Schistosomiasis mansoni

v. 42 – no.4 – out./dez. 2005 Arq Gastroenterol 221
ARTIGO ORIGINAL / ORIGINAL ARTICLE
ARQGA/1192
INTRODUCTION
Schistosomiasis mansoni is the most common fibrotic disease worldwide. It is usually characterized by an unnoticed acute phase, followed by a chronic phase that can present a few or no clinical manifestations. In some cases it can progress to more aggressive forms, associated with the development of periportal fibrosis(7), and portal hypertension(18). Some patients can present sinusoidal reaction with hypertrophy and stratification of the endothelium and perisinusoidal fibrosis(2, 10). These changes lead to the deposition of key components of the basal membrane, namely laminin and type IV collagen around the basal membrane of surrounding blood vessels and bile ducts(14,16). An increased deposit of extra cellular matrix components has been observed, such as type III collagen in the fibrotic process, and types I and II collagen, fibronectin and proteoglycan at various stages of granuloma formation(1, 11, 13, 30).
Different diagnostic approaches, such as liver biopsy(15, 29), serum markers by immunoradiometric (RIA), immunoenzymatic (EIA) and immunoelectrophoretic method have been used in order to detect liver fibrosis at early phases(4, 5). There have been difficulties in establishing which of these is at the same time less invasive and a reliable method to be used in schistosomiasis patients, and the diagnostic value of the serum markers is still inaccurate(12, 20, 21, 23). In advanced forms of schistosomiasis, liver ultrasonography, a non-invasive method, can be performed on a large number of patients and has an adequate sensitivity and specificity in the detection of periportal fibrosis(19, 27). The World Health Organization has recommended its use in schistosomiasis patients while also proposing guidelines for an adequate examination(28).
Our aim was to determine serum type IV collagen and laminin levels in different clinical forms of patients with schistosomiasis.
HIGH SERUM LAMININ AND TYPE IV COLLAGEN LEVELS IN SCHISTOSOMIASIS MANSONI
Rozangela Maria de Almeida Fernandes WYSZOMIRSKA1,
Nancy Fusae NISHIMURA2, Jazon Romilson Souza ALMEIDA2,
Ademar YAMANAKA2 and Elza Cotrim SOARES2
ABSTRACT - Background - Fibrosis is the process of excessive deposition of collagen and other extra cellular matrix components and large amounts of these components have been shown in periovular schistosomal granulomas, especially in the liver. Laminin and type IV collagen have been investigated in various hepatic disorders but their accuracy in fibrosis detection and in the evaluation of its progression in schistosomiasis have not been fully explained. Aim - To measure the serum levels of two markers of fibrosis, laminin and type IV collagen in schistosomiasis. Patients and Methods - Sixty-four patients with different clinical forms of schistosomiasis mansoni: intestinal (group I), hepatointestinal (group II), compensated (group III) and decompensated hepatosplenic (group IV) and 18 healthy volunteers were included. Results - Serum type IV collagen and laminin levels were significantly increased in patients compared to controls. At about clinical forms, serum type IV collagen was increased in groups II and IV, compared to controls and was significantly higher in group IV than in group I. Serum laminin was significantly increased in groups II, III and IV and was significantly higher in group IV than in group II. Serum type IV collagen was closely correlated with serum laminin in groups II and IV. Conclusions - Connective tissue marker levels did not correlate with periportal thickness. In schistosomiasis mansoni there is an increase of type IV collagen and laminin levels at the initial stage of the disease, as well as in advanced forms. We also suggest that these markers may be a useful predictor of disease progression. HEADINGS – Schistosomiasis mansoni. Collagen type IV. Laminin. Liver cirrhosis.
