RESUMO O objetivo do estudo foi estabelecer os parâmetros oftálmicos na raça Spitz Alemão anão. Realizaram-se teste lacrimal de Schirmer (TLS), tempo de ruptura do filme lacrimal (TRFL), teste de Jones (TJ), estesiometria, biomicroscopia, tonometria, microscopia especular (MS), oftalmoscopia e ultrassonografia (US) em 48 olhos de 24 cães machos e fêmeas da raça Sptiz Alemão anão, oriundos de canil de criação. Aplicou-se estatística descritiva. As médias e erros padrões encontrados para TLS, TRL, TJ, estesiometria e tonometria foram 24,310±0,448mm/min, 14,570±0,406s., 8,420±1,571min, 3,667±0,157cm e 17,960±0,697mmHg, respectivamente. À biomicroscopia, 43,75% dos olhos apresentaram triquíase de carúncula, 25% cromodacriorreia, 25% entrópio de canto medial e 10,42% distiquíases. À MS, os valores para densidade das células endoteliais, hexagonalidade, área das células endoteliais e espessura corneal central foram 1958,285±36,760 cells/mm², 62,229±2,183%, 519,231±9,853mm² e 0,567±0,006mm, respectivamente. À oftalmoscopia, padrão conforme descrito para cães. Fundo amelanótico foi reportado em 8,33% das retinas. Ao US, os valores identificados para diâmetro axial horizontal, espessura da lente, profundidade das câmaras anterior e posterior foram 16,859±0,148mm, 6,651±0,081mm, 2,673±0,091mm and 7,485±0,101mm. Leves alterações nos parâmetros lacrimais foram influenciadas por alterações palpebrais no TLS tipo I. Sensibilidade corneana aumentada foi identificada na raça.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to establish ophthalmic parameters in the Pomeranian dog breed. Schirmer tear test (STT), tear breakup time test (TBUTT), Jones test (JT), aesthesiometry, biomicroscopy, tonometry, non-contact specular microscopy (SM), ophthalmoscopy and ultrasonography (US) were carried out 48 eyes of 24 male and female Pomeranian dogs from a breeding kennel. Descriptive statistics was applied for data analysis. Means and standard errors found for STT, TBUT, JT, esthesiometry and tonometry were 24.310±0.448mm/min, 14.570±0.406s., 8.420±1.571min, 3.667±0.157cm and 17.960±0.697mmHg, respectively. For biomicroscopy, 43.75% of the eyes presented caruncle trichiasis, 25% chromodacryorrhea, 25% medial entropion and 10,42% distichiasis. SM showed endothelial cells density of 1958.285±36.760 cells/mm². For hexagonality, endothelial cells area and central corneal thickness were 62.229±2.183%, 519.231±9.853mm², 0.567±0.006mm, respectively. Ophthalmoscopy presented a pattern described in other breeds. Amelanotic fundus was reported in 8.33% of the eyes. The US means and standard errors for axial length of the eyeball, lens thickness, anterior and vitreous chamber depth were 16.859±0.148mm, 6.651±0.081mm, 2.673±0.091mm and 7.485±0.101mm. Mild changes in the lacrimal evaluation parameters were influenced by eyelid changes in STT type I. Increased corneal sensitivity was observed in the breed.

RESUMO: A esporotricose é uma infecção fúngica crônica causada por espécies do gênero Sporothrix. A ocorrência de casos refratários ao tratamento de longo prazo, especialmente na região nasal de gatos, alerta para a importância do estudo de sua patogênese. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar o processo inflamatório das lesões cutâneas de esporotricose felina refratária ao tratamento, por meio de exames citopatológico e histopalógico, e comparar com aspectos clínicos. Treze gatos com lesões cutâneas refratárias ao tratamento com Itraconazol por mais de um ano foram incluídos no estudo. Amostras de lesões cutâneas foram coletadas para análises citopatológicas, histopatológicas e cultura fúngica. Fragmentos de tecidos foram processados e corados pela hematoxilina-eosina (HE) e Prata Metenamina de Grocott (GMS). Duas apresentações clínicas tiveram maior ocorrência: a forma localizada cutânea em animais com bom estado geral e doença estável (n=9, 69,2%); e a forma disseminada cutânea em gatos com estado geral ruim (n=4, 30,8%). A região nasal (84,6%) foi a localização mais frequente das lesões nos gatos com esporotricose refratária ao tratamento. No estudo citopatológico, felinos com menos de duas lesões, e em bom estado geral, (n=9, 69,2%) revelaram ausência ou leve intensidade de leveduras (até 5 leveduras por campo), menor intensidade de macrófagos e neutrófilos, e maior intensidade de células epitelióides, linfócitos, plasmócitos e eosinófilos. Enquanto, (n=4, 30,8%) dos felinos que apresentavam a forma disseminada da esporotricose associada a um estado geral ruim, revelaram acentuada intensidade de leveduras em sua maioria fagocitadas por acentuado número de macrófagos e neutrófilos. Dos animais com bom estado geral, a maioria (n=6, 66,7%) apresentava maior intensidade de eosinófilos. Na histopatologia, o granuloma supurativo mal formado foi o tipo predominante (n=9, 69,2%) nas lesões de esporotricose felina, e (n=4, 30,8%) foram de granulomas bem formados. Granulomas mal formados apresentaram leve a moderada intensidade fúngica (55,6%) nos animais com bom estado geral e lesões localizadas, e acentuada intensidade fúngica (44,4%) nos gatos com a forma disseminada da doença e estado geral ruim. Granulomas bem formados (n=4, 30,7%) apresentaram leve a moderada intensidade de carga fúngica, sendo 75% dos animais com esse tipo de granuloma com apenas uma lesão e bom estadogeral. O tratamento de longo prazo com itraconazol, nesses gatos com esporotricose refratária, pode manter a infecção controlada e lesões localizadas estáveis de forma temporária, contudo a reativação do fungo pode ocorrer levando a uma resposta imunológica exuberante e ineficiente.

ABSTRACT: Sporotrichosis is a chronic fungal infection caused by Sporothrix species. The occurrence of cases that are resistant to long-term treatment, especially in the nasal planum of cats, emphasizes the importance of studying its pathogenesis. The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the inflammatory process of cutaneous lesions of feline refractory sporotrichosis to clinical aspects through cytopathological and histopathological examination. Moreover, the study included 13 cats with cutaneous lesions that had been resistant to itraconazole treatment for more than a year. Cutaneous lesions samples were collected for cytopathological, histopathological, and fungal culture analyses. Tissue fragments were processed and stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Grocott methenamine silver (GMS). Further, two clinical presentations had the highest occurrence: the localized cutaneous form in animals with good general condition and stable disease (n=9, 69.2%) and the disseminated cutaneous form in cats with poor general condition (n=4, 30.8%). In cats with refractory sporotrichosis, the nasal planum (84.6%) was the most common location of lesions. In the cytopathological study, cats with fewer than two lesions and in good general condition (n=9, 69.2%) showed absence or mild yeast intensity (up to 5 yeasts per field), lower intensity of macrophages and neutrophils, and higher intensity of epithelioid cells, lymphocytes, plasma cells, and eosinophils. On the other hand, (n=4, 30.8%) of the cats with disseminated sporotrichosis and a poor general condition had a marked intensity of yeasts, which were mostly phagocytosed by an increased number of macrophages and neutrophils. Of those animals with good general condition, the majority (n=6, 66.7%) had higher eosinophil intensity. In histopathology, malformed suppurative granuloma was the predominant type (n=9, 69.2%) in feline sporotrichosis lesions, followed by well-formed granulomas (n=4, 30.8%). Malformed granulomas showed mild to moderate fungal intensity (55.6%) in animals with good general condition and localized lesions while marked fungal intensity (44.4%) in cats with the disseminated form of the disease and poor general condition. Well-formed granulomas (n=4, 30.7%) had mild to moderate intensity of fungal load, and 75% of the animals with this type of granuloma had only one lesion and were in good general condition. Long-term itraconazole treatment in these cats with refractory sporotrichosis can keep the infection under control and localized lesions stable; however, fungus reactivation can occur, resulting in an exuberant and inefficient immune response.

