What did we learn after the 2020 pandemic? Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a North region of Portugal during 3rd lockdown

Background: Serological studies of antibody prevalence in response to infection with the acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are useful to monitor the epidemic progression of the disease and to evaluate infection rates. In this study, we estimated the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (IgM and IgG) in a Portuguese sub-district, during National lockdown - January-March 2021.Methods: In the seroepidemiological survey participants were tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (IgM and IgG), in blood samples. The estimated seroprevalence and results were stratified by age, gender, education, occupational exposure, symptoms and previous SARS-CoV-2 infection.Results: Seroprevalence was 41.3%, (15.7% IgG positive, 11.6% IgM positive and 14% positive for both). The majority (74%) of the participants were working presentially and did the serological assay because they had either symptoms / positive contact (90%) or had a previous positive antigen test (36%). From all the seropositive cases only 44% were symptomatic. Our results show that seroprevalence of SARS -CoV-2 is high in the North, in parallel with the National Surveillance System. Seroprevalence was higher in woman than man and in adults older than 21. Almost all the people with symptoms or a positive contact had a positive test and were working at their regular places of work reflecting the danger of occupational exposure. Conclusions: These results suggest that, between January and March 2021, the restriction conditions were effective but unable to stop SARS-CoV-2 epidemic. It is essential to assess SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence to monitor population immunity and if it lasts, specially from new COVID 19 variants

RACIOCÍNIO PROBABILÍSTICO APLICADO À SUSCETIBILIDADE DE ESCORREGAMENTOS: UM ESTUDO DE CASO EM CAMPO LARGO, PARANÁ, BRASIL

