Healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19 patients present an inflammatory status and Th2/Th17/Th22 immune profile: findings from before vaccine application in Brazil.

Healthcare workers present an increased risk of contagion for the SARS-CoV-2 virus due to their labor exposure. Here, we describe the clinical, laboratory, and immunological characteristics of healthcare workers, before vaccine application, exposed to SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. We collected sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory information from 50 professionals who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic at the Clinical Hospital of the Northwest in Brazil. The results showed that most workers are women, over 50 years old, and worked as nursing technicians. Approximately 56% of workers were positive for a previous infection by RT-PCR and/or anti-SARS-CoV-2-immunoglobulin tests. Increased levels of hematocrit, neutrophils, NK lymphocytes, and fibrinogen, were found in positive healthcare workers, suggesting a light inflammatory status. The immunological findings showed an increase in IL-17 production and a Th2/Th17/Th22 profile followed by high serology for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG. Those data reveal the importance of studies with healthcare workers to investigate if the continuous exposition to the virus may result in chronic activation of the immune system and/or pulmonary inflammation in this target group.

[Evaluation of MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism and homocysteine level in coronary atherosclerotic disease]. / Avaliação da relação entre o polimorfismo C677T no gene para MTHFR e a concentração plasmática de homocisteína na doença arterial coronariana.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism and correlate it with plasma homocysteine levels in coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Ninety-three patients with documented CAD from Hospital Universitário Oswaldo Cruz (Recife, PE, Brazil) and 108 healthy controls were evaluated. Homocysteine and folate levels were determined by HPLC and chemoluminescence, respectively, and lipid profile was considered. Genotyping was done by RFLP/PCR. RESULTS: The groups were homogeneous for the C677T polymorphisms. The homocysteine level in cases (11.7 micromol/L) was statistically different from that observed in controls (8.84 micromol/L, p< 0.05). It was also observed that 72% of the patients had homocysteine values above 12 micromol/L while the control group presented only 32% in this range. There was no relationship between homozygosity for the C677T polymorphism and the homocysteine level (p= 0.634). We noticed statistical differences between folate levels from patients and controls (6.22 and 7.69 ng/dL, p< 0.05, respectively). However, there was no correlation between homocysteine and folate concentrations in the entire group (r= -0.202). Comparing cases and controls, the odds ratio (OR) when homocysteine is high and folate is low was OR= 11.9; CI 95%= 4.16-34.42, p< 0.01. CONCLUSION: A lack of correlation between C677T mutation and homocysteine level suggests that environmental factors and others genetic factors seem to exert more influence on homocysteine level in this population.

MTHFR polymorphic variant C677T is associated to vascular complications in sickle-cell disease.

Vaso-occlusion is a determinant for most signs and symptoms of sickle-cell anemia (SCA). The mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of vascular complications in SCA remain unclear. It is known that genetic polymorphisms associated with thrombophilia may be potential modifiers of clinical features of SCA. The genetic polymorphisms C677T and A1298C relating to the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), a clotting Factor V Leiden mutation (1691G→A substitution of Factor V Leiden), and the mutant prothrombin 20210A allele were analyzed in this study. The aim was to find possible correlations with vascular complications and thrombophilia markers in a group of SCA patients in Pernambuco, Brazil. The study included 277 SCA patients, divided into two groups: one consisting of 177 nonconsanguineous SCA patients who presented vascular manifestations of stroke, avascular necrosis, leg ulcers, priapism, and acute chest syndrome (group 1); and the other consisting of 100 SCA patients without any reported vascular complication (group 2). Molecular tests were done using either polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism or allele-specific PCR techniques. Comparisons between the groups were made using the χ(2) test. The 677 CT and TT genotypes showed a significant risk of vascular complications (p=0.015). No significant associations between the groups were found when samples were analyzed for the MTHFR A1298C allele (p=0.913), Factor V G1691 (p=0.555), or prothrombin G20210A mutation (p=1.000). The polymorphism MTHFR C677T seemed to be possibly predictive for the development of some vascular complications in SCA patients among this population.

