Search

The intestinal microbiota has an important role in animal health. Therefore, prebiotics have gained interest in the scientific community for their role in manipulating populations of intestinal microorganisms. Among prebiotics, there is Smallanthus sonchifolius Poepp. Endl (yacon) root, which can be ingested in natura or in different forms, such as flours and extracts. This prebiotic has been associated with beneficial effects in different diseases, including metabolic (like type 2 diabetes) and immunological disorders. Thus, mouse models of human diseases caused by immunological factors have been used to better understand the prebiotic effects of yacon. Since prebiotics interfere with animal microbiota, it is important to take into consideration the quality level of mouse facilities. In this way, the beneficial effects of a yacon root pulp were tested in a mouse model of allergic asthma and, considering how animal facility conditions could affect those results, we performed experiments both in conventional facilities and specific pathogen-free (SPF) ones. Our results showed that better prebiotic effects were observed in a SPF facility than in a conventional one and, in some cases, evidence of yacon beneficial effects was observed exclusively in a SPF facility. For example, there were reductions of 63.6% and 58.0% in IgE and eosinophils, respectively, in immunized/yacon-treated animals compared to immunized mice only. Taken together, our results not only showed the beneficial effects of yacon root pulp in an asthma model but also demonstrated the relevance of performing experiments with prebiotics in SPF facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eosinophilic pulmonary diseases encompass a heterogeneous group of pathologies characterized by a shared feature: a high number of eosinophils in the airways and lung parenchyma. One manifestation of eosinophilic pulmonary involvement is Churg-Strauss Syndrome (CSS), a multisystemic disease that follows a subacute course with three sequential clinical phases: prodromal, eosinophilic, and vasculitic. The diagnostic hypothesis can be considered when a pattern of ground-glass opacities and consolidations is observed in a patient with a history of eosinophilic asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the phenotype of DRESS syndrome induced by antituberculosis drugs. Methods: Descriptive study, withdrawn from the review of the records of patients with DRESS syndrome, identified in the interconsultation of the Department of Research in Immunogenetics and Allergy, of the Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias (INER) Ismael Cosío Villegas, among 2014 and 2020. Frequency analysis was performed. The associations between biomarkers and latency are calculated with the χ² test and log-rank, and the evaluation of the change in the biomarkers with the Wilcoxon test. The value of p < 0.05 is considered statistically significant. For data analysis, the SPSS v.21 program was obtained. Results: 15 patients were identified; represented by 0.02% of total cases treated in the Department for so-meimmuno-allergic condition (15/7052); the main symptomatology were: rash (100%), eosinophilia (93%), fever (80%), adenomegaly (60%), kidney damage (40%), liver damage (33%), and latency of 21 days. Liver damage was associated with prolonged latency (p = 0.02). After treatment, the total levels of eosinophils (p < 0.001) and liver and kidney biomarkers (p < 0.04) decreased. DRESS syndrome induced by antituberculosis drugs is not associated with the number of drugs prescribed or with the pattern of resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Conclusion: DRESS syndrome induced by antituberculosis drugs is an atypical clinical reaction, similar to other types of DRESS syndrome that respond favorably to systemic corticosteroids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic annular erythema is a rarely described disease, with unknown etiology, that has been associated to chronic borreliosis, autoimmune thyroid disease, and renal carcinoma. It is characterized by erythematous papules that expand centrifugally, forming annular plaques, and histologically, it presents a superficial perivascular inflammatory infiltrate by lymphocytes and eosinophils. It typically occurs in pediatric ages, reports in adulthood are exceptional. CLINICAL CASE: A 63-year-old male patient presented with a dermatosis for 1 year, spread to the trunk and extremities, consisting of pruritic erythematous and squamous plaques, with a raised border and a slightly hyperpigmented center. The histopathological study showed inflammatory infiltrate by lymphocytes and eosinophils, with perivascular and interstitial disposition. The diagnosis of eosinophilic annular erythema was made with clinical-pathological correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Eosinophilic annular erythema is a rare entity in adulthood, which requires a histopathological study and its clinical correlation, in order to differentiate it from other dermatoses that present annular configuration, since the therapeutic response may be compromised with misdiagnosis. As it is a low prevalence disease, its cause has not been identified, so it would be advisable to search for genetic and/or epigenetic factors that could be associated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify clinical and complete blood