RESUMO
Dengue is the most important arthropod-borne viral disease worldwide. Infection with any of the four dengue virus (DENV) serotypes can be asymptomatic or lead to disease with clinical symptoms ranging from undifferentiated and self-limiting fever to severe dengue disease, which can be fatal in some cases. Currently, no specific antiviral compound is available for treating DENV. The aim of this study was to identify compounds in plants from Paraguayan folk medicine with inhibitory effects against DENV. We found high virucidal activity (50% maximal effective concentration (EC50) value of 24.97 µg/mL) against DENV-2 in the ethanolic extract of the roots of Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam. (Solanaceae) without an evident cytotoxic effect on Vero E6 cells. Three saponins isolated from the root extract showed virucidal effects (EC50 values ranging from 24.9 to 35.1 µg/mL) against DENV-2. Additionally, the saponins showed inhibitory activity against yellow fever virus (EC50 values ranging from 126 to 302.6 µg/mL), the prototype virus of the Flavivirus genus, suggesting that they may also be effective against other members of this genus. Consequently, these saponins may be lead compounds for the development of antiviral agents.
Assuntos
Vírus da Dengue , Saponinas , Solanum , Antivirais/farmacologia , Saponinas/farmacologia , Replicação Viral , Vírus da Febre AmarelaRESUMO
Dengue is the most important arthropod-borne viral disease worldwide. Infection with any of the four dengue virus (DENV) serotypes can be asymptomatic or lead to disease with clinical symptoms ranging from undifferentiated and self-limiting fever to severe dengue disease, which can be fatal in some cases. Currently, no specific antiviral compound is available for treating DENV. The aim of this study was to identify compounds in plants from Paraguayan folk medicine with inhibitory effects against DENV. We found high virucidal activity (50% maximal effective concentration (EC50) value of 24.97 µg/mL) against DENV-2 in the ethanolic extract of the roots of Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam. (Solanaceae) without an evident cytotoxic effect on Vero E6 cells. Three saponins isolated from the root extract showed virucidal effects (EC50 values ranging from 24.9 to 35.1 µg/mL) against DENV-2. Additionally, the saponins showed inhibitory activity against yellow fever virus (EC50 values ranging from 126 to 302.6 µg/mL), the prototype virus of the Flavivirus genus, suggesting that they may also be effective against other members of this genus. Consequently, these saponins may be lead compounds for the development of antiviral agents.
Assuntos
Saponinas/farmacologia , Solanum , Vírus da Dengue , Antivirais/farmacologia , Replicação Viral , Vírus da Febre AmarelaRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To provide species distribution and antifungal susceptibility profiles of 358 Trichosporon clinical isolates collected from 24 tertiary-care hospitals. METHODS: Species identification was performed by sequencing the IGS1 region of rDNA. Antifungal susceptibility testing for amphotericin B, fluconazole, voriconazole and posaconazole followed the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute reference method. Tentative epidemiologic cutoff values (97.5% ECVs) of antifungals for Trichosporon asahii were also calculated. RESULTS: Isolates were cultured mostly from urine (155/358, 43.3%) and blood (82/358, 23%) samples. Trichosporon asahii was the most common species (273/358, 76.3%), followed by T. inkin (35/358, 9.7%). Isolation of non-T. asahii species increased substantially over the last 11 years [11/77 (14.2%) from 1997 to 2007 vs. 74/281, (26.3%) from 2008 to 2018, p0.03]. Antifungal susceptibility testing showed high amphotericin B minimum inhibitory concentrations against Trichosporon isolates, with higher values for T. faecale. The ECV for amphotericin B and T. asahii was set at 4 µg/mL. Among the triazole derivatives, fluconazole was the least active drug. The ECVs for fluconazole and posaconazole against T. asahii were set at 8 and 0.5 µg/mL, respectively. Voriconazole showed the strongest in vitro activity against the Trichosporon isolates; its ECV for T. asahii was set at 0.25 µg/mL after 48 hours' incubation. CONCLUSIONS: Trichosporon species diversity has increased over the years in human samples, and antifungal susceptibility profiles were species specific. Trichosporon asahii antifungal ECVs were proposed, which may be helpful to guide antifungal therapy.
