Effect of MTTP -493G/T, I128T, Q95H and Q244E polymorphisms on hepatic steatosis in patients with chronic hepatitis

Abstract Background: Chronic hepatitis C is characterized by a progressive deterioration of liver function and is involved in metabolic complications, such as hepatic steatosis. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of host and viral characteristics associated with -493G/T (rs1800591), I128T (rs3816873), Q95H (rs61733139), and Q244E (rs17599091) Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Microsomal Triglyceride Transfer Protein (MTTP) gene on hepatic steatosis in chronic hepatitis C. Methods: SNPs were genotyped by PCR-RFLP and analyzed in combination with host and viral characteristics by multiple logistic regression in different genetic models of inheritance. Results: The authors analyzed 236 patients with chronic hepatitis C, and 53% had hepatic steatosis. The mutated allele frequencies were > 5%, and the genotypes were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p ≥ 0.05). It was observed that patients with HCV genotype 3 infection (OR = 2.74, 95% CI 1.24‒6.06, p = 0.013), female sex (OR = 2.28, 95% CI 1.21‒4.28, p = 0.011) and moderate- and high-intensity liver inflammatory activity (A2-A3) (OR = 3.61, 95% CI 1.86‒7.01, p < 0.001) alone exhibited a higher risk of steatosis. The results of multiple logistic regression analysis for interaction showed that for the -493G/T SNP, when the GT/TT genotype (dominant model) and the GT genotype (codominant model) were each combined with HCV genotype 3 infection, an 11.51-fold (95% CI 2.08‒63.59, p = 0.005) and a 15.69-fold (95% CI 2.46‒99.85, p = 0.004) increased risk of steatosis, respectively, was observed. For the I128T SNP, when both the IT/TT genotype (dominant model) and the IT genotype (codominant model) were combined with HCV genotype 3 infection, an 8.51-fold (95% CI 1.59‒45.54, p = 0.012) and an 8.40 fold (95% CI 1.51‒46.91, p = 0.015) increased risk of steatosis, respectively, was observed. Conclusion: The present study showed that the viral genotype combined with the -493G/T and I128T SNPs in the MTTP gene influences hepatic steatosis.

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus in Brazil's inmate population: a systematic review / Prevalência do vírus da hepatite C na população carcerária do Brasil: revisão sistemática

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in Brazil's inmate population.METHODS Systematic review on hepatitis C virus infection in the inmate population. Brazilian studies published from January 1, 1989 to February 20, 2014 were evaluated. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using a scale of 0 to 8 points.RESULTS Eleven eligible studies were analyzed and provided data on hepatitis C virus infection among 4,375 inmates from seven states of Brazil, with a mean quality classification of 7.4. The overall hepatitis C virus prevalence among Brazilian inmates was 13.6% (ranging from 1.0% to 41.0%, depending on the study). The chances of inmates being seropositive for hepatitis C virus in the states of Minas Gerais (MG), Sergipe (SE), Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Goiás (GO) and Espirito Santo (ES) were 84.0% (95%CI 0.06;0.45), 92.0% (95%CI 0.04;0.13), 88.0% (95%CI 0.09;0.18), 74.0% (95%CI 0.16;0.42), 84.0% (95%CI 0.08;0.31) and 89.0% (95%CI 0.01;0.05) respectively, lower than that observed in the Sao Paulo state (seroprevalence of 29.3%). The four studies conducted in the city of Sao Paulo revealed a lower prevalence in more recent studies compared to older ones.CONCLUSIONS The highest prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in Brazil's inmate population was found in Sao Paulo, which may reflect the urban diversity of the country. Despite Brazilian studies having good methodological quality to evaluate the prevalence of the hepatitis C virus, they are scarce and lack data on risk factors associated with this infection, which could support decisions on prevention and implementation of public health policies for Brazilian prisons.

