Thesis (M.H.P. Ed.)--University of New South Wales, 2004. / Also available online.

Thesis (PhD) -- University of Canberra, 2007. / Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Information Sciences and Engineering, University of Canberra, January 2007. Bibliography: leaves 110-127.

No description available.

O comprometimento do trato gastrintestinal pela endometriose em 40 pacientes com endometriose pélvica foi avaliado pelo método da COPE. A coorte estudada compreendeu 21 pacientes com sinais e sintomas gastrintestinais e 19 pacientes sem sinais e sintomas gastrintestinais, visando a estabelecer: 1. associações e correlações entre os parâmetros clínicos que sinalizam a presença de endometriose e as localizações das lesões em cada segmento do trato gastrintestinal; 2. correlação entre o estadiamento da endometriose (ASRM, 1996) e o comprometimento gastrintestinal e 3. correlação entre a classificação histológica da endometriose e o comprometimento gastrintestinal. Através da COPE, o diagnóstico e as correlações entre sinais e sintomas ginecológicos, ultra-sonografia vaginal, classificação da ASRM e histologia, com as características distributivas da doença no trato gastrintestinal, demonstraram que: 1. A idade foi significativamente mais elevada nas pacientes com sinais e sintomas no TGI; 2. A detecção de lesões no TGI ocorreu em 70% das pacientes; 3. A dismenorréia em intensidade severa ou incapacitante e dispareunia em intensidade severa correlacionaram-se com a endometriose ginecológica e a endometriose do trato gastrintestinal na presença de sinais e sintomas no TGI; 4. Os sinais e sintomas gastrintestinais correlacionados com a endometriose ginecológica e do TGI, foram o puxo e o tenesmo cíclico, a dor em cólica cíclica, a obstipação cíclica, a diarréia cíclica, a dor pélvica acíclica, as fezes afiladas e o sangramento intestinal cíclico; 5. A endometriose que provoca sinais e sintomas no TGI está localizada no segmento retossigmóide e/ou no íleo. A dispareunia e a dismenorréia apontam para o acometimento do íleo. A infertilidade sinaliza para a endometriose no apêndice; 6. Nas correlações do toque vaginal com os achados da COPE, o aumento anexial correlaciona-se com retossigmóide e íleo, o espessamento ou nódulo ligamentar, correlaciona-se com o reto e a presença de nódulo no fundo de saco ou lesão no septo reto-vaginal, sinaliza para o acometimento do cólon sigmóide; 7. A COPE aplicada a pacientes com suspeita de endometriose no segmento retossigmóide levantada pela ultra-sonografia transvaginal mostra que a doença se estende em associação significante ao reto, ao cólon sigmóide, cólon ascendente e íleo; 8. A COPE demonstrou que a endometriose acomete mais freqüentemente o íleo, o apêndice, o segmento retossigmoideano e o cólon ascendente na existência ou não de sinais e sintomas do TGI; 9. Os padrões histológicos distribuíram-se igualmente pelas lesões endometrióticas do TGI exceto nas lesões do mesentério; 10. O estádio IV da ASRM, 1996, é fator de risco significativo para o acometimento do reto, sigmóide e íleo. / The importance of the laparoscopic procedure padronization to the run in the peritoneal organs was established in 40 patients with pelvic endometriosis through the observation of its efficient in the characterization of the gastrointestinal tract endometriosis distribution and in the establishment of the meaningful correlations among the most important aspects of the gynecological clinic, vaginal ultrasonagraphic exam, ASRM and histology with gastrointestinal signs and symptoms. The run in the peritoneal organs in the endometriosis has permitted the diagnosis of the endometriosis disease real extension if compared to the competing methods previously described in the pertinent literature

