Diagnosis and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection among household contacts in inland Bahia, Brazil: a cross-sectional follow-up study.

Background: The diagnosis and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) are crucial for tuberculosis (TB) control. Household contacts (HHC) of patients with pulmonary TB are at a high risk of LTBI due to their close proximity to source cases.

Objective: To describe the diagnosis and treatment of LTBI among HHC.

Allele Frequencies and Forensic Data of 25 STR Markers for Individuals in Northeast Brazil.

Identifying DNA markers such as Short Tandem Repeats (STR) can be used to investigate genetic diversity based on levels of heterozygosity within and between populations. Allele frequencies and forensic data for STRs were obtained from a sample of 384 unrelated individuals living in Bahia, Northeastern Brazil. Thus, the present study aimed to identify the allele frequency distribution, in addition to the forensic and genetic data, of 25 STR loci in the population of Bahia.

Comparing cytokine production and clinical response following vaccination with BCG Moreau and BCG Russia strains in a Brazilian infant population.

Introduction: BCG is the only licensed vaccine against tuberculosis (TB) and, in Brazil, comprises part of the recommended vaccine schedule within the first month of life. Due to a local manufacturing shortage of BCG Moreau, BCG Russia was introduced in 2017 by the Brazilian Ministry of Health.

Objective: To evaluate differences in immune responses induced by BCG Moreau and BCG Russia in infants, in addition to scar formation.

ELISA-based assay of immunoglobulin G antibodies against mammalian cell entry 1A (Mce1A) protein: a novel diagnostic approach for leprosy.

Background: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by the obligate intracellular bacillus Mycobacterium leprae. Because leprosy diagnosis is complex and requires professional expertise, new tools and methodologies are needed to detect cases in early stages and prevent transmission. The M.

Immunoglobulin G response to mammalian cell entry 1A (Mce1A) protein as biomarker of active tuberculosis.

Cell wall components are major determinants of virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and they contribute to the induction of both humoral and cell-mediated immune response. The mammalian cell entry protein 1A (Mce1A), in the cell wall of M. tuberculosis, mediates entry of the pathogen into mammalian cells.

Blood Cells and Interferon-Gamma Levels Correlation in Latent Tuberculosis Infection.

The () infection is largely spread in world's population. Most infected individuals develop latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) are the available tests to detect the infection.

Revisiting the Rich's formula: an update about granulomas in human tuberculosis.

The formula proposed by Rich in 1951 explained the formation in a tuberculous lesion in a period that was unknown cellular functions, cytokines and other immunological aspects involved in granuloma formation by tuberculosis; its components are assembled conceptually to explain the pathogenic mechanisms involved in the granulomatous lesion in tuberculosis. In this manuscript, we report an update of Rich's formula based on the new and old concepts about pathogenic mechanisms involved in the granulomatous lesion in tuberculosis. Current knowledge allows us to conclude that the balance between the characteristics of the bacillus and host protective response is necessary to indicate the outcome of pathogenesis, infection or active disease and the necrosis degree of the tuberculosis lesion.

Levels of interferon-gamma increase after treatment for latent tuberculosis infection in a high-transmission setting.

Objectives. We investigated IFN-γ levels before and after a six month course of isoniazid among individuals with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in a high-transmission setting. Design.