RESUMO Existem poucos estudos sobre doenças infecciosas em animais silvestres. O objetivo deste estudo foi pesquisar DNA de Leptospira spp. em sangue de tartarugas mantidas em cativeiro, pertencentes ao Bosque Rodrigues Alves (Jardim Zoobotânico da Amazônia). O DNA foi isolado das amostras de sangue coletadas de 148 tartarugas pertencentes a seis espécies diferentes. A reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) foi realizada utilizando-se iniciadores específicos para DNA de Leptospira spp. Nenhuma das amostras apresentou resultado positivo para Leptospira spp.

RESUMO: As doenças causadas por bactérias dos gêneros Rickettsia e Coxiella possuem como vetores artrópodes hematófagos, na sua maioria carrapatos, que atuam diretamente na transmissão de patógenos responsáveis por enfermidades de grande impacto na medicina veterinária e humana. O presente estudo objetivou realizar uma investigação sorológica de Rickettsia rickettsii e Coxiella burnetii em caprinos e ovinos criados no entorno do Parque Nacional da Serra das Confusões (PNSC), localizado no estado do Piauí, região nordeste do Brasil. Amostras de soro de 202 caprinos e 153 ovinos foram testadas pela Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI) para detecção de anticorpos anti-R. rickettsii e anti-C. burnetii, sendo consideradas positivas quando apresentaram títulos ≥ 64. Carrapatos em fase de parasitismo foram coletados e identificados. Todas as amostras de caprinos e ovinos foram soronegativas para antígenos de R. rickettsii. Foi verificado soropositividade em 2% (3/153) das amostras de ovinos para C. burnetii, com títulos variando de 64 a 4.096. As amostras de caprinos não foram reagentes ao referido antígeno. Não foi observado parasitismo em caprinos por carrapatos. No total, foram coletados 56 carrapatos parasitando 15 ovinos (9,8%), todos identificados como Rhipicephalus microplus. O estudo demonstrou a ausência de anticorpos anti-R. rickettsii nas amostras de caprinos e ovinos, ausência de anticorpos anti-C. burnetii em caprinos; e possibilitou o primeiro relato da ocorrência sorológica de C. burnetii em ovinos nesta região do Brasil.

ABSTRACT: The diseases caused by bacteria from the genera Rickettsia and Coxiella have hematophagous arthropods as vectors, mostly by ticks, which act directly on the transmission of pathogens that are responsible for diseases with major impact on veterinary and human medicine. The present study aimed to survey the infection of Rickettsia rickettsii and Coxiella burnetii in sheep and goats surrounding in the National Park of Serra das Confusões (NPSC), located in the state of Piauí, Northeast of Brazil. Serum samples from 202 goats and 153 sheep were tested by Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) for the detection of antibodies against R. rickettsii and C. burnetii. The samples were considered positive when they showed titers ≥ 64. Ticks in parasitic stage were collected and identified. All samples from sheep and goats were seronegative for R. rickettsii. Seropositivity was verified in 2% (3/153) of the samples of sheep for C. burnetii, with titers ranging from 64 to 4096. The serum samples obtained from goats were seronegative to the above antigens. In total, 56 ticks were collected from 15 sheep (9.8%) all identified as Rhipicephalus microplus. The study demonstrated absence of infection by R. rickettsii in samples of sheep and goats, absence of infection of C. burnetii in goats; and the first report of serological occurrence of C. burnetii in sheep in this region of Brazil.

The aim of this study was to analyze the acute responses of bradykinin, insulin, and glycemia to exercise performed above and below lactate threshold (LT) in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Eleven participants with a diagnosis of T2D randomly underwent three experimental sessions 72 h apart: 1) 20 min of exercise performed at 120% of LT (120%LT), 2) 20 min of exercise performed at 80% of LT (80%LT), and 3) 20 min of control session. Blood glucose was analyzed before, during, and at 45 min post-exercise. Bradykinin and insulin were analyzed before and at 45 min post-exercise. Both exercise sessions elicited a parallel decrease in glucose level during exercise (P≤0.002), with a greater decrease being observed for 120%LT (P=0.005). Glucose decreased 22.7 mg/dL (95%CI=10.3 to 35, P=0.001) at the 45 min post-exercise recovery period for 80%LT and decreased 31.2 mg/dL (95%CI=18.1 to 44.4, P<0.001) for 120%LT (P=0.004). Insulin decreased at post-exercise for 80%LT (P=0.001) and control (P≤0.035). Bradykinin increased at 45 min post-exercise only for 80%LT (P=0.013), but was unrelated to the decrease in glucose (r=-0.16, P=0.642). In conclusion, exercise performed above and below LT reduced glycemia independently of insulin, but exercise above LT was more effective in individuals with T2D. However, these changes were unrelated to the increase in circulating bradykinin.

