Introduction of SARS-CoV-2 C.37 (WHO VOI lambda) in the Sao Paulo State, Southeast Brazil.

The Lambda variants of interest (VOI) (C37/GR/452Q.V1/21G) was initially reported in Lima, Peru but has gained rapid dissemination through other Latin American countries. Nevertheless, the dissemination and molecular epidemiology of the Lambda VOI in Brazil is unknown apart from a single case report. In this respect, we characterized the circulation of the SARS-CoV-2 Lambda VOI (C37/GR/452Q.V1/21G) in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. From March to June 2021, we identified seven Lambda isolates in a set of approximately 8000 newly sequenced genomes of the Network for Pandemic Alert of Emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants from Sao Paulo State. Interestingly, in three of the positive patients, the Lambda VOI infection was probably related to a contact transmission. These individuals were fully vaccinated to COVID-19 and presented mild symptoms. The remaining positive for Lambda VOI individuals showed different levels of COVID-19 symptoms and one of them needed hospitalization (score 5, WHO). In our study, we present a low level of Lambda VOI circulation in the Sao Paulo State. This reinforces the essential role of molecular surveillance for the effective SARS-CoV-2 pandemic response, especially in regard to circulating variants.

Polypropylene Modified with Ag-Based Semiconductors as a Potential Material against SARS-CoV-2 and Other Pathogens.

The worldwide outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and other emerging infections are difficult and sometimes impossible to treat, making them one of the major public health problems of our time. It is noteworthy that Ag-based semiconductors can help orchestrate several strategies to fight this serious societal issue. In this work, we present the synthesis of α-Ag2WO4, ß-Ag2MoO4, and Ag2CrO4 and their immobilization in polypropylene in the amounts of 0.5, 1.0, and 3.0 wt %, respectively. The antimicrobial activity of the composites was investigated against the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli, the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, and the fungus Candida albicans. The best antimicrobial efficiency was achieved by the composite with α-Ag2WO4, which completely eliminated the microorganisms in up to 4 h of exposure. The composites were also tested for the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 virus, showing antiviral efficiency higher than 98% in just 10 min. Additionally, we evaluated the stability of the antimicrobial activity, resulting in constant inhibition, even after material aging. The antimicrobial activity of the compounds was attributed to the production of reactive oxygen species by the semiconductors, which can induce high local oxidative stress, causing the death of these microorganisms.

Bioactive Ag3PO4/Polypropylene Composites for Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Important Public Health Pathogens.

The current unprecedented coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) is increasingly demanding advanced materials and new technologies to protect us and inactivate SARS-CoV-2. In this research work, we report the manufacture of Ag3PO4 (AP)/polypropylene (PP) composites using a simple method and also reveal their long-term anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. This composite shows superior antibacterial (against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) and antifungal activity (against Candida albicans), thus having potential for a variety of technological applications. The as-manufactured materials were characterized by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, AFM, UV-vis spectroscopy, rheology, SEM, and contact angle to confirm their structural integrity. Based on the results of first-principles calculations at the density functional level, a plausible reaction mechanism for the initial events associated with the generation of both hydroxyl radical •OH and superoxide radical anion •O2- in the most reactive (110) surface of AP was proposed. AP/PP composites proved to be an attractive avenue to provide human beings with a broad spectrum of biocide activity.

Virucidal Activity of the Antiseptic Mouthwash and Dental Gel Containing Anionic Phthalocyanine Derivative: In vitro Study.

AIM: This research suggested an in vitro virucidal action of a dental gel and a mouthwash with phthalocyanine derivative. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to report an in vitro study evaluating the virucidal capacity of mouthwash and dental gel containing anionic phthalocyanine derivate (APD). METHODS: The research followed the recommendations of the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) and adapted methodology, described in the standards EN14776: 2015; ASTM E1053-11 and the Robert Koch Institute - RKI, in addition to good laboratory practices (GLP). The determination of the percentage of inactivation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus particles was carried out by imposing the viral solution in contact with the respective tested products, with intervals of 30 seconds, 1 and 5 minutes, with subsequent submission of the aliquots, recovered in cell culture microplates following virus titration using the TCID50 (50% Median Tissue Culture Infectious Dose). RESULTS: The Mouthwash APD presented 90% of viral inactivation percentage, while the dental gel APD demonstrated 99.99% of viral inactivation. CONCLUSION: In vitro analyses showed that mouthwash and dental gel APD can reduce the viability of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles.

