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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.

Background Gaucher disease (GD) is caused by deficiency of beta-glucocerebrosidase (GCase) due to biallelic variations in the GBA1 gene. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative condition. The classic motor symptoms of PD may be preceded by many non-motor symptoms (NMS), which include hyposmia, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder, constipation, cognitive impairment, and depression. Population studies have identified mutations in GBA1 as the main risk factor for idiopathic PD. The present study sought to evaluate the prevalence of NMS in a cohort of patients with GD type 1 from Southern Brazil. Methodology This is an observational, cross-sectional study, with a convenience sampling strategy. Cognition was evaluated by the Montreal Cognitive assessment (MoCa), daytime sleepiness by the Epworth Scale, depression by the Beck Inventory, constipation by the Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale, and REM sleep behavior disorder by the Single-Question Screen; hyposmia by the Sniffin’ Sticks. Motor symptoms were assessed with part III of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale. All patients were also genotyped for the GBA1 3′-UTR SNP (rs708606). Results Twenty-three patients (female = 13; on enzyme replacement therapy = 21, substrate reduction therapy = 2) with a mean age of 41.45 ± 15.3 years (range, 22–67) were included. Eight patients were found to be heterozygous for the 3′-UTR SNP (rs708606). Fourteen patients (8 over age 40 years) presented at least one NMS; daytime sleepiness was the most frequent ( n = 10). Two patients (aged 63 and 64, respectively) also presented motor symptoms, probably drug-related. Conclusions NMS were prevalent in this cohort. We highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary follow-up focusing on earlier diagnosis of PD, especially for patients with GD type 1 over the age of 40.

Untreated vitamin B 12 deficiency manifests clinically with hematological abnormalities and combined degeneration of the spinal cord and polyneuropathy and biochemically with elevated homocysteine (Hcy) and methylmalonic acid (MMA). Vitamin B 12 metabolism involves various cellular compartments including the lysosome, and a disruption in the lysosomal and endocytic pathways induces functional deficiency of this micronutrient. Gaucher disease (GD) is characterized by dysfunctional lysosomal metabolism brought about by mutations in the enzyme beta-glucocerebrosidase (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM): 606463; Enzyme Commission (EC) 3.2.1.45, gene: GBA1). In this study, we collected and examined available literature on the associations between GD, the second most prevalent lysosomal storage disorder in humans, and hampered vitamin B 12 metabolism. Results from independent cohorts of patients show elevated circulating holotranscobalamin without changes in vitamin B 12 levels in serum. Gaucher disease patients under enzyme replacement therapy present normal levels of Hcy and MMA. Although within the normal range, a significant increase in Hcy and MMA with normal serum vitamin B 12 was documented in treated GD patients with polyneuropathy versus treated GD patients without polyneuropathy. Thus, a functional deficiency of vitamin B 12 caused by disrupted lysosomal metabolism in GD is a plausible mechanism, contributing to the neurological form of the disorder but this awaits confirmation. Observational studies suggest that an assessment of vitamin B 12 status prior to the initiation of enzyme replacement therapy may shed light on the role of vitamin B 12 in the pathogenesis and progression of GD.