RESUMO
Background: The double-blind food challenge is the gold standard for diagnosis of food allergy, even though it is difficult to standardize and execute. An increase in allergy prevalence worldwide accentuates the importance of evaluating food allergy markers, in order to help the diagnosis. Objective: Elaboration of an operational definition for food hypersensitivity (FH) and evaluate the role of allergy markers, endoscopic and histological findings, gastric mucosa cytokines and personal/family history of allergy in children. Method: Enrollment of children with suspected peptic disease referred for endoscopy. We obtained antral biopsies for histological evaluation (eosinophil and mast cell count) and measurement of mucosal cytokines through an ELISA test. Patients were evaluated with Prick test, total serum IgE and clinical questionnaires for allergies. They were divided into two groups; children with and without food hypersensitivity. Results: 97 children were enrolled (mean: 11.7 +/- 3, range 3-18). 4 percent of children had FH. The endoscopic findings did not correlate with the presence of FH. 74.1 percent of patients without FH had eosinophils in the gastric mucosa compared to groups with FH which had 100 percent) (p < 0.05). Only IL-2 among the evaluated cytokines was found in a greater concentration in patients without FH. 33 percent> of patients considered themselves having history of personal allergies versus 11.8 percent of people without FH (p < 0.05). Conclusions: 12,4 percent of children with digestive symptoms referred to endoscopy have FH. There are no clinical, endoscopic or histological differences between patients with or without FH.
Introducción: El diagnóstico de alergia a alimentos se fundamenta en la prueba de provocación oral doble ciego, de difícil estandarización y ejecución. El aumento de la prevalencia de alergia hace necesario la evaluación de marcadores de alergia a alimentos para facilitar el diagnóstico. Objetivo: Evaluar en niños, a partir de una definición operacional de hipersensibilidad a alimentos (HA), el rol de algunos marcadores de hipersensibilidad, hallazgos endoscópicos e histológicos, citoquinas de mucosa gástrica, y antecedentes personales y familiares de alergia. Métodos: Se enrolaron niños referidos a endoscopia por sospecha de enfermedad péptica. Se obtuvieron biopsias antrales para evaluación histológica (incluyendo eosinófilos y mastocitos) y citoquinas mediante ELISA. Se les realizó test cutáneo (TC), IgE total sérica y cuestionarios clínicos de alergia. Se dividió en 2 grupos, niños con y sin HA según criterio establecido. Resultados: Se reclutaron 97 niños (promedio: 11,7 +/- 3 años, rango 3 a 18). Un 12,4 por ciento de los niños presentó HA. Los hallazgos endoscópicos no se relacionaron con la presencia de HA. Un 74,1 por ciento de los pacientes sin HA presentó eosinófilos en la mucosa gástrica comparado con un 100 por ciento en el grupo con HA (p < 0,05). Sólo IL-2 se encontró en mayor concentración en pacientes sin HA. Un 33,3 por ciento de la población con HA consideró tener antecedentes personales de AA versus un 11,8 por ciento de los sin HA (p < 0,05). Conclusiones: La HA en niños referidos a endoscopia por síntomas digestivos está presente en un 12,4 por ciento, sin elementos clínicos, endoscópicos o histológicos que los diferencien de niños sin HA.
Assuntos
Humanos , Adolescente , Pré-Escolar , Criança , Hipersensibilidade Alimentar/diagnóstico , Hipersensibilidade Alimentar/imunologia , Hipersensibilidade Alimentar/patologia , Alérgenos , Citocinas/imunologia , Endoscopia do Sistema Digestório , Eosinófilos , Imunoglobulina E , Biomarcadores , Mucosa Gástrica/imunologia , Mucosa Gástrica/patologia , Estudos Prospectivos , Testes CutâneosRESUMO
Introduction: Endogenous alphal-antitrypsin alpha is the main inhibitor of the intratracheally instilled elastase in experimental animals. Objective: To evaluate by electrophoresis and immunodetection using western blot analysis, the different forms of alpha1-AT in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of Sprague Dawley rats after intratracheal instillation of elastase, with the hypothesis that the previously observed increment in antielastase activity is due to high levels of active alpha1-AT. Results: In the first hours after elastase instillation the concentration of alpha1-AT increases more than seven times due to an increase in alveolar-capillary permeability. Alpha 1-AT in BAIF is found as the native protein (~ 52 kDa), as complexes of different molecular sizes (> 75 kDa and > 100 kDa) and as a proteolytic product (< 40 kDa). Conclusion: In spite of a high proportion of alpha1-AT in the inactive form as part of different complexes, the increase in alveolar-capillary permeability after elastase treatment contributes to maintain high levels of active alpha. These results could be of importance in other inflammatory lung processes.
