Taxonomic reports of Homeacanthoidea (Eucestoda: Trypanorhyncha) in Lamnid and Sphyrnid elasmobranchs collected off the coast of Santa Catarina, Brazil

Elasmobranch specimens of lamnid and sphyrnid captured in 1999 in the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, were parasitized with homeacanthoid trypanorhynch cestodes: Isurus oxyrinchus Rafinesque, 1810 with Nybelinia lingualis (Cuvier, 1817) Dollfus, 1929; Sphyrna zygaena (Linnaeus, 1758) with Heteronybelinia rougetcampanae (Dollfus, 1960) Palm, 1999. New details of internal morphology and/or scolex and/or proglottid surface ultrastructure are given. Adults of N. lingualis are reported for the first time in the Brazilian coast.

Prevalence and pathology of helminths of ciconiiform birds from the Brazilian swamplands

The prevalence of helminths recovered from 108 birds representing eight species of Ciconiiformes from the Brazilian west-central region are presented. The digeneans Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa, Clinostomum marginatum, Cotylotretus grandis, Ithyoclinostomum dimorphum, the nematodes Contracaecum multipapillatum, Desmidocercella ardeae, Eustrongylides ignotus, and the cestode Valipora mutabilis were identified. Contracaecum multipapillatum was the most prevalent species and E. ignotus the most pathogenic. Gross lesions due to infections with C. multipapillatum were characterized by ulcerative processes and hyperemia of the mucosa whereas those caused by E. ignotus consisted of perforations of the gastric mucosa and fibrotic tubular lesions in the gastric serosa. Histopathological examinations revealed necrosis and mixed leucocyte infiltrations and discrete compression of the mucosa in C. multipapillatum infections. Destruction of the mucosa and submucosa with the presence of fibrous capsules were observed in E. ignotus infections. Reports of accidental human infections, with severe clinical signs induced by these parasites, indicate the necessity of a proper evaluation of the pathogenicity of helminths of aquatic birds.

Diagnosis of juvenile hemochromatosis in an 11-year-old child combining genetic analysis and non-invasive liver iron quantitation

Juvenile or type2 hemochromatosis is a rare autosomal recessive disorder which leads to severe iron overload early in life. As in the classic adult form of the disease iron toxicity causes liver cirrhosis, cardiomyopathy, and endocrine complications, but the onset of the disease is anticipated in the second to third decades of life. Experience of this disease in children is limited. Molecular diagnosis is unfeasible because the type2 hemochromatosis gene is still unknown, although it is known that the disease locus maps to chromosome 1q. Combining linkage analysis with markers encompassing chromosome 1 locus and a non-invasive method for liver iron quantitation we diagnosed juvenile hemochromatosis in a presymptomatic stage in an 11-year-old Italian child. A regular phlebotomy protocol reduced iron overload preventing all the disease complications.

CONCLUSION

Juvenile hemochromatosis patients have severe iron overload within the first years of life, strengthening the greater iron absorption that occurs in this as compared to other types of hemochromatosis. Early detection is essential, because treatment in presymptomatic stages prevents organ damage.

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for infantile globoid-cell leukodystrophy (Krabbe's disease)

A 4-month-old-girl affected by early expression of Krabbe's disease was treated with allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The stem cell donor was her heterozygous HLA-identical mother. The central nervous system (CNS) involvement at diagnosis was evident, but minimal. After BMT the child presented a severe hypotonia and an acute tetraventricular hydrocephalus; she died 180 days after the BMT with progressive severe neurologic deterioration. Leukocyte galactocerebrosidase (GALC) activity was present at donor levels 20 days after BMT. Full donor chimerism was evident 18 days after BMT. This report confirms that in early onset "Krabbe's syndrome" if the diagnosis is delayed after the birth, the progression of the neurologic deterioration is not reversed by BMT. It is to be demonstrated if a very early hemopoietic stem cell transplantation during the first weeks of life, could be appropriate and efficacious.

Report on two species of Digenea from marine fishes in Brazil

Two species of Digenea were recorded for the first time in South America and in new hosts: Acanthostomum spiniceps (Looss, 1896) (Cryptogonimidae) was reported from Astroscopus sexspinosus (Steindachner, 1877) (Uranoscopidae) and Diplomonorchis sphaerovarium Nahhas & Cable, 1964 (Monorchiidae) from Ophichthus gomesi (Castelnau, 1855) (Ophichthidae). From the latter, Heliconema heliconema Travassos, 1919 (Nematoda, Physalopteridae), was also recovered representing also a new host for this nematode species.

