South-to-Southeast Expansion of HIV-1 Subtype C in Brazil.

HIV-1 group M subtype C (HIV-1C) is the predominant genetic variant in southern Brazil but has been sparsely detected in other regions of the country. Our study aimed to identify HIV-1C transmission links across Brazil using phylogenetic reconstruction and to infer trends in geographical patterns and dissemination beyond the southern region. We retrieved 3693 HIV-1C (partial pol) sequences from NCBI and LANL databases and applied maximum likelihood phylogenetic reconstruction to infer transmission clusters, using clade confidence (SH-aLRT) and intracluster genetic distance as critical parameters.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Antiviral Strategies: Advances and Limitations.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, remarkable progress has been made in the development of antiviral therapies for SARS-CoV-2. Several direct-acting antivirals, such as remdesivir, molnupiravir, and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, offer clinical benefits. These agents have significantly contributed to reducing the viral loads and duration of the illness, as well as the disease's severity and mortality.

(Golden Syrian Hamster) Experimental Model of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Reveals That Lung Injury Is Associated with Phenotypic Differences Between SARS-CoV-2 Variants.

Despite the current level of public immunity to SARS-CoV-2, the early inflammatory events associated with respiratory distress in COVID-19 patients are not fully elucidated. Syrian golden hamsters, facultative hibernators, recapitulate the phenotype of SARS-CoV-2-induced severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-induced severe acute lung injury seen in patients. In this study, we describe the predominance of the innate immune response in hamsters inoculated with four different SARS-CoV-2 variants, underscoring phenotypic differences among them.

Relationship Between Periodontal Disease and Systemic Diseases in Non-Human Primates.

Background: Periodontal disease in non-human primates (NHPs) has gained relevance due to its similarities with human pathology and its potential to influence systemic health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between periodontal disease and the development of systemic conditions in NHPs, aiming to understand the mechanisms involved and their clinical significance.

Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted using the PICO strategy, including observational studies, experimental research, and integrative reviews that examined periodontal disease in NHPs and its association with systemic diseases.

Extracellular Vesicle Release from Immune Cells in Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: Modulation by and Reversal by Antimonial Therapy.

Human cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by is a complex parasitic disease marked by dynamic host-parasite interactions and immunomodulation. Extracellular vesicles (EV) derived from immune cells have emerged as key mediators of intercellular communication and potential biomarkers in infectious diseases. In this study, we combined a modified lymphocyte proliferation assay with nano-flow cytometry to quantify and phenotype EV released by CD4, CD8, and CD14 cells in PBMC cultures from CL patients at different clinical stages: before treatment (PBT), during treatment (PDT), and post-treatment (PET) with antimonial.

Detection of in Microbiological Culture: A Comparative Analysis of PCR Primer Sets.

Glanders is a highly contagious and often fatal zoonotic disease of equids caused by , a pathogen of significant concern due to its potential for bioterrorism. In Brazil, glanders remains endemic, particularly among working equids in the Northeast region. Diagnostic confirmation typically involves serology, culture, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), although false-negative PCR results have been increasingly reported.

Morphometric and Molecular Insights into spp. in Wild and Synanthropic Rodents from Southern and Southeastern Brazil.

Small rodents are known hosts of various pathogens, including , but until now, in Brazil, only has been described in these animals. In this study, liver samples and blood smears were obtained from 289 rodents belonging to 14 Cricetidae and two Muridae species that had been captured in municipalities of the states of Paraná and Rio de Janeiro. Smears were stained with Giemsa, and gametocytes were detected via microscopy in 10.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition and/or Angiotensin Receptor Blockade Modulate Cytokine Profiles and Improve Clinical Outcomes in Experimental COVID-19 Infection.

The regulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression by medications such as ACE inhibitors (ACEis) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) has raised critical questions regarding their potential benefits and risks during COVID-19. ACE2, a regulator of blood pressure through the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), is the primary receptor for SARS-CoV-2. ACEis and ARBs can modulate ACE2 expression, potentially exacerbating viral load.

Lyme-Borreliosis Disease: IgM Epitope Mapping and Evaluation of a Serological Assay Based on Immunodominant Bi-Specific Peptides.

Lyme borreliosis (LB) is a tick-borne infection of global relevance that remains underrecognized, hindering effective surveillance and diagnosis. This lack of awareness and the limited specificity and low antibody titters of current serological assays underscore the need for improved diagnostic tools. Here, we investigated the molecular fine specificity of IgM antibody responses to five proteins of .

Tracing Dengue's Evolutionary and Phylogenetic Pathways.

Dengue virus (DENV) is a rapidly evolving arbovirus responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Understanding its evolutionary trajectory is essential for tracking viral emergence, transmission dynamics, and the factors driving its geographic expansion. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the genetic diversification and phylogenetic pathways of DENV, focusing on serotype evolution and the classification of genetic lineages.

Antifungal Agents in the 21st Century: Advances, Challenges, and Future Perspectives.

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) represent a growing global health threat, particularly for immunocompromised populations, with mortality exceeding 1.5 million deaths annually. Despite their clinical and economic burden-costing billions in healthcare expenditures-fungal infections remain underprioritized in public health agendas.

Impact of protein prenylation inhibition on viability and IL-1β production in infected macrophages.

