Progression of the leprosy reaction and nerve damage: A prospective cohort study in children with leprosy from the Brazilian Amazon.

Introduction: Leprosy reactions being closely related to damage to peripheral nerves and physical disabilities associated with disease progression. Disabilities in childhood can have a devastating effect with impaired children's cognitive, emotional, social, and educational development. We followed up the progression of leprosy reactions in children identifying associated factors with the emergence and/or worsening of nerve damage.

Altered leukocyte pattern and inflammatory markers in unvaccinated long covid patients: a cross-sectional study.

Long Covid results from the damage caused by SARS-CoV-2, involving the release of cytokines and the continuous activation of immune cells. This cross-sectional study investigates leukocyte and cytokine profiles in Long Covid patients in the Amazon, a region where such studies are limited. Blood samples were analysed for differential leukocyte counts and cytokine levels.

Unraveling the protective genetic architecture of COVID-19 in the Brazilian Amazon.

Despite all the efforts acquired in four years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the path to a full understanding of the biological mechanisms involved in this disease remains complex. This is partly due to a combination of factors, including the inherent characteristics of the infection, socio-environmental elements, and the variations observed within both the viral and the human genomes. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the correlation between genetic host factors and the severity of COVID-19.

Newborns with microcephaly in Brazil and potential vertical transmission of Oropouche virus: a case series.

Background: Oropouche fever, an orthobunyavirus disease endemic in Brazilian Amazon, has caused many febrile epidemics. In 2024, an epidemic of Oropouche fever spread in Brazil, with more than 7930 cases reported between Jan 1 and Aug 31. Infections in pregnant people have suggested the possibility of negative fetal consequences, therefore we tested newborns with microcephaly for known congenital pathogens and Oropouche virus (OROV).

Laboratory profiling of patients with long COVID in the Brazilian Amazon region: A cross-sectional study.

The condition commonly referred to as long coronavirus disease (COVID) is characterized by the continuation of symptoms, sometimes accompanied by new symptoms that persist after the resolution of acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This observational cross-sectional study investigated 332 patients with long COVID in the Brazilian Amazon region. The study aimed to elucidate the systemic interactions associated with long COVID by compiling the findings related to hematological, coagulation, immunological, metabolic, hepatic, renal, and muscular profiles.

Association between Epstein-Barr virus LMP-1 and Hodgkin lymphoma LMP-1 mechanisms in Hodgkin lymphoma development.

Hodgkin lymphoma is histologically characterised by the presence of Hodgkin (H) and Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells originating from germinal centre B-cells rearranged in the IgV gene. The formation of multinucleated RS cells is a product of telomere organisation in a process initiated by telomere aggregate accumulation in mononuclear H cells and may be mediated by latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1) expression. LMP-1 is the main oncoprotein of EBV and supports several tumourigenic processes.

Effect of long COVID-19 syndrome on health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the association of anxiety, headache, and insomnia on the QoL of patients with long COVID-19.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey between August 2020 and March 2023. A total of 200 participants were eligible, 53 were excluded and 147 patients with long COVID were included.

Artificial intelligence challenges in the face of biological threats: emerging catastrophic risks for public health.

The threat landscape of biological hazards with the evolution of AI presents challenges. While AI promises innovative solutions, concerns arise about its misuse in the creation of biological weapons. The convergence of AI and genetic editing raises questions about biosecurity, potentially accelerating the development of dangerous pathogens.

Smartphone-based evaluation of static balance and mobility in long-lasting COVID-19 patients.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to a variety of persistent sequelae, collectively known as long COVID-19. Deficits in postural balance have been reported in patients several months after COVID-19 infection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the static balance and balance of individuals with long COVID-19 using inertial sensors in smartphones.

Monkeypox Virus Immune Evasion and Eye Manifestation: Beyond Eyelid Implications.

Monkeypox virus (MPXV), belonging to the family and genus, is closely related to the smallpox virus. Initial prodromal symptoms typically include headache, fever, and lymphadenopathy. This review aims to detail various ocular manifestations and immune evasion associated with the monkeypox viral infection and its complications, making it appropriate as a narrative review.

Immunohistochemical Characterization of M1, M2, and M4 Macrophages in Leprosy Skin Lesions.

is the etiological agent of leprosy. Macrophages (Mφs) are key players involved in the pathogenesis of leprosy. In this study, immunohistochemical analysis was performed to examine the phenotype of Mφ subpopulations, namely M1, M2, and M4, in the skin lesions of patients diagnosed with leprosy.

Monocytes subpopulations pattern in the acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus infection and after long COVID-19.

Introdution And Objective: The present study sought to characterize the pattern of monocyte subpopulations in patients during the course of the infections caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus or who presented long COVID-19 syndrome compared to monocytes from patients with zika virus (Zika) or chikungunya virus (CHIKV).

Casuistry: Study with 89 peripheral blood samples from patients, who underwent hemogram and serology (IgG and IgM) for detection of Zika (Control Group 1, n = 18) or CHIKV (Control Group 2, n = 9), and from patients who underwent hemogram and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for detection of SARS-CoV-2 at the acute phase of the disease (Group 3, n = 19); and of patients who presented long COVID-19 syndrome (Group 4, n = 43). The monocyte and subpopulations counts were performed by flow cytometry.

Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in "Long COVID": pathophysiology, heart rate variability, and inflammatory markers.

Long COVID is characterized by persistent signs and symptoms that continue or develop for more than 4 weeks after acute COVID-19 infection. Patients with Long COVID experience a cardiovascular autonomic imbalance known as dysautonomia. However, the underlying autonomic pathophysiological mechanisms behind this remain unclear.

Relationship between Determinants of Food Choices and Socioeconomic and Demographic Factors of Individuals with Hepatitis B and C in the Amazon Region.

Knowing the determinants of food choices allows the nutritionist to develop more assertive guidelines considering biopsychosocial factors to produce effective changes in eating practices. This cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study aimed to test the correlation between the determinants of food choices and the socioeconomic and demographic factors of individuals with hepatitis B and C. Patients with hepatitis B and/or C aged between 20 and 74 years were evaluated from August 2020 to August 2021.

Persistent olfactory dysfunction associated with poor sleep quality and anxiety in patients with long COVID.

Introduction: Poor sleep quality have been widely reported in patients with long COVID. Determining the characteristics, type, severity, and relationship of long COVID with other neurological symptoms is essential for the prognosis and management of poor sleep quality.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a public university in the eastern Amazon region of Brazil between November 2020 and October 2022.

Comparative Analysis of Human Hepatic Lesions in Dengue, Yellow Fever, and Chikungunya: Revisiting Histopathological Changes in the Light of Modern Knowledge of Cell Pathology.

Arboviruses, such as yellow fever virus (YFV), dengue virus (DENV), and chikungunya virus (CHIKV), present wide global dissemination and a pathogenic profile developed in infected individuals, from non-specific clinical conditions to severe forms, characterised by the promotion of significant lesions in different organs of the harbourer, culminating in multiple organ dysfunction. An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out via the histopathological analysis of 70 samples of liver patients, collected between 2000 and 2017, with confirmed laboratory diagnoses, who died due to infection and complications due to yellow fever (YF), dengue fever (DF), and chikungunya fever (CF), to characterise, quantify, and compare the patterns of histopathological alterations in the liver between the samples. Of the histopathological findings in the human liver samples, there was a significant difference between the control and infection groups, with a predominance of alterations in the midzonal area of the three cases analysed.

Imbalance of Peripheral Temperature, Sympathovagal, and Cytokine Profile in Long COVID.

A persistent state of inflammation has been reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess short-term heart rate variability (HRV), peripheral body temperature, and serum cytokine levels in patients with long COVID. We evaluated 202 patients with long COVID symptoms categorized them according to the duration of their COVID symptoms (≤120 days, n = 81; >120 days, n = 121), in addition to 95 healthy individuals selected as controls.

Polymorphisms in the gene are associated with the plasma levels of MBL and the cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α in severe COVID-19.

Introduction: Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) promotes opsonization, favoring phagocytosis and activation of the complement system in response to different microorganisms, and may influence the synthesis of inflammatory cytokines. This study investigated the association of MBL2 gene polymorphisms with the plasma levels of MBL and inflammatory cytokines in COVID-19.

Methods: Blood samples from 385 individuals (208 with acute COVID-19 and 117 post-COVID-19) were subjected to real-time PCR genotyping.

Antibody Response to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike and Nucleocapsid Proteins in Patients with Different COVID-19 Clinical Profiles.

The first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), in Brazil was diagnosed on February 26, 2020. Due to the important epidemiological impact of COVID-19, the present study aimed to analyze the specificity of IgG antibody responses to the S1, S2 and N proteins of SARS-CoV-2 in different COVID-19 clinical profiles. This study enrolled 136 individuals who were diagnosed with or without COVID-19 based on clinical findings and laboratory results and classified as asymptomatic or as having mild, moderate or severe disease.

Thrombophilia and Immune-Related Genetic Markers in Long COVID.

Aiming to evaluate the role of ten functional polymorphisms in long COVID, involved in major inflammatory, immune response and thrombophilia pathways, a cross-sectional sample composed of 199 long COVID (LC) patients and a cohort composed of 79 COVID-19 patients whose follow-up by over six months did not reveal any evidence of long COVID (NLC) were investigated to detect genetic susceptibility to long COVID. Ten functional polymorphisms located in thrombophilia-related and immune response genes were genotyped by real time PCR. In terms of clinical outcomes, LC patients presented higher prevalence of heart disease as preexistent comorbidity.

Evaluation of the Hematological Patterns from Up to 985 Days of Long COVID: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Long COVID affects many individuals following acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and hematological changes can persist after the acute COVID-19 phase. This study aimed to evaluate these hematological laboratory markers, linking them to clinical findings and long-term outcomes in patients with long COVID. This cross-sectional study selected participants from a 'long COVID' clinical care program in the Amazon region.

Liver Function in Patients with Long-Term Coronavirus Disease 2019 of up to 20 Months: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The long-term laboratory aspects of the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on liver function are still not well understood. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the hepatic clinical laboratory profile of patients with up to 20 months of long-term COVID-19. A total of 243 patients of both sexes aged 18 years or older admitted during the acute phase of COVID-19 were included in this study.