The Potential Contribution of ABO, Lewis and Secretor Histo-Blood Group Carbohydrates in Infection by Toxoplasma gondii

The glycosyltransferases encoded by genes from the human ABO, Lewis, and Secretor histo-blood group systems synthesize part of the carbohydrate antigens in hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic tissues. The combined action of these glycosyltransferases strongly influences cell, tissue, mucosa, and exocrine secretion carbohydrate phenotypes, including those serving as habitat for mutualistic and pathogenic microorganisms. A set of reports investigated associations between Toxoplasma gondii infection and the ABO histo-blood group system, but the results are contradictory. As T. gondii uses the gastrointestinal tract as a route for infection, and in this organ, the expression of ABO, Lewis, and Secretor histo-blood group carbohydrates occurs, it is reasonable to suppose some biological relationship between them. This text reviewed association studies published in recent decades focusing on the potential contribution of the ABO, Lewis, and Secretor histo-blood group carbohydrates and infection by T. gondii

Total IgE plasma levels vary according to gender and age in Brazilian patients with allergic rhinitis

OBJECTIVE: Allergic rhinitis is a disease that affects the upper airways and causes inflammation of the nasal mucosa and it is mediated by IgE antibodies produced after sensitization to environmental allergens. Previous reports have indicated that this disease affects males more often than females. The objective of this study was to verify whether total IgE plasma levels vary between genders in patients suffering from allergic rhinitis. METHODS: A total of 171 adult patients suffering from allergic rhinitis (55 males and 116 females) were enrolled. Total IgE plasma levels were determined using commercial kits, with 140 IU/mL considered as a reference value. The mean total IgE plasma levels were compared according to gender and age. RESULTS: The mean age of the overall patient group with allergic rhinitis was 38.4±19.0 years and a significant difference in age was observed between genders (males: 32.2±17.8 years; females: 41.4±18.9 years; p = 0.0027). Additionally, the mean total IgE plasma levels were higher in males (413.0±143.0 IU/mL) than in females (147.9±98.0 IU/mL) (

The ADA*2 allele of the adenosine deaminase gene (20q13.11) and recurrent spontaneous abortions: an age-dependent association

OBJECTIVE: Adenosine deaminase acts on adenosine and deoxyadenosine metabolism and modulates the immune response. The adenosine deaminase G22A polymorphism (20q.11.33) influences the level of adenosine deaminase enzyme expression, which seems to play a key role in maintaining pregnancy. The adenosine deaminase 2 phenotype has been associated with a protective effect against recurrent spontaneous abortions in European Caucasian women. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the G22A polymorphism of the adenosine deaminase gene is associated with recurrent spontaneous abortions in Brazilian women. METHODS: A total of 311 women were recruited to form two groups: G1, with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortions (N = 129), and G2, without a history of abortions (N = 182). Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood with a commercial kit and PCR-RFLP analysis was used to identify the G22A genetic polymorphism. Fisher's exact test and odds ratio values were used to compare the proportions of adenosine deaminase genotypes and alleles between women with and without a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion (p<0.05). The differences between mean values for categorical data were calculated using unpaired t tests. The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was assessed with a chi-square test. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were identified for the frequencies of adenosine deaminase genotypes and alleles between the G1 and G2 groups when adjusted for maternal age. CONCLUSIONS:The results suggest that the adenosine deaminase *2 allele is associated with a low risk for recurrent spontaneous abortions, but this association is dependent on older age

Detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in wild free-living birds and mammals from the northwest region of São Paulo state, Brazil

