Anxiolytic-like effects of standardized extract of Justicia pectoralis (SEJP) in mice: Involvement of GABA/benzodiazepine in receptor.

Justicia pectoralis (Acanthaceae) is used as an antiinflammatory, antimicrobial and bronchodilator, and its extract exerts an anxiolytic-like effect profile in animal models. This work presents the behavioral effects of an aqueous standardized extract of Justicia pectoralis (SEJP) in animal models, such as the elevated plus maze (EPM), light/dark, open field, rota rod and pentobarbital sleep time. The extract was administered intragastrically to male mice at single doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, while diazepam 1 or 2 mg/kg was used as a standard drug and flumazenil 2.5 mg/kg was used to evaluate the participation of benzodiazepinic receptors. The results showed that, similar to diazepam (1 mg/kg), SEJP significantly modified all the observed parameters in the EPM test, without altering the general motor activity in the open field, rota rod and pentobarbital sleep time tests. Flumazenil reversed not only the diazepam effect but also the SEJP effect. In the same way, all doses of SEJP increased the time of permanence in the light box in the light/dark test. The results showed that SEJP presented an anxiolytic-like effect, disproving sedative effects.

Association of human herpesvirus 6 infection with exanthem subitum in Belem, Brazil

Infeccao recente por hipervirus humano tipo 6 (HHV-6) foi detectada em casos de exantema subito envolvendo quatro criancas com idades de 10 a 24 meses, no periodo compreendido entre abril e agosto de 1994, em Belem, Brasil. Utilizando-se a tecnica da imunofluorecencia indireta, aumentos significativos (de pelo menos oito vezes) foram observadas nas concentracoes de anticorpos das amostras de soro, da fase aguda para as da convalescente, com oito titulos variando de <1:10 / 1:80 a < 1:10 / 1:640 (pacientes 3 e 2, respectivamente). Todas as criancas apresentaram febre alta (acima de 39ºC) por tres dias, seguida de exantema maculo-papular generalizado. O exame fisico realizado nas criancas revelou concomitancia de adenomegalia cervical e amigdalite em dois desses individuos.

Association of human herpesvirus 6 infection with exanthem subitum in Belem, Brazil.

Recent human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infection was detected in cases of exanthem subitum (ES) involving four children, aged 10 to 24 months, between April and August 1994, in Belém, Brazil. By using the indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay (IFA), significant increases (at least eight times) in antibody concentrations were noted from the acute to the convalescent serum samples, with titers ranging from < 1:10/1:80 to < 1:10/1:640 (patients 3 and 2, respectively). All children had high fever (over 39 degrees C) for three days, followed by generalized, maculo-papular skin rash. A physical examination of the children also revealed concomitant, cervical lymph node swelling and tonsillar pharyngitis in two of them.

No relationship between HTLV-1 infection and filariasis--Serological study on patients with filariasis in Recife, Brazil.

The seroprevalence of antibodies against human T-cell leukemia virus was determined by ELISA in 68 patients with filarial infestation living in an endemic area. The total seropositivity was 2.9% and the HTLV-1-positive cases were detected in 2 microfilaremic patients 12 and 40 years old. This value is very close to that obtained for healthy individuals in the same region and age groups. This result suggests that there is no relationship between filariasis and HTLV-1 infection as previously proposed.

Prevalence of human herpesvirus 6 antibody among isolated Amazonian Amerindian communities in Brazil.

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV6) antibody was detected by the anticomplement immunofluorescence test in 65 of 592 serum samples (10.9%) obtained from Amerindians belonging to 4 remote communities inhabiting the Amazon Region of Brazil. Seropositivity rates ranged from 5.4% in the Oyampí to 14.9% in the Tucano. Among the Mekranoiti and Tiriyo, the seroprevalence rates were 12.5% and 11.8%, respectively. In children aged 0-10 years, the prevalences of HHV6 antibody ranged from 5.2% to 24.2%, among the Oyampí and Mekranoiti tribes, respectively. In the 11-20 and > 20 years old age groups, percentages of positivity ranged, in the former group, from 9.5% to 17.5% in the Oyampí and Tucano, respectively and, in the latter group, from 1.3% in the Oyampí to 14.8% in the Tucano. The prevalences of HHV6 antibody decreased regularly through the first 3 age-groups in the Mekranoiti and Tiriyo. In addition, frequencies of seropositivity were consistently higher in males than in females in the Mekranoiti (P < 0.05), Oyampí and Tiriyo tribes.

Human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) antibodies in healthy populations and renal transplanted patients in the north-east of Brazil.

The seroprevalence of human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection was investigated in Brazilians (570): native inhabitants (298) and descendants from Japanese (272) living in Recife and its neighborhoods--North-east of Brazil. Furthermore, polytransfused renal transplanted patients (54) were also examined for the serological status to this virus. The seropositivity to HTLV-1, screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), was low: 1.34% for the local population and 0.73% for the descendants from Japanese. However, the seropositivity for the renal transplanted patients was found to be 11.1%. This higher value suggests that this retrovirus infection seems to be of importance in this clinical condition.

Cytomegalovirus, human herpesvirus 6 and human T cell leukemia virus infection in renal transplanted patients in the northeast of Brazil.

