Publications by authors named "Gilberto Silva Nunes Bezerra"

Article Synopsis
  • Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a tropical disease caused by a parasite, influenced by environmental and genetic factors, particularly the genetic variations in cytokine genes.
  • This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the impact of specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in interleukin genes on the susceptibility or resistance to VL, using data from multiple scientific databases.
  • The analysis revealed significant associations between SNPs in the IFN-γ and IL-18 genes with VL, suggesting that these genetic variations could influence disease outcomes, while no significant links were found for IL-10 gene SNPs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected tropical disease that is potentially fatal when untreated. Current diagnostic methods have limitations that contribute to ongoing transmission and poor prognosis. Thus, new tests are needed to provide quick, accurate diagnoses and evaluate clinical progression and treatment efficacy.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Rhododendron ponticum (R. ponticum), a rapidly spreading invasive species in Ireland, was investigated for its potential use in creating sustainable bioproducts. This study explored the utilization of R.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The COVID-19 pandemic was caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, leading to serious health issues including severe respiratory problems and potential death, especially in regions with high rates of HIV and Leishmania infantum infections.
  • A case study of a 48-year-old woman in Brazil showed she was hospitalized for 36 days with a complicated coinfection of SARS-CoV-2, HIV, and Leishmania infantum, experiencing severe symptoms and concerning lab results, including low oxygen saturation and abnormal blood markers.
  • Despite her critical condition and the complications from the coinfection, she was eventually discharged, highlighting the need for more research on how to effectively diagnose and manage patients with similar coexisting infections amid the COVID-19
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Asymptomatic , when associated with HIV, can become severe and potentially fatal. In this co-infection, the worst prognosis may be influenced by the host's immunological aspects, which are crucial in determining susceptibility. Chemokines play an important role in this process by influencing the cellular composition at affected sites and impacting the disease's outcome.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • - Leprosy remains a significant public health issue in South America, Africa, and Oceania, highlighting the need for national program evaluations and the development of new indicators using survival analysis.
  • - This study utilized survival analysis surveys to examine the time until specific health outcomes for individuals affected by or exposed to leprosy, reviewing 28 articles from various countries.
  • - Key findings showed average follow-up times for leprosy outcomes, including a 2.3-year exposure period, 5.9 years for relapses, and up to 8.3 years for physical disabilities, indicating that survival analysis can improve evaluations of leprosy programs and inform public health strategies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected parasitic disease characterized by symptoms like fever, spleen enlargement, and anemia, yet many individuals show no symptoms at all, complicating diagnosis.* -
  • Current diagnostic methods are ineffective for asymptomatic cases, leading researchers to explore molecular techniques, particularly PCR, which have shown promise in identifying these cases through systematic review.* -
  • Expert opinions highlight that qPCR targeting RNA could improve the diagnosis of asymptomatic VL, emphasizing the need for further research on various ribosomal RNA targets to shape public health policies.*
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in HIV-positive individuals is a global health problem. HIV-Leishmania coinfection worsens prognosis and mortality risk, and HIV-Leishmania coinfected individuals are more susceptible to VL relapses. Early initiation of antiretroviral therapy can protect against Leishmania infection in individuals living in VL-endemic areas, and regular use of antiretrovirals might prevent VL relapses in these individuals.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a life-threatening infection remaining as one of the most neglected tropical diseases around the world. Despite scientific advances, an accurate diagnosis of VL remains a challenge. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) has emerged as a promising diagnostic tool with the possibility of becoming a point-of-care test to guide VL diagnosis and treatment.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Visceral leishmaniasis is a serious and debilitating infection with high fatality rate in tropical and subtropical countries. As clinical symptoms of visceral leishmaniasis are not so specific, confirmatory diagnostic methods with high sensitivity and specificity are needed. Noninvasive methods have been developed using urine as a clinical sample for visceral leishmaniasis diagnosis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF