Syphilis Diagnosis through Oral Lesions of Different Clinical Aspects: Report of 3 Cases / Diagnóstico de Sífilis Através de Lesões Bucais de Diferentes Aspectos Clínicos: Relato de 3 Casos

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection, caused by the anaerobic spirochete Treponema pallidum. It is characterized by a variety of clinical manifestations including the oral mucosa, mimicking several diseases, thereby making diagnosis a challenge for clinicians. Therefore, the objective of this work is to report three cases of syphilis that were diagnosed based on oral lesions of different clinical aspects. In this series of cases, the lesions were found on the tongue and hard palate and presented as white plaques, ulcers or erythematous spots associated with ulcers. In the two cases, incisional biopsy was performed, and the histopathological aspects were suggestive of syphilis. Treponemic and nontreponemic tests were positive for all the patients, confirming syphilis. Therapy with benzathine-penicillin, administered intramuscularly led to complete remission of oral lesions in all the patients. The syphilis reemergence in the last years demands its inclusion in the differential diagnosis of several oral lesions. Diagnosing syphilis by oral lesions can be difficult once it can mimic other conditions. Therefore, dentists should know the clinical aspects of this infection, since many cases may exhibit only oral manifestations, to help in the diagnosis and control of the infection spread. (AU)

A sífilis é uma infecção sexualmente transmissível, causada pela espiroqueta anaeróbia Treponema pallidum. É caracterizada por uma variedade de manifestações clínicas, incluindo a mucosa oral, podendo mimetizar várias doenças, tornando o diagnóstico um desafio. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho é relatar três casos de sífilis diagnosticados a partir de lesões orais de diferentes aspectos clínicos. Nesta série de casos, as lesões foram encontradas na língua e palato duro e apresentadas como placas brancas, úlceras ou manchas eritematosas associadas a úlceras. Em dois casos, foi realizada biópsia incisional e os aspectos histopatológicos foram sugestivos de sífilis. Os testes treponêmicos e não treponêmicos foram positivos para todos os pacientes, confirmando a sífilis. A terapia com penicilina benzatina, administrada por via intramuscular, levou à remissão completa das lesões orais em todos os pacientes. O ressurgimento da sífilis nos últimos anos exige sua inclusão no diagnóstico diferencial de várias lesões bucais. O diagnóstico da sífilis por lesões orais pode ser difícil, pois pode mimetizar outras condições. Portanto, o dentista deve conhecer os aspectos clínicos dessa infecção, pois muitos casos podem apresentar apenas manifestações orais, para auxiliar no diagnóstico e controle da disseminação da infecção. (AU)

Sclerotherapy for Extensive Vascular Malformation in the Tongue.

Vascular malformations (VMs) are benign lesions of blood vessels originated from an error in vascular morphogenesis during the embryologic phase. Generally, when located in the head and neck region VMs occurs in lips, tongue, buccal mucosa, gums, or palate. The VMs are usually asymptomatic, varies in size and may cause facial asymmetries. Different therapeutic modalities are available to treat VMs, which include surgical excision, cautery, cryotherapy, laser therapy, and sclerosing agents. The authors report 2 patients with extensive VM in the tongue treated with intralesional injection of a low-dose solution of monoethanolamine oleate (MO) and lidocaine. The first patient was a 69-year-old male patient and the 2nd a 65-year-old woman. In both patients, it were performed weekly application of 1:1 MO (Ethamolin) with Lidocaine (lidocaine 3% 1:50,000) in the amount of 0.1 mL of the solution per cm3 of lesion, with a total of 12 applications for each patient at the end of the treatment, with good results and without complications. It is important to be alert in which situation sclerotherapy should be used and that small doses of the sclerotherapeutic agent is essential for the prevention of complications after the procedure. Therefore, these patients showed that the sclerotherapy with MO may be an effective and simple treatment for extensive oral benign vascular lesions. In both patients, there was a great improvement in the clinical aspect of the lesions and patient's satisfaction.

