Oncogenic HPV genotypes are strongly associated with premalignant and malignant cervical lesion. The purpose was to determine human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence and genotypes, and to estimate cervical cancer risk factor associations. Cervical samples were obtained from 251 women seeking gynecological care at the Pelotas School of Medicine Clinic. This is a cross-sectional study. HPV-DNA was amplified by nested-PCR using MY09/11 and GP5/6 primers, and the sequencing was used for genotyping. Sociodemographic and behavioral risk factors were obtained by closed questionnaire, and its relationship to HPV infection prevalence were analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 16.0 software, and differences were considered significant at p < 0.05. As results, the prevalence of HPV infection was 29.9%. The most frequent genotype was HPV-16 (41.3%), followed by HPV-18 (17.3%), and HPV-33 (9.3%). Others nine HPV genotypes were also found. On this population, prevalence of oncogenic HPV genotypes was high, but does not seem to confer relationship with the risk factors investigated. Future investigations in larger populations are necessary, for the proposition of more appropriated monitoring strategies and treatment according to the Brazilian health service reality, as well as patients.

Pathogenic Leptospira spp. are the etiological agents of leptospirosis, an important disease of both humans and animals. In urban settings, L. interrogans serovars are the predominant cause of disease in humans. The purpose of this study was to characterize a novel Leptospira isolate recovered from an abandoned swimming pool. Molecular characterization through sequencing of the rpoB gene revealed 100% identity with L. interrogans and variable-number tandem-repeat (VNTR) analysis resulted in a banding pattern identical to L. interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae, serovar Copenhageni or Icterohaemorrhagiae. The virulence of the strain was determined in a hamster model of lethal leptospirosis. The lethal dose 50% (LD50) was calculated to be two leptospires in female hamsters and a histopathological examination of infected animals found typical lesions associated with severe leptospirosis, including renal epithelium degeneration, hepatic karyomegaly, liver-plate disarray and lymphocyte infiltration. This highly virulent strain is now available for use in further studies, especially evaluation of vaccine candidates.

Colibacilose suína causada por Escherichia coli enterotoxigênica continua sendo um dos principais problemas sanitários na criação de suínos. A tecnologia do DNA recombinante proporciona a possibilidade de desenvolvimento de novas estratégias de imunização. Neste trabalho é descrito o desenvolvimento de uma vacina de subunidade através da produção e purificação da proteína FaeC da fímbria de E. coli K88. O gene que codifica este antígeno foi amplificado por PCR e clonado em um vetor de expressão em E. coli, fusionado a uma cauda de histidinas. A proteína recombinante expressa por esta bactéria foi purificada, e depois de quantificada foi utilizada para imunizar camundongos. Paralelamente a isso, o mesmo gene foi clonado no vetor de expressão em célula eucariótica, introduzindo a seqüência de Kozak para favorecer a tradução deste gene em células musculares. O plasmídio resultante, denominado pUP310, foi produzido em larga escala e também utilizado na imunização de camundongos. A resposta imune induzida por ambas formas de imunizações foi monitorada por ELISA, onde o antígeno utilizado foi a proteína FaeC purificada. Houve indução de resposta imune nos camundongos inoculados com pUP310 e FaeC purificada. Foi possível detectar anticorpos anti-FaeC 42 dias após a primeira inoculação e este título foi aumentando, sendo ainda detectável 7 meses após a primeira inoculação. Conclui-se que pUP310 e FaeC recombinante são candidatos potenciais para imunização de suínos contra E. coli K88.

Swine colibacillosis caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli remains one of the main sanitary problems in pig farms. The recombinant DNA technology offers the possibility of developing new immunization strategies. This paper describes the development of a subunit vaccine through the expression and purification of the E. coli K88 FaeC fimbrial protein. The gene that codes for this antigen was amplified by PCR and cloned into an E. coli expression vector fused to a 6X histidine tag. The recombinant protein was purified by affinity chromatography and used for mice immunization. In parallel, the same gene was cloned into an eucariotic expression vector with the addition of the Kozak sequence for improving translation of this gene in muscle cells. The resulting plasmid named pUP310 was purified in large scale and used to immunize mice. The immune response afforded by both forms of immunization was monitored by ELISA. There was an immune response in mice inoculated with pUP310 and purified FaeC. It was possible to detect anti-FaeC antibodies 42 days after the first inoculation. The antibody titer increased with time, being still detectable 7 months after the first inoculation. It is concluded that recombinant FaeC and pUP310 are potential tools for immunization of swine against E. coli K88.