Serologic strategy in detecting RHD altered alleles in Brazilian blood donors

ABSTRACT Background: We evaluated different technological approaches and anti-D clones to propose the most appropriate serologic strategy in detecting the largest numbers of D variants in blood donors. Methods: We selected 101 samples from Brazilian blood donors with different expressions of D in our donor routine. The tests were performed in immediate spin (IS) with eleven commercially available anti-D reagents in a tube and microplate. The D confirmatory tests for the presence of weak D included the indirect antiglobulin test (IAT) in a tube, gel and solid-phase red blood cell adherence (SPRCA). All DNA samples were extracted from peripheral blood and the D variants were classified using different molecular assays. Results: The RHD variants identified by molecular analysis included weak D types (1, 2, 3, 11 and 38) and partial Ds (DAR1.2, DAR1, DAR3.1, DAU0, DAU2, DAU4, DAU5, DAU6, DMH and DVII). The monoclonal-monoclonal blend RUM-1/MS26 was the best anti-D reagent used in detecting the D antigen in the IS phase in a tube, reacting with 83.2% of the D variants, while the anti-D blend D175 + 415 was the best monoclonal antibody (MoAb) used in a microplate to minimize the need for an IAT, reacting with 83.2% of the D variants. The D confirmatory tests using SPRCA showed a reactivity (3 - 4+) with 100% of the D variant samples tested. Conclusion: Our results show that, even using sensitive methods and MoAbs to ensure the accurate assignment of the D antigen, at least 17% of our donor samples need a confirmatory D test in order to avoid alloimmunization in D-negative patients.

Prevalence of genetic susceptibility for celiac disease in blood donors in são paulo, brazil / Prevalência da predisposição genética para doença celíaca nos doadores de sangue em São Paulo, Brasil

ABSTRACT Background Celiac disease is a permanent intolerance induced by gluten, which is expressed by T-cell mediated enteropathy, and has a high prevalence in the general population. There is evidence of a strong genetic predisposition to celiac disease. Objective To determine the prevalence of genetic markers HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 in blood donors from São Paulo and measure human recombinant tissue transglutaminase antibody IgA class in HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 positive donors. Methods A total of 404 blood donors from São Paulo city and Jundiaí were included in the study and signed the informed consent form. Information regarding diarrhea, constipation and abdominal pain in the last 3 months was collected. Determination of HLADQ2 and HLADQ8 alleles was performed in all participants and human recombinant tissue transglutaminase antibody class IgA was measured only in blood donors who presentedDQ2 and/or DQ8. Results HLADQ2 and/or HLADQ8 were positive in 49% (198/404) of subjects. Positive samples were associated with alleles DR3, DR4, DR7, DR11 and DR12. The most frequent genotype was DR4-DQ8, which was present in 13.6% of samples, followed by genotypes DR3-DQ2 and DR7-DQ2 with DQB1*02 in heterozygous, which were present in 10.4% and 8.7%, respectively. Eleven out of 198 positive donors (5%) were positive to human tissue transglutaminase test. Conclusion We observed a high prevalence of genetic markers for celiac disease, HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8, in blood donors from São Paulo, similar to prevalence described in Europe. These findings show that the prevalence of celiac disease should not be rare in our country, but underdiagnosed.

RESUMO Contexto A doença celíaca é uma enteropatia imuno mediada causada pela intolerância permanente induzida pelo glúten, que se expressa por enteropatia mediada por linfócitos T, e possui uma alta prevalência na população geral. Há evidências de forte predisposição genética para doença celíaca. Objetivo Determinar a prevalência dos marcadores genéticos HLA-DQ2 e HLA-DQ8 em doadores de sangue da cidade de São Paulo e realizar rastreamento sorológico para doença celíaca com anticorpo antitransglutaminase tissular recombinante humana de classe IgA naqueles doadores de sangue com genotipagem HLA-DQ2 e HLA-DQ8 positivos. Métodos Estudo transversal prospectivo em que participaram 404 doadores de sangue, residentes na cidade de São Paulo e Jundiaí. A determinação dos alelos HLADQ2 e HLADQ8 foi realizada por PCR multiplex e alelo específico em todos os participantes do estudo e o anticorpo antitransglutaminase tissular recombinante humana de classe IgA e dosagem sérica de IgA foi realizada apenas nos doadores de sangue que possuíam DQ2 e/ou DQ8 positivo. Resultados O HLADQ2 e/ou DQ8 foi positivo em 49% (198/404) dos indivíduos, destes, 11 (5%) apresentaram anticorpo antitransglutaminase tissular humana positivo. Conclusão Podemos concluir que a prevalência dos marcadores genéticos para doença celíaca, HLA-DQ2 e DQ8 em São Paulo, mostrou-se elevada e similar à encontrada na Europa, assim como foi elevada a soroprevalênca para doença celíaca nos doadores de sangue com presença HLA-DQ2 e DQ8. Estes achados permitem afirmar que a prevalência da doença celíaca não deve ser rara em São Paulo, mas sim subdiagnosticada.

