Quaternary epitope specificities of anti-HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies generated in rhesus macaques infected by the simian/human immunodeficiency virus SHIVSF162P4.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that neutralize human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) have been isolated from HIV-1-infected individuals or animals immunized with recombinant HIV-1 envelope (Env) glycoprotein constructs. The epitopes of these neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) were shown to be located on either the variable or conserved regions of the HIV-1 Env and to be linear or conformational. However, one neutralizing MAb, 2909, which was isolated from an HIV-1-infected subject, recognizes a more complex, quaternary epitope that is present on the virion-associated functional trimeric Env spike of the SF162 HIV-1 isolate. Here, we discuss the isolation of 11 anti-HIV NAbs that were isolated from three rhesus macaques infected with the simian/human immunodeficiency virus SHIV(SF162P4) and that also recognize quaternary epitopes. A detailed epitope mapping analysis of three of these rhesus antibodies revealed that their epitopes overlap that of the human MAb 2909. Despite this overall similarity in binding, however, differences in specific amino acid and glycosylation pattern requirements for MAb 2909 and the rhesus MAbs were identified. These results highlight similarities in the B-cell responses of humans and macaques to structurally complex neutralization epitopes on related viruses, HIV-1 and SHIV.

Ehrlichiosis monocítica humana y babesiosis en Venezuela / Human monocytic ehrlichiosis and babesiosis in Venezuela

Resumen La babesiosis o "Fiebre de garrapatas" es una enfermedad febril y anemizante, producida en animales domésticos y salvajes y ocasionalmente en humanos por especies del genero Babesia, las cuales son protozoarios intraeritrocíticos. Se denomina ehrlichiosis y anaplasmosis a un grupo de infecciones bacterianas transmitidas por garrapatas duras (Ixodidae), que afectan al ser humano y a los animales. Son de distribución universal, y están relacionadas con varias especies de los géneros Anaplasma y Ehrlichia (familia Anaplasmataceae). La fiebre de origen desconocido en pacientes con historia de viajes a zonas endémicas de Ixodes resulta con alto índice de sospecha para la búsqueda de infecciones por Babesia, Borrelia y Ehrliquia, ya que pueden ocurrir simultáneamente, particularmente con estos dos últimos géneros. Se reporta un caso de paciente femenina de 49 años de edad, procedente de Tumeremo estado Bolívar, ocupación minera, quien consultó por fiebre con escalofríos, cefalea y mialgias predominantes en miembros inferiores. Ingresó a Terapia intensiva por cuadro de distres respiratorio y shock séptico. Se descartó malaria por gota gruesa seriada negativas, el hemocultivo y urocultivo reportaron ausencia de crecimiento bacteriano. Se realizó frotis de capa blanca siendo positiva para Ehrliquia monocítica y Babesia bigemina. La paciente evolucionó satisfactoriamente luego del tratamiento con Doxiciclina, clindamicina más meropenem. El fin de este reporte es concientizar a la comunidad médica de la existencia de la ehrlichiosis como entidad clínica emergente en nuestro país y la posibilidad de coexistir con otros microorganismos que comparten el mismo vector, con el fin de considerar tratamiento empírico oportuno en pacientes con factores de riesgo en las zonas rurales.

Abstract Babesiosis or "Tick fever" is a feverish and anemic disease, produced in domestic and wild animals and occasionally in humans by species of the genus Babesia, which are intra-erythrocytic protozoans. Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis are called a group of bacterial infections transmitted by hard ticks (Ixodidae), which affect humans and animals. They are of universal distribution, and are related to several species of the genera Anaplasma and Ehrlichia (family Anaplasmataceae). Fever of unknown origin in patients with a history of travel to endemic areas of Ixodes results in a high index of suspicion for the search for Babesia, Borrelia and Ehrliquia infections, since they can occur simultaneously, particularly with these last two genera. We report a case of female patient, 49 years old, from Tumeremo Bolívar state, mining occupation, who consulted for fever with chills, headache and myalgias predominant in lower limbs. He entered intensive therapy for respiratory distress and septic shock. Malaria was ruled out by gross negative strains, blood culture and urine culture showed no bacterial growth. White-coat smears were positive for monocytic Ehrliquia and Babesia bigemina. The patient progressed satisfactorily after treatment with Doxycycline, clindamycin plus meropenem. The purpose of this report is to make the medical community aware of the existence of ehrlichiosis as an emerging clinical entity in our country and the possibility of coexisting with other microorganisms that share the same vector in order to consider timely empirical treatment in patients with factors risk in rural areas.

Sequential turnover of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 env throughout the course of infection.

