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BACKGROUND: Sporotrichosis, a cosmopolitan mycosis caused by dimorphic fungi of the Sporothrix complex, affects humans and animals. This study aimed to develop new molecular markers for Sporothrix genome detection in biological samples using PCR. METHODS: A specific region of DNA sequences from the Sporothrix genus, publicly available in GenBank, was chosen for primer design. After testing the in silico specificity of these primers, in vitro specificity was evaluated using the PCR technique. RESULTS: Three specific primers with 100% specificity for the Sporothrix genus were generated. CONCLUSIONS: PCR using the designed primers can be used to develop molecular diagnostics for sporotrichosis.
Subject(s)
Sporothrix , Sporotrichosis , Humans , Animals , Sporotrichosis/diagnosis , Sporothrix/genetics , Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Base SequenceABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Background: Sporotrichosis, a cosmopolitan mycosis caused by dimorphic fungi of the Sporothrix complex, affects humans and animals. This study aimed to develop new molecular markers for Sporothrix genome detection in biological samples using PCR. Methods: A specific region of DNA sequences from the Sporothrix genus, publicly available in GenBank, was chosen for primer design. After testing the in silico specificity of these primers, in vitro specificity was evaluated using the PCR technique. Results: Three specific primers with 100% specificity for the Sporothrix genus were generated. Conclusions: PCR using the designed primers can be used to develop molecular diagnostics for sporotrichosis.
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INTRODUCTION: Neck circumference (NC) and anthropometric data of people living with HIV (PLWH) are correlated. METHODS: Socioeconomic, NC, body mass index (BMI), tricipital skinfold thickness (TSF), mid-arm circumference (MAC), mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC) data of 72 PLWH were correlated. RESULTS: Higher adiposity was observed in NC (40.3% [n=29]) and WC (31.9% [n=23]). Correlations between NC/BMI, NC/WC, NC/HC, NC/MAC, NC/MAMC, and NC/WHtR were significant. Increased NC (40.3%[n=29]) and WC (31.9 [n=23]) were associated with higher cardiometabolic risk. CONCLUSIONS: NC correlations are adequate for estimating cardiometabolic risk.
Subject(s)
Adiposity , HIV Infections , Body Mass Index , Cross-Sectional Studies , HIV Infections/complications , Humans , Risk Factors , Waist-Height Ratio , Waist-Hip RatioABSTRACT
Abstract INTRODUCTION: Neck circumference (NC) and anthropometric data of people living with HIV (PLWH) are correlated. METHODS: Socioeconomic, NC, body mass index (BMI), tricipital skinfold thickness (TSF), mid-arm circumference (MAC), mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC) data of 72 PLWH were correlated. RESULTS Higher adiposity was observed in NC (40.3% [n=29]) and WC (31.9% [n=23]). Correlations between NC/BMI, NC/WC, NC/HC, NC/MAC, NC/MAMC, and NC/WHtR were significant. Increased NC (40.3%[n=29]) and WC (31.9 [n=23]) were associated with higher cardiometabolic risk. CONCLUSIONS: NC correlations are adequate for estimating cardiometabolic risk.
Subject(s)
Humans , HIV Infections/complications , Adiposity , Body Mass Index , Cross-Sectional Studies , Risk Factors , Waist-Hip Ratio , Waist-Height RatioABSTRACT
Introdução: a aspergilose invasiva (IA) é uma infecção fúngica grave causada por espécies do gênero Aspergillus e acomete principalmente pacientes leucêmicos,diabéticos e aqueles receptores de transplante de células-tronco, que apresentem neutropenia. Os esporos dos fungos que colonizam o epitélio pulmonar podem invadir as células endoteliais de revestimento e o acesso vascular e, assim, disseminar-se paraoutros órgãos através do sangue. A elevada mortalidade da doença está relacionada à imunossupressão grave, à rápida progressão da infecção e, principalmente, à ausência de um diagnóstico precoce e eficiente. Portanto, o diagnóstico na fase inicial da infecção é adequado, proporcionando uma terapia mais eficaz, o que pode reduzir a taxa de mortalidade da doença. Objetivo: o presente estudo teve em vista avaliar a aplicabilidadeda técnica de reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) no auxílio do diagnóstico de AI, em comparação com os resultados gerados pelo ensaio imunoenzimático de galactomanana (EIA-GM®), este já validado comercialmente. Métodos: foram analisadas 245 amostras de pacientes tratados no hospital Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte. Entre essas amostras, 16% (N = 39) foram positivos nos testes EIA-GM®. Em seguida, essas 39amostras positivas foram analisadas pela técnica de PCR. Resultados: de acordo com os resultados, a técnica de PCR apresentou taxa de 97,44% de sensibilidade, 97,96% de acurácia e 100% de especificidade, quando comparada ao método EIA-GM®. Conclusão:a técnica de PCR pode auxiliar no diagnóstico da AI, sempre associando os seus resultados à clinica do paciente e aos testes de imunoensaios.
Introduction: invasive aspergillosis (AI) is a serious fungal infection caused by species of the genus Aspergillus that primarily affects leukemic and diabetic patients and those recipients of stem cell transplants, which have neutropenia. The fungi spores that colonize the lung epithelium may invade the endothelial cell lining and vascular access and thus, spread to other organs through the blood. The high mortality of the disease is related tosevere immunosuppression, rapid infection progression, and especially lack of an early and efficient diagnosis. Therefore, the diagnosis in the initial infection phase is beneficial,providing a more effective therapy that can reduce the disease?s mortality rate. Objective:this study aimed at evaluating the applicability of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) cheganin assisting the diagnosis of AI compared to the resultsgenerated by galactomannan enzyme immunoassay (EIA-GM®) that is already commercially validated. Methods: 245 samples from patients treated in the Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte hospital were analyzed. Among these samples, 16% (N = 39) were positive in EIA-GM®tests. Subsequently, these 39 positive samples were analyzedby PCR. Results: According to the results, the PCR technique showed 97.44% sensitivity, 97.96% accuracy, and 100% specificity compared to EIA-GM®. Conclusion:the PCR technique may aid in the diagnosis of AI,always associating the results to the patient's clinicaland immunoassay tests.
