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R Lucena

Publications and source records attributed to R Lucena.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Duration of increased serum alkaline phosphatase activity in dogs receiving different glucocorticoid doses.

Exposure to exogenous glucocorticoids can variably increase the serum alkaline phosphatase (alp) activity, however, the duration of this effect in dogs has not been determined. In this study, three groups of ten clinically normal adult dogs were administered different types of glucocorticoids at therapeutic doses. Group 1 received prednisone 1 mg kg day(-1)p.o. for 3 weeks; Group 2 received a single dose of methylprednisone acetate 1.1 mg kg day(-1)s.c.; Group 3 received dexamethasone 0.25 mg kg day(-1)p.o. for 1 week. In Group 1 elevations were statistically significant on days 7, 14 and 21 (P<0.01, P<0.001, P<0.001, respectively). After discontinuing therapy serum alp returned to baseline levels in 7 days. In Group 2, serum alp activity remained significantly elevated for 3 weeks after therapy (P<0.05, P<0.001, P<0.01 on days 7, 14 and 21 respectively). In Group 3, serum alp levels were significantly increased after 1 week of therapy (P<0.001) returning to basal levels 2 weeks after discontinuing glucocorticoid administration. In conclusion, duration of increased serum alp activity was variable and with the protocols assessed a 3-week period for short-acting glucocorticoids and more than 4 weeks for long-acting methylprednisone may be required to return to baseline levels in all dogs.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2001

Investigation of antinuclear antibodies in canine atopic dermatitis.

Serum samples from 40 atopic dogs and 20 healthy dogs were assayed for antinuclear antibodies (ANA) using a human epithelial cell line (HEp-2) and standard indirect immunofluorescent methods. Samples from the atopic dogs were grouped according to the presence (n = 28) or absence (n = 12) of facial lesions at any moment during the follow-up period. Positive ANA titres were found in 10 of the 40 atopic dogs analysed (25%) whereas samples from the control group were negative. Eight atopic dogs with facial lesions had a positive titre (28.57%) in contrast with atopic dogs without facial lesions where two positive samples (16.67%) were found; however, the differences were statistically not significant. Endpoint titres were low (1/40), only two samples yielded a 1/80 positive titre and one sample had a 1/320 titre, all of them from the facial lesions group. Response to immunotherapy was classified as positive only in four of the 10 ANA-positive patients (40%) compared with a response rate of 73% (22 of 30) in the ANA-negative atopic dogs. However, a Fisher's exact test showed a two-sided P-value of 0.122 which was considered statistically not significant. The overall response rate to immunotherapy for all atopic dogs was 65% (26 of 40). In conclusion, the prevalence of ANA is higher in atopic than in healthy dogs, especially if facial lesions are present. Although a clinically significant pathogenic contribution is not probable, this higher prevalence should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of canine autoimmune dermatitis.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Hepatic cirrhosis in a five-month-old dog.

The clinicopathological features of an unusual case of a five-month-old male Spanish mastiff, which was presented with clinical signs indicative of severe hepatic failure, are reported. Fluid replacement therapy, colloid plasma expanders, antibiotics and diuretic drugs were unsuccessful in improving the animal's general condition, and euthanasia was elected by the owner. On necropsy, ascites and severe cirrhosis, with extensive periacinar necrosis, was found. Cirrhosis is a rare lesion in young dogs. The most common causes are circulatory disturbances, hereditary metabolic disorders or poisoning, such as aflatoxicosis and anticonvulsant therapy. The possible involvement of canine adenovirus in this case is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Outbreak of aseptic meningitis associated with mass vaccination with a urabe-containing measles-mumps-rubella vaccine: implications for immunization programs.

A mass immunization campaign with a Urabe-containing measles-mumps-rubella vaccine was carried out in 1997 in the city of Salvador, northeastern Brazil, with a target population of children aged 1-11 years. There was an outbreak of aseptic meningitis following the mass campaign. Cases of aseptic meningitis were ascertained through data collected from the records of children admitted to the local referral hospital for infectious diseases between March and October of 1997, using previously defined eligibility criteria. Vaccination histories were obtained through home visits or telephone calls. Eighty-seven cases fulfilled the study criteria. Of those, 58 cases were diagnosed after the vaccination campaign. An elevated risk of aseptic meningitis was observed 3 weeks after Brazil's national vaccination day compared with the risk in the prevaccination period (relative risk = 14.3; 95% confidence interval: 7.9, 25.7). This result was confirmed by a case series analysis (relative risk = 30.4; 95% confidence interval: 11.5, 80.8). The estimated risk of aseptic meningitis was 1 in 14,000 doses. This study confirms a link between measles-mumps-rubella vaccination and aseptic meningitis. The authors discuss the implications of this for the organization and planning of mass immunization campaigns.

