Safety of kidney transplantation using anti-HBc-positive donors

Background. Prospective studies evaluating the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission in transplants of kidneys from hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc)-positive/ hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) negative donors are still lacking. The objective of this study was to assess the safety of kidney transplantation with the use of anti-HBc positive donors.Methods. This prospective case series study included 50 kidney transplant recipients from anti-HBc positive donors with or without anti-HBs positivity. Recipients were required to test positive for anti-HBs (titers >10 mUI/mL), regardless of anti-HBc status, and negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Recipient and donor data were retrieved from medical records, databases, and organ procurement organization sheets. Liver function tests were performed at progressively increasing post-transplantation intervals. Complete serologic tests for HBV were performed before transplantation, 3 and 6 months after transplantation, and annually thereafter.Results. Six months after transplantation, all recipients were negative for HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBe, and anti-HBcIgM. No seroconversion was observed among the 20 patients who received kidneys from anti-HBc positive/anti-HBs negative donors. No patient showed elevated liver enzymes during follow-up.Conclusions. Kidney transplantation using organs from anti-HBeIgG positive donors (even when they are concurrently anti-HBs negative) in anti-HBs positive recipients is a safe procedure and may be considered as a way to expand the donor pool.

Doenças do pimentão em regiões produtoras do Equador: identificação e manejo da pata seca e ocorrência de viroses

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Proteção de Plantas) - FCA

Perfil molecular e resistência a antimicrobianos de Salmonella isolada em linfonodos mesentéricos de suínos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

The COLOSS BEEBOOK Volume II: Standard methods for Apis mellifera pest and pathogen research

n recent years, declines of honey bee populations have received massive media attention worldwide, yet attempts to understand the causes have been hampered by a lack of standardisation of laboratory techniques. Published as a response to this, the COLOSS BEEBOOK is a unique collaborative venture involving 234 bee scientists from 34 countries, who have produced the definitive guide to how to carry out research on honey bees. It is hoped that these volumes will become the standards to be adopted by bee scientists worldwide. Volume II includes approximately 600 separate protocols dealing with the study of the pests and diseases of the honey bee, Apis mellifera. These cover epidemiology and surveying techniques, virus diseases, bacterial diseases such as European and American foulbrood, fungal and microsporidian diseases such as Nosema, mites such as Acarapis, Varroa and Tropilaelaps, and other pests such as the small hive beetle.

Diminished UV-absorbing nets reduce the Spreads and population density of Macrosiphum euphorbiae in lettuce.

UV-absorbing covers reduce the incidence of injurious insect pests and viruses in protected crops. In the present study, the effect of a UV-absorbing net (Bionet) on the spatio-temporal dynamics of the potato aphid on lettuce plants was evaluated. A field experiment was conducted during three seasons in two identical tunnels divided in four plots. A set of lettuce plants were artificially infested with Macrosiphum euphorbiae adults and the population was estimated by counting aphids on every plant over 7 to 9 weeks. Insect population grew exponentially but a significantly lower aphid density was present on plants grown under the UV-absorbing cover compared to a standard 50 mesh net. Similarly, in laboratory conditions, life table parameters were significantly reduced under the Bionet. Moreover, SADIE analysis showed that the spatial distribution of aphids was effectively limited under the UV-absorbing nets. Our results indicate that UV-absorbing nets should be considered as an important component of lettuce indoor cropping systems preventing pesticide applications and reducing the risk of spread of aphid-borne virus diseases.

Estudo da viabilidade para introduzir na rotina testes de diagnóstico para infecção respiratória aguda

