HLA-G, LILRB1 and LILRB2 Variants in Zika Virus Transmission from Mother to Child in a Population from South and Southeast of Brazil.

During the 2015-2016 epidemic, Brazil was the country with the highest rate of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in the Americas. Twenty-nine percent of pregnant women positive for ZIKV exhibited ultrasound scans with fetus anomalies. Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) exerts immunoregulatory effects by binding to inhibitory receptors, namely LILRB1 and LILRB2, thus preventing mother-fetus rejection and vertical pathogen transmission. The binding of HLA-G to one of its receptors modulates both innate and adaptive immunity. However, in a viral infection, these molecules may behave as pathogenic mediators shifting the pregnancy environment from an anti-inflammatory profile to a pro-inflammatory phenotype. Genetic mutations might be associated with the change in phenotype. This study aimed to explore the possible role of polymorphic sites in HLA-G, LILRB1 and LILRB2 in mother-fetus ZIKV transmission. Polymorphisms were detected by direct sequencing. Differences in allele and/or genotype frequencies for each SNP analyzed among ZIKV non-transmitting and transmitting mother-child pairs, among ZIKV-transmitting and non-transmitting mothers and between ZIKV-infected and non-infected children were compared by Mid-P exact test or Yates' correction. Significant susceptibility of ZIKV vertical transmission is suggested in ZIKV-transmitting and non-transmitting mothers and ZIKV-infected and non-infected children for LILRB1_rs1061684 T/T (p = 0.03, Pc = 0.06, OR = 12.4; p = 0.008, Pc = 0.016, OR = 16.4) and LILRB1_rs16985478 A/A (p = 0.01, Pc = 0.02, OR = 19.2; p = 0.008, Pc = 0.016, OR = 16.4). HLA-G_rs1710 (p = 0.04, Pc = 0.52, OR = 4.30) was also a susceptibility factor. LILRB2_rs386056 G/A (p = 0.02, Pc = 0.08, OR = 0.07), LILRB2_rs7247451 G/G (p = 0.01, Pc = 0.04, OR = 0.04) and HLAG_rs9380142 T/T (p = 0.04, Pc = 0.52, OR = 0.14) were suggested as protective factors against vertical transmission. The current study suggests that polymorphic sites in the LILRB1 and HLA-G genes might be associated with mother-to-child ZIKV transmission while LILRB2 might be associated with protection against ZIKV transmission in the womb in a population from the south and southeast of Brazil.

Characteristics associated with anti-HCV serological markers in prisoners in the state of Paraná, Brazil: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The prison system in Paraná, Brazil, is experiencing serious problems related to the increasing number of prisoners. Control of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has become more intense because the incarcerated population is considered a high-risk group for contagious diseases due to the favorable conditions found in prisons for the spread of these morbidities. The objective of this study was to identify features associated with hepatitis C infection among male prisoners in correctional institutions of Paraná state, Brazil. METHODS: This was a case-control study (27 cases and 54 controls) of men incarcerated in 11 penitentiaries in Paraná, Brazil. Information was obtained through a questionnaire in a cross-sectional epidemiological survey on HCV infection during the period from May 2015 to December 2016. Eligible men were recruited after testing positive for anti-HCV antibodies. Cases and controls were selected based on serological results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and were matched by age, location of the penitentiary, and time in prison. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for HCV seropositivity. RESULTS: The main significant independent risk factor for the acquisition of HCV infection was the use of injectable drugs (OR = 4.00; 95%CI:1.41-11.35; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that HCV infection is associated with drug use by this population. This information is pivotal for tailoring prevention programs and guiding specific socioeducational measures that aim to reduce or prevent HCV transmission within the prison setting.

