Distinct anti-NP, anti-RBD and anti-Spike antibody profiles discriminate death from survival in COVID-19.

Introduction: Infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) induces rapid production of IgM, IgA, and IgG antibodies directed to multiple viral antigens that may have impact diverse clinical outcomes. Methods: We evaluated IgM, IgA, and IgG antibodies directed to the nucleocapsid (NP), IgA and IgG to the Spike protein and to the receptor-binding domain (RBD), and the presence of neutralizing antibodies (nAb), in a cohort of unvaccinated SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals, in the first 30 days of post-symptom onset (PSO) (T1). Results: This study included 193 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) participants classified as mild, moderate, severe, critical, and fatal and 27 uninfected controls. In T1, we identified differential antibody profiles associated with distinct clinical presentation. The mild group presented lower levels of anti-NP IgG, and IgA (vs moderate and severe), anti-NP IgM (vs severe, critical and fatal), anti-Spike IgA (vs severe and fatal), and anti-RBD IgG (vs severe). The moderate group presented higher levels of anti-RBD IgA, comparing with severe group. The severe group presented higher levels of anti-NP IgA (vs mild and fatal) and anti-RBD IgG (vs mild and moderate). The fatal group presented higher levels of anti-NP IgM and anti-Spike IgA (vs mild), but lower levels of anti-NP IgA (vs severe). The levels of nAb was lower just in mild group compared to severe, critical, and fatal groups, moreover, no difference was observed among the more severe groups. In addition, we studied 82 convalescent individuals, between 31 days to 6 months (T2) or more than 6 months (T3), PSO, those: 12 mild, 26 moderate, and 46 severe plus critical. The longitudinal analyzes, for the severe plus critical group showed lower levels of anti-NP IgG, IgA and IgM, anti-Spike IgA in relation T3. The follow-up in the fatal group, reveals that the levels of anti-spike IgG increased, while anti-NP IgM levels was decreased along the time in severe/critical and fatal as well as anti-NP IgG and IgA in several/critical groups. Discussion: In summary, the anti-NP IgA and IgG lower levels and the higher levels of anti-RBD and anti-Spike IgA in fatal compared to survival group of individuals admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Collectively, our data discriminate death from survival, suggesting that anti-RBD IgA and anti-Spike IgA may play some deleterious effect, in contrast with the potentially protective effect of anti-NP IgA and IgG in the survival group.

A Major Downregulation of Circulating microRNAs in Zika Acutely Infected Patients: Potential Implications in Innate and Adaptive Immune Response Signaling Pathways.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arbovirus mainly transmitted by mosquitos of the genus Aedes. The first cases of ZIKV infection in South America occurred in Brazil in 2015. The infection in humans causes diverse symptoms from asymptomatic to a syndrome-like dengue infection with fever, arthralgia, and myalgia. Furthermore, ZIKV infection during pregnancy is associated with fetal microcephaly and neurological disorders. The identification of host molecular mechanisms responsible for the modulation of different signaling pathways in response to ZIKV is the first step to finding potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets and understanding disease outcomes. In the last decade, it has been shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) are important post-transcriptional regulators involved in virtually all cellular processes. miRNAs present in body fluids can not only serve as key biomarkers for diagnostics and prognosis of human disorders but also contribute to cellular signaling offering new insights into pathological mechanisms. Here, we describe for the first time ZIKV-induced changes in miRNA plasma levels in patients during the acute and recovery phases of infection. We observed that during ZIKV acute infection, among the dysregulated miRNAs (DMs), the majority is with decreased levels when compared to convalescent and control patients. We used systems biology tools to build and highlight biological interactions between miRNAs and their multiple direct and indirect target molecules. Among the 24 DMs identified in ZIKV + patients, miR-146, miR-125a-5p, miR-30-5p, and miR-142-3p were related to signaling pathways modulated during infection and immune response. The results presented here are an effort to open new vistas for the key roles of miRNAs during ZIKV infection.

