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Background Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) transmitted from person to person mainly by sexual intercourse or through vertical transmission during pregnancy. Female sex workers (FSWs) are exposed especially to syphilis infection, and besides all the efforts to control the spread of STIs, syphilis prevalence is still rising, mainly occurring in low-income countries. This study aimed to investigate the syphilis prevalence, demographic characteristics and sexual habits among FSWs in the Amazon region of Brazil. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out including 184 FSWs from 3 countryside cities of the state of Pará, Amazon region of Brazil. A venereal disease research laboratory test and an indirect immunoenzyme assay to test antibodies against Treponema pallidum were used for screening syphilis infection, while sexual habits and demographic data information were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed comparing groups with/without syphilis. Poisson regression models were used to estimate the reasons of prevalence (RP). Results The overall prevalence of syphilis was 14.1% (95% CI = 9.8–17.8). FSWs had between 15 and 56 years of age, most were unmarried (65.7%), had attended less than 8 years of formal education (64.1%), had between 10 and 20 partners per week (64.1%), and reported no previous history of STIs (76.1%) and regular use of condom (52.7%). Low level of education attending up to the primary school (RP adjusted = 3.8; 95% CI = 1.4–9.2) and high frequency of anal sex during the past year (RP adjusted = 9.3; 95% CI = 3.5–28.7) were associated with a higher prevalence of syphilis. Conclusions A high prevalence of syphilis among FSWs in the Brazilian Amazon region was identified, showing that syphilis is more likely to be transmitted in FSW working in low-income areas, which is attributed to the low level of education. Anal intercourse was found as a risk factor associated with syphilis. Health programs focused on risk populations appear as a rational way to control syphilis spread, which is a rising problem in Brazil and in other several countries.

Stingrays skin secretions are largely studied due to the human envenoming medical relevance of the sting puncture that evolves to inflammatory events, including necrosis. Such toxic effects can be correlated to the biochemical composition of the sting mucus, according to the literature. Fish skin plays important biological roles, such as the control of the osmotic pressure gradient, protection against mechanical forces and microorganism infections. The mucus, on the other hand, is a rich and complex fluid, acting on swimming, nutrition and the innate immune system. The elasmobranch's epidermis is a tissue composed mainly by mucus secretory cells, and marine stingrays have already been described to present secretory glands spread throughout the body. Little is known about the biochemical composition of the stingray mucus, but recent studies have corroborated the importance of mucus in the envenomation process. Aiming to assess the mucus composition, a new non-invasive mucus collection method was developed that focused on peptides and proteins, and biological assays were performed to analyze the toxic and immune activities of the Hypanus americanus mucus. Pathophysiological characterization showed the presence of peptidases on the mucus, as well as the induction of edema and leukocyte recruitment in mice. The fractionated mucus improved phagocytosis on macrophages and showed antimicrobial activity against T. rubrumç. neoformans and C. albicans in vitro. The proteomic analyses showed the presence of immune-related proteins like actin, histones, hemoglobin, and ribosomal proteins. This protein pattern is similar to those reported for other fish mucus and stingray venoms. This is the first report depicting the Hypanus stingray mucus composition, highlighting its biochemical composition and importance for the stingray immune system and the possible role on the envenomation process.

Female sex workers (FSWs) are an important group of people vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections. Northern Brazil is a rural and socioeconomically underdeveloped region, with lack of epidemiological information on syphilis in key populations. This study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with exposure to Treponema pallidum among FSWs in three major cities in northern Brazil. This cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample of 415 FSWs from the cities of Belém, Macapá, and Rio Branco. Blood samples and personal data were collected from January 2009 to August 2010. Rapid plasma reagin and immunoenzymatic assays were used to detect antibodies against T. pallidum. Logistic regression models were used to determine factors associated with exposure to T. pallidum. In total, 36.1% were exposed to T. pallidum, and 15.7% had active syphilis. Sexual risk behaviors, use of illicit drugs, low education, and reduced monthly income were associated with exposure to T. pallidum. The high rate of exposure to T. pallidum indicates the urgent need for measures to identify, treat, and prevent syphilis and an education program for the valuation, care, and social inclusion of FSWs in northern Brazil.

