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de Andrade Junior HF. Eufrosina Setsu Umezawa. Lancet Infect Dis 2024; 24:20. [PMID: 38141642 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(23)00775-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
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Chura-Chambi RM, Prieto-da-Silva ARDB, Di Lela MM, Oliveira JE, Abreu PEA, Meireles LR, de Andrade Junior HF, Morganti L. High level SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid refolding using mild condition for inclusion bodies solubilization: Application of high pressure at pH 9.0. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0262591. [PMID: 35113919 PMCID: PMC8812862 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid (N) is the most abundant viral protein expressed in host samples and is an important antigen for diagnosis. N is a 45 kDa protein that does not present disulfide bonds. Intending to avoid non-specific binding of SARS-CoV-2 N to antibodies from patients who previously had different coronaviruses, a 35 kDa fragment of N was expressed without a conserved motif in E. coli as inclusion bodies (N122-419-IB). Culture media and IB washing conditions were chosen to obtain N122-419-IB with high yield (370 mg/L bacterial culture) and protein purity (90%). High pressure solubilizes protein aggregates by weakening hydrophobic and ionic interactions and alkaline pH promotes solubilization by electrostatic repulsion. The association of pH 9.0 and 2.4 kbar promoted efficient solubilization of N122-419-IB without loss of native-like tertiary structure that N presents in IB. N122-419 was refolded with a yield of 85% (326 mg/L culture) and 95% purity. The refolding process takes only 2 hours and the protein is ready for use after pH adjustment, avoiding the necessity of dialysis or purification. Antibody binding of COVID-19-positive patients sera to N122-419 was confirmed by Western blotting. ELISA using N122-419 is effective in distinguishing between sera presenting antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 from those who do not. To the best of our knowledge, the proposed condition for IB solubilization is one of the mildest described. It is possible that the refolding process can be extended to a wide range of proteins with high yields and purity, even those that are sensible to very alkaline pH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Maria Chura-Chambi
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Matheus Martins Di Lela
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - João Ezequiel Oliveira
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Luciana Regina Meireles
- Laboratório de Protozoologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo,SP, Brazil
| | | | - Ligia Morganti
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Rodrigues JP, Junior HFDA. Efficiency of a Single well IgG, IgM and IgA Anti T. gondii Fluorimetric Assay for Pre-natal Screening for Congenital Toxoplasmosis. J Fluoresc 2022; 32:661-667. [PMID: 35032281 DOI: 10.1007/s10895-022-02892-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, worldwide protozoan disease, is usually benign, except when acute disease occurs in pregnant women, resulting in fetal infection with deaths or high morbidity after birth. Treatment blocks fetal infection or damage after infection, imposing a quick and effective diagnosis. Maternal infection is mostly asymptomatic thus regular serology are the main tool for detect seroconversion and acute infection in prenatal care. Screening test for specific anti T. gondii IgG, IgM and IgA must be quick, cheaper and available for the prenatal care. Fluorescent solid phase assays appears as a good alternative as they allow one well detection of IgG and IgM aside to allow high throughput in 384 wells. Here, we standardize and analyze a single well anti-T. gondii IgG, IgM and IgA immunosorbent fluorescent assay in a large sample of a public hospital. We construct conjugates for each immunoglobulin with specific fluorophores, which allows concomitant detection in a microplate fluorimeter, with stability and reproducibility, allowing cheaper 384 wells use. Tested in our 600 mother samples from a large public hospital, they presented the same reactivity as standard routine tests, but with adequate IgM and IgA screening, as adequately standardized in house ELISA, while the design of most commercial assays give false positive results. The few TFISA positive IgG, IgM and IgA samples also had low avidity IgG, confirming recent infection. TFISA will help a screening toxoplasmosis in pregnancy program in large cities, with , allowing testing large numbers of samples at low cost and must be considered for other serological purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaqueline Polizeli Rodrigues
- Lab. Protozoology, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Pathology Department, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Heitor Franco de Andrade Junior
