RESUMEN

AIMS: The present study aimed to use a conventional and metagenomic approach to investigate the microbiological diversity of water bodies in a network of drainage channels and rivers located in the central area of the city of Belém, northern Brazil, which is considered one of the largest cities in the Brazilian Amazon. METHODS AND RESULTS: In eight of the analyzed points, both bacterial and viral microbiological indicators of environmental contamination-physical-chemical and metals-were assessed. The bacterial resistance genes, drug resistance mechanisms, and viral viability in the environment were also assessed. A total of 473 families of bacteria and 83 families of viruses were identified. Based on the analysis of metals, the levels of three metals (Cd, Fe, and Mn) were found to be above the recommended acceptable level by local legislation. The levels of the following three physicochemical parameters were also higher than recommended: biochemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. Sixty-three bacterial resistance genes that conferred resistance to 13 different classes of antimicrobials were identified. Further, five mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance were identified and viral viability in the environment was confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: Intense human actions combined with a lack of public policies and poor environmental education of the population cause environmental degradation, especially in water bodies. Thus, urgent interventions are warranted to restore the quality of this precious and scarce asset worldwide.

Asunto(s)

Bacterias , Metagenómica , Microbiología del Agua , Brasil , Bacterias/genética , Bacterias/aislamiento & purificación , Bacterias/clasificación , Bacterias/efectos de los fármacos , Salud Ambiental , Ríos/microbiología , Ríos/virología , Virus/genética , Virus/aislamiento & purificación , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana/genética , Humanos , Ciudades , Metales/farmacología

RESUMEN

Human bocavirus (HBoV) is an emerging virus detected around the world that may be associated with cases of acute gastroenteritis (AGE). However, its contribution to AGE has not been elucidated. This study aimed to describe the frequency, clinical features, and HBoV species circulation in children up to 5 years with or without AGE symptoms in Acre, Northern Brazil. A total of 480 stool samples were collected between January and December 2012. Fecal samples were used for extraction, nested PCR amplification, and sequencing for genotyping. Statistical analysis was applied to verify the association between epidemiological and clinical characteristics. Overall, HBoV-positivity was 10% (48/480), with HBoV-positive rates of 8.4% (19/226) and 11.4% (29/254) recorded in diarrheic and non-diarrheic children, respectively. The most affected children were in the age group ranging between 7 and 24 months (50%). HBoV infection was more frequent in children who live in urban areas (85.4%), use water from public networks (56.2%), and live with adequate sewage facilities (50%). Co-detection with other enteric viruses was 16.7% (8/48) and the most prevalent coinfection was RVA+ HBoV (50%, 4/8). HBoV-1 was the most frequent species detected in diarrheic and non-diarrheic children, responsible for 43.8% (21/48) of cases, followed by HBoV-3 (29.2%, 14/48) and HBoV-2 (25%, 12/48). In this study, HBoV infection was not always associated with AGE, as most HBoV cases belonged to the non-diarrheal group. Future studies are warranted in order to determine the role of HBoV in causing acute diarrhea disease.

Asunto(s)

Bocavirus , Gastroenteritis , Bocavirus Humano , Infecciones por Parvoviridae , Infecciones del Sistema Respiratorio , Humanos , Niño , Lactante , Preescolar , Bocavirus Humano/genética , Brasil/epidemiología , Infecciones por Parvoviridae/epidemiología , Gastroenteritis/epidemiología , Diarrea/epidemiología , Heces , Enfermedad Aguda

