Viable Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis Colonizes Peripheral Blood of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients.

Pathobionts, particularly Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) and Escherichia coli isolates with adherence/invasive ability (AIEC) have been associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly Crohn's disease (CD). This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of viable MAP and AIEC in a cohort of IBD patients. As such, MAP and E. coli cultures were established from faecal and blood samples (with a total n = 62 for each) of patients with CD (n = 18), ulcerative colitis (UC, n = 15), or liver cirrhosis (n = 7), as well as from healthy controls (HC, n = 22). Presumptive positive cultures were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), for a positive confirmation of MAP or E. coli identity. E. coli-confirmed isolates were then tested for AIEC identity using adherence and invasion assays in the epithelial cell line of Caco-2 and survival and replication assays in the macrophage cell line of J774. MAP sub-culture and genome sequencing were also performed. MAP was more frequently cultured from the blood and faecal samples of patients with CD and cirrhosis. E. coli presumptive colonies were isolated from the faecal samples of most individuals, in contrast to what was registered for the blood samples. Additionally, from the confirmed E. coli isolates, only three had an AIEC-like phenotype (i.e., one CD patient and two UC patients). This study confirmed the association between MAP and CD; however, it did not find a strong association between the presence of AIEC and CD. It may be hypothesized that the presence of viable MAP in the bloodstream of CD patients contributes to disease reactivation.

Further Evidence on Trace Element Imbalances in Haemodialysis Patients-Paired Analysis of Blood and Serum Samples.

Previous studies have shown that haemodialysis patients have an increased risk of trace element imbalances. Most studies have determined the concentration of trace elements in serum only, but most trace elements are not uniformly distributed between plasma and blood cells, which justifies separate analysis of the different compartments. In this study, we determined both the serum and whole blood concentration of a wide panel of trace elements (Li, B, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, Pb) in haemodialysis patients and compared them with those of a control group. Whole blood and serum samples were collected during routine laboratory testing of patients undergoing chronic haemodialysis. For comparison purposes, samples from individuals with normal renal function were also analysed. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between the two groups for whole blood concentrations of all analysed elements except Zn (p = 0.347). For serum, the difference between groups was statistically significant for all elements (p < 0.05). This study confirms that patients on haemodialysis tend to present significant trace element imbalances. By determining the concentration of trace elements in both whole blood and serum, it was shown that chronic haemodialysis may affect intra- and extracellular blood compartments differently.

Serum Iodine and Bromine in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients-An Observational Study in a Cohort of Portuguese Patients.

Background: Patients on chronic hemodialysis therapy are at high risk of disturbances in trace element status due to both the underlying disease and the hemodialysis process itself. Data on iodine and bromine levels in these patients are scarce. Methods: Using an ICP-MS analytical procedure, serum iodine and bromine levels were determined in a cohort (n = 57) of end-stage renal disease patients on chronic hemodialysis. The results were compared with those of a control group (n = 59). Results: Hemodialysis patients presented serum iodine levels within the normal range, slightly lower than in controls, but without reaching a statistically significant difference (67.6 ± 17.1 µg/L vs. 72.2 ± 14.8 µg/L; p = 0.1252). In contrast, serum bromine levels were much lower in patients (1086 ± 244 µg/L vs. 4137 ± 770 µg/L; p < 0.0001), at values only about 26% of the values observed in controls. Conclusions: Hemodialysis patients had normal serum iodine levels, but highly decreased serum bromine levels. The clinical significance of this finding requires further investigation, but it may be associated with sleep disturbances and fatigue that affect hemodialysis patients.

Immune response to COVID-19 vaccination in a population with and without a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection.

