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Biomedical subjects

J M Costa

Publications and source records attributed to J M Costa.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Three year seroepidemiological study of varicella-zoster virus in São Paulo, Brazil.

A serosurvey of varicella has been carried out in children attending the public school network of São Paulo city, Brazil, from 1992 to 1994. This study was performed in order to establish the age related prevalence of antibodies against varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and its age specific transmission dynamics pattern in these children. Among 2500 schools in the city of São Paulo public network, 304 were randomly selected; 7 children of a given age (ranging from 1 to 15 years) were randomly selected in each school, and blood samples were obtained by fingerprick into filter paper. Blood eluates were analyzed for the presence of antibodies to VZV by ELISA. Proportion of seropositivity were calculated for each age group. Samples consisted of 1768 individuals in 1992, 1758 in 1993, and 1817 in 1994, resulting in 5343 eluates. A high proportion of seropositive children from 1 to 3 years of age was observed, ascending until 10 years of age and reaching a plateau around 90% afterwards. VZV transmission in this community was similar along the three years of the study. In children attending public schools in the city of São Paulo, contact with VZV occurs in early childhood. If immunization against VZV is considered it should be introduced as soon as possible.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

In vitro susceptibility to antifungal agents of clinical and environmental Cryptococcus neoformans isolated in Southern of Brazil.

The purpose of the present study was to compare the susceptibility to four antifungal agents of 69 Cryptococcus neoformans strains isolated from AIDS patients with that of 13 C. neoformans strains isolated from the environment. Based on the NCCLS M27-A methodology the Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) obtained for amphotericin B, itraconazole and ketoconazole were very similar for clinical and environmental isolates. Clinical isolates were less susceptible to fluconazole than environmental isolates. The significance of these findings and aspects concerning the importance, role and difficulties of C. neoformans susceptibility testing are also discussed.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Information-related changes in attitude to mucocutaneous leishmaniasis of a population from an endemic region of the south of Bahia].

The mutilant nature of the mucosal form of leishmaniasis can cause alterations in personal relations. To identify the level of understanding of leishmaniasis and the psychological reaction to it patients and houseowners in an endemic area of Bahia were interviewed. Several false beliefs were identified and there was a strong tendency to reject mutilated patients among the population for a false fear of contagion. Possibly future clarification of the real nature of leishmaniasis could change such a negative attitude among the resident population.

Brazil↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Spontaneous healing of leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania viannia braziliensis in cutaneous lesions].

In field clinics in the communities of Três Braços and Corte de Pedra, Bahia, we have attended 1.416 patients with tegumentary leishmaniasis in fourteen years, the predominant species in transmission is Leishmania Viannia brasi liensis (LVB). Because of the danger of metastasis with this infection treatment was routinely recommended with Glucan-time. However sixteen patients refused injection therapy and six women were pregnant when seen and not treated. All patients were followed up in our clinic. All these patients closed their skin ulcers although one subsequently relapsed. Patients were followed up for variable periods (four to twelve years), after the diagnosis. In nine patients (40.9%) of the cohort, the time to healing after initiation of the lesion was calculated as six months of evolution. At twelve months, nineteen patients (86.3%) had complete healing of their lesions. In three patients an active lesion was present for longer than one year. The determinants of this variable natural evolution of human LVB lesion remains completely unknown. It is difficult for us to understand and compare the effects of therapeutic agents in mucocutaneous leishmaniasis.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The current status of diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL) in the state of Maranhão. II. The epidemiological and clinico-evolutionary aspects].

The authors describe a retrospective and prospective study of 6 patients with diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis observed in the state of Maranhão, since 1974. The patients come from different rural regions of the state and in all of them Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis was the cause five of the patients initiated their disease in the first decade of life. All the patients first had a solitary, nodular lesion, that after a variable period of time, disseminated and acquired other aspects. Sequentially the patients presented multiple nodular and ulcerative lesions, negative Leishmania skin tests and a refractory response to the therapeutic schedules used up to the present.

Adolescent↗