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Immunization of BALB/c mice with HIVBr18, a DNA vaccine containing 18 CD4+ T cell epitopes from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), induced specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses in a broad, polyfunctional and persistent manner. With the aim of increasing the immunogenicity of this vaccine, the effect of Propionibacterium acnes as an adjuvant was evaluated. The adjuvant effects of this bacterium have been extensively demonstrated in both experimental and clinical settings. Herein, administration of two doses of HIVBr18, in the presence of P. acnes, increased the proliferation of HIV-1-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, the polyfunctional profile of CD4+ T cells, the production of IFN-γ, and the number of recognized vaccine-encoded peptides. One of the bacterial components responsible for most of the adjuvant effects observed was a soluble polysaccharide extracted from the P. acnes cell wall. Furthermore, within 10 weeks after immunization, the proliferation of specific T cells and production of IFN-γ were maintained when the whole bacterium was administered, demonstrating a greater effect on the longevity of the immune response by P. acnes. Even with fewer immunization doses, P. acnes was found to be a potent adjuvant capable of potentiating the effects of the HIVBr18 vaccine. Therefore, P. acnes may be a potential adjuvant to aid this vaccine in inducing immunity or for therapeutic use.

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Os vírus linfotrópicos de células T humanas dos tipos 1 (HTLV-1) e 2 (HTLV2),assim como o vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) e os vírus dashepatites B (HBV) e C (HCV) compartilham vias de transmissão, portantocoinfecções por estes vírus podem acontecer e alterar o curso das doençasa eles relacionadas. O presente estudo avaliou a prevalência de infecção porHTLV-1/2 em população com hepatite B e C, infectada ou não pelo HIV, e oimpacto das coinfecções na viremia HBV e HCV. O estudo foi realizado em1.244 amostras de plasma/soro enviadas ao Instituto Adolfo Lutz de SãoPaulo para determinação de carga viral (CV) de HBV e HCV: 622 depacientes com HBV (G1, 327 homens e 295 mulheres, média de idade 45,8anos) e 622 de pacientes com HCV (G2, 343 homens e 279 mulheres, médiade idade de 50,8 anos). A triagem de HTLV-1/2 foi realizada por ensaioimunoenzimático (EIA HTLV-I/II, Gold ELISA, REM) e confirmadas porWestern Blot (HTLV BLOT 2.4, MP Biomedicals) e imunoensaio de linha(INNO-LIA HTLV-I/II, Fujirebio). A pesquisa de infecção por HIV foi realizadapor teste imunocromatográfico (kit Rapid Check HIV 1 e 2, NDI, UniversidadeFederal do Espírito Santo, Brasil) seguido do EIA (GS HIV-1/HIV-2 Plus OEIA, Bio-Rad). A infecção por HTLV-1 foi confirmada em 25 amostras (cincono G1 e 20 no G2)...

The human T-cell lymphotropic virus types 1 and 2 (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2) aswell as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the hepatitis B virus(HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) share routes of virus transmission; thusco-infections with such viruses can occur and alter the course of subsequentdiseases. The present study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of HTLV-1/-2 in blood samples of individuals with hepatitis B and C, infected or not byHIV, and the impact of co-infections on the HBV and HCV viremia. The studywas conducted with 1,244 plasma/serum samples sent to Instituto AdolfoLutz of São Paulo for measuring HCV and HBV viral load (VL): 622 fromHBV-infected patients (G1, 327 male and 295 female, median age 45.8years), and 622 from HCV-infected patients (G2, 343 male and 279 female,median age 50.8 years). HTLV-1/-2 antibodies were screened by enzymeimmunoassay (EIA, HTLV-I/II, Gold ELISA, REM), and confirmed by Westernblot (HTLV BLOT 2.4, MP Biomedicals), and line immunoassay (INNO-LIAHTLV-I/II, Fujirebio). The HIV infection was detected byimmunochromatographic assay (Rapid Check HIV 1 e 2, NDI, UniversidadeFederal do Espírito Santo, Brasil) and by EIA (GS HIV-1/HIV-2 Plus O EIA,Bio-Rad). HTLV-1 was confirmed in 25 samples (5 in G1 and 20 in G2)...

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Background: HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) and HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) infections are more prevalent in vulnerable populations than the general population. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection in HIV-positive patients (GI), chronic renal failure (CRF) patients (GII) and coagulation disorder individuals (GIII). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2014 to March 2015. Serum samples were tested for markers of hepatitis B and C by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sociodemographic, epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data and accompanying statistical analyses were performed using Epi Info™ 7. Results: A total of 348 individuals were recruited, i.e., 154 HIV-positive, 143 CRF and 51 coagulopathy patients. Among them, more than 66% were men, and the predominant age group was 26-35 years in GI and 56-65 years in GIII. Most patients had more than 8 years of education (66.2% in GI, 60.6% in GIII and 46.1% in GII), with a family income between 100-400 dollars in more than 48% of patients. The prevalence of the HBsAg marker was 3.9%, 7% and 3.9%, total anti-HBc was 28.6%, 55.9% and 31.4%, and anti-HCV was 1.3%, 12.6% and 47% for GI, GII and GIII, respectively. However, the prevalence of anti-HBs was greater than 70% in all groups. Conclusions: This study shows a high prevalence of HBV and HCV among specific groups compared to the general population. Factors such as age, income, number of sexual partners, sexually transmitted disease burden, blood transfusion history or blood products and blood transfusions before 1994 were associated with a higher prevalence for these infections.

