Association of Chlamydia trachomatis, C. pneumoniae, and IL-6 and IL-8 Gene Alterations With Heart Diseases

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the arterial walls, associated with genetic and infectious factors. The present study investigated the involvement of Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae infections and immunological markers (C-reactive protein, CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10) in the process of atherosclerosis. The evaluation included 159 patients for surgical revascularization (CAD) and 71 patients for surgical heart valve disease (HVD) at three hospitals in Belém, Brazil. The control group (CG) comprised 300 healthy individuals. Blood samples collected before surgery were used for antibodies detection (enzyme immunoassay), CRP (immunoturbidimetry) and IL-6 levels (enzyme immunoassay). Tissue fragments (atheroma plaque, heart valve and ascending aorta) were collected during surgery and subjected to qPCR for detection of bacterial DNA. Promoter region polymorphisms of each marker and relative quantification of TNF-α, IL-8, and IL-10 gene expression were performed. Demography and social information were similar to the general population involved with both diseases. Antibody prevalence to C. trachomatis was 30.6, 20.3, and 36.7% (in the CAD, HVD, and CG, respectively) and to C. pneumoniae was 83.6, 84.5, and 80.3% (in the CAD, HVD, and CG, respectively). C. trachomatis cryptic plasmid DNA was detected in 7.4% of the samples. Frequency of IL6−174G>C polymorphism was higher in CAD and HVD than in CG regardless of previous exposure to Chlamydia. Previous C. trachomatis infection showed involvement in HVD and CAD. Significant association between disease and previous C. pneumoniae infection was found only among HVD. GG genotype of IL6−174G>C is apparently a risk factor for heart disease, whereas AT genotype of IL8−251A>T was mainly involved in valvulopathies, including patients with prior exposure to C. pneumoniae

Os impactos da acne vulgar na qualidade de vida do paciente

A acne vulgar afeta cerca de 80% dos adolescentes e adultos jovens de 11 a 30 anos em todo o mundo. Essa pesquisa tem por objetivo trazer os impactos psicossociais da acne vulgar (Acne vulgaris) e a conduta médica que deve ser aplicada nesse contexto, visando um efetivo tratamento da acne. A metodologia teve como base revisão de literatura, tendo como fontes trabalhos divulgados em bancos de dados científicos, como SCiELO e PubMed, com os seguintes descritores: “acne vulgaris”, “acne treatment” e “acne social impacts”. Foi usado como aporte teórico, principalmente, Azulay (2017) e De Resende (2021). Desta forma, foi usado como critérios de inclusão: estudos de 2015 a 2022, aos quais foram usados artigos completos, gratuitos, que estivessem nas línguas portuguesas, inglesas e ou espanhol, excluindo trabalhos duplicados e de metanalise, além da já supracitada literatura médica em dermatologia, no intuito de se obter as mais recentes e adequadas fontes sobre o objetivo proposto para revisão bibliográfica, no intuito de selecionar as mais recentes e adequadas fontes sobre o objetivo proposto. A acne tem um impacto significativo na autoestima e qualidade de vida de quem sofre com esse problema. Vários estudos mostraram alterações psicológicas, incluindo ansiedade, inibição social, depressão e ideação suicida em pacientes com acne. Mesmo com o avanço da medicina dermatológica, ainda não há tratamento 100% eficaz para a acne vulgar, e mesmo os tratamentos mais fortes, como o uso da isotretinoína, não privam o paciente de que a mesma reincida. Assim, conhecer o funcionamento dos tratamentos da acne é fundamental para que falsas expectativas não sejam criadas. Há dois princípios a ter em conta em qualquer tratamento da acne: iniciar o tratamento o mais cedo possível e, após a conclusão do mesmo, os fármacos tópicos deverão continuar a ser utilizados por um período mínimo de seis a 12 meses. Dito isso, é importante saber que um tratamento bem sucedido fundamenta-se na educação do paciente e na promoção da sua adesão à terapêutica. Conclui-se, portanto, que é de suma importância que o médico dermatologista tenha ciência para além das questões estéticas, e coloque em pauta durante a consulta como aquela doença e o próprio tratamento estão afetando a qualidade de vida e o psicológico do paciente. Além disso, o médico deve ficar atento se há alguma negligência por parte do paciente no tratamento, seja não utilizando os fármacos ou não conseguindo adquirir os mesmos, e se estão sendo utilizados de forma correta, pois muitos geram efeitos adversos se usados de maneira errada, como os despigmentantes que podem gerar manchas mais graves se usados de forma incorreta, piorando a situação do paciente

Polymorphisms in the MBL2 gene are associated with the plasma levels of MBL and the cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α in severe COVID-19

IntroductionMannose-binding lectin (MBL) promotes opsonization, favoring phagocytosis and activation of the complement system in response to different microorganisms, and may influence the synthesis of inflammatory cytokines. This study investigated the association of MBL2 gene polymorphisms with the plasma levels of MBL and inflammatory cytokines in COVID-19.MethodsBlood samples from 385 individuals (208 with acute COVID-19 and 117 post-COVID-19) were subjected to real-time PCR genotyping. Plasma measurements of MBL and cytokines were performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometry, respectively.ResultsThe frequencies of the polymorphic MBL2 genotype (OO) and allele (O) were higher in patients with severe COVID-19 (p< 0.05). The polymorphic genotypes (AO and OO) were associated with lower MBL levels (p< 0.05). IL-6 and TNF-α were higher in patients with low MBL and severe COVID-19 (p< 0.05). No association of polymorphisms, MBL levels, or cytokine levels with long COVID was observed.DiscussionThe results suggest that, besides MBL2 polymorphisms promoting a reduction in MBL levels and therefore in its function, they may also contribute to the development of a more intense inflammatory process responsible for the severity of COVID-19

Association of the p75NTR Ser205Leu Polymorphism with Asymptomatic HTLV-1 Infection

Genetic variations in components of the immune response seem to be an important factor that contributes to the manifestation of symptoms of some diseases related to HTLV-1 infection. Nerve growth factor (NGF) and the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) are related to the maintenance of neurons and the activation of the immune response. In this study, we evaluated the association of the NGF -198C/T, NGF Ala35Val, and p75NTR Ser205Leu polymorphisms with HTLV-1 infection and plasma cytokine levels in 166 samples from individuals infected with HTLV-1 (59 symptomatic and 107 asymptomatic). The genotyping and quantification of the proviral load were performed by real-time PCR, and cytokine levels were measured by ELISA. The NGF -198C/T and NGF Ala35Val polymorphisms were not associated with HTLV-1 infection. The frequency of the Ser/Leu genotype of p75NTR Ser205Leu was more frequent in the control group (p = 0.0385), and the Ser/Leu genotype and allele Leu were more frequent among the asymptomatic (p < 0.05), especially with respect to the HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (HAM) group (p < 0.05). The symptomatic showed a higher proviral load and higher TNF-α and IL-10 levels (p < 0.05). Asymptomatic carriers of the Ser/Leu genotype (p = 0.0797) had lower levels of proviral load and higher levels of TNF-α (p = 0.0507). Based on the results obtained, we conclude that the p75NTR Ser205Leu polymorphism may be associated with reduced susceptibility to HTLV-1 infection, a lower risk of developing symptoms, including HAM, and better infection control

A1AT polymorphisms may be associated with clinical characteristics of retrovirus infections in a mixed ethnic population from the Brazilian Amazon region

Objectives: This study investigated the association of alpha-1-antrypsin deficiency (A1AT; S and Z polymorphisms) with HIV-1 and HTLV-1 infection. Methods: Blood samples from 201 HIV-1-infected and 115 HTLV-1-infected individuals were examined and compared with those from 300 healthy controls. Genotyping of A1AT (S and Z) and quantification of plasma viral load were performed using RT-PCR, and the CD4+/CD8+ T-cell count was determined by flow cytometry. Results: The wild-type MM genotype showed the highest frequency in each of the three groups investigated. SS and ZZ homozygous genotypes (variants) were observed only among HTLV-1 patients and controls, respectively. Genotype MS was significantly less frequent in HTLV-1-positive persons than in controls. Statistically significant differences were observed when comparing genotype frequencies between symptomatic and asymptomatic HTLV-1-infected persons. The distribution of plasma HIV-1 viral load among individuals with different genotypes of A1AT polymorphism also differed significantly. Conclusions: The results suggest that A1AT polymorphisms may be associated with human retrovirus infections when dealing with an ethnically mixed population from the Amazon region of Brazil. Keywords: A1T1, Polymorphisms, HIV-1, HTLV-

HIV-1 transmitted drug resistance mutations in recently diagnosed antiretroviral-naive patients in Belém, Pará, Northern Brazil