Introducción: la antiproteasa alfa 1-antitripsina alfa constituye el principal inhibidor endógeno de la elastasa instilada por vía intratraqueal en modelos experimentales. Objetivo: Evaluar mediante electroforesis e inmunodetección por western blot, las distintas formas en que se encuentra la alfa1-AT en el lavado broncoalveolar (IBA) de ratas Sprague Dawley después de la instilación de elastasa, con la hipótesis de que el aumento en la actividad antielastasa previamente encontrada se acompaña de niveles altos de alfa1-AT activa. Resultados: En las primeras horas post-elastasa la concentración de alfa1-AT en el IBA aumenta más de 7 veces, debido al aumento de la permeabilidad alvéolo-capilar, encontrándose tanto como proteína nativa (~ 52 kDa), como parte de complejos de mayor tamaño (> 75 kDa y > 100 kDa) y como producto de proteólisis (< 40 kDa). Conclusión: A pesar de existir una alta proporción de alfa1-AT inactiva formando complejos, el aumento de la permeabilidad alvéolo-capilar contribuye a mantener niveles altos de alfa1-AT activa. Estos resultados podrían ser extrapolables a distintos procesos inflamatorios pulmonares.
Assuntos
Animais , Ratos , Permeabilidade Capilar , Eletroforese , Elastase Pancreática/antagonistas & inibidores , Pneumopatias/metabolismo , alfa 1-Antitripsina/análise , alfa 1-Antitripsina/metabolismo , Alvéolos Pulmonares/enzimologia , Western Blotting , Lavagem Broncoalveolar , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Pneumopatias/enzimologia , Inibidores de Proteases/metabolismo , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: During infancy, preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic efforts for Helicobacter pylori infection should be made. AIM: To evaluate non-invasive diagnostic methods such as stool antigen test (HpSA) and serum anti-H pylori antibody detection (IgG e IgA), compared to endoscopy-based invasive methods (histology and urease test) for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty nine children (aged 3 to 14 years, 20 males) referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, were studied. The gold standard to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infection was defined as a positive invasive diagnostic test (histology and/or urease test). Sensitivity (S), specificity (E) and positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values were obtained for HpSA and serum antibodies. RESULTS: Ten children (26%) were infected with H pylori. S, E, PPV and NPV for HpSA were 90, 100, 100 and 97%, respectively. The figures for serum IgG were 81, 97, 89 and 93%, respectively and for IgA, 90, 76, 36 and 96%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: HpSA was sensitive and specific as a clinical and epidemiological tool to evaluate H pylori infection in children. Serology was not as accurate, but IgG had a better performance than IgA.