Toxoplasmosis is a protozoonosis caused by an obligate intracellular parasite named Toxoplasma gondii, which can infect humans and a large number of homeothermic animal species with worldwide distribution. The present study aimed to detect anti T. gondii antibodies from serological samples of free living wild animals from the northwest region of São Paulo state, Brazil. Thirty-two samples (eight from birds and 24 from mammals) were analyzed by the modified agglutination test (MAT) using 5 cut-off points for birds and 25 for mammals. Seropositivity was observed in 25% (2/8) of birds, including the species Rupornis magnirostris (roadside hawk) and Caracara plancus (southern caracara), and 29.2% (7/24) animals were seropositive among mammals, including one hoary fox (Lycalopex vetulus), two maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus), one black howler monkey (Alouatta caraya), two crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) and one gray brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira). The results obtained with the present study indicate the exposure to T. gondii of free-living wild animals from the northwest region of São Paulo state and, therefore, that they probably play a role in the transmission and maintenance of T. gondii in the environment they inhabit. Thus, identification of the infection in several animal species in the region indicates the environmental contamination of the area. Studies of this nature may help to understand the importance of the prevention and control of this disease in Brazil.A toxoplasmose é uma protozoonose causada por um parasita intracelular obrigatório denominado Toxoplasma gondii, que pode infectar os humanos e um vasto número de espécies animais homeotérmicas, apresentando distribuição mundial. O presente estudo objetivou a detecção de anticorpos anti-T. gondii a partir de amostras sorológicas de animais silvestres de vida livre da região noroeste do estado de São Paulo. Foram analisadas 32 amostras (oito de aves e 24 de mamíferos) por meio do teste de aglutinação modificado (MAT), utilizando ponto de corte 5 para as aves e 25 para os mamíferos. Soropositividade foi observada em 25% (2/8) das aves, incluindo as espécies Rupornis magnirostris (gavião-carijó) e Caracara plancus (carcará); entre os mamíferos, 29,2% (7/24) foram soropositivos incluindo uma raposa-do-campo (Lycalopex vetulus), dois lobos guará (Chrysocyon brachyurus), um bugio-preto (Alouatta caraya), dois cachorros-do-mato (Cerdocyon thous) e um veado-catingueiro (Mazama gouazoubira). Os resultados obtidos com o presente estudo indicam a exposição dos animais selvagens de vida livre a T. gondii na região noroeste do estado de São Paulo e, portanto, que provavelmente apresentam papel na transmissão e manutenção de T. gondii no meio ambiente em que vivem. Assim, a identificação da infecção em várias espécies de animais na região indica a contaminação ambiental da área. Estudos dessa natureza podem ajudar no entendimento sobre a prevenção e o controle dessa importante doença no Brasil.

Clinical and epidemiological profile of patients with mental disorders in a specialized outpatient clinic and its role in the psychosocial care network

IntroductionMental health disorders (MHDs) are responsible for much impairment of quality of life in Brazil and worldwide. Early diagnosis and effective treatment strategies are required due to the heterogeneous symptoms and multifactorial etiology.MethodsA descriptive retrospective observational study was performed aiming to characterize the clinical and psychiatric profiles of patients with MHD attending a Brazilian public tertiary psychiatric outpatient clinic, which is a reference health service for more than 2 million inhabitants. Predominant clinical and sociodemographic aspects of patients were evaluated between March 2019 and March 2021.ResultsA total of 8,384 appointments were analyzed. The majority of patients were female, and the mean age was 45 years old. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) was the most common MHD. The prevailing symptoms were sadness, anxiety, and irritability, with the most prescribed medications being selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.ConclusionThe epidemiological characterization of mental disorders in specialized mental health outpatient clinics provides evidence for the establishment of more specific protocols and advocates a dimensional transdiagnostic approach as an aid to public mental health services

Sistema histo-sangüíneo ABO, status Secretor e anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii em gestação da região Noroeste do Estado de São Paulo: um estudo de associação

