Prevalence of infection by human T Cell lymphotropic viruses (HTLV-1/2) in adult population in Vitoria-ES

ABSTRACT Introduction: Brazil has a high number of HTLV-1/2 infections which are unequally distributed in the country. Most prevalence studies have focused on specific populations, such as blood donors and pregnant women. Some areas, for example the state of Bahia, have robust information about HTLV-1/2 infection, however there is no information available about this infection in the general population of Vitoria, Espírito Santo, Brazil. Objective: To determine the prevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection in adults from the municipality of Vitoria, ES. Methods: A cross sectional study was performed from September 2010 to December 2011, in individuals of both sexes, aged 18 or older living in Vitoria-ES. Venous blood samples were collected and tested for anti-HTLV-1/2 antibodies by chemiluminescent immunoassay (CMIA). Individuals with CMIA reactive results were submitted to a new blood collection for retesting by CMIA, followed by PCR to confirm infection and discriminate the viral type. Results: From 1502 tested samples, eight were reactive in CMIA and all were confirmed by PCR. Therefore, the prevalence of HTLV-1/2 was 0.53% (8/1502, 95% CI: 0.2-1.0%). The infection rate was 0.7% in men (5/711, 95% CI: 0.17-1.51%), and 0.38% in women (3/791, 95% CI: 0 -0.81%). Conclusions: The prevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection was 0.53% (8/1502; 95% CI: 0.2 -0.9%). Confirmatory test using real-time PCR (qPCR) identified seven individuals positive for HTLV-1 and one for HTLV-2. Considering the risk of infected individuals to develop high morbidity and mortality diseases, it would be important to implement public health policies aimed at stopping transmission of these viruses in this municipality. 2021 Sociedade Brasileira de Infectologia. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license

Laboratory diagnosis of human T-lymphotropic virus in Brazil: assays, flowcharts, challenges, and perspectives

Abstract INTRODUCTION We present a data analysis and review of recent studies regarding the laboratory diagnosis of human T-lymphotropic virus 1 and 2 (HTLV-1/2) infections in Brazil. METHODS Target populations, available diagnostic serological assays (screening and complementary tests), molecular assays (in-house), causes of false-positive and false-negative results, and flowcharts were analyzed. RESULTS A table presents the target populations, two diagnostic flowcharts (depending on laboratory infrastructure and study population), and recent research that may improve how HTLV-1/2 is diagnosed in Brazil. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the implementation of public policies to reduce HTLV-1/2 transmission and its associated diseases.

Brazilian protocol for sexually transmitted infections 2020: human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) infection

Abstract This article addresses the Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV). This subject comprises the Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines for Comprehensive Care for People with Sexually Transmitted Infections, published by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. HTLV-1/2 infection is a public health problem globally, and Brazil has the largest number of individuals living with the virus. HTLV-1 causes several clinical manifestations of neoplasm (adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma) and inflammatory nature, such as HTLV-1-associated myelopathy and other manifestations such as uveitis, arthritis, and infective dermatitis. These pathologies have high morbidity and mortality and negatively impact the quality of life of infected individuals. This review includes relevant information for health authorities professionals regarding viral transmission, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of individuals living with HTLV-1 and 2 in Brazil.

Laboratory diagnosis of human T-lymphotropic virus in Brazil: assays, flowcharts, challenges, and perspectives

Introduction: We present a data analysis and review of recent studies regarding the laboratory diagnosis of human T-lymphotropic virus 1 and 2 (HTLV-1/2) infections in Brazil. Methods: Target populations, available diagnostic serological assays (screening and complementary tests), molecular assays (in-house), causes of false-positive and false-negative results, and flowcharts were analyzed. Results: A table presents the target populations, two diagnostic flowcharts (depending on laboratory infrastructure and study population), and recent research that may improve how HTLV-1/2 is diagnosed in Brazil. Conclusions: Our results support the implementation of public policies to reduce HTLV-1/2 transmission and its associated diseases.