O comprometimento do trato gastrintestinal pela endometriose em 40 pacientes com endometriose pélvica foi avaliado pelo método da COPE. A coorte estudada compreendeu 21 pacientes com sinais e sintomas gastrintestinais e 19 pacientes sem sinais e sintomas gastrintestinais, visando a estabelecer: 1. associações e correlações entre os parâmetros clínicos que sinalizam a presença de endometriose e as localizações das lesões em cada segmento do trato gastrintestinal; 2. correlação entre o estadiamento da endometriose (ASRM, 1996) e o comprometimento gastrintestinal e 3. correlação entre a classificação histológica da endometriose e o comprometimento gastrintestinal. Através da COPE, o diagnóstico e as correlações entre sinais e sintomas ginecológicos, ultra-sonografia vaginal, classificação da ASRM e histologia, com as características distributivas da doença no trato gastrintestinal, demonstraram que: 1. A idade foi significativamente mais elevada nas pacientes com sinais e sintomas no TGI; 2. A detecção de lesões no TGI ocorreu em 70% das pacientes; 3. A dismenorréia em intensidade severa ou incapacitante e dispareunia em intensidade severa correlacionaram-se com a endometriose ginecológica e a endometriose do trato gastrintestinal na presença de sinais e sintomas no TGI; 4. Os sinais e sintomas gastrintestinais correlacionados com a endometriose ginecológica e do TGI, foram o puxo e o tenesmo cíclico, a dor em cólica cíclica, a obstipação cíclica, a diarréia cíclica, a dor pélvica acíclica, as fezes afiladas e o sangramento intestinal cíclico; 5. A endometriose que provoca sinais e sintomas no TGI está localizada no segmento retossigmóide e/ou no íleo. A dispareunia e a dismenorréia apontam para o acometimento do íleo. A infertilidade sinaliza para a endometriose no apêndice; 6. Nas correlações do toque vaginal com os achados da COPE, o aumento anexial correlaciona-se com retossigmóide e íleo, o espessamento ou nódulo ligamentar, correlaciona-se com o reto e a presença de nódulo no fundo de saco ou lesão no septo reto-vaginal, sinaliza para o acometimento do cólon sigmóide; 7. A COPE aplicada a pacientes com suspeita de endometriose no segmento retossigmóide levantada pela ultra-sonografia transvaginal mostra que a doença se estende em associação significante ao reto, ao cólon sigmóide, cólon ascendente e íleo; 8. A COPE demonstrou que a endometriose acomete mais freqüentemente o íleo, o apêndice, o segmento retossigmoideano e o cólon ascendente na existência ou não de sinais e sintomas do TGI; 9. Os padrões histológicos distribuíram-se igualmente pelas lesões endometrióticas do TGI exceto nas lesões do mesentério; 10. O estádio IV da ASRM, 1996, é fator de risco significativo para o acometimento do reto, sigmóide e íleo. / The importance of the laparoscopic procedure padronization to the run in the peritoneal organs was established in 40 patients with pelvic endometriosis through the observation of its efficient in the characterization of the gastrointestinal tract endometriosis distribution and in the establishment of the meaningful correlations among the most important aspects of the gynecological clinic, vaginal ultrasonagraphic exam, ASRM and histology with gastrointestinal signs and symptoms. The run in the peritoneal organs in the endometriosis has permitted the diagnosis of the endometriosis disease real extension if compared to the competing methods previously described in the pertinent literature

Trata-se de um estudo observacional, descritivo e retrospectivo de 154 pacientes com diagnÃstico clÃnico e sorolÃgico de dengue internados em um hospital pÃblico terciÃrio, de referÃncia em doenÃas infecto-contagiosas, em Fortaleza-Ce, no perÃodo de janeiro a maio de 2008. O objetivo foi correlacionar exames laboratoriais, sintomas e sinais de alerta dentro da evoluÃÃo cronolÃgica da dengue, observando suas freqÃÃncias nas formas mais graves para que se possa ajudar nas tomadas de conduta terapÃuticas mais eficazes. A idade dos pacientes variou de 2 a 85 anos. A amostragem foi dividida em dois grupos: pacientes < 15 anos (n=66) e &#8805;15 anos (n=88). Na classificaÃÃo clÃnica, por se tratar de pacientes de um hospital terciÃrio, predominou a FHD (58,4%) seguido de DG (28,6%) e de DC (13%). Nos pacientes com DC foi observado alteraÃÃes laboratoriais importantes como plaquetopenia e elevaÃÃo nas transaminases, que motivaram suas internaÃÃes. As principais alteraÃÃes laboratoriais encontradas na FHD foram: plaquetopenia, hemoconcentraÃÃo, elevaÃÃo