Disseminated dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum gypseum in two patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Microsporum gypseum is not a common agent of human dermatophytosis. To the best of our knowledge, this fungus has not been described in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. We report a tinea corporis infection with atypical presentation caused by M. gypseum in two patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) studied at the São Paulo Hospital (São Paulo, Brazil).This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Paracoccidioidomycosis with palpebral and conjunctival involvement

A case of paracoccidioidomycosis with ocular involvement is studied. Brazilian literature is reviewed. The scarcity of human ocular mycosis is commented on. The most frequent clinic aspects of ocular lesions in natural mycosis are described.

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Resumo Um caso de paracoccidioidomicose pulmonar e linfática seguido de comprometimento conjuntivo-palpebral é estudado, em São Paulo.A literatura nacional é revista. As lesões oculares, mais frequentemente verificadas, na paracoccidioidomicose natural são descritas, minuciosamente. O pequeno número de casos humanos com comprometimento ocular é discutido.A severidade e a frequencia das lesões oculares em animais inoculados intracardiacamente, com cultivos de P. brasiliensis sugerem disseminação hematogênica ocular da paracoccidioidomicose humana.

     

First cases of histoplasmosis diagnosed in recife,Brasil

Summary Three cases of histoplasmosis are described, one also with subcutaneous nodule, the first cases reported from Pernambuco, Brasil.Histoplasma capsulatum was isolated from tissues in two cases and from sputum in two cases, all in pure culture.Docente Livre de Parasitologia, Chefe de Secção de Micologia. Cat. Prof.Alvaro de Figueiredo.Professor, Washington University, formerly Visiting Professor, Cadeira de Parasitologia.Pesquisadora, Cadeira de Parasitologia, Secção de Micologia.     

Quantification of trehalose in biological samples with a conidial trehalase from the thermophilic fungus Humicola grisea var. thermoidea

The partially-purified, thermally-stable trehalase from conidia of Humicola grisea was highly specific for trehalose and was free of potentially interfering activities. The enzyme was fully stable when stored in solution at -15°C for at least 6 months. This preparation could be used to quantify trehalose from 0.05 to 1.25 mol/ml either in carbohydrate mixtures or in complex biological materials.M.J. Neves, H.F. Terenzi and J.A. Jorge are with Departmento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirao Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 14040-901-Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; F.A. Leone is with Departamento de Quimica, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 14040-901-Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.     

Reproductive isolation in the saltans group of Drosophila. I. The saltans subgroup

In order to study isolation within the salians subgroup, pair mating crosses involving its 7 species were performed. The results of testing different interspecific combinations varied from complete isolation at the insemination level to the production of fertile hybrids. Some isolation indices are proposed: Ii (isolation index at the insemination level), Fi (isolation index at the fertilization level), Ti (total isolation index), and Ai (average isolation index). A schema of the biological relationships on the basis of the isolation degree is also presented for the 7 species of the subgroup.Part of this study was included in the thesis submitted for the PH.D. degree at the University of São Paulo and was performed during the tenure of a fellowship supported by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo.     

Perianal and/or rectal lesions in South American blastomycosis

Summary The authors review and comment on Brazilian literature on the observations of South American Blastomycotic lesion in perineal, anal and/or rectal localization.They relate a case of a patient presenting a perineal lesion two years after the excision of a tumor caused byP. brasiliensis in the brain.They comment onMackinnon's pathogenic theory of South American Blastomycosis that presumes that lungs are the portal of entry ofP. brasiliensis by inhalation of its spores. Thus, mucocutaneous lesions are secondary to a primary pulmonary localization by hematogenous route.

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Sumário Os autores revisam e comentam a literatura brasileira sôbre as observacões de Blastomicose Sul-americana com localização peineoano-retal.Relatam a observação de um paciente no qual a lesão perineal surgiu dois anos após a ablação de um tumor do cérebro porP. brasiliensis.Discutem a casuística à luz da teoria patogênica deMackinnon, admitindo que a porta de entrada do fungo seja pelas vias aéreas, por inhalação dos espórios do fungo. As lesões mucocutãneas são pois secundárias à localização pulmonar primária, (às vêzes inaparantes) da qual resultam por disseminaçåo hematógena.

