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Biomedical subjects

C M Costa

Publications and source records attributed to C M Costa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Lack of hematologic effects of recent ethanol ingestion by trauma patients.

A retrospective investigation was conducted to determine if acute ethanol (EtOH) ingestion before injury leads to hematologic impairment as noted by coagulation and transfusion parameters. Patients older than 18 years of age were grouped according to the presence or absence of detectable EtOH concentrations in the blood, with further subdivision based on an Injury Severity Score of 8 or less or 9 or more. The following direct and indirect indicators of hematologic function were studied: volume of resuscitation fluids administered (including blood products), prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, and hematocrit. Of the 304 patients who were evaluated, 152 had detectable EtOH concentrations and 136 had undetectable EtOH concentrations; 16 patients had not been tested for blood EtOH concentrations and were excluded from the analysis. There were no significant differences between groups with regard to blood or fluid requirements or coagulation parameters. Detectable blood EtOH concentrations in trauma patients are not associated with significant changes in transfusion requirements or coagulation parameters compared to patients without detectable EtOH concentrations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. A clinico-neuropathological analysis of nine definite cases.

The authors have analyzed clinico-neuropathologically nine cases of the definite sporadic form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). All cases were female, with mean age of 62.7 years. Eighty-nine percent of the patients exhibited prodromal and initial psychiatric symptoms; definite signs of dementia, and myoclonus were present in 100% of cases. The EEG was abnormal in all cases and pseudoperiodic paroxysms were present in 56% of the patients. Their evolution time ranged from 3 to 19 months. Neuropathologically, brain and cerebellar atrophy, spongiosis, astrocytosis and neuronal loss were present in 100% of the patients. In 5 (56%) of these 9 cases, prion protein (PrP) amyloid plaques were detected in the cerebellum, by optical- and electronmicroscopy. There was a positive correlation between the number of plaques and the evolution time. The authors outline the similarities of their cases in the elderly with the new variant of CJD described in young people.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Experimental HTLV-I infection and associated myelopathy.

HTLV-I infection and associated myelopathy has been reproduced experimentally in vitro and in vivo and these studies have shown the possibility of creating several lines of infective cells and of detecting minor and major clinical expressions of HTLV-I associated myelopathy in rabbits and rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Discrepancy, coincidence or evidence in chronic idiopathic spastic paraparesis throughout the world. A meta-analysis on 2811 patients.

HTLV-I has been associated with a chronic idiopathic spastic paraparesis (CHISPA) in man; however, a complete understanding of this association is still debated. We selected the most comprehensible papers on this topic between 1985 and 1996, and found that 1261 out of 2811 patients (44.9%) reported, throughout the world, were HTLV-I positive. The mean age was 39.5 years and there was a female predominance of 1.9:1. These results do not exclude the causality of HTLV-I as a germen associated to CHISPA; however, other causes (e.g., toxic, immunosuppressors) must be considered as participating in the multistep neurodegeneration observed in CHISPA throughout the world.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

HTLV-negative and HTLV type I-positive tropical spastic paraparesis in northeastern Brazil.

A type-specific serological survey among 1042 random nonneurological outpatients in two cities in the state of Ceara (northeastern Brazil) shows a low prevalence of HTLV-I (0.34% in Fortaleza; 0.44% in Crato) and of HTLV-II (0.34% in Fortaleza; 0% in Crato). Among 62 chronic myelopathic patients seen in Fortaleza 27 patients were found with clinical features of tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP); 10 of 27 were found HTLV-I seropositive (37%; 95% confidence limits, 19-58%). Proviral genome detection by polymerase chain reaction in 5 seropositive and 12 seronegative patients confirmed the serological findings. This excludes HTLV-I or -II infection as a cause in the seronegative TSP patients. The HTLV-positive and -negative patients did not differ clinically and by history, except that seropositives had a longer mean disease duration, a female predominance, and a higher proportion of white Caucasians. In this population with low HTLV-I and HTLV-II prevalences, HTLV-negative TSP is at least as frequent as the HTLV-I-associated TSP.

Brazil↗
PubMed1993

Habitat, density and group size of primates in a Brazilian tropical forest.