Federal University of Par?. Biology of Infectious and Parasitic Agents Post-Graduate Program. Bel?m, PA, Brazil / Federal University of Par?. Institute of Biological Sciences. Virology Laboratory. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Federal University of Par?. Biology of Infectious and Parasitic Agents Post-Graduate Program. Bel?m, PA, Brazil / Federal University of Par?. Institute of Biological Sciences. Virology Laboratory. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Federal University of Par?. Biology of Infectious and Parasitic Agents Post-Graduate Program. Bel?m, PA, Brazil / Federal University of Par?. Institute of Biological Sciences. Virology Laboratory. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Federal University of Par?. Biology of Infectious and Parasitic Agents Post-Graduate Program. Bel?m, PA, Brazil / Federal University of Par?. Institute of Biological Sciences. Virology Laboratory. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Federal University of Par?. Biology of Infectious and Parasitic Agents Post-Graduate Program. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Minist?rio da Sa?de. Secretaria de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Laborat?rio de Papilomav?rus. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil. Minist?rio da Sa?de. Secretaria de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Laborat?rio de Papilomav?rus. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil. Federal University of Par?. Institute of Biological Sciences. Virology Laboratory. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Reference Unit Specialized in Infectious and Parasitic Diseases. Bel?m, PA, Brazil Federal University of Par?. Biology of Infectious and Parasitic Agents Post-Graduate Program. Bel?m, PA, Brazil / Federal University of Par?. Institute of Biological Sciences. Virology Laboratory. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Federal University of Par?. Biology of Infectious and Parasitic Agents Post-Graduate Program. Bel?m, PA, Brazil / Federal University of Par?. Institute of Biological Sciences. Virology Laboratory. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Federal University of Par?. Biology of Infectious and Parasitic Agents Post-Graduate Program. Bel?m, PA, Brazil / Federal University of Par?. Institute of Biological Sciences. Virology Laboratory. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. Several studies have shown a higher prevalence of HPV infection in HIV-infected women. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and the genotype diversity of HPV infection in HIV-infected women. From April 2010 to December 2012 cervical specimens were collected from 169 HIV-infected women who screening for cervical cancer at Reference Unit in Bel?m. The detection of HPV infection was performed by nested PCR and HPV type was performed using a commercial system. The prevalence of HPV infection was 63.3%. Of the 47 genotyped samples, 40.4% was found positive for high risk-HPV 16 and 12.8% for high risk-HPV 52. HPV infection was predominant in the group of women with no incidence of cytological abnormalities and more prevalent in women of reproductive age, unmarried, low education level, and who reported use condoms during sexual intercourse. It was observed an association between HPV infection and independent variables, such as condom use, multiple sexual partners, and history of sexually transmitted diseases. High-risk types of HPV infection were prevalent in our study. Infection with multiple high-risk HPV genotypes may potentiate the development of cervical cancer in HIV-infected women.

Female sex workers (FSWs) represent a high vulnerability group for the acquisition of sexual and parenteral infections such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of serological markers and risk factors associated with exposure to HBV and HCV among FSWs in the state of Para, Brazil. A cross-sectional study using principles of the time location sampling (TLS) method was conducted in four cities (Belem, Braganca, Barcarena, and Augusto Correa) of the state of Para, from 2005 to 2006. In total, 365 FSWs were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire. Blood samples were collected and tested for serological markers of exposure to HBV and HCV using an enzyme immunoassay. The overall prevalence of exposure to HBV and HCV was 36.7% and 7.7%, respectively. The prevalence of surface antigen of HBV was 3.0%. The prevalence of anti-HBc and anti-HBc+ anti-HBs antibodies were 6.3% and 27.4%. Very few (4.7%) FSWs had vaccine immunity against HBV (anti-HBs antibodies only). The prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies was 7.7%. Low monthly income, drug usage, and unprotected sex were some of the social characteristics associated with exposure to the viruses using different analysis. The seroprevalence of HBV and HCV infections among FSWs in four cities of the state of Para is high when compared to the general population of Brazil, but similar to those found in FSWs in other nondeveloped countries. The prevalence of HBV was higher in Belem, while the prevalence of HCV was higher in the other three cities, highlighting the importance of establishing control and prevention programs to reduce the risk of acquiring these viruses in Para.