RESUMEN

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal glands, gonads and brain. It is a precursor to sex hormones and also is known to have immune modulatory activity. However, little is known about the relationship between DHEA and neutrophils and thus our study evaluates the influence of DHEA in the effector functions of neutrophils. Human neutrophils were treated in vitro with DHEA and further infected with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. The treatment of neutrophils with 0.01 µM of DHEA increased the phagocytosis of Salmonella independent of TLR4 as the treatment did not modulate the TLR4 expression. Additionally, DHEA caused a decrease in ROS (reactive oxygen species) production and did not influence the formation of the neutrophil extracellular trap (NET). Steroid treated neutrophils, infected or stimulated with LPS (lipopolysaccharide), showed reduced production of IL-8, compared to untreated cells. Also, the protein levels of p-NFκB were decreased in neutrophils treated with DHEA, and this reduction could explain the reduced levels of IL-8. These results led us to conclude that the steroid hormone DHEA has important modulatory functions in neutrophils

Asunto(s)

Humanos , Masculino , Adulto , Técnicas In Vitro , Deshidroepiandrosterona/análisis , Neutrófilos/metabolismo , Fagocitosis/genética , Hormonas Esteroides Gonadales/farmacología , Glándulas Suprarrenales/metabolismo , Salmonella enterica/clasificación

RESUMEN

Serum levels of interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 4 (IL-4), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 10 (IL-10), interleukin 17 (IL-17), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), cytokines involved in the immune response, were investigated in 75 Leishmania-positive blood donors living in endemic areas. Based on their status in 2011 and 2015, the subjects were clustered into three groups: positive for at least one diagnostic method in both years, but lacking clinical progression to disease (G1); positive on at least one method in 2011 but negative in 2015 (G2); negative on all methods in both years (G3). Donors were interviewed for sociodemographic data collection and underwent clinical evaluation and laboratory tests. Serum cytokines were quantified using a CBA Flex set (BD Biosciences). Significant differences were found for all the cytokines evaluated, with lower concentrations in consistently Leishmania-negative individuals. The exception was IFN-γ, with similar levels among all donors. No changes consistent with active disease were observed in the laboratory results for Leishmania-positive donors who underwent clinical evaluation, none of whom progressed to disease. This suggests that infection control is associated with serum IL-17 levels. Resolution of Leishmania infection in positive donors may be related to high levels of IL-17 and low levels of IL-10, highlighting the role played by IL-17 in asymptomatic Leishmania-infected individuals.

Asunto(s)

Donantes de Sangre/estadística & datos numéricos , Citocinas/sangre , Leishmania/inmunología , Leishmaniasis/inmunología , Adulto , Enfermedades Asintomáticas , Femenino , Humanos , Interleucina-10/sangre , Interleucina-17/sangre , Leishmaniasis/sangre , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Regulación hacia Arriba , Adulto Joven

RESUMEN

The HIV/AIDS pandemic still represents an important global health issue. There is no sterilizing cure, therefore a continuous treatment is necessary, which caused the emerged idea of HIV as a chronic inflammatory disease that may also affect healthy aging. Considering that the activation profile of some innate cells such as natural killer cells has previously been associated to HIV progression, it remains to be better defined this activation status of NK cells considering the time of HIV infection. In this study, we characterized NK cell phenotype and function during acute and chronic HIV infection and also investigated markers of immunosenescence in these cells. Our results showed that chronic infected patients remained with elevated levels of some plasma inflammatory molecules (IP-10, sCD14) and a concurrent expansion of the non-functional NK cell subset (CD3-CD56-CD16+). NK cells from the chronic infected group displayed an activated profile with higher levels of cytokines and chemokines production (TNF-α, IL-12, IFN-α2, IFN-γ, IL-6, RANTES, MCP-1, IL-10, IL-4 and IL-5). The production of these molecules was positively correlated to the time of infection. Moreover, we noted a possible association of higher global DNA methylation frequency of NK cells in two HIV patients in the advanced stage of disease. Chronic infected patients also showed a trend towards higher production of reactive oxygen species by their NK cells which altogether suggest the evolution of these cells to a senescent state that might be further evaluated.