- Lab. Protozoology, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Pathology Department, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Zorgi NE, Meireles LR, Oliveira DBL, Araujo DB, Durigon EL, Andrade Junior HFD. Isolated specific IgA against respiratory viruses, Influenza or SARS-CoV-2, present in the saliva of a fraction of healthy and asymptomatic volunteers. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2022; 77:100105. [PMID: 36116267 PMCID: PMC9444893 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinsp.2022.100105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Defense against respiratory viruses depends on an immune response present in the mucosa, as saliva IgA secretes antibodies. During the pandemic, such as influenza or SARS-CoV-2, most infected patients are asymptomatic but retain specific antibodies post-infection. The authors evaluated IgG and IgA antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and influenza in the saliva of asymptomatic volunteers, validated with controls or vaccinated individuals. METHODS The authors detected specific antibodies by validated conventional ELISA using natural SARS-CoV-2 antigens from infected Vero cells or capture-ELISA for influenza using natural antigens of the influenza vaccine. RESULTS Saliva from influenza-vaccinated individuals had more IgA than paired serum, contrary to the findings for specific IgG. In COVID-19-vaccinated samples, specific IgA in saliva increased after vaccination, but IgG levels were high after the first dose. In saliva from the asymptomatic population (226), anti-Influenza IgG was found in 57.5% (130) of samples, higher than IgA, found in 35% (79) of samples. IgA results were similar for SARS-CoV-2, with IgA present in 30% (68) of samples, while IgG was less present, in 44.2% (100) of samples. The proportion of influenza IgG responders was higher than that for SARS-CoV-2 IgG, but both populations presented similar proportions of IgA responders, possibly due to variable memory B cell survival. For both viruses, the authors found an important proportion (> 10%) of IgA+IgG- samples, suggesting the occurrence of humoral immunity directed to the mucosa. CONCLUSION Specific antibodies for respiratory viruses in saliva are found in either infection or vaccination and are a convenient and sensitive diagnostic tool for host immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahiara Esteves Zorgi
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Laboratório de Protozoologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo (IMTSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciana R Meireles
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Laboratório de Protozoologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo (IMTSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Danielle Bastos Araujo
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Edson L Durigon
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Heitor Franco de Andrade Junior
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Laboratório de Protozoologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo (IMTSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Sampaio BCF, Rodrigues JP, Meireles LR, Andrade Junior HFD. Measles, rubella, mumps and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in saliva of vaccinated students of schools and universities in São Paulo City, Brazil. Braz J Infect Dis 2019; 24:51-57. [PMID: 31866191 PMCID: PMC9392031 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjid.2019.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Vaccines are well-established public health interventions with major impact on the prevalence of infectious diseases, but outbreaks are occurring frequently due to primary and secondary failures, despite high coverage. Surveillance of efficacy and duration of induced immunity is a difficult task as it requires invasive blood sampling in children and teenagers. Saliva can be an acceptable alternative source of IgG to assess vaccine efficacy and toxoplasmosis incidence. We investigated IgG response for measles, mumps, rubella, and T. gondii in saliva samples of vaccinated young people. Methods Saliva was collected from 249 public schools students from São Paulo, Brazil, aged 7 to 13 years old, during an interactive exhibition on hygiene. We used S. aureus protein A solid phase capture assay for IgG reactive to biotinylated purified proteins. Paired saliva and serum (47) were tested from young adults with serum evidence of T. gondii infection and from negative children less than 12 month old for standardization. Reproducibility was greater than 98% and sensitivity and specificity of the saliva assays were greater than 95%, as well as the concordance of paired saliva and serum samples. Results Saliva from high school students showed a prevalence of 8.5% (95% CI: 5.0–11.9%) for anti T. gondii IgG; 96.8% (94.6–99%) of anti-measles IgG; 59.1% (53–65%) of anti-rubella IgG, and 57.5% (51.3–63.6%) of anti-mumps IgG. Discussion The prevalence of antibodies against mumps and rubella after 6–8 years of vaccination was lower than against measles among students. The findings of this study demonstrate the feasibility of saliva sampling for follow-up of vaccine immune status in teenagers. This useful approach allows for IgG detection for vaccine control or epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Carvalho Fialho Sampaio
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Laboratório de Protozoologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Jaqueline Polizeli Rodrigues
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Laboratório de Protozoologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Luciana Regina Meireles
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Laboratório de Protozoologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Heitor Franco de Andrade Junior