     

Nest re-use and communal nesting inMicrothurge corumbae (Hymenoptera,Megachilidae), with special reference to nest defense

Summary Observations on the nesting activities ofMicrothurge corumbae, carried out at the University Campus of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil, from 1977 to 1981, indicated that 61.9 % of nests were re-used by succeeding generations. Re-use by one generation was more frequent than by two generations, and re-use by a third was observed only once. Nests were re-used by one or several females. Single females were more frequently in the first re-use. In these cases nest re-use did not differ essentially from the solitary foundation of a new nest, except for the adoption of a pre-existing nest without excavation. In multifemale nests, analysis of relative age (wing wear), ovarian and spermathecal conditions of associated females and the content of nests at excavation indicated that the social pattern in such colonies is communal. There is some evidence that the associated females are relatives. The chalcidoid waspLeucospis was the principal nest parasite, and ants of the genusCrematogaster were nest predators. In multifemale nests, the rate of parasitism was significantly lower than in solitary nests, indicating that nest-sharing resulted in improved nest defense. On the other hand, the absence of predation on immatures of the first generation of M.commbae in multifemale nests suggests that such nests are also more resistant to attack by predators.     

Improved culture media for growth of Bradyrhizobium japonicum

A freshly-prepared yeast extract at 30 or 50 g/l improved the growth of Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 587 in a 5-l stirred fermenter. Monosodium glutamate or a commercial yeast extract at 2.0 g/l almost doubled cell mass productivity and cell viability when added at the end of the first exponential growth phase.The authors are with the Divisão de Quimica, Agrupamento de Biotecnologia, Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas do Estado de São Paulo, S/A.-IPT-Cidade Universitária s/n., Caixa Postal 7141, CEP 01064-970, São Paulo, SP, Brazil     

Sequential production of pectinases byPenicillium frequentans

The pectinases produced byPenicillium frequentans were subjected to pectin- or sodium polypectate-PAGE. The fungus secreted one endo- and one exo-polygalacturonase during the first 10 h of incubation, either in media supplemented with pectin or in the absence of carbohydrate source. After 17 h of cultivation, another two exo-and three endo-polygalacturonases were detected in cultures supplemented with pectin. The results indicate that two constitutive polygalacturonases are secreted initially, followed by the synthesis of other inducible pectinases, in a sequential production of the pectinolytic complex. Monogalacturonic acid and sodium polypectate were better inducers for exo- than for endo-polygalacturonases, indicating that these enzymes are independently controlled.The authors are with the Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, USP, Avenida do Café s/n^o, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil     

Effects of genotoxic agents on his + revertants and survival of spores of Streptomyces aureofaciens

The effects of u.v. light and of several chemical agents on spores of the tetracycline producer Streptomyces aureofaciens MT1 were studied using survival curves and induction of histidine prototrophic revertants (his ⁺). Spores were highly resistant to u.v.; NTG induced most his ⁺ revertants. 4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide and methyl methanesulphonate also gave good yields of revertants. Whereas ethyl methanesulphonate had the least effect on inducing the revertants.M. Marins is with the Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil. S.O.P. Costa and G. Padilla are with the Department of Microbiology, Biomedical Science Institute, University of São Paulo, Avenida Prof. Lineu Prestes 1374, SP, Brazil, CEP 05508-900     

Predation on and by pelagic Turbellaria in some lakes in Brazil

Planktonic Turbellaria are of common occurrence in both natural and man-made lakes in Brazil. Experiments were performed in 1987 and 1989 to determine which zooplankton species are consumed by predatory Mesostoma sp. from three natural lakes in the Rio Doce Valley. Experiments were also performed in 1989 with a yet unidentified flatworm from Barra Bonita reservoir. Both predators consumed Daphnia and Ceriodaphnia at a high rate: 4 individuals per day in the case of Mesostoma sp., a large species and 1.5 ind day^–1 in the case of the smaller species from Barra Bonita reservoir. Consumption of copepod nauplii, copepodids and adults was much lower, and Ostracoda were not consumed at all. Experiments on food selectivity showed a clear preference by the flatworms for cladocerans.In the lakes studied, flatworms are heavily preyed upon by larvae of Chaoborus and by Mesocyclops species.Turbellaria densities in the natural lakes were around 300 individuals per cubic meter, whereas in Barra Bonita reservoir, 1000 individuals per cubic meter was a mean value in a fifteen days study.Federal University of São Carlos - Laboratory of LimnologyUniversity of São Paulo - Canter of Water Resource and Applied EcologyPost-graduate student - University of São Paulo     

