Thesis (M.S.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2008. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed June 2, 2008). Includes bibliographical references (p. 33-42).

Thesis (PhD.(Anatomy)--Faculty of Health Sciences)-University of Pretoria, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D. in Cancer Biology) -- University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 136-169). Free to UCDHSC affiliates. Online version available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations;

Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / The nematode Strongyloides stercoralis responsible for strongyloidiasis diagnosed by detection of larvae in feces. However, the elimination of low larvae hampers the detection of disease particularly in cases of immunosuppression. Immunodiagnostic tests have been developed, but the difficulty of obtaining larvae of S. stercoralis for the production of homologous antigenic extract, thereby Strongyloides venezuelensis and their different evolutionary forms for the production of antigen extracts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the detection of antibodies anti S. venezuelensis against alkaline extracts of L3 larvae, parthenogenetic females or eggs in experimental strongyloidiasis associated with immunosuppression. Male rats were divided into two groups: non-immunosuppressed and immunosuppressed experimentally infected and serum from all animals were obtained at 0, 5th, 8th, 13th and 21th days post infection (d.p.i.). The test enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to compare the reactive potential of alkaline extracts of L3 larvae, parthenogenetic females and eggs of S. venezuelensis in rats non-immunosuppressed and immunosuppressed. Immunoblotting was also evaluated for detection of IgG anti S. venezuelensis in both groups front to alkaline of the three developmental forms of the parasite extracts. In all comparative ELISA extracts were skilled in detecting IgG S. venezuelensis. The extract of larvae showed reactivity from the 5th dpi ceasing at 21th d.p.i in the non-immunosuppressed group while the group immunosuppressed this reactivity remained at 21th d.p.i. immunoblotting showed the reactivity profile with immunoreactive fractions in immunosuppressed group from the 5th d.p.i. while the non-immunosuppressed group reactivity from 8th d.p.i. The alkali extracts of parthenogenetic females and eggs showed a similar profile of reactivity in both ELISA and immunoblotting. Immunoreactive protein fractions of 26 and 17 kDa present in the alkaline extract of larvae presented as important markers of infection in immunosuppressed animals. It is concluded that all alkali extracts have diagnostic potential in experimental strongyloidiasis especially the larval extract in cases of immunosuppression, and immunoblotting an important complementary diagnostic tool. / O nematódeo Strongyloides stercoralis é responsável pela estrongiloidíase cujo diagnóstico é realizado pela detecção de larvas nas fezes. Porém a baixa eliminação de larvas dificulta a detecção da doença em especial em casos de imunossupressão. Testes imunodiagnósticos têm sido desenvolvidos, porém há dificuldade de se obter larvas de S. stercoralis para a produção de extrato antigênico homólogo assim o parasito Strongyloides venezuelensis e suas diferentes formas evolutivas são utilizados para produção de extratos antigênicos. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a detecção de anticorpos anti S. venezuelensis a partir de extratos alcalinos de larvas L3, fêmeas partenogenéticas ou ovos na estrongiloidíase experimental associada à imunossupressão. Ratos machos foram divididos em dois grupos: não-imunossuprimidos e imunossuprimidos experimentalmente infectados e o soro de todos os animais foram obtidos no 0, 5º, 8º, 13º e 21º dias pós-infecção (d.p.i.). O teste enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) foi realizado para comparar o potencial reativo dos extratos alcalinos de larva L3, fêmeas partenogenéticas e ovos de S. venezuelensis em ratos não-imunossuprimidos e imunossuprimido. Immunoblotting foi avaliado quanto sua detecção de IgG anti S. venezuelensis em ambos os grupos frente aos extratos alcalinos das três formas evolutivas do parasito. No ELISA comparativo todos extratos foram efetivos na detecção de anti-IgG de S. venezuelensis. O extrato de larvas apresentou reatividade a partir do 5º d.p.i cessando no 21º d.p.i. no grupo não-imunossuprimido enquanto o grupo imunossuprimido essa reatividade permaneceu no 21º d.p.i.. O immunoblotting apresentou perfil de reatividade com frações imunorreativas no grupo