Parasitoses de interesse clínico em sedimento de rio: uma abordagem na Saúde Pública / Parasitoses of clinical interest in sediment of rio: an approach to Public Health

Falta de saneamento básico facilita a disseminação de doenças parasitárias que impactam à saúde humana, sendo o sedimento capaz de albergar esses microrganismos. Objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a presença de parasitas patogênicos ao ser humano em sedimentos de borda de rio, abordando os riscos de infecções parasitárias na questão de saúde pública. Avaliaram-se pela técnica de HPJ 80 amostras de sedimentos dos rios Paranhana e Caí. Obtiveram-se 53 amostras positivas (66,2%) com diferentes parasitas, Ancylostoma sp., Strongyloides sp., Endolimax nana, Ascaris lumbricoides, Toxocara canis, Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Trichiuris trichiura e Taenia sp. Locais com maior urbanização apresentaram 60% de amostras positivas e maior número de espécies. O sedimento de borda de rio indicou ser um meio apropriado para a manutenção das formas infectantes de parasitas. Faz-se necessário um saneamento adequado, a fim de minimizar a contaminação ambiental bem como o risco à saúde da população.

Lack of basic sanitation facilitates the spread of parasitic diseases that impact human health, with the sediment being able to house these microorganisms. The present study aims to evaluate the presence of pathogenic parasites to humans in riverbank sediments, addressing the risks of parasitic infections in public health. Eighty samples of sediments from the Paranhana and Caí rivers were evaluated using the HPJ technique. Fifty-three positive samples (66.2%) were obtained with different parasites, Ancylostoma sp., Strongyloides sp., Endolimax nana, Ascaris lumbricoides, Toxocara canis, Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Trichiuris trichiura and Taenia sp. Places with greater urbanization presented 60% of positive samples and a greater number of species. Riverbank sediments indicated to be an appropriate means for the maintenance of infectious forms of parasites. Adequate sanitation is necessary in order to minimize environmental contamination as well as the population's health risk.

Association of NR1I2 gene polymorphisms and time of progression to AIDS

BACKGROUND The time of progression towards AIDS can vary greatly among seropositive patients, and may be associated with host genetic variation. The NR1I2 (PXR) gene, a ligand-activated transcription factor, regulates the transcription immune pathway genes and can therefore be targets of viral replication mechanisms influencing time of progression to AIDS. OBJECTIVE To verify the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs3814057, rs6785049, rs7643645, and rs2461817 in the NR1I2 (PXR) gene with progression to AIDS in HIV-1 infected patients. METHODS Blood samples were obtained from 96 HIV-1 positive individuals following informed consent. DNA was isolated and genotyped through real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of SNPs in the NR1I2. Questionnaires on socio-demographic features and behaviors were answered and time of progression to AIDS was estimated based on medical chart analysis. FINDINGS Patients with the GG genotype for rs7643645 were shown to be related with a more rapid disease progression when compared to GA and AA genotypes. This result was maintained by the Multivariate Cox Regression considering sex, ethnicity, and presence of HLA-B*57, HLA-B*27, and CCR5del32 polymorphisms. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Recent studies reported the expression of the nuclear receptors in T-Lymphocytes, suggesting their possible role in the immune response. In addition, nuclear receptors have been shown to inhibit the HIV replication, although no such mechanism has been thoroughly elucidated to date. This is the first time an association between NR1I2 polymorphism and time of progression to AIDS is reported and supports an apparent relationship between the gene in the immune response and identifies another genetic factor influencing AIDS progression.

Quantitative vs conventional PCR for detectionof human adenoviruses in water and sediment samples / PCR quantitativa versus convencional para a detecção de adenovírus humano em amostras de água e sedimento

SUMMARYHuman Adenoviruses (HAdV) are notably resistant in the environment. These agents may serve as effective indicators of fecal contamination, and may act as causative agents of a number of different diseases in human beings. Conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and, more recently, quantitative PCR (qPCR) are widely used for detection of viral agents in environmental matrices. In the present study PCR and SYBR(r)Green qPCR assays were compared for detection of HAdV in water (55) and sediments (20) samples of spring and artesian wells, ponds and streams, collected from dairy farms. By the quantitative methodology HAdV were detected in 87.3% of the water samples and 80% of the sediments, while by the conventional PCR 47.3% and 35% were detected in water samples and sediments, respectively.

