Hereditary breast cancer next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel evaluation in the south region of Brazil: a novel candidate pathogenic variant is reported.

In this article, we delineate a loosely selected cohort comprising patients with a history of early-onset breast cancer and/or a familial occurrence of cancer. The aim of this study was to gain insights into the presence of breast cancer-related gene variants in a population from a micro-region in southern Brazil, specifically the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba. This area exhibits a highly genetically mixed population, mirroring the general characteristics of the Brazilian people.

Divergent: Age, Frailty, and Atypical Presentations of COVID-19 in Hospitalized Patients.

Background: Although frailty has been associated with atypical manifestations of infections, little is known about COVID-19 presentations in hospitalized frail patients. We aimed to investigate the association between age, frailty, and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in hospitalized middle-aged and older adults.

Method: Longitudinal observational study comprising 711 patients aged ≥50 years consecutively admitted to a university hospital dedicated to COVID-19 severe cases, between March and May 2020.

Poor response to hepatitis A vaccination in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

Background: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is highly prevalent in developing countries. In countries experiencing a shift from intermediate/high endemicity to low endemicity, the World Health Organization recommends the incorporation of HAV vaccine into the national vaccination calendar for children aged ≥1 year. Since HAV antibodies wane over time, most HSCT revaccination guidelines advise vaccination as optional, following the country recommendation.

Variable sources of Bk virus in renal allograft recipients.

BK virus is the causative agent of polyomavirus-associated nephropathy, a major cause of kidney transplant failure affecting 1%-10% of recipients. Previous studies that investigated the viral source on the kidney recipient pointed that the donor is implicated in the origin of human polyomavirus BK (BKPyV) infection in recipients, but giving the low genetic variability of BKPyV this subject is still controversial. The aim of this study was to determine if BKPyV replicating in kidney recipients after transplantation is always originated from the donor.

Cytokine Levels and Human Herpesviruses in Saliva from Clinical Periodontal Healthy Subjects with Peri-Implantitis: A Case-Control Study.

This study evaluated the presence of cytokines (IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, MCP-1, MIP-1, MIP-1, and TNF-) and human herpesvirus (HSV1, HSV2, EBV, CMV, VZV, HHV6, HHV7, and HHV8) in saliva samples taken from subjects with and without peri-implantitis. Forty-two periodontally healthy subjects were divided according to peri-implant condition: healthy and peri-implantitis groups. The clinical parameters as probing depth, clinical attachment level, plaque index, gingival bleeding, bleeding on probing, and suppuration were evaluated.

Oral shedding of human herpesviruses in patients undergoing radiotherapy/chemotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is not affected by xerostomia.

: Xerostomia is a very relevant and frequent complication of radiotherapy, causing the irradiated oral mucosa to be affected by bacterial, fungal and viral infections. : The objective of this study was to evaluate a possible relationship between oral shedding of human herpesviruses and xerostomia in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck submitted to radio/chemotherapy. : In this study, oral rinse samples were collected weekly from 20 patients during radiotherapy.

Prospective study of human herpesvirus 8 oral shedding, viremia, and serological status among human immunodeficiency virus seropositive and seronegative individuals in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is a gamma-herpesvirus and etiological agent of all forms of Kaposi sarcoma (KS). Saliva may play an important role in HHV-8 transmission in specific populations. Little is known about HHV-8 oral shedding pattern and the possible correlation with the HHV-8 serological profile and viremia.

Association of Parasite Load Levels in Amniotic Fluid With Clinical Outcome in Congenital Toxoplasmosis.

Objective: To correlate neonatal and infant clinical outcome with parasite load in amniotic fluid (AF).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 122 children whose mothers had toxoplasmosis during pregnancy. The children were monitored from birth to 12 months old.

No detectable human herpesvirus-8 oral shedding in seronegative-healthy, immunocompetent individuals from non-endemic regions for Kaposi's sarcoma: A pilot study.

Aim: Saliva can play an important role in human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) transmission in endemic regions for Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). Little is known about HHV-8 oral shedding in immunocompetent individuals from non-endemic regions for KS.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study of HHV-8 salivary excretion among 59 healthy, immunocompetent individuals from São Paulo, Brazil, followed up weekly for 4 months, resulting in 16 saliva samples from each participant.

Angiosarcoma in HIV-negative patients is not associated with HHV-8.

Background:: Angiosarcoma is an aggressive, malignant neoplasm of vascular or lymphatic origin. Herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) is a member of the herpes family with a tropism for endothelial cells and it has been proven to induce vascular neoplasms, such as Kaposi's sarcoma. The role of HHV-8 in the pathogenesis of angiosarcoma has not been well defined.

DETECTION OF HUMAN ANTI-ZIKA VIRUS IgG BY ELISA USING AN ANTIGEN FROM in vitro INFECTED VERO CELLS: PRELIMINARY RESULTS.

Zika virus (ZKV) infection is a huge public health problem in Brazil because of the increased incidence of microcephaly in neonates from infected mothers. Detection of specific IgG antibodies in maternal serum samples constitutes an important approach for diagnosing ZKV infection and evaluating its relationship with neonatal microcephaly. However, as there is no serological test produced in Brazil to detect IgM and IgG antibodies against ZKV, we sought to examine specific IgG in serum samples from patients or suspected mothers to detect previous infection and to test for specificity with regard to flaviviral infections occurring in the same area.

Oral shedding of human herpesviruses in patients undergoing radiotherapy/chemotherapy treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: Opportunistic infections may affect the oral mucosa of patients undergoing radio/chemotherapy through exacerbation of oral mucositis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the oral shedding of all eight human herpesviruses and its possible association with oral mucositis.

Materials And Methods: In this prospective cohort study, we analyzed oral rinse samples, collected weekly, from 20 patients during radiotherapy treatment.

