Environmental health of water bodies from a Brazilian Amazon Metropolis based on a conventional and metagenomic approach.

Aims: The present study aimed to use a conventional and metagenomic approach to investigate the microbiological diversity of water bodies in a network of drainage channels and rivers located in the central area of the city of Belém, northern Brazil, which is considered one of the largest cities in the Brazilian Amazon.

Methods And Results: In eight of the analyzed points, both bacterial and viral microbiological indicators of environmental contamination-physical-chemical and metals-were assessed. The bacterial resistance genes, drug resistance mechanisms, and viral viability in the environment were also assessed.

HCMV UL97 phosphotransferase gene mutations may be associated with antiviral resistance in immunocompromised patients in Belém, PA, Northern Brazil.

Introduction: Human cytomegalovirus is one of the causes of opportunist infections in immunocompromised patients, and is triggered by factors such as state of viral latency, weakened immune responses, and development of antiviral resistance to ganciclovir, the only drug offered by the public health system in Brazil to treat the infection. The goal of this study was to identify mutations that may be associated with antiviral resistance in immunocompromised patients.

Methods: Molecular analysis was performed in 82 blood samples and subjected to genomic DNA extraction by a silica-based method.

Mechanisms of human cytomegalovirus infection with a focus on epidermal growth factor receptor interactions.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a widespread opportunistic herpesvirus that causes severe diseases in immunocompromised individuals. It has a high prevalence worldwide that is linked with socioeconomic factors. Similar to other herpesviruses, HCMV has the ability to establish lifelong persistence and latent infection following primary exposure.