Minist?rio da Sa?de. Secretaria de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Laborat?rio de Refer?ncia Regional em Enteroviroses. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil / Funda??o Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laborat?rio de Enterov?rus. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Funda??o Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laborat?rio de Enterov?rus. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Minist?rio da Sa?de. Secretaria de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Laborat?rio de Refer?ncia Regional em Enteroviroses. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil / Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncia Biol?gicas. Laborat?rio de Virologia. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Minist?rio da Sa?de. Secretaria de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Laborat?rio de Refer?ncia Regional em Enteroviroses. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil. Minist?rio da Sa?de. Secretaria de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Laborat?rio de Refer?ncia Regional em Enteroviroses. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil. Minist?rio da Sa?de. Secretaria de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Laborat?rio de Refer?ncia Regional em Enteroviroses. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil. On the detection and identifcation of enteroviruses circulating in children with acute gastroenteritis in Brazil: reply to Luchs, A. Comments on Detection and identifcation of enteroviruses circulating in children with acute gastroenteritis in Par? State, Northern Brazil (2010?2011).

National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient?fico and Tecnol?gico - CNPQ) and the Institutional Support Program for Qualified Production (Programa de Apoio a Produ??o Qualificada - PAPQ/2019) of the Universidade Federal do Par?. Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas. Laborat?rio de Virologia. Bel?m, PA, Brazil / Minist?rio da Sa?de. Secretaria de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas. Laborat?rio de Virologia. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas. Laborat?rio de Virologia. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas. Laborat?rio de Virologia. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas. Laborat?rio de Virologia. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas. Laborat?rio de Virologia. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas. Laborat?rio de Virologia. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Background: Human polyomavirus 2 (HPyV2 or JCPyV) is persistent in the environment due to its excretion in urine and feces; it is detected in samples of wastewater, surface water and drinking water. A lack of basic sanitation and sewage collection results in the presence of this virus in food, especially in oysters, since they are bioaccumulators and are consumed in their natural form, thus posing a risk to human health. Methods: This study investigated the frequency of HPyV2 in samples of oysters marketed in northeastern Par? State, Brazil, and optimized a real-time PCR (qPCR) protocol for the detection of an endogenous oyster control. A total of 217 oysters in 22 pools from five municipalities in the state of Par? were analyzed. Samples underwent dissection and total maceration of oyster tissue using a viral concentration technique, followed by DNA extraction with phenol-chloroform and amplification of the VP1 region for molecular detection via qPCR. Results: HPyV2 was detected in 18.2% (4/22) of the pooled samples, with frequencies of 25, 20, 20 and 16% in the municipalities of Salin?polis, Augusto Corr?a, S?o Caetano de Odivelas and Curu??, respectively. Notably, the sample pool from the municipality of Bragan?a did not have detectable HPyV2 and this was the only sampled location with a water treatment station. In this study, Crassostrea genus-specific primers (AFL52 ribosomal RNA gene) of oyster were developed for use as an endogenous control in the qPCR analysis, which will be useful for future studies. Conclusions: The detection of HPyV2 in oyster samples commercialized in the state of Par? shows the circulation of this virus in the studied municipalities. Thus, it is necessary to implement measures for improving sewage collection and basic sanitation to avoid contamination of water and food with HPyV2

Mutações no gene GBA têm sido reportadas em pacientes com doença de Parkinson (DP) em diferentes países, incluindo o Brasil. Com o objetivo de confirmar esse padrão em uma amostra de pacientes com DP provenientes do Norte brasileiro, foi conduzindo esse estudo caso-controle investigando a frequência das duas mutações mais comuns do gene GBA (c.1226A>G; p.N370S e c.1448T>C; p.L444P) em um grupo de 81 pacientes com DP e 81 controles, usando PCR-RFLP e confirmado pelo sequenciamento direto de produtos de PCR. No grupo experimental, três pacientes (3,7%) foram heterozigotos para a mutação c.1226A>G; p.N370S e três (3,7%), para a mutação c.1448T>C; p.L444P Nenhuma das duas mutações foi detectada no grupo controle (p =0,0284). Pacientes com a mutação c.1448T>C; p.L444P demonstraram uma tendência a apresentar os sintomas mais precocemente, porém um número amostrai maior é necessário para confirmar essa observação. Nossos resultados sugerem uma associação entre essas duas mutações no gene GBA e o desenvolvimento de DP na população de pacientes do norte Brasileiro. Mutations of the GBA gene have been reported in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) from a number of different countries, including Brazil. In order to confirm this pattern in a sample of PD patients from northern Brazil, we conducted a case-control study of the occurrence of the two most common mutations of the GBA gene (c.1226A>G; p.N370S and c.1448T>C; p.L444P) in a group of 81 PD patients and 81 control individuals, using PCR-RFLP, confirmed by the direct sequencing of the PCR products. In the patient group, three patients (3.7%) were heterozygous for the GBA c.1226A>G; p.N370S mutation, and three (3.7%) for GBA c.1448T>C; p.L444P Neither mutation was detected in the control group (p =0.0284). Patients with the c.1448T>C; p.L444P mutation showed a tendency to have an earlier disease onset, but a larger sample number is required to confirm this observation. Our results suggest an association between the GBA c.1226A>G; p.N370S and c.1448T>C; p.L444P mutations and the development of PD in the population of patients from the Northern Brazil. CAVALCANTE, Fernando Otávio Quaresma. Universidade Federal do Pará, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto (HUJBB)

