Decrease in hepatitis B prevalence among blood donors in Central-West Brazil

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to estimate hepatitis B virus seroprevalence among first-time blood donors in the city of Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul State, in the central-western region of Brazil. FINDINGS: A retrospective analysis of first-time voluntary blood donor records, from January 2010 to December 2010, was conducted at the Hematology Center of Mato Grosso do Sul. The prevalence of the HBsAg and anti-HBc serological markers and their respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Chi-square analysis was performed between the seroprevalence previously found in 2001 and the one determined by the current study. Results were considered statistically significant if p < 0.05. Among 8,840 subjects, 269 (3.04%, 95% CI: 2.7-3.4) were positive for HBV markers. The prevalence rate of HBsAg was 0.19% (95% CI: 0.1-0.3) and anti-HBc alone was 2.85% (95% CI: 2.5-3.2). CONCLUSIONS: There was no statistically significant difference regarding gender. However, an important association was observed between HBV infection and older age (p < 0.01). The seroprevalence of HBV infection in first-time blood donors diminished from 2001 to 2010 (p < 0.01). Such decrease suggests an improvement in the recruitment of safe donors, the positive impact of vaccination programs and the decreasing of HBV infection prevalence in the general population

HIV-1 Molecular Epidemiology, Transmission Clusters and Transmitted Drug Resistance Mutations in Central Brazil

We aimed to characterize HIV-1 molecular epidemiology and transmission clusters among heterosexual (HET) and men who have sex with men (MSM) individuals, as well as transmitted drug resistance mutations (TDRM) in Central-Western Brazil. This cross-sectional survey was conducted among 190 antiretroviral naïve HIV-1 infected individuals. Proviral DNA was extracted, and nested PCR amplified partial polymerase gene (PR/RT). After sequencing, subtypes were assigned, and the sequences were analyzed for the occurrence of possible transmission networks. Calibrated Population Resistance (CPR) tool from Stanford HIV Database was used to investigate the presence of TDRM. Among 150 individuals whose samples were successfully sequenced, the most prevalent HIV-1 subtype was B, followed by recombinant forms. The occurrence of twenty transmission clusters composed by at least two sequences was verified, suggesting the existence of transmission clusters among individuals from the same or distinct sexual orientations. Intermediate level of TDRM (12%) was found in the study population, and almost half of the subjects with TDRM had more than one resistance mutation. No correlations between sexual orientation and the presence of TDRM, HIV-1 subtypes/recombinants forms were verified. Taken together, the necessity of the continuous monitoring of the TDRM to verify the importance of pre-genotyping and to delineate future strategies in primary antiretroviral therapy. Likewise, the knowledge of the HIV-1 transmission networks in Brazil would allow the implementation of effective HIV-1 prevention strategies in local settings

Molecular Epidemiology of HIV-1 among Prisoners in Central Brazil and Evidence of Transmission Clusters

Higher rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have been detected in prisoners when compared with the general population, but research into HIV molecular epidemiology and its transmission network has been lacking among them. Thus, this study aimed to verify potential HIV molecular transmission networks among prisoners. In addition, we aimed to describe the mutations related to antiretroviral resistance in these isolates. Thus, we conducted a cross-sectional survey from 2013 to 2018 in prisons in Central-Western Brazil, and the final sampling composed of 84 prisoners. Proviral DNA was extracted from each whole blood sample followed by amplification of the partial polymerase gene and sequencing. Forty-nine sequences (58.3%) were classified as subtype B, followed by C (14.3%), D, and F1 (2.4% each). A complex and dynamic HIV-1 epidemic is observed in the prisons, as 25% of the sequences were recombinant forms. We detected 15 HIV transmission clusters composed of at least two sequences, that included not only prisoners but also individuals from the general population from the same State with a variety of risk behaviors. Thirty-two percent (32.0%) of treatment-experienced prisoners had at least one drug resistance mutation (DRM), while transmitted DRMs were found in 5.9% of the prisoners. We highlight the urgent need for routine surveillance of HIV-1 infection including resistance genotypic tests considering the high disease burden, risky behaviors inside prisons, and the dynamic relationship of prisoners with the outside community

