Seroprevalence of rodent-borne viruses in Afro-descendent communities in Brazil

During the Brazilian slavery period, many African migrants were brought to the American continent. Historically, some of these migrants escaped from the Brazilian gold mines and farms to which they had been brought and settled in remote valleys and this was the main mode of resistance to the slavery system. These runaway-slave descendant communities are called quilombos, a group with distinct ethnic identity, specific behavioral habits, including geographic isolation and conservative practices. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of rodent-borne viruses in two Afro-descendent communities from Mato Grosso do Sul State, Midwestern Brazil. A total of 319 individuals from rural and urban quilombola communities were enrolled. Twelve (3.76%) had anti-rodent-borne virus IgG antibodies. Seven (2.19%) were anti-mammarenavirus reactive and nine (2.82%) had anti-orthohantavirus antibodies. The literature includes limited data on the health status of quilombola communities, but all the studies emphasize the disparity of attention of local healthcare personnel to these communities compared to the general population. The findings of this study highlight the vulnerability and the precarious health conditions of quilombola groups, especially those living in rural areas and thus, point to the need of preventive measures to improve access to healthcare for this ethnic group

Hepatitis B virus genotypes circulating in Brazil: molecular characterization of genotype F isolates

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hepatitis B virus (HBV) isolates have been classified in eight genotypes, A to H, which exhibit distinct geographical distributions. Genotypes A, D and F are predominant in Brazil, a country formed by a miscegenated population, where the proportion of individuals from Caucasian, Amerindian and African origins varies by region. Genotype F, which is the most divergent, is considered indigenous to the Americas. A systematic molecular characterization of HBV isolates from different parts of the world would be invaluable in establishing HBV evolutionary origins and dispersion patterns. A large-scale study is needed to map the region-by-region distribution of the HBV genotypes in Brazil.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Genotyping by PCR-RFLP of 303 HBV isolates from HBsAg-positive blood donors showed that at least two of the three genotypes, A, D, and F, co-circulate in each of the five geographic regions of Brazil. No other genotypes were identified. Overall, genotype A was most prevalent (48.5%), and most of these isolates were classified as subgenotype A1 (138/153; 90.2%). Genotype D was the most common genotype in the South (84.2%) and Central (47.6%) regions. The prevalence of genotype F was low (13%) countrywide. Nucleotide sequencing of the S gene and a phylogenetic analysis of 32 HBV genotype F isolates showed that a great majority (28/32; 87.5%) belonged to subgenotype F2, cluster II. The deduced serotype of 31 of 32 F isolates was <it>adw4</it>. The remaining isolate showed a leucine-to-isoleucine substitution at position 127.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The presence of genotypes A, D and F, and the absence of other genotypes in a large cohort of HBV infected individuals may reflect the ethnic origins of the Brazilian population. The high prevalence of isolates from subgenotype A1 (of African origin) indicates that the African influx during the colonial slavery period had a major impact on the circulation of HBV genotype A currently found in Brazil. Although most genotype F isolates belonged to cluster II, the presence of some isolates belonging to clusters I (subgroup Ib) and IV suggests the existence of two or more founder viral populations of genotype F in Brazil.</p

Prevalência, fatores de risco e genótipos da hepatite C entre usuários de drogas

OBJECTIVE: To estimate prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and identify risk factors associated and circulating HCV genotypes and subtypes. METHODS: Study conducted including 691 drug users attending 26 charitable, private and public drug treatment centers in Goiânia and Campo Grande, central-western Brazil, between 2005 and 2006. Sociodemographic characteristics and risk factors for HCV infection were collected during interviews. Blood samples were tested for HCV antibodies (anti-HCV). Positive samples were submitted to HCV RNA detection by PCR with primers complementary to 5' NC and NS5B regions of viral genome and genotyped by line probe assay (LiPA) and direct nucleotide sequencing followed by phylogenetic analysis. The prevalence and odds ratio were calculated with 95% confidence intervals. Risk factors were first estimated in the univariate analysis (pOBJETIVO: Estimar la prevalencia y factores asociados a la infección por el virus de la hepatitis C en usuarios de drogas e identificar los genotipos y subtipos virales circulantes. MÉTODOS: Estudio realizado con 691 usuarios de drogas de 26 centros de tratamiento de uso de drogas filantrópicos, particulares y públicos de Goiania y Campo Grande (Centro-Oeste), entre 2005 y 2006. Datos sociodemográficos y factores de riesgo para infección por el HCV fueron obtenidos por medio de entrevistas. Muestras sanguíneas fueron evaluadas para la detección de anticuerpos para el HCV. Las muestras positivas fueron sometidas a la detección de RNA-HCV por la reacción en cadena de polimerasa con iniciadores complementarios a las regiones 5' NC y NS5B del genoma viral y genotipadas por el line probe assay (LiPA) y por secuenciación directa, seguido del análisis filogenético. Prevalencia y odds ratio fueron calculados con intervalo de 95% de confianza. Los factores de riesgo con pOBJETIVO: Estimar a prevalência e fatores associados à infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C em usuários de drogas e identificar os genótipos e subtipos virais circulantes. MÉTODOS: Estudo realizado com 691 usuários de drogas de 26 centros de tratamento de uso de drogas filantrópicos, particulares e públicos de Goiânia (GO) e Campo Grande (MS), entre 2005 e 2006. Dados sociodemográficos e fatores de risco para infecção pelo HCV foram obtidos por meio de entrevistas. Amostras sangüíneas foram testadas para a detecção de anticorpos para o HCV. As amostras positivas foram submetidas à detecção do RNA-HCV pela reação em cadeia da polimerase com iniciadores complementares às regiões 5' NC e NS5B do genoma viral e genotipadas pelo line probe assay (LiPA) e por seqüenciamento direto, seguido de análise filogenética. Prevalência e odds ratio foram calculados com intervalo de 95% de confiança. Os fatores de risco com