Descoberta de carcinoma de células escamosas em lesão previamente diagnosticada como líquen plano oral: malignização ou erro de diagnóstico inicial? / Discovery of squamous cell carcinoma in a lesion previously diagnosed as oral lichen planus: malignant trasformation or wrong initial diagnosis? / Descubrimiento de carcinoma espinocelular en lesión previamente diagnosticada como líquen plano oral: malignización o error de diagnóstico inicial

O Líquen Plano Oral (LPO) é uma doença crônica imunologicamente mediada com potencial de malignização incerto. O objetivo desse artigo é relatar um caso de Carcinoma de Células Escamosas (CCE) diagnosticado em paciente com diagnóstico prévio de LPO. Paciente do sexo feminino, 69 anos, foi atendida durante uma campanha de diagnóstico precoce de câncer de boca realizada na cidade de Londrina/PR, sendo detectada uma lesão eritroplásica em língua e encaminhada para uma melhor avaliação. Na anamnese a paciente relatou que há 2 anos atrás foi diagnosticada com LPO através de biópsia em língua, não sendo proposto nenhum tratamento. Ao exame físico, observamos uma mancha eritematosa em borda lateral de língua do lado esquerdo, não apresentando nenhuma outra lesão na cavidade oral. Com a hipótese diagnóstica de eritroplasia, foi requisitada a lâmina da biópsia anterior para análise, que revelou características microscópicas incompatíveis com o diagnóstico de LPO. Optamos então por realizar uma nova biópsia e a análise histopatológica revelou ilhas de células epiteliais malignas invadindo o tecido conjuntivo, estabelecendo o diagnóstico de CCE. A paciente foi encaminhada para tratamento, sendo realizada glossectomia parcial. Em acompanhamento de 6 meses a paciente encontra-se bem e sem sinais de recidiva. A transformação maligna do LPO ainda é discutida na literatura e muitos casos relatados podem se tratar de erro no diagnóstico inicial, como no caso apresentado. O erro de diagnóstico pode levar a morbidades importantes e comprometer o prognóstico do caso(AU)

The Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease with uncertain malignant potential. The main purpose of this article is to report a case of a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in a patient with previous diagnosis of OLP. A 69-years-old female patient was examined during an oral cancer prevention campaign in Londrina/PR. At that occasion it was detected an erythroplakia in the tongue and the patient was referred for a better evaluation. The patient reported a previous biopsy and diagnosis of OLP in the tongue 2 years ago, without any treatment. At the physical examination, we observed an erythematous spot on the lateral border of the tongue on the left side, showing no other lesion in the oral cavity. With the diagnostic hypothesis of erythroplakia, the lamina of the previous biopsy was requested for analysis, which revealed microscopic characteristics incompatible with the diagnosis of OLP. We then chose to perform a new biopsy and the histopathological analysis revealed islands of malignant epithelial cells invading the connective tissue, establishing the diagnosis of SCC. The patient was referred for treatment and partial glossectomy was performed. At 6 months follow-up the patient is well and without signs of relapse. The malignant transformation of OLP is still discussed in the literature and many reported cases may be errors in the initial diagnosis, as in the case presented. The diagnostic error can lead to important morbidities and compromise the prognosis of the case(AU)

El Líquen Plano Oral (LPO) es una enfermedad crónica inmunológicamente mediada con potencial de malignización incierta. El objetivo de este artículo es relatar un caso de Carcinoma de Células Escamosas (CCE) diagnosticado en paciente con diagnóstico previo de LPO. El paciente de sexo femenino, de 69 años, fue atendida durante una campaña de diagnóstico precoz de cáncer de boca realizada en la ciudad de Londrina / PR, siendo detectada una lesión eritroplásica en lengua y encaminada para una mejor evaluación. En la anamnesis la paciente relató que hace 2 años fue diagnosticada con LPO a través de biopsia me lengua, no siendo propuesto ningún tratamiento. En el examen físico, observamos una mancha eritematosa en borde lateral de lengua del lado izquierdo, no presentando ninguna otra lesión en la cavidad oral. Con la hipótesis diagnóstica de eritroplasia, se requirió la lámina de la biopsia anterior para análisis, que reveló características microscópicas incompatibles con el diagnóstico de LPO. Optamos entonces por realizar una nueva biopsia y el análisis histopatológico reveló islas de células epiteliales malignas invadiendo el tejido conectivo, estableciendo el diagnóstico de CCE. La paciente fue encaminada para tratamiento, siendo realizada glossectomía parcial. En seguimiento de 6 meses la paciente se encuentra bien y sin signos de recidiva. La transformación maligna del LPO todavía se discute en la literatura y muchos casos reportados pueden tratarse de error en el diagnóstico inicial, como en el caso presentado. El error de diagnóstico puede llevar a morbilidades importantes y comprometer el pronóstico del caso(AU)

