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Biomedical subjects

J M Costa

Publications and source records attributed to J M Costa.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis in a field clinic in Bahia, Brazil: a report of eight cases.

Eight Bahian patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis who had 20 or more ulcerative lesions of short duration are described. Of five identifications of isolated parasites, four were Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis and one was L. mexicana amazonensis. All but one had positive Montenegro tests initially, and all did after treatment. All had circulating anti-leishmanial antibodies and five responded well to glucantime therapy suggesting a functioning immune response. This is quite different to the anergic hansenoid leishmaniasis seen with L. mexicana amazonensis infections in Brazil. Possible reasons for the occurrence of this type of leishmaniasis are briefly discussed.

Adolescent↗

Transplantation for diabetic nephropathy.

The results of renal transplantation for end-stage diabetic nephropathy in 17 patients--11 receiving cadaver (CD) grafts and 6 related living donor (RLD) grafts--are reported. The transplants were rejected in 5 cases, in 4 acutely, and these patients were returned to haemodialysis; 3 of them subsequently died. One patient died of heart failure, but the graft was still functioning. The remaining 11 patients enjoy good renal function. The outcome was superior to results on dialysis, particularly for RLD grafts, and was comparable to results of transplantation for non-diabetic renal failure. Visual acuity tended to stabilize or improve after transplantation, but peripheral vascular disease progressed. Blood glucose control was suboptimal and requires more attention. Lipoproteins did not differ from those in non-diabetic patients. Renal transplantation is feasible and probably the preferred method of treatment for end-stage diabetic nephropathy.

Adult↗

[Detection by the immunoenzymatic test ELISA of IgM anti-Cysticercus cellulosae antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid in neurocysticercosis].

IgM antibodies against Cysticercus cellulosae in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was demonstrated by ELISA immunoenzymatic assay in neurocysticercosis. CSF samples of 41 patients were analyzed for this purpose. Diagnosis was neurocysticercosis in 26 and neurosyphilis in 5; abnormalities were not registered in the other 10 cases. Neurosyphilis samples and no-abnormalities samples were considered as control groups. ELISA IgM assay for cysticercosis was negative in all CSF samples of control groups and it was positive in 12 of the 26 CSF samples of the neurocysticercosis group (46.2%). Titers ranged from 4 till 32. Positive results were no more obtained after previous treatment of CSF samples by 2-mercaptoethanol. ELISA IgM and IgG titers were compared. IgM titers wee higher than IgG titers in two cases. Results obtained were compared to those found through complement fixation, immunofluorescence and hemagglutination tests for the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis.

Central Nervous System Diseases↗

[ELISA (IgG and IgM) of the CSF and serum in neurocysticercosis under treatment with praziquantel: comparison with complement fixation reactions and immunofluorescence].

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples of 10 patients with neurocysticercosis under treatment by praziquantel were studied in four occasions: before treatment (day 0) and during treatment on three occasions (days 1, 7 and 21). The immunological reaction analyzed were: ELISA-G and ELISA-M; immunofluorescence-G and immunofluorescence-M; complement fixation. The changes and the variability of results observed through these reactions in this study bring new data that confirm neuroimmunological findings already described in the disease. Acute phase response was found in CSF in 6 cases and only in one case in serum by ELISA-M and immunofluorescence-M. ELISA-G in CSF and serum showed a better sensitivity than the other reactions for diagnosis and for follow-up. Emphasis is given to the importance of the simultaneous realization of several immunological reactions in CSF and serum in patients with neurocysticercosis.

Adolescent↗

[Neonatal meningitis caused by Proteus mirabilis with cerebral abscess].

A case neonatal meningitis by proteus mirabilis is presented. Echographic and CT scan studies were performed during clinical evolution, showing generalized brain abscesses appearances that needed surgical treatment. A ventriculo-peritoneal shunt was later practiced to correct hydrocephaly.

Brain Abscess↗

[Treatment of fronto-orbital malformations associated with craniostenosis].

From 1977 to 1982, 13 children affected by craniostenosis involving the supraorbital ridge were treated by surgery and subsequently followed up. Six cases of plagiocephaly, one of brachycephaly, three of Apert's syndrome, and three cases of Crouzon's disease were operated on, employing in seven cases classical lineal craniectomies, an in six other, craniotomies with advancement and remodelling. The results obtained are discussed in terms of functional and cosmetic improvement, the therapeutic criterion being in terms corresponding with the gravity of the malformation and the age at which the surgical operation was carried out.

Age Factors↗

South American pemphigus foliaceus: electron microscopy and immunoelectron localization of bound immunoglobulin in the skin and oral mucosa.

Five skin and two oral biopsies from patients with South American pemphigus foliaceus (SAPF) were studied by electron and immunoelectron microscopy for the ultrastructural localization of bound immunoglobulin in epidermal and oral lesions. Electron microscopy showed the tonofilament-desmosome complex to be preserved in the various layers of the epidermis. Immunoglobulin was bound over the plasma membrane and permeated the desmosomal junctions both in the skin and oral mucosa, thus suggesting that pemphigus antibodies are attached to the glycocalyx. It appears that the initial injury in SAPF acantholysis involves the glycocalyx and that it might be caused by interaction with intercellular antibodies present in the patient's serum.

Adult↗

[Total atrophy of the villi during primary agammaglobulinemia in adults. Therapeutic problems (author's transl)].

A 21-year-old man presented with a 10-year history of a malabsorption syndrome of moderate severity, splenomegaly, and recurrent respiratory infections. Investigations revealed total atrophy of the villi and primary agammaglobulinemia. A gluten-free diet was ineffective. In spite of the absence of lambliasis, treatment with metronidazole produced objective clinical improvement and biological signs of healing of the malabsorption syndrome, but no alteration in the agammaglobulinemia. The authors discuss the relationship between total villous atrophy and primary agammaglobulinemias and the mode of action of metronidazole.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Long-term follow-up of patients with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis infection and treated with Glucantime.

Seventy-nine patients with cutaneous (62) or mucosal (17) infection with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in Três Braços, Bahia, Brazil, were followed for at least 4 years after initiating treatment with antimony. Cutaneous relapses occurred in 6/62 (10%), mucosal relapse after cutaneous infection in 2/62 (3%), and mucosal relapse after mucosal disease in 2/17 (17%). It is concluded that relapse (cutaneous and mucosal) is rare after adequate antimony therapy and that no definite prediction of relapse (clinical, serological or by skin reaction) is possible.

Adolescent↗

Tegumentary leishmaniasis in childhood.

Very little has been published about tegumentary leishmaniasis in children and there are many controversies about this disorder in the literature. Therefore, we discuss the pathogenesis, clinical aspects, means to diagnosis, and treatment of this endemic disease.

Animals↗