Seasonal prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) in northern Mexico.

This study aimed to describe the shedding pattern of gastrointestinal parasite eggs by a wild population of desert bighorn sheep (DBS; Ovis canadensis) in northern Mexico. Seventy-five fresh faecal samples were collected from the ground in each season within an hour after being expelled by these animals. The generalized linear mixed model showed that eggs per gram of faeces were highest in winter (577 ± 399) and lowest in summer (260 ± 198). Generalized linear models revealed that Strongyloides spp. predominated during most seasons with a peak in summer (85% of faecal samples analysed) and the absence of this helminth in winter. Nematodirus spp. was another helminth present in three seasons, with the presence of this nematode in 35% of the faecal samples in spring and 0% in summer. Other parasites in DBS faeces included Bunostomun spp., Trichostrongylus spp., Cooperia spp., Mecistocirrus digitatus, Haemonchus contortus, Chabertia ovina and Eimeria ovinoidalis. There were differences among seasons in the percentage of these helminths and coccidia in faecal samples for all these parasites. It was concluded that helminths egg output in DBS in a semi-arid rangeland is lowest in summer and spring and highest in autumn and winter. Furthermore, it was shown that DBS in the study site do not suffer from severe parasite burden. Therefore, this nematode parasite burden is compatible with the conservation and well-being of this particular population.

CD4+ CD25+ FOXP3+ Treg cells induced by rSSP4 derived from T. cruzi amastigotes increase parasitemia in an experimental Chagas disease model.

Currently, there is a considerable controversy over the participation of Treg cells during Trypanosoma cruzi infection, the main point being whether these cells play a negative or a positive role. In this work, we found that the adoptive transfer of CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) T cells from rSSP4- (a recombinant Trypanosoma cruzi amastigote derived protein, previously shown to have immunomodulatory properties on macrophages) immunized BALB/c donors into syngenic recipients simultaneously with T. cruzi challenge reduces cardiac inflammation and prolongs hosts' survival but increases blood parasitemia and parasite loads in the heart. These CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) Treg cells from immunized mice have a relatively TGF-ß-dependent suppressive activity on CD4(+) T cells. Therefore, regulatory CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells play a positive role in the development of acute T. cruzi infection by inducing immunosuppressive activity that controls early cardiac inflammation during acute Chagas disease, prolonging survival, but at the same time promoting parasite growth.

Differential immune response in mice immunized with the A, R or C domain from TcSP protein of Trypanosoma cruzi or with the coding DNAs.

In a murine model of experimental Trypanosoma cruzi (H8 strain) infection, we investigated the induction of protective immunity against the domains [amino (A), repeats (R) and carboxyl (C)] of the surface protein (SP), a member of the trans-sialidase (TS) superfamily. Recombinant proteins and plasmid DNA coding for the respective proteins were used to immunize BALB/c mice, and the humoral response and cytokine levels were analysed. Immunization with the recombinant proteins induced higher levels of anti-TcSP antibodies than immunization with the corresponding DNAs, and analysis of serum cytokines showed that immunization with both recombinant proteins and naked DNA resulted in a Th1-Th2 mixed T-cell response. Mice immunized with either recombinant proteins or plasmid DNA were infected with blood trypomastigotes. The recombinant protein-immunized mice showed a variable reduction in peak parasitemia, and most died by day 60. Only the pBKTcSPR-immunized mice exhibited a significant reduction in peak parasitemia and survived the lethal challenge. DNA-based immunization with DNA coding for the repeats domain of TcSP is a good candidate for the development of a vaccine against experimental T. cruzi infection.

Plasmid DNA immunization with Trypanosoma cruzi genes induces cardiac and clinical protection against Chagas disease in the canine model.

The only existing preventive measure against American trypanosomosis, or Chagas disease, is the control of the transmitting insect, which has only been effective in a few South American regions. Currently, there is no vaccine available to prevent this disease. Here, we present the clinical and cardiac levels of protection induced by expression to Trypanosoma cruzi genes encoding the TcSP and TcSSP4 proteins in the canine model. Physical examination, diagnostic chagasic serology, and serial electrocardiograms were performed before and after immunization, as well as after experimental infection. We found that immunization with recombinant plasmids prevented hyperthermia in the acute phase of experimental infection and produced lymphadenomegaly as an immunological response against the parasite and additionally prevented heart rate elevation (tachycardia) in the acute and/or chronic stages of infection. Immunization with T. cruzi genes encoding the TcSP and TcSSP4 antigens diminished the quality and quantity of the electrocardiographic abnormalities, thereby avoiding progression to more severe developments such as right bundle branch block or ventricular premature complexes in a greater number of dogs.

