Frequencies of an Variant in an Admixed Population from Amazonia and Its Influence on Hepatitis C Infection.

The rs12979860 polymorphism, related to the gene, is suggested as a factor that impacts fibrosis progression in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and exhibits a wide distribution pattern across global populations. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we aimed to investigate the frequency of this variant in an Amazonian population from Brazil, as well as its association with liver fibrosis development and its staging in HCV carriers. Our results show a significant association of the TT genotype in the sample of patients with HCV (OR = 2.

Dysregulation in the microbiota by HBV and HCV infection induces an altered cytokine profile in the pathobiome of infection.

Viral hepatitis is a public health problem, about 1 million people die due to complications of this viral disease, the etiological agents responsible for inducing cirrhosis and cellular hepatocarcinoma are HBV and HCV, both hepatotropic viruses that cause asymptomatic infection in most cases. The regulation of the microbiota performs many physiological functions, which can induce normal intestinal function and produce essential nutrients for the human body. Metabolites derived from gut microbiota or direct regulation of host immunity and metabolism have been reported to profoundly affect tumorigenesis in liver disease.

The Association of Gene Polymorphisms with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection in the Northern Region of Pará, Brazil.

It is heavily suggested that one gene polymorphism, rs12979860 (T/C), exerts influence on the outcome of HBV infection, with the rs12979860-T allele being classified as a risk predictor, and the rs12979860-C allele being classified as a protective one. This study investigated whether the rs12979860 gene polymorphism presented any association with the clinical severity for HBV carriers in an admixed population in Northern Brazil. A total of 69 samples were investigated from infected people from the city of Belém-Pará.

High Prevalence of Syphilis among Young Pregnant Women in the Brazilian Amazon: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on Clinical Records in a Public Health Reference Unit in the City of Belém.

Background: Syphilis remains a significant global public health concern, and one of its consequences in pregnant women is the potential occurrence of congenital syphilis due to infection. This study determined the prevalence of syphilis among pregnant women undergoing prenatal care in a neighborhood on the outskirts of the city of Belém, Brazilian Amazon.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from clinical records of 611 pregnant women who underwent prenatal care at a public health unit in 2019 and 2020.

Exposure to among Female Sex Workers: A Retrospective Study Conducted in the State of Pará, Brazilian Amazon.

Background: Syphilis remains a significant global public health issue, and female sex workers (FSWs) are highly vulnerable to the etiological agent of this disease. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of exposure to , as well as the vulnerability factors among FSWs in the state of Pará, Brazilian Amazon.

Methods: A cross-sectional, retrospective study involving 360 FSWs from five cities in Pará was conducted from 2005 to 2007.

Antibody Response to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike and Nucleocapsid Proteins in Patients with Different COVID-19 Clinical Profiles.

The first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), in Brazil was diagnosed on February 26, 2020. Due to the important epidemiological impact of COVID-19, the present study aimed to analyze the specificity of IgG antibody responses to the S1, S2 and N proteins of SARS-CoV-2 in different COVID-19 clinical profiles. This study enrolled 136 individuals who were diagnosed with or without COVID-19 based on clinical findings and laboratory results and classified as asymptomatic or as having mild, moderate or severe disease.

Seroprevalence of and Associated Factors among Vulnerable Riverine in the Brazilian Amazon.

Due to social and individual conditions and access to health services, Amazonian riverside populations are highly vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections, including . The aim is to estimate the seroprevalence of and analyze the associated factors among riverside dwellers in a capital city in the Brazilian Amazon. A cross-sectional study was carried out with residents of the Combu Island, Belém.

Prevalence, Diversity, and Risk Factors for Cervical HPV Infection in Women Screened for Cervical Cancer in Belém, Pará, Northern Brazil.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common viral sexually transmitted infection of the reproductive tract, and cervical cancer is the most common HPV-related disease. This study estimated the prevalence, diversity of HPV genotypes, and associated risk factors in women screened for cervical cancer in northern Brazil.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in Belém, Pará, in the Amazon region of Brazil, and it included 162 women who were spontaneously undergoing a Pap-smear routine.

Seroprevalence and risk factors for COVID-19 in the metropolis of the Brazilian Amazon.

The devastating effect of health system overload was observed after cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) peaked in April 2020 in Belém, a capital metropolis in the Brazilian Amazon. Our results showed a high seroprevalence (39.24%) of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies among the population of the capital of the state of Pará after the first wave of the pandemic.

The Relevance of a Diagnostic and Counseling Service for People Living With HTLV-1/2 in a Metropolis of the Brazilian Amazon.

Introduction: To identify the prevalence of infection in the urban area of the capital city of Belém, Brazil, the Laboratory of Virology of the Federal University of Pará implemented, as a public service, serological screening for human T-lymphotropic viruses 1 and 2 (HTLV-1/2) infection and, if necessary, counseling service and referral to specialized medical care. The project is funded by the National Council of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Health of Brazil and the Pan American Health Organization.

Methods: From January 2020 to June 2021, 1,572 individuals of both sexes were approached to answer a questionnaire and were tested using an enzyme immunoassay (Murex HTLV-I+II, DiaSorin, Dartford, UK).

Prevalence of syphilis in female sex workers in three countryside cities of the state of Pará, Brazilian Amazon.