In silico construction of a multiepitope Zika virus vaccine using immunoinformatics tools.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arbovirus from the Flaviviridae family and Flavivirus genus. Neurological events have been associated with ZIKV-infected individuals, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, an autoimmune acute neuropathy that causes nerve demyelination and can induce paralysis. With the increase of ZIKV infection incidence in 2015, malformation and microcephaly cases in newborns have grown considerably, which suggested congenital transmission. Therefore, the development of an effective vaccine against ZIKV became an urgent need. Live attenuated vaccines present some theoretical risks for administration in pregnant women. Thus, we developed an in silico multiepitope vaccine against ZIKV. All structural and non-structural proteins were investigated using immunoinformatics tools designed for the prediction of CD4 + and CD8 + T cell epitopes. We selected 13 CD8 + and 12 CD4 + T cell epitopes considering parameters such as binding affinity to HLA class I and II molecules, promiscuity based on the number of different HLA alleles that bind to the epitopes, and immunogenicity. ZIKV Envelope protein domain III (EDIII) was added to the vaccine construct, creating a hybrid protein domain-multiepitope vaccine. Three high scoring continuous and two discontinuous B cell epitopes were found in EDIII. Aiming to increase the candidate vaccine antigenicity even further, we tested secondary and tertiary structures and physicochemical parameters of the vaccine conjugated to four different protein adjuvants: flagellin, 50S ribosomal protein L7/L12, heparin-binding hemagglutinin, or RS09 synthetic peptide. The addition of the flagellin adjuvant increased the vaccine's predicted antigenicity. In silico predictions revealed that the protein is a probable antigen, non-allergenic and predicted to be stable. The vaccine's average population coverage is estimated to be 87.86%, which indicates it can be administered worldwide. Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) of individuals with previous ZIKV infection were tested for cytokine production in response to the pool of CD4 and CD8 ZIKV peptide selected. CD4 + and CD8 + T cells showed significant production of IFN-γ upon stimulation and IL-2 production was also detected by CD8 + T cells, which indicated the potential of our peptides to be recognized by specific T cells and induce immune response. In conclusion, we developed an in silico universal vaccine predicted to induce broad and high-coverage cellular and humoral immune responses against ZIKV, which can be a good candidate for posterior in vivo validation.

The concomitant use of cannabis and cocaine coexists with increased LPS levels and systemic inflammation in male drug users.

Illicit drug use can cause a variety of effects including alterations in the immune system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of illicit drugs on circulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS), systemic inflammation and oxidative stress markers in drug users. We evaluated the levels of soluble CD14 (sCD14), LPS, inflammatory (TNF-α and IL-6) and regulatory (IL-10) cytokines, as well as C-reactive protein (CRP), lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and total thiols in the peripheral blood of 81 men included in groups of cannabis (n = 21), cocaine (n = 12), cannabis-plus-cocaine users (n = 27), and non-drug users (n = 21). The use of cannabis plus cocaine leads to higher systemic levels of LPS, CRP, IL-6 and higher IL-6/IL-10 ratio, characterizing a proinflammatory profile. In contrast, a regulatory profile as viewed by lower systemic TNF-α and IL-6 levels and lower TNF-α/IL-10 ratio were observed in cannabis users compared to the control group. Moreover, cocaine users presented a lower content of non-enzymatic antioxidant thiol compared to control group, cannabis group and cannabis plus cocaine group. In conclusion, our results indicate that the use of cannabis contributes to an anti-inflammatory/or regulatory profile while the concomitant cannabis plus cocaine consumption coexists with increased circulating amounts of LPS and proinflammatory status.

Molecular epidemiology and drug resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from a regional hospital in the Brazilian Amazon region

Abstract INTRODUCTION: In this study, we report a clonal dissemination of carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolates due to the acquisition of blaOXA-23 in a regional hospital located in Brazilian Amazon Region. METHODS: The isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF and the carbapenemase-encoding genes were detected by multiplex-PCR. The genetic similarity was investigated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). RESULTS: Only 10 (55.6%) isolates harbored the gene bla OXA-23. PFGE analysis revealed that these isolates belong to a single clone. CONCLUSIONS: This dissemination strategy indicates the need for surveillance, adoption of control procedures defined in guidelines, and the careful administration of antimicrobials should be reinforced.

