IHMT

Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical

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2014

CD80+ and CD86+ B cells as biomarkers and possible therapeutic targets in HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis and multiple sclerosis

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV-1) is the causative agent of the incapacitating, neuroinflammatory disease HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Currently, there are no disease-modifying therapies with long-term clinical benefits or validated biomarkers for clinical follow-up in HAM/TSP.
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Horizontal gene transfer from human host to HIV-1 reverse transcriptase confers drug resistance and partly compensates for replication deficits

We investigated the origin and the effect of insertion D67D-THGERDLGPA within HIV-1 RT from a patient failing antiviral therapy. The insertion developed within the context of pre-existing NRTI and NNRTI mutations (M41L, L210W, T215Y and N348I).
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Characterization of amino acids Arg, Ser and Thr at position 70 within HIV-1 reverse transcriptase

The amino acid position 70 in HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) plays an important role in nucleoside RT inhibitor (NRTI) resistance. K70R is part of the thymidine analog mutations, but also other amino acid changes have been associated with NRTI resistance, such as K70E and K70G. In this study, we investigated the in vivo selection of the HIV-1 RT mutations K70S and K70T and their in vitro effect on drug resistance and replication capacity.
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Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel isoniazid derivatives with potent antitubercular activity

The disturbing emergence of multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb) has been driving the scientific community to urgently search for new and efficient antitubercular drugs. Despite the various drugs currently under evaluation, isoniazid is still the key and most effective component in all multi-therapeutic regimens recommended by the WHO. This paper describes the QSAR-oriented design, synthesis and in vitro antitubercular activity of several potent isoniazid derivatives (isonicotinoyl hydrazones and isonicotinoyl hydrazides) against H37Rv and two resistant Mtb strains.
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Plasmodium vivax Chloroquine Resistance and Anemia in the Western Brazilian Amazon

In Latin America, data on chloroquine (CQ)-resistant Plasmodium vivax is limited, even with the current research efforts to sustain an efficient malaria control program in all these endemic countries, where malaria still is a major public health issue. This study estimated in vivo CQ-resistance in uncomplicated patients with P. vivax in use of CQ and primaquine simultaneously, in the Brazilian Amazon. From a total of 135 enrolled subjects, who accomplished the 28-day follow-up, parasitological failure was observed in 7 (5.2%) patients, in which plasmatic CQ and desethylchloroquine (DCQ) concentrations were above 100ng/dL.
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Prevalence and correlates of antibodies to Neospora caninum in dogs in Portugal

Neosporosis, caused by Neospora caninum, is an important cause of abortion in cattle and of neurological disease in dogs. This study investigated the prevalence and correlates of antibodies to N. caninum in 441 dogs from the five regions of mainland Portugal. A commercial competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) was used and specific antibodies were detected in 35 (7.9%) dogs.
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Bacterial and protozoal agents of feline vector-borne diseases in domestic and stray cats from southern Portugal

Feline vector-borne diseases (FVBD) have emerged in recent years, showing a wider geographic distribution and increased global prevalence. In addition to their veterinary importance, domestic cats play a central role in the transmission cycles of some FVBD agents by acting as reservoirs and sentinels, a circumstance that requires a One Health approach. The aim of the present work was to molecularly detect feline vector-borne bacteria and protozoa with veterinary and zoonotic importance, and to assess associated risk factors in cats from southern Portugal.
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Molecular detection of bacterial and parasitic pathogens in hard ticks from Portugal

Ticks are important vector arthropods of human and animal pathogens. As information about agents of disease circulating in vectors in Portugal is limited, the aim of the present study was to detect bacteria and parasites with veterinary and zoonotic importance in ticks collected from dogs, cats, and field vegetation. A total of 925 ticks, comprising 888 (96.0%) adults, 8 (0.9%) nymphs, and 29 (3.1%) larvae, were collected in 4 geographic areas (districts) of Portugal.
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