SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To review data regarding the effects of hepatitis C virus eradication on glycemic control and insulin resistance. METHODS: This is an integrative literature review, carried out in the PubMed, SciELO, and Lilacs databases. Studies published in the past five years that were fully available, written in English or Portuguese, and have addressed the effects of eradication of the hepatitis C virus on glycemic control and insulin resistance were selected. RESULTS: Nine studies were selected. Among the results found, it was observed that there is no consensus on the effects of viral eradication on glycemic control and IR, as some authors show an eventual improvement in insulin resistance and glycemic control, while other studies indicate that there are no significant differences between the parameters evaluated after viral eradication. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is a relationship between hepatitis C virus infection and the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus and recent advances in research, it was observed that there is no consensus on improving insulin resistance and glycemic control after antiviral treatment, probably due to methodological differences between studies. However, it emphasizes the need to guide people diagnosed with hepatitis C, regarding changes in lifestyle, encouragement of multidisciplinary monitoring, and control of other risk factors.

ABSTRACT Infection by human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) occurs in lymphocytes, which travel throughout the body, thus affecting several target organs and causing varied clinical outcomes, particularly in populations that are underserved and do not have access to healthcare. However, the mechanism of pathogenesis is not yet fully understood. The TAX and HTLV-1 basic leucine zipper factor (HBZ) proteins maintain viral persistence and affect pathogenesis through cell proliferation and immune and inflammatory responses that accompany each clinical manifestation. TAX expression leads to inhibition of transcription error control, OX40 overexpression, and cell proliferation in adult T-cell leukemia (ATL). OX40 levels are elevated in the central nervous system (CNS), and the expression of TAX in the CNS causes neuronal damage and loss of immune reactivity among patients with HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (HAM). HBZ reduces viral replication and suppresses the immune response. Its cell compartmentalization has been associated with the pathogenesis of HAM (cytoplasmic localization) and ATL (nuclear localization). TAX and HBZ seem to act antagonistically in immune responses, affecting the pathogenesis of HTLV-1 infection. The progression from HTLV-1 infection to disease is a consequence of HTLV-1 replication in CD4+ T and CD8+ T lymphocytes and the imbalance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The compartmentalization of HBZ suggests that this protein may be an additional tool for assessing immune and inflammatory responses, in addition to those already recognized as potential biomarkers associated with progression from infection to disease (including human leukocyte antigen (HLA), killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-28, Fas, Fas ligand, interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and mannose-binding lectin).

BACKGROUND Non-human primates contribute to the spread of the yellow fever virus (YFV) and the establishment of transmission cycles in endemic areas. OBJECTIVE To describe the severe histopathological aspects of YFV infection, 10 squirrel monkeys were infected with YFV and blood, brain, liver, kidney, spleen, heart, lung, lymph node and stomach were collected at 1-7, 10, 20 and 30 days post-infection (dpi). METHODS Histopathological analysis and detection of the genome and viral antigens and neutralising antibodies were performed by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and neutralisation test, respectively. FINDINGS Only one animal died from the experimental infection. The genome and viral antigens were detected in all investigated organs (1-30 dpi) and the neutralising antibodies from seven to 30 dpi. The brain contained perivascular haemorrhage (6 dpi); in the liver, midzonal haemorrhage and lytic necrosis (6 dpi) were observed. The kidney had bleeding in the Bowman’s capsule and tubular necrosis (6 dpi). Pyknotic lymphocytes were observed in the spleen (1-20 dpi), the lung had haemorrhage (2-6 dpi), in the endocardium it contained nuclear pyknosis and necrosis (2-3 dpi) and the stomach contained blood in the lumen (6 dpi). MAIN FINDINGS Squirrel monkeys reliably reproduced the responses observed in human cases of yellow fever and, therefore, constitute an excellent experimental model for studies on the pathophysiology of the disease.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: É amplamente assumido que gênero, idade, gastrite e Helicobacter pylori , todos têm algum grau de correlação e, portanto, podem sinergicamente levar ao desenvolvimento de câncer gástrico. OBJETIVO: Neste estudo transversal, esperamos observar a correlação acima mencionada na análise de prontuários de 67 pacientes de ambos os sexos (sexo feminino, n=44), média de idade ± desvio padrão: 41±12 anos, todos de Belém (capital do Estado do Pará, Amazônia Brasileira), uma cidade historicamente conhecida como sendo uma das que apresenta maior prevalência de câncer gástrico no país. MÉTODOS: Todos os pacientes foram submetidos à endoscopia digestiva alta para análise histopatológica da biópsia gástrica e teste rápido da urease. Todos os diagnósticos de gastrite foram registrados considerando sua topografia, categoria e grau de atividade inflamatória, sendo associada ou não associada à infecção por H. pylori . RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostram que não foram encontradas associações estatisticamente relevantes entre as prevalências das variáveis observadas. CONCLUSÃO: Os autores levantam a hipótese de que os fatores de risco associados ao câncer gástrico podem ser menos sinérgicos do que o esperado.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: It is widely assumed that gender, age, gastritis and Helicobacter pylori , all have some degree of correlation and, therefore, can synergistically lead to the development of gastric cancer. OBJECTIVE: In this cross-sectional study, we expected to observe the above mentioned correlation in the analysis of medical records of 67 patients of both sexes (female, n=44), mean age ± standard deviation: 41±12 years old, all from Belém (capital of Pará State, Brazilian Amazon), a city historically known as one with the highest gastric cancer prevalence in this country. METHODS: All patients were submitted to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for gastric biopsy histopathological analysis and rapid urease test. All diagnoses of gastritis were recorded considering its topography, category and the degree of inflammatory activity, being associated or not associated with H. pylori infection. RESULTS: The results show that no statistically relevant associations were found among the prevalences of the observed variables. CONCLUSION: The authors hypothesize that observed risk factors associated to gastric cancer might be lesser synergistic than is usually expected.

