RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Transplantation is a process with several psychosocial challenges. Regarding the case of xenotransplantation, the perceived similarity between humans and pigs may be stressful. Adjustment disorders have been reported among transplantation recipients. We sought to assess the psychosocial aspects of xenotransplantation among porcine islet-cell recipients and their efforts to adapt themselves to this condition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients aged 14.58 +/- 7.93 who received porcine islet-cells were included. The bioartificial steel/fibrous tissue chamber method was used. All patients and their relatives were interviewed about their expectations, overall functioning, and experiences. The quality of life, enjoyment, and satisfaction scale and the hospital anxiety and depression scales were used. A 1-year follow-up was done. RESULTS: Their motivation was centered on autonomy; there were no troubles regarding the graft origin. Xenotransplantation was perceived with pragmatism, seeing pigs as an unlimited resource. The patients with best outcomes also had the greatest improvements in several quality of life areas (QOL) while the medium responders had fewer QOL improvements. The nonresponders experienced mainly frustration. Parents' concerns were not related to their children's health but to their recently gained autonomy. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to enthusiasm, the perception of animals as an unlimited source of organs may affect patient compliance; in this group, xenotransplantation was seen as using as a long-lasting drug, with chamber walls considered as a physical, immunologic, and, in certain manner, a psychological barrier.
Assuntos
Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1/cirurgia , Transplante das Ilhotas Pancreáticas/psicologia , Transplante Heterólogo/psicologia , Adolescente , Animais , Ansiedade , Depressão , Humanos , Entrevistas como Assunto , Transplante das Ilhotas Pancreáticas/métodos , Motivação , Pais/psicologia , Satisfação do Paciente , Autonomia Pessoal , Suínos , Transplante Heterólogo/métodosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) develops by a complex combination of environmental factors with genetic susceptibility. In this context, an association between human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) and tuberculosis has been examined in several populations, but results have been controversial. DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS: A prospective evaluation of class II HLA genotypes was completed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequence-specific primer technique and PCR sequence-specific oligonucleotide hybridization in a Mexican population. SETTING: This study was conducted at the Clinical Service of Tuberculosis and the Department of Immunology, National Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Mexico City, Mexico. PATIENTS: Four groups were examined: 95 healthy subjects; 50 nonimmunosuppressed PTB patients; 15 HIV-infected patients (stage IVc in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] classification system for AIDS) with PTB; and 37 HIV-infected patients in the asymptomatic stage (CDC stage II). RESULTS: The frequencies of alleles DQA1*0101 (odds ratio [OR], 6.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.38 to 16.08), DQB1*0501 (OR, 6.16; 95% CI, 2.44 to 17.71), and DRB1*1501 (OR, 7.92; 95% CI, 2.71 to 23.14) were significantly increased in nonimmunosuppressed patients with PTB when compared with healthy subjects. By contrast, frequencies of allele DQB1*0402 and antigens DR4 and DR8 were significantly decreased in patients with PTB. Additionally, a significantly higher frequency of the DRB1*1101 allele was found in HIV-positive subjects (OR, 6.67; 95% CI, 2.13 to 20.83). CONCLUSION: The genetic influence associated with the HLA system appears to have an important role in the development of PTB, although this susceptibility may not be relevant in patients with severe immunodeficiency diseases such as AIDS.