Compliance with and response to hepatitis B vaccination in remaining quilombo communities in Central Brazil Adesão e resposta à vacinação contra hepatite B em comunidades remanescentes de quilombos no Brasil Central

Compliance with and responses to the hepatitis B vaccine were evaluated in remaining quilombo communities in Central Brazil. A total of 708 individuals who were susceptible to hepatitis B virus infection were invited to participate in the hepatitis B vaccination program in eight communities. Although 567 (80%) individuals received the first dose, only 198 (28%) complied with the full vaccination scheme. Of 148 subjects who agreed to be tested for anti-HBs, 123 (83.1%; 95%CI: 75.9-88.6) responded to the vaccine. A geometric mean titer of 512mIU/mL (95%CI: 342.5-765.3) was found. Male sex and older age were independently associated with non-response. Additional health education programs and alternative hepatitis B vaccine schedules are needed to improve the vaccination coverage in these communities in Central Brazil.<br>A adesão e resposta à vacina contra hepatite B foram avaliadas em comunidades remanescentes de quilombos no Brasil Central. Um total de 708 indivíduos suscetíveis à infecção pelo vírus da hepatite B foi convidado para participar do programa de vacinação contra hepatite B em oito comunidades. Apesar de 567 (80%) indivíduos terem recebido a primeira dose, somente 198 (28%) aderiram ao esquema completo de vacinação. De 148 sujeitos que concordaram em dosar o anti-HBs, 123 (83,1%; IC95%: 75,9-88,6) responderam à vacina. Um título geométrico médio de 512mUI/mL (IC95%: 342,5-765,3) foi encontrado. Sexo masculino e idade foram independentemente associados com ausência de resposta. Programas adicionais de educação em saúde e esquemas alternativos de vacinação contra hepatite B são necessários para melhorar a cobertura vacinal nessas comunidades no Brasil Central

Phylogeography and evolutionary history of hepatitis B virus genotype F in Brazil

Made available in DSpace on 2015-08-19T13:49:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license.txt: 1914 bytes, checksum: 7d48279ffeed55da8dfe2f8e81f3b81f (MD5) francisco_mello_etal_IOC_2013.pdf: 903354 bytes, checksum: fc432e0b018705d312baf68efe0d3d05 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Virologia Molecular. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Virologia Molecular. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Virologia Molecular. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul. Departamento de Bioquímica e Farmácia. Campo Grande, MS, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Virologia Molecular. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de AIDS e Imunologia Molecular. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Virologia Molecular. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype F (HBV/F) is considered to be indigenous to the Americas, but its emergence and spread in the continent remain unknown. Previously, only two HBV/F complete genome sequences from Brazil were available, limiting the contribution of Brazilian isolates to the phylogenetic studies of HBV/F. The present study was carried out to assess the proportion and geographic distributions of HBV/F subgenotypes in Brazil, to determine the full-length genomic sequences of HBV/F isolates from different Brazilian geographic regions, and to investigate the detailed evolutionary history and phylogeography of HBV/F in Brazil. Methods: Complete HBV/F genomes isolated from 12 Brazilian patients, representing the HBV/F subgenotypes circulating in Brazil, were sequenced and analyzed together with sequences retrieved from GenBank, using the Bayesian coalescent and phylogeographic framework. Results: Phylogenetic analysis using all Brazilian HBV/F S-gene sequences available in GenBank showed that HBV/F2a is found at higher frequencies countrywide and corresponds to all sequences isolated in the Brazilian Amazon Basin. In addition, the evolutionary analysis using complete genome sequences estimated an older median ancestral age for the Brazilian HBV/F2a compared to the Brazilian HBV/F1b and HBV/F4 subgenotypes, suggesting that HBV/F2a represents the original native HBV of Brazil. The phylogeographic patterns suggested a north-to-south flow of HBV/F2a from Venezuela to Brazil, whereas HBV/F1b and HBV/F4 strains appeared to have spread from Argentina to Brazil. Conclusions: This study suggests a plausible route of introduction of HBV/F subgenotypes in Brazil and demonstrates the usefulness of recently developed computational tools for investigating the evolutionary history of HBV