Prevalence, risk factors and genotypes of hepatitis B infection among HIV-infected patients in the State of MS, Central Brazil

Objectives:A cross-sectional study on prevalence of HBV and HDV infection, risk factors and genotype distribution of HBV infection was conducted among 848 HIV-infected patients in Mato Grosso do Sul, Central Brazil.Methods:Serum samples of 848 participants were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) and hepatitis surface antibody (anti-HBs). HBsAg positive samples were tested for anti-HBc IgM, HBeAg, anti-HBe, anti-HCV, and total anti-HDV. HBsAg and anti-HBc positive were subjected to DNA extraction. Viral DNA was amplified by semi-nested PCR for the regions pre-S/S and then purified and genotyped/subgenotyped by direct sequencing. Student's t-test, chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare variables and to evaluate association between HBV positivity (defined as anti-HBc and/or HBsAg positivity) and risk factors.Results:Among the 848 HIV infected patients investigated 222 had serological markers of HBV infection. The prevalence rate of HIV-HBV coinfection was 2.5% (21/848; 95% CI: 1.4&#8211;3.5%); 484 (57.1%) patients were susceptible for HBV infection. There were no cases of anti-HDV positive and only one (0.1%) anti-HCV-positive case among the HIV-HBV coinfected patients. Male gender, increasing age, family history of hepatitis, use of illicit drug, and homosexual activity were independent factors associated with HBV exposure. The phylogenetic analysis based on the S gene region revealed the presence of genotypes D (76.9%), F (15.4%) and A (7.7%) in the study sample.Conclusion:This study demonstrates the low prevalence of HIV-HBV infection and also highlights the need for early vaccination against HBV as well as testing for HBV, HCV and HDV in all HIV-infected individuals

Human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 infection among men who have sex with men in Central Brazil

ABSTRACT Human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) was the first retrovirus discovered in humans and is endemic in several parts of the world. Because of risk behaviors, mainly sexual, men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk of acquiring HTLV-1 infection. A cross-sectional study was performed to estimate the prevalence of HTLV-1 infection, to characterize genetically HTLV-1 sequences and to identify risk behaviors associated with this infection among MSM in Central Brazil. A total of 430 MSM were enrolled in this study and three were shown to be HTLV-1 infected, prevalence of 0.7% (95% confidence interval: 0.4-0.9). Phylogenetic analysis showed that all HTLV-1 positive samples belonged to Cosmopolitan subtype Transcontinental subgroup A. Although the prevalence rate of HTLV-1 infection found in this study was similar to that observed among Brazilian blood donors, additional HTLV-1 preventive interventions need to be further implemented because this population is engaged in high-risk sexual behavior

HTLV infection in Brazil's second-largest indigenous reserve

This study was supported by Governo do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, Fundação de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento do Ensino, Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul—FUNDECT/MS (Grant Number: No. 03/2016, TO 021/2017 FUNDECT/DECIT-MS/CNPq/SES-PPSUS-MS) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científco e Tecnológico—CNPQ (Grant Number: Nos. 442522/2019-3, 30295/2021-5). Tis study was fnanced in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—Brasil (CAPES)—Finance Code 001.Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina. São Paulo, SP, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brazil / Secretaria de Estado de Saúde de Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados. Dourados, MS, Brazil.Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados. Dourados, MS, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Ciência, Tecnologia, Inovação e Insumos Estratégicos. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA. Brasil.Universidade Federal do Pará. Belém, PA, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brazil / Ministério da Saúde. Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brazil / Ministério da Saúde. Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.Human T-lymphotropic viruses 1 and 2 (HTLV-1/2) have a worldwide distribution. HTLV-1 has been associated with several diseases, including an aggressive malignant disease known as adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma and a chronic inflammatory neurological disease called HTLV-1-associated myelopathy, while HTLV-2 has not been definitively associated with diseases. HTLV-2 is most prevalent in specific groups such as injecting drug users and the indigenous population. In Brazil, most studies about HTLV in indigenous are carried out in indigenous communities from the north of the country. Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Central Brazil, has the second-largest indigenous population in Brazil. However, there is no available data about HTLV infection in this group. We conducted the first investigation of HTLV-1/2 infection prevalence in the indigenous population from Jaguapiru and Bororó villages in Dourados City, MS, to provide the prevalence and molecular characterization of HTLV. For that, a total of 1875 indigenous participated in the study. All the serum samples were screened by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay commercial kit for the presence of anti-HTLV-1/2 antibodies. Positive samples were confirmed by HTLV-1/2 Western Blot assay. The HTLV-1 5'LTR region was detected by nested PCR amplification and sequenced by Sanger. Most of the study population declared belonging to Guarani-Kaiowá ethnicity (69.18%), 872 (46.51%), and 1003 (53.49%) were from Jaguapiru and Bororó villages, respectively. The median age of participants was 31 years, and 74.24% were females. Two individuals were detected with HTLV-1 (0.1%; CI 95% 0.1-0.2). The phylogenetic analysis revealed that isolates belong to the Cosmopolitan subtype and the Transcontinental subgroup (HTLV-1aA). The low HTLV-1 prevalence found in this study is similar to that observed among blood donors, and pregnant populations from Mato Grosso do Sul. The absence of HTLV-2 infection among these Brazilian indigenous communities would suggest a distinct behavior pattern from other indigenous populations in Brazil

