Multidisciplinary, Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Immunology
20
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Validation of a New Duplex Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction for Chlamydia trachomatis DNA Detection in Ocular Swab Samples Joana da Felicidade Ribeiro Favacho, Keren Kariene Leite, Thiago Jacomasso, Aline Burda Farias, Luciano Chaves Franco Filho, Samara Tatielle Monteiro Gomes, Herald Souza dos Reis, Gardene Dourado Mota, Pedro Henrique de Caires Schluga, Walleyd Sami Tassi, Rita de Cássia Pontello Rampazzo, Sheila Kay West, Charlotte Ann Gaydos, Antonio José Ledo Alves da Cunha, Alexandre Dias Tavares Costa Diagnostics, 2024 Trachoma is the world-leading infectious cause of preventable blindness and is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. In developing countries, diagnosis is usually based on clinical evaluation. Serological-based tests are cheaper than molecular-based ones, but the latter are more sensitive and specific. The present study developed a new duplex qPCR which concomitantly detects the C. trachomatis cryptic plasmid and the human 18S rRNA gene, with an LOD95% for C. trachomatis DNA of 13.04 genome equivalents per reaction. The new qPCR was tested using 50 samples from an endemic area and 12 from a non-endemic area that were previously characterized using direct immunofluorescence assay (DFA) and clinical evaluation. Among the 50 endemic samples, 3 were found to be positive by clinical evaluation (6%), 18 were found to be positive by DFA (36%), and 48 were found to be positive by qPCR (96%). Next, the new duplex qPCR was validated using 50 samples previously characterized by qPCR. Validation was carried out on a benchtop instrument (ABI7500) or on a portable point-of-care instrument (Q3-Plus), showing 95% specificity and 100% sensitivity. The ubiquitous presence of C. trachomatis DNA in samples from the endemic region confirms that constant monitoring is of paramount importance for the effective measurement of the elimination of trachoma. The newly developed duplex qPCR presented in this study, along with its validation in a portable qPCR system, constitutes important tools toward achieving this goal.
Association of Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms and Their Impact on Active and Latent Tuberculosis in Brazil’s Amazon Region Ednelza da Silva Graça Amoras, Thais Gouvea de Morais, Rafaella do Nascimento Ferreira, Samara Tatielle Monteiro Gomes, Francisca Dayse Martins de Sousa, Iury de Paula Souza, Ricardo Ishak, Antonio Carlos Rosário Vallinoto, Maria Alice Freitas Queiroz Biomolecules, 2023 Some genetic variations in cytokine genes can alter their expression and influence the evolution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. This study aimed to investigate the association of polymorphisms in cytokine genes and variability in plasma levels of cytokines with the development of tuberculosis (TB) and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Blood samples from 245 patients with TB, 80 with LTBI, and healthy controls (n = 100) were included. Genotyping of the IFNG +874A/T, IL6 -174G/C, IL4 -590C/T, and IL10 -1082A/G polymorphisms was performed by real-time PCR, and cytokine levels were determined by flow cytometry. Higher frequencies of genotypes AA (IFNG +874A/T), GG (IL6 -174G/C), TT (IL4 -590C/T), and GG (IL10 -1082A/G) were associated with an increased risk of TB compared to that of LTBI (p = 0.0027; p = 0.0557; p = 0.0286; p = 0.0361, respectively) and the control (p = <0.0001, p = 0.0021; p = 0.01655; p = 0.0132, respectively). In combination, the A allele for IFNG +874A/T and the T allele for IL4 -590C/T were associated with a higher chance of TB (p = 0.0080; OR = 2.753 and p < 0.0001; OR = 3.273, respectively). The TB group had lower levels of IFN-γ and higher concentrations of IL-6, IL-4, and IL-10. Cytokine levels were different between the genotypes based on the polymorphisms investigated (p < 0.05). The genotype and wild-type allele for IFNG +874A/T and the genotype and polymorphic allele for IL4 -590C/T appear to be more relevant in the context of Mtb infection, which has been associated with the development of TB among individuals infected by the bacillus and with susceptibility to active infection but not with susceptibility to latent infection.