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Laboratório de Protozoologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Medicina, Departamento de Patologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Santos APD, Carvalho MED, Meirelles LR, Andrade Junior HFD. Effect of chaotropes in Chagas disease and leishmaniasis cross-reacting serology assays for epidemiological surveys. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2018; 51:665-669. [DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0391-2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Borborema SET, Osso Junior JA, Tempone AG, de Andrade Junior HF, do Nascimento N. Pharmacokinetic of meglumine antimoniate encapsulated in phosphatidylserine-liposomes in mice model: A candidate formulation for visceral leishmaniasis. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 103:1609-1616. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
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Abstract
Background Vimentin is a main structural protein of the cell, a component of
intermediate cell filaments and immersed in cytoplasm. Vimentin is mimicked
by some bacterial proteins and anti-vimentin antibodies occur in autoimmune
cardiac disease, as rheumatic fever. In this work we studied vimentin
distribution on LLC-MK2 cells infected with T. cruzi and anti-vimentin
antibodies in sera from several clinical pictures of Chagas' disease or
American Trypanosomiasis, in order to elucidate any vimentin involvement in
the humoral response of this pathology. Objective We standardized an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFI) to determine sub
cellular expression in either parasites and host cells, and ELISA to
evaluate anti-vimentin antibodies in sera fron chagasic patients. Methods We analyzed the distribution of vimentin in culture cells using indirect
fluorescent assays, using as external controls anti-T. cruzi sera, derived
from chronic infected patients for identification of the parasites in the
same model. After infection and growth of T.cruzi amastigotes, those cells
express larger amounts of vimentin, with heavy staining of cytoplasm outside
the parasitophorous vacuole and some particle shadowing patterns, suggesting
that vimentin are associated with cell cytoplasm. Anti-vimentin antibodies
were present in most American trypanosomiasis samples, but notably, they are
much more present in acute (76, 9%) or clinical defined syndromes,
especially cardiac disease (87, 9%). Paradoxically, they were relatively
infrequent in asymptomatic (25%) infected patients, which had a clearly
positive serological reaction to parasite antigens, but had low frequency of
anti-vimentin antibodies, similar to controls (2,5%). Conclusion Our current data revealed that anti-vimentin antibodies induced during T.
cruzi infection could be a marker of active disease in the host and its
levels could also justify drug therapy in American Trypanosomiasis chronic
infection, as a large group of asymptomatic patients would be submitted to
treatment with frequent adverse reactions of the available drugs.
Anti-vimentin antibodies could be a marker of cardiac muscle cell damage,
appearing in American Trypanosomiasis patients during active muscle cell
damage.
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Marciano MAM, Andrade Junior HFD, Meireles LR. Avaliação da técnica de ELISA para pesquisa de IgG anti-Toxoplasma gondii em exsudatos de carnes de sol. Braz J Food Technol 2018. [DOI: 10.1590/1981-6723.00917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Resumo Toxoplasmose é uma importante zoonose de veiculação hídrica e alimentar, cujo agente é o Toxoplasma gondii. A toxoplasmose acomete seres humanos e animais de produção. É uma zoonose cosmopolita e sua prevalência está relacionada ao consumo de carne crua ou mal cozida, sendo este hábito considerado um dos principais fatores de risco. O controle do potencial de transmissão da toxoplasmose pela carne é relevante, principalmente em produtos artesanais, como as carnes de sol, que são processadas artesanalmente e podem ser consumidas cruas ou mal passadas. Neste estudo, propomos a avaliação da presença de imunoglobulinas da classe IgG anti-T. gondii pela técnica de imunoensaio ELISA, padronizando uma diluição do exsudato cárneo obtido pelo descongelamento das carnes de sol produzidas a partir de músculos de animais experimentais e também de carnes de sol comercializadas em “Casas do Norte”. Nossos resultados demonstram que o potencial do exsudato cárneo como um material biológico é limitado em carnes processadas, possibilitando o ensaio somente das amostras que obtiveram uma absorbância em densidade óptica (DO) igual ou superior a 0,116, faixa que garante a presença de sangue suficiente para o ensaio da ELISA, permitindo aferir imunoglobulinas específicas anti-T. gondii. Dentre as 32 amostras de carne de sol obtidas de cortes de bovinos experimentais, somente nove (28%) apresentaram sangue suficiente para ser ensaiadas, mensuradas pela DO igual ou superior a 0,116, sendo sete positivas, obtidas de cortes de animais infectados, e duas negativas, confeccionadas com cortes de animais controle. Dentre as 42 amostras de exsudatos de carne de sol obtidas no varejo, somente seis (14,28%) apresentaram sangue suficiente para serem ensaiadas e somente uma apresentou imunoglobulinas anti-T. gondii, concordante com dados da literatura. Nossos resultados são promissores e demonstram a importância do desenvolvimento de pesquisa e novas abordagens no controle sanitário dos alimentos ofertados à população.
