IL-10 predicts incident neuroinflammatory disease and proviral load dynamics in a large Brazilian cohort of people living with human T-lymphotropic virus type 1.

Human T-Lymphotropic Virus type-1 (HTLV-1) is a unique retrovirus associated with both leukemogenesis and a specific neuroinflammatory condition known as HTLV-1-Associated Myelopathy (HAM). Currently, most proposed HAM biomarkers require invasive CSF sampling, which is not suitable for large cohorts or repeated prospective screening. To identify non-invasive biomarkers for incident HAM in a large Brazilian cohort of PLwHTLV-1 (n=615 with 6,673 person-years of clinical follow-up), we selected all plasma samples available at the time of entry in the cohort (between 1997-2019), in which up to 43 cytokines/chemokines and immune mediators were measured.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy-immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome: prevalence, main characteristics, and outcomes in a Brazilian center.

Background: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) - immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) has been rarely described in low- and middle-income countries.

Objective: To describe the prevalence of PML-IRIS among PLWHA with PML and its main features in a tertiary hospital in Brazil.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study.

Systemic cytokines and GlycA discriminate disease status and predict corticosteroid response in HTLV-1-associated neuroinflammation.

Background: HTLV-1-Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is an incapacitating neuroinflammatory disorder for which no disease-modifying therapy is available, but corticosteroids provide some clinical benefit. Although HAM/TSP pathogenesis is not fully elucidated, older age, female sex and higher proviral load are established risk factors. We investigated systemic cytokines and a novel chronic inflammatory marker, GlycA, as possible biomarkers of immunopathogenesis and therapeutic response in HAM/TSP, and examined their interaction with established risk factors.

Subacute Cognitive Impairment in Individuals With Mild and Moderate COVID-19: A Case Series.

Previous reported neurologic sequelae associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection have mainly been confined to hospital-based patients in which viral detection was restricted to nasal/throat swabs or to IgM/IgG peripheral blood serology. Here we describe seven cases from Brazil of outpatients with previous mild or moderate COVID-19 who developed subacute cognitive disturbances. From June 1 to August 15, 2020, seven individuals 18 to 60 years old, with confirmed mild/moderate COVID-19 and findings consistent with encephalopathy who were observed >7 days after respiratory symptom initiation, were screened for cognitive dysfunction.

Small cells lung epidermoid carcinoma in a HTLV1-infected patient: case report and literature review.

The human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the first human retrovirus discovered. Since then, it has spread worldwide and is mainly associated with adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and HTLV1-associated myelopathy (HAM). Its relationship, however, with other types of cancer is controversial.

Air pollution and its impact on the concentration of airborne fungi in the megacity of São Paulo, Brazil.

In the context of megacities in an urban environment, air quality is an important issue, due to the direct correlation to population's health. The biomonitoring of pollutants can indicate subtle environmental alterations, for that, anemophilous fungi can be monitored for changes in atmospheric conditions related to pollution. In the present study, the concentration of fungi and bacteria in the atmosphere was measured during a specific vehicle fleet reduction in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, from May 24 to 30, 2018, using impactor air samplers.

Cognitive assessment in patients with Hepatitis C submitted to treatment with Sofosbuvir and Simeprevir or Daclatasvir.

Background: Hepatitis C can be defined as an infectious disease that develops an inflammatory activity, which may cause an impairment in the central nervous system, may cause cognitive impairments and symptoms of depression.

Objective: The objective of this study was to verify the cognitive performance of patients with chronic hepatitis C before and after treatment with simeprevir, sofosbuvir, and daclatasvir.

Methods: A prospective study was carried out in three stages: before, right after treatment, and six months after.

The reasons to include the serology of human T-lymphotropic virus types 1 and 2 (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2) in the clinical follow-up of patients with viral hepatitis B and C in Brazil.

Background: The WHO established targets for 2030 to globally reduce new viral hepatitis B and C infections by 90% and deaths by 65% and recommends searching for coinfections that increase the progression of chronic liver infections towards cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aims And Methodology: This study aimed to add information concerning the influence of human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and type 2 (HTLV-2) infections in hepatitis B and C, since in Brazil, these human retroviruses are endemic but neglected. Serum samples from 1,910 patients with hepatitis B and 1,315 with hepatitis C from São Paulo, southeast Brazil, that were previously tested and grouped for HIV and HTLV-1/-2 coinfections were analyzed for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) loads measurements and subsequent clearance using data from laboratory records.

Dichotomy in Fatal Outcomes in a Large Cohort of People Living with HTLV-1 in São Paulo, Brazil.

Despite its relatively low incidence of associated diseases, Human T-cell Leukemia Virus-1 (HTLV-1) infection was reported to carry a significant risk of mortality in several endemic areas. HTLV-1-associated diseases, adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraperesis (HAM/TSP), as well as frequent coinfections with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and were associated to increased morbidity and mortality of HTLV-1 infection. To determine the mortality rate and its associated variables from an open cohort started in July 1997 at the HTLV Clinic, Emilio Ribas Institute (IIER), a major infectious disease hospital in São Paulo, Brazil.

Neuropsychological Assessment of 412 HIV-Infected Individuals in São Paulo, Brazil.

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remain frequent even among individuals receiving combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). In addition, HAND may adversely affect the quality of life and adherence to cART. There is scarce epidemiological information about HAND in Latin America.