Trata-se de um estudo transversal com o objetivo de verificar a prevalência do HPV na cavidade oral de indivíduos sem lesões clinicamente diagnosticáveis e quais são os tipos encontrados neles. Foram analisadas 166 amostras em pacientes maiores de 18 anos de idade, residentes no Estado do Pará, Brasil. As amostras foram coletadas por meio de raspado com escova estéril na cavidade oral. Para a detecção da presença do HPV, foi utilizada a técnica da reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR). As amostras infectadas pelo HPV foram tipadas para HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 52 e 58. Os resultados encontrados indicaram a presença de HPV em 40 amostras (24,1%). Três amostras (7,5%) foram positivas para HPV 6; cinco (12,5%), para HPV 18; e uma (2,5%), para HPV 58.

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine HPV prevalence in the oral cavity of individuals without clinically diagnosable lesions and to identify the respective HPV types. A total of 166 samples were analyzed from patients 18 years or older in the State of Pará, Brazil. Samples were collected by sterile brush scraping in the oral cavity. HPV detection used polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Infected samples were typed as HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 52, and 58. HPV was present in 40 samples (24.1%). Three samples (7.5%) were positive for HPV 6, five (12.5%) for HPV 18, and one (2.5%) for HPV 58.

Se trata de un estudio transversal que tuvo por objetivo evaluar la prevalencia de HPV en la cavidad oral de sujetos sin lesiones orales clínicamente diagnosticables y qué tipos de HPV se encuentran en ellos. Se analizaron 166 muestras en pacientes mayores de 18 años de edad que viven en el estado de Pará, Brasil. Las muestras se recogieron por raspado con cepillo estéril en la cavidad oral. Para detectar la presencia de HPV se usó la técnica de Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa (PCR en inglés). En las muestras infectadas por el HPV se ejecutó una nueva PCR para los tipos HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 52 y 58. Los resultados indicaron la presencia de HPV en 40 muestras (24,1%). Tres muestras (7,5%) fueron positivas en HPV 6, cinco (12,5%) en HPV 18 y una (2,5%) en HPV 58.

Trata-se de um estudo transversal com o objetivo de verificar a prevalência do HPV na cavidade oral de indivíduos sem lesões clinicamente diagnosticáveis e quais são os tipos encontrados neles. Foram analisadas 166 amostras em pacientes maiores de 18 anos de idade, residentes no Estado do Pará, Brasil. As amostras foram coletadas por meio de raspado com escova estéril na cavidade oral. Para a detecção da presença do HPV, foi utilizada a técnica da reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR). As amostras infectadas pelo HPV foram tipadas para HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 52 e 58. Os resultados encontrados indicaram a presença de HPV em 40 amostras (24,1%). Três amostras (7,5%) foram positivas para HPV 6; cinco (12,5%), para HPV 18; e uma (2,5%), para HPV 58.

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine HPV prevalence in the oral cavity of individuals without clinically diagnosable lesions and to identify the respective HPV types. A total of 166 samples were analyzed from patients 18 years or older in the State of Pará, Brazil. Samples were collected by sterile brush scraping in the oral cavity. HPV detection used polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Infected samples were typed as HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 52, and 58. HPV was present in 40 samples (24.1%). Three samples (7.5%) were positive for HPV 6, five (12.5%) for HPV 18, and one (2.5%) for HPV 58.