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Ribeiro CDM, Zorgi NE, Meireles LR, Garcia JL, Andrade Junior HFD. CD19 LYMPHOCYTE PROLIFERATION INDUCED BY Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis IN C57BL/6 MICE EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED WITH Toxoplasma gondii. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2016; 58:26. [PMID: 27074320 PMCID: PMC4826079 DOI: 10.1590/s1678-9946201658026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is frequently acquired through the oral route by the ingestion of cysts
or oocysts of Toxoplasma gondii. Once ingested, the parasites
penetrate the intestinal epithelial cells and rapidly disseminate to all organs in
the host. During T. gondii infection, the intestinal microbiota
plays an important role in stimulating a protective immune response against the
parasite. In this sense the use of probiotics is worthy of note since they are live
microorganisms that have beneficial effects on the host through stimulation of the
immune response that can be important in the control of T. gondii
proliferation and dissemination in the host. In the present study, the action of the
probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis
was investigated in C57BL/6 mice infected with oocysts of ME49 strain of T.
gondii. The probiotic had an immunomodulatory action, inducing CD19
lymphocyte proliferation and consequently increasing anti-T. gondii
antibody level.Bifidobacterium animalis subsp.
lactisprovided protection in supplemented mice, compared to the
control group. In addition, supplemented animals had milder inflammatory process in
the small intestine, indicating that the probiotic protects the intestinal mucosa
during infection with T. gondii. It was concluded that the
probioticB. animalis subsp. lactis induces
humoral immune response capable of providing protection against T.
gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nahiara Esteves Zorgi
- São Paulo Tropical Medicine Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, , , ,
| | - Luciana Regina Meireles
- São Paulo Tropical Medicine Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, , , ,
| | - João Luis Garcia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil,
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Borborema SET, Osso Junior JA, Andrade Junior HFD, Nascimento ND. Antimonial drugs entrapped into phosphatidylserine liposomes: physicochemical evaluation and antileishmanial activity. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2016; 49:196-203. [DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0041-2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
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Corrêa VR, Barbosa FG, Melo Junior CAD, D'Albuquerque e Castro LF, Andrade Junior HFD, Nascimento N. Uneventful benznidazole treatment of acute Chagas disease during pregnancy: a case report. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2014; 47:397-400. [PMID: 25075496 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0250-2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2013] [Accepted: 01/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This report describes the case of a patient with acute Chagas disease in Tocantins, Brazil, who was unaware of her pregnancy during benznidazole treatment. She presented with impaired cardiac function during the acute phase (pericarditis and incomplete right bundle-branch block) that resolved favorably after benznidazole therapy. Serological results also became negative, as determined by hemagglutination assays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and immunofluorescence assays. The child was born without sequelae and showed no evidence of congenital Trypanosoma cruzi infection at birth or 24 days later.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Rita Corrêa
- Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto Tocantinense Presidente Antonio Carlos, Araguaina, TO, Brasil
| | - Fernanda Gama Barbosa
- Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto Tocantinense Presidente Antonio Carlos, Araguaina, TO, Brasil
| | | | | | | | - Nanci Nascimento
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Tome ACN, Canello TB, Luna EJDA, Andrade Junior HFD. Health problems awareness during travel among faculty members of a large university in Latin America: preliminary report. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2013; 55:55-9. [PMID: 23328727 DOI: 10.1590/s0036-46652013000100010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2012] [Accepted: 07/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Health safety during trips is based on previous counseling, vaccination and prevention of infections, previous diseases or specific problems related to the destination. Our aim was to assess two aspects, incidence of health problems related to travel and the traveler's awareness of health safety. To this end we phone-interviewed faculty members of a large public University, randomly selected from humanities, engineering and health schools. Out of 520 attempts, we were able to contact 67 (12.9%) and 46 (68.6%) agreed to participate in the study. There was a large male proportion (37/44, 84.1%), mature adults mostly in their forties and fifties (32/44, 72.7%), all of them with higher education, as you would expect of faculty members. Most described themselves as being sedentary or as taking occasional exercise, with only 15.9% (7/44) taking regular exercise. Preexisting diseases were reported by 15 travelers. Most trips lasted usually one week or less. Duration of the travel was related to the destination, with (12h) or longer trips being taken by 68.2% (30/44) of travelers, and the others taking shorter (3h) domestic trips. Most travelling was made by air (41/44) and only 31.8% (14/44) of the trips were motivated by leisure. Field research trips were not reported. Specific health counseling previous to travel was reported only by two (4.5%). Twenty seven of them (61.4%) reported updated immunization, but 11/30 reported unchecked immunizations. 30% (9/30) reported travel without any health insurance coverage. As a whole group, 6 (13.6%) travelers reported at least one health problem attributed to the trip. All of them were males travelling abroad. Five presented respiratory infections, such as influenza and common cold, one neurological, one orthopedic, one social and one hypertension. There were no gender differences regarding age groups, destination, type of transport, previous health counseling, leisure travel motivation or pre-existing diseases. Interestingly, the two cases of previous health counseling were made by domestic travelers. Our data clearly shows that despite a significant number of travel related health problems, these highly educated faculty members, had a low awareness of those risks, and a significant number of travels are made without prior counseling or health insurance. A counseling program conducted by a tourism and health professional must be implemented for faculty members in order to increase the awareness of travel related health problems.
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Treiger Borborema SE, Schwendener RA, Osso Junior JA, de Andrade Junior HF, do Nascimento N. Uptake and antileishmanial activity of meglumine antimoniate-containing liposomes in Leishmania (Leishmania) major-infected macrophages. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2011; 38:341-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2011.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2011] [Revised: 05/05/2011] [Accepted: 05/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Cursino SRT, Costa TBD, Yamamoto JH, Meireles LR, Silva MALG, Andrade Junior HFD. Increased frequency of anti-retina antibodies in asymptomatic patients with chronic t. gondii infection. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2010; 65:1027-32. [PMID: 21120306 PMCID: PMC2972596 DOI: 10.1590/s1807-59322010001000018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2010] [Accepted: 09/16/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To search for anti-retina antibodies that serve as markers for eye disease in uveitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Stored sera from patients with uveitis, ocular toxoplasmosis (n = 30) and non-infectious, immune-mediated uveitis (n = 50) and from asymptomatic individuals who were positive (n = 250) and negative (n = 250) for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were tested. Serum anti-retina IgG was detected by an optimized ELISA using a solid-phase whole human retina extract, bovine S-antigen or interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein. RESULTS Uveitis patients showed a higher mean reactivity to whole human retina extract, interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein and S-antigen in comparison to the asymptomatic population. These findings were independent of the uveitis origin and allowed the determination of the lower anti-retina antibody cut-off for the three antigens. Asymptomatic anti-Toxoplasma serum-positive individuals showed a higher frequency of antihuman whole retina extract antibodies in comparison to asymptomatic anti-Toxoplasma serum-negative patients. The bovine S-antigen and interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein ELISAs also showed a higher mean reactivity in the uveitis groups compared to the asymptomatic group, but the observed reactivities were lower and overlapped without discrimination. CONCLUSION We detected higher levels of anti-retina antibodies in uveitis patients and in a small fraction of asymptomatic patients with chronic toxoplasmosis. The presence of anti-retina antibodies in sera might be a marker of eye disease in asymptomatic patients, especially when whole human retina extract is used in a solid-phase ELISA.
