Previous studies analyzing 2,200 plant extracts indicated anti-enterococcal activity in 25 extracts obtained from Brazilian forests' plants. In the present study, these extracts were subjected to microdilution broth assay (MDBA) and disk diffusion assay (DDA) using planktonic Enterococcus faecalis ATCC® 29212TM and were submitted to phytochemical analysis in TLC and HPLC. Three extracts obtained from Ipomoea alba (MIC < 40 µg/mL), Diclinanona calycina (MIC < 40 µg/mL) and Moronobea coccinea (40 < MIC < 80 µg/mL; MBC = 80 µg/mL) showed significant bactericidal activity in the MDBA and four extracts obtained from I. alba (14.04 ± 0.55 mm diameter) S. globulifera (14.43 ± 0.33 mm and 12.18 ± 0.28 mm diameter) and Connarus ruber var. ruber (13.13 ± 0.18 mm diameter) were active in DDA. Residues H2O obtained from Psidium densicomum (mean of 16.78 mm diameter) and from Stryphnodendron pulcherrimum (mean of 15.97 mm diameter) have shown an improved antibacterial activity after fractionation if compared to that obtained from the respective crude extracts. Antioxidant activity was observed in some residues of the active extracts. TLC analysis showed that phenolic compounds are likely to be found in active extracts. Three molecules were isolated from S. globulifera and were identified by 13C NMR lupeol, α-amyrin and 3β-hydroxyglutin-5-ene. The present chemical and biological findings suggest that these extracts are a potential source of new anti-Enterococcus compounds to be introduced in endodontic therapy.

Objetivo: medir a prevalência de soropositividade para toxoplasmose em gestantes e avaliar associações de ocorrência da soropositividade com idade, cor, procedência e escolaridade maternas. Métodos: estudo transversal, incluindo 1.261 gestantes atendidas na maternidade do Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição de Porto Alegre (RS), e que realizaram teste sorológico para toxoplasmose durante a gestação, ou no momento do parto, foi conduzido entre julho a outubro e dezembro de 2000. Foram investigadas as variáveis idade, cor, procedência, escolaridade e sorologia para toxoplasmose (IgG e IgM), utilizando o método enzimático por micropartícula quantitativo (MEIA). Resultados: a prevalência de soropositividade para toxoplasmose nas gestantes estudadas foi de 59,8% (IC95%: 57,0% - 62,5%). Houve aumento na proporção de soropositividade com aumento da idade da mãe (p = 0,012); já maior nível de escolaridade foi fator de proteção para toxoplasmose (p < 0,001). A hipótese de que a proporção de gestantes soropositivas aumentaria conforme a maior distância de sua procedência da capital não se confirmou (p = 0,750). Não se observou diferença quanto à cor (p = 0,228). Na análise multivariada, a idade materna continuou mostrando associação linear com o aumento da soropositividade, mesmo após ajuste para escolaridade, procedência e cor. Conclusão: a prevalência de soropositividade em gestantes na população estudada é elevada e justifica a adoção de medidas preventivas primárias e secundárias, até que posteriores estudos forneçam maior evidência quanto à racionalização no emprego de técnicas diagnósticas e terapêuticas em toxoplasmose.

Objective: : to measure the prevalence of seropositivity for toxoplasmosis in pregnant women and evaluate its association with maternity age, skin color, place of residence and education. Methods: a cross-sectional study in 1,261 pregnant women cared for at the maternity ward of Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição was performed from June to October and in December 2000. Serological tests for toxoplasmosis were performed during their pregnancy or delivery. The variables considered were place of residence, skin color, education and serum tests for toxoplasmosis (IgG and IgM). Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay method (MEIA) was used. Results: the prevalence of seropositivity for toxoplasmosis in the pregnant women studied was of 59.8% (95% CI: 57.0% - 62.5%). An increase in seropositivity in relation to the mother's age was observed (p = 0.012). On the other hand, a higher educational level was found to be a protective factor against toxoplasmosis (p < 0.001). The hypothesis that the proportion of pregnant seropositive women would increase the farther they lived from capital cities was not confirmed (p = 0.750). Differences regarding race were not observed (p = 0.228). In the multivariate analysis, maternity age presented a linear association with the increase of seropositivity, even after adjustment for education, place of residence and skin color. Conclusions: the prevalence of seropositivity in the pregnant women studied is high and justifies the adoption of some primary and secondary preventive measures, until subsequent studies provide greater evidence concerning the rationalization of the diagnostic and therapeutic techniques regarding toxoplasmosis in pregnant women.

Trinta e oito extratos orgânicos e aquosos obtidos de 11 espécies de Apocynaceae foram submetidos a triagem utilizando o método da microdiluição em caldo contra Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Candida albicans. O extrato orgânico obtido do caule de Tabernaemontana angulata apresentou atividade contra a bactéria Gram positiva S. aureus. A concentração inibitória mínima verificada para esse extrato variou de 2,50 a 1,25 mg/mL. Cloranfenicol foi utilizado como antimicrobiano padrão. A análise fitoquímica indicou a presença de triterpenos e alcalóides no extrato ativo.

Thirty-eight aqueous and organic extracts obtained from 11 Amazonian Apocynaceae species were submitted to an antimicrobial dilution in broth media screening for Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans, performed on microtiter plates. The organic extract obtained from the stem of Tabernaemontana angulata presented activity against Gram positive Staphylococcus aureus. The minimal inhibitory concentration of the organic crude extract was 2.50-1.25 mg/mL. Cloramphenicol was used as standard. Alkaloids and triterpenes were found in the active organic extract.