Brazil↗
PubMed2000

The transverse colonic reservoir: the Unicamp technique.

OBJECTIVE: To present the results of a continent and nonrefluxing transverse colonic urinary reservoir technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients who had received high doses of irradiation underwent construction of transverse colonic reservoir as a primary form of urinary diversion. Fourteen patients had a vesicovaginal fistula after definitive radiation therapy for gynaecological tumours and six had radiation therapy for invasive bladder cancer as a definitive treatment. They were followed for a median (range) of 4.5(1-8) years. Intravenous pyelography before diversion showed mild hydronephrosis in 10 patients. RESULTS: After diversion, hydronephrosis improved in four patients and no upper tract deteriorated. All but one of the pouchograms showed no ureteric reflux. All the patients required clean intermittent self-catheterization every 3-4 h. Persistent asymptomatic bacteriuria was present in 14 patients, although clinical urinary tract infections were not reported. A moderate metabolic acidosis was present in 12 patients, but none required treatment. The urodynamic evaluation revealed a median (range) reservoir capacity of 450 (350-600) mL, with no contractions or contractions of <35 cm H2O. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the Unicamp technique for constructing a transverse colonic reservoir is a safe and effective diversion, and is recommended as an alternative method for patients treated by pelvic irradiation.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Cysticercosis in epileptic patients of Mulungu do Morro Northeastern Brazil.

With the aim to study the magnitude of infection by the metacestode of Taenia solium in a population of epileptic patients in the arid region of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil, we examined 200 consecutive cases who attended an ambulatory clinic in the disctrict of Mulungu do Morro. Sixty-six of the patients had a diagnosis of epilepsy. From them 10 (15.2%) presented antibodies against a specific fraction of antigens in Western blot, and 4 (6.0%) had circulating parasite products, as tested by capture ELISA. Only 1 case was positive for antibodies and antigens. We found that the frequency of seropositivity was related to the time without epileptic seizure. We conclude that cysticercosis is endemic in the region of Mulungu do Morro and that it is related to a benign form of epilepsy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Effects of short courses of different doses of prednisone and dexamethasone on serum third component of complement (C3) levels in dogs.

The effect of different doses of prednisone and dexamethasone on serum C3 levels was determined in 35 dogs. Dogs in Group A (n = 15) were administered prednisone (1.1 mg/kg/day) for 14 days; dogs in Group B (n = 10) were given prednisone at 2.2 mg/kg/day for 7 days; dogs in group C (n = 10) were administered dexamethasone (0.25 g/kg/day) for 7 days. Serum C3 concentrations were determined using a sandwich ELISA in samples obtained before and after glucocorticoid administration. Concentrations were expressed as a percentage of a reference standard. No statistically significant differences were found after glucocorticoid administration in all groups. Thus, short-term administration of prednisone and dexamethasone at commonly used doses did not result in significantly lower serum C3 levels.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Leishmaniosis and generalized demodicosis in three dogs: a clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study.

This paper describes the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical aspects of the skin lesions in three dogs with leishmaniosis and generalized demodicosis. Diffuse alopecia, crusts, folliculitis and furunculosis, as commonly seen in generalized demodicosis, were prominent in all the dogs. MicroIscopically, there was a diffuse and perifollicular superficial and deep granulomatous dermatitis and, in two dogs, both Copyright Demodex canis mites and Leishmania spp. amastigotes were observed in the same lesions. Numerous Mac387(+)macrophages were observed in the inflammatory infiltrates, but macrophages loaded with amastigotes were Mac387(-). In all cases, immunoreactive CD3 lymphocytes were sparse, both in the granulomatous and perifollicular infiltrates. There were numerous IgG+, IgG4(+)-secreting plasma cells in areas of folliculitis and furunculosis and fewer IgG2(+), IgG3(+), IgA+and IgM+-secreting plasma cells in the inflammatory infiltrate. In all cases, MHC Class II was expressed by the majority of dermal macrophages and dendritic cells, as well as by lymphocytes and fibroblasts. The paucity of CD3(+)lymphocytes, usually abundant in D. canis lesions, points to leishmania-induced cell-mediated immunosuppression as a predisposing factor for generalized demodicosis.