Protocolo Brasileiro para Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis 2020: infecção pelo vírus linfotrópico de células T humanas (HTLV) / Brazilian Protocol for Sexually Transmitted Infections 2020: human T cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) infection / Protocolo Brasileño para Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual 2020: infección por virus linfotrópico de células T humanas (HTLV)

O artigo aborda a infecção pelo vírus linfotrópico de células T humanas (human T lymphotropic virus, HTLV), tema contemplado no Protocolo Clínico e Diretrizes Terapêuticas para Atenção Integral às Pessoas com Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis, publicado pelo Ministério da Saúde do Brasil. A infecção pelo HTLV-1/2 é um problema de saúde pública mundial, sendo o Brasil o país a referir o maior número de indivíduos convivendo com o vírus. O HTLV-1 causa diversas manifestações clínicas, de natureza neoplásica, como a leucemia/linfoma de células T do adulto, e de natureza inflamatória, a exemplo da mielopatia associada ao HTLV-1 e outras alterações, como uveíte, artrite e dermatite infecciosa. Estas patologias apresentam elevada morbimortalidade e impactam negativamente a qualidade de vida dos indivíduos infectados. A presente revisão inclui informações relevantes para gestores e profissionais de saúde sobre os mecanismos de transmissão viral, diagnóstico, tratamento e acompanhamento de indivíduos vivendo com o HTLV-1/2 no Brasil.

This manuscript is related to the chapter about human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) that is part of the Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines for Comprehensive Care for People with Sexually Transmitted Infections, published by the Brazilian Health Ministry. HTLV-1/2 infection is a worldwide public health problem and Brazil has the largest number of individuals living with the virus. HTLV-1 causes a variety of clinical manifestations of a neoplastic nature, such as adult leukemia/T-cell lymphoma, and also of an inflammatory nature, such as HTLV-1-associated myelopathy, as well as other manifestations such as uveitis, arthritis and infective dermatitis. These pathologies have high morbidity and mortality and negatively impact the quality of life of infected individuals. This review includes relevant information for health service managers and workers regarding virus transmission modes, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of individuals living with HTLV-1 and 2 in Brazil.

El artículo está relacionado con el capítulo sobre virus linfotrópico de células T humanas (human T lymphotropic virus, HTLV) que conforma el Protocolo Clínico y Directrices Terapéuticas para la Atención Integral a Personas con Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual, publicado por el Ministerio de Salud de Brasil. La infección por HTLV-1/2 es un problema de salud pública en el mundo y Brasil tiene el mayor número de personas que viven con el virus. El HTLV-1 causa varias manifestaciones clínicas, de naturaleza neoplásica (leucemia/linfoma de células T adultas), y de naturaleza inflamatoria, como la mielopatía asociada al HTLV-1 y otras manifestaciones como la uveítis, la artritis y la dermatitis infecciosa. Estas patologías tienen una alta morbilidad y mortalidad e impactan negativamente en la calidad de vida de las personas infectadas. Esta revisión incluye información relevante para gerentes y profesionales de la salud sobre los mecanismos de transmisión viral, diagnóstico, tratamiento y monitoreo de personas que viven con HTLV-1 y 2 en Brasil.

Protocolo Brasileiro para Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis 2020: infecção pelo vírus linfotrópico de células T humanas (HTLV) / Brazilian Protocol for Sexually Transmitted Infections 2020: human T cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) infection / Protocolo Brasileño para Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual 2020: infección por virus linfotrópico de células T humanas (HTLV)

Resumo O artigo aborda a infecção pelo vírus linfotrópico de células T humanas (human T lymphotropic virus, HTLV), tema contemplado no Protocolo Clínico e Diretrizes Terapêuticas para Atenção Integral às Pessoas com Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis, publicado pelo Ministério da Saúde do Brasil. A infecção pelo HTLV-1/2 é um problema de saúde pública mundial, sendo o Brasil o país a referir o maior número de indivíduos convivendo com o vírus. O HTLV-1 causa diversas manifestações clínicas, de natureza neoplásica, como a leucemia/linfoma de células T do adulto, e de natureza inflamatória, a exemplo da mielopatia associada ao HTLV-1 e outras alterações, como uveíte, artrite e dermatite infecciosa. Estas patologias apresentam elevada morbimortalidade e impactam negativamente a qualidade de vida dos indivíduos infectados. A presente revisão inclui informações relevantes para gestores e profissionais de saúde sobre os mecanismos de transmissão viral, diagnóstico, tratamento e acompanhamento de indivíduos vivendo com o HTLV-1/2 no Brasil.

Abstract This manuscript is related to the chapter about human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) that is part of the Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines for Comprehensive Care for People with Sexually Transmitted Infections, published by the Brazilian Health Ministry. HTLV-1/2 infection is a worldwide public health problem and Brazil has the largest number of individuals living with the virus. HTLV-1 causes a variety of clinical manifestations of a neoplastic nature, such as adult leukemia/T-cell lymphoma, and also of an inflammatory nature, such as HTLV-1-associated myelopathy, as well as other manifestations such as uveitis, arthritis and infective dermatitis. These pathologies have high morbidity and mortality and negatively impact the quality of life of infected individuals. This review includes relevant information for health service managers and workers regarding virus transmission modes, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of individuals living with HTLV-1 and 2 in Brazil.