1 Department of Internal Medicine, University of Alagoas, Maceió, AL; 2 Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, BrazilAddress for correspondence: Dra. Rozangela M. Almeida Fernandes Wyszomirska - Desportista Humberto Guimarães, 342/201 – Ponta Verde - 57035 - 030 – Maceió, AL., Brazil. E-mail: rozangelaf@uol.com.br
222 Arq Gastroenterol v. 42 – no.4 – out./dez. 2005
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Sixty-four consecutive patients diagnosed with schistosomiasis
mansoni (31 male and 33 female, mean age 39.11 ± 14.79 years, range 14–74 years) between April 1996 and July 1997 at the Liver Clinic, University of Campinas Medical Hospital, Campinas, SP, Brazil, were enrolled in this study. Schistosomiasis was diagnosed by the presence of the S. mansoni ova in stool samples, and/or rectal biopsy, and by liver ultrasonography. Exclusion criteria were pregnancy, alcoholism, chronic active hepatitis, positive serology for HIV and hepatitis B or C, and the presence of other infectious diseases affecting the liver.
Patients were separated into four groups for different clinical forms: intestinal, hepatointestinal, compensated hepatosplenic and decompensated hepatosplenic, according to Coutinho’s criteria(7) (Figure1). Another group, composed of 18 healthy volunteers (10 male and 8 female, mean age 37.61 ±
10.42 years, range 24–59 years) was also included as determined by medical history, physical examination, absence of alcoholism and conventional laboratory screening, including negative serology for HIV (EIA), hepatitis B and C.
Clinical form
Parameters
Group I -
Intestinal form (FI)
Presence of S. mansoni ova
No hepatomegaly
Group II –
Hepatointestinal (HI)
Presence of S. mansoni ova
Hepatomegaly
Group III –
Hepatosplenic compensated (HSC)
Presence of S. mansoni ova
Hepatomegaly
Splenomegaly
Group IV –
Hepatosplenic decompensated (HSD)
Presence of S. mansoni ova
Hepatomegaly
Splenomegaly
Esophageal varices hemorrhage or ascitis or evidence of jaundice
FIGURE 1 – Classification of clinical forms in schistosomiasis according to Coutinho(7)
The study was approved by the State University of Campinas Medical School Ethics Committee, and performed according to the Declaration of Helsinki. All subjects signed a written informed consent form prior to entering the study.
Laboratory screening consisted of complete blood count, determination of AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γGT), and bilirrubin levels. Prothrombin time and serology for HIV (EIA), hepatitis B and C were also determined.
All patients and healthy volunteers underwent liver ultrasonography according to the World Health Organization (WHO) protocol(28) using a Toshiba Sonolayer SSA, 3.75 MHz and linear/convex probe (Japan). The criteria are shown in Figure 2.
Ultrasound parameters
Measurement
Right lobe (mm)
Up to 140 – normal
Less than 140 – decreased
Left lobe (mm)
Less than 70 - normal
Up to 70 – increased
Periportal thickness (mm)
Grade 0 – less than 3
Grade I – between 3 and 5
Grade II – over 5 and up to 7
Grade III – above 7
Portal vein diameter (mm)
Less 12 – normal
Up to 12 - increased
Spleen size (mm)
Less 120 – normal
Up to 120 – increased
Gallbladder wall thickness (mm)
Less 5 – normal
Up to 5 – increased
Ascitis
Absence – normal
Presence – positive for ascitis
FIGURE 2 – Ultrasound parameters according to World Health Organization
protocol(28)
Blood samples were collected from all the subjects, the serum separated and stored at –20oC until assayed for laminin and type IV collagen levels. An immunoenzymatic sandwich method (EIA) with monoclonal antibodies (hLM and Panassay IV –C kits, respectively, was used. (Fuji Chemical Industries, Takaoka, Japan).
All values are expressed as mean + s.e.m. The means were compared using the Kruskal–Wallis and Wilcoxon tests. The Pearson linear coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between the periportal thickness measured by ultrasonography and the serum levels of laminin as well as the periportal thickness and the serum levels of type IV collagen. The same method was used to determine the correlations between type IV collagen and laminin. Tests were considered statistically significant at P <0.05.