Assuntos
Antifúngicos/farmacologia , Farmacorresistência Fúngica , Trichosporon/classificação , Trichosporon/efeitos dos fármacos , Anfotericina B/farmacologia , Brasil , DNA Fúngico/genética , DNA Ribossômico/genética , Fluconazol/farmacologia , Humanos , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Técnicas de Tipagem Micológica , Centros de Atenção Terciária , Tricosporonose/microbiologia , Voriconazol/farmacologiaRESUMO
Frequent dental care plays an important role in the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of diseases. People living with HIV AIDS (PLWHA) are a risk group that can acquire any type of disease, which should be under strict medical supervision regime. Certain factors, such as discrimination by members of staff (doctors, dentists, etc.) hinder the practice. The aim of the study was to determine the experience and opinion of People Living with HIV/AIDS virus on dental care provided. A questionnaire of 10 questions was applied to 113 People Living with HIV/AIDS virus registered on the Institute of Tropical Medicine. 71.7% of respondents rated the dental care received as excellent. 59.3% of People Living with HIV/AIDS virus reported that they do not inform the dentist of their condition. 41.3% of patients reported experiencing discrimination from a dentist. Relating discrimination and type of service used, it was found that there is not enough statistical evidence to say that being a victim of discrimination depends on the type of service used (p=0.09). With the applied methodology we conclude that the discrimination index is still very high in dental clinics, and People Living with HIV/AIDS virus do not make sufficient efforts to maintain their oral health, reflecting the need to inform and educate the dentist regarding the unlawfulness of discriminating patients by their medical condition, and People Living with HIV/AIDS virus on the multiple benefits that comes with seeing a dentist regularly.
La atención odontológica frecuente juega un papel importante en la prevención, diagnóstico y tratamiento precoz de enfermedades. Las personas viviendo con el virus del SIDA (PVVS) constituyen un grupo de riesgo a adquirir cualquier tipo de enfermedad, por lo cual deberían estar bajo un estricto régimen de control médico. Existen ciertos factores, como la discriminación por parte de miembros del personal de la salud (médicos, odontólogos, etc), que dificultan esta práctica. El objetivo del estudio fue describir la experiencia y opinión de las Personas Viviendo con el Virus del Sida sobre la atención odontológica recibida. Fue aplicado un cuestionario de 10 preguntas a 113 PVVS que consultaron en el Servicio de Atención Integral del Instituto de Medicina Tropical. El 71,7% de los encuestados calificó la atención odontológica recibida como excelente. El 59,3% de las Personas Viviendo con el Virus del Sida refirió no informar al odontólogo de su condición. 41,3% de los pacientes refirieron haber sido víctimas de discriminación por parte del odontólogo. Al relacionar la discriminación y tipo de servicio utilizado, se encontró que no existe evidencia estadística suficiente para afirmar que ser víctima de discriminación depende del tipo de servicio utilizado (p=0,09). Con este trabajo se concluye que el índice de discriminación es todavía muy alto en los consultorios odontológicos, y que las Personas Viviendo con el Virus del Sida no realizan suficientes esfuerzos por mantener su salud bucal, lo cual refleja la necesidad de informar y concienciar, al odontólogo en cuanto a la ilegalidad de discriminar a pacientes por su condición médica, y a las PVVS sobre los múltiples beneficios que trae acudir al odontólogo regularmente.
RESUMO
Aspergillus spp. are among the most common causes of opportunistic invasive fungal infections in tertiary care hospitals. Little is known about the prevalence and in vitro susceptibility of Aspergillus species in Latin America, because there are few medical centers able to perform accurate identification at the species level. The purpose of this study was to analyze the distribution of cryptic and rare Aspergillus species among clinical samples from 133 patients with suspected aspergillosis admitted in 12 medical centers in Brazil and to analyze the in vitro activity of different antifungal drugs. The identification of Aspergillus species was performed based on a polyphasic approach, as well as sequencing analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, calmodulin, and ß-tubulin genes and phylogenetic analysis when necessary. The in vitro susceptibility tests with voriconazole, posaconazole, and itraconazole were performed according to the CLSI M38-A2 document (2008). We demonstrated a high prevalence of cryptic species causing human infection. Only three isolates, representing the species Aspergillus thermomutatus, A. ochraceus, and A. calidoustus, showed less in vitro susceptibility to at least one of the triazoles tested. Accurate identifications of Aspergillus at the species level and with in vitro susceptibility tests are important because some species may present unique resistance patterns against specific antifungal drugs.
