Population-based surveys of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in Southern Brazil.

Population-based data on COVID-19 are urgently needed. We report on three rounds of probability sample household surveys in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), carried out in nine large municipalities using the Wondfo lateral flow point-of-care test for immunoglobulin M and G antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 (https://en.wondfo.com.cn/product/wondfo-sars-cov-2-antibody-test-lateral-flow-method-2/). Before survey use, the assay underwent four validation studies with pooled estimates of sensitivity (84.8%; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 81.4-87.8%) and specificity (99.0%; 95% CI = 97.8-99.7%). We calculated that the seroprevalence was 0.048% (2/4,151; 95% CI = 0.006-0.174) on 11-13 April (round 1), 0.135% (6/4,460; 95% CI = 0.049-0.293%) on 25-27 April (round 2) and 0.222% (10/4,500; 95% CI = 0.107-0.408) on 9-11 May (round 3), with a significant upward trend over the course of the surveys. Of 37 family members of positive individuals, 17 (35%) were also positive. The epidemic is at an early stage in the state, and there is high compliance with social distancing, unlike in other parts of Brazil. Periodic survey rounds will continue to monitor trends until at least the end of September, and our population-based data will inform decisions on preventive policies and health system preparedness at the state level.

Deoxyribonucleic acid damage and repair response in the chemotherapy of lung cancer: cross-sectional study.

This study evaluated 24 patients with lung cancer (CA) and 23 individuals with no smoking history or cancer in the family and without respiratory disease in childhood (CO). Peripheral blood lymphocytes was used to perform alkaline comet assay and to assess DNA damage as well as to evaluate methyl methane sulfonate (MMS) DNA repair after one hour and three hours at 37 ºC. The percentage of residual damage (RD) after three hours of MMS treatment, for each patient was assessed. The majority of patients were in the CA group, male patients, former smokers, with a history of smoking for 15 years and without associated comorbidities. Alkaline and residual damages were higher in the CA group when compared to controls (alkaline damage P = 0.015 and RD P = 0.05). After one hour of MMS treatment the DNA damage of the CA increased indicating failure to repair it, compared to the controls, and after three hours DNA repair was observed in both groups. Patients with lung cancer are mostly men, former smokers and with more than 15 years of tobacco consumption, undergoing chemotherapy, have high rates of DNA damage and deficiency in their ability to repair against induced damage when compared to controls.

Genetic risk score based on fat mass and obesity-associated, transmembrane protein 18 and fibronectin type III domain containing 5 polymorphisms is associated with anthropometric characteristics in South Brazilian children and adolescents.

The prevalence of childhood obesity has increased worldwide. Although it is considered a polygenic inheritance disease, little is known about its susceptibility when the additive effect is considered. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the genetic risk score (GRS) based on previously associated obesity polymorphisms (SNP) rs9939609 (fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO)), rs6548238 (transmembrane protein 18 (TMEM18)) and rs16835198 (fibronectin type III domain containing 5 (FNDC5)) could serve as a predictor for anthropometric characteristics in a sample of Brazilian children and adolescents. This is a cross-sectional study with 1471 children and adolescents aged 6-17 years. BMI, waist circumference (WC) and percentage of body fat and metabolic parameters were verified. In all, three SNP were genotyped by TaqMan™ allelic discrimination. The metabolic and anthropometric parameters were compared between the genotypes, and the unweighted and weighted GRS (GRS and wGRS, respectively) were created to test the additive effect of these genetic polymorphisms on anthropometric parameters. The prevalence of overweight plus obesity was 41 %. Significant associations were identified for FTO rs9939609, TMEM18 rs6548238 and FNDC5 rs16835198 and for GRS and wGRS with anthropometric phenotypes. The higher score of wGRS was associated with obesity (OR: 2·65, 95 % CI 1·40, 5·04, P=0·003) and with greater WC (OR: 2·91, 95 % CI 1·57, 5·40, P=0·001). Our results suggest that these genetic variants contribute to obesity susceptibility in children and adolescents and reinforce the idea that the additive effect may be useful to elucidate the genetic component of obesity.

Multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus spp and its impact on patient outcome.

In order to analyze the outcomes, clinical features, and resistance of Staphylococcus spp infections, a prospective cohort study was conducted at a 234-bed, tertiary care teaching hospital. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections were associated with increased mortality and length of hospital stay (LOS), whereas methicillin resistance (MRS) was correlated with prolonged LOS after infection. These data highlight the importance of infection control and antibiotic stewardship to prevent the emergence and spread of MRS and MDR health care-associated infections.

Association of IL-6 and CRP gene polymorphisms with obesity and metabolic disorders in children and adolescents.

Activation of adipose tissue inflammation is associated with obesity caused by lipid accumulation in adipocytes. Through this activation, proinflammatory cytokines, such as Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) seem to influence metabolic disorders. The present study evaluated whether polymorphisms in the CRP (rs1205) and IL-6 (rs1800795, rs2069845) genes are associated with the development of metabolic disorders in children and adolescents. A cross-sectional study was performed, consisting of 470 students from the municipality of Santa Cruz do Sul, Brazil, aged 7-17 years. Body mass index (BMI) was classified according to overweight and obesity. Genotyping was performed by real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Anthropometric characteristics, biochemical markers, immunological markers and blood pressure were assessed. Descriptive statistics, chi-square and logistic regression were used for the analyses. No association was detected between the rs1800795 polymorphism and the assessed variables. Individuals with the risk genotype in the rs1205 gene were associated with the risk of developing hypercholesterolemia (OR 2.79; CI 1.40, 5.57; p = 0.003). Carriers of the risk genotype in the rs2069845 gene are associated with the risk of developing obesity (OR 3.07; CI 1.08, 8.72; p = 0.03). The polymorphism rs2069845 was associated with obesity and rs1205 was associated with the risk of developing hypercholesterolemia in Brazilian schoolchildren.

Polymorphisms in CYP2E1, GSTM1 and GSTT1 and anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity.

Anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatitis (ATD- induced hepatitis) has been linked to polymorphisms in genes encoding drug metabolizing enzymes. N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2), cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) and glutathione S-transferase (loci GSTM1 and GSTT1) are involved in the metabolism of isoniazid, the most toxic drug for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB). This study was designed to determine the frequency and to evaluate whether polymorphisms at CYP2E1, GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes are associated with drug response, as well as to identify clinical risk factors for ATD-induced hepatitis. A total of 245 Brazilian patients undergoing treatment for TB were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing methods. The frequencies of the CYP2E1 polymorphic alleles RsaI, PstI and DraI are 8%, 8.5% and 12%, respectively. GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes are deleted in 42.9% and 12.4% of the population, respectively. Fifteen patients (6.1%) developed hepatotoxicity. Clinical (HIV, female sex and extrapulmonary TB) and genetic characteristics (CYP2E1 without any mutations, having NAT2 slow acetylator profile) are at higher risk of developing ATD-induced hepatitis in this population. Genotyping for GSTM1 and GSTT1 showed no influence on drug response.

Mutations in katG, inhA, and ahpC genes of Brazilian isoniazid-resistant isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The presence of mutations in specific regions of the katG, inhA, and ahpC genes was analyzed with 69 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isoniazid-resistant isolates from three Brazilian states. Point mutations in codon 315 of the katG gene were observed in 87.1, 60.9, and 60% of the isolates from Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo, respectively. Mutations in the inhA gene were identified only in one isolate from RJ State, and the ahpC promoter region revealed mutations in distinct positions in 12.9, 21.7, and 6.7% of the isolates from RS, RJ and SP, respectively.