RESULTS
The healthy volunteers had normal laboratory screening, including normal ultrasonography. All schistosomiasis patients had negative markers for hepatitis B and C, as well as negative serology for HIV. Except for groups III and IV, AST, ALT, alkaline phosphates, γGT and bilirubin levels were within normal range (Table 1).
Ultrasonography scans have demonstrated reduction of the right lobe and increase of the left lobe of the liver, particularly in-group IV (data not shown). There was a significant increase (P <0.05) in periportal thickness in groups
Wyszomirska RMAF, Nishimura NF, Almeida JRS, Yamanaka A, Soares EC. High serum laminin and type IV collagen levels in schistosomiasis mansoni
v. 42 – no.4 – out./dez. 2005 Arq Gastroenterol 223
FIGURE 3 – Serum type IV collagen compared to different clinical forms of schistosomiasis
I: intestinal form; II: hepatointestinal form; III: compensated hepatosplenic form;
IV: decompensated hepatosplenic form
*significant at P <0.05
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
III
IV
II
IV
I
IV
II
III
I
III
I
II
*
FIGURE 4 – Serum laminin compared to different clinical forms of schistosomiasis
Group I intestinal form; group II hepatointestinal form; group III compensated hepatosplenic form;
group IV decompensated hepatosplenic form
*significant at P<0.05
1000
800
600
400
200
0
III
IV
II
IV
I
IV
II
III
I
III
I
II
*
FIGURE 5 – Mean type IV collagen correlated with mean laminin in patients with schistosomiasis
*significant at P <0.05
Concentração de colágeno tipo IV (ng/ml)
Concentração de laminina (ng/ml)
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
r = 0.464
p < 0.05
TABLE 1 - Conventional liver function tests of patients with different clinical forms of schistosomiasis
Clinical forms
Parameters
Group I
(n = 18)
Group II
(n = 17)
Group III
(n = 12)
Group IV
(n = 17)
Leukocyte count
6.798 ± 463.1
6.376 ± 419.1
3.280 ± 374.1
4.670 ± 496.7
AST (U/l)
23.7 ± 1.6
25.5 ± 2.7
32.4 ± 2.5
43.0 ± 4.2
ALT (U/l)
22.0 ± 2.3
25.8 ± 3.8
28.6 ± 4.0
34.4 ± 4.3
γ-GT (U/l)
52.8 ± 6.9
82.9 ± 21.0
34.7 ± 4.0
117.9 ± 28.3
Alkaline phosphatase (U/l)
157.8 ± 53.8
138.5 ± 18.4
178.4 ± 24.0
250.4 ± 35.8
Albumin (g/L)
3.9 ± 0.2
4.2 ± 0.1
3.7 ± 0.1
3.5 ± 0.1
Direct bilirrubin (mg/dL)
0.5 ± 0.05
0.9 ± 0.02
1.3 ± 0.2
1.1 ± 0.1
Platelet count (x103/mm3)
235.9 ± 11.0
209.5 ± 18.2
70.6 ± 9.7
136.1 ± 30.1
AST = aspartate aminotransferase; ALT = alanine aminotransferase; γGT = γ-glutamyl transferase; group I intestinal form; group II hepatointestinal form; group III compensated hepatosplenic form; group IV decompensated hepatosplenic form
III and IV (4.2 ± 1.1 mm and 4.5 ± 1.6 mm, respectively), compared to controls (0.8 ± 0.6 mm). In addition, there was a significant increase (P <0.05) in periportal thickness in groups III and IV compared to group I and in group IV compared to group II.
Type IV collagen
Mean serum type IV collagen was significantly increased (P <0.001) in schistosomiasis patients, compared to controls (92.3 ± 54.3 ng/mL vs. 57.7 ± 18.0 ng/mL, respectively).
Type IV collagen levels were also significantly increased (P <0.05) in groups II and IV compared to the control group (P <0.05) (Table 2) and in group IV compared to group I (P <0.05) (Figure 3).
TABLE 2 - Serum levels of type IV collagen and laminin in different clinical forms of schistosomiasis as compared to control subjects
Clinical forms
Type IV collagen (ng/mL)
mean ± SD
Laminin (ng/mL)
mean ± SD
Group I
82.7 ± 51.23
326.4 ± 79.8
Group II
107.7 ± 709*
373.4 ± 94.0*
Group III
86.6 ± 42.0
437.9 ± 184.9*
Group IV
135.1 ± 60.7*
436.7 ± 69.5*
Controls
57.2 ± 18.04
289.7 ± 50.9
Group I intestinal form; group II hepatointestinal form; group III compensated hepatosplenic form;
group IV decompensated hepatosplenic form
*significant at P <0.05
Laminin
Similarly, mean serum laminin was also significantly increased (P <0.001) in schistosomiasis patients (367.3 ± 112.6 ng/mL vs. 289.7 ± 50.9 ng/mL), and in groups II, III and IV compared to controls (P <0.05) (Table 2) and in groups III/IV compared to group I (P <0.05) (Figure 4).