Asunto(s)

Infecciones por VIH/inmunología , Inmunosenescencia , Células Asesinas Naturales/inmunología , Enfermedad Aguda , Adulto , Enfermedad Crónica , Citocinas/inmunología , Metilación de ADN , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Especies Reactivas de Oxígeno/inmunología , Adulto Joven

RESUMEN

Viral hepatitis, syphilis, HIV, and tuberculosis infections in prisons have been identified globally as a public health problem. Tuberculosis (TB) and viral hepatitis co-infection may increase the risk of anti-tuberculosis treatment-induced hepatotoxicity, leading to the frequent cause of discontinuation of the first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs. Therefore, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the epidemiological features of HCV, HBV, syphilis and HIV infections among bacteriologically confirmed tuberculosis prisoners in Campo Grande (MS), Central Brazil. The participants who agreed to participate (n = 279) were interviewed and tested for the presence of active or current HCV, HBV, syphilis and HIV infections. The prevalence of HCV exposure was 4.7% (13/279; 95% CI 2.2-7.1). HCV RNA was detected in 84.6% (11/13) of anti-HCV positive samples. Out of 279 participants, 19 (6.8%; 95% CI 4.4-10.4) were HIV co-infected, 1.4% (4/279, 95% CI 0.5-3.8) had chronic hepatitis B virus (HBsAg positive) and 9.3% (26/279, 95% CI 6.4-13.4) had serological marker of exposure to hepatitis B virus (total anti-HBc positive). The prevalence of lifetime syphilis infection (anti-T. pallidum positive) was 10% (28/279, 95% CI 7.0-14.2) and active syphilis (VDRL ≥ 1/8 titre) was 5% (14/279, 95% CI 2.9-8.3). The prevalence of TB/HCV co-infection among prisoners with HIV (15.8%) was higher than among HIV-non-infected prisoners (3.8%; P<0.05). These results highlight the importance of hepatitis testing among prisoners with bacteriologically confirmed case of TB who can be more effectively and safely treated in order to reduce the side effects of hepatotoxic anti-TB drugs.

Asunto(s)

Infecciones por VIH/epidemiología , Hepatitis B Crónica/epidemiología , Hepatitis C Crónica/epidemiología , Prisioneros , Sífilis/epidemiología , Tuberculosis Pulmonar/epidemiología , Adulto , Brasil/epidemiología , Coinfección , Estudios Transversales , VIH/aislamiento & purificación , Infecciones por VIH/diagnóstico , Infecciones por VIH/virología , Hepacivirus/aislamiento & purificación , Virus de la Hepatitis B/aislamiento & purificación , Hepatitis B Crónica/diagnóstico , Hepatitis B Crónica/virología , Hepatitis C Crónica/diagnóstico , Hepatitis C Crónica/virología , Humanos , Masculino , Tamizaje Masivo , Persona de Mediana Edad , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/aislamiento & purificación , Prevalencia , Salud Pública/ética , Sífilis/diagnóstico , Sífilis/microbiología , Treponema pallidum/aislamiento & purificación , Tuberculosis Pulmonar/diagnóstico , Tuberculosis Pulmonar/microbiología

RESUMEN

Annona muricata Linn, commonly known as graviola, is one of the most popular plants used in Brazil for weight loss. The aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic effects of three different doses (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 150 mg/kg) of aqueous graviola leaf extract (AGE) supplemented by oral gavage, on obese C57BL/6 mice. Food intake, body weight, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), an insulin sensitivity test, quantification of adipose tissue cytokines, weight of fat pads, and serum biochemical and histological analyses of the liver, pancreas, and epididymal adipose tissue were measured. AGE had an anti-inflammatory effect by increasing IL-10 at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg. Regarding the cholesterol profile, there was a significant decrease in LDL-cholesterol levels in the AGE 150 group, and VLDL-cholesterol and triglycerides in the AGE 100 and 150 groups. There was an increase in HDL cholesterol in the AGE 150 group. The extract was able to reduce the adipocyte area of the epididymal adipose tissue in the AGE 100 and 150 groups. According to the histological analysis of the liver and pancreas, no significant difference was found among the groups. There were no significant effects of AGE on OGTT and serum fasting glucose concentration. However, the extract was effective in improving glucose tolerance in the AGE 150 group.