Assuntos
Antifúngicos/farmacologia , Aspergilose/epidemiologia , Aspergilose/microbiologia , Aspergillus/classificação , Aspergillus/efeitos dos fármacos , Triazóis/farmacologia , Aspergillus/isolamento & purificação , Brasil/epidemiologia , Calmodulina/genética , Análise por Conglomerados , DNA Fúngico/química , DNA Fúngico/genética , DNA Espaçador Ribossômico/química , DNA Espaçador Ribossômico/genética , Humanos , Itraconazol/farmacologia , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Filogenia , Prevalência , Análise de Sequência de DNA , Tubulina (Proteína)/genética , Voriconazol/farmacologiaRESUMO
Hantavirus (Family Bunyaviridae) are mostly associated to rodents and transmitted to man by inhalation of aerosolized infected excreta of these animals. The human infection by hantaviruses can lead to severe diseases such as hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Asia and Europe, and pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in the Americas. To determine the origin, spreading and evolutionary dynamics of rodent-borne hantaviruses, 190 sequences of nucleoprotein (N) of hantaviruses identified in 30 countries, from 1985 to 2010, were retrieved from the GenBank and analyzed using the BEAST program. Our evolutionary analysis indicates that current genetic diversity of N gene of rodent-borne hantaviruses probably was originated around 2000 years ago. Hantavirus harbored by Murinae and Arvicolinae subfamilies, probably, were originated in Asia 500-700 years ago and later spread toward Siberia, Europe, Africa and North America. Hantavirus carried by Neotominae subfamily, probably, emerged 500-600 years ago in Central America and spread toward North America. Finally, hantaviruses associated to Sigmodontinae occurred in Brazil 400 years ago and were, probably, originated from Neotominae-associated virus from northern South America. These data offer subsidies to understand the time-scale and worldwide dissemination dynamics of rodent-borne hantaviruses.
Assuntos
Nucleoproteínas/genética , Orthohantavírus/classificação , Orthohantavírus/genética , Roedores/virologia , Proteínas Virais/genética , Animais , Teorema de Bayes , Brasil , Evolução Molecular , Variação Genética , Humanos , Taxa de Mutação , Filogenia , FilogeografiaRESUMO
Since their discovery, four species of human bocavirus (HBoV) have been described in patients with respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases. However, a clear causal association between HBoV-1 and gastroenteritis has not been demonstrated. In this study, we describe the detection and quantification of HBoV-1 in stools from children with acute non-bacterial gastroenteritis using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. HBoV-1 genome was detected in 10.6% of stools with frequent association with rotavirus and norovirus. The median of HBoV-1 viral load was 1.88 × 104 genome/ml, lower than previously shown in secretions of patients with respiratory infections, without any obvious association between high viral load and presence of HBoV as single agent. Thus, although HBoV-1 was frequently detected in these patients, there is no clear causal association of this agent with diarrhoea. Indeed, HBoV-1 DNA in stools of patients with gastroenteritis without respiratory symptoms may be a remnant of previous infections or associated with prolonged shedding of virus in the respiratory or digestive tracts.
