Immunopathology of ocular sarcoidosis

Summary Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease characterized by enhanced immune responses at sites of involvement. To elucidate the immunopathogenesis of ophthalmic lesions, cell infiltrates in biopsies from conjunctiva and other tissues involved (lungs, lymph nodes, skin) were studied in 26 patients with active sarcoidosis in order to define the surface phenotype and the distribution of cells in granulomatous lesions. Biopsy specimens were also stained for detection of immunoglobulins, complement and fibrinogen deposits. The data demonstrate a lymphocytes/macrophages interaction in the central core of granulomatous areas as the crucial event that initiates the maintains the state of inflammation: at all sites of disease activity is present a compartmentalization of T-cells expressing a helper-related phenotype which account for the great majority of infiltrating cells both in the early lesions (aggregate of macrophages surrounded by lymphocytic infiltrate) and in well-organized sarcoid granulomata. The presence of plasma cells and immunoglobulin deposits may represent an epiphenomenon in line with the helper infiltration, suggesting a local hyper-reactivity of the B-cells immune system. This study suggests some immunopathogenetic mechanisms leading to the formation and growth of conjunctival sarcoid granulomata.     

Evolutionary epidemiological thought on infections

The objective of the study is to analyse the main aspects of current epidemiological knowledge on the evolutionary status of infections. Living organisms in the biosphere are part of dynamic systems of variable intensities. Some of these systems are on the surface while others take place inside the genome core. Parasitism is a phenomenon commonly seen in nature. Infective parasites relate to each other through several mechanisms, such as genetic DNA exchange, and because of the connections established communities of infectious agents are not isolated. The internalization process allows the parasites to get into their hosts' cells, which is accomplished through the phagocytosis of infectious agents or other more sophisticated mechanisms such as pill production. To leave the intracellular medium, some organisms make use of apoptosis, a highly specialized genetic mechanism that makes possible to destroy macrophages. It is currently accepted that molecular DNA can flow into the blood stream as the so-called infectrons. Thus it is hypothesized the existence of infection networks that allows the coadaptability of parasites and their hosts, and creates coevolutionary forces between hosts and their parasites facilitating the emergence of new pathogens.     

Parity and ovarian development of Anopheles albitarsis l.s.in irrigated agroecosystem field

INTRODUCTION: To determine the parity, ovarian development and survival rates of Anopheles albitarsis species, in order to estimate the potential of malaria transmission. METHODS: Two populations of Anopheles albitarsis A and B in an Experimental Farm of S. Paulo State, Brazil were captured during the crepuscular sunset, between 5PM and 8PM, using Shannon traps. Dissections were performed using Polovodova's technique, and the evaluation of follicular development was according to Christophers and Mer's criterion. The Vercruysse method was used to estimate daily survival and we applied Davidson method to determine the duration of the gonotrophic cycle. RESULTS: A total of 2,612 specimens was dissected, of these, 237 of population A and 2,375 of population B. The daily survival rates were 0.5339+/-0.047 and 0.5566+/-0.015, respectively, for the populations A and B. The duration of the gonotrophic cycle for population A was 1,990 days and for population B 2,046 days. CONCLUSIONS: The results help to estimate the malaria transmission potential in the region.