Macrophage migration inhibitory factor - 794 CATT microsatellite polymorphism and susceptibility of tuberculosis.

Purpose: The establishment of candidate genetic determinants associated with tuberculosis (TB) is a challenge, considering the divergent frequencies among populations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between MIF - 794 CATT  polymorphism and susceptibility to TB.

Methods: Case-control study.

Improvement of Mycobacterium tuberculosis detection in sputum using DNA extracted by sonication.

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the infectious diseases with high mortality in the world. DNA amplification techniques have been used to overcome barriers to the diagnosis of this disease. However, the success of these methodologies is highly dependent on the DNA obtained from the sample.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor -173 G>C single nucleotide polymorphism and its association with active pulmonary tuberculosis.

Purpose: The establishment of candidate genes associated with susceptibility to TB is a challenge especially due to divergent frequencies among different populations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) -173 G>C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and susceptibility to pulmonary TB in a population of southern Brazil.

Methods: Case-control study.

Rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA and genetic markers for Isoniazid resistance in Ziehl-Neelsen stained slides.

Background: Early diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) and identification of strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistant to anti-TB drugs are considered the main factors for disease control.

Objectives: To standardise a real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay technique and apply it to identify mutations involved in M. tuberculosis resistance to Isoniazid (INH) directly in Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) stained slides.

Geospatial intelligence and health analitycs: Its application and utility in a city with high tuberculosis incidence in Brazil.

Background: Geospatial Intelligence and Health Analysis have been used to identify tuberculosis (TB) hotspots and to better understand their relationship to social and economic factors. The purpose of this study was to use geospatial intelligence to assess the distribution of TB and its correlations with Human Development Index (HDI) in a city with high TB incidence in Brazil.

Methods: We conducted an ecological study, using National System of Information on Noticeable Disease (SINAN) to identify TB cases.

Canine visceral leishmaniasis diagnosis: a comparative performance of serological and molecular tests in symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs.

Although serological assays have been widely used for the diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL), they present different performances depending on the clinical profile of the dogs. This study evaluated the accuracy of serological tests, immunochromatographic (Dual Path Platform: DPP®) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA EIE®), for CVL in relation to the detection of Leishmania DNA through real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) in samples from symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs from a non-endemic area in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil. Serum from 140 dogs (39 symptomatic and 101 asymptomatic) was tested by DPP and ELISA followed by real-time PCR.