KIR2DL4 genetic diversity in a Brazilian population sample: implications for transcription regulation and protein diversity in samples with different ancestry backgrounds.

KIR2DL4 is an important immune modulator expressed in natural killer cells; HLA-G is its main ligand. We have characterized the KIR2DL4 genetic diversity by considering the promoter, all exons, and all introns in a highly admixed Brazilian population sample and by using massively parallel sequencing. We introduce a molecular method to amplify and to sequence the complete KIR2DL4 gene. To avoid the mapping bias and genotype errors commonly observed in gene families, we have developed and validated a bioinformatic pipeline designed to minimize these errors and applied it to survey the variability of 220 individuals from the State of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. We have also compared the KIR2DL4 genetic diversity in the Brazilian cohort with the diversity previously reported by the 1000Genomes consortium. KIR2DL4 presents high linkage disequilibrium throughout the gene, with coding sequences associated with specific promoters. There are few but divergent promoter haplotypes. We have also detected many new KIR2DL4 sequences, all bearing nucleotide exchanges in introns and encoding previously described proteins. Exons 3 and 4, which encode the external domains, are the most variable. The ancestry background influences the KIR2DL4 allele frequencies and must be considered for association studies regarding KIR2DL4.

Introduction of SARS-CoV-2 C.37 (WHO VOI lambda) in the Sao Paulo state, southeast Brazil

The Lambda variants of interest (VOI) (C37/GR/452Q.V1/21G) was initially reported in Lima, Peru but has gained rapid dissemination through other Latin American countries. Nevertheless, the dissemination and molecular epidemiology of the Lambda VOI in Brazil is unknown apart from a single case report. In this respect, we characterized the circulation of the SARS-CoV-2 Lambda VOI (C37/GR/452Q.V1/21G) in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. From March to June 2021, we identified seven Lambda isolates in a set of approximately 8000 newly sequenced genomes of the Network for Pandemic Alert of Emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants from Sao Paulo State. Interestingly, in three of the positive patients, the Lambda VOI infection was probably related to a contact transmission. These individuals were fully vaccinated to COVID-19 and presented mild symptoms. The remaining positive for Lambda VOI individuals showed different levels of COVID-19 symptoms and one of them needed hospitalization (score 5, WHO). In our study, we present a low level of Lambda VOI circulation in the Sao Paulo State. This reinforces the essential role of molecular surveillance for the effective SARS-CoV-2 pandemic response, especially in regard to circulating variants.

Nationwide overview of the distribution of hepatitis B virus genotypes in Brazil: a 1000-sample multicentre study.

The influence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes in the natural history of the disease and its response to antiviral treatment have been addressed in many studies. In Brazil, studies on HBV genotype circulation have been restricted to specific population groups and states. Here, we have conducted a nationwide multicentre study with an unprecedented sample size representing all Brazilian regions in an effort to better understand the viral variants of HBV circulating among chronic carriers. Seven HBV genotypes were found circulating in Brazil. Overall, HBV/A was the most prevalent, identified in 589 (58.7 %) samples, followed by HBV/D (23.4 %) and HBV/F (11.3 %). Genotypes E, G, C and B were found in a minor proportion. The distribution of the genotypes differed markedly from the north to the south of the country. While HBV/A was the most prevalent in the North (71.6 %) and Northeast (65.0 %) regions, HBV/D was found in 78.9 % of the specimens analysed in the South region. HBV/F was the second most prevalent genotype in the Northeast region (23.5 %). It was detected in low proportions (7 to 10 %) in the North, Central-West and Southeast regions, and in only one sample in the South region. HBV/E was detected in all regions except in the South, while monoinfection with HBV/G was found countrywide, with the exception of Central-West states. Our sampling covered 24 of the 26 Brazilian states and the Federal District and is the first report of genotype distribution in seven states. This nationwide study provides the most complete overview of HBV genotype distribution in Brazil to date and reflects the origin and plurality of the Brazilian population.