Laboratório de inovação em saúde (lis): propiciando a integração regional para a formação multiprofissional em saúde / Health innovation laboratory (lis): providing regional integration for multiprofessional healthcare training / Laboratorio de innovación en salud (lis): brindando integración regional para la formación multiprofesional en salud

Introdução: Este estudo contextualiza a criação do Laboratório de Inovação na Saúde (LIS), estabelecido para integrar as entidades gestoras regionais de saúde e educação, de um estado no sul do Brasil. Considerando que inovação em saúde seja uma novidade funcional que provoca uma mudança transformadora e durável produzindo resultados significativos para a gestão do setor público. Objetivo: relatar a criação de uma organização intersetorial visando à formação profissional em saúde. Metodologia: Foram realizados encontros entre as instituições de ensino superior públicas e privadas e órgãos gestores regionais. Os encontros visaram ao aprofundamento teórico acerca da temática e a construção dos roteiros para nortear a formação profissional em saúde e educação. Resultados: Constataram-se avanços nas propostas de ações setoriais integradas das atividades, que inicialmente estimulam a implementação deste modelo aprimorando a formação dos profissionais na perspectiva da sistematização da assistência no contexto da saúde pública. Conclusão: a mobilização das pessoas e instituições foi de grande valia para a consolidação de um modelo para a formação de profissionais no setor da saúde.

Introduction: This study contextualizes the creation of the Health Innovation Laboratory (LIS), established to integrate regional health and education management entities, in a state in southern Brazil. Considering that innovation in health is a functional novelty that causes transformative and durable change, producing significant results for public sector management. Objective: to report the creation of an intersectoral organization aimed at professional training in health. Methodology: Meetings were held between public and private higher education institutions and regional management bodies. The meetings aimed to deepen the theory on the topic and the construction of scripts to guide professional training in health and education. Results: Advances were noted in the proposals for integrated sectoral actions of activities, which initially stimulate the implementation of this model by improving the training of professionals from the perspective of systematizing care in the context of public health. Conclusion: the mobilization of people and institutions was of great value in consolidating a model for training professionals in the health sector.

Introducción: Este estudio contextualiza la creación del Laboratorio de Innovación en Salud (LIS), creado para integrar entidades regionales de gestión de salud y educación, en un estado del sur de Brasil. Considerando que la innovación en salud es una novedad funcional que provoca cambios transformadores y duraderos, produciendo resultados significativos para la gestión del sector público. Objetivo: informar la creación de una organización intersectorial orientada a la formación profesional en salud. Metodología: Se realizaron reuniones entre instituciones de educación superior públicas y privadas y órganos de gestión regional. Los encuentros tuvieron como objetivo profundizar la comprensión teórica del tema y la construcción de guiones que orienten la formación profesional en salud y educación. Resultados: Se observaron avances en las propuestas de acciones sectoriales integradas de actividades, que inicialmente estimulan la implementación de este modelo, mejorando la formación de profesionales en la perspectiva de la sistematización de la atención en el contexto de la salud pública. Conclusión: la movilización de personas e instituciones fue de gran valor para consolidar un modelo de formación de profesionales del sector salud.

Characteristics associated with anti-HCV serological markers in prisoners in the state of Paraná, Brazil: a case-control study

ABSTRACT Background: The prison system in Paraná, Brazil, is experiencing serious problems related to the increasing number of prisoners. Control of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has become more intense because the incarcerated population is considered a high-risk group for contagious diseases due to the favorable conditions found in prisons for the spread of these morbidities. The objective of this study was to identify features associated with hepatitis C infection among male prisoners in correctional institutions of Paraná state, Brazil. Methods: This was a case-control study (27 cases and 54 controls) of men incarcerated in 11 penitentiaries in Paraná, Brazil. Information was obtained through a questionnaire in a cross-sectional epidemiological survey on HCV infection during the period from May 2015 to December 2016. Eligible men were recruited after testing positive for anti-HCV antibodies. Cases and controls were selected based on serological results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and were matched by age, location of the penitentiary, and time in prison. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for HCV seropositivity. Results: The main significant independent risk factor for the acquisition of HCV infection was the use of injectable drugs (OR = 4.00; 95%CI:1.41-11.35; p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study provides evidence that HCV infection is associated with drug use by this population. This information is pivotal for tailoring prevention programs and guiding specific socioeducational measures that aim to reduce or prevent HCV transmission within the prison setting.