Number of involved anatomic areas as a risk predictor in pediatric Hodgkin's lymphoma: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if the number of involved anatomic areas can modify the standard risk groups in pediatric Hodgkin's lymphoma, identifying children who would benefit from a reduction in treatment intensity. METHODS: Retrospective study evaluating age, sex, histology, Ann-Arbor stage, presence of B symptoms, number of involved anatomic areas, risk grouping (favorable vs. unfavorable), and laboratory exams. All patients received doxorubicin-containing chemotherapy. Patients in complete remission for 5 years or longer were evaluated as for late effects. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients (2-18 years) were included, 68% belonged to the unfavorable risk group. Overall survival and event-free survival were 94 and 87%, respectively. Late effects were screened in 46 cases. Advanced stage and > or = four involved anatomic areas had negative impact on event-free survival, while only the number of involved anatomic areas retained statistical significance when using Cox analysis (hazard ratio = 6.4, 95%CI = 1.08-38.33; p = 0.04). Risk groups were adjusted by number of involved anatomic areas (< four/> or = four involved anatomic areas), with a significant reallocation of patients (p = 0.008). Of the 30 patients with late effects, 21 were in the original unfavorable risk group and 14 (66.6%) could have been reallocated to the favorable risk group based on the number of involved anatomic areas. CONCLUSIONS: If re-stratification had been applied, a considerable number of children would have received less intensive treatment and, consequently, could have had lower chances of late effects. A prospective study could define if adjustment of risk group by number of involved anatomic areas would have any impact on survival rates.

Número de áreas anatômicas envolvidas como preditor de risco no linfoma de Hodgkin em crianças: um estudo retrospectivo / Number of involved anatomic areas as a risk predictor in pediatric Hodgkin's lymphoma: a retrospective study

OBJETIVO: Determinar se o número de áreas anatômicas envolvidas pode modificar os grupos de risco padrão no linfoma de Hodgkin pediátrico, identificando as crianças que poderiam se beneficiar de uma redução da intensidade do tratamento. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo com avaliação de idade, sexo, histologia, classificação de Ann-Arbor, presença de sintomas B, número de áreas anatômicas envolvidas, grupos de risco (favorável versus desfavorável) e exames laboratoriais. Todos os pacientes receberam quimioterapia com doxorrubicina. Os pacientes em remissão completa por 5 anos ou mais foram avaliados para a detecção de efeitos tardios. RESULTADOS: Sessenta e nove pacientes (2-18 anos) foram incluídos, sendo que 68 por cento pertenciam ao grupo de risco desfavorável. A sobrevida global e a sobrevida livre de eventos foram de 94 e 87 por cento, respectivamente. Os efeitos tardios foram detectados em 46 casos. Estágio avançado e > quatro áreas anatômicas envolvidas tiveram impacto negativo sobre a sobrevida livre de eventos, enquanto que o número de áreas anatômicas envolvidas apresentou significância estatística de acordo com a análise de Cox (razão de risco = 6,4; IC95 por cento = 1,08-38,33; p = 0,04). Os grupos de risco foram ajustados por número de áreas anatômicas envolvidas (< quatro/> quatro áreas anatômicas envolvidas), com uma significativa realocação de pacientes (p = 0,008). Dos 30 pacientes com efeitos tardios, 21 estavam no grupo de risco desfavorável original, e 14 poderiam ter sido realocados para o grupo de risco favorável com base no número de áreas anatômicas envolvidas. CONCLUSÃO: Se uma reestratificação tivesse sido aplicada, um número considerável de crianças teria recebido tratamento de menor intensidade e, consequentemente, poderia ter tido menores chances de apresentar efeitos tardios. Um estudo prospectivo poderia definir se o ajuste de grupos de risco pelo número de áreas anatômicas envolvidas teria algum impacto sobre ...