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Desde a década de 90 o Instituto Adolfo Lutz de São Paulo (IAL) tem realizado o diagnóstico da infecção por Vírus Linfotrópicos de Células T Humanas dos tipos 1 e 2 (HTLV-1 e HTLV-2) e, desde então, têm sido reportadas as dificuldades principalmente no diagnóstico de HTLV-2, em especial em pacientes infectados pelo HIV-1. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar várias técnicas de diagnóstico disponíveis no momento atual (kits comerciais e testes in house) e estabelecer o melhor algoritmo para ser empregado no diagnóstico de pacientes infectados pelo HIV-1. A população analisada foi composta por dois grupos provenientes de Serviços de Assistência Especializados em HIV/AIDS de São Paulo: um pioneiro [Grupo 1 (G1), n=1.608] e outro com histórico mais recente [Grupo 2 (G2), n=1.383]. Ambos os grupos foram formados, na maioria, por indivíduos do sexo masculino... (AU).

Since the 90 decade, the Instituto Adolfo Lutz (IAL) has performed the diagnosis of Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus type 1 and type 2 (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2), and thenceforth the difficulties in diagnosing HTLV-2 have been reported, mostly in HIV-infected patients. The present study aimed at evaluating the several diagnostic techniques currently available (commercial kits and in-house assays), and to establish the best algorithm to be employed for diagnosing HTLV-1/-2 in patients infected with HIV-1. The study population was composed by two patient groups attended at HIV/AIDS specialized services care in São Paulo: the pioneer one [Group 1 (G1), n=1,608], and the other with the most recent historical health setting [Group 2 (G2), n=1,383. The majority of the both groups were composed by male patients...(AU).

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For human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, the 1990s were marked by the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) representing a new perspective of life for these patients. The use of HAART was shown to effectively suppress the replication of HIV-1 and dramatically reduce mortality and morbidity, which led to a better and longer quality of life for HIV-1-infected patients. Apart from the substantial benefits that result from the use of various HAART regimens, laboratory and clinical experience has shown that HAART can induce severe and considerable adverse effects related to metabolic complications of lipid metabolism, characterized by signs of lipodystrophy, insulin resistance, central adiposity, dyslipidemia, increased risk of cardiovascular disease and even an increased risk of atherosclerosis. New drugs are being studied, new therapeutic strategies are being implemented, and the use of statins, fibrates, and inhibitors of intestinal cholesterol absorption have been effective alternatives. Changes in diet and lifestyle have also shown satisfactory results.

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En el laboratorio de Sistema Ultra-Micro-Analítico, del banco de sangre del Hospital Territorial Universitario Dr Mario Muñoz Monroy, del municipio Colón, provincia Matanzas, se realizó un estudio descriptivo prospectivo longitudinal, sobre el comportamiento de marcadores serológicos, donde se determinó la incidencia y prevalencia del antígeno de superficie del virus de la hepatitis B (VHB, HBsAg) y de los anticuerpos contra los virus de la hepatitis C (VHC, anti-VHC) y de la inmunodeficiencia humana 1 y 2 (VIH 1 y 2, anti-VIH 1+2), en donantes de sangre del territorio, y el estimado de infección potencial no detectada transmisible por sangre o riesgo residual (RR) en la sangre donada, en el tiempo comprendido del 1 de enero de 1998 al 31 de diciembre de 2007. La investigación se realizó con todo el universo de donantes útiles y sus respectivas donaciones de sangre, y quedó constituido por 49 749 donantes y 84 932 bolsas de sangre. Los índices de prevalencia (x 100 000 donantes), incidencia (x 100 000 donantes), y estimado de riesgo residual (x 1 000 000 de unidades de sangre donada) en el citado período de tiempo fueron: para el VHB 0,81; 0,17 y 0,20; para el VHC 0,55; 0,12 y 0,23; y para los VIH 1y2 0,005; 0,01x10-2 y 0,02 x10-3, respectivamente, índices bajos según la clasificación internacional; pero no para Cuba con respecto al HBsAg.

