Strenuous swimming raises blood non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity in rats.

The non-enzymatic antioxidant system protects blood components from oxidative damage and/or injury. Herein, plasma non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity after acute strenuous swimming exercise (Exe) and exercise until exhaustion (Exh) was measured in rats. The experiments were carried out in never exposed (Nex) and pre-exposed (Pex) groups. The Nex group did not undergo any previous training before the acute strenuous swimming test and the Pex group was submitted to daily swimming for 10 min in the first week and 15 min per day in the second week before testing. Plasma glucose, lactate, and pyruvate were measured and plasma total protein sulfhydryl groups (thiol), trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP) levels were evaluated. There were marked increases in plasma lactate concentrations (Nex-Control 1.31±0.20 vs NexExe 4.16±0.39 vs NexExh 7.19±0.67) and in thiol (Nex-Control 271.9±5.6 vs NexExh 314.7±5.7), TEAC (Nex-Control 786.4±60.2 vs NexExh 1027.7±58.2), FRAP (Nex-Control 309.2±17.7 vs NexExh 413.4±24.3), and TRAP (Nex-Control 0.50±0.15 vs NexExh 2.6±0.32) levels after acute swimming and/or exhaustion. Also, there were increased plasma lactate concentrations (Pex-Control 1.39±0.15 vs PexExe 5.22±0.91 vs PexExh 10.07±0.49), thiol (Pex-Control 252.9±8.2 vs PexExh 284.6±6.7), FRAP (Pex-Control 296.5±15.4 vs PexExh 445.7±45.6), and TRAP (Pex-Control 1.8±0.1 vs PexExh 4.6±0.2) levels after acute swimming and/or exhaustion. Lactate showed the highest percent of elevation in the Nex and Pex groups. In conclusion, plasma lactate may contribute to plasma antioxidant defenses, and the TRAP assay is the most sensitive assay for assessing plasma non-antioxidant capacity after strenuous exercise.

Strenuous swimming raises blood non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity in rats

The non-enzymatic antioxidant system protects blood components from oxidative damage and/or injury. Herein, plasma non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity after acute strenuous swimming exercise (Exe) and exercise until exhaustion (Exh) was measured in rats. The experiments were carried out in never exposed (Nex) and pre-exposed (Pex) groups. The Nex group did not undergo any previous training before the acute strenuous swimming test and the Pex group was submitted to daily swimming for 10 min in the first week and 15 min per day in the second week before testing. Plasma glucose, lactate, and pyruvate were measured and plasma total protein sulfhydryl groups (thiol), trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP) levels were evaluated. There were marked increases in plasma lactate concentrations (Nex-Control 1.31±0.20 vs NexExe 4.16±0.39 vs NexExh 7.19±0.67) and in thiol (Nex-Control 271.9±5.6 vs NexExh 314.7±5.7), TEAC (Nex-Control 786.4±60.2 vs NexExh 1027.7±58.2), FRAP (Nex-Control 309.2±17.7 vs NexExh 413.4±24.3), and TRAP (Nex-Control 0.50±0.15 vs NexExh 2.6±0.32) levels after acute swimming and/or exhaustion. Also, there were increased plasma lactate concentrations (Pex-Control 1.39±0.15 vs PexExe 5.22±0.91 vs PexExh 10.07±0.49), thiol (Pex-Control 252.9±8.2 vs PexExh 284.6±6.7), FRAP (Pex-Control 296.5±15.4 vs PexExh 445.7±45.6), and TRAP (Pex-Control 1.8±0.1 vs PexExh 4.6±0.2) levels after acute swimming and/or exhaustion. Lactate showed the highest percent of elevation in the Nex and Pex groups. In conclusion, plasma lactate may contribute to plasma antioxidant defenses, and the TRAP assay is the most sensitive assay for assessing plasma non-antioxidant capacity after strenuous exercise.