de transaminases. Resultados semelhantes foram observados no DG, no entanto hemoconcentraÃÃo nÃo foi detectada. Os sinais de alarme foram verificados com maior freqÃÃncia nas duas formas graves da dengue. Na DG, nos grupos <15 anos e &#8805;15 anos foram observados respectivamente manifestaÃÃes hemorrÃgicas: 55,55%, 69,23%; dor abdominal intensa e contÃnua: 72,22%, 65,38%; tontura postural: 11,11%, 23,08%; vÃmitos: 61,10%, 38,40%. Na FHD nas faixas etÃrias <15 anos e &#8805;15 anos apresentaram respectivamente manifestaÃÃes hemorrÃgicas: 52,27%, 65,22%; dor abdominal intensa e contÃnua: 97,73%, 71,74%; tontura postural: 9,09; 43,48; vÃmitos: 81,80%; 58,70%. Estes resultados dentro da evoluÃÃo cronolÃgica da doenÃa foram importantes, independente da forma clÃnica da dengue e da faixa etÃria. As alteraÃÃes laboratoriais foram na sua maioria a partir do 3 dia sendo mais evidentes no 5 dia e com restabelecimento dos valores atà o 11 dia. A detecÃÃo dos sinais de alerta em dengue dentro desta cronologia foi importante para a caracterizaÃÃo clÃnica de pacientes com FHD e DG. Portanto, esses resultados sÃo relevantes na avaliaÃÃo da doenÃa, pois estas alteraÃÃes e a detecÃÃo dos sinais de alerta dentro da evoluÃÃo cronolÃgica da doenÃa podem ser utilizados como sinalizadores para as formas mais graves e ajudar precocemente na tomada de conduta terapÃutica eficaz para o paciente. / This is an observational, descriptive and retrospective study of 154 patients who have been diagnosed clinically and serologically for dengue fever, interned in a tertiary public hospital in the city of Fortaleza of Cearà State, during the period of January â May, 2008, for the purpose of correlating the laboratory examinations, symptoms and alarming signs with the chronological evolution of the disease and to observe the frequencies of the more severe clinical forms of disease, so as to help adopt therapeutic conducts that are more effective. The patientsâ ages varied from two to 85 years. The study sample was divided in to two groups: patients < 15 years (n=66) and those &#8805;15 years (n=88). As the patients were all from a tertiary public hospital, the clinical classification of cases showed that hemorrhagic dengue fever (HDF) was predominant (58.4%), followed by severe dengue (SD â 28.6%) and classic dengue (CD - 13%). The CD patients showed alterations in the laboratory findings such as thrombocitopenia and rise of transaminases, which motivated their hospitalization. The principal laboratory alterations found in HDF patients were: thrombocytopenia, hemoconcentration and rise of transaminases. Similar alternations were found in SD patients, but hemoconcentration was not detected in them. The alarming signs were observed more frequently in the two severe forms of dengue. In the <15-years and &#8805;15-year groups, the respective clinical pictures were: hemorrhagic manifestations â 55, 55% and 69,23%; acute and continuous abdominal pain â 72,22% and 65,38%; and postural dizziness â 11,11% and 23,08%; vomiting â 61,10% and 38,40%. In the HDF patients, in the <15-years and &#8805;15-year subgroups, the respective hemorrhagic manifestations were: 52,27% and 65,22%; acute and continuous abdominal pain â 97,73% and 71,74%; and postural dizziness â 9,09% and 43,48%; vomiting â81,80% and 58,70%. Within the chronologic evolution of the disease, these results were important and were independent of the clinical form of the disease and the age group of the patients. In the majority of cases, the laboratory alterations were observed from the 3rd day onwards, being more evident on the 5th day and stabilizing to normal values by the 11th day. Within this chronology, the detection of alarming signs was important for the clinical characterization of HDF and SD cases in patients. These results appear to be relevant for the evaluation of the clinical disease, as the detection of the alarming signs within the chronologic evolution may be utilized as warning signals for the more severe forms of the disease, and hence could help in the early adoption of more efficient therapeutic strategies for the patients.