We found a positive correlation (r = 0.464; P <0.05) between type IV collagen and laminin results in schistosomiasis patients (Figure 5), mainly in groups II and IV (r = 0.740; P <0.05 and r = 0.583; P <0.05 respectively) (Figure 6).
Wyszomirska RMAF, Nishimura NF, Almeida JRS, Yamanaka A, Soares EC. High serum laminin and type IV collagen levels in schistosomiasis mansoni
*
224 Arq Gastroenterol v. 42 – no.4 – out./dez. 2005
No correlation was found between the degree of fibrosis measured by ultrasound and the levels of type IV collagen or between periportal thickness and laminin.
DISCUSSION
The present study was carried out to study matrix components, such as type IV collagen and laminin and their relationship with different forms of schistosomiasis mansoni.
In hepatosplenic schistosomiasis patients (groups III and IV), conventional liver function test results were slightly altered, but normal in all other groups.
Mean serum levels of type IV collagen were increased in all the groups. However, these results were statistically significant (P <0.05) only in groups II and IV.
Some authors have shown that type IV collagen is correlated to hepatic fibrosis in alcohol liver disease mainly in early stages(3, 6, 26). Nevertheless, SHAHIN et al.(22) suggested that in contrast to alcoholic disease type IV, procollagen was only increased in the late stages of schistosomiasis, thus being a good marker for advanced stages of fibrosis. In this same study the patients
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
0 300 350 400 450 500 550 600
r = 0.583
P < 0.05
Concentração de colágeno tipo IV (ng/mL)
Concentração de laminina (ng/mL)
Concentração de colágeno tipo IV (ng/mL)
Concentração de laminina (ng/mL)
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
r = 0.740
P < 0.05
0 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650
A
B
FIGURE 6 – Mean type IV collagen correlated with mean laminin in-group II (A) and in-group IV (B) of schistosomiasis patients
*significant at P <0.05were classified into three different forms: a simple clinical form without hepatic involvement compensated hepatosplenic and decompensated hepatosplenic.
In our study, higher levels of type IV collagen were found in patients with hepatointestinal schistosomiasis, who were at an early stage of hepatic involvement. However, these higher levels were also found in those at advanced stages of the disease (group IV), compared to controls. We used Coutinho’s criteria(7), which present the clinical forms of the disease such as: intestinal, hepatointestinal, compensated hepatosplenic, and decompensated hepatosplenic forms. The different standards used in this classification might contribute towards the inconsistency of some data. Our results suggest that type IV collagen could be a marker for liver fibrosis in schistosomiasis in an early and later form of the disease.
In relation to laminin, the results showed high levels in all the groups but statistically significant (P <0.05) in groups II, III and IV. PARISE and ROSA(17), using a radioimmunoassay method, found the laminin levels significantly higher in schistosomiasis patients, in accordance with our results. Similar results were found by COLLAZOS et al.(6), who demonstrated high serum levels of laminin in alcohol liver disease and liver cirrhosis.
An interesting aspect of our study was the positive correlation between type IV collagen and laminin levels in groups II and IV of schistosomiasis. TSUTSUMI et al.(25) showed a positive correlation between type IV collagen and laminin in alcohol liver disease at an early stage of the disease, but the correlation diminished with the progression of the disease. They suggest that the initial syntheses of matrix components were high in the initial stage, decreasing with the progression of the disease. In contrast, we found a positive correlation with the progression of schistosomiasis, indicating a steady increase of type IV collagen and laminin, in advanced forms of the disease.