A análise de risco e suscetibilidade de escorregamentos tem sido feita por meio de modelos dinâmicos empíricos e analógicos. A ocorrência desses eventos é o resultado de uma combinação favorável de condições, as quais em geral não são acessíveis à investigação direta. Como alternativa, é possível investigá-las por meio de variáveis que apresentam relação de dependência com estas condições e conseqüentemente relação com a ocorrência do evento. A expectativa de um evento ocorrer resulta de uma relação empírica ou de um raciocínio, em ambos os casos decorrentes de uma série de observações ou evidências explícitas ou implícitas. O raciocínio é baseado em muitas premissas combinadas logicamente como em “Se Ei, então P”, onde Ei simboliza uma série de evidências ou indicadores independentes que cumulativamente indicam que P é verdade e P representa a proposição do tipo “o evento ocorre.” Diversas fontes de incertezas se associam a este raciocínio: (1) cada evidência é representada por uma informação geológica, derivada de um dado ou fato adquirido, contendo uma imprecisão em sua concepção e delimitação; (2) o evento escorregamento é definido por uma concepção mental, contendo uma imprecisão tanto na concepção como na determinação em campo; (3) a relação entre a evidência e o evento não é determinativa ou compulsória; é causal ou correlativa, e apenas a acumulação de evidências tem uma relação mais forte com o evento. Este caráter cumulativo das evidências permite uma abordagem probabilística desta relação por meio da regra de Bayes, de probabilidade condicional; calcula-se quanto uma evidência presente modifica a probabilidade original de ocorrência do evento relativamente à condição da evidência ausente. De forma homóloga, estas relações foram utilizadas para avaliar a probabilidade condicional nos espaços em que a presença da evidência ou do evento é incerta ou inexistente. Um estudo de caso foi desenvolvido na localidade de Três Córregos, município de Campo Largo, centro leste do Paraná, Brasil, próximo às cabeceiras do rio Açungui. A área é adequada pela diversidade de litologias e de estruturas, por intensa incisão no relevo, pela existência de remanescentes aplainados, com espesso manto de saprolitos. Várias características de cicatrizes de deslizamento de terra reelaboradas por água de superfície são indicativas de intensos movimentos de massa e erosão em tempo pré-atual. Uma grande diversidade de feições é indicativa de intensa erosão ao lado de elevado número de cicatrizes de escorregamentos, ocorridos em época pré-atual. Foram consideradas 24 variáveis espaciais geológicas e geomórficas, admitindo uma variação ternária, do tipo presente (1), ausente (-1) e incerta (0). Os fatores modificadores foram obtidos com os casos de cicatrizes mapeados. A aplicação do modelo probabilístico desenvolvido respondeu por 75% dos 120 casos observados e identificou 40 novos locais com valor de probabilidade de ocorrer acima do valor mínimo de suscetibilidade para o qual existem cicatrizes. As variáveis das categorias altitude (faixa 720-820 m), tipos litológicos (hornfels, filitos-calcáreos, cálcio-xistos), azimute do declive (face sudoeste) e direção de fratura (NNE) constituem os principais fatores de desenvolvimento dos escorregamentos; a declividade baixa (menor que 10%) é favorável, porém revela elevada ambigüidade. O procedimento revelou-se adequado, ajustando-se bem aos fatos observados e fazendo previsões coerentes; ao mesmo tempo em que é de fácil aplicação. PROBABILISTIC REASONING APPLIED TO LANDSLIDE SUSCEPTIBILITY: CASE STUDY IN CAMPO LARGO, PARANÁ, BRAZIL Extended Abstract A landslide susceptibility analysis has been made using probabilistic methods instead of empiric or analog dynamic models. The occurrence of a landslide event is the result of a favorable combination of conditions, which commonly are not accessible to direct investigation. As alternative, it is possible to investigate them through variables that present dependence relationship with these conditions and consequently some relationship with the occurrence of the event. The expectation of an event to happen is the result of an empiric relationship or of a reasoning; in both cases a series of observations or evidences are explicit or implicit. The reasoning is based on many logically combined premises as in “If Ei, then P”, where Ei symbolizes a series of evidences or independent indicators and P represents the proposition of the type “the event happens”. The evidences cumulatively indicate that P is true or false. Several sources of uncertainties are associated to this reasoning: (1) each evidence is represented by a geological information, derived from acquired data or facts, bearing an imprecision in its conception and delimitation; (2) the event like landsliding is defined by a mental construction, with an imprecision either in the conception as in the determination in field; (3) the relationship between the evidence and the event is not determinative, compulsory or contingent; it is but just causal or correlative, and just the cumulative effect of evidences has a stronger relationship with the event, allowing probabilistic approach of the relationship. Bayes rule of conditional probability allows to calculate how much a present evidence modifies the original probability of occurrence of the event relatively to the condition of the absence of the evidence. In homologous form, these relationships were used to evaluate the conditional probability in the spaces where the presence of the evidence or of the event it is uncertain or nonexistent. A case study was developed at Três Córregos area located in Campo Largo county (figure 1), near Curitiba, Paraná State, Brazil, on the highs of Ribeira river valley and within current humid subtropical climate. Several features of landslide scars reworked by surface water are indicative of intense mass movements and erosion in pre-current time. A model of landslide geoindicators were constructed based on regional literature (figure 2) and on several landslide scar in the area (figures 3 and 4) . Field work and photointerpretation mapped good diversity of fracture trace, lithologic and structural units (figures 5 and 6) and a relief of intense incision with remnants of pre-Quaternary paleosurfaces (figures 7 and 8); under these remnants thick saprolite mantles are preserved. Relief characterization was made by automatic DTM analysis, mapping slope declivity and azimuth and slope type (figures 9, 10 and 11). Twenty-four geologic and geomorphic space variables were considered, admitting a ternary variation (table 1), of the type present (1), absent (-1) and uncertain (0). The modifier factors were calibrated by using mapped scars. Eleven variables are definite favorable to landsliding, mainly the ones of the categories altitude (720-820 m), lithologic types (hornfels, filite-limestone, calcium-schist), slope azimuth (southwest face) and fracture direction (NNE); the lower slope (smaller than 10%) space variable is favorable, but reveals high ambiguity; convex slopes are slightly favorable (table 2). The application of the probabilistic model to forecast new points of landslides ins the same area accounted for 75% of the 120 observed cases and identifies 40 new points with probability of landsliding value above the minimum value of probability for which scars where identified (figure 13). The uncertainty associated with data and model was evaluated and is limited to small values (14). Using the complement of the probability of non occurrence as a measure of landslide susceptibility (figure 15) the model account for 90% of observed cases. The procedure was revealed appropriate, adjusting well to the observed facts and making coherent forecasts; at the same time it is of easy application