Coinfecção HIV e HCV: prevalência, fatores associados e caracterização dos genótipos na região centro-oeste do Brasil

Submitted by Franciele Moreira ([email protected]) on 2019-09-24T19:19:54Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Artigo - Solange Zacalusni Freitas - 2014.pdf: 160009 bytes, checksum: ad10b953bb02fcc513dc2a857f3b6e12 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5)Rejected by Luciana Ferreira ([email protected]), reason: Observe o nome do autor na citação: FREITAS, SOLANGE ZACALUSNI et al. HIV and HCV coinfection: prevalence, associated factors and genotype characterization in the midwest region of Brazil. Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, São Paulo, v. 56, n. 6, p. 517-524, Nov./Dec. 2014. on 2019-09-25T10:59:18Z (GMT)Submitted by Franciele Moreira ([email protected]) on 2019-09-25T11:51:56Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Artigo - Solange Zacalusni Freitas - 2014.pdf: 160009 bytes, checksum: ad10b953bb02fcc513dc2a857f3b6e12 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira ([email protected]) on 2019-09-26T12:52:32Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Artigo - Solange Zacalusni Freitas - 2014.pdf: 160009 bytes, checksum: ad10b953bb02fcc513dc2a857f3b6e12 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2019-09-26T12:52:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Artigo - Solange Zacalusni Freitas - 2014.pdf: 160009 bytes, checksum: ad10b953bb02fcc513dc2a857f3b6e12 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-12Estudo transversal sobre a prevalência, fatores associados e distribuição dos genótipos do HCV foi realizado em 848 pacientes infectados pelo HIV, recrutados em centros de referência na Região Centro-Oeste do Brasil. A taxa de prevalência de coinfecção HIV-HCV foi de 6,9% (IC 95%: 5,2-8,6). Na análise multivariada, o aumento da idade, o uso de drogas ilícitas (injetáveis e não injetáveis), história de transfusão de sangue antes de 1994, e ausência de companheiro constante foram fatores associados independentes e significativos para a coinfecção HIV-HCV. A análise filogenética baseada na região NS5B revelou a presença de dois principais genótipos do HCV em circulação: genótipos 1 (58,3%) e 3 (41,7%). A prevalência da coinfecção HIV-HCV foi menor do que as relatadas em estudos realizados com pacientes infectados pelo HIV em diferentes regiões do Brasil, devido ao fato de que o uso de drogas ilícitas não é modo frequente de transmissão do HIV neste Estado do Brasil. Triagem sorológica de pacientes HIV-positivos para HCV antes de iniciar o tratamento antirretroviral, identificação completa dos fatores associados e a implementação de programas eficazes de redução de danos são altamente recomendados para fornecer informações úteis, para o tratamento e para evitar a coinfecção com HCV nestes pacientes.A cross-sectional study on prevalence, associated factors and genotype distribution of HCV infection was conducted among 848 HIV-infected patients recruited at reference centers in the Midwest Region of Brazil. The prevalence rate of HIV-HCV coinfection was 6.9% (95% CI: 5.2 to 8.6). In multivariable analysis, increasing age, use of illicit drugs (injection and non-injection), a history of blood transfusion before 1994, and the absence of a steady partnership were significant independent associated factors for HIV-HCV coinfection. The phylogenetic analysis based on the NS5B region revealed the presence of two major circulating genotypes of HCV: genotypes 1 (58.3%) and 3 (41.7%). The prevalence of HIV-HCV coinfection was lower than those reported in studies conducted with HIV-infected patients in different regions of Brazil, due to the fact that illicit drug use is not a frequent mode of HIV transmission in this region of Brazil. Serologic screening of HIV-patients for HCV before initiating antiretroviral treatment, a comprehensive identification of associated factors, and the implementation of effective harm reduction programs are highly recommended to provide useful information for treatment and to prevent HCV coinfection in these patients