Se trata de un estudio transversal que tuvo por objetivo evaluar la prevalencia de HPV en la cavidad oral de sujetos sin lesiones orales clínicamente diagnosticables y qué tipos de HPV se encuentran en ellos. Se analizaron 166 muestras en pacientes mayores de 18 años de edad que viven en el estado de Pará, Brasil. Las muestras se recogieron por raspado con cepillo estéril en la cavidad oral. Para detectar la presencia de HPV se usó la técnica de Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa (PCR en inglés). En las muestras infectadas por el HPV se ejecutó una nueva PCR para los tipos HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 52 y 58. Los resultados indicaron la presencia de HPV en 40 muestras (24,1%). Tres muestras (7,5%) fueron positivas en HPV 6, cinco (12,5%) en HPV 18 y una (2,5%) en HPV 58.

BACKGROUND: Pityriasis alba affects 1% of the world population and about 9.9% of the children in Brazil. However, its etiology remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the immunoexpression of factor XIIIa in dermal dendrocytes of skin lesions of pityriasis alba. METHOD: Twenty patients with pityriasis alba and 20 patients with atopic dermatitis underwent biopsy. The dermal dendrocytes marked by factor XIIIa were counted by means of immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: The mean amount of dermal dendrocytes found in the patients with pityriasis alba was 2, whereas in the patients with atopic dermatitis it was 4, with a statistically significant difference between them. A cutoff point of 3 cells/square inch was established to differentiate pityriasis alba from atopic dermatitis, with 80% sensibility and 90% specificity. CONCLUSION: We believe that pityriasis alba and atopic dermatitis should be considered different clinical forms within the spectrum of atopic disease, in which sun radiation plays an important role by modulating the progression of the disease.

PURPOSE: To investigate the immunohistochemistry of the uterine cervix of 20 Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) bearing the Walker 256 tumor, treated with copaiba oil (Copaifera officinalis). METHODS: The animals were grouped into four subgroups, with five rats each: the GCT and GCopT received distilled water and topically copaiba, respectively, while the GCG and GCopG received distilled water and copaiba by gavage, respectively. The substances were administered for nine days. On the 12th day, after euthanasia, the tumor pieces were sent to the identification of T CD4+, T CD8+ and Natural Killer cells. RESULTS: It was found that the pattern of expression for specific markers of phenotypes of cells involved in tumor immune response was similar in all groups, regardless the administration way of copaiba oil (topical or gavage). CONCLUSION: Copaiba balsam, administered either topically or by gavage, did not alter the pattern of tumor immune response in rats bearing Walker 256 Tumor.

FUNDAMENTOS: A cromoblastomicose é uma infecção fúngica crônica, causada por fungos da família Dematiaceae, sendo Fonsecaea pedrosoi a mais comum, segundo vários estudos. É mais frequente em países tropicais e o estado do Pará possui grande casuística mundial. A doença é de difícil tratamento e apresenta recorrência frequente. OBJETIVOS: Descrever os aspectos epidemiológicos, micológicos e formas clínicas dos casos de cromoblastomicose procedentes do estado do Pará - Brasil. MÉTODOS: Foram realizados exames micológicos (direto, cultura e microcultivo) e observação clinicoepidemiológica em 65 pacientes do Serviço de Dermatologia da Universidade Federal do Pará, atendidos no período de 2000 a 2007. Empregou-se a classificação clínica proposta por Carrión em 1950. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes eram, em sua maioria, homens (93,8%), lavradores (89,2%), faixa etária entre 45-55 anos, com predominância de lesões verruciformes (55,4%), localizadas principalmente nos membros inferiores (81,5%). A maioria dos casos pesquisados (61,5%) apresentou um longo tempo de doença, com uma média de 11 anos. O exame micológico direto foi realizado em 86,2% (n=56) dos pacientes; destes, 96,4% (n=54) apresentaram resultado positivo. Foram realizados cultura e microcultivo in vitro de 47 pacientes com exame micológico positivo e os resultados mostraram o Fonsecaea pedrosoi como único agente etiológico identificado nesta amostra. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo mostrou o quanto a cromoblastomicose ainda compromete a qualidade de vida da população local, principalmente a de indivíduos que trabalham em lavouras, cursando com evolução crônica e sem tratamento eficaz. Observa-se a importância de dar continuidade a este estudo, o que poderá proporcionar novas contribuições clínicas ou epidemiológicas.