The biodiversity and conservation of the birds of São Tomé and Príncipe

At present the majority of the endemic bird species occurring on São Tomé and Príncipe remain common, the rarer species being those largely confined to primary rainforest. In 1990 the dwarf olive ibis (Bostrychia bocagei), São Tomé fiscal shrike (Lanius newtoni), São Tomé short-tail (Amaurocichla bocagii) were rediscovered and in 1991 the São Tomé grosbeak (Neospiza concolor) was seen for the first time since 1888. Lowland primary forest is the only habitat on São Tomé in which all the endemic species are found. Primary forest on Príncipe remains largely unsurveyed since the beginning of the century. Due to the decline in the cocoa industry and poor infra-structure post-independence the extent of secondary forest is probably at its greatest since the late 1800s. This habitat is an important buffer zone against development for the remaining primary forest and also contains important populations of many of the endemic species, in particular the São Tomé scops owl (Otus hartlaubi), São Tomé oriole (Oriolus crassirostris) and giant weaver (Ploceus grandis). On both islands the remaining areas of primary forest need immediate protection and suitable boundaries have been designated under the Zona Ecológica plan. Fortunately, except for an important area around Lagôa Amélia, primary forest is not under immediate threat, although a variety of pressures are likely to increase. In conjunction with the protection of primary forest, a plant for managing the remaining timber resource on the islands will be a vital requirement, particularly if areas of shade forest, an important habitat for endemic bird species and a potentially valuable economic resource, are to be conserved and sustainably managed.     

Determination of the enzymatic activity of pectinases from different microorganisms

The decrease in viscosity is widely used to estimate the activity of pectinolytic enzymes. This method is shown to be influenced by the production strain and this prevents an accurate comparison between the activities of different microorganisms, especially under different conditions.A.E. Maiorano and Y. Ogaki are with the Divisão de Quimica, with the Agrupamento de Biotecnologia, Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas do Estado de São Paulo S/A.-IPT, Cidade Universitária, Caixa Postal 7141, CEP 01064-970, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; W. Schmidell is with the Departamento de Engenharia Quimica, Escola Politécnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Caixa Postal 61548, CEP 05424-970, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.     

Stream type diversity in the Atlantic lowland of the Jureia area (Subtropical Brazil)

Different combinations of the three basic streaming water types in the Jureia area (São Paulo), namely blackwater with low pH, clearwater with low pH and estuarine water, are described. The hydrological situation is compared to that of the Amazonian basin and some paleolimnological and potamological observations are added.Scientific Contribution No. 6 from the Jureia Ecological Station (São Paulo, Brasil).Scientific Contribution No. 6 from the Jureia Ecological Station (São Paulo, Brasil).     

Age,area, and acheiropody

Summary Analysis of the geographic distribution of acheiropody suggests spread from São Paulo along the São Francisco valley at a rate consistent with current parent-offspring distribution and 20 generations of gene flow.PGL No. 233. This work was supported by Grants GM 17173 from the U.S. National Institutes of Health and Biologicas 79/0482 from São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP).     

Teaching of microbiology in Brazil: progress or stagnation?

There is a severe shortage of trained microbiologists in Brazil which is hampering the development and expansion of microbiology/biotechnology research, the development of the biotechnology industries and environmental control agencies. Even some medical areas are affected. The reason for this situation lies in the deficient teaching of microbiology, where undergraduate courses in the biological sciences contain little or no microbiology, and in the low number of professionals that are produced. There are a few post-graduates courses in microbiology but these have high costs and little capacity for expansion. There is a need for incentives for the establishment of more undergraduate university courses, more practical training in specific areas, courses for retraining or updating of professionals already at work and specific programmes by the funding agencies.The objective of this article is to encourage discussion about the present state and the future of the teaching of Microbiology in Brazil. It may also be useful for other countries in the same situation.J.R. Jardim Freire is with the Department of Soil Science, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 7712, 91540-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; W. Gambale is with the Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Lineu Prestes 1374, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.     

