Association between Schistosomiasis mansoni and hepatitis C: systematic review

OBJETIVO: Realizar revisão sistemática sobre a prevalência da confecção do vírus da hepatite C e Schistosoma mansoni e os fatores de risco associados a indivíduos com esquistossomose. MÉTODOS: Revisão realizada nas bases de dados Medline, Lilacs, SciELO, Biblioteca Cochrane e Ibecs. Os critérios de seleção e a obtenção dos dados foram baseados em métodos de revisão sistemática. Foram encontradas 45 referências relevantes, das quais nove foram excluídas na primeira triagem, 14 na leitura dos resumos e nove na leitura completa. Treze artigos foram selecionados para análise. RESULTADOS: A prevalência da associação entre vírus da hepatite C e Schistosoma mansoni variou de 1% na Etiópia a 50% no Egito. Alguns estudos apresentam metodologias pouco definidas, mesmo em áreas caracterizadas pela associação entre vírus da hepatite C e S. mansoni , como Brasil e Egito, o que não permitiu conclusões consistentes. As taxas de infecção pelo VHC em populações esquistossomáticas foram heterogêneas e os fatores de risco para adquirir o vírus foram variáveis. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar das limitações, esta análise pode ajudar a identificar regiões com maiores taxas dessa associação. Outros estudos serão necessários para o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas de prevenção e controle dessas doenças.OBJETIVO: Realizar revisión sistemática sobre la prevalencia de la co-infección del virus de la hepatitis C y Schistosoma mansoni y los factores de riesgo asociados a individuos con esquistosomosis. MÉTODOS: Revisión realizada en las bases de datos MEDLINE, LILACS, SciELO, Biblioteca Cochrane e IBECS. Los criterios de selección y la obtención de los datos fueron basados en métodos de revisión sistemática. RESULTADOS: Fueron encontradas 45 referencias relevantes, de las cuales, nueve fueron excluidas en la primera selección, 14 en la lectura de los resúmenes y nueve en la lectura completa. Trece artículos fueron seleccionados para análisis. La prevalencia de la asociación entre virus de la hepatitis C y Schistosoma mansoni varió de 1% en Etiopia, a 50% en Egipto. Algunos estudios presentan metodologías poco definidas, inclusive en áreas caracterizadas por la asociación entre el virus de la hepatitis C y S. mansoni, como Brasil y Egipto, lo que no permitió conclusiones consistentes. Los cocientes de infección por el VHC en poblaciones esquistosómicas fueron heterogéneos y los factores de riesgo para adquirir el virus fueron variables. CONCLUSIONES: A pesar de las limitaciones, este análisis pudo ayudar a identificar regiones con mayores cocientes de esa asociación. Otros estudios serán necesarios para el desarrollo de políticas públicas de prevención y control de estas enfermedades.OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review of the prevalence of the HCV/ S. mansoni co-infection and associated factors in Schistosoma mansoni -infected populations. METHODS: The bibliographic search was carried out using the Medline, Lilacs, SciELO, Cochrane Library and Ibecs databases. The criteria for the studies' selection and the extraction data were based on systematic review methods. Forty five studies were found, with nine being excluded in a first screening. Thirteen articles were used for data extraction. RESULTS: The HCV infection rates in schistosomiasis populations range from 1% in Ethiopia to 50% in Egypt. Several studies had poorly defined methodologies, even in areas characterized by an association between hepatitis C and schistosomiasis, such as Brazil and Egypt, which meant conclusions were inconsistent. HCV infection rates in schistosomotic populations were heterogeneous and risk factors for acquiring the virus varied widely. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the limitations, this review may help to identify regions with higher rates of hepatitis C and schistosomiasis association. However, more studies are necessary for the development of public health policies on prevention and control of both diseases

Cytokine profile associated with chronic and acute human schistosomiasis mansoni

The production and regulation of interleukin (IL) IL-13, IL-4 and interferon-gamma (IFN-³) was evaluated in 43 schistosomiasis patients with different clinical forms. Whole-blood cultures cytokine production in response to soluble egg antigen (SEA), soluble worm adult preparation (SWAP), mitogens, neutralizing antibodies or recombinant IL-13 were measured by ELISA. After SWAP stimulation, chronic patients, particularly hepatointestinals, produced higher levels of IL-4 in comparison with acute patients, suggesting the presence of a type 2 cytokine profile in these patients. Following SEA and SWAP stimulation, hepatosplenic (HS) patients showed increased levels of IFN-³ when compared with acute patients, indicating that HS disease in humans is associated with a type 1 cytokine response. The mechanisms of immune regulation are apparently different between the clinical stages of the disease, some of which are antigen-specific

Risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among front-line healthcare workers in Northeast Brazil : a respondent-driven sampling approach

Objectives We assessed the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages and occurrence of biological accidents among front-line healthcare workers (HCW). Design, setting and participants Using respondent-driven sampling, the study recruited distinct categories of HCW attending suspected or confirmed patients with COVID-19 from May 2020 to February 2021, in the Recife metropolitan area, Northeast Brazil. Outcome measures The criterion to assess SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCW was a positive self-reported PCR test. Results We analysed 1525 HCW: 527 physicians, 471 registered nurses, 263 nursing assistants and 264 physical therapists. Women predominated in all categories (81.1%; 95% CI: 77.8% to 84.1%). Nurses were older with more comorbidities (hypertension and overweight/obesity) than the other staff. The overall prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 61.8% (95% CI: 55.7% to 67.5%) after adjustment for the cluster random effect, weighted by network, and the reference population size. Risk factors for a positive RT-PCR test were being a nursing assistant (OR adjusted: 2.56; 95% CI: 1.42 to 4.61), not always using all recommended PPE while assisting patients with COVID-19 (OR adj: 2.15; 95% CI: 1.02 to 4.53) and reporting a splash of biological fluid/respiratory secretion in the eyes (OR adj: 3.37; 95% CI: 1.10 to 10.34). Conclusions This study shows the high frequency of SARS-CoV2 infection among HCW presumably due to workplace exposures. In our setting, nursing assistant comprised the most vulnerable category. Our findings highlight the need for improving healthcare facility environments, specific training and supervision to cope with public health emergencies

Association between biological markers with the degrees of fibrose hepática and inflammatory activity in the complex hepatitis C and schistosomiasis

Made available in DSpace on 2012-05-07T14:40:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license.txt: 1748 bytes, checksum: 8a4605be74aa9ea9d79846c1fba20a33 (MD5) 000007.pdf: 1784472 bytes, checksum: 2c26aaa00b8b82c4f1f98ae160132950 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Aggeu Magalhães. Recife, PE, BrasilA fibrose é a principal causa de morbidade e mortalidade relacionada a hepatite C e esquistossomose. Vários estudos surgiram na tentativa de desenvolver métodos não invasivos para avaliar o grau da fibrose hepática. O grau das lesões necro-inflamatórias, estágio da fibrose e a possível relação sinérgica na co-infecção hepatite C e esquistossomose para uma progressão à doença hepática severa não foi completamente elucidada. O objetivo principal desse projeto foi avaliar marcadores biológicos com potencial para previsão de severidade/gravidade de fibrose hepática na esquistossomose, hepatite C e na co-infecção. Foram selecionados: pacientes com hepatite C (n=37), hepatite C/ esquistossomose hepatoesplênica (n=19), e com esquistossomose hepatoesplênica, (EHE, n=23) e grupo controle (n=13). Biópsias hepáticas, ultrassonografia, parasitológicos de fezes, testes bioquímicos de bilirrubinas, alanina amino transferase (ALT) e aspartato amino transferase (AST), eletroforese de proteínas, gama- glutamil transferase (g-GT), fosfatase alcalina (FA) e ácido hialurônico foram realizados em todos os pacientes. Também foram realizadas pesquisa de anticorpos para hepatite B, anti-HIV, anti-HCV e confirmação da hepatite C através da detecção do RNA viral e genotipagem. As citocinas IFN-g, TGF-b, TNF-? e IL-13 foram dosadas no plasma e as citocinas IL-13 e IFN-g foram detectadas nas biópsias hepáticas através da técnica de RT-PCR em Tempo Real. A análise estatística foi realizada através de ANOVA e curvas ROC, considerando p < 0,05 como significativo. Não se observou diferenças estatísticas nos níveis séricos das citocinas TGF-b, IFN-g, TNF-a e IL-13 entre os 4 grupos estudados. Em relação aos graus de fibrose demonstrou-se que a citocina TNF-a (p= 0,010), ácido hialurônico (p= 0,036) e FA (p= 0,004) diferenciaram os pacientes com hepatite C entre fibrose leve e severa. Nesses pacientes, os níveis de ALT (p = 0,013), AST (p = 0,030) e FA (p = 0,021) diferenciaram em atividade inflamatória leve e severa. Nos pacientes com EHE, demonstramos que a gGT (p= 0,034) e relação AST/ plaquetas diferenciou fibrose grau II e III. Analisando sensibilidade e especificidade, concluiu-se que os possíveis marcadores biológicos para diagnosticar fibrose e atividade inflamatória hepática em pacientes com hepatite C foram TNF-a, ácido hialurônico, FA, ALT e AS

