Background: visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a critical public health problem in over ninety countries. The control measures adopted in Brazil have been insufficient when it comes to preventing the spread of this overlooked disease. In this context, a precise diagnosis of VL in dogs and humans could help to reduce the number of cases of this disease. Distinct studies for the diagnosis of VL have used single recombinant proteins in serological assays; however, the results have been variable, mainly in relation to the sensitivity of the antigens. In this context, the development of multiepitope-based proteins could be relevant to solving such problem. Methods: a chimeric protein (rMELEISH) was constructed based on amino acid sequences from kinesin 39 (k39), alpha-tubulin, and heat-shock proteins HSP70 and HSP 83.1, and tested in enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) for the detection of L. infantum infection using canine (n = 140) and human (n = 145) sera samples. Results: in the trials, rMELEISH was able to discriminate between VL cases and cross-reactive diseases and healthy samples, with sensitivity and specificity values of 100%, as compared to the use of a soluble Leishmania antigenic extract (SLA). Conclusions: the preliminary data suggest that rMELEISH has the potential to be tested in future studies against a larger serological panel and in field conditions for the diagnosis of canine and human VL.

Chagas disease remains a neglected disease that is considered to be a public health problem. The early diagnosis of cases is important to improve the prognosis of infected patients and prevent transmission. Serological tests are the method of choice for diagnosis. However, two serological tests are currently recommended to confirm positive cases. In this sense, more sensitive and specific serological tests need to be developed to overcome these current diagnosis problems. This study aimed to develop a new recombinant multiepitope protein for the diagnosis of Chagas disease, hereafter named rTC. The rTC was constructed based on amino acid sequences from different combinations of Trypanosoma cruzi antigens in the same polypeptide and tested using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect different types of Chagas disease. rTC was able to discriminate between indeterminate (IND) and cardiac (CARD) cases and cross-reactive diseases, as well as healthy samples, with 98.28% sensitivity and 96.67% specificity, respectively. These data suggest that rTC has the potential to be tested in future studies against a larger serological panel for the diagnosis of Chagas disease.

Rocky Mountain or Brazilian spotted fever, caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, is a fulminant, seasonal, and neglected disease that occurs in focal points of North America and South America. Its rapid detection is essential for the better prognosis and survival rate of infected individuals. However, disease diagnosis still faces challenges as the accuracy of many of the available laboratory tests fluctuates. This review aimed to analyze methods for antibody or antigen detection, their gaps, and their evolution over time. A search was conducted to find all studies in the Pubmed database that described the antibody or antigen detection of R. rickettsii infections. Initially, a total of 403 articles were screened. Of these articles, only 17 fulfilled the pre-established inclusion criteria and were selected. Among the different methods applied, the IFA technique was the one most frequently found in the studies. However, it presented varied results such as a low specificity when using the indirect method. Other techniques, such as ELISA and immunohistochemistry, were also found, although in smaller numbers and with their own limitations. Although some studies showed promising results, there is a pressing need to find new techniques to develop a rapid and effective diagnosis of R. rickettssi infection.

Stress significantly contributes immunosuppression, increasing infectious diseases, autoimmune manifestations and progression of neoplasms. The main cause is the increased secretion of noradrenaline and glucocorticoids in the bloodstream. With constant stress, the body begins to produce these hormones on a large scale, causing the body's own defenses to relax, which are the culprits behind the alterations in the immune system and in the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and metabolic systems. Stress can take different forms and contribute to symptoms of diseases, with the most common ones including headaches, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, explosive temper, upset stomach, job dissatisfaction, depression, and anxiety. This article aims to demonstrate how stress is a significant issue related to the immune system and how it directly interferes with health, leading to the onset of new pathologies or the exacerbation of existing ones. The data were obtained through a narrative literature review of articles related to the topic using the Google Scholar search engine. During the search, 58 articles were found for analysis, of which 22 were selected for the construction of the work as they met the inclusion criteria. The review showed that stress has a negative impact on the immune system, which can lead to the onset of diseases. In the face of stressful situations, the body undergoes various changes, and it is essential to understand the role of stress in the body and the concept of leading a calmer life with activities that aid in its control, reducing the risk factor.

A busca incessante pela beleza estética tem se tornado uma parte significativa da vida contemporânea, influenciando tanto homens quanto mulheres. No entanto, é fundamental enfatizar a importância da avaliação prévia e da confiança no profissional antes de qualquer procedimento estético, seja facial ou corporal. O objetivo principal deste estudo é ressaltar a importância da anamnese e da competência exigida dos profissionais da área na execução do seu trabalho. Este é um estudo de revisão narrativa que explora o impacto dos profissionais estetas na saúde física e mental dos clientes, enfatizando a importância da formação contínua. Foram selecionados artigos publicados entre 2019 e 2023 em português em bases como Google Acadêmico e Scielo. A pesquisa revelou que a busca pela estética tem sido influenciada pela mídia, a importância dos exames laboratoriais antes de procedimentos para avaliação do estado de saúde do paciente. Além disso, verifica-se a necessidade de profissionais qualificados, com ética e boa comunicação para garantir a segurança dos pacientes. Tratamentos estéticos melhoram a qualidade de vida, exigindo anamnese detalhada e cuidado com o paciente. Profissionais qualificados, em especial biomédicos, desempenham papel vital na influência positiva da imagem do paciente. A estética deve abranger o bem-estar físico e emocional, não apenas na aparência.

Background Monkeypox is a global public health issue caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), a virus belonging to the Orthopoxvirus genus. As of October 28 2022, a total of 77,115 laboratory-confirmed cases and 3,610 probable cases, including 36 deaths, were reported, with 9,070 cases reported in Brazil, the second most affected country. The need to develop national technologies for the rapid diagnosis of emerging diseases for mass testing of the population is evident, as observed in the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. With that in mind, this article provides an overview of current methods, techniques, and their applications in the molecular detection of monkeypox. Methods The relevant documents or papers covered in this study were selected by a search in international bibliographic databases. The search terms used in the databases were aimed at summarizing existing knowledge on molecular diagnostic methods, such as: monkeypox; MPX, MPXV, qPCR, PCR, PCR-ELISA, and Diagnosis and Detection searched separately or together using the Boolean operator “AND” either in the title or The searches took place in September 2022, and the corresponding articles were selected between 2012 and 2022. Results We found 256 documents in total and twelve studies addressing the molecular diagnosis of monkeypox were classified as possible sources for this review. Conclusion This paper presents new perspectives and an overview of current methods, technologies, and applications in the molecular diagnosis of monkeypox. It is evident there is a pressing need to develop national technologies for the rapid diagnosis of emerging diseases for mass testing of the population. It is extremely important to have national detection kits with greater diagnostic capacity to assist in developing effective public policies in countries affected by this disease.