Assuntos
Diarreia/virologia , Fezes/virologia , Bocavirus Humano/isolamento & purificação , Carga Viral , Viroses/virologia , Pré-Escolar , Coinfecção/virologia , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Gastroenterite/virologia , Humanos , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , Masculino , Paraguai/epidemiologia , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
A pig model with a deep large burn was used to study the regeneration process induced by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and acellular pig dermal matrices, made intelligent by the combination with biodegradable nanofibers loaded with growth factors (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and epidermal growth factor) and coated with the anti-CD44 monoclonal antibody (intelligent acellular dermal matrices, IADMs). These IADMs are specially designed to integrate in the wound bed as new biological scaffolds as well as to specifically recruit and attach circulating and/or externally applied MSCs through the anti-CD44 antibody while delivering precise amounts of growth factors. In this way, the reparative process as well as the aesthetic and functional results were enhanced in our burn model. The animal survived, the wound was completely closed, and total regeneration of the skin was obtained without much scarring. Surprisingly, hair follicles and other skin appendages developed despite the severity and deepness of the burn. Even burned muscles and ribs seemed to have undergone a regenerative process by the end of the study. Based on these findings, we have proposed the use of IADMs and autologous, allogeneic or xenogeneic MSCs, as a new paradigm for the future treatment of large burns and probably other dermatological and cosmetic human conditions.
Assuntos
Queimaduras/cirurgia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Células-Tronco Mesenquimais/patologia , Regeneração , Pele/patologia , Transplante de Células-Tronco , Animais , SuínosRESUMO
Introducción: El virus de influenza pandémica A (H1N1), cuya circulación se inició en abril del año 2009 en México y Estados Unidos, se constituyó en el último virus pandémico desde los casos detectados en Hong Kong en 1968. El genoma del virus de influenza A está formado por 8 segmentos ARN de cadena simple (polaridad negativa), que codifican para 10 proteínas. Los genes hemaglutinina y neuraminidasa codifican para dos proteínas de superficie y son los utilizados en los análisis de variabilidad genética. Objetivos: a) Detectar la circulación del virus pandémico en pacientes con sospecha clínica de infección por influenza, y b) Diseñar una estrategia para amplificar de forma completa los genes hemaglutinina y neuraminidasa. Materiales y Métodos: Fueron analizados por Real-Time RT-PCR (transcripción reversa y reacción en cadena de la polimerasa en tiempo real) un total de 181 muestras de hisopado faríngeo, colectadas o remitidas al Hospital de Clínicas, del 6 de agosto al 11 de octubre de 2009. Para el diseño de amplificación de los genes hemaglutinina y neuraminidasa, se han utilizado herramientas bioinformáticas y reacción en cadena de la polimerasa. Resultados: Del total de muestras analizadas, 27 (14.9 %) dieron resultado positivo para el nuevo virus pandémico. Por otra parte, la amplificación completa de ambos genes proporcionó los resultados esperados: 1678-pares de bases (pb) para la hemaglutinina, y 1427-pb para la neuraminidasa. Conclusiones: La implementación de esta tecnología de amplificación permitirá posteriormente la secuenciación de estos genes a fin de determinar las variaciones genéticas del virus que podrían tener un impacto en la salud humana.
Introduction: The pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus, whose circulation was detected in April 2009 in Mexico and the United States, is the latest pandemic virus since the cases reported in Hong Kong in 1968. The genome of the influenza A virus consists of 8 segments of single-stranded RNA of negative polarity, coding for 10 proteins. The hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes encode for two surface proteins and are used in the analysis of genetic variability. Objectives: a) to detect circulation of the pandemic virus in patients with clinical suspicion of influenza infection and b) design a strategy to fully amplify the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes.Materials and Methods: A total of 181 pharyngeal swabs were collected and sent to the Hospital de Clínicas for analysis using Real-Time RT-PCR (reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction in real time) between 6 August and 11 October 2009. To design the amplification of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes, we used bioinformatic tools and polimerase chain reaction. Results: Of the samples analyzed, 27 (14.9%) were positive for the new pandemic virus. Moreover, the complete amplification of both genes provided the expected results: 1678-base pairs (bp) for the hemagglutinin, and 1427-bp for neuraminidase. Conclusions: The use of this technology for amplification will eventually allow sequencing to identify genetic variations of the virus that could have an impact on human health.