Reevaluation of the systematic status of Cotylotretus grandis (Digenea: Psilostomidae) with new morphological data

The digenetic trematode Cotylotretus grandis is redescribed on the basis of 130 specimens recovered from the body cavity and small intestine of 5 roseate spoonbills Ajaia ajaja (Aves, Ciconiiformes, Threskiornithidae) captured in the Pantanal do Mato Grosso, Brazil. The spoonbill A. ajaja is the only host recorded for specimens of C. grandis since 1819, when the species was proposed by Rudolphi as Distoma grande. The synonymy of Mesaulus Braun, 1902, with Cotylotretus Odhner, 1902, is discussed and confirmed after morphological analysis of the specimens.

Reciprocal bone marrow transplantation between brother and sister

A child with AML underwent allogeneic BMT from an HLA-identical sister donor. Prompt and stable triline-age engraftment occurred and after few months he returned to a normal life. Eight years later a primary NHL of bone developed in his sister. A partial remission was obtained by means of standard NHL treatment, but 3 months later rapid disease progression occurred with complete bone marrow invasion (ALL-L3). She was treated with a leukemia relapse protocol, obtaining a second partial remission. Unpurged bone marrow harvested from the brother, transplanted for AML 8 years earlier, was infused after conditioning with TBI and thiothepa. No GVHD prophylaxis was given. Neutrophil engraftment occurred by 14 days and platelet engraftment by 20 days after BMT. No acute GVHD was observed, but unexpectedly she developed skin and liver GVHD-like symptoms 80 days after BMT. Since the liver biopsy was suggestive of liver GVHD and in the absence of any other evidence as a possible cause of the hepatic damage, the patient started mycophenolate. Two months later serum hepatitis B markers were detectable.

Purification, characterization, and substrate and inhibitor structure-activity studies of rat liver FAD-AMP lyase (cyclizing): preference for FAD and specificity for splitting ribonucleoside diphosphate-X into ribonucleotide and a five-atom cyclic phosphodiester of X, either a monocyclic compound or a cis-bicyclic phosphodiester-pyranose fusion

An enzyme with FAD-AMP lyase (cyclizing) activity, splitting FAD to AMP and riboflavin 4',5'-phosphate (cFMN), was recently identified [Fraiz, F., et al. (1998) Biochem. J. 330, 881-888]. Now, it has been purified to apparent homogeneity from a rat liver supernatant, by a procedure that includes affinity for ADP-agarose (adsorption required the activating cation Mn2+ and desorption required its removal), to a final activity of 2.2 units/mg after a 240-fold purification with a 15% yield. By SDS-PAGE, only one protein band was observed (Mr = 59 000). The correspondence between protein and enzyme activity was demonstrated by renaturation after SDS-PAGE, by gradient ultracentrifugation followed by analytical SDS-PAGE, and by native PAGE with visualization of enzyme activity by fluorescence. A native Mr of 100 000 (ultracentrifugation) or 140 000 (gel filtration) indicated that FAD-AMP lyase could be a dimer. The enzyme required millimolar concentrations of Mn2+ or Co2+, exhibited different optimum pH values with these cations (pH 8.5 or 7.3, respectively), and was strongly inhibited by ADP or ATP, but not by dADP, dATP, or the reaction products AMP and cFMN. A specificity study was conducted with 35 compounds related to FAD, mostly nucleoside diphosphate-X (NDP-X) derivatives. Besides FAD, the enzyme split 11 of these compounds with the pattern NDP-X --> NMP + P=X. Structure-activity correlations of substrates, nonsubstrates, and inhibitors, and the comparison of the enzymic reactivities of NDP-X compounds with their susceptibilities to metal-dependent chemical degradation, pinpointed the following specificity pattern. FAD-AMP lyase splits ribonucleoside diphosphate-X compounds in which X is an acyclic or cyclic monosaccharide or derivative bearing an X-OH group that is able to attack internally the proximal phosphorus with the geometry necessary to form a P=X product, either a five-atom monocyclic phosphodiester or a cis-bicyclic phosphodiester-pyranose fusion. For instance, NDP-glucose and GDP-alpha-L-fucose were substrates, but dTDP-glucose, NDP-mannose, and GDP-beta-L-fucose were not. Judging from kcat/Km ratios, we found the best substrate to be FAD, followed closely by ADP-glucose (kcat/Km only 2-fold lower, but not a physiological compound in mammals), whereas other substrates exhibited 50-500-fold lower kcat/Km values. However, there was no evidence for specific flavin recognition. Instead, what seems to be recognized is the NDP moiety of NDP-X, with a strong preference for ADP-X. Splitting would then depend on the presence of an adequate X-OH group. The possibility that, besides FAD, there could be in mammals other ADP-X substrates of FAD-AMP lyase is discussed, with emphasis placed on some ADP-ribose derivatives.