Phagocytosis and nitric oxide production by peritoneal adherent cells in response to Candida albicans in aging: a collaboration to elucidate the pathogenesis of denture stomatitis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of aging on the internalization and the production of nitric oxide (NO) by peritoneal adherent cells (PAC), in response to Candida albicans (C. albicans). MATERIAL AND METHODS: PAC obtained from young and aged mice were challenged with dead or viable C. albicans by using predetermined proportions (cells:yeast) for 30 and 120 minutes. Phagocytosis was analyzed by acridine orange dye, and NO production by the Griess reaction. RESULTS: C. albicans phagocytosis by PAC from aged mice was similar to that of young mice, although the cells from older mice cells present more internalized fungi compared with matched control. In addition, a tendency towards impaired NO production by peritoneal mononuclear phagocytes from aged mice was observed. CONCLUSIONS: PAC from aged mice may capture and store many fungi, which in turn may mean that these cells are effectively unable to eliminate fungi, probably due to impaired NO production. Therefore, considering the important role of C. albicans overgrowth in the pathogenesis of DS and the aspects observed in this study, aging may favor the onset and severity of local candidosis such as DS and its systemic forms.

Phagocytosis and nitric oxide production by peritoneal adherent cells in response to Candida albicans in aging: a collaboration to elucidate the pathogenesis of denture stomatitis

Abstract Elderly denture wearers are commonly affected by Candida-associated denture stomatitis (DS), an inflammatory process of the oral mucosa strongly associated with Candida spp and other microorganisms, as well as local and systemic factors. The impaired immune response against pathogens is among the inherent host factors that have been also associated with the pathogenesis of DS. Mononuclear phagocytes respond to the pathogens through phagocytosis followed by the production of several substances inside the phagosomes, among them are the reactive nitrogen species (RNS). A failure in these mechanisms may contribute to the DS development. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of aging on the internalization and the production of nitric oxide (NO) by peritoneal adherent cells (PAC), in response to Candida albicans (C. albicans). Material and methods PAC obtained from young and aged mice were challenged with dead or viable C. albicans by using predetermined proportions (cells:yeast) for 30 and 120 minutes. Phagocytosis was analyzed by acridine orange dye, and NO production by the Griess reaction. Results C. albicans phagocytosis by PAC from aged mice was similar to that of young mice, although the cells from older mice cells present more internalized fungi compared with matched control. In addition, a tendency towards impaired NO production by peritoneal mononuclear phagocytes from aged mice was observed. Conclusions PAC from aged mice may capture and store many fungi, which in turn may mean that these cells are effectively unable to eliminate fungi, probably due to impaired NO production. Therefore, considering the important role of C. albicans overgrowth in the pathogenesis of DS and the aspects observed in this study, aging may favor the onset and severity of local candidosis such as DS and its systemic forms.

Mast cells phagocyte Candida albicans and produce nitric oxide by mechanisms involving TLR2 and Dectin-1.

Candida albicans (C. albicans) is a fungus commonly found in the human mucosa, which may cause superficial and systemic infections, especially in immunosuppression. Until now, the main actors in the defense against this fungus are the epithelial cells, neutrophils, macrophages/monocytes and dendritic cells. However, mast cells are strategically located to play a first line of anti-Candida defense and it has appropriate mechanisms to do it. As with other cells, the recognition of C. albicans occurs meanly via TLR2 and Dectin-1. We assess the TLR2/Dectin-1 involvement in phagocytosis and production of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) by mast cells challenged with C. albicans. Bone marrow-derived mast cells (MC) from wild type (Wt) or knockout (TLR2-/-) mice C57BL/6 were subjected to in vitro Dectin-1 blockade. After challenged with FITC-labeled C. albicans or zymosan, phagocytosis was analyzed by microscopy. The intracellular production of NO and ROS was measured by DAF-FM diacetate and CellROX Deep/Red Reagent kits. The nitrite formation and hydrogen peroxide release were analyzed by Griess reaction and Amplex Red Hydrogen Peroxide/Peroxidase Assay Kit. Wt/MC phagocytose C. albicans with production of intracellular NO, but not ROS. Moreover, increased levels of nitrite were also observed. The absence and/or blockade of TLR2/Dectin-1 caused significant decreased in C. albicans phagocytosis and NO production. Our results showed that mast cells are able to phagocytose and produce NO against C. albicans via TLR2/Dectin-1. Therefore, mast cells could be important during the course of Candida infection and as a therapeutic target.