Assuntos
Humanos , Proteína HN , Vírus da Influenza A Subtipo H1N1 , Pediatria , Proteína HNRESUMO
Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) infusion is a very popular drink in South America. Although several studies have evaluated the potential for fungal contamination in foodstuff, very few investigations have been conducted with yerba mate samples. In order to evaluate for the presence of potentially pathogenic fungi, here we studied 8 brands of yerba mate commercially available in Southern Brazil. Fungal survival in adverse conditions such as gastric pH was determined by incubating samples at pH 1.5. Because hot water is generally used to prepare yerba mate infusion, the effect of several temperatures on fungal growth was also investigated. All but 1 yerba mate brand showed substantial fungal growth, in the range of <104900 colony-forming units per gram. Some of these fungi were able to survive extreme variations in pH and temperature. Because of the potential for yerba mate to carry pathogenic fungi, immunocompromised patients may be at risk of acquiring invasive fungal diseases by drinking yerba mate infusion.
Assuntos
Bebidas/microbiologia , Contaminação de Alimentos , Fungos/isolamento & purificação , Ilex paraguariensis/microbiologia , Micoses/microbiologia , Aspergillus fumigatus/isolamento & purificação , Aspergillus niger/isolamento & purificação , Humanos , Fatores de Risco , Células-TroncoRESUMO
We describe a novel technology based on nanoengineered multifunctional acellular biologic scaffolds combined with wound dressings and films of the same kind. This method allows selective delivery and release of shielded biomaterials and bioactive substances to a desired wound or damaged tissue while stimulating the selective anchoring and adhesion of endogenous circulating repairing cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells, to obtain a faster and more physiologic healing process. We also present a new controlled enzymatic debridement process for more effective burned tissue scarolysis. In light of our preliminary in vitro and in vivo data, we are convinced that these approaches can include the use of other kinds of adult stem cells, such as endometrial regenerative cells, to improve the vascularization of the constructs, with great potential in the entire tissue and organ regeneration field but especially for the treatment of severely burned patients, changing the way these lesions may be treated in the future.
Assuntos
Queimaduras/cirurgia , Desbridamento/métodos , Transplante de Células-Tronco/métodos , Adulto , Animais , Bandagens , Células Sanguíneas/citologia , Vasos Sanguíneos/fisiologia , Queimaduras/patologia , Cadáver , Carica , Cicatriz/prevenção & controle , Derme/patologia , Células Epiteliais/transplante , Humanos , Doadores Vivos , Menstruação/fisiologia , Regeneração , Suínos , Doadores de Tecidos , Transplante Autólogo , Transplante Heterólogo/métodosRESUMO
El dengue es un grave problema de salud pública que no posee vacuna ni tratamiento específico. El método de diagnóstico más utilizado es el serológico, específicamente, la detección de anticuerpos IgM anti-dengue. Los antígenos virales utilizados en este método pueden ser preparados en cultivo de células de Aedes albopictus (C6/36). El objetivo de este trabajo fue el mantenimiento de los cuatro serotipos virales (D1 (RIO), D2 (RIO), D3 (H-87), D4 (BV)) en células C6/36 para la futura preparación de antígenos virales. Las células C6/36 fueron cultivadas en medio L-15 con 10% de SFB a 28ºC, e infectadas con 50 ml de cada uno de los serotipos virales por 5 a 7 días. Una vez confirmada la infección por inmunoflurescencia indirecta, los virus fueron titulados por la técnica de placa de lisis. Los títulos de los serotipos fueron D1 (RIO) (2,9 x 106 PFU/ml), D2 (RIO) (4,4 x107 PFU/ml), D3 (H87) (6,4 x 107 PFU/ml) y D4 (BV) (5,1 x106 PFU/ml). La producción de antígenos virales es de gran importancia dado que los mismos pueden ser utilizados en diversos métodos diagnósticos.
