Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of American trypanosomiasis. Most of the available data on trypanosomatid parasites were obtained from African trypanosomes. Parasitic protozoa polyamine metabolism and transport pathways comprise valuable targets for chemotherapy. T. cruzi cannot synthesize putrescine, but its uptake from the extracellular milieu can promote parasite survival. Nevertheless, little is known about the cell biology of this diamine in T. cruzi. Here we notice that the putrescine analogue 1,4-diamino-2-butanone (DAB) inhibited T. cruzi epimastigotes' in vitro proliferation and produced remarkable mitochondrial destruction and cell architecture disorganization, as assessed by transmission electron microscopy. Mitochondrial damage was confirmed by MTT reduction. We decided to analyze the oxidative stress undergone by DAB-treated parasites. Thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substances were measured to assess lipid peroxidation. Analogue effects were dose-dependent; 5 mM DAB only slightly enhanced peroxidation, whereas 10 mM DAB significantly (P < 0.05) diminished it. These data indicate that putrescine uptake by this diamine auxotrophic parasite may be important for epimastigote axenic growth and cellular organization.

Background Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is responsible for protection against infections of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, and selective IgA deficiency (SIgAD) is the most common humoral immunodeficiency. It is speculated that its occurrence may predispose to the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Objectives To study the prevalence of SIgAD in patients with juvenile SLE (JSLE) in the Adolescent Rheumatology Clinic from the Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho – Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, and compare, between the groups of patients with and without SIgAD, the age and the clinical manifestations at the diagnosis of JSLE; the index of disease activity at the time of analysis of levels of IgA; and family history of rheumatic diseases, autoimmune and/or congenital immunodeficiencies. Methods We carried out a review of medical records of 63 patients diagnosed with JSLE according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). Plasma levels of IgA in these patients were measured by nephelometry and were considered low when less than 70mg/dL. The demographic data, the clinical and laboratory profiles and family history were obtained by review of medical records. Results The SIgAD was detected in 3 of 63 patients (4.8%). The clinical and laboratory profiles of the group with SIgAD was not significantly different from the group without SIgAD, not being observed a higher incidence of infections in this group of patients. Conclusions It was noted a higher prevalence of SIgAD in patients with JSLE compared to the general population, but no significant clinical or laboratorial difference was observed between the patients with and without SIgAD. References JT Cassidy, RK Kitson & CL Selby. Selective IgA deficiency in children and adults with systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus 2007; 16(8):647-650. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Background Uveitis is a common manifestation of rheumatic diseases with a broad spectrum of clinical presentation. It can be acute or chronic, affect any part of the uveal tract, can occur before or after the diagnosis of the associated rheumatic condition and can progress with severe complications. In Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) it tipically involves the anterior chamber, is frequently oligosymptomathic and carries a high rate of complications. Objectives Analyze the course and the development of uveitis associated with rheumatic diseases in outpatients of the Rheumatic Clinic of Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho (HUCFF) at Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro between 2000 and 2010. Methods We conducted a retrospective study based on review of medical records of 37 patients in the Rheumatology Clinic of the HUCFF. The selected patients had a previous diagnosis of uveitis and were enrolled to our service between 2000 and 2010. Results Twenty-six patients (70,3%) presented with a rheumatic disease, while 11 (29,7%) patients had isolated uveits. The most frequent diagnosis was JIA (56,8%), followed by idiopathic uveitis (29,7%) and the spondyloarthritis was diagnosed in 8,1%. In most cases, the uveitis presented in the course of the underlying disease (56,8%), as it was the involvement of the anterior chamber of the eye (70,3%). Of these 37 patients, there were a total of 57 affected eyes and 92% had a chronic presentation. The presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) was associated with higher frequency of uveitis and most patients with positive ANA developed complications (65%). The most frequent complications were cataract (30.2%) and posterior synechiae (13.2%). All patients who were on biological therapy presented some complication, what could be explained by the greater severity of uveitis in patients who require the use of these medications. Conclusions Juvenile idiopathic arthritis-related uveitis accounts for the majority of identifiable causes of childhood onset uveitis. The characteristics of uveitis associated with rheumatic diseases observed in this study were similar to those found by other authors. The rate and spectrum of vision threatening complications of pediatric uveitis are significant and the authors emphasize the importance of regular eye evaluation in rheumatic diseases. Disclosure of Interest None Declared