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The current pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) raised several concerns about using conventional textiles for manufacturing personal protective equipment without self-disinfecting properties since the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is transmitted mainly by aerosols that can transpose cotton masks. Therefore, developing new cotton fibers with high self-disinfecting ability is essential to avoid a new pandemic due to new SARS-CoV-2 variants. Herein, we developed cotton wipes (CFs) with fibers coated by Ag, TiO

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) occasioned global economic and health systems collapse. Also, it raised several concerns about using conventional cotton fabrics for manufacturing personal protective equipment without the antimicrobial capacity to inactivate viruses, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants. Therefore, developing antimicrobial cotton fibers is crucial to avoid new global pandemics or the transmission of dangerous pathogens that remain on surfaces for long periods, especially in hospitals and medical clinics. Herein, we developed antimicrobial cotton fabrics with Ag, ZnO, and Ag/ZnO nanoparticles and evaluated their bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), photocatalytic activity, and antiviral activity against Delta SARS-CoV-2. Although the antimicrobial fabrics are effective against these bacteria, they only reduce part of the SARS-CoV-2 virions during the first 15 min of direct contact via damage only to biological structures on the viral surface particle while the viral RNA remains intact.

SARS-COV-2 VIRAL LOAD IN GOIÂNIA WASTEWATER: WASTEWATER-BASED EPIDEMIOLOGY FOR A COVID-19 EARLY WARNING SYSTEM. COVID-19 is currently the most critical disease in the world. Thus, several tools have been used in the last two years to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2. In this perspective, Wastewater-Based Epidemiology (WBE) provides valuable data by including symptomatic, pre-symptomatic, and asymptomatic individuals and anticipating clinical cases. For 37 weeks, the SARS-CoV-2 viral load was monitored in sanitary sewage samples from Goiânia-Brazil. Through pre-concentration, extraction, and purification of viral RNA, followed by RT-qPCR, it was detected in 83.78% (31/37) of the weeks the presence of fragments of the genetic material SARS-CoV-2 with viral loads ranging from 105 to 108 genome copies L-1. The viral load in the wastewater samples was related to the clinical data of the municipality, demonstrating its ability to promote an Early Warning System (EWS). In early 2022, it was possible to predict the increase in clinical cases 3 weeks in advance and issue an alert note to the health authorities. Prevalence estimates ranged from 0.003 to 0.5% and showed good agreement with observed values. Thus, monitoring effluents become another essential tool that can help combat the pandemic’s advance, especially in countries with scarce resources.

The successful development of multifunctional cotton fabrics with antimicrobial and antiviral activities is essential to prevent the proliferation of microorganisms and transmission of coronavirus virions today, especially with the emergence of new variants of SARS-CoV-2. In this work, we developed antimicrobial cotton fabrics with Ag/TiO2 nanoparticles synthesized via sonochemistry. Here, we show that more than 50% of infectious SARS-CoV-2 remain active after prolonged direct contact self-disinfecting materials capable of inhibiting the proliferation of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The findings bring several epidemiologic worries about using silver and TiO2 as self-disinfecting nanostructured agents to prevent coronavirus transmission.

Objetivos: Evaluar la influencia de la cuarentena por COVID-19 en variables epidemiológicas clave con respecto a la prevención de la transmisión materno infantil (TMI) del VIH en Ciudad de Buenos Aires (CABA). Métodos: Análisis retrospectivo de los datos agregados de TMI de las principales maternidades de CABA. El año pandémico (2020) se comparó con los años no pandémicos 2018-2019. Resultados: Se observó una reducción del total de nacimientos en 2020 en comparación con 2019 y 2018 (11640 vs. 14031 y 15978, respectivamente). La proporción de nacidos vivos en madres VIH+ (MEV) fue 0,88% en 2020 sin diferencia con 2019 y 2018 (0,94% y 0,93%), p> 0,05 para todas las comparaciones. Entre las MEV, el diagnóstico intraparto fue del 2,9% para 2020, sin diferencias con 2019 (2,25%) y 2018 (9,3%), p> 0,05 (todas las comparaciones); el 8,8% comenzó el tratamiento antirretroviral con >28 semanas de edad gestacional en 2020 frente al 16% y el 18,05% en 2018 y 2019 (p> 0,05, todas las comparaciones). La prevalencia de la carga viral indetectable en el momento del parto fue del 67% en 2020 frente al 64% en 2018 y del 65,4% en 2019 (p> 0,05, todas las comparaciones). La transmisión perinatal fue 0% en 2020 vs 1.33% en 2018 y 2.25% 2019 (p> 0.05, todas las comparaciones) Conclusiones: En la primera ola de la pandemia de COVID 19 no se observó ningún impacto perjudicial en la proporción de MEV asistidas, diagnóstico intraparto de VIH, inicio tardío del TARV y TMI en CABA.

