fatalidade. CONCLUSÃO: Torna-se evidente a necessidade de aplicação de medidas educativas visando a evitar os acidentes com materiais biológicos (um sério risco à saúde dos pro fissionais). Ressaltamos a importância da noti ficação desses acidentes para permitir o planejamento de estratégias preventivas, além de assegurar ao trabalhador o direito de receber avaliação médica, tratamento adequado e benefícios trabalhistas.

BACKGROUND: Occupational accidents underwent by nursing professionals following exposure to biological materials are a cause concern, because in addition to the damage caused to the injured professionals, they are also harmful to institutions. AIMS: To investigate the underreporting of occupational accidents with biological materials involving nursing professionals. METHODS: Descriptive and cross-sectional study conducted with nursing professionals on active work at a public hospital in the city of Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil, through the application of a questionnaire developed by the authors. RESULTS: From 107 nursing professionals in the institution, 96 (89.8%) agreed to participate in the survey, which was conducted from January to March 2015. From the participants, 53 (55.2%) reported having suffered an accident with biological materials. The prevalence of underreporting was 34% and there were individuals who had suffered up to seven accidents without having reported any. Regarding underreported accidents, 73.9% occurred through percutaneous routes and 67.4% involved blood. The main reason not to report accidents was that the participants did not consider it to be necessary, and the main reason for the accident, according them, was fatality. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study clearly point to the need to develop educational actions aiming at the prevention of accidents with biological materials, which pose a serious risk to healthcare professionals. We emphasize the revelance of reporting such accidents for the planning of preventive strategies, in addition to ensure workers their right to medical assessment, adequate treatment and enforcement of labor rights

THE RELEVANCE OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS ON THE INFECTIOUS PROCESS OF BALB/C MICE INOCULATED WITH Lacazia loboi.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the protein-calorie malnutrition in BALB/c isogenic mice infected with Lacazia loboi, employing nutritional and histopathological parameters. Four groups were composed: G1: inoculated with restricted diet, G2: not inoculated with restricted diet, G3: inoculated with regular diet, G4: not inoculated with regular diet. Once malnutrition had been imposed, the animals were inoculated intradermally in the footpad and after four months, were sacrificed for the excision of the footpad, liver and spleen. The infection did not exert great influence on the body weight of the mice. The weight of the liver and spleen showed reduction in the undernourished groups when compared to the nourished groups. The macroscopic lesions, viability index and total number of fungi found in the footpads of the infected mice were increased in G3 when compared to G1. Regarding the histopathological analysis of the footpad, a global cellularity increase in the composition of the granuloma was observed in G3 when compared to G1, with large numbers of macrophages and multinucleated giant cells, discrete numbers of lymphocytes were present in G3 and an increase was observed in G1. The results suggest that there is considerable interaction between Jorge Lobo's disease and nutrition.

THE RELEVANCE OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS ON THE INFECTIOUS PROCESS OF BALB/C MICE INOCULATED WITH Lacazia loboi / A relevância do estado nutricional e alterações histopatológicas no processo infeccioso de camundongos BALB/c inoculados com Lacazia loboi

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the protein-calorie malnutrition in BALB/c isogenic mice infected with Lacazia loboi, employing nutritional and histopathological parameters. Four groups were composed: G1: inoculated with restricted diet, G2: not inoculated with restricted diet, G3: inoculated with regular diet, G4: not inoculated with regular diet. Once malnutrition had been imposed, the animals were inoculated intradermally in the footpad and after four months, were sacrificed for the excision of the footpad, liver and spleen. The infection did not exert great influence on the body weight of the mice. The weight of the liver and spleen showed reduction in the undernourished groups when compared to the nourished groups. The macroscopic lesions, viability index and total number of fungi found in the footpads of the infected mice were increased in G3 when compared to G1. Regarding the histopathological analysis of the footpad, a global cellularity increase in the composition of the granuloma was observed in G3 when compared to G1, with large numbers of macrophages and multinucleated giant cells, discrete numbers of lymphocytes were present in G3 and an increase was observed in G1. The results suggest that there is considerable interaction between Jorge Lobo's disease and nutrition.

RESUMO O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da desnutrição protéico-calórica em camundongos isogênicos da linhagem BALB/c inoculados com Lacazia loboi, empregando parâmetros nutricionais e histopatológicos. Foram constituídos quatro grupos: G1- inoculados com restrição dietética; G2- não inoculados com restrição dietética; G3- inoculados sem restrição dietética; G4- não inoculados sem restrição dietética. Após instalada a desnutrição, os animais foram inoculados via intradérmica no coxim plantar e após quatro meses foram sacrificados para remoção do coxim plantar, fígado e baço. A infecção não exerceu grande influência no peso corporal dos camundongos. O peso do fígado e baço apresentou redução nos grupos desnutridos em comparação aos grupos nutridos. A lesão macroscópica, a viabilidade e o número total de fungos dos coxins plantares dos camundongos inoculados revelaram aumento no G3 quando comparado com o G1. Em relação à análise histopatológica dos coxins plantares observou-se aumento da celularidade global na composição do granuloma no G3 em relação ao G1, com grande número de macrófagos e células gigantes multinucleadas, discretos números de linfócitos estavam presentes em G3 e aumentados no G1. Os resultados sugerem que existe grande interação entre nutrição e doença de Jorge Lobo.

Nutritional status and immune response in murine experimental Jorge Lobo's disease.