Avaliaram-se o comprimento do infundíbulo, do magno, do istmo, do útero e da vagina e o número de pregas do magno e do istmo do oviduto de 20 marrecas Ana boschas na fase reprodutiva. O infundíbulo apresenta mucosa com pregas longitudinais e baixas, revestidas por epitélio pseudoestratificado cilíndrico ciliado, com células caliciformes. O magno, compartimento mais longo do oviduto, 25,38cm±3,20, encontra-se constituído por uma camada mucosa com pregas altas e espessas revestidas por células cilíndricas ciliadas e abundantes células caliciformes. O istmo é formado por uma mucosa com pregas estreitas e curtas e numerosas glândulas tubulares que se estendem para o interior da lâmina própria. O útero, região curta do oviduto, 5,25cm±1,26, apresenta parede com pregas e cristas baixas e numerosas glândulas tubulares enoveladas, dirigidas para o interior da lâmina própria. A vagina, um estreito tubo muscular, está constituído por oito anéis circulares, em média, e uma camada muscular altamente desenvolvida e espessa. A morfologia do oviduto da marreca apresenta características morfológicas e histológicas distintas dos galiniformes, observando-se que a vagina e a porção cranial do infundíbulo apresentam pregas e células caliciformes, respectivamente, sendo estas últimas estruturas ausentes nos galiniformes.

The length of infundibulum, magnum, isthmus, uterus, vagina, and the number of oviduct, magnum, and isthmus folds were evaluated in 20 Ana boschas female ducks in the reproductive phase. The infundibulum presented mucous membrane with longitudinal and short folds, covered by ciliated columnar pseudostratified epithelium, with goblet cells. Magnum, the longest oviduct compartment, 25.38cm±3.20, is constituted by mucous membrane with high and thick folds that are covered by ciliated columnar cells and many goblet cells. Isthmus is formed by mucous membrane with narrow and short folds, and many tubular glands that extend inside lamina propria. Uterus, an oviduct short region, 5.25cm±1.26, presented surface with short folds and crests, and numerous reeled tubular glands, that are directed inside lamina propria. Vagina, a strait muscular tube, is constituted by, approximately, eight circular rings, and a very developed and thick muscular layer. The oviduct morphology of female ducks presented different morphological and histological characteristics from Galliformes, because vagina and infundibulum cranial portion present folds and goblet cells, respectively, and the last cited structures are absent in Galliformes.

Foram coletadas 54 amostras de animais em fase de crescimento e terminação para o diagnóstico molecular da pneumonia enzoótica suína. Dezenove fragmentos de pulmão foram obtidos de suínos que apresentavam sinais de doença respiratória e 35 suabes nasais foram obtidas de suínos clinicamente saudáveis. Para a detecção do genoma bacteriano nas amostras, foi utilizada a técnica de nested PCR que originou um fragmento de 706pb, o qual foi, posteriormente, clonado e sequenciado. A sequência de nucleotídeos obtida foi comparada com outras seis sequências de Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae e 11 sequências de outras bactérias disponíveis no Genbank. Para medir a sensibilidade da nested PCR, foram realizadas diluições seriadas (10-1 a 10-15) do fragmento clonado, partindo da concentração de 300ng. Dez fragmentos de pulmões e oito suabes nasais apresentaram resultado positivo para M. hyopneumoniae e o limite de detecção foi estimado em 0,3fg de DNA clonado. A sequência de nucleotídeos obtida foi de 99.1% de homologia com as outras sequências de M. hyopneumoniae, demonstrando que a nested PCR utilizada neste estudo pode ser uma importante ferramenta de diagnóstico para a detecção desse agente.

