The entomopathogenic potential of Aspergillus spp. in mosquitoes vectors of tropical diseases

Eleven strains of the most frequent Aspergillus species found in a survey of Brazilian mosquitoes collected in the states of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were used for bioassays in second-stage larvae of Aedes fluviatilis and Culex quinquefasciatus. Aspergillus ochraceus, A. kanagawaensis and one strain of A. sulphureus were most effective, causing mortality in at least 80% of the larvae of the two mosquito species tested. Variations in entomopathogenic capacity were observed in the experiments with strains of A. sulphureus, A. flavus and A. ochraceus.

Pathogenic action of Penicillium species on mosquito vectors of human tropical diseases

In vitro bioassays were performed in order to assess the pathogenicity of 13 Penicillium strains in 2nd stage larvae of Aedes aegypti, Aedes fluviatilis, Anopheles aquasalis and Culex quinquefasciatus. Mortality rates began in the first 24 hours, ranging from 0 to 100%. P. corylophilum, P. fellutanum, P. implicatum, P. janthinellum, P. viridicatum and P. waksmanii species tested on Aedes aegypti larvae and at different concentrations presented mortality rates from 0 to 6.6%. These species, when tested on Aedes fluviatilis, Anopheles aquasalis and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae, presented a mortality rate of 3.33% to 100%. Susceptibility of Aedes fluviatilis, Aedes aegypti, Anopheles aquasalis and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes to the tested agents, turn P. corylophilum and P. janthinellum into candidates for potential use in biological control of vectors.

The ultrastructural and histophotometric study of elastic and collagen fibers in type II Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and subclinical forms

Skin disorders in type II Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) are characterized by signs of cutaneous hyperdistensibility, skin and vascular fragility, atrophic scars, and articular hypermobility. These features may have less important clinical presentation in the intermediate forms of type II EDS. The authors studied the ultrastructural and quantitative aspects of elastic and collagen fibers in the skin of individuals with subclinical signs of type II of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. A group of 27 individuals (Group I) with large atrophic scars, articular hypermobility of the hands, and cutaneous and vascular fragility were compared with 10 healthy individuals. The subjects from both groups were volunteers from Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade de São Paulo. The elastic fibers did not show alterations but collagen ultrastructural abnormalities were seen in diameter and curvature, such as torsion, collagen flower-like aspect and discrete mass enlargement by histophotometry.

Use of autologous fibrin glue in dermatologic surgery: application of skin graft and second intention healing

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficiency of biological sealant, an autologous fibrin glue, in dermatological surgery.

DESIGN

Randomized clinical trial.

SETTING

The Dermatology Service of Hospital das Clinicas, Universidade de Campinas (UNICAMP), referral center.

PATIENTS

14 patients with malign epithelial cutaneous tumors participated in the evaluation, each having two tumors, generally facial and symmetrical, in order to perform a comparative evaluation on the same individual.

PROCEDURES

The glue was prepared beforehand with a sample of autologous blood. Surgical extirpation of the tumor was followed by grafts or second intention healing.

OUTCOMES

The efficiency of the sealant was then evaluated in relation to hemostasis, adhesion, surgical time and evolution of the granulation tissue, clinically and histologically.

RESULTS

Immediate hemostasis and graft adhesion, with a significant reduction of surgical time, and in the open wounds there was immediate hemostasis and a clinical increase in granulation tissue, but with no histological differences among the groups on the 7th day.

CONCLUSION

It is an adjuvant resource in skin cancer surgery.