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Biomedical subjects

Argemiro D'Oliveira

Publications and source records attributed to Argemiro D'Oliveira.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Intrafamilial prevalence of hepatitis B virus in Western Brazilian Amazon region: epidemiologic and biomolecular study.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B is endemic in the Amazon region. METHODS: Serological markers for hepatitis B virus (HBV) were determined in 266 household members for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive women (G1) and 395 household members for HBsAg-negative women (G2), randomly selected in Acre State Women's Medical Care Program, in order to evaluate the prevalence of HBV in this population. Before blood sample collection an epidemiological questionnaire was applied. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of HBV carriers (HBsAg) and exposed individuals (anti-HBc, IgG) was, respectively, 21.1% and 60.5% in G1 and 2.8% and 27.4% in G2 (P < 0.0000001). The frequency of HBsAg was higher among siblings from group G1 (75%) compared to the absence of any HBsAg-positive sibling in G2 (P < 0.00006). The HBV markers in other family members was as follows: G1 parents, 27.3% vs 4.5% (P < 0.03), sexual partners, 21.1% vs 2.5% (P < 0.04), and offspring, 10.4% vs 1.5% (P < 0.04). A low prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HBc (IgG) was observed for the last offspring of G2 mothers compared to the high prevalence among children of G1 mothers (0% vs 18.2%, P < 0.01 and 2.3% vs 59.1%, P < 0.0000005, respectively), with children younger than 1 year being the most affected. The frequency of the habit of sharing toothbrushes and the presence of at least one HBsAg carrier were higher in G1 than in G2 (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.000002), respectively. Genotypes A, D and G were found to be predominant by Innolipa test. There were cases that reacted to more than one genotype. CONCLUSION: Intrafamilial transmission of HBV is evident in the present study and is possibly associated with the presence of more than one HBV carrier in the family and the shared use of toothbrushes among household contacts. Genotype analysis confirms intrafamilial transmission.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

HDV genotypes in the Western Brazilian Amazon region: A preliminary report.

In Brazil, hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is only reported in Western Amazonia, where severe cases of acute and chronic HDV hepatitis have been described. The study area was chosen in the States of Acre and Rondonia where most cases of hepatitis B virus (HBV)/HDV are reported. From December 2003 to October 2004, 40 HBsAg carriers with anti-HDV IgM were selected. An epidemiologic questionnaire, including demographic and clinical/epidemiologic variables was filled out. HDV amplification and genotyping were performed. Genotype I was detected in 22 patients (55.0%), whereas genotype III was identified in 18 (45.0%). Patients who were infected with genotype I were older (45.1 +/- 17.8 years) than patients infected with genotype III (32.8 +/- 10.9 years; P = 0.01). No symptoms were reported by 21 (52.5%) patients. Otherwise, 19 (47.5%) had symptoms (fatigue, abdominal pain, weight loss, and decompensated liver disease) that motivated them to seek medical care. Genotype III carriers were more symptomatic, but no statistical significance was achieved. Our preliminary results show that HDV genotypes I and III are present in Brazilian Amazonia and that HDV genotype III is not limited to the Amerindian population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Zinc/copper imbalance reflects immune dysfunction in human leishmaniasis: an ex vivo and in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: The process of elimination of intracellular pathogens, such as Leishmania, requires a Th1 type immune response, whereas a dominant Th2 response leads to exacerbated disease. Experimental human zinc deficiency decreases Th1 but not Th2 immune response. We investigated if zinc and copper levels differ in different clinical forms of leishmaniasis, and if these trace metals might be involved in the immune response towards the parasite. METHODS: Blood was collected from 31 patients with either localized cutaneous (LCL), mucosal (ML) or visceral (VL) leishmaniasis, as well as from 25 controls from endemic and non-endemic areas. Anti-Leishmania humoral and cellular immune response were evaluated by quantifying specific plasma IgG, lymphoproliferation and cytokine production, respectively. Plasma levels of Cu and Zn were quantified by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. RESULTS: A significant decrease in plasma Zn was observed in all three patient groups (p < 0.01 for LCL and ML, p < 0.001 for VL), as compared to controls, but only VL (7/10) and ML (1/7) patients displayed overt Zn deficiency. Plasma Cu was increased in LCL and VL (p < 0.001) but not in ML, and was strongly correlated to anti-Leishmania IgG (Spearman r = 0.65, p = 0.0028). Cu/Zn ratios were highest in patients with deficient cellular (VL< LCL>ML) immune response. Ex vivo production of parasite-induced IFN-gamma was negatively correlated to plasma Cu levels in LCL (r = -0.57, p = 0.01). In vitro, increased Cu levels inhibited IFN-gamma production. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Zn deficiency in VL and ML indicate possible therapeutic administration of Zn in these severe forms of leishmaniasis. 2. Plasma Cu positively correlates to humoral immune response across patient groups. 3. Environmentally or genetically determined increases in Cu levels might augment susceptibility to infection with intracellular pathogens, by causing a decrease in IFN-gamma production.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Decrease of plasma triglycerides during the acute phase of unstable angina or non-ST elevation myocardial infarction is a marker of recurrent ischemia.