imunossuprimido a partir do 5º d.p.i. enquanto o grupo não-imunossuprimido a reatividade a partir do 8º d.p.i. Os extratos alcalinos de fêmeas partenogenéticas e de ovos apresentaram similar perfil de reatividade tanto no ELISA comparativo quanto no immunoblotting. Frações proteicas imunorreativas de 26 e 17 kDa presentes no extrato alcalino de larvas apresentaram como importantes marcadores de infecção em animais imunossuprimidos. Conclui-se que todos os extratos alcalinos possuem potencial diagnóstico na estrongiloidíase experimental com destaque para o extrato de larvas em casos de imunossupressão, sendo o immunoblotting uma importante ferramenta diagnóstica complementar. / Mestre em Imunologia e Parasitologia Aplicadas

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T12:56:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1184583 bytes, checksum: e7d5f827d1dea31a7b5d11cc69a3c72d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-12-11 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The aim of the present study was to assess the oral health status of children infected with HIV virus. A prospective, observational, descriptive, case-control study was carried out in the city of João Pessoa, PB, Brazil. The sample consisted of a study group (SG) made up of 21 children infected with HIV in treatment at the Infectology Unit of the Clementino Fraga Hospital Complex and a control group (CG) of 28 children with no history of HIV infection covered by the Jardim Miramar II Family Health Program. Dental caries indices, (DMFT and deft), gingival status indices (VPI, GBA, OHI-S), resting and stimulated salivary flow and salivary buffer capacity were determined. The deft index was 3.19 ± 3.21(95%CI 1.73-4.66) in the SG and 2.54 ± 1.9 (95%CI 1.78-3.29) in the CG; the DMFT was 3.52 ± 2.6 (95%CI 2.34-4.71) in the SG and 1.32 ± 1.4 (95%CI 0.74-1.90) in the CG (p=0.002). There were statistically significant differences between groups in the decayed component for both the primary (p=0.02) and permanent (p<0.0001) dentition as well as in the filled component for the primary dentition (p<0.0001). The presence of visible biofilm was 52.9% in the SG and 47.1% in the CG (p=0.031). Gingivitis, measured by the gingival bleeding index (GBI) was absent in 57.1% of the SG and 78.5% of the CG (p=0.09). There was a difference between groups in resting saliva flow (p=0.01). There was a high frequency of caries in the SG. The most prevalent need for treatment in the SG was extraction, whereas the most prevalent treatment need in the CG was for procedures of low complexity. The organization of services is suggested for addressing this clinical demand and a health promotion program should be implemented for this population. / Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as condições de saúde bucal de crianças infectadas ou não pelo vírus HIV. A amostra foi composta por um grupo de estudo (GE), constituído por 21 crianças infectadas pelo HIV, atendidas no setor de infectologia do Complexo Hospitalar Clementino Fraga e por um grupo controle (GC) de 28 crianças sem história de infecção pelo HIV, atendidas no Programa de Saúde da Família Jardim Miramar II. A pesquisa é do tipo descritiva, observacional, prospectiva, e do tipo caso-controle, e foi desenvolvido em João Pessoa, PB, Brasil. Em ambos os grupos foram determinados o índice de cárie dentária (ceo-d e CPO-D), índices da condição gengival (IPV, ISG, IHO-S), além do fluxo salivar em repouso e o estimulado, e a capacidade tampão da saliva. A análise estatística foi feita através de testes de associação, como o Qui-quadrado e Exato de Fisher, além do teste de Mann-Whitney; todos com nível de significância de 95% (p<0,05). Observou-se ceo-d de 3,19 ± 3,21(IC95% 1,73 - 4,66) GE e 2,54 ± 1,9 (IC95% 1,78- 3,29) GC, já o CPO-D foi de 3,52 ± 2,6 (IC 95% 2,34 - 4,71) GE e 1,32 ± 1,4 (IC95% 0,74 - 1,90) GC (p=0,002). Em relação aos componentes verificou-se diferença estatística para o componente c cariado tanto na dentição decídua (p=0,02) como na permanente (p<0,0001) e para o componente O obturado na dentição decídua (p<0,0001). Observou-se presença de biofilme visível em 52,9% (GE) e 47,1% (GC) (p=0,031). A ausência de gengivite pelo índice de Sangramento Gengival (ISG) foi de 57,1% (GE) e 78,5% (GC) (p=0,09). Observou-se diferença entre os grupos para o fluxo salivar em repouso (p=0,01). Verificou-se alto índice de cárie nas crianças do GE. A necessidade de tratamento mais prevalente foi a extração (GE), enquanto que para o GC foi de procedimentos de baixa complexidade. As condições da saúde bucal das crianças com HIV não foram satisfatórias quando comparadas às do GC.