Different protocols for the evaluation of fibrosis in the hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis showed that ultrasonography is an adequate method for the diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis in advanced disease(8, 9). In our study, ultrasonography proved to be an adequate method for the diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis when important alterations, such as the periportal thickness, have already taken place. Nevertheless, we did not find a correlation between the ultrasonographic results and type IV collagen and laminin levels. Since type IV collagen and laminin can be detected at early stages, this could be useful in Public Health Services.
Thus, in schistosomiasis mansoni we can observe an increase of type IV collagen and laminin levels at the initial stage of the disease as well as in advanced forms. It is possible that after a substantial increase in basal levels, compatible with activation of matrix components, these markers became stable as the process became quiescent, and finally reaching higher levels that are correlated with advanced fibrosis. But further studies are necessary to clarify the predictive power of these serum markers.
In addition, ultrasonography seems to be an efficient method for detecting hepatic fibrosis particularly at advanced stages.
Wyszomirska RMAF, Nishimura NF, Almeida JRS, Yamanaka A, Soares EC. High serum laminin and type IV collagen levels in schistosomiasis mansoni
v. 42 – no.4 – out./dez. 2005 Arq Gastroenterol 225
Wyszomirska RMAF, Nishimura NF, Almeida JRS, Yamanaka A, Soares EC. Elevação dos níveis séricos de laminina e colágeno tipo IV na esquistossomose mansoni. Arq Gastroenterol 2005;42(4):221-5.RESUMO – Racional - A fibrose hepática é caracterizada por um aumento progressivo na quantidade do tecido conjuntivo hepático, que é formado pelo aumento na deposição de componentes da matriz extracelular, tendo sido encontrada grande quantidade desses componentes no fígado de pacientes com esquistossomose mansoni. A laminina e o colágeno tipo IV têm sido investigados em várias doenças hepáticas, mas seu papel na esquistossomose ainda não está esclarecido. Objetivos - Avaliar a fibrose hepática na esquistossomose mansoni através da determinação sérica de laminina e colágeno tipo IV, considerados marcadores séricos de fibrose hepática. Pacientes e Métodos - Foram incluídos 82 indivíduos, sendo 18 indivíduos normais, como controle e 64 pacientes com esquistossomose mansoni, em suas diferentes formas clínicas: intestinal (grupo I), hepatointestinal (grupo II), hepatoesplênica compensada (grupo III) e hepatoesplênica descompensada (grupo IV). Os níveis séricos de laminina e colágeno tipo IV foram determinados por método imunoenzimático sanduíche. Resultados - Os valores médios de colágeno tipo IV e laminina estiveram significativamente aumentados em pacientes com esquistossomose, quando comparados com os controles. Em relação às formas clínicas, os níveis séricos de colágeno tipo IV estiveram significativamente aumentados nos grupos II e IV, em relação aos controles e entre as formas hepatoesplênica descompensada e intestinal. Os níveis séricos de laminina estiveram significativamente aumentados nos grupos II, III e IV e entre o grupo IV e II. Não foi encontrada correlação entre os valores médios de colágeno tipo IV e laminina com o grau de espessamento periportal, detectado por ultra-sonografia. Foi encontrada correlação positiva entre colágeno tipo IV e laminina nos grupos II e IV. Conclusões - Os resultados mostram que existe aumento de produção de colágeno tipo IV e laminina na esquistossomose mansoni, surgindo altos níveis desde as fases iniciais do envolvimento hepático da doença, até as formas mais avançadas, sugerindo ser um útil fator para detecção de progressão da doença.DESCRITORES – Esquistossomose mansoni. Colágeno tipo IV. Laminina. Cirrose hepática.
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Recebido em 14/2/2005.
Aprovado em 30/6/2005.
Wyszomirska RMAF, Nishimura NF, Almeida JRS, Yamanaka A, Soares EC. High serum laminin and type IV collagen levels in schistosomiasis mansoni

