The importance of confirmatory assays in testing blood donors for human T-cell lymphotropic virus.

Background And Objectives: Serological HTLV-1/2 screening is mandatory for blood donor candidates in Brazil. Our objective was to analyse HTLV test results in blood donors submitted for screening and confirmatory assays in a Brazilian blood bank.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective analysis (2017-2022) results of chemiluminescence immunoassays and confirmatory tests for HTLV-1/2 in reactive donors were performed.

New anti-SARS-CoV-2 aminoadamantane compounds as antiviral candidates for the treatment of COVID-19.

Here, the antiviral activity of aminoadamantane derivatives were evaluated against SARS-CoV-2. The compounds exhibited low cytotoxicity to Vero, HEK293 and CALU-3 cells up to a concentration of 1,000 µM. The inhibitory concentration (IC) of aminoadamantane was 39.

Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 immunogenicity: loss of immunodominant HLA-A*02-restricted epitopes that activate CD8 T cells.

Introduction And Methods: In this present work, coronavirus subfamilies and SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern (VOCs) were investigated for the presence of MHC-I immunodominant viral peptides using in silico and tools.

Results: In our results, HLA-A*02 haplotype showed the highest number of immunodominant epitopes but with the lowest combined prediction score. Furthermore, a decrease in combined prediction score was observed for HLA-A*02-restricted epitopes when the original strain was compared to the VOCs, indicating that the mutations on the VOCs are promoting escape from HLA-A2-mediated antigen presentation, which characterizes a immune evasion process.

Vaccinia virus induces endoplasmic reticulum stress and activates unfolded protein responses through the ATF6α transcription factor.

Background: Cell responses to different stress inducers are efficient mechanisms that prevent and fight the accumulation of harmful macromolecules in the cells and also reinforce the defenses of the host against pathogens. Vaccinia virus (VACV) is an enveloped, DNA virus, belonging to the Poxviridae family. Members of this family have evolved numerous strategies to manipulate host responses to stress controlling cell survival and enhancing their replicative success.

Diversity of HLA-A2-Restricted and Immunodominant Epitope Repertoire of Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 (HTLV-1) Tax Protein: Novel Insights among N-Terminal, Central and C-Terminal Regions.

The present study sought to search for the immunodominance related to the N-terminal, Central and C-terminal regions of HTLV-1 Tax using novel, cutting-edge peptide microarray analysis. In addition, in silico predictions were performed to verify the presence of nine amino acid peptides present along Tax restricted to the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2.02*01 haplotype, as well as to verify the ability to induce pro-inflammatory and regulatory cytokines, such as IFN-γ and IL-4, respectively.

and arboviral MHC class I-restricted-epitope signatures reveal immunodominance and poor overlapping patterns.

Introduction: The present work sought to identify MHC-I-restricted peptide signatures for arbovirus using in silico and in vitro peptide microarray tools.

Methods: First, an in-silico analysis of immunogenic epitopes restricted to four of the most prevalent human MHC class-I was performed by identification of MHC affinity score. For that, more than 10,000 peptide sequences from 5 Arbovirus and 8 different viral serotypes, namely Zika (ZIKV), Dengue (DENV serotypes 1-4), Chikungunya (CHIKV), Mayaro (MAYV) and Oropouche (OROV) viruses, in addition to YFV were analyzed.

Developing a Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Subtype B Vaccine Prototype Using a Recombinant MVA Vector.

The (FIV) is a retrovirus with global impact and distribution, affecting both domestic and wild cats. This virus can cause severe and progressive immunosuppression culminating in the death of felids. Since the discovery of FIV, only one vaccine has been commercially available.

A potent inflammatory response is triggered in asymptomatic blood donors with recent SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Background: The inflammatory response plays a significant role in the outcome of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Methods: We investigated plasma cytokine and chemokine concentrations in non-infected (NI), asymptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected blood donors (AS), and patients with severe COVID-19 (SC).

Results: The SC group showed significantly higher levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-10, and CCL5 than the AS and NI groups.

Multi-Epitope Protein as a Tool of Serological Diagnostic Development for HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 Infections.

A multi-epitope protein expressed in a prokaryotic system, including epitopes of Env, Gag, and Tax proteins of both HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 was characterized for HTLV-1/2 serological screening. This tool can contribute to support the implementation of public policies to reduce HTLV-1/2 transmission in Brazil, the country with the highest absolute numbers of HTLV-1/2 infected individuals. The chimeric protein was tested in EIA using serum/plasma of HTLV-infected individuals and non-infected ones from four Brazilian states, including the North and Northeast regions (that present high prevalence of HTLV-1/2) and Southeast region (that presents intermediate prevalence rates) depicting different epidemiological context of HTLV-1/2 infection in our country.

Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella variicola Isolated in the Urine of Healthy Bovine Heifers, a Potential Risk as an Emerging Human Pathogen.

Klebsiella variicola, a member of Klebsiella pneumoniae complex, is found to infect plants, insects, and animals and is considered an emerging pathogen in humans. While antibiotic resistance is often prevalent among K. variicola isolates from humans, this has not been thoroughly investigated in isolates from nonhuman sources.

Pro-inflammatory immune profile mediated by TNF and IFN-γ and regulated by IL-10 is associated to IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic blood donors.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has infected and killed millions of people, but little is known about the risk factors that lead to the development of severe, mild or asymptomatic conditions after infection. The individual immune response and the balance of cytokines and chemokines have been shown to be important for the prognosis of patients. Additionally, it is essential to understand how the production of specific antibodies with viral neutralizing capacity is established.

and Isolated From Urine of Healthy Bovine Have Potential as Emerging Human and Bovine Pathogens.