There are no studies investigating the role of nutritional status and immunity associated with Jorge Lobo's disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of protein-calorie malnutrition on the immune response of BALB/c mice inoculated with Lacazia loboi. In this study,the animals were divided into four groups: G1: inoculated with restricted diet, G2: not inoculated with restricted diet, G3: inoculated with regular diet, G4: not inoculated with regular diet. The animals of groups G1 and G2 were submitted to malnutrition for 20 days and once installed the animals were inoculated intradermally into the footpad. After 4 months, they were euthanised for the isolation of peritoneal lavage cells and removal of the footpad. The production of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-γ, TNF-α, H2 O2 and nitric oxide (NO) was evaluated in the peritoneal lavage cells. The footpad was evaluated regarding the size of macroscopic lesions, number of fungi and viability index. The results showed that the infection did not exert great influence on the body weight of the mice and previous malnutrition was an unfavourable factor for viability index, number of fungi, macroscopic lesion size in the footpad and production of H2 O2 , NO, IL-12, IL-10 and IFN-γ, suggesting that malnutrition significantly altered fungal activity and peritoneal cells. The results suggest considerable interaction between nutrition and immunity in Jorge Lobo's disease.

DNA damage in BALB/c mice infected with Lacazia loboi and its relation to nutritional status.

BACKGROUND: Jorge Lobo's disease, also known as lacaziosis, is a cutaneous-subcutaneous mycosis with chronic evolution. It is caused by the fungus Lacazia loboi. Herein we report a study that relates the genotoxicity caused by L. loboi in isogenic mice with nutritional status, through a normal or restricted diet. METHODS: DNA damage was assessed in the peripheral blood by the comet assay (tail intensity). RESULTS: The results for leukocytes showed increases in the mean tail intensity in mice under dietary restriction, in infected mice under dietary restriction and in infected mice ingesting a normal diet. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that dietary restriction and L. loboi infection may increase DNA damage levels in mice, as detected by the comet assay.

Study of murine experimental Jorge Lobo's disease by analysis of peritoneal lavage cells and footpad histopathology: early versus chronic lesions.

The murine model of Jorge Lobo's disease is characterized by histological alterations similar to those seen in human disease, including a large number of viable fungi. This study evaluated the immune response of mice with early and late macroscopic lesions (5 and 13 months post-inoculation [p.i.], respectively) by the analysis of peritoneal lavage cells and footpad (FP) histology. The FP of mice were inoculated with 1 × 10(6) fungi (viability index of 41%). At 5 and 13 months p.i., the granuloma mainly consisted of macrophages and multinucleated giant cells, but a larger number of neutrophils was observed at 5 months and lymphocytes at 13 months. The number of fungi in the FP and fungal viability were 1.8 ± 1.1 × 10(6) fungi/ml and 38.5% at 5 months p.i. and 30.8 ± 11.7 × 10(6) fungi/ml and 9% at 13 months (P < .05). Higher production of H2O2, O2(-), IL-10, and TNF-α were observed at 13 months (P < .05), but there was no significant difference in the production of NO, IL-2, IL-4, IL-12 and IFN-γ. The results showed significant differences between early and late lesions and support the use of BALB/c mice for evaluation of the different phases of infection.

Nutritional status and immune response in murine experimental Jorge Lobo's disease

There are no studies investigating the role of nutritional status and immunity associated with Jorge Lobo's disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of protein-calorie malnutrition on the immune response of BALB/c mice inoculated with Lacazia loboi. In this study,the animals were divided into four groups: G1: inoculated with restricted diet, G2: not inoculated with restricted diet, G3: inoculated with regular diet, G4: not inoculated with regular diet. The animals of groups G1 and G2 were submitted to malnutrition for 20 days and once installed the animals were inoculated intradermally into the footpad. After 4 months, they were euthanised for the isolation of peritoneal lavage cells and removal of the footpad. The production of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-γ, TNF-α, H2 O2 and nitric oxide (NO) was evaluated in the peritoneal lavage cells. The footpad was evaluated regarding the size of macroscopic lesions, number of fungi and viability index. The results showed that the infection did not exert great influence on the body weight of the mice and previous malnutrition was an unfavourable factor for viability index, number of fungi, macroscopic lesion size in the footpad and production of H2 O2 , NO, IL-12, IL-10 and IFN-γ, suggesting that malnutrition significantly altered fungal activity and peritoneal cells. The results suggest considerable interaction between nutrition and immunity in Jorge Lobo's disease

Study of murine experimental Jorge Lobo's disease by analysis of peritoneal lavage cells and footpad histopathology: early versus chronic lesions

The murine model of Jorge Lobo's disease is characterized by histological alterations similar to those seen in human disease, including a large number of viable fungi. This study evaluated the immune response of mice with early and late macroscopic lesions (5 and 13 months post-inoculation [p.i.], respectively) by the analysis of peritoneal lavage cells and footpad (FP) histology. The FP of mice were inoculated with 1 × 106 fungi (viability index of 41%). At 5 and 13 months p.i., the granuloma mainly consisted of macrophages and multinucleated giant cells, but a larger number of neutrophils was observed at 5 months and lymphocytes at 13 months. The number of fungi in the FP and fungal viability were 1.8 ± 1.1 × 106 fungi/ml and 38.5% at 5 months p.i. and 30.8 ± 11.7 × 106 fungi/ml and 9% at 13 months (P < .05). Higher production of H2O2, O2−, IL-10, and TNF-α were observed at 13 months (P < .05), but there was no significant difference in the production of NO, IL-2, IL-4, IL-12 and IFN-γ. The results showed significant differences between early and late lesions and support the use of BALB/c mice for evaluation of the different phases of infection