Either bites or stings of venomous animals comprise relevant public health problems in tropical countries. Acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by animal toxins is related to worse prognostic and outcomes. Being one the most important pathways to induce AKI following envenoming due to animal toxins, inflammation is an essential biological response that eliminates pathogenic bacteria and repairs tissue after injury. However, direct nephrotoxicity (i.e. apoptotic and necrotic mechanisms of toxins), pigmenturia (i.e. rhabdomyolysis and hemolysis), anaphylactic reactions, and coagulopathies could contribute to the renal injury. All these mechanisms are closely integrated, but inflammation is a distinct process. Hence, it is important to improve our understanding on inflammation mechanisms of these syndromes to provide a promising outlook to reduce morbidity and mortality. This literature review highlights the main scientific evidence of acute kidney injury induced by bites or stings from venomous animals and their inflammatory mechanisms. It included observational, cross-sectional, case-control and cohort human studies available up to December 2019. Descriptors were used according to Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), namely: “Acute kidney injury” or “Venom” and “Inflammation” on Medline/Pubmed and Google Scholar; “Kidney disease” or “Acute kidney injury” on Lilacs and SciELO. The present review evidenced that, among the described forms of renal inflammation, it can occur either directly or indirectly on renal cells by means of intravascular, systemic and endothelial hemolysis, activation of inflammatory pathway, as well as direct action of venom cytotoxic components on kidney structures.

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen which occurs mainly in ready-to-eat food products, especially in artisanal products manufactured from raw milk such as some types of cheese, meat products and leafy vegetables. L. monocytogenes requires special attention in the food industry because of its ability to survive under adverse conditions and form biofilms on different surfaces in food processing environments. The potential for product contamination by L. monocytogenes strains in the industrial environment emphasizes the importance of preventive measures in the food industry. This review presents an overview on the main characteristics, pathogenicity and occurrence data of L. monocytogenes in Brazilian foods. The main prevention measures to avoid contamination by L. monocytogenes in foods are also highlighted, especially the adoption of quality assurance programs by the food industry.