Co-infecção HIV/HCV em pacientes de Botucatu e região / HIV/HCV co-infection in patients from Botucatu and region (Brazilian cities)

Devido à similaridade nas rotas de transmissão, a co-infecção HIV/HCV é freqüente, afetando em média 30 a 50 por cento dos portadores de HIV. O presente estudo visou avaliar uma possível associação entre os subtipos do HIV e genótipos do HCV em pacientes co-infectados, com base na análise das freqüências em pacientes mono e co-infectados. Para determinação da freqüência dos subtipos HIV e genótipos HCV, foram analisados respectivamente 124 e 496 pacientes mono-infectados. O estudo da co-infecção foi realizado num grupo de 150 pacientes HIV positivos e esteve presente em 22 (14,7 por cento) dos pacientes. A freqüência dos subtipos do HIV-1 em mono-infectados foi: subtipo B (85,5 por cento), subtipo F (12,9 por cento) e recombinante B/F (1,6 por cento), enquanto nos genótipos HCV foi: 1a (25 por cento), 1b (29,4 por cento), 1a/1b (3,6 por cento), 3a (35 por cento), 2 (1,8 por cento) e 5 (0,4 por cento). Nos co-infectados o padrão de distribuição dos subtipos HIV-1 é semelhante aos mono-infectados, ou seja, subtipo B (85,0 por cento), seguido do subtipo F (15,0 por cento). A distribuição de freqüência de genótipos HCV nos co-infectados foi: 1a (36,3 por cento), 1b (27,3 por cento), 1a/1b (9,1 por cento) e 3a (27,3 por cento) mostrando um aumento de 10 por cento na freqüência do genótipo 1, queda de 7,7 por cento no genótipo 3 e ausência de outros genótipos. A análise estatística de associação entre os subtipos HIV e genótipos HCV (Goodman) mostrou que no genótipo 1 (HCV) ocorreu predominância do subtipo B, enquanto no genótipo 3 (HCV) a distribuição dos subtipos B e F (HIV-1) foi casual. Isto aponta para a necessidade de mais estudos desse grupo e um maior valor amostral.

HIV/HCV co-infection is a frequent event due to the similarity of the means of transmission of both viruses; 30-50 percent of HIV infected individuals are co-infected¹. This paper assesses the possible association among HCV and HIV genotypes in co-infected patients based on frequency distribution in mono and co-infected patients. To determine HIV and HCV genotype frequency 124 and 496 respectively, mono infected patients were analyzed. The study of co-infection was performed in 150 HIV positive patients and 22 (14.7 percent) patients were found. The frequency of HIV-1 subtypes was 106 B subtype (85.5 percent), 16 F (12.9 percent), and 2 B/F recombinant (1.6 percent); HCV genotypes were 1a (25 percent), 1b (29.4 percent), 1a/1b (3.6 percent), 3a (35 percent), 2 (1.8 percent) and 5 (0.4 percent). The HCV genotype could not be determined in 6.3 percent of samples using the technique. The HIV-1 subtype distribution standard was B subtype (85.0 percent) and F subtype (15.0 percent) in mono-infected as in co-infected. The frequency distribution of HCV genotypes in co-infected was 1a (36.4 percent), 1b (27.3 percent), 1a/1b (9.1 percent) and 3a (27.3 percent). These results showed a 10 percent increase in frequency of 1a genotype, 7.7 percent decrease in 3 genotype and lack of other genotypes. The statistical analysis of association of HCV genotypes and HIV-1 subtypes (Goodman Test) showed a predominance of the B HIV subtype among HCV genotype 1, and among HCV genotype 3 the distribution of B and F HIV subtypes was casual. These results suggest the need for further studies in this group and larger samples.