Habitats, population densities and group sizes of 5 primate species (Callithrix flaviceps, Callicebus personatus personatus, Cebus apella nigritus, Alouatta fusca clamitans, and Brachyteles arachnoides) were estimated, using the method of repeated transect sampling, in an area of montane pluvial forest in eastern Brazil (Atlantic forest). A. fusca and C. apella had the highest densities in terms of groups and individuals per square kilometer, respectively, while B. arachnoides was least abundant. The highest primate densities were observed in areas of secondary vegetation. Both group sizes and population densities for the 5 species were generally lower at the Reserva Biologica Augusto Ruschi than those reported in other areas of Atlantic forest. Hunting pressure and the different carrying capacity of the habitat are suggested as possible causes for the low number of sightings registered for these species.

Alouatta↗
PubMed1991

Muscarinic receptors and acetylcholinesterase activity in brain of patients with dementia.

The present paper describes the determination of muscarinic receptor number ([3H]-N-methylscopolamine binding) and acetylcholinesterase activity in six brain areas (pre-central gyrus, post-central gyrus, hippocampus, caudate nucleus, lentiform nucleus and substantia innominata) of demented patients (diagnosed by screening tests and neurological evaluation) and age-matched controls. There was a significant increase in muscarinic receptors in the hippocampus and substantia innominata (171.2 and 359.4 fmol/mg protein, respectively) of the demented group as compared with controls (123.9 and 219.0 fmol/mg protein, respectively). No changes were observed in pre- and post-central gyrus, while a tendency towards decreased binding was detected in the caudate nucleus and lentiform nucleus of the demented group. Lower acetylcholinesterase activity was also detected in the demented group in all areas studied although the differences were significant only in the post-central gyrus, caudate nucleus and substantia innominata which showed a 49, 21 and 25% decrease in enzyme activity, respectively. The results are discussed in terms of a compensatory mechanism of presynaptic deficiency such as that occurring in Parkinson's disease.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1990

Envelope cross-reactivity between human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2 detected by different serological methods: correlation between cross-neutralization and reactivity against the main neutralizing site.

A total of 70 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and 42 HIV-2 antibody-positive serum samples, collected from groups of individuals in which only one type of HIV prevails, were tested for cross-reactivity against HIV-2 and HIV-1 proteins by Western blot (WB) (immunoblot), radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA), neutralization analysis, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with as antigen synthetic peptides representing selected parts of the envelope (env) glycoproteins. Cross-reactions against the env glycoproteins were observed by WB in 10% (7 of 70) and by RIPA in 40% (28 of 70) of the HIV-1 antibody-positive serum samples and by WB in 29% (12 of 42) and by RIPA in 48% (20 of 42) of the HIV-2 antibody-positive serum samples. Testing by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay against a 36-amino-acid peptide (Cys-301-Cys-336) of the external glycoprotein of strain HTLV-IIIB of HIV-1 (HIV-1HTLV-IIIB) (known to represent a dominating, linear neutralizing site) showed type-specific reactions in 67% (38 of 57) of HIV-1 antibody-positive serum samples. Type-specific reactions against a homologous 35-amino-acid peptide of strain SBL-6669 of HIV-2 (HIV-2SBL-6669) were found in 75% (30 of 40) of HIV-2 antibody-positive serum samples, and these reactions were correlated to neutralization against HIV-2SBL-6669. Cross-reactions against these peptides were seen in 23% (13 of 57) and 33% (13 of 40) of the HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibody-positive serum samples, respectively. These cross-reactions were correlated to cross-neutralization against HIV-1HTLV-IIIB and HIV-2SBL-6669. Cross-neutralization against one heterotypic virus strain was demonstrated in 16% (9 of 57) of HIV-1 antibody-positive serum samples and in 22% (5 of 22) of HIV-2 antibody-positive serum samples, but no correlation was found between cross-neutralization and env cross-reactivity in WB or RIPA.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed1989

Cross-neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1 (HTLV-IIIB and HTLV-IIIRF) and HIV-2 (SBL-6669 and a new isolate SBL-K135).