Fifty-four samples were collected from growing and finishing pigs for the molecular diagnosis of enzootic porcine pneumonia. Nineteen lung fragments were obtained from pigs that showed signs of respiratory disease and 35 nasal swabs were obtained from clinically healthy pigs. For the detection of the bacterial genome in the samples, the nested PCR technique was used to amplify a fragment of 706bp. This fragment was subsequently cloned and sequenced. The sequence of obtained nucleotides was compared with six other sequences of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and 11 sequences of other bacteria available in the Genbank. To measure the sensitivity of the nested PCR, serial dilutions (10-1 to 10-15) of cloned fragments were conducted based on the concentration of 300ng. Ten lung fragments and eight nasal swabs showed positive for M. hyopneumoniae and the limit of detection was estimated to be 0.3fg DNA cloned. The sequence of nucleotides obtained showed 99.1% homology with the other sequences of M. hyopneumoniae, demonstrating that the nested PCR used in this study may provide an important diagnostic tool for the detection of this agent.

OBJETIVO: Estudar e comparar o aspecto dos cabelos de portadores das síndromes de Chédiak-Higashi e Griscelli-Prunieras, tanto na microscopia óptica convencional quanto com luz polarizada. MÉTODO: Cabelos de dois doentes portadores da síndrome de Chédiak-Higashi e de dois portadores da síndrome de Griscelli-Prunieras foram obtidos e estudados tanto à microscopia convencional quanto com luz polarizada. RESULTADOS: Na microscopia óptica convencional, os cabelos dos doentes portadores da síndrome de Chédiak-Higashi mostraram grânulos de melanina regulares, com distribuição homogênea e de maior tamanho em comparação aos presentes no cabelo normal. À microscopia de luz polarizada notou-se aspecto brilhante e refringência policromática. Diferentemente, os cabelos dos doentes portadores da síndrome de Griscelli-Prunieras apresentaram à microscopia convencional, grânulos de melanina irregulares e maiores do que os presentes no cabelo normal e os presentes nos cabelos dos doentes portadores da síndrome de Chédiak-Higashi, preferencialmente próximos à medula das hastes pilosas. À microscopia de luz polarizada apresentaram aspecto monotonamente esbranquiçado. CONCLUSÃO: O exame dos cabelos pela microscopia convencional nas síndromes de Chédiak-Higashi e Griscelli-Prunieras revela diferenças sutis no reconhecimento dessas doenças. No presente trabalho apresentamos evidência de que o exame das hastes pilosas com microscopia de luz polarizada - não descrito previamente - contribui na diferenciação de ambas doenças sugerindo que esse seja um método diagnóstico útil na distinção entre as síndromes de Chédiak-Higashi e Griscelli Prunieras, especialmente nos casos em que estudos moleculares mais sofisticados não estejam disponíveis.

PURPOSE: To study and compare the appearance of hairs from patients with Chédiak-Higashi and Griscelli-Prunieras syndromes under light and polarized light microscopy. METHOD: Hairs from 2 Chédiak-Higashi and 2 Griscelli-Prunieras patients were obtained and examined under normal and polarized light microscopy. RESULTS: Under light microscopy, hairs from Chédiak-Higashi patients presented evenly distributed, regular melanin granules, larger than those seen in normal hairs. Under polarized light microscopy, shafts exhibited a bright and polychromatic refringence appearance. In contrast, hair from Griscelli-Prunieras patients, under light microscopy, exhibited bigger and irregular melanin granules, distributed mainly near the medulla. Under polarized light microscopy, shafts appeared monotonously white. CONCLUSION: Light microscopic examination of hair shafts of patients with Chédiak-Higashi or Griscelli-Prunieras syndrome reveals subtle differences that are useful in identifying both disorders, but not in distinguishing between them. We provide evidence that polarized light microscopy of hair shafts, an approach that has not been previously described, aids in differentiating between these syndromes. We propose hair study by polarized light microscopy as a helpful complementary diagnostic method for differential diagnosis between CHS and GPS, especially when the more sophisticated molecular studies are not available.

We present results of the study of the influence of the break-up process on the fusion, scattering and reaction cross sections, at near barrier energies. Most of the discussed reactions and scattering mechanisms are induced by the stable weakly bound nuclei 6,7Li and 9Be, although comparisons with reactions induced by strongly bound nuclei are also made. We give a picture of the break-up and fusion mechanisms at energies above the Coulomb barrier.