Mecanismos de defesa dos mastócitos contra o periodontopatógeno Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans: atividade microbicida intracelular / Defense mechanisms of mast cells against periodontopathogen Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans: intracellular microbicidal activity

Os mastócitos (MCs) estão presentes tanto no periodonto normal quanto inflamado, em diferentes quantidades e em vários locais. Nos últimos anos, a eficácia e a contribuição dos MCs em eliminar bactérias, através de sua atividade microbicida intracelular, estão se tornando cada vez mais reconhecidas. Assim, a partir de MCs murinos desafiados in vitro com o periodontopatógeno Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (ATCC 29523) por 3, 5, 10 e 24 horas, o presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar a capacidade microbicida intracelular de MCs, e comparar com a capacidade microbicida de macrófagos peritoneais murinos (MPs), considerados fagócitos profissionais, por meio da contagem das unidades formadoras de colônias. Além disso, avaliou-se a produção e liberação de mediadores microbicidas, óxido nítrico (NO) e peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2), por meio do método colorimétrico de Griess e pela degradação de substratos fluorescentes, respectivamente. Para a análise estatística, foram utilizados os testes estatísticos ANOVA Fatorial seguido do teste de Tukey e teste de correlação de Pearson (p<0.05). Nossos resultados revelaram que os MCs foram capazes de eliminar eficientemente o periodontopatógeno, principalmente após 10h de desafio intracelular. Comparando-se a atividade microbicida dos dois tipos celulares, verificou-se, nos períodos de 3h e 5h de desafio, um menor percentual de colônias viáveis no interior de MPs, em comparação aos MCs. Inversamente, nos períodos de 10h e 24h, observaram-se menores valores percentuais de colônias intracelulares nos MCs em relação aos MPs. Além disso, a produção/liberação de NO bem como, em menor proporção, de H2O2 pelos MCs foram concordantes com a sua capacidade microbicida. Este é o primeiro estudo que demonstra a eficiente ação microbicida intracelular de MCs murinos contra Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, com produção e liberação de substâncias potencialmente bactericidas, e de forma mais eficaz que os macrófagos...

Mast cells (MCs) are present in both normal and inflamed periodontal tissues, in varying amounts and locations. Recently, MCs contribution in eliminating bacteria and its effectiveness, through its intracellular microbicidal activity, have been increasingly recognized. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the intracellular microbicide capacity of MCs, and compare it with the microbicide capacity of murine peritoneal macrophages (MPs), considered professional phagocytes, by counting the colony forming units. Both cell types were challenged in vitro with periodontopathogen Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (ATCC 29523) by 3, 5, 10 and 24 hours. Additionally, the production and release of microbicidal agents, nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were evaluated by means of colorimetric Griess method and by the degradation of fluorescent substrates, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA Factorial test followed by Tukey and Pearson's correlation test (p <0.05). Our results revealed that MCs are able to efficiently eliminate periodontopathogen, mainly after 10 hours of intracellular challenge. The microbicidal activity of both cell types, in 3 and 5 hours of challenge showed a lower percentage of viable colonies inside MPs, compared to MCs. Contradictorily, in 10 and 24 hours a lower percentage of intracellular colonies in MCs was observed in relation to MPs. Moreover, the production/release of NO and, in minor proportion, of H2O2 by MCs was in agreement with its microbicidal capacity. Therefore, this is the first report to describe the intracellular microicidal activity of murine MCs against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, concerning production and release of potentially bactericidal substances, which is more effective than macrophages. These results suggest the importance of these cells in pathogenesis and defense mechanisms of biofilm-associated periodontal disease...

Mecanismos de defesa dos mastócitos contra o periodontopatógeno Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans: atividade microbicida intracelular / Defense mechanisms of mast cells against periodontopathogen Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans: intracellular microbicidal activity

