A5069692168- Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
- Leprosy Research and Treatment
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- Infectious Diseases and Tuberculosis
- Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
- Biosensors and Analytical Detection
- Pharmacological Effects of Natural Compounds
- Lipid metabolism and biosynthesis
- Problem and Project Based Learning
- Adenosine and Purinergic Signaling
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Biomedical and Engineering Education
- Diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis
- Peripheral Neuropathies and Disorders
- Pharmacological Receptor Mechanisms and Effects
- Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics
- Immune Response and Inflammation
- Respiratory viral infections research
- Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Studies
- Sphingolipid Metabolism and Signaling
- Pharmacological Effects and Toxicity Studies
- Plant-Derived Bioactive Compounds
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
Universidad Nacional de Asunción
2007-2024
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz
2014-2024
Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud
2020
We recently showed that Mycobacterium leprae (ML) is able to induce lipid droplet formation in infected macrophages. herein confirm cholesterol (Cho) one of the host molecules accumulate ML-infected macrophages and investigate effects ML on cellular Cho metabolism responsible for its accumulation. The expression levels LDL receptors (LDL-R, CD36, SRA-1, SR-B1, LRP-1) enzymes involved biosynthesis were investigated by qRT-PCR and/or Western blot shown be higher lepromatous leprosy (LL)...
ObjectivesTuberculosis (TB) is the leading infectious cause of death in world. Cheaper and more accessible TB treatment monitoring methods are needed. Here, we evaluated white blood cell (WBC) absolute counts, lymphocyte, monocyte proportions during treatment, characterized their association with failure.MethodsThis multicentered prospective cohort study was based Bangladesh, Georgia, Lebanon, Madagascar, Paraguay. Adult, non-immunocompromised patients culture-confirmed pulmonary were...
Abstract There is a crucial need for non-sputum-based TB tests. Here, we evaluate the performance of RISK6, human-blood transcriptomic signature, screening, triage and treatment monitoring. RISK6 was also compared to that two IGRAs: one based on RD1 antigens (QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus, QFT-P, Qiagen) recombinant M. tuberculosis HBHA expressed in Mycobacterium smegmatis (IGRA-rmsHBHA). In this multicenter prospective nested case–control study conducted Bangladesh, Georgia, Lebanon Madagascar,...
We present a picture of the biodiversity Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Paraguay, an inland South American country harboring 5 million inhabitants with notification rate 38/100,000. A total 220 strains collected throughout 2003 were classified by spoligotyping into 79 different patterns. Spoligopatterns 173 matched 51 shared international types (SITs) already updated version SpolDB4, global spoligotype database at Pasteur Institute, Guadeloupe. Our study contributed to 13 new SITs and 15...
Rio de Janeiro is endemic for tuberculosis (TB) and presents the second largest prevalence of disease in Brazil. Here, we present bacterial population structure 218 isolates Mycobacterium tuberculosis, derived from 186 patients that were diagnosed between January 2008 December 2009. Genotypes generated by means spoligotyping, 24 MIRU-VNTR typing presence fbpC103, RDRio RD174. The results confirmed earlier data predominant genotypes are those Euro American Lineages (99%). However, observed...
Abstract The chronic course of lepromatous leprosy may be interrupted by acute inflammatory episodes known as erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL). Despite its being a major cause peripheral nerve damage in patients, the immunopathogenesis ENL remains ill-defined. Recognized distinct families germline-encoded pattern recognition receptors, endogenous and pathogen-derived nucleic acids are highly immunostimulatory molecules that play role host defense against infections, autoimmunity,...
Background Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading infectious cause of death. To improve treatment efficacy, quicker monitoring methods are needed. The objective this study was to monitor the response heparin-binding hemagglutinin (HBHA) interferon- γ (IFN- ) release assay (IGRA) and QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-P) analyze plasma IFN- levels according sputum culture conversion immune cell counts during treatment. Methods This multicentered cohort based in Bangladesh, Georgia, Lebanon, Madagascar,...
New diagnostic tools are needed to rapidly assess the efficacy of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) treatment. The aim this study was evaluate several immune biomarkers in an observational and cross-sectional cohort conducted Paraguay.
Mycobacterium leprae, an obligate intracellular bacillus, infects Schwann cells (SCs), leading to peripheral nerve damage, the most severe leprosy symptom. In present study, we revisited involvement of phenolic glycolipid I (PGL I), abundant, private, surface M. leprae molecule, in leprae-SC interaction by using a recombinant strain bovis BCG engineered express this glycolipid. We demonstrate that PGL is essential for bacterial adhesion and SC internalization. also show live...