The seroprevalence of antibodies against cytomegalovirus (CMV), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), determined by ELISA and by fluorescence in 54 renal transplanted patients, was 96.2%, 88.8% and 11.1%, respectively. These values are relatively high when compared with the results obtained for healthy individuals of the same age groups from Recife, Northeastern Brazil. Active CMV infection was detected by the presence of IgM antibodies and/or virus isolation in 13 (24%) patients. Kidney rejection and renal dysfunction were observed in 11 of these 13 patients, whereas 3 of 6 HTLV-1 antibody-positive individuals presented these complications. All HTLV-1 positive patients were also positive to IgG CMV and HHV-6 antibodies. The importance of the three viruses in this clinical condition is suggested by the high seropositivity rates compared with the healthy population. The group may also represent a potential source of HTLV-1 infection in this non-endemic area.

Cytomegalovirus, human herpesvirus 6 and human T cell leukemia virus infection in renal transplanted patients in the northeast of Brazil

The seroprevalence of antibodies against cytomegalovirus (CMV), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), determined by ELISA and by fluorescence in 54 renal transplanted patients, was 96.2 per cent , 88.8 per cent and 11.1 per cent , respectively. These values are relatively high when compared with the results obtained for healthy individuals of the same age groups from Recife, Northeastern Brazil. Active CMV infection was detected by the presence of IgM antibodies and/or virus isolation in 13 (24 per cent ) patients. Kidney rejection and renal dysfunction were observed in 11 of these 13 patients, whereas 3 of 6 HTLV-1 antibody-positive individuals presented these complications. All HTLV-1 positive patients were also positive to IgG CMV and HHV-6 antibodies. The importance of the three viruses in this clinical condition is suggested by the high seropositivity rates compared with the healthy population. The group may also represent a potential source of HTLV-1 infection in this non-endemic area

Seroprevalence of human herpesvirus 6 infection in Brazilian and Japanese populations in the north-east of Brazil.

The seroprevalence of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infection was examined for 434 Brazilians and 250 Japanese immigrants living in Recife and its vicinity, in the North-East of Brazil. A total of 684 sera from the healthy individuals were screened for IgG antibodies to HHV-6 by anticomplement immunofluorescence (ACIF) test. The seropositivity rate to HHV-6 showed little difference between the two groups: namely, it was 76.5% for Brazilians and 77.2% for Japanese immigrants. The seropositivity rate was constantly higher in females than in males. The high prevalence of anti-HHV-6 antibodies among children indicates that HHV-6 infection occurs very early in life.

Microbiologia da diarréia aguda endêmica em crianças do Recife / Microbiology of endemic acute diarrhoea in children of Recife

Entre fevereiro e junho de 1989, investigaram-se 126 crianças diarréicas e 126 controles, pareados pela idade, para a detecçäo de bactérias, vírus e parasitos enteropatogênicos. Identificaram-se um ou mais patógenos em 81,8% dos pacientes e em 61,9% dos controles. Escherichia coli enteropatogênica(EPEC) foi o patógeno mais frequentemente identificado. EPEC mostrando aderência localizada, E.coli enteroaderente agregativa, Shigella, Rotavírus e Cryptosporidium foram associados com os casos significativamente. Por outra parte, EPEC näo aderente, E.Coli exibindo aderência difusa, E.coli enterotoxigênica (ETEC) produtora de LT, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Adenovírus, Giardia lamblia e Endamoeba histolytica näo mostraram diferenças significativas entre casos e controles. ETEC produtoras de ST,E.coli enteroinvasiva e enterohemorrágica, Aeromonas, Pleisaomonas e Vibrio foram isolados em taxas muito baixas para permitir avaliar seus papéis na doenças diarréica, no Recife

Prevalence of cytomegalovirus antibodies in Brazilian and Japanese populations in the north-east of Brazil.

The serological status to cytomegalovirus (CMV) was examined for 616 Brazilians and 399 Japanese immigrants living in the North-East of Brazil. The sera were screened for IgG antibodies to CMV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The overall prevalence of CMV antibodies was higher in the Japanese population (83.7%) than in the Brazilian population (69.8%). The seropositivity was analyzed by factors of age, sex, ethnic background, and socioeconomic status. Mother-baby contact seems to be a factor of significance in the seroepidemiology of CMV infection.

Sequential changes in cytomegalovirus antigenic pattern during infection of renal transplant patients.

Changes in the antigenic pattern of cytomegalovirus occurring during the course of infection were studied in two renal transplant patients. The virus was isolated several times from each patient. After two to five passages in vitro, the immune precipitate formed either with guinea-pig antiserum raised to Davis reference strain, or with human serum taken from the same patient during the acute phase of the infection, was analysed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Isolates from each patient showed a slightly different antigenic pattern with both human and experimental antisera. These differences possibly reflect modulation of the expression of proteins during the course of viral infection in the patients and during adaptation to cell culture in vitro.

Polypeptides and major antigens of four new isolates of cytomegalovirus.

Two strains of cytomegalovirus (CMV) from patients with renal transplants and two other strains of CMV from young children were successfully propagated in human diploid cells, MRC5. Analysis by SDS-PAGE of these viruses passaged only 4 to 6 times revealed 21 to 29 polypeptides. The freshly isolated strains differed from reference strains, Ad 169 and Davis, in the number of bands, in the intensity of labeling of each band and also in molecular weight of the polypeptides. Some bands were common to all six strains. Some bands of molecular weight above 105 K were present in some strains and not in others. This was also the case for some bands between 64 and 76 K and two to five bands at low molecular weight between 17 and 22 K were detected. The band at 68 K was the most intensely labeled. Several polypeptides were precipitated by immune sera containing antibodies to CMV (one positive human serum and one guinea pig antiserum to Davis strain). Different bands were observed after precipitation, depending on the antiserum used and the strain of virus. Interstrain differences were found to be associated with antigenic heterogeneity. However, these cannot be correlated as yet with primary infection or reactivation.