Strenuous swimming raises blood non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity in rats

The non-enzymatic antioxidant system protects blood components from oxidative damage and/or injury. Herein, plasma non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity after acute strenuous swimming exercise (Exe) and exercise until exhaustion (Exh) was measured in rats. The experiments were carried out in never exposed (Nex) and pre-exposed (Pex) groups. The Nex group did not undergo any previous training before the acute strenuous swimming test and the Pex group was submitted to daily swimming for 10 min in the first week and 15 min per day in the second week before testing. Plasma glucose, lactate, and pyruvate were measured and plasma total protein sulfhydryl groups (thiol), trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP) levels were evaluated. There were marked increases in plasma lactate concentrations (Nex-Control 1.31±0.20 vs NexExe 4.16±0.39 vs NexExh 7.19±0.67) and in thiol (Nex-Control 271.9±5.6 vs NexExh 314.7±5.7), TEAC (Nex-Control 786.4±60.2 vs NexExh 1027.7±58.2), FRAP (Nex-Control 309.2±17.7 vs NexExh 413.4±24.3), and TRAP (Nex-Control 0.50±0.15 vs NexExh 2.6±0.32) levels after acute swimming and/or exhaustion. Also, there were increased plasma lactate concentrations (Pex-Control 1.39±0.15 vs PexExe 5.22±0.91 vs PexExh 10.07±0.49), thiol (Pex-Control 252.9±8.2 vs PexExh 284.6±6.7), FRAP (Pex-Control 296.5±15.4 vs PexExh 445.7±45.6), and TRAP (Pex-Control 1.8±0.1 vs PexExh 4.6±0.2) levels after acute swimming and/or exhaustion. Lactate showed the highest percent of elevation in the Nex and Pex groups. In conclusion, plasma lactate may contribute to plasma antioxidant defenses, and the TRAP assay is the most sensitive assay for assessing plasma non-antioxidant capacity after strenuous exercise.

Performance during a strenuous swimming session is associated with high blood lactate: pyruvate ratio and hypoglycemia in fasted rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lactatemia elevation and glycemia reduction on strenuous swimming performance in fasted rats. Three rats were placed in a swimming tank at the same time. The first rat was removed immediately (control group) and the remaining ones were submitted to a strenuous swimming session. After the second rat was exhausted (Exh group), the third one was immediately removed from the water (Exe group). According to the period of time required for exhaustion, the rats were divided into four groups: low performance (3-7 min), low-intermediary performance (8-12 min), high-intermediary performance (13-17 min), and high performance (18-22 min). All rats were removed from the swimming tanks and immediately killed by decapitation for blood collection or anesthetized for liver perfusion experiments. Blood glucose, lactate, and pyruvate concentrations, blood lactate/pyruvate ratio, and liver lactate uptake and its conversion to glucose were evaluated. Exhaustion in low and low-intermediary performance were better associated with higher lactate/pyruvate ratio. On the other hand, exhaustion in high-intermediary and high performance was better associated with hypoglycemia. Lactate uptake and glucose production from lactate in livers from the Exe and Exh groups were maintained. We concluded that there is a time sequence in the participation of lactate/pyruvate ratio and hypoglycemia in performance during an acute strenuous swimming section in fasted rats. The liver had an important participation in preventing hyperlactatemia and hypoglycemia during swimming through lactate uptake and its conversion to glucose.

Nonmicrocephalic Infants with Congenital Zika Syndrome Suspected Only after Neuroimaging Evaluation Compared with Those with Microcephaly at Birth and Postnatally: How Large Is the Zika Virus "Iceberg"?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although microcephaly is the most prominent feature of congenital Zika syndrome, a spectrum with less severe cases is starting to be recognized. Our aim was to review neuroimaging of infants to detect cases without microcephaly and compare them with those with microcephaly. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated all neuroimaging (MR imaging/CT) of infants 1 year of age or younger. Patients with congenital Zika syndrome were divided into those with microcephaly at birth, postnatal microcephaly, and without microcephaly. Neuroimaging was compared among groups. RESULTS: Among 77 infants, 24.6% had congenital Zika syndrome (11.7% microcephaly at birth, 9.1% postnatal microcephaly, 3.9% without microcephaly). The postnatal microcephaly and without microcephaly groups showed statistically similar imaging findings. The microcephaly at birth compared with the group without microcephaly showed statistically significant differences for the following: reduced brain volume, calcifications outside the cortico-subcortical junctions, corpus callosum abnormalities, moderate-to-severe ventriculomegaly, an enlarged extra-axial space, an enlarged cisterna magna (all absent in those without microcephaly), and polymicrogyria (the only malformation present without microcephaly). There was a trend toward pachygyria (absent in groups without microcephaly). The group with microcephaly at birth compared with the group with postnatal microcephaly showed significant differences for simplified gyral pattern, calcifications outside the cortico-subcortical junctions, corpus callosum abnormalities, moderate-to-severe ventriculomegaly, and an enlarged extra-axial space. CONCLUSIONS: In microcephaly at birth, except for polymicrogyria, all patients showed abnormalities described in the literature. In postnatal microcephaly, the only abnormalities not seen were a simplified gyral pattern and calcifications outside the cortico-subcortical junction. Infants with normocephaly presented with asymmetric frontal polymicrogyria, calcifications in the cortico-subcortical junction, mild ventriculomegaly, and delayed myelination.

