RESUMO
This study was designed to investigate serum levels of iron, ferritin, vitamin B12 and folic acid in 18 Huntington's disease patients and 86 healthy control subjects. Serum iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels were normal. Ferritin concentrations were significantly diminished in the choreic patients. The importance of this finding in our attempt to understand the underlying biochemical defect and the chemical nature of the iron deposits found in several brain nuclei in Huntington's disease patients is unknown.
Assuntos
Ferritinas/deficiência , Doença de Huntington/sangue , Adolescente , Adulto , Feminino , Ferritinas/sangue , Hemoglobinas/análise , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
One case of pulmonary hydatid cyst from Venezuela is reported. A 54-year-old man from Syria, was admitted to the hospital because of dyspnoea, fever and weight loss. A thoracic roentgenogram revealed a tumor in the basis of the left lung; a lobectomy was carried out. Histological study showed an unilocular hydatid cyst. The presence of scolices in alveoli and vessels suggest a probable dissemination of the parasite. Due to the rarity of the pulmonary hydatid cyst in Venezuela, the case is reported to call the attention about the existence of this pathology in the country, so that it can be diagnosed and treated correctly.
Assuntos
Equinococose Pulmonar , Equinococose Pulmonar/diagnóstico , Equinococose Pulmonar/epidemiologia , Equinococose Pulmonar/cirurgia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Síria/etnologia , Venezuela/epidemiologiaRESUMO
The present paper reports three fatal cases of massive strongyloidiasis. Case 1. A 37-year-old woman with a record of arthropathy and corticosteroids treatment, died in shock. The postmortem examination showed massive intestinal strongyloidiasis with larvae dissemination to lungs, liver, spleen and the adipose tissue located around adrenal glands. Case 2. A 12-year-old, malnourished girl died of peritonitis. The autopsy findings were lithiasis and perforation of jejunum, hyperinfectious strongyloidiasis of intestines and lungs, acute and chronic peritonitis. Case 3. A 7-year-old, cachectic girl with corticosteroid therapy, died in cardiorespiratory arrest. The autopsy revealed hyperinfection by S. stercoralis affecting stomach, intestines, lungs, liver and brain. In Venezuela, literature on massive strongyloidiasis is scarce. The present report stresses the importance of considering this syndrome in patients at risk, in endemic areas, like Venezuela, to prevent unnecessary deaths.
Assuntos
Estrongiloidíase/patologia , Adulto , Criança , Feminino , Humanos , Terapia de Imunossupressão/efeitos adversos , Distúrbios Nutricionais/complicações , Peritonite/complicações , Estrongiloidíase/complicações , Estrongiloidíase/parasitologiaRESUMO
A nutritional survey and evaluation was made in Huntington disease patients by the 24-h-recall method. Control subjects and choreic patients consumed a diet that supplied all the essential amino acids. The diet was hypocaloric, rich in animal protein, and low in fat and carbohydrates. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus in the groups studied was less than 1. High vitamin A and low vitamin C and niacin intakes were observed in Huntington disease patients. Only 17% of control subjects showed weight deficiency; 55% of the patients at stages III and IV of the disease were malnourished despite receiving the same food intake as controls. Although iron intake was deficient in all groups studied, it was enough to maintain normal serum levels of this metal. The deficiencies found in some nutrients do not explain the clinical manifestations observed in Huntington disease patients.
Assuntos
Dieta , Doença de Huntington/metabolismo , Inquéritos Nutricionais , Adolescente , Adulto , Antropometria , Ingestão de Energia , Feminino , Humanos , Doença de Huntington/complicações , Doença de Huntington/genética , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Distúrbios Nutricionais/complicações , Necessidades Nutricionais , Estado NutricionalRESUMO
Zinc serum concentrations were studied by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry in normal subjects at the Blood Bank of Maracaibo, Venezuela. We analyzed 487 serum samples: 444 from males and 43 from females. The concentration detected was 84 +/- 20 (mean +/- S.D.) microgram Zn/100 ml. The statistical analysis of data did not show any significant differences between age and sex in the groups studied. No-functional relationship was determined between zinc serum concentrations and age and sex of subjects.