Os mastócitos (MCs) estão presentes tanto no periodonto normal quanto inflamado, em diferentes quantidades e em vários locais. Nos últimos anos, a eficácia e a contribuição dos MCs em eliminar bactérias, através de sua atividade microbicida intracelular, estão se tornando cada vez mais reconhecidas. Assim, a partir de MCs murinos desafiados in vitro com o periodontopatógeno Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (ATCC 29523) por 3, 5, 10 e 24 horas, o presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar a capacidade microbicida intracelular de MCs, e comparar com a capacidade microbicida de macrófagos peritoneais murinos (MPs), considerados fagócitos profissionais, por meio da contagem das unidades formadoras de colônias. Além disso, avaliou-se a produção e liberação de mediadores microbicidas, óxido nítrico (NO) e peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2), por meio do método colorimétrico de Griess e pela degradação de substratos fluorescentes, respectivamente. Para a análise estatística, foram utilizados os testes estatísticos ANOVA Fatorial seguido do teste de Tukey e teste de correlação de Pearson (p<0.05). Nossos resultados revelaram que os MCs foram capazes de eliminar eficientemente o periodontopatógeno, principalmente após 10h de desafio intracelular. Comparando-se a atividade microbicida dos dois tipos celulares, verificou-se, nos períodos de 3h e 5h de desafio, um menor percentual de colônias viáveis no interior de MPs, em comparação aos MCs. Inversamente, nos períodos de 10h e 24h, observaram-se menores valores percentuais de colônias intracelulares nos MCs em relação aos MPs. Além disso, a produção/liberação de NO bem como, em menor proporção, de H2O2 pelos MCs foram concordantes com a sua capacidade microbicida. Este é o primeiro estudo que demonstra a eficiente ação microbicida intracelular de MCs murinos contra Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, com produção e liberação de substâncias potencialmente bactericidas, e de forma mais eficaz que os macrófagos...

Mast cells (MCs) are present in both normal and inflamed periodontal tissues, in varying amounts and locations. Recently, MCs contribution in eliminating bacteria and its effectiveness, through its intracellular microbicidal activity, have been increasingly recognized. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the intracellular microbicide capacity of MCs, and compare it with the microbicide capacity of murine peritoneal macrophages (MPs), considered professional phagocytes, by counting the colony forming units. Both cell types were challenged in vitro with periodontopathogen Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (ATCC 29523) by 3, 5, 10 and 24 hours. Additionally, the production and release of microbicidal agents, nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were evaluated by means of colorimetric Griess method and by the degradation of fluorescent substrates, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA Factorial test followed by Tukey and Pearson's correlation test (p <0.05). Our results revealed that MCs are able to efficiently eliminate periodontopathogen, mainly after 10 hours of intracellular challenge. The microbicidal activity of both cell types, in 3 and 5 hours of challenge showed a lower percentage of viable colonies inside MPs, compared to MCs. Contradictorily, in 10 and 24 hours a lower percentage of intracellular colonies in MCs was observed in relation to MPs. Moreover, the production/release of NO and, in minor proportion, of H2O2 by MCs was in agreement with its microbicidal capacity. Therefore, this is the first report to describe the intracellular microicidal activity of murine MCs against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, concerning production and release of potentially bactericidal substances, which is more effective than macrophages. These results suggest the importance of these cells in pathogenesis and defense mechanisms of biofilm-associated periodontal disease.

Aspectos imunológicos da doença periodontal inflamatória: participação dos mastócitos / Immunological aspects of inflammatory periodontal disease: involvement of mast cells

As doenças periodontais inflamatórias afetam os tecidos de suporte dos dentes e são desencadeadas por microrganismos Gram-negativos anaeróbios e facultativos, conhecidos como periodontopatógenos, sendo que alguns possuem a capacidade de invadir os tecidos periodontais e estabelecer uma infecção. Sabe-se que a evolução da doença é influenciada pela resposta inflamatória e imunológica do hospedeiro e envolve a participação de diversos tipos celulares, os quais produzem uma vasta gama de mediadores químicos, que atuam no microambiente local modulando a resposta de defesa em busca do controle da infecção. Dentre as diferentes células, os mastócitos são encontrados abundantemente nos tecidos periodontais inflamados cronicamente, sugerindo a participação destas células na patogenia da doença. Quando os mastócitos são ativados por patógenos, estas células liberam uma variedade de mediadores químicos, tais como citocinas pró-inflamatórias e imunorreguladoras que ativam outras células do sistema imune, contribuindo, desta forma, para o desenvolvimento e a amplificação da resposta de defesa. Além disso, sabe-se que os mastócitos possuem uma variedade de moléculas com potencial de mediar a destruição da matriz extracelular, característica da doença periodontal inflamatória. Sendo assim, o objetivo desta revisão de literatura foi abordar os aspectos da imunopatogênese da doença periodontal inflamatória, enfatizando a participação dos mastócitos neste processo.

