Polymorphism of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in Brazil: genetic characterization of the nef gene and implications for vaccine design

Most of the Brazilian HIV-1 samples have been characterized based on the structural genes (env, gag and pol) and no data concerning the variability of the accessory genes such as nef have been available so far. Considering the role of the nef on virus biology and the inclusion of this region in some HIV/AIDS vaccine products under testing, the purpose of this study was to document the genetic diversity of the nef gene in third-four HIV-1 Brazilian samples previously subtyped based on the env C2-V3 region. Although only few non-subtype B samples have already been analyzed so far, the cytotoxic Tlymphocyte epitopes encoded in this region were relatively conserved among the subtypes, with some amino acid signatures mainly in the subtype C samples. Considering the increasing of the non-B HIV-1 subtypes worldwide, in special the subtype C, more data should be generated concerning the genetic and antigenic variability of these subtypes, as well as the study of the impact of such polymorphism in HIV/AIDS vaccine design and testing

HIV-1 polymorphism: a challenge for vaccine development - a review

The perspective for the development of anti-HIV/AIDS vaccines became a target sought by several research groups and pharmaceutical companies. However, the complex virus biology in addition to a striking genetic variability and the limited understanding of the immunological correlates of protection have made this an enormous scientific challenge not overcome so far. In this review we presented an updating of HIV-1 subtypes and recombinant viruses circulating in South American countries, focusing mainly on Brazil, as one of the challenges for HIV vaccine development. Moreover, we discussed the importance of stimulating developing countries to participate in the process of vaccine evaluation, not only testing vaccines according to already defined protocols, but also working together with them, in order to take into consideration their local information on virus diversity and host genetic background relevant for the vaccine development and testing, as well as including local virus based reagents to evaluate the immunogenicity of the candidate vaccines

HIV specific humoral immune response in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Efforts to characterize HIV-1 polymorphism and anti-HIV immune response are being made in areas where anti-HIV/AIDS vaccines are to be employed. Anti-HIV-1 humoral immune response is being studied in infected individuals resident in Rio de Janeiro, in distinct cohorts involving recent seroconvertors, pregnant women or intravenous drug users (IDU). Comparative analysis of specificity of antibody response towards epitopes important for anti-HIV-1 immune response indicate quantitative differences between cohorts, with an exceptionally strong response in IDUs and weakest response in pregnant women. However, a comparative analysis between pregnant women cohorts from Rio de Janeiro and Rio Grande do Sul indicated an even lower response (with exception of the anti-V3-C clade peptide recognition) for the southern cohort. Studied analysing the immune function of the humoral response indicate a quite elevated occurrence of antibodies capable of neutralizing heterologous primary HIV-1 isolates from Rio de Janeiro. Attempts to correlate seroreactivity with HIV-1 neutralization with respect to HIV-1 polymorphism were not very successfull: while the Brazilian B clade B" variant could be recognized by binding assays, no significant distinction of HIV-1 clades/variants was observed in viral neutralization assays.

Mielite transversa no decurso de meningite meningococica: registro de um caso. / Transverse myelitis in the course of meningococcal meningitis: report of a case

Os autores relatam um caso de megingite meningococica que apresentou como complicacao rara uma mielite transversa, ressaltando ser este o primeiro caso descrito na literatura nacional

Antibioticoterapia profilatica na operacao cesariana: validade ou inanidade? / Prophylactic antibioticotherapy in cesarean section

A antibioticoterapia profilatica pode ser eficiente se o farmaco se espalhar adequadamente nos tecidos da ferida cirurgica, no momento da operacao. Para lograr tal objetivo basta utilizar o antibiotico durante as 24 horas pos-operatorias, em doses elevadas e por via parenteral. O esquema utilizado nesta investigacao (penicilina sintetica aplicada por via intramuscular, na sala de operacoes e nas primeiras 24 horas, seguida da administracao, por vi oral, durante 5-7 dias) nao exerce o efeito buscado de impedir infeccao.Com efeito, a incidencia de infeccao no grupo estudado e, em outro, controle, foi semelhante, sem diferenca significativa