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Okay TS, Yamamoto L, Oliveira LC, Manuli ER, Andrade Junior HFD, Del Negro GMB. Significant performance variation among PCR systems in diagnosing congenital toxoplasmosis in São Paulo, Brazil: analysis of 467 amniotic fluid samples. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2009; 64:171-6. [PMID: 19330240 PMCID: PMC2666456 DOI: 10.1590/s1807-59322009000300004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2008] [Accepted: 11/01/2008] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Performance variation among PCR systems in detecting Toxoplasma gondii has been extensively reported and associated with target genes, primer composition, amplification parameters, treatment during pregnancy, host genetic susceptibility and genotypes of different parasites according to geographical characteristics. PATIENTS A total of 467 amniotic fluid samples from T. gondii IgM- and IgG-positive Brazilian pregnant women being treated for 1 to 6 weeks at the time of amniocentesis (gestational ages of 14 to 25 weeks). METHODS One nested-B1-PCR and three one-round amplification systems targeted to rDNA, AF146527 and the B1 gene were employed. RESULTS Of the 467 samples, 189 (40.47%) were positive for one-round amplifications: 120 (63.49%) for the B1 gene, 24 (12.69%) for AF146527, 45 (23.80%) for both AF146527 and the B1 gene, and none for rDNA. Fifty previously negative one-round PCR samples were chosen by computer-assisted randomization analysis and re-tested (nested-B1-PCR), during which nine additional cases were detected (9/50 or 18%). DISCUSSION The B1 gene PCR was far more sensitive than the AF146527 PCR, and the rDNA PCR was the least effective even though the rDNA had the most repetitive sequence. Considering that the four amplification systems were equally affected by treatment, that the amplification conditions were optimized for the target genes and that most of the primers have already been reported, it is plausible that the striking differences found among PCR performances could be associated with genetic diversity in patients and/or with different Toxoplasma gondii genotypes occurring in Brazil. CONCLUSION The use of PCR for the diagnosis of fetal Toxoplasma infections in Brazil should be targeted to the B1 gene when only one gene can be amplified, preferably by nested amplification with primers B22/B23.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thelma Suely Okay
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation, Instituto da Criança, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo - São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
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Viso ATR, Barbosa TDC, Yamamoto L, Pagliari C, Fernandes ER, Brasil RA, Andrade Junior HFD, Duarte MIS, Barone AA. Portal cd4+ and cd8+ t lymphocyte correlate to intensity of interface hepatitis in chronic hepatitis C. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2007; 49:371-8. [DOI: 10.1590/s0036-46652007000600007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2006] [Accepted: 08/15/2007] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C is still a matter of debate. CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes (TL) are typically observed within the portal and periportal spaces of affected livers, but their functional role in hepatitis C progression has not been fully elucidated. METHODS: CD4+ and CD8+ TL were quantified by immunohistochemistry in portal and periportal spaces of 39 liver biopsies from patients with chronic hepatitis C. They were associated to demographic data, histological parameters, laboratory findings of patients and hepatitis C genotypes. RESULTS: There was high numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ TL from which the density of CD4+ T was higher than CD8+ TL in portal and periportal spaces. CD4+ and CD8+ TL were directly correlated to intensity of interface hepatitis. CD8+ TL correlated to serum enzyme levels. CONCLUSION: The high numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ TL in portal and periportal spaces and their correlation to interface hepatitis suggest that hepatitis C evolution depends on the action of intrahepatic T lymphocytes, lending support to the notion of an immune-mediated mechanism in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C.
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Coghi S, Bortoletto MC, Sampaio SAP, Andrade Junior HFD, Aoki V. Quality of life is severely compromised in adult patients with atopic dermatitis in Brazil, especially due to mental components. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2007; 62:235-42. [PMID: 17589662 DOI: 10.1590/s1807-59322007000300006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2006] [Accepted: 12/19/2006] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE to measure the quality of life (QoL), either by a specific dermatology or generic self applied questionnaire, in Atopic dermatitis adult Brazilian patients, looking for selected affected groups. METHODS We studied the quality of life of 75 Brazilian ambulatory adults with atopic dermatitis using two types of self-answered instruments: a quality of life generic questionnaire (SF-36) and a 10-item Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire. All patients had been treated for at least 6 months, and their disease status was determined by Eczema Area and Severity Index scores. RESULTS Quality of life and disease control were found to be related but with low scores both in DLQI (r(2)=0.26) and in SF-36 (r(2)=0.20), but with greater correlation for SF-36 mental components. Using the 75% percentile distribution of SF36 mean score and the 75% value of disease severity score, we sorted patients into four groups: I, referring good QoL and mild atopic disease (14/75), II, referring bad QoL and with mild atopic disease (19/75), III referring good QoL despite severe atopic disease (5/75) and IV referring bad QoL and severe atopic disease (37/75); all groups presented similar age, education, family income and time of disease progression. There was a higher frequency of women in group II, but without sleep disturbance or increased pruritus, which was present in group IV, with intense itching and sleep disturbances. Analyzing the physical or mental components of the SF36 generic test, discrepant groups II and III presented higher differences related to the mental components of the test, which was also related to DLQI scores, with a similar distribution for the 2 groups and a higher relation to the mental component of the generic test. CONCLUSION The quality of life is affected in adult atopic patients, both related to disease severity and also to mental components, but with diverse effects in patient subgroups. Our data show some components that may mask the exact relationship between QoL results and disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Coghi
- Dermatology Department, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Quaresma JAS, Barros VLRS, Fernandes ER, Pagliari C, Guedes F, da Costa Vasconcelos PF, de Andrade Junior HF, Duarte MIS. Immunohistochemical examination of the role of Fas ligand and lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of human liver yellow fever. Virus Res 2005; 116:91-7. [PMID: 16219382 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2005.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2005] [Revised: 08/24/2005] [Accepted: 08/24/2005] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Yellow fever is an infectious, non-contagious disease caused by an RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae, which is transmitted to man by the bite of hematophagous mosquitoes. Infection with the yellow fever virus can progress with lesions in the heart, kidneys, central nervous system, and liver. In the liver, the histopathological picture is characterized by necrosis, steatosis and hepatocyte apoptosis, with a preferential midzone distribution. In the present study, liver samples from fatal patients with yellow fever were analyzed. The histopathological pattern was characterized by steatosis, lytic necrosis and hepatocyte apoptosis associated with a moderate mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate. The inflammatory component mainly consisted of CD4+ T lymphocytes, followed by CD8+ T lymphocytes, which showed a preferential portal and midzone distribution. Immunoreactivity to Fas ligand was mainly observed in hepatocytes of the midzone region. Based on these findings, we conclude that lymphocytes play an important role in the genesis of hepatic lesions in severe yellow fever, inducing hepatocyte apoptosis through the binding to Fas receptors. However, further studies are necessary to investigate the participation of other immune factors and to quantify the role of the cytotoxic cellular response in the lesion evolution during the course of disease in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juarez Antonio Simões Quaresma
- Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Pará, Av. Generalissimo Deodoro 92, 66055-240, Belém, Pará, Brazil.
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Garnica MR, Silva JS, de Andrade Junior HF. Stromal cell-derived factor-1 production by spleen cells is affected by nitric oxide in protective immunity against blood-stage Plasmodium chabaudi CR in C57BL/6j mice. Immunol Lett 2004; 89:133-42. [PMID: 14556970 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2003.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Malaria, a major endemic tropical disease, is caused by the infection of blood cells by Plasmodium protozoa. Most patients control their parasitemia by a not fully understood spleen-dependent mechanism. SDF-1alpha is a chemokine produced by stromal cells such as reticular spleen cells. Nitric oxide (NO) has several immune functions, including killing of intracellular pathogens and its function in malaria is debated. We have previously shown that SDF-1alpha production peaks during the ascending parasitemia in Plasmodium chabaudi infection and its supplementation in lethal models could reduce the parasitemia. In the present study, we analyzed SDF-1 production by spleen cells as related to NO metabolism in the P. chabaudi rodent malaria model using IFN-gamma; TNFR and iNOS-knockout mice or iNOS-blocked, L-NAME- or aminoguanidine-treated mice. Parasitemia and production of SDF-1alpha and SDF-1beta were determined by RT-PCR. In vitro NO production by spleen adherent cells was also tested. The data showed that parasitemia was less intense in both iNOS(-/-) or NO-inhibited mice than in controls, with increased and long-lasting production of SDF-1alpha mRNA. In the absence of cytokines involved in the final regulation of NO production by effector cells, as is the case for TNFR(-/-) and GKO mice, the infection progressed in an uncontrolled manner regardless of SDF-1alpha production, suggesting that these cytokines must be involved in the control of parasitemia after the SDF-1alpha dependent process. The SDF-1beta isoform was constitutive in all experiments, with elevated levels only clearly seen in TNFR(-/-) mice. We conclude that SDF-1 is involved in the promotion of parasitemia control in malaria, and excessive NO could affect its production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margoth Ramos Garnica
- Lab. Protozoologia, lnstituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr.E.C. Aguiar 470, 05403-000, SP, São Paulo, Brazil
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Rath S, Trivelin LA, Imbrunito TR, Tomazela DM, Jesús MND, Marzal PC, Andrade Junior HFD, Tempone AG. Antimoniais empregados no tratamento da leishmaniose: estado da arte. QUIM NOVA 2003. [DOI: 10.1590/s0100-40422003000400018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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