Myenteric plexus is differentially affected by infection with distinct Trypanosoma cruzi strains in Beagle dogs

Chagasic megaoesophagus and megacolon are characterised by motor abnormalities related to enteric nervous system lesions and their development seems to be related to geographic distribution of distinct Trypanosoma cruzi subpopulations. Beagle dogs were infected with Y or Berenice-78 (Be-78) T. cruzi strains and necropsied during the acute or chronic phase of experimental disease for post mortem histopathological evaluation of the oesophagus and colon. Both strains infected the oesophagus and colon and caused an inflammatory response during the acute phase. In the chronic phase, inflammatory process was observed exclusively in the Be-78 infected animals, possibly due to a parasitism persistent only in this group. Myenteric denervation occurred during the acute phase of infection for both strains, but persisted chronically only in Be-78 infected animals. Glial cell involvement occurred earlier in animals infected with the Y strain, while animals infected with the Be-78 strain showed reduced glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactive area of enteric glial cells in the chronic phase. These results suggest that although both strains cause lesions in the digestive tract, the Y strain is associated with early control of the lesion, while the Be-78 strain results in progressive gut lesions in this model.

Prevalência de refluxo gastroesofágico em pacientes com doença pulmonar avançada candidatos a transplante pulmonar / Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux in lung transplant candidates with advanced lung disease

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o perfil funcional do esôfago e a prevalência de refluxo gastroesofágico (RGE) em pacientes candidatos a transplante pulmonar. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados prospectivamente, entre junho de 2005 e novembro de 2006, 55 pacientes candidatos a transplante pulmonar da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre. Os pacientes foram submetidos a esofagomanometria estacionária e pHmetria esofágica ambulatorial de 24 h de um e dois eletrodos antes de serem submetidos ao transplante pulmonar. RESULTADOS: A esofagomanometria foi anormal em 80 por cento dos pacientes e a pHmetria revelou RGE ácido patológico em 24 por cento. Os sintomas digestivos apresentaram sensibilidade de 50 por cento e especificidade de 61 por cento para RGE. Dos pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica, 94 por cento apresentaram alteração à manometria, e 80 por cento apresentaram hipotonia do esfíncter inferior, que foi o achado mais freqüente. Pacientes com bronquiectasias apresentaram a maior prevalência de RGE (50 por cento). CONCLUSÕES: O achado freqüente em pacientes com doença pulmonar avançada é RGE. Na população examinada, a presença de sintomas digestivos de RGE não foi preditiva de refluxo ácido patológico. A contribuição do RGE na rejeição crônica deve ser considerada e requer estudos posteriores para seu esclarecimento.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the esophageal function profile and the prevalence of gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) in lung transplant candidates. METHODS: From July of 2005 to November of 2006, a prospective study was conducted involving 55 candidates for lung transplantation at the Santa Casa de Misericórdia Hospital in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Prior to transplantation, patients underwent outpatient stationary esophageal manometry and 24-h esophageal pH-metry using one and two electrodes. RESULTS: Abnormal esophageal manometry was documented in 80 percent of the patients, and 24 percent of the patients presented pathological acid reflux. Digestive symptoms presented sensitivity and specificity for GER of 50 percent and 61 percent, respectively. Of the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 94 percent presented abnormal esophageal manometry, and 80 percent presented lower esophageal sphincter hypotonia, making it the most common finding. Patients with bronchiectasis presented the highest prevalence of GER (50 percent). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with advanced lung disease, GER is highly prevalent. In the population studied, digestive symptoms of GER were not predictive of pathological acid reflux. The role that GER plays in chronic rejection should be examined and clarified in future studies.

Carcinoma epidermóide esofágico em paciente com esôfago de Barret: relato de caso / Squamous cell esophageal cancer in patient with Barret's esophagus: case report

O carcinoma epidermóide de esôfago é a neoplasia esofágica mais comum no nosso meio, tendo como principais fatores de risco o etilismo e o tabaco. Há um aumento na incidência de casos de adenocarcinoma esofágico em países ocidentais, e a sua associação com o esôfago de Barret é bem estabelecida. Nesse relato, apresentamos o caso de uma paciente com esôfago de Barret na qual foi diagnosticada a presença de carcinoma epidermóide associado à metaplasia intestinal. São raros os casos descritos na literatura com esse achado. Os autores apresentam o caso e revisam as publicações prévias de casos semelhantes.