Luiz Fábio Magno Falcão

Immunopathogenesis of HTLV-1-assoaciated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP)

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is associated with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Only a limited percentage of infected individuals develop disease in response to the virus while the majority remain asymptomatic, and HAM/TSP is the most common clinical manifestation of the virus. HAM/TSP is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS); however, the mechanism by which HTLV-1 induces HAM/TSP is not yet clear. CD4(+) T lymphocytes are the main reservoirs of HTLV-1 in vivo and perform an important role in the immunological response to this retrovirus. This virus-host interaction may provoke changes in the immunological response, such as the enhanced production of inflammatory cytokines and the spontaneous proliferation of T CD4(+) lymphocytes, which are implicated in the pathogenesis of HAM/TSP.

Human papillomavirus: Prevalence and factors associated in women prisoners population from the Eastern Brazilian Amazon

This study aimed to examine the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) and the associated factors among female prisoners in Ananindeua City, State of Pará, Brazil. In 2010, 190 cervical samples were obtained, and Pap smear and polymerase chain reaction (GE Health Care™, Uppsala, Sweden) were performed. Additionally, a questionnaire was used. The prevalence of HPV was 10.5%, and the presence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade I (n = 33, 17.5%; P < 0.1) was associated with HPV infection. The presence of low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions was greater in women with HPV than in those without HPV infection, indicating that HPV infection is a risk factor for such injuries and that viral screening and prevention are extremely important in public health among female prisoners in Amazon. J. Med. Virol. 86:1528–1533, 2014.

Correction: CT Chest and pulmonary functional changes in patients with HTLV-associated myelopathy in the Eastern Brazilian Amazon

The aim of this study was to compare computed tomography (CT) scans of chest and lung function among patients with Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 (HTLV) with and without HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). In this cross-sectional study performed between January 2013 and June 2016, we included 48 patients with HAM/TSP (19 women and 11 men) and without HAM/TSP (12 women and 6 men). We compared CT findings and lung functions of these groups. Patients who had HAM/TSP had abnormal CT findings (P = 0.000), including more frequent bronchiectasis (P = 0.049), parenchymal bands (P = 0.007), interlobular septal thickening (P = 0.035), and pleural thickening (P = 0.009). In addition, neither patients with HAM/TSP (9/30; 30%) nor the controls (0/18; 0%) had obstructive or restrictive lung disease (P = 0.009). HTLV diagnosis should be considered in all patients with abnormal CT findings in whom no other cause is apparent. It is important to remember that lung disease increases the rates of morbidity and mortality in developing countries.

Environmental impact and seroepidemiology of HTLV in two communities in the eastern Brazilian amazon.

The objective of this study was to detect antibodies for human T lymphotropic virus (HTLV) in subjects residing in two communities located in the eastern Brazilian Amazon and on the shores of the Tucuruí hydroelectric power plant. A total of 657 serum samples were analysed using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay with an anti‐HTLV antibody (Symbiosis™, São Paulo, Brazil), demonstrating a virus prevalence of 4.7%. Most individuals with HTLV were aged over 30 years (P = 0.013), were unmarried (P = 0.019), resided in the area for more than 10 years (P = 0.001), had a low level of education (P = 0.015), and had a family income of up to

Mechanisms of human cytomegalovirus infection with a focus on epidermal growth factor receptor interactions

305 (100%). In contrast, there was no significant association between infection and sex, city of birth, haemotransfusion, or previous surgery. The prevalence observed in these communities suggests that the residents should be concerned about HTLV infection, and that some areas may become endemic for HTLV. J. Med. Virol. 85:1585–1590, 2013.

Alterações no desempenho ocupacional de pessoas com doença renal crônica em diálise peritoneal

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a widespread opportunistic herpesvirus that causes severe diseases in immunocompromised individuals. It has a high prevalence worldwide that is linked with socioeconomic factors. Similar to other herpesviruses, HCMV has the ability to establish lifelong persistence and latent infection following primary exposure. HCMV infects a broad range of cell types. This broad tropism suggests that it may use multiple receptors for host cell entry. The identification of receptors used by HCMV is essential for understanding viral pathogenesis, because these receptors mediate the early events necessary for infection. Many cell surface components have been identified as virus receptors, such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is characterized by tyrosine kinase activity and plays a crucial role in the control of key cellular transduction pathways. EGFR is essential for HCMV binding, signaling, and host cell entry. This review focuses on HCMV infection via EGFR on different cell types and its implications for the cellular environment, viral persistence, and infection.

Human T Lymphotropic virus and pulmonary diseases

This study aims to evaluate the occupational performance of patients diagnosed with CKD that were undergoing Peritoneal Dialysis. This is a quantitative research with an observational and cross-sectional design. Canadian Occupational Performance Measure was applied in 12 patients, and the data collection was performed from June to August 2016. The dimensions of occupational performance such as working, traveling, eating, and house tasks suffered a significant change after the start of the Peritoneal Dialysis treatment. All areas/dimensions observed presented changes and affected the occupations performed. It is necessary to evaluate and accompany the patients and their occupational activities so that better interventions during their care can be carried out.

Avaliação da dor em recém-nascidos com distúrbios repiratórios submetidos a procedimentos fisioterapêuticos de rotina

Human T lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the etiological agent of HTLV-1-associated myelopathy, and adult T cell lymphoma/leukemia (ATL/L). Pulmonary complications such as alveolitis and bronchiectasis were found in individuals who develop TSP/HAM due to chronic inflammation. These individuals showed image anomalies in CT scans and changes in pulmonary function parameters distinctive of pulmonary disease. Furthermore, infected individuals have a greater susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis either due to changes in the innate immune response, in asymptomatic carriers, or to an opportunistic disease linked to immunodepression, in individuals who develop ATL/L. This summary addresses the general lack of knowledge regarding the relationship between HTLV-1 and pulmonary diseases and provides direction for future work.