Duffy blood group gene polymorphisms among malaria vivax patients in four areas of the Brazilian Amazon region

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Duffy blood group polymorphisms are important in areas where <it>Plasmodium vivax </it>predominates, because this molecule acts as a receptor for this protozoan. In the present study, Duffy blood group genotyping in <it>P. vivax </it>malaria patients from four different Brazilian endemic areas is reported, exploring significant associations between blood group variants and susceptibility or resistance to malaria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The <it>P. vivax </it>identification was determined by non-genotypic and genotypic screening tests. The Duffy blood group was genotyped by PCR/RFLP in 330 blood donors and 312 malaria patients from four Brazilian Amazon areas. In order to assess the variables significance and to obtain independence among the proportions, the Fisher's exact test was used.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The data show a high frequency of the <it>FYA/FYB </it>genotype, followed by <it>FYB/FYB, FYA/FYA</it>, <it>FYA/FYB-33 </it>and <it>FYB/FYB-33</it>. Low frequencies were detected for the <it>FYA/FY</it>^<it>X</it>, <it>FYB/FY</it>^<it>X</it>, <it>FYX/FY</it>^{<it>X </it>}and <it>FYB-33/FYB-33 </it>genotypes. Negative Duffy genotype (<it>FYB-33/FYB-33</it>) was found in both groups: individuals infected and non-infected (blood donors). No individual carried the <it>FY</it>^<it>X</it><it>/FYB-33 </it>genotype. Some of the Duffy genotypes frequencies showed significant differences between donors and malaria patients.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The obtained data suggest that individuals with the <it>FYA/FYB </it>genotype have higher susceptibility to malaria. The presence of the <it>FYB-33 </it>allele may be a selective advantage in the population, reducing the rate of infection by <it>P. vivax </it>in this region. Additional efforts may contribute to better elucidate the physiopathologic differences in this parasite/host relationship in regions endemic for <it>P. vivax </it>malaria, in particular the Brazilian Amazon region.</p

Perfil socioeconômico e nutricional de pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal internados em um hospital universitário Socioeconomic and nutritional profile of patients with inflammatory bowel disease at a university hospital

RACIONAL: Doenças inflamatórias intestinais incluem distúrbios inflamatórios crônicos e recidivantes, representados pela retocolite ulcerativa e doença de Crohn, comumente associadas à desnutrição. OBJETIVO: Caracterizar o perfil nutricional e socioeconômico dos pacientes internados no Hospital das Clínicas de Pernambuco, Recife, PE. MÉTODOS: Estudo do tipo transversal realizado na clínica de gastroenterologia, previamente aprovado pela comissão de ética para estudos em humanos. Os métodos incluíram dados da história clínica, condições socioeconômicas e avaliação nutricional. A análise estatística (teste t de Student para variáveis iguais e desiguais) foi efetuada. RESULTADOS: A amostra de 24 pacientes de ambos os sexos, idade média de 43,83 &plusmn; 16,13 anos, a maioria casados, procedentes de Recife, com baixa renda, residindo com seus familiares em casa própria. Verificou-se maior prevalência de retocolite ulcerativa (62,5%), com tempo de diagnóstico superior a 5 anos, sintomas de dor abdominal, diarréia muco-sangüinolenta com 6-9 evacuações/dia, sendo o cólon distal a porção mais acometida. A osteoporose esteve presente em 26,7% dos casos. O estado nutricional avaliado através do índice de massa corpórea e percentual de perda de peso foi 41,7% e 70,8%, respectivamente, classificados como desnutridos, associados ou não à alta prevalência de anemia, hipoalbuminemia e hipocalcemia. Correlação entre sexos evidenciou nos homens maiores valores na prega tricipital e circunferência do braço. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar das limitações do estudo, os dados sugerem informações relevantes tanto da ocorrência destas doenças na região nordeste do país, quanto sua associação freqüente com importantes deficiências nutricionais.<br>BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel diseases include chronic and relapsing inflammatory disorders, represented by ulcerative proctocolitis and Crohn’s disease, commonly associated with malnutrition. AIM: Characterize the nutritional and socioeconomic profile of patients hospitalized at the Pernambuco "Hospital das Clínicas", Recife, PE, Brazil. METHODS:Cross-sectional study carried out at the gastroenterology clinic, which was previously approved by the Ethics Commission for studies involving human beings. The methods included clinical history data, socioeconomic conditions and nutritional assessment. Data were subject to statistical analysis (Student’s t test for equal and unequal variables). RESULTS: The sample consisted of 24 male and female patients, with a mean age of 43.83 &plusmn; 16.13 years, mostly married, coming from Recife, with low income, who lived in their own house with relatives. We found a higher prevalence of ulcerative proctocolitis (62.5%), with diagnosis time of more than 5 years, symptoms of abdominal pain, bloody-mucous diarrhea with 6-9 evacuations/day, with the distal colon being the most affected part. Osteoporosis was present in 26.7% of cases. Nutritional status was assessed through the body mass index. The weight loss percentage corresponded to 41.7% and 70.8%, respectively, classified as malnourished, associated or not with high prevalence levels of anemia, hypoalbuminemia and hypocalcemia. Gender correlation evidenced higher triceps fold and arm circumference values in men. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the study limitations, data suggest relevant information about the occurrence of these diseases in the northeast of Brazil, as well as about its frequent association with important nutritional deficiencies