Assuntos
Antígenos de Bactérias/análise , Fezes/microbiologia , Infecções por Helicobacter/diagnóstico , Helicobacter pylori/imunologia , Imunoensaio/normas , Adolescente , Anticorpos Antibacterianos/análise , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Infecções por Helicobacter/sangue , Helicobacter pylori/isolamento & purificação , Humanos , Imunoensaio/métodos , Imunoglobulina A/sangue , Imunoglobulina G/sangue , Fatores Imunológicos/análise , Masculino , Estudos Prospectivos , Kit de Reagentes para Diagnóstico , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , Urease/análiseRESUMO
Background: During infancy, preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic efforts for Helicobacter pylori infection should be made. Aim: To evaluate non-invasive diagnostic methods such as stool antigen test (HpSA) and serum anti-H pylori antibody detection (IgG e IgA), compared to endoscopy-based invasive methods (histology and urease test) for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection. Patients and Methods: Thirty nine children (aged 3 to 14 years, 20 males) referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, were studied. The gold standard to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infection was defined as a positive invasive diagnostic test (histology and/or urease test). Sensitivity (S), specificity (E) and positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values were obtained for HpSA and serum antibodies. Results: Ten children (26 percent) were infected with H pylori. S, E, PPV and NPV for HpSA were 90, 100, 100 and 97 percent, respectively. The figures for serum IgG were 81, 97, 89 and 93 percent, respectively and for IgA, 90, 76, 36 and 96 percent, respectively. Conclusions: HpSA was sensitive and specific as a clinical and epidemiological tool to evaluate H pylori infection in children. Serology was not as accurate, but IgG had a better performance than IgA.
Assuntos
Adolescente , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Antígenos de Bactérias/análise , Fezes/microbiologia , Infecções por Helicobacter/diagnóstico , Helicobacter pylori/imunologia , Imunoensaio/normas , Anticorpos Antibacterianos/análise , Infecções por Helicobacter/sangue , Helicobacter pylori/isolamento & purificação , Imunoensaio/métodos , Imunoglobulina A/sangue , Imunoglobulina G/sangue , Fatores Imunológicos/análise , Estudos Prospectivos , Kit de Reagentes para Diagnóstico , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , Urease/análiseRESUMO
La infección con Helicobacter pylori es la causa de patologías gastrointestinales como úlcera péptica y cáncer gástrico. Una vacuna contra H. pylori es relevante debido a la alta prevalencia de la infección y a la morbi-mortalidad asociada a ésta en nuestro país. El uso masivo de terapias antimicrobianas actuales no es una estrategia factible, especialmente en países en desarrollo, en parte debido al alto costo, los múltiples efectos adversos, el riesgo de reinfección y la emergencia de resistencia a los antimicrobianos. Numerosos modelos animales han sido utilizados durante años para determinar el curso de la infección por H. pylori y explorar la factibilidad de una vacuna, ya sea para erradicar o prevenir la infección. Dichos modelos, con la posible excepción de los monos, no son suficientes para responder preguntas fundamentales debido a resultados contradictorios. Un modelo humano de infección por H. pylori debe ser desarrollado con el principal propósito de seleccionar vacunas óptimas. El objetivo final es el desarrollo de estudios de campos de vacunas candidatas, pero el estado actual del conocimiento no proporciona una metódica adecuada para seleccionar tales vacunas candidatas promisorias. Dichos estudios pueden ser diseñados para proporcionar información relevante sobre la inmunidad y patogénesis de la infección por H. pylori.
Assuntos
Humanos , Helicobacter pylori/imunologia , Helicobacter pylori/patogenicidade , Infecções por Helicobacter/prevenção & controle , Vacinas Bacterianas/uso terapêutico , Adjuvantes Imunológicos/uso terapêutico , Antígenos de Bactérias/uso terapêutico , Chile , Imunização , Neoplasias Gástricas/prevenção & controle , Úlcera Péptica/prevenção & controleRESUMO
Helicobacter pylori causes gastrointestinal disease including peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. An H. pylori vaccine is relevant because of the high prevalence of the infection and its associated complications. Extensive use of traditional antimicrobial therapies to eradicate H. pylori is not feasible, specially in developing countries, in part because of their high cost, associated adverse effects, the risk of reinfection, and the emergence of antimicrobial drug resistance. Numerous animal studies have been performed to determine infection outcomes and to explore the feasibility of a vaccine eradication or prevention of infection. These animal models with the possible exception of monkeys, have not been sufficient to address fundamental issues due to controversial results. A human model of H. pylori infection needs to be developed aimed to select an optimum vaccine candidate. The ultimate scientific goal will be to develop field studies using advanced vaccine candidates, but the current state of knowledge does is insufficient and has provided such candidates. These studies need to be designed in order to provide relevant information on immunity and pathogenesis associated to H. pylori.