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Os programas de treinamentos para manipuladores de alimentos são meios eficazes para transmitir conhecimentos e promover melhorias nas condições higiênico-sanitárias em estabelecimentos alimentícios.Neste trabalho foi avaliado o efeito do treinamento em boas práticas de manipulação de alimentos,ministrado aos funcionários de restaurantes comerciais da região de Ouro Preto MG, por meio do teste de ATP-bioluminescência. O teste foi utilizado para quantificar a carga orgânica, medida como valor deUnidades Relativas de Luz URL, nas amostras coletadas das mãos de manipuladores, de bancadas de trabalho e de superfícies de utensílios, selecionadas aleatoriamente em cada restaurante. Após o treinamento,houve melhoria no padrão higiênico, evidenciado pela redução da carga orgânica nas superfícies avaliada sem todos os restaurantes. Apesar da redução dos valores de URL, algumas superfícies não alcançaram o valor recomendado para superfície em condições higiênicas satisfatórias. A aplicação do teste ATPbioluminescência para avaliação do treinamento de manipuladores mostrou ser eficaz e pode ser empregado em associação com os tradicionais métodos de contagem de micro-organismos em treinamentos realizado sem Unidades de Alimentação e Nutrição. Apesar da redução dos valores de URL indicar a melhoria nas condições higiênicas, o trabalho de treinamento e monitoramento deve ser continuado.
Training programs designed for food handlers are an effective way to spread the knowledge and topromote improvements on the hygienic conditions of food establishments. This study aimed at evaluatingthe effect of a training course on good handling practices for food handlers of selected restaurants in theregion of Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil, by using ATP-bioluminescence assay. This test was used to quantifythe organic load, measured by Relative Light Units RLU, in samples collected from workers hands,surfaces of work benches and utensils, which were randomly selected in each restaurant. After training,a significant improvement in the hygienic conditions was observed, as evidenced by the decrease in theRLU values in samples from all restaurants. Despite the decreased RLU values, some surfaces did notreach the recommended value for surfaces samples in the satisfactory hygienic conditions. The ATPbioluminescencetest showed to be effective for evaluating the training success, and could be a powerfultool when applied in training programs at food services, and in association with the conventionalmicrobiological methodologies. In spite of the reduction in RLU values, indicating.
Subject(s)
Humans , Inservice Training , Food Hygiene , Food Handling , Food Microbiology/methods , Restaurants , BrazilABSTRACT
Balantidium coli é um protozoário parasito ciliado que afeta os porcos e primatas não-humanos. Sua presença em seres humanos é rara e pode se tornar um parasito oportunista em hospedeiros imunodeprimidos. Balantidíase é uma doença causada pela ingestão de cistos de B. coli. Osindivíduos infectados podem apresentar dor abdominal, cefaléia, astenia, tenesmo, meteorismo e diarréia caracterizada por cinco ou seis evacuações por dia. Este trabalho é o primeiro no Brasil a relatar a presença de B. coli em um paciente HIV-positivo.
Subject(s)
Humans , Middle Aged , Balantidium , Balantidiasis/diagnosis , Diarrhea , Acquired Immunodeficiency SyndromeABSTRACT
AIMS: To compare high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in HIV-infected patients treated or not with antiretroviral (ARV) drugs and to correlate hsCRP levels with traditional cardiovascular risk factors and parameters of HIV infection. METHODS: One hundred and seventy-one HIV-infected patients were included (129 ARV-treated and 42 ARV-naïve). Evaluations included anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, laboratory tests, ultrasonographic measurement of fat thickness and impedance analysis. RESULTS: hsCRP levels were higher in ARV-treated compared to ARV-naïve patients (p<0.001). Seventy-two (56%) ARV-treated patients and 11 (26%) ARV-naïve patients had hsCRP concentrations >3 mg/dl (high risk for cardiovascular complications) (OR 3.56; 95%CI: 1.55-8.29; p=0.001, chi(2) test). hsCRP levels correlated positively with waist measurement (p=0.004), waist-to-hip ratio (p<0.001), systolic (p=0.05) and diastolic (p=0.03) blood pressure, intra-abdominal fat thickness (p=0.02), triglycerides (p=0.001), total cholesterol (p=0.01), fasting glucose (p=0.01), and glucose (p<0.001) and insulin levels (p=0.02) measured 2 h after load. No correlation was found between hsCRP levels and CD4 cell counts and HIV-viral load. Independent factors associated with hsCRP levels were therapy with current non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) (p=0.003), waist-to-hip ratio (p=0.006), fasting glucose (p=0.049) and glucose levels 2 h after load (p=0.003) in multivariate analysis model 1 and current NNRTI therapy (p<0.001), protease inhibitor therapy (p=0.016) and cardiometabolic syndrome (p=0.022) in multivariate analysis model 2. CONCLUSION: hsCRP in HIV-infected patients is associated with traditional cardiovascular risk factors, principally in ARV-treated patients. hsCRP levels are not associated with CD4 cell counts and HIV-viral load and may constitute a marker for cardiovascular risk related to HIV infection and ARV therapy.