[Educational program in universal precaution measures: a methodological approach]

An updating program on measures of universal precautions (M.U.P.) was developed at the Center of Whole Care of Woman's Health (Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher-CAISM). These measures and the procedures in the case of work accident were published in a booklet. First, servants should be aware of the matter of stress and its influence on the quality of life. Then, updating was carried through encouraging the reflection on the consequences of the non-adoption of M.U.P. The answers to 286 pre-tests and 242 post-tests were analyzed and the results showed a significantly higher index of correct answers (p < 0.01), mainly regarding the appropriate use of glove.

Standardization of dot-ELISA for the serological diagnosis of toxocariasis and comparison of the assay with ELISA

The dot-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (dot-ELISA) was standardized using somatic (S) and excretory-secretory (ES) antigens of Toxocara-canis for the detection of specific antibodies in 22 serum samples from children aged 1 to 15 years, with clinical signs of toxocariasis. Fourteen serum samples from apparently normal individuals and 28 sera from patients with other pathologies were used as controls. All samples were used before and after absorption with Ascaris suum extract. When the results were evaluated in comparison with ELISA, the two tests were found to have similar sensitivity, but dot-ELISA was found to be more specific in the presence of two antigens studied. Dot-ELISA proved to be effective for the diagnosis of human toxocariasis, presenting advantages in terms of yield, stability, time and ease of execution and low cost.