Surveillance of donated blood during the 2016 arbovirus outbreak in Brazil.

Reports of arboviral transmission via blood transfusion may be a cause of concern among asymptomatic infected donors. This study evaluated the presence of arboviruses in donated blood products during the 2016 outbreak in Vitória da Conquista (Bahia-Brazil). Serum samples (n = 676) were screened for ZIKV, CHIKV, and the four DENV serotypes using a one-step reverse transcriptase-based Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR).

Evaluation of antioxidant and mutagenic activities of honey-sweetened cashew apple nectar.

In vitro chemical properties and antioxidant potential and in vivo mutagenic activity of honey-sweetened cashew apple nectar (HSCAN), a beverage produced from the cashew pseudo-fruit (Anacardium occidentale L.) and of its constituents were assessed. Analytical procedures were carried out to investigate the honey used in the HSCAN preparation, and the results observed are in accordance with Brazilian legal regulations, except for diastase number.

DNA vaccination with KMP11 and Lutzomyia longipalpis salivary protein protects hamsters against visceral leishmaniasis.

It was recently shown that immunization of hamsters with DNA plasmids coding LJM19, a sand fly salivary protein, partially protected against a challenge with Leishmania chagasi, whereas immunization with KMP11 DNA plasmid, a Leishmania antigen, induced protection against L. donovani infection. In the present study, we evaluated the protective effect of immunization with both LJM19 and KMP11 DNA plasmid together.