Molecular epidemiology and drug resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from a regional hospital in the Brazilian Amazon region.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we report a clonal dissemination of carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolates due to the acquisition of blaOXA-23 in a regional hospital located in Brazilian Amazon Region. METHODS: The isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF and the carbapenemase-encoding genes were detected by multiplex-PCR. The genetic similarity was investigated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). RESULTS: Only 10 (55.6%) isolates harbored the gene bla OXA-23. PFGE analysis revealed that these isolates belong to a single clone. CONCLUSIONS: This dissemination strategy indicates the need for surveillance, adoption of control procedures defined in guidelines, and the careful administration of antimicrobials should be reinforced.

Major mutations in the NS3 gene region of hepatitis C virus related to the resistance to direct acting antiviral drugs: a systematic review.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a global public health problem with high prevalence rates and chronicity of infection. Present work aimed to describe the main mutations in the NS3 region of the HCV genome related to the resistance of patients to the currently available direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). To guide the study description, the preferred items in the PRISMA protocol for systematic review were used. The data collected were HCV genotypes and subtypes and mutations in HCV NS3, general and stratified by continent. The 10 papers selected for this systematic review reported studies in seven countries, on three continents, and generated data of 2937 patients. The most frequent HCV subtype was 1a. Prevalence of genotypes suggested that there were few demographic regions reached by the studies, since there were regional variations in the type of genotypes reported in the available bibliographies. Of the total study population, 35.3% (n = 1037) had mutations in the NS3 gene region of HCV, suggesting a high rate of resistance to DAAs and a low sustained virologic response among those who used some therapeutic option. Ten major mutations were identified: Q80K, V170I, S122G, V36L, T54S, D168Q, A156S, Q80G, S122R, and V55A. The Q80K mutation was the highlight of the study, appearing not only with greater representativity (61.6%) but also as the only one described in the three continents analyzed. This systematic review reinforces the need to carry out more studies of detection of these mutations to fill in all information gaps that might help in optimization of treatment.

Análise integrada à biologia de sistemas para avaliação de citocinas pró-inflamatórias e anti-inflamatórias na infecção por Zika vírus / Analysis integrated with the systems biology pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine evalution in Zica Virus infection

Objetivo: O presente estudo objetivou analisar as citocinas pró e anti-inflamatórias em pacientes infectados pelo Zika vírus. Métodos: Através da Biologia de Sistemas, que contribuiu de forma a sumarizar os dados quantitativos complexos. Resultados: Observamos em nossa pesquisa a elevação das citocinas IL-7, IL-9, IL-17a, RANTES, IP-10 e IL-1ra dos indivíduos infectados pelo ZIKV na fase aguda, relacionadas à atividade de linfócitos T e B,que indica uma possível proliferação desses tipos celulares mediante a infecção pelo ZIKV.Conclusão: Constatamos que nas infecções pelo ZIKV não ocorre uma grande liberação de citocinas, o que era esperado devido ao caráter benigno da doença.

Objective: The present study objected to analyze the pro and antiinflammatory cytokines in patients infected with zika vírus. Methods: Through the Systems Biology that contributed in a way to summarize the complex quantitative data. Results: In our study, we observed elevation of the cytokines IL-7, IL-9, IL-17a, RANTES, IP-10 and IL-1ra of the infected individuals by ZIKV in the acute phase, related to T and B lymphocyte activity, which indicate a possible proliferation of these cell types through ZIKV infection. Conclusion: We found that in the infections by the ZIKV, does not occur a great release of cytokines, which was expected due to the benign nature of the disease.

