[Epidemiological aspects of canine American tegumentary leishmaniasis in the Municipality of Paraty, State of Rio de Janeiro, brazil]. / Aspectos epidemiológicos da leishmaniose tegumentar americana em cães, no Município de Paraty, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.

American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) is endemic in the State of Rio de Janeiro, with the highest incidence observed in the municipalities along the Southern coast. A total of 169 human cases were reported from 1993 to 1995 in the municipality of Paraty, representing 15% of all case reports in the State of Rio de Janeiro during that period. From March to December, 1996, a survey was conducted in endemic american tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) areas (Praia Grande, Taquari, Várzea do Machado, and Graúna) in Paraty. 326 households with 215 pet dogs were surveyed. The initial study consisted of taking venous blood samples to perform RIFI and ELISA tests. The canine skin test was performed during the same visit and was positive in 8.8% of dogs. Of the 215 dogs, 5 presented lesions suspected of ATL; biopsies and the vacuum aspiration technique were performed on these cases. Correlating the study areas with the results obtained, some dogs presented sub-clinical infection, highly relevant to studies on canine ATL infection in the State of Rio de Janeiro.

[Hypoglycemic polyneuropathy: report of a case with insulinoma]. / Polineuropatia hipoglicêmica: registro de caso com insulinoma.

A case of a young man who presented symptoms and clinical signs of polyneuropathy that occurred in connection with recurrent hypoglycemic episodes is reported. The hypoglycemia was probably caused by a pancreatic islet tumor. There were symmetric weakness and wasting of hands and feet, absent tendon reflexes and 'glove and stocking' loss of sensation. Electromyographic studies showed denervation potentials with slight reduction of nerve conduction velocities. Sural nerve biopsy studied by optic and electronic microscopy showed axonal degeneration without signs of demyelination or remyelination. There are only 30 similar cases reported in the literature. According to experimental findings, the authors believe that glucopenia is the mechanism responsible for the development of the neuropathy, and that at present time there is no evidence for a direct insulin effect.

Diabetes insipidus central. Estudo de 13 casos. / Central diabetes insipidus. Study of 13 cases

O presente trabalho considera o diabetes insipidus central em seus aspectos etiopatogenicos e fisiopatologicos, enfatiza o quadro sintomatologico classico e os testes diagnosticos empregados na afeccao e finalmente destaca os mais recentes avancos no terreno terapeutico a luz de 13 pacientes portadores da condicao, acompanhados pelos autores