Objective: The survival rates for cardiac arrest patients to hospital discharge are very low. Post-arrest patients have an immune response and usually a period of immunosuppression. When CD3+ T cells activate, they switch from primarily relying on aerobic metabolism to primarily relying on anaerobic metabolism. The goal of this study is to characterize the immune system of post-cardiac arrest patients. The specific objectives are (1) to determine the time period after the occurrence of a cardiac arrest that a patient acquires an infection, (2) to identify the most common types of infections in post-arrest patients, (3) to compare in vitro the cellular oxygen consumption of immune cells post-cardiac arrest with healthy controls, and (4) to compare cell proliferation and ATP production of immune cells post-cardiac arrest with healthy controls. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 170 cardiac arrest patients (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center) who had return of spontaneous circulation. We measured oxygen consumption rates of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in cardiac arrest patients and healthy controls. We also measured cell proliferation and ATP production of CD3+ T cells in cardiac arrest patients and healthy controls. Results: Of the 170 cardiac arrest patients we reviewed, 42% had at least one incidence of infection. The length of time from cardiac arrest to first positive culture was 4 days, with pneumonia and urinary tract infections the most common diagnoses. The PBMCs of cardiac arrest patients showed a significant decrease in oxygen consumption post arrest compared with healthy controls. When thiamine was added to the PBMC samples of cardiac arrest patients, there was a significant increase in oxygen consumption from baseline. There was no significant difference in cell proliferation or ATP production of CD3+ T cells between the two groups of post-cardiac arrest patients and healthy controls. Conclusion: Many patients suffer from infections post-cardiac arrest, and future research is needed on this subject. Our data support the hypothesis that post-arrest patients have a period of hyperimmune response followed by a period of immunosuppression.

Chronic immune insult and immunosuppressant-related toxicities have remained an enduring challenge in organ transplantation. Long-term survival of transplant patients has improved marginally in recent decades due to these challenges. To circumvent these issues, transplant investigators have researched immune tolerance mechanisms that demonstrate potential to induce immunosuppression and rejection-free survival in the clinic. One mechanism in particular, the liver tolerance effect, has already demonstrated this experimentally and clinically. Liver transplants in experimental models and human patients have exhibited the ability to become spontaneously accepted without being rejected by the recipient’s immune system. Research in recent decades has revealed that the liver parenchymal and non-parenchymal cell populations harbor potent immunomodulatory properties. In the context of liver transplantation, it has been found that two cell populations in particular, the mesenchyme-derived liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and hepatic stellate cells, mediate the induction of liver transplant tolerance through a mechanism known as mesenchyme-mediated immune control.

Masters of Science / Background: Infection with HIV results in gradual loss of immunologic functions, especially those mediated by CD4+T helper cells with consequent impairment of the immune response leading to severe manifestations of periodontal disease. The lower the CD4+T lymphocyte cell count or the higher the level of immunosuppression, the higher the incidence of periodontal disease in those patients will be. Putative periodontopathic bacteria namely Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola and Tannerella forsythia, commonly referred to as "red complex", and many other bacterial species have been implicated in the initiation and progression of periodontal disease. Objective: The present study tests the association between different CD4+T lymphocyte levels and "red complex" pathogens using BANA, in HIV-positive patients with chronic inflammatory periodontal disease (CIPD). Methods: 120 HIV-positive patients from the infectious disease clinic at Tygerberg hospital participated in the study with a mean age of 33.3 years. The CD4+T lymphocyte counts were obtained from patient's medical records. The six Ramjford teeth were used for evaluating periodontal clinical parameters such as plaque index, gingival index, periodontal probing depth and clinical attachment loss. Subgingival plaque samples were collected and analyzed by the enzymatic BANA test for the detection of the "red complex". Results: The CD4+T lymphocyte mean level was 293.43cells/mm3. Statistically significant associations were found between CD4+T cell counts and probing depth (p= 0.0434) and clinical attachment loss (p= 0.0268). Significant associations were found between BANA with all the clinical indices (p= <0.05). However no association was found between CD4+T cell counts and BANA. Conclusion: HIV-positive patients show a high prevalence of "red complex" pathogens subgingivally. Immunosuppression seems to favour the colonization of these species, resulting in periodontal disease manifestations.

Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio (fiscina@bahia.fiocruz.br) on 2012-10-23T17:03:01Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Lorena Magalhães. Resposta imunologica em camundongos...pdf: 2348914 bytes, checksum: 57fdb9c90a6454dd882c58e05aa0ba95 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2012-10-23T17:03:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Lorena Magalhães. Resposta imunologica em camundongos...pdf: 2348914 bytes, checksum: 57fdb9c90a6454dd882c58e05aa0ba95 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, Bahia, Brasil / Um fator determinante e importante que contribui para a gravidade da doença de Chagas é a ocorrência de múltiplas infecções pelo Trypanosoma cruzi nos indivíduos residentes em áreas endêmicas. Estudos experimentais comprovam o aumento da morbidade pelas reinfecções sucessivas com diferentes cepas e permitem caracterizar as cepas re-inoculadas e avaliar a influência das múltiplas infecções nas lesões tissulares. A presença de múltiplas infecções poderia também influenciar no grau de agravamento e reativação da doença de Chagas em pacientes portadores de HIV e/ou imunossuprimidos, em casos de transplantes, nos quais pode haver uma reativação de cepas virulentas levando a complicações nos indivíduos infectados. O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a resposta imunopatológica em camundongos triplamente infectados com diferentes cepas do T. cruzi tratados com diferentes drogas imunossupressoras. Camundongos isogênicos da linhagem Balb/c foram infectados sucessivamente com cepas do T. cruzi de diferentes biodemas: 1- cepa Colombiana (Biodema Tipo III – T. cruzi I); 2- Cepa 21SF (Biodema Tipo II – T. cruzi II) 50 dias após; 3); 3- Cepa Y (Biodema Tipo I, Z2b) 20 dias depois; para cada cepa houve também um grupo experimental de infecção única, como controle. Após 20 dias da última infecção, os camundongos sobreviventes foram submetidos a dois esquemas de tratamento: Esquema 1: Betametasona (2mg/kg/dia) e Ciclofosfamida (250 mg/kg/dia) durante 4 semanas; Esquema 2: Azatioprina (2mg/kg), Betametasona (1mg/kg) e Ciclosporina (16mg/kg, 10mg/kg, 8mg/kg, 6mg/kg) durante 4 semanas. Como parâmetros foram analisados: parasitemia, mortalidade, estudo histopatológico; exame sorológico, dosagem de isótipos de imunoglobulinas (método de ELISA) e teste cutâneo (hipersensibilidade tardia). No presente estudo foi observada uma reativação da parasitemia e da mortalidade em camundongos com triplíce infecção e tratados com Betametasona e Ciclofosfamida. Concomitantemente, com a reagudização da infecção pelo T. cruzi neste grupo, observou-se uma intensificação do parasitismo tissular, um aumento do processo inflamatório mononuclear, espessamento da matriz extracelular e macrofagotropismo com o aparecimento de ninhos parasitários com formas amastigotas do T. cruzi no fígado e no baço. O tratamento combinado com Azatioprina, Ciclosporina e Betametasona em camundongos triplamente infectados, por cepas do T. cruzi de diferentes biodemas, não determinou um aumento significativo da parasitemia e da mortalidade. Entretanto, o estudo histopatológico destes animais mostrou um aumento da infiltração mononuclear perivascular no miocárdio e músculo esquelético, áreas focais de destruição tissular e presença de arterite e arteriolite. Os resultados do exame sorológico anti-T. cruzi demonstraram que o tratamento com imunossupressores (Betametasona e Ciclofosfamida; Azatioprina, Betametasona e Ciclosporina) em camundongos triplamente infectados determinou uma redução da titulação de anticorpos anti-T. cruzi nos dois grupos de tratamento, quando comparados ao grupo de animais triplamente infectados e não tratados. Os resultados demonstraram que camundongos triplamente infectados e tratados com Betametasona e Ciclofosfamida, apresentaram uma diminuição nos níveis de IgG1, IgG2a, IgM e IgG2b estatisticamente significante, quando comparados ao grupo infectado sem tratamento. Nos camundongos triplamente infectados e tratados com Azatioprina, Betametasona e Ciclosporina foi observado um aumento nos níveis de IgG2a e uma diminuição nos níveis de IgG2b quando comparados aos níveis deste isótipo nos outros grupos. O resultado do teste de hipersensibilidade tardia através o teste cutâneo com medição da espessura da pata apresentou diferença significante no ponto de 48h nos grupos de camundongos triplamente infectados não tratados, camundongos tratados com Betametasona e Ciclofosfamida e no grupo de camundongos tratados com Azatioprina, Betametasona e Ciclosporina. No presente estudo, a imunossupressão com Betametasona e Ciclofosfamida determinou uma reativação da fase aguda em camundongos, comparável ao visto em pacientes