Adiposity, depression and anxiety: interrelationship and possible mediators

OBJECTIVES: To explore the association between adiposity, major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, and to assess the role of inflammation, diet quality and physical activity in this association. METHODS: We used data from 2,977 individuals from the 1993 Pelotas Cohort (Brazil) who attended the 18- and 22-year follow-ups. We assessed general obesity using body mass index, fat mass index, and abdominal obesity using waist circumference. Major Depressive Disorder and generalized anxiety disorder were assessed using the mini-international neuropsychiatric interview. C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were used as a measure of inflammation; diet quality was estimated using the revised diet quality index, and physical activity was assessed by the International physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ, min/day). The association between adiposity and major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder was assessed using logistic regression, and the natural indirect effect via the mediators was estimated using G-computation. RESULTS: General obesity assessed by body mass index (OR: 2.3; 95% CI:1.13; 4.85), fat mass index (OR: 2.6; 95%CI: 1.37; 4.83), and abdominal obesity (OR: 2.5; 95%CI: 1.18; 5.39) were associated with higher odds of major depressive disorder, whereas major depressive disorder was only associated with obesity assessed by body mass index (OR=1.9; 95% CI: 1.09; 3.46). Obesity and generalized anxiety disorder were not associated. C-reactive protein, diet quality and physical activity did not mediate the effect of obesity on major depressive disorder, and C-reactive protein mediated about 25% of the effect of major depressive disorder on adiposity. CONCLUSIONS: Depression, but not generalized anxiety disorder, is associated with adiposity in both directions, with a stronger evidence for the direction obesity-depression. Inflammation explains part of the effect of major depressive disorder on obesity but not the other way around. Further research should explore other mechanisms that could be involved in the association between obesity and depression

Configuração da procura para a formação Pós Graduada em Enfermagem de Cuidados Paliativos

INTRODUÇÃO: A formação é considerada um dos principais alicerces para a prestação de cuidados no âmbito dos Cuidados Paliativos. Sendo o atual contexto social e político pouco favorável à procura da formação pós graduada por parte dos enfermeiros, quisemos perceber as razões que levam alguns destes profissionais a frequentarem a formação pós graduada neste domínio. OBJETIVOS: Este estudo pretendeu analisar a configuração da procura da formação pós graduada em enfermagem de cuidados paliativos, refletindo sobre as motivações dos enfermeiros e o seu alinhamento com a perceção de conceitos centrais nomeadamente, conceito de cuidados paliativos e os significados sobre o cuidar em cuidados paliativos. O estudo serviu ainda o propósito de conciliar e direcionar a formação pós-graduada em enfermagem de cuidados paliativos no sentido de uma maior consonância com as expetativas dos enfermeiros. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Este estudo de cariz qualitativo e interpretativo teve como principal técnica de recolha de dados um questionário especificamente criado para o efeito, constituído por duas partes, uma respeitante à caracterização sociodemográfica da amostra e outra constituída por 5 questões abertas, de teor concordante com o objeto de estudo, das quais, três integraram o corpus de análise deste estudo. Recorreu-se a uma amostra de conveniência, constituída por 10 enfermeiros que frequentavam o curso de formação especializada em enfermagem de cuidados paliativos, numa instituição de ensino superior. Todos os participantes eram do género feminino, solteiros, licenciados, com uma média de idades de 23,78 anos (DP = 1.99), oscilando entre um mínimo de 21 e um máximo de 26 anos. Em média apresentavam 1,22 anos (DP = 1.09) de experiência profissional, sendo os contextos de exercício da atividade, de natureza muito diversa. Nenhum dos participantes apresentava experiência profissional em unidades de cuidados paliativos. Para o alcançar dos objetivos apresentados, no primeiro dia da formação, os formandos foram convidados a responderem ao questionário, mediante consentimento escrito e informado, para a divulgação de resultados. A informação foi obtida por resposta direta à solicitação efetuada, e os dados analisados e tratados, obedecendo aos pressupostos defendidos por Bardin. RESULTADOS: Da análise efetuada, centrada nas três dimensões consideradas - motivações que levaram os formandos a procurarem a formação pós graduada; concetualização de cuidados paliativos e representações sobre o cuidar em cuidados paliativos, emergiram as categorias e os temas os quais permitiram a compreensão do fenómeno em estudo. Face à questão, “O que o(a) motivou para a procura do curso de formação especializada em enfermagem de cuidados paliativos?”, obtivemos as categorias: Interesse pela área; Razões familiares; Défice de conhecimentos. Em resposta à questão, “O que entende por cuidados paliativos?”, obtivemos: Cuidados prestados por equipas multidisciplinares; Cuidados alternativos aos cuidados curativos; Cuidados à pessoa em fim de vida. Perante a questão, “O que é para si cuidar em cuidados paliativos?”, emergiram as categorias: Cuidar de forma holística; Promover a qualidade de vida; Respeitar o rigor científico e relacional; Excelência dos cuidados. Os resultados demonstraram que a procura do referido curso de formação especializada em enfermagem de cuidados paliativos deve-se, por um lado, ao interesse despertado pela área, circunscrevendo-se este interesse aos domínios profissional, pessoal e familiar, e por outro, à necessidade sentida por estes atores, seja pelo défice de conhecimentos obtidos durante a graduação, seja pelo reconhecimento da importância da referida formação como forma de desenvolverem competências neste âmbito. Quanto às concetualizações, os resultados obtidos foram no sentido do reforço da importância da qualidade de vida, seja pelo controlo da dor e do sofrimento, seja pela ajuda necessária à família. A importância do olhar holístico e da intervenção consertada pela equipa multidisciplinar constituem também conceitos relevantes, emergentes da análise efetuada. CONCLUSÕES: Os dados deste estudo poderão constituir uma orientação para uma reorganização curricular do curso de formação pós-graduada em enfermagem de cuidados paliativos, direcionada quer para as expectativas, quer para necessidades de formação dos enfermeiros. Espera-se desta forma contribuir para uma melhoria dos cuidados de enfermagem prestados aos doentes/famílias que se encontram no contexto de cuidados paliativos.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