Vulnerability to longline fisheries of three hammerhead shark Sphyrna species in the south-western and equatorial Atlantic Ocean.

Catch and effort data from 29 418 longline sets from Brazilian tuna longline vessels operating in the south-western and equatorial Atlantic Ocean between 2004 and 2011 were analysed to investigate the distribution, catch rate and size of three species of hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini, Sphyrna mokarran and Sphyrna zygaena). During that period, 6172 hammerhead sharks were caught. Among the elasmobranchs, the highest percentage of hammerhead sharks were caught in 2007, when they accounted for 3·90% of the group, while the lowest value of 0·40% was recorded in 2010. In general, the spatial distribution of the mean catch per unit effort (CPUE) by years and quarters showed a trend of higher catches near the equatorial region and in southern Brazil. The nominal mean CPUE was 0·12 Sphyrna spp. 1000(-1) hooks, with the highest value being recorded in 2007 (0·30 Sphyrna spp. 1000(-1) hooks). The standardized yearly CPUE estimated by a generalized linear model assuming a zero inflated negative binomial (ZINB) distribution were not much different from nominal values. Of the 205 sexed specimens, 117 were females and 88 were males, resulting in a sex ratio with a predominance of females (1·30:1·00), although not statistically significant. The total length of females ranged from 1200 to 2800 mm and of males from 1100 to 3100 mm. Juvenile hammerhead sharks represented 82 and 54% of the sexed female and male specimens, respectively.

Oocyte development and fecundity type of the Brazilian Snapper Lutjanus alexandrei Moura & Lindeman, 2007 (Perciformes: Lutjanidae).

Lutjanid species exhibit multiple spawning behaviour during an extended spawning season in warm months, asynchronous oocyte development and indeterminate fecundity. Although early studies have contributed to knowledge of the reproductive cycle of many species within the group, they have not considered aspects about the number of cortical alveoli oocyte stage throughout maturity phases along spawning season. The latter aspect is also considered very important to confirm indeterminate fecundity hypothesis. In the present study, were analyzed 154 Brazilian snapper Lutjanus alexandrei female gonads obtained from artisanal fisheries in Pernambuco State (Brazil) between October 2010 and March 2011. Were measured oocyte size frequency distribution for maturity phases (developing, spawning capable and actively spawning), and oocyte development stage (unyolked oocytes, cortical alveoli, primary, secondary and tertiary vitellogenic oocytes and hydrated oocytes), and also the oocyte stage frequency during spawning season. The frequency of cortical alveoli oocyte stage was constantly found in the spawning period (>37%), showing slight variation throughout maturity phases. The absence of gap in the oocyte size frequency distribution between primary and secondary oocyte growth stages during spawning season is a strong indicator of continuous oocyte recruitment from reserve stocks. In addition, co-occurrence of tertiary vitellogenic oocytes, hydrated oocytes, post-ovulatory follicles and yellow-brown bodies in the histological sections of ovaries reinforce indeterminate fecundity hypothesis.

Oocyte development and fecundity type of the Brazilian Snapper Lutjanus alexandrei Moura & Lindeman, 2007 (Perciformes: Lutjanidae) / Desenvolvimento ovocitário e tipo de fecundidade da baúna de fogo Lutjanus alexandrei Moura & Lindeman, 2007 (Perciformes: Lutjanidae)

