No abstract

Objectives: There is a high incidence of intestinal parasite infection in urban areas in the Northeast of Brazil. Giardia lamblia infections have been associated with increased prevalence of cutaneous allergies and gastrointestinal disorders. However, little is known about the relationship between giardiasis and allergic diseases of the airways. The present study aimed to investigate the possible association between respiratory allergic diseases and infections by G. lamblia in children from urban areas. Methods:This study recruited 110 patients of both sexes aged 5-15 years. Patients were administered a questionnaire evaluating clinical symptoms and were given skin tests, parasite tests and serum tests. Results:A high incidence of G. lamblia was observed (45%, 50/110). Infections by this protozoan were not associated with increased risk of respiratory allergy (p = 0.075), high total IgE levels (p = 0.701), positive specific IgE tests (p = 0.250), or positive skin tests for a range of environmental allergens (p = 0.239). Conclusion:This study demonstrated that symptoms of asthma, skin allergy and serum markers were not associated with G. lamblia infections in this sample of children from urban areas.J Pediatr (Rio J). 2012;88(3):233-8: Giardia lamblia, rhinitis, asthma, skin prick test. ResumoObjetivo: Uma elevada incidência de enteroparasitoses é encontrada em regiões urbanas do nordeste brasileiro. As infecções por Giardia lamblia têm sido relacionadas com aumento da prevalência de alergias cutâneas e gastrointestinais. Contudo, ainda existe pouca informação sobre a associação entre a giardíase e doenças alérgicas das vias aéreas. Diante disso, o presente estudo se propôs a verificar a relação entre a infecção por G.lamblia em crianças de área urbana e reatividade alérgica respiratória.Métodos: O estudo incluiu 110 pacientes, de ambos os sexos e idades, entre 5 e 15 anos. Os pacientes foram submetidos a questionários de avaliação dos sintomas clínicos, testes cutâneos de leitura imediata e exames coproparasitológicos e sorológicos.Resultados: Foi verificada uma frequência elevada de crianças infectadas por G. lamblia (45%, 50/110). A infecção pelo protozoário não foi associada com maior risco de alergias respiratórias (p = 0,075), elevação de IgE total (p = 0,701), IgE específica (p = 0,250) ou teste cutâneo positivo para diferentes alérgenos ambientais (p = 0,239). Conclusão:O estudo demonstrou que a presença dos sintomas de asma, atopia cutânea e marcadores sorológicos não foram associados com a presença de infecção pela G. lamblia nessa amostra de crianças.J Pediatr (Rio J). 2012;88(3):233-8: Giardia lamblia, rinite, asma, teste cutâneo.

No abstract

Pneumonia is a kind of inflammatory disease characterized by pathogen infection of lower respiratory track. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the main bioactive component of Gram-negative bacteria responsible for inflammatory response. Recently, coniferyl aldehyde (CA) has been reported to play a crucial role because of its anti-inflammatory activity. However, the effect and mechanisms of CA in ameliorating symptoms of acute pneumonia remain unknown. Evaluating and identifying the value and exploring the mechanisms of CA on LPS-mediated WI-38 apoptosis and inflammation were the aims of this study. Here, CCK-8 cell viability assay was applied on WI-38 after treatment with or without LPS at different doses of CA to verify that CA can increase LPS-induced cell viability. Then, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and enzyme-linked-immunosorbent serologic assays (ELISA) suggested that LPS treatment dramatically decreased the expression level of IL-10 (anti-inflammatory factor)while strikingly increasing the expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor- α; proinflammatory factor) whereas CA treatment attenuates LPS-induced inflammation of WI-38. Further, flow cytometry and Western blot assay verified that LPS treatment dramatically promoted apoptosis of WI-38 cells, while administration of CA notably inhibited apoptosis of WI-38 cells. Moreover, the Western blot assay hinted that CA could inactivate LPS-induced JAK2–STAT1 signaling pathway. These findings indicated that CA could alleviate LPS-mediated WI-38 apoptosis and inflammation injury through JAK2–STAT1 pathway in acute pneumonia.

No abstract