PURPOSE: To evaluate IgG production in a group of vaccinated and unvaccinated subjects previously infected, or not, with SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: A total of 316 subjects were enrolled at different times after vaccination and/or infection. IgG against target S1 subunit of the spike protein of SARS-COV-2 was assessed by a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Participant data was collected using a clinical-epidemiological survey. RESULTS: A total of 56.2% (n = 146) of our cohort was vaccinated, with 27.5% (n = 36) reporting a previous infection. Of these, all were IgG positive at the time of the study, regardless of gender, age category, vaccine type, and elapsed time since vaccination. The vaccinated group without a previous infection (72.5%, n = 95) showed a slightly lower IgG seropositivity and median values, overall, although significantly higher in females and lower with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AstraZeneca) vaccine. Vaccinated subjects above the age of 65 showed a trend towards higher median IgG values (13,911.0 AU/mL), when previously infected with SARS-CoV-2, but comparatively lower IgG median value (5158.7 AU/mL) in its absence. In all vaccinated groups, IgG antibody production increased at 1-2 weeks, peaking at 4-6 weeks. Afterward, IgG decreased progressively but almost all subjects (97.7%, n = 128) were seropositive for the remainder of our study. Fully vaccinated individuals with a past infection showed a lower IgG rate of decrease versus their uninfected counterparts (17.9 vs 22.6%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest a higher effect of vaccination on the production IgG antibodies, as opposed to natural infection. Nonetheless, in general, antibody titers waned rapidly.

Association of trace element status in COVID-19 patients with disease severity.

Caused by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) evolves with clinical symptoms that vary widely in severity, from mild symptoms to critical conditions, which can even result in the patient's death. A critical aspect related to an individual response to SARS-CoV-2 infection is the competence of the immune system, and it is well known that several trace elements are essential for an adequate immune response and have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are of particular importance in fighting infection. Thus, it is widely accepted that adequate trace element status can reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease severity. In this study, we evaluated the serum levels of Cu, Zn, Se, Fe, I and Mg in patients (n = 210) with clinical conditions of different severity ("mild", "moderate", "severe" and "exitus letalis", i.e., patients who eventually died). The results showed significant differences between the four groups for Cu, Zn, Se and Fe, in particular a significant trend of Zn and Se serum levels to be decreased and Cu to be increased with the severity of symptoms. For Mg and I, no differences were observed, but I levels were shown to be increased in all groups.

Pre-vaccination immune response to COVID-19 in a population in Northeast Portugal.

PURPOSE: To study the immunization status and IgM and IgG antibody behavior against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in an unvaccinated population of Northeast Portugal (including RT-PCR diagnosed and undiagnosed individuals). METHODS: Application of a clinical-epidemiological survey, and analysis of IgM and IgG SARS-COV-2 antibodies (against N core protein) in 362 participants that voluntarily sought the laboratory for testing. RESULTS: At the time of the analysis, 31.7% (n = 114) of the study population had a previous SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, 48.3% of which were asymptomatic, and 71.9% IgG seropositive. Of these, 83.3% and 60% were, respectively, IgM and IgG seropositive within 2 weeks after the initial diagnosis. Both antibodies peaked in the 3rd week post diagnosis, with titers decreasing over the following weeks, until a state of seronegativity was achieved after the 6th week for IgM, and the 21st for IgG. Symptomatic patients showed higher IgM and IgG values, when compared to asymptomatic ones. Fever, the most reported symptom, was found to be positively associated with IgM values. Ages of ≤ 18-year-old and ≥ 65-year-old exhibited the highest median values for both IgM and IgG, with the former being statistically significant. In the undiagnosed group, 13.9% and 11.1% were seropositive for IgM and IgG, respectively. CONCLUSION: IgM and IgG displayed a similar initial increase (within 1/2 weeks), with IgG having a significant decrease after the 21st week post-diagnosis, translating a loss of immunity at this point. The youngest and oldest symptomatic age groups were found to be the highest responders. Antibody assays enabled the identification of previously undiagnosed participants.

