RESUMO

COVID-19, a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, poses significant threats to the respiratory system and other vital organs. Long non-coding RNAs have emerged as influential epigenetic regulators and promising biomarkers in respiratory ailments. The objective of this study was to identify candidate lncRNAs in SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals compared to SARS-CoV-2-negative individuals and investigate their potential association with ARDS-CoV-2 (acute respiratory distress syndrome). Employing qRT-PCR, we meticulously examined the expression profiles of a panel comprising 84 inflammation-related lncRNAs in individuals presenting upper respiratory infection symptoms, categorizing them into those testing negative or positive for SARS-CoV-2. Notably, first-phase PSD individuals exhibited significantly elevated levels of AC000120.7 and SENP3-EIF4A1. In addition, we measured the expression of two lncRNAs, AC000120.7 and SENP3-EIF4A1, in patients with ARDS unrelated to SARS-CoV-2 (n = 5) and patients with ARDS induced by SARS-CoV-2 (ARDS-CoV-2, n = 10), and interestingly, expression was also higher among patients with ARDS. Intriguingly, our interaction pathway analysis unveiled potential interactions between lncRNA AC000120.7, various microRNAs, and genes associated with inflammation. This study found higher expression levels of lncRNAs AC000120.7 and SENP3-EIF4A1 in the context of infection-positive COVID-19, particularly within the complex landscape of ARDS.

RESUMO

An epidemic of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is ongoing in Mexicali, México. We visited 100 neighborhoods with diagnosed human cases and 100 control neighborhoods to evaluate knowledge of the epidemic; obtain data on the spatial distribution of dogs, canine seroprevalence and active infection, tick infestations, and presence of rickettsial DNA in ticks; and evaluate risk factors for human cases, seropositivity, and tick infestation within an unbiased study design. The majority (80%) of residents had heard of RMSF, but only 48% used acaricides in the home or on dogs. Case neighborhoods and those with high canine seroprevalence tended to be on the city periphery or in the agricultural valley. No dogs were polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive for Rickettsia rickettsii, and the overall seroprevalence was 65% (titers from 64 to 1,024). PCR prevalence in ticks was 0.70%, confirmed by DNA sequencing as R. rickettsii; neighborhood prevalence ranged from 0.7% to 6.1%. Twelve percent of dogs had high tick burdens, and all ticks were Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Epidemiologically significant risk factors were ground covering for a neighborhood having a human case; dogs having poor body condition and weighing < 10 kg for canine seropositivity; dogs living at the home for the number of ticks in the environment; and being near canals, having trash on the patio, and a dog being thin for tick burdens on dogs. A One Health approach is crucial to understanding RMSF and brown dog ticks.

Assuntos

Doenças do Cão/microbiologia , Rhipicephalus sanguineus/fisiologia , Rickettsia rickettsii/isolamento & purificação , Febre Maculosa das Montanhas Rochosas/veterinária , Infestações por Carrapato/veterinária , Animais , Vetores Aracnídeos/microbiologia , Doenças do Cão/epidemiologia , Cães , Humanos , México/epidemiologia , Rhipicephalus sanguineus/microbiologia , Fatores de Risco , Febre Maculosa das Montanhas Rochosas/epidemiologia , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , Infestações por Carrapato/complicações , Infestações por Carrapato/epidemiologia

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a multifactorial and common disease that varies from 15 to 50 % in the newborn, causing 50 % of mortality. The RDS may be associated with bacterial and viral infections, and one of the most common viral agents is the cytomegalovirus (CMV). In the neonatal period the virus incidence goes from 0.4 to 2.5 % with a seroprevalence of 50 to 75 %; the incidence of infection in newborn with RDS is unknown. The objective was to determine the frequency of CMV infection in neonates with RDS and identify the risk factors associated with infection. METHODS: The CMV-DNA was identified in plasma by quantitative PCR; maternal and neonatal variables that defined the clinical findings were analyzed by logistic regression.The CMV-DNA was identified in plasma by quantitative PCR; maternal and neonatal variables that defined the clinical findings were analyzed by logistic regression. RESULTS: The frequency of CMV infection in 197 infants with RDS was 8.6 % (95 % CI, 4.7-12.5). The significant variables in newborn were: neutropenia (p = 0.012), thrombocytopenia (p = 0.021), mottled skin (p = 0.03), and the maternal significant variable was cervicovaginitis (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We reported for the first time the highest frecuency of CMV infection in newborns with RDS and the association of various risk factors with CMV infection.

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Introducción: el síndrome de dificultad respiratoria (SDR) es una enfermedad común multifactorial que varía del 15 al 50 % en el recién nacido (RN), y la mortalidad es de 50 %. Puede estar asociado a infecciones bacterianas y virales, una de las más frecuentes: el citomegalovirus (CMV). En el periodo neonatal la incidencia de infección por CMV es de 0.4 a 2.5 % y la seroprevalencia de 50 a 75 %; se desconoce la incidencia de infección en los RN. El objetivo fue determinar la frecuencia de infección por CMV en recién nacidos con SDR e identificar factores de riesgo asociados a infección. Métodos: el DNA-CMV fue identificado en plasma por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) cuantitativa, y las variables maternas y neonatales que definieron el cuadro clínico fueron analizadas por regresión logística. Resultados: la frecuencia de infección por CMV en 197 RN con SDR fue de 8.6 % (IC 95 % 4.7-12.5). Las variables significativas en los RN fueron: neutropenia (p = 0.012), trombocitopenia (p = 0.021), piel marmórea (p = 0.03) y la variable materna significativa fue cervicovaginitis (p = 0.05). Conclusiones: se reporta por primera vez la frecuencia más alta de infección por CMV en RN con SDR y la asociación de varios factores de riesgo con la infección por CMV.

Assuntos

Infecções por Citomegalovirus/complicações , Síndrome do Desconforto Respiratório do Recém-Nascido/virologia , Estudos Transversais , Infecções por Citomegalovirus/diagnóstico , Infecções por Citomegalovirus/epidemiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Recém-Nascido , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , México , Prevalência , Fatores de Risco

RESUMO

Isoniazid (INH) is a drug extensively used as a prophylactic and therapeutic agent for human tuberculosis (TB). INH is metabolized by the enzymatic activity of N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2). Human NAT2, encoded by a highly polymorphic gene, is involved in the biotransformation of xenobiotics, including drugs and certain chemical carcinogens. Numerous studies have established the correlation between the acetylator phenotype and the NAT2 genotype in several populations; however, little is known regarding Latin-American populations and the pharmacogenetics of NAT2. Here, we report the molecular genotyping of the NAT2 gene, the acetylator phenotype, and the incidence of INH-related adverse reactions in a group of 25 Mexican individuals enrolled in a prophylactic protocol for TB. Using both the NAT2 genotyping and acetylation phenotyping approach, we found a ratio of 69.2 and 30.8% of slow and fast acetylators, respectively. Concordance of the NAT2 genotype and phenotype classification was 88% in the bimodal model. Regarding INH-related adverse reactions, only 2 individuals (8%) exhibited declared gastric intolerance. In our study group, we found an association between the NAT2 genotype and acetylator phenotype (OR=7.78, 95% CI, 0.87-87.98, Fisher's exact test, p<0.05), but did not find any genotype or phenotype association with the incidence of INH-related adverse reactions (Fisher's exact test, p>0.05).