Smoking is the main risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease development and cigarette smoke (CS) exposure is considered an important approach to reproduce in rodents this human disease. We have previously shown that in an elastase-induced model of emphysema, the administration of a protease inhibitor (rBmTI-A) prevented and attenuated tissue destruction in mice. Thus, in this study we aimed to verify the effects of rBmTI-A administration on the physiopathological mechanisms of CS-induced emphysema.Mice (C57BL/6) were exposed to CS or room air for 12 weeks. In this period, 3 nasal instillations of rBmTI-A inhibitor or its vehicle were performed. After euthanasia, respiratory mechanics were evaluated and lungs removed for analysis of mean linear intercept, volume proportion of collagen and elastic fibers, density of polymorphonuclear cells, macrophages, and density of positive cells for MMP-12, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and gp91phox.The rBmTI-A administration improved tissue elastance, decreased alveolar enlargement and collagen fibers accumulation to control levels and attenuated elastic fibers accumulation in animals exposed to CS. There was an increase of MMP-12, MMP-9 and macrophages in CS groups and the rBmTIA only decreased the number of MMP-12 positive cells. Also, we demonstrated an increase in gp91phox in CS treated group and in TIMP-1 levels in both rBmTI-A treated groups.In summary, the rBmTI-A administration attenuated emphysema development by an increase of gp91phox and TIMP-1, accompanied by a decrease in MMP-12 levels.

Gastric adenomyoma is a rare benign tumor composed of epithelial structures and smooth muscle stroma. Here, we report an unusual case of gastric adenomyoma mostly composed of smooth muscle that was incidentally found during a laparoscopic intervention. On radiology, it mimicked an acquired hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in an adult patient, and pathologically it resembled a pure smooth muscle hamartoma. Complete submission of the lesion for histology was necessary to find the epithelial component and make the right diagnosis. As a mimicker of benign and malignant entities, gastric adenomyoma is usually an unexpected finding after surgery. The aim of this report is to analyze this adenomyoma variant in the setting of an unexplained thickening of the gastric wall, with explanations concerning histogenesis and biological potential. O Adenomioma gástrico é um tumor benigno raro composto por estruturas epiteliais e por um estroma muscular liso. Aqui apresenta-se um caso invulgar composto maioritariamente por músculo liso, que foi identificado acidentalmente no decurso de uma intervenção laparoscópica. Na imagiologia a lesão simulava uma estenose pilórica hipertrófica adquirida do adulto e na anatomia patológica assemelhava-se a um hamartoma de músculo liso puro. A inclusão total da lesão para análise histológica permitiu encontrar o componente epitelial e o diagnóstico correto.Sendo um imitador de doenças benignas e malignas, o adenomioma gástrico é habitualmente um achado inesperado após a cirurgia. O objetivo da apresentação deste caso é reconhecer esta variante de adenomioma no contexto de um espessamento inexplicável da parede gástrica, com comentários sobre a sua histogénese e potencial biológico.

Resistance-associated mutations (RAMs) in plasma samples from HIV-1-infected women who received antiretroviral (ARV) prophylaxis during pregnancy was assessed and correlated with the detection of RAMs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBCs). The study population was composed of HIV-1-infected women enrolled in a prospective cohort study in Latin America and the Caribbean (NISDI Perinatal Study) as of March 1, 2005, who were diagnosed with HIV-1 infection during the current pregnancy, who received ARVs during pregnancy for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1, and who were followed through at least the 6–12 week postpartum visit. Plasma samples collected at enrollment during pregnancy and at 6–12 weeks postpartum were assayed for RAMs. Plasma results were compared to previously described PBMC results from the same study population. Of 819 enrolled subjects, 197 met the eligibility criteria. Nucleic acid amplification was accomplished in 123 plasma samples at enrollment or 6–12 weeks postpartum, and RAMs were detected in 22 (17.9%; 95%CI: 11.7–25.9%). Previous analyses had demonstrated detection of RAMs in PBMCs in 19 (16.1%). There was high concordance between RAMs detected in plasma and PBMC samples, with only eight discordant pairs. The prevalence of RAMs among these pregnant, HIV-1-infected women is high (>15%). Rates of detection of RAMs in plasma and PBMC samples were similar.

Objective: Our objective was to estimate primary resistance in an urban setting in a developing country characterized by high antiretroviral (ARV) coverage over the diagnosed population and also by an important proportion of undiagnosed individuals, in order to determine whether any change in primary resistance occurred in the past five years. Design: We carried out a multi-site resistance surveillance study according to WHO HIV resistance guidelines, using a weighted sampling technique based on annual HIV case reports per site. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 197 drug-naive HIV-1-infected individuals diagnosed between March 2010 and August 2011 at 20 HIV voluntary counselling and testing centres in Buenos Aires. Clinical records of enrolled patients at the time of diagnosis were compiled. Viral load and CD4 counts were performed on all samples. The pol gene was sequenced and the resistance profile determined. Phylogenetic analysis was performed by neighbour-joining (NJ) trees and bootscanning analysis. Results: We found that 12 (7.9%) of the 152 successfully sequenced samples harboured primary resistance mutations, of which K103N and G190A were the most prevalent. Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) resistance mutations were largely the most prevalent (5.9%), accounting for 75% of all primary resistance and exhibiting a significant increase (p =0.0072) in prevalence during the past 10 years as compared to our previous study performed in 1997-2000 and in 2003-2005. Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) and protease inhibitor primary resistance were low and similar to the one previously reported. Conclusions: Levels of primary NNRTI resistance in Buenos Aires appear to be increasing in the context of a sustained ARV coverage and a high proportion of undiagnosed HIV-positive individuals. © 2013 Rodriguez-Rodrigues N et al; licensee International AIDS Society. Fil: Rodriguez Rodrigues, Nahuel Emiliano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; Argentina Fil: Duran, Adriana. Ministerio de Salud de la Nación; Argentina Fil: Bouzas, Maria Belen. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Infecciosas F. J. Muñiz; Argentina Fil: Zapiola, Ines. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Infecciosas F. J. Muñiz; Argentina Fil: Vila, Marcelo. Organizacion Mundial de la Salud; Argentina Fil: Indyk, Debbie. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Estados Unidos Fil: Bissio, Emiliano. Ministerio de Salud de la Nación; Argentina Fil: Salomon, Horacio Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Microbiología; Argentina Fil: Dilernia, Dario Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; Argentina