Trace element imbalances in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis therapy - Report of an observational study in a cohort of Portuguese patients.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis therapy are at risk of developing deficiencies of essential trace elements and/or overload of toxic trace elements, both of which may significantly affect their clinical status of. Those imbalances may result from the disease itself but also from the quality of the therapeutic process, namely the hemodialysis process, which has greatly evolved in the last decades. Thus, old observations that have been assumed as very well-proven have been recently questioned. In this case-control study we evaluate the current trace elements status in a group of Portuguese patients under hemodialysis therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum samples from patients (n = 93), collected for the routine periodic control of Al levels, were analyzed for a wide panel of trace elements (Li, Al, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, Ba, Pb) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry technique (hemodialysis patients' group). For comparison purposes, samples of individuals with no evidence of renal disease according to standard laboratory analytical criteria (n = 50) were also analyzed (control group). RESULTS: The results showed significant differences between the two groups, with higher values in hemodialysis patients group for Al (14.6 vs. 9.5 µg/L), Co, Ni, Sr, Mo (4.5 vs. 1.4 µg/L), Cd (0.058 vs. 0.025 µg/L) and Pb (0.55 vs. 0.30 µg/L); and lower values in hemodialysis patients group for Li (4.0 vs. 75.8 µg/L), Mn, Cu (943.5 vs. 1038.5 µg/L), Zn (943.5 vs. 1038.5 µg/L), Se (71.5 vs. 103.8 µg/L), Rb (202.4 vs. 300.3 µg/L) and Ba (0.65 vs. 8.7 µg/L). CONCLUSION: This study confirms that hemodialysis patients tend to present significant trace elements imbalances, which may be related to the higher morbidity and mortality observed in this specific patients' group.

Estimation of salt intake by urinary sodium excretion in a Portuguese adult population and its relationship to arterial stiffness.

BACKGROUND: Portugal has one of the highest mortality rates from stroke, a high prevalence of hypertension and probably a high salt intake level. AIM: To evaluate Portuguese salt intake levels and their relationship to blood pressure and arterial stiffness in a sample of four different adult populations living in northern Portugal. METHODS: A cross-sectional study evaluating 24-hour urinary excretion of sodium (24 h UNa+), potassium and creatinine, blood pressure (BP), and pulse wave velocity (PWV) as an index of aortic stiffness in adult populations of sustained hypertensives (HT), relatives of patients with previous stroke (Fam), university students (US) and factory workers (FW), in the context of their usual dietary habits. RESULTS: We evaluated a total of 426 subjects, mean age 50 +/- 22 years, 56% female, BMI 27.9+/-5.1, BP 159/92 mmHg, PWV 10.4+/-2.2 m/s, who showed mean 24h UNa+ of 202 +/- 64 mmol/d, corresponding to a daily salt intake of 12.3 g (ranging from 5.2 to 24.8). The four groups were: HT: n = 245, 49 +/- 18 years, 92% of those selected, 69% treated, BP 163/94 mmHg, PWV 11.9 m/s, 24 h UNa+ 212 mmol/d, i.e. 12.4 g/d of salt); Fam: n = 38, 64 +/- 20 years, 57 % of those selected, BP 144/88 mmHg, PWV 10.5 m/s, 24 h UNa+ 194 mmol/d, i.e. 11.1 g/d of salt; US: n = 82, 22 +/- 3 years, 57% of those selected, BP 124/77 mmHg, PWV 8.7 m/s, 24h UNa+ 199 mmol/d, i.e. 11.3 g/d of salt; FW: n = 61, 39 9 years, 47% of those selected, BP 129/79 mmHg, PWV 9.5 m/s, 24 h UNa+ 221 mmol/d, i.e. 12.9 g/d of salt. The ratio of urinary sodium/potassium excretion (1.9 (0.4) was significantly higher in HT than the other three groups. In the 426 subjects, 24h UNa+ correlated significantly (p < 0.01) with systolic BP (r = 0.209) and with PWV (r=0.256) after adjustment for age and BP. Multivariate analysis showed that BP, age and 24h UNa+ correlated independently with PWV taken as a dependent variable. CONCLUSIONS: Four different Portuguese populations showed similarly high mean daily salt intake levels, almost double those recommended by the WHO. Overall, high urinary sodium excretion correlated consistently with high BP levels and appeared to be an independent determining factor of arterial stiffness. These findings suggest that Portugal in general has a high salt intake diet, and urgent measures are required to restrict salt consumption in order to prevent and treat hypertensive disease and to reduce overall cardiovascular risk and events.