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Antibodies response induced by recombinant virus-like particles from Triatoma virus and chimeric antigens from Trypanosoma cruzi
No full textConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (grant number COOPB20503 - CSIC, Spain)Global Health and Tropical Medicine [grant number GHTM-UID/multi/04413/2013]Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación [BFU2012-36241]Grupos Investigación UPV/EHU 2018 [GIU18/172]Gobierno Vasco [Elkartek KK-2017/00008]Programa de empresas Innovadoras A1 2020 EKINZAILEThe Basque Country, SpainCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES, Brasil)Background: The infection caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi affects humans and is called as Chagas disease. Currently, the main measures available to reduce the incidence of this disease are drug treatment and vector control. Traditionally, the development of vaccines occurs mainly through the use of antigenic candidates of the etiologic agent in the form of a vaccine preparation. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are structures analogous to viral capsids composed essentially of structural proteins and are widely used in vaccination protocols because of their immunostimulatory properties. In this context, the objective of this study was to use strategies in a murine immunization model to characterize the immunostimulatory capacity of VLPs from Triatoma virus (TrV-VLPs), analysed in the presence or absence of the aluminium vaccine adjuvant. In parallel, to characterize the immunogenic behaviour of four T. cruzi chimeric recombinant proteins (mix-IBMP) associated with TrV-VLPs or aluminium vaccine adjuvant. Method: We immunized BALB/c mice once or twice, depending on the strategy, and collected serum samples at 15, 30 and 45 days after the immunization. Subsequently, serum samples from animals immunized with TrV-VLPs were used to determine total IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b and IgG3 anti-TrV-VLPs by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Data obtained demonstrate the ability of TrV-VLPs to preferably induce IgG2b and IgG3 type antibodies in the absence of aluminium adjuvant. In fact, the use of aluminium did not interfere with the total IgG profile of anti-TrV-VLPs. Interestingly, mix-IBMP had a better profile of total IgG, IgG1 and IgG3 subclasses when mixed with TrV-VLPs. Conclusion: In conclusion, these results suggest the potential of TrV-VLPs as a vaccine adjuvant and the use of T. cruzi chimeric antigens as a rational strategy for the development of vaccines against the experimental model of Chagas disease
Patterns of allergic sensitization and factors associated with emergence of sensitization in the rural tropics early in the life course: findings of an Ecuadorian birth cohort
No full textPrograma de Pesquisa SCAALA (Social Changes, Asthma and Allergies in Latin America).Introduction: There are limited data on emergence of allergic sensitization (or atopy) during childhood in tropical regions.
Methods: We followed a birth cohort of 2,404 newborns to 8 years in tropical Ecuador and collected: risk factor data by maternal questionnaires periodically from birth; atopy was measured by skin prick test reactivity (SPT) to aeroallergens in parents, and aeroallergens and food allergens in children at 2, 3, 5, and 8 years; and stool samples for soil-transmitted helminths (STH) from children periodically to 8 years and from parents and household members at the time of recruitment of cohort children. Data on risk factors were measured either at birth or repeatedly (time-varying) from birth to 8 years. Longitudinal repeated-measures analyses were done using generalized estimating equations to estimate the age-dependent risk of positive SPT (SPT+) to any allergen or mite during early childhood.
Results: SPT+ to any allergen was present in 29.0% of fathers and 24.8% of mothers, and in cohort children increased with age, initially to mite but later to cockroach, reaching 14.8% to any allergen (10.7% mite and 5.3% cockroach) at 8 years. Maternal SPT+, particularly presence of polysensitization (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.49–2.77) significantly increased the risk of SPT+ during childhood, while household overcrowding at birth decreased the risk (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.72–0.98). For mite sensitization, maternal polysensitization increased (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.40–3.27) but rural residence (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.50–0.94) and birth order (3rd−4th vs. 1st−2nd: OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.52–0.98) decreased the risk. Time-varying exposures to agricultural activities (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.60–0.98) and STH parasites (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.64–0.91) during childhood decreased while anthelmintics increased the childhood risk (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.05–2.05) of mite sensitization.
