DEWTON DE MORAES VASCONCELOS
Projetos de Pesquisa
Unidades Organizacionais
Instituto Central, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina - Médico
LIM/56 - Laboratório de Investigação em Dermatologia e Imunodeficiências, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina
LIM/31 - Laboratório de Genética e Hematologia Molecular, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina
LIM/56 - Laboratório de Investigação em Dermatologia e Imunodeficiências, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina
LIM/31 - Laboratório de Genética e Hematologia Molecular, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina
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- First case report of eosinophilic meningitis associated with cerebral toxoplasmosis in an HIV-positive patient(2020) VIDAL, Jose E.; CUNHA, Mirella Alves; KASSAB, Maria J.; DAUAR, Rafi F.; VASCONCELOS, Dewton de MoraesCerebral toxoplasmosis is the most common cause of focal brain lesion in people living with HIV (PLWH) and usually causes multifocal encephalitis with little or no meningeal involvement. Classically, only subtle cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) abnormalities are described. There are no prior case reports in the literature on eosinophilic meningitis associated with cerebral toxoplasmosis in PLWH. We report on an HIV-positive man from Brazil who presented to the emergency department with headache, nausea, vomiting, and hemiparesis. He had a T-CD4+ lymphocyte count of 145 cells/mm(3), and antiretroviral failure was identified. Brain computed tomography showed a contrast-enhancing lesion with mild mass effect and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and dexamethasone were started. Examination of CSF showed 194 cells/mm(3) (74% eosinophils, 18% lymphocytes, 4% monocytes, and 2% neutrophils), protein = 83 mg/dL, and glucose = 49 mg/dL. Detection of Toxoplasma gondii on CSF by polymerase chain reaction confirmed the diagnosis of cerebral toxoplasmosis. An exhaustive laboratorial investigation excluded other possible etiologies. After 14 days, the patient showed complete resolution of neurological and CSF alterations and substantial improvement in the brain lesion and was discharged home. We suggest that eosinophilic meningitis should be included in the spectrum of manifestations of HIV-related cerebral toxoplasmosis, especially in countries with high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in the general population.
- Primary Immunodeficiencies in a Mesoregion of Sao Paulo, Brazil: Epidemiologic, Clinical, and Geospatial Approach(2020) PEREIRA, Denise Helena Boton; PRIMO, Livia Souza; PELIZARI, Giovana; FLORES, Edilson; MORAES-VASCONCELOS, Dewton de; CONDINO-NETO, Antonio; PRESTES-CARNEIRO, Luiz EuribelBackground: Primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) are rare genetic disorders leading to immunologic abnormalities that can affect different organs and systems. We determined the epidemiology, clinical, and geospatial characteristics of PID disorders among patients diagnosed over a 5 year period in a reference hospital covering a mesoregion in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 39 patients with recognizable PIDs according to the criteria of the European Society of Primary Immunodeficiencies were enrolled. Thirty-four patients came from outpatient immunodeficiency clinics and five patients from active search. Demographic, clinical, and immunologic data were collected, and maps were constructed using a geographic information system. Results: The ratio of females to males was 1.4:1, and 48.7% of patients were younger than 17 years of age. The mean age at the onset of symptoms in children was 2.0 years [standard error of the mean (SEM), 1.7 years] and the diagnosis lag was 5.1 years (SEM, 3.1 years); the mean age at diagnosis in adults was 16.3 years (SEM, 11.8 years) and the lag was 10.8 years (SEM, 10.9 years). Antibody deficiency and common variable immunodeficiencies were the most common categories and phenotypes, respectively. The need for intravenous antibiotics and respiratory tract infections were the most prevalent warning signs, with an overall mortality rate of 15.3%. Autoimmune diseases were diagnosed in 56.4% and visceral leishmaniasis in 5.1% of patients. In the active search, 29 patients were investigated and 17.2% were diagnosed; early diagnosis, the involvement of multidisciplinary professionals, and dissemination of knowledge achieved milestone benefits. The distribution of PID networks in Brazil shows great asymmetry between regions and at a regional level; it was shown that the patients lived mainly in Presidente Prudente municipality. Conclusions: The implementation of an immunodeficiency outpatient clinic in a referral hospital covering a mesoregion with a large population has led to the generation of policies and practices to improve the diagnosis, quality of life, and care of patients with PIDs and their families. Furthermore, the search for hospitalized patients with warning signs for PIDs showed great benefits. Inequality in the distribution of PID network centers in Brazil was demonstrated.
- Contribution of Complement System pathways to the killing of Leptospira spp.(2020) SILVA, Priscilla Yuri Okochi Alves da; MIDON, Leonardo Moura; HEINEMANN, Marcos Bryan; VASCONCELOS, Dewton de Moraes; BARBOSA, Angela Silva; ISAAC, LourdesThe Complement System (CS) plays an important role in the immune response against leptospirosis and can be activated by the Alternative and Lectin Pathways (Innate Immunity) and by the Classical Pathway (Acquired Immunity). Here we analyzed a broad range of nonpathogenic and pathogenic Leptospira strains considering their interaction with each CS pathway. We determined bacterial survival rate and CS protein deposition in the presence of purified proteins, specific component depleted sera and NHS treated with the chelating agents EDTA (inhibits all three activation pathways) or EGTA (inhibits the Classical and Lectin Pathways). We suggest that the Lectin and the Alternative Pathways have an important role to eliminate saprophytic leptospires since i) approximately 50% survival of both saprophytic strains was observed in the presence of MBL-deficient serum; ii) approximately 50% survival of Leptospira biflexa Patoc I was observed in the presence of NHS - EGTA and iii) C1q-depleted serum caused significant bacterial lysis. In all serovars investigated the deposition of C5-C9 proteins on saprophytic Leptospira strains was more pronounced when compared to pathogenic species confirming previous studies in the literature. No difference on C3 deposition was observed between nonpathogenic and pathogenic strains. In conclusion, Leptospira strains interact to different degrees with CS proteins, especially those necessary to form MAC, indicating that some strains and specific ligands could favor the binding of certain CS proteins. (C) 2020 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS on behalf of Institut Pasteur.