Dengue is a serious public health problem that has neither vaccine nor specific treatment. Serology is the most frequently used diagnosis method, specifically the anti-dengue IgM detection. The viral antigens employed in this method could be prepared from Aedes albopictus cell cultures (C6/36). The objective of this study was to maintain the four viral serotypes (D1 (RIO), D2 (RIO), D3 (H-87), D4 (BV)) on C6/36 cells for the preparation of viral antigen in the future. The C6/36 cells were cultured in L-15 medium supplemented with 10% FCS, infected with 50 µl of each viral serotype and then incubated for 5-7 days at 28°C. After confirmation of the infection by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), viral titration was performed by lysis plaque assay. The serotypes titres obtained were as follows: [2.9 x 106 PFU/ml] for D1 (RIO), (4.4 x107 PFU/ml) for D2 (RIO), (6.4 x 10 7 PFU/ml) for D3 (H87) and (5.1 x106 PFU/ml) for D4 (BV). The production of viral antigens is very important because they could be used in several diagnosis methods.
Assuntos
Dengue , Saúde Pública , Células CultivadasRESUMO
La Fiebre Amarilla (FA) es una de las más importantes zoonosis que afecta a poblaciones humanas. La FA silvestre es imposible de ser erradicada, manteniéndose activa en zonas tropicales en África y Sudamérica. Todas las especies de primates son susceptibles y se consideran reservorios en el medio silvestre. La mortalidad es baja, se desconoce su valor con precisión, sin embargo existen epizootias con alta mortalidad, en humanos varía entre 20-50%. El objetivo de este trabajo fue buscar evidencias de FA en primates capturados en áreas de brote de FA de los departamentos de San Pedro y Central del Paraguay mediante la técnica de Neutralización por reducción de placas para FA cepa vacunal 17 D. Los resultados en los 35 primates estudiados fueron negativos, quizás por lo tardío del momento en la toma de muestras y bajo número de primates capturados.
Yellow Fever (YF) is one of the most important zoonotic diseases affecting human population. It is impossible to eradicate wild YF remaining active in tropical zones of Africa and South America. All species of primates are susceptible and are considered reservoirs in wild regions. Mortality is low and its precise value is unknown though there are epizootics with high mortality rates and in humans varies between 20-50%. The objective of this study was to search for evidence of YF in primates caught in YF outbreaks areas of the departments of San Pedro and Central in Paraguay through the neutralization technique by plates reduction for YF vaccine strain 17 D. The results in the 35 primates studied were negative, perhaps because of the lateness of the time sampling and the low number of captured primates.
Assuntos
Doenças dos Primatas , Saúde Pública Veterinária , Febre AmarelaRESUMO
Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) has been recognized as an important public heath problem. Five hantaviruses associated with HCPS are currently known in Brazil: Juquitiba, Araraquara, Laguna Negra-like, Castelo dos Sonhos, and Anajatuba viruses. The laboratory diagnosis of HCPS is routinely carried out by the detection of anti-hantavirus IgM and/or IgG antibodies. The present study describes the expression of the N protein of a hantavirus detected in the blood sample of an HCPS patient. The entire S segment of the virus was amplified and found to be 1858 nucleotides long, with an open reading frame of 1287 nucleotides that encodes a protein of 429 amino acids. The nucleotide sequence described here showed a high identity with the N protein gene of Araraquara virus. The entire N protein was expressed using the vector pET200D and the Escherichia coli BL21 strain. The expression of the recombinant protein was confirmed by the detection of a 52-kDa protein by Western blot using a pool of human sera obtained from HCPS patients, and by specific IgG detection in five serum samples of HCPS patients tested by ELISA. These results suggest that the recombinant N protein could be used as an antigen for the serological screening of hantavirus infection.
Assuntos
Antígenos Virais , Síndrome Pulmonar por Hantavirus/diagnóstico , Proteínas do Nucleocapsídeo , Orthohantavírus/imunologia , Antígenos Virais/genética , Antígenos Virais/imunologia , Proteínas do Capsídeo/imunologia , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Escherichia coli , Vetores Genéticos , Humanos , Imunoglobulina G/imunologia , Proteínas do Nucleocapsídeo/genética , Proteínas do Nucleocapsídeo/imunologia , Proteínas do Core Viral/imunologiaRESUMO
Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) has been recognized as an important public heath problem. Five hantaviruses associated with HCPS are currently known in Brazil: Juquitiba, Araraquara, Laguna Negra-like, Castelo dos Sonhos, and Anajatuba viruses. The laboratory diagnosis of HCPS is routinely carried out by the detection of anti-hantavirus IgM and/or IgG antibodies. The present study describes the expression of the N protein of a hantavirus detected in the blood sample of an HCPS patient. The entire S segment of the virus was amplified and found to be 1858 nucleotides long, with an open reading frame of 1287 nucleotides that encodes a protein of 429 amino acids. The nucleotide sequence described here showed a high identity with the N protein gene of Araraquara virus. The entire N protein was expressed using the vector pET200D and the Escherichia coli BL21 strain. The expression of the recombinant protein was confirmed by the detection of a 52-kDa protein by Western blot using a pool of human sera obtained from HCPS patients, and by specific IgG detection in five serum samples of HCPS patients tested by ELISA. These results suggest that the recombinant N protein could be used as an antigen for the serological screening of hantavirus infection.
