Plasma Levels of sFas-sFasL and Gene Expression Are Associated with Tuberculosis.

Apoptosis of macrophages infected by via Fas-FasL is an important immune mechanism against infection. This study investigated the association of tuberculosis (TB) with the presence of the polymorphisms -670A/G and -124A/G, the levels of sFas and sFasL, and the gene expression of and cytokines. Samples of 200 individuals diagnosed with TB and 200 healthy controls were evaluated.

Isolation of the Arawete and Asurini Indians keeps the tribes free from HTLV infection during 36 years of follow-up.

Arawete and Asurini Indian tribes were revisited after a 36-year follow-up in search of HTLV infections. 46 persons (23 from each tribe) were tested for HTLV-1/2 antibodies and viral DNA. None were positive; this was probably because of their social/cultural isolation from neighboring tribes where HTLV-2c is hyperendemic.