We field-assessed the accuracy, acceptability, and feasibility of the SD BIOLINE HIV/Syphilis Duo rapid diagnostic test in three groups: pregnant women, female sex workers (FSW), and men who have sex with men (MSM). Venous blood samples collected in the field were compared with the respective gold standard methods: SD BIOLINE HIV/Syphilis Duo Treponemal Test versus FTA-abs (Wama brand) treponemal laboratory test for syphilis, and SD BIOLINE HIV/Syphilis Duo Test versus the fourth generation Genscreen Ultra HIV Ag-Ag (Bio-Rad brand) laboratory test for HIV. From a total of 529 participants, 397 (75.1%) were pregnant women, 76 (14.3%) FSW and 56 (10.6%) MSM. Sensitivity and specificity parameters of HIV were 100.0% (95% CI: 82.35–100.0%) and 100.0% (95% CI: 99.28–100.0%), respectively. Sensitivity and specificity parameters found for TP antibody detection were 95.00% (95% CI: 87.69–98.62%) and 100.0% (95% CI: 98.18–100.0%), respectively. The SD BIOLINE HIV/Syphilis Duo Test showed high acceptability among participants (85.87%) and health professionals (85.51%), as well as easy usability by professionals (91.06%). The usability of the SD BIOLINE HIV/Syphilis Duo Test kit would not be a barrier to accessing rapid testing, if the product were incorporated into the list of health service supplies.

Viral coinfection among HIV-positive patients, coupled with the development of AIDS, remains a major public health problem. The synergism between the presence of HIV and other viruses has consequences in relation to changes in the severity of the infection, as well as changes in the natural course of both infections. Several polymorphisms present in genes that encode cytokines have a relevant influence on their transcription and consequently on the production of such immunological molecules. The present study evaluated the influence of SNPs located in the promoter regions of genes encoding the cytokines INF-ɣ, TNF, IL-6, IL-4, and IL-2, as well as their respective plasma concentrations, in patients infected with HIV and/or EBV in the state of Pará. Additionally, this study described the epidemiological profile and compared CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte counts among the groups studied. The associative analysis between the SNPs and plasma cytokine concentrations in different groups showed statistical relevance for three polymorphisms: rs2069762 (IL2), where the GG genotype demonstrated higher IL-2 levels in HIV mono-infected individuals; rs2243250 (IL4), where the CT genotype showed higher IL-4 levels in the control group; and rs2069705 (IFNG), where the TT genotype showed higher IFN-γ levels in the coinfected group. Regarding SNP associations with CD4+/CD8+ counts, significant findings were observed in HIV mono-infected individuals: the rs2069705 (IFNG) polymorphism was linked to higher CD4+ counts with the CT genotype, and rs1799964 (TNF) was associated with higher CD8+ counts with the CC genotype. Therefore, this study provides evidence that the rs2069705 (IFNG) SNP is associated with elevated IFN-γ levels, which may have pathogenic consequences, as depletion of this cytokine is concerning for people living with HIV due to its antiviral properties.

Human T-limphotropic virus 1 infection has a global distribution, with a high prevalence in some regions of Brazil and the world, while HTLV-2 infection is endemic mainly among indigenous people and drug users. To analyze intrafamilial transmission of HTLV-1/2 in five Kayapó indigenous peoples (Gorotire, Kararaô, Kokraimoro, Kubenkokre, and Xikrin do Bacajá), we investigated 1452 individuals who underwent serological and molecular tests. Among the 276 indigenous people with positive results, we identified intrafamily transmission in 42.7% of cases, representing 38 families. It was possible to suggest horizontal and vertical transmissions in 15.8% (6/38) and 47.4% (18/38) of the family groups, respectively. In 15.8%, it was not possible to suggest the route, which indicated that the transmission may have occurred through both vertical and horizontal routes. Through phylogenetic analyses, 35 samples positive for HTLV-2 were sequenced and classified as subtype 2c, and the two samples that tested positive for HTLV-1 were shown to belong to the cosmopolitan subtype, transcontinental subgroup (HTLV-1aA). This study confirms the intrafamilial transmission of HTLV-1/2 infection in indigenous people of the Brazilian Amazon, highlighting the importance of the sexual and mother-to-child transmission routes in maintaining the virus in these people.

