Identification of suitable adjuvant for vaccine formulation with the Neospora caninum antigen NcSRS2.

The parasite Neospora caninum is the main cause of abortion in cattle in many countries around the world, so a vaccine is a rational approach method for the control of the disease. An effective vaccine should be able to prevent both, the horizontal and vertical transmission of N. caninum. In this study, the immune vaccinal response of the recombinant protein rNcSRS2 of N. caninum expressed in Pichia pastoris and formulated with water-in-oil emulsion, xanthan gum, and alum hydroxide was assessed in an experimental murine model. Groups of 10 Balb/c mice were subcutaneously inoculated with two doses of prNcSRS2 twenty-one days apart. After the second immunization, four mice from each group were euthanized, and splenocytes were stimulated ex vivo with recombinant protein. The IgG dynamics were evaluated by indirect ELISA, and the splenocytes cytokines transcription by qPCR. All groups elicited specific antibodies against prNcSRS2, with the water-in-oil group showing significantly (p ≤ .05) elevated titers compared to the other groups. The prNcSRS2 protein alone did not induce a significant ex vivo splenic transcription level of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-12 cytokines, except for IL-17A, and the adjuvant associations with the prNcSRS2 protein induced different cytokine transcription profiles. The water-in-oil emulsion modulated the expression of TNF-α; the xanthan gum modulated IL-4, IL-10, and IL-12; and alum hydroxide modulated IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-12. In conclusion, it was found that the association of the recombinant prNcSRS2 protein with different adjuvants induced different levels of specific antibody, and a distinct splenic cytokine profile in an adjuvant-dependent manner. The mechanisms of adjuvancity activity is complex, so adjuvant formulation may help in the design of efficient vaccine to control Neosporosis.

[Neonatal candidemia in a public hospital in Mato Grosso do Sul]. / Candidemia neonatal, em hospital público do Mato Grosso do Sul.

The aim of our study was to perform molecular typing on 25 clinical samples of Candida spp that were isolated from children with candidemia who were hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit of a university hospital between 1998 and 2006. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from the medical records to ascertain the clinical and epidemiological characteristics. Yeast identification was done using conventional methods and susceptibility to antifungals was assessed using a microdilution method. The genetic profile was determined using the RAPD-PCR technique. Candida albicans (11; 44%) and Candida parapsilosis (10; 40%) were the species most frequently isolated. Seventeen (68%) of the newborns weighed less than 1,500 g. Prematurity (92%) and use of a central venous catheter (100%) were the risk conditions with greatest association. Nineteen patients (76%) died. Only one strain of Candida parapsilosis showed dose-dependent sensitivity to fluconazole. Molecular analysis showed 11 distinct genetic patterns. An epidemiological relationship was seen in only two cases, thus suggesting the same source of infection.

Candidemia neonatal, em hospital público do Mato Grosso do Sul / Neonatal candidemia in a public hospital in Mato Grosso do Sul

O objetivo de nosso estudo foi realizar tipagem molecular de 25 amostras clínicas de Candida spp, isoladas de crianças com candidemia, internadas na unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal de um Hospital Universitário entre 1998 a 2006. Dados demográficos e clínicos foram obtidos de prontuários para conhecimento dos aspectos clínicos e epidemiológicos. Identificação das leveduras foi feita por método convencional e a susceptibilidade antifúngica por método de microdiluição. O perfil genético foi determinado pela técnica de RAPD-PCR. Candida albicans (11; 44 por cento) e Candida parapsilosis (10; 40 por cento) foram as mais isoladas. Dezessete (68 por cento) dos recém-nascidos tinham peso inferior a 1.500g. Prematuridade (92 por cento), uso de cateter venoso central (100 por cento), foram as condições de risco mais associados. Dezenove (76 por cento) pacientes foram a óbito. Apenas uma cepa de Candida parapsilosis, mostrou ser sensível dose dependente ao fluconazol. Na análise molecular, foram observados 11 padrões genéticos distintos. Somente em dois casos foi observada relação epidemiológica, sugerindo mesma fonte de infecção.

The aim of our study was to perform molecular typing on 25 clinical samples of Candida spp that were isolated from children with candidemia who were hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit of a university hospital between 1998 and 2006. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from the medical records to ascertain the clinical and epidemiological characteristics. Yeast identification was done using conventional methods and susceptibility to antifungals was assessed using a microdilution method. The genetic profile was determined using the RAPD-PCR technique. Candida albicans (11; 44 percent) and Candida parapsilosis (10; 40 percent) were the species most frequently isolated. Seventeen (68 percent) of the newborns weighed less than 1,500g. Prematurity (92 percent) and use of a central venous catheter (100 percent) were the risk conditions with greatest association. Nineteen patients (76 percent) died. Only one strain of Candida parapsilosis showed dose-dependent sensitivity to fluconazole. Molecular analysis showed 11 distinct genetic patterns. An epidemiological relationship was seen in only two cases, thus suggesting the same source of infection.