Immunoproteomics and immunoinformatics analysis of Cryptococcus gattii: novel candidate antigens for diagnosis.

Aim: To identify immunoreactive proteins of Cryptococcus gattii genotype VGII and their B-cell epitopes.

Materials & Methods: We combined 2D gel electrophoresis, immunoblotting and mass spectrometry to identify immunoreactive proteins from four strains of C. gattii genotype VGII (CG01, CG02, CG03 and R265).

EpHLA: an innovative and user-friendly software automating the HLAMatchmaker algorithm for antibody analysis.

Unlabelled: The global challenge for solid organ transplantation programs is to distribute organs to the highly sensitized recipients. The purpose of this work is to describe and test the functionality of the EpHLA software, a program that automates the analysis of acceptable and unacceptable HLA epitopes on the basis of the HLAMatchmaker algorithm. HLAMatchmaker considers small configurations of polymorphic residues referred to as eplets as essential components of HLA-epitopes.

[Prevalence of left ventricular aneurysms among chronic Chagas disease patients from two areas in the State of Piauí, Brazil].

A cross-sectional study involving a cohort of 261 chronic Chagas disease patients (156 from the municipality of João Costa and 105 from São João do Piauí; 146 women and 115 men with mean age of 57.9 +/- 14.2 years) was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of left ventricle aneurysms.

[Seroprevalence of Chagas disease infection in the State of Piauí, 2002].

To evaluate the epidemiological situation of Chagas disease infection in the State of Piauí, Brazil, and its relationships with age, gender, blood transfusion and spontaneous abortion, a serological survey was performed. A random sample of 36,399 inhabitants of rural zones was examined between August and December 2002. Chagas disease infection was defined by the indirect immunofluorescence test, with identification of anti-Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies in blood samples collected on filter paper.

Genetic structure of natural populations of the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) from the Brazilian northeastern region.

In Latin America, Lutzomyia longipalpis is the principal vector of Leishmania chagasi, and is associated with the majority of active foci of visceral leishmaniasis. In spite of the fact that this sand fly is spread practically throughout the entire Neotropical Region, its distribution is not uniform due to geographic and environmental barriers. Geographic isolation coupled with reduced flight abilities may contribute to the appearance of cryptic species of Lutzomyia longipalpis, which may differ in their capacity to transmit L.

Dengue viruses activity in Piauí, Brazil.

The present paper reports a laboratory investigation performed between the years of 2000 and 2002 to study a virological surveillance program introduced in the state of Piauí to support an epidemiological survey of the disease. Dengue virus type 3 (DENV-3) existence in the state was detected in May 2002 when a high number of dengue cases due to DENV-1 and DENV-2 were reported. An assessment on the population knowledge about the disease and its transmission showed that almost 50% of the population were still unaware of the epidemiological features of dengue.

[Association of humans leucocitary antigens with humoral nonresponsive to hepatitis B vaccine in chronic hemodialysis patients].

Vaccination using surface antigen from hepatitis B virus has not been successfully responded by hemodialysis patients. The present study was aimed at assessing a possible relationship between human leukocyte antigens and the low production of protective antibodies (anti-HbS) against the surface antigen from hepatitis B by patients with chronic renal failure submitted to hemodialysis programs. The antigens HLA-DR and HLA-DQ were identified in 76 hemodialysis patients through classic microlymphotoxicity.

[Tumoral form of neurocysticercosis: case report].

The authors report a case of neurocysticercosis by giant cyst (3.9 x 3.4 cm), where there were clinical manifestations of increased intracranial pressure and characteristics of image in computed tomography of cranium of expansive process with mass effect in central nervous system (CNS).

[Study of the infection and morbidity of Chagas' disease in municipality of João Costa: National Park Serra da Capivara, Piauí, Brazil].

In order to investigate aspects of the infection and morbidity of Chagas' disease in the municipality of João Costa, Piauí State, Brazil, we carried out a serological survey to detect anti-Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies in 2,080 individuals, by indirect immunofluorescence, indirect hemagglutination and ELISA. A total of 189 seropositive and 141 seronegative patients were evaluated by anamnesis, physical exam and electrocardiogram (EKG). The parasitaemia of 106 chagasic patients was evaluated by indirect xenodiagnosis and PCR (polymerase chain reaction).