Sampling plan and methodological aspects: a household healthcare survey in Piauí.

Objective: To describe the methodological aspects of the Piauí home healthcare survey (ISAD-PI) and assess the relation between sampling plan, precision, and design effects, assuming that population health surveys are relevant instruments for health monitoring.

Methods: ISAD-PI was a population-based cross-sectional study that analyzed the living conditions and health status of the population residing in urban areas in the municipalities of Teresina and Picos, in Piauí. Sampling was carried out by conglomerates in two stages: Primary Sampling Units and households.

Patterns of adherence to HEp-2 cells and actin polymerisation by toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains.

Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains displayed different degrees of attachment to HEp-2 cell monolayers with two distinct adherence patterns, termed localised (LA) and diffuse (DA). The LA phenotype predominated over the DA phenotype. The non-sucrose fermenting strains expressing DA pattern adhered mostly with high index values (> or =10bact/cell).

Intracellular viability of toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains in HEp-2 cells.

Corynebacterium diphtheriae, generally considered an extracellular coloniser, was evaluated for its ability to enter and survive within HEp-2 monolayers by gentamicin protection assay. Intracellular viability of HC01 strain, isolated from endocarditis, was more expressive (2.59%) than observed in 241 (0.

Corynebacterium diphtheriae threats in cancer patients.

The aim of this study was to determine the bacteriological properties of Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains isolated from bronchiole washing and cancer lesions. Bacteriological characterization included fluorescence/double sugar urease (King/DSU) screening tests, pyrazinamidase (PYZ), CAMP-reactions and radial immunodiffusion toxigenicity assay. Microorganisms produced fluorescence under ultraviolet light and were catalase positive; urea and aesculin hydrolysis negative; fermentation of glucose, maltose and sucrose and no fermentation of mannitol and xylose; PYZ and CAMP reaction negative.

Corynebacterium diphtheriae surface proteins as adhesins to human erythrocytes.

Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains express non-fimbrial surface proteins able to recognize and bind to specific host cells receptors. Protein extracts were obtained from bacterial cells by mechanical process and ammonium sulfate precipitation at 25 and 45% (w/v) saturation. SDS-PAGE analysis of the extracts detected two polypeptide bands of 67 and 72 kDa, named 67-72 p.