Ophyra aenescens (black dump fly) originally belonged to the New World, however, now it is spread worldwide. This fly is a mechanical vector of some pathogenic microorganisms and eggs of the human botfly (Dermatobia hominis). The adults are associated with decaying matter and the immature stages colonize animal and human corpses. It is considered an important muscid species for forensic entomology. The aim of this study was to describe the morphology of the eggs, the three larval instars and the puparia of O. aenescens using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The spiracular opening of the first instar has an interruption in the middle of its length. Comparing to the other instar, the ventral tubercles are only developed in the first instar. The anterior spiracles have a variation in the numbers of spiracular ramification. The puparia morphology is similar to the third instar larvae, however the cephalic region is retracted and on the third thoracic segment, a respiratory structure is present. In conclusion, the SEM technique used and the results obtained are helpful to describe and differentiate the immature stages of O. aenescens and consequently support forensic and medical entomology.

This study was financed in part by the Coordenac??o de Aperfeic?oamento de Pessoal de N??vel Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001. Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas. Programa de P?s-gradua??o em Biologia de Agentes Infecciosos e Parasit?rios. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas. Programa de P?s-gradua??o em Biologia de Agentes Infecciosos e Parasit?rios. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas. Programa de P?s-gradua??o em Biologia de Agentes Infecciosos e Parasit?rios. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Minist?rio da Sa?de. Secretaria de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Laborat?rio de Virologia. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil. Minist?rio da Sa?de. Secretaria de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Laborat?rio de Virologia. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas. Laborat?rio de Virologia. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas. Laborat?rio de Virologia. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas. Laborat?rio de Virologia. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas. Laborat?rio de Virologia. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas. Laborat?rio de Virologia. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Estudos Costeiros. Grupo de Estudo e Pesquisa em Popula??es Vulner?veis. Bragan?a, PA, Brazil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas. Laborat?rio de Virologia. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas. Programa de P?s-gradua??o em Biologia de Agentes Infecciosos e Parasit?rios. Bel?m, PA, Brazil / Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas. Laborat?rio de Virologia. Bel?m, PA, Brazi Introduction - Human pegivirus 1 (HPgV-1) is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family with limited cause-effect evidence of the causation of human diseases. However, studies have shown a potential beneficial impact of HPgV-1 coinfection in HIV disease progression. Human T lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1) is a retrovirus known for causing diseases, especially in muscle and white blood cells, in approximately 5% of patients. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the potential effects of an HPgV-1 infection in patients carrying HTLV-1 in the state of Par? in the North Region of Brazil. Methods - A group of HTLV-1 carriers was compared to healthy controls. Blood samples were collected, data from medical regards were collected, and a questionnaire was administered. HPgV-1 and HTLV-1 positivity was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The data were analyzed to correlate the effects of HPgV-1 coinfection in HTLV-1 carriers. Results - A total of 158 samples were included in the study: 74 HTLV-1-positive patients (46,8%) and 84 healthy controls (53,2%). The overall HPgV-1 positivity rate was 7.6% (12/158), resulting in a prevalence of 5.4% (4/74) and 9.5% (8/84) in HTLV-1 carriers and healthy controls, respectively. No significant differences were found when comparing any clinical or demographic data between groups. Conclusion - This study indicated that the prevalence of HPgV-1 infection is low in HTLV-1 carriers in Bel?m, Par?, and probably does not alter the clinical course of HTLV-1 infection, however, further studies are still needed.