Inflammatory periodontal diseases affect the supporting tissues of the teeth and are triggered by Gram-negative and facultative anaerobes known as periodontopathogens, which are capable of invading periodontal tissues and establish an infection. The evolution of this disease is influenced by inflammatory and immune responses of the host and involves the participation of different cell types. These cells produce a wide variety of chemical mediators that act in microenvironment modulating the defense response to control infection. Among the different cells, mast cells are abundantly found in chronic inflamed periodontal tissue, suggesting the involvement of these cells in the pathogenesis of the disease. After activation by pathogens, mast cells release a variety of chemical mediators, such as pro-inflammatory and immunoregulatory cytokines that activate other immune cells, thus contributing to the development of the defense response. Moreover, mast cells have a variety of molecules with potential to mediate the destruction of the extracellular matrix, which is characteristic of inflammatory periodontal disease. Here, current knowledge about the immunopathogenesis of inflammatory periodontal disease, emphasizing the involvement of mast cells, is reviewed.

Avaliação da capacidade fagocítica de mastócitos frente ao periodontopatógeno Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / Evaluation of the phagocytic ability of mast cells against the periodontopathogens Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans

As doenças periodontais afetam os tecidos de suporte dos dentes e são desencadeadas por microrganismos que possuem a capacidade de invadir os tecidos periodontais. A evolução desta doença é influenciada pela resposta inflamatória e imunológica do hospedeiro e envolve a participação de diversos tipos celulares. Atualmente, existem evidências de que os mastócitos, além de outras funções, possuem a capacidade de eliminar bactérias, através da fagocitose. Assim sendo, este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a capacidade fagocítica dos mastócitos frente ao periodontopatógeno A. actinomycetemcomitans, além de comparar sua capacidade fagocítica com a dos macrófagos, considerados fagócitos profissionais. Para este fim, foram realizados ensaios fagocíticos in vitro utilizando mastócitos e macrófagos murinos, desafiados ora com A. actinomycetemcomitans ora com Escherichia coli, opsonizados ou não, sob diferentes proporções célula: bactérias. Após 1 hora de desafio, as células foram coradas com laranja de acridina e avaliadas qualitativamente utilizando-se microscópio de varredura confocal a laser e quantitativamente através do microscópio de fluorescência convencional. Nossos resultados demonstraram que os mastócitos murinos se mostraram eficientes quanto a sua capacidade fagocítica frente a A. actinomycetemcomitans. Os valores percentuais de mastócitos com A. actinomycetemcomitans internalizados, na ausência de opsonização com complemento, foram maiores que aqueles na presença da opsonização, sugerindo a participação de receptores opsoninas-independentes no reconhecimento deste patógeno pelos mastócitos, além do receptor de complemento tipo 3 (CR3). Comparando os dois tipos celulares, verificou-se que ambas as células apresentaram importante atividade fagocítica contra A. actinomycetemcomitans, porém os valores percentuais de mastócitos com bactérias internalizadas sem complemento foram maiores que aqueles de macrófagos com bactérias internalizadas com complemento, em...

Periodontal diseases affect the supporting tissues of the teeth and are triggered by microorganisms which are capable of invading periodontal tissues. The evolution of this disease is influenced by inflammatory and immune response of the host and involves the participation of different cell types. Currently, there is evidence that mast cells, among other functions, have the ability to eliminate bacteria by phagocytosis. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the phagocytic ability of mast cells against the periodontopathogens A. actinomycetemcomitans, and compare with the phagocytic capacity of macrophages, which are considered professional phagocytes. Therefore, in vitro phagocytic assays were conducted using murine mast cells and macrophages, challenged with A. actinomycetemcomitans or Escherichia coli, at the same time, opsonized or not, under different proportions cell: bacteria. After 1 hour of challenge, cells were stained with acridine orange and qualitatively assessed by using a confocal laser scanning electron microscope and quantitatively by the conventional scanning fluorescence microscope. The results demonstrated that phagocytic ability of murine mast cells was effective against A. actinomycetemcomitans. The percentages of mast cells with A. actinomycetemcomitans internalized in the absence of opsonization with complement, were higher than those in the presence of opsonization, suggesting the involvement of opsonin-independent receptors in recognition of this pathogen by mast cells, as well as complement receptor type 3 (CR3). Comparing the two cell types, it was observed that both cells showed significant phagocytic activity against A. actinomycetemcomitans, however, the percentages of mast cells with internalized bacteria without complement were higher than those of macrophages with internalized bacteria with complement, in one of the proportions (1:10). The results suggest the role of mast cells as professional phagocytes in the pathogenesis of...