Publications by authors named "Maria Bazzo"

Over the past four years, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) have been extensively studied, given their important role in SARS-CoV-2 replication; however, most studies have failed to compare their behavior in the face of different SARS-CoV-2 genomic variants. Therefore, this study evaluated the influence of different variants in ACE2/TMPRSS2 expressional and genomic profiles. To achieve this, 160 nasopharyngeal samples, previously detected with SARS-CoV-2 via RT-qPCR (June 2020-July 2022), were quantified for ACE2/TMPRSS2 expression levels, also using RT-qPCR; SARS-CoV-2 genomic variants, along with polymorphisms in the ACE2/TMPRSS2 coding genes, were identified using nanopore sequencing.

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Objective: To investigate the prognostic significance of thyroid hormone profile in patients hospitalized for decompensated cirrhosis.

Subjects And Methods: Prospective cohort study that included 119 subjects. All subjects were evaluated at admission and followed for 90 days.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study aimed to determine the prevalence and contributing factors of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) infections in transgender women and travestis across five Brazilian cities from 2019 to 2021.
  • - A total of 1,297 participants were analyzed, revealing CT prevalence at 11.5%, NG at 13.3%, and coinfection at 3.6%, with certain factors like sex work and injectable drug use significantly linked to higher infection rates.
  • - The findings highlight that transgender individuals, especially younger ones involved in sex work and illicit drug use, experience greater prevalence of sexually transmitted infections compared to the general population.
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During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) were constantly under the scientific spotlight, but most studies evaluated ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression levels in patients infected by SARS-CoV-2. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the expression levels of both proteins before, during, and after-infection. For that, nasopharyngeal samples from 26 patients were used to measure ACE2/TMPRSS2 ex-pression via qPCR.

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Objectives: Regular quality-assured WGS with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and epidemiological data of patients is imperative to elucidate the shifting gonorrhoea epidemiology, nationally and internationally. We describe the dynamics of the gonococcal population in 11 cities in Brazil between 2017 and 2020 and elucidate emerging and disappearing gonococcal lineages associated with AMR, compare to Brazilian WGS and AMR data from 2015 to 2016, and explain recent changes in gonococcal AMR and gonorrhoea epidemiology.

Methods: WGS was performed using Illumina NextSeq 550 and genomes of 623 gonococcal isolates were used for downstream analysis.

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Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a public health problem. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with at least one STI (Chlamydia trachomatis [CT], Neisseria gonorrhoeae [NG], Trichomonas vaginalis [TV], and Mycoplasma genitalium [MG]) in Brazil.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary data from the pilot implementation of the National Service for molecular diagnosis of CT, NG, TV, and MG in pregnancy.

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Article Synopsis
  • Limited knowledge of urethral discharge syndrome (UDS) and genital ulcer disease (GUD) in Brazil prompted a nationwide study aimed at updating treatment guidelines from 2018 to 2020.
  • The study involved collecting samples from male participants across Brazil and utilized advanced PCR testing to identify various pathogens linked to UDS and GUD.
  • Findings revealed that Neisseria gonorrhoeae was the most common pathogen in UDS, while herpes simplex virus type 2 was most prevalent in GUD, highlighting significant coinfection rates and providing crucial insights into the local aetiology of these conditions.
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The failures in Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infection diagnosis leave more than half of cases unidentified. In this report, urine and vaginal discharge samples were analyzed by wet mount, culture examination, and real-time PCR by Allplex™ (Seegene®) kit, in a population assisted by the Brazilian Public Health System. From 747 samples, 2.

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Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STI) can have severe consequences. In Brazil, case management is recommended by the Clinical Protocol and Therapeutical Guidelines for Comprehensive Care for People with STIs (PCDT-IST). This study assessed the quality of PCDT-IST (2021) and reviewed the main recommendations for the management of STI that cause urethral discharge compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) STI Guidelines.

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Article Synopsis
  • * The study involved 1,914 WLWH aged 18-64, revealing significant correlations between HR HPV and factors such as single marital status and exchanging sex for drugs.
  • * Findings suggest the importance of HPV screening in WLWH and emphasize the effectiveness of self-collecting vaginal samples to enhance testing accessibility in healthcare settings.
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Article Synopsis
  • SARS-CoV-2 genome surveillance in Santa Catarina, Brazil, tracked 55 strains and four variants (Alpha, Delta, Gamma, and Omicron) from May 2021 to April 2022, highlighting significant shifts in variant prevalence.* -
  • The study recorded low case numbers in May 2021, but there was a spike in deaths associated with the Gamma variant, followed by a surge in cases and dominance of the Omicron variant between December 2021 and February 2022.* -
  • Healthcare workers (HCW) showed similar variant profiles to the general population but experienced a faster transition from Delta to Omicron, underscoring their role in monitoring COVID-19 trends.*
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  • The study evaluated the SD BIOLINE HIV/Syphilis Duo rapid diagnostic test for accuracy, acceptability, and feasibility among pregnant women, female sex workers, and men who have sex with men.
  • It compared field test results with standard laboratory tests, showing 100% sensitivity and specificity for HIV and 95% sensitivity for syphilis antibody detection.
  • Participants and health professionals found the test highly acceptable and easy to use, suggesting it could enhance access to rapid testing if included in health service supplies.
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Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a global threat and novel treatment alternatives are imperative. Herein, susceptibility to the novel antimicrobial zoliflodacin, currently in a global Phase 3 randomized controlled clinical trial for gonorrhoea treatment, was investigated by screening for zoliflodacin GyrB target mutations in publicly available gonococcal genomes and, where feasible, determination of the associated zoliflodacin MIC.