O impacto da poliquimioterapia no perfil epidemiológico da hanseníase em Juiz de Fora, Brasil

We investigated the impact of multidrug therapy (MDT) on the epidemiological pattern of leprosy in Juiz de Fora, Brazil, from 1978 to 1995. Evaluation of 1,283 medical charts was performed according to the treatment regimen used in two different periods. Following the introduction of MDT in 1987, prevalence of leprosy decreased from 22 patients/10,000 inhabitants to 5.2 patients/10,000 inhabitants in 1995. Incidence rate of leprosy was lower in period II (1987-1995) than in period I (1978-1986). Decreasing prevalence and incidence appear to be related to drug efficacy rather than decreased case identification, since both self-referred and professionally referred treatment increased markedly from period I to period II. For both periods, multibacillary leprosy was the most frequent clinical form of the disease (±68%), and the main infection risk factor identified was household contact. Leprosy is predominantly manifested in adults, but an increase in the number of very old and very young patients was observed in period II. The MDT program has been effective both in combating leprosy and in promoting awareness of the disease.Investigamos o impacto da poliquimioterapia (PQT) no perfil epidemiológico da hanseníase em Juiz de Fora, Brasil, de 1978 a 1995. Fizemos uma avaliação de 1.283 prontuários, de acordo com o esquema terapêutico adotado em dois diferentes períodos. Desde a introdução da PQT, em 1987, a prevalência da hanseníase caiu de 22 pacientes/dez mil habitantes para 5,2 pacientes/dez mil habitantes em 1995. A incidência da doença foi menor no período II (1987-1995) em comparação ao período I (1978-1986). A diminuição da prevalência e da incidência está mais relacionada à eficácia das drogas que a uma queda na identificação da infecção, já que tanto a procura espontânea quanto os encaminhamentos aumentaram significativamente do período I para o período II. Em ambos os períodos, a forma clínica mais freqüente foi a multibacilar (±68%), e o contato intradomicilicar foi o maior fator de risco conhecido associado à infecção. Um aumento de pacientes muito velhos ou muito novos foi observado no período II. Os resultados indicam que o esquema PQT tem sido eficaz no combate à hanseníase e tem aumentado a conscientização e o conhecimento da doença

Ability of Different Measures of Adiposity to Identify High Metabolic Risk in Adolescents