RESUMOOBJETIVO Estimar prevalência de infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C entre a população carcerária no Brasil.MÉTODOS Revisão sistemática sobre infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C em populações carcerárias. Foram avaliados estudos brasileiros publicados a partir de 1 de janeiro de 1989 até 20 de fevereiro de 2014. A qualidade metodológica dos estudos foi avaliada utilizando-se escala de zero a oito pontos.RESULTADOS Onze estudos elegíveis foram analisados, os quais forneceram dados sobre a infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C de 4.375 detentos de sete estados do Brasil, com classificação em média de qualidade de 7,4. A prevalência de infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C na população carcerária brasileira foi 13,6%, (variando de 1,0% a 41,0%, dependendo do estudo). As chances de os indivíduos serem soropositivos para o vírus da hepatite C nos estados de Minas Gerais, Sergipe, Mato Grosso do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Goiás e Espírito Santo foram 84,0% (IC95% 0,06;0,45), 92,0% (IC95% 0,04;0,13), 88,0% (IC95% 0,09;0,18), 74% (IC95% 0,16;0,42), 84,0% (IC95% 0,08;0,31) e 89,0% (IC95% 0,01;0,05), respectivamente, inferiores àquela observada no estado de São Paulo (soroprevalência de 29,3%). Os quatro estudos realizados na cidade de São Paulo mostraram menor prevalência em estudos mais recentes em comparação aos mais antigos.CONCLUSÕES A maior prevalência de infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C em população carcerária do Brasil foi encontrada em São Paulo, o que pode refletir a diversidade urbana do País. Apesar de os estudos brasileiros apresentarem boa qualidade metodológica para avaliação da prevalência do vírus da hepatite C, são escassos e faltam dados sobre fatores de risco associados a esta infecção, dados esses que poderiam auxiliar nas decisões de prevenção e implementação de políticas em saúde pública para as prisões brasileiras.

Comparação de testes laboratoriais para o diagnóstico de infecção por vírus linfotrópicos de células T humanas do tipo 1 (HTLV-1)e tipo 2 (HTLV-2) em pacientes infectados por HIV-1 / Comparison of laboratorial tests for the diagnosis of human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and type 2 (HTLV-2) in HIV-1 infected patients

O presente estudo pesquisou o melhor algoritmo de testes laboratoriais para efetuar o diagnóstico de infecção por vírus linfotrópicos de células T humanas dos tipos 1 (HTLV-1) e 2 (HTLV-2) em pacientes HIV-1 positivos. Amostras de sangue de 1.608 pacientes do CRT DST/Aids-SP foram analisadas quanto à presença de anticorpos específicos usando-se dois ensaios de triagem (EIA Murex HTLV-I+II e Gold ELISA HTLV-I/II), dois confirmatórios [HTLV Blot 2.4 (Western Blot – WB) e INNO-LIA HTLV I/II (Line ImmunoAssay - LIA)] e um molecular (PCR em tempo real pol). Na triagem foram detectados 51(Murex) e 49 (Gold ELISA) soros reagentes. Pelo WB, 23 soros confirmaram infecção por HTLV-1, 12 HTLV-2, seis HTLV e nove apresentaram perfis indeterminados. O LIA detectou 24 soros HTLV-1 positivos, 20 HTLV-2 e seis HTLV. A PCR evidenciou segmento pol de HTLV-1 em 18 e HTLV-2 em 12 amostras de sangue. Pelos testes confirmatórios, em 50 pacientes foi confirmada a infecção por HTLV: 25 HTLV-1 (1,55 %), 21 HTLV-2 (1,31 %) e quatro HTLV (0,25 %). As sensibilidades do LIA, WB e PCR foram de 96 %, 76 % e 60 %, respectivamente. Considerando-se apenas o custo, o melhor algoritmo diagnóstico para população infectada pelo HIV-1 foi o uso da PCR seguida do LIA...

Vírus linfotrópicos de células T humanas dos tipos 1 e 2 (HTLV-1 e HTLV-2): estudo de segmentos do genoma proviral obtidos de pacientes com HIV/Aids de São Paulo e de Londrina e região / Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 and 2 (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2): study on proviral genome segments obtained from patients with HIV/Aids from Sao Paulo and Londrina and vicinities