Prevalence and Incidence of HCV Infection among Prisoners in Central Brazil

Submitted by Sandra Infurna ([email protected]) on 2017-05-04T13:09:43Z No. of bitstreams: 1 barbara_lago_etal_IOC_2017.pdf: 2294511 bytes, checksum: d3e34b2cddbbe7813fed3a35ecb9cb2e (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Sandra Infurna ([email protected]) on 2017-05-04T13:22:45Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 barbara_lago_etal_IOC_2017.pdf: 2294511 bytes, checksum: d3e34b2cddbbe7813fed3a35ecb9cb2e (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-04T13:22:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 barbara_lago_etal_IOC_2017.pdf: 2294511 bytes, checksum: d3e34b2cddbbe7813fed3a35ecb9cb2e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Mato Grosso do Sul, MS. Brasil / Universidade Federal do Grande Dourados. Mato Grosso do Sul, MS, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brasil.Universidade Federal de Goiás. Escola de Enfermagem. Goiânia, GO, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Grande Dourados.. Mato Grosso do Sul, MS, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil.Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande, MS, Brasil / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Mato Grosso do Sul, MS, Brasil.The aim of this multicenter, cross sectional study was to assess the prevalence, incidence and associated risk factors among incarcerated populations from twelve Brazilian prisons. The total of 3,368 individuals from twelve prisons was randomly recruited between March 2013 and March 2014. Participants were interviewed, and provided blood samples which were tested for antibodies to Hepatitis C (HCV ab). One year after the first investigation, a cohort study was conducted with 1,656 inmates who participated the cross sectional study. Positive samples were tested for the presence of HCV RNA. Out of 3,368 inmates, 520 (15.4%) were females, and 2,848 (84.6%) were males. The overall prevalence of HCV was 2.4% (95% CI: 1.9 to 2.9), with 0.6% (95% CI: 0.4 to 0.8) in females, and 2.7% (95% CI: 2.1 to 3.3) in males (p<0.01). HCV RNA was detected in 51/80 (63.7%) samples. Among men prisoners, multivariate analysis of associated factors showed independent associations between HCV exposure and increasing age, inject drug use, length of incarceration, smoking hashish, sharing needle and syringe and HIV positivity. During the cohort study, 7/1,656 new cases of HCV infection were detected, and the incidence rate was 0.4/100 person-year. Once high frequency rates of specific HCV risk behaviors and new HCV infections have been identified inside prisons, effective interventions strategies such as screening, clinical evaluation and treatment to reduce the spread of HCV infection are essential

High-risk behaviors for hepatitis B and C infections among female sex workers

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C and risk behaviors among 402 female sex workers in Central Brazil were investigated by respondent-driven sampling. METHODS: Blood samples were tested for hepatitis B and C markers by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Two hepatitis B vaccination schedules were performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of hepatitis B and C infections were 9.3% and 0.5%, respectively. Susceptibility to hepatitis B infection was observed in 61.5% of subjects. There was no significant difference in adherence index (p=0.52) between vaccination schedules and all participants had protective antibody titers. CONCLUSIONS: This hard-to-reach population requires hepatitis B and C surveillance