IOC teve participação fundamental no esclarecimento da morte de sul-africano

IOC teve participação fundamental no esclarecimento da morte de sul-africano

O Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC) teve atuação decisiva no diagnóstico do caso do sul-africano William Charles Erasmus, de 53 anos, morto recetemente no Rio de Janeiro com um quadro de febre hemorrágica não identificada. A investigação sobre a causa do óbito, realizada pelo Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses do IOC, descartou a infecção por Arenavírus e concluiu que a morte foi causada por rickettsiose, doença transmitida por carrapatos.

Coordenada pela pesquisadora Elba Lemos, chefe do laboratório, a equipe que desenvolveu o trabalho é formada por Alexsandra Favacho, Alexandro Guterres, Camila Bragagnolo, Cristiane da Silva, Daniele Almeida, Raphael Gomes e Tatiana Rozental.

Dani na FIOCRUZ

IOC teve participação fundamental no
diagnóstico da causa da morte de sul-africano
O IOC teve atuação decisiva no diagnóstico do caso do sul-africano William Charles Erasmus, morto recetemente no Rio de Janeiro com um quadro de febre hemorrágica não identificada. A investigação sobre a causa do óbito descartou a infecção por Arenavírus e concluiu que a morte foi causada por rickettsiose. [+] mais
Morte de sul-africano foi causada por bactéria do gênero Rickettsia

Pesquisadores do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/Fiocruz) identificaram a causa do óbito de William Charles Erasmus, sul-africano de 53 anos morto na última terça-feira, 2 de dezembro, no Rio de Janeiro, com um quadro de febre hemorrágica não identificada. O resultado da investigação indica que a morte foi causada por rickettsiose, doença transmitida por carrapatos. Não há risco de transmissão pessoa a pessoa. O caso mobilizou a Fiocruz, o Ministério da Saúde, por meio da Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, e as Secretarias Estadual e Municipal de Saúde.

A partir de dados sobre o período de estadia no país e o tempo necessário para a manifestação de sintomas, foi concluído que a infecção ocorreu antes da chegada ao Brasil (as manifestações clínicas da doença surgem após um período de incubação que leva em média 7 dias, podendo variar de 2 a 15 dias).



A pesquisadora do IOC Elba Lemos, líder da equipe que realizou o diagnóstico molecular de febre maculosa, e o diretor vigilância epidemiológica da Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Eduardo Hage



A investigação epidemiológica, que comprovou a ausência de vínculo entre este óbito e os casos de infecção por arenavírus que ocorreram na África do Sul, e os testes diagnósticos descartaram a suspeita de infecção por este vírus. As suspeitas de hantavírus, herpes, hepatites, malária e dengue, entre outras, também foram descartadas por testes laboratoriais.

O Ministério da Saúde anunciou que, como a doença não é transmitida entre humanos, a partir de hoje fica suspenso o acompanhamento clínico que vinha sendo realizado junto a pessoas que tiveram contato com o sul-africano. “A hipótese de arenavírus foi colocada porque havia uma coincidência temporal entre a data em que o paciente foi submetido a uma cirurgia na mesma clínica em Joahnesburgo onde houve casos fatais deste vírus. Foram realizados contatos com a Organização Pan-Americana de Saúde e conferências com os médicos que participaram do caso no hospital sul-africano”, anunciou Eduardo Hage, diretor de vigilância epidemiológica da Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, em entrevista coletiva na Fiocruz na tarde de domingo, 7 de dezembro.