Conclusion: Our data show the emergence of allergic sensitization, primarily to mite and cockroach allergens, during childhood in tropical Ecuador. A role for both antenatal and post-natal factors acting as potential determinants of SPT+ emergence was observed
Saúde Amanhã: Textos para Discussão 76: Saneamento básico no Brasil: perspectivas e a saúde nas cidades
No full textPublicação cujo objetivo é divulgar resultados de estudos desenvolvidos no âmbito do Projeto Saúde Amanhã, disseminando informações sobre a prospecção estratégica em saúde, em um horizonte móvel de 20 anos. Busca, ainda, estabelecer um espaço para discussões e debates entre os profissionais especializados e instituições do setor. As opiniões emitidas nesta publicação são de exclusiva e de inteira responsabilidade do autor, não exprimindo, necessariamente, o ponto de vista da Fiocruz/MS. O projeto Saúde Amanhã é conduzido pela Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz) no contexto da “Estratégia Fiocruz para a Agenda 2030”/Fiocruz. É permitida a reprodução deste texto e dos dados nele contidos, desde que citada a fonte. Reproduções para fins comerciais são proibidas
Nested PCR followed by NGS: Validation and application for HPV genotyping of Tunisian cervical samples
No full textThe most used methodologies for HPV genotyping in Tunisian studies are based on hybridization that are limited to a restricted number of HPV types and to a lack of specificity and sensitivity for same types. Recently, Next-Generation sequencing (NGS) technology has been efficiently used for HPV genotyping. In this work we designed and validated a sensitive genotyping method based on nested PCR followed by NGS. Eighty-six samples were tested for the validation of an HPV genotyping assay based on Nested-PCR followed by NGS. These include, 43 references plasmids and 43 positive HPV clinical cervical specimens previously evaluated with the conventional genotyping method: Reverse Line Hybridization (RLH). Results of genotyping using NGS were compared to those of RLH. The analytical sensitivity of the NGS assay was 1GE/mu l per sample. The NGS allowed the detection of all HPV types presented in references plasmids. On the clinical samples, a total of 19 HPV types were detected versus 14 types using RLH. Besides the identification of more HPV types in multiple infection (6 types for NGS versus 4 for RLH), NGS allowed the identification of HPV types that were not detected by RLH. In addition, the NGS assay detected newly HPV types that were not described in Tunisia so far: HPV81, HPV43, HPV74, and HPV62. The high sensitivity and specificity of NGS for HPV genotyping in addition to the identification of new HPV types may justify the use of such technique to provide with high accuracy the profile of circulating types in epidemiological studie
Screening of new protease inhibitors with application in the treatment of HCV infections non-responsible to the direct-action antivirals
No full textOs autores externos submeteram sua publicação para apresentação de trabalho no evento “International Symposium on Immunobiologicals”, que foi coordenado e organizado pelo Instituto de Tecnologia em Imunobiológicos (Bio-Manguinhos), da Fundação Oswaldo Cruz
Leishmania-Induced Dendritic Cell Migration and Its Potential Contribution to Parasite Dissemination
No full textConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento
Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Programa Inova Fiocruz and National Institute of Health (NIH)
grant AI136032. C.I.B., V.M.B. and P.S.T.V. are senior investigators of CNPq. P.S.T.V. holds a grant
from CNPq for productivity in research (307832/2015-5).Leishmania, an intracellular parasite species, causes lesions on the skin and in the mucosa
and internal organs. The dissemination of infected host cells containing Leishmania is crucial to
parasite survival and the establishment of infection. Migratory phenomena and the mechanisms
underlying the dissemination of Leishmania-infected human dendritic cells (hDCs) remain poorly
understood. The present study aimed to investigate differences among factors involved in hDC
migration by comparing infection with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) induced by Leishmania infantum
with diverse clinical forms of tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) induced by Leishmania braziliensis or
Leishmania amazonensis. Following the infection of hDCs by isolates obtained from patients with
different clinical forms of Leishmania, the formation of adhesion complexes, actin polymerization,
and CCR7 expression were evaluated. We observed increased hDC migration following infection
with isolates of L. infantum (VL), as well as disseminated (DL) and diffuse (DCL) forms of cutaneous
leishmaniasis (CL) caused by L. braziliensis and L. amazonensis, respectively. Increased expression
of proteins involved in adhesion complex formation and actin polymerization, as well as higher
