Biomedical subjects

Maria Lúcia Scroferneker

Publications and source records attributed to Maria Lúcia Scroferneker.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Delayed-type hypersensitivity response to crude and fractionated antigens from Fonsecaea pedrosoi CMMI 1 grown in different culture media.

Chromoblastomycosis is a subcutaneous fungal disease caused by dematiaceous fungi, especially by Fonsecaea pedrosoi, regarded as its major causative agent in Brazil. In recent years there has been a decline in the use of skin testing for delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) in epidemiological surveys of fungal infections, mainly because of the unpredictability of positive reactions and lack of specificity of the antigens used. The aim of the present study was to assess delayed-type skin tests in guinea pigs experimentally infected with F. pedrosoi using exoantigens prepared from two culture filtrates. Sixteen adult male guinea pigs were inoculated intratesticularly with fungal cells and submitted to sensitivity assays 4 weeks after inoculation. They received an intradermal injection with crude and fractionated antigens from Alviano's and Smith's cultures, and were assessed 24 and 48 h thereafter. Except for one animal, all of them had positive indurations after 48 h. There were no statistical differences between the measurements at 24 and 48 h for each exoantigen used, neither among the induration measurements at 48 h when different preparations were compared. Our results suggest that a delayed-type skin test using antigens produced in synthetic media may be useful for the assessment of primary exposure to chromoblastomycosis.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Viral hepatitis: An alternative teaching method.

OBJECTIVES: Our teaching experience has shown that dealing with the immunological aspects of viral hepatitis poses several difficulties. Therefore, we developed a game to verify whether or not this active-learning exercise could enhance students' learning and arouse their interest in subjects that are basically complex. METHODS: Fifteen cards with clinical cases of hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, and 50 explanatory cards with the description of epidemiological, clinical, and immunological aspects of the hepatitis mentioned above. The objective of the game was to match the explanatory cards with the respective clinical case. Pre- and post-tests were used to assess students' grade improvement. FINDINGS: One-hundred-and-forty students participated in the activity. The overall response of the students to the game was very positive: 129 (92.1%) found the game encouraged clinical thinking, and 105 (75%) regarded the game as an important way of consolidating learning. The students' grades significantly improved (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Games allow understanding the subject matter through global knowledge. They also foster the student-professor relationship, simplifying the solution to the questions that may arise from a more comprehensive study.

Brazil↗

PubMed2006

T- and B-cell ontogeny: an alternative teaching method: T- and B-cell ontogeny game.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSES: The game proposed herein stimulates logical thinking and the memorization of complex subject matters in the biomedical field, especially in excessively theoretical disciplines. METHODS: The game consists of an illustrated board with numbered squares, pawns, dice, and a sheet containing questions about the topic. It is played by groups of 6 students and 1 previously trained monitor. The numbered squares correspond to questions about the topic. The player who gets to the last square first wins the game. The validity of the game was tested by means of a questionnaire that was answered by students before and after the game, with a later comparison of the students' grades. RESULTS: The overall results were positive, and test grades significantly increased after the game. CONCLUSIONS: The game enhances learning of difficult topics and fosters the relationship between students, monitors, and professor, thus facilitating the clarification of points that arose during the study.

B-Lymphocytes↗

PubMed2005

Epidemiology of sporotrichosis: a study of 304 cases in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Sporotrichosis is an infection caused by Sporothrix schenckii . It primarily involves the skin and lymphatic channels, but dissemination may occur. OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe clinical and epidemiologic features of cases of sporotrichosis observed in southern Brazil, and to review the literature. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of medical records over a 35-year period, from 1967 to 2002. RESULTS: In all, 304 cases of sporotrichosis confirmed by fungal culture, histopathologic examination, and/or remission of lesions with potassium iodide were reviewed. No statistical difference was found between the number of patients with fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis and those with the lymphangitic type. Multifocal and extracutaneous involvement was verified. The upper extremity was the most affected site. Unusual sites, such as the penis and pubic region, were also involved. CONCLUSION: Sporotrichosis is endemic in the study area. There is much to be learned about S schenckii . More studies and therapeutic options are still needed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Glomerulonephritis in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) naturally infected by Fasciola hepatica.

Glomerulonephritis caused by Fasciola hepatica was observed in buffaloes. Renal biopsies of 20 buffaloes, 11 with F. hepatica and 9 uninfected buffaloes (controls), were examined by light microscopy, direct and indirect immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemical analysis. The biopsies of seven (63.6%) infected buffaloes revealed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, three biopsies (27.3%) showed mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis, and one kidney presented normal biopsy specimens. In the control group, seven buffaloes (77.8%) presented normal biopsy specimens, while two (22.2%) revealed glomerulonephritis-one with a membranoproliferative pattern, and the other with a mesangioproliferative pattern-with extensive inflammatory cell infiltrate. Our conclusion is that glomerulopathy is associated with fascioliasis and that buffaloes are suitable as a naturally existing experimental model of renal injury by circulating immune complexes.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Learning from panel boards: T-lymphocyte and B-lymphocyte self-tolerance game.

Immunology is a vast, complex and challenging subject. To facilitate students' understanding, the authors have created a T-lymphocyte and B-lymphocyte self-tolerance game. The T-lymphocyte self-tolerance game consisted of 24 cardboard pieces with illustrations and statements about self-tolerance mechanisms and one large panel board. The B-lymphocyte panel board consisted of 11 cardboard pieces with illustrations and statements about self-tolerance mechanisms, and two large panels. Students had to associate mechanisms of self-tolerance with the corresponding cardboard pieces. In total, 120 students attended the session. Of these, 95.8% considered that the panel board facilitated their understanding; 95% affirmed they understood how T- and B-lymphocyte self-tolerance worked. Students' grades improved significantly. The good results obtained show the value of using a panel board when approaching a subject that is vast and complex.

Allergy and Immunology↗