Ary Carvalho de Miranda, vice-presidente de Serviços de Referencia e Ambiente da Fiocruz, destacou que os resultados são definitivos.“Podemos tranqüilizar a população”, sintetizou. “Os exames confirmaram a infecção por rickettsiose.”

Em todo o mundo, existem mais de 20 Rickettsias do grupo que pode causar a rickettsiose. O sul da África, Mediterrâneo e costa atlântica dos Estados Unidos são áreas de alerta para a doença.

A equipe da Fiocruz, liderada pela pesquisadora Elba Lemos, realizou o diagnóstico de febre maculosa por meio de análise de PCR (com base na identificação do DNA da Rickettsia), no Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses do IOC/Fiocruz (Laboratório de Referência Nacional para Rickettsioses). Segundo a especialista, a febre maculosa é um problema em todo o mundo. “Não é um problema exclusivo do Brasil, ou da África. É um sério problema de saúde pública”, descreveu. O diagnóstico foi finalizado na manhã deste domingo.

Como a morte foi causada por quadro de febre hemorrágica e o paciente teve passagem por localidades onde ocorrem doenças inexistentes no Brasil, todos os procedimentos foram desenvolvidos em laboratórios de nível de biossegurança 3 (NB3) – procedimento recomendado para a investigação de agente patogênico desconhecido -, garantindo a contenção do agente e a segurança dos profissionais envolvidos nas análises.

A doença é de difícil diagnóstico, sobretudo em sua fase inicial, uma vez que os sintomas são semelhantes aos de outras doenças infecciosas febris. O início geralmente é abrupto e os primeiros sintomas são inespecíficos, incluindo febre (em geral elevada), dores de cabeça, dores musculares, mal-estar generalizado, náuseas e vômitos. Podem ocorrer hemorragias na evolução da doença.

Sobre a febre maculosa
A febre maculosa pode ser causada por bactérias do gênero Rickettsia. Existem mais de 20 espécies de Rickettsia que podem causar febre maculosa.

A febre maculosa é uma doença infecciosa febril aguda, que pode causar desde formas assintomáticas até formas graves, com elevada taxa de letalidade. No Brasil e nos Estados Unidos, a doença é causada pela bactéria Rickettsia rickettsii.

A doença é transmitida ao homem exclusivamente pelo carrapato infectado. No Brasil, o principal reservatório da Rickettsia rickettsii é o carrapato da espécie Amblyomma cajennense, conhecido como carrapato-estrela. Não há risco de transmissão pessoa a pessoa. Para que a infecção ocorra, o carrapato precisa ficar aderido à pele por algumas horas (de 4 a 6 horas). A transmissão da bactéria também pode ocorrer no momento do esmagamento do carrapato, se houver lesões na pele. Os carrapatos permanecem infectados durante toda a vida, que em geral dura 18 meses.

O quadro clínico é marcado por início brusco, com febre elevada e cefaléia (dores de cabeça), podendo haver dores musculares intensas e prostração. Na evolução da doença, podem ocorrer hemorragias, náuseas e vômitos. As manifestações clínicas surgem após um período de incubação que leva em média 7 dias, podendo variar de 2 a 15 dias. O surgimento de lesões exantemáticas na pele aumentam o grau de suspeição, muito embora existam casos nos quais este sinal pode não ser detectado – no caso de pacientes afro-descendentes, por exemplo.

No Brasil, o primeiro caso foi identificado em 1929. De 1997 a 2008, foram registrados 641 casos confirmados no país. Em 2007 e 2008, houve 136 casos, sobretudo em Santa Catarina, São Paulo e Minas Gerais. Nestes dois últimos anos, o Rio de Janeiro registrou 17 casos.