Abstract Lutjanid species exhibit multiple spawning behaviour during an extended spawning season in warm months, asynchronous oocyte development and indeterminate fecundity. Although early studies have contributed to knowledge of the reproductive cycle of many species within the group, they have not considered aspects about the number of cortical alveoli oocyte stage throughout maturity phases along spawning season. The latter aspect is also considered very important to confirm indeterminate fecundity hypothesis. In the present study, were analyzed 154 Brazilian snapper Lutjanus alexandrei female gonads obtained from artisanal fisheries in Pernambuco State (Brazil) between October 2010 and March 2011. Were measured oocyte size frequency distribution for maturity phases (developing, spawning capable and actively spawning), and oocyte development stage (unyolked oocytes, cortical alveoli, primary, secondary and tertiary vitellogenic oocytes and hydrated oocytes), and also the oocyte stage frequency during spawning season. The frequency of cortical alveoli oocyte stage was constantly found in the spawning period (>37%), showing slight variation throughout maturity phases. The absence of gap in the oocyte size frequency distribution between primary and secondary oocyte growth stages during spawning season is a strong indicator of continuous oocyte recruitment from reserve stocks. In addition, co-occurrence of tertiary vitellogenic oocytes, hydrated oocytes, post-ovulatory follicles and yellow-brown bodies in the histological sections of ovaries reinforce indeterminate fecundity hypothesis.

Resumo Os lutjanídeos apresentam um comportamento de desovas parceladas ao longo de uma extensa estação reprodutiva nos meses mais quentes do ano, desenvolvimento assincrônico dos ovócitos e padrão de regulação de fecundidade indeterminado. Embora muitos estudos anteriores tenham contribuído no conhecimento do ciclo reprodutivo das espécies do grupo, não foram considerados os aspectos relacionados ao percentual dos ovócitos em estágio de cortical alveoli entre as fases de maturidade sexual durante a estação reprodutiva. Este último aspecto, considerado importante para confirmação da hipótese de fecundidade do tipo indeterminada. Para isso, no presente trabalho foram analisadas 154 gônadas de fêmeas da baúna de fogo Lutjanus alexandrei obtidas da pesca artesanal em Pernambuco entre o período de outubro de 2010 a março de 2011. Foram mensurados os diâmetros dos ovócitos nas fases de maturidade sexual (desenvolvimento, capaz de desovar e ativamente desovando), e para todos os estágios ovocitários (ovócitos pre-vitelogênicos, cortical alveolar, vitelogênese primária, secundária, terciária e ovócitos hidratados), e avaliada a frequência de ocorrência ao longo do período de desova. O percentual de ovócitos em estágio cortical alveoli permaneceu constante durante o período de reprodutivo (> 37%), apresentando pouca variação entre as fases de maturidade sexual. A ausência de um intervalo na frequência de diâmetro dos ovócitos em crescimento primário e secundário entre todas as fases de maturidade sexual é um forte indicador de recrutamento contínuo de ovócitos do estoque de reserva. Além disso, a presença conjunta de ovócitos em vitelogênese terciária, ovócitos hidratados, folículos pós-ovulatórios e corpos amarelados nos cortes histológicos reforçam a hipótese de fecundidade do tipo indeterminada.

The reproductive biology of the rainbow runner, Elagatis bipinnulata (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) caught in the São Pedro and São Paulo Archipelago.

The rainbow runner, Elagatis bipinnulata, which belongs to the Carangidae family, has a circumtropical distribution. It is found throughout the Atlantic Ocean, from Massachusetts (USA) to Bahia (Brazil). The reproductive biology of the rainbow runner was studied, using specimens captured off the São Pedro and São Paulo Archipelago. From July 1999 to November 2003, a total of 352 fishes were analysed (201 females and 151 males). Fork length (FL) was measured and specimens were gutted for gonads collection. In the laboratory, gonads length, width and weight were measured, and sexes identified macroscopically. Through histological analysis, five different maturation stages were identified for females: immature, maturing, mature, spent and resting. A predominance of maturing and mature females was observed from January to May. The highest gonad index (GI) values were also observed during this period, ranging from 7.7 to 55. Mean sexual maturity size (L50) for females was estimated at 64.6 cm (FL). In the studied area the species exhibited total spawning, with two synchronous groups. Testicles were histologically very similar making them impossible to differentiate sexual maturation stages. Considerable variation was observed in the male gonads weight, hampering the assessment of size at maturity. However, GI values for males were also higher from January to May. These results suggest that the spawning period of the rainbow runner in the São Pedro and São Paulo Archipelago occurs during the first semester of the year.

Genetic divergence and dispersal of yellow fever virus, Brazil.

