No abstract

Introduction: Viral hepatitis is a major public health concern in Brazil. There are few past studies on this issue, especially among riparian communities. This study aims at determining the seroprevalence of viral hepatitis B and C in the riparian community of Pacuí Island, within the Cametá municipality of Pará State, Brazil. Moreover, this study aims to investigate the principal risk factors that this community is exposed to. Methods: The current study has accessed blood samples from 181 volunteers who have answered an epidemiological questionnaire. Analyses on serological markers have been tested with commercial ELISA kits for detecting HBsAg, total anti-HBc, anti-HBs, and anti-HCV. Within seroreactive patients for HCV, RT-PCR and line probe assay have been performed to identify the viral genotype. Results: In the serological marker analysis for hepatitis B, no reactivity for HBsAg, rate of 1.1% for total anti-HBc, and rate of 19.3% for anti-HBs have been observed. On hepatitis C, 8.8% seroprevalence has been found, in which 62.5% have gotten viral RNA. Among the risk factors studied, the following have been highlighted: non-use of condoms, sharing of cutting instruments, use of illicit drugs, and reports of family disease with HBV or HCV. Conclusions: The vaccination coverage against HBV is low, and the high prevalence of HCV within this community has been observed.

ABH and Lewis blood group antigens are a good indicator for cellular alterations in the gastric epithelium.

The new coronavirus, called SARS-CoV-2, is a single-stranded RNA virus. The main mechanism of entry of the virus in the cells of the hosts is through the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) that acts as a receptor in the epithelial cells of the upper respiratory tract. The aim of this research was to describe the epidemiological profile of those affected by COVID-19 in the city of Macapá, Brazil, in addition to calculating the lethality rates by age group, sex and previous morbidity. A quantitative analysis was carried out based on confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the municipality of Macapá, with secondary data extracted from the database and aggregated information from the Municipal Health Department. The analysis of the epidemiological profile of those affected, the evolution and severity of COVID-19 is important to determine and adapt mitigation strategies and to allow the planning of actions and health care to combat SARS-CoV-2 in Macapá.

Our study shows that the interaction between the type of infectious strain and the Th1 immune response can influence and perpetuate gastric inflammation, and thus contributes to the development of the different clinical manifestations of H. pylori infection.

RESUMO Na sociedade moderna vive-se, de forma frenética e frequente, um momento de culto e adoração ao corpo. Essa prática é amparada e induzida, sobretudo, pelas mídias. Assim sendo, elas promovem a adesão a uma estética "padrão" e "ideal", incentivando a cultura das cirurgias plásticas, da prática do exercício físico em academias, da venda massiva de cosméticos, bem como de produtos para emagrecer. Como forma de se encaixar nesse padrão estético, muitos sujeitos têm feito o consumo exagerado de substâncias ilegais para alterar este corpo "feio" ou "desproporcional" de forma mais rápida. É um consumo desenfreado que afeta homens, mulheres e adolescentes. Seu principal objetivo é ganhar massa muscular ao mesmo tempo em que trabalham na melhoria do seu rendimento físico por meio, sobretudo, de anabolizantes, uma vez que querem ver os resultados instantaneamente. O uso indiscriminado desses anabolizantes (ou EAA) fazem com que as mais diversas doenças se desenvolvam como consequência deste uso desenfreado de substâncias tóxicas, pois começam a aparecer efeitos adversos ao esperado em relação ao uso das EAA, tais como atrofia do tecido testicular (causando impotência e/ou infertilidade), tumores de próstata e ginecomastia em homens, masculinização (sobretudo alteração na voz), irregularidade menstrual e aumento do clitóris em mulheres e, ainda, em ambos os sexos há a possibilidade do desenvolvimento da calvície, erupções acneicas, aumento da libido, irritabilidade, disfunção hepática e agressividade. Diante deste contexto, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar quais efeitos colaterais foram vivenciados pelos usuários durante e após o uso de EAA e qual o grau de gravidade de cada um dos sintomas apresentados.

-Context -Although more than half of the world's population is colonized with Helicobacter pylori, it remains unknown why this organism is able to produce severe disease in some hosts and be innocuous in others. The clinical outcome of infection is determined by several factors, including differences in the host response to bacterial stimulation, specific virulence factors of the organism and environmental influences, or a combination of these factors. Objectives -This study compared the prevalence of H. pylori infection and risk factors (infection with CagA+ strains, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and inadequate eating habits) between patients with different gastrointestinal disorders and associated these risk factors with the histopathological findings.Methods -In a prospective study, samples were collected from 442 patients and a standardized questionnaire regarding lifestyle habits (excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and eating habits) was applied. The presence of H. pylori and of the cagA gene was investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Gastric biopsies were obtained for histological assessment. Results -The frequency of alcohol consumption, smoking, inadequate diet and infection with CagA+ H. pylori was higher among patients with peptic ulcer and adenocarcinoma when compared to those with gastritis. Gastric inflammation was more pronounced in patients infected with CagA+ strains. Conclusion -We conclude that infection with CagA+ H. pylori strains, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and inadequate eating habits increase the risk of developing peptic ulcer and gastric carcinoma.

The Helicobacter pylori is associated with the development of different diseases. The clinical outcome of infection may be associated with the cagA bacterial genotype. The aim of this study was to determine the EPIYA patterns of strains isolated from patients with gastritis and gastric adenocarcinoma and correlate these patterns with the histopathological features. Gastric biopsy samples were selected from 384 patients infected with H. pylori, including 194 with chronic gastritis and 190 with gastric adenocarcinoma. The presence of the cagA gene and the EPIYA motif was determined by PCR. The cagA gene was more prevalent in patients with gastric cancer and was associated with a higher degree of inflammation, neutrophil activity, and development of intestinal metaplasia. The number of EPIYA-C repeats showed a significant association with an increased risk of gastric carcinoma (OR = 3.79, 95% CI = 1.92–7.46, and P = 0.002). A larger number of EPIYA-C motifs were also associated with intestinal metaplasia. In the present study, infection with H. pylori strains harboring more than one EPIYA-C motif in the cagA gene was associated with the development of intestinal metaplasia and gastric adenocarcinoma but not with neutrophil activity or degree of inflammation.