Para avaliar os benefícios da comunicação rápida ao clínico do diagnóstico de vírus respiratórios, foi analisado a viabilidade econômica de 2 testes, com o tempo de entrega de resultado em 2 horas para teste rápido e 48 horas para Biologia Molecular. As amostras coletadas foram processadas utilizando técnicas convencionais e os testes disponíveis no mercado local. Foram escolhidos dois testes rápidos pelo método de imunocromatografia para quatro parâmetros analíticos: Influenza A, Influenza H1N1, Influenza B e Vírus Sincicial Respiratório (RSV) e em Biologia Molecular um teste de RT-PCR multiplex com 25 patógenos entre vírus e bactérias. O tipo de amostra utilizada foi swab e lavado de nasofaringe. A população escolhida para o estudo foi paciente adulto, em tratamento de câncer, que necessita de uma resposta rápida já que a maioria se encontra com comprometimento do sistema imune por doença ou por tratamento. O estudo foi transversal, realizado entre os anos de 2012 e 2013, para avaliar a viabilidade econômica da introdução de testes de diagnóstico da infecção respiratória aguda de etiologia viral a partir de amostras de nasofaringe em pacientes com câncer atendidos no Centro de Atendimento de Oncologia Intercorrência (CAIO ), do Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo (ICESP), hospital público que atende exclusivamente Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) e Hospital A.C. Camargo, que atende tanto a pacientes do SUS como da rede privada. O estudo incluiu 152 pacientes em tratamento para qualquer tipo de câncer, predominantemente do sexo feminino (81 mulheres e 70 homens) com idades entre 18-86 anos. Para participar do estudo o paciente era consultado e o critério para escolha do paciente foi ser portador de câncer, com história de febre (ainda que referida) acompanhada de tosse ou dor de garganta, tosse e sintomas respiratórios agudos, atendidos por protocolo padronizado que inclui avaliação na admissão, seguimento e manejo antimicrobiano. Para a avaliação econômica os pacientes foram classificados de acordo com o estado geral de saúde, se apresentavam bom estado de estado de saúde poderiam receber alta e faziam uso da medicação em casa evitando 5 dias de internação se recebessem algum resultado para Influenza ou RSV, no entanto os pacientes que apresentavam outro vírus, resultado negativo ou o estado geral era ruim permaneciam internados por 7 dias em observação e cuidados com medicação adequada. Foram realizadas análises econômicas em dois âmbitos: o sistema de saúde publico e o privado considerando o fator diminuição de dias de internação. A analise de Custo-benefício foi eficiente no Sistema privado mas inadequada para o SUS assim como, qualquer outra medida monetária já que os valores de reembolso do SUS estão defasados do custo de qualquer internação. A análise de Custo-efetividade que olha para outros fatores além do monetário foi efetiva nos dois sistemas que enfrentam falta de leitos além da condição de saúde do paciente de evitar a ingestão desnecessária de antibióticos, evitar os gastos do acompanhante, perda de dias de trabalho e estudo. Não houve correspondência de resultados dos testes rápidos com o multiplex de Biologia Molecular

Introduction to virology.

Mode of access: Internet.

Bulletin.

No. 1-2 published combined, but with sequential page numbering.

Interactive Effects of Morphine on HIV Infection: Role in HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder

HIV epidemic continues to be a severe public health problem and concern within USA and across the globe with about 33 million people infected with HIV. The frequency of drug abuse among HIV infected patients is rapidly increasing and is another major issue since injection drug users are at a greater risk of developing HIV associated neurocognitive dysfunctions compared to non-drug users infected with HIV. Brain is a major target for many of the recreational drugs and HIV. Evidences suggest that opiate drug abuse is a risk factor in HIV infection, neural dysfunction and progression to AIDS. The information available on the role of morphine as a cofactor in the neuropathogenesis of HIV is scanty. This review summarizes the results that help in understanding the role of morphine use in HIV infection and neural dysfunction. Studies show that morphine enhances HIV-1 infection by suppressing IL-8, downregulating chemokines with reciprocal upregulation of HIV coreceptors. Morphine also activates MAPK signaling and downregulates cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). Better understanding on the role of morphine in HIV infection and mechanisms through which morphine mediates its effects may help in devising novel therapeutic strategies against HIV-1 infection in opiate using HIV-infected population.