BACKGROUND: Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic fungal infection caused by fungi from the Dematiaceae family. According to several studies, Fonsecaea pedrosoi is the most common of these fungi. The infection is more common in tropical countries, with the Brazilian state of Pará having one of the largest infected populations worldwide. The disease is difficult to treat and recurrences are common. OBJECTIVES: To describe the epidemiological and mycological aspects of cases of chromoblastomycosis and its clinical forms in the state of Pará, Brazil. METHODS: Mycological exams (direct mycological examinations, culture and microculture) were performed and a clinical/epidemiological evaluation was made of 65 patients receiving care at the Dermatology Department of the Federal University of Pará between 2000 and 2007. The clinical classification proposed by Carrión in 1950 was used in this study. RESULTS: The majority of the patients were male (93.8%), agricultural workers (89.2%) of 45 to 55 years of age, and the majority of lesions (55.4%) were of the verrucous type, located principally on the lower limbs (81.5%). In the majority of the cases investigated (61.5%), the infection had been present for a long time, with a mean duration of 11 years. Direct mycological examination was performed in 86.2% of the patients (n=56). Of these, 96.4% (n=54) tested positive. Culture and microculture were performed in vitro in 47 cases of those that tested positive at direct microscopy, results showing Fonsecaea pedrosoi to be the only agent present in this sample. CONCLUSION: This study highlighted the extent to which chromoblastomycosis still affects the quality of life of the local population, principally individuals working in agriculture. This is a chronic disease for which there is no effective treatment. The importance of continuing to investigate this disease should be emphasized, as further studies may lead to new clinical or epidemiological findings.

Foram investigados a prevalência e os fatores associados à infecção genital pelo HPV em mulheres de população urbana e rural de duas regiões da Amazônia Oriental brasileira. Foi um estudo transversal com 444 mulheres submetidas ao rastreamento para câncer cervical, sendo 233 urbanas e 211 rurais, de janeiro de 2008 a março de 2010. Coletaram-se amostras da cérvice uterina para a pesquisa de DNA do HPV pela PCR. Todas responderam a um formulário epidemiológico. Análise bivariada e por regressão logística foram empregadas na investigação dos fatores associados ao HPV. A prevalência geral de HPV foi de 14,6%. Entre as populações, não houve diferença significativa, 15% urbana e 14,2% rural. O único fator de risco explorado no estudo significativamente associado ao HPV foi a situação conjugal de mulheres residentes na zona rural na faixa de 13 a 25 anos, com maior prevalência de infecção entre solteiras, separadas ou viúvas. Conclui-se que, apesar das prevalências entre as populações serem semelhantes, as estratégias preventivas a serem aplicadas seriam específicas para cada população.

This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors for genital infection with HPV in women from rural and urban areas in two different regions of the Eastern Brazilian Amazon. A cross-sectional survey was performed in Pap screening programs, with a total sample of 444 women (233 urban and 211 rural). Uterine cervical swabs were collected for the detection of HPV DNA with the established PCR assay using MY09-MY11. All volunteers answered an epidemiological questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with HPV infection. Overall prevalence of HPV infection was 14.6% (15% in urban women and 14.2% in rural). The only factor associated with HPV was marital status in the 13-25-year-old rural population, with higher HPV prevalence among single and divorced women and widows. The findings indicate the need for risk factor control strategies targeted specifically to women in rural and urban areas.

Foram investigados a prevalência e os fatores associados à infecção genital pelo HPV em mulheres de população urbana e rural de duas regiões da Amazônia Oriental brasileira. Foi um estudo transversal com 444 mulheres submetidas ao rastreamento para câncer cervical, sendo 233 urbanas e 211 rurais, de janeiro de 2008 a março de 2010. Coletaram-se amostras da cérvice uterina para a pesquisa de DNA do HPV pela PCR. Todas responderam a um formulário epidemiológico. Análise bivariada e por regressão logística foram empregadas na investigação dos fatores associados ao HPV. A prevalência geral de HPV foi de 14,6%. Entre as populações, não houve diferença significativa, 15% urbana e 14,2% rural. O único fator de risco explorado no estudo significativamente associado ao HPV foi a situação conjugal de mulheres residentes na zona rural na faixa de 13 a 25 anos, com maior prevalência de infecção entre solteiras, separadas ou viúvas. Conclui-se que, apesar das prevalências entre as populações serem semelhantes, as estratégias preventivas a serem aplicadas seriam específicas para cada população.

This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors for genital infection with HPV in women from rural and urban areas in two different regions of the Eastern Brazilian Amazon. A cross-sectional survey was performed in Pap screening programs, with a total sample of 444 women (233 urban and 211 rural). Uterine cervical swabs were collected for the detection of HPV DNA with the established PCR assay using MY09-MY11. All volunteers answered an epidemiological questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with HPV infection. Overall prevalence of HPV infection was 14.6% (15% in urban women and 14.2% in rural). The only factor associated with HPV was marital status in the 13-25-year-old rural population, with higher HPV prevalence among single and divorced women and widows. The findings indicate the need for risk factor control strategies targeted specifically to women in rural and urban areas.