Background/Objectives: The evaluation of the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination in immunocompromised individuals, such as people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH), still is of great global importance. The present study aimed to describe the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in PLWH vaccinated and unvaccinated against COVID-19 in the city of Belém, northern Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 510 PLWH was conducted from December 2021 to May 2022. Participants answered a sociodemographic questionnaire and subsequently underwent an anti-SARS-CoV-2 enzyme immunoassay for the detection of IgG antibodies, as well as quantification of CD4+ T lymphocytes and HIV-1 plasma viral load. Results: Most participants were male (70%), aged 25–50 years (72%), single (71.4%), and low-income (50.4%). The prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies was 94.3% (481/510), with most vaccinated individuals having received at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. An association was observed between antibody levels and the number of vaccine doses, CD4+ T lymphocyte count, CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocyte ratio, and HIV-1 viral load. Conclusions: PLWH developed high levels of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 after receiving the vaccine, demonstrating that COVID-19 vaccination is of fundamental importance for the protection against severe COVID-19 in this specific group of immunocompromised individuals.

This study aimed to describe the prevalence of HTLV-1/2 in quilombola communities in the state of Pará and investigate the possible sociodemographic risk factors associated with the infection, as well as to trace the occurrence of the familial transmission of the virus. A total of 310 individuals living in eight quilombos located in the state of Pará (northern Brazil) were investigated for the presence of anti-HTLV-1/2 antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and positive samples were confirmed using Western blot and/or real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Participants answered a questionnaire about sociodemographic aspects and risk factors for infection. Anti-HTLV-1/2 antibodies were detected in two individuals (one man and one woman), for an overall seroprevalence of 0.65%. Both individuals belonged to the community of São José de Icatú. The search for intrafamilial infection identified two other infected women, which increased the general prevalence of HTLV-1 among the Icatú to 6.25% (4/64). Western blot and qPCR confirmed their HTLV-1 infection, and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the isolates were of the cosmopolitan subtype and transcontinental subgroup. Epidemiological investigation of the cases revealed that the three women, at some point in their lives, had a relationship with the infected male individual. HTLV-1 is transmitted silently between individuals in the community of São José de Icatú with a present or past family relationship, stressing the need for screening and laboratory diagnosis to prevent further dissemination of the virus and surveillance of disease emergence.

This descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study evaluated HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 infections in Ananindeua, northern Brazil. Individuals were screened for anti-HTLV-1/2 using ELISA (Murex HTLV-I + II, DiaSorin). Reactive or indeterminate samples underwent confirmation via Western blot (HTLV Blot 2.4 kit, MP Diagnostics) and/or RT-qPCR. A questionnaire examined behavioral and risk factors for HTLV-1/2 infection. HTLV-positive individuals received counseling, nurse follow-up, and specialized medical care. Among the 228 individuals investigated, 6 (2.7%) were infected with HTLV-1: 4 men (66.67%) and 2 women (33.33%), aged 51–73 years. The only significant risk factor observed was blood transfusion. Additionally, 80 other individuals residing in the municipality of Ananindeua independently visited the laboratory for an HTLV-1/2 diagnosis. Among them, 23 were diagnosed with HTLV-1 infection, and 1 with HTLV-2. Among the 30 positive individuals, 80% were asymptomatic, while 20% exhibited clinical manifestations associated with HTLV infection, including HAM and Sézary syndrome. These results indicate a notable prevalence of HTLV-1 infection in the municipality of Ananindeua emphasizing the significance of diagnosing the infection to assess its prevalence across the country accurately.