Background: Diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in the Emergency Department (ED) is a topical and contentious issue. Current diagnostic techniques rely on hospital admission for troponin testing. Only a minority of those admitted prove to have ACS while unacceptable proportions of those discharged have unrecognised ACS. Aims: We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of individual clinical findings and novel biomarkers in ED patients with suspected cardiac chest pain. We then aimed to derive a clinical decision rule (CDR) to potentially enable safe, immediate discharge of a proportion of patients from the ED while risk stratifying others to facilitate triage to an appropriate level of in-patient care. Methods: We recruited patients who presented to the ED with suspected cardiac chest pain. Variables that have previously been shown to predict diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or to predict outcome were prospectively recorded. Blood was drawn at presentation for levels of eight biomarkers. Patients underwent 12-hour troponin testing and were followed up for the composite primary outcome of AMI, death or urgent coronary revascularisation for six months. Variables that were univariate predictors (p<0.05) of outcome were entered into a multivariate analysis using recursive partitioning. Results: While many clinical findings and levels of all eight novel biomarkers were found to be significant predictors of outcome, none could be used individually to confirm or exclude ACS in the ED. We derived a nine-point CDR that combined clinical findings with biomarker levels to effectively stratify patients into four risk groups. 14.2% of patients were identified as being at ‘no risk’ and had a 0.0% outcome rate. The rule performed significantly better than two commonly used risk scores and may improve on triage decisions made in actual clinical practice. Conclusion: ACS remains a difficult diagnosis to confidently confirm or refute in the ED. Our CDR may help to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions while improving on triage decisions made for the remaining in-patients. Prospective validation of our findings is warranted.

In my thesis I deal with canine hip dysplasia. The paper consist of two parts. The first part summarizes all the information available about this disease. These include factors influencing the emergence of the disease, clinical signs, evaluation systems, diagnosis, conservative ang surgical treatment, prognosis and prevalence. The second part is methodological. There are summarized data about particular breeds of dogs that were obtained Mastiff, Auvergne Pointing Dog, Beauceron, Fila Brasileiro, Brittany, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, French Pointing Dog, Italian Pointing Dog, Italian Wirehaired Pointing Dog, Small Blue Gascony Hound, Blue Picardy Spaniel, Newfoundland, Portuguese Pointing Dog, St. Germain Pointing Dog, Tibetan Terrier and Golden Retriever. In the end I gave breeding recommendations regarding to reducing the incidence of high grade of canine hip dysplasia.

<p>UVOD: Tuberkuloza je odavno poznata bolest koja i danas u 21. veku jo&scaron; uvek predstavlja veliki javnozdravstveni problem, uprkos primeni moćnih antituberkuloznih lekova. Trećina svetske populacije inficirana je bacilom tuberkuloze. Svake godine oboli oko osam miliona, a umre oko dva miliona ljudi, zbog čega je tuberkuloza i dalje infektivno oboljenje sa najvećom stopom smrtnosti. Kasna dijagnoza, multirezistentna tuberkuloza i udruženost sa HIV infekcijom predstavljaju jednu od najvećih prepreka za efikasnu kontrolu ove bolesti u svetu. Rano otkrivanje se oslanja na kvalitetnu bakteriolo&scaron;ku dijagnostiku koja je kamen temeljac svakog nacionalnog programa za kontrolu tuberkuloze. Brza i tačna mikrobiolo&scaron;ka dijagnostika predstavlja osnovu programa kontrole tuberkuloze i zbog toga je uvođenje novih i brzih laboratorijskih testova od veoma velikog značaja. Razvijen je novi komercijalno dostupni imunohromatografski test koji se zasniva na detekciji antigena MPT64 glavnog sekretovanog proteina M. tuberculosis. Test je brz i pouzdan u identifikaciji izolovanih