Recently, studies have been focused on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP-2 C-1306T) and 9 (MMP-9 C-1562T) promoter regions and its role as a risk factor for cancer development.Concerning to breast cancer and MMP-2 C-1306 T, two studies were reported so far. Zhou et al., in China, showed that T alelle carries have a diminished risk of cancer development [1]. However, no association was detected among genotypes, TNM stage and estrogen receptor (ER) status [1]. On the other hand, Grieu et al., in a case-series of Caucasian individuals, in Australia, showed significant association between TT genotype and small and ER negative tumors [2]. In the same sample TT homozygous patients with ER negative tumors had poor survival rates (P < 0.001) [2].Regarding to MMP-9 C-1562T and carcinogenesis there are few information. Grieu et al.' study showed evidence of a probable association between the presence of the T allele and good prognosis (P = 0.06) [2]. In this case-series, T allele was associated with nonductal type histology, positive ER status and lack of TP53 mutation (P < 0.05) [2]. Przybylowska et al. [3] recently reported lack of association among MMP-9 C-1562T, breast cancer risk and the level of MMP-9 in tumor samples.Porto Alegre (South Brazil) has the highest breast cancer incidence and mortality of the country. The no association with breast cancer risk, neither with clinicopathological features in a South Brazilian population of high incidence of breast cancer.

We report the characteristics of four optochin-resistant (Opt r ) Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from Brazil. All four Opt r isolates presented mutations in the nucleotide sequence coding for the c subunit of F 0 F 1 ATPase. Two isolates showed mutations in codons 23 (leading to the deduced amino acid substitution isoleucine instead of alanine) and 49 (serine instead of alanine, a novel type of mutation detected at this position), respectively. Two additional novel mutations, both located in codon 45, were detected in the other two isolates, corresponding to leucine or valine (instead of phenylalanine). The data indicate that three previously unrecognized alterations were detected in the atpC gene of S. pneumoniae and that Opt resistance among Brazilian pneumococcal isolates is not related to a specific pneumococcal serotype, antimicrobial-resistance profile, or clonal group.Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the most important human pathogens, remaining as a major cause of communityacquired infections, such as pneumonia, bacteremia, meningitis, otitis media, and sinusitis (3). Because of the increasing frequency of antimicrobial resistance, accurate identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing are essential for correct diagnosis and treatment of patients. Determination of phenotypic characteristics is conventionally used in diagnostic laboratories for the identification of S. pneumoniae, including colony morphology on blood agar plates, optochin (Opt) susceptibility, bile solubility, and reactivity with type-specific antisera for detection of capsular polysaccharide antigen (1, 11). Several commercial systems and rapid kits are also available. More recently, a variety of molecular methods, including a DNA probe directed to a section of rRNA (8), PCR assays for detection of genes encoding diverse virulence factors (4,12,14), and DNA-DNA reassociation (1), have been applied to identify pneumococcal isolates. Despite the development of newer methods, most routine laboratories still rely on the results of Opt susceptibility testing as the primary or even the only test for the presumptive identification of pneumococci. Occasionally, however, isolates of S. pneumoniae exhibiting an optochin-resistant (Opt r ) phenotype have been reported (2,6,7,10,13,15). The occurrence of such a phenotypic variant is a potential cause of problems in the precise characterization of this agent, leading to misidentification. The Opt r phenotype is attributed to mutations in the atpC gene that codes for the molecular target of Opt, the transmembrane F 0 F 1 ATPase, involved in proton transportation in the respiratory chain (9, 13). Alterations in ␣-helix 1, corresponding to codons 14, 20, and 23 (6, 13), and in ␣-helix 2, corresponding to codons 48, 49, and 50 (7, 13) of the c subunit of the F 0 complex of the molecule, have already been described in clinical isolates of S. pneumoniae. A mutation located in the a subunit of F 0 F 1 ATPase was also described (13). To date, reports of the occurrence of Opt r pneumococci are ...

Our results suggest a higher prevalence of HPV infection in pregnant vs. non-pregnant women. This finding may be related to the relative immunosuppression observed in pregnant women, outlining the importance of the appropriate monitoring of the viral infection in this specific population.

bReal-time PCR based on the recN and gyrB genes was developed to detect four Streptococcus bovis/Streptococcus equinus complex (SBEC) subspecies from rectal swab specimens. The overall prevalence was 35.2%: Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. gallolyticus (11.1%), S. gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus (13%), Streptococcus infantarius subsp. coli (20.4%), and S. infantarius subsp. infantarius (11.1%). To conclude, these real-time PCR assays provide a reliable molecular method to detect SBEC pathogenic subspecies from rectal swab specimens.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has increased the survival of HIV-infected patients. However, adverse effects play a major role in adherence to HAART. Some protease inhibitors (mainly atazanavir and indinavir) act as inhibitors of uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT1A1), the enzyme responsible for hepatic conjugation of bilirubin. Variations in the promoter region of the UGT1A1 gene (UGT1A1*28, rs8175347) can influence bilirubin plasma levels, modulating the susceptibility to hyperbilirubinemia. Aiming to analyze the association between UGT1A1*28 allele and hyperbilirubinemia in individuals exposed to HAART, we evaluated 375 HIV-positive individuals on antiretroviral therapy. Individuals carrying the UGT1A1*28 allele had a higher risk of developing severe hyperbilirubinemia [prevalence ratio (PR)=2.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-5.45, p=0.032] as well as atazanavir users (PR=7.72, 95% CI=3.14-18.98, p<0.001). This is the first description of such an association in Brazilian HIV patients, which shows that in African-American and Euroamerican HAART users, the UGT1A1*28 allele also predisposes to severe hyperbilirubinemia, especially in those exposed to atazanavir.