Social conditions and immune response in human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive pregnant women: a cross-sectional study in Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION The functioning of the immune system during pregnancy is altered in both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and uninfected women. Unfavorable socioeconomic conditions have been indicative of higher morbidity and mortality and worsening of the immune system. The aim of this study was to correlate social status with levels of interleukin (IL)-10 (non-inflammatory) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ; inflammatory) cytokines. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted with three groups of women: 33 pregnant HIV-infected (G1); 40 non-pregnant, HIV-infected (G2); and 35 pregnant, HIV-uninfected. To measure the social status, a compound indicator called the social status index (SSI), was established using sociodemographic variables (i.e., education level, housing conditions, per capita income, and habitation and sanitary conditions). RESULTS The HIV-infected women had a higher proportion of unfavorable SSI (73% and 75% of G1 and G2, respectively). There were significantly lower IL-10 levels in the G1 group with both unfavorable and favorable SSI than in the other groups. No significant difference in IFN-γ levels was observed among groups. However, the G1 group had higher IFN-γ values among both favorable and unfavorable SSI groups. CONCLUSIONS Higher rates of unfavorable conditions, including lower education levels, IL-10 levels, and a trend for higher IFN-γ levels, were identified among HIV-infected women, pregnant and non-pregnant. These factors may interfere in health care and lead to poor outcomes during pregnancy. Therefore, we suggest that health policies could be created to specifically address these factors in this population

Cytokine profile associated with chronic and acute human schistosomiasis mansoni

The production and regulation of interleukin (IL) IL-13, IL-4 and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) was evaluated in 43 schistosomiasis patients with different clinical forms. Whole-blood cultures cytokine production in response to soluble egg antigen (SEA), soluble worm adult preparation (SWAP), mitogens, neutralizing antibodies or recombinant IL-13 were measured by ELISA. After SWAP stimulation, chronic patients, particularly hepatointestinals, produced higher levels of IL-4 in comparison with acute patients, suggesting the presence of a type 2 cytokine profile in these patients. Following SEA and SWAP stimulation, hepatosplenic (HS) patients showed increased levels of IFN-γ when compared with acute patients, indicating that HS disease in humans is associated with a type 1 cytokine response. The mechanisms of immune regulation are apparently different between the clinical stages of the disease, some of which are antigen-specific

Social conditions and immune response in human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive pregnant women: a cross-sectional study in Brazil

<div><p>Abstract INTRODUCTION The functioning of the immune system during pregnancy is altered in both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and uninfected women. Unfavorable socioeconomic conditions have been indicative of higher morbidity and mortality and worsening of the immune system. The aim of this study was to correlate social status with levels of interleukin (IL)-10 (non-inflammatory) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ; inflammatory) cytokines. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted with three groups of women: 33 pregnant HIV-infected (G1); 40 non-pregnant, HIV-infected (G2); and 35 pregnant, HIV-uninfected. To measure the social status, a compound indicator called the social status index (SSI), was established using sociodemographic variables (i.e., education level, housing conditions, per capita income, and habitation and sanitary conditions). RESULTS The HIV-infected women had a higher proportion of unfavorable SSI (73% and 75% of G1 and G2, respectively). There were significantly lower IL-10 levels in the G1 group with both unfavorable and favorable SSI than in the other groups. No significant difference in IFN-γ levels was observed among groups. However, the G1 group had higher IFN-γ values among both favorable and unfavorable SSI groups. CONCLUSIONS Higher rates of unfavorable conditions, including lower education levels, IL-10 levels, and a trend for higher IFN-γ levels, were identified among HIV-infected women, pregnant and non-pregnant. These factors may interfere in health care and lead to poor outcomes during pregnancy. Therefore, we suggest that health policies could be created to specifically address these factors in this population.</p></div