RESUMOOs adenovírus humanos (HAdV) são notavelmente resistentes ao ambiente. Estes agentes podem servir como indicadores efetivos de contaminação fecal, tanto quanto podem atuar como agentes causadores de diferentes doenças em seres humanos. A reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e mais recentemente a PCR quantitativa (qPCR) são amplamente usadas para detecção de agentes virais em matrizes ambientais. No presente estudo, PCR e SYBR(r)Green qPCR foram comparadas para a detecção de HAdV em amostras de água (55) e sedimento (20) provenientes de nascentes, poços, açudes e arroios coletadas em propriedades leiteiras. A metodologia quantitativa detectou HAdV em 87,3% das amostras de água e 80% dos sedimentos, enquanto por PCR convencional a detecção foi de 47,3% e 35%, respectivamente.

Detection of the B"-GWGR variant in the southernmost region of Brazil: unveiling the complexity of the human immunodeficiency virus-1 subtype B epidemic

Typical human immunodeficiency virus-1 subtype B (HIV-1B) sequences present a GPGR signature at the tip of the variable region 3 (V3) loop; however, unusual motifs harbouring a GWGR signature have also been isolated. Although epidemiological studies have detected this variant in approximately 17-50% of the total infections in Brazil, the prevalence of B"-GWGR in the southernmost region of Brazil is not yet clear. This study aimed to investigate the C2-V3 molecular diversity of the HIV-1B epidemic in southernmost Brazil. HIV-1 seropositive patients were ana-lysed at two distinct time points in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS98 and RS08) and at one time point in the state of Santa Catarina (SC08). Phylogenetic analysis classified 46 individuals in the RS98 group as HIV-1B and their molecular signatures were as follows: 26% B"-GWGR, 54% B-GPGR and 20% other motifs. In the RS08 group, HIV-1B was present in 32 samples: 22% B"-GWGR, 59% B-GPGR and 19% other motifs. In the SC08 group, 32 HIV-1B samples were found: 28% B"-GWGR, 59% B-GPGR and 13% other motifs. No association could be established between the HIV-1B V3 signatures and exposure categories in the HIV-1B epidemic in RS. However, B-GPGR seemed to be related to heterosexual individuals in the SC08 group. Our results suggest that the established B"-GWGR epidemics in both cities have similar patterns, which is likely due to their geographical proximity and cultural relationship.

Frequency of the anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase immunological marker in patients with diabetes duration longer than three years in southern Brazil / Frequência do marcador imunológico de anti-decarboxilase do ácido glutâmico em pacientes com diabetes há mais de três anos no Sul do Brasil

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The anti-GAD (glutamic acid decarboxylase) antibody is considered to be an important marker for type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1), with frequency that varies depending on the population studied and the duration of the disease. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the frequency of this autoantibody in a group of patients in southern Brazil with DM1 that had been diagnosed more than three years previously. DESIGN AND SETTING: Analytical cross-sectional study with a control group conducted at the Biomedicine Laboratory of Universidade Feevale. METHODS: This study was conducted between June 2007 and December 2008, and 109 individuals were enrolled during this period. Fifty-eight were DM1 patients and 51 were individuals free from DM1 and without any history of diabetes, who constituted the control group. RESULTS: In the DM1 group, the mean age was 27 ± 1.7 years and 50 percent were men. The mean fasting blood glucose in the DM1 group was 208 ± 15 mg/dl and mean HbA1c (glycosylated hemoglobin) was 8.7 ± 0.25 percent. In the control group, the mean fasting blood glucose and HbA1c were 82 mg/dl and 5.0 percent respectively. Thirty-seven individuals with DM1 (63.8 percent) were positive for anti-GAD, and this proportion was significantly larger than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: These results show the high prevalence of anti-GAD in the population of diabetic patients in southern Brazil, thus indicating that the antibody was still present a long time after the disease had been diagnosed.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: O anticorpo anti-decarboxilase do ácido glutâmico (anti-GAD) é considerado um importante marcador no diabetes mellitus tipo 1 (DM1), cuja frequência varia segundo a população estudada e o tempo de duração da doença. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a frequência deste auto-anticorpo em um grupo de pacientes localizados no Sul do Brasil com mais de três anos de diagnóstico de DM1. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal analítico com grupo controle, realizado no Laboratório de Biomedicina da Universidade Feevale. MÉTODOS: Este estudo foi realizado no período de Junho de 2007 a Dezembro de 2008, em que 109 indivíduos foram incluídos, sendo 58 destes com DM1 e 51 indivíduos sem DM1 e sem antecedentes de diabetes, que constituíram o grupo controle. RESULTADOS: No grupo DM1, a idade média foi 27 ± 1,7 anos e 50 por cento eram homens. A média da glicemia de jejum no grupo DM1 foi 208 ± 15 mg/dL e a HbA1c média foi 8,7 ± 0.25 por cento. No grupo controle a glicemia de jejum média e a HbA1c (hemoglobina glicosilada) foram 82 mg/dL e 5,0 por cento, respectivamente. O anti-GAD foi positivo em 37 (63,8 por cento) indivíduos com DM1, valores significativamente maiores quando comparados com os do grupo controle. CONCLUSÕES: Estes resultados mostram a alta prevalência do anti-GAD na população de pacientes diabéticos da região Sul do Brasil, indicando que o anticorpo está presente após um longo período de diagnóstico da doença.

