Mycobacterium leprae Growth in a MGIT Broth Culture Tube

A hanseníase é uma doença infectocontagiosa, causada pela bactéria Mycobacterium leprae, com importância em saúde pública por gerar incapacidades motoras e sensitivas ao indivíduo acometido, necessitando de intervenção multidisciplinar. Datada de 4.300 a.C., é diagnosticada através de exame dermato neurológico e tratada de acordo com as formas apresentadas, utilizando protocolos recomendados pela Organização Mundial de Saúde. Em virtude do comprometimento gerado, este estudo tem como objetivo estabelecer alternativas terapêuticas podológicas atualizadas que favoreçam a reinserção do paciente hanseniano na sociedade e de políticas públicas de saúde na prevenção de suas complicações. Para isso, foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica qualitativa com diversas bases de dados e sites oficiais. A atenção podológica no atendimento ao paciente hanseniano, após a avaliação clínica e a realização de testes neuropáticos é fundamental para a redução dos riscos de amputação, bem como o tratamento adequado das lesões. No entanto, mesmo diante dos diversos avanços nas terapias utilizadas, a erradicação da doença ainda não foi possível, sendo necessário um acompanhamento multidisciplinar, com destaque para a podologia, objetivando a promoção de melhora no quadro clínico dos acometidos.

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In Vitro Screening of Azalea for Resistance to Azalea Lace Bug

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.33.3.506b ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 506b-506

Author(s):

Carol D. Robacker ◽

S.K. Braman

Keyword(s):

Leaf Damage ◽

In Vitro Screening ◽

Screening Assay ◽

Delaware Valley ◽

In Vitro Techniques ◽

Culture Tube ◽

Lace Bug ◽

Lace Bugs ◽

Laboratory Bioassays

Azalea lace bug (Stephanitis pyrioides) is the most serious pest on azalea. Results of laboratory bioassays and field evaluations of 17 deciduous azalea taxa have identified three resistant taxa: R. canescens, R. periclymenoides, and R. prunifolium. Highly susceptible taxa are `Buttercup', `My Mary', R. oblongifolium, and the evergreen cultivar `Delaware Valley White'. To determine whether in vitro techniques would have potential value in screening or selecting for resistance, or for the identification of morphological or chemical factors related to resistance, an in-vitro screening assay was developed. In-vitro shoot proliferation was obtained using the medium and procedures of Economou and Read (1984). Shoots used in the bioassays were grown in culture tubes. Two assays were developed: one for nymphs and one for adult lace bugs. To assay for resistance to nymphs, `Delaware Valley White' leaves containing lace bug eggs were disinfested with 70% alcohol and 20% commercial bleach, and incubated in sterile petri plates with moistened filter paper until the nymphs hatched. Five nymphs were placed in each culture tube, and cultures were incubated for about 2 weeks, or until adults were observed. To assay for resistance to adults, five female lace bugs were placed in each culture tube and allowed to feed for 5 days. Data collected on survival and leaf damage was generally supportive of laboratory bioassays and field results. Adult lace bugs had a low rate of survival on resistant taxa. Survival of nymphs was somewhat reduced on resistant taxa.

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Recent Advancement in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Leprosy

Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1568026618666181025100434 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (18) ◽

pp. 1550-1558

Author(s):

Muhammad Aamir ◽

Asma Sadaf ◽

Sehroon Khan ◽

Shagufta Perveen ◽

Afsar Khan

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Drug Treatment ◽

Mycobacterium Leprae ◽

Neglected Diseases ◽

Specific Drug ◽

Genetic Studies ◽

Vitamin D Receptors ◽

Micro Rnas ◽

Leprosy Patients ◽

Skin Biopsies

Background: Many of the tropical diseases are neglected by the researchers and medicinal companies due to lack of profit and other interests. The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) is established to overcome the problems associated with these neglected diseases. According to a report published by the WHO, leprosy (Hansen's disease) is also a neglected infectious disease. Methods: A negligible amount of advancements has been made in last few decades which includes the tools of diagnosis, causes, treatment, and genetic studies of the bacterium (Mycobacterium leprae) that causes leprosy. The diagnosis of leprosy at earlier stages is important for its effective treatment. Recent studies on vitamin D and its receptors make leprosy diagnosis easier at earlier stages. Skin biopsies and qPCR are the other tools to identify the disease at its initial stages. Results: Until now a specific drug for the treatment of leprosy is not available, therefore, Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) is used, which is hazardous to health. Besides Mycobacterium leprae, recently a new bacterium Mycobacterium lepromatosis was also identified as a cause of leprosy. During the last few years the genetic studies of Mycobacterium leprae, the role of vitamin D and vitamin D receptors (VDR), and the skin biopsies made the treatment and diagnosis of leprosy easier at early stages. The studies of micro RNAs (miRNAs) made it easy to differentiate leprosy from other diseases especially from tuberculosis. Conclusion: Leprosy can be distinguished from sarcoidosis by quantitative study of reticulin fibers present in skin. The treatment used until now for leprosy is multi-drug treatment. The complete genome identification of Mycobacterium leprae makes the research easy to develop target specified drugs for leprosy. Rifampicin, identified as a potent drug, along with other drugs in uniform multi-drug treatment, has a significant effect when given to leprosy patients at initial stages. These are effective treatments but a specific drug for leprosy is still needed to be identified. The current review highlights the use of modern methods for the identification of leprosy at its earlier stages and the effective use of drugs alone as well as in combination.

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