Cytokine profile and proviral load among Japanese immigrants and non-Japanese infected with HTLV-1 in a non-endemic area of Brazil

Submitted by Sandra Infurna ([email protected]) on 2017-07-06T10:57:14Z No. of bitstreams: 1 louise_zanella_etal_IOC_2017.pdf: 2111205 bytes, checksum: 46a343e352837e56495a852d5ad4fffd (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Sandra Infurna ([email protected]) on 2017-07-06T11:14:43Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 louise_zanella_etal_IOC_2017.pdf: 2111205 bytes, checksum: 46a343e352837e56495a852d5ad4fffd (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-06T11:14:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 louise_zanella_etal_IOC_2017.pdf: 2111205 bytes, checksum: 46a343e352837e56495a852d5ad4fffd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brasil.Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brasil.Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brasil.Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil.Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brasil.Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brasil.Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brasil / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Campo Grande, MS, Brasil.Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brasil / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Campo Grande, MS, Brasil.The lifetime risk of HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) development differs among ethnic groups. To better understand these differences, this prospective cohort study was conducted to investigate the cytokine profile and the HTLV-1 proviral load (PVL) in Japanese and non-Japanese populations with HAM/TSP and asymptomatic carriers (ACs). The serum IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels were quantified using the Cytometric Bead Array in 40 HTLV-1-infected patients (11 HAM/TSP and 29 ACs) and 18 healthy controls (HCs) in Brazil. Among ACs, 15 were Japanese descendants and 14 were non-Japanese. Of 11 patients with HAM/TSP, only one was a Japanese descendant. The HTLV-1 PVL was quantified by real-time PCR. The HTLV-1 PVL was 2.7-fold higher in HAM/TSP patients than ACs. Regardless of the clinical outcome, the PVL was significantly higher in patients younger than 60 years than older patients. The HAM/TSP and ACs had higher IL-10 serum concentrations than that of HCs. The ACs also showed higher IL-6 serum levels than those of HCs. According to age, the IL-10 and IL-6 levels were higher in ACs non-Japanese patients older than 60 years. HAM/TSP patients showed a positive correlation between IL-6 and IL-17 and a negative correlation between the PVL and IL-17 and IFN-γ. In the all ACs, a significant positive correlation was observed between IL-2 and IL-17 and a negative correlation was detected between IL-10 and TNF-α. Only 6.25% of the Japanese patients were symptomatic carriers, compared with 41.67% of the non-Japanese patients. In conclusion, this study showed that high levels of HTLV-1 PVL was intrinsicaly associated with the development of HAM/TSP. A higher HTLV-1 PVL and IL10 levels found in non-Japanese ACs over 60 years old, which compared with the Japanese group depicts that the ethnic background may interfere in the host immune status. More researches also need to be undertaken regarding the host genetic background to better understand the low frequency of HAM/TSP in Japanese HTLV-1-infected individuals

Apoptotic Mediators in Patients With Severe and Non-Severe Dengue From Brazil

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-19T13:26:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license.txt: 1914 bytes, checksum: 7d48279ffeed55da8dfe2f8e81f3b81f (MD5) daniel_limontaetal_IOC-2014.pdf: 426000 bytes, checksum: ecf2fec79eeb98d9011dda423c5c8596 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Imunologia Viral. Laboratório de Flavivirus. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Imunologia Viral. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Imunologia Viral. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Imunologia Viral. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Centro Regional de Referência em Dengue. Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso. Setor Hemonúcleo. MS, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso. Setor Hemonúcleo. MS, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Imunologia Viral. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Flavivirus. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Imunologia Viral. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Despite being the most significant arboviral disease worldwide, dengue has no antiviral treatment or reliable severity predictors. It has been shown that apoptotic cells from blood and tissues may be involved in the complex pathogenesis of dengue. However, very little is known about the interplay between proapoptotic and antiapoptotic mediators in this disease. Therefore, plasma levels of the three proapoptotic mediators Fas ligand (FasL), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) were measured in dengue patients. Patients were classified according to the World Health Organization classification of dengue revised in 2009. Additionally, inhibitors of apoptosis protein (IAPs) were determined in plasma (Survivin) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) lysates (cIAP-1, cIAP-2, XIAP). Levels of apoptotic proteins in plasma were correlated with counts of blood cells. FasL and TRAIL levels were elevated in dengue patients without warning signs when compared to patients with severe dengue and controls. Dengue patients with warning signs showed decreased levels of Survivin compared to patients with severe dengue and controls. TRAIL was inversely correlated with counts of lymphocyte subsets. In contrast, Survivin was positively correlated with leukocyte counts. There was a trend of elevated IAPs levels in PBMCs of patients with severe dengue. The results suggest a likely antiviral effect of TRAIL in dengue. It appears that TRAIL might be involved with apoptosis induction of lymphocytes, whereas IAPs might participate in protecting leukocytes from apoptosis. Further research is needed to explore the interactions between pro and antiapoptotic molecules and their implications in dengue pathogenesis