To quantify primary resistance mutations (PRMs) among HIV-1-infected women receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT).Peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples from HIV-1-infected women enrolled in a prospective cohort study in Argentina, the Bahamas, Brazil, and Mexico (NISDI Perinatal Study) were assayed for PRMs. Eligible women were those enrolled by March 2005 and diagnosed with HIV-1 infection during the current pregnancy, and who received ART for MTCT prophylaxis and were followed for 6-12 weeks postpartum.Of 819 women, 198 met the eligibility criteria. At enrollment, 98% were asymptomatic, 62% had plasma viral load1000 copies/ml, 53% had CD4+ cell countor = 500 cells/microl, and 78% were ART-exposed (mean duration, 8.0 weeks; 95% confidence interval, 7.1-8.9). The most complex ART regimen during pregnancy was usually (81%) a three-drug regimen [two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) + one protease inhibitor or two NRTIs + one non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor). PRMs were observed in samples from 19 (16%) of 118 women that were amplifiable at one or both time points [11/76 (14%) at enrollment; 14/97 (14%) at 6-12 weeks]. The occurrence of PRMs was not associated with clinical, immunological, or virological disease stage at either time point, whether ART-naive versus exposed at enrollment, or the most complex or number of antiretroviral drug regimens received during pregnancy (P0.1). Of 55 women with amplifiable samples at both time points, PRMs were detected in 11 samples (20%).PRMs occurred among 16.1% of relatively healthy HIV-1-infected mothers from Latin American and Caribbean countries receiving MTCT prophylaxis.

Worldwide, the distribution of HIV-1 subtypes and intersubtype recombinants is not homogeneous. In Latin America and the Caribbean, HIV-1 subtype B predominates. However, in the south of Brazil and in countries of the Southern cone (Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay) there is a different distribution of viral subtypes and intersubtype recombinants. The aim of this work was to analyze HIV-1 diversity in a cohort of pregnant women (with primarily heterosexual acquisition of the infection) who were diagnosed with HIV-1 infection during their current pregnancy and who received ARVs during pregnancy for perinatal transmission prophylaxis. Analysis of 121 partial pol sequences from subjects enrolled in Argentina, Brazil, the Bahamas, and Mexico was performed by phylogenetic and recombinant characterization. Different prevalences of subtype B were observed (100% for specimens from Mexico and the Bahamas, 61% for Brazil, and 30% for Argentina). Subtypes C and F were found, along with BC, BF, FC, and CBF recombinants in specimens from Brazilians. A high prevalence of BF recombinants was found (70%) in specimens from Argentina. The different patterns of HIV- 1 subtypes and intersubtype recombinants in South America (Argentina and Brazil) compared to those in Central and North America should be considered in the design of future HIV-1 vaccine trials.

This trial assessed the rate of virological failure at 48 weeks in adult human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1-infected patients assigned indinavir/ritonavir (Idv/Rtv; 800/100 mg 2 times daily) or saquinavir/ritonavir (Sqv/ Rtv; 1000/100 mg 2 times daily) in an open-label, randomized (1:1), multicenter, phase 4 design. Three hundred six patients began the assigned treatment. At 48 weeks, virological failure was seen in 43 (27%) of 158 and 37 (25%) of 148 patients in the Idv/Rtv and Sqv/ Rtv arms, respectively. The time to virological failure did not differ between study arms (P = .76). When switching from randomized treatment was counted as failure, this was seen in 78 of 158 patients in the Idv/Rtv arm, versus 51 of 148 patients in the Sqv/ Rtv arm (P = .009). A switch from the randomized treatment occurred in 64 (41%) of 158 patients in the Idv/Rtv arm, versus 40 (27%) of 148 patients in the Sqv/Rtv arm (P = .013). Sixty-four percent of the switches occurred because of adverse events. A greater number of treatment-limiting adverse events were observed in the Idv/Rtv arm, relative to the Sqv/ Rtv arm. In conclusion, Rtv-boosed Sqv and Idv were found to have comparable antiretroviral effects in the doses studied.