count differences between pediatric hospitalized patients with sickle cell disease infected or not by SARS-CoV-2 and compare the complete blood count of patients with sickle cell disease infected by SARS-CoV-2 before hospitalization and on admission. Methods: This study was a single-center prospective cohort. Data were collected from medical records of pediatric inpatients with sickle cell disease under 18 years old infected or not with SARS-CoV-2 from the first visit to the hospital until discharge and from the last medical appointment. All patients were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by the real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: Among 57 pediatric patients with sickle cell disease hospitalized from March to November 2020 in a Brazilian academic hospital, 11 (19.3%) had a positive result for SARSCoV-2. Patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 had a higher prevalence of comorbidities than the ones who were not infected (63.6 vs. 30.4%; p=0.046). During hospital stay, no clinical or complete blood count differences between groups were found. There was a decrease in eosinophil count on hospital admission in patients with sickle cell disease infected by SARS-CoV-2 (p=0.008). Conclusions: Pediatric hospitalized patients with sickle cell disease infected by SARS-CoV-2 had more comorbidities and had a decrease in eosinophil count between hospital admission and the last medical appointment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the correlation between eosinophil differential count and total protein and alkaline phosphatase levels in patients with normal and high levels of aspartate aminotransferase from a polyclinic in the district of Villa El Salvador in Lima, Peru. Materials and methods: An observational, analytical and correlational study conducted with apparently healthy male and female patients aged 18 years or older, showing normal and high levels of enzyme aspartate aminotransferase. The study included 279 patients who met the eligibility criteria. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to determine the correlation between eosinophil count and alkaline phosphatase and total protein in patients with normal and high levels of aspartate aminotransferase. Results: No correlation was found between the variables studied in the group with normal levels of aminotransferases. However, in the group with high levels of aspartate aminotransferase, a moderate and negative correlation was found between eosinophil count and total protein (Rho = -465) and a low and positive correlation between eosinophil count and alkaline phosphatase (Rho = 296). Conclusions: In the presence of aminotransferase levels above the normal range, eosinophils correlate with total protein and alkaline phosphatase. Further studies with a larger number of patients and greater methodological complexity are necessary to determine if the interaction between eosinophils and albumin and phosphatase is frequently seen with high levels of aminotransferases. Moreover, they are necessary to consider possible implications in the pathophysiology of chronic diseases associated with this enzyme, as well as possible clinical and therapeutic implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To perform a quantitative assessment of bronchial wall thickening and the emphysema score in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), comparing the eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic COPD phenotypes. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of patients with COPD followed between August 2018 and July 2019. The patients were divided into two groups by the eosinophil count in peripheral blood: eosinophilic (= 300 cells/µL); and noneosinophilic (< 300 cells/µL). Quantitative, automated assessments of emphysema and bronchial wall thickness were performed by evaluating computed tomography scans of the chest. Results: We evaluated the records of 110 patients diagnosed with COPD: 28 (25.5%) in the eosinophilic group; and 82 (74.5%) in the non-eosinophilic group. The demographic, clinical, functional, and therapeutic variables were comparable between the two groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the emphysema score or bronchial wall thickness (p > 0.05 for both). Conclusion: Patients with eosinophilic COPD do not appear to have lower emphysema scores or greater bronchial wall thickening than do those with non-eosinophilic phenotypes of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) of the cervix involve dysplastic change, or abnormal cell maturation and their progression can result in cervical carcinoma. Some studies have reported the importance of the immune system in the process of tumor progression. Therefore, it is important to characterize the inflammatory infiltration as a possible marker of prognosis. Aim: to analyze density of the inflammatory infiltrate in different degrees of SIL and in cervical cancer to understand local and systemic changes in the interactions between HPV associated cervical lesions and the immune system. Methods: one hundred and eight (108) cervical biopsy specimens were obtained from patients treated at the tertiary hospital and were stratified into four groups: Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), cervical cancer (CC) and negative for intraepithelial lesion and malignancy (NILM). Histomorphometric analysis