Assuntos
Vacinas Bacterianas/imunologia , Infecções por Helicobacter/prevenção & controle , Helicobacter pylori/imunologia , Animais , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Infecções por Helicobacter/imunologia , Humanos , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BLRESUMO
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) afecta al 50 por ciento de la población mundial. La infección se adquiere en la infancia; siendo justamente el grupo pediátrico en el cual impera la necesidad de validar métodos diagnósticos no invasivos que permitan diagnosticar la infección. El objetivo de este trabajo fue revisar la literatura sobre el diagnóstico serológico de la infección por H. pylori, con especial énfasis en población pediátrica. La mayor utilidad de la serología ha sido en estudios epidemiológicos, al permitir conocer la prevalencia de la infección. En pacientes adultos esta técnica presenta valores de sensibilidad y especificidad superiores al 90 por ciento y es comparable a métodos diagnósticos invasivos; la situación cambia en población pediátrica, sobre todo en el grupo de niños pequeños donde la serología pierde mucho de su sensibilidad y especificidad, lo cual restringe el uso de la serología para propósitos clínicos en población infantil.
Assuntos
Adulto , Humanos , Criança , Helicobacter pylori/imunologia , Infecções por Helicobacter/diagnóstico , Infecções por Helicobacter/imunologia , Anticorpos Antibacterianos/sangue , Helicobacter pylori/isolamento & purificação , Infecções por Helicobacter/microbiologia , Imunoglobulina G/sangue , Valor Preditivo dos Testes , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , UreaseRESUMO
Mammalian fertilization is a highly regulated process, much of which are not clearly understood. Here we present some information in order to elaborate a working hypothesis for this process, beginning with the sperm modifications in the epidydimis up to sperm and egg plasmalemma interaction and fusion. We also discuss the still poorly understood capacitation process, the phenomenon of sperm chemo-attraction that brings the capacitated sperm to interact with the oocyte vestments and certain aspects of the acrosome reaction.
Assuntos
Fertilização/fisiologia , Reação Acrossômica/fisiologia , Animais , Epididimo/fisiologia , Feminino , Genitália Feminina/fisiologia , Humanos , Masculino , Fusão de Membrana/fisiologia , Capacitação Espermática/fisiologia , Maturação do Esperma/fisiologia , Transporte Espermático/fisiologia , Interações Espermatozoide-Óvulo/fisiologia , Zona Pelúcida/fisiologiaRESUMO
Some plants have more than the common utility value, as is the case of some members of the Bursera species such as the Mexican copal, a plant used for worship. Water extracts of several plants have vaginal contraceptive properties. The authors evaluated the sperm agglutinating activity of two Bursera species on human and boar sperm. Extracts from stems and leaves were obtained. Capacitated sperm samples were used in all cases. There were different agglutinating capacities, which were not observed in the vehicle-only samples. The most frequent sperm agglutination response was that involving the heads. Agglutinating activity was higher from stem- than leaf-derived extracts. The results indicate that proteins present in the extracts are responsible for the aggregation of sperm heads.
Assuntos
Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Rosales/química , Aglutinação Espermática/efeitos dos fármacos , Espermatozoides/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , América Central , Anticoncepcionais Masculinos/farmacologia , Humanos , Técnicas In Vitro , Masculino , SuínosRESUMO
A study of the dengue outbreak occurred from January to November 1997 in Santiago de Cuba municipality was performed to characterize the clinical picture of the patients. The sample was taken from those patients presenting with clinical and epidemiological elements and positive IgM determination serological test. Seventy-seven patients were confirmed as having dengue virus 2 infection whose clinical-humoral characteristic was dengue fever predominantly present in school boys. The clinical picture was given by fever headache, retrorbitary pain, osteomioarticular pain as the most common symptom and by exanthema as a prevailing sign. Most of bleedings occurred on the 2nd day and the most frequent hemorrhagic manifestation was positive tourniquet test.