We investigated kidney and lung alterations caused by intercellular adhesion molecule type 1 (ICAM-1) blockade after ischemia and reperfusion of hind limb skeletal muscles. Rats were submitted to ligature of the infrarenal aorta for 6 h. The animals were randomized into three groups of 6 rats each: group I, sacrificed after ischemia; group II, reperfusion for 24 h, and group III, reperfusion for 24 h after receiving monoclonal anti-ICAM-1 antibodies. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected for creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, potassium, pH and leukocyte counts. Samples were taken from the muscles of the hind limbs and from the kidneys and lungs for histological analysis and measurement of the neutrophil infiltrate by myeloperoxidase staining. The groups did not differ significantly with regard to the laboratory tests. There were no major histological alterations in the kidneys. An intense neutrophil infiltrate in the lungs, similar in all groups, was detected. Myeloperoxidase determination showed that after reperfusion there was significantly less retention of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in the muscles (352 ± 70 vs 1451 ± 235 × 10² neutrophils/mg; P<0.01) and in the kidneys (526 ± 89 vs 852 ± 73 × 10² neutrophils/mg; P<0.01) of the animals that received anti-ICAM-1 before perfusion compared to the group that did not. The use of anti-ICAM-1 antibodies in this experimental model minimized neutrophil influx, thus reducing the inflammatory process, in the muscles and kidneys after ischemia and reperfusion of the hind limbs.

Nosocomial infections (NI) result in considerably high mortality and morbidity rates, especially among pediatric patients. Considering current worldwide changes, information about the occurrence of pathogens and susceptibility tests are now seen as decisive for optimizing treatment. The purpose of this research was to determine the frequency of microorganisms, antimicrobial and genetic profiles, and risk factors associated with nosocomial infections in a teaching hospital in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul. From January 1998 to December 1999, 108 patients were characterized as having nosocomial infection, from which 137 pathogens were isolated. Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by conventional and automated techniques. Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains were characterized by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). Pathogens were most often isolated from infants one-month old or younger, and bloodstream infections were the most frequent. The main isolated agents isolated were: coagulase-negative staphylococci (38), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19), S. aureus (26), K. pneumoniae (18), and Candida spp. (13). The risk conditions that were most closely related to NI acquisition were: prolonged hospital stays (69.4%), prematurity (60.9%) and exposure to high-risk device procedures (95.4%). Ciprofloxacin and imipenem were the most effective drugs, inhibiting all or almost all of the Enterobacteriaceae, P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus isolates. Only 23% of the S. aureus samples were resistant to oxacillin. Genomic typing revealed 10 distinct patterns for S. aureus and 13 for K. pneumoniae, suggesting that most them did not belong to the same clone. PFGE was effective in differentiating the strains.

Dialypetalanthus fuscescens é uma espécie endêmica da Amazônia com posição taxonômica incerta. Esta espécie da floresta úmida neotropical pertence à família monoespecífica Dialypetalanthaceae. Neste trabalho, foi analisada a composição dos polissacarídeos de paredes celulares de folhas de Dialypetalanthus fuscescens e esta comparada com Bathysa meridionalis (Rubiaceae-Cinchonoideae). Análises de composição química e ligações glicosídicas demonstraram que ambas as espécies possuem composição química da parede celular bastante similar. Arabinogalactanos foram identificados como os polissacarídeos pécticos predominantes e os xilanos, embora menos freqüentes em dicotiledôneas, foram encontrados em grandes quantidades na fração hemicelulósica de ambas as espécies. Esses resultados estão de acordo com outros previamente reportados para Rubiaceae e constituem uma evidência adicional da possível proximidade taxonômica de Dialypetalanthaceae com Rubiaceae, como atualmente aceito.

Dialypetalanthus fuscescens is an Amazonian endemic species with problematic taxonomic position. This neotropical rainforest tree belongs to the monospecific Dialypetalanthaceae. In the present work, we analysed the leaf cell-wall polysaccharide composition of Dialypetalanthus fuscescens and compared it to that of Bathysa meridionalis (Rubiaceae-Cinchonoideae). Glycosyl composition and glycosyl-linkage analysis indicated that both species have similar cell wall composition. Arabinogalactans were the major component of the pectic polysaccharides and xylans, although being reported in minor amounts in dicots, were found to be the predominant hemicellulosic polysaccharide in cell walls of both species. These findings are in agreement with previous data on cell wall composition reported for Rubiaceae and corroborate the current suggestion of the possible link between this family and Dialypetalanthaceae.