was performed from the identification and quantification of inflammatory cells in ten (10) fields per sample in images captured by a digital system and analyzed using the software Leica Qwin Pro V 3.5.1, Leica Microsystems Ltd. Differences between groups were evaluated by Anova followed by Tukey test. Tests yielding p values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: we found a significant increase in the average number of lymphocytes (cells/mm² and cells/field) in samples of CC in relation to the other groups. No statistical difference was observed in relation to neutrophils, plasma cells and eosinophils. Conclusion: cervical cancer specimens had significantly more lymphocytes than NILM, or LSIL and HSIL, suggesting that this cell type plays a central role in cellular immunity against cervical carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the prevalence of blood eosinophilia in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) according to different cut-off points. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in patients with COPD. The frequency of blood eosinophilia was determined by absolute (cells/ µL) and relative (%) eosinophil count. Multivariate methods were used in order to identify the associated factors. Results: 81 patients were included; the mean age was 71.9 ± 9.8 years; 46 (57%) of the patients were men. The prevalence of eosinophilia for the cut-off points of ≥ 100, ≥ 150, ≥ 200, ≥ 300, and ≥ 400 cells/µL was of 64.2%, 37.0%, 16.1%, and 9.9% respectively. Out of 81 patients, 34 (42%) had a relative eosinophil concentration of ≥ 2%; 21 (25.9%) ≥ 3%; 14 patients (17.3%) had ≥ 4%; and 10 patients (12.3%) had ≥ 5%. Eosinophilia of ≥ 100 cells/µL was associated with age of ≥ 80 years (OR = 6.04, p = 0.026), and with the exacerbation of COPD (OR = 9.40, p = 0.038); in contrast, eosinophilia of ≥ 2% was associated only with age of ≥ 80 years (OR = 3.73, p = 0.020). In addition, the eosinophil count of ≥ 100 and < 300 cells/ µL was associated with the exacerbation of COPD (OR = 11.00, p = 0.026). Conclusions: Our results suggest that the frequency of eosinophilia in the context of COPD shows substantial variations according to the used definition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the prevalence of blood eosinophilia in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) according to different cut-off points. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in patients with COPD. The frequency of blood eosinophilia was determined by absolute (cells/ µL) and relative (%) eosinophil count. Multivariate methods were used in order to identify the associated factors. Results: 81 patients were included; the mean age was 71.9 ± 9.8 years; 46 (57%) of the patients were men. The prevalence of eosinophilia for the cut-off points of ≥ 100, ≥ 150, ≥ 200, ≥ 300, and ≥ 400 cells/µL was of 64.2%, 37.0%, 16.1%, and 9.9% respectively. Out of 81 patients, 34 (42%) had a relative eosinophil concentration of ≥ 2%; 21 (25.9%) ≥ 3%; 14 patients (17.3%) had ≥ 4%; and 10 patients (12.3%) had ≥ 5%. Eosinophilia of ≥ 100 cells/µL was associated with age of ≥ 80 years (OR = 6.04, p = 0.026), and with the exacerbation of COPD (OR = 9.40, p = 0.038); in contrast, eosinophilia of ≥ 2% was associated only with age of ≥ 80 years (OR = 3.73, p = 0.020). In addition, the eosinophil count of ≥ 100 and < 300 cells/ µL was associated with the exacerbation of COPD (OR = 11.00, p = 0.026). Conclusions: Our results suggest that the frequency of eosinophilia in the context of COPD shows substantial variations according to the used definition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the frequency and type of non-classical histopathological characteristics of skin psoriasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational, prolective, descriptive and cross-sectional study, carried out in the Department of Dermatopathology of the Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, from January 1999 to December 2019. Patients with a histological diagnosis of psoriasiform dermatitis compatible with skin psoriasis were selected. Non-classical histopathological features of skin psoriasis were assessed. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. RESULTS: 88 cases of skin psoriasis were included. The most frequent classic histopathological feature was parakeratosis (98%). The non-classical histopathological features were: dermal neutrophils (69 of 88), spongiosis (61 of 88), necrotic keratinocytes (54 of 88), compact orthokeratosis (38 of 88), dermal eosinophils (37 of 88), focal hypergranulosis (29 of 88), irregular acanthosis (26 of 88), lichenoid interface (18 of 88), epidermal eosinophils (10 of 88) and vacuolar alterations of the dermoepidermal junction (3 of 88). CONCLUSION: Plaque psoriasis is a common disorder. The most relevant classic histopathological feature is parakeratosis. The predominant non-classical histopathological feature was the coexistence of dermal neutrophils, especially in patients with plaque psoriasis, guttate and inverted psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy (EBP) is characterized by pulmonary infiltration with eosinophils. The etiology of canine EBP remains unclear, although hypersensitivity to aeroallergens is suspected. Dogs affected are usually young. The persistent cough is the most common clinical sign, often associated with respiratory