scholarly journals HTLV in South America: Origins of a silent ancient human infection

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Ishak ◽  
Marluísa de Oliveira Guimarães Ishak ◽  
Vânia Nakauth Azevedo ◽  
Luiz Fernando Almeida Machado ◽  
Izaura Maria Cayres Vallinoto ◽  
...  

Abstract The description of the first human retrovirus, human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1), was soon associated with an aggressive lymphoma and a chronic inflammatory neurodegenerative disease. Later, other associated clinical manifestations were described, affecting diverse target organs in the human body and showing the enormous burden carried by the virus and the associated diseases. The epidemiology of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 showed that they were largely distributed around the world, although it is possible to locate geographical areas with pockets of low and very high prevalence and incidence. Aboriginal Australians and indigenous peoples of Brazil are examples of the large spread of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2, respectively. The epidemiological link of both situations is their occurrence among isolated, epidemiologically closed or semi-closed communities. The origin of the viruses in South America shows two different branches with distinct timing of entry. HTLV-1 made its probable entrance in a more recent route through the east coast of Brazil at the beginning of the slave trade from the African continent, starting in the 16th century and lasting for more than 350 years. HTLV-2 followed the ancient route of human migration from the Asian continent, crossing the Behring Strait and then splitting in South America as the population became separated by the Andes Mountains. By that time, HTLV-2c probably arose and became isolated among the indigenous populations in the Brazilian Amazon. The study of epidemiologically closed communities of indigenous populations in Brazil allowed tracing the most likely route of entry, the generation of a new molecular subtype (HTLV-2c), the elucidation of the vertical transmission of HTLV-2, the intrafamilial aggregation of cases and the escape and spread of the virus to other areas in Brazil and abroad. Despite the burden and impact of both viruses, they are maintained as silent infections among human populations because 1, health authorities in most South American countries in which national surveillance is poor have little interest in the disease, 2, the information is commonly lost as indigenous groups do not have specific policies for HTLV and other sexually transmitted infections, and 3, health access is not feasible or properly delivered.

2003 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 179-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Márcia Bohrer Mentz ◽  
Carlos Graeff-Teixeira

Abdominal and cerebral angiostrongyliasis are two important infections produced by metastrongylid worms, the former occurring in Central and South America and the later in Asia and Pacific Islands. Drug treatment is a challenge since the worms and its evolving larvae live or migrate inside vessels and efficient killing of the parasites may produce more severe lesions. Larvicidal effect of certain drugs appears to be more easily accomplished but this outcome is not useful in abdominal angiostrongyliasis since clinical manifestations appear to result from sexual maturation of the worms. We review the drug trials in murine experimental models and conclude that most of them could not be considered good candidates for treatment of human infection, except for PF1022A, pyrantel and flubendazole.


Impact ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (7) ◽  
pp. 56-58
Author(s):  
Naruya Saitou

The ebb and flow of human migration across the planet can nowadays be probed with advanced archaeology, linguistics, anthropology and genomics. Together, these can provide a convincing picture of the various divergences and convergences of different human populations across vast areas. It is now possible to better understand how, why and where a particular group or society arose. Professor Naruya Saitou of the Population Genetics Laboratory at the National Institute of Genetics in Mishima has dedicated his career to the synthesis of these disciplines. The current focus of his research is on understanding the origins and formation of the Yaponesian people. This broad term was coined by writer Toshio Shimao in 1960s to encompass the diverse peoples of the Japanese Archipelago over its many thousands of years of inhabitation. Saitou's research is helping to uncover Japan's ancient past.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Elizabeth Mathyer ◽  
Erin A. Brettmann ◽  
Alina D. Schmidt ◽  
Zane A. Goodwin ◽  
Inez Y. Oh ◽  
...  

AbstractThe genetic modules that contribute to human evolution are poorly understood. Here we investigate positive selection in the Epidermal Differentiation Complex locus for skin barrier adaptation in diverse HapMap human populations (CEU, JPT/CHB, and YRI). Using Composite of Multiple Signals and iSAFE, we identify selective sweeps for LCE1A-SMCP and involucrin (IVL) haplotypes associated with human migration out-of-Africa, reaching near fixation in European populations. CEU-IVL is associated with increased IVL expression and a known epidermis-specific enhancer. CRISPR/Cas9 deletion of the orthologous mouse enhancer in vivo reveals a functional requirement for the enhancer to regulate Ivl expression in cis. Reporter assays confirm increased regulatory and additive enhancer effects of CEU-specific polymorphisms identified at predicted IRF1 and NFIC binding sites in the IVL enhancer (rs4845327) and its promoter (rs1854779). Together, our results identify a selective sweep for a cis regulatory module for CEU-IVL, highlighting human skin barrier evolution for increased IVL expression out-of-Africa.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S836-S837
Author(s):  
Juliana Mejia- Mertel ◽  
Juan P Rojas -Hernandez

Abstract Background The Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1), affects around ten to twenty million people worldwide, predominantly in intertropical regions (Africa, Japan, Melanesia, Australia, and South America Pacific Coast). The most common disorders associated are T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ALT) and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (HAM). Studies have reported other clinical manifestations in HTLV-1, still studies are needed in pediatric population to improve diagnosis and treatment of infected patients. Methods Descriptive, retrospective cohort study, conducted in our referral pediatric hospital in Cali, Colombia. Included pediatric patients (1 to 18 years of age) diagnosed with HTLV-1 infection, between January 2017 to March 2020. Results Twelve patients were included, seven males and five females. Eleven patients were from and resided in the Colombian Pacific coast. Ten patients showed nutritional deficiencies. None showed clinical or laboratory signs of ALT, neither neurological symptoms or physical exam suggesting HAM. In terms of associated diseases and opportunistic infections, none had a positive HIV ELISA test, and stool tests were all negative for Strongiloydes. Four presented infective dermatitis, and two showed lesions suggesting scabies. Eight patients presented respiratory symptoms with chest CT scans showing signs of chronic inflammation, bronchiectasis, and subpleural bullae as the major findings. Additional tests were carried out in bronchoalveolar fluid, four had positive galactomannan test,suggesting pulmonary aspergillosis, two exhibited positive gene PCR testing for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Regarding inflammatory diseases, one patient presented with symptoms of Inflammatory Bowl Disease, with biopsy confirming Crohn’s disease. Another patient presente abrupt vision loss, diagnosed with Vogt Koyanagi Hadara Syndrome after ophthalmological evaluation. Summary features HTLV-1 patients Ground-glass opacity diffusely distributed in both lungs with multiple bronchiectasis involving predominantly lung bases. Cystic images diffusely distributed in both lungs, some subpleural and other centrilobular. Conclusion It is important to consider alternative manifestations of HTLV-1 infection in the pediatric population, including pulmonary disease, opportunistic co-infections, and inflammatory disorders. It is crucial to diagnose this disease in childhood to reach a better control of this neglected infection that affects predominantly vulnerable population in low-income countries. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


2003 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 901-914 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Ishak ◽  
Antonio Carlos Rosário Vallinoto ◽  
Vânia Nakauth Azevedo ◽  
Marluísa de Oliveira Guimarães Ishak

HTLV was initially described in association with a form of leukemia in Japan and a neurological disease in the Caribbean. It was soon shown that HTLV-II was endemic among Amerindians and particularly among Brazilian Indians. The Amazon Region of Brazil is presently the largest endemic area for this virus and has allowed several studies concerning virus biology, the search for overt disease, epidemiological data including detailed demographic data on infected individuals, clear-cut geographic distribution, definition of modes of transmission and maintenance within small, epidemiologically-closed groups, and advances in laboratory diagnosis of the infection. A new molecular subtype named HTLV-IIc was further described on the basis of genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. This subtype is present in other areas of Brazil, indicating that the virus is additionally both a valuable marker for tracing past human migration routes in the Americas and a probable marker for social habits of the present human population. HIV, the other human retrovirus, is still not prevalent among indigenous communities in the Brazilian Amazon, but these groups are also easy targets for the virus.


Author(s):  
N. Saravanan ◽  
Murugan Swamiappan ◽  
Rajkumar Kannan ◽  
G. Arul Raja

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are the most well established risk factors for the spread of HIV infection. STIs act as cofactors and facilitators for HIV transmission. The effects of HIV infection on immunity can increase susceptibility to other STIs. The aims and objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of co-infection of sexually transmitted infections among people living with HIV and AIDS.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A retrospective chart review of the data collected from the clinical records of all HIV patients who had attended the STI clinic of Chengalpattu Medical College, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu during the five years period, from January 2013 to December 2017, was carried out. Demographic data, clinical manifestations, co-infection of STIs among HIV patients, laboratory investigations and treatment were collected. The data collected were computed and analyzed statistically.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> During the study period of 5 years from 2013 to 2017 the total number of patients attended the STI clinic were 10825, among that males were 4534 (41.88%) and females were 6291 (58.12%). STIs/RTIs were seen in 2560 (23.65%) cases among the total number of patients attended. HIV was found to be positive in 294 cases, in that 168 (57.15%) were males and 126 (42.85%) were females. In male HIV patients, 51 (30.36%) had co-infection with other STIs/RTIs. In female HIV patients, 57 (45.24) % had co-infection with other STIs/RTIs. Viral STIs was the common co-infection seen in males and vaginal cervical discharge was common in females.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> STI/RTI co-infection, both symptomatic and asymptomatic are common among PLHIV. Hence they should be regularly counselled regarding the significance of periodic screening for STI/RTIs avoidance of high risk sexual behaviour.</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. e0009202
Author(s):  
Younjung Kim ◽  
Raphaëlle Métras ◽  
Laure Dommergues ◽  
Chouanibou Youssouffi ◽  
Soihibou Combo ◽  
...  

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a vector-borne viral disease of major animal and public health importance. In 2018–19, it caused an epidemic in both livestock and human populations of the island of Mayotte. Using Bayesian modelling approaches, we assessed the spatio-temporal pattern of RVF virus (RVFV) infection in livestock and human populations across the island, and factors shaping it. First, we assessed if (i) livestock movements, (ii) spatial proximity from communes with infected animals, and (iii) livestock density were associated with the temporal sequence of RVFV introduction into Mayotte communes’ livestock populations. Second, we assessed whether the rate of human infection was associated with (a) spatial proximity from and (b) livestock density of communes with infected animals. Our analyses showed that the temporal sequence of RVFV introduction into communes’ livestock populations was associated with livestock movements and spatial proximity from communes with infected animals, with livestock movements being associated with the best model fit. Moreover, the pattern of human cases was associated with their spatial proximity from communes with infected animals, with the risk of human infection sharply increasing if livestock in the same or close communes were infected. This study highlights the importance of understanding livestock movement networks in informing the design of risk-based RVF surveillance programs.


Author(s):  
Cameron Jones

While it is certainly true that more academic studies have focused on the North American missions, in terms of their historical impact South American missions were just as important to the frontiers of Spain and Portugal’s American empires. The massive size alone of the frontier region, stretching from the upper reaches of the Amazon basin to the headwaters of the Paraná as well as stretching across the lower Southern Cone, meant numerous missionary enterprises emerged in an attempt to evangelize the peoples who inhabited these regions. While small handfuls of Dominicans, Mercedarians, and Augustinians would engage in such efforts, most missions were established by the Jesuits or Franciscans. Certainly, for the Jesuits, or the Society of Jesus as they are properly known, American missions represented an extension of the Counter-Reformation for which they were created. Starting in the mid-16th century, this relatively new organization, founded in 1534, began in earnest to “reduce” the Indigenous peoples into their missions. These activities, however, abruptly ended when the Jesuits were expelled from both the Portuguese and Spanish empires in 1759 and 1767 respectfully. The much older Franciscan order had extensive experience in popular missions in Europe and was one of the first orders of regular clergy in the Americas. Franciscans, like the Jesuits, engaged in evangelizing activities throughout both North and South America from the colonial period to the present. The expulsion of the Jesuits, however, pushed them further to the forefront of missionizing efforts in the late colonial period. This acceleration of Franciscan missionary activity was aided by the establishment of the Apostolic Institute in 1682. The Institute created a pipeline of missionaries from Spain to come directly to frontier areas with funding from the crown. While this aided missionary efforts throughout South America, particularly in areas abandoned by the Jesuits, it embroiled the missionaries in the politics of the Bourbon reforms and their obsession with limited clerical power. Ultimately, while missionizing efforts continued into the Republican period, their association with the Spanish and Portuguese crowns led to widespread suppression and secularization following independence. The historiographical divide in the field tends to lie between usually older, Eurocentric histories by scholar-clerics which focus on the missionaries themselves, and newer studies carried out by more secular professional historians that examine how Indigenous populations were affected by the inherent imperialism of the missions, though exceptions abound.


Author(s):  
Valai Bussaratid ◽  
Pravan Suntharasamai

Gnathostomiasis is an extraintestinal infection with larval or immature nematodes of the genus Gnathostoma (order Spirurida), the most common mode of human infection being consumption of undercooked freshwater fish. Clinical manifestations include recurrent cutaneous migratory swellings (common), creeping eruption (rare), and neurological deficits (occasional). Definitive diagnosis is by identification of the worm in surgical specimens; serological testing for antibody against gnathostoma antigen can confirm a presumptive diagnosis. Treatment of choice is albendazole or if possible, surgical removal of the worm in accessible areas and when the parasite can be located. Prevention is by avoiding all dishes that contain raw or poorly cooked flesh of animals or fish in or imported from endemic areas....


Author(s):  
E.E. Ooi ◽  
L.R. Petersen ◽  
D.J. Gubler

There are 29 registered alphaviruses belonging to the family Togaviridae, 16 of which are known to cause human infection. They are RNA viruses with global geographical distribution and complex transmission cycles between wild or domestic animals or birds and one or more mosquito species; humans are infected by mosquito bites. They cause a spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from nonspecific febrile illness to acute encephalitis and death. Diagnosis of infection is made serologically by detection of IgM and IgG antibodies, virus isolation, and polymerase chain reaction, or by immunohistochemistry on tissue samples....


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