TREX1 531C/T Polymorphism and Autoantibodies Associated with the Immune Status of HIV-1-Infected Individuals Maria Alice Freitas Queiroz, Tuane Carolina Ferreira Moura, Carlos David Araújo Bichara, Lorena Leticia Peixoto de Lima, Allysson Quintino Tenório de Oliveira, Ranilda Gama de Souza, Samara Tatielle Monteiro Gomes, Ednelza da Silva Graça Amoras, Antonio Carlos Rosário Vallinoto International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2023 Autoimmune diseases can develop during HIV-1 infection, mainly related to the individual’s immune competence. The study investigated the association of the TREX1 531C/T polymorphism and antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in HIV-1 infection and the time of antiretroviral therapy (ART) used. Cross-sectional and longitudinal assessments were carried out in 150 individuals, divided into three groups: ART-naïve, 5 years and 10 years on ART; ART-naïve individuals were evaluated for 2 years after initiation of treatment. The individuals’ blood samples were submitted to indirect immunofluorescence tests, real-time PCR and flow cytometry. The TREX1 531C/T polymorphism was associated with higher levels of TCD4+ lymphocytes and IFN-α in individuals with HIV-1. Individuals on ART had a higher frequency of ANA, higher levels of T CD4+ lymphocytes, a higher ratio of T CD4+/CD8+ lymphocytes and higher levels of IFN-α than therapy-naïve individuals (p < 0.05). The TREX1 531C/T polymorphism was associated with better maintenance of the immune status of individuals with HIV-1 and ANA with immune restoration in individuals on ART, indicating the need to identify individuals at risk of developing an autoimmune disease.
Prevalence and Factors Associated With Syphilis in People Living With HIV/AIDS in the State of Pará, Northern Brazil Pedro Leão Fontes Neto, Ricardo Roberto de Souza Fonseca, Maria Eduarda de Sousa Avelino, Elizandro Monteiro Vilhena, Maria dos Anjos de Abreu Pina Barbosa, Carmen Andrea Freitas Lopes, Samara Tatielle Monteiro Gomes, Bianca Jorge Sequeira, Rogério Valois Laurentino, Felipe Bonfim Freitas, Aldemir Branco Oliveira-Filho, Luiz Fernando Almeida Machado Frontiers in Public Health, 2021 Syphilis continues to be a public health problem worldwide and its incidence has increased in people living with HIV/AIDS in recent years. This study determined the prevalence and factors associated with syphilis in people living with HIV/AIDS in the city of Belém, northern Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to November 2018. A total of 500 people living with HIV/AIDS attended at a specialized unit of the public health network of the State of Pará were studied. Questionnaires were used to collect socio-demographic data and potential risk factors for syphilis. Blood samples were collected from all subjects and screened for syphilis using VDRL, and the seropositive were confirmed using FTA-abs. Logistic regressions were used to identify the factors associated with syphilis. Most subjects were male (56.8%), had more than 40 years (54.0%), single (63.0%), had finished high school (54.2%), had monthly income ≤1 minimum wage (72.4%), and had been born to the city of Belém (59.8%). Prevalence of syphilis was 6.4%. Eight characteristics/behaviors associated with syphilis: male, young adults, single, studied at least high school, monthly income &gt;1 minimum wage, homosexual/bisexual, does not use or sporadically use condoms during sexual intercourse, and have had more than one sexual partner in the last three months. The prevalence of syphilis in people living with HIV/AIDS in Belém is low when compared to other Brazilian states. However, there is a need for public policies and actions to monitor, control and prevent these two sexually transmitted infections.
Prevalence of High Risk HPV in HIV-Infected Women From Belém, Pará, Amazon Region of Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Study Jacqueline Cortinhas Monteiro, Ricardo Roberto de Souza Fonseca, Tuane Carolina de Sousa Ferreira, Luana Lorena Silva Rodrigues, Andreza Reis Brasil da Silva, Samara Tatielle Gomes, Rodrigo Vellasco Duarte Silvestre, Andréa Nazaré Monteiro Rangel Silva, Ilze Pamplona, Antonio Carlos Rosário Vallinoto, Ricardo Ishak, Luiz Fernando Almeida Machado Frontiers in Public Health, 2021 Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. Several studies have shown a higher prevalence of HPV infection in HIV-infected women. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and the genotype diversity of HPV infection in HIV-infected women. From April 2010 to December 2012 cervical specimens were collected from 169 HIV-infected women who screening for cervical cancer at Reference Unit in Belém. The detection of HPV infection was performed by nested PCR and HPV type was performed using a commercial system. The prevalence of HPV infection was 63.3%. Of the 47 genotyped samples, 40.4% was found positive for high risk-HPV 16 and 12.8% for high risk-HPV 52. HPV infection was predominant in the group of women with no incidence of cytological abnormalities and more prevalent in women of reproductive age, unmarried, low education level, and who reported use condoms during sexual intercourse. It was observed an association between HPV infection and independent variables, such as condom use, multiple sexual partners, and history of sexually transmitted diseases. High-risk types of HPV infection were prevalent in our study. Infection with multiple high-risk HPV genotypes may potentiate the development of cervical cancer in HIV-infected women.