A total of 57 HIV-1 antibody-positive sera and 43 HIV-2 antibody-positive sera were all tested for neutralizing capacity against two HIV-1 isolates (HTLV-IIIB and HTLV-IIIRF) and two HIV-2 isolates (SBL-6669 and SBL-K135). SBL-K135 is a new HIV-2 isolate obtained from a patient with clinical AIDS from Guinea-Bissau. Among the HIV-1--positive sera, 84% neutralized any of the HIV-1 isolates, 67% neutralized both HIV-1 isolates, and 35% neutralized any of the HIV-2 isolates. Among the HIV-2--positive sera, 91% neutralized any of the HIV-2 isolates, 67% neutralized both HIV-2 isolates, and 37% neutralized any of the HIV-1 isolates. Thus, neutralizing antibodies in HIV-1-- and HIV-2--positive sera can be cross-reacting, type-specific, or strain-specific. The cross-neutralizing titers were lower than the neutralizing titers against the type-specific viral isolates. The presence of cross-neutralizing antibodies was related to the presence of neutralizing antibodies against both type-specific isolates.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Tropical spastic paraparesis in Northeastern Brazil.

Ten possible cases of tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP) in Northeastern Brazil (Ceará) are presented. They show the typical symptoms and signs of TSP consisting of weakness of the lower limbs, spastic gait, hyperreflexia, bladder dysfunction and variable signs of posterior columns impairment. The laboratory examinations excluded other compressive, infective, degenerative or demyelinating lesions of their spinal cord. Our patients age ranged from 21 to 59 years, all were of black origin and all were of lower social class. There was a slight preponderance of females. An etiological implication of a retrovirus (HTLV-I) has been shown for TSP, but for lack of technical conditions we could not determine it in our patients, and that stands as our subsequent step in those and further cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Site-directed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with a synthetic simian immunodeficiency virus SIVmac peptide identifying antibodies against the HIV-2 transmembrane glycoprotein.

A 23-amino-acid-long peptide (AIEKYLEDQAQLNAWGCAFRQVC) representing the transmembranous protein gp32 in SIVmac was used in site-directed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of HIV-2-specific antibodies in 567 sera from Bissau, Guinea Bissau. Ninety out of the 567 sera were identified to contain HIV-2 antibodies by whole antigen ELISA and Western blot assays. The peptide ELISA correctly identified 89 out of these 90 seropositives (sensitivity 98.9%). Three sera falsely interpreted to be positive were encountered (specificity 99.4%). The HIV-2 peptide was also used for testing of 93 HIV-1-positive Swedish sera. None of these sera reacted. Site-directed serology employing synthetic peptides should be considered for application as a screening assay.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed1989

HIV-2-associated AIDS and HIV-2 seroprevalence in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.

During a 6-month period in 1987, we examined patients clinically suspected of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) at the national hospital in Bissau, the capital of Guinea-Bissau, and found 20 cases that fulfilled the criteria for AIDS. The two most prevalent major symptoms were weight loss and diarrhea, and the most common minor symptoms generalized lymphadenopathy and generalized dermatitis. Six of 20 patients died within a couple of months. Nineteen of 20 patients were tested for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and type 2 (HIV-2) antibodies and were shown to be HIV-2 seropositive. During the same time period, a seroprevalence study of HIV-2 and HIV-1 was carried out, including 2,122 patients or healthy persons in Bissau. Antibodies to HIV-2 were demonstrated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and verified by Western blot analysis in 8.6% (46/535) of prenatal women, in 7.9% (9/114) of women attending a family-planning clinic, in 4.4% (19/427) of applicants for scholarships, in 17.6% (16/91) of blood donors tested during the first 2 months and 5.3% (10/189) of blood donors tested during the following months, in 5.7% (2/35) of police officers, in 36.7% (11/30) of female prostitutes, in 15.8% (97/614) of outpatients suspected of having tuberculosis, and in 55.2% (48/87) of patients clinically suspected of AIDS or AIDS-related disease. One of 2,001 subjects tested had antibodies specific for HIV-1. Another subject had an antibody pattern compatible with both HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

A hypothetical immunemediated unifying mechanism for the Holmes-Adie syndrome.

The Holmes-Adie syndrome consists of pupillotonia, arreflexia and autonomic dysfunction. Some explanations for these different symptoms have been attempted, centred upon neuropathological and electrophysiological findings. A hypothetical immunemediated mechanism, as in the Guillain Barré syndrome, is presented in this paper for explaining the three chief symptoms of the syndrome.