Assuntos
Humanos , Antígenos Virais , Síndrome Pulmonar por Hantavirus/diagnóstico , Orthohantavírus/imunologia , Proteínas do Nucleocapsídeo , Antígenos Virais/genética , Antígenos Virais/imunologia , Proteínas do Capsídeo/imunologia , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Escherichia coli , Vetores Genéticos , Imunoglobulina G/imunologia , Proteínas do Nucleocapsídeo/genética , Proteínas do Nucleocapsídeo/imunologia , Proteínas do Core Viral/imunologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Mucocutaneous lesions in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with disseminated histoplasmosis have a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, making its diagnosis difficult. Studies have been restricted to case reports and series with small numbers of patients not specifically focusing on the dermatological aspects of histoplasmosis. AIMS: To describe the characteristics of mucocutaneous lesions of disseminated histoplasmosis in HIV-infected patients. METHODS: A retrospective and prospective study was conducted on 36 HIV-infected patients with mucocutaneous histoplasmosis in a tertiary-care hospital in Brazil. RESULTS: Mucocutaneous histoplasmosis was diagnosed by histopathology in 33 of the 36 patients (91%) and/or culture in 23 (64%). Their CD4+ cell counts ranged from 2 to 103 cells/mm(3). The average number of different morphological types of lesions was three per patient. Despite the variability of the lesions, papules (50%), crusted papules (64%) and oral mucosal erosions and/or ulcers (58%) were the most frequent dermatological lesions. A diffuse pattern of distribution of the skin lesions was found in 58% of the cases. There was significant association between the CD4+ cell counts and the morphological variability of lesions per patient. Variation in the lesions seemed to be associated with higher CD4+ cell counts. CONCLUSION: Doctors caring for HIV-infected patients should be aware of the wide spectrum of dermatological lesions observed in disseminated histoplasmosis and the importance of detecting and isolating the fungus in mucocutaneous tissues.
Assuntos
Infecções Oportunistas Relacionadas com a AIDS/tratamento farmacológico , Antifúngicos/uso terapêutico , Dermatomicoses/tratamento farmacológico , Histoplasmose/tratamento farmacológico , Infecções Oportunistas Relacionadas com a AIDS/microbiologia , Adulto , Brasil/epidemiologia , Dermatomicoses/microbiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Estudos Prospectivos , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
We described here the complete nucleotide sequence of the L RNA segment of Oropouche virus (genus Orthobunyavirus, family Bunyaviridae). We found the L RNA segment is 6846 nucleotides long and encodes a putative RNA polymerase of 2250 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis showed that ORO virus cluster to the Orthobunyavirus genus confirming the serological classification. It also showed that Bunyamwera and California viruses, from the Orthobunyavirus genus, are more closely related to each other than to ORO virus. Sequence comparisons performed between the L proteins of 15 bunyaviruses and the PB1 proteins of 3 influenza viruses revealed that ORO L protein contains the 3 regions characteristic of arenaviruses and bunyaviruses. These comparisons also showed the existence of an additional fourth conserved region in the L protein of bunyaviruses that contains at least two active sites.