This study identified the association of management practices and herd characteristics with milk quality of bulk tanks in southeastern, Brazil. Milk samples were collected weekly during 8 weeks from 63 dairy herds. Bulk tanks were evaluated for total bacteria (TBC), preliminary incubation (PIC), pasteurization (PC), coliform (CC), and somatic cell counts (SCC). Associations found were type of milking system utilized in the farm with TBC, PIC, and SCC; the use of gloves for milking with TBC and PIC; sanitation of milking equipment prior to milking with PC and CC; strip cup testing of cows with PC; teat washing prior to milking with SCC; pre-milking teat disinfection with TBC and CC; post-dipping with TBC and SCC; and the alkaline-acid washing procedure of milking equipment with PIC and PC. The regression analysis explained the variation of bulk tank PC (− 0.47 log cfu/mL) due to the adoption of strip cup test (P = 0.036) and, by 0.366 log cfu/mL due to alkaline and acid washing of milking equipment (P = 0.036). Herringbone milking systems adopted on farms represented a change of − 0.11 log cfu/mL on the log SCC (P = 0.048). Findings may provide a guideline to prioritize efforts aimed at improving milk quality at the farm level in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Patients with oral sensitivity are common in our practice. Allergic contact dermatitis is one of the most frequent etiologies. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate oral contact dermatitis using the Brazilian standard series and complementary dental series in patients using dental prostheses, with or without oral complaints. Determine specific dental Brazilian series. METHODS: Patients using dental prostheses with or without oral complaints realized patch tests. Brazilian standard series and complementary dental series were used according to ICDRG recommendations. The results were analysed according to age, sex, race, atopic conditions and symptoms associated. RESULTS: From 54 patients tested, 34 (63%) were positive at least to one substance. Nineteen had oral complaints, such as burning mouth, itch or oral erythema. There was no association between atopic condition and tests results. Without the oral series, just 23(42,6%) patients had a positive result. Using the Brazilian standard series with the complementary dental series we improved the positivity of the patch test to 47%. CONCLUSION: In patients using prostheses and with oral complaints, patch tests with Brazilian standard series with complementary dental series improve the tests positivity.

Population connectivity in the blue crab Callinectes sapidus was evaluated along 740 km of the Western South Atlantic coast. Blue crabs are the most exploited portunid in Brazil. Despite their economic importance, few studies report their ecology or population structure. Here we sampled four estuarine areas in southern Brazil during winter 2013 and summer 2014 in order to evaluate diversity, gene flow and structure of these populations. Nine microsatellite markers were evaluated for 213 adult crabs, with identification of seven polymorphic loci and 183 alleles. Pairwise FST values indicated low population structure ranging from -0.00023 to 0.01755. A Mantel test revealed that the geographic distance does not influence genetic (r = -0.48), and structure/migration rates confirmed this, showing that even the populations located at the opposite extremities of our covered region presented low FST and exchanged migrants. These findings show that there is a significant amount of gene flow between blue crab populations in South Brazil, likely influenced by local current dynamics that allow the transport of a high number of larvae between estuaries. Considering the elevated gene flow, the populations can be considered a single genetic stock. However, further information on population size and dynamics, as well as fishery demands and impacts at different regions, are necessary for harvest management purposes.

Steindachneridion melanodermatum is a large Brazilian catfish, highly prized for sport fishing and for its meat. Specimens of this species, both caught in nature from Iguacu River and F(1) fish born in captivity, were analyzed with regard to patterns of RAPD molecular markers. Genetic similarity ranged from 0.57 to 0.95; two groups were determined for the wild specimens. The results suggest different genetic lineages in sympatry in nature. Heterozygosity and percentage of polymorphic loci were 0.31 and 79% and 0.23 and 62%, respectively, for the two populations of wild specimens and 0.26 and 66%, respectively, for those born in captivity.

Congenital Hypothyroidism affects between 1:3000 and 1:4000 newborn infants in iodine-sufficient regions. Some studies have shown that mutations and polymorphisms in the TSH receptor gene are responsible for this disease. In the present study, mutations of exon 10 of the TSH receptor gene were investigated in Congenital Hypothyroidism patients. In the present study a sample of 90 Brazilian patients with primary congenital hypothyroidism was analyzed. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheric blood samples. Exon 10 of the TSH receptor gene was amplified by PCR, and amplicons were automatically sequenced. Three nucleotide alterations were identified: c.1377G>A (A459A), c.1935G>A (L645L), and c.2181C>G (D727E). A459A polymorphism was also described previously in patients with thyroid cancer. The nucleotide alteration L645L was found in a single patient. This is the first time the L645L mutation has been described. D727E polymorphism showed high frequency (allele frequency 10%) in present study when compared to others reports.