HIV infection and drugs of abuse: role of acute phase proteins

Background HIV infection and drugs of abuse such as methamphetamine (METH), cocaine, and alcohol use have been identified as risk factors for triggering inflammation. Acute phase proteins such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) are the biomarkers of inflammation. Hence, the interactive effect of drugs of abuse with acute phase proteins in HIV-positive subjects was investigated. Methods Plasma samples were utilized from 75 subjects with METH use, cocaine use, alcohol use, and HIV-positive alone and HIV-positive METH, cocaine, and alcohol users, and age-matched control subjects. The plasma CRP and SAA levels were measured by ELISA and western blot respectively and the CD4 counts were also measured. Results Observed results indicated that the CRP and SAA levels in HIV-positive subjects who are METH, cocaine and alcohol users were significantly higher when compared with either drugs of abuse or HIV-positive alone. The CD4 counts were also dramatically reduced in HIV-positive with drugs of abuse subjects compared with only HIV-positive subjects. Conclusions These results suggest that, in HIV-positive subjects, drugs of abuse increase the levels of CRP and SAA, which may impact on the HIV infection and disease progression.

Mealybug wilt disease

Mealybug wilt disease (MWD) is a serious field disease of pineapples worldwide that was first described in Hawaii in 1910. MWD is thought to be caused by a complex involving viruses, mealybugs and ants. The viruses are transmitted by mealybugs, which in turn are tended by ants. Although a number of distinct viruses have been associated with the disease, the identity of the causal agent(s) has not been determined unequivocally. This chapter describes the disease symptopms, aetiology and management of MWD. In the last 20 years, significant advances have been achieved in identifying the causal viral agents, and gaining a better understanding of MWD. However, the interactions between the viruses, mealybugs and environmental factors are complicated, and the conditions required for the expression of MWD have only been partially elucidated at this time. The possible role of gene silencing, the identity of the additional ampelovirus(es) and badnavirus(es) that have been detected but not characterized, and the interaction between these disease-inducing factors are fertile areas for future research.

Difference in mosquito species (Diptera: Culicidae) and the transmission of Ross River Virus between coastline and inland areas in Brisbane, Australia

This study examined the distribution of major mosquito species and their roles in the transmission of Ross River virus (RRV) infection for coastline and inland areas in Brisbane, Australia (27°28′ S, 153°2′ E). We obtained data on the monthly counts of RRV cases in Brisbane between November 1998 and December 2001 by statistical local areas from the Queensland Department of Health and the monthly mosquito abundance from the Brisbane City Council. Correlation analysis was used to assess the pairwise relationships between mosquito density and the incidence of RRV disease. This study showed that the mosquito abundance of Aedes vigilax (Skuse), Culex annulirostris (Skuse), and Aedes vittiger (Skuse) were significantly associated with the monthly incidence of RRV in the coastline area, whereas Aedes vigilax, Culex annulirostris, and Aedes notoscriptus (Skuse) were significantly associated with the monthly incidence of RRV in the inland area. The results of the classification and regression tree (CART) analysis show that both occurrence and incidence of RRV were influenced by interactions between species in both coastal and inland regions. We found that there was an 89% chance for an occurrence of RRV if the abundance of Ae. vigifax was between 64 and 90 in the coastline region. There was an 80% chance for an occurrence of RRV if the density of Cx. annulirostris was between 53 and 74 in the inland area. The results of this study may have applications as a decision support tool in planning disease control of RRV and other mosquito-borne diseases.

Transmission of Japanese Encephalitis Virus from the Black Flying Fox, Pteropus alecto, to Culex annulirostris Mosquitoes, Despite the Absence of Detectable Viremia.

To determine the potential role of flying foxes in transmission cycles of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in Australia, we exposed Pteropus alecto (Megachiroptera: Pteropididae) to JEV via infected Culex annulirostris mosquitoes or inoculation. No flying foxes developed symptoms consistent with JEV infection. Anti-JEV IgG antibodies developed in 6/10 flying foxes exposed to infected Cx. annulirostris and in 5/5 inoculated flying foxes. Low-level viremia was detected by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in 1/5 inoculated flying foxes and this animal was able to infect recipient mosquitoes. Although viremia was not detected in any of the 10 flying foxes that were exposed to JEV by mosquito bite, two animals infected recipient mosquitoes. Likewise, an inoculated flying fox without detectable viremia infected recipient mosquitoes. Although infection rates in recipient mosquitoes were low, the high population densities in roosting camps, coupled with migratory behavior indicate that flying foxes could play a role in the dispersal of JEV.