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the number of involved anatomic areas can modify the standard risk groups in pediatric Hodgkin's lymphoma, identifying children who would benefit from a reduction in treatment intensity. METHODS: Retrospective study evaluating age, sex, histology, Ann-Arbor stage, presence of B symptoms, number of involved anatomic areas, risk grouping (favorable vs. unfavorable), and laboratory exams. All patients received doxorubicin-containing chemotherapy. Patients in complete remission for 5 years or longer were evaluated as for late effects. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients (2-18 years) were included, 68 percent belonged to the unfavorable risk group. Overall survival and event-free survival were 94 and 87 percent, respectively. Late effects were screened in 46 cases. Advanced stage and > four involved anatomic areas had negative impact on event-free survival, while only the number of involved anatomic areas retained statistical significance when using Cox analysis (hazard ratio = 6.4, 95 percentCI = 1.08-38.33; p = 0.04). Risk groups were adjusted by number of involved anatomic areas (< four/> four involved anatomic areas), with a significant reallocation of patients (p = 0.008). Of the 30 patients with late effects, 21 were in the original unfavorable risk group and 14 (66.6 percent) could have been reallocated to the favorable risk group based on the number of involved anatomic areas. CONCLUSION: If re-stratification had been applied, a considerable number of children would have received less intensive treatment and, consequently, could have had lower chances of late effects. A prospective study could define if adjustment of risk group by number of involved anatomic areas would have any impact on survival rates.

Avaliação da relação entre o polimorfismo C677T no gene para MTHFR e a concentração plasmática de homocisteína na doença arterial coronariana / Evaluation of MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism and homocysteine level in coronary atherosclerotic disease / Evaluation of MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism and homocysteine level in coronary atherosclerotic disease

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste trabalho é determinar a prevalência do polimorfismo C677T do gene metilenotetraidrofolato redutase (MTHFR) e associá-la com a concentração plasmática de homocisteína plasmática na doença arterial coronariana (DAC). MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 93 pacientes com DAC documentada, atendidos no Hospital Universitário Oswaldo Cruz (Recife, PE, Brasil), e 108 controles sem a doença. Foram determinados os perfis lipídicos de pacientes e controles. As concentrações plasmáticas de homocisteína e folato foram determinadas por HPLC e quimioluminescência, respectivamente. A genotipagem foi realizada por RFLP/PCR. RESULTADOS: Os grupos de pacientes e controles foram homogêneos quanto aos perfis genéticos do polimorfismo investigado. Nos pacientes, as concentrações plasmáticas médias de homocisteina (11,7 ± 4,4 æmol/L) e de folato (6,22 ± 3,0 ng/dL) foram estatisticamente diferentes daquelas observadas nos controles (8,84 ± 3,2 æmol/L e 7,69 ± 3,1 ng/dL, respectivamente), ao nível de significância de 0,05. Entretanto, não houve correlação entre concentração plasmática de homocisteína e folato nos pacientes (r= -0,202). Não foi observada associação entre a homozigosidade 677TT para MTHFR e a concentração plasmática de homocisteína sérica (p= 0,634). A comparação dos casos e controles que apresentaram simultaneamente alta concentração plasmática de homocisteína e baixa concentração de folato, resultou numa razão de chance superior à de cada variável analisada independentemente (RC= 11,9; IC 95 por cento= 4,16-34,42, p< 0,01). CONCLUSÕES: A mutação C677T não parece ser um fator genético importante capaz de explicar a hiperhomocisteinemia moderada observada nos pacientes com DAC. Outros fatores, ambientais e genéticos, devem ser investigados.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism and correlate it with plasma homocysteine levels in coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Ninety-three patients with documented CAD from Hospital Universitário Oswaldo Cruz (Recife, PE, Brazil) and 108 healthy controls were evaluated. Homocysteine and folate levels were determined by HPLC and chemoluminescence, respectively, and lipid profile was considered. Genotyping was done by RFLP/PCR. RESULTS: The groups were homogeneous for the C677T polymorphisms. The homocysteine level in cases (11.7 æmol/L) was statistically different from that observed in controls (8.84 æmol/L, p< 0.05). It was also observed that 72 percent of the patients had homocysteine values above12 æmol/L while the control group presented only 32 percent in this range. There was no relationship between homozigosity for the C677T polymorphism and the homocysteine level (p= 0.634). We noticed statistical differences between folate levels from patients and controls (6.22 and 7.69 ng/dL, p< 0.05, respectively). However, there was no correlation between homocysteine and folate concentrations in the entire group (r= -0.202). Comparing cases and controls, the odds ratio (OR) when homocysteine is high and folate is low was OR= 11.9; CI 95 percent= 4.16-34.42, p< 0.01. CONCLUSION: A lack of correlation between C677T mutation and homocysteine level suggests that environmental factors and others genetic factors seem to exert more influence on homocysteine level in this population.