An analysis of 79 yellow fever virus (YFV) isolates collected from 1935 to 2001 in Brazil showed a single genotype (South America I) circulating in the country, with the exception of a single strain from Rondonia, which represented South America genotype II. Brazilian YFV strains have diverged into two clades; an older clade appears to have become extinct and another has become the dominant lineage in recent years. Pairwise nucleotide diversity between strains ranged from 0% to 7.4%, while amino acid divergence ranged from 0% to 4.6%. Phylogenetic analysis indicated traffic of virus variants through large geographic areas and suggested that migration of infected people may be an important mechanism of virus dispersal. Isolation of vaccine virus from a patient with a fatal case suggests that vaccine-related illness may have been misdiagnosed in the past.

[Cerebrospinal fluid in 50 AIDS patients]. / Líquido cefalorraqueano em 50 pacientes com AIDS.

Fifty AIDS patients were studied. All patients had anti-HIV antibodies (ELISA) present and met OPAS/Caracas punctuation criteria for AIDS cases in adults. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis included pressure, cytology (number of cytomorphological aspects), total protein and electrophoresis, glucose and chloride concentration. Bacteriological and mycological investigations were performed as well as agglutination tests for Cryptococcus. Complement fixation, indirect immunoflorescence, passive hemagglutination and/or ELISA tests were performed for syphilis, toxoplasmosis, viral and fungal infections. All CSF analysis were made in the same laboratory following the same methodology. CSF was altered in 45 cases (90.0%) of the 50 patients studied. The most important alterations observed were: gammaglobulin (55.5%) and total protein (51.1%) increase, hypercytosis (48.9%) and decrease of chloride concentration (40.0%). HIV antibodies were detected in 42 patients (93.3%). Toxomoplamosis, isolated or associated to other agents, was the most frequent opportunistic infection (57.7%). Cerebrospinal fluid should always be examined in AIDS patients with or without neurological symptoms.

[Cerebral malaria and AIDS: case report]. / Malária cerebral e AIDS relato de caso.

Although it has not been definitely proven that the severity of malaria is associated to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) we know that infection through Plasmodium falciparum can favor a rapid evolution of the HIV infection. Besides, association of malaria with HIV/AIDS from a clinical point of view can be clinically severe in the face of the occurrence of other microorganisms or neoplasias, which worsens the evolution and prognosis of the affected patients. The concurrence of HIV with Plasmodium in malaria endemic zones is a possibility which should always be taken into consideration, since transmission is related to risk factors caused by people's behavior which are not always promptly revealed and/or identified. The authors report one case of brain malaria infection by Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum in a patient with AIDS. They describe the clinical evolution and therapy.

Líquido cefalorraqueano em 50 pacientes com AIDS / Cerebrospinal fluid in 50 AIDS patients

Foram estudados 50 pacientes com AIDS, todos estes pacientes apresentavam anticorpos ant-HIV1 (ELISA) e preenchiam os critérios de pontuaçao OPAS/Caracas de definiçao de casos de AIDS em adultos. A análise do liquido cefalorraqueano (LCR) incluiu: pressao; citologia (número de células e aspectos citomorfológicos); proteína total e eletroforese; concentraçoes de glicose, cloretos e testes imunológicos para sífilis, toxoplasmose e infecçoes virais (citomegalovírus, varicela-zoster, Herpes simplex, e HIV1). Investigaçoes bacteriológicas e micológicas (pesquisa direta e cultura), além de teste de aglutinaçao (látex) paracryptococcus foram também realizados. Os testes imunológicos usados foram fixaçao do complemento, imunofluorescência indireta, hemaglutinaçao passiva e/ou ELISA. Todos os LCR foram analisados no mesmo laboratório seguindo sempre a mesma metodologia. O LCR esteve alterado em 45 pacientes (90,0 por cento) dos 50 pacientes estudados. As principais alteraçoes encontradas no LCR foram: aumento de gamaglobulina em 25 casos (55,5 por cento); aumento da proteína total em 23 (51,1 por cento); hipercitose em 22 (48,9 por cento) e diminuiçao dos cloretos em 18(40,0 por cento). A detecçao de anticorpos anti- HIV1 estiveram presentes em 42 pacientes (93,3 por cento). Toxoplasmose isolada ou associada a outros agentes foi a infecçao oportunista mais frequente, detectada em 26 casos (57,7 por cento). O LCR deverá ser sempre analisado em todos os pacientes com AIDS, com ou sem sintomas neurológicos.