We examined the rates of variant population turnover of the V1-V2 and V4-V5 hypervariable domains of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp120 molecule in longitudinal plasma samples from 14 men with chronic HIV-1 infection using heteroduplex tracking assays (HTA). Six men had high rates of CD4+ T-cell loss, and eight men had low rates of CD4+ T-cell loss over 2.5 to 8 years of infection. We found that V1-V2 and V4-V5 env populations changed dramatically over time in all 14 subjects; the changes in these regions were significantly correlated with each another over time. The subjects with rapid CD4 loss had significantly less change in their env populations than the subjects with slow CD4 loss. The two subjects with rapid CD4 loss and sustained low CD4 counts (<150/microl for at least 2 years) showed stabilization of their V1-V2 and V4-V5 populations as reflected by low levels of total change in HTA pattern and low HTA indices (a novel measure of the emergence of new bands and band distribution); this stabilization was not observed in other subjects. The stabilization of env variant populations at low CD4 counts following periods of rapid viral evolution suggests that selective pressure on env, likely from new immune responses, is minimal when CD4 counts drop dramatically and remain low for extended periods of time.

Música e transformação no contexto da medida socioeducativa de internação / Music and transformation in the social and educative confinement measure / Música y transformación en el contexto de la medida socioeducativa de internación

O presente artigo traça considerações sobre um projeto de canto coral desenvolvido junto a adolescentes que cumprem medida socioeducativa de internação no Estado do Amazonas. Essa ação faz parte de uma política voltada para a garantia dos direitos humanos e para a inclusão em um contexto de convívio social saudável, produtivo e solidário, de forma a evitar a reincidência ao ato delituoso. A premissa desse projeto se fundamenta na concepção de ser humano em constante desenvolvimento, que transforma a si mesmo e ao meio social através das vivências partilhadas com outrem. Nesse contexto, a música favorece uma possibilidade de transformação do sujeito ao valorizar sua expressão criativa e espontânea, além de promover o desenvolvimento de habilidades artísticas, cognitivas e sociais de modo construtivo. A partir dos princípios norteadores da proposta, foram realizados ensaios, grupos reflexivos e apresentações. A metodologia utilizada centra-se em três princípios básicos: presença, afetividade e autoria. Apesar das dificuldades encontradas, as atividades evoluíram de forma significativa, tendo como resultado o desenvolvimento de interações mais saudáveis entre os adolescentes e os funcionários do centro, crescente abertura dos adolescentes na expressão de suas subjetividades, aumento da autopercepção, interesse por delinear um projeto de vida e descoberta de aptidões musicais....(AU)

This article takes account of a choir singing project with adolescents imprisoned in juvenile detention in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. This action is part of a policy related to the human rights and inclusion in a healthy, productive and supportive social cohabitation standard, in order to avoid the recurrence of the criminal behavior. This project is based on the conception that human beings live under permanent development, which transforms themselves and the social environment through the experiences with others. In this context, music increases the possibility of a subject’s transformation by valuing their creative and spontaneous expression, besides promoting the development of artistic, social and cognitive skills in a constructive and oriented way. Based on from the principles of this proposal, rehearsals, reflective groups and presentations were designed. The methodology is centered in three basic principles: presence, endearment and authorship. In spite of the difficulties found, the activities evolved in a significant manner, resulting in healthier interactions among the adolescents and employees of the center, growing openness on the adolescents regarding the expression of their subjectivities, expansion of self-perception, interest in formulating a project of life and discovery of musical aptitudes....(AU)

El presente artículo expone consideraciones acerca de un proyecto de canto coral desarrollado junto a adolescentes que cumplen medida socioeducativa de internación en el Estado de Amazonas. Esta acción hace parte de una política destinada a la garantía de los Derechos Humanos y a la inclusión en un estándar de convivencia social sana, productiva y solidaria de forma a evitar la reincidencia del acto delictivo. La premisa de ese proyecto se fundamenta en la concepción de ser humano en constante desarrollo, que transforma a sí y al medio social a través de las vivencias compartidas con otros. En ese contexto, la música favorece una posibilidad de transformación del sujeto al valorar su expresión creativa y espontánea, más allá de promover el desarrollo de habilidades artísticas, cognitivas y sociales de modo constructivo. A partir de los principios orientadores de la propuesta, han sido llevados a cabo ensayos, grupos reflexivos y presentaciones. La metodología utilizada está enfocada en tres principios básicos: presencia, afectividad y autoría. A despecho de las dificultades encontradas, las actividades han progresado de forma significativa, teniendo como resultado el desarrollo de interacciones más sanas entre los adolescentes y funcionarios del Centro, creciente apertura de los adolescentes en la expresión de sus objetividades, ampliación del autopercepción, interés en delinear un proyecto de vida y descubrimiento de aptitudes musicales....(AU)