The study of livestock microbiota has immediate benefits for animal health as well as mitigating food contamination and emerging pathogens. While prior research has indicated the gastrointestinal tract of cattle as the source for many zoonoses, including Shiga-toxin producing and antibiotic resistant bacteria, the bovine urinary tract microbiota has yet to be thoroughly investigated. Here, we describe 5 and 4 strains isolated from urine of dairy Gyr cattle.

SARS-CoV-2 IgG Seroprevalence among Blood Donors as a Monitor of the COVID-19 Epidemic, Brazil.

During epidemics, data from different sources can provide information on varying aspects of the epidemic process. Serology-based epidemiologic surveys could be used to compose a consistent epidemic scenario. We assessed the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) IgG in serum samples collected from 7,837 blood donors in 7 cities of Brazil during March-December 2020.

HCV infection in hemophilia A patients is associated with altered cytokines and chemokines profile and might modulate the levels of FVIII inhibitor.

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is high in hemophilia A patients and the development of FVIII inhibitor is another challenge in the management of these individuals. The influence of HCV infection in the occurrence of inhibitors was investigated by the comparison of clinical and laboratory data from noninfected (NI, n = 96) and chronically HCV-infected (HCV, n = 58) hemophilia A patients. Concentrations of plasmatic cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF, IFN-γ, and IL-17A) and chemokines (CCL2, CCL5, CXCL8, CXCL9, and CXCL10) were quantified from patients' samples.

, resident member of the urogenital microbiota?

is a Gram-positive species previously isolated from human urine. Although other species from the same genus have been associated with urinary tract infections, is currently believed to be a non-pathogenic member of the urogenital microbiota. Prior to our study, only two isolates were described in the literature, and very little is known about the species.

Laboratory diagnosis of human T-lymphotropic virus in Brazil: assays, flowcharts, challenges, and perspectives.

Introduction: We present a data analysis and review of recent studies regarding the laboratory diagnosis of human T-lymphotropic virus 1 and 2 (HTLV-1/2) infections in Brazil.

Methods: Target populations, available diagnostic serological assays (screening and complementary tests), molecular assays (in-house), causes of false-positive and false-negative results, and flowcharts were analyzed.

Results: A table presents the target populations, two diagnostic flowcharts (depending on laboratory infrastructure and study population), and recent research that may improve how HTLV-1/2 is diagnosed in Brazil.

Will a little change do you good? A putative role of polymorphisms in COVID-19.

An alarming disease caused by the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) named COVID-19 has emerged as an unprecedented public health problem and ignited a world health crisis. As opposed to what was believed at the beginning of the pandemic, the virus has not only spread but persevere causing secondary waves and challenging the concept of herd immunity against viral infections. While the majority of SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals may remain asymptomatic, a fraction of individuals may develop low to high-grade severity signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

Vagococcus fluvialis isolation and sequencing from urine of healthy cattle.

While the gram-positive bacterium Vagococcus fluvialis has been isolated from the environment as well as fish, birds, and mammals, very little is known about the species. V. fluvialis is believed to be a probiotic in fishes.

Nanosensors based on LSPR are able to serologically differentiate dengue from Zika infections.

The Flaviviridae virus family was named after the Yellow-fever virus, and the latin term flavi means "of golden color". Dengue, caused by Dengue virus (DENV), is one of the most important infectious diseases worldwide. A sensitive and differential diagnosis is crucial for patient management, especially due to the occurrence of serological cross-reactivity to other co-circulating flaviviruses.

Three Draft Genome Sequences of Species Isolated from the Urine of Healthy Bovine Heifers (Gyr Breed).

Members of the genus are known pathogens causing mastitis in dairy cows, which results in major economic losses. Here, we present UFMG-H7, UFMG-H7B, and UFMG-H6, isolated from the urine of healthy purebred Gyr heifers.

Draft Genome Sequences of Three Enterococcus casseliflavus Strains Isolated from the Urine of Healthy Bovine Heifers (Gyr Breed).

is a commensal bacterium present in the intestinal microbiota of different animals. Previous studies have found that strains isolated from livestock are often resistant to many different antibiotics. Here, we present three strains, UFMG-H7, UFMG-H8, and UFMG-H9, isolated from urine collected from healthy dairy heifers in Brazil.

Draft Genome Sequence of Enterobacter asburiae UFMG-H9, Isolated from Urine from a Healthy Bovine Heifer (Gyr Breed).

is part of the complex, related to nosocomial opportunistic infections in humans. Here, we report the draft genome of strain UFMG-H9, an isolate from urine from a healthy Gyr heifer.

Draft Genome Sequence of Aeromonas caviae UFMG-H8, Isolated from Urine from a Healthy Bovine Heifer (Gyr Breed).

is an emerging pathogen in humans, causing intestinal infections. Here, we report strain UFMG-H8, isolated from the urine of a healthy heifer (Gyr breed).

Draft Genome Sequence of Citrobacter freundii UFMG-H9, Isolated from Urine from a Healthy Bovine Heifer (Gyr Breed).

is a pathogen associated with antibiotic resistance and severe infections in humans. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of strain UFMG-H9, an isolate from urine from a healthy Gyr heifer.