Epidemiological profile of hepatitis C virus infection in patients from west region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a serious public health problem and is the leading cause of liver transplantation due to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In Brazil, it is estimated that there are approximately 2 to 3 million HCV chronic carriers. Few data regarding HCV infection are available in West region of Minas Gerais State. Due to the absence of an effective vaccine against this important human pathogen and the high costs of antiviral treatment, it is important to conduct epidemiological studies with the purpose of carry out the planning and implementation of measures to prevent hepatitis C in different populations. Therefore, the aim of this study is to describe the epidemiological aspects of HCV patients from West region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Sociodemographic data and risk factors for HCV infection were determined from 74 HCV patients from Uberlandia city (Minas Gerais State). Reactive anti-HCV sera samples were submitted to HCV RNA and genotype detection. Most of individuals were male (63.5%) with mean age of 51 years and presenting low socioeconomic status. HCV genotype was determined among 40 samples and the frequencies were: genotype 2 (45%), 1 (37.5%) and 3 (17.5%). Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was common among male and low socioeconomic status individuals.

Comparative evaluation of several methods for Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis diagnosis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Production of recombinant EMA-1 protein and its application for the diagnosis of Theileria equi using an enzyme immuno assay in horses from São Paulo State, Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Funcionalidade das proteínas EF-Tu e 14-3-3 na virulência de Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Orientação sobre posse responsável em uma área endêmica para leishmaniose visceral canina

The purpose of this work was to provide guidance to householders in the responsible care of their pets, in a region where canine visceral leishmaniasis is endemic. Questionnaires on responsible ownership and the control of this disease were completed by owners of dogs and cats in the city of Araçatuba, São Paulo State, Brazil, in order to evaluate their level of knowledge. Based on the identified deficiencies, the project team provided the owners of the pets with individual guidance at home, focusing on the most critical issues. Concerning nutrition, 70.45% (62/88) of owners provided pet food only, 27.28% (24/88) administered a mixed diet, and 2.27% (2/88) provided homemade food. Additionally, 78.41% (69/88) did not permit the consumption of raw meat, rare meat, or bones. 9.09% (8/88) of owners allowed their pets to wander the neighborhood alone. Among dogs, 14.77% (13/88) had never been clinically tested by a qualified professional, and 6.82% (6/88) and 15.91% (14/88) had never received any kind of vaccine or vermifuge, respectively. In relation to population control, only 20.45% (18/88) of the dogs had been sterilized. It was also observed that 25% (22/88) of owners had already had canine visceral leishmaniasis seropositive dogs in their homes. 54.55% (12/22) of these owners had referred their pets to veterinary clinics for euthanasia, 22.73% (5/22) had used the services of the city’s animal disease control center, and 18.18% (4/22) had paid for private treatment. Nevertheless, 35.23% (31/88) of the dogs had never been submitted to tests for infection diagnosis. From the results obtained, it could be inferred that the individuals who participated in this study were poorly informed concerning basic pet care, demonstrating a need to implement community awareness campaigns for the responsible ownership of pets.

Avaliação sorológica de vacinas comerciais polivalentes contra a enterotoxemia em caprinos

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Avaliação dos conceitos sobre posse responsável exercida pela terceira idade em instituições não governamentais de Araçatuba-SP

