Biological Response Modifier Activity of an Exopolysaccharide from Paenibacillus jamilae CP-7

An extracellular polysaccharide was purified from culture supernatants of Paenibacillus jamilae CP-7, a gram-positive bacillus that was isolated from compost prepared with olive mill wastewaters. The extracellular polysaccharide was produced under aerobic conditions in a medium containing olive mill wastewaters (80% [vol/vol]). This exopolymer had a low level of acute toxicity when it is administered to BALB/c mice by the intraperitoneal route. Interesting immunomodulatory effects were detected when mice were given 10 mg of exopolysaccharide per kg of body weight; the proliferative responses of splenocytes to B-cell and T-cell mitogens were suppressed, the in vitro levels of production of gamma interferon and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor by unstimulated and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated splenocytes were enhanced, and the levels of resistance to the intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes was increased in mice. Also, the exopolysaccharide was able to induce lymphocyte proliferation in vitro. We conclude that P. jamilae produces an exopolysaccharide with interesting immunomodulatory properties

Análises espaciais na identificação das áreas de risco para a esquistossomose mansônica no município de Lauro de Freitas, Bahia, Brasil Identification of schistosomiasis risk areas using spatial analysis in Lauro de Freitas, Bahia State, Brazil

A disseminação da esquistossomose mansônica vem desafiando o sistema de saúde brasileiro, deixando clara a necessidade da reavaliação das estratégias do programa de controle da endemia. O objetivo deste trabalho foi delimitar as áreas geográficas de risco para a esquistossomose em Lauro de Freitas, Bahia, Brasil, e estabelecer o perfil epidemiológico e socioeconômico da doença no município. Utilizou-se o estimador de densidade de Kernel para a identificação visual de aglomerados de casos e a análise de varredura espaço-temporal de Kulldorff & Nagarwalla para a obtenção de aglomerados com significância estatística e mensuração do risco. As duas técnicas identificaram quatro áreas de risco para a doença no município, com indicadores socioeconômicos mais baixos que as áreas fora dos aglomerados. A análise de correspondência múltipla mostrou um perfil diferenciado nos pacientes positivos para a esquistossomose pertencentes ao aglomerado primário. As técnicas empregadas se configuram em uma importante aquisição metodológica para a vigilância e controle da doença no município.<br>The spread of schistosomiasis mansoni defies efforts by Brazil's Unified National Health System, thus demonstrating the need to reassess endemic control programs in the country. The aim of this study was to demarcate geographic areas at risk of schistosomiasis in Lauro de Freitas, Bahia State, Brazil, and to establish the epidemiological and socioeconomic profile of the disease in this municipality (county). Kernel density estimator exploratory analysis was used for visual identification of areas at risk. Kulldorff & Nagarwalla's spatial analysis was used to obtain statistically significant clusters and to measure risk. These technologies identified four risk areas for schistosomiasis. Clusters identified within the risk areas were characterized by lower socioeconomic conditions. Multiple correspondence analyses showed a distinct profile for positive patients in the primary cluster. The techniques employed here represent an important methodological acquisition for tracking and controlling schistosomiasis in Lauro de Freitas