Biologia molecular do HIV-1 e genética da resistência humana à AIDS / Molecular biology of the HIV-1 and genetics of human resistance to AIDS

A evolução da infecção pelo Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana Tipo 1 (HIV-1) é influenciada por fatores virais e pelo hospedeiro. Os fatores virais estão relacionados ao subtipo circulante, tropismo,citopatogenicidade, antigenicidade e mutações no genótipo viral que induzem a resistência às drogas utilizadas na terapêutica atual. Neste contexto os padrões de variabilidade de seqüências genômicas do HIV-1 podem ser utilizados como marcadores genéticos para avaliar a tendência da evolução da infecção e a eficácia terapêutica. Por outro lado os fatores relacionados ao hospedeiro incluem genótipo HLA, produção de anticorpos neutralizantes e presença de mutações genéticas que dificultam a interação do vírus com a célula hospedeira. Análises genômicas podem ser úteis no sentido de avaliar presença de fenótipo que predispões à progressão da infecção. Neste trabalho, apresenta-se uma revisão dos principais marcadores genéticos relacionados ao vírus e ao hospedeiro que podem ser utilizados para avaliar a evolução da infecção.

Host and viral factors may influence the course of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection. Theviral factors are related to circulating subtype, tropism, cytopathogenicity, antigenicity, and viral genotypemutations that prompt the resistance against the drugs used in the current therapy. In this situation, thevariability patterns of HIV-1 genomic sequences can be used as genetic markers to evaluate the trend ofinfection course and the effectiveness of the treatment. On the other hand, the determining factors related tothe host include HLA genotype, manufacture of neutralizing antibodies, and the presence of genetic mutationsthat make difficult the interaction of virus with the host cell. Genomic analyses can be useful in the sense ofassuring the phenotype presence, which predisposes to the development of the infection. In this study wepresent a review of the major genetic markers related to the virus and to the host that can be applied toevaluate the course of infection.

Distribuição dos genótipos de HCV em pacientes das regiões de Botucatu, Bauru e Assis, SP, Brasil / HCV genotypes distribution in patients from Botucatu, Bauru and Assis, São Paulo State, Brazil

Com objetivo de avaliar a distribuição dos genótipos do HCV em pacientes de Botucatu, Bauru, Assis e regiões, foram analisadas 1.018 amostras assim distribuídas: Botucatu (508), Bauru (415) e Assis (95)com sorologia anti-HCV reagente pela técnica ELISA (Enzyme - linked immunosorbent assay) e detectadas por Biologia Molecular RT-PCR (reverse transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction - Roche ). Genótipos foram determinados pela tecnologia LiPA (Line probe assay - Bayer) que permite detecção de 6 genótipos e subtipos mais comuns. Distribuição dos genótipos na região: genótipo 1 (62,9%) , genótipo 3 (34,5%),genótipo 2 presente nas regiões de Botucatu e Bauru (2,1%), genótipo 5 em Botucatu (0,2%). Distribuiçãodos subtipos: Região de Botucatu - subtipos: 1a (25,0%), 1b (29,3%), 1a/1b (3,5%), 2b (0,6%), 3a(35,0%), 5a (0,2%). Região de Bauru - subtipos: 1a (31,1%), 1b (27,2%),1a /1b (2,4%), 2 b (1,9%), 2 a/2c (0,2%), 3a (32,3%). Região de Assis - subtipos: 1a (26,3%), 1b (26,3%), 1a /1b (2,1%), 3a (41,1%). A técnica utilizada não permitiu a diferenciação dos subtipos em 5,1% das amostras. A distribuição dos genótipos nestas regiões foi similar às outras regiões do Brasil e do mundo ocidental (Europa Ocidental e Américas) apresentando algumas diferenças regionais relativas aos subtipos, como presença de genótipo africano (5) na região de Botucatu.