RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Human pegivirus (HPgV)-formerly known as GBV-C-is a member of the Flaviviridae family and belongs to the species Pegivirus C. It is a non-pathogenic virus and is transmitted among humans mainly through the exposure to contaminated blood and is often associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, among other viruses. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HPgV viremia, its association with HIV and clinical epidemiological factors, as well as the full-length sequencing and genome characterization of HPgV recovered from blood donors of the HEMOPA Foundation in Belém-PA-Brazil. METHODS: Plasma samples were obtained from 459 donors, tested for the presence of HPgV RNA by the RT-qPCR. From these, a total of 26 RT-qPCR positive samples were submitted to the NGS sequencing approach in order to obtain the full genome. Genome characterization and phylogenetic analysis were conducted. RESULTS: The prevalence of HPgV was 12.42%. We observed the highest prevalences among donors aged between 18 and 30 years old (16.5%), with brown skin color (13.2%) and men (15.8%). The newly diagnosed HIV-1 prevalence was 26.67%. The HPgV genotype 2 (2a and 2b) was identified. No data on viral load value was found to corroborate the protective effect of HPgV on HIV evolution. CONCLUSIONS: This study provided information regarding the HPgV infection among blood donors from HEMOPA Foundation. Furthermore, we genetically characterized the HPgV circulating strains and described by the first time nearly complete genomes of genotype 2 in Brazilian Amazon.
Assuntos
Doadores de Sangue , Infecções por Flaviviridae/epidemiologia , Vírus GB C/genética , Pegivirus/genética , RNA Viral/sangue , Viremia/epidemiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Doadores de Sangue/estatística & dados numéricos , Brasil/epidemiologia , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Infecções por Flaviviridae/virologia , Vírus GB C/classificação , Vírus GB C/isolamento & purificação , Genoma Viral , Genótipo , Infecções por HIV/complicações , Infecções por HIV/epidemiologia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Pegivirus/classificação , Pegivirus/isolamento & purificação , Filogenia , Prevalência , RNA Viral/genética , Carga Viral , Sequenciamento Completo do Genoma , Adulto JovemRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The present study evaluated the epidemiology of cryptococcal meningitis and TNFα gene polymorphisms in patients at a reference hospital in northern Brazil. METHODS: Samples from 25 patients infected with Cryptococcus spp. were collected to confirm the infection and to analyze the TNFα gene polymorphisms. RESULTS: Cryptococcus neoformans was detected as the predominant etiological agent (100%) in HIV-positive patients. No genetic polymorphic changes were found. CONCLUSIONS: No correlation was observed between the analyzed TNFα polymorphisms and cryptococcal meningitis.
Assuntos
Meningite Criptocócica/epidemiologia , Meningite Criptocócica/genética , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/genética , Adolescente , Adulto , Brasil/epidemiologia , Cryptococcus neoformans/genética , Cryptococcus neoformans/isolamento & purificação , Feminino , Genótipo , Humanos , Masculino , Meningite Criptocócica/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Polimorfismo Genético , Prevalência , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Abstract INTRODUCTION: The present study evaluated the epidemiology of cryptococcal meningitis and TNFα gene polymorphisms in patients at a reference hospital in northern Brazil. METHODS: Samples from 25 patients infected with Cryptococcus spp. were collected to confirm the infection and to analyze the TNFα gene polymorphisms. RESULTS: Cryptococcus neoformans was detected as the predominant etiological agent (100%) in HIV-positive patients. No genetic polymorphic changes were found. CONCLUSIONS: No correlation was observed between the analyzed TNFα polymorphisms and cryptococcal meningitis.