Background: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) transmitted from person to person mainly by sexual intercourse or through vertical transmission during pregnancy. Female sex workers (FSWs) are exposed especially to syphilis infection, and besides all the efforts to control the spread of STIs, syphilis prevalence is still rising, mainly occurring in low-income countries. This study aimed to investigate the syphilis prevalence, demographic characteristics and sexual habits among FSWs in the Amazon region of Brazil.

Seroprevalence of HIV, HTLV, CMV, HBV and rubella virus infections in pregnant adolescents who received care in the city of Belém, Pará, Northern Brazil.

Background: Prenatal tests are important for prevention of vertical transmission of various infectious agents. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), rubella virus and vaccination coverage against HBV in pregnant adolescents who received care in the city of Belém, Pará, Brazil.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with 324 pregnant adolescents from 2009 to 2010.

GBV-C/HIV-1 coinfection is associated with low HIV-1 viral load and high CD4 T lymphocyte count.

GB virus C (GBV-C) is a lymphotropic virus with a low level or non-existent replication in the liver. The interaction between HIV-1 and GBV-C apparently reduces the progression of HIV-1 infection to AIDS and improves the quality of life of HIV-1 infected individuals. A cross-sectional study was established to determine the possible effect of HIV-1/GBV-C coinfection on HIV-1 viral load and CD4 T lymphocyte counts.

Gene Polymorphisms and Serum Levels of Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Markers in Dengue Viral Infections.

Pro- and anti-inflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, TNF-β, interferon [IFN]-γ, interleukin [IL]-6, IL-8, IL-10, and C-reactive protein [CRP]) were investigated in 80 patients infected with dengue viruses, 100 patients presenting with febrile illness but negative for dengue, and 99 healthy subjects. Immunoenzyme methods were used for quantitative assays in the plasma. Polymorphisms of TNF-α, TNF-β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 genes were assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism and allele-specific oligonucleotide (ASO)-PCR for the IFN-γ.

HTLV-1-Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis Is Not Associated with SNP rs12979860 of the IL-28B Gene.

The present study investigated the association between the rs12979860 polymorphism in the IL-28B gene and HTLV-1 infection as well as the development of HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). HTLV-1-infected patients (26 HAM/TSP symptomatic and 53 asymptomatic) and 300 seronegative healthy controls were investigated. Plasma levels of the cytokines TNF-α, TNF-β, IL-8, IL-10, IL-6, and IFN-γ from infected patients were measured using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

IL28B gene polymorphisms and Th1/Th2 cytokine levels might be associated with HTLV-associated arthropathy.

The present study is the first investigation of the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs - rs8099917, rs12979860 and rs8103142) of the IL28B gene and the development of human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV)-associated arthropathy (HAA). Individuals with HAA exhibited low interleukin (IL) 6 (p<0.05) and high IL-10 (p<0.

Polymorphisms in the IFNγ, IL-10, and TGFβ genes may be associated with HIV-1 infection.

Objective: This study investigated possible associations between the TNFα-308G/A, IFN+874A/T, IL-6-174C/G, IL-10-1082A/G, and TGFβ-509C/T polymorphisms with HIV-1 infection, in addition to correlation of the polymorphisms with clinical markers of AIDS progression, such as levels of CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocytes and plasma viral load.

Methods: A total of 216 individuals who were infected with HIV-1 and on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 294 individuals from the uninfected control group were analyzed.

Results: All individuals evaluated were negative for total anti-HBc, anti-HCV, anti-T.

Lack of evidence for human infection with Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus in the Brazilian Amazon basin.

Introduction: This study confirmed the absence of natural infection with Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) or XMRV-related disease in human populations of the Brazilian Amazon basin. We demonstrated that 803 individuals of both sexes, who were residents of Belem in the Brazilian State of Pará, were not infected with XMRV.

Methods: Individuals were divided into 4 subgroups: healthy individuals, individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus, type 1 (HIV-1), individuals infected with human T-lymphotrophic virus, types 1 or 2 (HTLV-1/2), and individuals with prostate cancer.

Detection of Cryptococcus neoformans capsular antigen in HIV-infected patients in the state of Para in the north of Brazil.

Cryptococcus neoformans is an important cause of morbidity in HIV-infected patients worldwide. In the northern region of Brazil, the prevalence of this infection is poorly known due to a lack of systematic investigations. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of cryptococcosis by detecting antigenaemia in HIV-infected patients in the State of Para, Brazil.

Virulence factors of Candida albicans isolates from the oral cavities of HIV-1-positive patients.

The present study assessed the phenotypic aspects of oral-cavity Candida albicans isolates from 300 HIV-1- positive patients, relating the most commonly investigated virulence factors (enzyme typing and germ-tube formation) to the most common morphotypes. The samples were seeded into specific media for isolation and subsequent identification using the automated Vitek 2 system. The following assays were performed for phenotypic characterization: morphotyping, germ-tube formation and enzyme typing.

Association of cytokine gene polymorphisms and serum concentrations with the outcome of chronic hepatitis B.

Objective: The present paper investigated possible correlations between the clinical presentation of hepatitis B and the TNF-α -308G/A, IFN-γ +874A/T, TGF-beta1 -509C/T, and IL-10 -1081A/G polymorphisms and associated serum levels of these cytokines.

Methods: Fifty-three hepatitis patients were selected and divided into two groups: A - inactive (n=30) and B - chronic hepatitis/cirrhosis (n=23). The control group consisted of 100 subjects who were positive for anti-HBc and anti-HBs.