SARS-CoV-2 variant detection relies on resource-intensive whole-genome sequencing methods. We sought to develop a scalable protocol for and surveillance in Paraguay, pairing rRT-PCR spike mutations with Nanopore sequencing. A total of 201 acute-phase nasopharyngeal samples were included. Samples positive the N2 target tested Spike SNP assay detect associated following variants: alpha (501Y), beta/gamma (417variant/484K/501Y), delta (452R/478K), lambda (452Q/490S). calls confirmed using...
Background Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae , which can lead to disabling neurodegenerative condition. M. preferentially infects skin macrophages and Schwann cells–glial cells of the peripheral nervous system. The infection modifies host cell lipid metabolism, subverting it in favor formation cholesterol-rich droplets (LD) that are essential for bacterial survival. Although researchers have made progress understanding leprosy pathogenesis, many aspects...
The Latin American & Mediterranean (LAM) spoligotype family is one of the most successful genotype Mycobacterium tuberculosis worldwide and particularly prevalent in South-America. Within this family, a sublineage named Region Difference Rio (RDRio) was reported initially Brazil characterized by genomic deletion about 26.3 kb. This lineage seems to show specific adaptation Euro-Latin population. In context, we sought evaluate LAM presence RDRio samples from three countries including...
Isothermal amplification-based tests have been introduced as rapid, low-cost, and simple alternatives to real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) detection. The clinical performance of two isothermal (Atila Biosystems iAMP disease 2019 [COVID-19] detection test OptiGene COVID-19 direct plus RT-loop-mediated amplification [LAMP] test) was compared with that RT-PCR assays using different sampling strategies. A total 1,378...
Abstract Objectives The objective of the current study was to develop a lower-cost and scalable protocol identify monitor SARS-CoV-2 variants in Paraguay by pairing real-time RT-PCR detection spike mutations with amplicon Sanger sequencing whole-genome Nanopore sequencing. Methods 201 acute-phase nasopharyngeal samples from SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals were tested two rRT-PCRs: 1) N2RP assay confirm RNA (CDC N2 target), 2) Spike SNP detect receptor binding domain. performed probes...
Goal: This document aims to standardize the protocol for staining of lipid droplets with Oil Red O (ORO), and subsequent observation using fluorescence microscopy. The technique can be used observe changes in metabolism animal cells, caused by different agents such as bacteria or drugs (such statins), hormones IGF-1), several small molecules PGL-1). Excessive accumulation lipids is key feature metabolic events / diseases, so identifying quantifying these are essential a better understanding...
Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DRTB) is a growing national health concern in both urban populations and rural areas exacerbated by the epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Between 1989 1992, 7 cases DRTB (5 with multidrug-resistance) were diagnosed an eight-county region East Tennessee. During 1990 1991 alone, 5 100 patients had drug-resistant strains (5%). All 100% resistance to isoniazid; also streptomycin, 2 rifampin, 1 pyrazinamide ethambutol. white, U.S.-born, without...
Abstract Background Isothermal amplification-based tests were developed as rapid, low-cost, and simple alternatives to real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for SARS-COV-2 detection. Methods Clinical performance of two isothermal (Atila Biosystems iAMP COVID-19 detection test OptiGene Direct Plus RT-LAMP test) was compared clinical RT-PCR assays using different sampling strategies. A total 1378 participants tested across four study sites. Results Compared...
Soon after the declaration of COVID-19 pandemic, Institute for Health Sciences Research (IICS) National University Asunción, Paraguay became a testing laboratory (COVID-Lab) SARS-CoV-2. The COVID-Lab performance was assessed from 1 April 2020 to 12 May 2021. effect pandemic on IICS and how contributed academic research activities institute were also assessed. researchers staff adjusted their work schedules support COVID-Lab. Of 13,082 nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs processed, 2704...
Goal: This document aims to standardize the protocol for labeling of bacteria using Sigma Aldrich kits PKH26 (red) or PKH67 (green). General considerations: - The handling material should be done within a Biological Safety Cabin (BSC), according bacterial species used. For example, manipulation M. leprae, BSC Class 2 (Cabins pathogenic biological agent, out-of-laboratory airflow, which provides protection material, manipulator, and working environment). Sterile materials (microtubes, tips...
Goal: This document aims to standardize the protocol for assaying association of bacteria or fluorescent latex beads in eukaryotic cells by flow cytometry. General considerations: - There are different models cytometers, so it is necessary first identify which cytometer suits your experiment best and possibly include adaptations specific equipment that will be used. Remember perform replicates (at least 3 biological replicates) on same avoid calibration reading variations. Experimental...
Goal: This SOP has the objective to instruct users and establish a standard protocol for determining M. leprae molecular viability using qPCR method. General considerations: is based on method developed by Martinez et al (2009) (1) with few alterations. reaction performed hydrolysis probes from taqman detection system, therefore needing reagents. In this protocol, only rRNA 16S gene used as target both cDNA DNA samples. Experimental proceedings: Clean PCR booth 70% ethanol turn U.V. light 10...