BackgroundHTLV-1 is a retrovirus that causes lymphoproliferative disorders and inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the central nervous system in humans. The prevalence of this infection is high in parts of Brazil and there is a general lack of public health care programs. As a consequence, official data on the transmission routes of this virus are scarce.ObjectiveTo demonstrate familial aggregation of HTLV infections in the metropolitan region of Belém, Pará, Brazil.MethodA cross-sectional study involving 85 HTLV carriers treated at an outpatient clinic and other family members. The subjects were tested by ELISA and molecular methods between February 2007 and December 2010.ResultsThe prevalence of HTLV was 43.5% (37/85) for families and 25.6% (58/227) for the family members tested (95% CI: 1.33 to 3.79, P = 0.0033). Sexual and vertical transmission was likely in 38.3% (23/60) and 20.4% (29/142) of pairs, respectively (95% CI: 1.25 to 4.69, P = 0.0130). Positivity was 51.3% (20/39) and 14.3% (3/21) in wives and husbands, respectively (95% CI: 0.04 to 0.63, P = 0.0057). By age group, seropositivity was 8.0% (7/88) in subjects <30 years of age and 36.7% (51/139) in those of over 30 years (95% CI: 0.06 to 0.34, P<0.0001). Positivity was 24.1% (7/29) in the children of patients infected with HTLV-2, as against only 5.8% (4/69) of those infected with HTLV-1 (95% CI: 0.05 to 0.72, P = 0.0143).ConclusionThe results of this study indicate the existence of familial aggregations of HTLV characterized by a higher prevalence of infection among wives and subjects older than 30 years. Horizontal transmission between spouses was more frequent than vertical transmission. The higher rate of infection in children of HTLV-2 carriers suggests an increase in the prevalence of this virus type in the metropolitan region of Belém.

The molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 strains circulating in Belem-PA and Macapa-AP, in the Northern region of Brazil, is described using sequences of the C2V3 segment of the env and the pro gene of HIV-1 from patients of the Reference Unit for Special Infectious and Parasitary Diseases (URE-DIPE) in Belem-PA and the Central Laboratory (LACEN) in Macapa-AP. Subtype B was the most frequently found in relation to pro (88.3%) in Belem and in Macapa (97.1%) and env (88.3% in Belem and 100% in Macapa). Subtype F was also described in Belem (9.3% pro and 8.3% env) and Macapa (2.8% pro). Subtype D was described for the first time in the Northern region of the country as well as the recent entry of CRF02_AG. Furthermore, several possible recombinant forms among the various subtypes were found in both cities. The results support the hypothesis that HIV-1 infection is associated with the epidemic of the virus in the Southeast region of the country and that the city of Belem is the most important route for HIV-1 entry in the Northern region of Brazil.

In South America, the Amazon basin is considered an endemic area of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, epidemiological studies with vulnerable groups are scarce. Female sex workers (FSWs) are highly vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections due to a combination of their sexual behavior and socio-economic conditions. Thus, this study investigated the prevalence of HBV infections and HBV–hepatitis C virus, HBV–hepatitis D virus, HBV–HIV, and HBV–human T-lymphotropic virus co-infections among FSWs in the Marajó Archipelago, northern Brazil, as well as identifying the HBV genotypes circulating in this population. A total of 153 FSWs in 5 towns and 18 riverside communities were included in the study. The HBV infection and co-infections were diagnosed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and real-time polymerase chain reaction. The HBV genotypes were detected by sequencing and were then analyzed phylogenetically. Most of the FSWs surveyed were single, young, heterosexual, and born locally, with low levels of education. Overall, 21 (13.7%) had been exposed to HBV, and HBV-DNA was detected in 13 (8.5%). Genotypes A (69.2%), D (23.1%), and F (7.7%) were detected. Seven cases of co-infections with other viruses were detected. These findings indicate a clear need for urgent measures to control the spread of HBV and other pathogens, and to promote the health of the local FSWs.

Millions of blood products are transfused each year, and many lives are directly affected by transfusion. Platelet concentrate (PC) is one of the main products derived from blood. Even under good storage conditions, PC is likely to suffer cell damage. The shape of platelets changes after 5 to 7 days of storage at 22°C. Taking into consideration that some platelet proteins undergo changes in their shape and functionality during PC storage. Sixteen PC bags were collected and each PC bag tube was cut into six equal pieces to perform experiments with platelets from six different days of storage. Thus, on the first day of storage, 1/6 of the tube was used for miRNA extraction, and the remaining 5/6 was stored under the same conditions until extraction of miRNAs on each the following five days. Samples were sequenced on an Illumina Platform to demonstrate the most highly expressed miRNAs. Three miRNAs, mir127, mir191 and mir320a were validated by real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) in 100 PC bags tubes. Our method suggests, the use of the miRNAs mir127 and mir320a as biomarkers to assess the "validity period" of PC bags stored in blood banks for long periods. Thus, bags can be tested on the 5th day of storage for the relative expression levels of mir127 and mir320a. Thus, we highlight candidate miRNAs as biomarkers of storage damage that can be used as tools to evaluate the quality of stored PC. The use of miRNAs as biomarkers of damage is unprecedented and will contribute to improved quality of blood products for transfusions.