HTLV-1/2 infection is endemic in Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Its origin is attributed to the migratory flow of Amerindian ancestral peoples. The present study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection in Indigenous peoples of the Brazilian Amazon. A total of 3350 Indigenous people belonging to 15 communities were investigated. The investigation was performed using serological (ELISA), molecular (qPCR) and confirmatory (Western blot and/or Inno-Lia) tests to detect and differentiate the infection. The seroprevalence was 8.3% for HTLV-1/2 infection, with 0.1% of individuals seropositive for HTLV-1 and 8.1% for HTLV-2. The prevalence of infection was statistically higher in women (10.1%) than in men (6.5%) (p = 0.0002). This female predominance was observed in all age groups; in females the prevalence was significant from 41 years old (p < 0.0001) and in males from 51 years old (p < 0.0001). Here, we present a prevalence of HTLV-1/2 among Indigenous peoples of the Brazilian Amazon. The endemic infection in these groups must reflect the different epidemiological profiles observed in these peoples, such as sexual transmission through rejection of condom use, breastfeeding, especially in cases of cross-breastfeeding, and the high rate of pregnancy in the villages.

IntroductionMannose-binding lectin (MBL) promotes opsonization, favoring phagocytosis and activation of the complement system in response to different microorganisms, and may influence the synthesis of inflammatory cytokines. This study investigated the association of MBL2 gene polymorphisms with the plasma levels of MBL and inflammatory cytokines in COVID-19.MethodsBlood samples from 385 individuals (208 with acute COVID-19 and 117 post-COVID-19) were subjected to real-time PCR genotyping. Plasma measurements of MBL and cytokines were performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometry, respectively.ResultsThe frequencies of the polymorphic MBL2 genotype (OO) and allele (O) were higher in patients with severe COVID-19 (p&lt; 0.05). The polymorphic genotypes (AO and OO) were associated with lower MBL levels (p&lt; 0.05). IL-6 and TNF-α were higher in patients with low MBL and severe COVID-19 (p&lt; 0.05). No association of polymorphisms, MBL levels, or cytokine levels with long COVID was observed.DiscussionThe results suggest that, besides MBL2 polymorphisms promoting a reduction in MBL levels and therefore in its function, they may also contribute to the development of a more intense inflammatory process responsible for the severity of COVID-19.

Human T-lymphotropic viruses 1 and 2 (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2) are retroviruses that originated on the African continent and dispersed throughout other continents through human migratory flows. This study describes the prevalence of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 infection in residents of 11 quilombo remnant communities in the state of Pará, Brazil, and the associated risk factors. A total of 859 individuals (334 men and 525 women), aged between 7 and 91 years, participated in the study. All subjects answered a questionnaire with questions on sociodemographic characteristics and on risk factors associated with HTLV infection, and blood samples were collected and separated into plasma and leukocytes. An immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA; Murex HTLV-I+II, DiaSorin, Dartford, UK) was used as a screening test, and positive samples were subjected to line immunoassay confirmatory tests (Inno-LIA HTLV I/II Score FUJIREBIO) and DNA extraction for subsequent real-time PCR to differentiate the viral type. Four of the 859 individuals were seropositive for HTLV. HTLV-1 infection was confirmed in one individual from the Itamoari community (0.92%), and HTLV-2 infection was confirmed in two individuals from São Benedito (3.17%) and in one individual from Arimandeua (2.22%). Blood transfusion was the only risk factor associated with HTLV infection in this study. This study reports the occurrence of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 in quilombo remnant communities in the state of Pará. Considering the African origin of the virus and its introduction into Brazil from the slave trade, the continued evaluation of quilombola communities in the state of Pará is essential to better characterize the distribution of infections in these populations and to create public health policies for the control of the spread of the virus and associated diseases.

Introdução Em março de 2020, foi declarado pela Organização Mundial de Saúde, o início da pandemia de SARS- CoV-2, chamando a atenção da saúde pública mundial. O primeiro caso de COVID-19 no Brasil foi confirmado em 26 fevereiro de 2020 e teve sua primeira confirmação na região paraense em 18 de março de 2020. Ainda não há uma descrição precisa sobre a prevalência dessa infecção em populações ribeirinhas no estado do Pará. Objetivo Avaliar a prevalência do SARS-CoV-2 em uma população ribeirinha residente no município de Maracanã no estado do Pará. Métodos: Em maio de 2021, foram entrevistados 117 indivíduos ribeirinhos residentes do município de Maracanã, por meio de um questionário epidemiológico contendo perguntas socioeconômicas e sobre sintomatologias relacionadas ao novo coronavírus. Após o preenchimento do questionário foram coletadas amostras de sangue total (5 mL) para realização do ensaio imunoenzimático do tipo ELISA para pesquisa de anticorpos IgG anti- SARS-CoV-2. Resultados Dentre os 117 entrevistados observou-se uma média de idade de 37 anos, sendo a maioria do sexo feminino (59,0%), de cor parda (68,3%), com ensino fundamental incompleto (58,1%), solteiros (51,2%), com renda familiar inferior a um salário mínimo (67,5%). Em relação a detecção de anticorpos IgG anti- SARS-CoV-2, 42,3% dos indivíduos foram considerados reagentes. Dentre estes 46% relataram ter sentido febre em algum momento durante a pandemia, 50% dor de cabeça, 36% dor de garganta, 26% dor abdominal, 18% náusea, 56% perda do olfato, 56% perda do paladar, 16% falta de ar, 36% coriza, 34% tosse, 44% dor no corpo, 24% diarreia e 16% tiveram vômito. Conclusão Os resultados obtidos demonstraram uma alta prevalência de SARS-CoV-2 no município de maracanã, apresentando como sintomas mais frequentes febre, dor de cabeça, perda de olfato e paladar, que podem estar diretamente relacionados a infecção pelo vírus.

Human T-lymphotropic viruses 1 and 2 (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2) infection has been described in several Amazonian populations; however, there is still a lack of data on the prevalence of the virus in riparian populations living in rural areas of the state of Pará. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection in four riverine communities and one rural area in the state of Pará and to describe the possible risk factors for infection. A total of 907 individuals responded to an epidemiological survey and gave blood samples collected for anti-HTLV-1/2 antibodies by immunoenzymatic assay (EIA). The serum-reactive samples were subjected to confirmation by an in-line assay (Inno-Lia) and by proviral DNA screening using real-time PCR (qPCR). The total prevalence was 0.8% (7/907) for HTLV-1/2 (CI: 0.2−1.3%), with 0.66% HTLV-1 and 0.11% HTLV-2. The prevalence by sex was 0.7% in women (4/565) and 0.9% in men (3/342). Among seropositive patients, 83.3% (5/7) reported being sexually active, and 57.1% (4/7) reported not having the habit of using condoms during their sexual relations. Intrafamily infection was also observed. The results reinforce the need for public policies to prevent and block the spread of HTLV, especially in riparian communities that are subject to difficulties in accessing the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde/SUS) because infected individuals need clinical monitoring for surveillance and early diagnosis of symptoms associated with HTLV-1.