Distinct inflammatory profiles in HIV-infected individuals under antiretroviral therapy using cannabis, cocaine or cannabis plus cocaine.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of cannabis and/or cocaine use on inflammatory, oxidative stress status and circulating monocyte subsets in HIV-infected individuals under antiretroviral therapy. DESIGN: Soluble CD14 (sCD14), intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (IFABP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, C-reactive protein (CRP) and oxidative stress markers were examined. The monocyte subsets and their activation and cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of HIV-1 infected individuals upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulation were also investigated. METHODS: sCD14, IFABP, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 levels were evaluated using ELISA, CRP by turbidimetry; lipid peroxidation (TBARS) spectrofluometrically and total thiol levels by using 5-5'-dithio-bis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) reagent. Monocyte subsets and activation were assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: All HIV-infected drug user groups showed higher sCD14 levels compared with HIV+ nondrug users. IFABP was increased in HIV+ drug-users in relation to healthy individuals. Cannabis use lowered the percentages of inflammatory, nonclassical, activated-classic and activated-inflammatory monocytes. Cocaine users showed increased plasmatic TNF-α and TBARS levels, decreased thiols content and lower activated-classic and inflammatory-monocyte percentages. Cannabis-plus-cocaine use increased CRP, IL-8 and IL-6/IL-10 ratio, but decreased thiol content, and inflammatory and activated-classic monocyte percentages. PBMCs of cannabis and cannabis-plus-cocaine users showed low-potential cytokine production either spontaneously or under LPS-stimulation. CONCLUSION: In HIV infection, the use of cannabis induces predominantly an anti-inflammatory profile. The use of cocaine and cannabis-plus-cocaine showed a mixed pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory profile, with predominance of inflammatory status. Further studies are required to better understand the action of these drugs in HIV infection.

Aspectos clínicos e epidemiológicos da hanseníase / Clinical and epidemiological aspects of leprosy

Objetivo: analisar os aspectos clínicos e epidemiológicos da hanseníase. Método: trata-se de um estudo quantitativo, descritivo, transversal, envolvendo 35.853 casos de hanseníase, no período de 2005 a 2015. Informa-se que a análise dos dados adveio do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação, e os resultados foram apresentados em forma de tabela e figura. Resultados: registraram-se 35.853 casos de hanseníase, sendo a maioria do sexo masculino na faixa etária entre 40-59 anos, de cor parda, com nível fundamental incompleto e residente em zona urbana. Revela-se que a forma clínica dimorfa, multibacilar e o grau zero de incapacidade física foram os mais incidentes, e o modo de entrada mais frequente foi o de casos novos; a cura foi a principal forma de saída, a baciloscopia não foi realizada na maioria dos casos e o esquema terapêutico inicial foi a poliquimioterapia para multibacilares. Conclusão: conclui-se que a hanseníase é endêmica e ainda constitui um problema de saúde pública, e é fundamental que sejam desenvolvidas atividades educativas de forma permanente, sobretudo para a população vulnerável. Deve-se fundamentar esta ação na compreensão da representação social que esses grupos populacionais têm acerca da hanseníase.(AU)

Objective: to analyze the clinical and epidemiological aspects of leprosy. Method: this is a quantitative study, descriptive, cross-sectional, involving 35,853 cases of leprosy in the period from 2005 to 2015. Informs you that the analysis of the data came from the Information System of Reportable Diseases, and the results were presented in the form of table and figure. Results: it was registered 35,853 cases of leprosy, the majority being male aged between 40-59 years old, brown color, with incomplete primary education and residing in the urban area. It turns out that the dimorphic clinical form, multibacillary leprosy and the zero degree of physical disability were the most incidents, and the mode of entry more frequent was the new cases; the cure was the main form of output, the sputum smear microscopy was not performed in the majority of cases and the initial therapeutic regimen was the polychemotherapy for multibacillary patients. Conclusion: it is concluded that leprosy is endemic and still constitutes a public health problem, and it is essential to be developed educational activities on a permanent basis, especially for the vulnerable population. You must substantiate this action in the understanding of the social representation that these population groups have about leprosy.(AU)

Objetivo: analizar los aspectos clínicos y epidemiológicos de la lepra. Método: se trata de un estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo y transversal que envuelven 35,853 casos de lepra en el período de 2005 a 2015. Le informa de que el análisis de los datos proviene del Sistema de Información de Agravios de Notificación, y los resultados se presentaron en forma de tablas y figuras. Resultados: se registraron 35,853 casos de lepra, la mayoría son varones con edades comprendidas entre 40-59 años, de color marrón, con primaria incompleta y que residen en el área urbana. Resulta que la forma clínica dimorfa, lepra multibacilar y el grado cero de la discapacidad física fueron la mayoría de los incidentes, y el modo de entrada más frecuente fue el de casos nuevos; la curación fue la principal forma de producción, la baciloscopía no se llevó a cabo en la mayoría de los casos y la pauta terapéutica inicial fue la poliquimioterapia para pacientes multibacilares. Conclusión: se concluye que la lepra es endémica y aún constituye un problema de salud pública y es esencial que se desarrollen actividades educativas sobre una base permanente, especialmente para la población más vulnerable. Debe justificar esta acción en la comprensión de la representación social que estos grupos de población tienen acerca de la lepra.(AU)

Acute Zika Virus Infection in an Endemic Area Shows Modest Proinflammatory Systemic Immunoactivation and Cytokine-Symptom Associations.