Pets bring expressive benefits into the life of the elderly, so it becomes necessary to emphasize some of the concepts regarding responsible ownership consisting of a set of important attitudes that accounts for the well-being of all. In this context, non-governmental institutions represent an excellent mean of communication and information. Besides, the increase of the third aged people population indicates that a survey of parameters to this respect is necessary. Being thus, the objective of this work was to analyze the aged ones´ level of knowledge regarding their responsibility for their pet. A questionnaire was applied to 134 aged people, members of non-governmental organizations in the city of Araçatuba, SP, in order to find out how they took care of their pet animals. The pets aged from 2 to 336 months, being 43,3% mixed-breed animals. Out of that, 60,9% were male dogs and among cats, 65.2% were female cats. There was a 69.4% preference for dogs and a 17.9% preference for cats, only 10.5% of the elderly had preference for birds. From the descriptive statistics analysis it could be observed that 69.40% did not have any access to the street and that 50% did not have a veterinarian follow-up. Regarding vaccination it could be observed that 71.64% had received the rabies vaccine and 70.9% had received the combination vaccine. Also, 74.63% did not know the right moment to give medicines against animal worms. Another important fact was that 85.07% of the animals were not castrated and 84.91% were not under any preventive contraception method. In regard to food 50.75% of the animals were fed strictly with animal food, 12.69% with domestic food and 36.57% with both. Finally, 78.36% of the pets had never been ill. In this way, we can assure the importance of making responsible pet ownership measures well-known among third-aged people.

Vacinas contra Leishmaniose: uma revisão

Leishmania is a protozoan belonging to the family Trypanosomatidae, obligate intracellular parasite cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system. In the New and Old World several orders of wild mammals (natural reservoirs) and various species of sandflies (vectors) are involved in the transmission of leishmaniasis. The new settlements in rural areas, changes in the environment and unplanned urbanization increased human contact with vector and interaction with the animal reservoir. A simple prophylactic measure seems to be the vector control as well as disease reservoir. With the goal of raising the prophylactic measures that are being used in vector control, the reservoir of the disease and what the infrastructure accordingly. We conducted a literature review in July 2011 in the electronic databases of Bireme, Medline, CancerLit, Portal Capes, SciELO, PubMed and Medscape, the main texts on the subject. Thus, the development of a vaccine that is effective against various forms of leishmaniasis in the old and new world, it is necessary and has been recommended by WHO as a possible tool for effective eradication of the disease.

Epidemiological profile of hepatitis C virus infection in patients from west region of Minas Gerais State, Brazill

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Using Pichia pastoris to produce recombinant glycerol kinase

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Efeitos da adição do IGF-1 ou IGF-LongR3 sobre aspectos celulares e moleculares de complexos cumulus-oócito durante a maturação oocitária in vitro em bovinos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Atividade antiviral de compostos naturais no ciclo replicativo do HCV

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Imunohistoquímica em órgãos de tilápias-do-Nilo imunizadas com antígeno insolúvel de Streptococcus agalactiae

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV

Avaliação da participação e confiabilidade da população em relação à campanha de vacinação anual contra a raiva de cães e gatos no município de Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil

The annual vaccination campaign against rabies is the most effective prevention procedure for this disease in dogs and cats and hence for human protection also. However, in 2010 and 2011, this activity was interrupted in Brazil due to the occurrence of adverse events associated with vaccination. Even though cases of canine rabies have been decreasing in the last two decades, vigilance must be strengthened in order to maintain pet owners trust in the vaccines provided in public services. This study aimed to determine pet owners participation in the annual vaccination campaign carried out in Botucatu. During March and April 2012, the period before the 42nd campaign, 312 pet owners, dogs and cats, were interviewed. The homes were randomly drawn in blocks from different sectors of the city; all houses on the same block over the 120 km² of urban area participated in the sampling process. Statistical analysis was performed descriptively. The results showed that the owners main motivation to vaccinate their pets during the campaigns is rabies prevention (36%), followed by the proximity of the vaccination station to the house (20.7%), zero cost (10.9%), and the combination of all three factors (16.1%). When asked if they would take their animals back to be vaccinated in another campaign, 60.1% answered yes, 13.5% would go to a private clinic, 2.2% would not take because they do not trust the vaccine and 1.6% had not decided yet. We conclude that the respondents have realized how dangerous Rabies is, because even after the break period, they still utilized the vaccination campaign demonstrating confidence in its effectiveness, while knowing the campaign goals facilitates understanding and participation.

Conhecimento sobre HPV (Papilomavírus Humano) e a percepção das adolescentes sobre sua imunização

Pós-graduação em Enfermagem (mestrado profissional) - FMB