sojeva M. tuberculosis i jeftiniji je od konvencionalnih biohemijskih i molekularnih testova. CILJ: Ciljevi istraživanja su bili da se evaluiraju karakteristike novog brzog imunohromatografskog testa u identifikaciji mikobakterija izolovanih iz respiratornih uzoraka bolesnika sa tuberkulozom pluća i referentnih sojeva klinički značajnih vrsta netuberkuloznih mikobakterija (NTM). MATERIJAL I METODE: Istraživanje je sprovedeno u periodu od 1.1.2010. do 31.12.2013. i obuhvatilo je 43563 respiratornih uzoraka dobijenih od bolesnika hospitalizovanih u Institutu za plućne bolesti Vojvodine. Iz obrađenih respiratornih uzoraka izolovano je 3469 izolata mikobakterija. Identifikacija do nivoa vrste urađena je primenom standardnih biohemijskih testova, molekularnog testa (GenoType&reg; Mycobacterium) i imunohromatografskog testa (BDMGIT Tbc). U istraživanje je uključeno 100 sojeva Gram pozitivnih i Gram negativnih bakterija (n = 19 vrsta) izolovanih iz respiratornih kliničkih uzoraka. Identifikacija do nivoa vrste je potvrđena komercijalnim identifikacionim sistemima. REZULTATI: U toku četvorogodi&scaron;njeg istraživanja izolovano je 3469 izolata mikobakterija iz respiratornih uzoraka. U ispitivanom periodu ne postoji opadajući trend izolacije mikobakterija &scaron;to potvrđuje i koeficijent korelacije (r = 0,31). Svi izolati mikobakterija su identifikovani konvencionalnim biohemijskim ispitivanjima koja pokazuju da je 89% od svih izolata identifikovano kao Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis), a 11% izolata kao NTM. Mycobacterium xenopi je bila najzastupljenija NTM vrsta identifikovana kod 55,3% izolata. Nakon biohemijske identifikacije kod 300 izolata M. tuberculosis i 100 izolata NTM, identifikacija je potvrđena komercijalno dostupnim molekularnim i imunohromatografskim testom. Na osnovu rezultata testiranja mikobakterija imunohromatografskim testom, senzitivnost, specifičnost, pozitivne i negativne prediktivne vrednosti bile su: 99,7%, 100%, 100% i 99%. U poređenju imunohromatografskog testa sa konvencionalnim biohemijskim ispitivanjima nije nađena statistički značajna razlika (p&gt; 0,5). Kappa vrednost testa je iznosila 0,993, a interval poverenja CI =0,98 &ndash; 1,00. U poređenju imunohromatografskog sa molekularnim testom vrednost kappa je iznosila 0,993, a interval poverenja CI = 0,98 &ndash; 1,00. Slaganje rezultata je potvrđeno i McNemar testom sa vredno&scaron;ću 0,99. Utvrđena je stabilnost sekretovanog antigena MPT64 i posle 5 godina od prvog testiranja. ZAKLJUČAK: Visoka senzitivnost i specifičnost imunohromatografskog testa omogućuju tačnu i preciznu identifikaciju M. tuberculosis kao i pouzdanu diferencijaciju M.tuberculosis od NTM &ndash; a. Imunohromatografski test može da predstavlja zamenu za konvencionalne biohemijske i molekularne testove u identifikaciji M. tuberculosis. Jeftiniji je, jednostavniji za izvođenje i brže se dobijaju rezultati čime seskraćuje vreme za postavljanje dijagnoze.</p> / <p>INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis (TB) has been known as a disease for a long time, but nevertheless it represents a major public health issue even nowadays in the 21st century, despite potent antituberculous drugs applied. One third of the world population is infected by the TB bacillus. About eight million people get infected and two million die of tuberculosis in a year, so tuberculosis is still an infectious disease with the greatest mortality rate. Late diagnosis, multiresistant tuberculosis and concomitant HIV infection interfere mostly with an efficient control of the disease all over the world. Early TB detection largely depends on the high-quality bacteriological diagnostics, which is the corner stone of each national TB control programme. A fast and accurate microbiological TB diagnosis plays a crucial role in any TB control programme. It is therefore very important to introduce new and fast laboratory tests. A novel commercially available immunochromatographic test has been designed, based on the MPT64 antigen of the major M. tuberculosis &ndash; secreted protein. This is a rapid and reliable test to identify the isolated strains of M. tuberculosis, which is not expensive as conventional biochemical and molecular tests. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the investigation was to evaluate the new immunochromatographic rapid test to identify mycobacteria isolated from respiratory samples from pulmonary TB patients, and referential strains of clinically relevant species of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research was carried out in the period from 1st January, 2010 to 31st December, 2013. It included 43 563 respiratory samples obtained from the patients hospitalized in the Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina, Sremska Kamenica (Serbia). There were 3 469 mycobacterial isolates obtained from the processed respiratory samples. The species &ndash; level identification was performed by standard biochemical tests, the molecular test (GenoType&reg;Mycobacterium), and the immunochromatographic test (BD MGIT Tbc). The study included one hundred (100) of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria (n = 19 species) isolated from respiratory clinical samples. The species &ndash; level identification was confirmed by commercial identification systems. RESULTS: During the four &ndash; year investigation, 3 469 mycobacterial isolates were obtained from respiratory samples. No declining tendency of mycobacterial isolation was registered in the examined period, as confirmed by the correlation coefficient (r = 0.31). All mycobacterial isolates were identified by conventional biochemical tests showing that 89% of all isolates were identified as M. tuberculosis, and 11% of the isolates as NTM. Mycobacterium xenopi was the most common NTM species identified in 55.3% of the isolates. Following the biochemical identification in 300 M. tuberculosis isolates and 100 NTM isolates, the identification was confirmed by commercially available molecular and immunochromatographic tests. Based on immunochromatographic testing of mycobacteria, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the test were 99.7%, 100%, 100% and 99% respectively. There is no statistically significant difference (p&gt; 0.5) when comparing features of immunochromatographic test with conventional biochemical assay. The kappa test value was 0.993, and the confidence interval CI = 0.98 &ndash; 1.00. Comparing the immunochromatographic with the molecular test, the kappa value was 0.993, and the confidence interval CI = 0.98 &ndash; 1.00. The congruence of the tests findings was also confirmed by the McNemar test, estimated to 0.99. The stability of the secreted MPT64 antigen was registered even five years after the first testing episode. CONCLUSION: The high sensitivity and specificity of the imunochromatographic test enable an accurate and precise identification of M. tuberculosis, as well as a reliable differentiation of M. tuberculosis from NTM. The immunochromatographic test may substitute conventional biochemical and molecular tests to identify M. tuberculosis. It is easier to perform and provides faster test results, thus reducing the time of establishing the diagnosis.</p>

Objetivos: Avaliar a utilidade dos mediadores pró-inflamatórios (TNF-alfa, IL-1 beta e IL-6), dos mediadores antiinflamatórios (IL-10 e IL-1Ra) e da Proteína C reativa (PCR) para o diagnóstico na sepse neonatal; verificar se os valores séricos isolados ou a relação entre IL-6 e IL-1Ra têm valor preditivo de gravidade, na evolução clínica da doença; determinar se a homeostase entre os mediadores pró-inflamatórios e antiinflamatórios e a PCR definem o prognóstico da doença. Casuística e métodos: Foram incluídos no estudo 31 recém-nascidos (RN) internados na UCINE ou no Hospital Universitário com diagnóstico de sepse, baseado em critérios clínicos e laboratoriais. Os RN com diagnóstico de sepse foram subdivididos em dois grupos de acordo com a evolução clínica: grupo sepse: os que tiveram boa evolução e grupo sepse grave, os que tiveram evolução complicada por choque séptico e/ou CIVD e/ou FMOS e/ou óbito. Além dos exames de rotina para sepse, forma mensurados nos dias 0, 3 e 7 de evolução a partir do diagnóstico, os níveis séricos de TNF-alfa, IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-10 e IL-1Ra. Resultados: Na análise evolutiva