Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Felipe Teixeira Lopes, Renata Santos de Sousa, Jayanne Carvalho L. Gomes, Mariana Cayres Vallinoto, Aline Cecy Rocha de Lima, Sandra Souza Lima, Felipe Bonfim Freitas, Rosimar N. Martins Feitosa, Andrea Nazare M. Rangel da Silva, Luiz Fernando A. Machado, Cintia Y. P. Aben-Athar, Eduardo Leitao Maia da Silva, Izaura M. V. Cayres Vallinoto, Antonio Carlos R. Vallinoto
Summary: This study investigated the epidemiology of human T-lymphotropic viruses 1 and 2 (HTLV-1/2) infection in the urban area of Belem, Brazil and identified a moderate endemicity. The implementation of screening and counseling services was found to be crucial in establishing early diagnosis and preventing viral transmission in the general population.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Apio Ricardo Nazareth Dias, Luiz Fabio Magno Falcao, Juarez Antonio Simoes Quaresma
Summary: Previous studies have shown that individuals infected with HTLV-1 develop pulmonary impairment. Complications such as alveolitis and bronchiectasis are caused by chronic inflammation. These patients have abnormal levels of lymphocytes, cytokines, inflammatory chemokines, and cell adhesion molecules in the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation and lung injury. High-resolution computed tomography reveals centrilobular nodules, parenchymal bands, lung cysts, bronchiectasis, ground-glass opacity, mosaic attenuation, and pleural thickening. Recent studies suggest a causal relationship between HTLV-1 and pulmonary diseases, with progressive decline in lung function.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Jairo Falcao Ribeiro, Akim Felipe Santos Nobre, Louise Canto Ferreira Covre, Maria de Nazare do Socorro de Almeida Viana, Ingrid Christiane Silva, Leonardo Miranda dos Santos, Edna Aoba Ishikawa, Carlos Araujo da Costa, Maisa Silva de Sousa
Summary: This study aimed to describe the hematological profile of HTLV-1 infected patients in Belem do Para and associate it with diseases and symptoms. The study found that HTLV-1 infection is prominent in women over 50 years old, and infected individuals showed a reduction of segmented cells, an increase of eosinophils, and the presence of atypical lymphocytes.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Theodore K. Marras, Paul Nelson, Adriana Peci, Melissa Richard-Greenblatt, Sarah Brode, Ashleigh Sullivan, Frances B. Jamieson, Julianne V. Kus
Summary: We assessed the annual prevalence of microbiologically defined nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease in Ontario, Canada. The prevalence of Mycobacterium avium was 13 cases/100,000 persons in 2020, showing a 2.5-fold increase from 2010, indicating a significant rise in actual M. avium lung disease. Meanwhile, M. xenopi decreased by almost 50% to 0.84 cases/100,000 persons during the same period.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Wandrey Roberto dos Santos Brito, Greice de Lemos Cardoso-Costa, Lourival Marques Roland Junior, Keise Adrielle Santos Pereira, Felipe Teixeira Lopes, Bernardo Cintra dos Santos, Aline Cecy Rocha de Lima, Isabella Nogueira Abreu, Carlos Neandro Cordeiro Lima, Sandra Souza Lima, Izaura M. Vieira Cayres Vallinoto, Eduardo Jose Melo dos Santos, Joao Farias Guerreiro, Antonio Carlos Rosario Vallinoto
Summary: This study identified HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 infections in quilombo remnant communities in the state of Para, Brazil, with blood transfusion being the only associated risk factor. Continued evaluation of these communities is essential for characterizing infection distribution and developing public health policies for virus control and prevention of associated diseases.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Antoine Gessain, Jill-Lea Ramassamy, Philippe V. Afonso, Olivier Cassar
Summary: The African continent has a high prevalence of the oncogenic retrovirus HTLV-1, with an estimated two to five million infected individuals. However, there is limited data on the epidemiological aspects, such as prevalence, risk factors, and geographical distribution. This is due to a lack of large-scale and representative studies, as well as the absence of confirmatory tests in many studies.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Carmen de-Mendoza, Leire Perez, Ariadna Rando, Gabriel Reina, Antonio Aguilera, Rafael Benito, Jose Maria Eiros, Itziar Rodriguez-Avial, Diego Ortega, Maria Jose Pozuelo, Maria Jose Pena, Vicente Soriano
Summary: HAM is the most common clinical manifestation of HTLV-1 infection in Spain, and it mainly affects middle-aged women migrants from Latin America. Despite the use of antiretroviral therapy, two thirds of HAM patients end up in a wheelchair.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Isabella Nogueira Abreu, Carlos Neandro Cordeiro Lima, Eliene Rodrigues Putira Sacuena, Felipe Teixeira Lopes, Maria Karoliny da Silva Torres, Bernardo Cintra dos Santos, Vanessa de Oliveira Freitas, Leonardo Gabriel Campelo Pinto de Figueiredo, Keise Adrielle Santos Pereira, Aline Cecy Rocha de Lima, Wandrey Roberto dos Santos Brito, Bruno Jose Sarmento Botelho, Janete Silvana Souza Goncalves, Sandra Souza Lima, Izaura Maria Vieira Cayres Vallinoto, Joao Farias Guerreiro, Ricardo Ishak, Antonio Carlos Rosario Vallinoto
Summary: The study investigated the seroprevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection in Indigenous peoples of the Brazilian Amazon. A total of 3350 individuals from 15 communities were tested using serological, molecular, and confirmatory tests. The seroprevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection was 8.3%, with a higher prevalence in women than in men. The endemic infection in these groups may be attributed to different epidemiological factors such as sexual transmission, breastfeeding, and high pregnancy rates in the villages.
Review
Immunology
Kazumi Nakano, Toshiki Watanabe
Summary: HTLV-1 is an oncovirus that causes ATL and other inflammatory diseases. Most infected individuals maintain a latent state, which may be an intrinsic characteristic acquired during HTLV-1's evolution. We compared the pathological aspects of HTLV-1 and HIV-1 and investigated the importance of viral replication regulators in infected T cells.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Virology
Lloyd Einsiedel, Fabian Chiong, Hubertus Jersmann, Graham P. Taylor
Summary: HTLV-1 infection can lead to various pulmonary diseases, such as interstitial pneumonia and bronchiolitis, possibly through the recruitment of other inflammatory cells in the pathogenesis. Additionally, HTLV-1 associated pulmonary disease may result in significant parenchymal damage, progressing to bronchiectasis.
Review
Microbiology
Edward Lin, Amanda R. Panfil, Grace Sandel, Pooja Jain
Summary: The genome of retroviruses contains two promoter elements, LTR, at the 5' and 3' ends. Although the 5' LTR is responsible for gene expression, the 3' LTR also acts as a promoter and produces antisense transcripts. This review focuses on antisense transcription in human retroviruses, specifically discussing the role of MEF-2 transcription factors, the function of antisense protein products, and the therapeutic application in HIV-1 and HTLV-1 co-infection.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Iris Montano-Castellon, Cleyde Sheyla Chachaqui Marconi, Clara Saffe, Carlos Brites
Summary: This systematic review examined the clinical outcomes in individuals co-infected with HIV-1 and HTLV-1/HTLV-2. The results showed that co-infected patients had shorter survival, higher mortality rate, and faster disease progression compared to those with mono-infections. Additionally, co-infected patients were more likely to have certain diseases and neurological manifestations. The findings highlight the urgent need for prevention, control measures, and comprehensive care for individuals with HIV-1 and HTLV-1/HTLV-2 co-infections.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Lloyd Einsiedel, Hai Pham, Mohammad Radwanur R. Talukder, Joel Liddle, Kerry Taylor, Kim Wilson, Hubertus Jersmann, Antoine Gessain, Richard Woodman, John Kaldor
Summary: This study in central Australia's Aboriginal communities is the first large-scale community-based health survey on HTLV-1 disease associations, revealing a strong correlation between HTLV-1 infection and pulmonary disease, gait abnormalities in adults, while no associations were found among children. The research suggests that HTLV-1 infection may be linked to certain health conditions, particularly in adults.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Felicidade Mota Pereira, Fred Luciano Neves Santos, angelo Antonio Oliveira Silva, Nathan Menezes Nascimento, Maria da Conceicao Chagas Almeida, Roberto Perez Carreiro, Bernardo Galvao-Castro, Maria Fernanda Rios Grassi
Summary: The state of Bahia in Brazil is considered endemic for both Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Human T-Leukemia Virus (HTLV). This study found a significant frequency of HIV/HTLV coinfection in the state, with the majority of cases concentrated in the municipality of Salvador.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Akihito Koseki, Natsumi Araya, Makoto Yamagishi, Junji Yamauchi, Naoko Yagishita, Naoki Takao, Katsunori Takahashi, Yasuo Kunitomo, Daisuke Honma, Kazushi Araki, Kaoru Uchimaru, Tomoo Sato, Yoshihisa Yamano
Summary: In this study, elevated expression of EZH2 was found in patients with HAM. EZH1/2 selective inhibitors and EZH1/2 inhibitors suppressed the proliferation of HTLV-1-infected cells in HAM by inducing apoptosis and modulating immune response, suggesting the potential of these inhibitors as therapeutic agents for HAM.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alvaro Schwalb, Paloma M. Carcamo, Carlos Seas
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Rodrigo Cachay, Alvaro Schwalb, J. Gonzalo Acevedo-Rodriguez, Xiomara Merino, Michael Talledo, Luis Suarez-Ognio, Laura Pezzi, Xavier de Lamballerie, Humberto Guerra, Thomas Jaenisch, Eduardo Gotuzzo
Summary: In 2017, a major outbreak of Zika virus infection occurred in Chincha Province, Peru. A cross-sectional survey conducted in two districts of Chincha Province revealed higher Zika virus seroprevalence in Pueblo Nuevo district compared to Chincha Baja district. Higher monthly income and adequate water storage were found to be protective factors. Living in Pueblo Nuevo district and having a personal history of fever and rash were identified as strong predictors of Zika virus positivity.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Alvaro Schwalb, Rodrigo Cachay, Ericka Meza, Tatiana Caceres, Amondrea Blackman, Fernanda Maruri, Timothy R. Sterling, Eduardo Gotuzzo
Summary: The study found a low prevalence of resistance to ofloxacin in Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates susceptible to first-line drugs in Peru, suggesting that fluoroquinolones remain a viable treatment option for drug-susceptible TB in the country.
BMC RESEARCH NOTES
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Alvaro Schwalb, Eleonora Armyra, Melissa Mendez-Aranda, Cesar Ugarte-Gil
Summary: Latin America and the Caribbean faced a severe health crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic, but through hard work, the region has become a global leader in COVID-19 vaccination.
JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Letter
Infectious Diseases
A. Schwalb, J. C. Emery, R. M. G. J. Houben
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TUBERCULOSIS AND LUNG DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
A. Schwalb, R. Cachay, A. Wright, P. P. J. Phillips, P. Kaur, A. H. Diacon, C. Ugarte-Gil, C. D. Mitnick, T. R. Sterling, E. Gotuzzo, C. R. Horsburgh
Summary: No baseline factors were found to be independently associated with screening failure or study withdrawal in this secondary analysis of an MDR-TB clinical trial.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TUBERCULOSIS AND LUNG DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alvaro Schwalb, Jon C. Emery, Katie D. Dale, Katherine C. Horton, Cesar A. Ugarte-Gil, Rein M. G. J. Houben
Summary: This study explores the impact of immunoreactivity reversion on the estimation of annual risk of tuberculosis infection (ARI). The results show that ignoring reversion leads to a stark underestimation of the true ARI. Future surveys should adjust for reversion probability and its cumulative effect with increasing age to obtain a more accurate reflection of the burden and dynamics of tuberculosis infection.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Rodrigo Cachay, Takashi Watanabe-Tejada, Katiuska Cuno, Marcela Gil-Zacarias, Carolina Coombes, Isabel Ballena, Fernando Mejia, Felix Medina, Oscar Gayoso, Carlos Seas, Larissa Otero, Eduardo Gotuzzo
Summary: This is a prospective cohort study aiming to assess the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on cardiopulmonary function and quality of life. The study will recruit 200 participants with confirmatory COVID-19 tests and classify them according to infection severity. The findings will be disseminated through scientific conferences, peer-reviewed journals, and open-access social media platforms.
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alvaro Schwalb, Rein M. G. J. Houben
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Maria Pia Amanzo-Vargas, Tessy Arellano-Veintemilla, Elsa Gonzalez-Lagos, Juan Echevarria, Fernando Mejia, Ana Grana, Eduardo Gotuzzo
Summary: This study compared the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, and mortality rates between HIV-infected and HIV/HTLV-1 co-infected patients in Peru. The results showed that HIV/HTLV-1 co-infected patients had a significantly shorter survival time compared to HIV-infected patients. This suggests that the immune alterations caused by HTLV-1 in CD4 cell count may have contributed to late initiation of antiretroviral treatment and prophylaxis against opportunistic infections over the decades, and thus reducing their benefits in these patients.
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Katie D. Dale, Alvaro Schwalb, Rein M. G. J. Houben
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
