RESUMO
The use of nucleotides for biomedical applications is an old desire in the scientific community. As we will present here, there are references published over the past 40 years with this intended use. The main problem is that, as unstable molecules, nucleotides require some additional protection to extend their shelf life in the biological environment. Among the different nucleotide carriers, the nano-sized liposomes proved to be an effective strategic tool to overcome all these drawbacks related to the nucleotide high instability. Moreover, due to their low immunogenicity and easy preparation, the liposomes were selected as the main strategy for delivery of the mRNA developed for COVID-19 immunization. For sure this is the most important and relevant example of nucleotide application for human biomedical conditions. In addition, the use of mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 has increased interest in the application of this type of technology to other health conditions. For this review article, we will present some of these examples, especially focused on the use of liposomes to protect and deliver nucleotides for cancer therapy, immunostimulatory activities, enzymatic diagnostic applications, some examples for veterinarian use, and the treatment of neglected tropical disease.
RESUMO
A toxoplasmose é uma zoonose cosmopolita causada pelo Toxoplasma gondii. A enfermidade constitui um importante problema de saúde pública em todo o mundo, especialmente na sua forma congênita, onde o risco de comprometimento fetal e sequelas são iminentes. Objetivou-se estabelecer o perfil epidemiológico da toxoplasmose na cidade de Teresina-PI, por meio da caracterização de sua prevalência em humanos, durante o período de 2010 a 2014. Fora realizado um estudo descritivo e retrospectivo de caráter quantitativo. Observou-se que 69% dos indivíduos do sexo feminino apresentam soropositividade em relação a anticorpos IgG contra toxoplasmose, enquanto que 67% dos indivíduos do sexo masculino apresentam soropositividade. De acordo com as análises estatísticas, a prevalência de toxoplasmose na cidade de Teresina é de 89,4% em relação a anticorpos IgG, e 4,3% para anticorpos IgM. Fica evidente que estudos adicionais são necessários antes da completa compreensão da prevalência de toxoplasmose em Teresina. Diante do exposto, percebe-se a importância da caracterização epidemiologia da toxoplasmose, visto que o aumento na incidência de AIDS no estado do Piauí vem aumentando gradativamente. Conclui-se que é necessário maiores estudos sobre incidência e prevalência no Estado do Piauí, bem como o estudo sobre incidências das variações clínicas da toxoplasmose.
Toxoplasmosis is a world-wide zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii. It is an important public health problem especially in its congenital form where risk to the fetus and its sequences are imminent. The epidemiological profile of toxoplasmosis in Teresina PI,Brazil is described by characterizing its prevalence in humans between 2010 and 2014. The descriptive and retrospective analysis showed that 69% of females were serum positive with regard to antibodies IgG against toxoplasmosis, whereas 67% of males were serum positive. Statistical analyses revealed that the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Teresina reached 89.4% with regard to antibodies IgG and 4.3% for antibodies IgM. Further studies are required to understand fully the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in the city. The epidemiological characterization of toxoplasmosis is highly relevant due to a gradual increase in AIDS rates in the state of Piauí. Further studies on its occurrence and prevalence in the state of Piauí are required, coupled to studies on the clinical variations of toxoplasmosis.