Genotypic distribution of HHV-8 in AIDS individuals without and with Kaposi sarcoma: Is genotype B associated with better prognosis of AIDS-KS?

AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (AIDS-KS) caused by human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) is the most severe and resistant form of KS tumor. Our aim was to verify whether there is an association between HHV-8 variability and development of AIDS-KS in Brazil by comparing the HHV-8 variability between individuals without and with KS. Saliva samples and blood, when available, were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques for detection of the fragments of ORF K1 of HHV-8, which were then genotyped and analyzed regarding the genetic variability.

Polyomavirus detection in multiple sclerosis patients under natalizumab therapy: Profile and frequency of urinary shedding.

Patients undergoing Natalizumab (NTZ) therapy are at risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Besides John Cunningham virus (JCV), BK polyomavirus might represent an additional concern for such patients since it can also infect CNS cells. Currently, data regarding the presence of anti-JCV antibodies added to previous immunosuppressive therapy and prolonged NTZ therapy has been used to classify patients at risk of developing PML.

Multiple sclerosis and herpesvirus interaction.

Multiple sclerosis is the most common autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, and its etiology is believed to have both genetic and environmental components. Several viruses have already been implicated as triggers and there are several studies that implicate members of the Herpesviridae family in the pathogenesis of MS. The most important characteristic of these viruses is that they have periods of latency and exacerbations within their biological sanctuary, the central nervous system.

Genomic analysis of ERVWE2 locus in patients with multiple sclerosis: absence of genetic association but potential role of human endogenous retrovirus type W elements in molecular mimicry with myelin antigen.

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) arise from ancient infections of the host germline cells by exogenous retroviruses, constituting 8% of the human genome. Elevated level of envelope transcripts from HERVs-W has been detected in CSF, plasma and brain tissues from patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), most of them from Xq22.3, 15q21.

Non-detection of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) DNA in HHV-8-seropositive blood donors from three Brazilian regions.

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), also known as Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), is the etiologic agent of all forms of Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma and the plasmablastic cell variant of multicentric Castleman disease. In endemic areas of sub-Saharan Africa, blood transfusions have been associated with a substantial risk of HHV-8 transmission. By contrast, several studies among healthy blood donors from North America have failed to detect HHV-8 DNA in samples of seropositive individuals.

Seroprevalence of Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus and other serologic markers in the Brazilian Amazon.

To determine the presence of Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and other serologic markers, we tested serum specimens of 339 Amerindians, 181 rural non-Amerindians, and 1,133 urban blood donors (13 Amerindians) in the Brazilian Amazon. High KSHV seroprevalence in children and inverse association with herpes simplex virus type 2 indicates predominant nonsexual transmission among Amerindians.

Prevalence of, and risk factors for Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus infection among blood donors in Brazil: a multi-center serosurvey.

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is endemic in the Amazon and rare in southern regions of Brazil. However, geographical distribution and epidemiological correlates of infection in this large country are still poorly defined. To estimate the seroprevalence of, and risk factors for, KSHV infection in Brazil, a multi-center study was conducted among 3,493 first-time voluntary unpaid blood donors from Salvador, Sao Paulo and Manaus.

Optimization of the Sybr Green real time PCR for the detection of Human Herpes Virus type 6 (HHV-6).

HHV-6 is the etiological agent of Exanthem subitum which is considered the sixth most frequent disease in infancy. In immuno-compromised hosts, reactivation of latent HHV-6 infection may cause severe acute disease. We developed a Sybr Green Real Time PCR for HHV-6 and compared the results with nested conventional PCR.

Seroreactivity to Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (human herpesvirus 8) latent nuclear antigen in AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma patients depends on CD4+ T-cell count.

In AIDS/Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) patients, the sensitivity of immunofluorescence assays for detecting antibodies against latent nuclear antigen ranges from 52% to 93%. However, in classic and African KS, sensitivities above 90% have been reported systematically. This study evaluates whether CD4+ T-cell count affects seroreactivity to KSHV LANA and to lytic antigens in AIDS/KS patients.

Human herpesvirus-8 infection and oral shedding in Amerindian and non-Amerindian populations in the Brazilian Amazon region.

Background: Human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8) is hyperendemic in Amerindian populations, but its modes of transmission are unknown.

Methods: Antibodies against either HHV-8 lytic antigen or HHV-8 latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) were detected, by immunofluorescence assays, in 339 Amerindians and 181 non-Amerindians from the Brazilian Amazon. Serological markers of oro-fecal (hepatitis A), parenteral (hepatitis B and C), and sexual (herpes simplex virus type 2 and syphilis) transmission were measured by specific ELISAs.

Reliability of information on varicella history in preschool children.

Objective: To verify how reliable is the information provided by parents about the history of varicella in their children.

Methods: 204 parents of previously healthy children attending two municipal day-care centers of São Paulo city were interviewed between August 2003 and September 2005. A standardized form was filled out with information regarding age, sex, history of varicella and other diseases, drug use and antecedent of immunization, After medical history, physical examination and checking of immunization records, 5 ml of blood were collected for ELISA (in house) varicella test.

Comparative study of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus serological assays using clinically and serologically defined reference standards and latent class analysis.

Accurate determination of infection with Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) has been hindered by the lack of a "gold standard" for comparison of serological assays used to estimate KSHV prevalence in serosurveys conducted in different settings. We have evaluated the performance of five in-house (developed at University College London [UCL], United Kingdom, and at the virology laboratory of the Instituto de Medicine Tropical [IMT] in Sao Paulo, Brazil) and two commercial (ABI and DIAVIR) serological assays to detect antibodies to latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) and to lytic KSHV antigens. We used a variety of serum samples assembled to represent populations likely to be at high, intermediate, and low risk of KSHV infection in Brazil.