difficulty and exercise intolerance. The diagnosis is based on signalment, radiographic and bronchoscopic findings, and the tissue eosiphilic infiltration demonstrated by cytology of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). No reports were found in Brazil. The aim of this paper is report four cases of canine BPE, with emphasis on clinical aspects, diagnosis and therapy. Cases: Case 1. A 18-month-old female dog with 12 kg of body weight was presented for consultation with a 60-day history of cough, inappetence and weariness. It presented cough and tachypnea. The complementary exams demonstrated peripheral eosinophilia, bronchointersticial pulmonary pattern on radiography, moderate amount of mucus on bronchoscopy and tissue eosinophilis infiltration on the BAL. The treatment was based on steroids, with improvement of clinical signs. Case 2. A 24-month-old female dog with 16 kg of body weight was presented for consultation with one-year history of cough, inappetence and lethargy. It presented only cough, and in complementary exams showed transitory peripheral eosinophilia, bronchointersticial pattern on radiography and predominantly eosinophilic inflammation on citology of BAL. The therapy was based on steroids, with improvement followed by worsening of signs, with need of readjustment of doses. Case 3. A 8-year-old male dog with 6.2 kg of body weight was presented for consultation with 3-weeks history of productive cough, vomiting and weight loss. The complementary exams showed peripheral eosinophilia, bronchointersticial pulmonary pattern on radiography and eosinophils infiltration on cytology of BAL. It was used steroids as therapy, with improvement of signs. Case 4. A 2-month-old female dog with 2.8 kg of body weight was presented for consultation with 3-days history of cough, nasal discharge and inappetence. It presented severe expiratory dyspnoea, tachypnea, harsh cough, lung crackles on auscultation and lethargy. The complementary exams demonstrated leukocytosis by peripheral eosinophilia and neutrophilia, bronchointersticial and alveolar pulmonar radiographic pattern. The therapy was started with steroids, febendazole and antibiotics. Tracheal swab was obtained and it showed eosinophilic inflammation on cytology. After 20- days treatment, the signs improved. Maintenance therapy was performed with steroids. Discussion: The EBP is usually reported in young patients, as described in three cases. The cough showed predominant clinically, associated with lethargy and inappetence in half of cases, as well as with dyspnea and weariness. The peripheral eosinophilia was observed in all patients, although transient in one of them, not being mandatory for the diagnosis. Despite there are not a specific radiographic pattern to the diagnosis, the bronchointersticial pattern was common to the four animals, with worsening of the radiographic findings possibly related to worsening clinical findings. The definitive diagnosis made through identification of eosinophilic inflammatory infiltration by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Steroid therapy proved to be effective in the four cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Management of severe eosinophilic asthma includes typing to identify allergic, eosinophilic and non-HT2 phenotypes. Elevated eosinophil levels are associated with higher IL-5 levels. Eosinophils during their migration to target tissues secrete proteins that damage the activated bronchial epithelium and correlate with asthma severity. Mepolizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds and neutralizes IL-5. Objectives: To describe experience with the use of biological anti interleukin 5 Mepolizumab. Methods: Case report, descriptive study. We included patients with severe uncontrolled asthma, a history of rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis and/or EREA. Eosinophils 150 cells/μL, FeNO 25 ppb and spirometry with obstructive pattern. Results: 6 women with a diagnosis of severe asthma were included. Initial eosinophil values of 180 - 630 cél/μL, IgE 176 - 2500 Ui/ml, FENO 23 -39, ACT at 2, 4 and 6 months of use, minimum of 9 and maximum end of 25. Significant improvement in the ACT test from the first two months of use, decreased inhaled steroid and 0 to 2 exacerbations in 6 months. Conclusion: There are multiple studies, there are no statistically significant reports to demonstrate superiority with the use of a specific biological, together with the different economic limitations that exist in the country. It is necessary to identify target populations with phenotypes that will respond to a specific therapy and direct treatment. In Mexico there are few hospitals with these therapies, it is necessary to continue with the constant evaluation and contribution of information to find the right treatment for the Mexican population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A descriptive and cross-sectional study of 64 patients older than 18 years, in which 31 presented neurosis and 33 situational reaction due to stress who were diagnosed and assisted in the Psychiatry Service of "Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso" Teaching General Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, was carried out in the period of May to November, 2013, aimed at determining the characteristics of the blood tissue in them. To such effects hematological tests