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Gliomas are the most common type of primary brain tumors. The most aggressive type, Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is one of the deadliest human diseases, with an average survival at diagnosis of about 1 year. Previous evidence suggests a link between human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and gliomas. HCMV has been shown to be present in these tumors and several viral proteins can have oncogenic properties in glioma cells. Here we have investigated the presence of HCMV DNA, RNA and proteins in fifty-two gliomas of different grades of malignancy. The UL83 viral region, the early beta 2.7 RNA and viral protein were detected in 73%, 36% and 57% by qPCR, ISH and IHC, respectively. Positivity of the viral targets and viral load was independent of tumor type or grade suggesting no correlation between viral presence and tumor progression. Our results demonstrate high prevalence of the virus in gliomas from Brazilian patients, contributing to a better understanding of the association between HCMV infection and gliomas worldwide and supporting further investigations of the virus oncomodulatory properties.

For the preservation of tissue samples, formalin fixation followed by paraffin embedding (FFPE) has been the method of choice for decades, mainly because it maintains the morphologic characteristics of the original tissue particularly preserved, as well as its genetic material. FFPE cells can be used to perform molecular tests, such as conventional (c) or quantitative (q) reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), in retrospective investigations. However, extracting RNA from archived FFPE tissues is a challenging procedure, as it requires time and the use of complex extraction methods. As specific FFPE extraction methods are not always available in the laboratories, the objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of a method based on phenol-chloroform (PC) and 2 commercial methods for RNA extraction, adapting their protocols for FFPE tissues. For this study, a pool of FFPE tissues underwent RNA extraction by PC, QIAmp Viral RNA Mini, and RNeasy Mini Kit. Both the RT-cPCR and the RT-qPCR results were favorable, demonstrating the viability of the RNA. As these results expanded the alternatives for low-budget FFPE extraction, the choice of the ideal method to be used will depend on the availability of reagents and kits.

RESUMOOs avanços tecnológicos das últimas décadas catalisaram transformações sociais e econômicas, que influenciaram decisivamente nos padrões da morbimortalidade populacional. No Brasil, a heterogeneidade deste padrão é muito visível e complexa, em função de sua grande extensão territorial, do significativo número de habitantes e das diferenças socioeconômicas e culturais. Com o aumento da expectativa de vida e o envelhecimento da população brasileira, observa-se o aparecimento cada vez mais frequente de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis. As mudanças climáticas e as condições higiênico-sanitárias, ainda deficientes em algumas regiões, podem propiciar o recrudescimento das doenças infectocontagiosas. Em face dessas transformações, faz-se necessário que o sistema de vigilância epidemiológica seja reestruturado para adequar aos novos cenários epidemiológicos, identificar novos riscos, prever e conter a expansão de áreas com riscos preexistentes de disseminação, propagação e redução das doenças. Um dos pontos cruciais desta reestruturação é o armazenamento correto e adequado das amostras biológicas, por meio da criação de biorrepositórios e biobancos, que possibilitará a aplicação de novas tecnologias para detecção, investigação e respostas às situações de surtos, epidemias e pandemias, com benefícios à pesquisa e assistência na área de saúde. Esta revisão demonstra a importância dos biobancos e biorrepositórios em Saúde Pública. Palavras-chave. bancos de tecidos, vigilância epidemiológica, doenças transmissíveis, biologia molecular.

BackgroundSmall cell lung cancer (SCLC) and high-grade extrapulmonary neuroendocrine carcinomas (EPNEC) share similar histopathological features and treatment, but outcomes may differ. We evaluated in our study the expression of biomarkers associated with response rate (RR) to chemotherapy and overall survival (OS) for these entities.Materials and MethodsThis is a multicentre retrospective analysis of advanced EPNEC and SCLC patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. Paraffin-embedded tumour samples were reviewed by a single pathologist and tested for immunohistochemistry (IHC) expression of Ki-67, ERCC1, Bcl-2, and Lin28a. All images were evaluated by the same radiologist and RR was determined by RECIST 1.1.ResultsFrom July, 2006 to July, 2014, 142 patients were identified, being 82 (57.7%) SCLC and 60 (42.3%) EPNEC. Clinical characteristics and median Ki-67 (SCLC: 60%; EPNEC: 50%; p = 0.86) were similar between the groups. RR was higher for SCLC patients (86.8% versus 44.6%; p<0.001), but median OS was similar (10.3 months in SCLC and 11.1 months in EPNEC; HR 0.69, p = 0.07). Bcl-2 expression was higher in SCLC patients (46.3% versus 28.3%, p = 0.03) and was associated with worse prognosis in EPNEC (median OS 8.0 months versus 14.7 months; HR 0.47, p = 0.02).ConclusionEPNEC patients presented inferior RR to platinum-based chemotherapy than SCLC but tended to live longer. Neither ERCC1, Lin28, or Ki-67 were prognostic or predictive for RR in EPNEC or SCLC. High Bcl-2 expression was associated with poor prognosis in EPNEC patients.

Herein, we describe a unique case of concomitant angioinvasive pulmonary aspergillosis due to Aspergillus fumigatus and yellow fever in a free‐ranging howler monkey (Alouatta sp). Lung samples were negative for influenza viruses A and B.

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The cell block (CB) technique has allowed easy obtainment of samples such as cellular and culture suspensions, to perform specific molecular tests such as immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. It has been improved along time, accuracy, and quality of the diagnoses, however, the cost of a commercial gel matrix for the preparation of CB is high and not suitable depending on the situation. The objective of this study is to test agarose as an alternative to the commercial gel matrix in the preparation of Aspergillus fumigatus’ CB.