CCR7 expression, were seen in hDCs infected with L. infantum, DL and DCL isolates. Together, our
results suggest that hDCs play an important role in the dissemination of Leishmania parasites in the
vertebrate host
A revista traços e a geração de trabalho e renda para pessoa em situação de rua: perspectiva sobre o trabalho porta-voz da cultura
No full textO desemprego é um dos fatores que ocasiona o aumento de pessoas em situação de rua, motivo pelo qual oportunidades que possibilitam a inclusão deste grupo populacional no mercado de trabalho contribuem com a conquista da autonomia, a melhora na saúde física e mental, a transformação social, bem como a superação desta situação. Nessa conjuntura, este trabalho traz a experiência da Revista Traços - no Distrito Federal - considerada um dos street papers brasileiro (primeiro termo utilizado para jornais de rua), em que pessoas em situação de rua, denominados de Porta-Vozes da Cultura, comercializam a revista em diferentes lugares estratégicos da cidade. O conteúdo da revista possui foco na cultura e constitui um meio de geração de renda, de transformação da realidade deste grupo populacional. Nessa ordem de ideais, este estudo efetua uma reflexão a respeito dos limites e das possibilidades de trabalho, como PortaVoz da Cultura da revista Traços - para o grupo populacional em estudo - no Distrito Federal. O objetivo geral desta pesquisa consiste na análise do trabalho dos Porta-Vozes da Cultura da revista Traços e as repercussões na promoção da saúde, na conquista da autonomia, assim como na geração de renda. O percurso metodológico perpassa a pesquisa documental, de natureza qualitativa, bem como a realização de entrevistas com Porta-Vozes da Cultura e com a gestora da Traços. No que se refere aos resultados da pesquisa, observou-se o trabalho no qual os Porta-Vozes estão inseridos, as características do trabalho autônomo, temporário, bem como quais os efeitos para a saúde e para a mudança de realidade. Em suma, ficou evidente a importância do trabalho na vida das pessoas em situação de rua, seja pela inclusão social, seja pelo ganho de autoestima, seja pela superação dos desafios que permeiam a jornada diária desta população.Unemployment is one of the factors that increases the number of homeless people, which is why opportunities that enable the inclusion of this population group in the market contributes to the achievement of autonomy, to the improvement in their physical and mental health, to social transformation, as well as to overcome this situation. At this juncture, this study brings the experience of Traços Magazine - in the Federal District - considered one of the Brazilian street papers (first term used for street newspapers), in which homeless people, called spokespersons of culture, markets the magazine in different strategic places of the city. The content of the journal focuses on street culture and constitutes means of generating income that changes the reality of this population group. In this way, this study discusses on the limits and possibilities of working as Spokesperson of Culture at the journal Traços - for the population group object of this study - in the Federal District. The general objective of this research is to analyze the work of the Spokespersons of Culture of the journal Traços and its repercussions on health promotion, conquest of autonomy, as well on income gain. The methodological path permeates the documental research of qualitative nature, as well as the conduct of interviews with Spokespersons of Culture and with the manager of Traços. Regarding the results, it was observed the conditions of work that the spokespersons are inserted, the characteristics of the autonomous and temporary job, its effects on health and its contribution for the change of their reality. It was evident the importance of work in the lives of homeless people, either because of social inclusion, the gain of self-esteem, or the possibility to overcome the challenges that permeate the daily journey of this population
The construction of live food in the field of public health: the experience of the Terrapia Project
No full textA presente pesquisa buscou investigar a construção teórica e prática da alimentação viva promulgada pelo Terrapia no campo da saúde pública/coletiva. Como referencial teórico foi realizado um diálogo com a promoção da saúde, políticas públicas de alimentação saudável e adequada, perspectivas nutricionais complementares e possíveis bases metodológicas adotadas ao Projeto. Tornou-se essencial um olhar mais abrangente quanto ao movimento da Promoção da Saúde no que diz respeito à produção de alimentos socioambientalmente sustentáveis, cotejando, desta forma, perspectivas emancipatórias com destaque ao campo da Agroecologia. Para tal, investimos num estudo exploratório de abordagem qualitativa que buscou compreender possíveis elementos teóricos e políticos para a conceituação da alimentação viva no campo da saúde pública/coletiva. A metodologia utilizada foi a realização de entrevistas