Digenea and acanthocephala of elasmobranch fishes from the southern coast of Brazil

New records for helminth species recovered from elasmobranch fishes in Brazil are established. Digenean and acanthocephalan parasites of elasmobranch fishes are reported from the southern coast of Brazil: Otodistomum veliporum (Creplin, 1837) Stafford, 1904 (Digenea: Azygiidae) in the stomach and spiral valve of Dipturus trachydermus and in the spiral valve of Squatina sp. Cystacanths and juveniles of the acanthocephalans Corynosoma australe Johnston, 1937 and Corynosoma sp., in the spiral valve of Squatina sp., Galeorhinus galeus and Hexanchus griseus and in the stomach of Squalus megalops; a juvenile of Gorgorhynchus sp., in the spiral valve of Sphyrna zygaena. Dipturus trachydermus and Squatina sp. are new host records for O. veliporum. Digeneans and acanthocephalans are reported for the first time parasitizing elasmobranch fishes in Brazil.

Helminth fauna of the golden hamster Mesocricetus auratus in Brazil

Helminth fauna of conventionally maintained hamsters from institutional animal houses that supply the research community with laboratory animals and from an openly kept control group, randomly purchased in a pet shop in the State of Rio de Janeiro, were evaluated and compared. Necropsied animals from institutional suppliers were infected with the oxyurid nematodes Syphacia criceti and S. mesocriceti and with the cestode Rodentolepis nana; those from the pet shop were infected with S. mesocriceti and R. nana. These are the first morphometric data that are based on Brazilian samples of these species parasitizing hamsters. Mesocricetus auratus is a newly recorded host for S. criceti, previously recovered from Oryzomys subflavus and Calomys callosus in Brazil. The potential of pet and laboratory hamsters in the spreading of helminth infections to humans is also considered.

Adhesion molecule expression, clinical features and therapy outcome in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

In view of the relevance of adhesion molecule expression for the mechanisms of homing, trafficking and spreading of malignant cells, we have investigated the expression of surface adhesion molecules in lymphoblasts from 57 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases and tried to correlate the adhesive phenotype with immunological typing, prognostic factors at diagnosis and clinical follow-up. Blasts from all cases expressed adhesion molecules at high rates. Beta1 integrin chain (CD18) was consistently found on blasts from most ALL cases: among integrins of the beta2 family. LFA-1 was detected in 58% of cases, in the virtual absence of other alpha chains. CD54 and CD58 were expressed in variable proportions by ALL blasts and CD44 was detected in the majority of the malignant cells, whereas the CD62L selectin was only present in 24% of cases. B-lineage ALL's displayed similar adhesion molecule phenotypes irrespective of maturational stages of the leukemic cells. We found a significantly reduced expression of beta2 alphaL integrins in the hybrid ALL cases (CD13 and/or CD33 positive). However, these cases did not show differences in clinical presentation and behaviour in comparison with patients of other groups. We did not find a significant correlation between adhesion molecule expression and well established risk factors (age, white blood cell count, central nervous system involvement, chromosomal abnormalities), with the exception of splenomegaly, that was significantly associated with CD18 expression. In the follow-up, no evidence of significant correlation between adhesive phenotype and adverse events such as leukemic relapse and death was found. In conclusion, although expression of adhesion molecules on lymphoblasts confirms the phenotypic heterogeneity of ALL, it appears that this is not relevant for the clinical aspects of the disease and for prognosis.

