BACKGROUND Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging arbovirus associated with foetal malformations and neurological complications. The infection is usually associated with mild symptoms. The comparison between the allelic frequency of polymorphic genes in symptomatic infected individuals in the population can clarify the pathogenic mechanisms of ZIKV. During ZIKV infection, cytokines are produced and natural killer (NK) cells are recruited, whose activation depends on signaling pathways activated by specific receptors, such as killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR). These molecules interact with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I ligands and are encoded by polymorphic genes. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of allelic variants of the genes encoding the KIR receptors and their HLA class I ligands in 139 symptomatic ZIKV-patients and 170 controls negative for the virus, and to evaluate the role of these variants for ZIKV susceptibility. METHODS KIR and HLA class I genes were genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific oligonucleotide (PCR-SSO) technique. FINDINGS No significant differences in the frequency distribution of KIRs and KIR-HLA in patients compared to controls were observed. MAIN CONCLUSIONS KIR and its HLA ligands might play a minor role in ZIKV infection in the south and southeast Brazilian individuals.

Resumo Objetivo Identificar quais métodos utilizados na avaliação da reserva ovariana são excludentes ou complementares na identificação da melhor resposta ao desenvolvimento folicular. Métodos Estudo retrospectivo de coorte, que envolveu pacientes em tratamento de reprodução assistida no Instituto de Medicina Reprodutiva de abril de 2009 a julho de 2014. Foram avaliadas idade, exames bioquímicos e ecografia. Os dados foram analisados na predição do desenvolvimento folicular e nas suas relações entre si, utilizando para análise estatística o programa Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Resultados Dos 293 casais incluídos, 50,2% apresentavam infertilidade por fator ovariano. Considerando a idade como principal variável, foi observada uma correlação significativa e negativa com volume de ambos ovários (ovário direito, r = 0,21; ovário esquerdo, r =0,22; ambos p< 0,0001), e com contagem de folículos antrais (ovário direito, r =0,38; ovário esquerdo, r =0,47; ambos p< 0,0001). Considerando a contagem de folículos antrais como a variável principal, foi observada uma correlação significativa e positiva com o total de oócitos recrutados. Quando correlacionamos a contagem de folículos antrais com os folículos recrutados maiores do que 18 mm, observamos que, com um ponto de corte de 12 folículos antrais, tem-se um valor preditivo positivo de 99%, e uma área da curva ROC de 0,76. Conclusões Concluímos com nosso trabalho que a idade e a contagem de folículos antrais são eficientes preditores da resposta ovariana em ciclos de reprodução assistida. O volume ovariano, assim como a dosagem do hormônio anti-mulleriano, parecem ser marcadores adequados de reserva ovariana.

Abstract Purpose To identify which methods used in the assessment of the ovarian reserve are exclusive or complementary to identify the best response to follicle development. Methods Retrospective cohort study, involving patients undergoing assisted reproduction treatment at the Instituto de Medicina Reprodutiva e Fetal, from April 2009 to July 2014. Age, biochemical tests, and ultrasound were assessed. The data were analyzed to predict the follicular development and the relation between them, using, for statistical analysis, Statistical Package for Social Sciences software. Results Out of the 293 couples included, 50.2% presented infertility by ovarian factor. Considering the age as the main variable, a significant negative correlation with the volume of both ovaries was observed (right ovary, r = 0.21; left ovary, r =0.22; both p< 0.0001), and with the antral follicle count (right ovary, r =0.38; left ovary, r =0.47; both p< 0.0001). Considering the antral follicle count as the main variable, a significant positive correlation with the total recruited oocytes was observed. When we correlated the antral follicle count with the recruited follicles larger than 18 mm, we observed that, with a cutoff of 12 antral follicles, there is a positive predictive value of 99%, and an area under the ROC curve of 0.76. Conclusion We concluded from our study that age and antral follicle count are effective predictors of ovarian response in cycles of assisted reproduction. The ovarian volume, as well as the anti-Müllerian hormone dosage, seem to be adequate markers of the ovarian reserve.

Infectious and parasitic diseases affecting women during their reproductive age may result in vertical transmission. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence for TORSCH among pregnant women receiving care at a university hospital. Records of 574 pregnant women who received medical attention from January 2006 to December 2007 were assessed. The mean age was 27.2 ± 6.5 years ranging from 13 to 44. The results of the immunodiagnostic tests were: 62.0% (345/556) for IgG and 3.4% (19/556) for IgM anti-T. gondii; 93.1% (433/465) for IgG and 0.6% (3/465) for IgM anti-rubella; 0.9% (5/561) for VDRL; 1.8% (10/554) for HBsAg; 0.7% (4/545) for anti-HCV and 2.1% (11/531) for HIV. In conclusion, the results of immunodiagnostic tests for the TORSCH panel among pregnant women attending a perinatal service of a university hospital are in agreement with those reported by previous studies and by governmental sources.