Human N-acetyltransferase 2 () gene variability in Brazilian populations from different geographical areas.

Several polymorphisms altering the activity have already been identified. The geographical distribution of variants has been extensively studied and has been demonstrated to vary significantly among different ethnic population. Here, we describe the genetic variability of human N-acetyltransferase 2 () gene and the predominant genotype-deduced acetylation profiles of Brazilians.

Persisting leprosy transmission despite increased control measures in an endemic cluster in Brazil: the unfinished agenda.

Objective: To provide an evidence base for improvement of leprosy control in Brazil's high transmission areas.

Design: We obtained data from municipalities in a major disease cluster from databases for notifiable diseases of four states (Maranhão, Parâ, Tocantins, Piauí), including notifications from 2001 to 2009. Indicators for monitoring and evaluation of leprosy according to the World Health Organization were evaluated with emphasis on the rates of new cases presenting grade-2 disabilities and among children < 15 years of age, indicating late diagnosis and active transmission, respectively.

Drug and multidrug resistance among Mycobacterium leprae isolates from Brazilian relapsed leprosy patients.

Skin biopsy samples from 145 relapse leprosy cases and from five different regions in Brazil were submitted for sequence analysis of part of the genes associated with Mycobacterium leprae drug resistance. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in these genes were observed in M. leprae from 4 out of 92 cases with positive amplification (4.

Genotyping of Mycobacterium leprae from Brazilian leprosy patients suggests the occurrence of reinfection or of bacterial population shift during disease relapse.

We performed genotyping of Mycobacterium leprae present in skin biopsy samples that were collected during the first and the second disease occurrences from eight leprosy patients, seven of whom were diagnosed as suffering from disease relapse. Sequence analysis of part of the M. leprae rpoB, folP1, gyrB and gyrA genes did not show genetic change that supported the presence of drug-resistant bacilli.