O Brasil é considerado o país com o maior número absoluto de indivíduos infectados pelos vírus linfotrópicos de células T humanas dos tipos 1 e 2 (HTLV-1 e HTLV2), perto de 2,5 milhões; além disso, é também considerado epidêmico para o HIV e, portanto, casos de coinfecção HIV/HTLV são frequentes no país. O presente trabalho efetuou o seqüenciamento das regiões LTR, env e tax do genoma proviral do HTLV-1 e do HTLV-2 isolados das amostras de sangue de pacientes coinfectados pelo HIV-1 de Londrina e região (n=34) e de São Paulo (n=20), para realizar a caracterização molecular e determinar subtipos virais. Foram utilizadas na análise das sequências as ferramentas Sequencher 4.7, BLAST, Genotyping-NCBI, Subtyping-REGA, BioEdit 7.0.5.3, ClustalW, GenBank, PAUP 4.0.b10, Modeltest 3.7, TreeView 1.6.6 e MEGA4. As diversas análises confirmaram como subtipos prevalentes o HTLV-1a, subgrupo Transcontinental A, e o HTLV-2a (variante -2c). Foram detectadas assinaturas moleculares nos isolados do Brasil. Detectou-se o genótipo brasileiro taxA para o HTLV-1 e para o HTLV-2 a Tax longa, a qual é característica da variante HTLV-2c. Houve também a confirmação da troca de aminoácido S1909P no env dos HTLV-2. Especulou-se sobre duas entradas do HTLV-1 no Brasil e sobre a disseminação do HTLV-2c em grupos distintos quanto ao comportamento de risco e região geográfica. O estabelecimento de métodos laboratoriais otimizados para isolados brasileiros de HTLV-1 e HTLV-2 possibilitou melhor compreensão da diversidade genômica e da origem e disseminação dos HTLVs em populações coinfectadas pelo HIV no Brasil

Brazil is considered the country with the major absolute number of individuals infected with human T-lymphotropic virus types 1 and 2 (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2), close to 2,500,000; moreover, it is also considered epidemic for HIV/Aids =and therefore HIV/HTLV coinfection is frequent in the country. This study aimed at sequencing the LTR, env and tax regions of the proviral genome of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 isolated from blood samples obtained from patients coinfected with HIV-1 from Londrina and vicinities (n=34) and São Paulo (n=20), in order to perform the molecular characterization and viral subtyping. For sequences analysis, several bioinformatics tools were employed: Sequencher 4.7, BLAST, Genotyping-NCBI, Subtyping-REGA, BioEdit 7.0.5.3, ClustalW, GenBank, PAUP 4.0.b10, Modeltest 3.7, TreeView 1.6.6 and MEGA4. The results confirmed as prevalent the HTLV-1a subtype, the Transcontinental subgroup A, and the HTLV-2a (variant-2c). Molecular signatures characteristic of Brazilian isolates were detected: taxA Brazilian genotype in HTLV-1, and the long Tax which is characteristic of the HTLV-2c in HTLV-2. Also, it was confirmed the S1909P amino acid change in the env region of HTLV-2c. It was speculated on two entrances of HTLV-1 in Brazil, and on the spread of HTLV-2c in distinct groups related to risk factors and geographic region. The establishment and optimization of laboratory methods performed in this study allowed to get a better understanding on HTLVs genomic diversity, and to give insights on the origin and spread of HTLVs in populations coinfected with HIV in Brazil

First survey for detecting the presence of human herpesvirus 8 infection (HHV-8) in Maputo, Mozambique

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), the etiological agent of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), is endemic in parts of the sub-Saharan, and KS has increased concomitantly with the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In Mozambique (MZ), no data concerning HHV-8 infection was available, thus the main of this work was to investigate, for the first time, the presence of HHV-8 infection in Maputo, MZ. Latent and lytic HHV-8-specific antibodies were assessed in blood samples from 189 individuals from the Central Hospital of Maputo, MZ, using "in-house" immunofluorescence assays conducted in São Paulo, Brazil. The results obtained were analyzed according to socio-demographic and clinical variables using the Chi-square test and logistic regression. An HHV-8 seropositivity of 1.8 percent and 9.7 percent was detected among 57 medical students and 31 individuals from the staff, respectively, in contrast to 16.4 percent detected among 67 out-patients. Concerning 34 hospitalized patients from the Dermatology Unit, 47.1 percent were HHV-8-seropositive overall, while the rate was 85.7 percent among KS patients. The present survey, conducted in Maputo, MZ, demonstrates great variation in HHV-8 infection frequencies depending on the group analyzed and epidemiological variables. An association between HHV-8 seropositivity and male gender (OR 5.72), the central origin of patients (OR 5.33), blood transfusions (OR 3.25), and KS (OR 24.0) was detected among hospitalized patients, and primary school (OR 7.18) and HIV-1 infection (OR 8.76) among out-patients.

Latent human herpesvirus - 8 (HHV-8) infection in female commercial sex workers from Imbituba, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection was identified in 6 out of 90 (6.7 percent) female commercial sex workers from Imbituba, Santa Catarina, and was associated to age. Frequencies of 5.6 percent of anti-latent and 3.3 percent of anti-lytic antibodies were detected. Considering non-endemic areas from Brazil, the anti-latent antibodies frequency seems elevated and requires further investigation on referent female population.