We carried out a prospective descriptive longitudinal study on the behavior of the serologic markers in the Ultra-Micro-Analytic System laboratory, of the blood bank of the territorial university hospital Dr Mario Muñoz Monroy, of the municipality of Colon, province of Matanzas. We determined the incidence and prevalence of the surface Hepatitis B virus antigen (HBV, HBsAg) and of the antibodies against the Hepatitis C (HCV, anti HCV) and the human immunodeficiency virus 1 and 2 (HIV 1 and 2, anti-HIV 1+2) in blood donors of the territory, and the estimate of non-detected potential infection transmissible by blood or residual risk (RR) in the donated blood, in the period from January 1st 1998 to December 31st 2007. The research was made with all the universe of utile donors and their respective blood donations, and was formed by 49 749 donors and 84 932 blood bags. The prevalence rates (x 100 000 donors), incidence (x 100 000 donors), and estimated residual risk (x 1 000 000 units of donated blood) in the quoted time period were: for the HBV 0,81; 0,17 and 0,20; for the HCV 0,55; 0,12 and 0,23, and for the HIV 1 and 2 0,005; 0,01x10-2 and 0,02x10-3 respectively, low rates according to the international classification, but not for Cuba with respect of the HBsAg.

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Introducción: La mayor parte del genoma celular es accesible a la integración retroviral; sin embargo, se propone que este proceso no es aleatorio y es dependiente de cada retrovirus. Objetivos: Identificar y caracterizar las regiones del genoma humano en donde ocurre la integración del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana de tipo 1 (VIH-1) en células mononucleares de sangre periférica, macrófagos y células T de Jurkat infectadas. Materiales y métodos: Se seleccionaron 300 secuencias de ADN humano obtenidas por el método de ligación mediada por PCR, previamente depositadas en el GenBank. Utilizando el programa BLAST, sólo 264 de ellas se incluyeron en el estudio, pues se pudo obtener información sobre localización cromosómica, genes anotados, secuencias repetidas, número de islas CpG y tiempo medio de replicación, entre otras variables genómicas. Estas secuencias se exportaron a otras bases de datos. Resultados: El 53% (140/264) de las integraciones se registraron en bandas G. El 70,45% de los provirus se localizaron en los genes humanos anotados, mientras que el restante lo hizo en elementos repetidos. En general, la selección del sitio de integración se relacionó con las características locales genómicas y estructurales de la cromatina, entre las que se incluyen secuencias Alu-Sx y L1, densidad génica y de islas CpG, remodelación de la cromatina y tiempo de replicación. Éstas influenciarían la interacción eficiente del complejo de preintegración con los genomas celulares. Conclusión: Se determinó que la integración del VIH-1 en los genomas celulares estudiados estaría condicionada por características diferenciales de la cromatina y por procesos epigenéticos que influirían la selección del sitio blanco de integración.

Introduction: Most of the infected host cell genome is available for retroviral integration; however, it has been proposed that this process does not occur at random and depends upon each type of retrovirus. Objective: The objective is to identify and characterize differences in human genome regions of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, macrophages and Jurkat T cells in which integration of HIV-1 occurs. Material and Methods: Three hundred human DNA genome sequences, previously deposited in the GenBank, were selected at random. Using program BLAST, only 264 of them were included in the study because relevant information about chromosomal position, associated genes, repetitive sequences, number of CpG islands and average replication time was available; these sequences were exported to other data bases for analysis. Results: 53% (140/264) of integrations were located on G bands. 70.45% of provirus was located in human genes and the rest was located in repetitive elements. In general the integration site selection was correlated with genomics and structural characteristics of cell chromatin including Alu-Sx and L1 sequences, gene and CpG island densities, remodeling of chromatin, and replication time. All of them would influence the efficient interaction between the pre-integration complex and target cell genomes. Conclusion: It was determined that HIV-1 integration in target cellular genomes would be conditioned by differential characteristics of associated chromatin and by epigenetic processes that would influence the selection of integration sites.

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Partial immune restoration may be obtained with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), but specific anti-HIV-1 immune responses do not appear to improve substantially. We have demonstrated that a soluble factor(s) induced by a mixture of inactivated influenza and bacterial vaccines called polyantigenic immunomodulator (PAI), possesses strong immunoregulatory and anti-HIV-1 activities. In the present study, we show that culture fluids from both PAI-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and CD8+ T-cells of HIV-1 infected patients were able to suppress HIV-1 replication in an MHC-unrestricted fashion. The PAI-induced antiviral activity was eliminated when culture fluids were pre-heated at 100°C for 10 min. and it is associated with induction of IFN-γ, MIP-1α, MIP-1ß, and RANTES production, but inhibition of IL-10. Furthermore, this induction is dependent on the immunological status (CD4:CD8 ratio) of the HIV-1 infected patient. Taken together, our results suggest that the MHC-unrestricted HIV-1 suppression that is induced by culture fluids from PAI-stimulated PBMC may result from the stimulation of immune cell subpopulations to produce a heat-labile antiviral soluble factor(s), which in turn modulate cytokine and ß-chemokine production. The identification of this PAI-induced soluble factor(s) may have major therapeutic potential.