Assuntos
RNA Polimerases Dirigidas por DNA/metabolismo , RNA Viral/química , Proteínas Virais/química , Motivos de Aminoácidos , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Sequência de Bases , Sequência Conservada , RNA Polimerases Dirigidas por DNA/genética , Vírus da Encefalite da Califórnia/química , Vírus da Encefalite da Califórnia/genética , Genoma Viral , Vírus La Crosse/química , Vírus La Crosse/genética , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Fases de Leitura Aberta , Orthomyxoviridae/química , Orthomyxoviridae/genética , Filogenia , RNA Viral/classificação , RNA Viral/genética , Alinhamento de Sequência , Homologia de Sequência de Aminoácidos , Proteínas Virais/classificação , Proteínas Virais/genéticaRESUMO
We describe a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with primers that anneal to the 5' and 3' ends and amplify the Bunyavirus S RNA segments. The RT-PCR was done on the fluids of C6/36 cells infected with each of 21 bunyaviruses. The bunyaviruses studied, with the exception of Catu virus, produced amplicons having 700 to 1300 base pairs and probably contained the whole S RNA segment sequence. A nested PCR performed with these amplicons distinguished California and most Bunyamwera serogroup viruses from other bunyaviruses by use of BBC specific internal primers for the S RNA segment, and distinguished Simbu serogroup viruses from others by use of BS specific internal primers. The nested-PCR amplicons of Guaroa, Maguari, California encephalitis, Bunyamwera, and Oropouche viruses were sequenced. The sequences were aligned with previously known sequences of the S RNA segment of the same viruses, showing a high degree of homology and thus confirming the specific origin of these amplicons. The nested RT-PCR is suitable as a specific screening for most California and Bunyamwera serogroup and Simbu serogroup viruses depending on the use of BBC or BS internal primers. Oropouche virus is an important public health problem in Brazil and the nested PCR with BS primers could be used for the detection of this virus in tissue culture and mouse brain isolates as well as in clinical samples.
Assuntos
Vírus Bunyamwera/isolamento & purificação , Infecções por Bunyaviridae/diagnóstico , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Via Transcriptase Reversa , Sequência de Bases , Humanos , RNA Viral/análiseRESUMO
A prospective study of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection was carried out on 34 renal transplant recipients managed at a General Hospital in Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. Serologic tests showed that all patients were infected with CMV before renal transplantation. Two nested-PCR techniques with primers that recognize sequences of the glycoprotein B (gB) and H (gH) genes were used for CMV detection in blood and urine samples during the post-transplantation period. CMV was detected more frequently in blood samples than in urine samples (P<0.001). Thirty-three patients had CMV detected at least once in blood and/or urine samples. Seven of these patients (21.2%) were diagnosed as having symptomatic CMV infection and showed a worse clinical outcome, with a higher death rate (P = 0.03). No association between CMV viremia and graft rejection was observed. Nested-PCR was not useful to identify patients at risk for symptomatic CMV infection since only 21.2% of the patients with CMV infection were symptomatic.
Assuntos
Infecções por Citomegalovirus/diagnóstico , Transplante de Rim , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase/métodos , Anticorpos Antivirais/isolamento & purificação , Sequência de Bases , Infecções por Citomegalovirus/sangue , Infecções por Citomegalovirus/urina , Primers do DNA , Humanos , Imunoglobulina G/isolamento & purificação , Imunoglobulina M/isolamento & purificação , Estudos Prospectivos , Proteínas do Envelope Viral/genéticaRESUMO
A prospective study of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection was carried out on 34 renal transplant recipients managed at a General Hospital in Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. Serologic tests showed that all patients were infected with CMV before renal transplantation. Two nested-PCR techniques with primers that recognize sequences of the glycoprotein B (gB) and H (gH) genes were used for CMV detection in blood and urine samples during the post-transplantation period. CMV was detected more frequently in blood samples than in urine samples (P<0.001). Thirty-three patients had CMV detected at least once in blood and/or urine samples. Seven of these patients (21.2 percent) were diagnosed as having symptomatic CMV infection and showed a worse clinical outcome, with a higher death rate (P = 0.03). No association between CMV viremia and graft rejection was observed. Nested-PCR was not useful to identify patients at risk for symptomatic CMV infection since only 21.2 percent of the patients with CMV infection were symptomatic