O Toxoplasma gondii infecta os seres humanos dentre outras vias, pelo trato gastrintestinal, um local onde se dá a expressão do perfil de glicoconjugados ABH sob controle da enzima a-2-L-Fucosiltransferase (FUTII) codificada pelo gene FUT2 (19q13.3). A presença da FUTII define o status secretor positivo, o qual é relacionado aos fenótipos eritrocitários ABO. Diante da importância epidemiológica e clínica da infecção pelo T. gondii, o objetivo desse trabalho foi testar a hipótese de que o perfil de glicoconjugados ABH expresso no trato gastrintestinal está associado à infecção por esse parasito. Foram selecionadas 367 gestantes atendidas no Ambulatório de Gestação de Alto Risco do Hospital de Base da Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto. Duas amostras de sangue, uma sem e outra com anticoagulante foram coletadas. A fenotipagem eritrocitária ABO e a detecção dos anticorpos anti-T. gondii foram realizadas pelo método hemaglutinação. A identificação do status secretor foi feita pelo método PCR-RFLP. As diferenças nas freqüências do status secretor positivo e negativo e dos fenótipos eritrocitários ABO, isoladamente ou em conjunto, não foram estatisticamente significantes na presença e na ausência desses anticorpos (p=0,26). Esses resultados sugerem que o perfil de glicoconjugados ABH expressos no trato gastrintestinal sob controle do gene FUT2 não está associado à presença de anticorpos anti-T. gondii.Toxoplasma gondii infects humans in several manners including by the gastrointestinal tract where the a-2-L-Fucosiltransferase (FUTII) coded by FUT2 (19q13.3) controls the expression of the ABH glycoconjugates profile. Presence of FUTII defines the positive secretor status which is associated to ABO erythrocytic phenotypes. Due to the epidemiological and clinical importance of T. gondii infection, the aim of this work was to test the hypothesis that the ABH glycoconjugate profile expressed in the gastrointestinal tract is associated to infections by this parasite. A total of 367 pregnant women from the High-Risk Pregnancy Clinical of the University Hospital de Base in São José do Rio Preto were enrolled in this study. Two blood samples were drawn with only one mixed with anticoagulant. The ABO erythrocytic phenotyping and detection of anti-T. gondii antibodies were achieved by the hemagglutination method. Identification of the secretor status was by the PCR-RFLP method. Differences in the positive and negative secretor status and ABO erythrocytic phenotypes, either in isolation or in association, were not statistically significant in respect to the presence or absence of these antibodies (p-value =0.26). These results suggest that the ABH glycoconjugate profile expressed in the gastrointestinal tract under control of the FUT2 gene is not associated to anti-T. gondii antibodies.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Total IgE plasma levels vary according to gender and age in Brazilian patients with allergic rhinitis

OBJECTIVE: Allergic rhinitis is a disease that affects the upper airways and causes inflammation of the nasal mucosa and it is mediated by IgE antibodies produced after sensitization to environmental allergens. Previous reports have indicated that this disease affects males more often than females. The objective of this study was to verify whether total IgE plasma levels vary between genders in patients suffering from allergic rhinitis. METHODS: A total of 171 adult patients suffering from allergic rhinitis (55 males and 116 females) were enrolled. Total IgE plasma levels were determined using commercial kits, with 140 IU/mL considered as a reference value. The mean total IgE plasma levels were compared according to gender and age. RESULTS: The mean age of the overall patient group with allergic rhinitis was 38.4±19.0 years and a significant difference in age was observed between genders (males: 32.2±17.8 years; females: 41.4±18.9 years; p = 0.0027). Additionally, the mean total IgE plasma levels were higher in males (413.0±143.0 IU/mL) than in females (147.9±98.0 IU/mL) (p<0.0001). These differences persisted even when males and females were stratified by age (up to or older than 20 years of age). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, total IgE plasma levels are higher in young adult males than in females suffering from allergic rhinitis. Evaluating total IgE plasma levels can be useful to identify patients at risk of allergic rhinitis in areas with low industrial pollution

Evidence of an association between the O blood group and allergic rhinitis

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to verify if ABO phenotypes are associated with allergic rhinitis. METHODS: 168 patients with allergic rhinitis and 168 control individuals from the same geographical region and paired by gender and age were enrolled in the study. ABO phenotypes were identified in red blood cells using the hemagglutination technique. The Fisher exact and chi-squared tests were employed to compare proportions. Statistical significance was set for an alpha error of 5% (p-value < 0.05). RESULTS: The overall differences in the frequencies of the ABO phenotypes of patients and controls were marginal (&#967;2: 7.569; degrees of freedom (DF): 3; p-value = 0.055) however the O blood group was associated with allergic rhinitis (&#967;2: 5.764; DF: 1; p-value = 0.016; OR: 1.735; CI 95%: 1.127-2.673). The differences in the frequencies of the O phenotype in patients and controls were statistically different for men (&#967;2: 8.520; DF: 1; p-value = 0.003) but not for women (&#967;2: 0.6375; DF: 1; p-value = 0.4246). The A phenotype was associated with protection (OR: 0.4385; CI 95%: 0.2043-0.9415; p-value = 0.049) and the O phenotype was associated with susceptibility (OR = 2.789; CI 95%: 1.385-5.616; p-value = 0.005) to allergic rhinitis only for men. CONCLUSION: The O blood group phenotype is associated with allergic rhinitis in male but not in female patients