An early immune response to Zika virus (ZIKV) infection may determine its clinical manifestation and outcome, including neurological effects. However, low-grade and transient viremia limits the prompt diagnosis of acute ZIKV infection. We have investigated the plasma cytokine, chemokine, and growth factor profiles of 36 individuals from an endemic area displaying different symptoms such as exanthema, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, fever, hyperemia, swelling, itching, and nausea during early-phase infection. These profiles were then associated with symptoms, revealing important aspects of the immunopathophysiology of ZIKV infection. The levels of some cytokines/chemokines were significantly higher in acute ZIKV-infected individuals compared to healthy donors, including interferon (IFN) gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10), regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), IFN-γ, interleukin (IL)-9, IL-7, IL-5, and IL-1ra, including some with predominantly immunoregulatory activity. Of note, we found that higher levels of IP-10 and IL-5 in ZIKV-infected individuals were strongly associated with exanthema and headache, respectively. Also, higher levels of IL-1ra were associated with subjects with arthralgia, whereas those with fever showed lower levels of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). No correlation was observed between the number of symptoms and ZIKV viral load. Interestingly, only IP-10 showed significantly decreased levels in the recovery phase. In conclusion, our results indicate that acute ZIKV infection in a larger cohort resident to an endemic area displays a modest systemic immune activation profile, involving both proinflammatory and immunoregulatory cytokines and chemokines that could participate of virus control. In addition, we showed that differential cytokine/chemokine levels are related to specific clinical symptoms, suggesting their participation in underlying mechanisms.

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C infection and associated factors in people living with HIV in Midwestern Brazil.

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of infection by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in people infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and analyze sociodemographic and behavioral factors associated with such co-infection. A cross-section study was performed in 495 individuals treated at a public center in the city of Goiânia. Participants were interviewed and blood collected for evaluation of serological and molecular markers for HBV and HCV. The rate of exposure to HBV was 33.5% (95% CI 29.4-37.9). Nineteen patients (3.8%) were diagnosed as HBV carriers, of whom 68.4% were HBV DNA positive. The prevalence of anti-HCV was 9.7% (95% CI 7.3-12.7). Genotype 1a was identified in 72.7% of the PCR samples positive for HCV. Co-infection by all three viruses was 4.4% (95% CI 2.9-6.8). Being, male, aged ≥40 years, history of sexually transmitted disease (STD), and having homosexual practices were independently associated with the presence of markers of HBV exposure. A history of injectable drugs use and STDs showed association with HCV seropositivity. Approximately 50% of participants were not aware of their HBV and HCV serostatus. The results obtained may contribute to assess the burden of viral hepatitis in people living with HIV and to guiding preventive measures for more vulnerable groups.

Epidemiological and environmental aspects of visceral leishmaniasis in children under 15 years of age between 2007 and 2012 in the City of Araguaína, State of Tocantins, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) stands out as a zoonosis observed on four continents and also in urban expansion zones in several regions of Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional epidemiological study of VL cases in children under 15 years of age in the period from 2007 to 2012. Clinical data were gathered from medical reports; meteorological data were obtained at the Meteorological Measurement Department of UFT. Environmental variables were divided into two periods, rainy and dry. RESULTS: The study revealed no difference by gender (p=0.67) among the 821 patients. However, the most affected age group was between one and five years of age (58.6%; p<0.01); the highest prevalence of the disease (99.03%; p<0.01) occurred in urban zones; and the most affected ethnic group (85.5%; p<0.01) was mixed race. The highest incidence coefficients in this population occurred in 2007 and 2008 (578.39/100,000 inhabitants; 18.5/100,000 inhabitants, respectively), whereas the highest lethality coefficients occurred in 2008 and 2011 (0.85/100 deaths). There was no significant correlation between average rainfall and the number of VL cases. The correlation between temperature and number of VL cases was negative (r = -0.4039; p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In Araguaína, visceral leishmaniasis in children under 15 years is an urban-based endemic disease distributed across all districts of the city wherein temperature as an environmental factor, a higher prevalence in mixed race children between one and five years of age, and a high incidence coefficient all strongly contribute to child mortality.