imunossuprimidos. Concomitantemente houve uma diminuição significante das imunoglobulinas do soro, indicando a importância da resposta humoral no controle da infecção. O tratamento com Azatioprina, Betametasona e Ciclosporina em camundongos cronicamente infectados pelo T. cruzi pode influenciar no agravamento das lesões imunopatológicas características de uma reação de hipersensibilidade tardia, principalmente no miocárdio, embora sem determinar a reagudização da infecção pelo T. cruzi. / An important factor that contributes to the severity of Chagas disease in people living in endemic areas is the occurrence of multiple infections with Trypanosoma cruzi. Experimental studies have shown the increased morbidity due to successive reinfections with different strains, with the possibility of to identify and characterize the re-inoculated strains and to evaluate the influence of multiple infections upon the tissue lesions. The occurrence of multiple infections could also influence reagudisation of the disease in patients with HIV infection (AIDs) or immunosuppressed in cases of organs transplantation. In such cases, a reactivation of virulent strains could occur with aggravation of the disease. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the immunopathological response in mice with triple infections with different T. cruzi strains and treated with different immunosuppressor drugs. Inbred Balb/c mice were successively infected with T. cruzi strains of different Biodemes : 1) the Colombian strain (Biodeme Type III – T. cruzi I); 2) 50 days after, the mice were re-infected with the 21SF strain (Biodeme Type II – T. cruzi II); 3) after 20 days the third infection was performed with Y strain (Biodeme Type I, Z2b). For each separate T. cruzi strain a group of mice with only a single infection was included as a control group. Twenty days after the last infection, surviving mice were divided into two different groups, submitted to different schedules of treatment with immunosuppressor drugs: Schedule 1 – Betamethasone (2mg/kg/day) plus Cyclophosphamide (250mg/kg/day), during four weeks ; Schedule 2 – Azathioprine (2mg/kg/day) plus Betamethasone (1mg/kg/day ) and Cyclosporine ( first week - initial dose of 16mg/kg/day, during one week, followed by dosis of 10mg/kg/day, 8mg/kg/day and 6mg/kg/day for the following 3 weeks). The mice from the several groups were evaluated by following the evolution of parasitemia and mortality, histopathology and serological specific responses. Evaluation of immunoglobulin isotypes (ELISA method) and skin test for delayed hypersensitivity (DTH) were performed. In the present study a reactivation of T. cruzi infection in mice with triple infection and treated with Betamethasone and Cyclophosphamide was detected; it was characterized by increased parasitemia levels, mortality rates and tissue parasitism. Presence of amastigotes in macrophages of the liver and spleen (macrophagotropism); intensification of the inflammatory infiltration and of extracellular matrix deposits. Combined treatment with Azathioprine, Betamethasone , Cyclosporine and in the triple infected mice did not influence neither parasitemia levels or mortality rates. However the histopathological study demonstrated aggravation of the necrotic inflammatory lesion with the presence of arterites and peri-arterites in the myocardium and skeletal muscles. A decrease of anti-T. cruzi serological titres was observed in triple infected mice treated with immunossupressor drugs in both schedules of treatment employed in the present study, as compared to the untreated control group. A significant decrease in the levels of IGg1, IGg2a, IGg2b and IgM was observed in the group of mice with triple infection, treated with Betamethasone and Cyclophosphamide (Schedule 1) as compared with the untreated controls. In the group with triple infection, treated with Azathioprine, Betamethasone and Cyclosporine (Schedule 2), increased levels of IgG2a and decreased levels of IgG2b were observed. The DTH cutaneous test, disclosed significant differences in the 48 hours point between untreated triple infected mice and the treated with either one of the treatment schedules. In the present study the immunosuppression with Betamethasone plus Cyclophosphamide, determined reactivation of the acute phase of the infection with T. cruzi, comparable to that observed in immunosuppressed patients, concomitantly with significant decrease of the immunoglobulins. This suggests an effective influence of the humoral response on the control of the infection. Treatment with Azathioprine, Betamethasone and Cyclosporine determined aggravation of the immunopathological lesions, characteristics of DTH alterations, without re-agudization of T. cruzi infection.