Alopecia↗
PubMed1999

Is transurethral vaporization a remake of transurethral resection of the prostate?

PURPOSE: Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is still the gold standard method to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Transurethral vaporization of the prostate (TUVP) is compared with the transurethral resection of benign prostatic hyperplasia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over a 10-month period, 78 patients presenting with moderate and severe symptomatic BPH were randomized into two groups. A total of 38 patients underwent TURP, and 40 men underwent TUVP. The protocol included urinary flow rate (Qmax), symptomatology evaluated by the International Prostatic Symptom Score (I-PSS), and an ultrasonographic estimate of the postvoiding residual volume (PVR). The TUVP was carried out using a regular loop with the electrical source set at 250 to 300 W in the pure cutting mode. The same technique was used in the TURP, but the electrosurgical unit was set at 50 to 80 W for cutting and 50 W for hemostasis. The mean follow-up was 17 months (range 11-23 months). RESULTS: The data showed significant improvement in the symptom score, maximum flow rate, and postvoiding residual urine volume after treatment (P<0.01) in both groups. Comparing the symptom score, there was no difference between the two techniques (P = 0.88), the same occurring with the PVR (P = 0.78). However, the Qmax was higher after TURP (P = 0.02). The amount of tissue resected showed no statistical difference between the two techniques (P>0.05). Operative time, postoperative irrigation, catheter removal, and hospital stay were better with TUVP (P = 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference (P = 0.003) when we compared the occurrence of retrograde ejaculation with TURP (32%) and TUVP (65%) The TUVP using a regular loop, in addition to the advantage of the equipment and technique already being familiar to urologists, is efficient and reduces capital expenditure. CONCLUSION: The TUVP is a remake of TURP, with higher energy offering better results.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Prognosis factors in cryptococcal meningoencephalitis].

OBJECTIVE: To identify demographic, clinical and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) variables associated to intrahospitalar lethality of patients with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort to study prognosis. SETTING: Hospital Couto Maia (HCMaia) reference for patients with infectious diseases in the State of Bahia Northeastern Brazil. POPULATION: Patients admitted at HCMaia, from 1972 to 1996, with the diagnosis of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis. RESULTS: Lethality rate was 42.7%. The most important neurological abnormalities were neck stiffness, decreased consciousness level, behavior changes, cranial nerve palsy and visual alteration. Disease time over 30 days, involvement of consciousness level and cerebrospinal fluid cells under 40/mm3 were associated to a higher lethality rate. CONCLUSION: Disease time over 30 days, involvement of consciousness level, and CSF decreased cellularity were the only predictors of lethality in the studied population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Effects of dexamethasone administration on serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity in healthy dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether administration of dexamethasone altered serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity (TLI) in healthy dogs. ANIMALS: 12 healthy dogs. PROCEDURE: Dexamethasone (0.25 mg/kg, p.o., q 24 h) was administered for 7 days. Serum TLI, alpha-amylase and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, and urea and creatinine concentrations were determined on days 0, 7, 14, and 21 of the study. RESULTS: Serum TLI and ALT activities were significantly increased, and serum alpha-amylase activity was significantly decreased after administration of dexamethasone for 7 days. However, values obtained on days 14 and 21 were not significantly different from baseline values. Dexamethasone administration was not associated with any significant changes in serum creatinine or urea concentrations. Serum TLI and alpha-amylase activities were significantly correlated prior to dexamethasone administration. Dogs did not develop clinical signs of pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dexamethasone administration was associated with an increase in serum TLI. However, values returned to baseline 7 days after dexamethasone administration was discontinued. Serum TLI may be falsely high in dogs that have been treated with dexamethasone in the week preceding analysis.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1998

Evaluation of primary haemostasis in canine leishmaniasis.

Primary haemostasis was evaluated by measurements of bleeding time and platelet count in 26 dogs with leishmaniasis and 10 normal dogs. Bleeding time was significantly (P = 0.02) longer in the infected dogs than in the control group, and in infected dogs with creatinine concentrations > 1.5 mg/dl than in infected dogs with normal creatinine levels. There was a significant linear regression between the concentration of creatinine and bleeding time (P = 0.02) although the coefficient of determination was low (r2 = 0.194). There were no significant differences in platelet counts between the normal and diseased dogs, and there were no significant differences between male and female dogs in either group.

Animals↗