Immune escape mutations in HIV-1 controllers in the Brazilian Amazon region Samara Tatielle Monteiro Gomes, Ednelza da Silva Graça Amoras, Érica Ribeiro Gomes, Maria Alice Freitas Queiroz, Edivaldo Costa Sousa Júnior, Janaína Mota de Vasconcelos Massafra, Poliana da Silva Lemos, João Lídio Vianez Júnior, Ricardo Ishak, Antonio Carlos Rosário Vallinoto BMC Infectious Diseases, 2020 Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection is characterized by high viral replication and a decrease in CD4+ T cells (CD4+TC), resulting in AIDS, which can lead to death. In elite controllers and viremia controllers, viral replication is naturally controlled, with maintenance of CD4+TC levels without the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Methods The aim of the present study was to describe virological and immunological risk factors among HIV-1-infected individuals according to characteristics of progression to AIDS. The sample included 30 treatment-naive patients classified into three groups based on infection duration (> 6 years), CD4+TC count and viral load: (i) 2 elite controllers (ECs), (ii) 7 viremia controllers (VCs) and (iii) 21 nonviremia controllers (NVCs). Nested PCR was employed to amplify the virus genome, which was later sequenced using the Ion PGM platform for subtyping and analysis of immune escape mutations. Results Viral samples were classified as HIV-1 subtypes B and F. Greater selection pressure on mutations was observed in the group of viremia controllers, with a higher frequency of immunological escape mutations in the genes investigated, including two new mutations in gag. The viral sequences of viremia controllers and nonviremia controllers did not differ significantly regarding the presence of immune escape mutations. Conclusion The results suggest that progression to AIDS is not dependent on a single variable but rather on a set of characteristics and pressures exerted by virus biology and interactions with immunogenetic host factors.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in periodontal sites of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals in North Brazil: A cross-sectional study Humberto Jácome‐Santos, Thalita de Almeida Amanajás, Samara Tatielle Monteiro Gomes, Luiz Fernando Almeida Machado, Armando Rodrigues Lopes Pereira Neto, et al. Quintessence International, 2020 OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) prevalence and viral load in subgingival sites of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) positive (HIV+) individuals, correlating subgingival EBV load to the clinical periodontal condition, HIV systemic load, EBV systemic load, and use of antiretroviral therapy (ART). METHOD AND MATERIALS: Ninety individuals were recruited and divided into three categories: those without periodontal disease (G1), with gingivitis (G2), and with periodontitis (G3). Subgingival biofilm and blood samples were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reactions (qPCR). A questionnaire was administered to collect general information about patients, and data regarding HIV and use of ART were accessed from their medical records. RESULTS: EBV was detected in 85.6% of the samples. Comparing subgingival and systemic load of EBV in G1, G2, and G3, there was a statistical difference only in G3 (3.93 log10 copies/mL and 5.47 log10 copies/mL, respectively; P = .014), where EBV load was higher in periodontal pockets than in the blood. All groups had high EBV loads in subgingival sites (> 2,000 copies/mL). A positive linear correlation between systemic HIV load and EBV subgingival load was found in G1 and G2 (r = 0.647; P < .001), but not in G3. Only G1 individuals using ART had lower subgingival EBV loads than those not using it (5.03 log10 copies/mL, and 7.14 log10 copies/mL, respectively; P = .0348). CONCLUSIONS: Subgingival sites, especially the periodontal pockets, are suggested to act as a reservoir of EBV in HIV+ individuals. Therefore, the identification of latent EBV infections in this easily accessible site might help to improve quality of life in patients with HIV by maintaining oral/periodontal health. In addition it might encourage new approaches in investigating EBV-associated disorders in HIV+ patients.