Introdução: A dieta para neutropênicos foi desenvolvida para prevenir infecções por patógenos transmitidos por alimentos em pacientes com a imunidade comprometida pelo tratamento antineoplásico. Baseia-se no conceito hipotético que alguns alimentos possuem maior carga microbiana e seriam potencialmente danosos aos indivíduos neutropênicos. As restrições impostas pela dieta podem ocasionar deficiências de nutrientes. Objetivo: comparar a qualidade microbiológica e a composição nutricional de uma dieta padrão hospitalar com a dieta oferecida para pacientes pediátricos neutropênicos em um hospital de Porto Alegre, RS. Métodos: para a análise microbiológica, amostras de alimentos da dieta padrão (n=18) e da dieta para neutropênicos (n=18) foram coletadas no momento da entrega aos pacientes. Ambas as dietas foram produzidas sob cuidados de higiene e manipulação de alimentos preconizados pela legislação brasileira. As amostras foram testadas quanto à contaminação para E. coli, Salmonella sp., Bacillus cereus e Staphylococcus coagulase positiva. Para a análise da qualidade nutricional foi calculada a composição nutricional da alimentação oferecida ao longo de seis dias e a adequação das dietas de acordo com as recomendações estabelecidas. Foi calculada a composição nutricional da dieta padrão hospitalar e, para a dieta para neutropênicos foram consideradas duas versões: uma que permite frutas de casca grossa e outra estrita, sem nenhum alimento cru. Os resultados foram apresentados em média, desvio padrão e frequência. Para comparação entre variáveis categóricas dicotomizadas independentes foi aplicado o teste exato de Fisher. A comparação da composição nutricional das dietas foi realizada através da aplicação do teste t de Student para amostras independentes. Realizou-se o cálculo de razão de chances para contaminação microbiológica entre as dietas com intervalo de 95% de confiança. Resultados: das 36 amostras de alimentos analisadas quanto à contaminação por patógenos, 5 (13,89%) apresentaram contaminação microbiana acima do permitido, sendo 4 por Bacillus cereus e 1 por Staphylococcus coagulase positiva. Nenhuma amostra apresentou contaminação por Salmonella sp e E. Coli. Das contaminações microbiológicas, 3 foram provenientes da dieta para neutropênicos e 2 da dieta padrão livre, não havendo diferença entre as dietas analisadas (p=1.00). A razão de chances para contaminação microbiológica entre as dietas também não apresentou diferença (OR=0,62; IC95%= 0,05 – 6,35; p=0,63). A dieta para neutropênicos estrita apresentou menor quantidade de vitamina C (p=0,01) e fibras (p=0,05) quando comparada à dieta padrão. Conclusão: a dieta padrão hospitalar apresentou-se similar em relação à carga microbiana e com maior conteúdo nutricional comparativamente à dieta para neutropênicos no hospital em que foi realizado o estudo. / Introduction: The neutropenic diet was developed to prevent food-related infections in patients with impaired immunity caused by oncologic treatment. It is based on the hypothetical theory that some foods carry greater microbe content that would be potentially harmful for neutropenic subjects. The diet restrictions can lead to several nutrient deficiencies. Objective: the present study aimed to analyze and compare the microbiological profile and nutritional content of the regular and neutropenic diets offered to pediatric patients at a Hospital at Porto Alegre, RS. Methods: microbiological analyses of food samples from the general hospital diet (n=18) and neutropenic diet (n=18) served to pediatric patients were performed. It was investigated the contamination by E. coli, Salmonella sp., Bacillus cereus and coagulase-positive Staphylococcus. Nutritional content of the diets offered to the patients during a 6 day period were calculated to assess nutritional quality. For the neutropenic diet it was considered 2 versions: one that allowed fruits that can be peeled and one strict, with no raw foods. Data was described as mean, standard deviation and frequency. Fisher's exact test was applied for comparison between independent dichotomized categorical variables. Nutritional content comparison between the diets was assessed applying Student’s t test for independent samples. The odds ratio was calculated for microbiological contamination between diets with 95% confidence interval. Results: for the microbiologic content 36 food samples were analyzed, 5 (13,89%) presented microbiologic contamination above recommended limits, 4 by Bacillus cereus and 1 by coagulase-positive Staphylococcus. Contamination by Salmonella sp e E. Coli were absent in all samples. Regarding the microbiologic contamination, 3 food samples were from the neutropenic diet and 2 from the general hospital diet, with no statistical differences between the diets (p=1.00). The odds ratio for microbiological contamination between the diets did not presented differences (OR=0,62; 95%CI=0,05 – 6,35; p=0,63). The strict neutropenic diet had lower content of vitamin C (p=0,01) and fiber (p=0,05) when compared to general hospital diet. Conclusion: the general hospital diet was similar in terms of microbiological content and with greater nutritional content when compared to the neutropenic diet produced in the hospital where the study was conducted.