Epidemiological and environmental aspects of visceral leishmaniasis in children under 15 years of age between 2007 and 2012 in the City of Araguaína, State of Tocantins, Brazil

Introduction Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) stands out as a zoonosis observed on four continents and also in urban expansion zones in several regions of Brazil. Methods A cross-sectional epidemiological study of VL cases in children under 15 years of age in the period from 2007 to 2012. Clinical data were gathered from medical reports; meteorological data were obtained at the Meteorological Measurement Department of UFT. Environmental variables were divided into two periods, rainy and dry. Results The study revealed no difference by gender (p=0.67) among the 821 patients. However, the most affected age group was between one and five years of age (58.6%; p<0.01); the highest prevalence of the disease (99.03%; p<0.01) occurred in urban zones; and the most affected ethnic group (85.5%; p<0.01) was mixed race. The highest incidence coefficients in this population occurred in 2007 and 2008 (578.39/100,000 inhabitants; 18.5/100,000 inhabitants, respectively), whereas the highest lethality coefficients occurred in 2008 and 2011 (0.85/100 deaths). There was no significant correlation between average rainfall and the number of VL cases. The correlation between temperature and number of VL cases was negative (r = -0.4039; p<0.01). Conclusions In Araguaína, visceral leishmaniasis in children under 15 years is an urban-based endemic disease distributed across all districts of the city wherein temperature as an environmental factor, a higher prevalence in mixed race children between one and five years of age, and a high incidence coefficient all strongly contribute to child mortality. .

I Consenso Nacional para a Padronização dos Laudos de FAN em Células HEp-2 / Brazilian National Consensus on Standard ANA Reports in HEp-2 Cells

A análise da presença de auto-anticorpos feita por imunofluorescência em células HEp-2 constitui-se em método de triagem de escolha na maioria dos laboratórios clínicos. A ausência de nomenclatura definida para a descrição dos laudos traz problemas na utilização clínica do teste, no seu controle de qualidade e nas tentativas de sua padronização. O I Consenso para Padronização de Laudos de FAN em Células HEp-2 reuniu, em agosto de 2000, em Goiânia (GO), diversos especialistas de todo o Brasil. Estes emitiram pareceres de consenso, em língua portuguesa, para os distintos padrões nucleares, nucleolares, citoplasmáticos e da divisão celular que podem ser definidos pela técnica. Recomendações sobre diluições de triagem, último título de leitura e critérios morfológicos também foram determinados. Um segundo consenso, programado para 2002, deverá ocupar-se da repercusão do I Consenso sobre os laboratórios, as associações clínicas de cada padrão, bem como a possível expansão da nomenclatura para países do Mercosul

Atividade citotóxica natural (NK) na paracoccidioidomicose humana / Cytotoxicty aticvity of natural Killer (NK) in the human Paracoccidioides

O presente trabalho visou padronizar uma nova técnica para a avaliação sequencial da atividade citotóxica natural (NK) baseada na incubação de células efetoras com as células alvo K562, em suspensão, durante diferentes intervalos de tempo e avaliar os possíveis fatores envolvidos na atividade citotóxica natural em indivíduos infectados com Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. A capacidade de ligação efetora-alvo e a capacidade lítica das células citotóxicas naturais foram analisadas pelo ensaio de citotoxicidade. A possibilidade de alteraçöes quantitativas das células citotóxicas naturais foi investigada através da marcação com anticorpo monoclonal anti-CD16. Avaliou-se o efeito do plasma de infectados sobre a atividade citotóxica de células mononucleares de indivíduos com paracoccidioiddomicose e controles normais...