The human platelet antigen (HPA) systems are related to immune platelet disorders as well as to the development of occlusive vascular disease. Several distinct biallelic HPA systems are known, and a heterogeneous distribution of HPA alleles has been described among distinct ethnic groups. In this study we genotyped 320 carefully selected individuals from three distinct ethnic groups in Brazil (Caucasians, Blacks and Amazonian Indians) for the HPA-1, -2, -3, -4 and -5 systems. A similar prevalence for all HPA alleles was found in Brazilians of Caucasian and Black descent. These data contrast with those reported for similar ethnic groups in other countries. Among the Amazonian Indians, no b allele of the HPA-1, -4 and -5 systems was identified. The data presented here could be useful in the diagnosis of alloimmune platelet disease, in genetic counselling and in the development of screening programmes for HPA-related diseases.

. Foi estudada a recente evolução do estado nutricional de menores de 5 anos nas aldeias Parakanã, Maroxewara e Paranatinga. Dados antropométricos (peso, altura) foram obtidos em três estudos transversais para avaliação da prevalência de desnutrição e acompanhamento da evolução nutricional pelo incremento médio do índice peso/idade de 70 crianças (87,5% dos menores existentes). A desnutrição nas aldeias foi proporcional ao tempo de contato com nossa cultura e atribuível a fatores socioculturais relatados. Na Paranatinga, os valores médios dos indicadores antropométricos -peso/idade, altura/idade e peso/altura -foram os menores, principalmente nas crianças entre o sexto e o 24 o mês. Reduziu-se em 76, l % a prevalência de desnutrição global no grupo estudado, não havendo mais casos de desnutrição aguda na última avaliação. O incremento do indicador peso/idade foi proporcional à severidade do caso, não havendo diferença significante entre as aldeias. Medidas de natureza preventiva adotadas foram eficazes em reduzir a prevalência de desnutrição infantil entre os Parakanã.

Vascular disease is a serious public health problem in the industrialized world, and is a frequent cause of death among the adult population of Brazil. Mild hyperhomocysteinemia has been identified as a risk factor for arterial disease, venous thrombosis, and neural tube defects. Individuals homozygous for the thermolabile variant of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR-T) are found in 5-15% of the general population and have significantly elevated plasma homocysteine levels which represent one of the genetic risk factors for vascular diseases. We have analyzed the prevalence of individuals homozygous for the MTHFR-T in 327 subjects representing the three distinct ethnic groups in Brazil. The prevalence of homozygotes for the mutated allele MTHFR-T was high among persons of Caucasian descent (10%) and considerably lower among Black (1.45%) and Indians persons populations (1.2%). These data suggest that screening for the MTHFR-T allele should help in identifying individuals with a high risk of vascular disease among populations with a heterogeneous background.

Arruda VR, Grignolli CE, Goncalves MS, Soares MC, Menezes R, Saad STO, Costa FF. Prevalence of homozygosity for the deleted alleles of glutathione S‐transferase mu (GSTMl) and theta (GSTTl) among distinct ethnic groups from Brazil: relevance to enviromental carcinogenesis? Clin Genet 1998: 54: 210–214. 0 Munksgaard, 1998 Environmental related diseases due to occupational carcinogens and toxic substances are a serious problem particularly in developing countries. The glutathione S‐transferase system is fundamental for the detoxification of numerous carcinogens and mutagens. The individual inherited susceptibility to chemical carcinogenesis due to glutathione S‐transferase mu (GSTMl) and theta (GSTTl) varies significantly among distinct ethnic groups. In this study we determined the prevalence of the null genotype of the GSTMl and GSTTl genes among individuals from three distinct Brazilian racial groups using a multi‐plex‐PCR methodology. The results showed that the highest prevalence of the null genotype for the GSTMl occurred among Caucasians (55%, allele frequency = 0.74), followed by 33% among Brazilian Black subjects (allele frequency = 0.57). and 20% among Amazonian Indians (allele frequency = 0.45). For GSTTl a homogenous distribution of the null genotype was found among Caucasian and African descendants (18.5 and 19% homozygotes, respectively, allele. frequency = 0.43). with a lower prevalence among Amazonian Indians (11% of homozygotes, a!lele frequency = 0.34). Whether the deficiency of the GST system contributes to a predisposition to environmental related carcinogenesis in specific popuiations in Brazil remains to be determined.

To determine the occurrence and epidemiological aspects of intestinal parasites among the Parakanã indigenous people in the Paranatinga settlement (in the eastern Amazon Region), parasitological tests were performed in April 1992 and February 1995. One fresh stool specimen was obtained and immediately processed using the Hoffman and direct methods. Some 126 samples were obtained in April 1992 (from a total population of 215 individuals). Some 80. 2% (101) of those tested were infected with at least one species of intestinal parasite. Hookworms were found in 33.3%, Ascaris lumbricoides 42.8%, Trichuris trichiura 0.8%, and Strongyloides stercoralis 5.6%. Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia protozoans were found in 65.0% and 46.8% of those tested, respectively. A second parasitological survey was performed on 174 individuals (from a population of 253) in February 1995. 88.5% were infected. Note that prevalence in February 1995 was higher than in April 1992 (p=0.04). It was lower for hookworms, E. histolytica, and G. lamblia, with no S. stercoralis (p<0.05). Despite provision of health care in the Paranatinga community, prevalence of intestinal parasites is still extremely high, suggesting that primary and secondary health care should be increased immediately to increase the efficacy of prevention of intestinal parasites.