Frequency of Wra antigen and anti-Wra in Brazilian blood donors

BACKGROUND: Wra is a low-incidence antigen, which is antithetical to the high prevalence red blood cell antigen, Wrb. Anti-Wra is a naturally occurring antibody that is found in approximately 1-2% of blood donors. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of Wra and anti-Wra in Brazilian blood donors.METHODS: A total of 1662 Brazilian blood donors were molecularly analyzed using the SNaPshot methodology to determine the WR*A/B alleles and to predict the frequency of the Wra antigen. To detect the anti-Wra, samples from 1049 blood donors were analyzed using a gel test with Wr(a+) red blood cells. The serum was treated with dithiothreitol (DTT) to determine the immunoglobulin classes. Immunoglobulin (Ig)-G isotype classification was performed in a gel test using the IgG1/IgG3 card. A monocyte monolayer assay was employed to predict the clinical significance of IgG anti-Wra.RESULTS: Of the 1662 donors, only one sample had the DI*02.03 allele in heterozygous predicting the Wr(a+b+) phenotype. Anti-Wra was detected in 34 (3.24%) samples, 64.7% in females and 35.3% in males. Regarding the immunoglobulin class, eight (23.5%) cases of anti-Wra were classified as IgG and 26 (76.5%) as IgM. Of the eight cases of IgG anti-Wra, four were IgG1, two were IgG3 and three anti-Wra were not IgG3 or IgG1, and thus probably IgG2 or IgG4. The results of the monocyte monolayer assay showed that IgG anti-Wra might be of clinical significance.CONCLUSION: This study shows a very low frequency (0.06%) of the Wra antigen in Brazilian blood donors. Additionally, it shows that the frequency of anti-Wra in this population is higher than previously reported.

General aspects of physalis cultivation / Aspectos gerais da cultura da physalis

The Physalis peruviana L. is an exotic fruit that belongs to the Solanaceae family with recent production in Brazil. This is presented as an alternative production with nutritional potential and economic value. The cape gooseberry plant has a high added value that can be used from its root to the fruit itself. The roots and leaves are rich in medicinal properties that are used in pharmacology. The fruit is sweet and have good content of vitamins A, C, iron, phosphorus and fiber, often used in making jellies, jams, juices and ice creams. To improve the plant canopy, but also contribute to the quality and appearance of the fruit produced some cultural practices such as staking, training systems, pruning and thinning are used. The aim of this review is to provide technical and scientific data about the culture of physalis.

A Physalis peruviana L. é uma fruta exótica pertencente à família Solanaceae com produção recente no Brasil. Esta se apresenta como uma alternativa de produção com potencial valor nutricional e econômico. A planta da fisalis possui um alto valor agregado, podendo ser utilizada desde sua raiz até o fruto propriamente dito. As raízes e as folhas são ricas em propriedades medicinais que são utilizadas na farmacologia. O fruto é açucarado e com bom conteúdo de vitaminas A, C, ferro, fósforo e fibras, muito utilizado na fabricação de geleias, doces, sucos e sorvetes. Para melhorar o dossel vegetativo da planta, como também contribuir para a qualidade e aparência do fruto produzido, utiliza-se, durante seu cultivo, algumas práticas culturais, como tutoramento, condução, poda e desbrote. O objetivo desta revisão é fornecer dados técnico-científicos sobre a Cultura da Physalis.

An easy and efficient strategy for KEL genotyping in a multiethnic population

BACKGROUND: The Kell blood group system expresses high and low frequency antigens with the most important in relation to transfusion including the antithetic KEL1 and KEL2; KEL3 and KEL4; KEL6 and KEL7 antigens. Kell is a clinically relevant system, as it is highly immunogenic and anti-KEL antibodies are associated with hemolytic transfusion reactions and hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. Although required in some situations, Kell antigen phenotyping is restricted due to technical limitations. In these cases, molecular approaches maybe a solution. This study proposes three polymerase chain reaction genotyping protocols to analyze the single nucleotide polymorphisms responsible for six Kell antithetic antigens expressed in a Brazilian population. METHODS: DNA was extracted from 800 blood donor samples and three polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism protocols were used to genotype the KEL*1/KEL*2, KEL*3/KEL*4 and KEL*6/KEL*7 alleles. KEL*3/KEL*4 and KEL*6/KEL*7 genotyping was standardized using the NlaIII and MnlI restriction enzymes and validated using sequencing. KEL*1/KEL*2 genotyping was performed using a previously reported assay. RESULTS: KEL genotyping was successfully implemented in the service; the following distribution of KEL alleles was obtained for a population from southeastern Brazil: KEL*1 (2.2%), KEL*2 (97.8%), KEL*3 (0.69%), KEL*4 (99.31%), KEL*6 (2.69%) and KEL*7 (97.31%). Additionally, two individuals with rare genotypes, KEL*1/KEL*1 and KEL*3/KEL*3, were identified. CONCLUSION: KEL allele genotyping using these methods proved to be reliable and applicable to predict Kell antigen expressions in a Brazilian cohort. This easy and efficient strategy can be employed to provide safer transfusions and to help in rare donor screening.

Inhaled medication for asthma management: evaluation of how asthma patients, medical students, and doctors use the different devices

Asthma results from a combination of three essential features: airflow obstruction, hyperresponsiveness of airways to endogenous or exogenous stimuli and inflammation. Inadequacy of the techniques to use different inhalation devices is one of the causes of therapeutic failure. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate how 20 medical students, 36 resident physicians of Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, and 40 asthma patients used three devices for inhalation therapy containing placebo. All patients were followed at the Pulmonary Outpatient Service of Botucatu Medical School and had been using inhaled medication for at least six months. The following devices were evaluated: metered dose inhalers (MDI), dry powder inhalers (DPI), and MDI attached to a spacer device. A single observer applied a protocol containing the main steps necessary to obtain a good inhaler technique to follow and grade the use of different devices. Health care professionals tested all three devices and patients tested only the device being used on their management. MDI was the device best known by doctors and patients. MDI use was associated with errors related to the coordination between inspiration and device activation. Failure to exhale completely before inhalation of the powder was the most frequent error observed with DPI use. In summary, patients did not receive precise instruction on how to use inhaled medication and health care professionals were not well prepared to adequately teach their patients.