Both increase and decrease of plasma triglycerides during acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are reported, however, a clinical relevance for these distinct metabolic responses is unclear. To test the association between distinct responses of lipid metabolism and cardiovascular risk, 39 subjects admitted with non-ST elevation ACS within 48 h of presentation had plasma lipids measured on the first and sixth days of hospitalization, and continuous electrocardiogram was performed during the first 2 days to quantify recurrent ischemia and heart rate variability. No lipid-lowering therapy was offered to the patients. During the first 5 days, half of them experimented a decrease in triglycerides (n=19, median: -18 mg/dl) and the other half presented triglyceride increase (n=20, median: +44 mg/dl). A higher incidence of recurrent ischemia (35% versus 5%, P=0.02) and greater ischemic burden/patient (123 +/- 286 mm min versus 47 +/- 212 mm min, P=0.02) were observed in subjects with triglyceride reduction, when compared with those with triglyceride increase. Individuals with heart rate variability below the median presented a median decrease in triglycerides during the 5-day period, as opposed to the counterparts (P=0.05). In conclusion, triglyceride reduction during ACS is associated with a greater incidence of recurrent ischemia and may constitute a sign of higher sympathetic activity.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2002

Immunoglobulin E antileishmanial antibody response in cutaneous leishmaniasis.

High levels of antileishmanial immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies are associated with disease activity in visceral leishmaniasis. Herein, we report our observations about the relationship between antileishmanial IgE antibodies and clinical aspects of cutaneous leishmaniasis. This study was carried out with 45 patients (29 male and 16 female), with ages ranging from 11 to 48 years. All subjects were from an area to which leishmaniasis is endemic, Corte de Pedra (Bahia, Brazil), and the duration of the illness was </=30 days. The patients were classified as positive or negative for IgE serology in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with leishmanial antigens. IgE antibodies were detected in 18 patients (optical density, 0.421 +/- 0.30; 95% confidence interval, 0.27 to 0.57), and only 3 (17%) had more than one ulcer. In this group the diameter of Montenegro's reaction was 18 +/- 12.2 mm. In the group with negative IgE serology, 11 of 27 patients (48%) presented two or more cutaneous ulcers, and the mean of the skin test result was 9 +/- 6.9 mm. There was a positive correlation between IgE antibody levels and Montenegro's reaction size and an inverse correlation between IgE antileishmanial antibodies and the number of skin ulcers. The presence of antileishmanial IgE antibodies in cutaneous leishmaniasis may be a result of immunoregulatory events with clinical implications.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha as immunological markers of clinical outcome in cutaneous leishmaniasis.

To evaluate if IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha levels could be used as markers of therapeutic response in cutaneous leishmaniasis, 54 patients with history of one ulcerated cutaneous lesion, with up to 30 days onset, were enrolled in the study. IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha were measured by ELISA in lymphocyte cultures supernatant before and 60 days after initiating therapy. Cure was considered to be a complete healing of lesion 60 days after treatment. IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha levels were similar in both groups of patients before therapy. There was a tendency to increase IFN-gamma levels in patients that were cured in 60 days, however the values did not reach statistical significance. In both groups of patients, TNF-alpha levels were similar before therapy and fell significantly after treatment, irrespective of cure or maintenance of active lesion.

Biomarkers↗