semiestruturadas realizadas para a coleta de dados primários, complementado por pesquisa documental e bibliográfica. Por fim, os dados coletados apontam que o Projeto Terrapia, ao longo de todos esses anos, tem se mostrado uma experiência inovadora e de resultados práticos expressivos ao dialogar com os campos centrais e estratégicos da promoção da saúde. Resultando, por tanto, na construção de uma metodologia que premissa pelo cuidado em saúde através de uma dinâmica intersetorial no qual o reforço da ação comunitária é pilar de sustentação fomentado pelo propósito de sensibilizar os participantes em relação aos alimentos in natura, a comensalidade e a construção de uma consciência crítica e política quanto aos sistemas agroalimentares vigentes.The present research sought to investigate the theorical and pratical construction of living/raw food promulgated by Terrapia in the public/colletive health field. As a theoretical framework, a dialogue was carried out with health promotion, public policies for health and adequate food, complementary nutritional perspectives and possible methodological bases adopetd for the Project. A better comprehensive about health promotion movement with regard to the production of socio-environmentally sustentable food has become essential, thus comparing emancipatory perspectives with emphasis on the Agroecology field. To this end, we invested in an exploratory study with a qualitative approuch that sought to understand possible theoretical and political elements for the conceptualization of living/raw food in the public/colletive health field. The methodology used was to carry out semi-estructured interviews to collected primary data, complemented by documental and bibliographic research. Finally, the data collected indicated that Terrapia Project, over all these years, has been an innovative experience and significant pratical results in dialoguing with the central and estrategic fields of health promotion. Resulting, therefore, in the construction of a methodology that assumes health care through na intersectoral dynamic in which the reinforcement of community action is a support pilar forested by the purpose of sensitizing the participants in the relation of natural foods, commensality and the building a critical and political awareness of the current agri-food systems
Oral Tolerance Induced by Heat Shock Protein 65-Producing Lactococcus lactis Mitigates Inflammation in Leishmania braziliensis Infection
No full textCNPq grants numbers 428371/
2018-3 and 304876/2019-4. PVG received a pos-doc fellowship
from Funda̧cão Oswaldo Cruz, Programa Inova. VAA, TUM,
AMCF, and CIB are senior investigators of CNPq. This study is
financed in part by the Coordena̧cão de Aperfei̧coamento de
Pessoal de Nıveĺ SUperior (CAPES)-Brazil, Finance Code 001.Cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. braziliensis induces a pronounced Th1
inflammatory response characterized by IFN-g production. Even in the absence of
parasites, lesions result from a severe inflammatory response in which inflammatory
cytokines play an important role. Different approaches have been used to evaluate the
therapeutic potential of orally administrated heat shock proteins (Hsp). These proteins are
evolutionarily preserved from bacteria to humans, highly expressed under inflammatory
conditions and described as immunodominant antigens. Tolerance induced by the oral
administration of Hsp65 is capable of suppressing inflammation and inducing
differentiation in regulatory cells, and has been successfully demonstrated in several
experimental models of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. We initially administered
recombinant Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis) prior to infection as a proof of concept, in order
to verify its immunomodulatory potential in the inflammatory response arising from L.
braziliensis. Using this experimental approach, we demonstrated that the oral
administration of a recombinant L. lactis strain, which produces and secretes Hsp65
from Mycobacterium leprae directly into the gut, mitigated the effects of inflammation
caused by L. braziliensis infection in association or not with PAM 3CSK4 (N-a-PalmitoylS-[2,3-bis(palmitoyloxy)-(2RS)-propyl]-L-cysteine, a TLR2 agonist). This was evidenced
by the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines and the expansion of regulatory T cells in
the draining lymph nodes of BALB/c mice. Our in vitro experimental results suggest that
IL-10, TLR-2 and LAP are important immunomodulators in L. braziliensis infection. In
addition, recombinant L. lactis administered 4 weeks after infection was observed to
decrease lesion size, as well as the number of parasites, and produced a higher IL-10
production and decrease IFN-g secretion. Together, these results indicate that Hsp65-
producing L. lactis can be considered as an alternative candidate for treatment in both
autoimmune diseases, as well as in chronic infections that cause inflammatory disease