Universidade Federal do Pará. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia de Agentes Infecciosos e Parasitários. Belém, PA, Brazil / Universidade Federal do Pará. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Laboratório de Virologia. Belém, PA, Brazil.Universidade Federal do Pará. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia de Agentes Infecciosos e Parasitários. Belém, PA, Brazil / Universidade Federal do Pará. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Laboratório de Virologia. Belém, PA, Brazil.Universidade Federal do Pará. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia de Agentes Infecciosos e Parasitários. Belém, PA, Brazil / Universidade Federal do Pará. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Laboratório de Virologia. Belém, PA, Brazil.Universidade Federal do Pará. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia de Agentes Infecciosos e Parasitários. Belém, PA, Brazil / Universidade Federal do Pará. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Laboratório de Virologia. Belém, PA, Brazil.Universidade Federal do Pará. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Laboratório de Virologia. Belém, PA, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Pará. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Laboratório de Virologia. Belém, PA, Brazil.Universidade Federal do Pará. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Laboratório de Virologia. Belém, PA, Brazil.Universidade Federal do Pará. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Laboratório de Virologia. Belém, PA, Brazil.Universidade Federal do Pará. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia de Agentes Infecciosos e Parasitários. Belém, PA, Brazil / Universidade Federal do Pará. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Laboratório de Virologia. Belém, PA, Brazil

Prevalence of trachoma in school children in the Marajó Archipelago, Brazilian Amazon, and the impact of the introduction of educational and preventive measures on the disease over eight years.

Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness in the world and is associated with precarious living conditions in developing countries. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of trachoma in three municipalities of the Marajó Archipelago, located in the state of Pará, Brazil. In 2008, 2,054 schoolchildren from the public primary school system of the urban area of the region and their communicants were clinically examined; in 2016, 1,502 schoolchildren were examined. The positive cases seen during the clinical evaluation were confirmed by direct immunofluorescence (DIF) laboratory tests. The presence of antibodies against the genus Chlamydia was evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), and the serotypes were determined by microimmunofluorescence (MIF). In 2008, the prevalence of trachoma among schoolchildren was 3.4% (69 cases) and it was more frequent in children between six and nine years of age and in females; among the communicants, a prevalence of 16.5% was observed. In 2016, three cases of trachoma were diagnosed (prevalence of 0.2%), found only in the municipality of Soure. The results of the present study showed that in 2008, trachoma had a low prevalence (3.4%) among schoolchildren in the urban area of Marajó Archipelago; eight years after the first evaluation and the introduction of control and prevention measures (SAFE strategy), there was a drastic reduction in the number of cases (0.2%), demonstrating the need for constant monitoring and effective measures for the elimination of trachoma

TNFA-308G>A and IL10-1082A>G polymorphisms seem to be predictive biomarkers of chronic HCV infection

This study was funded by the National Council for Scientifc and Technological Development (CNPQ #480128/2013-8) and by the Federal University of Pará (PROPESP/PAPQ/2020)Federal University of Pará. Institute of Biological Sciences. Laboratory of Virology. Belém, Pará, Brazil / Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Virologia. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Federal University of Pará. Institute of Biological Sciences. Laboratory of Virology. Belém, Pará, Brazil.Federal University of Pará. Institute of Biological Sciences. Laboratory of Virology. Belém, Pará, Brazil.Federal University of Pará. João de Barros Barreto Hospital. Belém, Pará, Brazil / Federal University of Pará. Institute of Health Sciences. School of Medicine. Belém, Pará, Brazil.Federal University of Pará. Institute of Biological Sciences. Laboratory of Virology. Belém, Pará, Brazil.Federal University of Pará. Institute of Biological Sciences. Laboratory of Virology. Belém, Pará, Brazil.Federal University of Pará. Institute of Biological Sciences. Laboratory of Virology. Belém, Pará, Brazil.Background: Genetic changes may induce dysregulated cytokine production and afect the progression of the chronic disease caused by the hepacivirus C (HCV) because the balance of pro- and anti-infammatory cytokines determines the outcome of infection. This study evaluated the TNFA -308G>A and IL10 -1082A>G polymorphisms in the susceptibility and progress of chronic hepatitis C. Method: The study included 101 samples from patients with chronic hepatitis C and 300 samples from healthy donors. Polymorphisms were typed by real-time PCR and were analyzed for associations with histopathological parameters (according to METAVIR classifcation) and HCV viral load. Results: The polymorphic genotype for the TNFA -308G>A variant was not present in the group of patients with chronic hepatitis C and its absence could be associated with protection against HCV infection (p=0.0477). Patients with the polymorphic genotype of the IL10 -1082A>G polymorphism had higher HCV viral load than wild-type patients (p=0.0428). Neither polymorphism was associated with diferent levels of necroinfammatory activity or fbrosis scores. Conclusion: Our results suggest the polymorphic genotype at TNFA -308G>A as protective against chronic HCV infection, and the polymorphic genotype at the IL10 -1082A>G variant associated with higher HCV viral load. Further studies must be performed in order to confrm these associations