Worm burdens in outbred and inbred laboratory rats with morphometric data on Syphacia muris (Yamaguti, 1935) Yamaguti, 1941 (Nematoda, Oxyuroidea)

Syphacia muris worm burdens were evaluated in the rat Rattus norvegicus of the strains Wistar (outbred), Low/M and AM/2/Torr (inbred), maintained conventionally in institutional animal houses in Brazil. Morphometrics and illustration data for S. muris recovered from Brazilian laboratory rats are provided for the first time since its proposition in 1935.

Nematodes of elasmobranch fishes from the southern coast of Brazil

New records for nematode species recovered from elasmobranch fishes in Brazil are established and new systematical arrangements proposed. Parascarophis sphyrnae Campana-Rouget, 1955 from the spiral valve of Sphyrna zygaena is referred for the first time in South America as a new host record. Procamallanus (S.) pereirai Annereaux, 1946, from the spiral valve of Raja castelnaui is reported parasitizing an elasmobranch host. Nematode larvae of the genera Anisakis, Contracaecum, Pseudoterranova and Raphidascaris are listed from the stomach and spiral valves of several hosts. Anisakidae larvae previously referred in Brazil in the genus Phocanema should be reallocated in Pseudoterranova. Nematodes of the genera Anisakis, Contracaecum, Pseudoterranova and Raphidascaris are reported for the first time parasitizing elasmobranchs in Brazil.

Description of males of Parabronema pecariae Ivaschkin, 1960 (Nematoda, Habronematoidea) parasitizing peccaries (Mammalia, Tayassuidae) in Brazil

Nematodes studied herein and identified as Parabronema pecariae were collected in 1936 in the States of Rio de Janeiro and Pará and in 1940 in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. This species was proposed, with basis on female specimens that had been described earlier as Parabronema sp. Although the presence of males of P. pecariae was previously reported in Brazil, their description was not provided. The present paper deals with the first complete morphometric data on male specimens of P. pecariae recovered from peccaries (Pecari tajacu and Tayassu pecari).

Differences in Brazilian strains of Schistosoma mansoni evaluated by means of morphometric analysis of cercariae of both sexes

Morphometrics of Brazilian strains (BH, SJ and CMO) of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae were obtained with a computerized image analyzer (IMAGE PRO PLUS, MEDIA CYBERNETICS), considering the following characters: body area, tail, furcae, oral and ventral suckers and distance between them. For statistical analysis, the variance test (one-way Anova) was applied and significant differences of p< 0.05 were considered. All morphometric values in the BH strain were significantly higher (p< 0.05) than in the others. Lower values were obtained in females of SJ strain for all characters, excepting the body area. Only this character showed to be significantly different in males and females of the three strains. Specimens of both sexes in the BH and SJ strains showed significant differences regarding all characters. It was observed that this morphometric analysis permits the characterization of strains and also the sex identification in S. mansoni cercariae. Due to its feasibility, this method can be applied as a tool in laboratories devoid of more complex equipment.

Cell-cycle distribution of pancreatic cells from rats with acute pancreatitis induced by bile-pancreatic obstruction

The aim of this study was to analyze, using electron microscopy, the morphological alterations that progressively appear in the pancreas of rats with acute pancreatitis induced by bile-pancreatic obstruction over 48 h. In addition, in order to ascertain the capability of pancreas regeneration at different stages of pancreatitis, the distribution of pancreatic cells throughout the different phases of the cell cycle was also analyzed by flow cytometry using propidium iodide staining. Interstitial edema, macrophage infiltration, vacuolization, and dilatation of endoplasmic reticulum were observed from 1.5 h after obstruction onward. Interestingly, cell cycle studies showed an increased proportion of S-phase cells at early stages of pancreatitis (1.5 h after obstruction), which leads to a significant increase in cells in G2/M phase 12 h after pancreatic obstruction. Histological studies revealed severe alterations in pancreas of rats with obstruction maintained over 48 h which affects the nuclear structure. Intracellular disorganization, apoptosis, and focal necrosis were observed at this stage. Furthermore, flow-cytometric analysis of cell DNA contents showed a significant decrease in the proportion of S and G2/M cells and a significant increase in G0/G1 cells, suggesting an arrest of almost all cells in quiescent states. These results suggest that rat pancreas cells are able to recover during the first 12 h after pancreatic obstruction. However, the gland would lose its ability to regenerate if the obstruction was maintained for longer periods.