Unlabelled: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by and . Brazil consistently ranks among the countries with the highest number of leprosy cases. Data from our group showed that upregulates the mevalonate pathway (MP), contributing to the accumulation of cholesterol-ester-enriched lipid droplets in infected macrophages, and that the inhibition of this pathway by statins decreases bacterial intracellular viability.

Deaths from COVID-19 among workers hospitalized at Hospital Municipal Ronaldo Gazolla from the perspective of work precariousness.

Introduction: Among the inequalities heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic are those linked to work. Informal workers and the unemployed - already vulnerable before the pandemic - had greater difficulty adopting social distancing. This study analyzes occupational data from patients at a referral hospital for COVID-19 in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, considering the scarcity of information on workers' health during the pandemic.

Rhodnius montenegrensis Rosa et al., 2012 (Hemiptera, Triatominae) in Peru: a warning for the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas, 1909) (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae) in periurban areas.

Rhodnius montenegrensis is a sylvatic triatomine and a vector of Trypanosoma cruzi, with records of its invasion into human dwellings. This study reports the first record of R. montenegrensis in Peru.

Studies on the toxic effects of three regioisomeric methoxylated xanthones against Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes and their binding with human serum albumin.

The synthetic 1-methoxyxanthone, 2-methoxyxanthone, and 4-methoxyxanthone (compounds 1, 2, and 3, respectively) were tested against amastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi (C2C4, LacZ), showing an activity profile that depends on the position of the methoxy group in the xanthone ring, targeting pteridine reductase 1 of T. cruzi (TcPTR1). The initial pharmacokinetic assessment involved biophysical characterization of the interaction between the xanthones and human serum albumin (HSA, the main globular protein responsible for drug distribution), using circular dichroism (CD), steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements, combined with in silico calculations.

The absence of the Leishmania major telomerase TERT component links telomeres and cell homeostasis with infectivity.

We studied the impacts of deleting the telomerase reverse transcriptase component of the Leishmania major (LmTERT) telomerase complex. The Leishmania genus comprises species that cause leishmaniasis, a neglected disease that lacks effective treatment and control options, highlighting the need for alternative therapeutics. Telomerase plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of eukaryotic genomes by synthesizing telomeres through its TERT and telomerase RNA components.

Multimodal approach to the diagnosis of pure neural neuropathy in leprosy.

Introduction: Neuropathy is an important feature of leprosy, a chronic infection caused by that mainly affects the skin and peripheral nerves. There is a rare and atypical form called the pure neural form, which is manifested only by changes in the nerves, without lesions on the skin, which makes early diagnosis difficult. If left untreated, neuropathy can lead to deformities and disabilities.

Effective RNA extraction with readily available reagents: A comparative analysis of alternative protocols.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic exposed significant challenges in diagnostic laboratory workflows, where shortages of reagents and automation worsened the management of surges in testing demand. This study evaluates four direct sample preparation protocols and proposes an economical alternative RNA extraction method using generic silica columns as a feasible solution during resource scarcity. While the non-extraction protocols tested presented an elevated risk of producing false negatives, the alternative method demonstrated results statistically comparable to standard manual and automated extraction protocols (ANOVA, F=0.

Mapping risk factors and spatial clusters of schistosomiasis mansoni in rural communities from Brazil: three cross-sectional studies between 2014 and 2022.

This study aimed to determine the human positivity rate for S. mansoni infection and evaluate the association between socioeconomic factors and behavioral factors, as well as identify risk areas and changes in risk factors over the years 2014, 2015, and 2022 in rural communities in Brazil. We conducted three cross-sectional studies, included parasitological and malacological surveys, as well as risk questionnaires.

Coxiella burnetii in Minas and Coalho raw milk artisanal cheese and possible spatial associations with human exposure in Brazil: a cross-sectional study.

Q fever is a zoonotic disease that occurs worldwide; it is caused by Coxiella burnetii, which infects a wide variety of vertebrate and invertebrate animals, including humans. Domestic ruminants are considered the primary natural reservoir of C. burnetii.

Detection of Sporothrix brasiliensis in Human Tissue by Direct PCR Using Species-Specific Primers and NESTED PCR in a New Epidemic Area of Sporotrichosis.

Sporotrichosis is a fungal disease caused by the infection of Sporothrix spp. The reference standard method for the diagnosis of sporotrichosis is still the mycological culture from clinical samples. Molecular methods have been developed to facilitate the diagnosis of the disease.

Preparing for Practice: A Comparative Analysis of Anesthesiology Residency Competencies in Brazil, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of equipping medical specialists from various fields with anesthesiology skills that are essential for medical practice, such as managing acute and chronic pain, preventing substance dependence, caring for critically ill patients, and ensuring airway security. This study analyzes the presence of these anesthesiology competencies in the curricular frameworks of medical residency programs in Brazil, Spain, and the United Kingdom, all of which have universal healthcare systems, to assess how effectively these programs prepare future specialists with these crucial skills.

Methods: We analyzed curriculum frameworks for medical residency programs and specializations in all 3 countries, focusing on anesthesiology competencies.

Isavuconazole activity against species from Brazil focusing on : MIC comparison between EUCAST and CLSI.

Aim: We evaluated the activity of isavuconazole against different clinical species from Brazil, with an emphasis on , using CLSI and EUCAST, and compared the results to expand the literature on this new triazole.

Methods: A total of 102 strains of spp. were isolated from critically ill patients admitted to tertiary hospitals in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.