Polymorphisms in Toll-Like receptors genes and their associations with immunological parameters in Plasmodium vivax malaria in the Brazil-French Guiana Border.

BACKGROUND: The innate immune response plays an important role during malaria. Toll-like receptors (TLR) are capable of recognizing pathogen molecules. We aimed to evaluate five polymorphisms in TLR-4, TLR-6, and TLR-9 genes and their association with cytokine levels and clinical parameters in malaria from the Brazil-French Guiana border. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted in Amapá, Brazil. P. vivax patients and individuals not infected were evaluated. Genotyping of five SNPs was carried out by qPCR. Circulating cytokines were measured by CBA. The MSP-119 IgG antibodies were performed by ELISA. RESULTS: An association between TLR4 A299G with parasitemia was observed. There was an increase for IFN-ɤ, TNF-ɑ, IL-6, and IL-10 in the TLR-4 A299G and T3911, TLR-6 S249P, and TLR-9 1486C/T, SNPs for the studied malarial groups. There were significant findings for the TLR-4 variants A299G and T3911, TLR-9 1237C/T, and 1486C/T. For the reactivity of MSP-119 antibodies levels, no significant results were found in malaria, and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The profile of the immune response observed by polymorphisms in TLRs genes does not seem to be standard for all types of malaria infection around the world. This can depend on the human population and the species of Plasmodium.

Esporotricose em felinos domésticos (Felis catus domesticus) em Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ / Sporotrichosis in domestic felines (Felis catus domesticus) in Campos dos Goytacazes/RJ, Brazil

A esporotricose é uma micose subcutânea de evolução subaguda a crônica, causada pelo fungo dimórfico e geofílico Sporothrix schenckii. A transmissão zoonótica vem recebendo destaque, tendo os felinos domésticos um importante papel epidemiológico na doença. Este trabalho pesquisa teve como objetivo diagnosticar casos de esporotricose em felinos domésticos atendidos no município de Campos dos Goytacazes/RJ, bem como correlacionar os casos positivos com os sinais clínicos observados nos mesmos, assim como fatores de risco tais quais sexo, animais castrados ou não, dentre outras características. Foram utilizados 100 felinos domésticos, portadores de lesões cutâneas suspeitas de esporotricose, os quais passaram por avaliação clínica minuciosa e preenchimento de fichas individuais. As lesões foram então selecionadas para coleta de material em suabes estéreis e posterior análise laboratorial, através da citologia e cultura fúngica. Dos 100 animais analisados, 66 (66%) foram positivos para Sporothrix spp., sendo 46 (69,6%) machos não castrados, 15 (22,7%) fêmeas não castradas, 4 (6,06%) fêmeas castradas e 1 (1,5%) macho castrado, os quais 89,3% tinham acesso à rua. Quanto à topografia lesional e estado clínico dos animais, 43 (65,2%) apresentavam lesões focais e 23 (34,8%) lesões disseminadas, onde 21 (31,8%) vieram à óbito ou foram submetidos a eutanásia por opção do tutor. Com os resultados dos exames foi possível a adequada prescrição do protocolo terapêutico e acompanhamento de 40 animais (60,6%), e nos casos dos felinos encaminhados (7,5%), foi reportado ao médico veterinário responsável o respectivo diagnóstico para que este escolhesse sua conduta terapêutica.(AU)

Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycosis of subacute to chronic evolution, caused by the dimorphic and geophilic fungus Sporothrix schenckii. The zoonotic transmission has been highlighted, with domestic cats having an important epidemiological role in the disease. This research aimed to diagnose cases of sporotrichosis in domestic cats treated in the city of Campos dos Goytacazes/RJ, as well as to correlate the positive cases with the clinical signs observed in them, as well as risk factors such as sex, castrated animals or not, among other characteristics. One hundred domestic felines were used, with skin lesions suspected of sporotrichosis, which underwent a thorough clinical evaluation and completion of individual files. The lesions were then selected for material collection in sterile swabs and subsequent laboratory analysis, through cytology and fungal culture. Of the 100 animals analyzed, 66 (66%) were positive for Sporothrix spp., Being 46 (69.6%) uncastrated males, 15 (22.7%) uncastrated females, 4 (6.06%) females castrated and 1 (1.5%) castrated male, 89.3% of whom had access to the street. Concerning the lesion topography and clinical status of the animals, 43 (65.2%) had focal lesions and 23 (34.8%) disseminated lesions, where 21 (31.8%) died or were submitted to euthanasia at the option of tutor. With the results of the exams, it was possible to adequately prescribe the therapeutic protocol and follow up of 40 animals (60.6%), and in the cases of the cats referred (7.5%), the respective veterinarian was informed of the respective diagnosis so that this To choose their therapeutic behavior.(AU)