Oswaldotrema nacinovici gen. nov. sp. nov. (Digenea: Philophthalmidae) from Numenius phaeopus (Aves: Scolopacidae) in Brazil

A new genus, Oswaldotrema gen. nov. is proposed. Oswaldotrema nacinovici sp. nov. is descibed from Numenius phaeopus Latham, 1790. Differentiation from the other related genera, namely Philophthalmus, Pygorchis, Proctobium, Parorchis, Echinostephila, Cloacitrema, Pittacium, Ophthalmotrema, Skrjabinovermis and Paratrema, was based on morphological characters, mainly on those referring to the body surface, body shape, head, esophagus, pharynx, acetabulum, vitellaria, vitelline reservoir and seminal vesicle.

Alterations in the glycoconjugates of pancreatic cell membrane induced by acute pancreatitis

The alterations that progressively appear in plasma membrane glycoconjugates of rat pancreatic cells at different stages of acute pancreatitis induced by duct obstruction have been analyzed on individual cells by flow cytometry using the fluoresceinated lectins, wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), Tetragonolobus purpureus agglutinin (TP) and Concanavalin A (Con A), which specifically bind to N-acetyl D-glucosamine, L-fucose and D-mannose, respectively. Two populations of pancreatic cells were differentiated according to the forward scatter (size), which showed different density of saccharidic terminals located at external positions in the glycoconjugates of the plasma membrane. A significant increase in WGA and TP binding was found 1.5 h after pancreatic obstruction, which could be due to the fusion of zymogen granules with the plasma membrane as suggested by the basolateral exocytosis observed by electron microscopy at this stage. The most external sugar residues of membrane glycoconjugates are removed 12 h after pancreatic duct obstruction as a consequence of an advanced state of pancreatitis. The hydrolytic process reaches greater depths in the membrane 48 h after obstruction. At this stage a significant decrease in WGA, TP and ConA binding was found in all pancreatic cells, indicating the loss of N-acetyl D-glucosamine and/or sialic acid, L-fucose and even D-mannose which is located in the core of the glycan. The results provide information about the progressive degradation induced by acute pancreatitis in pancreatic cell membrane glycoconjugates.

On two nematodes from Brazilian birds and description of a new species (Acuarioidea, Schistorophinae) parasitizing Laterallus viridis (Müller, 1776) (Gruiformes, Rallidae)

The present paper reports acuarioid nematodes recovered from avian hosts. A new species of the genus Schistorophus Railliet, 1916 is proposed based mainly on findings referring to ptilina, spicules and vagina. Ancyracanthopsis coronata (Molin, 1860) Chabaud & Petter, 1959 is referred again in Brazil since its proposition in 1860, from specimens recovered from a Brazilian bird. A revised key to the species of the genus Schistorophus is also presented.

On the rugose area and caudal papillae distribution in Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy, 1856) Railliet & Henry, 1911, by scanning electron microscopy

The objective of this study was to obtain a better characterization of Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy, 1856) Railliet & Henry, 1911, in Brazil, ratifying previous accounts and adding new data on the rugose area on the ventral surface of the spiralled posterior portion of males observed by scanning electron microscopy, which presents a different arrangement compared to other species of the genus, and differs also from the genera Litomosoides Chandler, 1931, and Wuchereria Silva Araújo, 1877, adding another taxonomic character to Dirofilariinae and Onchocercinae. Scanning electron microscopy studies also showed some aspects of the distribution of caudal papillae in D. immitis that have not been described before.

Treatment of acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in children. A retrospective evaluation of 120 cases

Acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP) in children is generally a benign disease with a high frequency of spontaneous remission. Nevertheless the debate over treating or not is still open, because of the high risk of hemorrhage as long as the platelet count remains below 20 x 10(9)/l. We have retrospectively evaluated 120 pediatric cases from our center, receiving different treatments at diagnosis: no treatment (76); IVIG: 400 mg/kg/d for 5 days (28); continuous oral PDN: 1-1.5 mg/kg/d for at least two weeks (16). No patients had been previously treated for AITP. Follow-up is up to fifty months. We found no significant differences as to the percentage of responses among the three groups. We conclude that waiting without treatment is safe and appropriate in most cases; whether the hemorrhagic risk suggests treatment, standard dose continuous oral PDN and IVIG may be equally effective, but IVIG may achieve a significantly faster rise in the platelet count. The timing of treatment and the cost/benefit ratio are discussed.