geral, todos os mediadores inflamatórios apresentaram mensuração elevada no dia do diagnóstico (dia 0), com decréscimo dos valores no decorrer do tempo. Entre os mediadores pró-inflamatórios, a TNF-alfa, a IL-6 e a IL-1 beta se mostraram adequados para o diagnóstico, no entanto para o seguimento, a melhor foi a IL-6. Entre os mediadores antiinflamatórios a IL-10 seguiu os padrões dos mediadores próinflamatórios acompanhando a resolução do processo séptico, enquanto a IL-1Ra apresentou decréscimos até o 3º dia e permaneceu estável até o 7º dia caracterizando a perpetuação da ação antiinflamatória desta citocina. Quanto às relações entre mediadores pró-inflamatórios e antiinflamatórios (relação IL-6/IL-1Ra e IL-6/(IL-6 + IL-1Ra) observamos que a IL-6/IL-1Ra apresentou relação com a evolução do processo séptico, mostrando inicialmente predomínio da ação próinflamatória no dia 0 e antiinflamatória no dia 7. A PCR acompanhou de forma muito semelhante as curvas da TNF-alfa, L-6 e IL-10. Quando se subdividiu a casuística em grupos, sepse e sepse grave, observamos que os RN com sepse com boa evolução apresentaram níveis séricos médios de TNF-alfa, IL-1 beta e IL-10 próximos aos níveis mínimos detectáveis e estas citocinas nos RN com sepse grave. / Objectives - To evaluate the utility of the pro-inflammatory mediators (TNF-alfa, IL1-beta, and IL-6), the anti-inflammatory mediators (IL-10 and IL-1Ra) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) for the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis; to verify whether the isolated seric values or the relation between IL-6 and IL-1Ra have predictive values for severity regarding the clinical outcome, and to ascertain if the homeostasis between the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators and CPR can define the prognosis of the disease. Patients and Methods - The study included 31 newborns (NB) admitted to the UCINE (External Neonatal Unit) or to Hospital Universitário (São Paulo University Hospital) with diagnosis of sepsis based upon clinical and laboratorial parameters. The NB with diagnosis of sepsis were further subdivided into 2 groups according to the clinical outcome: sepsis group: containing those NB who evolved to a positive outcome, and severe sepsis group, in turn composed of the NB with unsatisfactory outcomes due to complications caused by septic shock and/or DIVC and/or FMOS and/or death. On days 0, 3, and 7 following diagnosis the seric levels of TNF-alfa, IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-1Ra were measured in addition to the routine sepsis workup. Results - The general follow-up analysis revealed that all the inflammatory mediators presented elevated levels at diagnosis (day 0) with a decrease of these values over time. Regarding the pro-inflammatory mediators, TNF-alfa, IL-6 and IL-1 beta were satisfactory for diagnosis, whereas IL-6 was more accurate for follow-up. In relation to the anti-inflammatory mediators, IL-10 revealed the same pattern of the pro-inflammatory mediators following the septic process resolution, whereas IL-1Ra gradually decreased until the 3rd day but hence remained stable until the 7th day, thus characterizing the continuity of the anti-inflammatory action of this cytokine. Concerning the inter-relation between the pro and anti-inflammatory mediators (IL-6/IL-1Ra relation and IL-6/(IL6+IL-1Ra)) we observed that the IL-6/IL-1Ra correlated with the septic process evolution with predominance of the proinflammatory action on day 0 and of the anti-inflammatory action on day 7. The CRP levels, we observed that in the sepsis group with satisfactory outcome on day 0 the seric values were higher than in the severe sepsis group, although on days 3 and 7 these values decreased more substantially, while in the sepsis group they increased on day 3 followed by a gradual decrease until day 7. Conclusions - The analyzed mediators were effective in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis and also predictive of the degree of severity, mainly with regards to cytokines IL-6 and IL-1Ra. The homeostatic equilibrium/disequilibrium was correlated to the type of disease outcome: sepsis with no complications versus severe sepsis.