Asunto(s)

Annona , Fármacos Antiobesidad/farmacología , Dieta Alta en Grasa , Trastornos del Metabolismo de la Glucosa/tratamiento farmacológico , Obesidad/tratamiento farmacológico , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Adiposidad/efectos de los fármacos , Animales , Annona/química , Fármacos Antiobesidad/aislamiento & purificación , Fármacos Antiobesidad/toxicidad , Biomarcadores/sangre , Glucemia/efectos de los fármacos , Glucemia/metabolismo , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Femenino , Trastornos del Metabolismo de la Glucosa/sangre , Trastornos del Metabolismo de la Glucosa/fisiopatología , Mediadores de Inflamación/sangre , Resistencia a la Insulina , Lípidos/sangre , Masculino , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Obesidad/sangre , Obesidad/fisiopatología , Extractos Vegetales/aislamiento & purificación , Extractos Vegetales/toxicidad , Hojas de la Planta , Ratas Wistar , Aumento de Peso/efectos de los fármacos

RESUMEN

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is responsible for more than 2 million new infections per year and opportunistic infections such as Salmonella spp. Gastroenteritis is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in developing countries. Monocytes and macrophages play a critical role in the innate immune response against bacterial infections. However during HIV infection the virus can infect these cells and although they are more resistant to the cytopathic effects, they represent an important viral reservoir in these patients. Our aim was to evaluate the monocyte functions from HIV-1 infected patients after in vitro exposition to Salmonella Enteritidis. Our results suggest impairment of monocytes phagocytic and microbicidal activity in HIV-1 non-treated patients, which was more evident in women, if compared with men. Moreover, monocytes from HIV-1 infected and non-treated patients after stimulation with the bacteria, produced more pro-inflammatory cytokines than monocytes from HIV-treated patients, suggesting that HIV-1 infected patients have their functions unbalanced, once in the presence of an opportunistic infection in vitro.

Asunto(s)

Infecciones por VIH/microbiología , Macrófagos/inmunología , Monocitos/inmunología , Infecciones por Salmonella/inmunología , Femenino , Infecciones por VIH/inmunología , VIH-1 , Humanos , Masculino , Infecciones por Salmonella/virología , Salmonella enteritidis

RESUMEN

The lifetime risk of HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) development differs among ethnic groups. To better understand these differences, this prospective cohort study was conducted to investigate the cytokine profile and the HTLV-1 proviral load (PVL) in Japanese and non-Japanese populations with HAM/TSP and asymptomatic carriers (ACs). The serum IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels were quantified using the Cytometric Bead Array in 40 HTLV-1-infected patients (11 HAM/TSP and 29 ACs) and 18 healthy controls (HCs) in Brazil. Among ACs, 15 were Japanese descendants and 14 were non-Japanese. Of 11 patients with HAM/TSP, only one was a Japanese descendant. The HTLV-1 PVL was quantified by real-time PCR. The HTLV-1 PVL was 2.7-fold higher in HAM/TSP patients than ACs. Regardless of the clinical outcome, the PVL was significantly higher in patients younger than 60 years than older patients. The HAM/TSP and ACs had higher IL-10 serum concentrations than that of HCs. The ACs also showed higher IL-6 serum levels than those of HCs. According to age, the IL-10 and IL-6 levels were higher in ACs non-Japanese patients older than 60 years. HAM/TSP patients showed a positive correlation between IL-6 and IL-17 and a negative correlation between the PVL and IL-17 and IFN-γ. In the all ACs, a significant positive correlation was observed between IL-2 and IL-17 and a negative correlation was detected between IL-10 and TNF-α. Only 6.25% of the Japanese patients were symptomatic carriers, compared with 41.67% of the non-Japanese patients. In conclusion, this study showed that high levels of HTLV-1 PVL was intrinsicaly associated with the development of HAM/TSP. A higher HTLV-1 PVL and IL10 levels found in non-Japanese ACs over 60 years old, which compared with the Japanese group depicts that the ethnic background may interfere in the host immune status. More researches also need to be undertaken regarding the host genetic background to better understand the low frequency of HAM/TSP in Japanese HTLV-1-infected individuals.