Más allá del diagnóstico fotodinámico: buscando la excelencia en el diagnóstico del cáncer vesical no músculo-invasivo / Beyond the photodynamic diagnosis: Searching for excellence in the diagnosis of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer

La cistoscopia es el método de elección en el diagnóstico positivo del cáncer vesical no músculo-invasivo. La tasa de tumores que pasan inadvertidos durante la cistoscopia puede llegar al 30%; esto es debido a factores como la existencia de formas tumorales planas, de pequeño tamaño o de difícil visualización. El diagnóstico fotodinámico ha conseguido disminuir la tasa de tumores que pasan inadvertidos, y ha conseguido mejorar el diagnóstico de lesiones planas; con el consiguiente aumento del tiempo libre de recidiva y disminuyendo el número de actuaciones endoscópicas iterativas; pero a costa de una tasa de falsos positivos elevada. En los últimos años se han desarrollado una serie de sistemas ópticos que pretenden; sólos o asociados; mejorar la sensibilidad diagnóstica de la cistoscopia sin menoscabo de su especificidad. Entre estos sistemas debemos destacar algúnos como Narrow Band Imaging, la Tomografía de Coherencia Óptica y la Endomicroscopía Láser Confocal (AU)

Cystoscopy is gold-standard method in non muscule invasive bladder cancer diagnosis. In the cistoscopic exploratión 30% of tumors could be overlookeed: it is due to a flat forms, litle size tumours or difficult visualization. Photodynamic diagnosis reduces overlooked tumours rate, and has improved diagnosis on flat forms, with the consequence of increasing lap time to recurrence and decrasing the number of iterative cistoscopy; nevertheless the false positive rate is high. In the last years developed new optical devices who try to improve alone or asociated diagnostic sensibility in cistoscopy whithout reduction of specificity. Among new devices we must emphasize some like Narow Band Imaging, Optical Coherence Tomography or Laser Confocal Endomicroscopy (AU)

[Beyond the photodynamic diagnosis: Searching for excellence in the diagnosis of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer]. / Más allá del diagnóstico fotodinámico: buscando la excelencia en el diagnóstico del cáncer vesical no músculo-invasivo.

Cystoscopy is gold-standard method in non muscule invasive bladder cancer diagnosis. In the cistoscopic exploratión 30% of tumors could be overlooked: it is due to a flat forms, little size tumours or difficult visualization. Photodynamic diagnosis reduces overlooked tumours rate, and has improved diagnosis on flat forms, with the consequence of increasing lap time to recurrence and decreasing the number of iterative cistoscopy; nevertheless the false positive rate is high. In the last years developed new optical devices who try to improve alone or associated diagnostic sensibility in cistoscopy without reduction of specificity. Among new devices we must emphasize some like Narrow Band Imaging, Optical Coherence Tomography or Laser Confocal Endomicroscopy.

Subcellular distribution of the Entamoeba histolytica 140 kDa FN-binding molecule during host-parasite interaction.

Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites recovered from the host-parasite interface during abscess development obtain different stimuli compared with long-term cultured cells. In order to have a better understanding about the mechanisms in which the 140 kDa fibronectin (FN)-binding molecule (EhFNR) is involved during the invasive process, we decided to compare the regulation process of this molecule among long-term cultured trophozoites, FN-stimulated trophozoites, and trophozoites recently recovered from a liver abscess. A cDNA clone (5A) containing a fragment of the EhFNR that shows identity to the C-terminal region of the intermediate galactose lectin subunit Igl, was selected with a mAb (3C10). Identity of EhFNR with Igl was confirmed by immunoprecipitation with 3C10 and EH3015 (against the Gal/GalNAc intermediate subunit) mAbs. The 3C10 mAb was used as a tool to explore the modulation of the amoebic receptor (EhFNR). Our results showed specific regulation of the EhFNR in FN-interacted amoebas, as well as in trophozoites recovered at different stages of abscess development. This regulation involved mobilization of the receptor molecule from internal vesicles to the plasma membrane. Therefore, we suggest that in the host-parasite interface, the EhFNR (Igl) plays an important role in the adhesion process during abscess development.

[Incrusted cystitis after Mitomicin-C]. / Cistitis incrustante tras Mitomicina C.

Incrusted cystitis is an infrequent process characterized by precipitation an incrustation of salts on the vesical mucosa. An alkanine urine is required to this precipitation. The urinary infection with urolithic activity microorganisms can also be a very important factor. We present a case of incrusted cystitis after using Mitomicine as vesical chemotherapy.

Cistitis incrustante tras Mitomicina C / Incrusted cystitis after Mitomicin-C

La cistitis incrustante o incrustada es un proceso frecuente que se caracteriza por la precipitación de sales en la mucosa vesical. La presencia de orinas alcalinas parece ser un factor fundamental para dicho depósito. Las infecciones urinarias por gérmenes urealíticos también parece ser un factor importante. Presentamos un caso de cistitis incrustante tras el uso de Mitomicina C como quimioterápico intravesical (AU)

Incrusted cystitis is an infrecuent process characterized by precipitation an incrustation of salts on the vesical mucosa. An alkanine urine is required to this precipitation. The urinary infection with urolithic activity microorganisms can also be a very important factor. We present a case of incrusted cystitis after using Mitomicine as vesical chemotherapy (AU)

Recombinant SSP4 protein from Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes regulates nitric oxide production by macrophages.

