Monoclonal antibodies against rat mast cells differentiate between subtypes

Four monoclonal mouse anti rat mast cell antibodies were selected which detect an antigenic determinant occurring on connective tissue mast cells of the rat. A strong antigen density was found on peritoneal mast cells whereas pleural and mesenteric mast cells exhibit considerably smaller amounts of the antigen. It does not occur on lung mast cells and basophils, thus permitting a mast cell subtype differentiation according to the expression of a surface antigen. The monoclonal antibodies do not react with IgE or IgE Fc-receptor determinants and do not interfere with the histamine secretion from peritoneal mast cells.

Liquid nitrogen cryopreservation of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in Fava's Netto medium

The aplicability of Fava's Netto medium in the liquid nitrogen cryopreservation technique of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis cells was demonstrated.

[Chagas' placentitis. Report of a case with optic and electronic microscopy study]

Novo caso de placentite chagásica no Triângulo Mineiro, observou-se, à mioroscopia óptica, o parasitismo de miócitos das paredes vasculares, fato não descrito anteriormente na literatura. O estudo à microscopia eletrônica revelou. (1) abundantes amastigotas do Trypanosoma cruzi em células de Hofbauer; (2) proliferação fibroblástica e colágena na parede de pequenas artérias e arteríolas, ocluindo-lhes, por vezes, o lume; (3) parasitas em células musculares degeneradas e fibroblastos da parede vascular. Este é o primeiro relato de placentite chagásica humana com análise ultra-estrutural.