Introduction. This study aimed to evaluate the screening performance of different measures of adiposity: body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) for high metabolic risk in a sample of adolescents. Methods. A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted on 517 adolescents aged 15–18, from the Azorean Islands, Portugal. We measured fasting glucose, insulin, total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and systolic blood pressure. HOMA and TC/HDL-C ratio were calculated. For each of these variables, a Z-score was computed by age and sex. A metabolic risk score (MRS) was constructed by summing the Z-scores of all individual risk factors. High risk was considered when the individual had ≥1SD of this score. Receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) were used. Results. Linear regression analyses showed that, after adjusting for age and pubertal stage, all different measures of adiposity are positively and significantly associated with MRS in both sexes, with exception of WHtR for boys. BMI, WC, and WHtR performed well in detecting high MRS, indicated by areas under the curve (AUC), with slightly greater AUC for BMI than for WC and WHtR in both sexes. Conclusion. All measures of adiposity were significantly associated with metabolic risk factors in a sample of Portuguese adolescents

Expedient microwave-assisted synthesis of Bis( n )-lophine analogues as selective butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors: Cytotoxicity evaluation and molecular modelling

In the brain of patients with chronic Alzheimer's disease (AD), the butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) levels rise while the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) levels decrease. Therefore, development of new selective BuChE inhibitors is of vital importance. Here we present a series of bis(n)-lophine analogues, where two lophine derivatives are connected by a methylene chain. The bis(n)-lophine analogues were synthesized through one-pot four component reaction between pyridinecarboxaldehydes, 1,n-alkanediamines, benzil, and ammonium acetate. The reactions were performed in a microwave reactor in one step for symmetrical bis(n)-lophines, and in two steps for unsymmetrical bis(n)-lophines. The compounds are strongly selective to BuChE, since none of them inhibit AChE. All the compounds, except 7a, 7b and 7c, displayed potent inhibitory activity against BuChE at a micromolar and sub-micromolar range (half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) 32.25-0.03 μM). The enzyme kinetic and docking studies suggests that the inhibitor act as a dual binding site inhibitor, binding into the bottom of the gorge and in the peripheral anionic site (PAS) of BuChE cavity. Furthermore, in vitro studies showed that compounds 5b and 12b had no cytotoxic effects in kidney Vero, hepatic HepG2 and C6 astroglial cell lines.Fil: Câmara, Viktor S.. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Soares, Ana Julia. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Biscussi, Brunella. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química. Instituto de Química del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Murray, Ana Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química. Instituto de Química del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Guedes, Isabella A.. Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica; BrasilFil: Dardenne, Laurent E.. Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica; BrasilFil: Ruaro, Thaís C.. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Zimmer, Aline R.. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Ceschi, Marco A.. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Brasi

Fungal communities of the Pine Wilt Disease Complex: Studying the Interaction of Ophiostomatales with Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

Considered one of the most devastating plant–parasitic nematodes worldwide, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (commonly known as pinewood nematode, PWN) is the causal agent of the pine wilt disease in the Eurasian coniferous forests. This migratory parasitic nematode is carried by an insect vector (Monochamus spp.) into the host tree (Pinus species), where it can feed on parenchymal cells and reproduce massively, resulting in the tree wilting. In declining trees, PWN populations are strongly dependent on fungal communities colonizing the host (predominantly ophiostomatoid fungi known to cause sapwood blue-staining, the blue-stain fungi), which not only influence their development and life cycle but also the number of individuals carried by the insect vector into a new host. Our main aim is to understand if PWN-associated mycobiota plays a key role in the development of PWD, in interaction with the PWN and the insect vector, and to what extent it can be targeted to disrupt the disease cycle. For this purpose, we characterized the fungal communities of Pinus pinaster trees infected and non-infected with PWN in three collection sites in Continental Portugal with different PWD temporal incidences. Our results showed that non-infected P. pinaster mycoflora is more diverse (in terms of abundance and fungal richness) than PWN-infected pine trees in the most recent PWD foci, as opposed to the fungal communities of long-term PWD history sites. Then, due to their ecological importance for PWN survival, representatives of the main ophiostomatoid fungi isolated (Ophiostoma, Leptographium, and Graphilbum) were characterized for their adaptative response to temperature, competition in-between taxa, and as food source for PWN. Under the conditions studied, Leptographium isolates showed promising results for PWN control. They could outcompete the other species, especially O. ips, and significantly reduce the development of PWN populations when compared to Botrytis cinerea (routinely used for PWN lab culturing), suggesting this to be a natural antagonist not only for the other blue-stain species but also for the PWN