Malária cerebral e AIDS: relato de caso / Cerebral malaria and AIDS: case report

Embora nao esteja definitivamente comprovada que a severidade da malária esteja associada com o vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV), sabe-se que a infecçao pelo Plasmodium falciparum pode favorece uma rápida evoluçao da infecçao pelo HIV. Além disso a associaçao da malária com HIV/AIDS, do ponto de vista clínico, pode ser extremamente grave face a ocorrência de outros microorganismos e/ou neoplasias, o que piora a evoluçao e prognóstico dos pacientes. A concomitância do vírus HIV com o Plasmodium em zonas endêmicas de malária, é uma possibilidade que deve ser sempre pensada, visto que a sua transmissao está relacionada a fatores de risco ligados aos comportamentos das pessoas, que nem sempre sao logo revelados e/ou identificados. Os autores descrevem um caso de malária cerebral Plasmodium vivax e Plasmodium falciparum em um paciente com AIDS. Descrevem sua evoluçao clínica e terapêutica.

[Involvement of the nervous system in leptospirosis. I. Evaluation of neurologic aspects]. / Comprometimento do sistema nervoso na leptospirose: I. Avaliação dos aspectos neurológicos.

From January 1st up to September 30th 1990, 77 patients with leptospirosis confirmed by laboratory studies were admitted at the Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Service of the Hospital das Clínicas of the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Clinical manifestations had sudden onset with presence of fever, headache, chills and muscle pains. Plurisystemic involvement was observed both in the icteric and in the non-icteric patients. The neurological exam was abnormal in 70 of the patients (90.91%). Neurological findings were essentially variable. Though in a transitory form, they allowed the observation of the following clinical forms: meningoencephalitis and polyneuritis in association, meningoencephalitis, polyneuritis, and subarachnoid hemorrhage.

[Involvement of the nervous system in leptospirosis. II. Cerebrospinal fluid evaluation]. / Comprometimento do sistema nervoso na leptospirose. II. Avaliação do líquido cefalorraqueano.

From January 1st up to September 30th 1990, 77 patients with leptospirosis diagnosis confirmed by laboratory studies were admitted at the Infectious and Parasitic Disease Service of the Hospital das Clínicas of the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. The neurological exam was abnormal in 70 of the patients (90.91%). The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination was carried out on 67 (87%) of the patients; it was abnormal in 64 (95.52%) yielding hypercytosis in the majority of cases. There was no difference in the CSF behavior in report to the several neurological forms nor in relation to the icteric or non-icteric forms of the disease. Significant were the results for the microscopic agglutination tests for leptospirosis in the CSF.

[Involvement of the nervous system in leptospirosis. III. Immunologic reactions in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid]. / Comprometimento do sistema nervoso na leptospirose. III. Reações imunológicas no sangue e líquido cefalorraqueano.

From January 1st up to September 30th 1990, 77 patients with leptospirosis were admitted at the Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Service of the Hospital das Clínicas of the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. The majority (64) were male patients, and average age was 28 years old. Serovars icterohaemorrhagic and canicola were the most frequent. CSF examination was performed in 67 (87.0%) patients and it was abnormal in 64 (95.52%). Micro-agglutination test for leptospirosis with live antigens was performed in CSF, as well as immunological tests for syphilis, cysticercosis and schistosomiasis for differential diagnosis. Concerning the serovar identification, results of microagglutination test for leptospirosis in CSF were significant considering the similitude of responses when compared to those found for blood samples.

Comprometimento do sistema nervoso na leptospirose: I. Avaliaçäo dos aspectos neurológicos / Involvement of the nervous system in leptospirosis: I. Neurologic aspects evaluation

Entre 1-janeiro e 30-setembro-1990 foram estudados 77 pacientes com diagnóstico de leptospirose confirmada, laboratorialmente. Apresentaram início súbito dos sintomas 69 (89,61 por cento) pacientes, com febre, cefaléia, calafrios e mialgias. Observou-se envolvimento plurissistêmico quer nos pacientes ictéricos, quer nos anictéricos. O exame neurológico foi anormal em 70(90,91 por cento) pacientes, com achados variáveis e que, embora de caráter transitório, permitiram caracterizar as formas clínicas seguintes: meningoencefalite e polineurite associadas, meningoencefalite, polineurite e hemorragia subaracnóidea