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Complete genome sequence of human T-cell lymphotropic type 1 from patients with different clinical profiles, including infective dermatitis
No full textThe HTLV-1 is the first human retrovirus and is associated with several clinical syndromes, however, the pathogenesis of these clinical manifestations is still not fully understood. Furthermore, there are few complete genomes publicly available, about 0.12 complete genomes per 10,000 infected individuals and the databases have a major deficiency of sequences information. This study generated and characterized 31 HTLV-1 complete genomes sequences derived from individuals with Tropical Spastic Paraparesis/HTLV-1-Associated Myelopathy (TSP/HAM), Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL), infective dermatitis associated to HTLV-1 (IDH) and asymptomatic patients. These sequences are associated to clinical and epidemiological information about the patients. The sequencing data generated on Ion Torrent PGM platform were assembled and mapped against the reference HTLV-1 genome. These sequences were genotyped as Cosmopolitan subtype, Transcontinental subgroup. We identified the variants in the coding regions of the genome of the different clinical profiles, however, no statistical relation was detected. This study contributed to increase of HTLV-1 complete genomes in the world. Furthermore, to better investigate the contribution of HTLV-1 mutations for the disease outcome it is necessary to evaluate the interaction of the viral genome and characteristics of the human host.2025-01-0
Biogenic silver nanoparticles reduce adherence, infection, and proliferation of toxoplasma gondii RH strain in HeLa cells without inflammatory mediators induction
No full textThe highlights of biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNp-Bio) include low toxicity - depending on size and concentration - and efficient antiparasitic activity. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the action of the AgNp-Bio on HeLa cells in an infection with strain of RH Toxoplasma gondii. Firstly, we performed a cellular viability test and characterized the AgNp-Bio to proceed with the infection of HeLa cells with T. gondii to be treated using AgNp-Bio or conventional drugs. Subsequently, we determined the level of standard cytokines Th1/Th2 as well as the content of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Results indicated a mean size of 69 nm in diameter for the AgNp-Bio and obtained a dose-dependent toxicity. In addition, the concentrations of 3 and 6 μM promoted a significant decrease in adherence, infection, and intracellular proliferation. We also found lower IL-8 and production of inflammatory mediators. Thus, the nanoparticles reduced the adherence, infection, and proliferation of ROS and NO, in addition to immunomodulating the IL-8. Therefore, our data proved relevant to introduce a promising therapeutic alternative to toxoplasmosis
Aprendizados, descobertas e redescobertas de um cirurgião-dentista na saúde da família
No full textO presente «trabalho», sob o formato de memorial descritivo, visa resgatar as memórias vivenciadas que nortearam a aquisição de aprendizados, descobertas e redescobertas de um «Cirurgião-Dentista» durante o transcurso na Residência Multiprofissional em «Saúde da Família» da Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ) em parceria com a Fundação Estatal «Saúde da Família» (FESF-«SUS»). Como forma de facilitar o desdobramento das ideias em sequência «lógica», assuntos como «vida» «pessoal», à residência da FESF e teoria versus prática foram abordados em ordem cronológica mediante «organização» em capítulos, sendo esses representados por comparações da teoria encontrada na «literatura» em consonância com as experiências vivenciadas. O objetivo final dessa escrita é retomar aspectos importantes e que foram importantes para o processo formativo de um residente e que podem colaborar para a formação de outros residentes
Relatório avalia disseminação da Covid-19 entre indígenas
No full textUm grupo de pesquisadores da Fiocruz e da Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) acaba de produzir um relatório sobre o risco de disseminação da Covid-19 entre populações indígenas a partir da vulnerabilidade geográfica e sociodemográfica desse segmento. De acordo com o estudo, a chegada da Covid-19 impõe grandes desafios às comunidades indígenas, às autoridades de saúde e a toda a sociedade para promover a proteção dessa população contra a nova doença, que pode causar grandes impactos sociais de saúde. Com a interiorização da epidemia, o que é esperado para as próximas semanas, deverá ocorrer um expressivo aumento do montante da população indígena em alto risco. Os pesquisadores anexaram ao relatório uma carta dirigida ao Conselho Deliberativo (CD) da Fiocruz. Em um trecho da carta, os pesquisadores afirmam que “o crescimento exponencial de casos confirmados de Covid-19 na população brasileira e a clara interiorização da circulação viral, com destaque para os estados do Amazonas e Amapá, nos alertam para os impactos dessa pandemia nos povos indígenas”. O relatório é o primeiro de uma série que acompanhará a disseminação da epidemia na população indígena. O documento foi produzido por pesquisadores do Núcleo de Métodos Analíticos para Vigilância em Epidemiologia do Programa de Computação Científica da Fiocruz e da FGV, em parceria com Grupo de Trabalho sobre Vulnerabilidade Sociodemográfica e Epidemiológica dos Povos Indígenas no Brasil à Pandemia de Covid-19, da Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública (Ensp/Fiocruz). Acesse o relatório no campo “Documento relacionado”, abaixo
Erg6 affects membrane composition and virulence of the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans
No full textErgosterol is the most important membrane sterol in fungal cells and a component not found in the membranes of human cells. We identified the ERG6 gene in the AIDS-associated fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans, encoding the sterol C-24 methyltransferase of fungal ergosterol biosynthesis. In this work, we have explored its relationship with high-temperature growth and virulence of C. neoformans by the construction of a loss-of-function mutant. In contrast to other genes involved in ergosterol biosynthesis, C. neoformans ERG6 is not essential for growth under permissive conditions in vitro. However, the erg6 mutant displayed impaired thermotolerance and increased susceptibility to osmotic and oxidative stress, as well as to different antifungal drugs. Total lipid analysis demonstrated a decrease in the erg6Δ strain membrane ergosterol content. In addition, this mutant strain was avirulent in an invertebrate model of C. neoformans infection. C. neoformans Erg6 was cyto-localized in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex. Our results demonstrate that Erg6 is crucial for growth at high temperature and virulence, likely due to its effects on C. neoformans membrane integrity and dynamics. These pathogen-focused investigations into ergosterol biosynthetic pathway components reinforce the multiple roles of ergosterol in the response of diverse fungal species to alterations in the environment, especially that of the infected host. These studies open perspectives to understand the participation of ergosterol in mechanism of resistance to azole and polyene drugs. Observed synergistic growth defects with co-inhibition of Erg6 and other components of the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway suggests novel approaches to treatment in human fungal infections
Profissionais de saúde em tempos de Covid-19
No full textO artigo foi originalmente publicado no jornal O Globo (23/3/2020)
Exploring the success of Brazilian endemic clone Pseudomonas aeruginosa ST277 and its association with the CRISPR-Cas system type I-C
No full textThe Brazilian endemic clone Pseudomonas aeruginosa ST277 carries important antibiotic resistance determinants, highlighting the gene coding for SPM-1 carbapenemase. However, the resistance and persistence of this clone is apparently restricted to the Brazilian territory. To understand the differences between Brazilian strains from those isolated in other countries, we performed a phylogenetic analysis of 47 P. aeruginosa ST277 genomes as well as analyzed the virulence and resistance gene profiles. Furthermore, we evaluated the distribution of genomic islands and assessed in detail the characteristics of the CRISPR-Cas immunity system in these isolates
Apoptosis characterization in mononuclear blood leukocytes of HIV patients during dengue acute disease
No full textDengue virus (DENV) co-circulation in Brazil represents a challenge for treatment and vaccine development. Despite public health impact, the occurrence of coinfections with other viruses is a common event. Increased T cell activation and altered inflammatory response are found during DENV coinfection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) impacting HIV-pathogenesis. Even with Antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV- treated patients had chronic immune activation and lymphocyte apoptosis. However, apoptotic mechanisms have not been investigated during coinfection with DENV. Our attention was attracted to apoptotic cell markers expressions in PBMCs from DENV and DENV/HIV coinfected patients. We found CD4/CD8 ratio inversion in most coinfected patients. CD4 T and CD8 T-cell subsets from DENV and DENV/HIV groups expressed low levels of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Furthermore, CD8 CD95 double positive cells frequency expressing low levels of Bcl-2 were significantly higher in these patients. Additionally, the density of Bcl-2 on classical monocytes (CD14++CD16-) was significantly lower during DENV infection. Upregulation of pro-apoptotic proteins and anti-apoptotic proteins were found in DENV and DENV/HIV, while catalase, an antioxidant protein, was upregulated mainly in DENV/HIV coinfection. These findings provide evidence of apoptosis triggering during DENV/HIV coinfection, which may contribute to knowledge of immunological response during DENV acute infection in HIV-patients treated with ART
Emerging trends in nano‑ and microencapsulation science: hallmarks of the 22nd International Symposium on Microencapsulation
No full text2026-12-0
Maternal mortality and COVID-19
No full textObjective: The aim of this study was to collect and analyze data from different sources to have a general overview of COVID-19-related maternal deaths in Brazil, as well as to compare data with worldwide reports. Study design: We systematically searched data about COVID-19 maternal deaths from the Brazilian Ministry of Health surveillance system, State Departments of Health epidemiological reports, and media coverage. Data about timing of symptom onset and death (pregnancy or postpartum), gestational age, mode of birth, maternal age, comorbidities and/or risk factors, date of death, and place of death were retrieved when available. Results: We identified 20 COVID-19-related maternal deaths, age range 20–43 years. Symptoms onset was reported as on pregnancy for 12 cases, postpartum for 3 cases, and during the cesarean section for 1 case (missing data for 4). In 16 cases, death occurred in the postpartum period. At least one comorbidity or risk factor was present in 11 cases (missing data for 4). Asthma was the most common risk factor (5/11). Ten cases occurred in the Northeast region, and nine cases occurred in the Southeast region (5 of them in S~ao Paulo, the first epicenter of COVID-19 in the country). Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest available series of maternal deaths due to COVID-19. Barriers to access healthcare, differences in pandemic containment measures in the country and high prevalence of concomitant risk factors for COVID-19 severe disease may play a role in the observed disparity compared to worldwide reports on maternal outcomes