Diversity and status of sea turtle species in the Gulf of Guinea islands

In West Africa, the Gulf of Guinea islands are important nesting places for four sea turtle species. The Green turtle (Chelonia mydas), the Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), the Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) and the Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) turtles nest on Bioko's southern beaches. The Green, Hawksbill and Leatherback turtles breed on Príncipe and São Tomé. The Leatherback turtle nests, at least, on Annobón. The Leatherback turtle is reported on the four islands for the first time, and the Olive Ridley turtle for Bioko. Bioko is probably the most important island in terms of number of species and nesting individuals; the Green turtle being the most abundant species. However, the nesting places are at present restricted to barely 20 km along the coastline. On Príncipe and São Tomé, the most common species is the Hawksbill turtle. Sea turtle nesting populations are being severely depleted on the four islands. The main causes of cverexploitation are the meat and egg trade on Bioko and the Hawksbill shell-craft trade on São Tomé and Príncipe.     

Palms,Pastures, and Swidden Fields: The Grounded Political Ecology of “Agro-Extractive/Shifting-cultivator Peasants” in Maranhão,Brazil

This article examines transformations associated with changes in resource use and land cover dynamics in the community of São Manoel, Maranhão state, in the eastern Brazilian Amazon. The shifting cultivator peasants in São Manoel integrate swidden fields for annual cropping, the extraction of babassu palm products, and pastures for cattle ranching. Since the early twentieth century, predominant vegetative cover patterns have been altered from species-rich mature forests to secondary succession with babassu dominant to pasture or swidden fields containing palm stands of various densities. A grounded political ecology of resource use in the area suggests that management strategies and the resulting land cover dynamics integrate site-specific decisions of peasant producers. I discuss the trajectory of production strategies in São Manoel since the establishment of the community in the 1920s, and identify the multiple dimensions affecting resource use and environmental outcomes, with an emphasis on the period following land struggles and the recovery of peasant tenure rights in the mid-1980s. The analysis indicates that socionatural trajectories that optimize resource use and address the socioeconomic needs of the community include the maintenance of palm/pastures associations.     

Trichophyton mentagrophytes infection in laboratory white mice

Trichophyton mentagrophytes infection was studied in a breeding colony of 42 white mice. Symptoms were observed in only 3 out of the 12 animals shown to carry dermatophyte on their coats.Literature on Trichophyton mentagrophytes infection in mice is reviewed. The use of the technique developed by Mariat & Tapia (16) to isolate dermatophytes on cultures, specially for epidemiological surveys, is postulated.Attention is called to the importance of healthy animals, directly or indirectly, as carriers of fungi and sources of infection to other animals and human beings.

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Resumo E feita uma revisão da literatura sobre infecção, em camundongos, por T. mentagrophytes e descrita uma epizootia em camundongos do biotério da Escola Paulista de Medicina.Dos 42 animais usados para experimentação, 3 apresentavam lesões descamativas na cabeça e dorso. T. mentagrophytes foi isolado, em cultivo, de 2 dos camundongos com lesão e de 10 animais, clinicamente sadios. A tecnica desenvolvida por Mariat & Tapia para isolamento de fungos do tegumento de animais e de pacientes, com ou sem lesões visiveis, em áreas extensas do corpo, parece ser a mais indicada, pela praticabilidade e facilidade de seu uso, principalmente em amplos inquéritos epidemiológicos. Chama-se atenção para a importância dos animais sadios, como vetores de esporos de fungos e fontes de infecção, diretamente ou indirectamente, para o homem e outros animais.

     

Correlation of specific sulfated glycosaminoglycans with collagen types I,II, and III

Summary A qualitative and quantitative biochemical study of the glycosaminoglycans was performed in tissues constituted predominantly by one type of collagen, or in tissues containing mixtures of different types of collagen. The results obtained show the presence of dermatan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and heparitin sulfate in tissues containing collagen types I, II, or III, respectively, suggesting a specific correlation of different glycosaminoglycans with these three types of collagen.This work was aided by grant N° 79/306 from the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São PauloSupported by CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnológico)