The urine protein/creatinine ratio as a reliable indicator of 24-h urine protein excretion across different levels of renal function and proteinuria: the TUNARI prospective study.

Background: The 24-h urine protein (24-hUP) excretion is the gold standard for evaluating proteinuria. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of protein/creatinine ratio (PCR) for estimating 24-hUP at various levels of renal function and proteinuria levels.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2021 and December 2023 in Salvador, Bahia-Brazil, as an extension of previously published data from the TUNARI study.

Cognitive Assessment in HTLV-1 Patients Followed Up at a Reference Center in Salvador, Brazil.

Introduction: Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is endemic to Brazil, and there is still no specific treatment for these patients. The literature shows that few studies have described the cognitive impairment associated with an HTLV-1 infection, with none of them examining the population of Salvador, where there are approximately forty thousand people infected with the virus.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment among individuals with HTLV-1.

A Systematical Review on ART Use in HTLV Infection: Clinical, Virological, and Immunological Outcomes.

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) infection affects over ten million people worldwide, but there is no effective treatment so far. This review describes the virological, immunological, and clinical outcomes of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in people with HTLV infection. This systematic review followed PRISMA reporting guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO: CRD42022350076.

MTOR gene variants are associated with severe COVID-19 outcomes: A multicenter study.

Background: The worst outcomes linked to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection have been attributed to the cytokine storm, which contributes significantly to the immunopathogenesis of the disease. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is essential for orchestrating innate immune cell defense including cytokine production and is dysregulated in severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) individuals. The individual genetic background might play a role in the exacerbated immune response.

Comparison of Urinary Protein/Creatinine Ratio as an Alternative to 24-h Proteinuria in Lupus Nephritis: TUNARI Study.

Background: Lupus nephritis (LN) occurs in approximately 50% of people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The 24-h proteinuria (gold standard) is measured among other tests for the control and monitoring of LN activity. This study investigates the use of the protein/creatinine ratio (PCR) as an alternative for the detection of proteinuria and its accuracy compared to the gold standard in a predominantly non-white population.

Lambda light chain-induced monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance, manifesting with Fanconi Syndrome and osteomalacia.

Background: Monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) encompasses a heterogeneous group of kidney diseases in which a monoclonal immunoglobulin secreted by a clone of B cells or plasma cells causes kidney damage without meeting the hematological criteria for malignancy. Among the various forms of involvement, MGRS can manifest as a proximal tubule disorder, such as Fanconi syndrome (FS), characterized by urinary loss of phosphate, glucose, amino acids, uric acid and bicarbonate. Few cases of MGRS have been described in the literature, manifesting as FS and monoclonal production of lambda light chains, almost all of which are secondary to the production of kappa light chains.

SARS-CoV-2 Incidence, signs and symptoms and main risk factors for COVID-19 infection in Health Care Workers: A hospital-wide survey in Salvador, Brazil.

Background: Brazil is the third country most affected by Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the world. Health care workers (HCWs) are at higher risk of infection. Despite the increasing numbers of studies on the topic, There are gaps in the knowledge of characteristics and risk factors for infection of HCWS.

Clinical and Laboratory Outcomes in HIV-1 and HTLV-1/2 Coinfection: A Systematic Review.

Aim: To perform a systematic review to describe the available findings on clinical outcomes in HIV-1 and HTLV-1/HTLV-2 co-infected individuals since 1995.

Design: This Systematic Review used PECO criteria follow by PRISMA reporting guidelines and registered as CRD42021279062 (Prospero database). The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale assessed the methodological quality of included studies.

High Prevalence of Frailty and Prefrailty Status in Brazilian Patients Living with HIV.

Frailty is associated with an increased probability of serious adverse health outcomes in the geriatric general population. People living with HIV have a higher prevalence of frailty. However, the magnitude of this problem in younger patients in South America is unknown.