Resumen El artículo está relacionado con el capítulo sobre virus linfotrópico de células T humanas (human T lymphotropic virus, HTLV) que conforma el Protocolo Clínico y Directrices Terapéuticas para la Atención Integral a Personas con Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual, publicado por el Ministerio de Salud de Brasil. La infección por HTLV-1/2 es un problema de salud pública en el mundo y Brasil tiene el mayor número de personas que viven con el virus. El HTLV-1 causa varias manifestaciones clínicas, de naturaleza neoplásica (leucemia/linfoma de células T adultas), y de naturaleza inflamatoria, como la mielopatía asociada al HTLV-1 y otras manifestaciones como la uveítis, la artritis y la dermatitis infecciosa. Estas patologías tienen una alta morbilidad y mortalidad e impactan negativamente en la calidad de vida de las personas infectadas. Esta revisión incluye información relevante para gerentes y profesionales de la salud sobre los mecanismos de transmisión viral, diagnóstico, tratamiento y monitoreo de personas que viven con HTLV-1 y 2 en Brasil.

Specificity of HTLV screening tests and its impact on health care program costs: The perspective of antenatal screening in Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Brazil ranks first in the number of HTLV-1/-2-infected individuals worldwide. The high morbidity and mortality of HTLV-1-associated diseases, especially following infection in infancy, requires strong action to reduce vertical transmission. METHODS: To facilitate the appraisal of the implementation of the HTLV antenatal screening program by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, we determined the costs in distinct scenarios according to HTLV seroprevalence, specificity of the screening test, and type of confirmatory test. RESULTS: HTLV antenatal screening would cost R$ 55,777,012-R$ 77,082,123/year. Screening assays with high specificity reduce the need and cost of confirmatory assays by up to 25%. CONCLUSIONS: Careful selection of the screening assay is required to optimize the program.

Dengue infection in the nervous system: lessons learned for Zika and Chikungunya / Infecção por dengue no sistema nervoso: lições para Zika e Chikungunya

ABSTRACT Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya are emerging arboviruses and important causes of acute febrile disease in tropical areas. Although dengue does not represent a new condition, a geographic expansion over time has occurred with the appearance of severe neurological complications. Neglect has allowed the propagation of the vector (Aedes spp), which is also responsible for the transmission of other infections such as Zika and Chikungunya throughout the world. The increased number of infected individuals has contributed to the rise of neurological manifestations including encephalitis, myelitis, meningitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome and congenital malformations such as microcephaly. In this narrative review, we characterize the impact of the geographic expansion of the vector on the appearance of neurological complications, and highlight the lack of highly accurate laboratory tests for nervous system infections. This represents a challenge for public health in the world, considering the high number of travelers and people living in endemic areas.

RESUMO Dengue, Zika e Chikungunya são arbovírus emergentes e importante causa de doença febril aguda em áreas tropicais. Embora a dengue não represente uma doença nova, houve uma expansão geográfica ao longo do tempo, com o aparecimento de complicações neurológicas graves. A negligência desta situação permitiu a propagação do vetor (Aedes spp) em todo o mundo, que também é responsável pela transmissão de outras infecções pelos vírus Zika e Chikungunya. O grande número de casos infectados contribui para o aumento de manifestações neurológicas incluindo encefalite, mielite, meningite, síndrome de Guillain-Barré e má formações congênitas, como microcefalia. Nesta revisão narrativa, destaca-se o impacto da expansão geográfica do vetor no aparecimento de complicações neurológicas e a falta de testes laboratoriais de elevada acurácia para o diagnóstico da infecção neurológica. Estes aspectos representam desafio para a saúde pública mundial, considerando o grande número de indivíduos que moram ou viajam para áreas endêmicas.

Advances and new insights in the neuropathogenesis of dengue infection / Avanços e novos aspectos na neuropatogênese da dengue

Dengue virus (DENV) infects approximately 390 million persons every year in more than 100 countries. Reports of neurological complications are more frequently. The objective of this narrative review is to bring up the advances in the dengue neuropathogenesis. DENV can access the nervous system through blood-brain barrier disturbance mediated by cytokine. The blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier seems to be also involved, considering the presence of the virus in the CSF of patients with neurological manifestations. As for neurotropism, several studies showed the presence of RNA and viral antigens in brain tissue and CSF in humans. In murine model, different virus mutations were associated to neurovirulence. Despite the advances in the dengue neuropathogenesis, it is still necessary to determine a more appropriate animal model and increase the number of cases of autopsy. The detection of neurovirulence markers may contribute to establish a prognosis, the disease control and vaccine development.

O vírus da dengue (DENV) infecta anualmente cerca de 390 milhões de indivíduos em mais de 100 países. Complicações neurológicas estão se tornando frequentes. O objetivo desta revisão narrativa é abordar os avanços sobre neuropatogênese na dengue. O DENV invade o sistema nervoso central através do distúrbio da barreira hemato-encefálica, mediado por citocina. A barreira hemato-liquórica (LCR) parece também estar envolvida, considerando a presença do vírus no LCR. Estudos demonstraram RNA e antígenos virais no tecido cerebral e LCR de indivíduos infectados pelo DENV, confirmando o neurotropismo viral. Em modelo murino, diferentes mutações virais foram associadas a neurovirulência. Apesar dos avanços no conhecimento da neuropatogênese da dengue, ainda são necessários a determinação de um modelo animal mais adequado e aumento do número de casos de autopsia. A determinação de marcadores de neurovirulência pode contribuir para o estabelecimento de prognóstico, controle da doença e no desenvolvimento de vacina.

Neurological complications in dengue infection: a review for clinical practice / Complicacoes neurologicas na dengue: uma revisao para a pratica clinica

Dengue is an important global public health problem. The World Health Organization estimates that 2/5 of entire world population are in risk of dengue infection. Almost 50 millions cases occur annually, with at least 20 thousand deaths. The etiological agent of this acute febrile disease is a single-strand positive-sense RNA virus of Flavivirus genus. It is an arboviral disease transmitted by Aedes sp. mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti and A. albopictus). Most infected individuals present asymptomatic infection, but some may develop clinical signs. Therefore, a wide spectrum of illness can be observed, ranging from unapparent, mild disease, called dengue fever, to a severe and occasionally fatal dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome. Currently, neurological manifestations related to dengue infections are increasingly been observed and appears as a challenge for medical practice. In this study the neurological complications of dengue infection will be reviewed, focusing a better understanding of the disease for the clinical practice.

A dengue é um importante problema de saúde pública. A Organização Mundial de Saúde estima que 2/5 da população mundial encontra-se em risco de desenvolver a infecção. Cerca de 50 milhões de casos ocorrem anualmente, com ao menos 20 mil mortes. O agente etiológico desta doença febril aguda é um vírus RNA, do gênero Flavivirus. Este arbovírus é transmitido pelo mosquito Aedes sp. A maioria dos indivíduos infectados apresenta infecção assintomática, porém alguns desenvolvem sintomas clínicos. Estes manifestações podem variar desde uma doença inaparente, branda, conhecida como febre da dengue, até uma forma severa, sendo fatal em alguns casos como na febre hemorrágica da dengue/síndrome de choque da dengue. Atualmente, manifestações neurológicas associadas à dengue são cada vez mais frequentes, tornando-se um desafio na rotina médica. Neste estudo, as complicações neurológicas da dengue serão revisadas, com ênfase na melhor compreensão acerca da doença para a prática clínica.

"Quem sou eu? Jogo dos vírus": uma nova ferramenta no ensino da virologia / "Who am I? Virus game": a game as a new virology teaching tool

A grande quantidade de conteúdo a ser ministrado nas disciplinas da área médica torna muitas vezes os métodos tradicionais da pedagogia, calcados na metodologia meramente discursiva, extremamente monótonos e desinteressantes para os alunos. Assim, o desenvolvimento de métodos alternativos para a prática do ensino se torna necessário. O presente trabalho visa a apresentar um jogo educacional desenvolvido para atuar como ferramenta adicional no ensino de virologia. O jogo "Quem sou eu? Jogo dos vírus" é um jogo de tabuleiro no qual os participantes devem adivinhar os vírus apresentados com base em dicas fornecidas pelo mediador. Como o tabuleiro foi desenhado a partir das etapas da replicação viral, os jogadores adquirem conhecimentos básicos de virologia, além dos conhecimentos específicos dos vírus em questão. Além disso, o jogo funciona como um grande motivador dos discentes.

The large amount of content to be taught in medical disciplines often makes traditional methods of pedagogy, rooted in purely discursive methodology, extremely dull and uninteresting to students. Thus, the development of alternative methods for teaching is required. This paper presents an educational game designed to act as an additional tool in virology teaching. The game "Who Am I? Virus game" is a board game in which players must guess which is the virus based on tips provided by the mediator. As the board was designed based on the steps of viral replication, players acquire basic knowledge of virology beyond the expertise of the virus in question. In addition, the game works as a great motivator for the students.