Asunto(s)

Citocinas/sangre , Infecciones por HTLV-I/inmunología , Infecciones por HTLV-I/virología , Virus Linfotrópico T Tipo 1 Humano , Anciano , Pueblo Asiatico , Brasil/epidemiología , Portador Sano/epidemiología , Portador Sano/inmunología , Portador Sano/virología , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Estudios de Cohortes , Emigrantes e Inmigrantes , Femenino , Infecciones por HTLV-I/epidemiología , Virus Linfotrópico T Tipo 1 Humano/aislamiento & purificación , Virus Linfotrópico T Tipo 1 Humano/patogenicidad , Humanos , Japón/etnología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Paraparesia Espástica Tropical/epidemiología , Paraparesia Espástica Tropical/inmunología , Paraparesia Espástica Tropical/virología , Estudios Prospectivos , Provirus/aislamiento & purificación , Carga Viral

RESUMEN

Genotype G3P[8] of rotavirus A (RVA) is detected worldwide, usually associated with Wa-like constellation and exhibiting a long RNA migration pattern. More recently, a novel inter-genogroup, G3P[8] reassortant variant with a short electropherotype, has emerged in Asia, Oceania and Europe, denoting an overall potential of unusual rotavirus strains. During a RVA surveillance in Brazil, G3P[8] strains were found displaying a short electropherotype pattern, which had not been detected before in this region. This study aims to characterize the complete genome of 10 G3P[8] strains detected in the northern region of Brazil. All G3P[8] samples were subjected to partial sequencing, and the whole-genome phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that all strains possessed I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N1-T2-E2-H2 genotype background, representing reassortants with an equine-like G3 VP7 and amino acid changes in VP4 and VP7 antigenic regions as compared to vaccine strains. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated high nucleotide identity in almost all RNA segments of G3P[8] DS-1 samples detected in Asia, Oceania and Europe as well as G3P[4] strains in Japan. This study reports a novel, equine-like G3P[8] strain circulating in Brazil and isolated from children hospitalized for severe gastroenteritis, and highlights the complex dynamics of RVA molecular epidemiology. Our findings point to a novel RVA strain emerging in this region, and studies should be done to detect whether this may represent a challenge to current vaccine strategies.

Asunto(s)

Gastroenteritis/virología , Infecciones por Rotavirus/virología , Rotavirus/aislamiento & purificación , Enfermedad Aguda/epidemiología , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Brasil/epidemiología , Gastroenteritis/epidemiología , Genoma Viral , Genotipo , Humanos , Filogenia , Rotavirus/química , Rotavirus/clasificación , Rotavirus/genética , Infecciones por Rotavirus/epidemiología , Alineación de Secuencia , Proteínas Virales/química , Proteínas Virales/genética

RESUMEN

Noroviruses (NoVs) are important cause of gastroenteritis in humans worldwide. Genotype GII.4 is responsible for the majority of outbreaks reported to date. This study describes, for the first time in Brazil, the circulation of NoV GII.4 variant Sydney 2012 in faecal samples collected from children aged less than or equal to eight years in Rio Branco, state of Acre, northern Brazil, during July-September 2012.

Asunto(s)

Infecciones por Caliciviridae/virología , Gastroenteritis/virología , Norovirus/genética , Enfermedad Aguda , Brasil/epidemiología , Infecciones por Caliciviridae/epidemiología , Preescolar , Heces/virología , Gastroenteritis/epidemiología , Genotipo , Humanos , Lactante , Norovirus/aislamiento & purificación , Pandemias , Filogenia , ARN Viral/genética , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa de Transcriptasa Inversa