Metabolic changes associated with antiretroviral therapy in HIV-positive patients / Alterações metabólicas associadas à terapia anti-retroviral em pacientes HIV-positivos / Alteraciones metabólicas asociadas a la terapia anti-retroviral en pacientes HIV-positivos

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate metabolic changes associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HIV-positive patients, and to identify risk factors associated. METHODS: Retrospective study that included 110 HIV-positive patients who where on HAART in the city of Porto Alegre (Southern Brazil) between January 2003 and March 2004. Data on demographic variables, cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, stage of HIV infection, antiretroviral therapy and HCV coinfection were collected...

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as alterações metabólicas associadas à terapia anti-retroviral potente em pacientes HIV-positivos e identificar fatores de risco associados. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo com 110 pacientes HIV-positivos que estavam sob terapia anti-retroviral potente (HAART) na cidade de Porto Alegre (RS), entre janeiro de 2003 e março de 2004. Os dados coletados incluem variáveis demográficas, tabagismo, diabetes mellitus, níveis de colesterol e triglicerídeos, estágio da infecção viral, terapia anti-retroviral e co-infecção com hepatite C...

OBJETIVO: Evaluar las alteraciones metabólicas asociadas a la terapia anti-retroviral potente en pacientes HIV-positivos e identificar factores de riesgo asociados. MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo con 110 pacientes HIV-positivos que estaban en terapia anti-retroviral potente (HAART) en la ciudad de Porto Alegre (Sur de Brasil), entre enero de 2003 y marzo de 2004. Los datos colectados incluyen variables demográficas, tabaquismo, diabetes mellitas, niveles de colesterol y triglicéridos, fase de la infección viral, terapia anti-retroviral y co-infección con hepatitis C...

Análise da expressão do EGFR em glioblastoma multiforme / Expression of the EGFR in patients with glioblastoma multiform

Introdução: O receptor do fator de crescimento epidermal (EGFR) é um oncogene que está freqüentemente hiperexpresso em células de glioblastoma multiforme (GM), sugerindo que este receptor possa estar envolvido na progressão maligna destes tumores. Existem evidências de que a determinação da expressão do EGFR possa servir como marcador de comportamento biológico em pacientes com gliomas de alto grau de malignidade. O presente relato representa uma análise preliminar de amostras de tumor de dois pacientes com GM, com o objetivo de demonstrar a factibilidade da determinação da expressão do EGFR em nosso meio. Pacientes, métodos e resultados: Relato de dois casos de pacientes com GM submetidos a biópsia para coleta de tecido; os pacientes foram submetidos a tratamento seguindo protocolo terapêutico para esta neoplasia. Para determinação da expressão de EGFR foi feito extração de RNA total do tecido de biópsia, pela técnica de RT-PCR semiquantitativo. Um paciente apresentou hiperexpressão do gene e o outro foi considerado dentro dos limites da normalidade. Discussão: Embora a análise isolada de apenas dois casos não nos permita fazer correlação entre a taxa de expressão do gene do EGFR e o prognóstico, os achados descritos neste relato permitem concluir que é factível no nosso meio determinar a expressão do EGFR em amostras de neoplasias malignas do SNC e nos encoraja à continuidade de investigações em um maior número de pacientes com a finalidade de avaliar o papel da expressão do EGFR como marcador prognóstico nesses pacientes.

Introduction: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is an oncogene that isfrequently overexpressed in patients with GM, suggesting that this receptor may play arole in the aggressive biologic behaviour of these tumors. There are suggestions that thedetermination of expression of EGFR may serve as a prognostic marker in patients withhigh grade gliomas.Patients, methods and results: The authors report 2 patients with GM and the resultsof the expression of EGFR. Following biopsy the patients were treated according to atherapeutic protocol for this tumor. Expression of EGFR was determined in RNA samplesusing RT-PCR methodology. One patient showed overexpression of EGFR and the othershowed normal level of expression.Discussion: Although the determination of expression of EGFR in only two patientsdoes not allow to assess the prognostic implication of this marker, it does show that theuse of this method in feasible in biopsy specimens of SNC tumors. The results of this studyencourage us to collect samples from future patients with high grade gliomas to furtherunderstand its role as a biologic marker of tumor progression.