Lipophosphoglycan Polymorphisms Do Not Affect \u3cem\u3eLeishmania amazonensis\u3c/em\u3e Development in the Permissive Vectors \u3cem\u3eLutzomyia migonei\u3c/em\u3e and \u3cem\u3eLutzomyia longipalpis\u3c/em\u3e

Background: Lipophosphoglycan (LPG) is a dominant surface molecule of Leishmaniapromastigotes. Its species-specific polymorphisms are found mainly in the sugars that branch off the conserved Gal(β1,4)Man(α1)-PO4 backbone of repeat units. Leishmania amazonensis is one of the most important species causing human cutaneous leishmaniasis in the New World. Here, we describe LPG intraspecific polymorphisms in two Le. amazonensis reference strains and their role during the development in three sand fly species. Results: Strains isolated from Lutzomyia flaviscutellata (PH8) and from a human patient (Josefa) displayed structural polymorphism in the LPG repeat units, possessing side chains with 1 and 2 β-glucose or 1 to 3 β-galactose, respectively. Both strains successfully infected permissive vectors Lutzomyia longipalpis and Lutzomyia migonei and could colonize their stomodeal valve and differentiate into metacyclic forms. Despite bearing terminal galactose residues on LPG, Josefa could not sustain infection in the restrictive vector Phlebotomus papatasi. Conclusions: LPG polymorphisms did not affect the ability of Le. amazonensis to develop late-stage infections in permissive vectors. However, the non-establishment of infection in Ph. papatasi by Josefa strain suggested other LPG-independent factors in this restrictive vector

A Leishmania-specific hypothetical protein expressed in both promastigote and amastigote stages of Leishmania infantum employed for the serodiagnosis of, and as a vaccine candidate against, visceral leishmaniasis

Background: LiHyV is an antigenic hypothetical protein present in both promastigote and amastigote stages of Leishmania infantum, which was recently identified by an immunoproteomic approach. A recombinant version of this protein (rLiHyV) was evaluated as a diagnostic marker for canine VL (CVL). In addition, the prophylactic efficacy of the rLiHyV protein, and two of its CD8+ T cell epitopes, has been analyzed in a murine model of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Methods: Initially, the rLiHyV protein was evaluated by an ELISA technique for the serodiagnosis of CVL. Secondly, vaccines composed of the recombinant protein and both chemically synthesized peptides, combined with saponin as an adjuvant; were administered subcutaneously into BALB/c mice. The cellular and humoral responses generated by vaccination were evaluated. In addition, the parasite burden and immune response were studied 10 weeks after L. infantum infection. Results: The rLiHyV protein was recognized by antibodies of VL dogs. No cross-reactivity was obtained with sera from dogs vaccinated with a Brazilian commercial vaccine, with sera from animals infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, Babesia canis and Ehrlichia canis, or those from non-infected animals living in an endemic area for leishmaniasis. After challenge with L. infantum, spleen cells of BALB/c mice vaccinated with rLiHyV/saponin stimulated with parasite antigens showed a higher production of IFN-γ, IL-12 and GM-CSF, than the same cells obtained from mice vaccinated with the individual peptides, or mice from control (inoculated with saline or saponin) groups. This Th1-type cellular response observed in rLiHyV/saponin vaccinated mice was accompanied by the induction of parasite-specific IgG2a isotype antibodies. Animals immunized with rLiHyV/saponin showed significant reductions in the parasite burden in the liver, spleen, bone marrow and in the lymph nodes draining the paws relative to control mice. Conclusions: The present study showed for the first time that the L. infantum LiHyV protein could be considered as a vaccine candidate against L. infantum infection, as well as a diagnostic marker for CVL.This work was supported by grants from Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Nanobiofarmacêutica (INCT-Nanobiofar), FAPEMIG (CBB-APQ-00819-12), and CNPq (APQ-472090/2011-9, RHAE-456287/2012-4, APQ-482976/2012-8, and APQ-488237/2013-0). MACF is a grant recipient of FAPEMIG/CAPES. EAFC and APF are grant recipient of CNPq.Peer Reviewe