Interferon-gamma gene diplotype (AA-rs2069716 / AG-rs2069727) may play an important role during secondary outcomes of severe dengue in Brazilian patients: Interferon-gamma gene diplotype (AA-rs2069716 / AG-rs2069727) may play an important role during secondary outcomes of severe dengue in Brazilian patients

Dengue is a global and growing health threat, especially in Southeast Asia, West Pacific and South America. Infection by the dengue virus (DENV) results in dengue fever, which can evolve to severe forms. Cytokines, especially interferons, are involved in the immunopathogenesis of dengue fever, and so may influence the disease outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between severe forms of dengue and two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the interferon-gamma gene (IFNG): A256G (rs2069716) and A325G (rs2069727). We included 274 patients infected with DENV serotype 3: 119 cases of dengue without warning signs (DWoWS), and 155 with warning signs (DWWS) or severe dengue (SD). DNA was extracted, and genotyped with Illumina Genotyping Kit or real time PCR (TaqMan probes). We estimated the adjusted Odds Ratios (OR) by multivariate logistic regression models. When comparing with the ancestral AA/AA diplotype (A256G/A325G), we found a protective association of the AA/AG against DWWS/SD among patients with secondary dengue (OR 0.51; 95% IC 0.24-1.10, p = 0.085), adjusting for age and sex. The variant genotype at locus A325G of the IFNG, in combination with the ancestral genotype at locus A256G, can protect against severe clinical forms of secondary dengue in Brazilian DENV3-infected patients

Evaluation of IL-6 (-174 G/C) Polymorphism in Acute Coronary Syndrome in the Northeast of Brazil

Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2018-02-28T14:07:00Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Carvalho VC Evaluation of IL-6 (-174 GC) Polymorphism....pdf: 172710 bytes, checksum: e9a14d2dbba0b68f9bffcb66bd2027b5 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2018-02-28T15:57:11Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Carvalho VC Evaluation of IL-6 (-174 GC) Polymorphism....pdf: 172710 bytes, checksum: e9a14d2dbba0b68f9bffcb66bd2027b5 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2018-02-28T15:57:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Carvalho VC Evaluation of IL-6 (-174 GC) Polymorphism....pdf: 172710 bytes, checksum: e9a14d2dbba0b68f9bffcb66bd2027b5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016Proep APQ 1620 4.01/15.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães. Laboratório de Imunopatologia e Biologia Molecular. Departamento de Imunologia. Recife, PE, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães. Laboratório de Imunopatologia e Biologia Molecular. Departamento de Imunologia. Recife, PE, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães. Laboratório de Imunopatologia e Biologia Molecular. Departamento de Imunologia. Recife, PE, BrasilReal Hospital Português. Real Hospital do Coração. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Biologia Parasitária. Salvador, BA, BrasilUniversidade de Pernambuco. Faculdade de Ciências Médicas. Recife, PE, BrasilBackground: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is a multifactorial disease caused by obstruction of the coronary arteries by atheromatous plaques and leads to heart ischemia. Several studies suggest that some genetic polymorphisms change the cytokines levels and influence ACS development.Objective: In this study, we evaluated the IL-6 (-174G/C) polymorphism, serum levels of cytokine and its relationship with ACS and the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk score. Materials and Methods: A sample of 200 patients with ACS [TIMI risk – Low (70); Intermediate (89); High (41)] in Brazilian population was used. Genotyping was carried out by polymerase chain reaction, followed by DNA sequencing. Results: There was no significant differences in genotype (p = 0.53) and allele (p = 0.32) distributions between ACS patient and without ACS patients groups on IL-6 allelic polymorphism and between the three differents TIMI risk score (p > 0.05). Moreover IL-6 polymorphism did not affect the cytokine levels and these levels were not related to TIMI score. Conclusions: With these results, we suggest that the IL-6 (-174 G/C) polymorphism, until now, is not related to ACS and did not change the levels of the cytokine in studied population. Further studies with different populations should be done to verify those results. It is important to emphasize that, since ACS is a multifactorial disease, other risk factors and other pro-inflammatory cytokines should be assessed to better understand this pathology