[Biological cycle of Aedes albopictus (Diptera, Culicidae), in the laboratory]. / Ciclo biológico do Aedes albopictus (Diptera, Culicidae), em laboratório.

Twelve colonies of Aedes albopictus were maintained at laboratory conditions, with the following results: Insectary conditions--Air humidity: 90-95%; Temperature: 25 degrees C; Blood source: human; Breeding places: Plastic glass or bamboo; Number eggs per female: 36.37; Incubation time: 1 to 6 days; Larval period: 4 to 9 days; Pupal period: 1 to 5 days; Adults life span: females--30.8 days and males--26.6 days.

[Human toxoplasmosis acquired by ingestion of goat's milk]. / Toxoplasmose humana adquirida através da ingestão de leite de cabra.

Acute toxoplasmosis in three members of the same family was related to drinking unpasteurized goat's milk. The goats were reared, for milk production in a peri-domestic area. Based on indirect immunofluorescent reactions antibody titers greater than 1: 1024 were recorded in eight out of fifteen animals examined and were highest in the five lactating adult females. Toxoplasma was isolated, by inoculation of mice, from the milk of one of these females. Dogs reared in the same house showed no symptoms of acute toxoplasmosis and low antibody titers were detected in these animals. It was also found that the human infections could not have been due to the ingestion of food contaminated with oocysts.

Marcacao de Panstrongylus megistus (Hemiptera, Triatominae) com radioisotopos. / Labelling of Panstrongylus megitus (Hemiptera, Triatominae) with radioisotopes

Desenvolveram-se experimentos no campo e em laboratorios com Panstrongylus megistus marcados com pequenos fios de Ir-192 colados ao pronoto. Barbeiros silvestres assim marcados e liberados, foram posteriormente detectados em galinheiros com auxilio de contador Geiger-Muller e de caixas de Gomez-Nunez. Verificou-se que alguns exemplares marcados foram encontrados 12 dias depois, a 150 m de distancia do ponto de liberacao, circulando entre ambientes silvestres e domiciliares. E possivel que um dos estimulos para o barbeiro localizar um novo habitat seja a presenca de feromonio em domicilios ja infestados

Acid secretion in patients with Chagas' disease.

In order to evaluate the acid secretory pattern in patients with Chagas' Disease when compared to control subjects, the following tests were performed; a) Basal Secretion, b) Acid output after increasing doses of I.V. Pentagastrin (1, 2, 4 and 8 micrograms/Kg-h); c) I.V. Pentagastrin (P) plus a background of subthreshold doses of Urecholine (U) (40 micrograms/Kg-h); d) Calcium infusion test (4 mg of Ca++/Kg-h). The histological aspects of the antral and fundic mucosa was studied on 11 CD patients through samples obtained during gastroscopy. Basal, Pentagastrin stimulated acid secretion and Ca++ stimulated secretion were statistically lower in CD patients when compared to controls. Association of P + U resulted in a higher acid response in 4 out of 8 CD patients but, the mean result of the group was not statistically significant. These results suggest that the lower basal and stimulated acid response of CD patients is related to a decreased sensitivity of the parietal cell. This lower sensitivity is probably dependent on vagal blockage as a consequence of the intramural nerve destruction. The possibility of a smaller stomach and consequently small parietal cell population could not be ruled out in this investigation. However this possibility seems very unprobable to the authors.

Acid secretion in patients with Chagas disease.

In order to evaluate the acid secretory pattern in patients with Chagas Disease when compared to control subjects, the following tests were performed; a) Basal Secretion, b) Acid output after increasing doses of I.V. Pentagastrin (1, 2, 4 and 8 micrograms/Kg-h); c) I.V. Pentagastrin (P) plus a background of subthreshold doses of Urecholine (U) (40 micrograms/Kg-h); d) Calcium infusion test (4 mg of Ca++/Kg-h). The histological aspects of the antral and fundic mucosa was studied on 11 CD patients through samples obtained during gastroscopy. Basal, Pentagastrin stimulated acid secretion and Ca++ stimulated secretion were statistically lower in CD patients when compared to controls. Association of P + U resulted in a higher acid response in 4 out of 8 CD patients but, the mean result of the group was not statistically significant. These results suggest that the lower basal and stimulated acid response of CD patients is related to a decreased sensitivity of the parietal cell. This lower sensitivity is probably dependent on vagal blockage as a consequence of the intramural nerve destruction. The possibility of a smaller stomach and consequently small parietal cell population could not be ruled out in this investigation. However this possibility seems very unprobable to the authors.