Acute infection with Trypanosoma cruzi is characterized by immunosuppression mediated by T cells and macrophages (Mphis). Nitric oxide (NO) production during the initial phase of acute infection might participate in the clearance of parasites by Mphis, whereas its overproduction during the late phase of acute infection would account for the immunosuppression observed. Trypanosoma cruzi molecules that might regulate the host responses have not been fully identified. Here, we demonstrate that active immunization with MBP::SSP4, a recombinant protein derived from a surface antigen specific of T. cruzi amastigotes (TcSSP4), was able to stimulate Ab production (IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b). On the other hand, MBP::SSP4 was able to stimulate NO production by peritoneal Mphis from BALB/c mice and Mphis from the J774 cell line. This effect was also observed at the level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) detected by Western Blot. Furthermore, MBP::SSP4 was also shown to induce the expression of IL-1alpha, IL-6, IL-12, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha in normal animals, and IL-10 in immunized animals. In addition the protein MBP::SSP4 was able to bind to the surface of PMphis and J774 Mphis. These results suggest that TcSSP4 could modulate Mphi NO production and this may represent a mechanism participating in the immunoregulatory processes during Chagas' disease.

[Melanoma metastatic to the female urethra. Report of a case]. / Melanoma metastásico a uretra femenina. Aportación de un caso.

We report a case of a 77 years old woman with an previous malignant melanoma, who presented an urethral metastasis. The disease was treated with conservative therapy by local excision after pedicle ligation, and she is free of symptoms after one 1 year of control.

[Appendix mucinous cystadenoma]. / Cistoadenoma mucinoso apendicular.

Mucous cystadenomas are benign epithelial tumours with great mucous content inside. Despite being non-malignant, they acquired great size, compressing and displacing important structures and organs of the zone, with theirs unlucky outcomes. Surgical exeresis is very difficult, being almost impossible its total exeresis, showing great frequency of relapse. We present an appendix mucous cystadenoma case in a 54 years old patient.

Melanoma metastásico a uretra femenina. Aportación de un caso / Primary melanoma metastatized to female urethra. Contribution of one case

Se describe el caso de una mujer de 77 años con el antecedente previo de melanoma maligno en extremidad inferior, que presentó una lesión uretral compatible con metástasis de melanoma maligno. La lesión fue tratada con medidas conservadoras por medio de una exéresis local tras ligadura de su pedículo, estando la paciente asintomática a 1 año de seguimiento (AU)

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Cistoadenoma mucinoso apendicular / Apendix mucous distoadenoma

Los cistoadenomas mucinosos son tumores benignos de estirpe epitelial con abundante contenido mucoide en su interior. Aún siendo benignos, alcanzan gran tamaño, comprimiendo y desplazando órganos y estructuras importantes de la región, con las consecuencias que se derivan de dicha compresión. La exéresis quirúrgica es muy aparatosa, siendo dificil su extirpación total, presentando además una gran tendencia a la recidiva.Presentamos el caso de un paciente de 54 años con cistoadenoma mucinoso localizado a nivel apendicular (AU)

[Urethral nephrogenic adenoma in a young male. Report of a case]. / Adenoma nefrogénico uretral en varón joven. Aportación de un caso.

Nephrogenic adenoma is a rare urothelial neoformation. It is well known the association to infective diseases and stones; the most common localization is in the bladder. We report the case of a young male without previous disease who showed a nephrogenic adenoma in the urethra, it was managed with transurethral resection and surveillance.

[Thrombosis of the renal artery secondary to closed abdominal trauma]. / Trombosis de la arteria renal secundaria a traumatismo abdominal cerrado.

We report a case of female 24 years old who had a blunt abdominal trauma. The immediate consequence was the radiological evidence of a left kidney abolition, secondary to a renal artery thrombosis. The treatment was conservative, and there was not a surgical procedure.

Adenoma nefrogénico uretral en varón joven. Aportación de un caso / Urethral nephrogenic adenoma in young male. Case report

El adenoma nefrogénico es una extraña neoformación de origen urotelial. Se conoce su asociación con procesos infectivos y litiásicos; es común su localización vesical. Comunicamos el caso de un varón joven sin ningún antecedente, que presentó un adenoma nefrogénico a nivel uretral. Fue tratado con resección de la lesión y vigilancia (AU)

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[Prostatic angiosarcoma: report of a new case]. / Angiosarcoma prostático: aportación de un nuevo caso.

We report the case of a 31 year old male, with lower urinary tract symptoms. We achieved the diagnosis of an prostate angiosarcoma. The treatment was a retropubic radical prostatectomy and partially resection of bladder neck, followed by chemotherapy with Ifosfamide and Adriamycin. At least 36 months up to surgery the patient is alive and free of symptoms and radiological signs of recurrence.

Trombosis de la arteria renal secundaria a traumatismo abdominal cerrado / Renal artery trombosis secondary to a blunt abdominal trauma

Se presenta el caso de una mujer joven de 24 años que sufrió un traumatismo abdominal cerrado. La consecuencia de éste fue el hallazgo radiológico de una abolición de la unidad renal izquierda, secundaria a lesión trombótica en la arteria renal. El tratamiento fue conservador, y no se derivó actuación quirúrgica alguna (AU)