TREX1 531C>T polymorphism is associated with high proviral load levels in HTLV-1-infected persons Sa Yang, Philippe Gayral, Hongxia Zhao, Yaojun Wu, Xuejian Jiang, Yanyan Wu, Diane Bigot, Xinling Wang, Dahe Yang, Elisabeth A. Herniou, Shuai Deng, Fei Li, Qingyun Diao, Eric Darrouzet, Chunsheng Hou Viruses, 2019 Since the discovery that honey bee viruses play a role in colony decline, researchers have made major breakthroughs in understanding viral pathology and infection processes in honey bees. Work on virus transmission patterns and virus vectors, such as the mite Varroa destructor, has prompted intense efforts to manage honey bee health. However, little is known about the occurrence of honey bee viruses in bee predators, such as vespids. In this study, we characterized the occurrence of 11 honey bee viruses in five vespid species and one wasp from four provinces in China and two vespid species from four locations in France. The results showed that all the species from China carried certain honey bee viruses, notably Apis mellifera filamentous virus (AmFV), Deformed wing virus (DWV), and Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV); furthermore, in some vespid colonies, more than three different viruses were identified. In France, DWV was the most common virus; Sacbrood virus (SBV) and Black queen cell virus (BQCV) were observed in one and two samples, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses of IAPV and BQCV sequences indicated that most of the IAPV sequences belonged to a single group, while the BQCV sequences belonged to several groups. Additionally, our study is the first to detect Lake Sinai virus (LSV) in a hornet from China. Our findings can guide further research into the origin and transmission of honey bee viruses in Vespidae, a taxon of ecological, and potentially epidemiological, relevance.
Prevalence of trachoma in school children in the Marajó Archipelago, Brazilian Amazon, and the impact of the introduction of educational and preventive measures on the disease over eight years Joana Favacho, Antonio José Ledo Alves da Cunha, Samara Tatielle Monteiro Gomes, Felipe Bonfim Freitas, Maria Alice Freitas Queiroz, Antonio Carlos Rosário Vallinoto, Ricardo Ishak, Marluísa de Oliveira Guimarães Ishak Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2018 Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness in the world and is associated with precarious living conditions in developing countries. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of trachoma in three municipalities of the Marajó Archipelago, located in the state of Pará, Brazil. In 2008, 2,054 schoolchildren from the public primary school system of the urban area of the region and their communicants were clinically examined; in 2016, 1,502 schoolchildren were examined. The positive cases seen during the clinical evaluation were confirmed by direct immunofluorescence (DIF) laboratory tests. The presence of antibodies against the genus Chlamydia was evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), and the serotypes were determined by microimmunofluorescence (MIF). In 2008, the prevalence of trachoma among schoolchildren was 3.4% (69 cases) and it was more frequent in children between six and nine years of age and in females; among the communicants, a prevalence of 16.5% was observed. In 2016, three cases of trachoma were diagnosed (prevalence of 0.2%), found only in the municipality of Soure. The results of the present study showed that in 2008, trachoma had a low prevalence (3.4%) among schoolchildren in the urban area of Marajó Archipelago; eight years after the first evaluation and the introduction of control and prevention measures (SAFE strategy), there was a drastic reduction in the number of cases (0.2%), demonstrating the need for constant monitoring and effective measures for the elimination of trachoma.
Lack of association between polymorphisms of the TLR4 gene and infection with the hepatitis b and c viruses Orlando de Souza Pires-Neto, Keyla Santos Guedes de Sá, Barbara Brasil Santana, Samara Tatielle Monteiro Gomes, Ednelza da Silva Graça Amoras, Simone Regina da Silva Conde, Sâmia Demachki, Vânia Nakauth Azevedo, Rosimar Neris Martins-Feitosa, Marluísa de Oliveira Guimarães Ishak, Ricardo Ishak, Antonio Carlos Rosário Vallinoto Mediators of Inflammation, 2015
Toll-like receptor 3 gene polymorphisms are not associated with the risk of hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infection Keyla Santos Guedes de Sá, Orlando de Souza Pires-Neto, Barbara Brasil Santana, Samara Tatielle Monteiro Gomes, Ednelza da Silva Graça Amoras, Simone Regina da Silva Conde, Sâmia Demachki, Vânia Nakauth Azevedo, Luiz Fernando Almeida Machado, Rosimar Neris Martins-Feitosa, Marluísa de Oliveira Guimarães Ishak, Ricardo Ishak, Antonio Carlos Rosário Vallinoto Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira De Medicina Tropical, 2015