Adie Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

Enzyme immunoassays for the demonstration of antibodies to HIV-2SBL-6669 and HTLV-IV (SIVmac).

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were developed for the demonstration of antibodies to HIV-2 using disrupted virions of the SBL-6669 isolate of HIV-2 and the so-called human T-lymphotropic virus type IV (HTLV-IV), recently found to be identical with the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVmac), as antigens. Three hundred sera from West African subjects, attending an outward clinic in Bissau for examination of suspected tuberculosis, were tested by these two assays as well as by a commercially available anti-HIV-2 ELISA (ELAVIA II). Fifty of these sera were positive in all three ELISAs as well as in Western blot tests against HTLV-IV. Thirty-eight of these positive sera were also tested by an anti-HIV-2 Western blot kit (LAV-Blot II) with positive results. The ELISAs based on SBL-6669 and HTLV-IV antigens had a specificity of 99.6% (one false positive among 250 negative sera) whereas the specificity of ELAVIA II was 94.6% using the recommended cut-off value and 98.4% using a higher cut-off value. Another 58 sera from West African patients, clinically suspected of having AIDS or HIV-related disease, were tested for HIV-2/HTLV-IV antibodies by Western blot and by ELISA against SBL-6669 and HTLV-IV antigens; all of the 30 sera which were positive by Western blot were found to be positive in both ELISAs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Africa, Eastern↗
PubMed1986

Possibility of reducing the luteolytic dose of cloprostenol in cyclic dairy cows.

The administration of cloprostenol by intravulvosubmucous (i.v.s.m.) injection at 1 2 and 1 4 of the dose usually given by intramuscular (i.m.) injection, was tested in dairy cows for luteolysis and estrus synchronization. The i.m. injection was used in ten adult cows at the usual dose of 500 mug/animal. Eleven adult cows and 11 heifers were treated i.v.s.m. with a dose equivalent to 250 mug/animal and 125 mug/animal, respectively. Two injections of cloprostenol were administered 11 days apart to the cows not detected in oestrus after a single injection. Forty-three out of the total 46 animals were detected to be in dioestrus at the time of at least one of the injections, as reflected by the plasma progesterone concentrations at the time of treatments. Three out of the 43 animals injected during dioestrus were refractory to the luteolytic effect of cloprostenol; this appeared to be independent of the dosage and the route of administration (refractory cows were: one adult cow treated i.m. and two treated i.v.s.m. with 125 mug of cloprostenol). The mean time interval from injection to the onset of heat was 82.8 hours with a confidence limit for 95% of probability between 67.9 hours and 92.7 hours. The difference between treatments is not significant. The results suggest that in heifers and adult cows cloprostenol can be given i.v.s.m. route at a reduced dose of 1 4 of the usual 500 mug i.m. dosage without affecting the luteolytic effect of the drug or fertility.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1984

[A case of bilateral tonic pupil (Holmes-Adie syndrome)].

The authors present a case of bilateral tonic pupil and discuss clinical and physiopathological aspects of this syndrome. They discuss some elements necessary for the understanding of the etiopathogenesis of the disease.

Adie Syndrome↗
PubMed1983

Immunopathology of experimental schistosome (S. Mansoni) egg granulomas in mice--possible defence mechanisms mediated by local immune complexes.

A ten month experimental S. Mansoni infection was followed in mice by studying schistosome egg granulomatous inflammation, antigen and immunoglobulins deposits in the granulomata and the circulating antibodies. During the experimental infection it was demonstrated that while the granulomatous reaction matures there is a progressive restriction of the antigens to the miracidia. Furthermore, immunoglobulins, particularly IgG and C3 deposits were demonstrated in the granulomata. Our data support the concept that schistosome egg granuloma is a hypersensitivity high turnover granuloma that is particularly efficient in walling off the antigen. Whereas the granuloma is built up largely by a cell mediated immune reaction, antibody deposits are also found, probably functioning as a local humoral antibody barrier which allows a slow and progressive neutralisation of the antigens. Viewed as a whole, experimental schistosome egg granuloma might be considered as a mixed, chiefly cell but also humoral antibody mediated immune reaction.

Animals↗