were made in all the series that were statistically analyzed through the percentage calculation, the mean and mean standard deviation. It could be concluded that neither monocytes nor basophilic existed in none of the patients, and that in those affected with situational reaction the eosinophilic appeared diminished, while in those that suffered from neurosis the cortisol had increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The nasosinusal polyposis is the result of a chronic inflammatory process characterized by a cellular infiltration of eosinophils, which collaborate often to pathologies such as asthma; nevertheless, other cellular types are also involved in its physiopathology as neutrophils which have different clinical behavior, being necessary specific treatments. OBJECTIVES: To describe and to characterize the leukocitary compartment in patients with nasosinusal polyposis of the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases of Mexico, and to identify cases of nasosinusal polyposis with neutrophil not syndromic predominance. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective, cross-sectional, observational and comparative study of absolute and percentage eosinophil and neutrophil quantification was made in samples obtained from 123 patients submitted to endoscopic surgery due to nasosinusal polyposis diagnosis. Clinical characteristics of patients with nasosinusal polyposis were identified by reviewing clinical records, splitting into 4 groups in accordance with histological characteristics and association to syndromes. RESULTS: 27 (22%) patients were identified with neutrophilic infiltration more than 60%; while 96 (78%) patients had eosinophilic predominance more than 60%. In the analysis of logistic regression statistical interrelation was not found between the quantity of eosinophils and neutrophils with the clinical recurrence (p=0.649 in the group with syndromic eosinophilic predominance and p=0.756 in the group with not syndromic neutrophilic predominance). CONCLUSIONS: There was not found statistical difference between the type of predominant leukocitary compartment respect to recurrence and presurgical endoscopic degree, which suggests that it is necessary to measure the proinflammatory factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asthma attacks approximately 300 million people every year with an overload on health systems and government budget. New perspectives on the function of inflammatory cells and cytokines involved in the allergic immune response have been proposed. Current review deals with foreign scientific publications, written in English, retrieved by research engine MEDLINE/PubMed, from May to July 2014. Recent discoveries on mastocytes, smooth muscular cells of the aerial pathways, eosinophils and Th2 cytokines have been underscored. Mastocytes are more active in the aerial pathways of patients with serious asthma problems and may be activated by an alternative pathway to the classical crossed link with IgE. They may even induce the polarization of T cells. The smooth muscle cells of the aerial pathways are a source of cytokines and chemiokines which help in the signaling/recruitment of the inflammatory process. Eosinophils are protagonist cells in asthma and may be recruited by different classes of eotaxin. IL-33 is related to the early stages of inflammation, helping the construction of the immune response by stimulating the release of IL-5 and IL-13 which act in cell recruitment and signaling. Further studies are required to deepen information on these perspectives to identify new alternatives for the treatment of asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sepsis is considered a public health problem and, due high cost of medical care, diverse prognoses models has been developed to estimate the disease severity and to help physicians in the treatment decisions. Objective: Compare two clinical scales (APACHE II, LODS) with biomarkers (lactate and eosinophils) as predictors of mortality. Patients and method: Analytical cross-sectional, prospective and prolective study. Were included adult patients with sepsis diagnosis or septic shock hospitalized in the Internal Medicine service in hospitals of second level of care from Secretaría de Salud del Distrito Federal (SSDF). Lactate and eosinophils were quantified, as well as APACHE II and LODS scores, at income and in the follow-up 28 days later. results: There were no significant differences between the groups of patients with sepsis or septic shock in relation with age, sex, schooling or infectious focus. A concentration of lactate ≥ 1.8 mmol/L is a placeholder with greater certainty in diagnoses through an index of Pearson correlation (0.65). Conclusions: lactate proved to be a biomarker that correlates directly with the mortality of patients with septic shock in relation to clinical scales that require higher inputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: to determine the levels of eosinophils, lymphocytes and neutrophils produced with the Bursera sp. medicinal plant infusion Materials and methods: five healthy individuals were selected. Initially, white cells percentages were determined by cell blood count. Then, previous informed consent, they were given a daily intake of 5 g of Bursera sp tree bark. Subsequently, cell blood count was performed after 17 days (first sampling) and after 31 days (second sampling). Results: in most cases the increase in eosinophils and neutrophils, lymphocytes remained low. Discussion: these results may indicate an immunomodulatory effect of Bursera sp infusion especially on lymphocytes, showing this plant as a therapeutic alternative for transplant immunology and in autoimmune diseases since a decrease in lymphocytes was noticed when neutrophils and eosinophils increased. Due to the small sample and incomplete adherence to some of the individuals in the study, it is relevant to carry out studies with a larger sample and additional analysis such as serum immunoglobulins and flow cytometry to determine whether the decrease of lymphocytes affected the T lymphocytes, the B ones or both. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work was conducted to verity the possibility to identify adult sheep that are resistant to parasites by using a parasitological marker (direct), immunological markers (indirect) or by the association of both types of markers. Twenty ewes were sampled monthly for blood and faeces, from July of 1998 to June of 1999. Faecal egg counts (FEC) was chosen as parasitological marker. The number of peripheral eosinophils, IgE and IgG anti-Haemonchus contortus were used as immunological markers. Sheep could be classified as resistant or susceptible by FEC. Both peripheral eosinophils and specific IgE data could be joined to FEC in order to identify resistant or susceptible animals. The number of peripheral eosinophils was the only immunological maker that was able to classify high and low FEC ewes in two different groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Determine whether the presence of conjunctival eosinophils contribute to the diagnosis of ocular allergy. Material and Methods: Observational, prospective, diagnostic tests, nonrandomized study, conducted at the Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza - Ophthalmology Service in the period November 2008 - April 2009, where we studied the presence of conjunctival eosinophils in patients with clinical diagnosis of ocular allergy and respective healthy controls. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio were determined. Results: 48 patients entered and divided into two groups: patients with clinical diagnosis of ocular allergy (n = 33) and healthy controls (n = 15); from first group, 30 patients (90.9%) had eosinophils in the conjunctival secretion; the second group, 15 patients (100%), did not show eosinophils in the conjunctival secretion. The sensitivity was 90.91%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%, negative predictive value 83.33%, positive likelihood ratio could not be identified and negative likelihood ratio 0.09. Conclusions: The presence of conjunctival eosinophils is a test that shows appropriate indices of security and validity in diagnosis, particularly specificity and positive predictive value, making it a complementary and relevant diagnostic test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (LACG) is a T-cell lymphoma of pleomorphic CD30-positive cells. According to the expression of the chimeric protein ALK, LACG can be divided into three groups: systemic LACG ALK-positive, systemic LACG ALK-negative, and primary cutaneous LACG ALK-negative. According to the new WHO/EORTC classification, primary cutaneous LACG is included in the cutaneous T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. We report an infrequent variant of primary cutaneous LACG. A 54-year old man presented with a 5 cm mass in the skin of his right gluteus, which had been present for six months without systemic involvement. Histological findings revealed a diffuse dermal infiltration of large CD3, CD43, CD30-positive, ALK-negative T-cells. Mixed with the neoplastic cells, there was a profuse infiltrate of neutrophils and eosinophils, establishing the diagnosis of neutrophil and eosinophil-rich primary cutaneous LACG. The presence of an increased number of neutrophils and/or eosinophils without necrosis, ulceration or infection is a rare finding in lymphomas, even more rare is the location in the skin of which only 16 cases have been reported in the literature. It is important to be aware of these findings in the differential diagnosis with other reactive or neoplastic entities that are more often accompanied by mixed inflammatory infiltrate, and with a different prognosis and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Eosinophil cells are white blood family cells (leucocytes) implicated in multiple ailments derived from bone marrow. OBJECTIVE To demonstrate the utility of the eosinophil cells in nasal mucus technique, in diagnosing allergic rhinitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients' total was 73: 32 male and 41 female, in an age range that goes from 0 to 65 years. It was applied a protocol testing the following tests: eosinophil cells in nasal mucus, hematic biometry, IgE in serum and 3-series coproparasitoscopic. RESULTS Almost 40% of the patients have positive diagnosis of probable allergic rhinitis. There is minimal female predominance (56.1%) over male (43.8%). The prevailing age range was 0 to 10 years. CONCLUSIONS Eosinophil cells test in nasal mucus by itself is not definitive but an important diagnostic support element because it allows, as a protocol part with other tests, a diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]