Methods: The European Nucleotide Archive was queried using the search term 'Taxon: 485'.

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Introduction: Group B (GBS) is a human commensal bacterium that is also associated with infection in pregnant and non-pregnant adults, neonates and elderly people.

Gap Statement: The authors hypothesize that knowledge of regional GBS genetic patterns may allow the use of prevention and treatment measures to reduce the burden of streptococcal disease.

Aim: The aim was to report the genotypic diversity and antimicrobial sensitivity profiles of invasive, noninvasive urinary and colonizing GBS strains, and evaluate the relationships between these findings.

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The emergence of strains resistant to extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs) is a worldwide concern because this class of antibiotics represents the last empirical treatment option for gonorrhea. The abusive use of antimicrobials may be an essential factor for the emergence of ESC resistance in . Cephalosporin resistance mechanisms have not been fully clarified.

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Objectives: To (i) describe the nationwide antimicrobial susceptibility of (NG) isolates cultured across Brazil in 2018-20 and compare it with NG antimicrobial resistance data from 2015-16, and (ii) present epidemiological data of the corresponding gonorrhoea patients in 2018-20.

Methods: Twelve representative sentinel sites cultured NG isolates from men with urethral discharge. Susceptibility to eight antimicrobials was examined using agar dilution method, according to WHO standards.

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Introduction: Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a major concern of public health due to its extraordinary capacity to develop and acquire resistance to different antimicrobials used to treat gonorrhoea. Limited treatment options and uncontrolled transmission have raised the need to assess the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the isolates and to establish affordable alternatives for laboratory diagnosis.

Objectives: This study aimed to (i) determine the susceptibility profile of 336 clinical isolates of N.

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Article Synopsis
  • * A study analyzed the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and identified 23 variants, with Gamma being the most prevalent during the second wave of infections.
  • * The research provided the first evidence of regional variations in the transmission of the virus, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring of variants and their effects on public health.
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Mycobacterium tuberculosis has a complex cell wall containing mycolic acids (MA), which play an important role in pathogenesis, virulence, and survival by protecting the cell against harsh environments. Studies have shown that genes encoding enzymes involved in MA synthesis are essential to mycobacterial functionality. Here, we used whole-genome sequencing to evaluate mutations in genes related to MA metabolism in M.

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is the etiological agent of gonorrhea, the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Reproductive sequelae of gonorrhea include infertility, ectopic pregnancy and chronic pelvic pain. Most antibiotics currently in clinical use have been rendered ineffective due to the rapid spread of antimicrobial resistance among gonococci.

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Neisseria elongata is part of the commensal microbiota of the oropharynx. Although it is not considered pathogenic to humans, N. elongata has been implicated in several cases of infective endocarditis (IE).

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This article addresses human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, one of the topics covered by the Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines for Comprehensive Care for People with Sexually Transmitted Infections, published by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. The Protocol and Guidelines have been developed based on scientific evidence and validated in discussions with specialists. This article presents epidemiological and clinical aspects and guidelines for health service managers and health workers about diagnosing and treating people with papillomavirus infection.

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The recommendations for diagnostic tests for investigating syphilis are part of the Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines for Comprehensive Care for People with Sexually Transmitted Infections and the Technical Manual for Syphilis Diagnosis, published by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. These recommendations were developed based on scientific evidence and discussions with a panel of experts. This article presents direct tests to detect Treponema pallidum in lesions and algorithms that combine treponemal and non-treponemal antibody tests to assist in syphilis diagnosis, with the aim of contributing to the efforts of health service managers and health professionals in qualifying health care.

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Background: Although recently challenged, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria are still commonly used in daily practice to define sepsis. However, several factors in liver cirrhosis may negatively impact its prognostic ability. .

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Background: Chronic prostatitis has been a common disease reported with high frequency in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) even from decades ago. Infectious (Chlamydia trachomatis) or non-infectious (uric acid) prostatitis can hypothetically trigger vertebral inflammation in AS. This study aimed to assess the features of chronic prostatitis in patients with AS compared to healthy controls.

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